CFS BANCSHARES INC
DEF 14A, 2000-12-27
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
Previous: AMDOCS LTD, 6-K, 2000-12-27
Next: LODGIAN INC, 8-K, 2000-12-27




                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
                                 (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
[x]Definitive Proxy Statement                     Commission Only (as permitted
[ ]Definitive Additional Materials                by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ]Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12

                           CFS BANCSHARES, INC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charger)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (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>






                        [CFS BANCSHARES, INC. LETTERHEAD]




                                December 27, 2000




Dear Stockholder:

         You are cordially  invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of CFS  Bancshares,  Inc.  for the year ended  September  30,  2000,  to be held
adjacent to the Savings Bank's office in the second floor auditorium at 300 18th
Street North, Birmingham, Alabama, on Wednesday, January 24, 2001, at 2:00 p.m.,
local time.

         The attached Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement  describe the
formal  business to be transacted at the meeting.  At the Meeting,  stockholders
will consider and vote on the election of one director.

         During  the  Meeting,  we will  also  report on the  operations  of the
Company.  Directors and Officers of the Company as well as a  representative  of
KPMG LLP will be present to respond to any questions that stockholders may have.

         Your vote is important,  regardless of the number of shares you own. On
behalf of the  Board of  Directors,  we urge you to sign,  date and  return  the
enclosed  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,  but will
assure that your vote is counted if you are unable to attend the meeting.

                                Sincerely,

                                /s/ Bunny Stokes, Jr.

                                Bunny Stokes, Jr.
                                Chairman of the Board and
                                Chief Executive Officer




<PAGE>


                              CFS BANCSHARES, INC.
                              1700 3RD AVENUE NORTH
                            BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35203
                                 (205) 328-2041

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                         TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 24, 2001

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     NOTICE IS  HEREBY  GIVEN  that the  Annual  Meeting  of  Stockholders  (the
"Meeting") of CFS  Bancshares,  Inc. (the  "Company"),  will be held adjacent to
Citizens  Federal  Savings  Bank's office in the second floor  auditorium at 300
18th Street North, Birmingham,  Alabama, on Wednesday, January 24, 2001, at 2:00
p.m., local time.

     A Proxy Card and a Proxy Statement for the Meeting are enclosed.

     The Meeting is for the purpose of considering and acting upon:

          1.   The election of two directors of the Company; and

          2.   Such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any
               adjournments thereof.

     NOTE:  The Board of  Directors  is not aware of any other  business to come
before the Meeting.

     Any  action  may be  taken  on any one of the  foregoing  proposals  at the
Meeting  on the date  specified  above,  or on any date or  dates to  which,  by
original or later  adjournment,  the Meeting may be  adjourned.  Pursuant to the
Company's  Bylaws,  the Board of  Directors  has fixed the close of  business on
December  8, 2000,  as the record  date for  determination  of the  stockholders
entitled to vote at the Meeting and any adjournments thereof.

     You are  requested to fill in and sign the enclosed  form of Proxy which is
solicited  by the Board of  Directors  and to mail it promptly  in the  enclosed
envelope.  The proxy will not be used if you  attend and vote at the  Meeting in
person.

                                           BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                           /s/ W. Kent McGriff

                                           W. KENT MCGRIFF
                                           SECRETARY

Birmingham, Alabama
December 27, 2000

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT:  THE PROMPT  RETURN OF PROXIES  WILL SAVE THE  COMPANY THE EXPENSE OF
FURTHER  REQUESTS  FOR  PROXIES  IN ORDER TO INSURE A QUORUM.  A  SELF-ADDRESSED
ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR  CONVENIENCE.  NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN
THE UNITED STATES.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                                       OF
                              CFS BANCSHARES, INC.
                              1700 3RD AVENUE NORTH
                            BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35203
                                 (205) 328-2041

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                JANUARY 24, 2001

