<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ______________, l999
Registration No.: 33-________
-------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
-------------------
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
-------------------
PENNSYLVANIA COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.
------------------------------------------------------
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Pennsylvania
--------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
6022
------------------------------------------------
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification No.)
25-1834776
------------------------------------
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
100 Senate Avenue, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17001 (717) 975-5630
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, or
registrant's principal executive offices)
JAMES T. GIBSON
President and CEO
PENNSYLVANIA COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.
100 Senate Avenue
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17001 (717) 975-5630
---------------------------------------------------------
(Name, address and telephone number of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
JAMES A. ULSH, ESQUIRE
METTE, EVANS & WOODSIDE
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-0950
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to
public: As soon practicable after the effective date of this Registration
Statement, and upon consummation of the merger of Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A.
with and into Commerce Bank/Harrisburg Interim National Bank, a subsidiary of
the Registrant, as described in the enclosed Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. |X|
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
======================================================================================
Proposed
Proposed maximum
Title of each maximum aggregate
class of securities Amount to be offering offering Amount of
to be registered registered price per unit 1 price 1 registration fee
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock 1,797,839 $ 28.63 $ 51,472,131 $ 15,598
Par value
$1.00 per share
Preferred Stock
Par value
$10.00 per share 40,000 $ 25.94 $ 1,037,600 $ 314
======================================================================================
</TABLE>
1 Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee and
calculated in accordance with Rule 457(f) on the basis of (i) the average
of the bid and ask prices for common stock of Commerce Bank/Harrisburg,
N.A. on the NASDAQ Small Cap May 11, 1999 of $ 28.63 and (ii) the book
value of the preferred stock of Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. (which is
not publicly traded) on May 11, 1999 of $ 25.94, and the estimated maximum
of 1,797,839 shares of common stock (including shares currently subject to
exercisable stock options) and 40,000 shares of preferred stock to be
converted in the merger described herein into common stock and preferred
stock of the Registrant.
<PAGE>
May 14, 1999
Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporate Finance
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: S-4 Registration Statement -
---------------------------------
Formation of Bank Holding Company
To Whom It May Concern:
This filing relates to the S-4 Registration Statement being filed by
Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp, Inc. (the "Holding Company"). The Registration
Statement is being filed as part of the formation of the Holding Company, which
is being organized for the purpose of issuing common stock (and preferred stock
as appropriate) to acquire all of the common stock (and preferred stock as
appropriate) of Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A., an existing national bank.
Please be advised that all of the following conditions have been met:
o There are no anticipated changes in the shareholders' relative
equity ownership interests in the underlying bank assets, except for
redemption of no more than a nominal number of shares of
unaffiliated persons who descent;
o In the aggregate, only nominal borrowings are to be incurred for the
purposes of organizing the Holding Company, to pay nonaffiliated
persons who descent, or to meet minimum capital requirements;
o There are no new classes of stock authorized other than those
corresponding to the stock of the bank immediately prior to the
reorganization;
o There are no plans or arrangements to issue any additional shares to
acquire any business other than the bank; and
o There has been no material adverse change in the financial condition
of the bank since the latest fiscal year end included in the annual
report to shareholders.
Since these conditions have been met, it is our opinion that the financial
statements and the information typically required by Securities Act Industry
Guide 3 do not need to be filed or included with the S-4 Registration Statement.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley A. Walker
Attorney for Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp, Inc.
and Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A.
<PAGE>
COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG, N.A.
Erford Road and Senate Avenue
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011
To Our Shareholders:
Following are the Notice and Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. to be held at 9:00 a.m. on June
18, 1999 at the Harrisburg Hilton and Towers, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania 17102. At the Annual Meeting, the number of directors will be fixed
at eight (8) and the Board of Directors will be elected for the coming year. You
will also be asked to consider and vote upon an Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization and an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Reorganization Plan")
which will have the effect of reorganizing Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A.
("Commerce") into a bank holding company. The bank holding company will be
Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp, Inc. (the "Holding Company"). The Holding Company
is a newly formed Pennsylvania business corporation.
Pursuant to the Reorganization Plan, shareholders of Commerce (other than
dissenting shareholders) automatically would become shareholders of the Holding
Company by virtue of the conversion of their shares of Commerce Common Stock (or
Preferred Stock as the case may be), on a share-for-share basis, for Common
Stock in the Holding Company (or Preferred Stock as the case may be). Your
interest in Commerce will remain essentially the same, except that it will be
indirect rather than direct. You will own stock in the Holding Company. Your
proportional share interest in the Holding Company will be essentially the same
it was in Commerce immediately prior to the Reorganization. The Holding Company
will own all of the Common Stock of Commerce. The conversion of Commerce Common
Stock (or Preferred Stock as the case may be) for the Common Stock of the
Holding Company (or Preferred Stock as the case may be) will be tax free for
federal and Pennsylvania income tax purposes.
The Board of Directors of Commerce believes that the formation of a bank
holding company is in the best interest of Commerce and its shareholders. The
Board of Directors believes that a holding company structure will provide
Commerce with the flexibility necessary to continue expanding, opening new
branches and to pursue other future opportunities for growth. The Holding
Company will be permitted to acquire and own banks and bank-related businesses.
The Board of Directors of Commerce unanimously recommends approval of the
Reorganization Plan resulting in the formation of the Holding Company. The
favorable vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of
Commerce's Common Stock is required for approval of the Reorganization Plan.
Please sign and return the enclosed proxy promptly so that your shares are
represented at the annual meeting.
Sincerely yours,
JAMES T. GIBSON
President
May 14, 1999
<PAGE>
COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG, N.A.
Erford Road and Senate Avenue
Camp Hill, PA 17011
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 18, 1999
TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS:
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Commerce
Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. ("Commerce") will be held at 9:00 a.m. on June 18, 1999 at
the Harrisburg Hilton and Towers, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania 17102, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the following
matters:
(1) Fixing the Number of Directors to be Elected. Fixing at eight (8) the
number of directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on June
18, 1999.
(2) Election of Directors. The election of the eight (8) persons listed in
the Proxy Statement, dated May 14, 1999, accompanying this Notice. These
directors will serve until the 2000 Annual Meeting.
(3) Formation of a Holding Company. To consider and vote upon a proposal
to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and an Agreement and Plan of
Merger (the "Reorganization Plan") pursuant to which: (a) Pennsylvania Commerce
Bancorp, Inc. (the "Holding Company"), a Pennsylvania corporation to be
registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956,
as amended, would own all of the outstanding Common Stock of a newly chartered
national banking institution, Commerce Bank/Harrisburg Interim National Bank
(the "Interim Bank"); (b) Commerce would merge with and into the Interim Bank;
and (c) all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per
share, and/or Preferred Stock, par value $10.00 per share, of Commerce
(sometimes referred to collectively as "Commerce Stock") would be converted into
and exchanged for Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, and/or Preferred
Stock, par value $10.00 per share, of the Holding Company (sometimes referred to
collectively as "Holding Company Stock"), on a share-for-share basis. The
Reorganization Plan will be accomplished in accordance with the provisions of
the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and the Agreement and Plan of Merger,
both dated as of April 23, 1999, among Commerce, the Interim Bank and the
Holding Company. Copies of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and the
Agreement and Plan of Merger are attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibits A
and B, respectively.
(4) Other Business. Such other business as may be properly brought before
the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
Information regarding the matters to be acted upon at the meeting is
contained in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice.
<PAGE>
Only those holders of record of capital stock of Commerce at the close of
business on April 30, 1999, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting and any adjournment or adjournments thereof. The Stock Transfer Books of
Commerce will not be closed.
BY THE ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
JAMES T. GIBSON
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania President
May 14, 1999
----------------------------
The affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the shares of
Commerce entitled to vote thereon will be required to approve the Reorganization
Plan. Therefore, whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, the Board
of Directors urges you to sign, date and return as soon as possible the enclosed
proxy in the stamped and self-addressed enclosed envelope. The proxy is
revocable at any time by written notice to the Secretary of Commerce received at
or before the Annual Meeting. If you attend the meeting, you may, if you wish,
revoke your proxy and vote in person.
----------------------------
These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), any state securities commission, or the Office
of the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC"). None of these regulatory agencies
passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. It is
illegal for anyone to tell you otherwise.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp, Inc., the "Holding Company" in the proposed
reorganization, has filed its S-4 Registration Statement with the SEC. This
Proxy Statement/Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in
the registration statement. You will find additional information about the
Holding Company, as well as Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. ("Commerce") in the
registration statement. The registration statement, including its exhibits and
schedules, is available for inspection, without charge, at the SEC's principal
office at 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549. Copies may also be
obtained from that office at prescribed rates. The registration statement,
including its exhibits and schedules, is also available on the SEC's website at
www.sec.gov.
Commerce is subject to the information requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). However, as a national bank, Commerce
files reports, proxy statements and other information with the OCC, rather than
the SEC. These materials are available for inspection and copying from the
Disclosure Officer, Communications Division, Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency, 250 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20219.
<PAGE>
If the proposed reorganization is approved, the Holding Company will also
be subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act. The Holding
Company will file future reports, proxy statements and other information with
the SEC. These materials will be available for inspection, without charge, at
the SEC's principal office at 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549, and
at its regional offices located at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661, and at 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York
10048. Copies may also be obtained from the SEC's Public Reference Section at
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549, at prescribed
rates. Some information about the Holding Company will also be available on the
SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus incorporates by reference documents
relating to Commerce which are not presented in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
These documents are available without charge, upon written or oral request
directed to Deborah Miller, Shareholder Relations, Commerce Bank/Harrisburg,
N.A., P.O. Box 8599, Camp Hill, PA 17001-8599. In order to insure timely
delivery of the documents in advance of the Annual Meeting, any request should
be made no later than June 11, 1999.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents and information are incorporated by reference into
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus:
1. Commerce's annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year December 31,
1998; and
2. All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act since December 31, 1998.
All documents filed by Commerce pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and
prior to the Annual Meeting of Commerce are incorporated by reference into this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
SUMMARY OF PROSPECTUS/PROXY STATEMENT..................................... 1
GENERAL INFORMATION....................................................... 4
PURPOSES OF THE MEETING................................................... 4
VOTING.................................................................... 5
Voting; Revocation of Proxies.................................... 5
Vote Required; Shares Entitled to Vote........................... 6
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS OF COMMERCE......................................... 6
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATION................................ 9
General.......................................................... 9
Regulatory Approvals............................................. 10
Reasons for the Proposed Reorganization.......................... 10
Termination and Amendment of the Plan............................ 11
Capitalization................................................... 11
Effective Date of the Merger and Reorganization ................. 12
Conversion of Stock and Exchange of Stock Certificates .......... 12
Federal Income Tax Consequences.................................. 12
Appraisal Rights of Dissenting Shareholders...................... 13
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS.......................................... 15
General.......................................................... 15
Shareholder Action............................................... 16
Power of Board of Directors to Oppose Tender Offers ............. 17
Status of Stock as Legal Investment
and for Personal Property Tax Purposes......................... 17
Indemnification of Officers, Directors and Employees 17
Dissenting Shareholders' Rights.................................. 18
DESCRIPTION OF THE HOLDING COMPANY........................................ 18
Business of the Holding Company.................................. 18
Management of the Holding Company................................ 19
Description of Common Stock of the Holding Company 20
General.................................................. 20
"Anti-Takeover" Provisions............................... 20
Supervision and Regulation of the Holding Company........ 22
Dividends of the Holding Company......................... 23
MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK................................................... 23
DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCE................................................... 24
Business of Commerce............................................. 24
Description of Commerce Stock.................................... 24
Dividends of Commerce............................................ 24
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS.................................................... 25
Directors Compensation........................................... 25
1990 Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors 26
Committees of the Board of Directors............................. 26
Audit Committee.................................................. 26
Personnel Committee.............................................. 26
Real Estate Committee............................................ 27
Executive Committee.............................................. 27
i
<PAGE>
Page
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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance 27
Transactions with Officers and Directors......................... 27
MANAGEMENT................................................................ 28
Executive Officers............................................... 28
Remuneration of Executive Officers............................... 28
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE................................................ 28
Employee Stock Option Plan....................................... 29
Stock Option Grants.............................................. 29
Stock Option Exercises........................................... 30
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS...................................................... 31
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.................................................... 31
OTHER BUSINESS............................................................ 31
RETURN OF PROXY........................................................... 31
EXHIBITS
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION............................. A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER..................................... B
EXCERPTS FROM STATUTES CONCERNING DISSENTERS' RIGHTS............. C
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF
PENNSYLVANIA COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.......................... D
ii
<PAGE>
COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG, N.A.
PROXY STATEMENT
SUMMARY OF PROXY STATEMENT PROVISIONS
REGARDING THE REORGANIZATION
The following summary is provided for your convenience. It is not intended
to be complete. It is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information
contained in the full text of this Proxy Statement and the Exhibits attached to
this Proxy Statement.
Bank Soliciting Proxies Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. ("Commerce").
Date, Time and Place June 18, 1999, 9:00 a.m. at the Harrisburg
of Meeting Hilton and Towers, 1 North Second Street,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17102-1999.
Securities Entitled Commerce Common Stock of record at the close
to Vote of business on April 30, 1999 (the "Record
Date").
Shares Outstanding on 1,559,735 shares.
the Record Date
Purposes of Meeting 1) To fix at eight (8) the number of
directors to be elected at the Annual
Meeting.
2) To elect directors of Commerce.
3) To consider and vote upon an Agreement
and Plan of Reorganization and an Agreement
and Plan of Merger (the "Reorganization
Plan") pursuant to which Commerce would
merge into Commerce Bank/ Harrisburg Interim
National Bank (the "Interim Bank"), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Pennsylvania
Commerce Bancorp, Inc., a Pennsylvania
business corporation (the "Holding
Company"). All of the Common and Preferred
Stock of Commerce (the "Commerce Stock")
would be converted, on a share-for-share
basis, into Common and Preferred Stock of
the Holding Company (the "Holding Company
Stock").
4) To consider other matters that may
properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
Proxies Proxies are revocable at any time prior to
the time they are voted if proper notice is
given to the Secretary of Commerce.
Required Vote Affirmative vote of not less than
two-thirds of the outstanding shares of
Commerce Common Stock is required to approve
the Reorganization Plan.
Reasons for The reorganization will provide
Reorganization opportunities to continue expanding and
opening new branches. Also, as a bank
holding company, the Holding Company will
have access to sources of capital not
presently available to Commerce.
1
<PAGE>
Differences Between Shareholders of Commerce will, upon
Common Stock of Bank consummation of the Reorganization Plan,
and Common Stock of become shareholders of the Holding Company
Holding Company and and their rights will be governed by the
Changes in Rights of Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law.
Shareholders Commerce is governed by the National Bank
Act. The Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws of the Holding Company contain other
provisions that differ from those of
Commerce.
"Anti-Takeover" Similar to the Articles of Association and
Provisions Bylaws of Commerce, the Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws of the Holding
Company contain several provisions that may
be considered to be "anti-takeover" in
nature. The provisions include an 80% voting
requirement to approve mergers and similar
transactions. Commerce's current Articles of
Association require 66 2/3% of the
outstanding common stock to approve these
types of transactions.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Business
Corporation Law, which will govern the
corporate practices of the Holding Company,
and the Holding Company's Bylaws, allow the
Board to consider a variety of factors in
determining what action to take with respect
to a takeover offer.
The overall effect of the provisions of the
Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and the
Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law
described above may be to deter a future
tender offer or other takeover attempt that
some shareholders might view to be in their
best interests. This type of offer might
include a premium over the market price of
the Holding Company's Common Stock at that
time. In addition, these provisions may have
the effect of assisting the Holding
Company's current management to remain in
place. There are no present plans to adopt
any other "anti-takeover" provisions.
A vote to approve the Reorganization Plan is
a vote in favor of these "anti-takeover"
provisions.
Federal Income Tax It is a condition of the proposed
Consequences Reorganization Plan that, prior to the
Effective Date, Commerce will receive a
favorable opinion of its counsel that, among
other things, no gain or loss will be
recognized by the shareholders of Commerce
on the exchange of their shares of Commerce
Stock for shares of Holding Company Stock.
Effective Date of Anticipated to be on or before June 30,
Reorganization 1999.
Exchange of Stock Initially, shareholders of Commerce will not
Certificates be required to exchange their present stock
certificates in the name of Commerce for the
new stock certificates in the name of the
Holding Company. However, in the future, the
Board of Directors has the right to withhold
dividends from shareholders who do not
exchange their certificates within a
reasonable period of time after the Board of
Directors advises them that an exchange is
in the best interest of the Holding Company.
2
<PAGE>
Approvals Required as a In addition to approval by shareholders of
Condition to the Commerce, consummation of the
Reorganization Reorganization Plan is subject to certain
conditions which include, among others,
notification of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal
Reserve Board") and approval by the Office
of Comptroller of the Currency (the "OCC").
Termination The Reorganization Plan may be terminated by
the mutual consent of the Board of Directors
of Commerce, the Interim Bank and the
Holding Company, even after approval by
Commerce's shareholders. Commerce's Board of
Directors may terminate the Reorganization
Plan at any time before the Effective Date,
if it believes the reorganization would be
inadvisable for any reason.
Amendments The Boards of Directors of Commerce, the
Interim Bank and the Holding Company may
amend the Reorganization Plan by mutual
consent either before or after approval of
Commerce's shareholders. However, without
shareholder approval, no amendments can be
made to the provisions relating to the
conversion of Commerce Stock into Holding
Company Stock. Further, the terms and
conditions of the Reorganization Plan may be
waived only if, in the judgment of the Board
of Directors, that waiver will not have a
materially adverse effect on the benefits of
the reorganization intended for the
shareholders of Commerce.
Management After the The directors and the principal officers of
Reorganization Commerce will be the directors and officers
of the Holding Company.
Rights of Dissenting Shareholders of Commerce who: (i) vote
Shareholders against the Shareholder Plan at the Annual
Meeting or give notice in writing to
Commerce prior to the Annual Meeting that
they dissent from the Reorganization Plan;
and (ii) comply with the procedures
described in the section of this proxy
statement labeled "DESCRIPTION OF THE
PROPOSED REORGANIZATION - Appraisal Rights
of Dissenting Shareholders" will be entitled
to receive cash for the fair market value of
their shares. Merely voting against the
Reorganization Plan at the Annual Meeting
will not perfect a shareholder's dissenters'
rights. Shareholders are urged to review
carefully the section of this Proxy
Statement entitled "DESCRIPTION OF THE
PROPOSED REORGANIZATION - Appraisal Rights
of Dissenting Shareholders" and the excerpts
from statutes concerning Dissenters' Rights
attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit
"C".
Intended Operations When the reorganization is completed, the
of the Holding Holding Company will function primarily as
Company the holder of all the issued and outstanding
shares of common stock of the Interim Bank.
The Interim Bank will change its name to
Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. Although the
Holding Company does not have any present
acquisition plans, it may in the future
acquire or form additional subsidiaries,
including other banks and bank related
business to the extent permitted by law.
3
<PAGE>
COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
PROXY STATEMENT
MAY 14, 1999
GENERAL INFORMATION
This Proxy Statement (the "Proxy Statement") is being furnished in
connection with the solicitation of proxies by management of Commerce
Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. ("Commerce"), a banking institution organized under the
laws of the United States of America. The proxies are to be voted at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of Commerce to be held on June 18, 1999 at 9:00 a.m.
prevailing time, and at any and all adjournments or postponements of the
meeting. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed Form of Proxy (the "Proxy") are
first being sent to shareholders of Commerce on or about May 14, 1999.
The costs of preparing, printing and mailing the Proxy and all materials
used in the solicitation will be paid by Commerce. In addition to use of the
mails, proxies may be solicited by officers, directors and employees of Commerce
personally, by telephone or by telegraph.
Commerce's executive offices are located at Erford Road and Senate Avenue,
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011, and its telephone number is (717) 975-5630.
Commerce's mailing address is P. O. Box 8599, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
17001-8599.
Date by which Shareholder Proposals must be Received to be Presented at Next
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Proposals of shareholders of Commerce intended to be presented at the next
annual meeting of shareholders must be received by December 21, 1999. Otherwise,
those proposals will not be included in the proxy statement and proxy relating
to that meeting.
If the date of the next annual meeting of shareholders of Commerce is
advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from May 19, 2000, shareholders will be
timely informed of the change of the meeting and the date by which shareholder
proposals must be received.
PURPOSES OF THE MEETING
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held for the purpose of:
(1) Fixing at eight (8) the number of directors to be elected at the
meeting.
(2) Electing the eight (8) persons listed in this Proxy Statement to the
Board of Directors.
(3) Considering and voting upon a proposal to approve the formation of a
bank holding company pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
and the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Reorganization Plan") pursuant
to which:
(a) Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp, Inc. (the "Holding Company"), a
Pennsylvania corporation to be registered as a bank holding company
under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, would own
all of the
4
<PAGE>
outstanding Common Stock of a newly chartered national banking
institution, Commerce Bank/Harrisburg Interim National Bank (the
"Interim Bank");
(b) Commerce would merge with and into the Interim Bank, which would
then change its name to Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A.; and
(c) all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00
per share, and Preferred Stock, par value $10.00 per share, of
Commerce (sometimes referred to collectively as "Commerce Stock")
would be converted into and exchanged for Common Stock, par value
$1.00 per share, and Preferred Stock, par value $10.00 per share, of
the Holding Company (sometimes referred to collectively as the
"Holding Company Stock"), on a share-for-share basis.
(4) Transacting such other business as may properly be brought before the
meeting or any adjournment of the meeting.
VOTING
Voting; Revocation of Proxies
Each proxy may be revoked at any time before its exercise by, among other
methods, giving written notice to the Secretary of Commerce. A subsequently
dated Proxy which is presented to the Secretary of Commerce will revoke a prior
dated Proxy. Any shareholder of Commerce may attend the meeting and vote in
person whether or not he has previously given a Proxy. Where a choice is
specified in the Proxy with respect to the Reorganization Plan, the shares
represented by the Proxy will be voted in accordance with that specification. If
no specification is given, shares represented by proxies will be voted in favor
of the Reorganization Plan.
The enclosed Proxy confers discretionary authority to vote on any and all
of the following matters that may come before the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders:
o matters which the Board of Directors does not know, a reasonable time
before the proxy solicitation, are to be presented at the meeting;
o approval of the minutes of a prior meeting of the shareholders, if that
approval does not amount to ratification of the action taken at that
meeting; and
o matters incident to the conduct of the meeting.
In connection with these matters, the persons named in the enclosed Proxy will
vote in accordance with their best judgment.
The Board of Directors of Commerce is not presently aware of any matters
(other than procedural matters) which will be brought before the meeting which
are not referred to in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. If other
business is properly brought before the meeting, the persons named in the
Proxies will act or vote in accordance with their judgment.
5
<PAGE>
Vote Required; Shares Entitled to Vote
The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Commerce's common stock will constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. At the close of
business on the Record Date, there were 1,559,735 shares of Commerce's common
stock outstanding. In addition, there were incentive and director stock options
currently exercisable to acquire 238,104 shares of Commerce's common stock.
