================================================================================
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schedule 14A Information
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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 Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section
240.14a-12
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter
and
Name of Person Filing Proxy Statement)
================================================================================
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 with 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.
Amount Previously Paid: _____________________________________
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: _________________
Filing Party: ________________________________________________
Date Filed: __________________________________________________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================
<PAGE>
PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
158 Route 206 North
Gladstone, New Jersey 07934
------------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 25, 2000
---------------------------------
To Our Shareholders:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation will be held at Peapack-Gladstone's Loan
and Administration Building, 158 Route 206 North, Gladstone, New Jersey, on
April 25, 2000, at 2:00 p.m. local time for the purpose of considering and
voting upon the following matters:
1. Election of twelve directors to serve until the expiration of
their terms and thereafter until their successors shall have
been duly elected and qualified;
2. Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or
any adjournment thereof.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 20,
2000, are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the meeting.
You are urged to read carefully the attached proxy statement
relating to the meeting.
Shareholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in
person. Whether or not you expect to do so, we urge you to date and sign the
enclosed proxy form and return it in the enclosed envelope as promptly as
possible. You may revoke your proxy by filing a later-dated proxy or a written
revocation of the proxy with the Secretary of Peapack-Gladstone prior to the
meeting. If you attend the meeting, you may revoke your proxy by filing a
later-dated proxy or written revocation of the proxy with the Secretary of the
meeting prior to the voting of such proxy.
By Order of the Board of Directors
CATHERINE A. McCATHARN,
Corporate Secretary
Gladstone, New Jersey
March 24, 2000
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE
ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
<PAGE>
PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
158 Route 206 North
Gladstone, New Jersey 07934
-----------------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
Dated March 24, 2000
------------------------------------
GENERAL PROXY STATEMENT INFORMATION
This proxy statement is furnished to the shareholders of
Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation in connection with the solicitation by
the Board of Directors of Peapack-Gladstone of proxies for use at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be held at Peapack-Gladstone's Loan and
Administration Building, 158 Route 206 North, Gladstone, New Jersey on April 25,
2000 at 2:00 p.m. local time. This proxy statement is first being mailed to
shareholders on approximately March 24, 2000.
VOTING INFORMATION
Outstanding Securities and Voting Rights
- ----------------------------------------
The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice
of, and to vote at, the meeting is March 20, 2000. Only shareholders of record
as of the record date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the
meeting.
On the record date, 2,871,530 shares of Peapack-Gladstone's
common stock, no par value, were outstanding and eligible to be voted at the
meeting. Each share of Peapack-Gladstone's common stock is entitled to one vote.
At the meeting, inspectors of election will tabulate both ballots
cast by shareholders present and voting in person, and votes cast by proxy.
Under applicable state law and Peapack-Gladstone's certificate of incorporation
and by-laws, abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for purpose of
establishing a quorum but otherwise do not count. Generally, the approval of a
specified percentage of shares voted at a shareholders meeting is required to
approve a proposal and thus abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on
the outcome of a vote. The election of directors requires the affirmative vote
of a plurality of Peapack-Gladstone's common stock voted at the meeting, whether
voted in person or by proxy.
All shares represented by valid proxies received pursuant to this
solicitation will be voted "FOR" the election of the twelve nominees for
director who are named in this proxy statement, unless the shareholder specifies
a different choice by means of the proxy or revokes the proxy prior to the time
it is exercised. Should any other matter properly come before the meeting, the
persons named as proxies will vote upon such matters according to their
discretion unless the shareholder otherwise specifies in the proxy.
Revocability of Proxy
- ---------------------
Any shareholder giving a proxy has the right to attend and to
vote at the meeting in person. A proxy may be revoked prior to the meeting by
filing a later-dated proxy or a written revocation if it is sent to the
Secretary of Peapack-Gladstone, Catherine A. McCatharn, at 158 Route 206 North,
Gladstone, New Jersey, 07934, and is received by Peapack-Gladstone in advance of
the meeting. A proxy may be revoked at the meeting by filing a later-dated proxy
or a written revocation with the Secretary of the meeting prior to the voting of
such proxy.
Solicitation of Proxies
- -----------------------
This proxy solicitation is being made by the Board of
Peapack-Gladstone and the costs of the solicitation will be borne by
Peapack-Gladstone. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited
personally or by telephone or facsimile transmission by directors, officers and
employees of Peapack-Gladstone and its subsidiaries who will not be specially
compensated for such solicitation activities. Peapack-Gladstone will also make
arrangements with brokers, dealers, nominees, custodians and fiduciaries to
forward proxy soliciting materials to the beneficial owners of shares held of
record by such persons, and Peapack-Gladstone may reimburse them for their
reasonable expenses incurred in forwarding the materials.
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Director Information
Peapack-Gladstone's certificate of incorporation and by-laws
authorize a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 25 directors, but leave the exact
number to be fixed by resolution of Peapack-Gladstone's Board of Directors. The
Board is presently comprised of 12 members, 11 of whom were elected at the last
annual meeting, and Anthony J. Consi, II, who was appointed to the Board in
conjunction with the recent merger with Chatham Savings, FSB. Directors are
elected annually by the shareholders for one-year terms. Peapack-Gladstone's
Nominating Committee has nominated the twelve current directors, for reelection
to serve for one-year terms expiring in 2001 and until their successors shall
have been duly elected and qualified.
Shareholders will elect 12 directors at the meeting. Unless a
shareholder indicates otherwise on the proxy, the proxy will be voted for the
persons named in the table below to serve until the expiration of their terms,
and thereafter until their successors have been duly elected and qualified.
The following table sets forth the names and ages of the Board's
nominees for election, the nominees' position with Peapack-Gladstone (if any),
the principal occupation or employment of each nominee for the past five years
and the period during which each nominee has served as a director of
Peapack-Gladstone. The nominee's prior service as a director includes prior
service as a director of Peapack-Gladstone Bank prior to the formation of the
holding company.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
Name Age Director Since Principal Occupation of Employment for Past Five Years
======================== ===== ================= =================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Anthony J. Consi, II 55 2000 Senior Vice President of Finance and Operations, Weichert Realtors; previously
Chairman of Chatham Savings, FSB.
- ------------------------ ----- ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pamela Hill 62 1991 President of Ferris Corp. since 1995; previously Vice President of Ferris Corp.
- ------------------------ ----- ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. Leonard Hill 88 1944 Chairman of the Board of Peapack-Gladstone and the Bank since 1989; Chairman of
Ferris Corp.
- ------------------------ ----- ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank A. Kissel 49 1989 President and CEO of Peapack-Gladstone and the Bank since 1989.
- ------------------------ ----- ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John D. Kissel 47 1987 Manager of Turpin Real Estate, Inc. since 1991.
- ------------------------ ----- ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James R. Lamb 57 1993 Principal of James R. Lamb, P.C., Attorney at Law since 1967.
- ------------------------ ----- ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
George R. Layton 72 1966 Director of Layton Funeral Home since 1953.
- ------------------------ ----- ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward A. Merton 59 1981 President of Merton Excavating and Paving Co. since 1961.
- ------------------------ ----- ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F. Duffield Meyercord 53 1991 Managing Director and Partner of Carl Marks Consulting Group, LLC., since 1998;
Managing Director, Meyercord Advisors, Inc., since 1985; Director of Programmer's
Paradise, Inc. since 1991.
- ------------------------ ----- ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John R. Mulcahy 61 1981 Retired since 1994; previously President of Mulcahy Realty and Construction.
- ------------------------ ----- ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philip W. Smith III 44 1995 President, Phillary Management, Inc. since 1994; previously Commercial Real
Estate Broker, C.B. Commercial Group, Inc.
- ------------------------ ----- ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jack D. Stine 78 1976 Retired; Trustee of Proprietary House Association (Perth Amboy).
- ------------------------ ----- ----------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
T. Leonard Hill is the father of Pamela Hill.
Frank A. Kissel and John D. Kissel are brothers.
Recommendation and Vote Required on Proposal 1
- ----------------------------------------------
Peapack-Gladstone's Board of Directors unanimously recommends a
vote "FOR" management's nominees for director. Peapack-Gladstone's directors
will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at Peapack-Gladstone's meeting,
whether in person or by proxy.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of Peapack-Gladstone held five (5)
meetings during 1999. All the directors of Peapack-Gladstone also serve as
directors of the Bank, which held thirteen (13) meetings during 1999.
Peapack-Gladstone maintains a standing Executive/Nominating
Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation Committee. These Committees are
described below:
Executive/Nominating Committee. The principal function of the
Executive Committee is to exercise the authority of Peapack-Gladstone's Board in
the management and affairs of Peapack-Gladstone, as required, between meetings
of the Board. The Executive Committee also serves as Peapack-Gladstone's
Nominating Committee and as such makes recommendations with respect to nominees
for election to Peapack-Gladstone's Board and nominees to fill vacancies in
Board membership between meetings. Shareholders may make recommendations to the
Committee, which has no established criteria. The members are Messrs. Frank A.
Kissel, Hill, Lamb, Layton, Mulcahy and Stine. There were ten (10) meetings of
the Executive Committee in 1999.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee (which also serves as the
audit committee for the Bank) supervises internal audits of Peapack-Gladstone
and the Bank, reviews reports of internal and external auditors engaged by
Peapack-Gladstone and the Bank, makes recommendations for changes in relevant
systems and policies, and recommends the appointment of outside auditors. The
Audit department of the Bank reports directly to the Audit Committee. The
members are Ms. Pamela Hill and Messrs. John D. Kissel, Mulcahy and Stine. There
were four (4) meetings of the Audit Committee in 1999.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is responsible
for overseeing the executive compensation practices at Peapack-Gladstone and the
Bank and reviewing and evaluating the compensation of other officers and
employees of Peapack-Gladstone and the Bank. The members are Messrs. Frank A.
Kissel, Hill, Meyercord, Merton and Stine. There were three (3) meetings of the
Compensation Committee to establish compensation levels for 1999.
During 1999, all directors of Peapack-Gladstone attended no fewer
than 75% of the total number of meetings of Peapack-Gladstone's (or the Bank's)
Board and meetings of committees on which such director served.
Mr. T. Leonard Hill is ex-officio with full voting powers on all
committees.
DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION
Peapack-Gladstone pays its directors an $8,000 annual retainer,
and $400 for each regular Bank Board meeting they attended and $300 for each
committee meeting they attended. Frank A. Kissel, as a full-time employee, was
not compensated for services rendered as a director.
The 1995 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors provides for the
award of non-qualified stock options to each outside director on a scheduled
basis depending upon when an outside director was first elected to the Board of
the Bank. No stock options were awarded to directors under the plan in 1999.
In April 1998, the shareholders of Peapack-Gladstone approved a
non-qualified stock option plan for non-employee directors of Peapack-Gladstone.
The 1998 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors provides for the award of
options to each outside director on a scheduled basis depending upon when an
outside director was first elected to the Board. That schedule is:
Annual Meeting Options to Purchase
at which elected (number of shares)
---------------- ------------------
1998 or before 2,756
1999 2,205
2000 1,653
2001 1,102
2002 551
No stock options were awarded to Directors under the Plan in 1999.
The exercise price for the option shares may not be less than the
fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant of the option. The
options granted under these plans are, in general, exercisable not earlier than
one year after the date of grant, at a price equal to the fair market value of
the common stock on the date of grant, and expire not more than ten years after
the date of grant. The stock options vest during a period of up to five years
after the date of grant. All options granted under these plans are exercisable
in cumulative installments of 20% for each year after the date of grant such
that 100% of such options will be exercisable after five years.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
Certain Beneficial Owners
- -------------------------
The following table sets forth as of February 29, 2000 certain
information as to beneficial ownership of each person known to Peapack-Gladstone
to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding common stock of
Peapack-Gladstone. The beneficial owner in the table below has sole voting and
investment power as to all his shares.
Number of Shares
Name of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned Percent of Class
=============================== ================== ================
James M. Weichert 286,730 9.98%
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------
<PAGE>
Stock Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers
- ---------------------------------------------------
The following table sets forth as of February 29, 2000 the number
of shares of Peapack-Gladstone's common stock that were beneficially owned by
each of the directors/nominees, the executive officers of Peapack-Gladstone for
whom individual information is required to be set forth in this proxy statement
(the "Named Executive Officers") pursuant to the regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and by all directors and executive officers
as a group.
<TABLE>
Number of Shares
Name of Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned (1) Percent of Class (2)
======================================== ============================= =========================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Arthur F. Birmingham 4,568 (3) *
Garrett P. Bromley 3,299 (4) *
Anthony J. Consi, II 19,000 *
Pamela Hill 25,168 (5) *
======================================== ============================= =========================
T. Leonard Hill 61,022 (6) 2.03%
======================================== ============================= =========================
Frank A. Kissel 29,590 (7) *
======================================== ============================= =========================
John D. Kissel 18,840 (8) *
======================================== ============================= =========================
James R. Lamb 9,671 (9) *
======================================== ============================= =========================
George R. Layton 33,639 (10) 1.12%
======================================== ============================= =========================
Edward A. Merton 10,217 (10) *
======================================== ============================= =========================
F. Duffield Meyercord 8,418 (10) *
======================================== ============================= =========================
John R. Mulcahy 11,199 (11) *
======================================== ============================= =========================
Robert M. Rogers 6,329 (12) *
======================================== ============================= =========================
Philip W. Smith, III 10,144 (13) *
======================================== ============================= =========================
Craig C. Spengeman 6,982 (14) *
======================================== ============================= =========================
Jack D. Stine 11,593 (15) *
======================================== ============================= =========================
All directors and executive officers 280,237 (16) 9.34%
as a group (19 persons)
</TABLE>
NOTES:
* Less than one percent
(1) Beneficially owned shares include shares over which the named
person exercises either sole or shared voting power or sole or
shared investment power. It also includes shares owned (i) by a
spouse, minor children or by relatives sharing the same home,
(ii) by entities owned or controlled by the named person and
(iii) by other persons if the named person has the right to
acquire such shares within 60 days by the exercise of any right
or option. Unless otherwise noted, all shares are owned of record
or beneficially by the named person.
(2) The number of shares of common stock used in calculating the
percentage of the class owned includes shares of common stock
outstanding as of February 29, 2000, and 129,712 shares
purchasable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days of
February 29, 2000.
(3) This total includes 329 shares allocated to Mr. Birmingham under
Peapack-Gladstone's Profit Sharing Plan, 63 shares owned by Mr.
Birmingham's child, and 3,595 shares purchasable pursuant to
options excisable within 60 days.
(4) This total includes 233 shares allocated to Mr. Bromley under
Peapack-Gladstone's Profit Sharing Plan and 3,066 shares
purchasable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days.
(5) This total includes 6,891 shares purchasable pursuant to options
exercisable within 60 days.
(6) This total includes 41,002 shares owned by the Hill Family Trusts
and 8,689 shares purchasable pursuant to options exercisable
within 60 days.
(7) This total includes 1,102 shares owned by Mr. Frank A. Kissel's
wife, 1,542 shares owned by Mr. Kissel's children, 1,915 shares
allocated to Mr. Kissel under Peapack-Gladstone's Profit Sharing
Plan and 11,691 shares purchasable pursuant to options
exercisable within 60 days.
(8) This total includes 577 shares owned by Mr. John D. Kissel's
wife, 1,991 shares owned by Mr. Kissel's children and 6,891
shares purchasable pursuant to options exercisable within 60
days.
(9) This total includes 1,158 shares owned by Mr. Lamb's wife, 696
shares owned by Mr. Lamb's children and 5,736 shares purchasable
pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days.
(10) This total includes 6,891 shares purchasable pursuant to options
exercisable within 60 days.
(11) This total includes 232 shares owned by Mr. Mulcahy's wife and
4,203 shares purchasable pursuant to options exercisable within
60 days.
(12) This total includes 882 shares allocated to Mr. Rogers under
Peapack-Gladstone's Profit Sharing Plan and 5,447 shares
purchasable pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days.
(13) This total includes 2,090 shares owned by Mr. Smith's wife, 258
shares owned by Mr. Smith's children and 4,806 shares purchasable
pursuant to options exercisable within 60 days.
(14) This total includes 284 shares owned by Mr. Spengeman's wife, 989
shares allocated to Mr. Spengeman under Peapack-Gladstone's
Profit Sharing Plan and 5,447 shares purchasable pursuant to
options exercisable within 60 days.
(15) This total includes 5,733 shares purchasable pursuant to options
exercisable within 60 days.
(16) This total includes 10,558 shares beneficially owned by 2
Executive Officers who are not Directors or Named Executive
Officers which total includes 8,651 shares purchasable pursuant
to options exercisable within 60 days.
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
General
- -------
Executive compensation is described below in the tabular format
mandated by the SEC. All share amounts have been re-stated to give effect to
stock dividends.
Summary Compensation Table
- --------------------------
The following table summarizes all compensation earned in the past
three years for services performed in all capacities for Peapack-Gladstone and
its subsidiaries with respect to the named executive officers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Long Term Compensation
Annual Compensation Awards
------------------- -----------------------------
All Other Compensation
Stock Option ($) (1)
Name and Year Salary ($) Bonus ($) Awards(#) Principal Position
- ----------------------------------------- ------ ---------- ---------- ----------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> C>
Frank A. Kissel, 1999 229,616 46,000 10,501 5,056
President and CEO of 1998 229,692 42,000 -- 3,537
Peapack-Gladstone and the Bank 1997 197,495 40,000 6,300 0,784
Craig C. Spengeman, 1999 119,766 18,000 2,100 7,963
Senior Vice President of 1998 113,538 13,200 -- 6,292
Peapack-Gladstone and the Bank 1997 91,846 9,200 3,308 5,113
Robert M. Rogers, 1999 104,500 15,750 2,100 6,988
Senior Vice President of 1998 95,288 13,800 -- 5,320
Peapack-Gladstone and the Bank 1997 85,435 8,550 3,308 4,771
Garrett P. Bromley, 1999 99,769 15,000 2,100 6,683
Senior Vice President of the Bank 1998 97,461 11,280 -- 5,436
(2) 1997 63,000 9,000 3,308 --
Arthur F. Birmingham 1999 89,769 13,500 2,100 6,038
Senior Vice President of 1998 85,255 10,080 -- 4,557
Peapack-Gladstone and the Bank 1997 78,000 7,800 3,308 4,356
- -------------------------
</TABLE>
NOTES:
(1) Consists of contributions made to Peapack-Gladstone's Savings and
Profit Sharing Plan.
(2) Mr. Bromley commenced employment on April 3, 1997.
Stock Option Grants in 1999
- ---------------------------
During 1999, the following Named Executive Officers were granted
stock options:
Frank A. Kissel, 10,501 options, Craig S. Spengeman, 2,100
options, Robert M. Rogers, 2,100 options, Garrett P. Bromley, 2,100 options, and
Arthur F. Birmingham, 2,100 options.
<PAGE>
Aggregated Option Exercises in 1999 and Year-End Option Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------
The following table shows options exercised, if any, during 1999,
and the value of unexercised options held at year-end 1999, by the named
executive officers. Peapack-Gladstone does not use SARs as compensation.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATED OPTIONS/SAR EXERCISES IN THE
LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FY-END OPTION VALUES
Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money Options
Options at Fiscal At Fiscal
Year-End (#) Year-End ($)
------------- ------------
Shares Acquired On Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Name Exercise (#) Value Realized ($) Unexercisable Unexercisable
- ------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ---------------------- ------------------
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Frank A. Kissel -- -- 8,202/15,860 195,167/88,180
Craig C. Spengeman -- -- 4,286/4,826 103,034/37,573
Robert M. Rogers -- -- 4,286/4,826 103,034/37,573
Garrett P. Bromley -- -- 2,205/5,408 32,431/40,774
Arthur F. Birmingham ___ ___ 2,712/5,011 48,247/37,411
</TABLE>
Savings and Profit Sharing Plans
- --------------------------------
Peapack-Gladstone has established a qualified defined
contribution plan under Section 401(k) (the "401(k) Plan") of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), covering substantially all
salaried employees over the age of twenty-one with at least twelve months'
service and whose participation is not prohibited by the 401(k) Plan. Under the
savings portion of the 401(k) Plan, employees may contribute up to fifteen
percent of their pay to their elective account via payroll withholding.
Peapack-Gladstone adds a matching contribution equal to fifty percent up to a
maximum of $250 of the employee contribution. In addition, the Board may elect
to make a discretionary contribution to the profit sharing part of the 401(k)
Plan. The profit sharing portion is non-contributory and funds are invested in
Peapack-Gladstone's common stock.
Pension Plan
- ------------
Peapack-Gladstone sponsors a non-contributory defined benefit
pension plan that covers substantially all of Peapack-Gladstone's salaried
employees. The benefits are based on an employee's compensation, age at
retirement and years of service. It is the policy of Peapack-Gladstone to fund
not less than the minimum funding amount required by the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act.
The following table sets forth the estimated annual benefits that
an eligible employee would receive under Peapack-Gladstone's qualified defined
benefit pension plan, assuming retirement age at 65 in 1999 and a straight life
annuity benefit, for the remuneration levels (subject to an annual compensation
limit of $160,000) and years of service shown.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years of Credited Service
Remuneration 10 15 20 25 30
- ----------------------- --------- --------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 50,000 $ 12,275 $18,211 $ 24,147 $30,083 $31,424
100,000 27,025 40,661 54,297 67,933 69,966
150,000 41,775 63,111 84,447 105,783 108,507
160,000 42,955 65,831 88,707 111,583 114,671
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The years of credited service of the named executives are as follows:
Mr. Kissel - eleven years, Mr. Spengeman - fifteen years, Mr. Bromley - two
years, and Mr. Rogers - thirteen years, Mr. Birmingham - three years.
Change of Control Arrangements
- ------------------------------
Peapack-Gladstone and the Bank entered into Change-in-Control
Agreements with Frank A. Kissel, Craig C. Spengeman, Robert M. Rogers, Arthur F.
Birmingham and two other officers as of January 1, 1998 and with Garrett P.
Bromley as of April 3, 1998, each of which provide for termination benefits in
the event of a change in control of Peapack-Gladstone (as defined in the
agreements). Pursuant to the agreements, under certain circumstances,
Peapack-Gladstone and the Bank would be required to pay aggregate amounts equal
to three times the highest salary and bonuses paid per year during any calendar
year during the three years prior to the change in control plus continue certain
health benefits. The agreements have cut-back provision so that the payment
would be reduced to avoid exceeding amounts set forth in Section 280G of the
Internal Revenue Code. That provision limits payments generally to three times
the last five-year average W-2 compensation.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
- -------------------------------------------------------
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
"Exchange Act") requires that Peapack-Gladstone's executive officers, directors
and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of
Peapack-Gladstone's common stock, file reports of ownership and changes in
ownership with the SEC. Based upon copies of reports furnished by insiders, all
Section 16(a) reporting requirements applicable to insiders during 1999 were
satisfied on a timely basis.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Board of Directors established a Compensation Committee which has
been charged with overseeing executive compensation practices at
Peapack-Gladstone. Members of the Compensation Committee are F. Duffield
Meyercord, Edward A. Merton, Jack D. Stine, T. Leonard Hill and Frank A. Kissel.
Decisions on compensation of executive officers have been made by the full Board
of Directors based upon the recommendations of the Compensation Committee. T.
Leonard Hill, Chairman of the Board, and Frank A. Kissel, President & Chief
Executive Officer, have no input regarding their own compensation which is
determined by the remaining Directors.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Directors and officers and their associates were customers of and had
transactions with the Bank subsidiary during the year ended December 31, 1999,
and it is expected that such persons will continue to have such transactions in
the future. All deposit accounts, loans, and commitments comprising such
transactions were made in the ordinary course of business of the Bank on
substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those
prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons, and, in
the opinion of management of Peapack-Gladstone, did not involve more than normal
risks of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.
During 1999, Peapack-Gladstone Bank paid for legal services to
the law firm of James R. Lamb, P.C., whose Principal is James R. Lamb, a
director and shareholder of Peapack-Gladstone. In addition, during 1999 the Bank
paid Merton Excavating Company for contracting work, whose principal is Edward
A. Merton, a director and shareholder of Peapack-Gladstone.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following report was prepared by the Compensation Committee
of Peapack-Gladstone regarding executive compensation policy and its relation to
Peapack-Gladstone's performance.
Compensation Review Process
- ---------------------------
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is
responsible for establishing and overseeing policies governing annual and
long-term compensation programs for the officers named in the compensation
tables shown above and other executive officers of Peapack-Gladstone.
In establishing compensation for executive officers, the
Committee considers many factors including, but not limited to, Corporation
performance, individual performance and peer group compensation practices. In
considering Corporation performance, the Compensation Committee reviews the
actual performance of Peapack-Gladstone in light of its annual budget, which
includes expense items, deposit levels, loan growth, fee income and trust
department management. Annual performance reviews of each officer together with
salary studies prepared by the New Jersey Community Bankers Association and KPMG
are some of the sources of compensation information which are utilized in
determining executive compensation. Base salaries approximate the average base
salaries paid by similar financial institutions for similar positions.
During 1999, Mr. Frank A. Kissel served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Bank and President and Chief Executive Officer of
Peapack-Gladstone. Mr. Kissel's base salary for 1999 was set by the Board based
on his performance in executing his responsibilities in those positions in 1998
and the performance anticipated from him in 1999 and future years. The Board
also considered the objectives set by the Committee for 1999, the overall
performance of Peapack-Gladstone and Mr. Kissel's ability to develop and
motivate employees to meet Peapack-Gladstone's short and long-term objectives.
Mr. Kissel's 1999 bonus was based on the completion of specified corporate
projects for 1999 within specified time and budget, the achievement of specified
minimum financial ratios and the achievement of specified goals with respect to
the Bank's financial performance and growth.
With respect to 1999 compensation for senior officers, the
Compensation Committee based its recommendations, and the full Board based its
actions, on the duties and responsibilities of the officer in question, the
performance of Peapack-Gladstone and of the particular officer in 1998, and the
performance anticipated from the officer in 1999 and future years. Bonuses for
each senior officer were set based on goals set for the senior officer and for
Peapack-Gladstone as a whole. The Chief Executive Officer set goals for each
senior officer.
Another compensation tool that the Board uses to relate executive
compensation to the performance of Peapack-Gladstone and the Bank as a whole is
Peapack-Gladstone's Stock Option Plans. Recommendations for awards under the
plans are made to the full Board by the Compensation Committee. T. Leonard Hill
and Frank A. Kissel have no input regarding their own compensation which is
determined by the remaining directors. The Compensation Committee granted
options to all the Named Executive Officers in 1999.
Detailed information relating to the Named Executive Officers is
shown in the compensation tables above.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
F. DUFFIELD MEYERCORD
EDWARD A. MERTON
JACK D. STINE
T. LEONARD HILL
FRANK A. KISSEL
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative total return on a
hypothetical $100 investment made on January 1, 1995 in: (a) Peapack-Gladstone's
common stock: (b) the Standard and Poor's ("S&P") 500 Stock Index; and (c) the
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods KBW 50 Index. The graph is calculated assuming that all
dividends are reinvested during the relevant periods. The graph shows how a $100
investment would increase or decrease in value over time, based on dividends
(stock or cash) and increases or decreases in the market price of the stock.
This year, Peapack-Gladstone switched from Keefe, Bruyette &
Woods Eastern Region Index of banking organizations to the KBW 50 Index, an
index composed of fifty money center and regional banks. This switch is
necessary because, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods will no longer track an Eastern
Region Index. Instead, the KBW 50 Index should provide a consistent means for
comparing the performance of Peapack-Gladstone's common stock against other
financial institutions generally. The comparable figures in the graph below for
the Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Eastern Region Index would have been 1/1/95 - $100;
12/31/95 - $169.75; 12/31/96 - $232.83; 12/31/97 -$437.09; 12/31/98 - $388.14;
12/31/99 - $374.87.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
<TABLE>
CAPTION>
Index
Symbol Description 1/1/95 12/31/95 12/31/96 12/31/97 12/31/98 12/31/99
- ------------ ----------------------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- -------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
/ Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation $100.00 $130.94 $181.99 $260.71 $394.80 $361.96
- ------------ ----------------------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- -------- --------- ----------
- ------------ ----------------------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- -------- --------- ----------
/ / S&P 500 Stock Index $100.00 $160.16 $226.56 $331.21 $358.62 $346.17
- ------------ ----------------------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- -------- --------- ----------
- ------------ ----------------------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- -------- --------- ----------
/ \ KBW 50 Index $100.00 $134.11 $161.29 $211.30 $267.65 $319.91
- ------------ ----------------------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- -------- --------- ----------
</TABLE>
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The firm of independent accountants of the Company recommended by
the Audit Committee and selected by the Board of Directors for the current
fiscal year is KPMG LLP. The Board of Directors expects that representatives of
KPMG LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting, will be given an opportunity to
make a statement at such meeting if they desire to do so and will be available
to respond to appropriate questions.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
New Jersey corporate law requires that the notice of
shareholders' meeting (for either a regular or special meeting) specify the
purpose or purposes of such meeting. Thus any substantive proposal, including
shareholder proposals, must be referred to in Peapack-Gladstone's notice of
shareholders' meeting for such proposal to be properly considered at a meeting
of Peapack-Gladstone.