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection  with the  solicitation
of proxies by the Board of Directors of CFS Bancshares,  Inc. (the "Company") to
be used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (hereinafter called
the  "Meeting")  which will be held  adjacent to the  Citizens  Federal  Savings
Bank's (the "Savings  Bank")  office in the second floor  auditorium at 300 18th
Street North, Birmingham, Alabama, on Wednesday, January 24, 2001, at 2:00 p.m.,
local time.  The  accompanying  notice of meeting and this Proxy  Statement  are
being first mailed to stockholders on or about December 27, 2000.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              REVOCATION OF PROXIES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Stockholders who execute proxies retain the right to revoke them at any
time. Unless so revoked, the shares represented by such proxies will be voted at
the  Meeting  and all  adjournments  thereof.  Proxies may be revoked by written
notice  to the  Secretary  of the  Company,  mailed  or  delivered  to the above
address,  or the  filing  of a later  proxy  prior  to a vote  being  taken on a
particular  proposal at the Meeting.  A proxy will not be voted if a stockholder
attends  the  Meeting  and votes in person.  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
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
nominee for director set forth below. The proxy confers discretionary  authority
------------------------------------
on the persons  named therein to vote with respect to the election of any person
as a  director  where the  nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will not
serve,  and matters  incident to the conduct of the Meeting.  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 no
votes,  however,  will be treated as shares  present for purposes of determining
whether a quorum is present.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 8, 2000,
are entitled to one vote for each share then held.  As of December 8, 2000,  the
Company had 130,000 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.



<PAGE>

         The following  table sets forth,  as of December 8, 2000, the shares of
Common Stock  beneficially owned by all holders of more than 5% of the Company's
stock and by all officers and  directors of the Company as a group.  Persons and
groups owning in excess of 5% of the Company's Common Stock are required to file
certain reports regarding such ownership pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange  Act").  Based upon such reports,  management
knows of no persons, other than those set forth below, who owned more than 5% of
the Company's outstanding shares of Common Stock at December 8, 2000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            AMOUNT AND NATURE                PERCENT OF SHARES
NAME AND ADDRESS                              OF BENEFICIAL                   OF COMMON STOCK
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                           OWNERSHIP(1)                      OUTSTANDING
-------------------                         -----------------                -----------------

<S>                                               <C>                               <C>
Citizens Federal Savings Bank Employee            30,790                            23.68%
  Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP")
1700 3rd Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203

State Farm Insurance Co.                          12,999                             9.99%
1 State Farm Plaza
Bloomington, Illinois  61701

James W. Coleman                                  11,600                             8.92%
Route 1 Box 287
Sawyerville, AL  36776

Bunny Stokes, Jr.                                 25,172  (2)                       18.24%
1700 3rd Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama  35203

All Officers and Directors                        42,476  (3)                       30.56%
 as a  Group (9 Persons)
<FN>
--------------------
(1)  All shares are owned directly by the named  individuals or by their spouses
     and minor  children,  over which shares the named  individuals  effectively
     exercise sole or shared voting and investment power.
(2)  Includes  8,000 shares which Mr. Stokes has a right to acquire  pursuant to
     stock options, and 4,864 shares owned by the ESOP which have been allocated
     to the account of Mr. Stokes.
(3)  Includes 3,629 shares owned by the ESOP which,  as of December 8, 2000, had
     not been allocated and are currently voted by Citizens Federal Savings Bank
     Directors Lett, Greene and Woolfolk,  as members of the Savings Bank's ESOP
     Committee.  Also includes 8,810 shares held in retirement  accounts for the
     benefit  of the  named  individuals,  and  9,000  shares  which  the  named
     individuals  have a right  to  acquire  within  60 days  pursuant  to stock
     options.
</FN>
</TABLE>


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       PROPOSAL I -- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         The Company's Board of Directors is presently  composed of four members
elected  for terms of three  years,  approximately  one-third  of whom are to be
elected  annually in accordance with the Bylaws of the Company.  Pursuant to the
Certificate of  Incorporation  of the Company,  stockholders are not entitled to
cumulate their votes for the election of directors.

         The Board of Directors has nominated  James W. Coleman and Rev. John T.
Porter to serve as  directors  for a three year term.  It is  intended  that the
persons  named in the proxies  solicited by the Board will vote for the election
of the  named  nominee.  If either  nominee  is  unable  to  serve,  the  shares
represented  by all  valid  proxies  will  be  voted  for the  election  of such
substitute as the Board of Directors may recommend. At this time the Board knows
of no reason why the nominees might be unavailable to serve.