Each share of Commerce's common stock outstanding on the Record Date is
entitled to one vote on all matters considered at the meeting, except the
election of directors. Shares of stock subject to options are not entitled to
vote on any matter.
In the election of directors, each shareholder has the right to:
o vote the number of shares of common stock owned by him/her for as many
persons as there are directors to be elected;
o cumulate those shares and give one candidate a number of votes equal to
the number of directors multiplied by the number of his/her shares; or
o distribute those shares on the same principal among as many candidates as
he/she decides.
Management reserves the right to instruct proxy holders to vote cumulatively
where appropriate.
At the close of business on the Record Date, there were 40,000 shares of
Series A NonCumulative Preferred Stock ("Preferred Stock") outstanding. Holders
of Preferred Stock will not be voting on matters to come before the shareholders
at the Annual Meeting.
Approval of the Reorganization Plan requires the affirmative vote of at
least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding shares of Commerce Common Stock.
All other matters which are expected to come before the shareholders,
including the election of directors, will require the affirmative vote of a
majority of the outstanding common stock of Commerce represented at the meeting
if a quorum is present.
At the meeting, the Judges of Election will manually tabulate all votes
which are cast in person or by proxy. Shareholders wishing to vote in person
will be provided ballots with which to vote. Voting is an important right of
shareholders. If a shareholder abstains or otherwise fails to cast a vote on any
matter brought before the shareholders, the abstention or failure is not a vote
and will not be counted. This is true of broker nonvotes, as well as nonvotes by
other shareholders.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS OF COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG, N.A.
The Bylaws of Commerce provide that the Board of Directors may, from time
to time, fix the number of directors. The number of directors that will
constitute the whole Board of Directors will be no less than 5 and no more than
25. The Bylaws provide for the election of directors for a one-year term.
Nominations for election to the Board of Directors may be made by the
Board of Directors or by any Commerce shareholder entitled to vote at the
election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the
existing management of Commerce, must be made in writing and be
6
<PAGE>
delivered or mailed to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Commerce and
the Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C., not less than twenty-one (21)
days nor more than fifty (50) days prior to the Annual Meeting. The notification
shall contain the following information to the extent known by the notifying
shareholder: (a) the name and address of each proposed nominee; (b) the
principal occupation of each proposed nominee; (c) total number of shares that,
to the knowledge of the notifying shareholder, will be voted for each proposed
nominee; (d) the name and residence address of the notifying shareholder; and
(e) the number of shares of Commerce common stock owned by the notifying
shareholder. Any nomination for director not made in accordance with the above
procedure will be disregarded by the chairman of the meeting, and votes cast for
each such nominee will be disregarded by the Judges of Election.
The persons named in the Proxy intend to vote for the election of the
eight (8) individuals listed in the table below who will serve until the 2000
Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or until their successors are duly elected and
qualified.
In absence of instructions to the contrary, proxies will be voted in favor
of the election of the management's nominees. In the event any nominee should
become unavailable, the proxies will be voted for the substitute nominee
nominated by management. Management has no present knowledge that any of the
nominees will be unavailable to serve.
Each nominee is currently a director of Commerce.
The following table sets forth the name and age of each nominee for
director of Commerce, as well as the nominee's business experience, including
principal occupation for the past five years, the period during which he has
served as a director of Commerce, and the number and percentage of outstanding
shares of and exercisable stock options of Commerce beneficially owned by each
nominee as of the Record Date.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Business Experience
Including Principal Amount and Percentage
Occupation Nature of of
for the Director Beneficial Outstanding
Name and Age Past Five Years Since Ownership/1/ Stock Owned
- - ------------ --------------- ----- --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gary L. Nalbandian Chairman of the Board 1985 157,905/2/ 9.76%
Age 56 Commerce Bank/
Harrisburg, N.A.
Co-Owner, Commercial
Industrial Realty Co. (CIR)
Camp Hill, PA
Vernon W. Hill, II/3/ Vice Chairman of the 1985 222,866/4/ 14.21%
Age 53 Board, Commerce Bank/
Harrisburg, N.A.
Chairman of the Board/
President of Commerce
Bancorp, Inc.
Cherry Hill, NJ
</TABLE>
7
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Douglas S. Gelder Owner, Continental Pre- 1987 14,597/5/ 0.93%
Age 49 Owned, Inc., Mechanicsburg,
PA and Partner, Luttrell
& Associates, Hershey, PA
Alan R. Hassman Owner/Operator of 1985 86,762/6/ 5.52%
Age 59 ARH, Inc.
Harrisburg, PA
Howell C. Mette Attorney-at-Law, 1985 40,600/7/ 2.58%
Age 71 Mette, Evans & Woodside
Harrisburg, PA
Michael A. Serluco Owner, Consolidated 1985 56,543/7/ 3.60%
Age 58 Properties
Wormleysburg, PA
Samir J. Srouji, M.D. Physician-Surgeon 1985 51,054/8/ 3.25%
Age 62 Plastic Surgery, P.C.
Camp Hill, PA
James T. Gibson President and Chief 1988 60,664/9/ 3.76%
Age 43 Executive Officer
Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A.
</TABLE>
/1/ The securities "beneficially owned" by an individual are determined in
accordance with the definition of "beneficial ownership" set forth in the
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they
may include (i) securities owned by or for, among others, the wife and/or
minor children of the individual and any other relative who has the same
home as the individual, (ii) other securities for which the individual has
or shares voting or investment power, or (iii) securities which the
individual has the right to acquire under outstanding stock options within
60 days after June 18, 1999. Beneficial ownership may be disclaimed as to
certain of the securities.
/2/ Includes 28,593 shares held by Mr. Nalbandian's individually directed
participant account in the CIR Profit Sharing Trust with respect to which
Mr. Nalbandian has sole voting power, 8,438 shares held by Mr. Nalbandian
as co-trustee of the CIR Profit Sharing Trust with respect to which he
shares voting power, 5,519 shares held in trust by Mr. Nalbandian or
Dorothy Nalbandian for the benefit of Mr. Nalbandian's children. Also
includes 58,336 currently exercisable Incentive Stock Options.
/3/ In addition to his capacity with Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. Mr. Hill
is a founder of Commerce Bank, N.A., a national bank located in Cherry
Hill, New Jersey. He has served as Chairman of the Board and/or President
of Commerce Bank, N.A. since 1973 and Chairman of the Board and President
of Commerce Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company which owns 100% of
Commerce Bank, N.A. since 1983.
/4/ Includes 143,700 shares owned by Commerce Bancorp, Inc., of which Mr. Hill
is the Chairman of the Board and President. This figure also includes
10,128 shares owned by J. V. Properties, a partnership in which Mr. Hill
is one of two partners, 10,128 shares owned by S. J.
8
<PAGE>
Dining, a corporation in which Mr. Hill is one of two shareholders, 7,878
shares owned by InterArch, a corporation owned by Mr. Hill's wife, and
2,250 shares owned by Mr. Hill's wife, Shirley Hill. Also includes 8,510
currently exercisable Director Stock Options.
/5/ Includes 7,169 currently exercisable Director Stock Options.
/6/ Includes 21,689 shares owned by Mr. Hassman's wife, Gloria Hassman, and
8,514 shares held in trust by Mr. Hassman, as Trustee, for the benefit of
his children. Also includes 12,663 currently exercisable Director Stock
Options.
/7/ Includes 12,663 currently exercisable Director Stock Options.
/8/ Includes 6,277 shares owned by Dr. Srouji's wife, Gillian Srouji, and
9,711 shares held by Dr. Srouji's self-directed participant account in the
Plastic Surgery P.C. Profit Sharing Plan. Also includes 10,279 currently
exercisable Director Stock Options.
/9/ Includes 53,424 currently exercisable Incentive Stock Options.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATION
General
In March, 1999, the Board of Directors of Commerce approved in principle
the Reorganization Plan. Commerce has proceeded to implement the proposed
Reorganization Plan. The statements contained in this Proxy Statement concerning
the terms and conditions of the Reorganization Plan are subject to and qualified
in their entirety by the provisions contained in the Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization, dated as of April 23, 1999, attached to this Proxy Statement as
Exhibit "A" and the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 23, 1999,
attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit "B" (referred to collectively as the
"Reorganization Plan").
Under the terms of the Reorganization Plan, Commerce will be merged into
the Interim Bank. The Interim Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Holding
Company. All outstanding shares of Commerce Stock (except shares owned by
shareholders who have exercised dissenters' rights) will be converted into
shares of Holding Company Stock. Each outstanding share of Commerce Stock
(except shares owned by shareholders who have exercised and perfected
dissenters' rights) will be converted into one (1) share of Holding Company
Stock.
The Interim Bank is a newly chartered national banking institution
organized by Commerce and the Holding Company for the purpose of the
reorganization. Prior to the consummation of the proposed Reorganization Plan,
the Holding Company will purchase all of the Interim Bank's outstanding capital
stock for the sum of $120,000.00 which represents the initial capital plus the
surplus of the Interim Bank required by the OCC. Immediately prior to the
consummation of the Plan, the Holding Company will borrow $120,000.00 from an
unaffiliated bank to finance its purchase of the capital stock of the Interim
Bank. It is expected that the loan will be repaid from the proceeds of a special
dividend to be paid by the Interim Bank to the Holding Company immediately after
the consummation of the reorganization. The special dividend will also cover the
expenses of the Holding Company in connection with the reorganization. The
Interim Bank will not conduct any banking or other business operations prior to
the merger with Commerce.
9
<PAGE>
The Holding Company is a recently formed Pennsylvania business corporation
organized for the purpose of becoming a bank holding company.
On the Effective Date of the Reorganization Plan, the shareholders of
Commerce will own all of the outstanding shares of Holding Company Stock. The
corporate existence of Commerce and the Interim Bank will be merged into and
continued in the Interim Bank. All assets and liabilities of Commerce and the
Interim Bank will become assets of the Interim Bank. The Interim Bank will
conduct the banking and other business now carried on by Commerce, substantially
unchanged under the same management. The name of the Interim Bank will be
changed to "Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A." The Interim Bank will become a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Holding Company.
The Reorganization Plan must be approved by the affirmative vote of the
holders of two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding shares of Commerce's Common
Stock.
Regulatory Approvals
The Reorganization Plan is also subject to obtaining consents and
approvals from the appropriate governmental authorities. The OCC and the Federal
Reserve Board must approve the Reorganization Plan. Commerce and the Interim
Bank have filed application with the OCC seeking approval of the merger of
Commerce into the Interim Bank. In addition, under the Bank Holding Company Act
of 1956, Commerce and the Holding Company are required to file a notice with the
Federal Reserve Board containing certain information regarding the formation of
the Holding Company. The notice has been filed with the Federal Reserve. The
United States Department of Justice has a thirty-day period following the
approval of the OCC to review the proposed merger to determine whether it should
be opposed on antitrust grounds. The reorganization may not be consummated until
after this thirty (30) day period has passed.
If and when the OCC does grant its approval: (i) it will only reflect the
OCC's view that the transaction does not contravene applicable competitive
standards imposed by law, and that the transaction is consistent with regulatory
policies relating to safety and soundness; (ii) it will not be an opinion by the
OCC that the proposed transaction is favorable to the shareholders from a
financial point of view or that the OCC has considered the adequacy of the terms
of the transaction; and (iii) IT WILL NOT BE AN ENDORSEMENT OR RECOMMENDATION BY
THE OCC OF THE MERGER.
Reasons for the Proposed Reorganization
The Board of Directors of Commerce has determined that the Reorganization
Plan is in the best interest of the shareholders. The Board of Directors
recommends that the shareholders vote for the Reorganization Plan.
The reorganization will provide opportunities for the acquisition and
ownership of banks and bank-related businesses. The reorganization will also
provide access to sources of capital not presently available to Commerce as a
bank. Bank holding companies are not generally restricted by regulation or law
in the amount of debt obligations, including long-term debt, which they can
incur to expand the bank's capital base. However, the ability of the Holding
Company to service any debt it may incur in the future is directly dependent
upon the dividends declared by Commerce and other subsidiaries of the Holding
Company (if any). Dividends declared by Commerce in turn depend upon the future
earnings of Commerce. The servicing of any debt incurred by the Holding Company
has priority over the payment of any dividends to the shareholders of the
Holding Company. The Holding Company has no present plans to incur any
indebtedness.
10
<PAGE>
The Holding Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of Common
Stock, par value $1.00 per share, and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par
value $10.00 per share. If the Reorganization Plan is approved (and no
shareholders exercise dissenters' rights), 1,559,735 shares of the Holding
Company's Common Stock will be issued in connection with the reorganization.
This will leave approximately 8,440,265 shares of authorized but unissued shares
of Common Stock which would be available for issuance from time to time by
action of the Board of Directors. These authorized but unissued shares could be
issued to raise additional capital for acquisitions or for other corporate
purposes without further action by the shareholders of the Holding Company
unless otherwise required by law. There are no present commitments, arrangements
or understandings with respect to acquiring other banks.
Termination and Amendment of the Plan
Commerce, the Interim Bank and the Holding Company, by mutual consent of
their respective Boards of Directors, and to the extent otherwise permitted by
law, may terminate the Reorganization Plan even after the Reorganization Plan is
approved by Commerce's shareholders. The Board of Directors of Commerce may also
terminate the Reorganization Plan at any time before it is consummated if the
Board believes that the reorganization would be inadvisable for any reason. If
terminated, the Reorganization Plan becomes null and void. There would be no
liability on the part of either Commerce, the Interim Bank or the Holding
Company (or their respective directors, officers or shareholders) by reason of
the Reorganization Plan or its termination.
The Reorganization Plan may be amended at any time by the Boards of
Directors of Commerce, the Interim Bank and the Holding Company before or after
shareholders' approval. After shareholders' approval, no change may be made in
the provisions of the Reorganization Plan which govern the rights of Commerce's
shareholders to receive Holding Company Stock. Further, the terms of the
Reorganization Plan may be waived only if, in the judgment of the Board of
Directors, the waiver will not have a materially adverse effect on the benefits
intended for the shareholders of Commerce.
The rights of the parties to the Reorganization Plan to terminate or amend
are set forth in detail under Section 9 of the "Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization" (Exhibit "A") and Section 3.2 of the "Agreement and Plan of
Merger" (Exhibit "B").
Capitalization
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
The capitalization of Commerce as of December 31, 1998 was as follows:
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
2,000,000 shares authorized, 1,557,375
issued and outstanding ............................................... $ 1,557,000
Preferred Stock (Series A noncumulative), par value $10.00 per share
200,000 shares authorized, 40,000
issued and outstanding ............................................... 400,000
Capital Surplus ...................................................... 16,728,000
Retained Earnings .................................................... 1,546,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income ............................... 214,000
-----------
Total Shareholders' Equity .................................. $20,445,000
-----------
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE>
After giving effect to the proposed Reorganization Plan, the pro forma
consolidated capitalization of the Holding Company as of December 31,1998 would
have been:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
2,000,000 shares authorized, 1,557,375
issued and outstanding ............................................. $ 1,557,000
Preferred Stock (Series A noncumulative), par value $10.00 per share
200,000 shares authorized, 40,000
issued and outstanding ............................................. 400,000
Capital Surplus .................................................... 16,728,000
Retained Earnings .................................................. 1,546,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income ............................. 214,000
-----------
Total Shareholders' Equity ................................ $20,445,000
-----------
</TABLE>
Effective Date of the Merger and Reorganization
The Agreement and Plan of Merger (Exhibit "B") provides that the merger of
Commerce and the Interim Bank and the Reorganization Plan will become effective
on the date specified in the certificate to be issued by the OCC approving the
merger. The exact date of the Effective Date will depend upon when the
conditions set forth in the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and the
Agreement and Plan of Merger have been fulfilled. Management projects that the
merger and the reorganization will be effective on or before June 30, 1999.
Conversion of Stock and Exchange of Stock Certificates
When the Reorganization Plan is consummated, shareholders of Commerce who
do not perfect dissenters' rights by reason of the merger of Commerce and the
Interim Bank will become shareholders of the Holding Company. Shareholders then
will own the same number of shares of the Holding Company's $1.00 par value
Common Stock (or $10.00 par value Preferred Stock, as the case may be) as they
previously owned of Commerce's $1.00 par value Common Stock (or $10.00 par value
Preferred Stock, as the case may be).
The shareholders of the Holding Company will not initially be required to
exchange their present stock certificates (bearing the name "Commerce
Bank/Harrisburg, N.A.") for new stock certificates (bearing the name
"Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp, Inc."). The outstanding stock certificates that
represent shares of Commerce Stock will be deemed automatically to represent an
equal number of shares of the Holding Company Stock. However, the exchange of
the existing stock certificates for new stock certificates may be in the best
interest of the Holding Company at sometime in the future. The Board of
Directors has reserved the right to withhold dividends (without interest
accruing) from those shareholders who do not exchange their present stock
certificates for new stock certificates within a reasonable period of time after
having been advised by the Board of Directors that the exchange is in the best
interest of the Holding Company. Voting rights will not be withheld on existing
stock certificates which are not exchanged for new Holding Company certificates.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
Under the current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), it is anticipated that:
o the merger of Commerce into the Interim Bank in accordance with the Plan
of Merger will constitute a reorganization;
12
<PAGE>
o no gain or loss will be recognized by Commerce, the Interim Bank or the
Holding Company as a result of the merger or reorganization;
o no gain or loss will be recognized by any shareholder of Commerce or the
Holding Company as a result of the conversion of Commerce Stock into
Holding Company Stock;
o the tax basis of the Holding Company Stock to be received by Commerce
shareholders will be equal to the tax basis of the Commerce Stock which
was exchanged for it; and
o the Interim Bank will carry over and take into account all accounting
items of Commerce such as earnings and profits, method of accounting,
inventories, etc.
In general, cash received by Commerce shareholders exercising dissenters'
rights of appraisal will be treated as amounts distributed in redemption of
Commerce's shares and will be taxable under the provisions of Section 302(a) of
the Code. The cash will be treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are
held as capital assets and as ordinary income otherwise. It is possible,
however, that the provisions of Section 302(a) will not apply to a particular
dissenting shareholder due to Code provisions which require that a shareholder
be treated as owning shares actually owned by other individuals or entities
(i.e. certain individuals related to the shareholder and certain partnerships,
estates, trusts and corporations in which the shareholder has an interest). In
this case, the cash paid to a shareholder could be taxable as a dividend because
it could be treated as a distribution to which Section 301 of the Code applies.
Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers in order to
determine the federal income tax consequences and any state or local tax
consequences of the Reorganization Plan and the exercise of dissenters' rights.
Appraisal Rights of Dissenting Shareholders
If the plan is not consummated for any reason, the demands for appraisal will be
of no effect.
Under Section 215a(b) of Title 12 of the United States Code
("ss.215a(b)"), any holder of shares of Commerce Common Stock who votes against
the Reorganization Plan, and meets all of the requirements outlined below, has
the right to seek an appraisal and be paid the "value" in cash of his/her
Commerce Common Stock.
The following is a summary of the material statutory procedures to be
followed by a holder of Commerce Common Stock in order to dissent from the
Reorganization Plan and perfect appraisal rights under ss.215a(b). This summary
is not intended to be complete. This summary is qualified in its entirety by
reference to ss.215a(b),(c) and (d). The text of these sections is contained in
Appendix C attached to this Proxy Statement. Any shareholder considering
demanding appraisal should consult legal counsel because the failure to
precisely follow all the necessary legal requirements may result in the loss of
appraisal rights.
Holders of record of Commerce Common Stock who desire to exercise their
appraisal rights must fully satisfy all of the following conditions. Each
shareholder must either: (a) vote against the Reorganization Plan at the Annual
Meeting; or (b) give notice to Commerce in writing at, or prior to, the Annual
Meeting that he/she dissents from the Reorganization Plan.
13
<PAGE>
Any shareholder who votes in favor of the Reorganization Plan, or abstains
from voting without providing the written notice referred to above, will waive
his/her right of appraisal. This waiver will nullify the shareholder's written
demand for appraisal.
Each shareholder who votes against the Reorganization Plan, or gives
written notice at or prior to the meeting, will be notified in writing of the
date of the consummation of the Reorganization Plan. Each dissenting shareholder
must then send a written request for the value of his/her shares to Commerce at
any time within 30 days after the date of consummation of the Reorganization
Plan. This written request must be accompanied by the surrender of the
dissenting shareholder's stock certificates. Any dissenting shareholder who
fails to send the written request within the 30-day period will NOT be entitled
to receive the value of his or her shares of Commerce Common Stock under
ss.215a.
In accordance with ss.215a, the value of the shares of any dissenting
shareholder will be determined, as of the Effective Date of the Reorganization
Plan. The value will be determined by an appraisal made by a committee of three
persons comprised of (i) one person selected by the vote of the holders of the
majority of the shares entitled to payment in cash (by reason of their requests
for appraisal), (ii) one person selected by the Board of Directors of Commerce
and (iii) one person selected by the two persons already selected. The valuation
agreed upon by any two of the three appraisers will govern.
If the value agreed upon by the appraisers is not satisfactory to any
dissenting shareholder who has requested payment, that shareholder may, within
five (5) days after being notified of the appraised value of his or her shares,
appeal to the Comptroller of the Currency, who is required to cause a
reappraisal to be made. This reappraisal will be final and binding as to the
value of the shares in question. If for any reason one or more of the appraisers
is not selected as provided above within ninety (90) days from the date of the
consummation of the reorganization, or if the appraisers fail to determine the
value of those shares, the Comptroller of the Currency is required, upon written
request of any interested party, to cause an appraisal to be made which will be
final and binding on all parties. As an interested party, Commerce intends to
petition the Comptroller of the Currency in the event an appraisal is not
determined. If neither Commerce nor the dissenting shareholder requests the
Comptroller of the Currency to appraise the shares in question, the shareholder
will not be entitled to receive the value of his or her shares. The expenses of
the Comptroller of the Currency in making the reappraisal or the appraisal, as
the case may be, will be paid by Commerce.
The determined value of the shares is required to be paid promptly by
Commerce to the dissenting shareholders. The shares of the Holding Company which
would have been delivered to any dissenting shareholders, had they not requested
payment, will be sold at public auction. If a price greater than the amount paid
to any dissenting shareholders is received, the Holding Company will pay the
excess to those dissenting shareholders.
The above summary is not a complete statement of the appraisal rights of
dissenting shareholders. The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference
to the applicable provisions of 12 U.S.C. ss.215a (b), (c) and (d), which are
reproduced in full as Appendix "C" to this Proxy Statement, and the Agreement
and Plan of Reorganization which is attached as Appendix "A" to this Proxy
Statement. A shareholder will not be permitted to split his or her vote. If he
or she intends to vote, he or she must vote all of his or her shares either for
or against the Reorganization Plan.