Proposals of shareholders which are eligible under the rules of
the SEC to be included in Peapack-Gladstone's year 2001 proxy material must be
received by the Secretary of Peapack-Gladstone no later than December 27, 2000.
If Peapack-Gladstone changes its 2001 Annual Meeting date to a
date more than 30 days from the date of its 2000 Annual Meeting, then the
deadline referred to in the preceding paragraph will be changed to a reasonable
time before Peapack-Gladstone begins to print and mail its proxy materials. If
Peapack-Gladstone changes the date of its 2001 Annual Meeting in a manner that
alters the deadline, Peapack-Gladstone will so state under Item 5 of the first
quarterly report on Form 10-Q it files with the SEC after the date change or
notify its shareholders by another reasonable means.
OTHER MATTERS WHICH MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING
The Board of Directors knows of no business that will be
presented for consideration at the meeting other than that stated in this proxy
statement. Should any other matter properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment thereof, it is intended that proxies in the enclosed form will be
voted in respect thereof in accordance with the judgment of the person or
persons voting the proxies.
Whether you intend to be present at the meeting or not, you are
urged to return your signed proxy promptly.
By Order of the Board of Directors
FRANK A. KISSEL,
President
Gladstone, New Jersey
March 24, 2000
Peapack-Gladstone's Annual Report for the year-ended December 31,
1999 is being mailed to the shareholders with this proxy statement. However,
such Annual Report is not incorporated into this proxy statement and is not
deemed to be a part of the proxy soliciting material.
PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
PROXY
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Tuesday, April 25, 2000
SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints John D. Kissel, George R. Layton and
Jack D. Stine, or any one of them, as Proxies, each with the power to appoint
his substitute and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as
designated below and on the reverse side, all of the shares of common stock of
PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION held of record by the undersigned at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of PEAPACK-GLADSTONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION, to be
held at the Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation's Loan and Administration
Building, 158 Route 206 North, Gladstone, New Jersey, on Tuesday April 25, 2000
at 2:00 p.m., and at any adjournment thereof. The undersigned hereby revokes any
and all proxies heretofore given with respect to such meeting.
This proxy will be voted as specified below. If no choice is specified,
the proxy will be voted FOR the election of the 12 nominees for director listed
in the Proxy Statement.
(see reverse side)
<PAGE>
1. ELECTION OF 12 DIRECTORS
/ / FOR the nominees listed below (except as marked to the contrary
below):
/ / FOR ALL nominees except:
(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for
any individual nominee(s) write that nominee's name
on the above line.)
/ / WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below
Anthony J. Consi II, Pamela Hill, T. Leonard Hill, Frank A. Kissel,
John D. Kissel, James R. Lamb, George R. Layton, Edward A. Merton, F.
Duffield Meyercord, John R. Mulcahy, Philip W. Smith III, Jack D.
Stine. .
2. In their discretion, upon such other matters as may properly come
before the meeting.
Dated: ________________, 2000
---------------------------
Signature
---------------------------
Signature (Please sign exactly as your name
appears. When signing as an executor,
administrator, guardian, trustee or
attorney, please give your title as such. If
signer is a corporation, please sign the
full corporate name and then an authorized
officer should sign his name and print his
name and title below his signature. If the
shares are held in joint name, all joint
owners should sign.)
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND RETURN PROMPTLY