                                       2
<PAGE>

         The  following  table  sets  forth for the  nominee  and each  director
continuing in office, his or her name, age (as of September 30, 2000), principal
occupation(s)  during  the past five  years,  the year he or she first  became a
director of the Savings  Bank  (predecessor  to the  Company)  and the number of
shares and  percentage  of the  Company's  Common  Stock  beneficially  owned at
December 8, 2000.  All persons  were  appointed  as directors in January 1998 in
connection with the  incorporation of the Company.  Each director of the Company
is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Savings Bank.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    SHARES OF
                                                                                                  COMMON STOCK
                                                                                                  BENEFICIALLY
                      AGE AT                                         FIRST ELECTED  CURRENT         OWNED AT       PERCENT
                     SEPTEMBER                                        DIRECTOR OF     TERM         DECEMBER 8,       OF
NAME                 30, 2000    PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(1)             SAVINGS BANK   TO EXPIRE       2000 (2)        CLASS
----                 --------    -----------------------             ------------   ---------      ----------       -----

                    BOARD NOMINEE FOR TERM TO EXPIRE IN 2004

<S>                    <C>                                               <C>          <C>           <C>             <C>
James W. Coleman       60    Executive Director, West Alabama            1994         2001          11,600          8.92%
                             Health Services, Inc., Eutaw, Alabama.

Rev. John T. Porter    68    Pastor, Sixth Avenue Baptist Church.        1986         2001             100           .08%

                         DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE

Bunny Stokes, Jr.      56    Chairman of the Board of the Savings        1989         2002          25,172  (3)    18.24%
                             Bank since March 1996; President of
                             the Savings Bank since February 1990.

Odessa Woolfolk        66    Private consultant and lecturer;            1990         2003             100           .08%
                             previously Assistant to President
                             of the University of Alabama at
                             Birmingham (UAB) for community
                             relations from January 1991 to
                             October 1993, and Director of the
                             UAB Center for Urban Affairs from
                             1983 to 1991.
<FN>
-------------
(1)  Nominees and directors have held these  vocations or positions for at least
     five years unless  otherwise  noted.  Businesses are located in Birmingham,
     Alabama unless otherwise noted.
(2)  Unless  otherwise  noted,  includes certain shares owned by corporations or
     foundations in which the director is an officer or major stockholder, or by
     spouses, or as a custodian or trustee for minor children, over which shares
     the  named  individual  effectively  exercises  sole or shared  voting  and
     investment power. Also includes shares held in retirement accounts or funds
     for the benefit of the listed  individuals.  Does not include  3,629 shares
     owned by the Savings  Bank's ESOP,  over which  shares the ESOP  Committee,
     consisting of Citizens  Federal  Savings Bank  Directors  Lett,  Greene and
     Woolfolk,  exercises  partial  voting and investment  power.  Also includes
     shares which persons  named in the table have a right to acquire  within 60
     days pursuant to stock options.
(3)  See footnote (2) on previous  page for  information  on Mr.  Stokes'  share
     ownership.
</FN>
</TABLE>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         The Board of Directors  conducts its business  through  meetings of the
Board and through its  committees.  During the fiscal year ended  September  30,
2000,  the Board of  Directors  held 12  meetings.  No  director  of the Company
attended  fewer than 75% of the  meetings of the Board of  Directors  and of the
committees on which such Board member served during this period.

         The Board of  Directors  also  serves  as a  Nominating  Committee  for
selecting the management nominees for election as directors.  While the Board of
Directors will consider  nominees  recommended by stockholders,  as


                                       3
<PAGE>
submitted in any form, it has not actively  solicited  recommendations  from the
Company's  stockholders  for nominees nor has it established  any procedures for
this  purpose.  The Board of  Directors  held one meeting in its capacity as the
Nominating  Committee to nominate the  individuals  named herein for election as
directors at the Meeting. Nominations for election as directors shall be made in
accordance  with the Company's  Bylaws.  Copies of the  Company's  Bylaws may be
requested by a stockholder of record, by writing to the Secretary of the Company
at the Company's executive office.

         Directors  Porter,  Lett,  Coleman and Woolfolk serve as a compensation
committee,  the  function  of  which  is  to  evaluate  the  qualifications  and
performance of the Company's and Savings Bank's principal officers and employees
to determine  the  compensation  and benefits to be paid such  individuals.  The
Committee met one time during the 2000 fiscal year.