14
<PAGE>
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
General
The rights of Commerce shareholders are presently governed by the National
Bank Act. After the proposed reorganization is completed, the rights of Holding
Company shareholders will be governed by the Pennsylvania Business Corporation
Law. Additionally, the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Holding
Company differ in some respects from the Articles of Association and Bylaws of
Commerce as they now exist. Some of these differences are noted in the following
table. The following table is qualified by reference to the more detailed
information appearing elsewhere in this Proxy Statement and in the Exhibits
attached to this Proxy Statement. The table is intended for summary purposes
only.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Commerce's The Holding Company's
Common Stock Common Stock
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
1) Authorized and 2,000,000 shares, par value 10,000,000 shares, par value $1.00
Outstanding $1.00 per share, author- per share, authorized, of which
ized, of which 1,559,735 1,559,735 shares would be
were outstanding on outstanding if the Reorganization
May 14, 1999. was effected on May 14, 1999, (if
Commerce's capitalization no shareholder of Commerce validly
may be increased only with exercised dissenters' rights).
the approval of the vote Authorized shares may be issued by
of a majority of outstand- the Board of Directors without
ing shares and approval shareholder approval. Authorized
of the Comptroller of shares may be increased with
the Currency. approval of 80% of the outstanding
shares.*
2) Voting One vote per share with One vote per share with no
cumulative voting for cumulative voting for directors.
directors.
3) Preemptive Rights No preemptive rights to No preemptive rights to subscribe
subscribe for additional for additional shares on a pro rata
shares on a pro rata basis.
basis.
</TABLE>
15
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
4) Dividends As declared by the Board As declared by the Board of
of Directors, subject to Directors, the bank's dividend
restrictions established restrictions will apply indirectly
by the Comptroller of the to the Holding Company. Cash
Currency as follows: available for dividend
(i) may be paid only if distributions will initially come
it would not impair from dividends paid to the Holding
Commerce's capital structure, Company by the bank. In addition,
(ii) if Commerce's surplus the Holding Company may pay
is at least equal to its dividends only if it is solvent and
common capital, and would not be rendered insolvent by
(iii) if the dividends the dividend payment. The Holding
declared in any year do Company may pay dividends only from
not exceed the total of net unrestricted and unreserved earned
profits in that year combined surplus and, under some
with retained net profits of the circumstances, capital surplus.
preceding two (2) years less
any required transfers to
surplus.
Shareholder Action
5) Mergers, Consolidations, Approval by vote of Approval by vote of 80% of
Liquidations, Dissolutions, 66 2/3% of outstanding outstanding shares. Amendments to
Sales of Substantially All shares, except for Bylaws require approval by 80% of
Assets and Amendments amendments to Bylaws, outstanding shares, or approval by
to Bylaws which require approval majority of the Board of Directors,
by vote of a majority subject to shareholders power to
of outstanding shares. change that action by a vote of 80%
of outstanding shares.
6) Amendment of Articles Approval by vote of Approval by vote of majority of
of Incorporation majority of outstanding outstanding shares, except 80% of
(other than for the shares except 66 2/3% of outstanding shares are required to
purposes named above) outstanding shares are amend the Articles of Incorporation
required to amend the with respect to 5) of this table,
Articles with respect to 5) authorized capital, cumulative
of this table. voting, preemptive rights, and
indemnification of directors
officers.*
</TABLE>
16
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
7) Repurchase Cannot reduce or retire Stock can be repurchased up to the
any part of its stock extent of unrestricted and
without prior regulatory unreserved earned surplus, and as
approvals. much of its unrestricted capital
surplus as has been made available
for this purpose by the prior
affirmative vote of shareholders;
stock cannot be repurchased when
the Holding Company is insolvent or
would be made insolvent by the
purchase.
8) Special Shareholder Upon request by 20% of Upon request by 1/3 of outstanding
Meetings outstanding shares. shares.
</TABLE>
* - These actions requiring a vote of 80% of the outstanding shares of the
Holding Company may be approved instead by a vote of 66 2/3% of the outstanding
shares if 66 2/3% of the Board of Directors approve that action.
Power of Board of Directors to Oppose Tender Offers
The Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law authorizes the Board of
Directors to oppose a tender offer for shares of the Holding Company on the
basis of factors other than economic benefit to shareholders. These other
factors include:
o the impact of the acquisition upon the community;
o the effect of the acquisition upon employees, depositors and customers;
and
o all other pertinent factors.
The Holding Company's Articles of Incorporation authorize the Board of
Directors to oppose a tender offer for shares of the Holding Company for both
economic reasons and for the other factors listed above.
Status of Stock as Legal Investment and for Personal Property Tax Purposes
In some jurisdictions, shares of common stock of a business corporation
such as the Holding Company may be treated differently from shares of stock of a
bank for legal investments for institutions and fiduciaries, and as the subject
of personal property taxation. Shareholders of Commerce should determine whether
the status of their shares under local or state laws would be changed upon the
Effective Date of the reorganization. Under Pennsylvania law, a fiduciary will
be subject to the same standards for investments in stock of the Holding Company
as for investments in the stock of Commerce. Under Pennsylvania law, neither the
holders of Commerce Stock nor the holders of Holding Company Stock who are
Pennsylvania residents will be subject to the Pennsylvania county personal
property tax on their shareholdings.
Indemnification of Officers, Directors and Employees
The Holding Company's Articles of Incorporation provide that the Holding
Company will indemnify all persons, including its officers, directors and
employees, from any expenses and
17
<PAGE>
liabilities, to the fullest extent permitted by law, associated with activities
of the Holding Company. Article 20 of the Holding Company's Bylaws contains
extensive provisions for indemnifying officers, directors and employees. Article
20 further provides that the Holding Company may create a fund to secure or
insure these indemnification obligations.
Commerce intends to extend its present directors' and officers' liability
insurance policy to cover the Holding Company's directors and officers without
significant additional cost. This policy would cover the typical errors and
omissions liability associated with the activities of the Holding Company. The
provisions of the insurance policy would probably not indemnify any of the
Holding Company's directors or officers against liability arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers or controlling
persons, Commerce has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC, this type of
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is
therefore unenforceable.
Dissenting Shareholders' Rights
Both the National Bank Act and the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law
afford appraisal rights to dissenting shareholders of a business corporation or
a national bank in the case of (i) any merger or consolidation, (ii) any sale,
lease, exchange or other disposition of assets not in the ordinary course of
business, or (iii) certain proposals to amend the corporation's articles of
incorporation. If the party to the merger or consolidation is a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Holding Company (such as the Interim Bank), shareholders of
the Holding Company would not have dissenters' rights.
DESCRIPTION OF THE HOLDING COMPANY
Business of the Holding Company
The Holding Company is a business corporation incorporated on April 12,
1999, under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the purpose of
becoming a bank holding company by acquiring Commerce's outstanding Common
Stock. Upon completion of the reorganization, the activities of the Holding
Company will be subject to the supervision of the Federal Reserve Board.
The Holding Company expects to function primarily as the holder of all of
Commerce's Common Stock. It may in the future acquire or form other banks or
subsidiaries by merger or it may itself acquire other banks. It is also
contemplated that the Holding Company may seek to enter businesses closely
related to banking or to acquire existing companies already engaged in those
activities.
The Holding Company may engage, directly or through subsidiary
corporations, in those activities closely related to banking which are
specifically permitted under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and
regulations of the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board has by
regulation determined that certain activities are closely related to banking or
managing or controlling banks. These activities include, without limitation:
(1) making or acquiring, for its account or for the account of others,
loans or other extensions of credit;
(2) servicing loans and other extensions of credit;
18
<PAGE>
(3) performing certain activities which may be performed or carried on by
banks or trust companies to the extent authorized by law;
(4) acting as a sponsor to a closed-end investment company, under certain
circumstances, and as an investment advisor to any type of investment
company;
(5) leasing real and personal property under circumstances where the lease
serves as a functional equivalent of an extension of credit;
(6) making equity and debt investments in corporations or projects
designed primarily to promote community welfare;
(7) providing bookkeeping or data processing services for internal
operations of the holding company, its subsidiaries and other financial
institutions, with certain limitations;
(8) subject to certain limitations, acting as an insurance agent or broker
or acting as underwriter for credit life insurance and credit accident and
health insurance which is related to extensions of credit by the holding
company and its subsidiaries;
(9) providing courier services for the internal operations of the holding
company and its subsidiaries;
(10) providing management consulting advice to non-affiliated banks and
certain other institutions; and
(11) providing real estate appraisal services.
Any acquisition by the Holding Company will require prior approval of the
Federal Reserve Board and, in some instances, other regulatory agencies. As of
the date of this Proxy Statement, the Holding Company has no commitments,
arrangements or understandings with respect to the acquisition of any entities
other than Commerce. There can be no assurance that any entity will be acquired
by the Holding Company if the Reorganization Plan is approved and consummated.
Management of the Holding Company
Once the reorganization is completed, the Board of Directors of the
Holding Company will consist of the persons who presently serve on the Board of
Directors of Commerce. Each director will hold office until the 2000 Annual
Meeting of the Shareholders of the Holding Company. Each director will then hold
office for a period of one year or until their successors are duly elected and
qualified. After consummation of the Reorganization Plan, the directors of the
Interim Bank would be elected by the Holding Company.
The initial President and Chief Executive Officer of the Holding Company
will be James T. Gibson, the current President and Chief Executive Officer of
Commerce. Additionally, after the reorganization is completed, the other
officers of Commerce will serve as the officers of the Holding Company. It is
not anticipated that the Holding Company will pay any remuneration to its
officers and directors during 1999 in addition to the remuneration paid to them
by Commerce.
19
<PAGE>
Description of Common Stock of the Holding Company
General
At the time the Reorganization Plan is consummated, the Holding Company
will be authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00
per share, and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $10.00 per share.
The holders of Holding Company Common Stock will be entitled to one (1) vote per
share. Holders of the Holding Company stock will no longer have cumulative
voting rights in the election of directors. Cumulative voting is required under
the National Bank Act but is optional under the Pennsylvania Business
Corporation Law. The provision of the Articles of Incorporation of the Holding
Company which provides that there is no cumulative voting may be amended by the
affirmative of at least 80% of the outstanding common stock of the Holding
Company. The Articles of Incorporation of the Holding Company are attached to
this Proxy Statement as Exhibit "D".
The Holding Company has authorized Common Stock substantially in excess of
the number of shares that will be issued in connection with the Reorganization
Plan. The Board of Directors of the Holding Company will have the flexibility to
raise additional capital and make acquisitions through the issuance of Holding
Company Common Stock without further approval by the shareholders. The
shareholders of the Holding Company will not have preemptive rights to purchase
any securities subsequently issued by the Holding Company. Therefore, any
issuance could result in a dilution of voting rights and book value per share of
the Holding Company Common Stock.
The holders of Common Stock will be entitled to receive dividends as may
be declared by the Board of Directors of the Holding Company. In the event of
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of the Holding Company,
the holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock will be entitled to share pro
rata according to their respective interests in the Holding Company assets and
funds remaining after payment or provisions for payment of all debts and other
liabilities of the Holding Company and subject to any liquidation preferences of
any Preferred Stock outstanding.
"Anti-Takeover" Provisions
The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Holding Company contain
certain provisions which may be deemed to be "anti-takeover" in nature. These
provisions may deter, discourage or make more difficult the assumption of
control of the Holding Company by another corporation or person through a tender
offer, merger, proxy contest or similar transaction or series of transactions.
Management of Commerce has no knowledge of any specific effort to accumulate
Commerce's securities or to obtain control of Commerce or the Holding Company by
means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation in opposition to management or
otherwise.
The Articles of Incorporation expressly vest in the Holding Company Board
the power to make, alter, amend and repeal the Bylaws of the Holding Company.
The Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law permits a board of directors to be
vested with these powers and provides that the shareholders may change actions
of the board in respect of the bylaws by at least a majority vote unless a
higher vote is provided in the articles or bylaws. The Board, which is elected
by a majority of the shareholders, believes that the Holding Company Board will
be in the best position to (i) determine the appropriate Bylaw provisions for
the internal governance of the Holding Company, and (ii) make decisions
regarding the Bylaws which will be in the best interest of the Holding Company.
The Holding Company's Articles of Incorporation also require the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote to approve any merger, consolidation,
20
<PAGE>
sale of assets or similar transaction. If 66 2/3% of the Board of Directors
approves this type of transaction, then the affirmative vote of 66 2/3% of the
outstanding shares entitled to vote is required for approval. By comparison,
Commerce's Articles of Association also contain anti-takeover provisions.
However, Commerce's Articles of Association provide that if a majority of the
Board of Directors approves, a vote of 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of
Commerce entitled to vote is required to approve any merger, consolidation, sale
of assets or similar transaction with respect to Commerce.
The Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law provides that, unless otherwise
prescribed in the Articles of Incorporation, these transactions require the
approval of a simple majority of outstanding shares. Your Board believes the
higher 80% vote is necessary to assure fair treatment of all shareholders of the
Holding Company in the event of mergers and similar transactions.
This provision of the Holding Company's Articles of Incorporation may not
be amended, altered, changed or repealed without the affirmative vote of at
least 80% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, rather than 51% which
would otherwise be applicable under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law.
If 66 2/3% of the Board of Directors approves such an amendment, the affirmative
vote of only 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote is required for
approval. Because the operation of this provision could give minority
shareholders a veto over such transactions even though the holders of a majority
of shares are in favor, and because this requirement may discourage takeover
attempts, it may be considered "anti-takeover" in nature.
The Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law further allows the Board of
Directors of the Holding Company to consider factors other than offering price
in deciding upon whether to reject or approve a tender offer or proposed merger
or similar transaction. These factors include:
o the effect on employees, suppliers and customers;
o the effect on the communities in which offices of the corporation are
located; and
o all other pertinent factors.
The Holding Company's Articles of Incorporation allow the Board of
Directors to consider several economic factors, as well as the factors stated
above, in considering whether to reject or approve a tender offer or proposed
merger or similar transaction.
Finally, the Bylaws provide that nominations of candidates for election as
directors of the Holding Company, other than those made by management of the
Holding Company, must be made in writing and delivered or mailed to the
Secretary of the Holding Company not less than 45 days prior to any
shareholders' meeting called for the election of directors. The notification
must contain certain information to the extent known to the nominating
shareholder. Commerce's Board of Directors believes that this provision (which
is similar to the provision presently contained in the Bylaws of Commerce)
avoids surprise nominations and ensures that there is adequate time for the
Holding Company to be informed of the backgrounds and qualifications of
candidates for election as directors. However, it could be viewed as
"anti-takeover" in nature since it may make it more difficult for shareholders
to nominate candidates and may give an advantage to incumbent management's
nominees.
21
<PAGE>
The provisions of the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and the
Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law described above may deter a future tender
offer or other takeover attempt that some shareholders might view to be in their
best interests. The offer might include a premium over the market price of the
Holding Company's Common Stock at that time. In addition, these provisions may
help the Holding Company's current management remain in place. There are no
present plans to adopt any other "anti-takeover" provisions.
A VOTE TO APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION PLAN IS A VOTE IN FAVOR OF THESE
"ANTI-TAKEOVER" PROVISIONS.
Supervision and Regulation of the Holding Company
The Holding Company will be subject to the jurisdiction of the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and of state securities commissions for matters
relating to the offering and sale of its securities. Unlike Commerce, the
Holding Company will register its securities under the Securities Act of 1933
(the "Securities Act"). Similar to Commerce, the Holding Company will be
required to file periodic and current reports under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Unlike Commerce, which files its periodic and
current reports with the OCC, the Holding Company will file its periodic and
current reports with the SEC.
Upon the consummation of the Reorganization Plan, the Holding Company will
become subject to the provisions of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as
amended. The Holding Company will be subject to supervision and examination by
the Federal Reserve Board. The Holding Company, pursuant to the Bank Holding
Company Act, will be required to secure the prior approval of the Federal
Reserve Board before it may own or control, directly or indirectly, more than 5%
of the voting shares or substantially all of the assets of any institution,
including another bank (unless it already owns a majority of the voting stock of
the bank).
A bank holding company is also generally prohibited from acquiring direct
or indirect ownership or control of any voting stock of any company engaged in
non-banking activities unless the Federal Reserve Board, by order or regulation,
has found the activities to be so closely related to banking or managing or
controlling banks as to be a proper incident to the business of banking. In
making this determination, the Federal Reserve Board considers whether the
performance of these activities by a bank holding company would offer benefits
to the public that outweigh possible adverse effects. The Federal Reserve Board
has previously determined that certain activities are closely related to
banking. See "DESCRIPTION OF THE HOLDING COMPANY -Business of the Holding
Company", for a description of permitted non-banking activity.
The Holding Company will be required to file an annual report with the
Federal Reserve Board and any additional information that the Federal Reserve
Board may require pursuant to the Bank Holding Company Act. The Federal Reserve
Board may also make examinations of the Holding Company and any or all of its
subsidiaries. Further, a bank holding company and its subsidiaries are
prohibited from engaging in certain tie-in arrangements in connection with the
extension of credit or provision for any property or service. Thus, an affiliate
of the Holding Company, such as its subsidiary bank, may not condition the
extension of credit, the lease or sale of property or furnishing of any services
on (i) the customer's obtaining or providing some additional credit, property or
services from or to the Holding Company or other subsidiaries of the Holding
Company, or (ii) the customer's refraining from doing business with a competitor
of Commerce, the Holding Company or of their subsidiaries. The Holding Company,
or its subsidiary banks may impose conditions to the extent necessary to
reasonably assure the soundness of credit extended.
22
<PAGE>
Subsidiary banks of a bank holding company are subject to certain
restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act on (i) any extension of credit
to the bank holding company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) investments in the
stock or other securities of the bank holding company, and (iii) taking the
stock or securities of the bank holding company as collateral for loans to any
borrower.
Dividends of the Holding Company
The holders of Common Stock of the Holding Company will be entitled to
receive dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors with respect to
the Common Stock out of funds of the Holding Company. While the Holding Company
will not be subject to certain restrictions on dividends and stock redemptions
applicable to a bank, the ability of the Holding Company to pay dividends to the
holders of its Common Stock will depend to a large extent upon the amount of
dividends paid by the Interim Bank to the Holding Company.
The ability of the Holding Company to pay dividends on its Common Stock in
the future will be dependent upon the earnings and the financial condition of
the Interim Bank and the Holding Company. The Holding Company's ability to pay
dividends will be subject to the prior payment by the Holding Company of
principal and interest on any debt obligations it may incur in the future as
well as other factors that may exist at the time.
MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK
Shares of Commerce Common Stock are listed in the NASDAQ Small Cap Market.
The following table shows the stock price range for shares of Commerce Common
Stock, and dividends paid, for the periods indicated below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
High Low Div.
---- --- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1996
First Quarter................................. $12.31 $ 9.67 5%
Second Quarter................................ 13.39 12.09
Third Quarter................................. 14.69 12.74
Fourth Quarter................................ 17.49 14.47
1997
First Quarter................................. 19.27 16.84 5%
Second Quarter................................ 19.27 17.68
Third Quarter................................. 25.84 18.14
Fourth Quarter................................ 30.16 24.94
1998
First Quarter................................. 28.57 24.94 5%
Second Quarter................................ 32.86 27.38
Third Quarter................................. 36.19 28.57
Fourth Quarter................................ 29.52 26.67
1999
First Quarter................................. 30.25 26.90 5%
</TABLE>
The Holding Company is a newly formed corporation. Thus, there is
presently no market for the Common Stock of the Holding Company. The management
of Commerce and the Holding Company expects that a trading market similar to
Commerce's will develop following completion of the reorganization.
23
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCE
Business of Commerce
Commerce is an FDIC-insured national banking association. Commerce was
originally organized on September 11, 1984, under the Pennsylvania Banking Code
as a state-chartered institution. On October 7, 1994, Commerce converted into a
national banking association. Commerce engages in commercial banking authorized
by the National Bank Act. This involves accepting demand, time and savings
deposits and granting loans (consumer, commercial, real estate and business) to
individuals, corporations, partnerships, associations, municipalities and other
governmental bodies.
Commerce's Common Stock is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, with the OCC. Commerce is subject to the supervision of the
OCC.
As of December 31, 1998, Commerce had 11 banking offices. Its principal
executive office is located at Erford Road and Senate Avenue, Camp Hill,
Pennsylvania 17011. The telephone number at that address is (717) 975-5630.
At December 31, 1998, Commerce reported:
o total assets of $319,323,000;
o total liabilities of $298,878,000;
o total deposits of $297,737,000; and
o net loans of $164,889,000.
Commerce reported net income of $1.38 per share for the year ended
December 31, 1998.
Description of Commerce Stock
Commerce is authorized to issue 2,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of which
1,559,735 shares were outstanding as of the Record Date. The holders of Commerce
Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share. In the election of directors,
each holder of Commerce Common Stock has the right to cumulate his or her votes.
Holders of Commerce Common Stock do not have preemptive rights.
In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of
Commerce, the holders of outstanding shares of Commerce Common Stock are
entitled to their respective interests in Commerce's assets and funds resulting
after payment or provision for payment of (i) all debts and other liabilities of
Commerce, and (ii) preferential dividends and other amounts to holders of
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.
After the Effective Date of the reorganization, the Holding Company will
own all of the issued and outstanding Commerce Stock.
Dividends of Commerce
The holders of Commerce Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends as
may be declared by the Board of Directors of Commerce out of funds legally
available for those dividends. The payment of dividends on Commerce Common Stock
is subject to limitations contained in the National Bank Act. Following
consummation of the reorganization, the Interim Bank expects to pay dividends to
the Holding Company out of funds legally available for dividends.
24
<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth the name, address, amount and nature of
beneficial ownership and percent of class of outstanding Commerce common stock
of each person known to Commerce to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of
Commerce's common stock. Share information is stated as of April 30, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Address of Amount and Nature of Percent of
Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership Outstanding Stock
---------------- -------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Gary L. Nalbandian/1/ 157,905 9.76%
Vernon W. Hill, II/2/ 222,866 14.21%
Commerce Bancorp, Inc. 143,700/3/ 9.21%
Alan R. Hassman/4/ 86,762 5.52%
</TABLE>
- - ----------
/1/ See footnote 2 on page 8.
/2/ See footnote 4 on page 8.
/3/ These shares are also reported as beneficially owned by Vernon W. Hill,
II.
/4/ See footnote 6 on page 9.
The following are all shares owned beneficially by all directors and
executive officers as a group:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Ownership
--------------------
Title of Class Direct Indirect Percent of Class
-------------- ------ -------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock and 488,159 202,765 39.81%
Exercisable Stock
Options
Series A Non-Cumulative 0 40,000 100%
Preferred Stock
</TABLE>
Directors' Compensation
Each director was paid an annual fee of $1,000 plus a meeting fee of $700
for each meeting of the Board of Directors attended in 1998. The annual fee will
be the same in 1999. The meeting fee will be $800 for each meeting of the Board
of Directors attended. Each director who is an active member of the Audit, Real
Estate and/or Personnel Committee also receives $100 for each meeting of those
committees.
In addition to the above, Mr. Gary L. Nalbandian received a salary of
$95,000 in 1998 for service as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Nalbandian also
participated in Commerce's Retirement Savings Plan (which is a 401K Salary
Reduction Plan) and was covered by Commerce's Medical
25
<PAGE>
Health Insurance Plan.
1990 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors
In 1990, Commerce adopted a Director Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). This
Plan was approved by the shareholders at the 1990 Annual Meeting.
The total number of shares covered by the Plan shall not exceed 140,709.
The Plan provides for the grant of an option to acquire 1,407 shares (as
adjusted for stock dividends subsequent to the effective date of the Plan) to
each director on January 15 of each year in which the director serves as such.
The option price is in no event to be less than 100% of the fair market value of
the shares at the time the option is granted. Options are not transferable other
than by will or laws of descent and distribution. During the lifetime of the
optionee, the option is exercisable only by the optionee and only while a
director of Commerce or within three months after the director ceases so to
serve. If an optionee dies within the option period, the option may be exercised
by the optionee's estate within three months of his death.
Options are not exercisable before the first to occur of (i) one year from
the date the option is granted, or (ii) a "change in control" of Commerce. The
term "change in control" is defined in the Plan. Options expire ten years from
the date of issuance and may not be exercised thereafter.
The Plan provides that the number of shares subject to option and the
option price shall be appropriately adjusted if the number of issued shares is
decreased or increased by changes in par value, a combination, stock dividend
and the like.
Committees of the Board of Directors of Commerce
The total number of Board of Directors' meetings during 1998 was 12. With
the exception of Mr. Vernon W. Hill, II, no director attended fewer than 75% of
the aggregate total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and the total
number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he served. Mr.
Hill attended 40% of these meetings.
Information with respect to the committees of the Board of Directors of
Commerce is set forth below.
Audit Committee
Members of the Audit Committee were Howell C. Mette, Alan R. Hassman,
Samir J. Srouji and Douglas S. Gelder. This Committee met four times during
1998. The Audit Committee causes to be made by independent auditors a complete
audit of the books and financial statements of Commerce. Upon receipt and review
of the internal auditor reports and independent audit reports, the Committee
brings to the Board of Directors recommendations concerning the audit. The
Committee also reviews any examination reports by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation and The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Personnel Committee
Members of the Personnel Committee were Alan R. Hassman, Howell C. Mette,
Vernon W. Hill, II and Michael A. Serluco. This Committee met one time during
1998. The Personnel Committee reviews all personnel policies, including
compensation of all employees.
26
<PAGE>
Real Estate Committee
Members of the Real Estate Committee were Douglas S. Gelder, Samir J.
Srouji, Gary L. Nalbandian and James T. Gibson. This Committee met once during
1998. The Real Estate Committee reviews and approves certified real estate
appraisers (residential and commercial) retained by Commerce and reviews and
approves all potential branch site locations.
Executive Committee
Members of this Committee are Howell C. Mette, Vernon W. Hill, II, Michael
A. Serluco, James T. Gibson and Gary L. Nalbandian. This Committee met two times
during 1998. The Executive Committee acts between regular board meetings to
approve loans. Actions of the Executive Committee are ratified at the
immediately succeeding board meeting.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
In 1998, to the knowledge of Commerce, all directors and executive
officers timely filed all reports with the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency.
Transactions with Officers and Directors
During 1998, Commerce had banking transactions in the ordinary course of
its business with directors, officers, principal shareholders of Commerce, and
their associates. Commerce expects to have similar transactions in the future.
These banking transactions have been and will continue to be on the same terms,
including interest rates and collateral on loans, as those prevailing at the
same time for comparable transactions with others. These loans present, in the
opinion of management, no more than the normal risk of collectibility or present
other unfavorable features. The loans to these persons and companies amounted to
3.11% of total loans outstanding at December 31, 1998.
As was previously indicated, Commerce Bancorp, Inc. ("Bancorp"), owns
9.21% of Commerce's common stock and 100% of Commerce's Series A Preferred
Stock. Bancorp, through its subsidiary, Commerce Bank, N.A., a national bank
located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, shares certain marketing expenses with
Commerce. Commerce paid approximately $90,000 and $78,000 for marketing support
provided by Commerce Bank, N.A., during 1998 and 1997, respectively. Commerce
has a data processing agreement with Commerce Bank, N.A. Payments for data
processing services totaled $102,000 and $97,000 in 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Commerce paid approximately $16,000 in 1998 and $27,000 in 1997 for loan review
and other services provided by Commerce Bank, N.A. Commerce routinely sells loan
participations to Commerce Bank, N.A. At December 31, 1998, approximately
$7,791,000 of these participations were outstanding.
Vernon W. Hill, II, a director and 14.21% beneficial shareholder of
Commerce, is Chairman of the Board of Commerce Bank, N.A. Commerce obtained
interior design services for $17,000 and $27,000 in 1998 and 1997, respectively,
from a business owned by Mr. Hill's spouse. Additionally, this business received
commissions of approximately $66,000 and $109,000 in 1998 and 1997,
respectively, on furniture and facility purchases made directly by Commerce.
Commerce leases land for one of its branches from a limited partnership in which
Mr. Hill is a 20% limited partner. Total payments on the land lease were $50,000
for 1998 and 1997 respectively. Commerce engaged a company owned by Mr. Hill to
prepare the building sites for the two branches constructed in 1998 and 1997.
Total payments made in 1998 and 1997 to the company for site preparation were
$20,000 per year.
27
<PAGE>
Howell C. Mette, a director and 2.58% beneficial shareholder of Commerce,
is a partner in the law firm of Mette, Evans and Woodside, which Commerce has
retained during 1998, and intends to retain during 1999.
MANAGEMENT
Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the executive officer of Commerce, his age,
his position with Commerce and the beneficial ownership (as determined in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission) of common stock of Commerce by such person. Share information is
stated as of April 30, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percent
Amount and Nature of of
Name and Age Title Beneficial Ownership Outstanding Stock
------------ ----- -------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
James T. Gibson President 60,664/1/ 3.76%
Age 43 and Chief
Executive
Officer
</TABLE>
/1/ See footnote 9 on page 9.
Remuneration of Executive Officers
The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth the executive officer
of Commerce (as defined in applicable securities regulations), and the annual
salary and other compensation of that officer for the preceding three years.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long Term
Annual Compensation Compensation
--------------------------------------------- ------------
Stock
Other Underlying All
Annual Stock Other
Name and Compen- Option Compen-
Principal Position Year Salary/1/ Bonus sation/2/ Grants/3/ sation/4/
- - ------------------ ---- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
James T. Gibson 1998 $184,400 $30,000 -- 6,300 $5,474
President & CEO 1997 160,200 20,000 -- 6,615 5,328
1996 146,500 20,000 -- 6,945 5,141
</TABLE>
/1/ Amounts in this column include directors' fees paid to Mr. Gibson at $700,
$600, and $500, per month, respectively, during 1998, 1997, and 1996. For
1998, 1997, and 1996, it also includes a $1,000 annual retainer fee paid
to Mr. Gibson for his services as a director of Commerce.
/2/ The aggregate of personal benefits provided by Commerce for any executive
officer, individually or all executive officers as a group did not exceed
the lesser of (i) $50,000 or (ii) 10% of the salary and
28
<PAGE>
bonus of the officer for any of the years referenced. This does not
include benefits that are available to all salaried officers, directors
and employees on a non-discriminatory basis.
/3/ In accordance with the terms of the Commerce Employee Stock Option Plan,
the number of shares optioned are adjusted to reflect the distribution of
a 5% common stock dividend which was paid on February 19, 1999.
/4/ The totals in this column reflect (i) premiums on life insurance (for
1998, $3,074; for 1997, $3,044; for 1996, $2,864); and (ii) contributions
by Commerce to Mr. Gibson's 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (for 1998,
$2,400; for 1997, $2,284; for 1996, $2,277).
Employee Stock Option Plan
In 1996, Commerce's shareholders approved the adoption of the 1996
Employee Stock Option Plan. The Plan replaces the 1986 Incentive Stock Option
Plan which expired December 31, 1995. The Plan covers 226,550 authorized shares
of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of options granted or
available for grant to officers and key employees and will expire on December
31, 2005. The Plan provides that the option price of qualified incentive stock
options (QSO's) will be fixed by the Board of Directors, but will not be less
than 100% of the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant. In
addition, the Plan provides that the option price of nonqualified stock options
(NQSO's) also will be fixed by the Board of Directors, however for NQSO's the
option price may be less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock, at the
date of grant. The Plan defines "fair market value" generally as the closing
sale price of the common stock on the date of the grant of the option, or if no
sale has occurred on such a date, then on the preceding day on which there was a
sale. Options granted are exercisable one year after the date of grant subject
to certain vesting provisions (as outlined below) and expire ten years after the
date of grant. For purposes of this Proxy Statement, all QSO's and NQSO's
granted under the Employee Stock Option Plan will be collectively referred to as
Employee Stock Options (ESO's).
All options will be subject to a vesting schedule, and may be exercised
only to the extent vested on the date of exercise. Options vest based either on
years of service or upon the period of time the options have been issued,
depending which schedule results in faster vesting. Employees with up to three
(3) years of service will be 25% vested, with more than three (3) but less than
six (6) years will be 50% vested, with more than six (6) years, but less than
eight (8) years of service will be 75% vested, and with more than eight (8)
years will be 100% vested. Without regard to years of service, options held for
more than one (1) year, but less than two (2) years are 25% vested, options held
more than two (2) years and less than three (3) years are 50% vested, options
held more than three (3) years and less than four (4) years are 75% vested, and
options held more than four (4) years are 100% vested.
The Plan requires adjustment of the number of options and of the option
price for all ESO's as appropriate to reflect changes in the number of
outstanding shares caused, among other events, by the declaration and payment of
a stock dividend. Consequently, the number of options and the option price of
all ESO's granted has been adjusted each time a stock dividend has been declared
and paid.
Stock Option Grants
The following table sets forth, for the executive officer, the number of
ESO's granted in 1998, the percentage of ESO's awarded to the executive officer
bears to total ESO's granted to all key employees during the year, the option
price, and the expiration of the options:
29
<PAGE>
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION GRANTS
IN FISCAL YEAR 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of % of Total
Securities Options Granted Exercise
Underlying to Employees or Base
Options in Fiscal Price Expiration
Name Granted Year ($/Sh) Date
---- ---------- --------------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
James T. Gibson 6,300/1/ 12.73% $27.38/1/ 11-13-2008
</TABLE>
/1/In accordance with the terms of the Commerce Employee Stock Option
Plan, the number of shares optioned and the option price is adjusted to
reflect the distribution of a 5% common stock dividend paid on February
19, 1999.
Stock Option Exercises
The following table sets forth all ESO's exercised by the executive
officer of Commerce during 1998, the number of shares acquired on exercise, the
value realized by the executive officer upon exercise, the number of exercisable
and unexercisable ESO's outstanding for the executive officer as of December 31,
1998, and the value of those ESO's as of December 31, 1998:
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END STOCK OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Value of
Number of Unexercised
Unexercised In-the-Money
Shares Acquired Options at Options at
Name on Exercise/1/ Value Realized/1/ End Year 1998 End Year 1998
- - ---- ---------------- -------------- ------------------------------ -----------------------------
Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
James T. Gibson -0- -0- 53,424 6,300 $877,488 $(1,152)
</TABLE>
/1/ Mr. Gibson exercised no ESO's in 1998.
/2/ All ESO's granted through December 31, 1998 are reported.
Exercisable ESO's are fully vested. ESO's to vest in the future are
reported as unexercisable.
/3/ The dollar values set forth above were calculated by determining the
difference between the closing trading price of Commerce Common
Stock at December 31, 1998, which was $27.14 per share (adjusted for
the 5% common stock dividend paid on February 19, 1999), and the
option price of each ESO as of December 31, 1998.
30
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors of Commerce has engaged Beard & Company, Inc.,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as independent auditor for Commerce to audit its
financial statements for the years 1998 and 1999.
Representatives of Beard & Company, Inc. are expected to be at the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders and to be available to respond to questions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Proxy Statement does not contain financial statements of Commerce. In
Management's view, Commerce's financial statements are not material to a
decision of Shareholders in voting for or against the Reorganization Plan. A
copy of the Annual Report of Commerce on Form 10-KSB, as filed with the OCC, is
available without charge to shareholders upon written request directed to
Deborah Miller, Shareholder Relations, Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A., P.O. Box
8599, Camp Hill, PA 17001-8599.
OTHER BUSINESS
Management, at present, knows of no other business except those items
explained herein that may require the vote of the shareholders to be presented
by or on behalf of Commerce or its management at the Annual Meeting. However, if
any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, any proxy
given pursuant to this solicitation will be voted in accordance with the
recommendations of the management of Commerce.
RETURN OF PROXY
You are urged to sign, date and return the accompanying Proxy as promptly
as possible, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person. If you do
attend the meeting, you may then withdraw your Proxy.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JAMES T. GIBSON
President
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
May 14, 1999
31
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
THIS AGREEMENT made as of the 23rd day of April, 1999 among PENNSYLVANIA
COMMERCE BANCORP, INC., a Pennsylvania business corporation (the "Holding
Company"), COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG, N.A., a national banking association (the
"Bank") and COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG INTERIM NATIONAL BANK, a national banking
association and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Holding Company (the "Interim
Bank").
WHEREAS, the Holding Company, the Bank and the Interim Bank desire to
effect the formation of a bank holding company whereby the Bank and the Interim
Bank will be merged, the surviving bank will become a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Holding Company, and the present shareholders of the Bank (except for those
who perfect dissenters' rights) will become the shareholders of the Holding
Company, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as
follows:
SECTION 1. MERGER
1.1 Agreement to Merge. Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth, the parties hereto agree to effect a merger of the Bank and the
Interim Bank (the "Merger") pursuant to the provisions of 12 U.S.C. ss.215a, in
accordance with the Agreement and Plan of Merger attached as [Appendix B to the
Proxy Statement] and made a part hereof (the "Plan of Merger").
1.2 Holding Company Common Stock. The Holding Company shall make available
to the Bank and the Interim Bank a sufficient number of shares of the Holding
Company's Common Stock to effect the Merger pursuant to the Plan of Merger.
SECTION 2. SHARES OF THE HOLDING COMPANY AND OF THE SURVIVING BANK
2.1 Conversion of Shares. The manner of converting the shares of Bank
Stock into shares of Common Stock of the Holding Company (or preferred stock, as
the case may be) and the shares of Capital Stock of the Interim Bank into shares
of Capital Stock of the surviving bank in the Merger shall be as set forth in
Paragraph 9 of the Plan of Merger.
SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE HOLDING COMPANY
The Holding Company represents, warrants and agrees as follows:
3.1 Organization and Standing. The Holding Company is a corporation duly
organized and validly existing under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law.
3.2 Capitalization. The Holding Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000
shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of which one (1) share is
issued and outstanding. There are no out standing options, warrants, calls,
convertible securities, subscriptions or other commitments or rights of any
nature with respect to the Common Stock of the Holding Company.
A-1
<PAGE>
3.3 Authority Relative to This Agreement. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by the Board of
Directors of the Holding Company. Subject to appropriate shareholder and
regulatory approvals, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor
the consummation of the transactions provided for herein will violate any
agreement to which the Holding Company is a party or by which it is bound or any
law, order or decree or any provision of its Articles of Incorporation or
Bylaws.
3.4 Absence of Liabilities. Prior to the effective date of the Merger, the
Holding Company will have engaged only in the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Plan of Merger, will have no material liabilities and will
have incurred no material obligations except in connection with its performance
of the transactions provided for in this Agreement and in the Plan of Merger.
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BANK
The Bank represents, warrants and agrees as follows:
4.1 Organization and Standing. The Bank is a national banking association
duly organized and validly existing under The United States Code.
4.2 Capitalization. The Bank is authorized to issue (a) 2,000,000 shares
of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of which 1,557,375 shares are issued
and outstanding, and (b) 200,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $10.00 per
share, of which 40,000 shares are issued and outstanding. While there are
currently exercisable options, there are no warrants, calls, convertible
securities, subscriptions or other commitments or rights of any nature with
respect to the Capital Stock of the Bank.
4.3 Authority Relative to This Agreement. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the Plan of Merger have been duly authorized
by the Board of Directors of the Bank. Subject to appropriate shareholder and
regulatory approvals, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or
the Plan of Merger nor the consummation of the transactions provided for herein
or therein will violate any agreement to which the Bank is a party or by which
it is bound or any law, order, or decree or any provision of its Articles of
Association or Bylaws.
SECTION 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE INTERIM BANK
The Interim Bank represents, warrants and agrees as follows:
5.1 Organization and Standing. The Interim Bank is a national banking
association in the process of formation under the National Bank Act.
5.2 Capitalization. Upon formation, the Interim Bank will be authorized to
issue 2,000,000 shares of voting common stock, par value $1.00 per share, and
200,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share, of which 100,000
shares of common stock will be issued and outstanding and owned by the Holding
Company immediately prior to the Merger.
5.3 Authority Relative to This Agreement. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the Plan of Merger have been duly authorized
by the Board of Directors of the Interim Bank. Subject to appropriate
shareholder and regulatory approvals, neither the execution and delivery of
A-2
<PAGE>
this Agreement or the Plan of Merger nor the consummation of the transactions
provided for herein or therein will violate any agreement to which the Interim
Bank is a party or by which it is bound or any law, order, decree or any
provision of its Articles of Association or Bylaws.
5.4 Absence of Liabilities. Prior to the effective date of the Merger, the
Interim Bank will have engaged only in the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Plan of Merger, will have no material liabilities and will
have incurred no material obligations except in connection with its performance
of the transactions provided for in this Agreement and in the Plan of Merger.
SECTION 6. COVENANTS OF THE HOLDING COMPANY
The Holding Company agrees that between the date hereof and the effective
date of the Merger:
6.1 Capitalization of the Interim Bank. The Holding Company shall purchase
a total of 100,000 shares of Capital Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the
Interim Bank for $1.20 per share, and shall cause the Interim Bank to do all
things necessary to obtain a charter as a national banking association pursuant
to the National Bank Act so as to permit the consummation of the Merger provided
for in the Plan of Merger.
6.2 Approval of Merger. The Holding Company, as the sole shareholder of
the Interim Bank, shall approve this Agreement and the Plan of Merger in
accordance with applicable law.
6.3 Best Efforts. The Holding Company will use its best efforts to take,
or cause to be taken, all actions or do, or cause to be done, all things
necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to
consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and the Plan of Merger, subject, however, to the requisite vote of the
shareholders of the Bank in accordance with the requirements of 12 U.S.C.
ss.215a.
SECTION 7. COVENANTS OF THE BANK
The Bank agrees that between the date hereof and the effective date of the
Merger:
7.1 Shareholders Meeting. The Bank shall submit this Agreement and the
Plan of Merger to the vote of its shareholders as provided by 12 U.S.C. ss.215a
and other applicable laws at the annual meeting of the Bank's shareholders to be
held on June 18, 1999 or on such other date as shall be determined by, or in the
manner prescribed by, the Board of Directors of the Bank.
7.2 Best Efforts. The Bank will use its best efforts to take, or cause to
be taking. all actions or do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper
or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make
effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Plan of
Merger, subject, however, to the requisite vote of the shareholders of the Bank
in accordance with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. ss.215a.
SECTION 8. CONDITION TO OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES
The obligations of the parties to consummate this Agreement and the Plan
of Merger shall be subject to the following conditions:
A-3
<PAGE>
8.1 Representations and Warranties; Performance of Covenants. The
representations and warranties contained in Sections 3,4 and 5 hereof shall be
true as of and at the effective date of the Merger, and each party shall have
performed all obligations required hereby to be performed by it prior to the
effective date of the Merger.
8.2 Bank Shareholder Approval. The shareholders of the Bank shall have
duly approved this Agreement and the Plan of Merger in accordance with
applicable laws.
8.3 Regulatory Approvals. Any federal or state regulatory agency having
jurisdiction (banking or otherwise), to the extent that any consent or approval
is required by applicable laws or regulations for the consummation of this
Agreement and Plan of Merger, shall have granted any necessary consent or
approval.
8.4 Litigation. There shall be no litigation or proceeding pending or
threatened for the purpose of enjoining, restraining or preventing the
consummation of the Merger, this Agreement or the Plan of Merger or otherwise
claiming that such consummation is improper.
8.5 Tax Opinion. An opinion shall have been obtained from the Bank's legal
counsel that the conversion of the Bank's Stock into the Holding Company's Stock
will be tax free for federal income tax purposes.
SECTION 9. TERMINATION, WAIVER AND AMENDMENT
9.1 Circumstances of Termination. Anything herein or else where to the
contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement and the Plan of Merger may be
terminated at any time before the effective date of the Merger (whether before
or after action with respect thereto by the Bank's shareholders) only:
(a) by the mutual consent of the Board of Directors of the Bank, the
Interim Bank and the Holding Company evidenced by an instrument in writing
signed on behalf of each by any two of their respective officers; or
(b) by the Board of Directors of the Bank if in its sole judgment
the Merger would be inadvisable because of the number of shareholders of
the Bank who perfect dissenters' rights in accordance with applicable law
and the Plan of Merger, or if, in the sole judgment of such Board, the
Merger would not be in the best interest of the Bank or its employees,
depositors or shareholders for any reason whatsoever.
9.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination and abandonment
hereof, this Agreement and the Plan of Merger shall become void and have no
effect, without any liability on the part of any of the parties, their
directors, officers or shareholders, except as set forth in Section 10 hereof.
9.3 Waiver. Any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement and the Plan
of Merger may be waived in writing at any time by the Bank by action taken by
its Board of Directors, whether before or after action by the Bank's
shareholders, provided, however, that such action shall be taken only if, in the
judgment of the Board of Directors, such waiver will not have a materially
adverse effect on the benefits intended to be granted hereunder to the
shareholders of the Bank.
A-4
<PAGE>
9.4 Amendment. Anything herein or elsewhere to the contrary
notwithstanding, to the extent permitted by law, this Agreement and the Plan of
Merger may be amended at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
Board of Directors of each of the Bank, the Holding Company and the Interim
Bank, whether before or after action with respect thereto by the Bank's
shareholders and without further approval of such amendment by the shareholders
of the parties hereto; provided, however, that Section 1.2 of this Agreement and
Section 2 of the Plan of Merger may not be amended after the meeting of the
Bank's shareholders referred to in Section 7.1 hereof except by the vote of the
Bank shareholders required for the approval of the Merger by such shareholders.
SECTION 10. EXPENSES
10.1 General. Each party hereto will pay its own expenses incurred in
connection with this Agreement and the Plan of Merger, whether or not the
transactions contemplated herein are effected.
10.2 Special Dividend. Upon the effective date of the Merger, the
surviving bank shall pay a special dividend to the Holding Company in an amount
equal to the sum of:
(a) the expenses of the Holding Company in connection with the
transactions contemplated herein, if any;
(b) the subscription price of $1.00 per share for the one share of
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Holding Company issued to
its incorporator (the Holding Company shall repurchase said share on the
effective date of the Merger at the original issue price);
(c) the principal amount of any loan that the Holding Company shall
have obtained to purchase shares of Capital Stock of the Interim Bank as
provided in Section 6.1 hereof; and
(d) the amount of any interest incurred by the Holding Company on
account of any loans obtained by it in order to purchase shares of Capital
Stock of the Interim Bank as provided in Section 6.1 hereof.
SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Restrictions on Affiliates. The Holding Company may cause stock
certificates representing any shares issued to any shareholder who may be deemed
to be an affiliate of the Bank, within the meaning of Rule 145 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to bear a legend setting forth any
applicable restrictions on transfer thereof under Rule 145 and may cause stock
transfer orders to be entered with its transfer agent with respect to any such
certificates.
11.2 No Brokers. Each of the parties represents to the other that it has
not incurred and will not incur any liability for brokerage fees or agents'
commissions in connection with this Agreement, the Plan of Merger and the
transactions contemplated hereby.
A-5
<PAGE>
11.3 Right to Withhold Dividends. The Board of Directors of the Holding
Company reserves the right to withhold dividends from any former shareholder of
the Bank who fails to exchange certificates representing the shares of the Bank
for certificates representing the shares of the Holding Company in accordance
with Section 2 of the Plan of Merger.
11.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Plan of Merger
attached as an exhibit hereto) contains the entire agreement among the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements,
written or oral, with respect thereto.
11.5 Captions. Descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not
control or affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement
or the Plan of Merger.
11.6 Applicable Law. This Agreement and the Plan of Merger shall be
governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania applicable to contracts
executed in and to be performed exclusively within the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, regardless of where they are executed.
11.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original
instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one
agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the day and
year first above mentioned.
ATTEST: PENNSYLVANIA COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.
By: /s/ James T. Gibson
- - -------------------------- -----------------------------------
James T. Gibson, President
COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG, N.A.
By: /s/ James T. Gibson
- - -------------------------- -----------------------------------
James T. Gibson, President
COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG INTERIM
NATIONAL BANK
By: /s/ James T. Gibson
- - -------------------------- -----------------------------------
James T. Gibson, President
A-6
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
OF
COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG, N.A.
WITH AND INTO
COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG INTERIM NATIONAL BANK,
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER ("Agreement"), made and entered
into as of the 23rd day of April, 1999, by and among COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG,
N.A. ("Commerce"), a national banking association, and COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG
INTERIM NATIONAL BANK, a national banking association (the "Interim Bank").
WHEREAS, Commerce, the Interim Bank and Pennsylvania Commerce
Bancorp, Inc. (the "Holding Company"), a Pennsylvania business corporation of
the which the Interim Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary, have entered into an
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the "Reorganization Agreement") which
provides, among other things, for the execution of this Agreement and the merger
of Commerce with and into the Interim Bank (the "Merger") in accordance with the
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual
covenants contained herein and in the Reorganization Agreement, and for the
purpose of stating the method, terms and conditions of the Merger, the parties
hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
1. The Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and
the Reorganization Agreement, and in accordance with the Act of November 7,
1918, as amended (12 USC 215a), Commerce shall be merged with and into the
Interim Bank, which shall be the surviving bank.
2. Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Articles of Association and
Bylaws of the Interim Bank, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date
shall be the Articles of Association and Bylaws of the surviving bank.
3. Name. The name of the surviving bank shall be "CommerceBank/Harrisburg,
N.A."
4. Effect of Merger. On the Effective Date, the surviving bank shall
succeed, without further act or deed, to all of the property, rights, powers,
duties and obligations of Commerce and the Interim Bank. Any claim existing or
action pending by or against either bank may be prosecuted to judgment as if the
Merger has not taken place, and the surviving bank may be substituted in its
place.
5. Continuation in Business. The surviving bank shall continue in business
with the assets and liabilities of Commerce and the Interim Bank. The surviving
bank shall be a national banking association organized and having perpetual
existence under the National Bank Act. The branch offices of the surviving bank
shall consist of Commerce's legally established branch offices.
B-1
<PAGE>
6. Board of Directors. The present board of directors of Commerce shall
serve as the Board of Directors of the surviving bank until the next annual
meeting of shareholders or until their successors have been elected and have
qualified.
7. Officers. The persons who are the executive or other officers of
Commerce prior to the consummation of the Merger shall serve as the executive
and other officers of the surviving bank from and after the Effective Date until
the Board of Directors of the surviving bank determine otherwise.
8. Employees. On the Effective Date, all persons who are employees of
Commerce shall become employees of the surviving bank.
9. Conversion of Shares. On the Effective Date of the Merger, by virtue of
the Merger and without any action on the part of any holder thereof:
(a) The shares of the Interim Bank common stock, par value $1.00 per
share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date,
shall automatically be converted into and become that number of shares of
common stock of the surviving bank, par value $1.00 per share, which is
equal to (i) the number of shares of Commerce common stock, par value
$1.00 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Date, less (ii) the number of shares of Commerce common stock with respect
to which any shareholders of Commerce shall have duly asserted dissenters'
rights in accordance with applicable law.
(b) Each share of Commerce common stock, par value $1.00 per share,
and preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share, issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Date (except for shares owned by
shareholders who have duly perfected dissenters' rights in accordance with
applicable law) shall automatically be converted into and become one share
of fully paid and nonassessable common stock of the Holding Company, par
value $1.00 per share, and preferred stock, par value $10.00 per share,
respectively. From and after the Effective Date, each certificate which,
immediately prior to the Effective Date, represented shares of common or
preferred stock of Commerce shall evidence ownership of shares of common
or preferred stock of the Holding Company on the basis set forth herein.
(c) Each share of Commerce common stock which, immediately prior to
the Effective Date, was issued and held in the treasury of Commerce, if
any, will be canceled and retired.
(d) If and when the Holding Company determines, Commerce shall
designate the Secretary or other officer of Commerce or the Holding
Company to act as exchange agent to receive certificates representing
Commerce common or preferred stock and to exchange those certificates for
certificates of common or preferred stock of the Holding Company.
(e) The exchange agent shall promptly mail to each Commerce
shareholder of record (as of the date of the exchange) a letter of
transmittal specifying the procedures and instructions for exchanging
certificates representing shares of common or preferred stock of Commerce
for shares of common or preferred stock of the Holding Company.
10. Termination and Amendment. This Agreement shall be terminated and the
Merger shall be abandoned in the event that prior to the Effective Date the
Reorganization Agreement is terminated as provided therein.
B-2
<PAGE>
11. Shareholder Approval. This Agreement shall be ratified and confirmed
by the affirmative vote of shareholders of Commerce owning at least two-thirds
of its issued and outstanding common stock at its annual meeting. The Merger
shall become effective on the date and at the time (the "Effective Date")
specified in a merger approval to be issued by the Comptroller of the Currency.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement
the day and year first above written.
COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG, N.A.
By: /s/ James T. Gibson
- - -------------------------- -------------------------------------
James T. Gibson, President and CEO
COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG
INTERIM NATIONAL BANK
By: /s/ James T. Gibson
- - -------------------------- -------------------------------------
James T. Gibson, President and CEO
B-3
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C - DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS UNDER
12 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 215a(b), (c) and (d)
(b) Dissenting shareholders
If a merger shall be voted for at the called meetings by the necessary
majorities of the shareholders of each association or State bank participating
in the plan of merger, and thereafter the merger shall be approved by the
Comptroller, any shareholder of any association or State bank to be merged into
the receiving association who has voted against such merger at the meeting of
the association or bank of which he is a stockholder, or has given notice in
writing at or prior to such meeting to the presiding officer that he dissents
from the plan of merger, shall be entitled to receive the value of the shares so
held by him when such merger shall be approved by the Comptroller upon written
request made to the receiving association at any time before thirty days after
the date of consummation of the merger, accompanied by the surrender of his
stock certificates.
(c) Valuation of shares
The value of the shares of any dissenting shareholder shall be
ascertained, as of the effective date of the merger, by an appraisal made by a
committee of three persons, composed of (1) one selected by the vote of the
holders of the majority of the stock, the owners of which are entitled to
payment in cash; (2) one selected by the directors of the receiving association;
and (3) one selected by the two so selected. The valuation agreed upon by any
two of the three appraisers shall govern. If the value so fixed shall not be
satisfactory to any dissenting shareholder who has requested payment, that
shareholder may, within five days after being notified of the appraised value of
his shares, appeal to the Comptroller, who shall cause a reappraisal to be made
which shall be final and binding as to the value of the shares of the appellant.
(d) Application to shareholders of merging associations; appraisal by
Comptroller; expenses of receiving association; sale and resale of shares; State
appraisal and merger law
If, within ninety days from the date of consummation of the merger, for
any reason one or more of the appraisers is not selected as herein provided, or
the appraisers fail to determine the value of such shares, the Comptroller shall
upon written request of any interested party cause an appraisal to be made which
shall be final and binding on all parties. The expenses of the Comptroller in
making the reappraisal or the appraisal, as the case may be, shall be paid by
the receiving association. The value of the shares ascertained shall be promptly
paid to the dissenting shareholders by the receiving association. The shares of
stock of the receiving association which would have been delivered to such
dissenting shareholders had they not requested payment shall be sold by the
receiving association at an advertised public auction, and the receiving
association shall have the right to purchase any of such shares at such public
auction, if it is the highest bidder therefor, for the purpose of reselling such
shares within thirty days thereafter to such person or persons and at such price
not less than par as its board of directors by resolution may determine. If the
shares are sold at public auction at a price greater than the amount paid to the
dissenting shareholders, the excess in such sale price shall be paid to such
dissenting shareholders. The appraisal of such shares of stock in any State bank
shall be determined in the manner prescribed by the law of the State in such
cases, rather than as provided in this section, if such provision is made in the
State law; and no such merger shall be in contravention of the law of the State
under which such bank is incorporated. The provisions of the subsection shall
apply only to shareholders of (and stock owned by them in) a bank or association
being merged into the receiving association.
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APPENDIX D
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
PENNSYLVANIA COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.
1. The name of the Corporation is Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp, Inc.
2. The location and post office address of the initial registered office of the
Corporation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is 100 Senate Avenue, P.O. Box
8599, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011.
3. The Corporation is incorporated under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation
Law of 1988, as amended, for the following purpose or purposes:
To have unlimited power to engage in and to do any lawful act concerning
any or all lawful business for which corporations may be incorporated under the
provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended.
4. The term for which the Corporation is to exist is perpetual.
5. The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation shall have authority to
issue is 11,000,000 shares, divided into two classes consisting of (a)
10,000,000 shares of Common Stock with a par value of $1.00 per share and (b)
1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock with a par value of $10.00 per share, of
which 40,000 shares shall be designated as Series A Non-cumulative Preferred
Stock. The Series A Preferred Stock shall have the designations, preferences,
privileges, limitations, restrictions and other rights and qualifications
hereinafter described:
(a) Designation and Number of Shares. The series of preferred stock
shall be designated as "Series A Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock" (hereinafter
called "Series A Preferred Stock") and shall consist of a total of 40,000 shares
par value $10.00 per share.
(b) Dividends. The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be
entitled to receive preferential dividends in cash, when, as and if declared by
the Board of Directors out of the funds of the Corporation legally available at
the time for the payment of dividends, at a rate of $2.00 per share per annum,
and no more, payable quarterly on the thirtieth (30th) day of January, April,
July and October to holders of record of Series A Preferred Stock at the close
of business on the last day of the preceding month, before any dividend or other
distribution on (i) any equity securities ranking junior to the Series A
Preferred Stock as to the payment of dividends or other distributions ("Junior
Stock") and (ii) the Corporation's Common Stock ("Common Stock"); provided,
however, that the Board of Directors may, at any time and from time to time,
change the payment dates of the Series A Preferred Stock dividend to dates not
more than fifteen (15) days before or after those set forth herein, in which
event the first dividend payable after each such change in the payment date
shall be adjusted accordingly on a daily basis from the dividend payment date
last preceding such change. The Board of Directors shall fix the first dividend
payment date of the Series A Preferred Stock.
Dividends on each share of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding
shall be non-cumulative, whether or not in any fiscal year there shall be any
funds of the Corporation legally
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available for the payment of such dividends, so that if in any fiscal year or
years, dividends in whole or in part are not paid upon the Series A Preferred
Stock, unpaid dividends shall not accumulate as against the holder(s) of the
Common Stock or any Junior Stock, so that except as set forth in paragraphs (c)
and (d) hereof no sums in any later years shall be paid to the holder(s) of the
Series A Preferred Stock with respect to any prior year or years when dividends
where not paid, and so that in no event shall the holder(s) of the Series A
Preferred Stock receive dividends of more than $2.00 per share in any fiscal
year.
The date on which the Corporation shall initially issue a share of
Series A Preferred Stock shall be deemed to be the "date of issuance" of such
share regardless of the number of times the transfer of such share shall be made
on the Corporation's stock transfer records and regardless of the number of
certificates which may be issued to evidence such share.
If, in any quarterly dividend period or periods, full dividends upon
the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock at the dividend rate set forth herein
shall not have been paid or set apart for payment, then, until such payment is
made or set apart, (i) no dividends or other distributions shall be declared and
paid or set apart for payment upon any equity securities of the Corporation
other than securities which have a dividend payment preference superior to the
Series A Preferred Stock; (ii) the Corporation and its subsidiaries, if any,
shall be prohibited from repurchasing, redeeming or otherwise acquiring any of
the Corporation's preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Series A
Preferred Stock or any of the Common Stock or any Junior Stock; and (iii) the
Corporation shall be prohibited from issuing any preferred stock which ranks
superior to or on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock as to the payment of
dividends and other distributions. If, at any time, the Corporation shall pay
less than the total amount of dividends then payable on the then-outstanding
Series A Preferred Stock and on any then-outstanding class or series of stock of
the Corporation which ranks on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock as to
the payment of dividends and other distributions ("Parity Stock"), the aggregate
payment to all holders of Series A Preferred Stock and to all holders of Parity
Stock shall be distributed among all such holders so that an amount ratably in
proportion to the respective annual dividend rates fixed thereon shall be paid
with respect to each outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock and Parity
Stock.
Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to
participate in any dividends or other distributions (cash, stock or otherwise)
declared or paid on or with respect to any Common Stock, Junior Stock or any
other class of stock or equity security of the Corporation or any series of any
such class.
(c) Liquidation. In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, after all
creditors of the Corporation shall have been paid in full, the holders of the
outstanding Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive an amount
equal to the purchase price per share received by the Corporation plus an amount
equal to the sum of (i) all unpaid dividends thereon which shall have been
declared but not paid and (ii) all dividends which were not paid on the Series a
Preferred Stock or will not be paid on the Series A Preferred Stock (whether or
not there were any funds legally available for the payment of dividends at that
time) to the date for the payment of such distribution amount (collectively the
"Unpaid Dividends") together with interest on the Unpaid Dividends as set forth
below before any distribution of assets shall be made to the holder(s) of any
Common Stock or Junior Stock. The Unpaid Dividends shall bear interest at a rate
per annum equal to 10% from the date any such Unpaid Dividends would have been
paid in accordance with paragraph (b) hereof (whether or not there were any
funds legally available for the payment of dividends at that time). If, upon any
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, the net assets of the
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Corporation shall be insufficient to pay the holders of all outstanding shares
of Series A Preferred Stock and Parity Stock the full amounts to which they
respectively shall be entitled, the holders of each such stock shall share
ratably in any distribution of assets according to the respective amounts which
would be payable in respect of such stock upon such distribution if all amounts
payable on or with respect to all stock were paid in full.
Neither consolidation or merger of the Corporation with any
corporation, nor the sale of all or part of the Corporation's assets for cash,
securities or other property, nor the purchase or redemption by the Corporation
of any class of stock permitted by the Articles of Incorporation or any
amendment thereof, shall be deemed a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Corporation. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled,
upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, to receive
any amounts with respect to such stock other than the amounts referred to in
this paragraph (c). Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to prevent the
redemption or purchase of the Series A Preferred Stock permitted by paragraph
(d) herein prior to liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
(d) Redemption. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be
redeemable at the option of the Corporation, in whole only and not in part, at
any time, upon payment of the redemption price of $25.00 plus an amount equal to
the sum of (i) all unpaid dividends thereon which shall have been declared but
not paid and (ii) all dividends which were not paid on the Series A Preferred
Stock or will not be paid on the Series A Preferred Stock (whether or not there
were any funds legally available for the payment of dividends at that time) to
the date to and including the date fixed for redemption (collectively the
"Unpaid Dividends") together with interest on the Unpaid Dividends as set forth
below. The Unpaid Dividends shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to 10%
from the date any such Unpaid Dividend would have been paid in accordance with
paragraph (b) hereof (whether or not there were any funds legally available for
the payment of dividends at that time) (all of the foregoing amounts being
collectively hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption Price").
Notice of the proposed redemption of Series A Preferred Stock shall
be given by the Corporation by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least
thirty (30) days and not more than sixty (60) days prior to the date fixed for
such redemption, to the holders of record of all of the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock at their respective addresses appearing on the books of the
Corporation. Any notice which is mailed as herein provided shall be conclusively
presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives such
notice.
On and after the date fixed in the notice of redemption as the date
of redemption (unless default shall be made by the Corporation in providing
money for the payment of the aggregate Redemption Price), or if the Corporation
shall so elect, on and after the date (which date shall be the date of
redemption or prior thereto) on which the Corporation shall deposit, separate
and apart from its other funds in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders
of the Series A Preferred Stock so as to be and continue to be available
therefor, with a bank or trust company (other than the Corporation or a
subsidiary of the Corporation) doing business in the State of New Jersey or the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as "Paying Agent," money sufficient in amount to
pay, at the office of the Paying Agent on the redemption date, the aggregate
Redemption Price of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock (provided the notice
of redemption shall state the name and address of the Paying Agent and the
intention of the Corporation to deposit said money on or before the date of
redemption with the Paying Agent), and, notwithstanding that any certificate for
shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not have been surrendered for
cancellation, the shares represented thereby shall no longer be deemed
outstanding and
D-3
<PAGE>
all rights of the holders thereof as stockholders of the Corporation shall cease
and terminate, except the right to receive from the Corporation or Paying Agent,
as the case may be, the Redemption Price. At any time on or after the redemption
date, or if the Corporation shall deposit the money for such redemption prior to
the redemption date, then at any time on or after the date of deposit, the
respective holders of record of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled
to receive the Redemption Price upon actual delivery to the Corporation or the
Paying Agent, as the case may be, of certificates for the shares, such
certificates, if required, to be duly endorsed in blank. Any money deposited
with the Paying Agent which remains unclaimed by the holders of shares of Series
A Preferred Stock at the end of five full calendar years after the redemption
date shall be paid by the Paying Agent to the Corporation, and thereafter the
holders of the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock shall look only to the
Corporation for payment.
(e) Voting Rights.
(i) Except as otherwise set forth in this Article and except
in statutory proceedings in which, and then only to the extent to which, their
vote is at the time required by law, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock shall have no right to vote at, to participate in, or to receive any
notice of any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation. Except as
otherwise set forth in this paragraph (e), on any matter on which the holders of
Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote, they shall be entitled to
one vote for each share held.
(ii) If and whenever quarterly dividends on the Series A
Preferred Stock shall not have been paid in full for four quarterly dividends
(whether or not consecutive) or more, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to notice of all meetings of the shareholders of the
Corporation and to full voting rights (together with holders of Common Stock but
not as separate class unless otherwise required by law) at all meetings and on
all matters including, without limitation, the election of directors of the
Corporation, and each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to two
votes. At such time as the dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock for the then
current quarterly dividend period shall have been declared and paid or set apart
for payment and the immediately preceding three quarterly dividends on the
Series A Preferred Stock shall have been paid, all voting rights of the Series A
Preferred Stock granted by this subparagraph (ii) shall terminate.
(iii) So long as any of the Series A Preferred Stock remains
outstanding, the Corporation will not, either directly or through merger or
consolidation with any other corporation, without the affirmative vote at a
meeting or the written consent with or without a meeting of the holders of at
least fifty percent (50%) in number of the shares of the Series A Preferred
Stock then outstanding voting separately as a class:
(A) amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences,
special rights or powers of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock or any of the
provisions of the Articles of Incorporation so as to affect them adversely,
(B) authorize any reclassification of the Series A
Preferred Stock, or
(C) issue any class or classes of the equity securities
of the Corporation which have a dividend payment or liquidation payment
preference equal or superior to the Series A Preferred Stock.
D-4
<PAGE>
Except as set forth above with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock,
the Board of Directors shall have the full authority permitted by law to fix by
resolution full, limited, multiple or fractional, or no voting rights, and such
designations and preferences, priorities, qualifications, privileges,
limitations, restrictions, options, conversion rights, dividend features,
retirement features, liquidation features, redemption features or other special
or relative rights that may be desired for the Preferred Stock and any series
thereof, and to issue such Preferred Stock from time to time in one or more
series. The designations, preferences, priorities, qualifications, privileges,
limitations, restrictions, options, conversion rights, dividend features,
retirement features, liquidation features, redemption features and any other
special or relative rights of any series of Preferred Stock may differ from
those of any and all series at any time outstanding. Authorized but unissued
shares of stock of the Corporation may be issued only if seventy-five (75%)
percent of the entire Board of Directors consents to the issuance.
6. The name and post office address of each incorporator and the number and
class of shares subscribed by each incorporator is:
NAME ADDRESS NO. AND CLASS OF SHARES
---- ------- -----------------------
James T. Gibson 100 Senate Ave. One Share of common stock
Camp Hill, PA 17001
7. Cumulative voting for the election of directors shall not be permitted.
8. No holder of any class of capital stock of the Corporation shall have
preemptive rights, and the Corporation may issue shares, option rights or
securities having conversion or option rights with respect to shares and any
other securities of any class without first offering them to shareholders of any
class or classes.
9. To the full extent permitted by law, the Board of Directors is expressly
vested with the authority to make, alter, amend and repeal such Bylaws as it may
deem necessary or desirable for the Corporation, subject to the statutory power
of the shareholders to change such action but only upon the affirmative vote of
the holders of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation entitled to cast
at least eighty (80%) percent of the votes which all shareholders are entitled
to cast thereon at a regular or special meeting of the shareholders duly
convened after notice to the shareholders of that purpose.
10. A. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may, in its sole discretion,
and it is hereby declared a proper corporate purpose for the Board of Directors,
if it deems it advisable, to oppose any offer, proposal or attempt by any
corporation or other business entity, person or group to (a) make any tender or
other offer to acquire any of the Corporation's securities; (b) merge or
consolidate the Corporation with or into another entity; (c) purchase or
otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation; or
(d) make any transaction similar in purpose or effect to any of the above. In
considering whether to oppose, recommend or remain neutral with respect to any
of the aforesaid offers, proposals or plans, the Board of Directors shall
evaluate what is in the best interests of the Corporation and may, but is not
legally obligated to, consider any pertinent factors which may include but are
not limited to any of the following:
(1) Whether the offering price, whether in cash or in securities,
is adequate and acceptable based upon both the current market
price of the Corporation's securities and the historical and
present operating results or financial condition of the
Corporation.
D-5
<PAGE>
(2) Whether a price more favorable to the shareholders may be
obtained now or in the future from other offerors and whether
the Corporation's continued existence as an independent
corporation will affect the future value of the Corporation.
(3) The impact the offer would have on the employees, depositors,
clients and customers of the Corporation or its subsidiaries
and the communities which they serve.
(4) The present and historical financial position of the offeror,
its reputation in the communities which it serves and the
social and/or economic effect which the reputation and
practices of the offeror or its management and affiliates
would have upon the employees, depositors and customers of the
Corporation and the community which the Corporation serves.
(5) An analysis of the value of securities (if any) offered in
exchange for the Corporation's securities.
(6) Any anti-trust or other legal or regulatory issues raised by
the offer.
B. If the Board of Directors determines that an offer should be rejected,
it may take any lawful action to accomplish its purpose, including, but not
limited to, any or all of the following: advising shareholders not to accept the
offer; litigation against the offeror; filing complaints with all government and
regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the offer; causing the
Corporation to acquire its own securities; selling or otherwise issuing
authorized but unissued securities or treasury stock and granting options with
respect thereto; acquiring a company to create anti-trust or other regulatory
problem for the offeror; and obtaining a more favorable offer from another
individual or entity.
11. No Corporate Action (as hereinafter defined) shall be authorized unless
there are cast in favor of the Corporate Action at least eighty (80%) percent of
the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast thereon.
However, if sixty-six and two-thirds (66 2/3%) percent of the entire Board
of Directors of the Corporation recommends approval of the Corporate Action to
the shareholders, that Corporate Action shall be authorized if there are cast in
favor of the Corporate Action at least sixty-six and two-thirds (66 2/3%)
percent of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to cast thereon.
The term "Corporate Action" shall be deemed to include any and all of the
following, if such action is to be effected by the vote of the shareholders or
if approval of the shareholders is required under the Articles of Incorporation
of the Corporation as then in effect or under the Business Corporation Law of
1988, as amended:
(a) The amendment of Articles 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 of these Articles
of Incorporation;
(b) The removal of one or more directors;
D-6
<PAGE>
(c) A Business Combination (as hereinafter defined).
For the purposes of this Article 11, the following terms shall have the
meaning set forth below:
(a) "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which a majority of any class of
equity security (as defined in the General Rules and Regulations under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Corporation;
(b) The term "all or substantially all of the assets" shall mean assets
having a book value in excess of ten (10%) percent of the book value of
the total consolidated assets of the Corporation at the end of its most
recent fiscal year ending prior to the time the determination is made, all
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
(c) The term "Business Combination" shall mean any and all of the
following:
(i) Any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into
another corporation;
(ii) Any merger or consolidation of a subsidiary of the Corporation
with or into another corporation if (i) the resulting,
surviving or continuing corporation, as the case may be, would
not be a subsidiary of the Corporation or (ii) the total
number of common shares of the Corporation issued or delivered
in connection with such transaction, plus those initially
issuable upon conversion of any other shares, securities or
obligation to be issued in connection with such transaction,
exceed fifteen (15%) percent of the common shares of the
Corporation outstanding immediately prior to the date on which
such transaction is consummated;
(iii) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Corporation;
(iv) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other
disposition of all or substantially all the assets of a
subsidiary of the Corporation whose total assets exceed twenty
(20%) percent of the total assets of the Corporation as
reflected on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the
Corporation;
(v) any sale of all or substantially all of the stock in a
subsidiary whose total assets exceed twenty (20%) percent of
the total assets of the Corporation as reflected on the-most
recent consolidated balance sheet of the Corporation;
(vi) any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the
Corporation or of any subsidiary of the Corporation whose
total
D-7
<PAGE>
assets exceed twenty (20%) percent of the total assets of the Corporation as
reflected on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Corporation;
(vii) any reclassification of securities (including any reverse
stock split) or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any
reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Corporation
with any of its subsidiaries or any similar transaction; or
(viii) the issuance in a single or one or more related transactions
of voting shares of the Corporation sufficient to elect a
majority of the directors of the Corporation.
12. The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
indemnify any and all persons whom it shall have the power to indemnify from and
against any and all expenses, liabilities or other matter for which
indemnification is permitted by applicable law, and the indemnification provided
for herein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those
indemnified may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity
and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall
continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or
agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators
of such a person.
D-8
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Sections 1741 and 1742 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as
amended (the "BCL") provide that a business corporation may indemnify directors
and officers against liability they may incur as such provided that the
particular person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably
believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and,
with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his
or her conduct was unlawful. In the case of actions against a director or
officer by or in the right of the Corporation, the power to indemnify extends
only to expenses (not judgments and amounts paid in the settlement) and such
power generally does not exist if the person otherwise entitled to
indemnification shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless
it is judicially determined that, despite the adjudication of liability but in
view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnification for specified expenses. Under Section 1743 of the
BCL, the Corporation is required to indemnify directors and officers against
expenses they may incur in defending actions against them in such capacities if
they are successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of such actions.
Under Section 1745 of the BCL, a corporation may pay the expenses of a director
or officer incurred in defending an action or proceeding in advance of the final
amounts advanced unless it is ultimately determined that such person is entitled
to indemnification from the corporation. Article 12 of the Corporation's
Articles of Incorporation and Article 20 of the Corporation's Bylaws provide
indemnification of directors, officers and other agents of the Corporation and
advancement of expenses to the extent otherwise permitted by the BCL.
Section 1746 of the BCL grants a corporation broad authority to indemnify is
directors, officers and other agents for liabilities and expenses incurred in
such capacity, except in circumstances where the act or failure to act giving
rise to the claim for indemnification is determined by a court to have
constituted wilful misconduct or recklessness. Article 12 of the Corporation's
Articles of Incorporation provides that the Corporation indemnify any and all
persons whom it shall have the power to indemnify for and against any and all
expenses, liabilities or other matters for which indemnification is permitted by
applicable laws.
Article 20 of the Corporation's Bylaws conditions any indemnification or
advancement of expenses upon a determination, made in accordance with the
procedures specified in Section 1744 of the BCL, by the Corporation's directors
or shareholders that indemnification or advancement of expenses is proper
because the director or officer met the standard of conduct set forth in Section
1741 or 1742 of the BCL, as applicable.
As authorized by Section 1747 of the BCL, the Corporation maintains, on behalf
of its directors and officers, insurance protection against certain liabilities
arising out of the discharge of their duties, as well as insurance covering The
Corporation for indemnification payments made to its directors and officers for
certain liabilities. The premiums for such insurance are paid by The
Corporation.
<PAGE>
ITEM 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) Exhibits.
(2) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and Agreement and Plan of Merger,
both dated April 23, 1999, among the Corporation, Commerce
Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. and Commerce Bank/Harrisburg Interim National
Bank, are Appendices A and B, respectively, to the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus included in Part I of this Registration Statement.
(3)(a) Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation - included as Appendix D to
the Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in Part I of this Registration
Statement.
(3)(b) Bylaws of the Corporation
(5) Opinion re Legality - Opinion of Mette, Evans & Woodside
(8) Opinion re Tax Matters - Opinion of Mette, Evans & Woodside
(13) Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K SB for the
year ended December 31, 1998 - Incorporated by reference in the Proxy
Statement/ Prospectus included in Part I of this Registration Statement.
(23)(a) Consent of Mette, Evans & Woodside (included in its opinions filed as
Exhibits (5) and (8))
(23)(b) Consent of Beard & Company
(24) Power of Attorney (included in "SIGNATURES" in Part II of this
Registration Statement)
(99)(a) Form of Proxy - Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules.
None.
(c) Opinions of Financial Advisors.
None.
ITEM 22. Undertakings.
1. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes as follows:
(a) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post
effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which,
<PAGE>
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the Registration Statement;
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any
material change to such information in the Registration Statement.
(b) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(c) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of
the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
2. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this Form, within one business day of such request,
and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally
prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent
to the effective date of the Registration Statement through the date of
responding to the request.
3. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
4. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's Annual Report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
5. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
6. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that for purposes of determining
any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the
form of prospectus filed as part of a registration statement as permitted by
Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus to be filed by the registrant
pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be
deemed to be part of the registration statement at the time it was declared
effective.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Camp Hill,
Pennsylvania, on May 14 , 1999.
PENNSYLVANIA COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.
By: /s/ James T. Gibson
---------------------------------
James T. Gibson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated. Each person whose signature appears
below in so signing also makes, constitutes and appoints James T. Gibson and
Gary L. Nalbandian, and each of them acting alone, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all
capacities, to execute and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission any or all amendments and post-effective amendments to this
Registration Statement, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection
therewith, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorney-in-fact or
his substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
/s/ Gary L. Nalbandian Director May 14, 1999
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gary L. Nalbandian
/s/ Vernon W. Hill, II Director May 14, 1999
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vernon W. Hill, II
/s/ Douglas S. Gelder Director May 14, 1999
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Douglas S. Gelder
/s/ Alan R. Hassman Director May 14, 1999
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alan R. Hassman
/s/ Howell C. Mette Director May 14, 1999
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Howell C. Mette
/s/ Michael A. Serluco Director May 14, 1999
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael A. Serluco
/s/ Samir J. Srouji Director May 14, 1999
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Samir J. Srouji
President,
Chief Executive Officer and
/s/ James T. Gibson Director May 14, 1999
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
James T. Gibson
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Exhibit Index
(2) Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and Agreement and Plan of Merger,
both dated April 23, 1999, among the Corporation, Commerce
Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. and Commerce Bank/Harrisburg Interim National
Bank, are Appendices A and B, respectively, to the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus included in Part I of this Registration
Statement.
(3)(a) Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation - included as Appendix D
to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in Part I of this
Registration Statement.
(3)(b) Bylaws of the Corporation
(5) Opinion re Legality - Opinion of Mette, Evans & Woodside
(8) Opinion re Tax Matters - Opinion of Mette, Evans & Woodside
(13) Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K SB for the
year ended December 31, 1998 - Incorporated by reference in the Proxy
Statement/ Prospectus included in Part I of this Registration
Statement.
(23)(a) Consent of Mette, Evans & Woodside (included in its opinions filed as
Exhibits (5) and (8))
(23)(b) Consent of Beard & Company
(24) Power of Attorney (included in "SIGNATURES" in Part II of this
Registration Statement)
(99)(a) Form of Proxy - Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 3(b)
BYLAWS
OF
PENNSYLVANIA COMMERCE BANCORP, INC.
ARTICLE 1
CORPORATION OFFICE
Section 1.1 The Corporation shall have and continuously maintain in
Pennsylvania a registered office which may, but need not, be the same as its
place of business and at an address to be designated from time to time by the
Board of Directors.
Section 1.2 The Corporation may also have offices at such other places as
the Board of Directors may from time to time designate or the business of the
Corporation may require.
ARTICLE 2
SHAREHOLDERS MEETINGS
Section 2.1 All meetings of the shareholders shall be held at such place
or places within or without the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as may be fixed
from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.2 The annual meeting of the shareholders for the election of
directors and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before
the meeting shall be held at such time as the Board of Directors shall fix. Any
business which is a proper subject for shareholder action may be transacted at
the annual meeting, irrespective of whether the notice of said meeting contains
any reference thereto, except as otherwise provided by applicable law.
Section 2.3 Special meetings of the shareholders may be called at any time
by the President, the Chairman of the Board, a majority of the Board of
Directors or by shareholders entitled to cast at least one-third of the votes
which all shareholders are entitled to cast at any particular meeting. If such
request is addressed to the Secretary, it shall be signed by the persons making
the same and shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Upon
receipt of any such request, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to call a
special meeting of the shareholders to be held at a time, not less than ten nor
more than sixty days thereafter, as the Secretary may fix. If the Secretary
shall neglect or refuse to issue such call within five days from the receipt of
such request, the person or persons making the request may issue the call.
Section 2.4 Written notice of all meetings other than adjourned meetings
of shareholders, stating the place, date and hour, and, in case of special
meetings of shareholders, the purpose thereof, shall be served upon, or mailed,
postage prepaid, or telegraphed, charges prepaid, at least ten days before such
meeting, unless a greater period of notice is required by statute or by these
Bylaws, to each shareholder entitled to vote thereat at such address as appears
on the transfer books of the Company.
ARTICLE 3
QUORUM OF SHAREHOLDERS
Section 3.1 The presence, in person or by proxy of shareholders entitled
to cast at least a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to
cast on the particular matter shall constitute a quorum for purposes of
considering such matter, and unless otherwise provided by statute the acts of
such shareholders at a duly organized meeting shall be the acts of the
shareholders. If, however, any meeting of shareholders cannot be organized
because of lack of a quorum, those present in person, or by proxy shall have the
power, except as otherwise provided by statute, to adjourn the meeting to such
time and place as they may determine, without notice other than an announcement
at the meeting, until the requisite number of shareholders for a quorum shall be
present in person or by
<PAGE>
proxy except that in the case of any meeting called for the election of
directors such meeting may be adjourned only for periods not exceeding 15 days
as the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy shall
direct, and those who attend the second of such adjourned meetings, although
less than a quorum, shall nevertheless constitute a quorum for the purpose of
electing directors. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present
or represented by proxy, any business may be transacted which might have been
transacted at the original meeting if a quorum had been present. The
shareholders present in person or by proxy at a duly organized meeting can
continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of
enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum.
ARTICLE 4
VOTING RIGHTS
Section 4.1 Except as may be otherwise provided by statute or by the
Articles of Incorporation, at every shareholders meeting, every shareholder
entitled to vote shall have the right to one vote for every share having voting
power standing in his name on the books of the Corporation on the record date
fixed for the meeting. No share shall be voted at any meeting if any installment
is due and unpaid thereon.
Section 4.2 When a quorum is present at any meeting the voice vote of the
holders of a majority of the stock having voting power, present in person or by
proxy shall decide any questions brought before such meeting except as provided
differently by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation.
Section 4.3 Upon demand made by a shareholder entitled to vote at any
election for directors before the voting begins, the election shall be by
ballot.
ARTICLE 5
PROXIES
Section 5.1 Every shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of
shareholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for him by
proxy. Every proxy shall be executed in writing by the shareholder or his duly
authorized attorney in fact and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation. A
proxy, unless coupled with an interest, shall be revocable at will,
notwithstanding any other agreement or any provision in the proxy to the
contrary, but the revocation of a proxy shall not be effective until notice
thereof has been given to the Secretary of the Corporation. No unrevoked proxy
shall be valid after 11 months from the date of its execution, unless a longer
time is expressly provided therein, but in no event shall a proxy, unless
coupled with an interest, be voted after three years from the date of its
execution. A proxy shall not be revoked by the death or incapacity of the maker,
unless before the vote is counted or the authority is exercised, written notice
of such death or incapacity is given to the Secretary of the Corporation.
ARTICLE 6
RECORD DATE
Section 6.1 The Board of Directors may fix a time not more than ninety
(90) days prior to the date of any meeting of shareholders, or the date fixed
for the payment of any dividend or distribution, or the date for the allotment
of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of shares will
be made or go into effect, as a record date for the determination of the
shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting, or
entitled to receive payment of any such dividend or distribution, or to receive
any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect to any such
change, conversion or exchange of shares. In such case, only such shareholders
as shall be shareholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to
notice of, or to vote at, such meeting or to receive payment of such dividend or
to receive such allotment of rights or to exercise such rights, as the case may
be, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the Corporation
after any record date fixed as aforesaid. If no record date is fixed by the
Board of
<PAGE>
Directors for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of,
and vote at, a shareholders meeting, transferees of shares which are transferred
on the books of the Corporation within ten (10) days next preceding the date of
such meeting shall not be entitled to notice of or to vote at such meeting.
ARTICLE 7
JUDGES OF ELECTION
Section 7.1 In advance of any meeting of shareholders, the Board of
Directors may appoint judges of election, who need not be shareholders, to act
at such meeting or any adjournment thereof. If judges of election are not so
appointed, the Chairman of any such meeting may, and on the request of any
shareholder or his proxy shall, make such appointment at the meeting. The number
of judges shall be one or three. If appointed at a meeting on the request of one
or more shareholders or proxies, the majority of shares present and entitled to
vote shall determine whether one or three judges are to be appointed. No person
who is a candidate for office shall act as a judge. The judges of election shall
perform all such acts as may be proper to conduct the election or vote, and such
other duties as may be prescribed by statute, with fairness to all shareholders,
and if requested by the Chairman of the meeting or any shareholder or his proxy,
shall make a written report of any matter determined by them and execute a
certificate of any fact found by them. If there are three judges of election,
the decision, act or certificate of a majority shall be the decision, act or
certificate of all.
ARTICLE 8
DIRECTORS
Section 8.1 Any shareholder who intends to nominate or to cause to have
nominated any candidate for election to the Board of Directors (other than any
candidate proposed by the Corporation's then existing Board of Directors) shall
so notify the Chairman of the Board of the Corporation in writing not less than
forty-five (45) days prior to the date of any meeting of shareholders called for
the election of directors. Such notification shall contain the following
information to the extent known by the notifying shareholder:
(a) the name and address of each proposed nominee;
(b) the age of each proposed nominee;
(c) the principal occupation of each proposed nominee;
(d) the number of shares of the Corporation owned by each proposed
nominee;
(e) the total number of shares that to the knowledge of the
notifying shareholder will be voted for each proposed nominee;
(f) the name and residence address of the notifying shareholder;
and
(g) the number of shares of the Corporation owned by the notifying
shareholder.
Any nomination for director not made in accordance with this Section shall
be disregarded by the Chairman of the meeting, and votes cast for each such
nominee shall be disregarded by the judges of election. In the event that the
same person is nominated by more than one shareholder, if at least one
nomination for such person complies with this Section, the nomination shall be
honored and all votes cast for such nominee shall be counted.
Section 8.2 No person shall be eligible to be elected as a director if he
or she shall have attained the age of seventy-five (75) on or prior to the date
of his or her election. Any director of this corporation who attains the age of
seventy-five (75) shall cease to be a director (without any action on his or her
part) at the close of business on the day prior to the date of the next
shareholders' meeting
<PAGE>
at which directors are to be elected regardless of whether or not his term as
director would otherwise expire at such shareholders' meeting.
Section 8.3 The number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board
of Directors shall be not less than five (5) nor more than twenty-five (25). The
Board of Directors may from time to time fix the number of directors. The
Directors shall be natural persons of full age and need not be residents of
Pennsylvania or shareholders of the Corporation.
Section 8.4 The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of
shareholders. Each director shall be elected for a term of one (1) year, and
until his successor is elected and qualified.
Section 8.5 The Board of Directors may declare vacant the office of a
director if he is declared of unsound mind by an order of court or convicted of
felony or for any other proper cause of or, within thirty days after notice of
election, he does not accept such office either in writing or by attending a
meeting of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 9
VACANCIES ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 9.1 Vacancies on the Board of Directors, including vacancies
resulting from an increase in the number of directors, shall be filled by a
majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors, though less
than a quorum, and each person so appointed shall be a director until the
expiration of the present term of office of the directors.
ARTICLE 10
POWERS OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 10.1 The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed
by its Board of Directors, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation
and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Articles
of Incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised and
done by the shareholders.
Section 10.2 The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to
appoint an Executive Committee and such other committees as may be deemed
necessary by the Board of Directors for the efficient operation of the
Corporation. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Chairman of the Board,
if any, the President and not less than two nor more than six other directors
(which other directors shall not be employees of the Corporation or any of its
subsidiaries). The Executive Committee shall meet at such time as may be fixed
by the Board of Directors, or upon call of the Chairman of the Board or the
President. A majority of members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a
quorum. The Executive Committee shall have and exercise the authority of the
Board of Directors in the intervals between the meetings of the Board of
Directors as far as may be permitted by law.
ARTICLE 11
MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 11.1 An organization meeting may be held immediately following the
annual shareholders meeting without the necessity of notice to the directors to
constitute a legally convened meeting, or the directors may meet at such time
and place as may be fixed by either a notice or waiver of notice or consent
signed by all of such directors.
<PAGE>
Section 11.2 Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at
such time and in such place consistent with applicable law as the Board of
Directors shall, from time to time, designate or as may be designated in any
notice from the Chairman or President.
Section 11.3 Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by
the Chairman of the Board or the President on one day's notice to each director,
either personally or by mail, telegram or telephone; special meetings shall be
called by the Chairman of the Board of the President in like manner and on like
notice upon the written request of three directors.
Section 11.4 At all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of the
directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the
acts of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is
present shall be the acts of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise
specifically provided by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation or by these
Bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the directors, the
directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice
other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or as
permitted herein.
ARTICLE 12
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Section 12.1 No director shall be entitled to any salary as such; but the
Board of Directors may fix, from time to time, a reasonable annual fee for
acting as a director and a reasonable fee to be paid each director for his or
her services in attending meetings of the Board or meetings of committees
appointed by the Board. The Corporation may reimburse directors for expenses
related to their duties as a member of the Board.
ARTICLE 13
OFFICERS
Section 13.1 The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board
of Directors at its organization meeting and shall be a President, a Secretary
and a Treasurer. At its option, the Board of Directors may elect a Chairman of
the Board. The Board of Directors may also elect one or more Vice Presidents and
such other officers and appoint such agents as it shall deem necessary, who
shall hold their offices for such terms, have such authority and perform such
duties as may from time to time be prescribed by the Board of Directors. Any two
or more offices may be held by the same person.
Section 13.2 The compensation of all officers of the Corporation shall be
fixed by the Board of Directors.
Section 13.3 The Board of Directors may remove any officer or agent
elected or appointed, at any time and within the period, if any, for which such
person was elected or employed whenever in the Board of Directors' judgment it
is in the best interests of the Corporation, and all persons shall be elected
and employed subject to the provisions hereof. If the office of any officer
becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled by the Board of
Directors.
ARTICLE 14
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Section 14.1 The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of
the shareholders and directors. He/she shall supervise the carrying out of the
policies adopted or approved by the Board of Directors. He/she shall have
general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by the
Bylaws. He/she shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties
as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned to him/her by the Board
of Directors.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 15
THE PRESIDENT
Section 15.1 The President shall be the chief executive officer of the
Corporation; shall have general and active management of the business of the
Corporation; shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors
are put into effect, subject, however, to the right of the Board of Directors to
delegate any specific powers, except such as may be by statute exclusively
conferred on the President, to any other officer or officers of the Corporation;
shall execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal under the
seal of the Corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be
otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof
shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or
agent of the Corporation. In the absence or incapacity of the Chairman of the
Board, the President shall preside at meetings of the shareholders and the
directors. If there is no Chairman of the Board, the President shall have and
exercise all powers conferred by these Bylaws or otherwise of the Chairman of
the Board.
ARTICLE 16
THE VICE PRESIDENT
Section 16.1 The Vice President or, if more than one, the Vice Presidents
in the order established by the Board of Directors shall, in the absence or
incapacity of the President, exercise all the powers and perform the duties of
the President. The Vice Presidents, respectively, shall also have such other
authority and perform such other duties as may be provided in these Bylaws or as
shall be determined by the Board of Directors or the President. Any Vice
President may, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, be designated as
"executive," "senior," or by departmental or functional classification.
ARTICLE 17
THE SECRETARY
Section 17.1 The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of
Directors and of the shareholders and keep accurate records thereof in one or
more minute books kept for that purpose and shall perform the duties customarily
performed by the secretary of a corporation and such other duties as may be
assigned to him/her by the Board of Directors or the President.
ARTICLE 18
THE TREASURER
Section 18.1 The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds
and securities; shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and
disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall perform such other
duties as may be assigned to him/her by the Board of Directors or the President.
He/she shall give bond in such sum and with such surety as the Board of
Directors may from time to time direct.
ARTICLE 19
ASSISTANT OFFICERS
Section 19.1 Each assistant officer shall assist in the performance of the
duties of the officer to whom he/she is assistant and shall perform such duties
in the absence of the officer. He/she shall perform such additional duties as
the Board of Directors, the President or the officer to whom he/she is assistant
may from time to time assign him/her. Such officers may be given such functional
title as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 20
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 20.1 The Corporation shall indemnify any director, officer and/or
employee, or any former director, officer and/or employee, who was or is a party
to, or is threatened to be made a party to, or who is called as a witness in
connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action
by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is
or was a director, officer and/or employee of the Corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another bank, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
against expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid
in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him/her in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding if he/she acted in good faith and in a manner
he/she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of
the Corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his/her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any
action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a
plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not of itself create a
presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which
he/she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of
the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
reasonable cause to believe that his/her conduct was unlawful.
Section 20.2 The Corporation shall indemnify any director, officer and/or
employee, who was or is a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, or
who is called as a witness in connection with, any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a
judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
director, officer and/or employee of the Corporation, or is or was serving at
the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another bank, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against
amounts paid in settlement and expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by him/her in connection with the defense or settlement of,
or serving as a witness in, such action or suit if he/she acted in good faith
and in a manner he/she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best
interests of the Corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in
respect of any such claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have
been adjudged to be liable for misconduct in the performance of his/her duty to
the Corporation.
Section 20.3 Except as may be otherwise ordered by a court, there shall be
a presumption that any director, officer and/or employee is entitled to
indemnification as provided in this Bylaw unless either a majority of the
directors who are not involved in such proceedings ("disinterested directors"),
or, if there are less than three disinterested directors, then the holders of
one-third of the outstanding shares of the Corporation determine that the person
is not entitled to such presumption by certifying such determination in writing
to the Secretary of the Corporation. In such event the disinterested director(s)
or, in the event of certification by shareholders, the Secretary of the
Corporation shall request of independent counsel, who may be the outside general
counsel of the Corporation, a written opinion as to whether or not the parties
involved are entitled to indemnification under this Bylaw.
Section 20.4 Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action,
suit or proceeding may be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final
disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by
or on behalf of the director, officer and/or employee to repay such amount
unless it shall ultimately be determined that he/she is entitled to be
indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Bylaw.
Section 20.5 The indemnification provided by this Article shall not be
deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification
may be entitled under any agreement,
<PAGE>
vote of shareholders, or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to
action in his/her official, capacity which serving as a director, officer,
and/or employee, or as to any action in another capacity while holding such
office. The Board of Directors, may, by resolution, provide for additional
indemnification or advancement of expenses to or for any director, officer,
and/or employee of the Corporation provided said indemnification is not
inconsistent with the provisions of these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation
of the Corporation, applicable provisions of the Business Corporation Law of
1988, as amended, or other applicable provisions of law. The indemnification
provided by this Article shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a
director, officer and/or employee and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs
and personal representatives of such person.
Section 20.6 No director of the Corporation shall be personally liable for
monetary damages as such for any action taken, or any failure to take any action
in the director's capacity as a director of the Corporation or pursuant to the
request of the Corporation unless (i) the director has breached or failed to
perform the duties of his/her office as set forth in the Business Corporation
Law of 1988, as amended, or other applicable provisions of law, and (ii) the
breach or failure to perform constitutes self-dealing, willful misconduct or
recklessness. This Bylaw shall not apply to the responsibility or liability of a
director for the payment of taxes pursuant to local, state, or federal law, or
to the responsibility or liability of a director pursuant to any criminal
statute.
Section 20.7 This Corporation may, by act of the Board of Directors,
create a fund to secure or insure its indemnification obligations under these
Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, any resolution of
Directors or agreement or vote of shareholders as authorized in Section 20.5 of
this Bylaw, applicable provisions of the Business Corporation Law of 1988, as
amended, or other applicable provisions of law.
ARTICLE 21
SHARE CERTIFICATES
Section 21.1 The share certificates of the Corporation shall be numbered
and registered in a share register as they are issued; shall bear the name of
the registered holder, the number and class of shares represented thereby, the
par value of each share or a statement that such shares are without par value,
as the case may be; shall be signed by the President or a Vice President and the
Secretary or the Treasurer or any other person properly authorized by the Board
of Directors, and shall bear the corporate seal, which seal may be a facsimile
engraved or printed. Where the certificate is signed by a transfer agent or a
registrar, the signature of any corporate officer on such certificate may be a
facsimile engraved or printed. In case any officer who has signed, or whose
facsimile signature has been placed upon, any share certificate shall have
ceased to be such officer because of death, resignation or otherwise before the
certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect
as if the officer had not ceased to be such at the date of its issue.
ARTICLE 22
TRANSFER OF SHARES
Section 22.1 Upon surrender to the Corporation of a share certificate duly
endorsed by the person named in the certificate or by attorney duly appointed in
writing and accompanied where necessary by proper evidence of succession,
assignment or authority to transfer, a new certificate shall be issued to the
person entitled thereto and the old certificate canceled and the transfer
recorded upon the share register of the Corporation. No transfer shall be made
if it would be inconsistent with the provisions of Article 8 of the Pennsylvania
Uniform Commercial Code.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 23
LOST CERTIFICATES
Section 23.1 Where a shareholder of the Corporation alleges the loss,
theft or destruction of one or more certificates for shares of the Corporation
and requests the issuance of a substitute certificate therefor, the Board of
Directors may direct a new certificate of the same tenor and for the same number
of shares to be issued to such person upon such person's making of an affidavit
in form satisfactory to the Board of Directors setting forth the facts in
connection therewith, provided that prior to the receipt of such request the
Corporation shall not have either registered a transfer of such certificate or
received notice that such certificate has been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser. Then authorizing such issue of a new certificate the Board of
Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance
thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or
his/her heirs or legal representatives, as the case may be, to advertise the
same in such manner as it shall require and/or give the Corporation a bond in
such form and sum and with surety or sureties, with fixed or open penalty, as
shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors, as indemnity, for any liability
or expense which it may incur by reason of the original certificate remaining
outstanding.
ARTICLE 24
DIVIDENDS
Section 24.1. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, at any duly
convened regular or special meeting or by unanimous consent in writing, declare
and pay dividends upon the outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Corporation in cash, property or shares of the Corporation, as long as any
dividend shall not be in violation of law or the Articles of Incorporation.
Section 24.2 Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of
any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the
Board of Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper
as a reserve fund to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for
repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other
purposes as the Board of Directors shall believe to be for the best interest of
the Corporation, and the Board of Directors may reduce or abolish any such
reserve in the manner in which it was created.
ARTICLE 25
FINANCIAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
Section 25.1 The President and the Board of Directors shall present at
each annual meeting of the shareholders a full and complete statement of the
business and affairs of the Corporation for the preceding year.
ARTICLE 26
INSTRUMENTS
Section 26.1 All checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation
shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as
the President or the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
Section 26.2 All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances,
transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases,
satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds,
undertakings, proxies and other instruments and documents may be signed,
executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted, including those in
connection with the fiduciary powers of the Corporation, on behalf of the
Corporation, by the President or other persons as may be designated by him.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 27
FISCAL YEAR
Section 27.1 The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first
day of January in each year and end on the thirty-first day of December in each
year.
ARTICLE 28
NOTICES AND WAIVERS THEREOF
Section 28.1 Whenever, under the provisions of applicable law or of the
Articles of Incorporation or of these Bylaws, written notice is required to be
given to any person, it may be given to such person either personally or by
sending a copy thereof through the mail or by telegram, charges prepaid, to
his/her address appearing on the books of the corporation or supplied by him/her
to the Corporation for the purpose of notice. If the notice is sent by mail or
telegraph, it shall be deemed to have been given to the person entitled thereto
when deposited in the United States mail or with a telegraph office for
transmission to such person. Such notice shall specify the place, day and hour
of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting of shareholders, the
general nature of the business to be transacted.
Section 28.2 Any written notice required to be given to any person may be
waived in writing signed by the person entitled to such notice whether before or
after the time stated therein. Attendance of any person entitled to notice,
whether in person or by proxy, at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of
notice of such meeting, except where any person attends a meeting for the
express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the
meeting was not lawfully called or convened. Where written notice is required of
any meeting, the waiver thereof must specify the purpose only if it is for a
special meeting of shareholders.
ARTICLE 29
AMENDMENTS
Section 29.1. These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed by the
affirmative vote of the holders of eighty (80%) percent of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock at any regular or special meeting duly convened after
notice to the shareholders of that purpose, or by a majority vote of the members
of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting thereof duly
convened after notice to the directors of that purpose, subject always to the
power of the shareholders to change such action of the Board of Directors by the
affirmative vote of the holders of eighty (80%) percent of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 5
May 14, 1999
Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp, Inc.
100 Senate Avenue
P. O. Box 8599
Camp Hill, PA 17001
Re: Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp, Inc.
Registration Statement on Form S-4
Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp, Inc., a
Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation of
a registration statement on Form S-4, as amended (the "Registration Statement")
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Act"), relating to the offering of up to 1,797,839 shares
of the Company's common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Common Stock")
and 40,000 shares of the Company's preferred stock, par value, $10.00 per share
(the "Preferred Stock"). The Company will offer such shares in connection with
the merger (the "Merger") provided for in that Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization and the Agreement and Plan of Merger, both dated April 23, 1999,
among the Company, Commerce Bank/Harrisburg Interim National Bank, and Commerce
Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. (the "Agreement"). In this connection we have reviewed (a)
the Registration Statement, (b) the Company's Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws, (c) a copy of the Agreement, and (d) certain records of the Company's
corporate proceedings. In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of
all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals
and the conformity with the original of all documents submitted to us as copies
thereof.
Our opinion set forth below is limited to the Pennsylvania Business
Corporation Law of 1988, as amended.
In our opinion, the shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock to be
issued by the Company in connection with the Merger, when issued by the Company
in connection with the Merger pursuant to the Agreement, will be legally issued,
fully paid and non-assessable.
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the
Registration Statement. In giving such opinion, we do not thereby admit that we
are acting within the category of persons whose consent is required under
Section 7 of the Act or the rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
James A. Ulsh
JAU:mk
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 8
May 14, 1999
Board of Directors
Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp, Inc.
100 Senate Avenue
P. O. Box 8599
Camp Hill, PA 17001
Board of Directors
Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A.
100 Senate Avenue
P. O. Box 8599
Camp Hill, PA 17001
Re: Agreement and Plan of Reorganization / Agreement and Plan of Merger
Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion regarding certain federal income tax
consequences of a proposed reorganization involving Pennsylvania Commerce
Bancorp, Inc. (the "Corporation"), a Pennsylvania corporation; Commerce
Bank/Harrisburg Interim National Bank ("Interim Bank"), a newly formed national
banking association and wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation; and Commerce
Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. ("Commerce"), a national banking association. The
reorganization is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus dated May 14, 1999
and in the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and the Agreement and Plan of
Merger, both dated April 23, 1999 (the "Reorganization Agreement"). Commerce
has, and after the reorganization is consummated the Corporation will have,
voting common stock and nonvoting preferred stock outstanding.
Pursuant to and in accordance with the National Bank Act, Commerce will be
merged into Interim Bank (the "Merger") and the resulting entity will continue
under the name "Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A.". As a result of the Merger,
Interim Bank will succeed to all of the assets of Commerce, subject to all of
the liabilities of Commerce.
Each share of outstanding stock of Commerce will be exchanged for one
share of stock of the Corporation as provided in the Reorganization Agreement,
except for shares of Commerce held by shareholders who exercise their dissenters
rights. Dissenting shareholders may surrender their Commerce stock to the
Corporation and receive cash payments representing the fair market value of such
stock, subject to the provisions of the National Bank Act.
Shareholders of Commerce who would have otherwise been entitled to a
fraction of a share of the Corporation common stock will be paid an amount in
cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the "market value per share" as
defined in the Reorganization Agreement for one (1) whole share of the
Corporation common stock. The cash received by dissenting shareholders and by
shareholders who receive cash in lieu of fractional shares will be provided by
the Corporation.
<PAGE>
In connection with the proposed Merger and related transactions you have
made the following representations to us:
1. Original documents (including signatures) are authentic; documents
submitted to us as copies conform to the original documents, and there has been
(or will be by the date of the Merger) due execution and delivery of all
documents where due execution and delivery are prerequisites to the
effectiveness thereof.
2. The Merger will be effective under the National Bank Act.
3. The total fair market value of the Corporation stock and cash received
by Commerce shareholders will be approximately equal to the fair market value of
the Commerce stock surrendered in the Merger.
4. To the best knowledge of Commerce management, there is no plan or
intention on the part of Commerce shareholders to sell, exchange, or otherwise
dispose of a number of shares of the Corporation common stock received in the
Merger that would reduce Commerce' shareholders' ownership of the Corporation
common stock to a number of shares having a value, as of the date of the Merger
of less than eighty (80%) percent of the value of all of the formerly
outstanding Commerce stock as of the same date. For this purpose, shares of
Commerce common stock exchanged for cash in exercise of dissenters' rights or in
lieu of fractional shares of the Corporation common stock are treated as
outstanding Commerce stock on the date of the Merger. Moreover, Commerce stock
and the Corporation stock held by Commerce shareholders and otherwise sold,
redeemed, or disposed of prior or subsequent to the transaction have been taken
into account in making this representation.
5. The Corporation has no plan or intention to reacquire any of its stock
issued in the Merger or make any extraordinary distribution in respect of its
stock.
6. Interim Bank has no plan or intention to sell or otherwise dispose of
any of its assets or the assets of Commerce acquired in the Merger, except for
dispositions made in the ordinary course of business.
7. The liabilities of Commerce were incurred by Commerce in the ordinary
course of its business.
8. Following the Merger, Interim Bank will continue its historic business
or use a significant portion of its historic business assets in a business.
9. The Corporation, Commerce, and the Commerce shareholders will pay their
respective expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the transaction (other
than expenses of Commerce assumed by Interim Bank pursuant to the Merger).
10. There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing between Commerce and
the Corporation or its subsidiaries that was issued, acquired, or will be
settled at a discount.
11. Neither The Corporation nor Interim Bank is an investment company as
defined in Section 368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 as amended (the "Code").
<PAGE>
12. Neither the Corporation nor Commerce is under the jurisdiction of a
court in a Title 11 or similar case within the meaning of Section 368(a)(3)(A)
of the Code.
13. Commerce shareholders will receive and retain a meaningful continuing
equity ownership in the Corporation that is sufficient to satisfy the continuity
of interest requirement as specified in Treas. Reg. ss.1.368-1(b) and as
interpreted in certain Internal Revenue Service rulings and federal judicial
decisions.
14. After the Merger, Interim Bank will continue to hold "substantially
all" of Commerce's properties acquired in the Merger within the meaning of
Section 368(a)(2)(E) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
15. None of the compensation to be received by any Commerce
shareholder-employee pursuant to any employment agreement or any covenants not
to compete will be separate consideration for, or allocable to, any of their
shares of the Corporation stock; the compensation to be paid to any Commerce
shareholder-employees will be for services actually rendered and will be
commensurate with amounts paid to third parties bargaining at arm's length for
similar services.
16. No distributions will have been made by Commerce with respect to its
stock preceding the proposed transaction other than distributions consistent in
amount and in effect with prior dividend policy.
17. The issuance of cash in lieu of fractional shares merely represents
the mechanical rounding off of the fractional share interests. It is undertaken
solely for the purpose of saving the Corporation the expense and inconvenience
of issuing and transferring fractional shares, and is not separately bargained
for consideration. The aggregate amount of cash to be issued in lieu of
fractional shares is anticipated to be less than one (1%) percent of the total
value of the Corporation common stock received by Commerce shareholders.
18. Commerce has not redeemed any of its capital stock within the last
three (3) years.
19. The common stock of the Corporation to be received by the shareholders
of Commerce is not subject to put or call options.
Based on our understanding of the pertinent facts as set forth above and
applicable law, as enacted and construed on the date hereof, it is our opinion
that:
(i) the Merger of Commerce with and into Interim Bank in accordance with
the Reorganization Agreement will constitute a reorganization within
the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and each of Commerce,
Interim Bank, and the Corporation will be a "party to a
reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;
(ii) no gain or loss will be recognized by Commerce, Interim Bank, or the
Corporation as a result of the Merger;
(iii) except for cash received in lieu of fractional shares, no gain or
loss will be recognized by the shareholders of Commerce who receive
solely the
<PAGE>
Corporation common stock upon the exchange of their shares of
Commerce common stock for shares of the Corporation common stock;
(iv) the basis of the Corporation stock to be received by the Commerce
shareholders will be, in each instance, the same as the basis of the
Commerce stock surrendered in exchange therefor;
(v) to the extent that Commerce stock is held as capital asset, the
holding period of the Corporation stock received by the shareholders
of Commerce receiving the Corporation stock will include the period
during which the Commerce stock surrendered in exchange therefor was
held;
(vi) to the extent that they hold their Commerce stock as capital assets,
cash received by Commerce shareholders in lieu of a fractional share
interest in the Corporation stock will be treated as having been
received as a distribution in full payment for such fractional share
interest in the Corporation stock, subject to the provisions of
Section 302(a) of the Code.
We are pleased to offer this opinion based on the federal income tax laws
as of this date. No assurances can be provided as to future changes in
administrative or judicial interpretations of these laws. No opinion is
expressed with respect to state and local taxes, federal, or state securities
law and other federal or state law not expressly referred herein.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
aforementioned Registration Statement. In giving this opinion, we do not thereby
admit that we are acting within the category of persons whose consent is
required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules or regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
James A. Ulsh
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 13
OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20219
FORM 10-KSB
|X| Annual Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (fee required) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.
or
|_| Transition Report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 for the transition period from _____________ to ____________.
OCC Charter Number # 22765
--------------------------
COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG, N.A.
------------------------------
(Exact name of Small Business Issuer as specified in its charter)
United States 23-2324730
------------- ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
incorporation or organization)
100 Senate Avenue, P.O. Box 8599, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011-8599
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)
(717) 975-5630
--------------
(Issuer's telephone number)
Securities registered under Section 12 (b) of the Exchange Act:
None
Securities registered under Section 12 (g) of the Exchange Act:
Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value
-----------------------------
(Title of Class)
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such
shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes |X| No |_|
<PAGE>
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item
405 of Regulation S-B in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB or any amendment to
this Form 10-KSB. |X|
The issuer's revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 were
$24,074,000.
The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant is $28,192,500. (1)
The number of shares of the Issuer's common stock, par value $1.00 per
share, outstanding as of March 19, 1999 was 1,557,375.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Part II incorporates certain information by reference from the
registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1998 (the "Annual Report"). Part III incorporates certain information by
reference from the registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.
(1) The aggregate dollar amount of the voting stock set forth equals the
number of shares of the registrant's Common Stock outstanding, reduced by the
amount of Common Stock held by executive officers, directors, and shareholders
owning in excess of 10% of the registrant's Common Stock, multiplied by the last
sale price for the registrant's Common Stock on March 19 1999. The information
provided shall in no way be construed as an admission that the officer,
director, or 10% shareholder in the registrant may be deemed an affiliate of the
registrant or that such person is the beneficial owner of the shares reported as
being held by him, and any such inference is hereby disclaimed. The information
provided herein is included solely for the record keeping purpose of the Office
of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one): Yes |_| No |X|
<PAGE>
COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
FORM 10-KSB CROSS-REFERENCE INDEX
Page
----
Part I.
Item 1. Business.....................................................5
Item 2. Properties..................................................10
Item 3. Legal Proceedings...........................................12
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders (This item is omitted since no matters
were submitted to a vote of security holders
during the fourth quarter of 1998.)
Part II.
Item 5. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant's
Common Equity and Related Shareholder
Matters.....................................................13
Item 6. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations (Incorporated
by reference as Exhibit 13. hereto from the Bank's
Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998.)
Item 7. Financial Statements
(Incorporated by reference as Exhibit 13. hereto
from the Bank's Annual Report to Shareholders for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.)
Item 8. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure (This item is
omitted since it is not applicable.)
Part III.
Item 9. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and
Control Persons; Compliance with Section 16(a) of
the Exchange Act
Item 10. Executive Compensation
Item 11. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management
Item 12. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
(The information required by the items in this part has been omitted
since it will be contained in the definitive proxy statement to be
filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.)
Item 13. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits:
2. Plan of Conversion of Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, a
Pennsylvania State Chartered Banking Institution,
into Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, National
Association, a National Banking Institution (B)
3.i. Articles of Incorporation, as amended (B)
<PAGE>
3.ii. By - Laws, as amended (B)
10.i. The Bank's 1986 Incentive Stock Option Plan, and
amendments (B)
Page
----
10.ii. The Bank's 1990 Directors Stock Option Plan (B)
10.iii. The Bank's 1996 Employee Stock Option Plan (C)
13. Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. 1998 Annual Report
to Shareholders.............................................15
99. Additional Exhibits:
i. Resolution of the Board of Directors determining
the designation and number of the Series A
Noncumulative Preferred Stock, par value $10.00
per share, and the relative rights, preferences
and limitations thereof (A)
ii. Warrant No. 1 of Commerce Bank/Harrisburg (A)
iii. Warrant Agreement dated October 7, 1988 (A)
iv. Amendment No.1 to the Stock and Warrant Purchase
Agreement (A)
(b) There were no reports on Form 8-K filed in the
fourth quarter of 1998
- - ----------
(A) Incorporated by reference from the Bank's Form 8-K filed with the Office
of the Comptroller of the Currency on October 12, 1994.
(B) Incorporated by reference from the Bank's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994.
(C) Incorporated by reference from the Bank's 1996 Proxy Statement filed with
the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency on April 22, 1996.
Signatures....................................................................14
<PAGE>
Part I.
Item 1. Business History
On July 13, 1984, Commerce Bank/Harrisburg (Commerce) filed an application
to establish a state-chartered banking institution with the Pennsylvania
Department of Banking. On September 7, 1984, Commerce was granted preliminary
approval of its application, and on September 11, 1984, was incorporated as a
Pennsylvania state-chartered banking institution under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Bank opened for business on June 1, 1985.
On October 7, 1994, Commerce was converted from a Pennsylvania
state-chartered banking institution to a national banking association under the
laws of the United States of America and changed its name to "Commerce
Bank/Harrisburg, National Association." The Bank's conversion was consummated
pursuant to preliminary and conditional approval of the conversion granted by
the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on July 5, 1994 in response
to a letter of intent to convert to a national bank filed by Commerce with the
OCC on April 6, 1994.
The Bank is an independent community bank that seeks to provide personal
attention and professional financial assistance to its customers. The Bank is a
locally managed, owned and oriented financial institution.
The Bank is a member of the Commerce Bancorp, Inc. Network (the "Network")
and has the exclusive right to use the "Commerce Bank" name and the "Yes Bank"
logo within its primary service area. The Network provides certain marketing and
support services to the Bank.
As of December 31, 1998, the Bank had approximately $319.3 million in
assets, $297.7 million in deposits, $167.1 million in total loans, and $20.4
million in stockholders' equity. The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve
System (FRB) and the Bank's deposits are insured by the Bank Insurance Fund
(BIF) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to the fullest extent
permitted by law.
General
The Bank provides a full range of retail and commercial banking services
for consumers and small and mid-sized companies. The Bank's lending and
investment activities are funded principally by retail deposits gathered through
its retail branch office network.
The Bank engages in a broad range of retail banking services and products
including free personal checking accounts and business checking accounts
(subject to a minimum balance), regular saving accounts, money market accounts,
interest checking accounts, fixed rate certificates of deposit, individual
retirement accounts, club accounts, and safe deposit facilities. Its services
also include a full range of lending activities including commercial
construction and real estate loans, land development and business loans,
business lines of credit, consumer loan programs (including installment loans
for home improvement and the purchase of consumer goods and automobiles), home
equity and Visa Gold card revolving lines of credit, overdraft checking
protection, student loans and automated teller facilities. Commerce also offers
construction loans and permanent
<PAGE>
mortgages for homes. Commerce is a participant in the Small Business
Administration and is an approved lender for qualified applicants.
The Bank directs its commercial lending principally toward businesses that
require funds within the Bank's lending limit, as determined from time to time,
and that otherwise do business and/or are depositors with Commerce. Commerce
also participates in inter-bank credit arrangements in order to take part in
loans for amounts that are in excess of Commerce's lending limit. In consumer
lending, Commerce offers various types of loans, including revolving credit
lines, automobile loans, and home improvement loans.
The Bank offers its lending and depository services from its Main Office
in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, and its ten full-service branch offices located in
Mechanicsburg, Colonial Park, Lower Paxton Township, Hummelstown , York and
Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The Bank currently considers its primary service area to
include the central Pennsylvania area, including portions of Dauphin,
Cumberland, and York Counties, Pennsylvania.
The Bank has focused its strategy for growth primarily on the further
development of its community-based retail-banking network. The objective of this
corporate strategy is to build earnings growth potential for the future as the
retail branch office network matures. The Bank's branch concept uses a prototype
or standardized branch office building, convenient locations and active
marketing, all designed to attract retail deposits. Using this prototype branch
concept, the Bank plans to open two new branch offices in each of the next five
years. It has been the Bank's experience that each newly opened branch office
incurs operating losses during the first 18 to 20 months of operations and
becomes profitable thereafter. The Bank's retail approach to banking emphasizes
a combination of long-term customer relationships, quick responses to customer
needs, active marketing, convenient locations, free checking for customers
maintaining certain minimum balances and extended hours of operation.
Commerce is not dependent on any one or more major customers.
Regulation and Supervision
As a nationally chartered commercial banking association, the Bank is
subject to regulation, supervision and regular examination by the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve
System. The Bank's deposits are insured by the FDIC up to applicable legal
limits. Some of the aspects of the lending and deposit business of the Bank that
are regulated by these agencies include personal lending, mortgage lending and
reserve requirements. The Bank is also subject to numerous federal, state and
local laws and regulations which set forth specific restrictions and procedural
requirements with respect to the extension of credit, credit practices, the
disclosure of credit terms and discrimination in credit transactions.
The Bank is also subject to certain limitations on the amount of cash
dividends that it can pay. See "Dividends and Dividend History" on page 13.
The approval of the OCC is required for the establishment of additional
branch offices. Since March 4, 1990, the Bank is able to establish branches
within any county in Pennsylvania.
<PAGE>
Under the Change in Banking Act of 1978, subject to certain exceptions, no
person may acquire control of the Bank without giving at least sixty days prior
written notice to the OCC. Under the Change in Banking Control Act of 1978 and
the regulations promulgated thereunder, control of the Bank is generally
presumed to be the power to vote ten percent (10%) or more of the Common Stock.
The OCC is empowered to disapprove any such acquisition of control.
Under the Pennsylvania Banking Code of 1965, subject to certain
exceptions, no person may acquire control of more than 10 percent (10%) of the
outstanding voting shares of the Bank without the prior written approval of the
Pennsylvania Department of Banking.
The amount of funds that Commerce may lend to a single borrower is limited
generally under the National Bank Act to 15% of the aggregate of its capital,
surplus and undivided profits and capital securities (all as defined by statute
and regulation).
The Bank is subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and
regulations (as implemented by the OCC) relating to periodic reporting,
reporting to stockholders, proxy solicitation, and insider trading.
As a consequence of the extensive regulation of commercial banking
activities in the United States, the Bank's business is particularly susceptible
to being affected by federal and state legislation and regulations which may
affect the cost of doing business.
Competitive Business Conditions / Competitive Position
The Bank's current primary service area, the central Pennsylvania area,
including portions of Dauphin, Cumberland, and York Counties, is characterized
by intense competition for banking business. The Bank competes with local
commercial banks as well as numerous regionally based commercial banks, most of
which have assets, capital, and lending limits larger than that of Commerce. The
Bank competes with respect to its lending activities as well as in attracting
demand, savings, and time deposits with other commercial banks, savings banks,
insurance companies, regulated small loan companies, credit unions, and with
issuers of commercial paper and other securities such as shares in money market
funds.
Other institutions may have the ability to finance wide-ranging
advertising campaigns, and to allocate investment assets to regions of highest
yield and demand. Many institutions offer services such as trust services and
international banking which Commerce does not directly offer (but which the Bank
may offer indirectly through other institutions). Many institutions, by virtue
of their greater total capital, can have substantially higher lending limits
than Commerce.
In commercial transactions, the Bank's legal lending limit to a single
borrower (approximately $3,360,000 as of December 31, 1998) enables it to
compete effectively for the business of smaller companies. However, this legal
lending limit is considerably lower than that of various competing institutions
and thus may act as a constraint on the Bank's effectiveness in competing for
financing in excess of these limits.
<PAGE>
In consumer transactions, the Bank believes it is able to compete on a
substantially equal basis with larger financial institutions because it offers
longer hours of operation, personalized service and competitive interest rates
on savings and time accounts with low minimum deposit requirements.
In order to compete with other financial institutions both within and
beyond its primary service area, the Bank uses, to the fullest extent possible,
the flexibility which independent status permits. This includes an emphasis on
specialized services for the small businessperson and professional contacts by
the Bank's officers, directors and employees, and the greatest possible efforts
to understand fully the financial situation of relatively small borrowers. The
size of such borrowers, in management's opinion, often inhibits close attention
to their needs by larger institutions. The Bank may seek to arrange for loans in
excess of its lending limit on a participation basis with other financial
institutions in order more fully to service customers whose loan demands exceed
the Bank's lending limit.
The Bank endeavors to be competitive with all competing financial
institutions in its primary service area with respect to interest rates paid on
time and saving deposits, its overdraft charges on deposit accounts, and
interest rates charged on loans.
Recent Legislation/Interstate Banking
On September 29, 1994, the President signed into law the "Riegle-Neal
Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994" (the "Interstate Act").
Among other things, the Interstate Act permits bank holding companies to acquire
banks in any state one year after enactment. Pennsylvania law was recently
amended to authorize any out-of-state bank holding company to acquire control of
any state or national bank located in Pennsylvania after it receives prior
written approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking. As of June 1,
1997, a bank may merge with a bank in another state so long as both states have
not opted out of interstate branching between the date of enactment of the
Interstate Act and May 31, 1997. States enacting laws opting out of interstate
branching were required to do so before June 1, 1997, subject to certain
conditions. States were also able to enact laws permitting interstate merger
and/or interstate branching transactions before June 1, 1997 and host states
were permitted to impose conditions on a branch resulting from an interstate
merger transaction that occurred before June 1, 1997, if the conditions did not
discriminate against out-of-state banks, were not preempted by Federal law and
did not apply or require performance after May 31, 1997. Pennsylvania has
enacted a law opting in immediately to interstate merger and interstate
branching transactions. Interstate acquisitions and mergers are both subject, in
general, to certain concentration limits, state entry rules relating to the age
of the bank and applicable regulatory approvals.
Under the Interstate Act, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act is amended to
permit the responsible Federal regulatory agency to approve the acquisition of a
branch of an insured bank by an out-of-state bank or bank holding company
without the acquisition of the entire bank or the establishment of a "de novo"
branch only if the law of the state in which the branch is located permits
out-of-state banks to acquire a branch of a bank without acquiring the bank or
permits out-of-state banks to establish "de novo" branches. Pennsylvania
recently passed such a law.
<PAGE>
The foregoing necessarily is a summary and general description of certain
provisions of each of the Interstate Act, the Development Act and recently
enacted Pennsylvania law and does not purport to be complete. Many of the
provisions of each continue to be implemented through the adoption of
regulations by the various Federal and state banking agencies. Moreover, some
provisions of the legislation have not yet become effective. As of the date
hereof, the Bank is continuing to study the legislation and regulations relating
to the legislation but cannot yet assess its impact on the Bank.
On September 30, 1996, the President signed into law the Deposit Insurance
Funds Act of 1996 to recapitalize the Savings Association Insurance Fund (SAIF)
administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and to provide
for repayment of the FICO (Financial Institution Collateral Obligation) bonds
issued by the United States Treasury Department. Also on September 30, 1996, the
FDIC levied a one-time special assessment on SAIF deposits equal to 65.7 cents
per $100 of the SAIF-assessable deposit base as of March 31, 1995. This
assessment had no impact on Commerce, as it held no SAIF deposits at that time.
During the years 1997, 1998 and 1999, the Bank Insurance Fund (BIF) will pay
$322 million of FICO debt service, and SAIF will pay $458 million.
During 1998 and 1999, the average regular annual deposit insurance
assessment is estimated to be about 1.29 cents per $100 of deposits for BIF
deposits and 6.44 cents per $100 of deposits for SAIF deposits. Individual
institution's assessments will continue to vary according to their capital and
management ratings. As always, the FDIC will be able to raise the assessments as
necessary to maintain the funds at their target capital ratios provided by law.
After 1999, BIF and SAIF will share the FICO costs equally. Under current
estimates, BIF and SAIF assessment bases would each be assessed at the rate of
approximately 2.43 cents per $100 of deposits. The FICO bonds will mature in
2018-2019, ending the interest payment obligation.
The law provides that BIF and SAIF are to merge to form the Deposit
Insurance Fund (DIF) at the beginning of 1999, provided that there are no SAIF
institutions in existence at that time. Merger of the Funds will require state
laws to be amended in those states authorizing savings associations to eliminate
that authorization (state chartered savings banks will not be affected). This
provision reflects Congress' apparent intent to merge thrift and commercial bank
charters by January 1999; however, no law has yet been enacted to achieve that
purpose.
National Monetary Policy
In addition to being affected by general economic conditions, the earnings
and growth of the Bank are affected by the policies of regulatory authorities,
including the OCC, the FRB and the FDIC. An important function of the FRB is to
regulate the money supply and credit conditions. Among the instruments used to
implement these objectives are open market operations in U.S. Government
securities, setting the discount rate, and changes in reserve requirements
against bank deposits. These instruments are used in varying combinations to
influence overall growth and distribution of credit, bank loans, investments and
deposits, and their use may also affect interest rates charged on loans or paid
on deposits.
<PAGE>
The monetary policies and regulations of the FRB have had a significant
effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected
to continue to do so in the future. The effects of such policies upon the future
business, earnings, and growth of the Bank cannot be predicted.
The costs and effects of compliance with environmental laws, federal,
state and local, on Commerce are minimal.
Employees
As of December 31, 1998, the Bank had 245 employees, of which 182 were full-time
employees. Commerce Bank management believes the relationship with their
employees is good.
Item 2. Properties
Main Office
The main office of Commerce is located on the east side of the ground
floor of the Senate Plaza, Erford Road and Senate Avenue, East Pennsboro
Township, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Commerce leases and occupies 10,792 square
feet on the ground floor, containing a banking floor, lobby, administrative
offices, and executive offices. Commerce has constructed its own leasehold
improvements in the main office.
This lease commenced January 1, 1985 and had an initial term of 5 years
with three 5-year options to renew. The Bank renegotiated the lease to provide
for a ten-year term. The Bank currently pays an annual rent of $203,250. The
lease contains a provision for incremental rental increases.
Under the lease, Commerce is required to pay its pro rata share of the
increase in operating expenses and property taxes of the building over and above
the building's operational expenses and property taxes for the calendar year
ending December 31, 1983. The bank's pro rata share of the total building is
4.79%. At the present time, Commerce's monthly pro rata share of these expenses
is $1,311. Leasehold improvements and interior furnishings are the
responsibility of Commerce.
Commerce has also leased an additional area on the Senate Plaza site for a
drive-in kiosk at an annual rent of $6,992. The drive-in kiosk is an independent
facility built and maintained at Commerce's sole cost and expense.
Operations Facilities
Management Information Systems Center
The operations center is located on the northwest side of the second floor
of 3 Crossgates Drive, Hampden Township, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Commerce
leases and occupies 8,535 square feet of office space on the second floor. The
original lease for 5,235 square feet of office space commenced March 1, 1994,
and has an initial term of 5 years with three 3-year renewal options. Commerce
has constructed leasehold improvements in the office space at the lessor's
expense.
In February 1996, Commerce signed a lease for an additional 3,300 square
feet of office space. The initial term of this lease is three years with three
3-year renewal options. Commerce has constructed leasehold improvements in this
space at it own expense. Commerce currently pays a
<PAGE>
combined annual rent for this location of $89,728. The leases contain provisions
for incremental rent increases.
Loan Production Offices
(1) The Bank leases an office at 4 Lemoyne Drive, Suite 100, Lemoyne
Borough, Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, as a loan production office. The lease for 1,885
square feet of office space commenced October 1, 1998, and has an initial term
of 2 years with a year-to-year renewal option. Commerce has constructed
leasehold improvements in the office space at the its own expense. The Bank
currently pays annual rent of $27,336. The lease contains provisions for
incremental rent increases.
(2) The Bank leases an office at 205-2 St. Charles Way, York Township,
York, Pennsylvania, as a loan production office. The lease for 1,496 square feet
of office space commenced December 1, 1998, and has an initial term of 1 year
with three 1-year renewal options. Commerce has constructed leasehold
improvements in the office space at the its own expense. The Bank currently pays
annual rent of $18,696. The lease contains provisions for incremental rent
increases.
Branch Facilities
4700 Jonestown Road, Lower Paxton Township, Harrisburg, PA 17109-6216
The Bank entered into a land lease for the premises located at 4700
Jonestown Road, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, consisting of a 36,007 square foot
lot. Commerce has constructed a full service branch on this land.
The land lease commenced on July 1, 1987, and has an initial term of 20
years. In addition, Commerce has an option to renew the land lease for three
additional 5-year terms. The Bank currently pays an annual rent of $40,000. Rent
is subject to increase on the terms set forth in the lease agreement.
4860 Carlisle Pike, Hampden Township, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-3026
Commerce has entered into a land lease for the premises located at 4860
Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Commerce has constructed a full
service branch on this land.
The land lease commenced on October 1, 1988, and has an initial term of 20
years. In addition, the Bank has an option to renew the land lease for four
additional 5-year terms. Commerce currently pays an annual rent of $36,000. Rent
is subject to increase on the terms set forth in the lease agreement.
6071 Allentown Boulevard, Lower Paxton Township, Harrisburg, PA 17112-2673
The Bank has entered into a land lease for the premises located at 6071
Allentown Boulevard, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Commerce has constructed a full
service branch on this land.
The land lease commenced on January 1, 1992 and has an initial term of 20
years. In addition, Commerce has an option to renew the land lease for six
additional 5-year terms. Commerce
<PAGE>
currently pays an annual rent of $47,000. Rent is subject to increase on the
terms set forth in the lease agreement.
600 Walton Avenue, Derry Township, Hummelstown, PA 17036
The Bank has purchased the parcel of land located at 600 Walton Avenue,
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania. Commerce has constructed a full service branch office
on this land.
2160 South Queen Street, York, York County, Pennsylvania
Commerce has purchased the parcel of land located at 2160 South Queen
Street, York, Pennsylvania. The Bank has constructed a full service branch
office on this land.
2100 York Crossing Drive, West Manchester Township, York, York County,
Pennsylvania
The Bank has entered into a land lease for the premises located at 2100
York Crossing Drive, York, Pennsylvania. Commerce has constructed a full service
branch on this land.
The land lease commenced on April 23, 1996 and has an initial term of 20
years. In addition, Commerce has an option to renew the land lease for four
additional 5-year terms. Commerce currently pays an annual rent of $50,000. Rent
is subject to increase on the terms set forth in the lease agreement.
1098 Haines Road, Springettsbury Township, York, York County, Pennsylvania
The Bank has entered into a land lease for the premises located at 1098
Haines Road, York, Pennsylvania. The Bank has constructed a full service branch
on this land.
The land lease commenced on April 1, 1997 and has an initial term of 20
years. In addition, Commerce has an option to renew the land lease for one
additional 5-year term and a term of four years, eleven months thereafter.
Commerce currently pays annual rent of $51,000. Rent is subject to increase on
the terms set forth in the lease agreement.
5032 Simpson Ferry Road, Lower Allen Twp., Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania
Commerce has purchased the parcel of land at 5032 Simpson Ferry Road,
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The Bank has constructed a full service branch
office on this land.
55 Arsenal Road, York, Manchester Township, York County, Pennsylvania
Commerce has purchased the parcel of land located at 55 Arsenal Road in
Manchester Township, York, Pennsylvania. The Bank has constructed a full service
branch office on this land.
65 Ashland Avenue, Carlisle, Borough of Carlisle, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania
Commerce has purchased the parcel of land located at 65 Ashland Avenue in
the Borough of Carlisle, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The Bank has constructed a full
service branch office on this land.
In the opinion of Commerce's management, the interest of Commerce in each
of the above properties is adequately covered by insurance.
<PAGE>
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
In July 1995, a Bank borrower filed a multi-count lender liability
complaint against the Bank seeking unspecified damages. The Bank filed
preliminary objections to the complaint. The Court sustained the preliminary
objections in part and denied them in part. An amended complaint was filed and
the Court denied the Bank's preliminary objections to the amended complaint. The
Bank filed its answer with new matter and a counterclaim. The plaintiff has
responded to the new matter and counterclaim. The Bank believes that the
complaint is without merit and intends to vigorously defend this action.
However, the ultimate outcome of the litigation cannot be presently determined.
The case is in the discovery stage.
In addition, the Bank is also subject to certain other legal proceedings
and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. It is management's
opinion that the ultimate resolution of these claims will not have a material
adverse effect on the Bank's financial position and results of operations.
Part II.
Item 5. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant's Common Equity
and Related Shareholder Matters
The Bank's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Small Cap Market tier of The
Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol COBH. Prior to August 1994, there was no
established market for trading in shares of common stock or preferred stock of
Commerce. The common stock first became listed on the NASDAQ Small Cap Market on
August 25, 1994. The preferred stock is not traded on any market.
The following table sets forth the prices for which common stock has
traded during the last two (2) fiscal years on the NASDAQ Small Cap Market. The
prices per share have been adjusted to reflect common stock dividends of 5% with
record dates of January 29, 1999 and January 30, 1998. As of December 31, 1998,
there were approximately 402 holders of record of the Bank's common stock.
<PAGE>
Common Share Data Sales Price
Quarter Ended: High Low
-------------- ---- ---
March 31, 1998 $28.57 $24.94
June 30, 1998 32.86 27.38
September 30, 1998 36.19 28.57
December 31, 1998 29.52 26.67
----------------- ----- -----
March 31, 1997 $19.27 $16.84
June 30, 1997 19.27 17.68
September 30, 1997 25.84 18.14
December 31, 1997 30.16 24.94
----------------- ----- -----
Dividends and Dividend History
Commerce has not declared or paid cash dividends on its common stock since
commencement of operations in June 1985.
Regulatory authorities restrict the amount of cash dividends the Bank can
declare without prior regulatory approval. Presently, the Bank cannot declare a
dividend in excess of its accumulated retained earnings.
<PAGE>
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, National Association
Date: March 29, 1999 By /s/ James T. Gibson
------------------------------------
James T. Gibson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Gary L. Nalbandian Chairman of the Board March 29, 1999
- - ---------------------------
Gary L. Nalbandian
/s/ James T. Gibson President, Chief Executive Officer March 29, 1999
- - --------------------------- and Director (Principal Executive
James T. Gibson Officer)
/s/ Alan R. Hassman Director March 29, 1999
- - ---------------------------
Alan R. Hassman
/s/ Michael A. Serluco Director March 29, 1999
- - ---------------------------
Michael A. Serluco
/s/ Samir J. Srouji, M.D. Director March 29, 1999
- - ---------------------------
Samir J. Srouji, M.D.
Executive Vice President (Chief
Financial Officer and Principal
Accounting Officer)
/s/ Mark A. Zody March 29, 1999
- - ---------------------------
Mark A. Zody
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
FORM 10-KSB
Exhibit 13
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23(b)
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement (Form S-4) of our report, dated January 29, 1999, relating to the
financial statements of Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. incorporated by reference
in its Annual Report (Form 10- KSB) for the year ended December 31, 1998.
/s/ BEARD & COMPANY, INC.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
May 13, 1999
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99
PROXY
COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG, N.A.
Erford and Senate Avenue
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Telephone: (717) 975-5630
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS OF COMMERCE BANK/HARRISBURG, N.A.
The undersigned hereby appoints Alan R. Hassman and Douglas S. Gelder as
Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and authorizes them to
represent and vote, as designated below, all the shares of common stock of
Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. held of record by the undersigned on April 30,
1999 at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 18, 1999.
1. FIXING THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS TO BE ELECTED AT 8:
FOR_____ AGAINST_____ ABSTAIN_____
2. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
For all Nominees Listed Below ______ Withhold Authority______
(except as indicated below)
Gary L. Nalbandian, Vernon W. Hill, II, Douglas S. Gelder, Alan R.
Hassman, Michael A. Serluco, Howell C. Mette, Samir J. Srouji, M.D., James
T. Gibson
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s),
write that nominee's name(s) in the space immediately below.
3. FORMATION OF A BANK HOLDING COMPANY.
FOR_____ AGAINST______ABSTAIN______
4. OTHER BUSINESS:
Take action on other business which may properly come before the meeting.
FOR_____ AGAINST_____ ABSTAIN_____
THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED. IF NO
SPECIFICATION OR DIRECTION IS MADE, THEY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE
DIRECTORS, AND FOR ANY OTHER BUSINESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF
MANAGEMENT. THIS PROXY MAY BE REVOKED PRIOR TO ITS EXERCISE.
Dated this day of , 1999. (SEAL)
Signature
(SEAL)
Signature
When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. If
signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee,
guardian, custodian, corporate official or in any other
fiduciary or representative capacity, please give your full
title as such.
PLEASE SIGN YOUR NAME EXACTLY AS IT APPEARS HEREON, AND MARK, DATE AND RETURN
THIS PROXY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. No postage is necessary
if mailed in the United States in the enclosed self-addressed envelope.