         Directors Coleman, Porter and Woolfolk, and Directors Lett and Gardner,
who are  Directors of the Savings Bank only,  serve as an audit  committee.  The
primary  function of this committee is to review audit  performance and evaluate
policies and procedures  relating to internal  auditing  functions and controls.
These functions are performed  through  discussions with the Company's  internal
auditors and management as needed, and through discussions and meetings with the
Company's  independent  auditors and  management  to review the audit report and
related  matters.  One meeting was held by the Company's audit committee  during
the fiscal year ended September 30, 2000.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COMPENSATION SUMMARY

         Employees of the Company do not receive separate compensation for their
service to the Company.  Therefore,  the compensation  information  discussed in
this  Proxy  Statement  relates  to  compensation  paid  by the  Company's  sole
subsidiary,  the  Savings  Bank.  The  following  table  sets forth the cash and
noncash compensation for the last three fiscal years awarded to or earned by the
Chief  Executive  Officer  of  Citizens  Federal  Savings  Bank,  the  principal
subsidiary  of the Company.  Mr.  Stokes was the only  executive  officer of the
Company whose compensation earned during the year ended September 30, 2000, 1999
and 1998  exceeded  $100,000  for  services  rendered in all  capacities  to the
Company and the Savings Bank.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   LONG-TERM
                                                                                  COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL                                              OTHER ANNUAL       AWARDS OF         ALL OTHER
   POSITION              YEAR         SALARY       BONUS        COMPENSATION         OPTIONS       COMPENSATION
------------------       ----         ------       -----        ------------      ------------     ------------

<S>                      <C>        <C>            <C>              <C>               <C>            <C>     <C>
Bunny Stokes, Jr.        2000       $125,127       $ 6,000             --             --             $15,626 (1)
  Chief Executive        1999        116,916         6,000             --             --              15,290 (2)
  Officer                1998        117,191        11,000             --             --              16,492 (3)
<FN>
--------------------
(1)   Includes $11,299 representing the allocation of benefits under the Savings
      Bank's ESOP and $4,327  representing  the  matching  contributions  by the
      Savings Bank to the account of Mr. Stokes under the Savings  Bank's 401(k)
      Plan.
(2)   Includes $10,673 representing the allocation of benefits under the Savings
      Bank's ESOP and $4,617 representing matching  contributions by the Savings
      Bank to the account of Mr. Stokes under the Savings Bank's 401(k) Plan.
(3)   Includes $12,025 representing the allocation of benefits under the Savings
      Bank's ESOP and $4,467  representing  the  matching  contributions  by the
      Company to the account of Mr. Stokes under the Savings Bank's 401(k) Plan.
</FN>
</TABLE>


                                       4
<PAGE>

OPTION EXERCISES AND YEAR-END VALUE TABLE

         The  following  table sets forth  information  concerning  the value of
options held by the Chief Executive Officer during the last fiscal year, as well
as the value of such  options at the end of the  fiscal  year.  No options  were
granted to or exercised by the Chief Executive Officer during fiscal 2000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            VALUE OF
                                        NUMBER OF                          UNEXERCISED
                                       OPTIONS AT                         IN-THE-MONEY
                                     FISCAL YEAR-END                     FISCAL YEAR-END
                                       EXERCISABLE                       EXERCISABLE (1)
                                     ---------------                     ---------------

<S>                                       <C>                                <C>
Bunny Stokes, Jr.                         8,000                              $36,000
Chief Executive Officer
<FN>
---------------------
(1)      Difference between fair market value of underlying securities at fiscal
         year-end  and the  exercise  or base price (a  difference  of $4.50 per
         share).
</FN>
</TABLE>

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         On June 5, 1989, the Savings Bank entered into an employment  agreement
with Bunny  Stokes,  Jr.,  Executive  Vice  President of the Savings  Bank.  The
agreement was  subsequently  amended in 1990 to reflect the  appointment  of Mr.
Stokes as President of the Savings Bank, and was amended again in 1993 to change
the agreement  from a five-year  term to a three-year  term.  The agreement also
provides for an annual  extension of the term of  employment  for an  additional
one-year  period beyond the then effective  expiration  date subject to Board of
Directors approval of the extension, unless Mr. Stokes gives written notice that
the agreement  will not be extended  further.  The  agreement  provides that Mr.
Stokes will be entitled  to  participate  in  discretionary  bonuses,  customary
fringe benefits, vacation and sick leave and disability payments as provided for
other  management  personnel.  The agreement is terminated upon the death of the
employee, by his voluntary termination,  or by the Savings Bank for "just cause"
as defined in the agreement.  If Mr. Stokes's  employment is terminated  without
just  cause,  he would be  entitled  to a  continuation  of his  salary  for the
remaining  term of the  agreement.  Mr.  Stokes'  salary under the  agreement at
September 30, 2000 was $125,000.

         The  employment  agreement  further  provides  that in the event of the
involuntary  termination of employment in connection  with, or within six months
after,  any change in control of the Savings Bank, or voluntary  termination  of
employment  in  conjunction  with,  or within  six months  after,  any change in
control  of the  Savings  Bank  which in either  case has not been  approved  in
advance by a two-thirds' vote of the full Board of Directors, Mr. Stokes will be
paid  within  30 days of such  termination  in one lump sum  payment  or, at his
election,  in periodic payments over the remaining term of the agreement,  a sum
equal to 2.99 times the average annual  compensation he received during the five
year  period  immediately  prior to the date of  change  of  control.  "Control"
generally  refers to the acquisition by any person or entity of the ownership or
power to vote more than 25% of the  Savings  Bank's  stock or the control of the
election of a majority of the  Savings  Bank's  directors.  The  agreement  also
provides for a similar lump sum payment to be made in the event of his voluntary
termination of employment  following the occurrence of certain  specified events
following any change in control,  whether  approved by the Board of Directors or
otherwise,  including an  assignment of duties and  responsibilities  other than
those normally associated with his position,  a diminishment of his authority or
responsibility,   failure  to  maintain  benefit  plans  providing  at  least  a
comparable  level of  benefits  presently  afforded,  requiring  him to move his
personal  residence or perform his principal  executive  functions  more than 35
miles from the Savings Bank's current main office.  Such payment would,  at this
time,  for example,  be equal to $412,276  based upon Mr.  Stokes'  compensation
during the past five years.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2000, each director was paid
directors' fees of $4,200 for the year. Additional fees of $200 per meeting were
paid for attendance at committee meetings.  The Company's


                                       5
<PAGE>

executive officers who also serve as directors received no directors fees during
fiscal 2000, and as a policy do not receive directors fees.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         The  Savings  Bank has  followed  the policy of  offering  loans to its
officers,   directors  and  employees  for  the  financing  of  their   personal
residences. Applicable law requires that loans to directors, officers and 10% or
greater  stockholders  and their  affiliates must be approved by a disinterested
majority of the board of directors if all such loans exceed the greater of 5% of
capital  and  surplus,  or  $25,000.  Such  loans  must  also be  made on  terms
substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions. The Savings Bank's
loan policy  complies with these  requirements.  During the year ended September
30, 2000,  except as described  below,  the Savings Bank had no residential real
estate loans or other loans  outstanding  to any officer or director with unpaid
balances totaling in excess of $60,000.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         KPMG LLP, independent  certified public accountants,  was the Company's
independent  public  accountants  for the 2000  fiscal  year.  The  Company  has
heretofore  reached  agreement  with  KPMG LLP to be its  auditors  for the 2001
fiscal year. A representative  of KPMG LLP will be present at the Meeting,  will
have the  opportunity  to make a  statement  if he or she so  desires,  and will
respond to any questions that stockholders may have.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Pursuant  to  regulations  promulgated  under  the  Exchange  Act,  the
Company's  directors and officers,  and persons who own more than ten percent of
the Common  Stock,  are required to file reports to report their  ownership  and
changes in  ownership in the Common Stock and to furnish the Company with copies
of all such ownership reports that are filed.  Based solely on its review of the
copies of such reports  received  during the past fiscal year or with respect to
the last fiscal year, the Company  believes that all of its directors,  officers
and  stockholders  owning in excess of ten  percent  of the  Common  Stock  have
complied with the reporting requirements.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  OTHER MATTERS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         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 person or persons voting the proxies.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  MISCELLANEOUS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         The cost of  solicitation  of proxies will be borne by the Company.  In
addition to solicitations by mail, directors, officers, and regular employees of
the Company may solicit proxies  personally or by telegraph or telephone without
additional compensation.

         The  Company's  Annual  Report  to  Stockholders,  including  financial
statements,  has been  mailed to all  stockholders  of record as of the close of
business on December 8, 2000.  Any  stockholder  who has not  received a copy of
such  Annual  Report may obtain a copy by writing to the  Company.  Such  Annual
Report is not to be treated as a part of the proxy solicitation  material nor as
having been incorporated herein by reference.


                                       6
<PAGE>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              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 main office at 1700 3rd
Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203, no later than August 29, 2001. Any such
proposals shall be subject to the  requirements of the proxy rules adopted under
the Exchange Act.

         Stockholder  proposals,  other than  those  submitted  pursuant  to the
Exchange  Act,  must be submitted in writing to the  Secretary of the Company at
the address given in the preceding  paragraph not less than thirty days nor more
than sixty days prior to the date of any such meeting;  provided,  however, that
if less than forty days'  notice of the meeting is given to  stockholders,  such
written notice shall be delivered or mailed, as prescribed,  to the Secretary of
the Company not later than the close of business on the tenth day  following the
day on which notice of the meeting was mailed to stockholders.


                                 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                 /s/ W. Kent McGriff


                                 W. KENT McGRIFF
                                 SECRETARY

Birmingham, Alabama
December 27, 2000

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   FORM 10-KSB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         A COPY OF THE FORM  10-KSB AS FILED WITH THE  SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE
COMMISSION  WILL BE FURNISHED  WITHOUT CHARGE TO  STOCKHOLDERS  AS OF THE RECORD
DATE UPON WRITTEN  REQUEST TO THE  SECRETARY,  CFS  BANCSHARES,  INC.,  1700 3rd
AVENUE NORTH, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 35203.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                       7
<PAGE>
                                 REVOCABLE PROXY
                              CFS BANCSHARES, INC.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                JANUARY 24, 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         The undersigned  hereby appoints those persons who constitute the Board
of  Directors of CFS  Bancshares,  Inc. as listed in the Proxy  Statement  dated
December 27, 2000,  with full powers of  substitution,  to act as attorneys  and
proxies  for  the  undersigned,  to vote  all  shares  of  Common  Stock  of CFS
Bancshares,  Inc. ("the Company"),  which the undersigned is entitled to vote at
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders,  to be held adjacent to the Company's office
in the second floor auditorium at 300 18th Street North, Birmingham,  Alabama on
Wednesday,  January  24,  2001,  at 2:00 p.m.,  local  time,  and at any and all
adjournments thereof, as follows:

                                                         FOR        AGAINST
                                                         ---        -------
    1.    The election as director of the
            nominees listed below for the
            term noted.                                  [  ]       [  ]

            FOR THREE YEAR TERM:

            James W. Coleman
            Rev. John T. Porter


            INSTRUCTION:  To withhold your vote
            for any nominee, write his name on the line below.

            ----------------------------------------

            The Board of Directors  recommends  a vote "FOR" the nominee  listed
above.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE SPECIFIED, THIS
PROXY  WILL BE VOTED  FOR THE  PROPOSITION  STATED.  IF ANY  OTHER  BUSINESS  IS
PRESENTED AT SUCH MEETING, THIS 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  ALSO  CONFERS
DISCRETIONARY  AUTHORITY  ON THE BOARD OF  DIRECTORS TO VOTE WITH RESPECT TO THE
ELECTION OF ANY PERSON AS  DIRECTOR  WHERE THE NOMINEE IS UNABLE TO SERVE OR FOR
GOOD CAUSE WILL NOT  SERVE,  AND  MATTERS  INCIDENT  TO THE  CONDUCT OF THE 2001
ANNUAL MEETING.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>



                THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS


         Should  the  undersigned  be  present  and elect to vote at the  Annual
Meeting or at any adjournment thereof and after notification to the Secretary of
the  Company at the Meeting of the  stockholder's  decision  to  terminate  this
proxy,  then the power of said attorneys and proxies shall be deemed  terminated
and of no further force and effect.

         The  undersigned  acknowledges  receipt  from the Company  prior to the
execution  of this  proxy of  notice of the  Meeting,  a Proxy  Statement  dated
December 27, 2000 and the 2000 Annual Report to Stockholders.


Dated: __________________________, 2000



-----------------------------------------   ------------------------------------
  PRINT NAME OF STOCKHOLDER                    PRINT NAME OF STOCKHOLDER


-----------------------------------------   ------------------------------------
   SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER                    SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER


Please sign  exactly as your name appears on the envelope in which this card was
mailed. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator,  trustee or guardian,
please  give your 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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------






© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission