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AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MAY 7, 1999
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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DELAWARE 6712 58-2398959
(State or other jurisdiction of (Primary Standard Industrial (IRS Employer
incorporation or organization) Classification Code Number) Identification No.)
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13004 STARBUCK ROAD
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63141
(314) 514-8491
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
registrant's principal executive offices)
RICHARD C. JENSEN
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
13004 STARBUCK ROAD
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63141
(314) 514-8491
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service)
Copies to:
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ROBERT C. SCHWARTZ STEVEN R. FINLEY
SMITH, GAMBRELL & RUSSELL, LLP GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP
PROMENADE II, SUITE 3100 200 PARK AVENUE
1230 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 10166-0193
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30309 (212) 351-4000
(404) 815-3758 (212) 351-4035 (FAX)
(404) 685-7058 (FAX)
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. [ ]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, please check the
following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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PROPOSED PROPOSED
TITLE OF EACH CLASS AMOUNT MAXIMUM MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
OF SECURITIES TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE REGISTRATION
TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED PER UNIT(2) OFFERING PRICE FEE
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Common Stock, $.01 par value......... 3,450,000 shares(1) $12.00 $41,400,000 $11,509.20
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(1) Includes 450,000 shares that may be sold by the Company upon exercise of the
Underwriters' over-allotment option.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in
accordance with Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933.
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THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
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SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED , 1999
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED.
WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER
TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
3,000,000 SHARES
[LOGO]
FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
COMMON STOCK
$ PER SHARE
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This is an initial public offering of common stock of First Premier Financial
Corporation. We are offering 3,000,000 shares of common stock with this
prospectus.
There is currently no public market for the shares. We expect that the price to
the public in the offering will be between $10.00 and $12.00. The market price
of the shares after the offering may be higher or lower than the offering price.
Of the 3,000,000 shares we are offering, up to will be purchased by
an underwriter that is a foreign broker-dealer for sales outside of the United
States.
We have applied to include the common stock on the Nasdaq National Market under
the symbol "PREM."
INVESTING IN THE COMMON STOCK INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS. SEE "RISK FACTORS"
BEGINNING ON PAGE .
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PER SHARE TOTAL
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Price to the public..................... $ $
Underwriting discount...................
Proceeds to First Premier...............
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First Premier has granted an over-allotment option to the underwriters. Under
this option, the underwriters may elect to purchase a maximum of 450,000 shares
from First Premier within 30 days following the date of this prospectus to cover
over-allotments.
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NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
YOU SHOULD NOTE THAT THESE SECURITIES ARE NOT BANK ACCOUNTS OR DEPOSITS AND ARE
NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY OTHER STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY.
CIBC WORLD MARKETS
PAULI JOHNSON CAPITAL & RESEARCH
INCORPORATED
KELTON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
The date of this prospectus is , 1999.
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[MAP OF STATE OF MISSOURI AND SURROUNDING STATES WITH STARS MARKING OUR TARGETED
MARKETS]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PAGE
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Prospectus Summary..........................................
Risk Factors................................................
Forward-looking Statements..................................
Use of Proceeds.............................................
Dividend Policy.............................................
Capitalization..............................................
Dilution....................................................
Selected Consolidated Financial Data........................
Pro Forma Financial Data....................................
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations.................................
Business....................................................
Supervision and Regulation..................................
Management..................................................
Certain Transactions........................................
Principal Shareholders......................................
Description of Capital Stock................................
Shares Eligible for Future Sale.............................
Underwriting................................................
Legal Matters...............................................
Experts.....................................................
Where You Can Find More Information.........................
Index to Financial Statements............................... F-1
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As used in this prospectus, unless the context indicates a different meaning,
the terms "First Premier," "we," "our," or "us" refer to First Premier Financial
Corporation, the terms "Premier" and "Premier Bank" refer to Premier Bancshares,
Inc. and its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Premier Bank, and the term "common
stock" refers to First Premier's common stock, $.01 par value.
Unless otherwise stated, all information contained in this prospectus assumes no
exercise of the over-allotment option to the underwriters.
The underwriters are offering the shares subject to various conditions and may
reject all or part of any order. The shares should be ready for delivery on or
about , 1999 against payment in immediately available funds.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained in other parts of this prospectus.
This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information you
should consider before investing in our common stock. You should carefully read
this entire prospectus.
FIRST PREMIER
OUR BUSINESS
We formed First Premier Financial Corporation to create a multi-market bank
serving business customers who are dissatisfied with the impersonal service
delivered by super-regional and national banks. Our strategy is to capitalize on
the opportunities created by widespread consolidation in the banking industry.
We believe we have a significant opportunity to attract and maintain targeted
banking customers within our identified markets. We will offer a broad range of
banking products and services to small and medium-sized businesses, selected
real estate developers and the principals of these businesses. To execute our
strategy, we have assembled a team of five senior executives who have previously
worked together and, as a group, have more than 85 years of in-market banking
experience.
We will capitalize on our management team's lending expertise by emphasizing
commercial/industrial, construction and commercial real estate loans. In
addition, we intend to provide highly personalized and value-added private
banking services, Internet banking and asset management products for business
owners, entrepreneurs, and other professional and executive customers. To
accelerate the implementation of our business plan, we have agreed to acquire
Premier Bank, a state-chartered bank with assets of approximately $58 million
and banking centers in Jefferson City and Columbia, Missouri.
OUR MARKET OPPORTUNITY
We believe that an opportunity exists as a result of the consolidation in the
banking industry. We believe this consolidation has created an attractive market
segment between the national and super-regional banks, on the one hand, and
community banks on the other hand. Larger financial institutions do not
generally provide the personalized service expected or demanded by many small to
medium-sized businesses and their principals. Smaller community banks lack the
capital strength to provide larger credit facilities and the customer base to
support the delivery of technologically advanced services. Upon completion of
the offering, we will have a lending capacity in excess of $5 million per
borrower. Our executive management team recognized this market opportunity and
elected to leave established careers in the financial services industry to join
with our chief executive officer in executing our business strategy. We have
selected Missouri for our initial activities because of our management team's
extensive experience in this market, local customer relationships, and the
state's favorable economic and demographic environment. We have targeted St.
Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, Jefferson City and Springfield as our initial
markets. Upon the acquisition of Premier Bank, we will have established
management teams in St. Louis, Jefferson City and Columbia and banking centers
in Columbia and Jefferson City. Immediately following the offering, we intend to
open a banking center in St. Louis.
We consider the Missouri economy and its attendant population and deposit growth
conducive to executing our strategy. Missouri has two prominent metropolitan
areas and is experiencing growth in its secondary cities. As of June 30, 1998,
bank deposits totaled approximately $73 billion and the state-wide population
exceeded 5.4 million. In addition, Missouri is adjacent to eight states, which
will facilitate our expansion into additional banking markets.
Missouri has been greatly affected by bank consolidation as out-of-state
financial institutions have entered the state by acquiring Missouri-based banks.
According to the FDIC, as of December 31, 1987, 596 depository institutions were
located in Missouri. By December 31, 1998, there were a total of 383 depository
institutions in Missouri, representing a decline of approximately 36% over the
referenced period.
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Several prominent financial institutions including Boatmen's National Bank, Mark
Twain Bank, Roosevelt Bank, Community Federal, and United Postal Savings, have
been acquired by affiliates of NationsBank, N.A. or Mercantile Bank, N.A. As
further evidence of the consolidation, Mercantile Bancorporation, Inc., the
largest independent banking organization headquartered in Missouri, recently
announced that it had entered into an agreement to be acquired by Firstar Corp.,
a super-regional bank holding company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
THE ACQUISITION OF PREMIER BANK
To accelerate the implementation of our business plan, we agreed, in May 1999,
to acquire Premier Bancshares, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Premier
Bank. Premier Bank offers us an existing charter as well as banking centers in
two of our five initially-targeted markets. Premier Bank is currently operating
its business in a manner similar to our business plan, targeting small and
medium-sized businesses and providing a high level of service. Premier Bank has
grown its loan portfolio principally through real estate lending. While real
estate loans represent a significant concentration of Premier Bank's loans, we
intend to broaden the focus of our loan portfolio. We will use the acquisition
of Premier Bank as a platform to expand our operations by building upon Premier
Bank's existing infrastructure, core processing and outsourcing relationships.
We expect to close the acquisition of Premier Bank immediately prior to the
closing of the offering.
EXPERIENCED EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM
Our executive management team includes individuals who have significant
experience serving our target markets. Richard C. Jensen, the President and
Chief Executive Officer of First Premier, has over 30 years of banking
experience, including 25 years in the St. Louis market. Prior to founding First
Premier, Mr. Jensen served as President of NationsBank St. Louis, formerly
Boatmen's National Bank of St. Louis, which as of June 30, 1998 had
approximately $5.3 billion in total deposits and 71 branches in the St. Louis
market area. We have hired Allan D. Ivie, IV to serve as the President of the
St. Louis market and John S. Rouse as our Chief Credit Officer. We have also
hired Sanford B. Scott as the Senior Vice President of Commercial Real Estate
and Daniel R. Sills as our Chief Financial Officer. All of the senior officers
have worked with Mr. Jensen at either Boatmen's or NationsBank, and the entire
group possesses over 85 years of banking experience in the Missouri markets.
This management team shares the same credit culture, is committed to the highest
level of customer service and responsiveness, and has substantial experience in
serving small and medium-sized businesses in Missouri. In addition, we will
continue to have the resources of current Premier Bank management, including
Bruce W. Wiley, the President of Premier Bank, who will serve as a director and
President of the Columbia and Jefferson City markets. As we expand into new
markets, we will attract local management teams who have significant banking
experience and strong community contacts for local business development.
OUR BANKING MODEL
Our banking model provides for each of our banking centers to have a high degree
of local autonomy in decision-making and lending authority. We will maintain
strict credit policies and procedures at the holding company level, and will
consolidate administrative functions at our company headquarters in St. Louis.
Our business strategy envisions that each banking center will operate as if it
were an independent community bank providing responsive, personalized service.
We will compensate management based on the performance of their banking centers
as well as our overall financial, operating and market performance. As we enter
new markets, we will undertake a marketing campaign using an officer calling
program and community-based promotions. Each market area will be supported by a
local board of directors, which will be provided with financial incentives to
assist in developing banking relationships throughout the community.
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OUR ADVANTAGE
We believe that we are well positioned to capitalize on the market opportunity
created by the consolidation in the banking industry because of the following:
- Larger Loans than Local Community Banks. Our capital structure will allow
us to make significantly larger loans than smaller community banks.
- Experienced Management Team. Our bank presidents and loan officers have
significant banking experience which has allowed them to develop valuable
customer relationships within our target markets.
- Local Decision-Making. Our management structure is organized to retain
local decision-making authority so that our officers will be able to provide
our customers with expedited loan decisions.
- Multi-Market Banking Franchise. We intend to expand into other markets
similar to our identified markets primarily through establishing new
branches of Premier Bank. We will also regularly evaluate potential
acquisitions of financial institutions in Missouri, as well as markets in
the adjacent states, that would complement or expand our business.
- Personalized Service. Our staff is committed to providing the type of
personalized service not generally available at larger financial
institutions.
- Competitive Technology. Our capital resources will allow us to acquire
technology solutions currently offered by the major national vendors through
strategic alliances and outsourcing arrangements.
OUR BUSINESS STRATEGY
We will implement our strategy by:
- Targeting small and medium-sized business customers who demand high levels
of personalized attention and customer service;
- Establishing a banking center in St. Louis, expanding into Kansas City and
Springfield, while continuing to enhance our current operations in Columbia
and Jefferson City;
- Staffing banking centers with community-minded and responsive management
teams that will have significant local decision-making authority;
- Operating with a few strategically located offices supported by outsourced
core processing and back room operations to increase efficiencies;
- Enhancing private banking relationships by offering a broad spectrum of
products and services, including securities brokerage services and
investment management services; and
- Offering our customers the convenience and advantages of Internet banking
while targeting businesses that have been identified as Internet users to
leverage our banking centers.
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THE OFFERING
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Common stock offered....................... 3,000,000 shares(1)
Common stock to be issued in the Premier
Bank acquisition......................... 1,000,000 shares(2)
Common stock to be outstanding after the
offering and the Premier Bank
acquisition.............................. 4,300,000 shares(3)
Use of proceeds............................ To provide additional capital to Premier
Bank, redeem our outstanding preferred
stock, fund expansion and for other
general corporate purposes.
Proposed Nasdaq National Market symbol..... "PREM"
</TABLE>
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(1) Does not include 450,000 shares which may be issued if the underwriters
decide to exercise their over-allotment option.
(2) Based on an assumed initial public offering price of $11.00 per share.
(3) Includes 300,000 shares of our common stock outstanding prior to the
offering. Does not include:
- 500,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our stock
option plan, of which options to purchase 329,475 shares will be awarded
on the offering date;
- warrants to purchase 115,798 shares which were issued to founders of First
Premier;
- warrants to purchase 100,000 shares which were issued to investors in a
June 1998 private placement; and
- warrants to purchase 210,000 shares to be issued to the underwriters,
assuming no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option.
All of these outstanding options and warrants, except for the underwriters'
warrants, are exercisable at the initial public offering price.
Our temporary offices are located at 13004 Starbuck Road, St. Louis, Missouri
63141 and our telephone number is (314) 514-8491. We are currently in the
process of negotiating for permanent office space in the St. Louis metropolitan
area.
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SUMMARY SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables set forth the summary of selected consolidated financial
data of Premier Bancshares and First Premier for the periods indicated. Premier
Bancshares' selected consolidated financial data as of December 31, 1997 and
1998 and for each of the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997, and 1998 are
derived from Premier Bancshares' consolidated financial statements, which have
been audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors. First Premier's selected
financial data as of December 31, 1998 and for the period from May 1, 1998
(Inception) to December 31, 1998 are derived from First Premier's financial
statements, which have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors. These
selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," First Premier's financial statements and notes and Premier
Bancshares' consolidated financial statements and notes, and financial and other
information included in other parts of this prospectus.
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PREMIER BANCSHARES FIRST PREMIER
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PERIOD FROM PERIOD FROM
APRIL 1 - YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, MAY 1, 1998
DECEMBER 31, ------------------------ (INCEPTION) TO
1995 1996 1997 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1998
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(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
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SUMMARY INCOME STATEMENT:
Interest income.......................... $ 515 $1,430 $2,175 $3,440 $ 21
Interest expense......................... 302 883 1,309 2,090 --
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Net interest income...................... 213 547 866 1,350 21
Provision for loan losses................ 64 80 112 292 --
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Net interest income after provision for
loan losses............................ 149 467 754 1,058 21
Noninterest income....................... 12 47 90 169 --
Noninterest expense...................... 324 627 736 1,196 3,720
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Income (loss) before income tax
expense................................ (163) (113) 108 31 (3,699)
Income tax expense....................... -- -- 11 9 --
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Net income (loss)........................ $ (163) $ (113) $ 97 $ 22 $(3,699)
====== ====== ====== ====== =======
Basic earnings (loss) per share.......... $(4.65) $(3.54) $ 2.99 $ 0.55 $(12.33)
====== ====== ====== ====== =======
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
Net interest margin(1)................... 7.13% 3.05% 3.32% 3.23%
Efficiency ratio(2)...................... 140.00 122.02 87.25 97.48
Return on average assets................. (2.04) (0.58) 0.34 0.05
Return on average equity................. (6.91) (3.60) 3.15 0.53
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(1) Computed by dividing net interest income by average earning assets.
(2) Computed by dividing noninterest expense by the sum of net interest income
and noninterest income.
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PREMIER BANCSHARES
------------------------------------- FIRST PREMIER
AT DECEMBER 31, -----------------
------------------------------------- AT
1995 1996 1997 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1998
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(dollars in thousands)
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SUMMARY BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Investment securities................ $ 5,398 $ 6,256 $ 5,418 $ 6,478 $ --
Loans, net........................... 6,264 15,206 23,342 41,171 --
Earning assets....................... 13,808 23,543 31,060 53,170 712
Total assets......................... 15,082 25,652 33,717 57,756 712
Noninterest-bearing deposits......... 341 2,576 1,478 2,817 --
Total deposits....................... 11,507 22,268 28,353 48,816 --
Federal Home Loan Bank advances...... -- -- 940 3,445 --
Note payable......................... 300 300 1,050 750 --
Shareholders' equity................. $ 3,191 $ 3,016 $ 3,222 $ 4,438 708
======= ======= ======= ======= ====
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:
Allowance for loan losses to total
loans............................. 1.00% 0.78% 0.89% 1.05%
Non-performing loans to total
loans............................. -- -- 0.69 0.23
Net charge-offs to average loans..... -- 0.22 0.12 0.20
CAPITAL RATIOS:
Total capital to risk-weighted
assets............................ 38.75% 18.63% 18.17% 11.62%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted
assets............................ 38.00 17.92 17.06 10.57
Tier 1 capital to average assets..... 22.46 12.97 10.05 7.87
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should
carefully consider the risks below and other information in this prospectus
before deciding to invest in our common stock. The risks and uncertainties
described below may not be the only ones we face. If any of the following risks
actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could
be materially and adversely affected. In this event, the trading price of our
common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
FIRST PREMIER HAS NO OPERATING HISTORY UPON WHICH TO BASE AN ESTIMATE OF OUR
FUTURE PERFORMANCE
We have no operating history on which to base any estimate of future
performance. We incorporated First Premier Financial Corporation on May 1, 1998
and have not engaged in any banking operations. Our prospects must be considered
in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by
companies in their early stages of development. We are at risk of not
successfully addressing the following:
- expansion into our identified markets;
- building our customer base;
- developing and retaining customer loyalty;
- responding to competitive developments;
- attracting, retaining and motivating qualified management and employees;
- maintaining efficient operations through outsourcing of back office
operations; and
- upgrading our technologies, products and services.
IF WE FAIL TO MANAGE GROWTH AS WE PURSUE OUR EXPANSION STRATEGY, IT COULD
NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS
Failure to manage our growth effectively or failure to attract and retain
qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, future
prospects, financial condition or results of operations, and could adversely
affect our ability to successfully implement our business strategy.
We intend to pursue an aggressive growth strategy and our results of operations
will be affected by our ability to:
- identify suitable markets;
- build our customer base;
- maintain credit quality;
- attract sufficient deposits to fund our anticipated loan growth;
- attract qualified bank management in each of our targeted markets;
- negotiate agreements with acceptable terms for the acquisition of existing
banks; and
- maintain adequate regulatory capital.
WE WILL HAVE BROAD DISCRETION IN USING THE PROCEEDS OF THE OFFERING
We will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds of this
offering. The timing and specific application of the net proceeds will remain in
the sole discretion of our management. Upon completion of the offering, we
intend to contribute approximately $20 million of the net proceeds to the
capital of Premier Bank to support future growth of its business, including the
opening of a banking center in the St. Louis market, and to use approximately $1
million to redeem the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock. The remainder of the
net proceeds will be applied in the future as needed to implement our business
plan. We intend to accomplish our expansion primarily through the opening of
additional banking centers in our identified markets, but our expansion in our
target markets could include one or more acquisitions of existing financial
institutions. You will not have the opportunity to evaluate the economic,
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financial and other relevant information which will be utilized by us in
determining the application of such proceeds.
OUR SUCCESS LARGELY DEPENDS UPON THE SKILL AND EXPERIENCE OF OUR SENIOR
MANAGEMENT TEAM
The success of our operations will depend upon the services of Richard C.
Jensen, our President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as other senior
officers and managers. The loss of any of these individuals could have a
material adverse effect on our business, future prospects, financial condition
or results of operations. We do not have key man life insurance with respect to
any of our officers. Our future success also depends on our ability to identify,
attract and retain qualified senior officers and other employees in our
identified markets.
WE WILL BE VERY DEPENDENT ON THIRD PARTY SUPPLIERS
We are dependent on third parties to provide a number of our core processing
functions. Our financial condition may suffer if the third parties we depend on
for outsourcing our back office operations, data processing and other products
and services either increase the cost of their services or fail to maintain the
operational integrity of their networks. As a result, the failure of the systems
of any of our third party providers could adversely affect our business
operations and financial condition.
OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED BY THE ABILITY OF OUR
BORROWERS TO REPAY THEIR LOANS
Lending money is an essential part of the banking business. However, borrowers
do not always repay their loans. The risk of non-payment is affected by:
- credit risks of a particular borrower;
- changes in economic and industry conditions;
- the duration of the loan; and
- in the case of a collateralized loan, uncertainties as to the future value
of the collateral.
Generally, commercial/industrial, construction and commercial real estate loans
present a greater risk of non-payment by a borrower than other types of loans.
Our focus on making these types of loans, especially our concentration in
commercial real estate loans, will make us more susceptible to the risk of non-
payment than other banks with a more diversified loan portfolio.
OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION AND OTHER RESULTS OF OPERATIONS WOULD BE ADVERSELY
AFFECTED IF OUR ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO ABSORB ACTUAL
LOSSES
There is no precise method of predicting loan losses. We can give no assurance
that our allowance for loan losses will be sufficient to absorb actual loan
losses. Excess loan losses could have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations. We will attempt to maintain an appropriate
allowance for loan losses to provide for potential losses in our loan portfolio.
We will periodically determine the amount of the allowance for loan losses based
upon consideration of several factors, including:
- an ongoing review of the quality, mix and size of the overall loan
portfolio;
- historical loan loss experience;
- evaluation of non-performing loans;
- assessment of economic conditions and their effects on the existing
portfolio; and
- the amount and quality of collateral, including guarantees, securing loans.
OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY OUR INABILITY TO ATTRACT
SUFFICIENT DEPOSITS TO FUND OUR ANTICIPATED LOAN GROWTH
We anticipate that we will need to attract significant levels of deposits to
fund our anticipated loan growth. Our ability to attract and maintain such
deposit levels will depend on our ability to attract new deposit
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customers. To the extent that funds generated by our deposit customers are
insufficient to fund our loan growth, we may need to raise additional funds
through public or private financings. We can give no assurance that we would be
able to obtain these funds on terms that are favorable to us.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXPAND THROUGH BRANCHING OR FIND SUITABLE ACQUISITION
CANDIDATES
We can give no assurance that we will be able to expand our existing market
presence or successfully enter new markets. In entering new markets, we may
encounter competitors with greater financial and operational resources. In our
attempt to establish new branches of Premier Bank, we may be unable to find
attractive locations, negotiate favorable lease terms, attract customers and may
encounter additional problems experienced by new branches.
Although we intend to expand primarily through selective branch openings, we
intend to evaluate potential acquisitions that would complement or expand our
business. In doing so, we expect to compete with other potential bidders, many
of which may have greater financial resources than we have. Failure to find
suitable acquisition candidates or expand our market presence would adversely
affect our ability to successfully implement our business strategy.
EVEN IF WE ARE ABLE TO FIND SUITABLE ACQUISITION CANDIDATES, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE
TO INTEGRATE ACQUISITIONS WITH OUR EXISTING OPERATIONS
The process of opening new bank locations and evaluating, negotiating and
integrating acquisition transactions will divert management time and resources.
We can give no assurance that we will be able to integrate successfully or
operate profitably any newly-established banking center or acquired financial
institution. We may experience disruption and incur unexpected expenses in
integrating these acquisitions. Failure to successfully integrate these
acquisitions could negatively affect our operations.
OUR BUSINESS COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IF WE ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN REGULATORY
APPROVALS IN A TIMELY MANNER
The establishment of branches or the acquisitions of banks in our identified
markets and other market areas will be subject to our receiving the necessary
regulatory approvals. Premier Bank will apply for approval to open a branch in
the St. Louis market. Failure to obtain this approval as well as future
regulatory approvals in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect on
our business, future prospects, financial condition or results of operations.
WE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY CHANGES IN THE LAW, ESPECIALLY CHANGES
DEREGULATING THE BANKING INDUSTRY
We will operate in a highly regulated environment and will be subject to
supervision and regulation by several governmental regulatory agencies,
including the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC, and the Missouri Division of
Finance. These regulations are generally intended to provide protection for
depositors and customers rather than for the benefit of investors. We will be
subject to changes in federal and state law, regulations, governmental policies,
income tax laws and accounting principles. Deregulation could adversely affect
the banking industry as a whole, including our operations. The effects of these
changes could adversely affect our future operations.
INTEREST RATE VOLATILITY COULD SIGNIFICANTLY HARM OUR BUSINESS
Our results of operations will be materially affected by the monetary and fiscal
policies of the federal government and the regulatory policies of governmental
authorities. Our profitability will be dependent to a large extent on our net
interest income, which is the difference between our income on interest-earning
assets, such as loans, and our expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as
deposits. A change in market interest rates could adversely affect our earnings.
Consequently, we will be particularly sensitive to interest rate fluctuations.
As we plan to hold most of the loans we originate internally, we will face a
greater risk of rapid changes in interest rates than banks which sell their
loans in secondary markets.
12
<PAGE> 14
WE WILL BE COMPETING WITH MANY LARGER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WHICH HAVE FAR
GREATER FINANCIAL RESOURCES THAN WE HAVE
Competition among financial institutions in the state of Missouri and our
identified markets is intense. We will compete with other bank holding
companies, state and national commercial banks, savings and loan associations,
consumer finance companies, credit unions, securities brokerages, insurance
companies, mortgage banking companies, money market mutual funds, asset-based
non-bank lenders and other financial institutions. Many of these competitors
have greater financial resources and lending limits, larger branch networks, and
are able to offer a broader range of products and services than we can. Failure
to compete effectively for deposit, loan and other banking customers in our
identified markets could have a material adverse effect on our business, future
prospects, financial condition or results of operations.
IF A MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK DOES NOT DEVELOP, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SELL
YOUR SHARES AS QUICKLY AS YOU MAY LIKE
There is no established public market for our common stock. We can not
guarantee:
- that any market for our common stock will develop;
- that any market for our common stock that develops will be liquid;
- that you will be able to sell the common stock you buy in this offering; or
- that you will be able to sell the common stock you buy in this offering at
any particular price.
Although we expect to have our common stock approved for quotation on The Nasdaq
National Market, an active trading market may not develop or continue after this
offering.
FUTURE SALES OF OUR COMMON STOCK COULD DEPRESS THE PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK
Sales of a substantial number of shares of common stock in the public market
following this offering, or the perception that sales could occur, could
adversely affect the market price for our common stock. After the offering, we
will have 4,300,000 shares of common stock outstanding (assuming no exercise of
the underwriters' over-allotment option and assuming that 1,000,000 shares will
be issued in the merger). In addition, we have a stock option plan under which
there will be options to purchase 500,000 shares of our common stock as well as
outstanding warrants to purchase 425,798 shares of common stock. Of the
4,300,000 shares which will be outstanding after the offering, the 3,000,000
shares being sold in this offering will be eligible for sale in the open market
without restriction, except for shares purchased by "affiliates" of First
Premier. 300,000 shares of common stock will be "restricted securities" as that
term is defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933 and will become
eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144 beginning in June 1999. Our officers,
directors and some of our existing shareholders, who hold an aggregate of
200,000 shares of common stock, have agreed not to sell any of their shares for
180 days following the closing of the offering without the prior written consent
of the underwriters. Following the expiration of this 180-day lock-up period,
these shares will be eligible for sale in the public market subject to
compliance with certain volume limitations and other conditions of Rule 144. The
market price of the common stock could be materially adversely affected by the
sale or availability for sale of shares now held by our existing shareholders or
of shares which may be issued under our stock option plan.
FUTURE SALES OF OUR COMMON STOCK BY SHAREHOLDERS OF PREMIER BANCSHARES COULD
DEPRESS THE PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock by shareholders of
Premier Bancshares following the offering could adversely affect the market
price for our common stock. Assuming an initial public offering price of $11.00
per share, in connection with the acquisition of Premier, 1,000,000 shares of
our common stock will be issued to shareholders of Premier Bancshares which will
be approximately 23% of the outstanding shares after the offering. Under the
terms of the merger agreement, these 1,000,000 shares may be sold in increasing
amounts during the 120-day period following the offering. After this
13
<PAGE> 15
120-day period, all Premier Bankshares' shareholders, except affiliates, will be
able to sell their shares without restriction.
In addition, Premier Bank and its officers and directors have agreed not to sell
any of their shares for 180 days following the offering. Following the
expiration of this 180-day lock period, these shares will be eligible for sale
in the public market subject to compliance with certain volume limitations and
other conditions of Rule 145 of the Securities Act of 1933.
OUR SUCCESS WILL BE DEPENDENT UPON ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN MISSOURI AND THE
SURROUNDING STATES
Our success will significantly depend upon economic conditions in Missouri and
the markets in which we will operate. A prolonged economic downturn or recession
in Missouri or in any of our identified markets, could cause our non-performing
assets to increase, which would cause operating losses, impaired liquidity and
the erosion of capital. Such an economic dislocation or recession could result
from a variety of causes, including a prolonged downturn in various industries
upon which these markets depend, or natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes
or earthquakes. Future adverse changes in the Missouri economy or the local
economies of our identified markets could have a material adverse effect on our
business, future prospects, financial condition or results of operations.
WE DO NOT EXPECT TO PAY DIVIDENDS ON OUR COMMON STOCK FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE
We intend to retain any earnings to enhance Premier Bank's capital structure for
the foreseeable future. As a holding company, First Premier will have no
significant independent sources of revenue. The principal source of funds to pay
dividends on our common stock, to service indebtedness and to fund operations
will be cash dividends and other payments that we receive from Premier Bank.
Accordingly, any dividends paid to our shareholders will depend on Premier
Bank's earnings, capital requirements, financial conditions and other factors
considered relevant by First Premier's board of directors.
WE WILL BE RESTRICTED IN OUR ABILITY TO PAY DIVIDENDS TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS
Premier Bank, which is a Missouri state-chartered bank, is restricted in its
ability to pay dividends under state banking laws and regulations. As of March
31, 1999, Premier Bank was unable to pay cash dividends on its common stock
without regulatory approval. In addition, sound banking practices require the
maintenance of adequate levels of capital. Federal regulatory authorities have
adopted standards for the maintenance of capital of banks, and adherence to such
standards may further limit the ability of banks to pay dividends. Therefore,
any money which is used to provide additional capital for Premier Bank will be
difficult for the holding company to recapture for its own purposes.
OUR ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY TARGET THE INTERNET BANKING MARKET WILL LARGELY
DEPEND ON OUR ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT THESE SERVICES AND REMAIN COMPETITIVE WITH
OTHER BANKS OFFERING SUCH SERVICES
The success of our Internet banking products and services will depend in large
part on our ability to implement and maintain the appropriate technology. This
includes finding a competitive provider of these services as well as our ability
to remain competitive with banks that are already using the Internet. If we are
unable to implement and maintain the appropriate technology efficiently, it
could affect our results of operations and our ability to compete with financial
institutions. In addition, as we will specifically target those businesses which
will be more likely to use the Internet for their banking needs, the success of
our Internet banking focus will be linked to the overall success of the
Internet.
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT OUR COMPUTER SYSTEMS, OR THOSE OF OUR DATA PROCESSING
VENDOR, WILL FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2000
As the year 2000 approaches, an important business issue has emerged regarding
existing application software programs and operating systems. Many existing
application software and operating products were designed to accommodate only a
two-digit year. For example, "99" is stored on the system to represent 1999. As
a result, any computer programs or equipment that are date dependent may
recognize a date
14
<PAGE> 16
using "00" as the year 1900 rather than 2000. The business of many of our
customers may be negatively affected by the Year 2000 issue, and any financial
difficulties incurred by our customers in connection with the century change
could negatively affect such customer's ability to repay loans. External
factors, including electric and telephone service, are beyond our control and
the failure of such systems could have a material adverse effect on us, our
customers and third parties on whom we will rely for our day-to-day operations.
Premier Bank uses Computer Services Incorporated, a third-party vendor, to
provide its primary banking applications, including core processing systems. In
the event that Premier, CSI or its other significant vendors or loan customers
do not successfully and timely achieve Year 2000 compliance, our business,
future prospects, financial condition or results of operations could be
materially adversely affected.
THE MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK AFTER THE OFFERING MAY BE INFLUENCED BY A
NUMBER OF FACTORS WHICH ARE BEYOND OUR CONTROL
If a market develops for our common stock after this offering, the price for the
common stock will be determined in the market and may be influenced by a number
of factors beyond our control. These factors include:
- depth and liquidity of the market;
- investor perceptions of our company;
- changes in conditions or trends in the banking industry or in the industries
of our significant customers;
- publicly traded comparable companies; and
- general economic and political conditions.
OUR RESULTS MAY FLUCTUATE FROM QUARTER TO QUARTER WHICH MAY AFFECT THE PRICE OF
OUR COMMON STOCK
The trading price of our common stock could be subject to significant
fluctuations in response to quarterly variations in our actual or anticipated
operating results, changes in general market conditions and other factors. In
particular, our quarterly revenues will be difficult to forecast and our
expected expense levels are based in part on our expansion strategy in
anticipation of loan growth and revenues generated from the new banking centers.
If our revenue levels are below expectations, we may be unable or unwilling to
reduce expenses proportionately and our operating results would likely be
adversely affected. Therefore, prior to the full implementation of our business
strategy, we believe that period to period comparisons of our results may not be
as meaningful as those of a company with a history of operations and should not
be relied upon as indications of future performance. It is possible that in
future quarters our operating results will be below the expectations of public
market analysts and investors. If this happens, the market price of our common
stock would likely be negatively affected. In recent years, significant price
and volume fluctuations have occurred in the stock prices of companies that
often have been unrelated or disproportionate to their operating performance. We
can give no assurance that the market price of our common stock will not decline
below the public offering price.
OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION CONTAINS PROVISIONS WHICH COULD SERVE TO DETER
OR PREVENT TAKE-OVER ATTEMPTS BY A POTENTIAL PURCHASER OF SHARES OF OUR COMMON
STOCK WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY A PREMIUM OVER MARKET PRICE
Our Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions which give the board of
directors the ability to deter or prevent a merger with a third party, even if
the owners of a majority of the common stock were to favor such a transaction.
Our Certificate of Incorporation also authorizes the board of directors to issue
a series of preferred stock without shareholder action. The issuance of
preferred stock could discourage a third party from attempting to acquire, or
make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, a controlling interest in
our company, and could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of
holders of the common stock. In addition, our Certificate of Incorporation
establishes a staggered board of directors, which means that only one-third of
the members of our board of directors is elected each year and each
15
<PAGE> 17
director serves for a term of three years. These provisions make it more
difficult for a third party to achieve a change in control in our company
without approval of the board of directors. As a result,
you may be deprived of opportunities to sell some or all of your shares at
prices that represent a premium over market prices.
AS AN INVESTOR IN THE OFFERING, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE AN IMMEDIATE AND SUBSTANTIAL
DILUTION
Purchasers in the offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution in
the net tangible book value of the common stock from the initial public offering
price. Without taking into account any changes in net tangible book value after
December 31, 1998, other than to give effect to the issuance of an estimated
1,000,000 shares in the merger and the sale of 3,000,000 shares of common stock
in this offering, based upon an initial public offering price of $11.00 per
share (the mid-point of the estimated range) and after deducting the
underwriting discount and the estimated offering expenses, our net tangible book
value at December 31, 1998 would have been approximately $34.3 million or $7.99
per share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of
$8.96 per share to the existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in the
net tangible book value of $3.01 to investors purchasing shares in the offering.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the information in this prospectus contains forward-looking information.
These statements are found in the sections entitled "Prospectus Summary," "Risk
Factors," "Use of Proceeds," "Dividend Policy," "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Business." They
include information concerning:
- growth and acquisition strategy;
- liquidity and capital expenditures;
- use of proceeds of the offering;
- financing plans;
- industry trends; and
- payment of dividends.
You can identify these statements by use of terms such as "expect," "believe,"
"goal," "plan," "intend," "estimate," "may," and "will" or similar words. These
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors, including those described in the "Risk Factors" section and other
parts of this prospectus, that could cause our actual results to differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements.
USE OF PROCEEDS
First Premier estimates that the net proceeds from the sale of the 3,000,000
shares of common stock will be approximately $30.2 million. If the underwriters
fully exercise the over-allotment option, the net proceeds of the share sold by
First Premier will be approximately $34.8 million. "Net proceeds" is what First
Premier expects to receive after paying the underwriting discount and offering
expenses. For the purpose of estimating net proceeds, First Premier is assuming
that the public offering price will be $11.00 per share.
Of the net proceeds we receive in this offering, we anticipate using:
- approximately $20 million to provide Premier Bank with additional capital;
- $999,000 to redeem the outstanding 99,900 shares of Series A Preferred
Stock; and
- $110,000 to pay a finder's fee to an affiliate in connection with the
acquisition of Premier.
The remaining net proceeds will be retained at the holding company level to fund
our expansion primarily through branching and the acquisition of existing banks
in Missouri and the adjacent states and for other
16
<PAGE> 18
general corporate purposes. Pending these uses, we will invest the net proceeds
of the offering in short-term, interest-bearing investment-grade securities,
certificates of deposits or guaranteed obligations of the United States.
Our Series A Preferred Stock was issued in June 1998 to a group of European
investors to provide capital primarily to support our start-up costs. Our
directors and officers and their affiliates do not own any shares of the Series
A Preferred Stock. We intend to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock at a
redemption price of $10.00 per share after this offering. In addition, we intend
to pay a $110,000 finder's fee to T. Stephen Johnson & Associates, Inc., an
affiliate of ours, in connection with the acquisition of Premier Bank. The
finder's fee represents one percent of the purchase price of Premier Bank.
Other than the acquisition of Premier, we have no understandings or agreements
with respect to any acquisition.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have not declared or distributed any dividends to our shareholders since we
incorporated. Our board of directors intends, for the foreseeable future, to
follow a policy of retaining any earnings to provide funds to operate and expand
our businesses. Therefore, it is not likely that any cash dividends on the
common stock will be declared for the foreseeable future.
Because First Premier's principal operations will be conducted through Premier
Bank, if we decide to pay dividends, First Premier will generate cash to pay
dividends primarily through dividends paid to the holding company from Premier
Bank. Accordingly, any dividends paid to our shareholders will depend on Premier
Bank's earnings, capital requirements, financial conditions and other factors
considered relevant by First Premier's board of directors. Premier Bank, which
is a Missouri state-chartered bank, is restricted in its ability to pay
dividends under state banking laws and regulations. As of March 31, 1999,
Premier Bank was unable to pay cash dividends on its common stock without
regulatory approval. Under Missouri law, a Missouri state bank may not pay
dividends from its capital. All dividends must be paid out of undivided profits,
after deducting expenses and losses. A Missouri state bank whose surplus account
for each dividend period does not equal at least 40% of the amount of its
capital is required to transfer to its surplus account 10% of its net income for
such dividend period. Retained earnings in excess of any such required transfer
to surplus are available for dividends. In addition, sound banking practices
require the maintenance of adequate levels of capital. Federal regulatory
authorities have adopted standards for the maintenance of capital of banks, and
adherence to such standards may further limit the ability of banks to pay
dividends.
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<PAGE> 19
CAPITALIZATION
The following table shows:
- the capitalization of First Premier as of December 31, 1998;
- the capitalization of First Premier on a pro forma basis to reflect the
issuance of an estimated 1,000,000 shares in connection with the acquisition
of Premier Bank (at an assumed initial public offering price of $11.00 per
share); and
- the capitalization of First Premier on a pro forma basis, as adjusted to
reflect the issuance of an estimated 1,000,000 shares in connection with the
acquisition of Premier Bank, the sale of 3,000,000 shares of common stock in
this offering (at an assumed initial public offering price of $11.00 per
share), the repurchase of 99,900 shares of preferred stock at a redemption
price of $10.00 per share.
The following table should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," First Premier's
financial statements and notes and Premier's consolidated financial statements
and notes and financial and other information included in other parts of this
prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1998
----------------------------------------------------
PRO FORMA
PRO FORMA AS ADJUSTED
FOR ACQUISITION OF FOR ACQUISITION
FIRST PREMIER PREMIER BANK AND OFFERING
------------- ------------------ ---------------
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share;
1,000,000 shares authorized; 99,900, 99,900
and 0 shares issued and outstanding.......... $ 999 $ 999 $ --
Common stock, $.01 par value per share;
20,000,000 shares authorized; 300,000,
1,300,000 and 4,300,000 shares issued and
outstanding(1)............................... 3 13 43
Additional paid-in capital...................... 3,297 4,183 34,343
Warrants to acquire 215,978 shares of common
stock at the initial public offering price... 108 108 108
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)......... (3,699) (191) (191)
Accumulated other comprehensive income.......... -- 34 34
------- ------ -------
Total shareholders' equity................... $ 708 $5,146 $34,337
======= ====== =======
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
(1) Excludes 500,000 shares reserved for issuance under our stock option plan
and 215,978 shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants, all of which
are exercisable at the initial public offering price.
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<PAGE> 20
DILUTION
First Premier's net tangible book value at December 31, 1998 was approximately
$(291,000) or $(0.97) per share of common stock. Net tangible book value per
share represents the amount of our total assets less intangible assets and total
liabilities, divided by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding.
After giving effect to:
- the sale of 3,000,000 shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed
initial public offering price of $11.00 per share and the use of proceeds
from the offering; and
- the issuance of an estimated 1,000,000 shares in connection with the
acquisition of Premier Bank
our pro forma net tangible book value at December 31, 1998 would have been $34.3
million or $7.99 per share of common stock. This represents an immediate
increase in such pro forma net tangible book value of $8.96 per share to our
existing shareholders, an immediate increase in the pro forma net tangible book
value of $3.55 per share to shareholders of Premier Bancshares and an immediate
dilution in the pro forma net tangible book value of $3.01 per share to
investors purchasing shares of common stock in the offering.
The following table illustrates the resulting per share dilution to new
investors:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Assumed initial public offering price per share(1).......... $11.00
Net tangible book value per share at December 31, 1998.... $(0.97)
Increase per share attributable to Premier Bancshares'
shareholders........................................... 3.19
Increase per share attributable to new investors(2)....... 5.77
------
Pro forma net tangible book value per share after the
offering.................................................. 7.99
------
Dilution per share to new investors(3)...................... $ 3.01
======
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
(1) Before deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses
payable by us.
(2) After deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses
payable by us.
(3) Excludes 500,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our
stock option plan and 215,798 shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants.
The following table summarizes, on a pro forma basis as of December 31, 1998,
the number of shares of common stock purchased from First Premier and the total
consideration paid, and the average per share consideration paid to First
Premier by existing shareholders, shareholders of Premier Bancshares and by new
investors purchasing the shares of common stock in this offering, assuming an
initial public offering price of $11.00 per share:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES PURCHASED TOTAL CONSIDERATION
------------------- --------------------- AVERAGE PRICE
NUMBER PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT PER SHARE
--------- ------- ----------- ------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Existing shareholders............... 300,000 6.98% $ 3,000 0.01% $ 0.01
Premier Bancshares' shareholders.... 1,000,000 23.26 4,438,161 11.85 4.44
New investors....................... 3,000,000 69.76 33,000,000 88.14 11.00
--------- ------ ----------- ------
Total.......................... 4,300,000 100.00% $37,441,161 100.00%
========= ====== =========== ======
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 21
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables set forth selected consolidated financial data of Premier
Bancshares and First Premier for the periods indicated. Premier Bancshares'
selected consolidated financial data as of December 31, 1997 and 1998 and for
each of the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 are derived from
Premier Bancshares' consolidated financial statements, which have been audited
by KPMG LLP, independent auditors. First Premier's selected financial data as of
December 31, 1998 and for the period from May 1, 1998 (Inception) to December
31, 1998 are derived from First Premier's financial statements, which have been
audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors. These selected consolidated financial
data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," First Premier's financial
statements and notes, Premier Bancshares' consolidated financial statements and
notes, and financial and other information included in other parts of this
prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREMIER BANCSHARES FIRST PREMIER
------------------------------------------ -----------------
PERIOD FROM PERIOD FROM
APRIL 1 - YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, MAY 1, 1998
DECEMBER 31, --------------------------- (INCEPTION) TO
1995 1996 1997 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1998
------------ ------- ------- ------- -----------------
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SUMMARY INCOME STATEMENT:
Interest income......................... $ 515 $ 1,430 $ 2,175 $ 3,440 $ 21
Interest expense........................ 302 883 1,309 2,090 --
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net interest income..................... 213 547 866 1,350 21
Provision for loan losses............... 64 80 112 292 --
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net interest income after provision for
loan losses........................... 149 467 754 1,058 21
Noninterest income...................... 12 47 90 169 --
Noninterest expense..................... 324 627 736 1,196 3,720
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income (loss) before income tax
expense............................... (163) (113) 108 31 (3,699)
Income tax expense...................... -- -- 11 9 --
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net income (loss)....................... $ (163) $ (113) $ 97 $ 22 $(3,699)
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Basic earnings (loss) per share......... $ (4.65) $ (3.54) $ 2.99 $ 0.55 $(12.33)
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
Net interest margin(1).................. 7.13% 3.05% 3.32% 3.23%
Efficiency ratio(2)..................... 140.00 122.02 87.25 97.48
Return on average assets................ (2.04) (0.58) 0.34 0.05
Return on average equity................ (6.91) (3.60) 3.15 0.53
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
(1) Computed by dividing net interest income by average earning assets.
(2) Computed by dividing noninterest expense by the sum of net interest income
and noninterest income.
20
<PAGE> 22
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREMIER BANCSHARES
------------------------------------- FIRST PREMIER
AT DECEMBER 31, -----------------
------------------------------------- AT
1995 1996 1997 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1998
------- ------- ------- ------- -----------------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SUMMARY BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Investment securities............ $ 5,398 $ 6,256 $ 5,418 $ 6,478 $ --
Loans, net....................... 6,264 15,206 23,342 41,171 --
Earning assets................... 13,808 23,543 31,060 53,170 712
Total assets..................... 15,082 25,652 33,717 57,756 712
Noninterest-bearing deposits..... 341 2,576 1,478 2,817 --
Total deposits................... 11,507 22,268 28,353 48,816 --
Federal Home Loan Bank
advances...................... -- -- 940 3,445 --
Note payable..................... 300 300 1,050 750 --
Shareholders' equity............. $ 3,191 $ 3,016 $ 3,222 $ 4,438 708
======= ======= ======= ======= ====
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:
Allowance for loan losses to
total loans................... 1.00% 0.78% 0.89% 1.05%
Non-performing loans to total
loans......................... -- -- 0.69 0.23
Net charge-offs to average
loans......................... -- 0.22 0.12 0.20
CAPITAL RATIOS:
Total capital to risk-weighted
assets........................ 38.75% 18.63% 18.17% 11.62%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted
assets........................ 38.00 17.92 17.06 10.57
Tier 1 capital to average
assets........................ 22.46 12.97 10.05 7.87
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 23
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
The unaudited pro forma financial data set forth below assumes that First
Premier was formed on January 1, 1998 and gives effect to the acquisition of
Premier Bancshares as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 1998 and was
accounted for as a reverse acquisition. The pro forma financial data set forth
below does not include the effects of this offering. The pro forma financial
data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations," First Premier's financial
statements and notes, Premier Bancshares' consolidated financial statements and
notes, and financial and other information included elsewhere in this
prospectus. The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the results
that would have been achieved had the acquisition of Premier Bank occurred on
January 1, 1998, or of future operations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREMIER
FIRST PREMIER BANCSHARES FIRST PREMIER
----------------- ------------ -------------
PERIOD FROM
MAY 1, 1998 YEAR ENDED
(INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, PRO FORMA
DECEMBER 31, 1998 1998 CONSOLIDATED
----------------- ------------ -------------
(in thousands, except per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
SUMMARY INCOME STATEMENT:
Interest income................................. $ 21 $ 3,440 $ 3,461
Interest expense................................ -- 2,090 2,090
-------- ------- -------
Net interest income............................. 21 1,350 1,371
Provision for loan losses....................... -- 292 292
-------- ------- -------
Net interest income after provision for loan
losses....................................... 21 1,058 1,079
Noninterest income.............................. -- 169 169
Noninterest expense............................. 3,720 1,196 4,916
-------- ------- -------
Income (loss) before income tax expense......... (3,699) 31 (3,668)
Income tax expense.............................. -- 9 9
-------- ------- -------
Net income (loss)............................... $ (3,699) $ 22 $(3,677)
======== ======= =======
Basic earnings (loss) per share................. $ (12.33) $ 0.55 $ (2.83)(1)
======== ======= =======
SUMMARY BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Investment securities........................... $ -- $ 6,478 $ 6,478
Loans, net...................................... -- 41,171 41,171
Earning assets.................................. 712 53,170 53,882
Total assets.................................... 712 57,756 58,468
Noninterest-bearing deposits.................... -- 2,817 2,817
Total deposits.................................. -- 48,816 48,816
Federal Home Loan Bank advances................. -- 3,445 3,445
Note payable.................................... -- 750 750
Shareholders' equity............................ 708 4,438 5,146
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
(1) Pro forma earnings (loss) per share have been computed based on an estimated
1,300,000 shares of common stock outstanding, which includes 1,000,000
shares of common stock to be issued to the shareholders of Premier
Bancshares in connection with the merger and 300,000 shares of common stock
of First Premier which are currently outstanding.
22
<PAGE> 24
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
First Premier was incorporated on May 1, 1998 to acquire or establish a bank in
Missouri. Prior to the acquisition of Premier, First Premier will have no
operating activities. The acquisition of Premier will be closed immediately
prior to the closing of the offering. Upon completion of the merger, Premier's
shareholders will own greater than 50% of the outstanding common stock of First
Premier, excluding the issuance of the shares in connection with the offering.
Accordingly, the merger will be accounted for as if Premier had acquired First
Premier, the consolidated financial statements of Premier will become the
historical consolidated financial statements of First Premier and no goodwill
will be recorded as a result of the merger.
First Premier has funded its start-up and organization costs through the sale of
units, consisting of common stock, preferred stock and warrants to purchase
shares of common stock. First Premier operated as a development company and had
no operating revenue during 1998. Costs incurred by First Premier during 1998
primarily related to costs associated with its formation, the development of its
business plan and identification of a potential merger candidate. At December
31, 1998, the assets of First Premier consisted solely of the remaining proceeds
from the sale of units. Accordingly, Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations of First Premier at December 31,
1998 and for the period then ended is not included in this prospectus.
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC.
Management believes that the acquisition of Premier will enable First Premier to
implement its strategy in the Jefferson City, Columbia and St. Louis market
areas and provide a platform for further expansion into other identified
markets. The purpose of the following discussion is to focus on significant
changes in the results of operations and the financial condition of Premier
during the three years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998. This discussion
and analysis is intended to supplement information contained in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements and the selected financial data and other
financial information presented elsewhere in this prospectus.
SUMMARY
In April, 1998, Premier opened a branch in Columbia, Missouri. Due primarily to
the one-time start-up costs related to this opening, the increased general
expenses associated with operating an additional branch, and additional
provision for loan losses resulting from the growth in Premier's loan portfolio,
Premier's net income for 1998 decreased $75,000, or 76.9%, to $22,000 from
$97,000 in 1997, an increase of $210,000 from the 1996 net loss of $113,000.
Basic earnings (loss) per share were $0.55 for 1998, $2.99 for 1997 and $(3.54)
in 1996. 1996 was the first full year of operations for Premier. Losses or
reduced earnings are typical for banks during start-up periods. The basic
earnings (loss) per share amounts are based upon Premier's historical weighted
average number of shares outstanding and do not reflect any pro forma
adjustments relating to the offering or the exchange of shares upon consummation
of the merger.
The decrease in net income from 1997 to 1998 was primarily attributable to
increased noninterest expense and provision for loan losses, partially offset by
increased net interest income and noninterest income. Noninterest expense
increased $460,000, or 62.6%, from $736,000 in 1997 to $1.2 million in 1998. The
provision for loan losses increased $180,000, or 159.8%, from $112,000 in 1997
to $292,000 in 1998. Net interest income increased $484,000 to $1.4 million in
1998 from $866,000 in 1997. Noninterest income increased $79,000, or 88.7%, to
$169,000 in 1998 from $90,000 in 1997.
Total assets at December 31, 1998 were $57.8 million, an increase of $24.0
million, or 71.3%, over total assets of $33.7 million at December 31, 1997.
Loans, net increased 76.4% to $41.2 million at
23
<PAGE> 25
December 31, 1998, from $23.3 million at December 31, 1997. Total deposits
increased 72.7% to $48.8 million at December 31, 1998 from $28.4 million at
December 31, 1997.
Shareholders' equity increased to $4.4 million at December 31, 1998 from $3.2
million at December 31, 1997. This increase was attributable to the proceeds
from the issuance of 9,231 additional shares of common stock totaling $1.2
million, retained net income of $22,000, and an increase in accumulated other
comprehensive income resulting from unrealized gains on debt and marketable
equity securities available-for-sale of $26,000, partially offset by the
purchase of 240 shares of treasury stock for $32,000.
The operating performance of Premier is reflected in the calculations of net
income as a percentage of average total assets ("Return on Average Assets") and
net income as a percentage of average shareholders' equity ("Return on Average
Equity"). During 1998, the Return on Average Assets and Return on Average Equity
were 0.05% and 0.53%, respectively, compared to 0.34% and 3.15%, respectively,
during 1997. Premier's ratio of total shareholders' equity to total assets
decreased to 7.68% at December 31, 1998 from 9.55% at December 31, 1997.
24
<PAGE> 26
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Interest Income
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain information
related to Premier's average balance sheet, its yields on average earning assets
and its average rates on interest-bearing liabilities. Such yields and rates are
derived by dividing income or expense by the average balance of the
corresponding assets or liabilities. Average balances have been derived from the
daily balances throughout the periods indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1997 1998
--------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------
INTEREST INTEREST INTEREST
AVERAGE INCOME/ YIELD/ AVERAGE INCOME/ YIELD/ AVERAGE INCOME/ YIELD/
BALANCE EXPENSE RATE BALANCE EXPENSE RATE BALANCE EXPENSE RATE
------- -------- ------ ------- -------- ------ ------- -------- ------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Earning assets:
Loans(1)................. $10,856 $1,008 9.29% $19,212 $1,750 9.11% $31,734 $2,850 8.98%
Securities and interest-
bearing deposits(2).... 5,857 359 6.13 5,670 356 6.29 6,474 408 6.29
Federal funds sold....... 1,225 63 5.12 1,245 69 5.52 3,621 182 5.03
------- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------
Total earning assets... 17,938 1,430 7.97 26,127 2,175 8.33 41,829 3,440 8.22
Cash and due from banks.... 375 571 1,111
Premises and equipment,
net...................... 1,168 1,382 1,895
Other assets............... 204 383 811
Allowance for loan
losses................... (93) (157) (290)
------- ------- -------
Total assets........... $19,592 $28,306 $45,356
======= ======= =======
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest-bearing
liabilities:
NOW...................... $ 429 $ 13 3.05% $ 654 $ 20 3.07% $ 828 $ 22 2.69%
Money market deposits.... 1,534 67 4.38 2,339 104 4.43 3,762 149 3.96
Savings deposits......... 1,681 87 5.16 4,615 243 5.26 8,572 402 4.68
Certificates of
deposit................ 11,677 688 5.89 15,382 886 5.76 22,797 1,312 5.75
FHLB advances............ -- -- -- 404 22 5.42 2,134 133 6.21
Note payable............. 300 28 9.25 425 34 7.99 838 72 8.65
------- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------
Total interest-bearing
liabilities.......... 15,621 883 5.65 23,819 1,309 5.50 38,931 2,090 5.37
------- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------
Noninterest-bearing demand
deposits................. 721 1,253 1,982
Other liabilities.......... 108 155 251
Shareholders' equity....... 3,142 3,079 4,192
------- ------- -------
Total liabilities and
shareholders'
equity............... $19,592 $28,306 $45,356
======= ======= =======
Net interest income........ $ 547 $ 866 $1,350
====== ====== ======
Net interest spread........ 2.32% 2.83% 2.85%
Net interest margin........ 3.05% 3.32% 3.23%
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
(1) Nonaccrual loans are included in the average loan amounts outstanding.
Interest on nonaccrual loans is recorded when received.
(2) The yield on securities is computed based upon the average balance of
securities at amortized cost and does not reflect the unrealized gains or
losses on such securities.
Net interest income is the principal component of a financial institution's
income stream and represents the difference or spread between interest and
certain fee income generated from earning assets and the
25
<PAGE> 27
interest expense paid on deposits and other borrowed funds. Fluctuations in
interest rates, as well as volume and mix changes in earning assets and
interest-bearing liabilities, can materially impact net interest income. Premier
had no investments in tax-exempt securities during 1996, 1997 and 1998.
Accordingly, no adjustment is necessary to facilitate comparisons on a taxable
equivalent basis.
Net interest income increased $484,000 to $1.4 million in 1998 from $866,000 in
1997. This increase in net interest income can be attributed to the growth in
average earning assets, partially offset by the growth in interest-bearing
deposits, Federal Home Loan Bank advances and the note payable. The trend in net
interest income is commonly evaluated using net interest margin and net interest
spread. The net interest margin, or net yield on average earning assets, is
computed by dividing fully taxable equivalent net interest income by average
earning assets. The net interest margin decreased 9 basis points to 3.23% in
1998 on average earning assets of $41.8 million from 3.32% in 1997 on average
earning assets of $26.1 million. This change is primarily due to a 11 basis
point decrease in the average yield on earning assets to 8.22% in 1998 from
8.33% in 1997, partially offset by a 13 basis point decrease in the average rate
paid on interest-bearing liabilities to 5.37% in 1998 from 5.50% in 1997. The
decreased yield on earning assets was primarily the result of lower market rates
on loans, which decreased from 9.11% in 1997 to 8.98% in 1998. The decrease in
the cost of interest-bearing liabilities is attributable to a decrease in rates
on all interest-bearing deposit categories, partially offset by an increase in
the average rates paid on Federal Home Loan Bank advances and the note payable.
Net interest income increased $319,000 to $866,000 in 1997 from $547,000 in
1996. This increase in net interest income is attributable to the growth in and
yield on average earning assets and the decrease in the average rate paid on
interest-bearing liabilities, partially offset by the growth in interest-bearing
liabilities. Net interest margin increased 27 basis points to 3.32% in 1997 on
average earning assets of $26.1 million from 3.05% in 1996 on average earning
assets of $17.9 million. The increased yield on earning assets was primarily the
result of the growth in average loans from $10.9 million in 1996 to $19.2
million in 1997, partially offset by a decrease in the average rate earned on
loans from 9.29% in 1996 to 9.11% in 1997. The decrease in the cost of
interest-bearing liabilities is attributable to a decrease in the average rates
paid on certificates deposits and the note payable.
The net interest spread increased two basis points to 2.85% in 1998 from the
1997 net interest spread of 2.83% as the cost of interest-bearing liabilities
decreased 13 basis points, which was substantially offset by the decrease in
yield on average earning assets of 11 basis points. The net interest spread
measures the absolute difference between the yield on average earning assets and
the rate paid on average interest-bearing sources of funds. The net interest
spread eliminates the impact of noninterest-bearing funds and gives a direct
perspective on the effect of market interest rate movements. This measurement
allows management to evaluate the variance in market rates and adjust rates or
terms as needed to maximize spreads.
The net interest spread increased 51 basis points to 2.83% in 1997 from a net
interest spread of 2.32% in 1996. The increase resulted from an increase in the
yield on average earning assets of 36 basis points and a 15 basis point decrease
in the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.
During recent years, the net interest margins and net interest spreads have been
under pressure, due in part to intense competition for funds with non-bank
institutions and changing regulatory supervision for some financial
intermediaries. This pressure on interest rate margins and spreads was
experienced by the banking industry nationwide.
To counter potential declines in the net interest margin and the interest rate
risk inherent in the balance sheet, Premier adjusts the rates and terms of its
interest-bearing liabilities in response to general market rate changes and the
competitive environment. Premier monitors the amounts of Federal funds sold
throughout the year, investing excess funds to maintain appropriate liquidity in
higher yielding investments such as short-term U. S. government and agency
securities. Premier will continue to manage its consolidated balance sheet and
its interest rate risk based on changing market interest rate conditions.
26
<PAGE> 28
Rate/Volume Analysis of Net Interest Income
The table below presents the changes in interest income and interest expense
attributable to volume and rate changes. The effect of a change in average
balance has been determined by applying the average rate in the initial year to
the change in average balance between the two years. The effect of change in
rate has been determined by applying the average balance in the initial year to
the change in the average rate between the two years. The net change
attributable to the combined impact of the volume and rate has been allocated to
both components in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amounts
of the change in each.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
COMPARED WITH COMPARED WITH
DECEMBER 31, 1996 DECEMBER 31, 1997
------------------------------ ----------------------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) DUE TO: INCREASE (DECREASE) DUE TO:
--------------------------- ---------------------------
VOLUME RATE TOTAL VOLUME RATE TOTAL
------- ----- ------ ------ ---- ------
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interest Earned On:
Loans............................. $762 $(20) $742 $1,125 $(25) $1,100
Securities and interest bearing
deposits........................ (12) 9 (3) 52 -- 52
Federal funds sold................ 1 5 6 120 (7) 113
---- ---- ---- ------ ---- ------
Total earning assets............ 751 (6) 745 1297 (32) 1,265
---- ---- ---- ------ ---- ------
Interest Paid On:
NOW deposits...................... 7 -- 7 5 (3) 2
Money market deposits............. 36 1 37 57 (12) 45
Savings deposits.................. 154 2 156 188 (29) 159
Certificates of deposit........... 213 (15) 198 428 (2) 426
Federal Home Loan Bank advances... 22 -- 22 111 -- 111
Note payable...................... 10 (4) 6 35 3 38
---- ---- ---- ------ ---- ------
Total interest-bearing
liabilities................... 442 (16) 426 824 (43) 781
---- ---- ---- ------ ---- ------
Net interest income............. $309 $ 10 $319 $ 473 $ 11 $ 484
==== ==== ==== ====== ==== ======
</TABLE>
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses is the expense of providing an allowance or
reserve for inherent losses on loans. The amount of the provision for each
period is dependent upon many factors, including loan growth, net charge-offs,
changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, delinquencies, management's
assessment of loan portfolio quality, the value of loan collateral and general
business and economic conditions.
The provision for loan losses charged to operations was $292,000 in 1998
compared to $112,000 in 1997. Net loans charged-off increased to $63,000 in 1998
as compared to $22,000 in 1997. Of the $63,000 in net charge-offs in 1998,
$61,000 was attributable to two real estate loans. Additionally, the balance of
loans outstanding increased 76.7% at December 31, 1998 as compared to December
31, 1997, while the allowance for loan losses increased 109.0%. At December 31,
1998 the allowance for loan losses represented 1.05% of total loans as compared
to 0.89% at December 31, 1997.
The provision for loan losses charged to operations was $112,000 in 1997
compared to $80,000 in 1996. Management's analysis of the allowance for loan
losses during 1997 and 1996 indicated no material changes in the quality of the
loan portfolio, economic outlook or other factors generally considered by
management. Accordingly, the increase in provision for loan losses for 1997 and
1996 was generally due to increases in the amount of loans outstanding.
27
<PAGE> 29
Noninterest Income
The following table presents an analysis of the noninterest income for the
periods indicated with respect to each major category of noninterest income:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% CHANGE % CHANGE
1996 1997 1998 1996-1997 1997-1998
------- ------- -------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Service charges on deposits............ $18,889 $34,930 $ 58,958 84.9% 68.8%
Loss on sale of securities, net........ -- (210) -- -- --
Other noninterest income............... 28,383 54,584 109,559 92.3 100.7
------- ------- --------
Total............................. $47,272 $89,304 $168,517 88.9% 88.7%
======= ======= ========
</TABLE>
Noninterest income consists of revenues generated from a broad range of
financial services, products and activities, including service charges on
deposits and other activities.
Noninterest income increased 88.7% to $169,000 in 1998 from $90,000 in 1997.
This increase resulted from the increase in service charges on deposits of
$24,000, or 68.8%, to $59,000 in 1998 from $35,000 in 1997 due to increased
deposit volume. Other noninterest income, which includes various recurring
noninterest income items such as gain on sale of loans, credit life insurance
income, safe deposit box fees and ATM fees, increased $55,000, or 100.7%, to
$110,000 in 1998 from $55,000 in 1997. The increase related primarily to the
increase in gain on sale of loans from $26,000 in 1997 to $70,000 in 1998,
resulting from the increase in the number of residential mortgage loans sold in
the secondary market.
Noninterest income increased 88.9% to $90,000 in 1997 from $47,000 in 1996. This
increase resulted primarily from higher service charges on deposits and an
increase in other income. Deposit volume growth increased service charges on
deposits by $16,000, or 84.9%, to $35,000 in 1997 from $19,000 in 1996. Other
income increased $26,000, or 92.3%, to $55,000 in 1997 from $28,000 in 1996.
Included in other income is gain on sales of loans, which increased 52.9% from
$17,000 in 1996 to $26,000 in 1997.
Noninterest Expense
The following table presents an analysis of the noninterest expense for the
periods indicated with respect to each major category of noninterest expense:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% CHANGE % CHANGE
1996 1997 1998 1996-1997 1997-1998
-------- -------- ---------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Salaries and employee benefits..... $298,307 $354,371 $ 598,308 18.8% 68.8%
Occupancy and equipment expense.... 82,030 118,965 188,108 45.0 58.1
Other noninterest expense.......... 247,024 262,315 409,498 6.2 56.1
-------- -------- ----------
Total.................... $627,361 $735,651 $1,195,914 17.3% 62.6%
======== ======== ==========
</TABLE>
Noninterest expense increased 62.6% to $1.2 million in 1998 from $736,000 in
1997 primarily as a result of the costs associated with the opening of the
Columbia branch in April 1998 and the continued growth in the operations in
Jefferson City. Management attributes this increase to an increase in personnel
costs, occupancy and equipment expense, and other operating expenses. Salaries
and employee benefits increased 68.8% to $598,000 in 1998 from $354,000 in 1997.
This increase is attributable to an increase in the number of full-time
equivalent employees from 11 in 1997 to 17 in 1998 reflecting the increase in
business as a result of the opening of the Columbia branch in April 1998, in
addition to normal increases in salaries. Occupancy and equipment expense
increased 58.1% to $188,000 in 1998 from $119,000 in 1997, primarily as a result
of opening of the new branch in Columbia. The increase in other noninterest
expense is attributable primarily to amounts associated with the operation and
promotion of the new Columbia branch, continued growth in the operations of the
Jefferson City location and an increase of $29,000 in directors' fees. Prior to
1998, due to the start-up nature of Premier, directors fees paid were nominal.
28
<PAGE> 30
Noninterest expense increased to $736,000 in 1997 from $627,000 in 1996.
Increases in personnel costs and occupancy expense were the primary factors for
the increase. Salaries and employee benefits expense increased 18.8% to $354,000
in 1997 from $298,000 in 1996. This increase resulted from an increase in the
number of full-time equivalent employees from seven in 1996 to 11 in 1997,
reflecting the increase in business during the second full year of operations,
in addition to normal increases in salaries. Occupancy and equipment expense
increased 45.0% to $119,000 in 1997 from $82,000 in 1996 due to 1997 including a
full year of depreciation on the Jefferson City location, which opened in 1996.
Other noninterest expenses increased 6.2% to $262,000 in 1997 from $247,000 in
1996. The increase in other noninterest expense is attributable primarily to
growth in the operations of the Jefferson City location.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense decreased to $9,000 in 1998 from $11,000 in 1997, reflecting
an effective tax rate of 27.6% for 1998, compared to an effective tax rate of
9.9% for 1997. The increase in the effective tax rate is due to a smaller
decrease in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets of $6,000 in 1998
compared to $39,000 in 1997. A deferred tax asset valuation allowance is
established if it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred
tax assets will not be realized. The deferred tax valuation allowance was
$57,000 and $63,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Certain income and expense items are recognized in different periods for
financial reporting purposes and for income tax return purposes. Deferred income
tax assets and liabilities reflect the differences between the values of certain
assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and for income tax
purposes, computed at the current tax rates. Deferred income tax expense is
computed as the change in Premier's deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax
liabilities and the valuation allowance. Premier's deferred income tax assets
consist principally of the financial statement reporting amount of the provision
for loan losses in excess of the amount reported for income tax purposes.
Net Income
Net income decreased 76.9% to $22,000 in 1998 from $97,000 in 1997. The decrease
in net income from 1997 to 1998 was primarily attributable to increased
noninterest expense, related primarily to the opening of the Columbia branch,
increased provision for loan losses, related to growth in the loan portfolio,
partially offset by increased net interest income and noninterest income. Basic
earnings per share decreased to $0.55 in 1998 from $2.99 in 1997. Return on
Average Assets decreased 29 basis points to 0.05% in 1998 from 0.34% in 1997.
Return on Average Equity decreased 262 basis points to 0.53% in 1998 from 3.15%
in 1997.
Net income for 1997 increased $210,000 from the 1996 net loss of $113,000 to net
income in 1997 of $97,000. The increase in net income for 1997 was attributable
to an increase in net interest income and an increase in noninterest income,
which were partially offset by an increase in noninterest expense and in income
tax expense. Basic earnings (loss) per share was $2.99 for 1997 and $(3.54) in
1996. Return on Average Assets increased 92 basis points to 0.34% in 1997 from
(0.58%) in 1996. Return on Average Equity increased 675 basis points to 3.15% in
1997 from (3.60%) in 1996.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Earning Assets
Average earning assets increased 60.1% to $41.8 million in 1998 from $26.1
million in 1997. During 1998, loans represented 75.9%, securities and interest
bearing deposits comprised 15.5% and Federal funds sold comprised 8.6% of
average earning assets. In 1997, loans comprised 73.5%, securities and interest
bearing deposits comprised 21.7% and Federal funds sold comprised 4.8% of
average earning assets. The variance in the mix of earning assets is primarily
attributable to continued growth of the loan portfolio. Premier manages its
securities portfolio to minimize interest rate fluctuation risk and to provide
liquidity.
29
<PAGE> 31
In 1998, growth in earning assets was funded primarily through an increase in
all deposit categories, Federal Home Loan Bank advances, the note payable and
shareholders' equity.
Loan Portfolio
Premier's total loans outstanding increased 76.7% to $41.6 million at December
31, 1998 from $23.6 million at December 31, 1997. Loan growth for 1998 was
funded primarily through the growth in deposits. The growth in the loan
portfolio primarily was a result of an increase in real estate loans of $15.1
million, or 78.3%, from December 31, 1997 to December 31, 1998. Average total
loans in 1998 were $31.7 million compared to $19.2 million in 1997. Premier
engages in a full complement of lending activities, including commercial, real
estate, installment and residential mortgage loans held for sale.
The following table presents various categories of loans contained in Premier's
loan portfolio for the periods indicated, the total amount of all loans for such
periods, and the percentage of total loans represented by each category for such
periods:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------------------
1997 1998
------------------------ ------------------------
BALANCE % OF TOTAL BALANCE % OF TOTAL
----------- ---------- ----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
TYPE OF LOAN
Commercial.............................. $ 2,905,207 12.3% $ 5,292,128 12.7%
Real estate............................. 19,329,657 82.1 34,465,883 82.8
Installment and others.................. 1,317,437 5.6 1,618,363 3.9
Loans held for sale..................... -- -- 233,165 0.6
----------- ----- ----------- -----
Total loans........................ $23,552,301 100.0% 41,609,539 100.0%
===== =====
Allowance for loan losses............... (210,000) (438,841)
----------- -----------
Loans, net......................... $23,342,301 $41,170,698
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
Commercial. This category of loans includes loans made to individual,
partnership or corporate borrowers, and obtained for a variety of business
purposes. At December 31, 1998, commercial loans represented 12.7% of
outstanding loan balances, compared to 12.3% at December 31, 1997.
Real Estate. Real estate loans consist of loans secured by owner-occupied
commercial properties, income producing properties and construction and land
development, as well as first and second mortgage loans on residential
properties. At December 31, 1998, real estate loans represented 82.8% of
outstanding loan balances, compared to 82.1% at December 31, 1997.
Installment and Others. Premier's installment loans consist primarily of loans
to individuals for personal, family and household purposes, education and other
personal expenditures. At December 31, 1998, installment and others represented
3.9% of outstanding loan balances, compared to 5.6% at December 31, 1997.
Loans Held For Sale. This category represents residential real estate loans in
the process of being sold to the secondary market. At December 31, 1998, loans
held for sale represented 0.6% of outstanding loan balances.
Premier's only area of credit concentration is commercial and commercial real
estate loans. Premier has not invested in loans to finance highly leveraged
transactions, such as leveraged buy-out transactions, as defined by the Federal
Reserve Board and other regulatory agencies. In addition, Premier had no foreign
loans or loans to lesser developed countries as of December 31, 1998.
While risk of loss in Premier's loan portfolio is primarily tied to the credit
quality of the borrowers, risk of loss may also increase due to factors beyond
Premier's control, such as local, regional and/or national economic downturns.
General conditions in the real estate market may also impact the relative risk
in
30
<PAGE> 32
Premier's real estate portfolio. Of Premier's target areas of lending
activities, commercial loans are generally considered to have greater risk than
real estate loans or installment loans.
From time to time, management of Premier has originated certain loans which,
because they exceeded Premier's legal lending limit, were sold to other banks.
As a result of the offering, Premier expects to have an increased lending limit.
Accordingly, Premier may, at its discretion, repurchase certain loan
participations, thereby increasing earning assets. Loan participation agreements
allow Premier to repurchase loans at the outstanding principal balance plus
accrued interest, if any, at Premier's discretion.
Premier also purchases participations from other banks. When Premier purchases
these participations, such loans are subjected to Premier's underwriting
standards as if Premier originated the loan. Accordingly, management of Premier
does not believe that loan participations purchased from other banks pose any
greater risk of loss than loans that Premier originates.
The repayment of loans in the loan portfolio as they mature is a source of
liquidity for Premier. The following table sets forth the maturity of Premier's
loan portfolio within specified intervals as of December 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DUE IN ONE YEAR OR LESS AFTER ONE THROUGH FIVE YEARS DUE AFTER FIVE YEARS TOTAL
- ----------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------- -----
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
$23,369 $15,673 $2,568 $41,610
======== ======= ====== =======
</TABLE>
The following table presents the maturity distribution as of December 31, 1998
for loans with predetermined fixed interest rates and floating interest rates by
various maturity periods:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AFTER ONE
DUE IN ONE THROUGH DUE AFTER FIVE
YEAR OR LESS FIVE YEARS YEARS TOTAL
------------ ----------------- -------------- -------
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interest Category
Predetermined fixed interest rate... $ 4,324 $ 8,928 $2,246 $15,498
Floating interest rate.............. 19,045 6,745 322 26,112
------- ------- ------ -------
Total............................ $23,369 $15,673 $2,568 $41,610
======= ======= ====== =======
</TABLE>
Asset Quality and Nonperforming Assets
At December 31, 1998 nonaccrual loans totaled $94,000, as compared to nonaccrual
loans of $161,000 at December 31, 1997. At December 31, 1998, no loans were past
due 90 days or more. At December 31, 1997, one loan totaling $315,000 was
contractually past due by 90 days or more as to principal and interest payments
and continued to accrue interest. At December 31, 1998 and 1997 there were no
loans classified as "troubled debt restructurings" as that term is defined in
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 15.
At December 31, 1998 and 1997, there were $899,000 and $436,000, respectively,
of loans in addition to those disclosed above that were internally classified as
substandard which (a) represented or resulted from trends or uncertainties which
management reasonably expects will materially impact future operating results,
liquidity, or capital resources, or (b) represented credits about which
management is aware of any information which causes management to have serious
doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with the loan repayment
terms. There are no loans other than those disclosed above where known
information about possible credit problems of borrowers causes management to
have serious doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with loan
repayment terms.
Premier has policies, procedures and underwriting guidelines intended to assist
in maintaining the overall quality of its loan portfolio. Premier monitors its
delinquency levels for any adverse trends. Non-performing assets consist of
loans on nonaccrual status, real estate and other assets acquired in partial or
full satisfaction of loan obligations and loans that are past due 90 days or
more.
31
<PAGE> 33
Premier's policy generally is to place a loan on nonaccrual status when it is
contractually past due 90 days or more as to payment of principal or interest. A
loan may be placed on nonaccrual status at an earlier date when concerns exist
as to the ultimate collections of principal or interest. At the time a loan is
placed on nonaccrual status, interest previously accrued but not collected is
reversed and charged against current earnings. Recognition of any interest after
a loan has been placed on nonaccrual is accounted for on a cash basis. Loans
that are contractually past due 90 days or more which are well secured or
guaranteed by financially responsible third parties and are in the process of
collection generally are not placed on nonaccrual status.
Allowance for Loan Losses and Net Charge-Offs
The allowance for loan losses represents management's estimate of an amount
adequate to provide for potential losses inherent in the loan portfolio. In its
evaluation of the allowance and its adequacy, management considers loan growth,
changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, the loan charge-off
experience, the amount of past due and nonperforming loans, current economic
conditions, underlying collateral values securing loans and other factors. While
it is Premier's policy to charge-off in the current period the loans in which a
loss is considered probable, there are additional risks of future losses that
cannot be quantified precisely or attributed to particular loans or classes of
loans. Because these risks include the state of the economy, management's
judgment as to the adequacy of the allowance is necessarily approximate and
imprecise.
An analysis of Premier's loss experience is furnished in the following table for
the periods indicated, as well as a detail of the allowance for loan losses:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
1997 1998
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Balance at beginning of period.............................. $120,000 $210,000
Charge-offs
Commercial................................................ (5,807) (1,427)
Real estate............................................... (10,000) (61,159)
Installment and others.................................... (6,833) (2,057)
Loans held for sale....................................... -- --
-------- --------
Total charge-offs...................................... (22,641) (64,643)
Recoveries:
Commercial................................................ -- --
Real estate............................................... -- 1,750
Installment and others.................................... 362 --
Loans held for sale....................................... -- --
-------- --------
Total recoveries....................................... 362 1,750
-------- --------
Net charge-offs............................................. (22,279) (62,893)
Provision for loan losses................................... 112,279 291,734
-------- --------
Balance at end of period.................................... $210,000 $438,841
======== ========
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans............ 0.12% 0.20%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans.... 0.89 1.05
</TABLE>
Net charge-offs were $63,000 or 0.20% of average loans outstanding in 1998 as
compared to $22,000 or 0.12% of average loans outstanding in 1997. The allowance
for loan losses increased 109.0% to $439,000 or 1.05% of loans outstanding at
December 31, 1998 from $210,000 or 0.89% of loans outstanding at December 31,
1997. The allowance for loan losses as a multiple of net loans charged off was
6.98 for the year ended December 31, 1998.
Net charge-offs decreased to $22,000 in 1997, representing 0.12% of average
loans outstanding, from $24,000 in 1996 or 0.22% of average loans outstanding.
The allowance for loan losses increased to $210,000
32
<PAGE> 34
or 0.89% of loans outstanding at December 31, 1997, from $120,000 or 0.78% of
loans outstanding at December 31, 1996.
In assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, management relies
predominantly on its ongoing review of the loan portfolio, which is undertaken
to ascertain whether there are probable losses which must be charged off and to
assess the risk characteristics of the portfolio as a whole. This review
encompasses the judgment of management, utilizing internal loan rating
standards, guidelines provided by the banking regulatory authorities governing
Premier, and their loan portfolio reviews as part of the bank examination
process
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors
for Impairment of a Loan" ("SFAS 114") was issued in May 1993. SFAS 114 requires
that impaired loans be measured based on the present value of expected future
cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or the fair value of
the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Premier adopted SFAS 114
during 1995, its year of formation. At December 31, 1998, Premier held impaired
loans of $94,000 for which specific allocations of $24,000 have been established
within the allowance for loan losses, based upon the fair value of the
collateral. At December 31, 1997, Premier held impaired loans of $161,000 for
which specific allocations of $28,000 have been established within the allowance
for loan losses, based upon the fair value of the collateral. Forgone interest
on impaired loans totaled $7,000 for both 1998 and 1997. For the periods
indicated, the allowance for loan losses was allocated to the various loan
categories as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------------------
1997 1998
------------------------ ------------------------
CATEGORY AS A CATEGORY AS A
AMOUNT % OF TOTAL AMOUNT % OF TOTAL
-------- ------------- -------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Commercial................................. $ 14,526 12.3% $ 26,461 12.7%
Real estate................................ 188,887 82.1 298,885 82.8
Installment and others..................... 6,587 5.6 8,092 3.9
Loans held for sale........................ -- -- -- 0.6
Unallocated................................ -- -- 105,403 --
-------- ----- -------- -----
Total................................. $210,000 100.0% $438,841 100.0%
======== ===== ======== =====
</TABLE>
In considering the adequacy of Premier's allowance for loan losses, management
has focused on the fact that as of December 31, 1998, 12.7% of outstanding loans
are in the category of commercial loans and 82.8% are in real estate loans.
Commercial loans are generally considered by management to have greater risk
than other categories of loans in Premier's loan portfolio. Generally, such
loans are secured by accounts receivable, marketable securities, deposit
accounts, equipment and other fixed assets, which reduces the risk of loss
inherently present in commercial loans. Real estate loans secured by commercial
real estate inherently have a higher risk due to depreciation of the facilities,
limited purposes of the facilities and the effect of general economic
conditions. Premier attempts to limit this risk by generally lending no more
than 80% of the appraised value of the property held as collateral. A portion of
the real estate portfolio represents residential real estate mortgages where the
amount of the original loan generally does not exceed 85% of the appraised value
of the collateral. These loans are considered by management to be well secured
with a low risk of loss. At December 31, 1998, the majority of Premier's
installment and other loans were secured by collateral primarily consisting of
automobiles, boats and other personal property.
Premier's primary regulator, the Missouri Division of Finance, conducts periodic
examinations of the loan portfolio. Upon completion, the Missouri Division of
Finance presents its report of examination to Premier's board of directors and
management of Premier. Procedures are also performed related to the loan
portfolio in conjunction with the year-end audit by Premier's independent
accountants. Procedures performed include analyses of historical performance,
the level of nonconforming and rated loans, loan volume and activity, review of
loan files and consideration of economic conditions and other pertinent
information. Findings are communicated verbally to Premier's management.
Information provided from the
33
<PAGE> 35
above two independent sources, together with information provided by the
management of Premier and other information known to members of Premier's board
of directors, is utilized by Premier's board of directors to monitor the loan
portfolio and the allowance for loan losses. Specifically, Premier's board of
directors attempts to identify risks inherent in the loan portfolio (e.g.,
problem loans, potential problem loans and loans to be charged off), assess the
overall quality and collectibility of the loan portfolio, and determine amounts
of the allowance for loan losses and the provision for loan losses to be
reported based on the results of their review.
Investment Portfolio
Total debt and marketable equity securities available-for-sale increased 19.6%
to $6.5 million at December 31, 1998 from $5.4 million at December 31, 1997. At
December 31, 1998, debt and marketable equity securities available-for-sale
totaled $6.4 million, with an unrealized gain of $34,000, net of tax effect. At
December 31, 1997, debt and marketable equity securities available-for-sale
totaled $5.4 million, with an unrealized gain of $8,000, net of tax effect.
Average debt and marketable equity securities as a percentage of average earning
assets decreased to 15.5% in 1998 from 21.7% in 1997.
Premier invests primarily in direct obligations of the United States,
obligations guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States and
obligations of agencies of the United States. In addition, Premier enters into
Federal funds transactions with its principal correspondent banks, and acts as a
net seller of such funds. The sale of Federal funds amounts to a short-term loan
from Premier to another bank.
Proceeds from maturities of debt and marketable equity securities
available-for-sale increased 38.1% to $3.5 million in 1998 from $2.6 million in
1997. No debt and marketable equity securities available-for-sale were sold
during 1998. In 1997, debt and marketable equity securities available-for-sale
of $553,000 were sold with a resulting loss on sales of $210. Such proceeds are
generally used to reinvest in additional debt and marketable equity securities
available-for-sale.
Other investments primarily represent Federal Home Loan Bank stock that is
required for Premier to be a member of and to conduct business with such
institution. Dividends on such investment are determined by the institutions and
are payable quarterly. Other investments increased 121.3% to $176,000 at
December 31, 1998 from $80,000 at December 31, 1997. Other investments are
carried at cost, as such investments do not have readily determinable fair
values.
During 1998 and 1997, Premier did not invest in collateralized mortgage
obligations ("CMOs"). In addition, at December 31, 1998, the debt and marketable
equity securities available-for-sale portfolio did not include any U.S.
government agency investments that are defined as derivatives or structured
notes.
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the carrying amount of
Premier's debt and marketable equity securities available-for-sale, including
mortgage-backed securities.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------
1997 1998
----------------------- -----------------------
BALANCE % OF TOTAL BALANCE % OF TOTAL
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Debt securities:
U.S. Treasury securities.................... $ 765,583 14.1% $ 512,810 7.9%
U.S. government corporations and agencies... 3,757,744 69.4 4,893,647 75.6
Obligations of state and political
subdivisions............................. 361,096 6.7 370,159 5.7
Mortgage-backed securities.................. 453,827 8.4 525,429 8.1
---------- ----- ---------- -----
Total debt securities.................... $5,338,250 98.6% $6,302,045 97.3%
---------- ----- ---------- -----
</TABLE>
34
<PAGE> 36
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------
1997 1998
----------------------- -----------------------
BALANCE % OF TOTAL BALANCE % OF TOTAL
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Equity securities:
Federal Home Loan Bank stock................ $ 77,000 1.4% $ 173,400 2.7%
Other....................................... 2,500 -- 2,500 --
---------- ----- ---------- -----
Total equity securities.................. $ 79,500 1.4% $ 175,900 2.7%
---------- ----- ---------- -----
Total.................................... $5,417,750 100.0% $6,477,945 100.0%
========== ===== ========== =====
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1998, $525,000 or 8.1% of the debt and marketable equity
securities available-for-sale portfolio consisted of mortgage-backed securities
compared to $454,000 or 8.4% at December 31, 1997. Premier has segregated its
debt and marketable equity securities portfolio into securities held-to-maturity
and available-for-sale. Debt and marketable equity securities held-to-maturity
are those securities for which management has both the ability and intent to
hold to maturity and are carried at amortized cost. At December 31, 1998 and
1997, no debt and marketable equity securities were classified as held-to-
maturity. Debt and marketable equity securities available-for-sale are
securities identified by management as securities which may be sold prior to
maturity in response to various factors including liquidity needs, capital
compliance, changes in interest rates or portfolio risk management. The
available-for-sale debt and marketable equity securities provide interest income
and serve as a source of liquidity for Premier.
These securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses,
net of tax effect, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income, a
separate component of shareholders' equity.
Debt and marketable equity securities available-for-sale with a carrying value
of approximately $1.4 million and $1.5 million at December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively, were pledged to secure public funds and for other purposes as
required or permitted by law.
The maturities and weighted average yields of the debt and marketable equity
securities available-for-sale portfolio at December 31, 1998 are presented in
the following table using primarily the stated maturities, excluding the effects
of prepayments.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AFTER ONE AFTER FIVE WEIGHTED
ONE YEAR THROUGH THROUGH AFTER TEN AVERAGE
OR LESS FIVE YEARS TEN YEARS YEARS YIELD(1)
-------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. Treasury securities........... $251,560 $ -- $ 261,250 $ -- 6.24%
U.S. Government corporations and
agencies......................... 501,713 1,352,199 2,784,428 255,307 6.10%
Obligations of states and political
subdivisions..................... -- 370,159 -- -- 6.17%
Mortgage-backed securities......... -- 368,724 156,705 -- 5.96%
-------- ---------- ---------- --------
Total debt securities(2)........... $753,273 $2,091,082 $3,202,383 $255,307 6.10%
======== ========== ========== --------
Weighted average yield............. 6.25% 6.02% 6.20% 5.13%
======== ========== ========== ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
(1) Premier has not invested in any tax-exempt obligations.
(2) As of December 31, 1998, except for the U.S. Government and its agencies,
there was not any issuer within the investment portfolio who represented 10%
or more of the shareholders' equity.
Deposits
Premier's average deposits increased 56.5%, or $13.7 million, to $37.9 million
during 1998 from $24.2 million during 1997. This growth primarily relates to the
Columbia branch opened in April 1998 and the continued growth of the Jefferson
City branch, and resulted in a 52.8% increase in average noninterest-bearing
demand deposits, a 26.6% increase in average NOW accounts, a 60.8% increase in
average money
35
<PAGE> 37
market accounts, an 85.8% increase in average savings accounts and a 48.2%
increase in average certificates of deposit.
Average noninterest-bearing deposits increased 58.2% to $2.0 million in 1998
from $1.3 million in 1997. As a percentage of average total deposits, these
deposits remained constant at 5.2% in 1998 and 1997. Noninterest-bearing
deposits increased 90.6% to $2.8 million at December 31, 1998, from $1.5 million
at December 31, 1997.
Average NOW accounts increased 26.6% to $828,000 in 1998 from $654,000 in 1997.
As a percentage of average total deposits, these deposits decreased to 2.2% of
average total deposits in 1998 as compared to 2.7% in 1997. NOW accounts
increased 72.6% to $1.2 million at December 31, 1998, from $709,000 at December
31, 1997.
Average money market accounts increased 60.8% to $3.8 million in 1998 from $2.3
million in 1997. As a percentage of average total deposits, these deposits
increased to 9.9% of average total deposits in 1998 as compared to 9.6% in 1997.
Money market accounts increased 111.2% to $4.9 million at December 31, 1998,
from $2.3 million at December 31, 1997.
Average savings accounts increased 85.8% to $8.6 million in 1998 from $4.6
million in 1997. As a percentage of average total deposits, these deposits
increase to 22.6% of average total deposits in 1998 as compared to 19.0% in
1997. Savings accounts increased 104.4% to $12.5 million at December 31, 1998,
from $6.1 million at December 31, 1997.
Average certificates of deposit increased 48.2% to $22.8 million in 1998 from
$15.4 million in 1997. As a percentage of average total deposits, these deposits
decreased to 60.1% of average total deposits in 1998 as compared to 63.5% in
1997. Certificates of deposit increased 54.6% to $27.5 million at December 31,
1998, from $17.8 million at December 31, 1997.
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the average amount of
and average rate paid on each of the following deposit categories:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------------
1997 1998
--------------------- ---------------------
AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE
BALANCE RATE BALANCE RATE
----------- ------- ----------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DEPOSIT CATEGORY
Noninterest-bearing demand................... $ 1,253,307 --% $ 1,982,363 --%
NOW.......................................... 654,229 3.07 828,494 2.69
Money market deposits........................ 2,339,249 4.43 3,761,926 3.96
Savings deposits............................. 4,614,491 5.26 8,572,118 4.68
Certificates of deposit...................... 15,382,207 5.76 22,796,540 5.75
----------- -----------
Total................................... $24,243,483 5.16% $37,941,441 4.96%
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
36
<PAGE> 38
Certificates of deposit will continue to be a major source of funding for
Premier. However, there is no specific emphasis placed on time deposits of
$100,000 and over. During l998, aggregate average balances of time deposits of
$100,000 and over comprised 4.4% of average total deposits. The average rate on
certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more decreased to 5.40% at December 31,
1998, compared to 5.72% at December 31, 1997. The following table indicates
amounts outstanding of certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more and
respective maturities:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
---------------- -----------------
AVERAGE AVERAGE
AMOUNT RATE AMOUNT RATE
------ ------- ------- -------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
3 months or less..................................... $1,499 5.53% $ 3,662 5.25%
3-6 months........................................... 1,436 5.69 2,454 5.58
6-12 months.......................................... 1,880 5.80 3,854 5.36
Over 12 months....................................... 1,469 5.85 1,226 5.65
------ -------
Total........................................... $6,284 5.72% $11,196 5.40%
====== ==== ======= ====
</TABLE>
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Note Payable
Average Federal Home Loan Bank advances increased to $2.1 million in 1998 from
$404,000 in 1997. Premier is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des
Moines. At December 31, 1998, Premier had a borrowing capacity from the Federal
Home Loan Bank of $4.9 million. The balance of Federal Home Loan Bank advances
outstanding was $3.4 million and $940,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively. At December 31, 1998, $250,000 of the Federal Home Loan Bank
advance balance had a weighted average interest rate of 6.18% and was due to
mature in one year or less, while the remaining $3.2 million, with a weighted
average interest rate of 5.70%, is due to mature after five years. At December
31, 1998, $2.2 million of the Federal Home Loan Bank advances were used to
"match fund" loans made by Premier to borrowers at interest rates ranging from
2.14% to 2.75% over the rate paid on the Federal Home Loan Bank advance. Terms
of the Federal Home Loan Bank advances generally match term loans to the
borrower. Thus, by match funding long-term loans with long-term advances,
Premier can reduce certain interest rate risks. The remaining $1.2 million in
Federal Home Loan Bank advances were for general funding purposes, and are not
specifically matched to any of Premier's loans or securities. Federal Home Loan
Bank advances are secured under a blanket agreement which assigns all Federal
Home Loan Bank stock and one-to-four family mortgage loans equal to 130% of the
outstanding advance balance.
The average balance of the note payable increased 97.1% to $838,000 in 1998 as
compared to $425,000 in 1997. The outstanding balance of the note payable was
$750,000 and $1,050,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The note
payable is a term loan with an unaffiliated financial institution that bears
interest at the prime rate (7.75% at December 31, 1998), is due on November 15,
1999 and is secured by 35,020 common shares of Premier Bank stock.
Capital Resources
Shareholders' equity increased 37.8% to $4.4 million at December 31, 1998 from
$3.2 million at December 31, 1997. This increase was attributable to the
proceeds from the issuance of 9,231 additional shares of common stock totaling
$1.2 million, retained net income of $22,000, and an increase in accumulated
other comprehensive income resulting from unrealized gains on debt and
marketable equity securities available for sale of $26,000, partially offset by
the purchase of 240 shares of treasury stock for $32,000.
37
<PAGE> 39
Average shareholders' equity as a percentage of total average assets is one
measure used to determine capital strength. The ratio of average shareholders'
equity to average assets decreased to 9.24% in 1998 from 10.88% in 1997 and
16.04% in 1996 due to the continued growth of Premier Bank. The actual and
minimum required capital amounts and ratios for Premier Bank at December 31,
1997 and 1998 are as follow:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REGULATORY CAPITAL CALCULATION
-------------------------------------
1997 1998
----------------- -----------------
AMOUNT PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT
------- ------- ------- -------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Tier 1 risk based:
Actual............................................ $ 4,215 22.40% $ 5,074 12.19%
Minimum required.................................. 753 4.00 1,665 4.00
------- ----- ------- -----
Excess above minimum.............................. $ 3,462 18.40% $ 3,409 8.19%
======= ===== ======= =====
Total risk-based:
Actual............................................ $ 4,425 23.51% $ 5,513 13.24%
Minimum required.................................. 1,505 8.00 3,330 8.00
------- ----- ------- -----
Excess above minimum.............................. $ 2,920 15.51% $ 2,183 5.24%
======= ===== ======= =====
Leverage:
Actual............................................ $ 4,215 13.20% $ 5,074 9.09%
Minimum required.................................. 958 3.00 1,675 3.00
------- ----- ------- -----
Excess above minimum.............................. $ 3,257 10.20% $ 3,399 6.09%
======= ===== ======= =====
Total risked weighted assets................... $18,818 $41,729
======= =======
Total average assets........................... $31,925 $55,848
======= =======
</TABLE>
The various federal bank regulators, including the Federal Reserve and the FDIC,
have risk-based capital requirements for assessing bank capital adequacy. These
standards define capital and establish minimum capital standards in relation to
assets and off-balance sheet exposures, as adjusted for credit risks. Capital is
classified into two tiers. For banks, Tier 1 or "core" capital consists of
common shareholders' equity, qualifying noncumulative perpetual preferred stock
and minority interests in the common equity accounts of consolidated
subsidiaries, reduced by goodwill, other intangible assets and certain
investments in other corporations ("Tier 1 Capital"). Tier 2 Capital consists of
Tier 1 Capital, as well as a limited amount of the allowance for loan losses,
certain hybrid capital instruments (such as mandatory convertible debt),
subordinated and perpetual debt and non-qualifying perpetual preferred stock
("Tier 2 Capital").
At December 31, 1994, a risk-based capital measure and a minimum ratio standard
was fully phased in, with a minimum total capital ratio of 8.00% and Tier 1
Capital equal to at least 50% of total capital. The Federal Reserve also has a
minimum leverage ratio of Tier 1 Capital to total assets of 3.00%. The 3.00%
Tier 1 Capital to total assets ratio constitutes the leverage standard for bank
holding companies and Bank Insurance Fund-insured state chartered non-member
banks, and is used in conjunction with the risk-based ratio in determining the
overall capital adequacy of banking organizations. The FDIC has similar capital
requirements for BIF-insured state chartered non-member banks.
The Federal Reserve and the FDIC have emphasized that the foregoing standards
are supervisory minimums and that an institution would be permitted to maintain
such minimum levels of capital only if it were rated a composite "one" under the
regulatory rating systems for bank holding companies and banks. All other bank
holding companies are required to maintain a leverage ratio of 3.00% plus at
least 1.00% to 2.00% of additional capital. These rules further provide that
banking organizations experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions will
be expected to maintain capital positions substantially above the minimum
supervisory levels and comparable to peer group averages, without significant
reliance on intangible assets. The Federal Reserve continues to consider a
"tangible Tier 1 leverage ratio" in evaluation proposals for expansion or new
activities. The tangible Tier 1 leverage ratio is the ratio of a banking
organization's Tier 1 Capital less all intangibles, to total average assets less
all intangibles.
38
<PAGE> 40
Premier Bank's Tier 1 (to risk-weighted assets) capital ratio decreased to
12.19% at December 31, 1998 from 22.40% at December 31, 1997. Premier Bank's
total risk based capital ratio decreased to 13.24% at December 31, 1998 from
23.51% at December 31, 1997. Premier Bank's capital ratios decreased due to the
continued leveraging of existing capital through growth in the loan portfolio.
These ratios exceed the minimum capital adequacy guidelines imposed by
regulatory authorities on banks and bank-holding companies, which are 4.00% for
Tier 1 capital and 8.00% for total risk based capital. The ratios also exceed
the minimum guidelines imposed by the same regulatory authorities to be
considered "well-capitalized," which are 6.00% of Tier 1 capital and 10.00% for
total risk based capital.
Premier does not have any commitments that it believes would reduce Premier
Bank's capital to levels inconsistent with the regulatory definition of a "well
capitalized" financial institution.
Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity Management
Liquidity is the ability of a company to convert assets into cash or cash
equivalents without significant loss and to raise additional funds by increasing
liabilities. Liquidity management involves maintaining Premier's ability to meet
the day-to-day cash flow requirements of its customers, whether they are
depositors wishing to withdraw funds or borrowers requiring funds to meet their
credit needs.
The primary function of asset/liability management is not only to assure
adequate liquidity in order for Premier to meet the needs of its customer base,
but to maintain an appropriate balance between interest-sensitive assets and
interest-sensitive liabilities so that Premier can profitably deploy its assets.
Both assets and liabilities are considered sources of liquidity funding and both
are, therefore, monitored on a daily basis.
Interest rate sensitivity is a function of the repricing characteristics of
Premier's portfolio of assets and liabilities. These repricing characteristics
are the time frames within which the interest-earnings assets and
interest-bearing liabilities are subject to change in interest rates either at
replacement, repricing or maturity during the life of the instruments. Interest
rate sensitivity management focuses on repricing relationships of assets and
liabilities during periods of changes in market interest rates. Interest rate
sensitivity is managed with a view to maintaining a mix of assets and
liabilities that respond to changes in interest rates within an acceptable time
frame, thereby managing the effect of interest rate movements on net interest
income. Interest rate sensitivity is measured as the difference between the
volume of assets and liabilities that are subject to repricing at various time
horizons. The differences are interest sensitivity gaps: less than one month,
one to three months, four to 12 months, one to five years, over five years and
on a cumulative basis.
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<PAGE> 41
The following table shows interest sensitivity gaps for these different
intervals as of December 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ONE ONE- FOUR- OVER NON-
MONTH THREE TWELVE ONE-FIVE FIVE- INTEREST
OR LESS MONTHS MONTHS YEARS YEARS SENSITIVE TOTAL
------- ------- -------- -------- ------ --------- -------
(dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Earning assets:
Securities and
interest-bearing
deposits.......... $ 435 $ 1,388 $ 2,798 $ 2,057 $ 35 $ 176 $ 6,889
Federal funds sold... 5,111 -- -- -- -- -- 5,111
Loans................ 13,927 2,375 7,067 15,673 2,315 253 41,610
------- ------- -------- ------- ------ ------- -------
Total earning
assets.......... $19,473 $ 3,763 $ 9,865 $17,730 $2,350 $ 429 $53,610
======= ======= ======== ======= ====== ======= =======
LIABILITIES
Interest-bearing
liabilities:
NOW deposits......... $ 1,225 -- -- -- -- -- $ 1,225
Money market
deposits.......... 4,858 -- -- -- -- -- 4,856
Savings deposits..... 12,454 -- -- -- -- -- 12,454
Certificates of
deposit $100,000
or more........... 741 2,921 6,308 1,226 -- -- 11,196
Certificates of
deposits less than
$100,000.......... 2,739 4,144 7,574 1,811 -- -- 16,268
Federal Home Loan
Bank advances..... -- -- 250 -- 3,195 -- 3,445
Note payable......... -- -- 750 -- -- -- 750
------- ------- -------- ------- ------ ------- -------
Total interest-
bearing
liabilities..... $22,015 $ 7,065 $ 14,882 $ 3,037 $3,195 -- $50,194
Non-interest bearing
demand deposits...... -- -- -- -- -- $ 2,817 2,817
------- ------- -------- ------- ------ ------- -------
Total
liabilities..... $22,015 $ 7,065 $ 14,882 $ 3,037 $3,195 $ 2,817 $53,011
======= ======= ======== ======= ====== ======= =======
Interest sensitivity
gap:
Amount............... $(2,542) $(3,302) $ (5,017) $14,693 $ (845) $(2,388)
======= ======= ======== ======= ====== =======
Cumulative amount.... $(2,542) $(5,844) $(10,861) $ 3,832 $2,987 $ 599
Percent of total
earning assets.... (4.74)% (6.16)% (9.36)% 27.41% (1.58)% (4.45)%
Cumulative percent of
total earning
assets............ (4.74)% (10.90)% (20.26)% 7.15% 5.57%
Ratio of rate sensitive
assets to rate
sensitive
liabilities.......... 0.88 0.53 0.66 5.84 0.74
Cumulative ratio of
rate sensitive assets
to rate sensitive
liabilities.......... 0.88 0.80 0.75 1.08 1.06
</TABLE>
In the current interest rate environment, the liquidity and maturity structure
of Premier's assets and liabilities are important to the maintenance of
acceptable performance levels. A decreasing rate environment negatively impacts
earnings as Premier's rate-sensitive assets generally reprice faster than its
rate-sensitive liabilities. Conversely, in an increasing rate environment,
earnings are positively impacted. This asset/liability mismatch in pricing is
referred to as gap ratio and is measured as rate sensitive assets divided by
rate sensitive liabilities for a defined time period. A gap ratio of 1.00 means
that assets and liabilities are perfectly matched as to repricing. Management
has specified gap ratio guidelines for a one-
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<PAGE> 42
year time horizon of between 0.80 and 1.20. At December 31, 1998, Premier had
gap ratios of approximately 0.80 for the next three month time period and 0.75
for the one year period ending December 31, 1999. Thus, over the next twelve
months, rate-sensitive assets will reprice slightly faster than rate-sensitive
liabilities.
The allocations used for the interest rate sensitivity report above were based
on the maturity schedules for the loans and deposits and the duration schedules
for the investment securities. All interest-bearing demand deposits and savings
deposits were allocated to the one month or less category. Changes in the mix of
earning assets or supporting liabilities can either increase or decrease the net
interest margin without affecting interest rate sensitivity. In addition, the
net interest spread between an asset and its supporting liability can vary
significantly while the timing of repricing for both the asset and the liability
remain the same, thus impacting net interest income. This is referred to as
basis risk and, generally, relates to the possibility that the repricing
characteristics of short-term assets tied to Premier's prime lending rate are
different from those of short-term funding sources such as certificates of
deposit.
Varying interest rate environments can create unexpected changes in prepayment
levels of assets and liabilities, which are not reflected in the interest
sensitivity analysis report. Prepayments may have significant effects on
Premier's net interest margin. Because of these factors and in a static test,
interest sensitivity gap reports may not provide a complete assessment of
Premier's exposure to changes in interest rates. Management utilizes
computerized interest rate simulation analysis to determine Premier's interest
rate sensitivity. The table above indicates Premier is in a liability sensitive
gap position for the first year, then moves into a matched position through the
five-year period. Overall, due to the factors cited, current simulation results
indicate a relatively low sensitivity to parallel shifts in interest rates. A
liability sensitive bank will generally benefit from a falling interest rate
environment as the cost of interest-bearing liabilities falls faster than the
yields on interest-bearing assets, thus creating a widening of the net interest
margin. Conversely, an asset sensitive bank will benefit from a rising interest
rate environment as the yields on earning assets rise faster than the costs of
interest-bearing liabilities. Management also evaluates economic conditions, the
pattern of market interest rates and competition to determine the appropriate
mix and repricing characteristics of assets and liabilities required to produce
a targeted net interest margin. In addition to the gap analysis, management uses
rate shock simulation to measure the rate sensitivity of its investment
portfolio. Rate shock simulation is a modeling technique used to estimate the
impact of changes in rates on the market value of Premier's investment
portfolio. Premier measures its interest rate risk by estimating the changes in
the market value resulting from instantaneous and sustained parallel shifts in
interest rates of plus or minus 300 basis points. Premier's most recent rate
shock simulation analysis which was performed as of December 31, 1998, indicates
that a 300 basis points increase in rates would cause a decrease in market value
of investment securities of $640,000. Conversely, a 300 basis points decrease in
rates would cause an increase in market value of investment securities of
$219,000.
While this simulation is a useful measure of Premier's sensitivity to changing
rates, it is not a forecast of the future results and is based on many
assumptions that, if changed, could cause a different outcome. In addition, a
change in U.S. Treasury rates in the designated amounts accompanied by a change
in the shape of the Treasury yield curve would cause significantly different
changes to net interest income than indicated above.
Generally, Premier's commercial and commercial real estate loans are indexed to
the prime rate. A portion of Premier's investment in mortgage-backed securities
is indexed to U.S. Treasury rates. Accordingly, any changes in these indices
will have a direct impact on Premier's interest income. The majority of
Premier's savings deposits are based on competitive interest rates in the
market. Certificates of deposit are generally priced based upon current market
conditions that include changes in the overall interest rate environment and
pricing of such deposits by competitors. Other interest-bearing deposits are not
priced against any particular index, but rather, reflect changes in the overall
interest rate environment. The Federal funds sold rate and other borrowed funds
are indexed to U.S. Treasury rates. Premier adjusts the rates and terms of its
loans and interest-bearing liabilities in response to changes in the interest
rate environment.
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Premier does not currently engage in trading activities or use derivative
instruments to manage interest rate risk. December 31, 1998, debt securities
available-for-sale with a carrying value of $6.0 million are scheduled to mature
within the next five years. Of this amount, $753,000 is scheduled to mature
within one year. Premier's main source of liquidity is Federal funds sold.
Average Federal funds sold were $3.6 million in 1998, or 8.8% of average earning
assets, compared to $1.2 million in 1997, or 4.8% of average earning assets.
Federal funds sold totaled $5.1 million at December 31, 1998, or 9.6% of earning
assets, compared to $1.8 million at December 31, 1997, or 5.8% of earning
assets.
At December 31, 1998, loans with a carrying value of approximately $39.0 million
are scheduled to mature or reprice within the next five years. Of this amount,
$23.4 million is scheduled to mature or reprice within one year. At December 31,
1998, certificates of deposit with a carrying value of approximately $26.5
million are scheduled to mature within the next three years. Of this amount,
$20.9 million is scheduled to mature within one year.
Premier's average loan-to-deposit ratio was 83.64% during 1998 and 79.25% during
1997. Management attempts to manage Premier's loan-to-deposit ratio on an
average basis, as opposed to on a daily basis.
Premier has short-term funding available through its membership in the Federal
Home Loan Bank. Further, the Federal Home Loan Bank membership provides the
availability of participation in loan programs with varying maturities and
terms. At December 31, 1998, Premier had availability of borrowing up to an
additional $4.9 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank under a line of credit.
There are no known trends, demands, commitments, events or uncertainties that
will result in or that are reasonably likely to result in liquidity increasing
or decreasing in any material way.
It is not anticipated that First Premier will find it necessary to raise
additional funds to meet expenditures required to operate the business of First
Premier and Premier over the next twelve months. All anticipated material
expenditures for such period have been identified and provided for out of the
proceeds of the offering. See "Use of Proceeds."
YEAR 2000 READINESS
First Premier will utilize and will be dependent upon data processing systems
and software to conduct its business. The approach of the Year 2000 presents a
problem in that many computer programs have been written using two digits rather
than four to define the applicable year. Computer programs that have time-
sensitive software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather than
the Year 2000. For example, computer systems may compute payment, interest,
delinquency or other figures important to the operations of First Premier based
on the wrong date. This could result in internal system failure or
miscalculation, and also creates risk for First Premier from third parties with
whom we deal on financial transactions.
Following the acquisition of Premier Bank, First Premier will use Premier Bank's
existing computer and data processing systems and will be dependent upon these
systems for its own operations. Premier Bank is utilizing CSI, a third-party
vendor, to provide its primary banking applications, including core processing
systems. In addition, Premier Bank also uses CSI's software for certain
ancillary computer applications. CSI has given Premier Bank assurances of Year
2000 compliance on core loan, deposit and accounting-related programming. The
following discusses in greater detail Premier Bank's efforts to become Year 2000
compliant.
The FDIC has issued guidelines for insured financial institutions with respect
to Year 2000 compliance. Premier Bank has developed a Year 2000 action plan
based in part on the guidelines and timetables issued by the FDIC. Premier
Bank's action plan focuses on four primary areas: (1) information systems, (2)
embedded systems located at Premier Bank's offices and within its off-site ATM
machines, (3) third party and customer relationships, and (4) contingency
planning. Premier Bank has designated a Year 2000 compliance team, headed by its
Vice President/Cashier, who reports to the board of directors.
Information Systems. Premier Bank has identified all mission critical
information ("IT") systems and has developed a schedule for testing and
remediation of such systems. Testing of key computer hardware
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<PAGE> 44
has been completed, and Premier Bank has also completed mission critical
hardware modification or replacement. Premier Bank has completed its inventory
of mission critical software and is in the process of contacting software
vendors for certification of Year 2000 compliance. Testing of internal mission
critical systems was completed and no problems were identified.
Embedded Systems. Premier Bank has performed a comprehensive inventory of its
embedded systems, such as micro-controllers used to operate security systems,
and has completed its inventory of mission critical non-IT systems. Premier Bank
has contacted manufacturers and vendors of those components utilized in
operations to determine whether such components are Year 2000 compliant. Premier
Bank has remediated or replaced, as applicable, any non-compliant components and
expects to complete this process for mission critical systems by June 30, 1999.
Third Party and Customer Relationships. Premier Bank is in the process of
initiating communications with all suppliers and vendors to determine the
potential impact of such third parties' failure to remediate their own Year 2000
issues. These third parties include other financial institutions, office supply
vendors and telephone, electric and other utility companies. Premier Bank is
encouraging its counterparties and customers to conduct their own Year 2000
assessment and take appropriate steps to become Year 2000 compliant.
Premier Bank outsources its principal data processing activities to CSI, and
Premier Bank is actively communicating with and monitoring the progress of such
institution to assess the impact of Year 2000 issues on such institution and its
ability to provide such data processing services. Premier Bank will consider new
business relationships with alternate providers of products and services if
necessary. Additionally, Premier Bank has initiated communications with its
larger and commercial borrowers to assess the potential impact of Year 2000 on
them and their ability to remain current on loan repayments.
Contingency Plans. As part of Premier Bank's normal business practice, it
maintains contingency plans to follow in the event of emergency situations, some
of which could arise from Year 2000-related problems. Premier Bank has
formulated a detailed Year 2000 contingency plan, which assesses several
possible scenarios to which Premier Bank may be required to react. Premier
Bank's formal Year 2000 contingency plan was completed in the first quarter of
1999.
Financial Implications. Management of Premier Bank currently does not expect
the amounts required to be expensed to resolve Year 2000 issues to have a
material effect on its financial position or results of operations. Premier Bank
currently estimates that the costs of assessing, testing and remediation of Year
2000 issues totaled approximately $6,500 in 1998 and are expected to total
approximately $9,000 in 1999. The anticipated costs associated with Premier
Bank's Year 2000 compliance program do not include time and costs that may be
incurred as a result of any potential failure of third parties to become Year
2000 compliant or costs to implement Premier Bank's contingency plans.
Potential Risks. The Year 2000 issue presents a number of risks to the business
and financial condition of Premier Bank. External factors, which include but are
not limited to electric and telephone service, are beyond the control of Premier
Bank and the failure of such systems could have a material adverse effect on
Premier Bank, its customers and third parties on whom Premier Bank relies for
its day-to-day operations. The business of many of Premier Bank's customers may
be negatively affected by the Year 2000 issue, and any financial difficulties
incurred by Premier Bank's customers in connection with the century change could
negatively affect such customer's ability to repay loans to Premier Bank. The
failure of Premier Bank's computer system or applications or those operated by
customers or third parties could have a material adverse effect on Premier
Bank's results of operations and financial condition. In addition, as the Year
2000 approaches, Premier Bank may be required to keep higher levels of
noninterest earning assets due to its need to keep extra cash reserves
available.
The foregoing are forward-looking statements reflecting management's current
assessment and estimates with respect to Premier Bank's Year 2000 compliance
efforts and the impact of Year 2000 issues on Premier Bank's business and
operations. Various factors could cause actual plans and results to differ
materially from those contemplated by such assessments, estimates and
forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond the control of Premier
Bank. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, representations by
Premier Bank's vendors and counterparties, technological advances, economic
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<PAGE> 45
considerations and consumer perceptions. Premier Bank's Year 2000 compliance
program is an ongoing process involving continual evaluation and may be subject
to change in response to new developments.
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June, 1997 the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Financial
Accounting Standards No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income ("SFAS 130") which
establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its
components (revenues, expenses, gains, and losses) in a full set of
general-purpose financial statements. Premier adopted SFAS 130 on January 1,
1998. SFAS 130 is a disclosure requirement and had no impact on Premier's
consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information ("SFAS
131") which establishes standards for the way that public enterprises report
information about operating segments in annual financial statements and requires
that those enterprises report selected information about operating segments in
interim reports issued to stockholders. SFAS 131 is effective for financial
statements for periods beginning after December 15, 1997. As Premier operates as
a single segment, it has no reporting requirements under SFAS 131.
In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities ("SFAS 133")
which establishes standards for derivative instruments, including certain
derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities.
SFAS 133 requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or
liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments
at fair value. SFAS 133 is effective for all fiscal years beginning after June
15, 1999. Earlier application of SFAS 133 is encouraged but the pronouncement
should not be applied retroactively to financial statements of prior periods.
Premier is currently evaluating the requirements and impact of SFAS 133, but as
Premier has not invested in any investments that are defined as derivatives,
SFAS 133 is expected to have no impact on its consolidated financial position or
results of operations.
EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES
Inflation generally increases the cost of funds and operating overhead, and to
the extent loans and other assets bear variable rates, the yields on such
assets. Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all of the assets and
liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature. As a result,
interest rates generally have a more significant impact on the performance of a
financial institution than the effects of general levels of inflation. Although
interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or to the same
extent as the prices of goods and services, increases in inflation generally
have resulted in increased interest rates. In addition, inflation affects
financial institutions through increased cost of goods and services purchased,
the cost of salaries and benefits, occupancy expense, and similar items.
Inflation and related increases in interest rates generally decrease the market
value of investments and loans held and may adversely effect liquidity,
earnings, and shareholders' equity. Mortgage originations and refinancings tend
to slow as interest rates increase, and can reduce Premiers' earnings from such
activities and the income from the sale of residential mortgage loans in the
secondary market.
MONETARY POLICIES
The results of operations of First Premier and Premier will be affected by
credit policies of monetary authorities, particularly the Federal Reserve Board.
The instruments of monetary policy employed by the Federal Reserve Board include
open market operations in U.S. Government securities, changes in the discount
rate on member bank borrowings, changes in reserve requirements against member
bank deposits and limitations on interest rates which member banks may pay on
time and savings deposits. In view of changing conditions in the national
economy and in the money markets, as well as the effect of action by monetary
and fiscal authorities, including the Federal Reserve Board, no prediction can
be made as to possible future changes in interest rates, deposit levels, loan
demand or the business and earnings of First Premier or Premier.
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BUSINESS
GENERAL
We were incorporated on May 1, 1998 to create a multi-market banking franchise
focusing on small to medium-sized business customers, selected real estate
developers and the principals of these businesses who have become dissatisfied
with the impersonal service delivered by super-regional and national banks. We
formed First Premier with the intent of acquiring an existing financial
institution which would provide a platform for expansion throughout Missouri.
Immediately prior to the closing of the offering, First Premier will acquire
Premier Bancshares, Inc., a Missouri bank holding company for Premier Bank, a
state-chartered commercial bank, as its entry into the Jefferson City and
Columbia, Missouri market areas.
Our strategy is to capitalize on the opportunities created by widespread
consolidation in the banking industry. We believe that this consolidation has
compromised customer relationships as the larger regional financial institutions
increasingly focus on larger corporate customers, standardized loan and deposit
products and other services. More specifically, many financial institutions have
centralized their loan approval practices for small businesses, leaving less
responsibility and authority with the traditional loan officer. By virtue of
their banking experience in Missouri, management believes that the most frequent
customer complaints are based on a lack of personalized service and turnover in
lending personnel, which limits the customer's ability to develop a relationship
with his or her banker. As a result of these factors, we believe there currently
exists a significant opportunity to attract and maintain customers who are
dissatisfied with their banks. We also believe we can attract experienced
management personnel within our identified markets.
To implement our business plan, we have assembled a senior management team with
over 85 years of banking experience in our identified markets. Our management
team is headed by Richard C. Jensen, who has over 25 years of banking experience
in the St. Louis market. Prior to founding the company, Mr. Jensen served as
President of NationsBank St. Louis, formerly Boatmen's National Bank of St.
Louis which, as of June 1998, had approximately $5.3 billion in total deposits
and over 71 branches in the St. Louis market. We believe that the combination of
Mr. Jensen's 25 years of experience in the Missouri banking industry, his
extensive network of contacts throughout the state and his management skills
will provide the leadership necessary for First Premier to implement its
business strategy. In addition, all members of the senior management team have
worked with Mr. Jensen at either Boatmen's National Bank or NationsBank. As a
group, the senior management team has over 85 years of banking experience in the
Missouri markets. The senior management team shares the same credit culture and
will be responsible for maintaining strict credit policies and procedures as
well as managing administrative functions at the company headquarters in St.
Louis. This management team has gained prominence in servicing small and
medium-sized businesses and their principals throughout Missouri, which should
allow them to continue to provide quality service for these types of customers.
We expect that the familiarity of the senior management team with each other, as
well as with the various Missouri communities, will also provide a strong
foundation for implementing our business plan. In addition, we will have the
resources of management of Premier Bank and their existing relationships in the
Columbia and Jefferson City markets.
We intend to open a banking center in the St. Louis market following the
completion of the offering. Future business plans include further expansion in
the Jefferson City and Columbia markets and entry into the markets of Kansas
City and Springfield. We expect to establish banking centers in each new market
area, primarily through the opening of new branches of Premier Bank. We will
also, however, evaluate opportunities for acquisitions of financial institutions
in Missouri as well as markets in the adjacent states that would complement or
expand our business. Within each of our targeted markets, we expect to offer a
broad range of banking products and services, focusing primarily on small and
medium-sized businesses and their principals. Although we will offer a variety
of loan products, we expect to emphasize commercial/industrial and construction
and commercial real estate lending. We will also promote private banking
services and asset management products for our professional and executive
customers.
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We will have a community banking approach that emphasizes responsive and
personalized service to our customers. Our expansion strategy includes
attracting strong local management teams who have significant banking
experience, strong community contacts and strong business development potential
in our identified markets. Once local management teams are assembled, we intend
to establish banking centers in each of the identified markets. We currently
have management teams in place in the St. Louis, Columbia and Jefferson City
markets. Each management team will operate one or more banking centers within
its particular market area, will have a high degree of local decision-making and
lending authority and will operate in a manner that provides responsive,
personalized services similar to an independent community bank. In addition,
local management will be compensated based on the performance of their
respective banking centers and the overall financial and market performance of
the bank. We expect that upon our entry into a new market area, we will
undertake a marketing campaign using an officer calling program and
community-based promotions. Each market area will be supported by a local board
of directors, which will be provided with financial incentives to assist in the
development of banking relationships throughout the community.
First Premier will provide a variety of centralized support services to each of
the banking centers, including:
- accounting and back office support operations;
- investment portfolio management;
- credit administration and review;
- human resources;
- administration;
- training; and
- strategic planning.
Core processing, check clearing and other similar functions will be outsourced
to third-party vendors. As a result, we believe that these operating strategies
will enable First Premier to achieve cost efficiencies, to maintain consistency
in policies and procedures, and to allow the local management teams to
concentrate on developing and enhancing customer relationships.
ACQUISITION OF PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC.
Based upon a business plan developed by T. Stephen Johnson & Associates, Inc., a
financial services consulting firm ("TSJ&A"), TSJ&A and Richard C. Jensen, the
President and Chief Executive Officer of First Premier, developed the concept
for First Premier. First Premier is a Delaware corporation which was organized
on May 1, 1998 to implement this concept. Mr. Jensen and TSJ&A evaluated
potential bank acquisition candidates in various Missouri markets and identified
Premier as an independent financial institution capable of providing a platform
to implement its business strategy. On May 6, 1999, First Premier signed a
merger agreement with Premier Bancshares, Inc. and agreed to acquire all of the
outstanding capital stock of Premier in exchange for shares of First Premier
common stock. The acquisition of Premier Bank provides us with an existing
charter so that we may immediately commence banking operations upon completion
of the merger in two of our five initially-targeted markets. We intend to use
the acquisition of Premier Bank as a platform to expand our operations by
building upon Premier Bank's existing infrastructure, core processing and
outsourcing relationships.
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STRATEGY OF FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
General
Our business strategy is to create a banking franchise that captures market
share among small and medium-sized businesses, their principals and other
professionals and executives in geographic markets that are familiar to
management. We will implement this strategy by:
- Targeting small and medium-sized business customers who demand high levels
of personalized attention and customer service;
- Establishing a banking center in St. Louis, expanding into Kansas City and
Springfield, while continuing to enhance our current operations in Columbia
and Jefferson City;
- Staffing banking centers with community-minded and responsive management
teams that will have significant local decision-making authority;
- Operating with a few strategically located offices supported by outsourced
core processing and back room operations to increase efficiencies;
- Enhancing private banking relationships by offering a broad spectrum of
products and services, including securities brokerage services and
investment management services; and
- Offering our customers the convenience and advantages offered by Internet
banking while targeting businesses that have been identified as Internet
users to leverage our banking centers.
Our Banking Model
Upon completion of the acquisition of Premier Bank, we will have banking centers
in two of our five initially-targeted markets. We intend to establish a banking
center within each of our identified markets primarily through the branching of
Premier Bank. We may, however, accomplish our expansion strategy by acquiring
existing banks within an identified market if an opportunity for such an
acquisition becomes available. Although each banking center will legally be a
branch of Premier Bank, our business strategy envisions that banking centers
located within each market will operate as if they were independent community
banks.
Local Management Teams. Prior to expanding into a new market area, we will
identify an individual who will serve as the president of that particular market
area, as well as those individuals who will serve on the local board of
directors. Each local president will be primarily responsible for actively
recruiting and assembling a management team, including lending officers, from
the local market area. We believe that a management team familiar with the needs
of its community will provide high quality personalized service to its
customers. The local management team will have a significant amount of
decision-making and lending authority and will be accessible to its customers.
As a result of the consolidation trend in the state of Missouri, we believe
there are significant opportunities to attract experienced bank managers who
would be available to join an institution promoting a community banking concept.
Local Boards of Directors. Each banking center will have a local board of
directors which will be comprised of prominent members of the community,
including business leaders and professionals. These local directors will act as
ambassadors of First Premier within the community and will be expected to
promote the business development of each banking center.
We will encourage both the members of our local boards of directors as well as
our lending officers to be active in the civic, charitable and social
organizations in their communities. It is anticipated that members of the local
management team will hold leadership positions in a number of community
organizations.
We expect that upon our entry into a new market area, we will undertake a
marketing campaign utilizing an officer calling program, and community-based
promotions and media advertising. Such campaigns will emphasize each banking
center's responsiveness, local management team and special focus on personalized
service.
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The initial banking center established in an identified market will have the
following banking personnel: a President, a Senior Lender, an Associate Lending
Officer, a Credit Analyst, a Branch/Operations Manager and an appropriate number
of financial service managers and tellers.
Lending Officers with Local Decision-Making Authority. It is expected that the
lending officers will be primarily responsible for the sales and marketing
efforts of the banking centers. We will emphasize relationship banking whereby
each customer will be assigned to a specific officer, with other local officers
serving as backup or in supporting roles. We intend to hire the appropriate
number of lending officers necessary to facilitate the development of strong
customer relationships. Our lending officers will be supported by our
organization's ability to make significantly larger loans than smaller community
banks.
We intend to offer salaries to the lending officers that are competitive with
other financial institutions in each market area. Local management will be
compensated based on the performance of their particular banking centers as well
as the overall financial and market performance of the bank. Lending officers
will be compensated based on an annual base salary plus an incentive payment
structure that will be based upon the achievement of certain loan quality and
production goals. Those goals will be evaluated on an annual basis. We believe
that such a compensation structure will provide greater motivation for
participating officers.
It is anticipated that the banking centers will be strategically located in
areas in each market where the local management team determines that there is
the greatest potential to reach the maximum number of small and medium-sized
businesses. It is expected that these banking centers will develop in the areas
surrounding office complexes and other commercial areas. Such determinations
will depend upon the customer demographics of a particular market area and the
accessibility of a particular location to its customers. We expect to lease our
facilities to avoid investing significant amounts of capital in property and
facilities.
Customers
We believe that the recent bank consolidation within the state of Missouri
provides a community-oriented bank significant opportunities to build a
successful, locally-oriented franchise. We further believe that many of the
larger financial institutions do not emphasize a high level of personalized
service to small and medium-sized businesses and their principals. We intend to
focus our marketing efforts on attracting small and medium-sized businesses and
individuals including: service companies, manufacturing companies, commercial
real estate developers, entrepreneurs and professionals, such as physicians and
attorneys. Because we intend to focus on small and medium-sized businesses, we
believe that the majority of our loan portfolio will be in the commercial area
with an emphasis placed on commercial/industrial, construction and commercial
real estate loans secured by real estate, accounts receivable, inventory, and
property, plant and equipment.
Although we expect to concentrate our lending efforts on commercial businesses,
we also anticipate that we will attract a significant amount of consumer
business. We expect that many of our retail customers will be the principals of
our small and medium-sized business customers. These customers will comprise our
private banking clients, for whom First Premier is expected to provide
investment management services, asset management services and securities
brokerage services. We intend to offer these services through strategic
alliances with third-party vendors. We intend to emphasize "relationship
banking" in order that each customer will identify and establish a comfort level
with the bank officers within a banking center. We intend to develop our retail
business with individuals who appreciate a high level of personal service,
contact with their lending officer and responsive decision-making. We expect
that most of our business will be developed through our lending officers and
local boards of directors and by pursuing an aggressive strategy of calling on
customers throughout the market area.
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Products and Services
We intend to offer and Premier currently offers a broad array of traditional
banking products and services to our customers.
Loans. We intend to offer a wide range of commercial and consumer loans as
follows:
- Commercial/Industrial. We expect that our commercial lending will
consist primarily of loans for the financing of accounts receivable,
inventory and property, plant and equipment. We also expect to offer
Small Business Administration guaranteed loans. In making these loans,
we intend to manage our credit risk by actively monitoring such measures
as advance rate, cash flow, collateral value and other appropriate
credit factors.
- Commercial Construction. We expect to provide loans for the construction
and development of real estate which would be secured by commercial
properties. These loans generally command higher rates and fees
commensurate with the risk warranted in the construction lending field.
The risk in construction lending is dependent upon the performance of
the builder in building the project to the plans and specifications of
the borrower and the bank's ability to administer and control all phases
of the construction disbursements. Upon completion of the construction
period, this type of loan is typically converted to a permanent loan.
- Commercial Real Estate. We anticipate that we will also offer commercial
real estate loans to developers of both commercial and residential
properties. In making these loans, we intend to manage credit risk by
actively monitoring such measures as advance rate, cash flow, collateral
value and other appropriate credit factors.
- Residential Mortgage. We expect that our real estate loans will consist
of residential first and second mortgage loans and residential
construction loans. We expect that we will make mortgage loans with a
variety of terms, including fixed and floating to variable rates and a
variety of maturities. These loans will be made consistent with our
appraisal policy and real estate lending policy which will detail
maximum loan-to-value ratios and maturities. We expect that these loan-
to-value ratios will be sufficient to compensate for fluctuations in the
real estate market to minimize the risk of loss. We believe that many of
our mortgage loans that conform with secondary market criteria will be
sold in the secondary markets.
- Consumer Loans. We expect that our consumer loans will include lines of
credit and term loans secured by second mortgages on the residences of
borrowers for home improvements, education and other personal
expenditures. The remaining consumer loans will consist of installment
loans to individuals for personal, family and household purposes. In
evaluating these loans, we will require our lending officers to review
the borrower's level and stability of income, past credit history and
the impact of these factors on the ability of the borrower to repay the
loan in a timely manner. In addition, we will require that our banking
centers maintain an appropriate margin between the loan amount and
collateral value. We expect that many of our consumer loans will be made
to the principals of the small and medium-sized businesses for whom we
provide banking services.
Private Banking Services. We also expect to provide other fee generating
services for the principals of our business customers. We intend to offer
services such as securities brokerage and investment services, portfolio and
asset management services, insurance products and will consider other
permissible activities. We also expect to offer investment products and cash
management products.
Internet Banking. We believe that there is a strong need within our market
niche for Internet banking. These services, which would be provided through a
third party, would allow customers to access their bank accounts on a
seven-day-a-week, 24-hour-a-day basis from any personal computer, wherever
located, by means of a secure web browser. This technology gives Internet
banking an advantage over PC-based home banking, which utilizes PC-based
software, requires repeated downloading and limits the user to a specific PC. We
believe that Internet banking will encourage our customers to maintain their
total banking
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relationships with us. We also anticipate using the Internet for direct e-mail
solicitation to small and medium-sized businesses we have identified as current
Internet users. We will market the convenience and advantages of Internet
banking, including on-line bill paying, money transfer and cash management. We
believe that Internet banking will leverage our strategically located banking
centers by attracting customers from within Missouri and adjacent market areas.
We are negotiating with several Internet banking providers about implementing
these services upon completion of the merger and the offering.
Deposits. We intend to offer a broad range of interest-bearing and
noninterest-bearing deposit accounts, including commercial and retail checking
accounts, money market accounts, individual retirement accounts, regular
interest-bearing savings accounts and certificates of deposit with a range of
maturity date options. We anticipate that the primary sources of deposits will
be small and medium-sized businesses and individuals within an identified
market. In each identified market, senior management will have the authority to
set rates within specified parameters in order to remain competitive with other
financial institutions located in the same market. All deposits will be insured
by the FDIC up to the maximum amount permitted by law. In addition, we expect to
implement a service charge fee schedule which will be competitive with other
financial institutions in a community banking center's market area, covering
such matters as maintenance fees on checking accounts, per item processing fees
on checking accounts, returned check charges and other similar fees.
Specialized Consumer Services. We intend to offer specialized products and
services to our customers, such as travelers checks, safe deposit services,
credit cards and consumer lines of credit. Premier Bank currently offers all of
these services and provides credit cards to its customers through a third party.
Courier Services. We expect to offer courier services to our business
customers. Courier services will be provided through a third party, which will
permit us to provide the convenience and personalized service its customers
require by scheduling pick-ups of deposits.
Automatic Teller Machines ("ATMs"). We expect to establish a limited ATM
network and we intend to make other financial institutions' ATMs available to
our customers.
Market Expansion
First Premier intends to expand into the attractive and growing communities in
the state of Missouri. Once it has assembled a local management team and local
board of directors for a particular market area, First Premier intends to
establish one or more banking centers in that market. Upon the completion of the
acquisition of Premier Bank, we will have established banking centers in the
Jefferson City and Columbia market areas. Jefferson City is the capital of
Missouri and Columbia is the site of the main campus of the University of
Missouri. In addition, we have assembled a management team in St. Louis and,
immediately following the offering, will open a banking center in the St. Louis
market. The other markets into which First Premier presently intends to expand
are Kansas City and Springfield. We have identified these markets as providing
the most favorable opportunities for growth and intend to establish banking
centers within these markets as soon as practicable. As opportunities arise, we
will also consider expansion into other selected banking markets in the states
adjacent to Missouri.
The consolidation within the banking industry is evidenced by the following
statistics. According to the FDIC, as of December 31, 1987, 596 depository
institutions were located in Missouri. By December 31, 1998, there were a total
of 383 depository institutions in Missouri, representing a decline of
approximately 36% over the ten-year period. Management attributes this decline
to consolidation resulting from the liberalization of interstate banking and
branching laws allowing the entry into, and expansion in, Missouri by numerous
large banks. The result of this consolidation has been a significant reduction
in the number of community-oriented financial institutions focusing on
personalized service to small and medium-sized business customers. We believe
that our strategy, which incorporates a community banking concept, is better
suited to provide a high level of service to small and medium-sized businesses
than larger financial institutions.
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We believe that the state of Missouri in general and the identified markets
within Missouri in particular represent an attractive opportunity to build a
multi-market banking franchise. Missouri has a current population of
approximately 5.4 million making it the fifteenth most populous state in the
country. Missouri has experienced growth in the amount of commercial and
consumer deposits.
Certain demographic and deposit information with respect to each of the
identified markets is discussed below.
St. Louis Market. The St. Louis market area includes the city of St. Louis and
the surrounding counties in both Missouri and Illinois. St. Louis' population
increased from approximately 2.49 million in 1990 to approximately 2.56 million
in 1998, representing an increase of approximately 2.7% over that period
compared to the national increase of 8.31% for the same period. The population
is projected to increase to approximately 2.62 million by 2003. Over the period
from 1990 to 1998, average household income in the St. Louis market has
increased 38.9% compared to the national increase of 38.2% for the same period.
As of June 30, 1998, there were 124 financial institutions represented in St.
Louis with aggregate deposits of $36.1 billion. Deposits in St. Louis increased
$7.6 billion from June 30, 1993 through June 30, 1998, at an annual growth rate
of 4.84% for that period.
Kansas City Market. The Kansas City market area includes the city of Kansas
City as well as surrounding counties in Missouri and Kansas. Kansas City's
population increased from approximately 1.58 million in 1990 to approximately
1.72 million in 1998, representing an increase of approximately 8.6% over that
period compared to the national increase of 8.3% for the same period. The
population is projected to increase to approximately 1.79 million by 2003. Over
the period from 1990 to 1998, average household income in the Kansas City market
increased 42.2% compared to the national increase of 38.2% for the same period.
As of June 30, 1998, there were 136 financial institutions represented in the
Kansas City market with aggregate deposits of $24.2 billion. Deposits in the
Kansas City market increased $4.4 billion from June 30, 1993 through June 30,
1998, at an average annual growth rate of 4.10% for that period.
Springfield Market. The Springfield market area includes the city of
Springfield, as well as the counties of Christian, Greene and Webster.
Springfield's population increased from approximately 264,000 in 1990 to
approximately 305,000 in 1998, representing an increase of approximately 15.5%
over that period compared to the national increase of 8.3% for the same period.
The population is projected to increase to approximately 322,000 by 2003. Over
the period from 1990 to 1998, average household income in the Springfield market
increased 51.3% compared to the national increase of 38.2% for the same period.
As of June 30, 1998, there were 34 financial institutions represented in the
Springfield market with aggregate deposits of $3.9 billion. Deposits in the
Springfield market increased $1.1 billion from June 30, 1993 through June 30,
1998, at an average annual growth rate of 6.85% for that period.
Columbia Market. The Columbia market area includes the city of Columbia, as
well as Boone county. Columbia's population increased from approximately 112,000
in 1990 to approximately 130,000 in 1998, representing an increase of
approximately 15.2% over that period compared to the national increase of 8.3%
for the same period. The population is projected to increase to approximately
138,000 by the year 2003. Over the period from 1990 to 1998, average household
income in the Columbia market increased 52.2% compared to the national increase
of 38.2% for the same period. As of June 30, 1998, there were 12 financial
institutions represented in the Columbia market with aggregate deposits of $1.4
billion. Deposits in the Columbia market increased $300 million from June 30,
1993 through June 30, 1998, at an average annual growth rate of 4.94% for that
period.
Jefferson City Market. The Jefferson City market area includes Jefferson City
and Cole County. Jefferson City's population increased from approximately 35,500
in 1990 to approximately 36,200 in 1998, representing an increase of
approximately 2.0% over that period compared to the national increase of 8.3%
for the same period. The population is projected to increase to approximately
36,800 by 2003. Over the period from 1990 to 1998, average household income in
the Jefferson City market increased 51.1% compared to the national increase of
38.2% for the same period. As of June 30, 1998, there were 16 financial
institutions represented in the Jefferson City market with aggregate deposits of
$1.4 billion.
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Deposits in the Jefferson City market increased $350 million from June 30, 1993
through June 30, 1998, at an average annual growth rate of 5.92% for that
period.
OPERATIONS OF FIRST PREMIER
First Premier will remain in the development stage until the completion of the
acquisition of Premier Bank and the offering. First Premier's corporate offices
will be located in the St. Louis metropolitan area. First Premier presently has
six full-time employees.
At the holding company level, First Premier will provide a variety of support
services for each of the banking centers. These services will include back
office operations, investment portfolio management, credit administration and
review, human resources, training and strategic planning. First Premier has
hired a Chief Financial Officer, a Chief Credit Officer, and a Senior Vice
President of Commercial Real Estate and the President of the St. Louis market.
First Premier intends to use Premier Bank's facilities and outsourcing
arrangements for its data processing, operational and back office support
activities. The banking centers will utilize the operational support provided by
Premier Bank to perform account processing, loan accounting, loan support,
network administration and other functions. Premier Bank has developed extensive
procedures for many aspects of its operations, including operating procedures
manuals and compliance procedures. Specific operating procedures for the banking
centers will be developed from the procedures that are currently utilized by
Premier Bank. We believe that Premier Bank's existing operations and support
management are capable of providing continuing operational support for all of
the banking centers.
Outsourcing
We believe that by outsourcing a major portion of our back office operations, we
can realize greater efficiencies and economies of scale. In addition, various
products and services, especially technology-related services, can be offered
through third-party vendors at a substantially lower cost than the costs of
developing these products internally.
Premier Bank is utilizing Computer Services Incorporated to provide its core
data processing and certain customer products. In addition to account level
processing for loans and deposits, Premier Bank also utilizes CSI for computer
network support, proof of deposit processing, on-line support, telephone banking
services, cash management, automated clearing house services and consulting
services.
Credit Administration
We will oversee all credit policy operations at the holding company level while
still granting local lending authority to management in each local market. The
Chief Credit Officer of First Premier will be primarily responsible for
maintaining a quality loan portfolio and developing a strong credit culture
throughout the entire organization. The Chief Credit Officer will be responsible
for developing and updating the credit policy and procedures for the
organization. In addition, he will work closely with each lending officer at the
banking centers to ensure that the business being solicited is of the quality
and structure that fits our desired risk profile. Credit quality will be
controlled through uniform compliance to credit policy. Our risk-decision
process will be actively managed in a disciplined fashion to maintain an
acceptable risk profile.
Our credit approval process will consist of specific authorities granted to the
lending officers. Loans exceeding a particular lending officer's level of
authority will be reviewed and considered for approval by the next level of
authority. The Chief Credit Officer has ultimate credit decision-making
authority, subject to review by the Chief Executive Officer and our board of
directors. Risk management will require active involvement with our customers
and active management of our portfolio. The Chief Credit Officer will review our
credit policy with the local management teams at least annually but more
frequently if necessary. The results of these reviews will then be presented to
our board of directors. The purpose of these reviews will be to attempt to
ensure that the credit policy remains compatible with our short and
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long-term business strategies. The Chief Credit Officer will also generally
require all individuals charged with risk management to reaffirm their
familiarity with the credit policy annually.
OPERATIONS OF PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC.
Premier Bancshares, Inc. was incorporated in 1994 as a Missouri corporation.
Premier Bank commenced operations on May 15, 1995, as a full service,
state-chartered commercial bank in Jefferson City, Missouri. Premier Bank opened
its branch office in Columbia in April, 1998. Premier Bank owns both of its
facilities. Premier Bank has received regulatory approval to open an additional
branch in a leased facility in Jefferson City which is expected to open in the
first quarter of 2000.
Premier Bank will apply for a branch location in the St. Louis metropolitan area
which would open following the completion of the offering and the merger.
Premier Bank is currently providing many of the products and services which
First Premier expects to offer. Premier Bank offers a variety of loan products,
including commercial loans, real estate loans, home equity loans,
consumer/installment loans, SBA loans and offers credit cards through a third
party. Premier Bank also offers a broad range of interest-bearing and
noninterest-bearing deposit accounts, including commercial and retail checking
accounts, money market accounts, individual retirement accounts, regular
interest-bearing savings accounts and certificates of deposit. In addition,
Premier Bank provides such consumer services as U.S. Savings Bonds, travelers
checks, cashiers checks, safe deposit boxes, bank-by-mail services, direct
deposit and telephone banking. Premier Bank is also offering limited investment
services, such as securities brokerage, through a third party provider.
Premier Bank engages in a broad array of lending activities, including
commercial/industrial, SBA guaranteed loans, consumer and real estate loans. As
of December 31, 1998, Premier Bank had a legal lending limit for loans of
approximately $1.0 million per borrower.
ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT
Our objective is to manage assets and liabilities to provide a satisfactory
level of consistent operating profitability. Our Chief Financial Officer is
primarily responsible for monitoring policies and procedures that are designed
to maintain an acceptable composition of the asset/liability mix while adhering
to prudent banking practices. Our management philosophy is to support asset
growth primarily through growth of core deposits. We intend to continue to
invest the largest portion of earning assets in commercial industrial and
construction and commercial real estate loans.
Currently, Premier Bank's asset/liability mix is monitored on a daily basis,
with monthly reports presented to Premier Bank's board of directors. The
objective of this policy is to control interest-sensitive assets and liabilities
so as to minimize the impact of substantial movements in interest rates on
Premier Bank's earnings.
COMPETITION
Competition among financial institutions in the state of Missouri and the
markets in which Premier Bank currently operates and into which we may expand is
intense. We will compete with other bank holding companies, state and national
commercial banks, savings and loan associations, consumer finance companies,
credit unions, securities brokerages, insurance companies, mortgage banking
companies, money market mutual funds, asset-based non-bank lenders and other
financial institutions. Many of these competitors have substantially greater
resources and lending limits, larger branch networks and are able to offer a
broader range of products and services than we will be able to offer.
Various legislative actions in recent years have led to increased competition
among financial institutions. With the enactment of the Riegle-Neal Interstate
Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 and other laws and regulations
affecting interstate bank expansion, financial institutions located outside of
the state of Missouri may now more easily enter our targeted markets. In
addition, recent legislative and regulatory changes and technological advances
have enabled customers to conduct banking activities
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without regard to geographic barriers through computer and telephone-based
banking and similar services. There can be no assurance that the United States
Congress or the Missouri Legislature or the applicable bank regulatory agencies
will not enact legislation or promulgate rules that may further increase
competitive pressures on First Premier. Our failure to compete effectively for
deposit, loan and other banking customers in its market areas could have a
material adverse effect on our business, future prospects, financial condition
or results of operations.
DATA PROCESSING
Premier Bank currently has an agreement with CSI to provide its core processing
and certain customer products. First Premier believes that CSI will be able to
provide technologically advanced data processing and customer service-related
processing at a competitive price to support First Premier's future growth. We
believe that CSI's services are adequate for our business expansion plans.
FACILITIES
First Premier's temporary offices are located at 13004 Starbuck Road, St. Louis,
Missouri 63141. First Premier is currently negotiating for office space in the
St. Louis metropolitan area.
Premier Bank's main offices, which contain approximately 7,500 square feet, are
located at 815 West Stadium Boulevard, Jefferson City, Missouri. Premier Bank
also operates a branch office, which contains approximately 5,000 square feet of
office space at 15 South Fifth Street, Columbia, Missouri 65201. Premier Bank
has received regulatory approval and has entered into an agreement to lease
approximately 1,800 square feet for an additional branch facility in Jefferson
City. This branch is expected to open in the first quarter of 2000.
EMPLOYEES
We presently have six full-time employees. We will hire additional employees as
needed to support our growth.
Premier Bank presently has 20 full-time employees and one part-time employee,
including 10 officers. Premier Bank will hire additional employees as needed,
including additional tellers and financial service representatives.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, First Premier may be involved in litigation relating to
claims arising out of operations in the normal course of business. As of the
date of this prospectus, neither First Premier nor Premier Bank is engaged in
any legal proceedings that are expected, individually or in the aggregate, to
have a material effect on First Premier or Premier Bank.
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
GENERAL
We will operate in a highly regulated environment, and the business activities
of First Premier will be supervised by a number of federal regulatory agencies,
including the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC and the Missouri Division of
Finance.
First Premier will be regulated by the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHC Act"), which requires every
bank holding company to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board
before acquiring more than five percent of the voting shares of any bank or all
or substantially all of the assets of a bank, or before merging or consolidating
with another bank holding company. The Federal Reserve Board (pursuant to
regulation and published policy statements) has maintained that a bank holding
company must serve as a source of financial strength to its
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subsidiary banks. In adhering to the Federal Reserve Board policy, First Premier
may be required to provide financial support to its subsidiary bank at a time
when, absent such Federal Reserve Board policy, First Premier would not deem it
advisable to provide such assistance.
Under the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994,
which became effective in November 1994, the restrictions on interstate
acquisitions of banks by bank holding companies were repealed as of September
29, 1995, such that First Premier and any other bank holding company located in
First Premier is able to acquire a bank located in any other state, and a bank
holding company located outside Missouri can acquire any Missouri-based bank, in
either case subject to certain deposit percentage and other restrictions. The
legislation provides that unless an individual state has elected to prohibit
out-of-state banks from operating interstate branches within its territory,
adequately capitalized and managed bank holding companies will be able to
consolidate their multi-state bank operations into a single bank subsidiary and
to open new branches on an interstate basis. The opening of new branches by an
out-of-state bank would be permitted only if it is expressly permitted by the
laws of the host state. Missouri does not permit the opening of new branches by
an out-of-state bank. Therefore, the only method by which an out-of-state bank
or bank holding company may enter Missouri is through an acquisition. The
authority of a bank to establish and operate branches within a state will
continue to be subject to applicable state branching laws.
A bank holding company is generally prohibited from acquiring control of any
company which is not a bank and from engaging in any business other than the
business of banking or managing and controlling banks. However, there are
certain activities which have been identified by the Federal Reserve Board to be
so closely related to banking as to be incident thereto and thus permissible for
bank holding companies. Effective April 21, 1997, the Federal Reserve Board
revised and expanded the list of permissible non-banking activities, which now
includes the following activities:
- extending credit and servicing loans;
- acting as an investment or financial advisor;
- leasing personal and real property or acting as a broker;
- providing management and employee benefits consulting and career counseling
services to nonaffiliated banks and nonbank depository institutions;
- operating nonbank depository institutions;
- performing trust company functions;
- providing agency transactional services, including securities brokerage
services, riskless principal transactions, private placement services, and
acting as a futures commission merchant;
- providing data processing and data transmission services;
- acting as an insurance agent or underwriter with respect to certain limited
types of insurance;
- performing real estate appraisals;
- arranging commercial real estate equity financing;
- providing check-guaranty, collection agency and credit bureau services;
- engaging in asset management, servicing and collection activities;
- providing real estate settlement services;
- acquiring certain debt which is in default;
- underwriting and dealing in obligations of the United States, the states and
their political subdivisions;
- engaging as a principal in foreign exchange trading and dealing in precious
metals;
- providing other support services such as courier services and the printing
and selling of checks; and
- investing in programs designed to promote community welfare.
In determining whether an activity is so closely related to banking as to be
permissible for bank holding companies, the Federal Reserve Board is required to
consider whether the performance of such activities
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by a bank holding company or its subsidiaries can reasonably be expected to
produce benefits to the public such as greater convenience, increased
competition and gains in efficiency that outweigh the possible adverse effects
such as undue concentration of resources, decreased or unfair competition,
conflicts of interest and unsound banking practices. Generally, bank holding
companies are required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board
to engage in any new activity not previously approved by the Federal Reserve
Board.
First Premier will also be regulated by the Missouri Division of Finance under
Missouri law, which requires that a bank holding company may not obtain control
of any bank if as a result of the acquisition, the total deposits in such bank
together with the total deposits of all banks located in the state of Missouri
controlled by the bank holding company would exceed 13% of the total deposits of
all depository financial institutions in the state, including banks, thrifts and
credit unions. In computing the total deposits in all banks controlled by the
bank holding company and the bank which the holding company seeks to acquire,
certificates of deposit in the face amount of $100,000 or more, deposits from
sources outside the United States and deposits of banks other than banks
controlled by the bank holding company are to be deducted.
Premier Bank, as a subsidiary of First Premier, will be subject to restrictions
under federal law in dealing with First Premier and other affiliates, if any.
These restrictions apply to extensions of credit to an affiliate, investments in
the securities of an affiliate and the purchase of assets from an affiliate.
Premier Bank will be the primary subsidiary of First Premier. Premier is a
Missouri state-chartered bank and, as such, its primary bank regulatory
authorities are the Missouri Division of Finance and the FDIC. Banks organized
under state law which are members of the Federal Reserve System are regulated
and examined primarily by the Federal Reserve Board and state banking
authorities, while banks organized under state law which are not members of the
Federal Reserve System are regulated and examined primarily by the FDIC and
state banking authorities. Premier Bank is a state chartered bank which is not a
member of the Federal Reserve System. Regulation by the federal and state
banking authorities is designed to protect depositors rather than shareholders.
CAPITAL ADEQUACY REQUIREMENTS
Both First Premier and Premier will be subject to regulatory capital
requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC. The Federal
Reserve Board and the FDIC have issued risk-based capital guidelines for bank
holding companies and banks which make regulatory capital requirements more
sensitive to differences in risk profiles of various banking organizations. The
capital adequacy guidelines issued by the Federal Reserve Board are applied to
bank holding companies on a consolidated basis. The FDIC's risk capital
guidelines apply directly to state chartered nonmember banks regardless of
whether they are subsidiaries of a bank holding company. Both agencies'
requirements (which are substantially similar), provide that banking
organizations must have capital equivalent to eight percent of weighted risk
assets. The risk weights assigned to assets are based primarily on credit risks.
Both the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC have also implemented new minimum
capital leverage ratios to be used in tandem with the risk-based guidelines in
assessing the overall capital adequacy of banks and bank holding companies.
Under these rules, banking institutions are required to maintain a ratio of
three percent "Tier 1" capital to total assets (net of goodwill). Tier 1 capital
includes common shareholders equity, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and
minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less
certain intangible assets.
The FDIC's guidelines provide that intangible assets are generally deducted from
Tier 1 capital in calculating a bank's risk-based capital ratio. However,
certain intangible assets which meet specified criteria ("qualifying
intangibles") such as mortgage servicing rights are retained as a part of Tier 1
capital. The FDIC currently maintains that only mortgage servicing rights and
purchased credit card relationships meet the criteria to be considered
qualifying intangibles. The FDIC's guidelines formerly provided that the amount
of such qualifying intangibles that may be included in Tier 1 capital was
strictly limited to a maximum of 25% of total Tier 1 capital. The FDIC has
amended its guidelines to increase the limitation
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on such qualifying intangibles from 25% to 50% of Tier 1 capital and further to
permit the inclusion of purchased credit card relationships as a qualifying
intangible asset.
Both the risk-based capital guidelines and the leverage ratio are minimum
requirements, applicable only to top-rated banking institutions. Institutions
operating at or near these levels are expected to have well-diversified risk,
high asset quality, high liquidity, good earnings and in general, have to be
considered strong banking organizations rated composite 1 under the CAMELS
rating system for banks. Institutions with lower ratings and institutions with
high levels of risk or experiencing or anticipating significant growth would be
expected to maintain ratios 100 to 200 basis points above the stated minimums.
The Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC have adopted regulations revising their
risk-based capital guidelines to ensure that the guidelines take adequate
account of interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is the adverse effect that
changes in market interest rates may have on a bank's financial condition and is
inherent to the business of banking. Under the new regulations, when evaluating
a bank's capital adequacy, the agency's capital standards now explicitly include
a bank's exposure to declines in the economic value of its capital due to
changes in interest rates. The exposure of a bank's economic value generally
represents the change in the present value of its assets, less the change in the
value of its liabilities, plus the change in the value of its interest rate
off-balance sheet contracts. Concurrently, the agencies issued a joint policy
statement, effective June 26, 1996, to provide guidance on sound practices for
managing interest rate risk. In the policy statement, the agencies emphasize the
necessity of adequate oversight by a bank's board of directors and senior
management and of a comprehensive risk management process. The policy statement
also describes the critical factors affecting the agencies' evaluations of a
bank's interest rate risk when making a determination of capital adequacy. The
agencies' risk assessment approach used to evaluate a bank's capital adequacy
for interest rate risk relies on a combination of quantitative and qualitative
factors. Banks that are found to have high levels of exposure and/or weak
management practices will be directed by the agencies to take corrective action.
PROMPT CORRECTIVE ACTION
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (the
"FDICIA"), enacted on December 19, 1991, provides for the development of a
regulatory monitoring system requiring prompt corrective action on the part of
banking regulators with regard to certain classes of undercapitalized
institutions. While the FDICIA does not change any of the minimum capital
requirements, it directs each of the federal banking agencies to issue
regulations putting the monitoring plan into effect. The FDICIA creates five
"capital categories" ("well capitalized," "adequately capitalized,"
"undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized" and "critically
undercapitalized") which are defined in the FDICIA and which will be used to
determine the severity of corrective action the appropriate regulator may take
in the event an institution reaches a given level of undercapitalization. For
example, an institution which becomes "undercapitalized" must submit a capital
restoration plan to the appropriate regulator outlining the steps it will take
to become adequately capitalized. Upon approving the plan, the regulator will
monitor the institution's compliance. Before a capital restoration plan will be
approved, any entity controlling a bank (i.e., holding companies) must guarantee
compliance with the plan until the institution has been adequately capitalized
for four consecutive calendar quarters. The liability of the holding company is
limited to the lesser of five percent of the institution's total assets or the
amount which is necessary to bring the institution into compliance with all
capital standards. In addition, "undercapitalized" institutions will be
restricted from paying management fees, dividends and other capital
distributions, will be subject to certain asset growth restrictions and will be
required to obtain prior approval from the appropriate regulator to open new
branches or expand into new lines of business.
As an institution's capital levels decline, the extent of action to be taken by
the appropriate regulator increases, restricting the types of transactions in
which the institution may engage and ultimately providing for the appointment of
a receiver for certain institutions deemed to be critically undercapitalized.
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<PAGE> 59
In order to comply with the FDICIA, the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC have
adopted regulations defining operational and managerial standards relating to
internal controls, loan documentation, credit underwriting criteria, interest
rate exposure, asset growth, and compensation, fees and benefits.
In response to the directive issued under the FDICIA, the regulators have
established regulations which, among other things, prescribe the capital
thresholds for each of the five capital categories established by the FDICIA.
The following table reflects the capital thresholds:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL RISK - TIER 1 RISK - TIER 1
BASED CAPITAL BASED CAPITAL LEVERAGE
RATIO RATIO RATIO
------------- ------------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Well Capitalized(1).................................. >=10% >= 6% >=5%
Adequately Capitalized(1)............................ >=8 >=4 >=4(2)
Undercapitalized(4).................................. G8 G4 G4(3)
Significantly Undercapitalized(4).................... G6 G3 G3
Critically Undercapitalized.......................... -- -- >=2(5)
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
(1) An institution must meet all three minimums.
(2) 3% for composite 1-rated institutions, subject to appropriate federal
banking agency guidelines.
(3) G 3% for composite 1-rated institutions, subject to appropriate federal
banking agency guidelines.
(4) An institution falls into this category if it is below the specified capital
level for any of the three capital measures.
(5) Ratio of tangible equity to total assets.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
As a state chartered bank, most of Premier's operations are regulated and
examined by the Missouri Division of Finance and the FDIC, including reserves
for loan losses and other contingencies, loans, investments, borrowings,
deposits, mergers, issuances of securities, payments of dividends, interest
rates payable on deposits, interest rates or fees chargeable on loans,
establishment of branches, consolidation or corporate reorganization, and
maintenance of books and records. Although Premier is not required by the
Missouri Division of Finance to conduct an annual external audit of its
financial affairs, if Premier has an audit report prepared, it is required to
file such reports with the Missouri Division of Finance within 15 days after the
receipt of any such report. Premier is also subject to Missouri banking and
usury laws restricting the amount of interest which it may charge in making
loans or other extensions of credit.
As a bank holding company, First Premier will be required to file with the
Federal Reserve Board an annual report of its operations at the end of each
fiscal year and such additional information as the Federal Reserve Board may
require pursuant to the BHC Act. The Federal Reserve Board may also make
examinations of First Premier and each of its subsidiaries.
The scope of regulation and permissible activities of First Premier and Premier
is subject to change by future federal and state legislation. In addition,
regulators may require higher capital levels on a case-by-case basis based on
such factors as the risk characteristics or management of a particular
institution. First Premier and Premier are not aware of any attributes of their
operating plan that would cause regulators to impose higher requirements.
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<PAGE> 60
MANAGEMENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth information concerning First Premier's executive
officers and directors upon completion of the offering and of the merger.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION(1)
- ---- --- -------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Richard C. Jensen.......................... 54 Chairman of the Board, President, Chief
Executive Officer and Director
Allan D. Ivie, IV.......................... 38 President of the St. Louis Market
John S. Rouse.............................. 50 Chief Credit Officer
Sanford B. Scott........................... 38 Senior Vice President of Commercial Real
Estate
Daniel R. Sills............................ 39 Chief Financial Officer
Bruce W. Wiley............................. 42 President of the Mid-Missouri Market and
Director
Alan C. Henderson.......................... 53 Director
Gerald G. Kaufman.......................... 51 Director and Vice President(2)
Lewis A. Levey............................. 57 Director
Marvin I. Moskowitz........................ 57 Director
Andrew M. Rosen............................ 48 Director
Frank Trulaske............................. 50 Director
Patricia Whitaker.......................... 54 Director
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
(1) The Board of Directors of First Premier will be divided into three classes,
designated Class I, Class II and Class III.
(2) Upon completion of the offering, Mr. Kaufman will resign from his position
as Vice President of First Premier but will continue as a director of First
Premier.
Each of the following directors and executive officers, with the exception of
Mr. Jensen, Mr. Kaufman and Mr. Wiley, have been with First Premier since May
1999.
Richard C. Jensen has served as Chairman of the Board, President, Chief
Executive Officer and a director of First Premier since July 1998. Mr. Jensen
served as the President of Royal Banks of Missouri from April 1998 to May 1998.
Since 1980, Mr. Jensen served in various positions at NationsBank, N.A. -- St.
Louis, formerly Boatmen's National Bank of St. Louis, most recently as President
since 1997. At NationsBank, Mr. Jensen was responsible for NationsBank's General
Bank, which included over 60 branches in St. Louis, small business, middle
market lending and professional and executive banking. Mr. Jensen has over 25
years of banking experience in Missouri.
Allan D. Ivie, IV has served as the President of the St. Louis market since May
1999. Mr. Ivie served in various positions with NationsBank/Boatmen's National
Bank of St. Louis since 1988, most recently as Senior Vice President of the
Private Client Group where he was primarily responsible for implementing the
Private Client Group after NationsBank's acquisition of Boatmen's. From 1995 to
1997, Mr. Ivie served as Vice President and Director of Private Banking. Mr.
Ivie has over 14 years of banking experience in Missouri.
John S. Rouse has served as Chief Credit Officer of First Premier since May
1999. Mr. Rouse served in various positions with NationsBank, N.A. and Boatman's
National Bank of St. Louis since 1979. From 1990 to 1995, Mr. Rouse served as
Vice President and Manager of Loan Originations in the Structured Finance Group
and from 1995 to 1997, Mr. Rouse served as Vice President in the St. Louis
Corporate Group with Boatmen's. Since 1997, Mr. Rouse has been the Senior Vice
President/Senior Lender in the Private Client Group with NationsBank where he
was responsible for providing credit approval and
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<PAGE> 61
administering the loan portfolio for the Private Client Group with commitments
of more than $750 million. Mr. Rouse has over 20 years of banking experience in
Missouri.
Sanford B. Scott has served as Senior Vice President of Commercial Real Estate
of First Premier since May 1999. Prior to joining First Premier, Mr. Scott
served in various positions with Nations Bank since 1988, most recently as
Manager and Senior Commercial Mortgage Originator for the Midwest. Prior to this
position, Mr. Scott was manager of the Commercial Real Estate Division for the
Central Region of Boatmen's National Bank of St. Louis, where he managed a $200
million commercial mortgage and construction loan portfolio. From 1985 to 1988,
Mr. Scott served in various positions with Mark Twain Banks, N.A. Mr. Scott has
over 14 years of banking experience in Missouri.
Daniel R. Sills has served as Chief Financial Officer of First Premier since May
1999. Prior to joining First Premier, Mr. Sills worked in the financial
institutions consulting group as a certified public accountant with KPMG LLP in
St. Louis since 1997. From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Sills served in various positions
at Boatmen's Bancshares (now NationsBank) including Chief Financial Officer of
Boatmen's Credit Card Bank and Boatmen's Merchant Processing Company. From 1989
to 1993, Mr. Sills was with KPMG LLP in St. Louis where he was responsible for
conducting consulting engagements for a wide range of financial institution
clients.
Bruce W. Wiley is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Premier
Bancshares, Inc. and Premier Bank. In 1994, Mr. Wiley and other investors
founded Premier. Upon completion of the merger and the offering, Mr. Wiley will
continue with Premier Bank as President of the Mid-Missouri market and a
director and Vice President of First Premier. Mr. Wiley has over six years of
banking experience in Missouri.
Alan C. Henderson has served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and as a
director of RehabCare Group, Inc., a publicly traded company since June 1998.
From 1991 to 1998, Mr. Henderson served as Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of RehabCare Group, Inc. Mr. Henderson is also a director of
General American Capital Corporation, a registered investment company and a
member of the Health Services Board of Mercantile Bank, N.A.
Gerald G. Kaufman has served as a director and Vice President of First Premier
since its inception. Since 1997, Mr. Kaufman has served as the President of T.
Stephen Johnson & Associates, Inc. an investment banking firm located in
Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to his service with TSJ&A, Mr. Kaufman was President of
Bretton Woods Group, a management consulting and investment banking firm. From
1980 to 1991, Mr. Kaufman served as the Managing Director for Bank Earnings
International, one of the nation's largest bank consulting firms. Mr. Kaufman
began his banking career with Citizens and Southern National Bank, Atlanta,
Georgia in 1973 as a Vice President in Bank Operations and the International
Banking Division.
Lewis A. Levey is a principal of the Paragon Group and the Trust Manager of the
Camden Property Trust. Mr. Levey currently serves on the boards of Grand Center,
Care & Counseling, Inc. and the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute.
Andrew M. Rosen is currently the Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Brown
Group, Inc., one of the largest shoe retailers in the country. Mr. Rosen has
been with Brown Group since 1974. Mr. Rosen has served as past President of the
Financial Executives Institute and the Washington University Business School
Alumni Executive Committee. Mr. Rosen also serves on the boards of Junior
Achievement of Mississippi Valley Inc. and the Harris Stowe Advisory Board.
Marvin I. Moskowitz served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Prudential Home Mortgage Company from 1986 to 1996. In 1994, Mr. Moskowitz was
also made Chief Executive Officer of Prudential's Real Estate Affiliates, a real
estate franchise network. From 1969 to 1986, Mr. Moskowitz served in various
positions with Citicorp, most recently as President of Citicorp Mortgage. Since
the sale of Prudential Home Mortgage Company in 1996, Mr. Moskowitz has devoted
his time to venture capital work investing primarily in start-up technology and
healthcare-related enterprises. Mr. Moskowitz is on the board of the Arts &
Education Council of St. Louis, and a member of the National Council of National
Jewish Medical and Research Center.
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Frank Trulaske is the owner of TRUE Fitness Technology, Inc., a manufacturer of
treadmills and exercise equipment he founded in 1981. Mr. Trulaske is a former
member of the board of directors of Magna Bank, N.A. and a member of the board
of directors of Lindenwood University, The Salvation Army, The St. Charles
Regional Commerce and Growth Advisory Committee, and the development board of
St. Louis Children's Hospital.
Patricia Whitaker is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Interior Space
Inc., an interior design firm. Ms. Whitaker serves on the boards of the Hawthorn
Foundation, the March of Dimes, the YMCA, the St. Louis Arts and Education
Council, McKendree College and the St. Louis Forum.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The number of directors of First Premier is currently fixed at nine. The
Certificate of Incorporation and the ByLaws provide for the board of directors
to consist of not less than three, nor more than 15 persons, with the precise
number to be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. Upon
amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, the directors will be divided
into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class
consists, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of
directors. The term of First Premier's initial Class I Directors will expire at
the first annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2000; the term of First
Premier's initial Class II Directors will expire at the second annual meeting of
shareholders to be held in 2001; and the term of First Premier's initial Class
III Directors will expire at the third annual meeting of shareholders to be held
in 2002. At each annual meeting of shareholders, successors to the class of
directors whose term expires at the annual meeting will be elected for a
three-year term. If the number of directors is changed, an increase or decrease
will be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors
in each class as equally as possible. Any additional director of any class
elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such class will hold
office for a term that will expire at the next annual meeting, but in no event
will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent
director. Any director elected to fill a vacancy due to resignation, removal or
death will have the same remaining term as that of his predecessor. In the case
of the removal of a director from office, the resulting vacancy on the board of
directors will be filled by the vote of at least 75% of the outstanding shares
of common stock. Any other vacancy on the board of directors will be filled by a
majority vote of the remaining directors then in office or by action of the
shareholders. Any director may be removed, with or without cause, at any regular
or special meeting of shareholders called for that purpose.
The effect of the classified board of directors is to make it more difficult for
a person, entity or group to effect a change in control of First Premier through
the acquisition of a large block of First Premier's voting stock. The executive
officers of First Premier serve at the pleasure of the board of directors.
The board of directors will have an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee and
a Compensation Committee. The Executive Committee will exercise the authority of
the board of directors in accordance with the company's By-Laws between regular
meetings of the board of directors. The Audit Committee will review and make
recommendations to the board of directors on First Premier's audit procedures
and independent auditors' report to management and will recommend to the board
of directors the appointment of the independent auditors for First Premier. The
Compensation Committee will review and make recommendations to the board of
directors with respect to the compensation of officers of First Premier and will
assist the board in the administration of First Premier's stock option plan.
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<PAGE> 63
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table provides certain summary information for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998 concerning compensation paid or accrued by First Premier
to or on behalf of First Premier's Chief Executive Officer. No other executive
officer of First Premier had total annual salary and bonus which exceeded
$100,000 during the last fiscal year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
-------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL COMPENSATION LONG TERM COMPENSATION
----------------------- -----------------------------------
NUMBER
RESTRICTED OF
STOCK OPTIONS ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS AWARDS AWARDED COMPENSATION
--------------------------- ---- -------- ----- ---------- ------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Richard C. Jensen
Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer................. 1998 $114,583 $-- 105,273(1) -- $--
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
(1) In August 1998, First Premier issued 250,000 shares of common stock to Mr.
Jensen at a price of $.01 per share. On April 29, 1999, First Premier
repurchased 144,727 of these shares at a price of $.01 per share.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
First Premier and Richard C. Jensen have entered into an employment agreement
which provides that Mr. Jensen will serve as the President and Chief Executive
Officer of First Premier and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Premier
Bank upon completion of the merger and the offering. Mr. Jensen also serves as a
member of the board of directors and will serve on Premier Bank's board of
directors after the closing of the merger. Mr. Jensen's employment agreement has
a three-year term and provides for a minimum annual base salary of $250,000.
Upon completion of the offering, Mr. Jensen will receive a payment of $150,000.
In addition, the Board will issue options to Mr. Jensen to purchase up to
125,000 shares of common stock at the initial public offering price of the
common stock sold in the offering. This option will be exercisable for a period
of ten years.
After the closing of the offering, in the event of a "change in control" of
First Premier (as defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Jensen will be
entitled to give written notice to First Premier of termination of the
employment agreement and to receive a cash payment equal to approximately 300%
of the compensation received by Mr. Jensen in the one-year period immediately
preceding the change in control. In addition, if Mr. Jensen elects to terminate
the employment agreement pursuant to a change in control, Mr. Jensen will
further be entitled to, in lieu of options, an amount in cash or common stock
equal to the excess of the fair market value of the common stock as of the date
of closing of the transaction effecting the change of control over the per share
exercise price of the options held by Mr. Jensen, times the number of shares of
common stock subject to such options.
If the board of directors determines that First Premier is unable to close the
offering, then the employment agreement may be terminated by the board of
directors at any time during the term of the employment agreement without notice
with the condition that Mr. Jensen will be entitled to liquidated damages in the
amount of $250,000. If Mr. Jensen is terminated for cause (as that term is
defined in the employment agreement), the employment agreement may be terminated
by the board of directors without notice and without further obligation than for
salary already earned. Upon 30 days' written notice to Mr. Jensen, First Premier
may terminate the employment agreement without cause with the condition that Mr.
Jensen will be entitled to the same compensation as he would have been entitled
to receive in the event of a change of control of First Premier. Likewise, Mr.
Jensen may, upon thirty days' written notice to First Premier, terminate the
employment agreement without cause. In the event of termination by Mr. Jensen,
First Premier will have no further obligation than for salary earned and First
Premier will be entitled to enforcement of the non-compete and non-solicitation
provisions. After the closing of the offering, in the event of Mr. Jensen's
death, First Premier will pay to Mr. Jensen's designated beneficiary an amount
equal to Mr. Jensen's base salary through the end of the month in which Mr.
Jensen's death occurred. The
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employment agreement also contains a non-compete provision which provides that
if Mr. Jensen terminates his employment agreement, he will not for a period of
12 months, without the prior written consent of First Premier, either directly
or indirectly, serve as an executive officer of any bank, bank holding company
or other financial institution within St. Louis County, Missouri. The employment
agreement further obligates Mr. Jensen to protect the confidentiality of First
Premier's information following termination of his employment.
First Premier has also entered into employment agreements with its executive
officers, including Mr. Ivie, Mr. Rouse, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Sills. All of these
employment agreements provide for a three year term. These employment agreements
provide for annual base salaries to be paid in the following amounts: Mr. Ivie
($125,000), Mr. Rouse ($130,000), Mr. Scott ($115,000), and Mr. Sills
($125,000). The employment agreements also provide for the grant of options to
purchase shares at the initial public offering price which are exercisable for a
term of 10 years. Messrs. Ivie, Scott, and Rouse will receive options to
purchase up to 30,000 shares and Mr. Sills will receive options to purchase up
to 20,000 shares. Otherwise, these agreements contain similar provisions to
those contained in Mr. Jensen's employment agreement.
First Premier has entered into an employment agreement with Bruce W. Wiley, the
President of Premier Bank. Mr. Wiley's agreement provides for a five year term
commencing at the closing of the offering. Mr. Wiley's employment agreement
provides for an annual base salary of $150,000 and the grant of options to
purchase up to 70,000 shares of First Premier common stock at the initial public
offering price. Of these options, 30,000 options will be granted under First
Premier's stock option plan on the same terms as options issued to other members
of senior management and will vest over a period of three years. The remaining
40,000 options will be granted on the same terms as those warrants which were
issued to certain founders of First Premier in April 1998 and will be
exercisable for 10 years. In addition, Mr. Wiley's employment agreement provides
that he will serve as a director of First Premier and his title following the
merger and the offering will be President of the Mid-Missouri Market. In the
event of a "change in control" of First Premier (as defined in the employment
agreement), Mr. Wiley may elect to give written notice to First Premier of
termination of the agreement and to receive a cash payment equal to
approximately 300% of the compensation received by him in the one year period
immediately preceding the change in control. Mr. Wiley's employment agreement
also contains certain non-compete and non-solicitation provisions which are
similar to those described in the employment agreement of Mr. Jensen discussed
above.
STOCK OPTION PLAN
On April 29, 1999, the board of directors adopted the First Premier Financial
Corporation 1999 Stock Option Plan (the "1999 Plan") to promote First Premier's
growth and financial success. Options may be granted under the 1999 Plan to
First Premier's directors, officers and employees, as well as certain
consultants and advisors. The 1999 Plan contemplates the grant of nonqualified
stock options and incentive stock options as defined in Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The 1999 Plan is not
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and is not subject to the provisions
of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. The 1999
Plan provides for option grants to purchase up to an aggregate of 500,000 shares
of common stock, subject to adjustment under certain circumstances (the "Option
Shares"). The 1999 Plan will expire upon the earlier to occur of: (1) the date
on which all Option Shares have been issued upon exercise of options under the
1999 Plan; or (2) the tenth anniversary of the 1999 Plan's effective date. The
1999 Plan will be administered by the board of directors or by a committee
appointed by the board and consisting of least two non-employee board members.
The exercise price of options granted under the 1999 Plan will be determined by
the board of directors, but will in no event be less than 100% of the market
price of the common stock on the grant date. However, nonqualified stock options
may be granted at an exercise price of no less than 75% of the market price of
the common stock on the date of grant. Vested options under the 1999 Plan may be
exercised in whole or in part, but in no event later than 10 years from the
grant date. If an optionee during his or her
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<PAGE> 65
lifetime ceases to be an officer, director, employee, consultant or advisor of
First Premier or any subsidiary of First Premier for any reason other than his
or her death or total disability, any option or unexercised portion thereof
which is exercisable on the date the optionee ceases employment will expire 90
days following the date the optionee ceases to be an officer, director or
employee of First Premier or of a subsidiary of First Premier, but in no event
after the term provided in the optionee's option agreement. If an optionee dies
or becomes totally disabled while he or she is an officer, director or employee
of First Premier or of a subsidiary of First Premier, the option may be
exercised by a legatee or legatees of the optionee under his or her last will or
by his or her personal representative or representatives at any time within one
year following his or her death or total disability, but in no event after the
term provided in his or her option agreement. Options granted under the 1999
Plan will only be assignable or transferable by the optionee by will or the laws
of descent and distribution. During the optionee's lifetime, options are only
exercisable by him or her. The board of directors may at any time terminate,
modify or amend the 1999 Plan in any respect, except that without shareholder
approval the board of directors may not:
- increase the number of Option Shares,
- extend the period during which options may be granted or exercised,
- change the class of 1999 Plan participants, or
- otherwise materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for
participation in the 1999 Plan.
In no event will the termination, modification or amendment of the 1999 Plan,
without the written consent of an optionee, affect his or her rights under an
option or right previously granted to him or her. The 1999 Plan must be approved
by First Premier's shareholders within 12 months from the adoption of the 1999
Plan by the board of directors.
No stock options were granted during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Directors of First Premier will not receive any compensation based on their
attendance at board meetings until Premier becomes cumulatively profitable. Upon
consummation of the offering, directors of First Premier will be entitled to
receive stock option awards under the 1999 Plan. The members of the local boards
of directors will receive compensation in a format to be determined by the board
of directors of Premier. Such compensation may be incentive-based and include
cash and options to purchase common stock. Under the terms of the merger
agreement, if, during the four years following the merger, any options are
granted to the former directors of Premier Bank, then we have agreed to issue a
proportionate amount of options to the remaining former shareholders of Premier
Bank.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
TSJ&A has provided consulting services during the organization and formation of
First Premier. Gerald G. Kaufman, a director and Vice President of First
Premier, is President of TSJ&A. Specific responsibilities undertaken by TSJ&A
include assisting management of First Premier in formulating First Premier's
business plan, conducting a feasibility analysis, drafting proposed
administrative and operational procedures, and preparing the necessary
regulatory filings for approval of the formation of First Premier and the
acquisition of Premier Bank. As compensation for its services, TSJ&A is being
paid a monthly fee of $25,000 until the closing of the offering and the merger.
In addition, TSJ&A will receive a finder's fee in connection with the
acquisition of Premier of $110,000 (one percent of the aggregate purchase
price), which finder's fee will be paid from the proceeds of the offering.
Once Premier Bank becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Premier, Premier
Bank may extend loans from time to time to certain of First Premier's directors,
their associates and members of the immediate families of the directors and
executive officers of First Premier. These loans will be made in the ordinary
course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates,
collateral and repayment terms, as those prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with persons not affiliated with First Premier or Premier, and will
not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other
unfavorable features.
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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial
ownership of shares of the common stock as of April 30, 1999, and as adjusted to
reflect the sale of the shares offered hereby and the shares offered in
connection with the merger, with respect to (1) each director of First Premier;
(2) each person, including any "group" as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, who is known by First Premier to own
beneficially more than five percent of the outstanding shares of the common
stock and (3) all directors and executive officers of First Premier as a group.
Unless otherwise indicated, each shareholder has sole voting and investment
power with respect to the indicated shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OWNERSHIP
OWNERSHIP PRIOR AFTER THE MERGER
TO THE OFFERING AND THE OFFERING
-------------------- -----------------------
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER SHARES(1) PERCENT SHARES(1) PERCENT(2)
------------------------ --------- ------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Richard C. Jensen............................ 105,273 35.1% 230,273(3) 5.4%
Allan D. Ivie, IV............................ -- * -- *
John S. Rouse................................ -- * -- *
Sanford B. Scott............................. -- * -- *
Daniel R. Sills.............................. -- * -- *
T. Stephen Johnson........................... 48,836(4) 116,000(5) 2.7%
Alan C. Henderson............................ -- * -- *
Gerald G. Kaufman............................ 10,525 25,000(6) *
Frank Trulaske............................... -- * -- *
Bruce W. Wiley............................... -- * 111,712(7) 2.6%
Lewis A. Levey............................... -- * -- *
Marvin I. Moskowitz.......................... -- * -- *
Andrew M. Rosen.............................. -- * -- *
Patricia Whitaker............................ -- * -- *
Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd................... 38,525(8) 12.8% 38,525 *
All executive officers and directors as a
group (14 persons)......................... 164,634 54.9% 366,985 8.5%
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
* Less than 1%.
(1) Pursuant to the rules of the Commission, the determinations of "beneficial
ownership" of common stock are based upon Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act,
which provides that shares will be deemed to be "beneficially owned" where a
person has, either solely or in conjunction with others, the power to vote
or to direct the voting of shares and/or the power to dispose, or to direct
the disposition of, shares or where a person has the right to acquire any
such power within 60 days after the date such "beneficial ownership" is
determined. Shares of common stock that a beneficial owner has the right to
acquire within 60 days pursuant to the exercise of stock options or warrants
are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage
ownership of such owner but are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of
computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
(2) The percentages are based upon the aggregate number of shares of common
stock issued and outstanding as of May 7, 1999, as adjusted to reflect the
3,000,000 shares issuable pursuant to the offering (assuming no exercise of
the underwriters' over-allotment option) and the 1,000,000 shares issuable
pursuant to the merger (assuming an $11.00 initial public offering price of
the common stock in the offering, the mid-point of the estimated range).
(3) Includes 125,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of immediately
exercisable options to be granted simultaneously with the closing of the
offering. Mr. Jensen's business address is 13004 Starbuck Road, St. Louis,
Missouri 63141.
(4) Includes 21,050 shares which are owned by Mr. Johnson's wife, 4,210 shares
held by Mr. Johnson's wife as a custodian for their children, and 421 shares
held by Mr. Johnson as a custodian for his nephew. Mr. Johnson's business
address is 9755 Dogwood Road, Suite 310, Roswell, Georgia 30075.
(5) Includes 31,845 shares issuable upon the exercise of immediately exercisable
warrants, 28,950 shares issuable upon the exercise immediately exercisable
warrants to Mr. Johnson's wife, 5,790 shares issuable upon the exercise of
immediately exercisable warrants to Mr. Johnson's wife as custodian for
their children and 579 shares issuable upon the exercise of immediately
exercisable warrants to Mr. Johnson, as custodian for his nephew.
(6) Includes 14,475 shares issuable upon the exercise of immediately exercisable
options to be granted simultaneously with the closing of the offering.
(7) Includes 40,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of immediately exercisable
options to be granted simultaneously with the closing of the offering and
71,712 shares upon conversion and exchange of shares of Premier's common
stock pursuant to the merger.
(8) Includes 10,525 shares which are beneficially owned by Robin C. Kelton,
Chairman of the Board of Kelton International Limited, an underwriter and
one of the representatives in this offering. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd's
address is Bahnhofstrasse 36, 8010 Zurich, Switzerland.
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<PAGE> 67
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
GENERAL
First Premier is authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par
value per share, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per
share, of which 100,000 shares of preferred stock have been designated as the
Series A Preferred Stock. As of the date hereof, 300,000 shares of common stock
and 99,900 shares of Series A Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding, held
by 31 shareholders of record.
The following summary of the common stock and preferred stock is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the Certificate of Incorporation, the By-Laws, and
the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended ("Delaware Law").
COMMON STOCK
Subject to such preferential rights as may be granted by the board of directors
in connection with any issuances of preferred stock, holders of shares of common
stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by the board of
directors in its discretion from funds legally available for that purpose. At
this time, the board of directors intends to retain all earnings to support
anticipated growth in the current operations of First Premier and to finance
future expansion. Additional restrictions on the payment of cash dividends may
be imposed in connection with future issuances of preferred stock and
indebtedness by First Premier. Further declarations and payments of cash
dividends, if any, will also be determined in light of then-current conditions,
including First Premier's earnings, operations, capital requirements, liquidity,
financial condition, restrictions in financing agreements and other factors
deemed relevant by the board of directors. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of First Premier, after payment of creditors, the remaining net
assets of First Premier will be distributed pro rata to the holders of common
stock, subject to any liquidation preference of the holders of preferred stock.
There are no preemptive rights, conversion rights, or redemption or sinking fund
provisions with respect to the shares of common stock. All of the outstanding
shares of common stock are, and the shares to be outstanding upon completion of
the offering will be, duly and validly authorized and issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share of common stock held
of record on all such matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders. Holders
of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights. As a result, the holders
of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock voting for the election
of directors can elect all the directors, and, in such event, the holders of the
remaining shares of common stock will not be able to elect any persons to the
board of directors.
PREFERRED STOCK
The board of directors may, without approval of First Premier's shareholders,
from time to time authorize the issuance of preferred stock in one or more
series for such consideration and, within certain limits, with such relative
rights, preferences and limitations as the board of directors may determine. The
relative rights, preferences and limitations that the board of directors has the
authority to determine as to any such series of preferred stock include, among
other things, dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption
rights and liquidation preferences. Because the board of directors has the power
to establish the relative rights, preferences and limitations of each series of
preferred stock, it may afford to the holders of any such series, preferences
and rights senior to the rights of the holders of shares of common stock.
Although the board of directors has no present intention to do so, it could
cause the issuance of preferred stock which could discourage an acquisition
attempt or other transactions that some, or a majority of, the shareholders
might believe to be in their best interests, or in which the shareholders might
receive a premium for their shares of common stock over the market price of such
shares.
First Premier presently has 99,900 shares of preferred stock outstanding,
designated as the Series A Preferred Stock. The terms of the Series A Preferred
stock provide that no dividends or other distributions
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<PAGE> 68
shall be declared or payable on the Series A Preferred Stock. The terms of the
Series A Preferred Stock provide for a liquidation preference in the event of a
winding up, liquidation or dissolution of First Premier in the amount of $10.00
per share for an aggregate liquidation preference of $999,000. Except as may be
required by law, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock do not have any
voting rights. The terms of the Series A Preferred Stock may be redeemed, at the
option of First Premier, at a price of $10.00 per share. First Premier intends
to redeem the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock with the proceeds
of the offering.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS
Supermajority Voting Requirements. Under Delaware Law, the shareholders have
the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws; however, the certificate of
incorporation may confer such power upon the board of directors, although in
doing so it may not divest the shareholders of their power to adopt, amend or
repeal the bylaws. First Premier's Certificate of Incorporation (the
"Certificate") provides that the board of directors is authorized to make,
repeal, alter, amend and rescind First Premier's Bylaws. The Certificate also
contains a supermajority (75%) voting requirement for amendments to the Bylaws
by the shareholders.
In addition to the supermajority vote required to amend the Bylaws, the
Certificate provides in Article that the following provisions of the
Certificate may be amended or repealed only by the affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than 75% of the then outstanding common stock of First
Premier: (i) Article , which limits or eliminates the monetary liability of
directors for a breach of their fiduciary duty in certain circumstances; (ii)
Article , which provides that elections of directors need not be by written
ballot unless the Bylaws so provide; (iii) Article , which allows the board of
directors to amend or repeal any provision of the Bylaws and requires the
affirmative vote of 75% of the shareholders for the shareholders to adopt,
amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws; (iv) Article , which eliminates the ability
of shareholders to take action by written consent; and (v) Article , which
provides that only the board of directors can call special meetings of
shareholders. Delaware Law provides generally that a corporation's certificate
of incorporation may be amended by a vote of shareholders holding a majority of
the outstanding stock. Where the certificate of incorporation requires a
supermajority vote with respect to a particular matter, however, the same
supermajority vote is required to amend such supermajority voting requirement of
the certificate of incorporation. Therefore, both Delaware Law and the
Certificate provide that in order to amend or repeal the provisions in the
Certificate which require the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than
75% of the then outstanding common stock, the same 75% vote will be necessary to
amend such provisions.
These supermajority voting provisions could render more difficult or discourage
a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or the assumption of control of First
Premier by a large stockholder or group of shareholders. To the extent that
these provisions enable the board of directors to resist a takeover or change in
control of First Premier, it could make it more difficult to remove the existing
board of directors and management.
Certain Business Combinations. In the past several years, a number of states
have adopted special laws designed to make certain kinds of "unfriendly"
corporate takeovers, or other transactions involving a corporation and one or
more of its significant shareholders, more difficult. Under Section 203 of the
Delaware Law ("Section 203") certain "business combinations" with "interested
stockholders" of Delaware corporations are subject to a three-year moratorium
unless specified conditions are met.
Section 203 prohibits certain mergers, consolidations, sales of assets and other
transactions with an "interested stockholder" (generally a 15% stockholder or
group of stockholders) for three years following the date the stockholder became
an interested stockholder. This prohibition on business combinations is subject
to certain exceptions, the most significant of which are that the prohibition
does not apply if: (1) the business combination or transaction in which the
stockholder becomes an interested stockholder is approved by the corporation's
board of directors prior to the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
(2) the business combination is with an interested stockholder who became an
interested stockholder in a transaction whereby he acquired 85% of the
corporation's voting stock, excluding shares
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<PAGE> 69
held by directors who are also officers and certain employee stock plans; or (3)
the business combination is approved by the corporation's board of directors and
authorized at a meeting by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the
outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.
Section 203 only applies to Delaware corporations which have a class of voting
stock that is listed on a national securities exchange, authorized for quotation
on the Nasdaq National Market, or held of record by more than 2,000
shareholders. Because First Premier's common stock will be listed on the Nasdaq
National Market, it is anticipated that Section 203 will be applicable to First
Premier. A Delaware corporation may elect not to be governed by Section 203 by
including a provision to that effect in its certificate of incorporation or
bylaws. The Certificate does not contain any such provision and, accordingly,
the Company believes Section 203 will apply to it.
First Premier expects that Section 203 will have the effect of encouraging any
potential acquiror to negotiate with the board of directors. Section 203 also
might have the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquiror to engage
in certain tactics (such as "two-tier pricing") that can result in dissimilar
treatment of a corporation's shareholders. At the time Section 203 was adopted
by the Delaware Legislature, a number of corporations had been subject to tender
offers for, or other acquisitions of, more than 15% but less than 85% of their
outstanding stock. In many cases, such purchases were followed by business
combinations in which the purchaser either paid a lower price for the remaining
outstanding shares than the price it paid in acquiring its original interest in
the corporation, or paid a less desirable form of consideration. Federal
securities laws and regulations applicable to business combinations govern the
disclosure required to be made to minority shareholders in order to consummate
such a transaction, but do not assure shareholders that the terms of the
business combination will be fair to them or that they can effectively prevent
its consummation. Moreover, the statutory right of the remaining shareholders of
the corporation to dissent in connection with certain business combinations and
receive the "fair value" of their shares in cash may involve significant expense
to such dissenting shareholders and may not be meaningful in all cases. Such an
appraisal standard as applied under Delaware Law does not take into account any
appreciation of the stock's market value due to anticipation of the business
combination and may not recognize that the market value of the shares may be
adversely influenced by the interested person's controlling stock ownership. In
addition, in the case of some business combinations, such as a sale of assets or
a reclassification or recapitalization of a corporation's capital stock, the
statutory right of dissent is not available at all. Section 203 was intended to
partially close these "gaps" in federal and state law and to prevent certain of
the potential inequities of business combinations.
Shareholders should note, however, that the application of Section 203 to First
Premier will confer upon the board of directors the power to reject a proposed
business combination in certain circumstances, even though a potential acquiror
may be offering a substantial premium for First Premier's shares over the then-
current market price. Section 203 should also discourage certain potential
acquirors unwilling to comply with its provisions.
INDEMNIFICATION
This provision of the Certificate of Incorporation will limit the remedies
available to a shareholder who is dissatisfied with a decision of the Board of
Directors protected by this provision, and such shareholder's only remedy in
that circumstance may be to bring a suit to prevent the action of the Board of
Directors. In many situations, this remedy may not be effective, including
instances when shareholders are not aware of a transaction or an event prior to
action of the Board of Directors in respect of such transaction or event.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
United Missouri Bank, Kansas City will be the Transfer Agent and Registrar for
the common stock.
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<PAGE> 70
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Upon completion of the offering and the merger, First Premier will have
4,300,000 shares of common stock outstanding (assuming no exercise of the
underwriters' over-allotment option and assuming the issuance of 1,000,000
shares in the merger), outstanding options to purchase 500,000 shares of common
stock and outstanding warrants to purchase 215,798 shares of common stock. Of
these shares, the 3,000,000 shares in this offering will be eligible for sale in
the open market without restriction (except for any such shares purchased by or
issued to "affiliates" of First Premier). The 1,000,000 shares to be issued in
the merger to Premier shareholders who are not affiliates may be sold in
increasing amounts during the 120-day period following the offering based on the
terms of the merger agreement. The remaining 300,000 shares of common stock will
be "restricted securities" as that term is defined in Rule 144 ("Rule 144")
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")
and will become eligible for sale under Rule 144 beginning on June 19, 1999.
Such shares must be held for one year from the date of acquisition before they
may be resold pursuant to Rule 144, unless the resale of such shares is made
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or
another exemption from registration is available.
Generally, Rule 144 provides that beginning 90 days after the date of this
prospectus, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who has
beneficially owned "restricted" securities for a least one year, including a
person who may be deemed an "affiliate" of First Premier, as the term
"affiliate" is defined under the Securities Act, is entitled to sell in
"broker's transactions" or in transactions directly with a "market marker,"
within any three-month period, a number of shares that does not exceed the
greater of one percent of the then outstanding shares of common stock or the
average weekly trading volume of the common stock on any national securities
exchange and/or over-the-counter market during the four calendar weeks preceding
such sale. Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to certain notice requirements
and the availability of current public information about First Premier. A person
(or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is not deemed an "affiliate" of
First Premier would be entitled to sell such shares under Rule 144 without
regard to the volume, public information, manner of sale or notice provisions
and limitations described above, once a period of at least two years had elapsed
since the later of the date the shares were acquired from First Premier or from
an "affiliate" of First Premier.
Upon completion of the offering, options to purchase 500,000 shares of common
stock will be granted to certain officers and directors of First Premier
pursuant to First Premier's stock option plan. After the offering, First Premier
intends to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to
register the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such options.
Accordingly, such shares will be freely tradeable by holders who are not
affiliates of First Premier and, subject to the volume and manner of sale
limitations of Rule 144, by holders who are affiliates of First Premier.
First Premier's officers and directors and certain of its existing shareholders
have agreed, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, not to
sell or otherwise dispose, directly or indirectly, of any shares without prior
written consent of the underwriters. Upon completion of the acquisition of
Premier and the offering, First Premier's officers and directors and certain of
its shareholders of First Premier will beneficially own an aggregate of 200,000
shares. These restricted shares of common stock will be eligible for sale
pursuant to Rule 144 in the public market 365 days from the date of their
purchase from First Premier.
Premier Bancshares and its directors and officers have agreed, for a period of
180 days after the effective date of this registration statement, not to sell or
otherwise transfer any shares of common stock owned by such director or officer.
Following the expiration of the 180-day lock-up period, such directors' and
officers' shares will be eligible for sale in the open market subject to certain
volume limitations and other conditions of Rule 144.
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<PAGE> 71
Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, Premier's shareholders, except
for those shareholders who serve as directors and/or officers of Premier, will
not sell or otherwise transfer any shares of common stock which they own, except
as permitted in the schedule set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATE PERCENTAGE OF SHARES PERMITTED
TIME TABLE FOR SALE BY EACH PREMIER SHAREHOLDER
- ---------- ----------------------------------------
<S> <C>
From the date of pricing the offering through the
date of closing the offering................... No sales are permitted
From 1 to 30 days after closing.................. 10%
From 31 to 60 after closing...................... 20%
From 61 to 90 days after closing................. 40%
From 91 to 120 days after closing................ 60%
From 121 days and thereafter..................... 100%
</TABLE>
Warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock were granted to certain
European investors in June 1998. The exercise price for these warrants will be
the initial public offering price of the common stock, and the warrants will be
exercisable for a seven-year period beginning on the date of the offering is
completed. In addition, warrants to purchase 115,798 shares were granted to
certain founders of the company. These warrants are exercisable at the initial
public offering price for a 10-year period beginning on the date of the
offering. The shares underlying the warrants will be "restricted securities,"
within the meaning of Rule 144 and must be held for one year following the date
of exercise before they may be resold pursuant to Rule 144, unless the resale of
such shares is made pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act or an exemption from registration is available.
Prior to the offering, there has been no public market for the common stock of
First Premier, and no prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that
future sales of shares or the availability of shares for sale will have on the
market price for common stock prevailing from time to time. Sales of substantial
amounts of common stock in the public market, or the perception of the
availability of shares for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market of
the common stock and could impair First Premier's ability to raise capital
through the sale of its equity securities.
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UNDERWRITING
First Premier entered into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters named
below. CIBC World Markets Corp., Pauli Johnson Capital & Research Incorporated
and Kelton International Limited are acting as representatives of the
underwriters.
The underwriting agreement provides for the purchase of a specific number of
shares of common stock by each of the underwriters. The underwriters'
obligations are several, which means that each underwriter is required to
purchase a specified number of shares, but is not responsible for the commitment
of any other underwriter to purchase shares. Subject to the terms and conditions
of the underwriting agreement, each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase
the number of shares of common stock set forth opposite its name below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNDERWRITER NUMBER OF SHARES
----------- ----------------
<S> <C>
CIBC World Markets Corp.....................................
Pauli Johnson Capital & Research Incorporated...............
Kelton International Limited................................
---------
Total.................................................. 3,000,000
=========
</TABLE>
This is a firm commitment underwriting. This means that the underwriters have
agreed to purchase all of the shares offered by this prospectus (other than
those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if any are
purchased. Pursuant to the underwriting agreement, if an underwriter defaults in
its commitment to purchase shares, the commitments of non-defaulting
underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated,
depending on the circumstances.
The representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose to offer the
shares directly to the public at the public offering price that appears on the
cover page of this prospectus. In addition, the representatives may offer some
of the shares to certain securities dealers at such price less a concession of
$ per share. The underwriters may also allow, and such dealers may
reallow, a concession not in excess of $ per share to certain other
dealers. After the shares are released for sale to the public, the
representatives may change the offering price and other selling terms at various
times.
We have granted the underwriters an over-allotment option. This option, which is
exercisable for up to 45 days after the date of this prospectus, permits the
underwriters to purchase a maximum of 450,000 additional shares. If the
underwriters exercise all or part of this option, they will purchase shares
covered by the option at the initial public offering price that appears on the
cover page of this prospectus, less the underwriting discount. If this option is
exercised in full, the total price to public will be $ and the total
proceeds to us will be $ . The underwriters have severally agreed that,
to the extent the over-allotment option is exercised, they will each purchase a
number of additional shares proportionate to each underwriter's initial amount
reflected in the foregoing table.
We will pay all of the expenses of the offering, excluding the underwriting
discount, which we estimate will be approximately $500,000.
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
In connection with this offering, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters,
for nominal consideration, warrants to purchase up to 210,000 shares of our
common stock. Such warrants are initially exercisable at a price of $ per
share [120% of the initial offering price per share]. The warrants contain
anti-dilution provisions providing for adjustment of the number of warrants and
exercise price under certain circumstances. In addition, the warrants grant to
the holders registration rights with respect to the securities issuable upon
exercise of the warrants.
Mr. Robin C. Kelton serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kelton
International Limited, an underwriter and one of the representatives. Mr. Kelton
owns 10,525 shares of common stock, all of which
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<PAGE> 73
were purchased at a price of $.01 per share. Mr. Kelton has received warrants to
purchase 14,475 shares of common stock with an exercise price equal to the
initial offering price of the common stock. In addition, Kelton International
Limited received a fee of $75,000 for its services as placement agent in
connection with the issuance of units consisting of shares of common stock,
preferred stock and warrants to purchase shares of common stock to certain
European investors in a private placement on June 19, 1998. Kelton International
Limited (i) is a foreign broker-dealer with a principal place of business in the
United Kingdom, (ii) is not registered with the SEC as a broker-dealer, (iii) is
not a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., (iv) will
agree not to sell any of the shares of common stock offered hereby within the
United States, its territories or its possessions, or to nationals or residents
of the United States, except for certain underwriting syndicate sales, and (v)
will agree to comply with certain rules of NASD Regulation, Inc. as if it were a
member of the NASD. Kelton International Limited was organized and first
registered as a broker-dealer within the past four years. Prior to the
organization of Kelton International Limited, its principals and officers were
actively involved in investment banking activities with other broker-dealers.
First Premier and our officers and directors have agreed to a 180-day "lock-up"
with respect to 200,000 shares of common stock. This means that, subject to
certain exceptions, for a period of 180 days following the date of this
prospectus, First Premier and such persons may not offer, sell, pledge or
otherwise dispose of First Premier common stock without the prior written
consent of the representatives.
Rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission may limit the ability of the
underwriters to bid for or purchase shares before distribution of the shares is
completed. However, the underwriters may engage in the following activities in
accordance with the rules:
- Stabilizing transactions -- The representatives may make bids or purchases
for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of shares, so
long as stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.
- Over-allotments and syndicate covering transactions -- The underwriters may
create a short position in the shares by selling more shares than are set
forth on the cover page of this prospectus. If a short position is created
in connection with the offering, the representatives may engage in syndicate
covering transactions by purchasing shares in the open market. The
representatives may also elect to reduce any short position by exercising
all or part of the over-allotment option.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters in connection with the offering are being passed upon for
First Premier by Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, Suite 3100, 1230 Peachtree
Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309, counsel to First Premier. Certain legal
matters in connection with the offering are being passed upon for the
underwriters by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10166.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of First Premier and the consolidated financial
statements of Premier included in this prospectus have been audited by KPMG LLP,
independent auditors, as stated in their reports appearing in this prospectus
and are included in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
First Premier has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the Securities
and Exchange Commission in connection with this offering. In addition, upon
completion of the offering, First Premier will be required to file annual,
quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy the registration
statement and any
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<PAGE> 74
other documents filed by First Premier at the Securities and Exchange
Commission's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the Public Reference Room. First Premier's Securities and
Exchange Commission filings are also available to the public at the Securities
and Exchange Commission's internet site at "http://www.sec.gov".
This prospectus is part of the registration statement and does not contain all
of the information included in the registration statement. Whenever a reference
is made in this prospectus to any contract or other document of First Premier,
the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are
a part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or document.
After the offering, First Premier expects to provide annual reports to its
shareholders that include financial information examined and reported on by
First Premier's independent public accountants.
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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE NO.
--------
<S> <C>
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Independent Auditors' Report.............................. F-2
Balance Sheet as of December 31, 1998..................... F-3
Statement of Operations for the period from May 1, 1998
(date of inception) through December 31, 1998.......... F-4
Statement of Shareholders' Equity for the period from May
1, 1998 (date of inception) through December 31,
1998................................................... F-5
Statement of Cash Flows for the period from May 1, 1998
(date of inception) through December 31, 1998.......... F-6
Notes to Financial Statements............................. F-7
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC.
Independent Auditors' Report.............................. F-12
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and
1998................................................... F-13
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998....................... F-14
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and
Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31,
1996, 1997 and 1998.................................... F-15
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998....................... F-16
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................ F-17
</TABLE>
F-1
<PAGE> 76
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
First Premier Financial Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of First Premier Financial
Corporation, a development stage corporation (the Company), as of December 31,
1998 and the related statements of operations, shareholders' equity, and cash
flows for the period May 1, 1998 (date of inception) through December 31, 1998.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31,
1998 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period May 1,
1998 (date of inception) through December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
KPMG LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
April 8, 1999, except for note 5 for
which the date is May 6, 1999
F-2
<PAGE> 77
FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE CORPORATION)
BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS
Cash........................................................ $ 711,515
-----------
Total assets........................................... $ 711,515
===========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accrued payroll taxes....................................... $ 1,158
Obligation to repurchase common stock....................... 2,750
-----------
Total liabilities...................................... 3,908
-----------
Shareholders' equity:
Series A preferred stock; $0.01 par value; 1,000,000
shares authorized; 99,900 shares issued and
outstanding; redemption price of $10.00................ 999,000
Common stock; $0.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares
authorized; 575,000 shares issued and outstanding...... 5,750
Common stock to be repurchased (275,000 shares at $0.01
per share)............................................. (2,750)
-----------
Common stock outstanding after repurchase.............. 3,000
-----------
Additional paid-in capital................................ 3,297,000
Warrants to acquire 215,798 shares of common stock........ 107,899
Deficit accumulated during development stage.............. (3,699,292)
-----------
Total shareholders' equity............................. 707,607
-----------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity............. $ 711,515
===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-3
<PAGE> 78
FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE CORPORATION)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 1, 1998 (DATE OF INCEPTION)
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Income:
Interest income........................................... $ 20,508
Other income.............................................. 52
-----------
Total income...................................... 20,560
-----------
Expenses:
Salary and benefits....................................... 2,326,660
Financing costs........................................... 1,199,000
Legal and consulting fees................................. 172,598
Other..................................................... 21,594
-----------
Total expenses......................................... 3,719,852
-----------
Net loss............................................... $(3,699,292)
===========
Loss per share -- basic and diluted......................... $ (12.33)
===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-4
<PAGE> 79
FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE CORPORATION)
STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 1, 1998 (DATE OF INCEPTION)
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DEFICIT
SERIES A WARRANTS ACCUMULATED
PREFERRED STOCK COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL TO ACQUIRE DURING
------------------- ----------------- PAID-IN COMMON DEVELOPMENT
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL STOCK STAGE TOTAL
-------- -------- -------- ------ ---------- ---------- ----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Issuance of units...... 99,900 $999,000 100,000 $1,000 1,099,000 50,000 -- 2,149,000
Issuance of common
stock................ -- -- 475,000 4,750 5,220,250 -- -- 5,225,000
Common stock to be
repurchased.......... -- -- (275,000) (2,750) (3,022,250) 57,899 -- (2,967,101)
Net loss............... -- -- -- -- -- -- (3,699,292) (3,699,292)
------ -------- -------- ------ ---------- ------- ---------- ----------
Balance, December 31,
1998................. 99,900 $999,000 300,000 $3,000 3,297,000 107,899 (3,699,292) 707,607
====== ======== ======== ====== ========== ======= ========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-5
<PAGE> 80
FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE CORPORATION)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 1, 1998 (DATE OF INCEPTION)
THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss.................................................. $(3,699,292)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
operating activities:
Increase in accrued payroll taxes...................... 1,158
Noncash compensation and financing charge for issuance
of common stock and warrants.......................... 3,404,899
-----------
Net cash used in operating activities................ (293,235)
Cash flows from financing activities -- proceeds from the
issuance of units and common stock........................ 1,004,750
-----------
Net increase in cash................................. 711,515
Cash, beginning of period................................... --
-----------
Cash, end of period......................................... $ 711,515
===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-6
<PAGE> 81
FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE CORPORATION)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1998
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization
Missouri Holdings, Inc. was incorporated on May 1, 1998 for the purpose of
becoming a bank holding company. The name of the corporation was subsequently
changed to First Premier Financial Corporation (the Company). The Company is in
the development stage and will remain in the development stage until the
consummation of an acquisition or merger with a banking organization.
Operations through December 31, 1998 relate primarily to expenditures for
incorporating and organizing the Company.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of
accounting in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The
presentation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Organizational Costs
The Company has elected to early adopt the provisions of SOP 98-5, Reporting on
the Costs of Start-Up Activities, which requires that start-up costs (including
organizational costs) be expensed as incurred.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of
existing assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets and
liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable
income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a
change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the
enactment date.
Loss Per Share
As the Company has no dilutive instruments, basic loss per share and dilutive
loss per share are equal. Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss
by 300,000, the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the
period after giving effect to the obligation to repurchase 275,000 shares.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of
three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Stock Options
The Company applies the measurement provisions of Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, in accounting for
stock options.
F-7
<PAGE> 82
FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE CORPORATION)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
New Accounting Pronouncements
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive
Income (SFAS 130), which was issued in June 1997, establishes standards for
reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components (revenues,
expenses, gains, and losses) in a full set of general-purpose financial
statements. SFAS 130 requires that all items required to be recognized under
accounting standards as components of comprehensive income be reported in a
financial statement that is displayed with the same prominence as other
financial statements, and requires an enterprise to (a) classify items of other
comprehensive income by their nature in a financial statement and (b) display
the accumulated balance of other comprehensive income separately from retained
earnings and additional paid-in capital in the equity section of a statement of
financial position. SFAS 130 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 1997. The Company has no other comprehensive income for the period
from May 1, 1998 (date of inception) through December 31, 1998.
(2) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with T. Stephen Johnson &
Associates to provide consulting services during the development stage of the
Company. The president of T. Stephen Johnson & Associates is a director of the
Company. The consulting agreement provides for a monthly payment of $25,000 for
six months and a finder's fee for the successful completion of a bank
acquisition equal to 1% of the aggregate purchase price, plus reimbursement of
expenses. Fees paid to T. Stephen Johnson & Associates for the period from May
1, 1998 (date of inception) through December 31, 1998 amounted to $126,540.
(3) SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Sale of Units
In June 1998, the Company sold 100 units to accredited European investors at the
price of $10,000 per unit plus a distribution fee of $750 per unit paid by the
purchaser to Kelton International Limited. Each unit was comprised of (a) 999
shares of Series A preferred stock, (b) 1,000 shares of common stock, and (c)
warrants to purchase 1,000 shares of common stock at the initial public offering
price for a period of ten years following the initial public offering. Mr. Robin
C. Kelton, a shareholder of the Company, serves as the chairman of Kelton
International Limited.
The net proceeds from the sale of units is being used to provide funding for the
operations of the Company during the development stage.
The Series A preferred stock, which the Company contemplates redeeming with a
portion of the proceeds of the initial public offering, is non-voting and, at
the option of the Company, is redeemable at a cash redemption price of $10 per
share.
In connection with the sale of the units, the Company recorded a non-cash charge
of $1,149,000 related to the sale of the common stock and warrants, with
corresponding increases to additional paid-in capital and warrants. The non-cash
financing cost has been measured as the difference between the estimated fair
value of the common stock of $11.00 per share (the mid-point of the estimated
range) and the allocated proceeds of $0.01 per share. Such non-cash financing
cost and corresponding increase in additional paid-in capital will be adjusted
to the actual initial public offering price. The warrants have been valued at an
aggregate price of $50,000, or $0.50 per share, as determined by an independent
appraisal.
F-8
<PAGE> 83
FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE CORPORATION)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Sale of Founders Shares
In August 1998, the Company sold 475,000 shares of common stock to investors as
founders shares at $0.01 per share. Such investors include the President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certain directors of the Company, T.
Stephen Johnson, and other employees of T. Stephen Johnson & Associates. In
April 1999, based on discussions with the underwriters for the initial public
offering, the Company agreed to repurchase 275,000 founders shares at $0.01 per
share and issue 115,798 warrants to certain non-employee investors. The
difference between the proceeds from the sale, as adjusted for the 275,000
shares to be repurchased, and the estimated fair value of the common stock,
based on an assumed initial public offering price of $11.00 per share (the
mid-point of the estimated range), of $2,198,000 has been recorded as
compensation expense with a corresponding increase to additional paid-in
capital. Such compensation expense and corresponding increase to additional
paid-in capital relating to the sale of the founders shares will be adjusted to
the actual initial public offering price. The warrants have been valued at an
aggregate price of $57,899, or $0.50 per share, as determined by an independent
appraisal.
(4) INCOME TAXES
For the period May 1, 1998 through December 31, 1998 no income tax expense or
benefit has been recognized. The primary reconciling difference between the
income tax benefit and the amount of benefit that would be expected by the
result of applying the federal statutory rate of 34% to the loss before income
taxes for the period from May 1, 1998 (date of inception) through December 31,
1998 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Expected federal income tax benefit......................... $(1,257,759)
Financing and compensation costs not deductible for income
tax purposes.............................................. 1,157,665
Establishment of valuation allowance........................ 100,094
-----------
Income tax expense..................................... $ --
===========
</TABLE>
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions
of the deferred tax assets at December 31, 1998 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Start-up costs............................................ $ 51,837
Net operating loss carryforward........................... 48,257
-----------
Gross deferred tax asset............................... 100,094
Less valuation allowance.................................. 100,094
-----------
Net deferred tax asset................................. $ --
===========
</TABLE>
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers
whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax
assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is
dependent upon generation of future taxable income during the periods in which
those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers projected
future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.
Management does not believe it is more likely than not the Company will realize
the benefits of these deductible differences. Accordingly, a valuation allowance
has been established for the deferred tax asset.
At December 31, 1998, the Company had a net operating loss carryforward for
federal income tax purposes of approximately $140,000, which is available to
offset future federal taxable income, if any, through 2013.
F-9
<PAGE> 84
FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE CORPORATION)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(5) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Acquisition Activity
On May 6, 1999, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with Premier
Bancshares, Inc. (Premier), the bank holding company for Premier Bank, located
in Jefferson City, Missouri. At December 31, 1998, Premier had consolidated
total assets of $57.8 million, loans of $41.2 million, deposits of $48.8
million, and shareholders' equity of $4.4 million. The agreement provides for
the shareholders of Premier to exchange their shares of common stock, in a
tax-free reorganization, for $11.0 million of newly issued shares of common
stock of the Company (valued at the initial public offering price of the common
stock of the Company). The transaction, which requires the approval of bank
regulatory authorities and the shareholders of the Company and Premier, is
expected to close in the third quarter of 1999.
Employment Agreements
The Company and Richard C. Jensen entered into an employment agreement which
provides that Mr. Jensen will serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Premier Bank upon
completion of the merger and the initial public offering. Mr. Jensen also serves
as a member of the board of directors of the Company and will serve on Premier
Bank's board of directors after the closing of the initial public offering. Mr.
Jensen's employment agreement has a three-year term and provides for a minimum
annual base salary of $250,000. Upon completion of the initial public offering,
Mr. Jensen will receive a payment of $150,000. In addition, the Board will issue
an option to Mr. Jensen to purchase up to 125,000 shares of common stock at the
initial public offering price of the common stock. This option will be
exercisable for a period of ten years. After the closing of the initial public
offering, in the event of a "change in control" of the Company (as defined in
his employment agreement), Mr. Jensen will be entitled to give written notice to
the Company of termination of the employment agreement and to receive a cash
payment equal to approximately 300% of the compensation received by Mr. Jensen
in the one-year period immediately preceding the change in control. In addition,
if Mr. Jensen elects to terminate the employment agreement pursuant to a change
in control, Mr. Jensen will further be entitled to, in lieu of shares of common
stock issuable upon the exercise of options, an amount in cash or common stock
equal to the excess of the fair market value of the common stock as of the date
of closing of the transaction effecting the change in control over the per share
exercise price of the options held by Mr. Jensen, times the number of shares of
common stock subject to such options. In the event that the board of directors
determines in its sole discretion that the Company is unable to close the
initial public offering, then the employment agreement may be terminated by the
board of directors at any time during the term of the employment agreement
without notice, with the condition that Mr. Jensen will be entitled to
liquidated damages in the amount of $250,000.
In connection with the agreement to acquire Premier Bancshares, Inc., the
Company has agreed entered into an employment agreement with Bruce W. Wiley, the
current President of Premier Bank. Mr. Wiley's employment agreement provides for
a five-year term commencing at the closing of the initial public offering. Mr.
Wiley's employment agreement provides for an annual base salary of $150,000 and
the grant of an option to purchase up to 70,000 shares of Company common stock
at the initial public offering price. 30,000 options will be granted under the
Company's stock option plan on the same terms as options issued to other members
of senior management and will vest over a period of three years. The remaining
40,000 options will be granted on the same terms as those warrants which were
issued to certain founders of the Company in April 1998 and will also be
exercisable for 10 years. In addition, Mr. Wiley's employment agreement provides
that he will serve as a director of the Company and his title following the
merger and the initial public offering will be President of the Mid-Missouri
Market. In the event of a "change in control" of the Company (as defined in his
employment agreement), Mr. Wiley's employment
F-10
<PAGE> 85
FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE CORPORATION)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
agreement provides that he may elect to give written notice to the Company of
termination of his employment agreement and to receive a cash payment equal to
approximately 300% of the compensation received by him in the one-year period
immediately preceding the change in control.
In addition, the Company has also entered into employment agreements with four
additional executive officers. All of these employment agreements provide for a
three-year term. These employment agreements provide for annual base salaries
and the grant of options to purchase up to an aggregate of 110,000 shares at the
initial public offering price. These options will be exercisable for a period of
ten years.
Stock Option Plan
On April 29, 1999, the board of directors adopted the First Premier Financial
Corporation 1999 Stock Option Plan (the 1999 Plan) to promote the Company's
growth and financial success. Options may be granted under the 1999 Plan to the
Company's directors, officers, and employees, as well as certain consultants and
advisors. The 1999 Plan contemplates the grant of nonqualified stock options and
incentive stock options. The 1999 Plan provides for option grants to purchase up
to an aggregate of 500,000 shares of common stock, subject to adjustment under
certain circumstances (the Option Shares). The 1999 Plan will expire upon the
earlier to occur of: (a) the date on which all Option Shares have been issued
upon exercise of options under the 1999 Plan; or (b) the tenth anniversary of
the 1999 Plan's effective date. The 1999 Plan will be administered by the board
of directors or by a committee appointed by the board and consisting of at least
two non-employee board members.
The exercise price of incentive stock options granted under the 1999 Plan will
be determined by the board of directors, but will in no event be less than 100%
of the market price of one share of common stock on the option grant date.
Nonqualified stock options under the 1999 Plan may be granted at an exercise
price of no less than 75% of the market price of the common stock on the date of
the grant. Vested options under the 1999 Plan may be exercised in whole or in
part, but in no event later than 10 years from the grant date. The board of
directors may at any time terminate, modify, or amend the 1999 Plan in any
respect, except that without shareholder approval the board of directors may
not:
- - Increase the number of Option Shares,
- - Extend the period during which options may be granted or exercised,
- - Change the class of 1999 Plan participants, or
- - Otherwise materially modify the requirements as to eligibility for
participation in the 1999 Plan.
In no event will the termination, modification, or amendment of the 1999 Plan,
without the written consent of an optionee, affect his or her rights under an
option or right previously granted him or her. The 1999 Plan must be approved by
the Company's shareholders within twelve months from the adoption of the 1999
Plan by the board of directors.
F-11
<PAGE> 86
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Premier Bancshares, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Premier
Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiary (the Company) as of December 31, 1997 and 1998,
and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and
comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1998. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Premier Bancshares,
Inc. and subsidiary as of December 31, 1997 and 1998, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
KPMG LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
February 12, 1999, except for note 17
for which the date is May 6, 1999
F-12
<PAGE> 87
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks..................................... $ 514,002 1,156,049
Interest-bearing deposits................................... 497,540 410,774
Federal funds sold.......................................... 1,802,000 5,111,000
----------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents.............................. 2,813,542 6,677,823
Debt and marketable equity securities available-for-sale, at
fair value................................................ 5,417,750 6,477,945
Loans, net.................................................. 23,342,301 41,170,698
Premises and equipment, net................................. 1,393,233 2,543,762
Accrued interest receivable................................. 268,335 348,624
Other assets................................................ 481,681 536,976
----------- ----------
Total assets........................................... $33,716,842 57,755,828
=========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing....................................... $ 1,478,183 2,817,137
Interest-bearing.......................................... 26,874,744 45,998,685
----------- ----------
Total deposits......................................... 28,352,927 48,815,822
Federal Home Loan Bank advances............................. 940,000 3,445,153
Note payable................................................ 1,050,000 750,000
Accrued interest payable.................................... 115,715 207,529
Other liabilities........................................... 36,616 99,163
----------- ----------
Total liabilities...................................... 30,495,258 53,317,667
----------- ----------
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $1 par value, 100,000 shares authorized,
32,843 and 41,834 shares issued and outstanding in 1997
and 1998, respectively................................. 32,843 41,834
Surplus................................................... 3,394,172 4,553,421
Accumulated deficit....................................... (213,383) (191,030)
Accumulated other comprehensive income.................... 7,952 33,936
----------- ----------
Total shareholders' equity............................. 3,221,584 4,438,161
----------- ----------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity............. $33,716,842 57,755,828
=========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-13
<PAGE> 88
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1997 1998
---------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans................................ $1,008,332 1,750,020 2,849,946
Interest and dividends on debt and marketable equity
securities............................................. 359,220 356,490 407,387
Interest on federal funds sold............................ 62,763 68,702 182,177
---------- --------- ---------
Total interest income.................................. 1,430,315 2,175,212 3,439,510
---------- --------- ---------
Interest expense:
Interest on deposits...................................... 855,131 1,253,198 1,884,612
Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank advances............... -- 21,905 132,748
Interest on note payable.................................. 27,744 33,975 72,140
---------- --------- ---------
Total interest expense................................. 882,875 1,309,078 2,089,500
---------- --------- ---------
Net interest income.................................... 547,440 866,134 1,350,010
Provision for loan losses................................... 80,582 112,279 291,734
---------- --------- ---------
Net interest income after provision for loan losses.... 466,858 753,855 1,058,276
---------- --------- ---------
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposits............................... 18,889 34,930 58,958
Loss on sale of securities, net........................... -- (210) --
Gain on sale of loans, net................................ 16,922 26,270 70,055
Other noninterest income.................................. 11,461 28,314 39,504
---------- --------- ---------
Total noninterest income............................... 47,272 89,304 168,517
---------- --------- ---------
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits............................ 298,307 354,371 598,308
Occupancy and equipment expense........................... 82,030 118,965 188,108
Other noninterest expense................................. 247,024 262,315 409,498
---------- --------- ---------
Total noninterest expense.............................. 627,361 735,651 1,195,914
---------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) before income tax expense................ (113,231) 107,508 30,879
Income tax expense.......................................... -- 10,613 8,526
---------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss)...................................... $ (113,231) 96,895 22,353
========== ========= =========
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share................. $ (3.54) 2.99 0.55
========== ========= =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-14
<PAGE> 89
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCUMULATED
OTHER
COMMON STOCK ACCU- COMPRE- TOTAL
---------------- TREASURY MULATED HENSIVE SHAREHOLDERS'
SHARES AMOUNT SURPLUS STOCK DEFICIT INCOME EQUITY
------ ------- --------- -------- -------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1995..... 35,020 $35,020 3,605,580 (307,530) (189,517) 47,633 3,191,186
Retirement of treasury stock..... (3,000) (3,000) (304,530) 307,530 -- -- --
Transfer from accumulated deficit
to surplus..................... -- -- 7,530 -- (7,530) -- --
Comprehensive income:
Net loss....................... -- -- -- -- (113,231) -- (113,231)
Other comprehensive income --
change in unrealized gain
(loss) on securities
available-for-sale, net of
tax.......................... -- -- -- -- -- (61,756) (61,756)
---------
Total comprehensive income... (174,987)
------ ------- --------- -------- -------- ------- ---------
Balance at December 31, 1996..... 32,020 32,020 3,308,580 -- (310,278) (14,123) 3,016,199
Issuance of common stock......... 823 823 85,592 -- -- -- 86,415
Comprehensive income:
Net income..................... -- -- -- -- 96,895 -- 96,895
Other comprehensive income --
change in unrealized gain
(loss) on securities
available-for-sale, net of
tax and reclassification
amount....................... -- -- -- -- -- 22,075 22,075
---------
Total comprehensive income... 118,970
------ ------- --------- -------- -------- ------- ---------
Balance at December 31, 1997..... 32,843 32,843 3,394,172 -- (213,383) 7,952 3,221,584
Issuance of common stock......... 9,231 9,231 1,190,799 -- -- -- 1,200,030
Purchase of treasury stock....... -- -- -- (31,790) -- -- (31,790)
Retirement of treasury stock..... (240) (240) (31,550) 31,790 -- -- --
Comprehensive income:
Net income..................... -- -- -- -- 22,353 -- 22,353
Other comprehensive income --
change in unrealized gain
(loss) on securities
available-for-sale, net of
tax.......................... -- -- -- -- -- 25,984 25,984
---------
Total comprehensive income... 48,337
------ ------- --------- -------- -------- ------- ---------
Balance at December 31, 1998..... 41,834 $41,834 4,553,421 -- (191,030) 33,936 4,438,161
====== ======= ========= ======== ======== ======= =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-15
<PAGE> 90
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1997 1998
------------ ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)......................................... $ (113,231) 96,895 22,353
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization........................... 59,405 73,823 115,188
Provision for loan losses............................... 80,582 112,279 291,734
Loss on sale of securities.............................. -- 210 --
Increase in accrued interest receivable................. (15,438) (83,205) (80,289)
Increase in accrued interest payable.................... 25,100 29,768 91,814
Increase in other assets................................ (3,459) (459,880) (55,295)
Other, net.............................................. (9,877) 43,701 49,161
------------ ---------- -----------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities... 23,082 (186,409) 434,666
------------ ---------- -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of debt and marketable equity
securities available-for-sale........................... -- 553,120 --
Proceeds from maturities and principal payments on debt
and marketable equity securities available-for-sale..... 1,726,054 2,564,969 3,542,196
Purchases of debt and marketable equity securities
available-for-sale...................................... (2,693,239) (2,260,555) (4,575,742)
Net increase in loans..................................... (9,022,096) (8,249,077) (18,120,131)
Purchases of premises and equipment, net.................. (709,899) (67,658) (1,252,996)
------------ ---------- -----------
Net cash used in investing activities................. (10,699,180) (7,459,201) (20,406,673)
------------ ---------- -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase in deposits.................................. 10,761,404 6,084,663 20,462,895
Federal Home Loan Bank advances........................... -- 1,940,000 2,805,000
Principal payments on Federal Home Loan Bank advances..... -- (1,000,000) (299,847)
Proceeds from note payable................................ -- 1,050,000 --
Repayment of note payable................................. -- (300,000) (300,000)
Purchase of treasury stock................................ -- -- (31,790)
Proceeds from sale of common stock........................ -- 86,415 1,200,030
------------ ---------- -----------
Net cash provided by financing activities............. 10,761,404 7,861,078 23,836,288
------------ ---------- -----------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents............. 85,306 215,468 3,864,281
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year.............. 2,512,768 2,598,074 2,813,542
------------ ---------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year.................... $ 2,598,074 2,813,542 6,677,823
============ ========== ===========
Supplemental information -- interest paid................... $ 857,775 1,279,310 1,997,686
============ ========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-16
<PAGE> 91
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997, AND 1998
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Premier Bancshares, Inc. provides a full range of banking services to corporate
and individual customers throughout Jefferson City and Columbia, Missouri,
through its wholly owned subsidiary, Premier Bank (the Bank). Premier
Bancshares, Inc. and the Bank (the Company), which operate as a single business
segment, are subject to competition from other financial and nonfinancial
institutions providing financial products in these Missouri markets.
Additionally, the Company is subject to the regulations of certain federal and
state agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory agencies.
The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform, in all material
respects, to generally accepted accounting principles within the banking
industry.
The more significant of the Company's accounting policies are set forth below:
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions, including the determination of the allowance for
loan losses, that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results differ from those
estimates.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Premier
Bancshares, Inc. and the Bank. All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash
equivalents include cash, due from banks, interest-bearing deposits, and
federal funds sold.
Investment Securities
At the time of purchase for the periods covered, all debt and equity
securities were classified as available-for-sale. Unrealized gains and
losses, net of tax, are excluded from earnings and reported as accumulated
other comprehensive income, a separate component of shareholders' equity,
until realized. A decline in the market value of any security below cost
that is deemed other than temporary results in a charge to earnings and the
establishment of a new cost basis for the security.
Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the lives of the
respective securities as an adjustment to yield using the interest method.
Dividend and interest income is recognized when earned. Realized gains and
losses are included in earnings and are derived using the specific-
identification method for determining the cost of securities sold.
The Bank, as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System administered by
the Federal Housing Finance Board, is required to maintain an investment in
the capital stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) in an amount equal
to the greater of 1% of the Bank's total mortgage-related assets at the
beginning of each year, 0.3% of the Bank's total assets at the beginning of
each
F-17
<PAGE> 92
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
year, or 5% of advances from the FHLB to the Bank. This investment is
recorded at cost which represents redemption value.
Loans
Interest on loans is credited to income based upon the principal amount
outstanding. The recognition of interest income is discontinued when, in
management's judgment, the interest will not be collectible in accordance
with the contractual terms of the loan agreement or when either principal
or interest is past due over 90 days. Subsequent payments received on such
loans are applied to principal if there is any doubt as to the
collectibility of such principal; otherwise, such receipts are recorded as
interest income. Loans are returned to accrual status when management
believes full collectibility of principal and interest is expected.
A loan is considered impaired when it is probable the Company will be
unable to collect all amounts due -- both principal and
interest -- according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When
measuring impairment, the expected future cash flows of an impaired loan
are discounted at the loan's effective interest rate. Alternatively,
impairment is measured by reference to an observable market price, if one
exists, or the fair value of the collateral for a collateral-dependent
loan. Regardless of the historical measurement method used, the Company
measures impairment based on the fair value of the collateral when
foreclosure is probable. Additionally, impairment of a restructured loan is
measured by discounting the total expected future cash flows at the loan's
effective rate of interest as stated in the original loan agreement. The
Company uses its nonaccrual policy for recognizing interest income on
impaired loans.
The allowance for loan losses is available to absorb loan charge-offs. The
allowance is increased by provisions charged to expense and reduced by loan
charge-offs less recoveries. The provision charged to expense is that
amount which management believes is sufficient to bring the balance of the
allowance for loan losses to a level adequate to absorb potential loan
losses, based on their knowledge and evaluation of the current loan
portfolio and the current economic environment in which the borrowers of
the Bank operate.
Management believes the allowance for loan losses is adequate to absorb
losses in the loan portfolio. While management uses available information
to recognize loan losses, future additions to the allowance may be
necessary based on changes in economic conditions and changes in the
financial condition of borrowers. Additionally, regulatory agencies, as an
integral part of the examination process, periodically review the Bank's
allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Bank to increase
its allowance for loan losses based on their judgments and interpretations
about information available to them at the time of their examinations.
Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.
Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the respective assets, which is 50 years for buildings, and
range from 3 to 10 years for furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Property
additions and betterments are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs
which do not extend the useful life of the asset are expensed as incurred.
Income Taxes
Premier Bancshares, Inc. and the Bank file consolidated income tax returns.
F-18
<PAGE> 93
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future
tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary
differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred
tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income
in the period which includes the enactment date.
Treasury Stock
The purchase of the Company's common stock is recorded at cost. Upon
subsequent reissuance or retirement, the treasury stock account is reduced
by the average cost basis of such common stock.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
As the Company has no dilutive instruments, basic earnings (loss) per share
and dilutive earnings (loss) per share are equal. Basic earnings (loss) per
share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by 32,020, 32,375, and
40,443, the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during
1996, 1997, and 1998, respectively.
Financial Instruments
Financial instruments are defined as cash, evidence of an ownership
interest in any entity, or a contract that both imposes on one entity a
contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial instrument to a
second entity, and conveys to that second entity a contractual right to
receive cash or another financial instrument from the first entity.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a
comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flow
expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be
impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by
which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the
assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying
amount or fair value less costs to sell.
Comprehensive Income
The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
130, Reporting Comprehensive Income, during 1998. SFAS No. 130 establishes
standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its
components (revenues, expenses, gains, and losses) in a full set of
general-purpose financial statements. SFAS No. 130 requires that all items
required to be recognized under accounting standards as components of
comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that is displayed
with the same prominence as other financial statements, and requires an
enterprise to (a) classify items of other comprehensive income by their
nature in a financial statement and (b) display the accumulated balance of
other comprehensive income separately from retained earnings and additional
paid-in capital in the equity section of a statement of financial position.
The Company reports comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of
shareholders' equity and comprehensive income. The adoption of SFAS No. 130
did not have an effect on the financial position or results of operations
of the Company.
F-19
<PAGE> 94
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(2) REGULATORY RESTRICTIONS AND CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by
federal and state banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements
can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions
by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the
Bank's financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines, the Bank must
meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets,
liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory
accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification of the Bank are
subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components,
risk-weightings, and other factors. As of December 31, 1997 and 1998, without
prior approval of the regulatory banking authorities, the Bank was unable to pay
cash dividends on its common stock.
Quantitative measures established by regulations to ensure capital adequacy
require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the
following table) of total and Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets, and of
Tier I capital to adjusted average assets. Management believes, as of December
31, 1998, the Bank meets all capital and adequacy requirements to which it is
subject.
The Bank is also subject to the regulatory framework for prompt corrective
action. The Bank's most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, dated November 30, 1998, categorized it as well capitalized under
the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well
capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based,
and Tier I to adjusted average assets ratios as set forth in the following
table. There are no obligations or events since November 30, 1998 that
management believes have changed the Bank's category.
The actual and required capital amounts and ratios for the Bank as of December
31, 1997 and 1998 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REQUIREMENTS TO
CAPITAL BE CLASSIFIED AS
ACTUAL REQUIREMENTS WELL CAPITALIZED
-------------- -------------- ----------------
AMOUNT RATIO AMOUNT RATIO AMOUNT RATIO
------ ----- ------ ----- ------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1997:
Total capital (to risk-weighted
assets).............................. $4,425 23.51% $1,505 8.00% $1,882 10.00%
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted
assets).............................. 4,215 22.40 753 4.00 1,129 6.00
Tier I capital (to average assets)...... 4,215 13.20 958 3.00 1,596 5.00
====== ===== ====== ==== ====== =====
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REQUIREMENTS TO
CAPITAL BE CLASSIFIED AS
ACTUAL REQUIREMENTS WELL CAPITALIZED
-------------- -------------- ----------------
AMOUNT RATIO AMOUNT RATIO AMOUNT RATIO
------ ----- ------ ----- ------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1998:
Total capital (to risk-weighted
assets).............................. $5,513 13.24% $3,330 8.00% $4,163 10.00%
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted
assets).............................. 5,074 12.19 1,665 4.00 2,498 6.00
Tier I capital (to average assets)...... 5,074 9.09 1,675 3.00 2,792 5.00
====== ===== ====== ==== ====== =====
</TABLE>
F-20
<PAGE> 95
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(3) DEBT AND MARKETABLE EQUITY SECURITIES
The amortized cost and fair values of debt and marketable equity securities
available-for-sale at December 31, 1997 and 1998 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997
------------------------------------------------
GROSS GROSS
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Debt securities:
U.S. Treasury securities....................... $ 759,840 5,743 -- 765,583
U.S. Government corporations and agencies...... 3,753,039 8,394 (3,689) 3,757,744
Obligations of state and political
subdivisions................................ 358,748 3,286 (938) 361,096
Mortgage-backed securities..................... 454,575 2,671 (3,419) 453,827
---------- ------ ------ ---------
5,326,202 20,094 (8,046) 5,338,250
---------- ------ ------ ---------
Marketable equity securities:
Federal Home Loan Bank stock................... 77,000 -- -- 77,000
Other.......................................... 2,500 -- -- 2,500
---------- ------ ------ ---------
79,500 -- -- 79,500
---------- ------ ------ ---------
$5,405,702 20,094 (8,046) 5,417,750
========== ====== ====== =========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998
---------------------------------------------------
GROSS GROSS
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Debt securities:
U.S. Treasury securities..................... $ 506,230 6,580 -- 512,810
U.S. Government corporations and agencies.... 4,860,592 35,828 (2,773) 4,893,647
Obligations of state and political
subdivisions.............................. 359,279 10,880 -- 370,159
Mortgage-backed securities................... 524,525 3,355 (2,451) 525,429
---------- ------ ------ ---------
6,250,626 56,643 (5,224) 6,302,045
---------- ------ ------ ---------
Marketable equity securities:
Federal Home Loan Bank stock................. 173,400 -- -- 173,400
Other........................................ 2,500 -- -- 2,500
---------- ------ ------ ---------
175,900 -- -- 175,900
---------- ------ ------ ---------
$6,426,526 56,643 (5,224) 6,477,945
========== ====== ====== =========
</TABLE>
F-21
<PAGE> 96
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
The amortized cost and fair values of debt securities available-for-sale at
December 31, 1997 and 1998, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual
maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the
right to repay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
----------------------- ----------------------
AMORTIZED FAIR AMORTIZED FAIR
COST VALUE COST VALUE
---------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Due in one year or less...................... $ 499,372 499,807 750,225 753,273
Due after one year through five years........ 3,765,535 3,770,534 2,231,764 2,091,082
Due after five years through ten years....... 1,061,295 1,067,909 3,010,558 3,202,383
Due after ten years.......................... -- -- 258,079 255,307
---------- --------- --------- ---------
$5,326,202 5,338,250 6,250,626 6,302,045
========== ========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
Debt and marketable equity securities with carrying values aggregating
$1,464,302 and $1,369,034 at December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively, were
pledged to secure public funds and for other purposes as required or permitted
by law.
(4) LOANS
The composition of the loan portfolio at December 31, 1997 and 1998 is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Commercial.................................................. $ 2,905,207 5,292,128
Real estate................................................. 19,329,657 34,465,883
Installment and others...................................... 1,317,437 1,618,363
Loans held for sale......................................... -- 233,165
----------- ----------
23,552,301 41,609,539
Allowance for loan losses................................... (210,000) (438,841)
----------- ----------
Loans, net............................................. $23,342,301 41,170,698
=========== ==========
</TABLE>
The Bank grants commercial, residential mortgage, and installment loans to
customers primarily in their service area of Jefferson City and Columbia,
Missouri. The Company has a diversified loan portfolio, with no particular
concentration of credit in any one economic sector in this service area;
however, a substantial portion of the portfolio is concentrated in and secured
by real estate. The ability of the Company's borrowers to honor their
contractual obligations is dependent upon the local economies and their effect
on the real estate market.
Following is a summary of activity for the year ended December 31, 1998, of
loans to executive officers and directors or to entities in which such
individuals had beneficial interest as shareholders, officers, or directors.
Such loans were made in the normal course of business on substantially the same
terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the same
time for comparable transactions with other persons, and did not involve more
than the normal risk of collectibility.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1997................................ $273,332
New loans................................................... 886,100
Payments received........................................... (654,098)
--------
Balance at December 31, 1998................................ $505,334
========
</TABLE>
F-22
<PAGE> 97
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Transactions in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31,
1996, 1997, and 1998 are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1997 1998
-------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at January 1........................................ $ 63,430 120,000 210,000
Provision charged to expense................................ 80,582 112,279 291,734
Loans charged-off........................................... (24,012) (22,641) (64,643)
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off.................. -- 362 1,750
-------- ------- -------
Balance at December 31...................................... $120,000 210,000 438,841
======== ======= =======
</TABLE>
A summary of impaired loans at December 31, 1997 and 1998 follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
-------- ------
<S> <C> <C>
Nonaccrual loans............................................ $161,234 94,072
Impaired loans continuing to accrue interest................ -- --
-------- ------
Total impaired loans................................... $161,234 94,072
======== ======
Allowance for losses on impaired loans...................... $ 27,532 24,072
Impaired loans with no related allowance for loan losses.... -- --
======== ======
</TABLE>
The average balance of impaired loans during 1997 and 1998 was $82,690 and
$158,233, respectively.
There were no nonaccrual or impaired loans as of and for the year ended December
31, 1996. A summary of interest income on nonaccrual and other impaired loans
for 1997 and 1998 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IMPAIRED LOANS
NONACCRUAL CONTINUING TO
LOANS ACCRUE INTEREST TOTAL
---------- --------------- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1997:
Income recognized........................................ $ -- -- --
Interest income had interest accrued..................... 7,399 -- 7,399
====== ===== =====
1998:
Income recognized........................................ $ -- -- --
Interest income had interest accrued..................... 7,650 -- 7,650
====== ===== =====
</TABLE>
(5) PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of premises and equipment at December 31, 1997 and 1998 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Land........................................................ $ 400,000 650,000
Buildings................................................... 872,839 1,552,925
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment.......................... 236,578 545,114
---------- ---------
1,509,417 2,748,039
Less accumulated depreciation............................... 116,184 204,277
---------- ---------
$1,393,233 2,543,762
========== =========
</TABLE>
Amounts charged to occupancy expense for depreciation aggregated $43,769,
$60,193, and $102,467 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997, and 1998,
respectively.
F-23
<PAGE> 98
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
At December 31, 1998, the Bank had entered into an operating lease for a
facility which begins in February 2000 and expires in 2005. Minimum future lease
payments required are as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Year ending December 31:
1999...................................................... $ --
2000...................................................... 24,475
2001...................................................... 26,700
2002...................................................... 26,700
2003...................................................... 26,700
2004 and thereafter....................................... 28,925
--------
$133,500
========
</TABLE>
(6) INTEREST-BEARING DEPOSITS
A summary of interest-bearing deposits at December 31, 1997 and 1998 is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
----------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
NOW and money market demand accounts........................ $ 3,008,584 6,080,659
Savings..................................................... 6,091,624 12,454,092
Other time deposits:
Less than $100,000........................................ 11,490,200 16,267,823
$100,000 and over......................................... 6,284,336 11,196,111
----------- ----------
$26,874,744 45,998,685
=========== ==========
</TABLE>
Interest expense on deposits for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997, and
1998 is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1997 1998
-------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
NOW and money market demand accounts...................... $ 80,291 123,663 171,269
Savings................................................... 86,675 242,812 401,601
Other time deposits....................................... 688,165 886,723 1,311,742
-------- --------- ---------
$855,131 1,253,198 1,884,612
======== ========= =========
</TABLE>
The maturities of other time deposits at December 31, 1998 are show below.
Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because depositors
may redeem deposits early.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Due in three months or less................................. $ 7,032,398
Due in greater than three months through one year........... 13,901,527
Due in greater than one year through three years............ 5,550,580
Due in greater than three years............................. 979,429
-----------
$27,463,934
===========
</TABLE>
F-24
<PAGE> 99
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(7) FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES
At December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Bank has fixed rate advances outstanding with
the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, with stated maturities as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
------------------- ---------------------
WEIGHTED WEIGHTED
INTEREST 1998 INTEREST
AMOUNT RATE AMOUNT RATE
-------- -------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Due in one year or less............................. $500,000 6.02% $ 250,000 6.18%
Due after five years................................ 440,000 6.43 3,195,153 5.70
-------- ==== ---------- ====
$940,000 $3,445,153
======== ==========
</TABLE>
The Bank maintains an $8.3 million line of credit with the FHLB and had
availability under that line of $4.9 million at December 31, 1998.
FHLB advances are secured under a blanket agreement which assigns all FHLB stock
and one-to-four family mortgage loans equal to 130% of the outstanding advance
balance.
(8) NOTE PAYABLE
The note payable at December 31, 1998 is a term loan between the Company and an
unaffiliated financial institution which bears interest at the prime rate (7.75%
at December 31, 1998), is due on November 15, 1999, and is secured by 35,020
common shares of the Bank.
(9) OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The Company's other comprehensive income included the following components:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1997 1998
-------- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on securities
available-for-sale, net of tax......................... $(61,756) 22,214 25,984
Less adjustment for net securities loss realized in net
income, net of tax..................................... -- (139) --
-------- ------ ------
$(61,756) 22,075 25,984
======== ====== ======
</TABLE>
(10) INCOME TAXES
The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1996,
1997, and 1998 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1997 1998
-------- ------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current expense:
Federal............................................... $ -- 8,926 --
State................................................. -- 1,687 8,526
Increase(decrease)in the beginning of the year balance
of the valuation allowance for deferred tax
assets............................................. 42,895 (39,038) (6,416)
Deferred -- federal..................................... (42,895) 39,038 6,416
-------- ------- ------
$ -- 10,613 8,526
======== ======= ======
</TABLE>
F-25
<PAGE> 100
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
A reconciliation of expected income tax expense to federal income tax expense,
computed by applying the federal statutory rate of 34% to income (loss) before
income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997, and 1998 to
reported income tax expense, is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1997 1998
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Income tax expense (benefit) at statutory rate......... $(38,499) $ 36,553 $ 10,499
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
State income tax, net of federal income tax
benefit........................................... -- 1,113 5,627
Officer's life insurance -- book to tax treatment.... -- 861 (4,222)
Change in the beginning of the year balance of the
valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
allocated to income tax expense................... 42,895 (39,038) (6,416)
Other, net........................................... (4,396) 11,124 3,038
-------- -------- --------
Income tax expense................................ $ -- $ 10,613 $ 8,526
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
The tax effect of temporary differences which give rise to significant portions
of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 1997 and
1998 are presented below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Book provision for loan loss in excess of tax............. $ 54,143 $126,213
Deferred compensation..................................... 849 3,818
Available-for-sale securities market valuation............ 4,096 17,483
Organizational costs...................................... 10,258 5,862
Net operating loss carryforward........................... 71,545 16,503
-------- --------
Gross deferred tax assets.............................. 140,891 169,879
Less valuation allowance.................................. (63,311) (56,895)
-------- --------
Net deferred tax assets, net........................... 77,580 112,984
-------- --------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Premises and equipment, basis............................. (25,791) (51,299)
Accrual to cash conversion for book to tax accounting
methods................................................ (44,638) (41,717)
Other..................................................... (3,055) (2,486)
-------- --------
Total gross deferred tax liabilities................... (73,484) (95,502)
-------- --------
Net deferred tax asset................................. $ 4,096 $ 17,482
======== ========
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1998, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) of
approximately $50,000. Their utilization is subject to annual limitations. The
NOLs for the Company at December 31, 1998 expire during 2009 through 2011.
The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation
of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences
become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax
liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in
making this assessment. A valuation allowance is provided on deferred tax assets
when it is more likely than not that some portion of the assets will not be
realized. The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of December 31,
1996 was $102,349. The net change in the total valuation allowance for the years
ended December 31, 1997 and 1998 was a decrease of $39,038 and $6,416,
respectively.
F-26
<PAGE> 101
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
(11) EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
During 1997, the Company adopted a SIMPLE IRA for all employees meeting certain
eligibility requirements. An eligible employee may make a salary reduction
election, expressed as a percentage of compensation, not to exceed $6,000 for
any calendar year. The Company makes contributions to the plan equal to the
employees' salary reduction contributions up to a limit of 3% of the employee's
compensation for the calendar year subject to certain provisions which could
reduce such contributions. All contributions are fully vested and
nonforfeitable; there are no withdrawal restrictions, and no cost or penalty for
transfer to another IRA. Employer matching contributions to the plan totaled
$4,232 and $8,239 in 1997 and 1998, respectively.
In 1997, the Company's Board entered into a Director Deferred Fee Agreement
(Agreement) with five of the six Directors and one Company officer; the
Agreement provides the participants with the opportunity to defer fees and to
accumulate assets for retirement. The Board has determined that it is in the
best interest of the Company to recover the cost of the benefit obligations by
purchasing life insurance. These life insurance policies are owned by the
Company and are designed to ensure against the contingent liability associated
with the premature death of any of the Directors. The Company did not make any
contributions related to the Agreement during 1998. The current surrender value
of the life insurance policies, included in other assets in the consolidated
balance sheets, totaled $452,468 and $473,621 at December 31, 1997 and 1998,
respectively. The accrued benefit obligations totaled $2,496 and $11,232 at
December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively, and is included in other liabilities
in the consolidated balance sheets.
(12) OTHER NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Other noninterest expense for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997, and 1998
are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1997 1998
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Data processing........................................ $ 25,599 $ 49,911 $ 61,502
Professional services.................................. 42,206 26,826 44,927
Directors' fees........................................ 5,300 8,650 38,000
Advertising............................................ 45,376 25,484 51,706
Postage and supplies................................... 22,670 20,075 50,231
Other.................................................. 105,873 131,369 163,132
-------- -------- --------
$247,024 $262,315 $409,498
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
(13) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
During the normal course of business, various legal claims have arisen which, in
the opinion of management, will not result in any material liability to the
Company.
(14) DISCLOSURES ABOUT FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Bank issues financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal
course of the business of meeting the financing needs of its customers. These
financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters
of credit. These instruments may involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit
risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.
The contractual amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of involvement
the Bank has in such particular classes of financial instruments.
F-27
<PAGE> 102
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
The exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to
the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of
credit is represented by the contractual amount of such instruments. The Bank
uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations
as they do for on-balance-sheet financial instruments included on the
consolidated balance sheets. Following is a summary of off-balance-sheet
financial instruments at December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Financial instruments whose contractual amounts represent:
Commitments to extend credit.............................. $3,940,969 6,937,356
Standby letters of credit................................. 53,985 53,148
---------- ----------
Total off-balance-sheet financial instruments.......... $3,994,954 6,990,504
========== ==========
</TABLE>
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as
there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments
generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may
require payment of a fee. At December 31, 1998, $1,461,268 represent fixed rate
loan commitments. Since certain of the commitments may expire without being
drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future
cash requirements. The Bank evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a
case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by
the Bank upon extension of credit, is based on management's credit evaluation of
the borrower. Collateral held varies, but is generally residential or
income-producing commercial property, inventory, accounts receivable, or
equipment.
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to
guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These guarantees are
primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The
credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as
that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.
(15) PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Condensed balance sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1998 and the related
condensed schedules of operations and cash flows for the years ended December
31, 1996, 1997, and 1998 of the Company (parent company only) are as follows:
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1998
---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Assets:
Cash...................................................... $ 39,903 39,879
Investment in Bank........................................ 4,227,653 5,107,802
Other assets.............................................. 17,297 47,917
---------- ---------
Total assets........................................... $4,284,853 5,195,598
========== =========
Liabilities:
Note payable.............................................. $1,050,000 750,000
Other liabilities......................................... 13,269 7,437
---------- ---------
Total liabilities...................................... 1,063,269 757,437
Total shareholders' equity.................................. 3,221,584 4,438,161
---------- ---------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity............. $4,284,853 5,195,598
========== =========
</TABLE>
F-28
<PAGE> 103
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
CONDENSED SCHEDULES OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1997 1998
--------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenue.................................................... $ -- -- --
Expenses:
Interest expense......................................... 27,744 33,975 72,140
Other operating expenses................................. 29,100 15,485 44,388
--------- ------- --------
Total expenses........................................ 56,844 49,460 116,528
--------- ------- --------
Loss before income tax expense (benefit) and equity in
undistributed income (loss) of Bank................. (56,844) (49,460) (116,528)
Income tax expense (benefit)............................... -- -- --
--------- ------- --------
Loss before equity in undistributed income (loss) of
Bank................................................ (56,844) (49,460) (116,528)
Equity in undistributed income (loss) of Bank.............. (56,387) 146,355 138,881
--------- ------- --------
Net income (loss)..................................... $(113,231) 96,895 22,353
========= ======= ========
</TABLE>
CONDENSED SCHEDULES OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1997 1998
--------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)...................................... $(113,231) 96,895 22,353
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
used in operating activities:
Equity in undistributed (income) loss of Bank....... 56,387 (146,355) (138,881)
Other, net.......................................... 6,450 143 (1,736)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in operating activities............. (50,394) (49,317) (118,264)
--------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities -- capital
contribution to Bank................................... -- (750,000) (750,000)
--------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from note payable............................. -- 1,050,000 --
Repayment of note payable.............................. -- (300,000) (300,000)
Purchase of treasury stock............................. -- -- (31,790)
Proceeds from sale of common stock..................... -- 86,415 1,200,030
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by financing activities......... -- 836,415 868,240
--------- --------- ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents.................................... (50,394) 37,098 (24)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year........... 53,199 2,805 39,903
--------- --------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year................. $ 2,805 39,903 39,879
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
(16) RESTRICTIVE STOCK AGREEMENT
Effective December 1994, all persons who purchase shares of common stock in the
offer and sale of shares of the Company were required to enter into the
Restrictive Stock Agreement which provides that all parties give the Company and
its shareholders a right of first refusal to purchase their shares of common
stock should they decide to transfer them to unrelated third parties (including
involuntary transfers). The purchase price for such shares is the lower of the
book value of the shares of common stock to be transferred or the amount of a
legitimate third party offer; provided that book value shall be increased by (i)
20% if the purchase occurs between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 1997 and
(ii) 25% if the purchase occurs on or after January 1, 1998. Additionally, the
parties to the Restrictive Stock Agreement
F-29
<PAGE> 104
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
may choose to vote to value shares of common stock at a price that is different
than book value, by the affirmative vote of 80% of the shares of common stock
subject to the Restrictive Stock Agreement. Also, under this Restrictive Stock
Agreement, the Company must buy shares of common stock owned by employees who
cease to be employed by the Company. On December 4, 1998, the Restrictive Stock
Agreement was amended to explicitly state that its provisions would not apply to
the pending potential transaction with First Premier Financial Corporation.
(17) ACQUISITION ACTIVITY
On May 6, 1999, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with First
Premier Financial Corporation (First Premier). The agreement provides for the
shareholders of the Company to exchange their shares in a tax free
reorganization for $11 million of newly issued shares of common stock of First
Premier, valued at the initial public offering price of First Premier's common
stock. The agreement also calls for the termination of the Restrictive Stock
Agreement discussed in note 16. The transaction is subject to the receipt of
regulatory approval and the approval of the shareholders of the Company and
First Premier and is expected to close in the third quarter of 1999. The
transaction is contingent upon a number of factors, including the successful
initial public offering of First Premier's common stock.
F-30
<PAGE> 105
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[LOGO]
FIRST PREMIER
FINANCIAL CORPORATION
3,000,000 SHARES
COMMON STOCK
---------------------------
PROSPECTUS
---------------------------
, 1999
CIBC WORLD MARKETS
PAULI JOHNSON CAPITAL & RESEARCH
INCORPORATED
KELTON INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. NO DEALER,
SALESPERSON OR OTHER PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE INFORMATION THAT IS NOT
CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL NOR IS IT
SEEKING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE OFFER OR
SALE IS NOT PERMITTED. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS CORRECT
ONLY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS, REGARDLESS OF THE TIME OF THE DELIVERY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES.
UNTIL , 1999 (25 DAYS AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE OFFERING),
ALL DEALERS THAT EFFECT TRANSACTIONS IN THESE SECURITIES, WHETHER OR NOT
PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS. THIS IS
IN ADDITION TO THE DEALERS' OBLIGATION TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS
UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
<PAGE> 106
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
The following table sets forth all expenses expected to be incurred in
connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being
registered, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
SEC Registration Fee........................................ $ 9,591
NASD Filing Fees............................................ 4,640
Printing and Engraving Expenses............................. 100,000*
Legal Fees and Expenses..................................... 200,000*
Accounting Fees and Expenses................................ 125,000
Miscellaneous............................................... 60,769*
--------
Total.................................................. $500,000
========
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
* Estimated
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws require First Premier to indemnify
the directors and officers of First Premier to the fullest extent permitted by
law. In addition, as permitted by Delaware Law, the Certificate of Incorporation
and By-Laws provide that no director of First Premier shall be personally liable
to First Premier or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of duty of
care or other duty as a director if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of First
Premier and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. This provision, however,
shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director:
- for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
shareholders,
- for act or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or knowing violation of law,
- under Section 174 of Delaware Law, involving the payment of unlawful
dividends, stock repurchases or redemptions, or
- for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit.
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
On June 19, 1998, First Premier sold 100 equity units ("Units"), whereby each
Unit was comprised of 1,000 shares of common stock, 999 shares of the Series A
Preferred Stock, and a warrant to purchase 1,000 shares of common stock. The
Units were sold to 11 foreign investors at a purchase price of $10,000 per Unit,
for a total consideration of $1,000,000. The Units were sold with the assistance
of Kelton International, Ltd. The fees paid to Kelton International, Ltd.
($75,000 total) were paid by the foreign investors directly to Kelton
International, Ltd., over and above the purchase price of the Units. The Units
were issued in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act, pursuant to the provisions of Rule 506 promulgated
thereunder.
On August 17, 1998, First Premier sold 475,000 shares of common stock to certain
founding officers and directors of First Premier for a purchase price of $.01
per share. These shares were issued in reliance upon an exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act, pursuant to the provisions of
Rule 506 promulgated thereunder. On April 28, 1999, First Premier repurchased
275,000 of these shares at a price of $.01 per share and subsequently canceled
these shares. In consideration for their agreement to allow First Premier to
repurchase their shares, First Premier granted warrants to purchase up to
115,798
II-1
<PAGE> 107
shares to these shareholders. The warrants have a term of ten years and are
exercisable at the initial public offering price.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- ------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
1 -- Form of Underwriting Agreement*
2 -- Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 6, 1999 by and
between First Premier Financial Corporation and Premier
Bancshares, Inc.
3.1 -- Certificate of Incorporation of First Premier.
3.1.1 -- Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of
Series A Preferred Stock of First Premier.
3.1.2 -- Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation
of First Premier.
3.2 -- By-Laws of First Premier.
4.1 -- Specimen Common Stock Certificate.*
4.2 -- See Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 for provisions of the Certificate
of Incorporation, as amended, and By-Laws of First Premier
defining rights of the holders of the common stock of First
Premier.
5 -- Opinion of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP.
10.1 -- Employment Agreement dated July 16, 1998 between First
Premier and Richard C. Jensen
10.1.1 -- Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement between First
Premier and Richard C. Jensen dated , 1999.*
10.2 -- Form of Employment Agreement between First Premier and First
Premier's executive officers.
10.3 -- First Premier's 1999 Stock Option Plan.*
23.1 -- Consent of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (contained in
their opinion at Exhibit 5).
23.2(a) -- Consent of KPMG LLP with respect to the financial statements
of First Premier.
23.2(b) -- Consent of KPMG LLP with respect to the consolidated
financial statements of Premier.
24 -- Power of Attorney (included in original signature page to
this Registration Statement).
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
* To be filed by amendment.
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which it offers or sells securities, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to:
(i) Include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;
(ii) Reflect in the prospectus any facts or events which, individually
or together, represent a fundamental change in the information in the
registration statement; and
(iii) Include any additional or changed material information on the
plan of distribution.
II-2
<PAGE> 108
(2) For determining liability under the Securities Act, treat each
post-effective amendment as a new registration statement of the securities
offered, and the offering of the securities at that time to be the initial bona
fide offering.
(3) File a post-effective amendment to remove from registration any of the
securities that remain unsold at the end of the offering.
(f) To provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting
agreements certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as
required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
II-3
<PAGE> 109
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
the requirements of filing on Form S-1 and has authorized this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, in the City of St.
Louis, State of Missouri, on the 7th day of May, 1999.
FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ RICHARD C. JENSEN
------------------------------------
Richard C. Jensen
Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below
constitutes and appoints Richard C. Jensen and Gerald G. Kaufman and each of
them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution for him, in his name, place and stead, in any
and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, including a
Registration Statement filed under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises
as fully and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement was signed by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates stated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<C> <S> <C>
/s/ RICHARD C. JENSEN Chairman of the Board, President May 7, 1999
- ----------------------------------------------------- and Chief Executive Officer
Richard C. Jensen (Principal Executive Officer) and
Director
/s/ DANIEL R. SILLS Secretary, Treasurer and Chief May 7, 1999
- ----------------------------------------------------- Financial Officer (Principal
Daniel R. Sills Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ ALAN C. HENDERSON Director May 7, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
Alan C. Henderson
/s/ GERALD G. KAUFMAN Director May 7, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
Gerald G. Kaufman
Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
Lewis A. Levey
/s/ MARVIN I. MOSKOWITZ Director May 7, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
Marvin I. Moskowitz
/s/ ANDREW M. ROSEN Director May 7, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
Andrew M. Rosen
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE> 110
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
<C> <S> <C>
Director
- -----------------------------------------------------
Frank Trulaske
/s/ PATRICIA WHITAKER Director May 7, 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------
Patricia Whitaker
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE> 111
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
- ------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
1 -- Form of Underwriting Agreement*
2 -- Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 6, 1999 by and
between First Premier Financial Corporation and Premier
Bancshares.
3.1 -- Certificate of Incorporation of First Premier.
3.1.1 -- Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of
Series A Preferred Stock of First Premier.
3.1.2 -- Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation
of First Premier.
3.2 -- By-Laws of First Premier.
4.1 -- Specimen Common Stock Certificate.*
4.2 -- See Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 for provisions of the Certificate
of Incorporation, as amended, and By-Laws of First Premier
defining rights of the holders of the common stock of First
Premier.
5 -- Opinion of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP.
10.1 -- Employment Agreement dated July 16, 1998 between First
Premier and Richard C. Jensen
10.1.1 -- Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement between First
Premier and Richard C. Jensen dated , 1999.*
10.2 -- Form of Employment Agreement between First Premier and First
Premier's executive officers.
10.3 -- First Premier's 1999 Stock Option Plan.*
23.1 -- Consent of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (contained in
their opinion at Exhibit 5).
23.2(a) -- Consent of KPMG LLP with respect to the financial statements
of First Premier.
23.2(b) -- Consent of KPMG LLP with respect to the consolidated
financial statements of Premier.
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
* To be filed by amendment.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 2.1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND BETWEEN
FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC.
DATED AS OF MAY 6, 1999
<PAGE> 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
ARTICLE 1
TRANSACTIONS AND TERMS OF MERGER
<S> <C> <C>
1.1 Merger................................................................. 1
1.2 Time and Place of Closing.............................................. 1
1.3 Effective Time......................................................... 2
ARTICLE 2
TERMS OF MERGER
2.1 Certificate of Incorporation........................................... 2
2.2 Bylaws................................................................. 2
ARTICLE 3
MANNER OF CONVERTING SHARES
3.1 Conversion of Shares................................................... 2
3.2 Anti-Dilution Provisions............................................... 3
3.3 Shares Held by Premier................................................. 3
3.4 Fractional Shares...................................................... 3
ARTICLE 4
EXCHANGE OF SHARES
4.1 Exchange Procedures.................................................... 4
4.2 Rights of Former Premier Shareholders.................................. 4
ARTICLE 5
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PREMIER
5.1 Organization, Standing, and Power...................................... 5
5.2 Authority; No Breach by Agreement...................................... 5
5.3 Capital Stock.......................................................... 6
5.4 Premier Subsidiaries................................................... 6
5.5 Regulatory Filings; Financial Statements............................... 7
5.6 Notes and Obligations. ................................................ 7
5.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events................................... 8
5.8 Tax Matters............................................................ 8
5.9 Assets................................................................. 9
5.10 Environmental Matters................................................. 9
5.11 Compliance With Laws.................................................. 10
5.12 Labor Relations....................................................... 10
5.13 Employee Benefit Plans................................................ 10
5.14 Material Contracts.................................................... 12
5.15 Legal Proceedings..................................................... 13
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE> 3
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
5.16 Reports............................................................... 13
5.17 Statements True and Correct........................................... 13
5.18 Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters................................ 13
5.19 Anti-Takeover Provisions.............................................. 14
5.20 Derivatives Contracts................................................. 14
5.21 Year 2000............................................................. 14
ARTICLE 6
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FIRST PREMIER
6.1 Organization, Standing, and Power..................................... 14
6.2 Authority; No Breach By Agreement..................................... 14
6.3 Capital Stock......................................................... 15
6.4 First Premier Subsidiaries............................................ 16
6.5 Financial Statements.................................................. 16
6.6 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.................................. 16
6.7 Tax Matters........................................................... 16
6.8 Compliance With Laws.................................................. 16
6.9 Assets................................................................ 17
6.10 Legal Proceedings..................................................... 17
6.11 Reports............................................................... 18
6.12 Statements True and Correct........................................... 18
6.13 Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters................................ 18
6.14 Environmental Matters................................................. 18
6.15 Derivatives Contracts................................................. 19
6.16 Outstanding Premier Common Stock...................................... 19
6.17 Material Contracts.................................................... 19
6.18 Employee Benefit Plans................................................ 19
6.19 Year 2000............................................................. 21
ARTICLE 7
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CONSUMMATION
7.1 Affirmative Covenants of Premier...................................... 21
7.2 Negative Covenants of Premier......................................... 22
7.3 Covenants of First Premier............................................ 24
7.4 Adverse Changes In Condition.......................................... 24
7.5 Reports............................................................... 24
ARTICLE 8
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
8.1 Registration Statement; Proxy Statement; Shareholder Approval......... 25
8.2 Share Purchases by and Option Grants to Premier Shareholders.......... 25
8.3 Restrictions on Transfer of Shares Held by Premier Directors,
Officers and Shareholders............................................. 26
8.4 Agreement as to Efforts to Consummate................................. 26
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE> 4
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
8.5 Applications.......................................................... 27
8.6 Access to Information; Confidentiality................................ 27
8.7 Current Information................................................... 27
8.8 Other Actions......................................................... 27
8.9 Press Releases........................................................ 28
8.10 No Solicitation....................................................... 28
8.11 Accounting and Tax Treatment.......................................... 28
8.12 Anti-Takeover Provisions.............................................. 28
8.13 Agreement of Affiliates............................................... 28
8.14 Employee Benefits and Contracts....................................... 29
8.15 Management Contracts.................................................. 29
8.16 Indemnification and Directors' Liability Insurance.................... 29
8.17 Filings with State of Missouri........................................ 30
ARTICLE 9
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE
9.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party............................... 30
9.2 Conditions to Obligations of First Premier............................ 31
9.3 Conditions to Obligations of Premier.................................. 32
ARTICLE 10
TERMINATION
10.1 Termination........................................................... 33
10.2 Effect of Termination................................................. 34
10.3 Non-Survival of Representations and Covenants......................... 36
ARTICLE 11
MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Definitions........................................................... 36
11.2 Expenses.............................................................. 43
11.3 Brokers and Finders................................................... 43
11.4 Entire Agreement...................................................... 43
11.5 Amendments............................................................ 43
11.6 Obligations of First Premier.......................................... 43
11.7 Waivers............................................................... 43
11.8 Assignment............................................................ 44
11.9 Notices............................................................... 44
11.10 Governing Law......................................................... 45
11.11 Counterparts.......................................................... 45
11.12 Captions.............................................................. 45
11.13 Severability.......................................................... 45
11.14 Enforcement of Agreement.............................................. 45
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE> 5
LIST OF EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
<S> <C>
1. Form of agreement of affiliates of Premier Bancshares, Inc. (Section
8.13)
2. Form of opinion of Suelthaus & Walsh, P.C. (Section 9.2(e))
3. Form of opinion of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (Section 9.3(f))
</TABLE>
iv
<PAGE> 6
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of May 6, 1999, by and between FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL
CORPORATION ("First Premier"), a Delaware corporation having its principal
office located in St. Louis, Missouri, and PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC., a Missouri
corporation having its principal office located in Jefferson City, Missouri
("Premier").
PREAMBLE
The Boards of Directors of First Premier and Premier are of the
opinion that the acquisition described herein is in the best interests of the
Parties and their respective shareholders. This Agreement provides for the
acquisition of Premier by First Premier pursuant to the merger of Premier with
and into First Premier (the "Merger"). At the effective time of such Merger,
the outstanding shares of the capital stock of Premier shall be converted into
the right to receive shares of the common stock of First Premier (except as
provided herein). As a result, shareholders of Premier shall become
shareholders of First Premier. The transactions described in this Agreement are
subject to the approvals of the shareholders of First Premier and Premier, the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Division of Finance of
the Missouri Department of Economic Development, and the satisfaction of
certain other conditions described in this Agreement. It is the intention of
the Parties that the Merger for federal income tax purposes shall qualify as a
"reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code, and will be a tax free exchange for the shareholders of Premier except
for cash received in connection with fractional shares and the exercise of
dissenters' rights.
Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 11.1 of
this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above and the mutual
warranties, representations, covenants, and agreements set forth herein, the
Parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1.
TRANSACTIONS AND TERMS OF MERGER
a. Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
at the Effective Time, Premier shall be merged with and into First Premier in
accordance with the provisions of the General and Business Corporation Law of
Missouri (the "GBCL") and the Delaware General Corporation Laws ("DGCL"). The
separate existence of Premier shall thereupon cease, and First Premier shall be
the Surviving Corporation resulting from the Merger and shall continue to be
governed by the DGCL. The Merger shall have the effects specified in ss.
351.450 RSMo of the GBCL and ss. 251 of the DGCL. The Merger shall be
consummated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, which has been approved
and adopted by the respective Boards of Directors of First Premier and Premier.
b. Time and Place of Closing. The closing of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (the "Closing") will be immediately prior to the
closing of First Premier's public offering referred to Section 9.1(g) herein.
The Closing will take place at a time, place and date specified by the Parties
as they, acting through their chief executive officers or chief financial
officers, may mutually agree.
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1.3 Effective Time. The Merger and other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement shall become effective as set forth in the certificate of
merger (the "Certificate of Merger") which shall be filed with the office of
the Secretary of State of Delaware. The term "Effective Time" shall mean the
date and time when the Merger becomes effective, as set forth in the
Certificate of Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, unless
otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing by each Party, the Parties shall use
their reasonable best efforts to cause the Effective Time to occur on the date
of Closing.
ARTICLE 2.
TERMS OF MERGER
a. Certificate of Incorporation. Pursuant to the Merger, the
Certificate of Incorporation of First Premier in effect immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation until otherwise amended or repealed in accordance with applicable
Law.
b. Bylaws. Pursuant to the Merger, the Bylaws of First Premier in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation until otherwise amended or repealed, in accordance with
applicable Law.
ARTICLE 3.
MANNER OF CONVERTING SHARES
a. Conversion of Shares. Subject to the provisions of this Article
3, at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the
part of First Premier or Premier, or the shareholders of any of the foregoing,
the shares of the constituent corporations shall be converted as follows:
i. Each share of First Premier Capital Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain
issued and outstanding from and after the Effective Time.
ii. Except for Premier Common Stock issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time as to which dissenters' rights
have been perfected and not withdrawn, and subject to Section 3.4
relating to fractional shares, each share of Premier Common Stock
issued and outstanding at the Effective Time shall cease to be
outstanding and shall be converted into and exchanged for the number
of shares of First Premier Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained
by dividing $262.944 by the initial public offering price of one share
of First Premier Common Stock as determined by First Premier's
underwriters in the public offering referred to in Section 9.1(g) of
this Agreement, rounded to the nearest third decimal point (the
"Exchange Ratio"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall
more than 42,000 shares of Common Stock of Premier be converted to
First Premier Common Stock.
iii. Notwithstanding Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement,
Premier Common Stock issued and outstanding at the Effective Time
which is held by a holder who has not voted in favor of the Merger and
who has demanded payment of the fair value of such shares ("Dissenting
Premier Shares") in accordance with ss. 351.455 RSMo of the GBCL (the
"Dissent Provisions") shall not be converted into or represent the
right to receive the First Premier Common Stock payable thereon
pursuant to Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement, and shall be entitled
only to such rights of appraisal as are granted by the Dissent
Provisions, unless and until such holder fails to perfect or
effectively withdraws or otherwise loses the right to appraisal. If,
after the Effective Time, any such holder fails
2
<PAGE> 8
to perfect or effectively withdraws or loses the right to appraisal,
such shares of Premier Common Stock shall be treated as if they had
been converted at the Effective Time into the right to receive the
First Premier Common Stock payable thereon pursuant to Section 3.1(b)
of this Agreement. Premier shall give First Premier prompt notice upon
receipt by Premier of any written objection to the Merger and such
written demands for payment of the fair value of shares of Premier
Common Stock, and the withdrawals of such demands, and any other
instruments provided to Premier pursuant to the Dissent Provisions
(any shareholder duly making such demand being hereinafter called a
"Dissenting Shareholder"). Each Dissenting Shareholder that becomes
entitled, pursuant to the Dissent Provisions, to payment for any
shares of Premier Common Stock held by such Dissenting Shareholder
shall receive such payment from First Premier (but only after the
amount thereof shall have been agreed upon or at the times and in the
amounts required by the Dissent Provisions) and all of such Dissenting
Shareholders' shares of Premier Common Stock shall be canceled.
Premier shall not, except with the prior written consent of First
Premier, voluntarily make any payment with respect to, or settle or
offer to settle, any demand for payment by any Dissenting Shareholder.
iv. All shares of First Premier issued pursuant to Section
3.1 shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 8.3 and
shall bear an appropriate restrictive legend on the face of the
certificate representing such shares. First Premier shall instruct its
transfer agent and registrar to issue separate certificates to each
Premier shareholder for each period of restriction on trading with
respect to shares, each certificate to be for the number of shares
that are restricted for each individual period; fractional shares
shall not be represented by such individual certificates, and numbers
of shares shall be rounded down to the next lower whole number, with
the final certificate (representing shares restricted for 120 days
after closing) including any fractional shares omitted from the other
certificates due to this rounding. At such time or times as the
restrictions no longer apply with respect to one or more such
certificates, First Premier shall promptly assist any former
shareholder of Premier in causing such restrictive legend to be
removed, including, but not limited to giving written authorization to
First Premier's transfer agent and registrar to permit such shares to
be sold.
b. Anti-Dilution Provisions. In the event First Premier changes the
number of shares of First Premier Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to
the Effective Time as a result of a stock split, stock dividend,
recapitalization, reclassification, or similar transaction with respect to such
stock and the record date therefor (in the case of a stock dividend) or the
effective date thereof (in the case of a stock split or similar
recapitalization for which a record date is not established) shall be prior to
the Effective Time, the Exchange Ratio shall be proportionately adjusted.
c. Shares Held by Premier. Each share of Premier Capital Stock, if
any, held by any Premier Company, other than in a fiduciary capacity or as a
result of debts previously contracted, shall be canceled and retired at the
Effective Time and no consideration shall be issued in exchange therefor.
d. Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, each holder of shares of Premier Common Stock exchanged pursuant to
the Merger who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of a
share of First Premier Common Stock (after taking into account all certificates
delivered by such holder) shall receive, in lieu thereof, cash (without
interest) in an amount equal to such fractional part of a share of First
Premier Common Stock multiplied by the initial public offering price of one
share of First Premier Common Stock as determined by First Premier's
underwriters in the public offering referred to in Section 9.1(g) of this
Agreement.
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<PAGE> 9
e. Options. There are no outstanding options to purchase Premier
Common Stock ("Premier Options").
ARTICLE 4.
EXCHANGE OF SHARES
a. Exchange Procedures. At the Effective Time, First Premier shall
deposit or shall cause to be deposited with UMB Bank, n.a., Kansas City,
Missouri (the "Exchange Agent") certificates evidencing shares of First Premier
Common Stock in such amount necessary to provide all consideration required to
be exchanged by First Premier for Premier Common Stock pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement. Promptly after the Effective Time, First Premier shall cause
the Exchange Agent to mail to the former shareholders of Premier appropriate
transmittal materials (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and
risk of loss and title to the certificates theretofore representing shares of
Premier Common Stock shall pass, only upon proper delivery of such certificates
to the Exchange Agent). After the Effective Time, each holder of shares of
Premier Common Stock issued and outstanding at the Effective Time shall
surrender the certificate or certificates representing such shares to the
Exchange Agent and shall upon surrender thereof promptly receive in exchange
therefor the consideration provided in Section 3.1 of this Agreement, together
with all undelivered dividends or distributions in respect of such shares
(without interest thereon) pursuant to Section 4.2 of this Agreement. To the
extent required by Section 3.4 of this Agreement, each holder of shares of
Premier Common Stock issued and outstanding at the Effective Time also shall
receive, upon surrender of the certificate or certificates representing such
shares, cash in lieu of any fractional share of First Premier Common Stock to
which such holder may be otherwise entitled (without interest). First Premier
shall not be obligated to deliver the consideration to which any former holder
of Premier Common Stock is entitled as a result of the Merger until such holder
surrenders such holder's certificate or certificates representing the shares of
Premier Common Stock for exchange as provided in this Section 4.1. The
certificate or certificates of Premier Common Stock so surrendered shall be
duly endorsed as the Exchange Agent may require. Any other provision of this
Agreement notwithstanding, neither First Premier nor the Exchange Agent shall
be liable to a holder of Premier Common Stock for any amounts paid or property
delivered in good faith to a public official pursuant to any applicable
abandoned property Law. In the event that any shareholder of Premier is unable
to surrender a certificate because it is lost or destroyed, the Exchange Agent
may make distribution to that shareholder upon receipt of such affidavits,
undertakings, indemnity bonds, and other agreements as are customary in such
circumstances.
b. Rights of Former Premier Shareholders. At the Effective Time,
the stock transfer books of Premier shall be closed as to holders of Premier
Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time and no transfer of Premier
Common Stock by any such holder shall thereafter be made or recognized. Until
surrendered for exchange in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.1 of
this Agreement, each certificate theretofore representing shares of Premier
Common Stock shall from and after the Effective Time represent for all purposes
only the right to receive the consideration provided in Sections 3.1 and 3.4 of
this Agreement in exchange therefor, subject, however, to First Premier's
obligation to pay any dividends or make any other distributions with a record
date prior to the Effective Time which have been declared or made by Premier in
respect of such shares of Premier Common Stock in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement and which remain unpaid at the Effective Time. Whenever a
dividend or other distribution is declared by First Premier on the First
Premier Common Stock, the record date for which is at or after the Effective
Time, the declaration shall include dividends or other distributions on all
shares issuable pursuant to this Agreement, but beginning 30 days after the
Effective Time no dividend or other distribution payable to the holders of
record of First Premier Common Stock as of any time subsequent to the Effective
Time shall be delivered to the holder of any certificate representing shares of
Premier Common Stock issued and outstanding at the
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<PAGE> 10
Effective Time until such holder surrenders such certificate for exchange as
provided in Section 4.1 of this Agreement. However, upon surrender of such
Premier Common Stock certificate, or in the case of lost or destroyed
certificates delivery of the requisite affidavits, undertakings, indemnity
bonds and other agreements customary in such circumstances, both the First
Premier Common Stock certificate (together with all such undelivered dividends
or other distributions without interest) and any undelivered dividends and cash
payments to be paid for fractional share interests (without interest) shall be
delivered and paid with respect to each share represented by such certificate.
Any portion of the consideration (including the proceeds of any investments
thereof) which had been made payable to the Exchange Agent pursuant to Section
4.1 of this Agreement that remain unclaimed by the shareholders of Premier for
six (6) months after the Effective Time shall be paid to First Premier. Any
shareholders of Premier who have not theretofore complied with this Article 4
shall thereafter look only to First Premier for payment of their shares of
First Premier Common Stock and cash in lieu of fractional shares and unpaid
dividends and distributions on the First Premier Common Stock deliverable in
respect of each Premier share of Common Stock such shareholder holds as
determined pursuant to this Agreement, in each case, without any interest
thereon.
ARTICLE 5.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PREMIER
Premier hereby represents and warrants to First Premier as follows:
a. Organization, Standing, and Power. Premier is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Missouri, and has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as
now conducted and to own, lease and operate its material Assets. Premier is
duly qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign corporation and is
in good standing in each jurisdiction where the character of the Assets or the
nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified or licensed,
except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified or
licensed is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on Premier and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
b. Authority; No Breach by Agreement.
i. Premier has the corporate power and authority
necessary to execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject to the
approval and adoption of this Agreement by the shareholders of Premier
and the receipt of the consents sent forth in Section 9.1(b), to
perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery, and
performance of this Agreement by Premier and the consummation by
Premier of the transactions contemplated herein, including the Merger,
have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate
action in respect thereof on the part of Premier, subject to the
approval of this Agreement by its shareholders as contemplated by
Section 8.1 of this Agreement. Subject to such requisite shareholder
approval (and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by
First Premier and Premier) and to such Consents of Regulatory
Authorities as required by applicable Law, this Agreement represents a
legal, valid, and binding obligation of Premier, enforceable against
Premier in accordance with its terms (except in all cases as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws affecting the enforcement
of creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of the
equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is
subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding may
be brought). The Premier Board of Directors will have received from
GRA Thompson White & Company, PC, a letter dated on or about the date
of the Proxy Statement to the effect that, in the
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<PAGE> 11
opinion of such firm, the Exchange Ratio is fair, from a financial
point of view, to the holders of Premier Common Stock.
ii. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by Premier, nor the consummation by Premier of the transactions
contemplated hereby, nor compliance by Premier with any of the
provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result in a breach of any
provision of Premier's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, or, (ii)
except as disclosed in Section 5.2(b) of the Disclosure Schedule,
constitute or result in a Default under, or require any Consent
pursuant to, or result in the creation of any Lien on any Asset of any
Premier Company under, any Contract or Permit of any Premier Company,
where such Default or Lien, or any failure to obtain such Consent, is
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on Premier and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole, or, (iii) subject to receipt of the requisite Consents referred
to in Section 9.1(b) of this Agreement, violate any Law or Order
applicable to any Premier Company or any of their respective material
Assets.
iii. Other than in connection or compliance with the
provisions of the Securities Laws, applicable state corporate and
securities Laws, and other than notices to or Consents required from
Regulatory Authorities, and other than notices to or filings with the
Internal Revenue Service or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
with respect to any employee benefit plans, and other than Consents,
filings, or notifications which, if not obtained or made, are not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on Premier, no notice to, filing with, or
Consent of, any public body or authority is necessary for the
consummation by Premier of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated in this Agreement.
c. Capital Stock.
i. The authorized capital stock of Premier consists of
100,000 shares of Premier Common Stock, of which 41,834 shares are
issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement and not more
than 42,000 shares will be issued and outstanding at the Effective
Time. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of
Premier are duly and validly issued and outstanding and are fully paid
and nonassessable under the GBCL. None of the outstanding shares of
capital stock of Premier has been issued in violation of any
preemptive rights. Premier has no options or warrants to purchase
shares of Premier Common Stock.
ii. Except as set forth in Section 5.3(a) of this
Agreement, there are no shares of Premier Capital Stock or other
equity securities of Premier outstanding and no outstanding Rights
relating to Premier Capital Stock.
d. Premier Subsidiaries. Premier has disclosed in Section 5.4 of
the Disclosure Schedule all of the Premier Subsidiaries as of the date of this
Agreement. Except as disclosed in Section 5.4 of the Disclosure Schedule,
Premier or one of its Subsidiaries owns all of the issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock of each Premier Subsidiary. No equity securities of any
Premier Subsidiary are or may become required to be issued (other than to
another Premier Company) by reason of any Rights, and there are no Contracts by
which any Premier Subsidiary is bound to issue (other than to another Premier
Company) additional shares of its capital stock or Rights or by which any
Premier Company is or may be bound to transfer any shares of the capital stock
of any Premier Subsidiary (other than to another Premier Company). There are no
Contracts relating to the rights of any Premier Company to vote or to dispose
of any shares of the capital stock of any Premier Subsidiary. All of the shares
of capital stock of each Premier Subsidiary held by a Premier Company are fully
paid and nonassessable under the applicable corporation or banking Law
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<PAGE> 12
of the jurisdiction in which such Subsidiary is incorporated or organized and,
except as set forth in Section 5.4 of the Disclosure Schedule, are owned by the
Premier Company free and clear of any Lien. Each Premier Subsidiary is either a
bank or a corporation, and is duly organized, validly existing, and (as to
corporations) in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which it
is incorporated or organized, and has the corporate power and authority
necessary for it to own, lease, and operate its Assets and to carry on its
business as now conducted. Each Premier Subsidiary is duly qualified or
licensed to transact business as a foreign corporation in good standing in each
jurisdiction where the character of its Assets or the nature or conduct of its
business requires it to be so qualified or licensed, except for such
jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified or licensed is not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on Premier and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Each Premier
Subsidiary that is a depository institution is an "insured institution" as
defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and applicable regulations
thereunder, and the deposits of which are insured by the Bank Insurance Fund.
e. Regulatory Filings; Financial Statements. Premier has filed and
made available to First Premier copies of the Premier Financial Statements and
all reports of any outside auditors, consultants or advisors to Premier. Each
of the Premier Financial Statements (including, in each case, any related
notes), including any Premier Financial Statements filed after the date of this
Agreement until the Effective Time, was prepared in accordance with GAAP
applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as may be
indicated in the notes to such financial statements), and fairly present the
consolidated financial position of Premier and its Subsidiaries at the
respective dates and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows
for the periods indicated, except that the unaudited interim financial
statements were or are subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments
which were not or are not expected to be material in amount and except for the
absence of certain footnote information in the unaudited interim financial
statements.
f. Notes and Obligations.
i. Except as set forth in Section 5.6 of the Disclosure
Schedule, or as provided in the loss reserve described in subparagraph
(b) below, without conducting any independent investigation, to the
Knowledge of Premier no notes receivable or any other obligations
owned by Premier or any Premier Company or due to any of them, shown
on the Premier Financial Statements or any such notes receivable and
obligations on the date hereof and as of the Effective Time have not
been and will not be genuine, legal, valid and collectible obligations
of the respective makers thereof and are not and will not be subject
to any offset or counterclaim. Except as set forth in subparagraph (b)
below, all such notes and obligations are evidenced by written
agreements, true and correct copies of which will be made available to
First Premier for examination prior to the Effective Time. All such
notes and obligations were entered into by either Premier or a Premier
Company in the ordinary course of its business and in compliance with
all applicable laws and regulations, except as to any non-compliance
which has not and will not have a Material Adverse Effect on Premier.
ii. Premier has established a loss reserve on the Premier
Financial Statements which is adequate to cover anticipated losses
which might result from such items as the insolvency or default of
borrowers or obligors on such loans or obligations, defects in the
notes or evidences of obligation (including losses of original notes
or instruments), offsets or counterclaims properly chargeable to such
reserve, or the availability of legal or equitable defenses which
might preclude or limit the ability of Premier to enforce the note or
obligation, and the representations set forth in subparagraph (a)
above are qualified in their entirety by the aggregate of such loss
reserves.
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<PAGE> 13
g. Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since December 31, 1998,
except as disclosed in Section 5.7 of the Disclosure Schedule, (i) there have
been no events, changes, or occurrences which have had, or are reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Premier, and (ii) Premier has not taken any action, or failed to take any
action, prior to the date of this Agreement, which action or failure, if taken
after the date of this Agreement, would represent or result in a material
breach or violation of any of the covenants and agreements of Premier provided
in Article 7 of this Agreement.
h. Tax Matters.
i. All Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf
of any Premier Company have been timely filed for periods ended on or
before December 31, 1997, and all Tax Returns filed are complete and
accurate in all material respects to the Knowledge of Premier. All
Taxes shown on filed Tax Returns have been paid. There is no audit
examination, deficiency, or refund Litigation with respect to any
Taxes that is reasonably likely to result in a determination that
would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on Premier and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, except as
reserved against in the Premier Financial Statements delivered prior
to the date of this Agreement or as disclosed in Section 5.8(a) of the
Disclosure Schedule. All Taxes and other Liabilities due with respect
to completed and settled examinations or concluded Litigation have
been paid.
ii. No Premier Company has executed an extension or waiver
of any statute of limitations on the assessment or collection of any
Tax due that is currently in effect.
iii. Adequate provision for any Taxes due or to become due
for any Premier Company for the period or periods through and
including the date of the Premier Financial Statements has been made
and is reflected on the Premier Financial Statements.
iv. Deferred Taxes of each Premier Company have been
adequately provided for in the Premier Financial Statements.
v. Each Premier Company is in compliance with, and its
records contain all information and documents (including properly
completed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-9) necessary to comply
with, all applicable information reporting and Tax withholding
requirements under federal, state, and local Tax Laws, and such
records identify with specificity all accounts subject to backup
withholding under Section 3406 of the Internal Revenue Code, except
for such instances of noncompliance and such omissions as are not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on Premier and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole.
vi. Except as disclosed in Section 5.8(f) of the
Disclosure Schedule, no Premier Company has made any payments, is
obligated to make any payments, or is a party to any contract,
agreement, or other arrangement that could obligate any Premier
Company to make any payments that would be disallowed as a deduction
under Section 280G or 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
vii. There are no Liens with respect to Taxes upon any of
the Assets of any Premier Company.
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<PAGE> 14
viii. No Premier Company has filed any consent under Section
341(f) of the Internal Revenue Code concerning collapsible
corporations.
ix. All material elections with respect to Taxes affecting
any Premier Company as of the date of this Agreement have been or will
be timely made as set forth in Section 5.8 of the Disclosure Schedule.
After the date hereof, other than as set forth in Section 5.8(a) of
the Disclosure Schedule, no election with respect to Taxes will be
made without the prior written consent of First Premier, which consent
will not be unreasonably withheld.
i. Assets. Except as disclosed in Section 5.9 of the Disclosure
Schedule, each Premier Company has good and marketable title, free and clear of
all Liens, to all of its respective Assets. All tangible properties used in the
businesses of each Premier Company are in good condition, reasonable wear and
tear excepted, and are usable in the ordinary course of business consistent
with Premier's past practices. All Assets which are material to Premier's
business held under leases or subleases by any Premier Company, are held under
valid Contracts which to the Knowledge of Premier are enforceable in accordance
with their respective terms (except as enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other Laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except that the
availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive
relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceedings
may be brought), and each such Contract is in full force and effect. Each
Premier Company currently maintains insurance in amounts, scope, and coverage
as disclosed in Section 5.9 of the Disclosure Schedule. No Premier Company has
received written notice from any insurance carrier that (i) such insurance will
be canceled or that coverage thereunder will be reduced or eliminated, or (ii)
premium costs with respect to such policies of insurance will be substantially
increased. Except as disclosed in Section 5.9 of the Disclosure Schedule, there
are presently no claims pending under such policies of insurance and no notices
have been given by any Premier Company under such policies. The Assets of
Premier include all required assets, leases and Permits necessary to operate
its business as presently conducted.
j. Environmental Matters.
i. To the Knowledge of Premier, each Premier Company, its
Participation Facilities, and its Loan Properties are, and have been,
in compliance with all Environmental Laws, except for violations which
are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on Premier and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole.
ii. To the Knowledge of Premier, there is no Litigation
pending or threatened before any court, governmental agency, or
authority or other forum in which any Premier Company or any of its
Loan Properties or Participation Facilities has been or, with respect
to threatened Litigation, may be named as a defendant or potentially
responsible party (i) for alleged noncompliance (including by any
predecessor) with any Environmental Law or (ii) relating to the
release into the environment of any Hazardous Material, whether or not
occurring at, on, under, or involving any of its Loan Properties or
Participation Facilities, except for such Litigation pending or
threatened that is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Premier and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
iii. To the Knowledge of Premier, there is no reasonable
basis for any Litigation of a type described above in subsection (b),
except such as is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Premier.
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iv. To the Knowledge of Premier, except as disclosed in
Section 5.10(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, during the period of (i)
Premier's ownership or operation of any of their respective
properties, (ii) Premier's participation in the management of any
Participation Facility, or (iii) Premier's holding a security interest
in a Loan Property, there have been no releases of Hazardous Material
in, on, under, or affecting any Participation Facility or Loan
Property of any Premier Company, except such as are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on Premier and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
k. Compliance With Laws. Premier is duly registered as a bank
holding company under the BHC Act. Except as set forth in Section 5.11 of the
Disclosure Schedule, each Premier Company has in effect all Permits necessary
for it to own, lease, or operate its material Assets and to carry on its
business as now conducted, except for those Permits the absence of which are
not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on Premier and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. No Premier
Company is presently in default under any such Permit, other than defaults
which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on Premier and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Except as disclosed in Section 5.11 of the Disclosure Schedule, no Premier
Company:
i. to the Knowledge of Premier, is in violation of any
Laws or Orders, applicable to its business or employees conducting its
business, except for violations which are not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Premier and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and
ii. has received any written notification or communication
from any agency or department of federal, state, or local government
or any Regulatory Authority or the staff thereof (i) asserting that
any Premier Company is not in substantial compliance with any of the
Laws or Orders which such governmental authority or Regulatory
Authority enforces, where such noncompliance is reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Premier and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) threatening to
revoke any Permits, the revocation of which is reasonably likely to
have, a Material Adverse Effect on Premier and its Subsidiaries taken
as a whole, or (iii) requiring any Premier Company to enter into or
consent to the issuance of a cease and desist order, formal agreement,
directive, commitment, or memorandum of understanding, or to adopt any
Board resolution or similar undertaking, which restricts materially
the conduct of its business, or in any manner relates to its capital
adequacy, its credit or reserve policies, its management, or the
payment of dividends.
l. Labor Relations. No Premier Company is the subject of any
Litigation asserting that it has committed an unfair labor practice (within the
meaning of the National Labor Relations Act or comparable state law) or seeking
to compel it or any other Premier Company to bargain with any labor
organization as to wages or conditions of employment, nor is there any strike
or other labor dispute involving any Premier Company, pending or, to the
Knowledge of Premier, threatened, nor is there any activity involving any
employees of any Premier Company seeking to certify a collective bargaining
unit or engaging in any other organization activity.
m. Employee Benefit Plans.
i. Premier has disclosed in Section 5.13(a) of the
Disclosure Schedule and has delivered or made available to First
Premier prior to the execution of this Agreement, copies in each case
of, all pension, retirement, profit-sharing, deferred compensation,
stock option, employee stock ownership, severance pay, vacation,
bonus, or other incentive plans, all other written employee
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programs, arrangements, or agreements, all medical, vision, dental, or
other health plans, all life insurance plans, and all other employee
benefit plans or fringe benefit plans, including "employee benefit
plans" (as that term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), currently
adopted, maintained by, sponsored in whole or in part by, or
contributed to by Premier for the benefit of employees, retirees,
dependents, spouses, directors, independent contractors, or other
beneficiaries and under which employees, retirees, dependents,
spouses, directors, independent contractors, or other beneficiaries
are eligible to participate (collectively, the "Premier Benefit
Plans"). Any of the Premier Benefit Plans which is an "employee
pension benefit plan" (as that term is defined in Section 3(2) of
ERISA), is referred to herein as a "Premier ERISA Plan." No Premier
Benefit Plan is or has been a multiemployer plan within the meaning of
Section 3(37) of ERISA.
ii. Except as disclosed in Section 5.13(b) of the
Disclosure Schedule, all Premier Benefit Plans are in compliance with
the applicable terms of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and any
other applicable Laws the breach or violation of which are reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on Premier, and each Premier ERISA Plan which is intended to be
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has
received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue
Service, and Premier is not aware of any circumstances likely to
result in revocation of any such favorable determination letter. To
the Knowledge of Premier, it has not engaged in a transaction with
respect to any Premier Benefit Plan that, assuming the taxable period
of such transaction expired as of the date hereof, would subject it to
a Tax imposed by either Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or
Section 502(i) of ERISA in amounts which are reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Premier.
iii. Except as disclosed in Section 5.13(c) of the
Disclosure Schedule, no Premier ERISA Plan has any "unfunded current
liability" (as that term is defined in Section 302(d)(8)(A) of ERISA)
and the fair market value of the assets of any such plan exceeds the
plan's "benefit liabilities," as that term is defined in Section
4001(a)(16) of ERISA, when determined under actuarial factors that
would apply if the plan terminated in accordance with all applicable
legal requirements. Except as disclosed in Section 5.13(c) of the
Disclosure Schedule, since the date of the most recent actuarial
valuation, there has been (i) no material change in the financial
position of any Premier ERISA Plan, (ii) no change in the actuarial
assumptions with respect to any Premier ERISA Plan, and (iii) no
increase in benefits under any Premier ERISA Plan as a result of plan
amendments or changes in applicable Law which is reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Premier or materially adversely affect the funding status of any such
plan. Neither any Premier ERISA Plan nor any "single-employer plan,"
within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, currently or
formerly maintained by Premier, or the single-employer plan of any
entity which is considered one employer with Premier under Section
4001 of ERISA or Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section
302 of ERISA (whether or not waived) (an "ERISA Affiliate") has an
"accumulated funding deficiency" within the meaning of Section 412 of
the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA, which is reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Premier. Premier has not
provided, and is not required to provide, security to an Premier ERISA
Plan or to any single-employer plan of an ERISA Affiliate pursuant to
Section 401(a)(29) of the Internal Revenue Code.
iv. Within the six-year period preceding the Effective
Time, no Liability under Subtitle C or D of Title IV of ERISA has been
or is expected to be incurred by Premier with respect to any ongoing,
frozen, or terminated single-employer plan or the single-employer plan
of any ERISA Affiliate, which Liability is reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect on Premier. Premier
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has not incurred any withdrawal Liability with respect to a
multiemployer plan under Subtitle B of Title IV of ERISA (regardless
of whether based on contributions of an ERISA Affiliate), which
Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on
Premier. No notice of a "reportable event," within the meaning of
Section 4043 of ERISA for which the 30-day reporting requirement has
not been waived, has been required to be filed for any Premier ERISA
Plan or by any ERISA Affiliate within the 12-month period ending on
the date hereof.
v. Except as disclosed in Section 5.13(e) of the
Disclosure Schedule, Premier has no Liability for retiree health and
life benefits under any of the Premier Benefit Plans and there are no
restrictions on the rights of Premier to amend or terminate any such
plan without incurring any Liability thereunder, which Liability is
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Premier.
vi. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement
nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i)
result in any payment (including severance, unemployment compensation,
golden parachute, or otherwise) becoming due to any director or any
employee of Premier or any of its Subsidiaries from Premier or any of
its Subsidiaries under any Premier Benefit Plan or otherwise, (ii)
increase any benefits otherwise payable under any Premier Benefit
Plan, or (iii) result in any acceleration of the time of payment or
vesting of any such benefit, where such payment, increase, or
acceleration is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Premier.
vii. The actuarial present values of all accrued deferred
compensation entitlements (including entitlements under any executive
compensation, supplemental retirement, or employment agreement) of
employees and former employees of Premier and their respective
beneficiaries, other than entitlements accrued pursuant to funded
retirement plans subject to the provisions of Section 412 of the
Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA, have been fully
reflected on the Premier Financial Statements to the extent required
by and in accordance with GAAP.
n. Material Contracts. Except as disclosed in Section 5.14(a) of
the Disclosure Schedule, neither Premier nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party
to or subject to the following: (i) any employment, severance, termination,
consulting, or retirement Contract providing for aggregate payments to any
Person in any calendar year in excess of $50,000, (ii) any Contract relating to
the borrowing of money by Premier or the guarantee by Premier of any such
obligation exceeding $50,000 (other than Contracts evidencing deposit
liabilities, purchases of federal funds, fully-secured repurchase agreements,
and Federal Home Loan Bank advances of depository institution Subsidiaries,
trade payables, and Contracts relating to borrowings or guarantees made in the
ordinary course of business), and (iii) any other Contract or amendment thereto
as of the date of this Agreement not made in the ordinary course of business to
which Premier is a party or by which it is bound (together with all Contracts
referred to in Sections 5.9 and 5.13(a) of this Agreement, the "Premier
Contracts"). With respect to each Premier Contract and except as disclosed in
Section 5.14(b) of the Disclosure Schedule: (i) the Contract is in full force
and effect; (ii) neither Premier nor any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may
be, is in Default thereunder, other than Defaults which are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Premier and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (iii) neither Premier nor any of
its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, has repudiated or waived any material
provision of any such Contract; and (iv) no other party to any such Contract
is, to the Knowledge of Premier, in Default in any respect, other than Defaults
which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on Premier, or has repudiated or waived any material
provision thereunder. Except for Federal Home Loan Bank advances, all of the
indebtedness of
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Premier and any of its Subsidiaries for money borrowed is prepayable at any
time by Premier or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, without penalty
or premium.
o. Legal Proceedings. Except as disclosed in Section 5.15(a) of the
Disclosure Schedule, there is no Litigation instituted or pending, or, to the
Knowledge of Premier, threatened (or unasserted but considered probable of
assertion and which if asserted would have at least a reasonable probability of
an unfavorable outcome) against Premier, or against any Asset, employee benefit
plan, interest, or right of any of them, that is reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Premier, nor are
there any Orders of any Regulatory Authorities, other governmental authorities,
or arbitrators outstanding against any Premier Company, that are reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Premier and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Section 5.15(b) of the
Disclosure Schedule includes a summary report of all Litigation as of the date
of this Agreement to which any Premier Company is a party and which names a
Premier Company as a defendant or cross-defendant and where the estimated
maximum exposure to be $10,000 or more.
p. Reports. For the three years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996, and since January 1, 1999, or the date of organization if later, each
Premier Company has timely filed and to the extent permitted by Law has made
available for First Premier to review, all reports and statements, together
with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that it was
required to file with any Regulatory Authorities. As of their respective dates,
each of such reports and documents, including the financial statements,
exhibits, and schedules thereto, complied in all material respects with all
applicable Laws. As of its respective date, each such report and document did
not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
q. Statements True and Correct. None of the information supplied or
to be supplied by any Premier Company or any Affiliate thereof for inclusion in
the Registration Statement to be filed by First Premier with the SEC will, when
the Registration Statement becomes effective, be false or misleading, with
respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading. None of the information supplied by
any Premier Company for inclusion in the Proxy Statement to be mailed to
Premier's shareholders in connection with the Shareholders' Meeting, and any
other documents to be filed by a Premier Company with any Regulatory Authority
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, will, at the
respective time such documents are filed, and with respect to the Proxy
Statement, when first mailed to the shareholders of Premier, be false or
misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material
fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading, or, in the case of the Proxy
Statement or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, at the time of the
Shareholders' Meeting, be false or misleading with respect to any material
fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to correct any statement in
any earlier communication with respect to the solicitation of any proxy for the
Shareholders' Meeting. All documents that Premier is responsible for filing
with any Regulatory Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby will comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of
applicable Law.
r. Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters. To the Knowledge of
Premier, neither Premier nor any Affiliate thereof has taken or agreed to take
any action or has any Knowledge of any fact or circumstance that is reasonably
likely to (i) prevent the transactions contemplated hereby, including the
Merger, from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) materially impede or delay receipt
of any Consents of Regulatory Authorities referred to in Section 9.1(b)
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of this Agreement or result in the imposition of a condition or restriction of
the type referred to in the last sentence of such Section.
s. Anti-Takeover Provisions. Each Premier Company has taken all
action so that the entering into of this Agreement and the consummation of the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not and
will not result in any super-majority voting requirement or the grant of any
rights to any Person under its Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or any other
governing instruments.
t. Derivatives Contracts. Neither Premier nor any of its
Subsidiaries is a party to nor has it agreed to enter into an exchange-traded
or over-the-counter swap, forward, future, option, cap, floor, or collar
financial contract, or any other interest rate or foreign currency protection
contract not included on its balance sheet which is a financial derivative
contract (including various combinations thereof) (each a "Derivatives
Contract").
u. Year 2000. All computer software and hardware necessary for the
conduct of business by any Premier Company (the "Software") is designed to be
used before, on, and after January 1, 2000 and the Software will operate during
each such time period without error relating to the year 2000, specifically
including any error relating to, or the product of, any date data representing
or referring to any particular date. As used in the preceding sentence,
"operate" further includes, but is not limited to, accepting input of dates
without ambiguity, outputting all dates without ambiguity, and performing
calculations, comparisons, extractions, sorting and any other processing or
taking actions or making decisions using dates or time periods without
suffering any abends, aborts, invalid or incorrect results or other
interruptions, whether before, on, or after January 1, 2000. Further, every
Premier Company has received all year 2000 examinations and certifications as
required by applicable Law and will, prior to the Effective Time, make
available for First Premier's review all such examinations and certifications.
ARTICLE 6.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FIRST PREMIER
First Premier hereby represents and warrants to Premier as follows:
a. Organization, Standing, and Power. First Premier is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the
Laws of the State of Delaware, and has the corporate power and authority to
carry on its business as now conducted and to own, lease, and operate its
material Assets. First Premier is in good standing in Missouri and such other
states of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where the character of
its Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so
qualified or licensed except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to be
so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on First Premier.
b. Authority; No Breach By Agreement.
i. First Premier has the corporate power and authority
necessary to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under this
Agreement and, subject to the approval and adoption of this Agreement
by the shareholders of First Premier, to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery, and performance of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
herein, including the Merger, have been duly and validly authorized by
all necessary corporate action in respect thereof on the part of First
Premier, subject to the approval of this Agreement by its
shareholders. Subject to such requisite shareholder approval (and
assuming
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due authorization, execution and delivery by First Premier and
Premier) and to such Consents of Regulatory Authorities as required by
applicable Law, this Agreement represents a legal, valid, and binding
obligation of First Premier, enforceable against First Premier, in
accordance with its terms (except in all cases as such enforceability
may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally and except that the availability of the equitable
remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding may be brought).
ii. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by First Premier nor the consummation by First Premier of the
transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by First Premier with
any of the provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result in a
breach of any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws
of First Premier or (ii) constitute or result in a Default under, or
require any Consent pursuant to, or result in the creation of any Lien
on any Asset of First Premier under any Contract or Permit of First
Premier, where such Default or Lien, or any failure to obtain such
Consent, is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on First Premier, or, (iii)
subject to receipt of the requisite Consents referred to in Section
9.1(b) of this Agreement, violate any Law or Order applicable to First
Premier or any of its respective material Assets.
iii. Other than in connection or compliance with the
provisions of the Securities Laws, applicable state corporate and
securities Laws, and rules of NASDAQ, and other than Consents required
from Regulatory Authorities, and other than notices to or filings with
the Internal Revenue Service or the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation with respect to any employee benefit plans, and other than
Consents, filings, or notifications which, if not obtained or made,
are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on First Premier, no notice to, filing with,
or Consent of, any public body or authority is necessary for the
consummation by First Premier of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated in this Agreement.
c. Capital Stock. The authorized capital stock of First Premier
consists of 21,000,000 shares of First Premier Common Stock, of which 300,000
shares were issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement and (ii)
1,000,000 shares of First Premier Preferred Stock, of which 99,900 shares were
issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement. All of the issued and
outstanding shares of First Premier Capital Stock are authorized and validly
issued, and all of the First Premier Common Stock to be issued in exchange for
Premier Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger, will be authorized and
reserved for issuance prior to the Effective Time and, when issued in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be, duly and validly issued
and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable under the DGCL. First Premier
has reserved 500,000 shares of First Premier Common Stock for issuance under
the First Premier Stock Plans, pursuant to which options to purchase not more
than 329,475 shares of First Premier Common Stock are outstanding. Warrants to
purchase not more than 215,798 shares of First Premier Common Stock are
outstanding. None of the shares of First Premier Common Stock to be issued
under First Premier Stock Plan or to be issued pursuant to warrants to purchase
shares of First Premier Common Stock are subject to preemptive rights of any
current or past shareholders of First Premier. None of the outstanding shares
of First Premier Capital Stock has been, and none of the shares of First
Premier Common Stock to be issued in exchange for shares of Premier Common
Stock upon consummation of the Merger will be, issued in violation of any
preemptive rights of the current or past shareholders of First Premier. First
Premier will issue no additional Common Stock or Preferred Stock until the
Effective Time.
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d. First Premier Subsidiaries. First Premier has no active or
inactive Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that
pursuant to the Merger and after the Effective Time, First Premier shall own
those Subsidiaries disclosed in Section 5.4 of the Disclosure Schedule.
e. Financial Statements. First Premier has delivered to Premier
prior to the execution of this Agreement copies of the First Premier Financial
Statements as of December 31, 1998. First Premier shall provide Premier with
its unaudited Financial Statements for the stub period ending March 31, 1999,
as soon as practicable after the same become available. The First Premier
Financial Statements (as of the dates thereof): (i) are, or will be, in
accordance with the books and records of First Premier, which are complete and
accurate in all material respects and which have been maintained in accordance
with good business practices, and (ii) present fairly the financial position of
First Premier as of December 31, 1998 in accordance with GAAP.
f. Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since January 1, 1998,
except as disclosed in the First Premier Financial Statements delivered prior
to the date of this Agreement, (i) there have been no events, changes or
occurrences which have had, or are reasonably likely to have, individually or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on First Premier, and (ii) First
Premier has not taken any action, or failed to take any action, prior to the
date of this Agreement, which action or failure, if taken after the date of
this Agreement, would represent or result in a material breach or violation of
any of the covenants and agreements of First Premier provided in Articles 7 or
8 of this Agreement.
g. Tax Matters.
i. As of the date of this Agreement, no federal, state,
local and foreign Tax Returns have been required to be filed by or on
behalf of First Premier. There is no audit examination, deficiency, or
refund Litigation with respect to any Taxes that is reasonably likely
to result in a determination that would have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on First Premier, except as
reserved against in the First Premier Financial Statements delivered
prior to the date of this Agreement. All Taxes and other liabilities
due with respect to completed and settled examinations or concluded
Litigation have been paid.
ii. Adequate provision for any Taxes due or to become due
for First Premier for the period or periods through and including the
date of the respective First Premier Financial Statements has been
made and is reflected on such First Premier Financial Statements.
iii. Deferred Taxes of First Premier have been adequately
provided for in the First Premier Financial Statements.
iv. To the Knowledge of First Premier, First Premier is in
compliance with, and its records contain all information and documents
(including properly completed Internal Revenue Service Forms W-9)
necessary to comply with, all applicable information reporting and Tax
withholding requirements under federal, state, and local Tax Laws, and
such records identify with specificity all accounts subject to backup
withholding under Section 3406 of the Internal Revenue Code, except
for such instances of noncompliance and such omissions as are not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on First Premier.
h. Compliance With Laws. Prior to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, First Premier will become duly
registered as a bank holding company under the BHC Act. First Premier has in
effect all Permits necessary for it to own, lease, or operate its material
Assets and to carry on
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its business as now conducted, except for those Permits the absence of which
are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on First Premier. First Premier is not presently in Default
under or in violation of any such Permit, other than Defaults which are not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on First Premier. First Premier:
i. is not in violation of any Laws, Orders, or Permits
applicable to its business or employees conducting its business,
except for violations which are not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on First
Premier; and
ii. has not received any notification or communication
from any agency or department of federal, state, or local government
or any Regulatory Authority or the staff thereof (i) asserting that
First Premier is not in compliance with any of the Laws or Orders
which such governmental authority or Regulatory Authority enforces,
where such noncompliance is reasonably likely to have, individually or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on First Premier, (ii)
threatening to revoke any Permits, the revocation of which is
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on First Premier, or (iii) requiring First
Premier to enter into or consent to the issuance of a cease and desist
order, formal agreement, directive, commitment, or memorandum of
understanding, or to adopt any board resolution or similar
undertaking, which restricts materially the conduct of its business,
or in any manner relates to its capital adequacy, its credit or
reserve policies, its management or the payment of dividends.
i. Assets. Except as disclosed in Section 6.9(a) of the Disclosure
Schedule, First Premier has good and marketable title, free and clear of all
Liens (except for those Liens which are not likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect on First Premier), to all of its respective material Assets, reflected
in First Premier Financial Statements as being owned by First Premier as of the
date hereof. All material tangible properties used in the business of First
Premier are in good condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and are
usable in the ordinary course of business consistent with First Premier's past
practices. All Assets which are material to First Premier's business on a
consolidated basis, held under leases or subleases by First Premier, are held
under valid Contracts enforceable in accordance with their respective terms
(except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, or other Laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of the equitable
remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the
discretion of the court before which any proceedings may be brought), and each
such Contract is in full force and effect. First Premier currently maintains
insurance in amounts, scope, and coverage as disclosed in Section 6.9(b) of the
Disclosure Schedule. First Premier has not received written notice from any
insurance carrier that (i) such insurance will be canceled or that coverage
thereunder will be reduced or eliminated, or (ii) premium costs with respect to
such policies of insurance will be substantially increased. Except as disclosed
in Section 6.9(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, to the Knowledge of First Premier
there are presently no occurrences giving rise to a claim under such policies
of insurance and no notices have been given by First Premier under such
policies.
j. Legal Proceedings. There is no Litigation instituted or pending,
or, to the Knowledge of First Premier, threatened (or unasserted but considered
probable of assertion and which if asserted would have at least a reasonable
probability of an unfavorable outcome) against First Premier, or against any
Asset, interest, or right of any of them, that is reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on First Premier,
nor are there any Orders of any Regulatory Authorities, other governmental
authorities, or arbitrators outstanding against First Premier, that are
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on First Premier.
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k. Reports. Since its incorporation, First Premier has filed all
reports and statements, together with any amendments required to be made with
respect thereto, that it was required to file with Regulatory Authorities
(except, in the case of state securities authorities, failures to file which
are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on First Premier). As of their respective dates, each of such
reports and documents, including the financial statements, exhibits, and
schedules thereto, complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws.
As of its respective date, each such report and document did not, in all
material respects, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
l. Statements True and Correct. None of the information supplied or
to be supplied by First Premier for inclusion in the Registration Statement to
be filed by First Premier with the SEC, will, when the Registration Statement
becomes effective, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or
omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by First Premier
for inclusion in the Proxy Statement to be mailed to Premier's shareholders in
connection with the Shareholders' Meeting, and any other documents to be filed
by First Premier or with the SEC or any other Regulatory Authority in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, will, at the respective
time such documents are filed, and with respect to the Proxy Statement, when
first mailed to the shareholders of Premier, be false or misleading with
respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading, or, in the case of the Proxy Statement or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, at the time of the Shareholders'
Meeting, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to
state any material fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier
communication with respect to the solicitation of any proxy for the
Shareholders' Meeting. All documents that First Premier is responsible for
filing with any Regulatory Authority in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby will comply as to form in all material respects with the
provisions of applicable Law.
m. Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters. To the Knowledge of
First Premier neither First Premier nor any affiliate has taken or agreed to
take any action or has any Knowledge of any fact or circumstance that is
reasonably likely to (i) prevent the transactions contemplated hereby,
including the Merger, from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) materially impede or delay
receipt of any Consents of Regulatory Authorities referred to in Section 9.1(b)
of this Agreement or result in the imposition of a condition or restriction of
the type referred to in the last sentence of such Section.
n. Environmental Matters.
i. To the Knowledge of First Premier, except as disclosed
in Section 6.14(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, First Premier, its
Participation Facilities, and its Loan Properties are, and have been,
in compliance with all Environmental Laws, except for violations which
are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on First Premier.
ii. Except as disclosed in Section 6.14(b) of the
Disclosure Schedule, there is no Litigation pending, or, to the
Knowledge of First Premier, threatened before any court, governmental
agency, or authority or other forum in which First Premier or any of
its Loan Properties or Participation Facilities has been or, with
respect to threatened Litigation, may be named as a defendant or
potentially responsible party (i) for alleged noncompliance (including
by any predecessor) with any Environmental Law or (ii) relating to the
release into the environment of any Hazardous Material, whether or not
occurring at, on, under, or involving any of its Loan Properties
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<PAGE> 24
or Participation Facilities, except for such Litigation pending or
threatened that is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on First Premier.
iii. To the Knowledge of First Premier, except as disclosed
in Section 6.14(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, there is no reasonable
basis for any Litigation of a type described above in Section 6.14(b),
except such as is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on First Premier.
iv. To the Knowledge of First Premier, except as disclosed
in Section 6.14(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, during the period of
(i) First Premier's ownership or operation of any of their respective
properties, (ii) First Premier's participation in the management of
any Participation Facility, or (iii) First Premier's holding a
security interest in a Loan Property, to the Knowledge of First
Premier there have been no releases of Hazardous Material in, on,
under, or affecting any Participation Facility or Loan Property of
First Premier, except such as are not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on First
Premier.
o. Derivatives Contracts. First Premier is not a party to or has
agreed to enter into any Derivatives Contracts.
p. Outstanding Premier Common Stock. As of the date of this
Agreement, First Premier does not beneficially own any shares of Premier
Capital Stock. During the term of this Agreement, First Premier shall not
purchase or otherwise acquire beneficial ownership of any Premier Common Stock
except pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
q. Material Contracts. Except as disclosed in Section 6.17 of the
Disclosure Schedule, neither First Premier is not a party to or subject to the
following: (i) any employment, severance, termination, consulting, or
retirement Contract providing for aggregate payments to any Person in any
calendar year in excess of $50,000, (ii) any Contract relating to the borrowing
of money by First Premier or the guarantee by First Premier of any such
obligation exceeding $50,000 (other than Contracts evidencing deposit
liabilities, purchases of federal funds, fully-secured repurchase agreements,
and Federal Home Loan Bank advances of depository institution Subsidiaries,
trade payables, and Contracts relating to borrowings or guarantees made in the
ordinary course of business), and (iii) any other Contract or amendment thereto
as of the date of this Agreement not made in the ordinary course of business to
which First Premier is a party or by which it is bound (together with all
Contracts referred to in Sections 6.9 and 6.18 of this Agreement, the "First
Premier Contracts"). With respect to each First Premier Contract and except as
disclosed in Section 6.17 of the Disclosure Schedule: (i) the Contract is in
full force and effect; (ii) First Premier is not in Default thereunder, other
than Defaults which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on First Premier; (iii) First Premier has
not repudiated or waived any material provision of any such Contract; and (iv)
no other party to any such Contract is, to the Knowledge of First Premier, in
Default in any respect, other than Defaults which are not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on First
Premier, or has repudiated or waived any material provision thereunder. Except
for Federal Home Loan Bank advances, all of the indebtedness of First Premier
for money borrowed is prepayable at any time by First Premier, without penalty
or premium.
r. Employee Benefit Plans.
i. First Premier has disclosed in Section 6.18(a) of the
Disclosure Schedule and has delivered or made available to Premier
prior to the execution of this Agreement, copies in each case of, all
pension, retirement, profit-sharing, deferred compensation, stock
option, employee stock
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ownership, severance pay, vacation, bonus, or other incentive plans,
all other written employee programs, arrangements, or agreements, all
medical, vision, dental, or other health plans, all life insurance
plans, and all other employee benefit plans or fringe benefit plans,
including "employee benefit plans" (as that term is defined in Section
3(3) of ERISA), currently adopted, maintained by, sponsored in whole
or in part by, or contributed to by First Premier for the benefit of
employees, retirees, dependents, spouses, directors, independent
contractors, or other beneficiaries and under which employees,
retirees, dependents, spouses, directors, independent contractors, or
other beneficiaries are eligible to participate (collectively, the
"First Premier Benefit Plans"). Any of the First Premier Benefit Plans
which is an "employee pension benefit plan" (as that term is defined
in Section 3(2) of ERISA), is referred to herein as a "First Premier
ERISA Plan." No First Premier Benefit Plan is or has been a
multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA.
ii. Except as disclosed in Section 6.18(b) of the
Disclosure Schedule, all First Premier Benefit Plans are in compliance
with the applicable terms of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and any
other applicable Laws the breach or violation of which are reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on First Premier, and each First Premier ERISA Plan which is
intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal
Revenue Service, and First Premier is not aware of any circumstances
likely to result in revocation of any such favorable determination
letter. To the Knowledge of First Premier, it has not engaged in a
transaction with respect to any First Premier Benefit Plan that,
assuming the taxable period of such transaction expired as of the date
hereof, would subject it to a Tax imposed by either Section 4975 of
the Internal Revenue Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA in amounts which
are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on First Premier.
iii. Except as disclosed in Section 6.18(c) of the
Disclosure Schedule, no First Premier ERISA Plan has any "unfunded
current liability" (as that term is defined in Section 302(d)(8)(A) of
ERISA) and the fair market value of the assets of any such plan
exceeds the plan's "benefit liabilities," as that term is defined in
Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, when determined under actuarial factors
that would apply if the plan terminated in accordance with all
applicable legal requirements. Except as disclosed in Section 6.18(c)
of the Disclosure Schedule, since the date of the most recent
actuarial valuation, there has been (i) no material change in the
financial position of any First Premier ERISA Plan, (ii) no change in
the actuarial assumptions with respect to any First Premier ERISA
Plan, and (iii) no increase in benefits under any First Premier ERISA
Plan as a result of plan amendments or changes in applicable Law which
is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on First Premier or materially adversely
affect the funding status of any such plan. Neither any First Premier
ERISA Plan nor any "single-employer plan," within the meaning of
Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, currently or formerly maintained by
First Premier, or the single-employer plan of any entity which is
considered one employer with First Premier under Section 4001 of ERISA
or Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA
(whether or not waived) (an "ERISA Affiliate") has an "accumulated
funding deficiency" within the meaning of Section 412 of the Internal
Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA, which is reasonably likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect on First Premier. First Premier has not
provided, and is not required to provide, security to an First Premier
ERISA Plan or to any single-employer plan of an ERISA Affiliate
pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Internal Revenue Code.
iv. Within the six-year period preceding the Effective
Time, no Liability under Subtitle C or D of Title IV of ERISA has been
or is expected to be incurred by First Premier with respect to
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any ongoing, frozen, or terminated single-employer plan or the
single-employer plan of any ERISA Affiliate, which Liability is
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on First Premier.
First Premier has not incurred any withdrawal Liability with respect
to a multiemployer plan under Subtitle B of Title IV of ERISA
(regardless of whether based on contributions of an ERISA Affiliate),
which Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect
on First Premier. No notice of a "reportable event," within the
meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA for which the 30-day reporting
requirement has not been waived, has been required to be filed for any
First Premier ERISA Plan or by any ERISA Affiliate within the 12-month
period ending on the date hereof.
v. Except as disclosed in Section 6.18(e) of the
Disclosure Schedule, First Premier has no Liability for retiree health
and life benefits under any of the First Premier Benefit Plans and
there are no restrictions on the rights of First Premier to amend or
terminate any such plan without incurring any Liability thereunder,
which Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect
on First Premier.
vi. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement
nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i)
result in any payment (including severance, unemployment compensation,
golden parachute, or otherwise) becoming due to any director or any
employee of First Premier, (ii) increase any benefits otherwise
payable under any First Premier Benefit Plan, or (iii) result in any
acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such benefit,
where such payment, increase, or acceleration is reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
First Premier.
vii. The actuarial present values of all accrued deferred
compensation entitlements (including entitlements under any executive
compensation, supplemental retirement, or employment agreement) of
employees and former employees of First Premier and their respective
beneficiaries, other than entitlements accrued pursuant to funded
retirement plans subject to the provisions of Section 412 of the
Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA, have been fully
reflected on the First Premier Financial Statements to the extent
required by and in accordance with GAAP.
s. Year 2000. All computer software and hardware necessary for the
conduct of business by First Premier (the "Software") is designed to be used
before, on, and after January 1, 2000 and the Software will operate during each
such time period without error relating to the year 2000, specifically
including any error relating to, or the product of, any date data representing
or referring to any particular date. As used in the preceding sentence,
"operate" further includes, but is not limited to, accepting input of dates
without ambiguity, outputting all dates without ambiguity, and performing
calculations, comparisons, extractions, sorting and any other processing or
taking actions or making decisions using dates or time periods without
suffering any abends, aborts, invalid or incorrect results or other
interruptions, whether before, on, or after January 1, 2000. Further, First
Premier has received all year 2000 examinations and certifications as required
by applicable Law and will, prior to the Effective Time, make available for
First Premier's review all such examinations and certifications.
ARTICLE 7.
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CONSUMMATION
a. Affirmative Covenants of Premier. Unless the prior written
consent of First Premier shall have been obtained which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld, and except as otherwise expressly contemplated herein,
Premier shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries: (i) operate its
business only in
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the usual, regular, and ordinary course, (ii) use its reasonable best efforts
to preserve intact its business organization and Assets and maintain its rights
and franchises, (iii) use its reasonable best efforts to maintain its current
employee relationships, and (iv) take no action which would materially
adversely affect the ability of any Party to obtain any Consents required for
the transactions contemplated hereby without imposition of a condition or
restriction of the type referred to in the last sentence of Section 9.1(b) of
this Agreement, or materially adversely affect the ability of any Party to
perform its covenants and agreements under this Agreement.
b. Negative Covenants of Premier. From the date of this Agreement
until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement,
Premier covenants and agrees that it will not do or agree or commit to do, any
of the following without the prior written consent of the chief executive
officer of First Premier:
i. amend the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or other
governing instruments of any Premier Company, except as expressly
contemplated by this Agreement; or
ii. incur any additional debt obligation or other
obligation for borrowed money in excess of an aggregate of $50,000
(for every Premier Company on a consolidated basis) except in the
ordinary course of the business of Premier Subsidiaries consistent
with past practices (it being understood and agreed that the
incurrence of indebtedness in the ordinary course of business shall
include, without limitation, creation of deposit liabilities,
purchases of federal funds, advances from the Federal Reserve Bank or
Federal Home Loan Bank, and entry into repurchase agreements fully
secured by U.S. government or agency securities), or impose, or suffer
the imposition, on any Asset of any Premier Company of any Lien or
permit any such Lien to exist which Lien or Liens individually or in
the aggregate secure an obligation not in excess of $50,000 (other
than in connection with deposits, repurchase agreements, bankers
acceptances, "treasury tax and loan" accounts established in the
ordinary course of business, the satisfaction of legal requirements in
the exercise of trust powers, and Liens in effect as of the date
hereof that are disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule) provided,
however, that nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit Premier or any
Premier Subsidiary from honoring any contractual obligation in
existence on the date of this Agreement; or
iii. repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire or exchange
(other than exchanges in the ordinary course under employee benefit
plans), directly or indirectly, any shares, or any securities
convertible into any shares, of the capital stock of any Premier
Company, or declare or pay any dividend or make any other distribution
in respect of Premier's capital stock; or
iv. except for this Agreement, or pursuant to the exercise
of stock options outstanding as of the date hereof and pursuant to the
terms thereof in existence on the date hereof, or as disclosed in
Section 7.2(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, issue, sell, pledge,
encumber, authorize the issuance of, enter into any Contract to issue,
sell, pledge, encumber, or authorize the issuance of, or otherwise
permit to become outstanding, any additional shares of Premier Common
Stock, or any stock appreciation rights, or any option, warrant,
conversion, or other right to acquire any such stock, or any security
convertible into any such stock; or
v. adjust, split, combine, reclassify or declare and pay
any dividend or other distribution on any capital stock of any Premier
Company or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in
respect of or in substitution for shares of Premier Common Stock, or
sell, lease, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of or otherwise encumber
(x) any shares of capital stock of any
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Premier Subsidiary, or (y) any Asset other than in the ordinary course
of business for reasonable and adequate consideration; or
vi. except for purchases of United States Treasury
securities or United States Government agency securities, which in
either case have maturities of five years or less, purchase any
securities or make any material investment, either by purchase of
stock or securities, contributions to capital, Asset transfers, or
purchase of any Assets, in any Person other than a wholly owned
Premier Subsidiary, or otherwise acquire direct or indirect control
over any Person, other than in connection with (i) foreclosures in the
ordinary course of business, (ii) acquisitions of control by a
depository institution Subsidiary, in its fiduciary capacity, or (iii)
the creation of new wholly owned Subsidiaries organized to conduct or
continue activities otherwise permitted by this Agreement; or
vii. grant any increase in compensation or benefits to the
officers or directors of any Premier Company (provided, however, that
Premier may increase the compensation of non-officer employees by not
more than 5% of such employees' annual compensation if such increase
is consistent with past practice); pay any severance or termination
pay or any bonus other than pursuant to written policies or written
Contracts in effect on the date of this Agreement and as disclosed in
Section 7.2(g) of the Disclosure Schedule; enter into or amend any
severance agreements with officers of any Premier Company; or
voluntarily accelerate the vesting of any stock options or other
stock-based compensation or employee benefits; or
viii. enter into or amend any employment Contract between
any Premier Company and any Person (unless such amendment is required
by Law) which provides that such Premier Company does not have the
unconditional right to terminate without Liability (other than
Liability for services already rendered), at any time on or after the
Effective Time; or
ix. adopt any new employee benefit plan of any Premier
Company or make any material change in or to any existing employee
benefit plans of any Premier Company other than any such change that
is required by Law or that, in the opinion of counsel, is necessary or
advisable to maintain the tax qualified status of any plan; or
x. make any significant change in any Tax or accounting
methods or systems of internal accounting controls, except as may be
appropriate to conform to changes in Tax Laws or regulatory accounting
requirements or GAAP; or
xi. commence any Litigation other than in accordance with
past practice or in the ordinary course of business or settle any
Litigation involving any Liability of Premier Company which may have a
Material Adverse Effect on Premier or result in the imposition of
restrictions upon the operations of any Premier Company which may have
a Material Adverse Effect on Premier without first consulting with
First Premier; or
xii. except in the ordinary course of business, modify,
amend, or terminate any material Contract other than renewals without
material adverse change of terms, or waive, release, compromise, or
assign any material rights or claims; or
xiii. make any investment in excess of $50,000 either by
purchase of stock or securities, contributions to capital, property
transfers, or purchase of any property or assets of any other
individual, corporation or other entity other than a wholly owned
Subsidiary thereof; or
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xiv. sell, transfer, mortgage, encumber or otherwise
dispose of any of its material properties or assets to any individual,
corporation or other entity other than a direct or indirect wholly
owned Subsidiary, or cancel, release or assign any indebtedness to any
such Person or any claims held by any such Person, except in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or pursuant
to contracts or agreements in force at the date of this Agreement.
c. Covenants of First Premier. From the date of this Agreement
until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement,
First Premier covenants and agrees that it shall (i) continue to conduct its
business and the business of its Subsidiaries in a manner designed in its
reasonable judgment, to enhance the long-term value of the First Premier Common
Stock and the business prospects of First Premier, and (ii) take no action
which would (a) materially adversely affect the ability of any Party to obtain
any Consents required for the transactions contemplated hereby without
imposition of a condition or restriction of the type referred to in the last
sentence of Section 9.1(b) of this Agreement, or (b) materially adversely
affect the ability of any Party to perform its covenants and agreements under
this Agreement; provided, that the foregoing shall not prevent First Premier
from discontinuing or disposing of any of its Assets or business if such action
is, in the judgment of First Premier, desirable in the conduct of the business
of First Premier. First Premier further covenants and agrees that it will not,
without the prior written consent of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Premier, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, amend the
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of First Premier, in each case in any
manner adverse to the holders of Premier Common Stock, issue additional Common
Stock of First Premier, or warrants or options to purchase Common Stock of
First Premier; or make an Acquisition Proposal to any individual or entity.
d. Adverse Changes In Condition. Each Party agrees to give written
notice promptly to the other Party upon becoming aware of the occurrence or
impending occurrence of any event or circumstance relating to it which (i) is
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on it or (ii) would cause or constitute a material breach of any of its
representations, warranties, or covenants contained herein, and to use its
reasonable best efforts to prevent or promptly to remedy the same.
e. Reports. Each Party and their respective Subsidiaries shall file
all reports required to be filed by each of them with Regulatory Authorities
between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time and shall deliver to
each other copies of all such reports promptly after the same are filed. If
financial statements are contained in any such reports filed with the SEC, such
financial statements will fairly present the consolidated financial position of
the entity filing such statements as of the dates indicated and the
consolidated results of operations, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash
flows for the periods then ended in accordance with GAAP (subject in the case
of First Premier financial statements to normal recurring year-end adjustments
that are not material and except for the absence of certain footnote
information in the unaudited financial statements). As of their respective
dates, such reports filed with the SEC will comply in all material respects
with the Securities Laws and will not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Any financial
statements contained in any other reports to another Regulatory Authority shall
be prepared in accordance with Laws applicable to such reports.
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ARTICLE 8.
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
a. Registration Statement; Proxy Statement; Shareholder Approval.
As soon as practicable after execution of this Agreement (in no event later
than May 31, 1999), First Premier shall file the Registration Statement related
to First Premier's proposed Initial Public Offering ("IPO") and First Premier
and Premier shall file the Registration Proxy Statement in connection with the
Merger with the SEC, and shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause the
Registration Statement and the Registration Proxy Statement to become effective
under the 1933 Act and take any action required to be taken under the
applicable state blue sky or securities Laws in connection with the issuance of
the shares of First Premier Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger.
Premier shall furnish all information concerning it and the holders of its
capital stock as First Premier may reasonably request in connection with such
action. Premier shall call a Shareholders' Meeting, to be held on a date that
is determined by the Parties to be a mutually desirable date, which date shall
be as soon as practicable after the Registration Statement is declared
effective by the SEC, for the purpose of voting upon approval of this Agreement
and such other related matters as it deems appropriate. In connection with the
Shareholders' Meeting, (i) Premier shall prepare a Proxy Statement relating to
the Merger and mail such Proxy Statement to its shareholders, (ii) the Parties
shall furnish to each other all information concerning them that they may
reasonably request in connection with the preparation of such Proxy Statement,
(iii) the Board of Directors of Premier shall recommend (subject to compliance
with their fiduciary duties under applicable law as advised by counsel) to its
shareholders the approval of this Agreement, and (iv) the Board of Directors
and officers of Premier shall (subject to compliance with their fiduciary
duties under applicable law as advised by counsel) use their reasonable best
efforts to obtain such shareholders' approval.
b. Share Purchases by and Option Grants to Premier Shareholders. To
induce Premier to enter into this Agreement, Premier Shareholders shall be
entitled to the following: (i) In addition to any shares received in the
Merger, Premier shareholders shall not be limited in the number of shares which
they may purchase in First Premier's IPO at the initial public offering price,
subject to any required regulatory approvals for purchases that result in a
Premier shareholder owning more than ten percent (10%) of the total outstanding
shares of First Premier; (ii) Upon completion of the IPO, First Premier will
grant to each Premier shareholder (other than Bruce W. Wiley) (collectively,
the "Premier Shareholders") a warrant to purchase shares of First Premier at
the initial public offering price for a period of ten (10) years from the date
of such grant. These warrants will be granted on the same terms and conditions
as the warrants referenced in Section 6.3 of this Agreement. The aggregate
number of shares subject to these warrants shall not exceed 40,000. In
addition, the number of shares granted under each Premier Shareholder's warrant
will be determined on a pro rata basis, whereby each Premier Shareholder will
receive a warrant to purchase one share of First Premier for each share of
Premier owned by such shareholder prior to the Merger; and (iii) for a period
of forty-eight (48) months after the closing of the IPO, if any additional
options are granted to any Premier Shareholder who serves as a First Premier
advisory director or to any other non-employee Premier Shareholder; then
warrants will be granted to each Premier Shareholder on a pro rata basis,
whereby each Premier Shareholder will receive a warrant to purchase additional
shares in the same proportion as the amount of option shares granted to each
advisory director or non-employee Premier Shareholder relative to the amount of
shares owned by such advisory director or non-employee shareholder at the
Effective Time of the Merger. For example, if an advisory director or any
non-employee Premier Shareholder owned 3,000 shares of Premier at the Effective
Time of the Merger and is thereafter granted options to purchase 1,000 shares,
then each Premier Shareholder will a warrant for one-third (i.e., 1,000 /
3,000) of the amount of shares owned by such shareholder at the Effective Time
of the Merger. Therefore, pursuant to the example
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above, a Premier Shareholder who owns 1,000 shares of Premier would receive
warrants to purchase 333 shares of First Premier.
c. Restrictions on Transfer of Shares Held by Premier Directors,
Officers and Shareholders.
i. Premier and its directors will agree that, for a
period of 180 days after the effective date of the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 related to the proposed IPO, they
shall not directly or indirectly sell, offer to sell, contract to
sell, solicit an offer to buy, grant any option, right or warrant for
the purchase or sale of, assign, pledge, distribute or otherwise
transfer, dispose of, encumber, (or make any announcement with respect
to any of the foregoing), any shares of common stock received pursuant
to Section 3.1 of this Agreement, which such director or officer
currently owns, has the right to dispose of or hereafter acquire,
either of record or beneficially, nor will any director or officer
request the registration of the offer or sale of any of the foregoing.
ii. Premier Shareholders, except for any shareholder who
serves as a director (whose First Premier shares will be restricted as
described in Section 8.3(a) above) shall not directly or indirectly
sell, offer to sell, contract to sell, solicit an offer to buy, grant
any option, right or warrant for the purchase or sale of, assign,
pledge, distribute or otherwise transfer, dispose of, encumber, (or
make any announcement with respect to any of the foregoing), any
shares of common stock received pursuant to Section 3.1 of this
Agreement, which such shareholder owns, has the right to dispose of or
hereafter acquire, either of record or beneficially, except as
permitted in the schedule set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATE PERCENTAGE OF SHARES ISSUED
TO SUCH PERSON PURSUANT TO SECTION 3.1
TIME TABLE PERMITTED FOR SALE BY SUCH PERSON
---------- --------------------------------------
<S> <C>
From the date of pricing of the IPO
through the date of closing of the IPO No sales are permitted
From 1 to 30 days after closing 10%
From 31 to 60 after closing 20%
From 61 to 90 days after closing 40%
From 91 to 120 days after closing 60%
From 121 days after closing and after 100%
</TABLE>
d. Agreement as to Efforts to Consummate. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, each Party agrees to use, and to cause its
Subsidiaries to use, its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken,
all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper, or
advisable under applicable Laws to consummate and make effective, as soon as
practicable after the date of this Agreement, the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, including the use of their respective reasonable best efforts
to lift or rescind any Order adversely affecting its ability to consummate the
transactions contemplated herein and to cause to be satisfied the conditions
referred to in Article 9 of this Agreement; provided, that nothing herein shall
preclude either Party from exercising its rights under this Agreement. Each
Party shall use, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to use, its
reasonable best efforts to obtain all Permits and Consents necessary or
desirable for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
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<PAGE> 32
e. Applications. First Premier shall promptly prepare and file, and
Premier shall cooperate in the preparation and, where appropriate, filing of,
applications with all Regulatory Authorities having jurisdiction over the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement seeking the requisite Consents
necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
thereafter use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger to be
consummated as expeditiously as possible.
f. Access to Information; Confidentiality. From the date hereof to
the Effective Time or termination pursuant to Article 10 of this Agreement,
upon reasonable notice and subject to applicable Laws, First Premier and
Premier shall afford each other, and each other's accountants, counsel, and
other representatives, during normal working hours for the period of time prior
to the Effective Time, reasonable access to all of its and its Subsidiaries'
properties, books, contracts, commitments, and records and, during such period,
each shall furnish promptly to the other party (i) a copy of each report,
schedule, and other document filed or received by it or any of its Subsidiaries
during such period pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Laws, (ii) a
copy of all filings made with any Regulatory Authorities or other governmental
entities in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
all written communications received from such Regulatory Authorities and
governmental entities related thereto, and (iii) all other information
concerning its or its Subsidiaries' business, properties and personnel as such
other party may reasonably request, including reports of condition filed with
Regulatory Authorities. In this regard, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, each of the parties hereto shall notify the other parties hereto
promptly upon the receipt by it of any comments from the SEC, or its staff, and
of any requests by the SEC for amendments or supplements to the Registration
Statement or the Proxy Statement or for additional information and will supply
the other parties hereto with copies of all correspondence between it and its
representatives, on the one hand, and the SEC or the members of its staff or
any other government official, on the other hand, with respect to the
Registration Statement or the Proxy Statement. Each party hereto shall, and
shall cause its advisors and representatives to (x) conduct its investigation
in such a manner which will not unreasonably interfere with the normal
operations, customers or employee relations of the other and shall be in
accordance with procedures established by the parties having the due regard for
the foregoing, and (y) refrain from using for any purposes other than as set
forth in this Agreement, and shall treat as confidential, all information
obtained by each hereunder or in connection herewith and not otherwise known to
them prior to the Effective Time. Except as otherwise agreed to in writing,
First Premier and Premier shall be bound by and all information given or
received pursuant to this Section 8.5 shall be subject to the terms and
conditions of that certain confidentiality agreement entered into between First
Premier and Premier dated November 19, 1998, which shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
g. Current Information. During the period from the date of this
Agreement until the Effective Time or termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Article 10 hereof, each of Premier and First Premier shall, and shall cause its
representatives to, confer on a regular and frequent basis with representatives
of the other. Each of Premier and First Premier shall promptly notify the other
of (i) any material change in its business or operations, (ii) any material
complaints, investigations, or hearings (or communications indicating that the
same may be contemplated) of any Regulatory Authority, (iii) the institution or
threat of material Litigation involving such party, or (iv) the occurrence or
nonoccurrence, of an event or condition, the occurrence, or nonoccurrence, of
which would be reasonably expected to cause any of such party's representations
or warranties set forth herein to be false or untrue in any respect as of the
Effective Time; and in each case shall keep the other fully informed with
respect thereto.
h. Other Actions. No Party shall, or shall permit any of its
Subsidiaries, if any, to, take any action, except in every case as may be
required by applicable Law, that would or is intended to result in (i) any of
its representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement that are
qualified as to materiality being
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<PAGE> 33
or becoming untrue, (ii) any of such representations and warranties that are
not so qualified become untrue in any material manner having a Material Adverse
Effect, (iii) any of the conditions set forth in this Agreement not being
satisfied or in a violation of any provision of this Agreement, or (iv)
adversely affecting the ability of any of them to obtain any of the Consents or
Permits from Regulatory Authorities (unless such action is required by sound
banking practice).
i. Press Releases. Prior to the Effective Time, Premier and First
Premier shall consult with each other as to the form and substance of any press
release or other public disclosure materially related to this Agreement or any
other transaction contemplated hereby; provided, that nothing in this Section
8.9 shall be deemed to prohibit any Party from making any disclosure which its
counsel deems necessary or advisable in order to satisfy such Party's
disclosure obligations imposed by Law.
j. No Solicitation. Except with respect to this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, from the date of this Agreement until the
Effective Time or termination pursuant to Article 10, neither a Premier Company
nor any Affiliate thereof, shall directly or indirectly solicit any Acquisition
Proposal by any Person. Except to the extent necessary to comply with the
fiduciary duties of Premier's Board of Directors, determined after consultation
with counsel, neither a Premier Company nor any Affiliate thereof, or any
Representative thereof shall furnish any nonpublic information that it is not
legally obligated to furnish or negotiate with respect to, any Acquisition
Proposal, but Premier may communicate information about such an Acquisition
Proposal to its shareholders if and to the extent that it is required to do so
in order to comply with its legal obligations as advised by counsel. Premier
shall promptly notify First Premier orally and in writing in the event that it
receives any inquiry or proposal relating to any such transaction. Premier
shall (i) immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities,
discussions, or negotiations with any Persons conducted heretofore with respect
to any of the foregoing and (ii) direct and use its reasonable best efforts to
cause of all its Representatives not to engage in any of the foregoing.
k. Accounting and Tax Treatment. Each of the Parties undertakes and
agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Merger, and to take no
action which would cause the Merger not, to qualify for treatment as a
"reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code for federal income tax purposes.
l. Anti-Takeover Provisions. Each Premier Company shall take all
necessary action to ensure that the entering into of this Agreement and the
consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby do
not and will not result in any super-majority voting requirements or the grant
of any rights to any Person under its Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or any
other governing instruments. In addition, each Premier Company shall take all
necessary steps to exempt the transactions contemplated by this Agreement from,
or if necessary challenge the validity or applicability of, ss. 351.459 RSMo of
the GBCL.
m. Agreement of Affiliates. Premier has disclosed in Section 8.13
of the Disclosure Schedule all Persons whom it reasonably believes are
"affiliates" of Premier for purposes of Rule 145 under the 1933 Act. Premier
shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause each such Person to deliver to
First Premier not later than 30 days prior to the Effective Time, a written
agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit 2 attached hereto, providing
that such Person will not sell, pledge, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the
shares of Premier Common Stock held by such Person, except as contemplated by
such agreement or by this Agreement and will not sell, pledge, transfer, or
otherwise dispose of the shares of First Premier Common Stock to be received by
such Person upon consummation of the Merger except in compliance with
applicable provisions of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder
(and First Premier shall be entitled to place restrictive legends upon
certificates for shares of First Premier Common Stock issued to affiliates of
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<PAGE> 34
Premier pursuant to this Agreement to enforce the provisions of this Section
8.13). First Premier shall not be required to maintain the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement under the 1933 Act for the purposes of resale of First
Premier Common Stock by such affiliates.
n. Employee Benefits and Contracts. Following the Effective Time,
First Premier shall provide generally to continuing officers and employees of
Premier Companies employee benefits under employee benefit plans (other than
stock option or other plans involving the potential issuance of First Premier
Common Stock), on terms and conditions which when taken as a whole are no less
favorable than those currently provided by Premier. For purposes of
participation and vesting (but not benefit accrual under any employee benefit
plans of First Premier other than the Premier Benefit Plans) under such
employee benefit plans, the service of the employees of Premier prior to the
Effective Time shall be treated as service with First Premier participating in
such employee benefit plans. First Premier shall honor in accordance with their
terms all employment, severance, consulting, and other compensation Contracts
disclosed in Section 8.13 of the Disclosure Schedule between Premier and any
current or former director, officer, or employee thereof, and all provisions
for vested benefits or other vested amounts earned or accrued through the
Effective Time under the Premier Benefit Plans.
o. Management Contracts. First Premier and Bruce W. Wiley have
entered into an employment agreement dated as of the date hereof which
agreement will become effective as of the Closing.
p. Indemnification and Directors' Liability Insurance.
i. First Premier shall, and shall cause the Surviving
Corporation (and its successors and assigns) to, indemnify, defend,
and hold harmless the present and former directors, officers,
employees, and agents of Premier (each, an "Indemnified Party")
against all costs, fees or expenses (including reasonable attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines, penalties, losses, claims, damages,
liabilities and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any
Litigation arising out of actions or omissions occurring at or prior
to the Effective Time (including the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement) to the full extent permitted under applicable Law and by
Premier's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as in effect on the
date hereof, including provisions relating to advances of expenses
incurred in the defense of any Litigation. Without limiting the
foregoing, in any case in which approval by First Premier is required
to effectuate any indemnification, First Premier shall direct, at the
election of the Indemnified Party, that the determination of any such
approval shall be made by independent counsel mutually agreed upon
between First Premier and the Indemnified Party.
ii. If First Premier or the Surviving Corporation or any
of their successors or assigns shall consolidate with or merge into
any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving
corporation of such consolidation or merger or shall transfer all or
substantially all of its assets to any Person, then and in each case,
proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of
First Premier shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section
8.16.
iii. Prior to the Effective Time, Premier shall purchase
for, and on behalf of, its current and former officers and directors,
extended coverage under the current directors' and officers' liability
insurance policy maintained by Premier to provide for continued
coverage of such insurance for a period of five years following the
Effective Time with respect to matters occurring prior to the
Effective Time.
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<PAGE> 35
iv. The provisions of this Section 8.16 are intended to be
for the benefit of and shall be enforceable by, each Indemnified
Party, his or her heirs and representatives and shall survive the
consummation of the Merger and be binding on all successors and
assigns of First Premier and the Surviving Corporation.
q. Filings with State of Missouri. Upon the terms and subject to
the conditions of this Agreement, Premier and First Premier shall execute
articles of merger (the "Articles of Merger") and First Premier shall file the
Articles of Merger and a copy thereof with the office of the Secretary of State
of Missouri and Delaware in connection with the Closing. In addition, First
Premier shall execute and file, pursuant to ss. 351.458 RSMo of the GBCL, (i)
an agreement that First Premier will promptly pay to any Dissenting Shareholder
the amount, if any, to which such shareholder shall be entitled under the
Dissent Provisions, (ii) an agreement that First Premier may be served with
process in the State of Missouri and (iii) an irrevocable appointment of the
Secretary of State of Missouri as First Premier's agent to accept service of
process in any proceeding based upon any cause of action against Premier
arising prior to the Effective Time and any proceeding for the enforcement of
rights of any Dissenting Shareholder under the Dissent Provisions.
ARTICLE 9.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE
a. Conditions to Obligations of Each Party. The respective
obligations of each Party to perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction
of the following conditions, unless waived by both Parties pursuant to Section
11.7 of this Agreement:
i. Shareholder Approval. The shareholders of Premier
shall have approved this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, by the
requisite 66 2/3% vote pursuant to applicable provisions of the GBCL,
and applicable Law. In addition, the shareholders of First Premier
shall have approved this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, by the
requisite majority vote pursuant to Section 251 of the DGCL, and
applicable Law.
ii. Regulatory Approvals. All Consents of, filings and
registrations with, and notifications to, all Regulatory Authorities
required for consummation of the Merger shall have been obtained or
made and shall be in full force and effect and all waiting periods
required by Law shall have expired. No Consent obtained from any
Regulatory Authority which is necessary to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be conditioned or restricted in a manner
(including requirements relating to the raising of additional capital
or the disposition of Assets) which in the reasonable judgment of the
Board of Directors of either Party would so materially adversely
impact the economic or business benefits of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement that, had such condition or requirement
been known, such Party would not, in its reasonable judgment, have
entered into this Agreement.
iii. Consents and Approvals. Other than filing the Articles
of Merger and receipt of the Certificate of Merger, each Party shall
have obtained any and all Consents required for consummation of the
Merger (other than those referred to in Section 9.1(b) of this
Agreement or listed in Section 9.1(c) of the Disclosure Schedule) or
for the preventing of any Default under any
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<PAGE> 36
Contract or Permit of such Party which, if not obtained or made, is
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on such Party.
iv. Legal Proceedings. No court or governmental or
regulatory authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted,
issued, promulgated, enforced, or entered any Law or Order (whether
temporary, preliminary, or permanent) or taken any other action which
prohibits, restricts, or makes illegal consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
v. Registration Statement. The Registration Statement
shall have been declared effective under the 1933 Act, and no stop
orders suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement
shall have been issued, and no action, suit, proceeding, or
investigation by the SEC to suspend the effectiveness thereof shall
have been initiated and be continuing, and all necessary approvals
under state securities Laws or the 1933 Act or 1934 Act relating to
the issuance or trading of the shares of First Premier Common Stock
issuable pursuant to the Merger or the IPO shall have been received.
vi. Tax Matters. Each Party shall have received a written
opinion or opinions from Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, and in a form
reasonably satisfactory to such Parties (the "Tax Opinion"), to the
effect that (i) the Merger will constitute a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and (ii) the
exchange in the Merger of Premier Common Stock for First Premier
Common Stock will not give rise to gain or loss to the shareholders of
Premier with respect to such exchange (except to the extent of any
cash received). In rendering such Tax Opinion, such counsel shall be
entitled to rely upon representations of officers of Premier and First
Premier reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to such counsel.
vii. Public Offering. First Premier shall have executed a
definitive underwriting agreement with a reputable and financially
capable investment banking firm, chosen in the sole discretion of the
Board of Directors of First Premier, providing for the firm commitment
underwriting of shares of First Premier Common Stock having an
aggregate gross purchase price of at least $25 million and such shares
shall, upon issuance, be available for trading on a registered stock
exchange or the National Market of the Nasdaq Stock Market.
b. Conditions to Obligations of First Premier. The obligations of
First Premier to perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions, unless waived by First Premier pursuant to Section
11.7(a) of this Agreement:
i. Representations and Warranties. For purposes of this
Section 9.2(a), the accuracy of the representations and warranties of
Premier set forth in this Agreement shall be assessed as of the date
of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time with the same effect as
though all such representations and warranties had been made on and as
of the Effective Time (provided that representations and warranties
which are confined to a specified date shall speak only as of such
date). The representations and warranties of Premier set forth in
Section 5.3 of this Agreement shall be true and correct (except for
inaccuracies which are de minimus in amount). The representations and
warranties of Premier set forth in Sections 5.17, 5.18, 5.19, and 5.20
of this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects.
There shall not exist inaccuracies in the representations and
warranties of Premier set forth in this Agreement (including the
representations and warranties set forth in Sections 5.3, 5.17, 5.18,
5.19, and 5.20) such that the aggregate effect of such inaccuracies
has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect on
Premier and its Subsidiaries taken
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<PAGE> 37
as a whole; provided that, for purposes of this sentence only, those
representations and warranties which are qualified by references to
"material" or "Material Adverse Effect" shall be deemed not to include
such qualifications.
ii. Performance of Agreements and Covenants. Each and all
of the agreements and covenants of Premier to be performed and
complied with pursuant to this Agreement and the other agreements
contemplated hereby prior to the Effective Time shall have been duly
performed and complied with in all respects.
iii. Certificates. Premier shall have delivered to First
Premier (i) a certificate, dated as of the Effective Time and signed
on its behalf by its chief executive officer and its chief financial
officer acting in their capacities as officers of Premier, to the
effect that the conditions of its obligations set forth in Section
9.2(a) and 9.2(b) of this Agreement have been satisfied, and (ii)
certified copies of resolutions duly adopted by Premier's Board of
Directors and shareholders evidencing the taking of all corporate
action necessary to authorize the execution, delivery, and performance
of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, all in such reasonable detail as First Premier
and its counsel shall request.
iv. Affiliates Agreements. First Premier shall have
received from each affiliate of Premier the affiliates agreements
referred to in Section 8.13 of this Agreement.
v. Opinion of Counsel. First Premier shall have received
a written opinion of Suelthaus & Walsh, P.C., counsel to Premier,
dated as of the Effective Time, with respect to such matters and in
such form as shall be agreed upon between such firm and First Premier
in substantially the form that is attached as Exhibit 2.
c. Conditions to Obligations of Premier. The obligations of Premier
to perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions, unless waived by Premier pursuant to Section 11.7(b) of this
Agreement:
i. Representations and Warranties. For purposes of this
Section 9.3(a), the accuracy of the representations and warranties of
First Premier set forth in this Agreement shall be assessed as of the
date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time with the same
effect as though all such representations and warranties had been made
on and as of the Effective Time (provided that representations and
warranties which are confined to a specified date shall speak only as
of such date). The representations and warranties of First Premier set
forth in Section 6.3 of this Agreement shall be true and correct
(except for inaccuracies which are de minimus in amount). The
representations and warranties of First Premier set forth in Section
6.11 of this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material
respects. There shall not exist inaccuracies in the representations
and warranties of First Premier set forth in this Agreement (including
the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 6.3 and 6.11)
such that the aggregate effect of such inaccuracies has, or is
reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect on First Premier;
provided that, for purposes of this sentence only, those
representations and warranties which are qualified by references to
"material" or "Material Adverse Effect" shall be deemed not to include
such qualifications.
ii. Performance of Agreements and Covenants. Each and all
of the agreements and covenants of First Premier to be performed and
complied with pursuant to this Agreement and the other agreements
contemplated hereby prior to the Effective Time shall have been duly
performed and complied with in all material respects.
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<PAGE> 38
iii. Certificates. First Premier shall have delivered to
Premier (i) a certificate, dated as of the Effective Time and signed
on its behalf by its chief executive officer and its chief financial
officer, to the effect that the conditions of its obligations set
forth in Section 9.3(a) and 9.3(b) of this Agreement have been
satisfied, and (ii) certified copies of resolutions duly adopted by
First Premier's Board of Directors evidencing the taking of all
corporate action necessary to authorize the execution, delivery, and
performance of this Agreement, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, all in such reasonable detail as
Premier and its counsel shall request.
iv. Fairness Opinion. Premier shall have received from GRA
Thompson White & Company, PC, a letter, dated not more than five
business days prior to the date of the Proxy Statement, to the effect
that, in the opinion of such firm, the Exchange Ratio is fair, from a
financial point of view, to the holders of Premier Common Stock.
v. Payment of Consideration. First Premier shall have
delivered to the Exchange Agent the consideration to be paid to
holders of the Premier Common Stock pursuant to Sections 3.1 and 3.4
of this Agreement.
vi. Opinion of Counsel. Premier shall have received a
written opinion of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, counsel to First
Premier, dated as of the Effective Time, with respect to such matters
and in such the form as shall be agreed upon between such firm and
Premier in substantially the form that is attached hereto as Exhibit
3.
vii. Underwriters to Perform. The underwriters in the IPO
shall have given their assurances that they are ready, willing, and
able to close on the IPO, and have the funds available to deliver the
full amount of the purchase price (less the underwriters' discount)
for the shares under the IPO, immediately following the consummation
of the Merger.
ARTICLE 10.
TERMINATION
a. Termination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, and notwithstanding the approval of this Agreement by the
shareholders of First Premier and Premier, this Agreement may be terminated and
the Merger abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time:
i. By mutual written consent of the Board of Directors of
First Premier and the Board of Directors of Premier; or
ii. By the Board of Directors of either First Premier or
Premier (provided that the terminating Party is not then in breach of
any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement under the
applicable standard set forth in Section 9.2(a) of this Agreement in
the case of Premier and Section 9.3(a) in the case of First Premier or
in material breach of any covenant or other agreement contained in
this Agreement) in the event of an inaccuracy of any representation or
warranty of the other Party contained in this Agreement which cannot
be or has not been cured within 30 days after the giving of written
notice to the breaching Party of such inaccuracy and which inaccuracy
would provide the terminating Party the ability to refuse to
consummate the Merger under the applicable standard set forth in
Section 9.2(a) of this Agreement in the case of Premier and Section
9.3(a) of this Agreement in the case of First Premier; or
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<PAGE> 39
iii. By the Board of Directors of either First Premier or
Premier in the event of a material breach by the other Party of any
covenant, agreement, or obligation contained in this Agreement which
breach cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days after the giving
of written notice to the breaching Party of such breach; or
iv. By the Board of Directors of either First Premier or
Premier in the event (i) any Consent of any Regulatory Authority
required for consummation of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby shall have been denied by final nonappealable
action of such authority or if any action taken by such authority is
not appealed within the time limit for appeal; or (ii) the
shareholders of either First Premier or Premier fail to vote their
approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby as
required by the DGCL and GBCL, respectively; or
v. By the Board of Directors of either First Premier or
Premier in the event that the Merger shall not have been consummated
by September 30, 1999, if the failure to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby on or before such date is not caused by any breach
of this Agreement by the Party electing to terminate pursuant to this
Section 10.1(e); or
vi. By First Premier in the event appraisal rights are
claimed, pursuant to the Dissent Provisions, by persons owning in the
aggregate more than 10% of the issued and outstanding Premier Common
Stock; or
vii. By the Board of Directors of either First Premier or
Premier (provided that the terminating Party is not then in breach of
any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement under the
applicable standard set forth in Section 9.2(a) of this Agreement in
the case of Premier and Section 9.3(a) in the case of First Premier or
in material breach of any covenant or other agreement contained in
this Agreement) in the event that any of the conditions precedent to
the obligations of such Party to consummate the Merger cannot be
satisfied or fulfilled by the date specified in Section 10.1(e) of
this Agreement; or
viii. By Premier, if at any time prior to the Effective
Time, the fairness opinion of GRA Thompson White & Company, PC is
withdrawn.
ix. By Premier if prior to the Effective Time, a
corporation, partnership, person, or other entity or group shall have
made a bona fide Acquisition Proposal that the Board of Directors of
Premier determines in its good faith judgment and in the exercise of
its fiduciary duties, with respect to legal matters on the written
opinion of legal counsel and as to financial matters on the written
opinion of GRA Thompson White & Company, PC, or another investment
banking firm of national reputation, is more favorable to the
shareholders of Premier and that the failure to terminate this
Agreement and accept such alternative Acquisition Proposal would be
inconsistent with the proper exercise of such fiduciary duties.
b. Effect of Termination.
i. In the event of the termination and abandonment of
this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1 of this Agreement, this
Agreement shall become void and have no effect, except that (i) the
provisions of this Section 10.2 and Sections 8.6 and 11.1 of this
Agreement shall survive any such termination and abandonment, and (ii)
a termination pursuant to Sections 10.1(b) or 10.1(c) or
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10.1 (f), of this Agreement shall not relieve the breaching Party from
liability for an uncured willful breach of a representation, warranty,
covenant, or agreement giving rise to such termination; provided,
further, that in the event of any termination of this Agreement
following the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event (as defined
below) other than termination due to: (A) the failure of First Premier
to satisfy a condition to closing, (B) determination of First Premier
pursuant to Section 9.2(a) not to perform this Agreement, (C)
withdrawal of the fairness opinion of GRA Thompson White & Company, PC
(so long as such withdrawal is not due to materially inaccurate or
fraudulent information provided by Premier to GRA Thompson White &
Company, PC), or (D) the failure to satisfy the conditions set forth
in Section 9.1 paragraphs (b), (d), (e), (f) and (g), First Premier
shall be entitled to a cash payment from Premier in an amount equal to
$200,000 upon the occurrence of any Subsequent Triggering Event (as
defined below) within twelve (12) months following the date of such
termination. In the event this Agreement is terminated as a result of
First Premier's or Premier's failure to satisfy any of its
representations, warranties or covenants set forth herein in addition
to any other claims or rights, the non-terminating party shall
reimburse the terminating party for its reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses relating to the Merger in an amount not to exceed $50,000.
ii. The term "Initial Triggering Event" shall mean any of
the following events or transactions occurring after the date of this
Agreement:
(1) Premier, without having received First
Premier's prior written consent, shall have entered into an
agreement to engage in an Acquisition Transaction (as
hereinafter defined) with any Person (the term "Person" for
purposes of this Section also having the meaning assigned
thereto in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the 1934 Act, and
the rules and regulations thereunder) other than First Premier
or the Board of Directors of Premier shall have recommended
that the shareholders of Premier approve or accept any
Acquisition Transaction other than as contemplated by this
Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, "Acquisition
Transaction" shall mean (x) a merger or consolidation, or any
similar transaction, involving Premier, (y) a purchase, lease
or other acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets
or deposits of Premier, or (z) a purchase or other acquisition
(including by way of merger, consolidation, share exchange or
otherwise) of securities representing 25% or more of the
voting power of Premier;
(2) Any Person (excluding the officers,
directors and existing shareholders of Premier), other than
First Premier, acting in a fiduciary capacity, shall have
acquired beneficial ownership or the right to acquire
beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding
Premier Common Stock (the term "beneficial ownership" for
purposes of this Agreement having the meaning assigned
thereto in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act, and the rules and
regulations thereunder) and such Person does not vote such
Premier Common Stock in favor of this Agreement at the
Shareholders' Meeting or such meeting is not held or is
canceled;
(3) The Shareholders' Meeting shall not have
been held or shall have been canceled prior to termination of
this Agreement, or Premier, without having received First
Premier's prior written consent, shall have authorized,
recommended, proposed (or publicly announced its intention to
authorize, recommend or propose, or its interest in
authorizing, recommending or proposing) an agreement to engage
in an Acquisition Transaction, with any Person other than
First Premier;
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(4) Any Person other than First Premier shall
have made a bona fide proposal to any Premier Company or its
shareholders by public announcement or written communication
(a copy of which shall be provided to First Premier) to engage
in an Acquisition Transaction, which proposal has an economic
value to the shareholders of Premier equivalent to or in
excess of that of the Merger.
(5) After a proposal is made by a third party to
any Premier Company to engage in an Acquisition Transaction,
Premier shall have willfully and materially breached any
material covenant or obligation contained in this Agreement in
anticipation of engaging in an Acquisition Transaction, and
such breach would entitle First Premier to terminate this
Agreement and such breach is not cured; or
(6) Any person other than First Premier, other
than in connection with a transaction to which First Premier
has given its prior written consent, shall have filed an
application or notice with the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System or other federal or state bank
regulatory authority, which application or notice has been
accepted for processing, for approval to engage in an
Acquisition Transaction.
iii. The term "Subsequent Triggering Event" shall mean any
of the following events or transactions occurring after the date hereof:
(1) The acquisition by any person (excluding the
officers, directors and existing shareholders of Premier) of
beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the then outstanding
Premier Common Stock; or
(2) The closing of the Acquisition Transaction
described in clause (i) of subsection (b) of this Section
10.2, except that the percentage referred to in clause (z)
shall be 50%.
iv. Premier shall notify First Premier promptly upon the
occurrence of any Initial Triggering Event or Subsequent Triggering Event.
c. Non-Survival of Representations and Covenants. The respective
representations and warranties of the Parties shall not survive the Effective
Time. All agreements of the Parties to this Agreement which by their terms are
to be performed following the Effective Time shall survive the Effective Time
until performed in accordance with their terms.
ARTICLE 11.
MISCELLANEOUS
a. Definitions.
i. Except as otherwise provided herein, the capitalized
terms set forth below shall have the following meanings:
"1933 Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"1934 Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
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<PAGE> 42
"Acquisition Proposal" with respect to a Party shall mean any
tender offer or exchange offer or any proposal for a merger,
acquisition of all of the stock or assets of, or other business
combination involving such Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any
proposal or offer to acquire in any manner a substantial equity
interest in, or a substantial portion of the assets of, such Party or
any of its material Subsidiaries (other than the transactions
contemplated or permitted by this Agreement).
"Affiliate" of a Person shall mean: (i) any other Person
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person;
(ii) any officer, director, partner, employer, or direct or indirect
beneficial owner of any 10% or greater equity or voting interest of
such Person; or (iii) any other Person for which a Person described in
clause (ii) acts in any such capacity.
"Agreement" shall mean this Agreement and Plan of Merger,
including the Exhibits delivered pursuant hereto and incorporated
herein by reference.
"Assets" of a Person shall mean all of the assets, properties,
businesses, and rights of such Person of every kind, nature,
character, and description, whether real, personal, or mixed, tangible
or intangible, accrued or contingent, or otherwise relating to or
utilized in such Person's business, directly or indirectly, in whole
or in part, whether or not carried on the books and records of such
Person, and whether or not owned in the name of such Person or any
Affiliate of such Person and wherever located.
"BHC Act" shall mean the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as
amended.
"Closing" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2 of
this Agreement.
"Certificate of Merger" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 1.3 of this Agreement.
"Consent" shall mean any consent, approval, authorization,
clearance, exemption, waiver, or similar affirmation by any Person
pursuant to any Contract, Law, Order, or Permit.
"Contract" shall mean any written agreement, commitment,
contract, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, instrument, lease,
obligation, license, or plan of any kind or character, or other
document to which any Person is a party or that is binding on any
Person or its capital stock or Assets.
"Default" shall mean (i) any breach or violation of or default
under any Contract, (ii) any occurrence of any event that with the
passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a
breach or violation of or default under any Contract, or (iii) any
occurrence of any event that with or without the passage of time or
the giving of notice would give rise to a right to terminate or
revoke, change the current terms of, or renegotiate, or to accelerate,
increase, or impose any liability under, any Contract where, in any
such event, such default is reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect on a Party.
"Derivatives Contract" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.20 of this Agreement.
"DGCL" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1 of this
Agreement.
"Dissent Provisions" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.1(d) of this Agreement.
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<PAGE> 43
"Dissenting Premier Shares" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 3.1(d) of this Agreement.
"Dissenting Shareholders" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.1(d) of this Agreement.
"Effective Time" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
1.3 of this Agreement.
"Environmental Laws" shall mean all Laws relating to pollution
or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient
air, surface water, ground water, land surface, or subsurface strata)
and which are administered, interpreted, or enforced by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency and state and local agencies
with jurisdiction over, and including common law in respect of,
pollution or protection of the environment, including the
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act,
as amended, 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq., the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq., and other Laws
relating to emissions, discharges, releases, or threatened releases of
any Hazardous Material, or otherwise relating to the manufacture,
processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal,
transport, or handling of any Hazardous Material.
"ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended.
"ERISA Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
5.13(c) of this Agreement.
"Exchange Agent" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4.1 of this Agreement.
"Exchange Ratio" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.1(c) of this Agreement.
"Exhibits" 1, 2, and 3 shall mean the Exhibits so marked,
copies of which are attached to this Agreement. Such Exhibits are
hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof, and
may be referred to in this Agreement and any other related instrument
or document without being attached hereto.
"First Premier" shall have the meaning set forth in the first
paragraph of this Agreement.
"First Premier Capital Stock" shall mean, collectively, First
Premier Common Stock, First Premier Preferred Stock, and any other
class or series of capital stock of First Premier.
"First Premier Common Stock" shall mean the $.01 par value per
share common stock of First Premier.
"First Premier Financial Statements" shall mean the (i)
audited consolidated balance sheets (including related notes and
schedules, if any) of First Premier as of December 31, 1998, and the
related audited statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity,
and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if any) for the
fiscal year then ended, and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance
sheets (including related notes and schedules, if any) of First
Premier as of March 31, 1999, and the related unaudited statements of
income, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows (including
related notes and schedules, if any) for the portion of the fiscal
year then ended.
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<PAGE> 44
"First Premier Preferred Stock" shall mean the $.01 par value
per share preferred stock of First Premier.
"GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in
the United States, consistently applied during the periods involved
applicable to banks or bank holding companies, as the case may be.
"GBCL" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1.1 of this
Agreement.
"Hazardous Material" shall mean (i) any hazardous substance,
hazardous material, hazardous waste, regulated substance, or toxic
substance (as those terms are defined by any applicable Environmental
Laws) and (ii) any chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, petroleum,
petroleum products, or oil (and specifically shall include asbestos
requiring abatement, removal, or encapsulation pursuant to the
requirements of governmental authorities and any polychlorinated
biphenyls).
"Indemnified Party" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.16 of this Agreement.
"Initial Public Offering" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.1 of the Agreement.
"Internal Revenue Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
"Knowledge" as used with respect to a Person (including
references to such Person being aware of a particular matter) shall
mean the personal knowledge of the chairman, president, chief
financial officer, chief accounting officer, chief credit officer,
general counsel, any assistant or deputy general counsel, or any
senior or executive vice president of such Person and the knowledge of
any such persons obtained or which would have been obtained from a
reasonable investigation, except as otherwise stated in this
Agreement.
"Law" shall mean any code, law, ordinance, regulation,
reporting or licensing requirement, rule, or statute applicable to a
Person or its Assets, Liabilities, or business, including those
promulgated, interpreted, or enforced by any Regulatory Authority.
"Lien" with respect to any Asset, shall mean any conditional
sale agreement, default of title, easement, encroachment, encumbrance,
hypothecation, infringement, lien, mortgage, pledge, reservation,
restriction, security interest, title retention, or other security
arrangement, or any adverse right or interest, charge, or claim of any
nature whatsoever of, on, or with respect to any property or property
interest, other than (i) Liens for current property Taxes not yet due
and payable, (ii) for depository institution Subsidiaries of a Party,
pledges to secure deposits, and (iii) other Liens incurred in the
ordinary course of the banking business.
"Litigation" shall mean any action, arbitration, cause of
action, claim, complaint, criminal prosecution, demand letter,
governmental or other examination or investigation, hearing, inquiry,
administrative or other proceeding, or notice by any Person alleging
potential liability.
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<PAGE> 45
"Loan Property" shall mean any property owned, leased, or
operated by the Party in question or by any of its Subsidiaries or in
which such Party or its Subsidiary holds a security or other interest
(including an interest in a fiduciary capacity), and, where required
by the context, includes the owner or operator of such property, but
only with respect to such property.
"Material Adverse Effect" on a Party shall mean an event,
change, or occurrence which, individually or together with any other
event, change, or occurrence, (i) would in the aggregate result in an
adverse impact of $125,000 or more on the financial position or
results of operations of such Party, or (ii) would impair the ability
of such Party to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to
consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, provided that "Material Adverse Effect" shall not be deemed
to include the impact of (a) changes in banking and similar Laws of
general applicability or interpretations thereof by courts or
governmental authorities, (b) changes in GAAP or regulatory accounting
principles generally applicable to banks and their holding companies,
(c) actions and omissions of a Party (or any of its Subsidiaries)
taken with the prior informed consent of the other Party in
contemplation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (d) the
Merger and compliance with the provisions of this Agreement on the
operating performance of the Parties, (e) changes in the general
economic conditions, (f) changes in the securities markets, or (g)
changes generally affecting the financial institution industry in
general, or the banking industry in Missouri or in the Jefferson City
of Columbia, Missouri areas specifically. When used with respect to
Premier, a Material Adverse Effect shall exist only if it exists with
respect to Premier and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
"Merger" shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble of
this Agreement.
"NASD" shall mean the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc.
"NASDAQ" shall mean the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
"Order" shall mean any decree, injunction, judgment, order,
decision or award, ruling, or writ of any federal, state, local, or
foreign or other court, arbitrator, mediator, tribunal, administrative
agency, or Regulatory Authority.
"Participation Facility" shall mean any facility or property
in which the Party in question or any of its Subsidiaries participates
in the management and, where required by the context, said term means
the owner or operator of such facility or property, but only with
respect to such facility or property.
"Party" shall mean either First Premier or Premier, and
"Parties" shall mean collectively, First Premier and Premier.
"Permit" shall mean any federal, state, local, and foreign
governmental approval, authorization, certificate, easement, filing,
franchise, license, notice, permit, or right to which any Person is a
party or that is or may be binding upon or inure to the benefit of any
Person.
"Person" shall mean a natural person or any legal, commercial,
or governmental entity, such as, but not limited to, a corporation,
general partnership, joint venture, limited partnership, limited
liability company, trust, business association, group acting in
concert, or any person acting in a representative capacity.
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<PAGE> 46
"Premier" shall have the meaning set forth in the first
paragraph of this Agreement.
"Premier Benefits Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.13(a) of this Agreement.
"Premier Capital Stock" shall mean, collectively, Premier
Common Stock and any other class or series of capital stock of
Premier.
"Premier Common Stock" shall mean the $1.00 par value common
stock of Premier.
"Premier Companies" shall mean, collectively, Premier and all
Premier Subsidiaries.
"Premier Contracts" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.14 of this Agreement.
"Premier ERISA Plan" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.13(a) of this Agreement.
"Premier Financial Statements" shall mean (i) the consolidated
balance sheets (including related notes and schedules, if any) of
Premier as of March 31, 1999, and as of December 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996, and the related statements of income, changes in shareholders'
equity, and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if any)
for the three months ended March 31, 1999, and for each of the three
fiscal years ended December 31, 1998, 1997, and 1996, as filed by
Premier with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and
(ii) the consolidated balance sheets of Premier (including related
notes and schedules, if any) and related statements of income, changes
in shareholders' equity, and cash flows (including related notes and
schedules, if any) included in Premier's financial statements filed
and published in accordance with applicable federal regulations with
respect to periods ended subsequent to December 31, 1998.
"Proxy Statement" shall mean the proxy statement used by
Premier to solicit the approval of its shareholders of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which shall include the
prospectus of First Premier relating to the issuance of First Premier
Common Stock to holders of Premier Common Stock.
"Registration Statement" shall mean the Registration Statement
on Form S-1, or other appropriate form, including any pre-effective or
post-effective amendments or supplements thereto, filed with the SEC
by First Premier under the 1933 Act with respect to the shares of
First Premier Common Stock to be issued to the shareholders of Premier
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
with respect to the IPO.
"Regulatory Authorities" shall mean, collectively, the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the SEC, the Missouri Division of Finance, the
NASD, NASDAQ and all state regulatory agencies having jurisdiction
over the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries.
"Rights" shall mean all arrangements, calls, Contracts,
options, rights to subscribe to, scrip, understandings, warrants, or
other binding obligations of any character whatsoever relating to, or
securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of
the capital stock of a Person or any Contract, commitments or other
arrangements by which a Person is or may be bound to issue additional
shares of its capital stock or options, warrants, rights to purchase
or acquire any additional shares of its capital stock, or other
Rights.
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<PAGE> 47
"SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"SEC Documents" shall mean all forms, proxy statements,
registration statements, reports, schedules, and other documents
filed, or required to be filed, by a Party or any of its Subsidiaries
with any Regulatory Authority pursuant to the Securities Laws.
"Securities Laws" shall mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisors
Act of 1940, as amended, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended,
and the rules and regulations of any Regulatory Authority promulgated
thereunder.
"Shareholders' Meeting" shall mean the meeting of the
shareholders of Premier to be held pursuant to Section 8.1 of this
Agreement, including any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
"Subsidiaries" shall mean all corporations, banks,
associations, or other entities of which the entity in question owns
or controls 50% or more of the outstanding equity securities, either
directly or through an unbroken chain of entities as to each of which
50% or more of the outstanding equity securities is owned directly or
indirectly by its parent; provided, however, there shall not be
included in this definition any such entity acquired through
foreclosure or any such entity the equity securities of which are
owned or controlled in a fiduciary capacity.
"Surviving Corporation" shall mean the surviving corporation
resulting from the Merger.
"Tax" or "Taxes" shall mean all federal, state, local, and
foreign taxes, charges, fees, levies, imposts, duties, or other
assessments, including income, gross receipts, excise, employment,
sales, use, transfer, license, payroll, franchise, severance, stamp,
occupation, windfall profits, environmental, federal highway use,
commercial rent, customs duties, capital stock, paid-up capital,
profits, withholding, Social Security, single business and
unemployment, disability, real property, personal property,
registration, ad valorem, value added, alternative or add-on minimum,
estimated, or other tax or governmental fee of any kind whatsoever,
imposed or required to be withheld by the United States or any state,
local, foreign government or subdivision or agency thereof, including
any interest, penalties or additions thereto.
"Tax Opinion" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
9.1(f) of this Agreement.
"Taxable Period" shall mean any period prescribed by any
governmental authority, including the United States or any state,
local, foreign government or subdivision or agency thereof for which a
Tax Return is required to be filed or Tax is required to be paid.
"Tax Return" shall mean any report, return, information
return, or other information required to be supplied to a taxing
authority in connection with Taxes, including any return of an
affiliated or combined or unitary group that includes a Party or its
Subsidiaries.
ii. Any singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed to
include the plural, and any plural term the singular. Whenever the
words "include," "includes," or "including" are used in this
Agreement, they shall be deemed followed by the words "without
limitation."
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<PAGE> 48
b. Expenses.
i. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 11.2 and
in Section 10.2, each of First Premier and Premier shall bear and pay
all direct costs and expenses incurred by it or on its behalf in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder, including
filing, registration, and application fees, printing fees, and fees
and expenses of its own financial or other consultants, investment
bankers, accountants, and counsel.
ii. Nothing contained in this Section 11.2 shall
constitute or shall be deemed to constitute liquidated damages for the
willful breach by a Party of the terms of this Agreement or otherwise
limit the rights of the nonbreaching Party.
c. Brokers and Finders. Each of the Parties represents and
warrants that neither it nor any of its officers, directors, employees, or
Affiliates has employed any broker or finder in connection with this Agreement
or the transactions contemplated hereby. In the event of a claim by any broker
or finder based upon his or its representing or being retained by or allegedly
representing or being retained by First Premier or Premier, each of First
Premier and Premier, as the case may be, agrees to indemnify and hold the other
Party harmless of and from any Liability in respect of any such claim.
d. Entire Agreement. Except for the Confidentiality Agreement and
except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement constitutes the
entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereunder and supersedes all prior arrangements or understandings
with respect thereto, written or oral.
e. Amendments. To the extent permitted by Law, this Agreement may
be amended by a subsequent writing signed by each of the Parties upon the
approval of the Boards of Directors of each of the Parties, whether before or
after shareholder approval of this Agreement has been obtained; provided, that
after any such approval by the shareholders of either First Premier or Premier,
there shall be made no amendment that reduces or modifies in any material
respect the consideration to be received by holders of Premier Common Stock,
without the further approval of such shareholders.
f. Obligations of First Premier. Whenever this Agreement requires
First Premier (including the Surviving Corporation) to take any action, such
requirement shall be deemed to include an undertaking by First Premier to cause
any future First Premier Subsidiaries to take such action.
g. Waivers.
i. Prior to or at the Effective Time, First Premier,
acting through its Board of Directors, chief executive officer,
president or other authorized officer, shall have the right to waive
any default in the performance of any term of this Agreement by
Premier, to waive or extend the time for the compliance or fulfillment
by Premier of any and all of its obligations under this Agreement, and
to waive any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of
First Premier under this Agreement, except any condition which, if not
satisfied, would result in the violation of any Law. No such waiver
shall be effective unless in writing signed by a duly authorized
officer of First Premier.
ii. Prior to or at the Effective Time, Premier, acting
through its Board of Directors, chief executive officer, president or
other authorized officer, shall have the right to waive any default in
the performance of any term of this Agreement by First Premier, to
waive or extend the time for
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<PAGE> 49
the compliance or fulfillment by First Premier of any and all of its
obligations under this Agreement, and to waive any or all of the
conditions precedent to the obligations of Premier under this
Agreement, except any condition which, if not satisfied, would result
in the violation of any Law. No such waiver shall be effective unless
in writing signed by a duly authorized officer of Premier.
iii. The failure of any Party at any time or times to
require performance of any provision hereof shall in no manner affect
the right of such Party at a later time to enforce the same or any
other provision of this Agreement. No waiver of any condition or of
the breach of any term contained in this Agreement in one or more
instances shall be deemed to be or construed as a further or
continuing waiver of such condition or breach or a waiver of any other
condition or of the breach of any other term of this Agreement.
h. Assignment. Except as expressly contemplated hereby, neither
this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests, or obligations hereunder shall
be assigned by any Party hereto (whether by operation of Law or otherwise)
without the prior written consent of the other Party. Subject to the preceding
sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be
enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.
i. Notices. All notices or other communications which are
required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered
by hand, by facsimile transmission, by registered or certified mail, postage
pre-paid, or by courier or overnight carrier, to the persons at the addresses
set forth below (or at such other address as may be provided hereunder), and
shall be deemed to have been delivered as of the date so delivered:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Premier: Premier Bancshares, Inc.
815 West Stadium Boulevard
Jefferson City, Missouri 65110
Telephone Number: (573) 893-6000
Telecopy Number: (573) 893-6200
Attention: Charles R. Willibrand, Chairman
and Bruce Wiley, President and Chief Executive Officer
Copy to Counsel: Suelthaus & Walsh, P.C.
7733 Forsyth Boulevard, Twelfth Floor
St. Louis, Missouri 63105
Telephone Number: (314) 727-7676
Telecopy Number: (314) 727-7166
Attention: Kenneth H. Suelthaus, Esq.
First Premier: First Premier Financial Corporation
13004 Starbuck Road
St. Louis, Missouri 63141
Telephone Number: (314) 514-8491
Telecopy Number: (314) 453-0981
Attention: Richard C. Jensen, President and
Chief Executive Officer
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 50
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Copy to Counsel: Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP
Suite 3100, Promenade II
1230 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3592
Telephone Number: (404) 815-3758
Telecopy Number: (404) 685-7058
Attention: Robert C. Schwartz, Esq.
</TABLE>
Copies to Counsel shall not constitute notice.
j. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the Laws of the State of Missouri, without regard to any
applicable principals of conflicts of laws, except to the extent that the Laws
of the United States govern the consummation of the Merger.
k. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
l. Captions. The captions contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and are not part of this Agreement.
m. Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this
Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or
provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of
this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be
interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.
n. Enforcement of Agreement. The Parties hereto agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this
Agreement was not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was
otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled
to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to
enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the United
States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other
remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.
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<PAGE> 51
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to
be executed on its behalf and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and
attested by officers thereunto as of the day and year first above written.
FIRST PREMIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Richard C. Jensen
---------------------------------------
Name: Richard C. Jensen
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
PREMIER BANCSHARES, INC.
By: /s/ Charles R. Willibrand
---------------------------------------
Name: Charles R. Willibrand
Title: Chairman
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 3.1
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
MISSOURI HOLDINGS, INC.
I.
The name of the Corporation is Missouri Holdings, Inc.
II.
The street address of the registered office of the Corporation is 1209
Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801. The registered
agent of the Corporation at such office is The Corporation Trust Company.
III.
The Corporation is organized for the purpose of engaging in any lawful
act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General
Corporation Law of Delaware, and the Corporation shall be authorized to exercise
and enjoy all powers, rights and privileges conferred upon corporations by the
laws of the State of Delaware as in force from time to time, including, without
limitation, all powers necessary or appropriate to carry out all those acts and
activities in which it may lawfully be engaged.
IV.
The Corporation shall have authority to issue 21,000,000 shares of
capital stock, which shall be divided into two classes with the following
designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights:
(A) Common Stock. One class shall consist of 20,000,000
shares of common stock having a $ .01 par value, designated "Common
Stock."
(B) Preferred Stock. One class shall consist of 1,000,000
shares of preferred stock having a $ .01 par value, designated
"Preferred Stock." The board of directors is authorized, subject to any
limitations prescribed by law, to provide for the issuance of the
shares of Preferred Stock in series, and by filing a certificate
pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware, to establish
from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such
series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences, and rights of
the shares of each such series and any qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof. The number of authorized shares of Preferred
Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares
thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the Common Stock, without a vote of the holders of the
Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such
holders is required pursuant to the certificate or certificates
establishing the series of Preferred Stock.
1
<PAGE> 2
V.
The name and mailing address of the Incorporator of the Corporation is:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME ADDRESS
---- -------
<S> <C>
Robert C. Schwartz Suite 3100, Promenade II
1230 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3592
</TABLE>
VI.
No director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the
Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director; provided, however, that this Article VI shall not eliminate
or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director's duty
of loyalty to the Corporation its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not
in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of
law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (as in
effect and as hereafter amended) or (iv) for any transaction from which the
director derived an improper personal benefit. If the Delaware General
Corporation Law is hereafter amended to authorize corporate action further
eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability
of each director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the
fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as so amended.
Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article VI, nor the adoption of any
provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article
VI, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article VI in respect of any
acts or omissions occurring prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of any
inconsistent provision.
VII.
The corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal
any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now
or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders
herein are granted subject to this reservation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of
Incorporation on this 30TH day of April, 1998.
/s/ Robert C. Schwartz
--------------------------------------------
Robert C. Schwartz
Incorporator
2
<PAGE> 3
EXHIBIT A
SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
1. Designation. 100,000 shares of the preferred stock, par value,
$0.01 per share, stated value $10.00 per share, of the Corporation are hereby
constituted as a series of the preferred stock designated as "Series A Preferred
Stock" (the "Series A Preferred Stock") and having relative rights and
preferences to all other classes and series of the capital stock of the
Corporation as set forth herein.
2. Dividends.
No dividends or other distributions shall be declared or
payable with respect to Series A Preferred Stock.
3. Preference on Liquidation.
(a) Liquidation Preference for Series A Preferred Stock.
In the event that the Corporation shall commence a voluntary case under the
Federal bankruptcy laws or any other applicable Federal or state bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar law, or consent to the entry of an order for relief in an
involuntary case under such law or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator,
assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the
Corporation or of any substantial part of its property, or make an assignment
for the benefit of its creditors, or admit in writing its inability to pay its
debts generally as they become due, or if a decree or order for relief in
respect of the Corporation shall be entered by a court having jurisdiction in
the premises in an involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws or any
other applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, or
appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator
(or other similar official) of the Corporation or of any substantial part of its
property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and on
account of any such event the Corporation shall liquidate, dissolve or wind up,
or if the Corporation shall otherwise liquidate, dissolve or wind up, no
distribution of the assets of the Corporation shall be made to the holders of
shares of Common Stock or other Junior Securities (as hereinafter defined)(and
no monies shall be set apart for such purpose) unless (i) prior thereto, the
holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have received from the
assets of the Corporation an amount per share having a value equal to not less
than $10.00 (the "Series A Liquidation Preference").
(b) Pro Rata Payments. If, upon any such liquidation,
dissolution or other winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, the assets of
the Corporation shall be insufficient to permit the payment in full of the
Series A Liquidation Preference for each share of Series A Preferred Stock then
outstanding and the full liquidating payments on all Parity Securities (as
hereinafter defined) then the assets of the Corporation remaining after the
distribution to holders of any Senior Securities (as hereinafter defined) of the
full amounts to which they may be entitled shall be ratably distributed among
the holders of Series A Preferred Stock and of any Parity Securities in
proportion to the full amounts to which they would otherwise be respectively
entitled if all amounts thereon were paid in full.
(c) Sale not a Liquidation. Neither the voluntary sale,
conveyance, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities or other
consideration) of all or substantially all the property
<PAGE> 4
or assets of the Corporation nor the consolidation, merger or other business
combination of the Corporation with or into one or more corporations or other
Person (as hereinafter defined) shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution
or winding up, voluntary or involuntary, of the Corporation.
(d) Notice of Liquidation. Written notice of any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, stating the payment
date or dates when and the place or places where amounts distributable in such
circumstances shall be payable, shall be given by first class mail, postage
prepaid, not less than thirty (30) days prior to any payment date specified
therein, to the holders of record of the Series A Preferred Stock at their
respective addresses as shall appear on the records of the Corporation.
4. Voting. Except as otherwise provided by law, the shares of the
Series A Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights.
5. Redemption.
(a) Redemption Price. Any redemption of the Series A
Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 5 shall be at a price equal to $10.00
per share (the "Redemption Price").
(b) Optional Redemption. At the option of the
Corporation, shares of the Series A Preferred Stock may be redeemed at any time
as a whole or in part from time to time, out of funds legally available
therefor, at a cash redemption price of $10.00 per share.
(c) Procedures for Redemption. In the event the
Corporation shall elect to redeem shares of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to
Section 5(b), the Corporation shall give written notice of such redemption by
first class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than thirty (30) nor more
than ninety (90) days prior to the Redemption Date (as hereinafter defined), to
each holder of record of the shares to be redeemed, at such holder's address as
the same appears on the stock records of the Corporation. Each such notice shall
state: (i) the date on which the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be
redeemed (the "Redemption Date"); (ii) the number of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock to be redeemed; (iii) the Redemption Price; (iv) the place or
places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of
the Redemption Price; (v) that payment will be made upon presentation and
surrender of such Series A Preferred Stock; and (vi) that such redemption is
mandatory. Notice having been mailed as aforesaid, from and after the Redemption
Date, unless the Corporation shall be in default in the payment of the
Redemption Price (A) shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be deemed no
longer outstanding, and (B) all rights of the holders thereof as stockholders of
the Corporation (except the right to receive from the Corporation any moneys
payable upon redemption without interest thereon) shall cease.
Upon surrender in accordance with such notice of the
certificates for any such shares so redeemed (properly endorsed or assigned for
transfer with signatures guaranteed), such shares shall be redeemed by the
Corporation at the applicable Redemption Price.
6. Shares to be Retired. Any share of Series A Preferred Stock
repurchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation shall be retired and
canceled and shall upon cancellation be restored to the status of authorized but
unissued shares of preferred stock, subject to reissuance by the Board of
Directors as shares of preferred stock of one or more other series but not as
shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
<PAGE> 5
7. Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have
the respective meanings set forth below:
"Business Day" means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday
or a day on which banks are required or permitted to be closed in the
State of Florida.
"Common Stock" means the Corporation's Common Stock, $.01 par
value per share, and any stock into which such Common Stock may
hereafter be changed or for which such Common Stock may be exchanged
after giving effect to the terms of such change or exchange (by way of
reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or otherwise).
"Junior Securities" means the Common Stock and any other class
of capital stock or series of preferred stock hereafter created by the
Corporation which does not expressly provide that it ranks senior to or
pari passu with the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividends, other
distributions, liquidation preference or otherwise.
"Parity Securities" mean any class of capital stock or series
of preferred stock hereafter created by the Corporation which expressly
provides that it ranks pari passu with the Series A Preferred Stock as
to dividends, other distributions, liquidation preference or otherwise.
"Person" or "person" shall mean an individual, partnership,
corporation, trust, unincorporated organization, joint venture,
government or agency, political subdivision thereof, or any other
entity of any kind.
"Senior Securities" means any class or series of capital
stock, debt instrument or security convertible into capital stock or
debt securities of the Corporation other than Parity Securities or
Junior Securities.
"Series A Liquidation Preference" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 3(a).
"Series A Preferred Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 1.
8. Notices. Except as may otherwise be provided for herein, all
notices referred to herein shall be in writing, and all notices hereunder shall
be deemed to have been given upon the earlier of (x) receipt of such notice, (y)
two Business Days after the mailing of such notice if sent by registered mail
(unless first-class mail shall be specifically permitted for such notice under
the terms hereof) or (z) the Business Day following the date such notice is put
in the possession of an overnight courier, in any case with postage or delivery
charges prepaid, addressed: if to the Corporation, to its temporary offices at
9755 Dogwood Road, Suite 310, Roswell, Georgia 30075, Attention: Mary E.
Johnson, Secretary and Treasurer of the Corporation, or to an agent of the
Corporation designated as permitted by the Articles of Incorporation, or, if to
any holder of the Series A Preferred Stock, to such holder at the address of
such holder of the Series A Preferred Stock as listed in the stock record books
of the Corporation.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 3.1.1
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES
AND RIGHTS OF
SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
OF
MISSOURI HOLDINGS, INC.
PURSUANT TO SECTION 151 OF THE GENERAL
CORPORATION LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
Missouri Holdings, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Corporation"), does
hereby certify that, pursuant to the authority contained in paragraph IV of its
Certificate of Incorporation and in accordance with Section 151 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the following resolutions creating a
series of Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, designated as Series A Preferred
Stock, were duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the
"Board") as of June 19, 1998:
RESOLVED, that the Board hereby creates from among the Corporation's
1,000,000 authorized and previously undesignated shares of Preferred Stock, $.01
par value per share, a series of such Preferred Stock to be known as the "Series
A Preferred Stock" and to comprise 100,000 shares, and hereby adopts and
prescribes therefore the designation, number of shares and relative rights,
preferences and limitations, and other terms and conditions of such series as
set forth in, and governed by, Exhibit A attached to these minutes, with such
Exhibit A being hereby incorporated as part of this resolution; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation be and hereby
are authorized and directed to take any and all further action that may be
necessary or desirable to accomplish the above authorized action, including but
not limited to the execution and filing of all instruments or documents that may
be necessary to create, designate, issue or evidence shares of the Corporation's
Series A Preferred Stock.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate to be
executed in its name by the undersigned duly authorized officers of the
Corporation, this 23rd day of July, 1998.
By: /s/ T. Stephen Johnson
--------------------------------
T. Stephen Johnson
Title: President
ATTEST:
By: /s/ Mary E. Johnson
-----------------------------
Mary E. Johnson
Title: Secretary and Treasurer
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 3.1.2
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF THE
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
MISSOURI HOLDINGS, INC.
MISSOURI HOLDINGS, INC. (the "Corporation"), a corporation incorporated
on May 1, 1998, and organized and existing under and by virtue of the Delaware
General Corporation Law, does hereby certify:
FIRST: That the Board of Directors of this Corporation, by the
unanimous written consent of its members, filed with the minutes of the Board,
duly adopted resolutions setting forth a proposed Certificate of Amendment of
the Certificate of Incorporation of this Corporation, declaring said amendment
to be advisable and submitting said amendment to the shareholders of this
Corporation for consideration thereof. The resolution setting forth the
amendment is as follows:
RESOLVED, that Section I of the Certificate of Incorporation
of this Corporation is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following
shall be inserted in lieu thereof:
I.
The name of the Corporation shall be First Premier Financial Corporation.
SECOND: That the shareholders of this Corporation approved the
Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation by written consent
of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote in accordance with
Section 228 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, and that notice has been
given in accordance with the provisions of Section 228.
THIRD: That said Certificate of Amendment was duly adopted in
accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law.
FOURTH: This Certificate of Amendment shall become effective upon the
time of its filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in
accordance with Section 103 of the Delaware General Corporation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have signed this Certificate of
Amendment on this 28th day of April, 1999.
MISSOURI HOLDINGS, INC.
By: /s/ Mary E. Johnson
--------------------------------
Mary E. Johnson, Secretary
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 3.2
BYLAWS
OF
MISSOURI HOLDINGS, INC.
ARTICLE XII
STOCKHOLDERS
1.01 Place of Meetings. Annual and special meetings of the
stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without of the State
of Delaware, as may be designated by the Board of Directors. In the absence of
such designation, such meeting shall be held at the principal office of the
Corporation located within the State of Missouri.
1.02 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the stockholders for the
election of directors and the transaction of such other business as may properly
come before the meeting shall be held on such date as may be determined by
resolution of the Board of Directors.
1.03 Special Meeting. Unless otherwise prescribed by statute,
special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, shall be
called in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation.
No business other than that specified in the notice of special meeting shall be
transacted at any such special meeting.
1.04 Notice of Meetings. Written or printed notice stating the
place, day and hour of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the
purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less
than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting,
either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the President, the
Secretary or the Board of Directors or officer calling the meeting, to each
stockholder of record in the manner above provided. The notice of special
meeting may be waived by submitting a signed waiver or by attendance at the
meeting.
1.05 Closing of Transfer Books and Fixing Record Date. For the
purposes of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any
meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or stockholders entitled to
receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination of
stockholders for any other proper purpose, the Board of Directors may provide
that the stock transfer books shall be closed for a stated period not to exceed
in any case sixty (60) days immediately preceding such meeting. In lieu of
closing the stock transfer books, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a
date as the record date for any such determination of stockholders, such date in
any case to be not more than sixty (60) days, and in case of a meeting of
stockholders, not less than ten (10) days, prior to the date on which the
particular action requiring such determination of stockholders is to be taken,
and in no event may the record date precede the date upon which the Directors
adopt a resolution fixing the record date. If the stock transfer books are not
closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of stockholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders, or stockholders
entitled to receive payment of a dividend, or a determination of stockholders
for any other proper purpose, the date on which notice of the meeting is given
(as defined in Article IX hereof) or the date on which the resolution of the
Board of Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall
be the record date for such determination of the stockholders. When a
<PAGE> 2
determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders
has been made as provided in this Section 1.05, such determination shall apply
to any adjournment thereof, unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record
date for the adjournment.
1.06 Voting List. The officer or agent having charge of the stock
transfer books for shares of the Corporation shall make, at least ten (10) days
before each meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders
entitled to vote at such meeting or any adjournment thereof, arranged in
alphabetical order, with the address of and the number of shares held by each,
which list, for a period of ten (10) days prior to such meeting, shall be kept
on file at the principal office of the Corporation and shall be subject to
inspection by any stockholder at any time during usual business hours. Such list
shall also be produced and kept open at the time and place of the meeting and
shall be subject to the inspection of any stockholder during the whole time of
the meeting. The original stock transfer books shall be prima facie evidence as
to who are the stockholders entitled to examine such list or transfer books or
to vote at any meeting of stockholders.
1.07 Quorum. A majority of the outstanding shares of the
Corporation entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting. If a quorum
is present, the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares represented at
the meeting entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the
stockholders, unless the vote of a greater number of shares on the matter being
voted on is required by the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation,
these Bylaws or applicable law. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of the
shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election of
Directors.
1.08 Adjournment of Stockholder Meeting. Any meeting of
stockholders may be adjourned at any time, whether or not there is a quorum, by
the chairman of such meeting or the vote of the majority of shares represented
at such meeting. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice
need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are
announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned
meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been
transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty
(30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the
adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each
stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
1.09 Proxies. At all meetings of stockholders, a stockholder may
vote by proxy, executed in writing by the stockholder or by his duly authorized
attorney in fact. Such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the
Corporation before or at the time of the meeting. No proxy shall be valid after
three (3) years from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the
proxy.
1.10 Voting of Shares. Each outstanding share shall be entitled to
one vote and each fractional share shall be entitled to a corresponding
fractional vote on each matter submitted to vote at a meeting of stockholders.
1.11 Voting by Voice, Hand or Ballot. All voting at meetings of the
stockholders, including voting for the election of directors but excepting where
otherwise required by law, shall be by a voice or hand vote; provided, however,
that upon demand therefor by a stockholder entitled to vote or by his or her
proxy, a vote by written ballot shall be taken. Every written ballot shall state
the name of the stockholder or proxy voting and such other information as may be
required under the procedure established for the meeting.
-2-
<PAGE> 3
1.12 Voting of Shares by Certain Holders. The rights of persons in
whose names shares stand on the stock records of the Corporation to vote is
subject to the following provisions:
(a) Neither treasury shares, nor shares of its
own stock held by the Corporation in a fiduciary capacity, nor shares held by
another Corporation if the majority of the shares entitled to vote for the
election of directors of such other Corporation is held by the Corporation,
shall be voted at any meeting or counted in determining the total number of
outstanding shares at any given time.
(b) Shares standing in the name of another
corporation, domestic or foreign, may be voted by such officer, agent, or proxy
as the bylaws of such corporation may prescribe, or, in the absence of such
provision, as the board of directors of such Corporation may determine.
(c) Shares held by an administrator, executor,
personal representative, guardian, or conservator may be voted by him, either in
person or by proxy, without a transfer of such shares into his name.
(d) Shares standing in the name of a trustee
may be voted by him, either in person or by proxy, but no trustee shall be
entitled to vote shares held by him without a transfer of such shares into his
name.
(e) Shares standing in the name of a receiver
may be voted by such receiver, and shares held by or under the control of a
receiver may be voted by such receiver without the transfer thereof into his
name if authority to do so be contained in an appropriate order of the court by
which such receiver was appointed.
(f) A stockholder whose shares are pledged
shall be entitled to vote such shares until the shares have been transferred
into the name of the pledgee, and thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to
vote the shares so transferred.
1.13 Informal Action by Stockholders. Any action required or
permitted to be taken by the stockholders must be affected at a duly called
annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation. Stockholders
may not take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting of the
stockholders.
1.14 Conduct of Stockholder Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders
shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board or, in his absence, the
President of the Corporation, or, if no such person is present, a person
designated by the Chairman of the Board or, in his absence, the President of the
Corporation. The Secretary of the Corporation or, in his absence, an Assistant
Secretary, or, if no such person is present, a person designated by the chairman
of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting. The precedence of and
procedure on motions and other procedural matters at a meeting shall be as
determined by the chairman of such meeting, in his sole discretion, provided
that such chairman acts in a manner which is not inconsistent with the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, these Bylaws and applicable
law.
-3-
<PAGE> 4
1.15 Notification of Stockholder Business.
(a) All business properly brought before an
annual meeting of the stockholders shall be transacted at such meeting. Business
shall be deemed properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders only
if it is (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto)
given by or at the request of the Board of Directors, (ii) otherwise properly
brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or
(iii) brought before the meeting by a stockholder of record entitled to vote at
such meeting if written notice of such stockholder's intent to bring such
business before such meeting is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at
the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of
business on the sixtieth (60th) day nor earlier than the ninetieth (90th) day
prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting of
stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the date of such meeting
is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such
anniversary date, written notice by the stockholder must be delivered not
earlier than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such
meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the sixtieth
(60th) day prior to such meeting or the tenth (10th) day following issuance by
the Corporation of a press release announcing the date of such meeting. In no
event shall any press release announcing an adjournment of an annual meeting
commence a new time period for the giving of written notice by a stockholder
described above.
(b) Each written notice by a stockholder described above shall set
forth, at a minimum, the following: (i) as to the stockholder giving the notice
and, if applicable, the beneficial owner or the person on whose behalf such
proposal is being made (A) the name and address of such person as such
information appears on the books of the Corporation, (B) the class and number of
such shares of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by
such person; (ii) a brief description of the business desired to be brought
before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting;
(iii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of shares of
the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person
or in proxy at such meeting to propose such business; (iv) any material interest
of the stockholder in such business.
(c) The chairman of the meeting may refuse to transact any
business at any meeting presented without compliance with the procedures set
forth in this Section 1.15.
ARTICLE XIII
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2.01 General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation
shall be managed by its Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in the
Certificate of Incorporation or by applicable law.
2.02 Number; Qualifications. The Corporation's Board of Directors
shall consist of not fewer than two (2) and not more than twenty-five (25)
Directors, as such number may be designated from time to time by the Board of
Directors. Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation or residents of
the State of Delaware or the State of Missouri.
2.03 Classified Board; Election; Term of Office. Concurrent with
the adoption of these Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall be classified with
respect to the time for which they severally hold
-4-
<PAGE> 5
office, into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible. One class of
directors ("Class I Directors") shall be elected originally for a term expiring
at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2000; another class of
directors ("Class II Directors") shall be elected originally for a term expiring
at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2001; and another class of
directors ("Class III Directors") shall be elected originally for a term
expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2002. Each member
of each class shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and has
qualified. Directors shall be elected by plurality vote of the stockholders. No
reduction in the number of Directors shall have the effect of removing any
director before such Director's term of office shall expire.
2.04 Removal of Directors. Any Director may be removed only in the
manner provided in the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended.
If no such provision appears therein, any Director may be removed either with or
without cause, at any time, by vote of the stockholders holding a majority of
the shares then entitled to vote for the election of Directors, present at any
special meeting called for that purpose. In case any vacancy so created shall
not be filled by the stockholders at such meeting, such vacancy may be filled by
the Board of Directors as provided in Section 2.06 hereof.
2.05 Resignation. Any Director may resign at any time by giving
written notice to the President or to the Secretary of the Corporation. Such
resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein; and unless
otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation by the
Corporation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
2.06 Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors,
whether by resignation of a Director or an increase in the number of Directors,
may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors,
though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining Director. A Director elected
by the remaining Directors or the stockholders to fill a vacancy shall be
elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office. Any directorship to
be filled by reason of an increase in the number of Directors shall be filled by
the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors then in office or by
election at an annual meeting or a special meeting of stockholders called for
that purpose, and a Director so chosen shall hold office for the term specified
in Section 2.03 of this Article.
2.07 Regular Meetings. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors
shall be held without other notice than this Bylaw immediately after and at the
same place as the annual meeting of the stockholders. The Board of Directors may
provide by resolution the time and place, either within or without the State of
Delaware, for the holding of additional regular meetings without other notice
than such resolution.
2.08 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors
may be called by or at the request of the President, the Chairman of the Board
or a majority of the Directors. The person or persons authorized to call special
meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place, either within or without
the State of Delaware, as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board
of Directors called by them.
2.09 Telephonic Meetings. Members of the Board of Directors or any
committee designated by the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of
the Board of Directors or committee by means of conference telephone or similar
communications equipment by which all persons participating in the meeting can
hear one another at the same time. Such participation shall constitute presence
in person at the meeting. All participants in any meeting of Directors, by
virtue of their participation and without
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further action on their part, shall be deemed to have consented to the recording
of such meeting by electronic device or otherwise, and to the making of a
written transcript thereof, in order that minutes thereof shall be available for
the Corporation's records.
2.10 Notice. Notice of any special meeting shall be given at least
four (4) days previous thereto by written notice mailed to each Director at his
business address, or by notice given at least two (2) days prior to the meeting,
in person or by any means specified in Section 9.01(b) or (c). Any Director may
waive notice of any meeting. The attendance of a Director at a meeting shall
constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a Director attends a
meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business
because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to
be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the
Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such
meeting.
2.11 Quorum. A majority of the number of Directors fixed in
accordance with these Bylaws shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business. The act of the majority of the Directors present at a meeting at which
a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.
2.12 Compensation. The amount, if any, which each Director shall be
entitled to receive as compensation for his services as a Director shall be
fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. If any director
shall serve as a member of any committee of the Board of Directors or perform
special services at the instance of the Board of Directors, such may be paid
additional compensation as the Board of Directors may determine. Each Director
shall be entitled to reimbursement for traveling expenses incurred by him in
attending any meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee. Such
compensation shall be payable even though a meeting may be adjourned because of
a lack of a quorum.
2.13 Action by Directors Without Meeting. Any action required to be
taken at a meeting of the Directors of the Corporation or any action which may
be taken at such a meeting, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in
writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the
Directors entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof. A consent
shall be sufficient for this Section 2.13 if it is executed in counterparts, in
which event all of such counterparts, when taken together, shall constitute one
and the same consent.
2.14 Designation of Committees. The Board of Directors may by
resolution or resolutions passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors
designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of two or more of
the directors of the Corporation, which to the extent provided in the resolution
or resolutions shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors
in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may have
power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which
may require it; provided, however, that no such committee shall have any power
or authority in reference to those matters prohibited by Section 141(c) of the
Delaware General Corporation Law. Such committee or committees shall have such
name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution or
resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors. If provisions be made for any
such committee or committees, the members thereof shall be appointed by the
Board of Directors and shall serve during the pleasure of the Board of
Directors. A majority of the members of a committee shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business. The Board of Directors may designate one or
more directors of the Corporation as alternate members of any committee, who may
replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee and
who, in such event, shall be counted in determining the presence of a quorum.
Vacancies in such committees shall be filled by the Board of
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Directors; provided, however, that in the absence or disqualification of any
member of such committee or committees, the member or members thereof present at
any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they
constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of
Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified
member. The Board of Directors may at its pleasure discontinue any such
committee or committees.
ARTICLE XIV
OFFICERS
3.01 Generally. The Board of Directors at its first meeting and at
each annual meeting thereafter shall elect, at a minimum, the following
officers: a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board of Directors at
any time and from time to time may elect or appoint such other officers as it
shall deem necessary, including, but not limited to, a Chairman of the Board of
Directors, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents,
one or more Assistant Treasurers, and one or more Assistant Secretaries, who
shall hold their offices for such terms as shall be determined by the Board of
Directors and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as are
specified by these Bylaws, or as shall be determined from time to time by the
Board of Directors. Any person may hold two or more offices, except that no
person may hold the office of President and Secretary. No officer need be a
shareholder of the Corporation.
3.02 Compensation. The salaries of the officers of the corporation
shall be fixed by the Board of Directors, except that the Board of Directors may
delegate to any committee or officer or officers the power to fix the
compensation of any other officer.
3.03 Tenure. Each officer of the corporation shall hold office for
the term for which he is elected or appointed, and until his successor has been
duly elected or appointed and has qualified, or until his earlier resignation,
removal from office or death. Any officer may be removed by the Board of
Directors whenever in its judgment the best interest of the corporation will be
served thereby.
3.04 Vacancies. A vacancy in any office, because of resignation,
removal or death may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired
portion of the term.
3.05 Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside
at all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors. He shall be the
chief executive officer and the head of the corporation and, subject to the
Board of Directors, shall have the general control and management of the
business and affairs of the corporation. He shall vote any shares of stock or
other voting securities owned by the corporation. He may sign, with the
Secretary or any other proper officer of the corporation thereunto authorized by
the Board of Directors, certificates for shares of the corporation, any deeds,
mortgages, bonds, policies of insurance, contracts, investment certificates or
other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed. In
general, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of the Chairman of
the Board and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by
the Board.
3.06 President. The President shall be the chief operating officer
of the corporation and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall
in general manage, supervise and control the day to day business and affairs of
the corporation. He shall, when present, preside at meetings of all of the
stockholders
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in the absence of the Chairman of the Board or if no Chairman of the Board has
been elected. He may sign, with the Secretary or any other proper officer of the
corporation thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors, certificates for
shares of the corporation, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, policies of insurance,
contracts, investment certificates, or other instruments which the Board of
Directors has authorized to be executed, except in cases where signing the
execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by
these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the corporation, or shall be
required by law to be otherwise signed or executed; and in general shall perform
all duties incident to the office of the President and such other duties as may
be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
3.07 Vice Presidents. In the absence of the President or in the
event of his death or inability or refusal to act, the Vice President (or in the
event there may be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the
order designated at the time of their election, or in the absence of any
designation, then in order of election) shall perform the duties of the
President and, when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to
all the restrictions upon the President. Any Vice President may sign, with the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, certificates for shares of the corporation
and shall perform such other duties as shall from time to time be assigned to
him by the President or by the Board of Directors. All Vice Presidents shall
have such other duties as prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to
time.
3.08 Secretary. The Secretary shall: (a) attend and keep the
minutes of the stockholders' meetings and of the Board of Directors' meetings in
one or more books provided by that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly
given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws as required by law; (c)
be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the corporation and see
that the seal of the corporation is affixed to all documents, the execution of
which on behalf of the corporation under its seal is duly authorized; (d) keep a
register of the post office address of each stockholder which shall be furnished
to the Secretary by such stockholder; (e) sign with the President or a Vice
President certificates for shares of the corporation, the issuance of which
shall have been authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors; (f) have
general charge of the stock transfer books of the corporation; (g) in general
perform all duties incident to the office of the Secretary and such other duties
as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President or the Board of
Directors.
3.09 Treasurer. The Treasurer, unless otherwise determined by the
Board of Directors, shall: (a) have charge and custody of and be responsible for
all funds and securities of the corporation; (b) receive and give receipts for
monies due and payable to the corporation from any source whatsoever, and
deposit all such monies in the name of the corporation in such banks, trust
companies or other depositories as shall be selected by the Board of Directors;
and (c) in general perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer
and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of
Directors.
3.10 Assistant Officers. The Assistant Secretaries, when authorized
by the Board of Directors, may sign with the President or a Vice President
certificates for shares of the corporation the issuance of which shall have been
authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. The Assistant Vice
Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as
shall be assigned by the Vice President(s), Secretary or Treasurer,
respectively, or by the President or by the Board of Directors.
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ARTICLE XV
INDEMNIFICATION
4.01 Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a
party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (hereinafter, a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or
she is or was a director or an officer of the Corporation or is or was serving
at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan
(hereinafter an "indemnitee"), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged
action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent or in
any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent,
shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent
authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may
hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent
that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification
rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such
amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees,
judgments, fines, ERISA excise tax or penalties and amounts paid in settlement)
reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith;
provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 4.03 hereof with respect
to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall
indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof)
initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was
authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
4.02 Right to Advancement of Expenses. The right to indemnification
conferred in Section 4.01 of this Article IV shall include the right to be paid
by the Corporation the expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred in
defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter,
an "advancement of expenses"); provided, however, that, if the Delaware General
Corporation Law requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee
in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity
in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without
limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon
delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter, an "undertaking"),
by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall
ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is not
further right to appeal (hereinafter, a "final adjudication") that such
indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this
Section 4.02 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement
of expenses conferred in Section 4.01 and 4.02 of this Article IV shall be
contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has
ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the
benefit of the indemnitee's heirs, executors and administrators.
4.03 Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section
4.01 or 4.02 of this Article IV is not paid in full by the Corporation within
sixty (60) days after a written claim therefor has been received by the
Corporation (except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in
which case the applicable period shall be twenty (20) days) the indemnitee may
at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid
amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a
suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant
to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also
to the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (a) any suit brought by
the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a
suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses)
it shall be a defense that
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and (b) in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of
expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be
entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee
has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the
Delaware General Corporation Law. Neither the failure of the Corporation
(including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its
stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such
suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances
because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in
the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the
Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its
stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of
conduct shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the
applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the
indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to
enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder,
or brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to
the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not
entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this
Article IV or otherwise, shall be on the Corporation.
4.04 Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The right to indemnification and to
the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article IV shall not be exclusive
of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any
statute, the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, these Bylaws, any
agreement or vote of stockholder or disinterested directors or otherwise.
4.05 Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its
expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the
Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense,
liability or loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law.
4.06 Indemnification of Employees and Agents. The Corporation may,
to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, grant
rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or
agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article
IV with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors
and officers of the Corporation.
ARTICLE V
EXECUTION OF INSTRUMENTS AND DEPOSIT OF FUNDS
5.01. Contracts and Other Documents. Contracts and other instruments
or documents may be signed in the name of the Corporation by the President or by
any other officer authorized to sign such contract, instrument, or document by
the Board of Directors, and such authority may be general or confined to
specific instances.
5.02. Interested Directors; Quorum. No contract or transaction
between the Corporation and one (1) or more of its directors or officers, or
between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or
other organization in which one (1) or more of its directors or officers are
directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable
solely for this reason, or solely because the director or
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officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors
or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely
because his or their votes are counted for such purpose, if (i) the material
facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction
are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the
Board of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or
transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested
directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or
(ii) the material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the
contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled
to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in
good faith by vote of the stockholders; or (iii) the contract or transaction is
fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or
ratified, by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof, or the stockholders.
Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a
quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes
the contract or transaction.
5.03 Dividends. Subject to the laws of the State of Delaware, the
Board of Directors may, from time to time, declare and the Corporation may pay
dividends on its outstanding shares in cash, property, or its own shares, except
when the Corporation is insolvent or when the declaration or payment thereof
would e contrary to any restrictions contained in the Certificate of
Incorporation.
5.04 Bank Accounts and Deposits. All funds of the Corporation shall
be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation with such banks,
bankers, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may
select or as may be selected by any officer or officers, agent or agents of the
Corporation to whom such power may be delegated from time to time by the Board
of Directors.
5.05. Signing of Checks and Drafts. Except as otherwise provided in
these Bylaws, all checks, drafts, or other order or payment of money, notes, or
other evidences of indebtedness, issued in the name of or payable to the
Corporation, shall be signed or endorsed by such person or persons and in such
manner as shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of
Directors.
5.06. Loans. No loans and no renewals of any loans shall be
contracted on behalf of the Corporation except as authorized by the Board of
Directors. When authorized so to do by the Board of Directors, any officer or
agent of the Corporation may effect loans and advances for the Corporation from
any bank, trust company or other institution or from any firm, corporation or
individual, and for such loans and advances may make, execute and deliver
promissory notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation.
When authorized so to do by the Board of Directors, any officer or agent of the
Corporation may pledge, hypothecate or transfer, as security for the payment of
any and all loans, advances, indebtedness and liabilities of the Corporation,
any and all stocks, securities and other personal property at any time held by
the Corporation, and, to that end, may endorse, assign and deliver the same.
Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
ARTICLE VI
ISSUANCE AND TRANSFER OF SHARES
6.01. Issuance of Certificates. Each stockholder of the Corporation
shall be entitled to a certificate or certificates, in such form as shall be
approved by the Board of Directors and required by law, certifying the number of
shares of the Corporation owned by such stockholder.
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6.02. Signature on Stock Certificates. The shares of the Corporation
shall be represented by certificates signed by the President or a Vice President
and the Secretary, and may be sealed with the seal of the Corporation or a
facsimile thereof. The signature of any of these officers upon a certificate may
be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed
or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon such certificate shall have
ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate
is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he
were such officer at the date of its issue.
6.03. Stock Transfer Books. A record of all certificates for shares
issued by the Corporation shall be the Secretary or by any transfer agent or
registrar appointed pursuant to Section 6.04 below at the principal office of
the Corporation or at the office of such transfer agent or registrar. Such
record shall show the name and address of the person, firm or corporation in
which certificates for shares are registered, the number and classes of shares
represented by each such certificate, the date of each such certificate, and in
case of certificates which have been canceled, the dates of cancellation
thereof.
6.04 Transfer Agents and Registrars. The Board of Directors may
appoint one (1) or more transfer agents, registrars of other agents for the
purpose of registering transfer of shares of the Corporation, issuing new
certificates of shares of the Corporation and canceling certificates surrendered
to the Corporation. Such agents and registrars shall be appointed at such times
and places as the requirements of the Corporation may necessitate and the Board
of Directors may designate. Any such transfer agent, registrar or other agent
shall be under a duty to the Corporation to exercise good faith and due
diligence in performing his functions. Such transfer agent, registrar or other
agent shall have, with regard to the particular functions he performs, the same
obligation to the holder or owner of shares of the Corporation and shall have
the same rights and privileges as the Corporation has in regard to those
functions. Notice to a transfer such agent, registrar or other such agent is
notice to the Corporation with respect to the functions performed by the agent.
6.05. Replacement of Lost, Destroyed and Stolen Certificates. Where
a certificate for shares of the Corporation has been lost, destroyed or stolen,
the Corporation shall issue a new certificate in place of the original
certificate if the owner (a) files with the Corporation a sufficient indemnity
bond, and (b) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Board
of Directors of the Corporation.
6.06. Transfer of Shares. Shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation by the holder
thereof in person or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender
and cancellation of certificates for the number of shares to be transferred,
except as provided in the preceding section. Books for the transfer of shares of
the capital stock shall be kept by the Corporation or by one or more transfer
agents appointed by it.
6.07. Regulations. The Board of Directors shall have power and
authority to make such rules and regulations as-it may deem expedient concerning
the issue, transfer and registration of certificates for shares of the capital
stock of the Corporation.
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ARTICLE VII
CORPORATE RECORDS, REPORTS, AND SEAL
7.01. Minutes of Corporate Meetings. The Corporation shall keep at
its principal place of business, or at such other place as may be directed by
the Board of Directors, a book of minutes of all proceedings of its stockholders
and Board of Directors, with the time and place of holding of all meetings,
whether regular or special, and, if special, how authorized, the notice thereof
given, the names of those present at directors meetings, the number of shares or
members present or represented at stockholders meetings, and the proceedings
thereof.
7.02. Inspection of Records and Properties by Directors. Every
Director shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect all
books, records, documents of every kind, and the physical properties of the
Corporation, and also of its subsidiary corporations. Such inspection by a
Director may be made in person or by agent or attorney, and the right of
inspection includes the right to make extracts.
7.03. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on
the first day of January, and terminate on the last day of December of each
succeeding year; unless the Board of Directors shall adopt a different fiscal
year.
7.04. Corporate Seal. The seal of the Corporation shall be circular
in form and shall have engraved upon it the words, "Missouri Holdings, Inc." The
seal shall be used by causing it to be affixed or impressed or a facsimile
thereof may be reproduced or otherwise used in such manner as the Board of
Directors shall determine.
ARTICLE VIII
ADOPTION, AMENDMENT, AND REPEAL OF BY LAWS
8.01. Power of Directors to Amend. The Board of Directors shall have
the power to alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation or adopt new
Bylaws for the Corporation as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation of
the Corporation; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may not alter,
amend, or repeal any provision of the Bylaws which was adopted by the
stockholders pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and which specifically
provides that it cannot be altered, amended or repealed by the Board of
Directors.
8.02. Power of Stockholders to Amend. The stockholders shall have
the power to alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation or adopt new
Bylaws of the Corporation at any regular or special meeting of the stockholders
if notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new Bylaws be
contained in the notice of such special meeting.
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ARTICLE IX
NOTICES
9.01 Giving of Notice. Except as otherwise provided by the General
Corporation Law of Delaware, these Bylaws, the Corporation's Certificate of
Incorporation, or resolution of the Board of Directors, every meeting notice or
other notice, demand, bill, statement or other communication (collectively,
"Notice") to or from the Corporation from or to a Director, Officer or
stockholder shall be duly given if it is written or printed and is (a) sent by
first class mail or by overnight service of the U.S. Postal Service, postage
prepaid, (b) sent by any established overnight air courier service, such as
Federal Express, Emery, Airborne or UPS, (c) sent by telegraph, tested telex or
other tested facsimile transmission, (d) delivered by any commercial messenger
service which regularly retains its receipts, or (e) personally delivered,
provided a receipt is obtained reflecting the date of delivery. Notice shall not
be duly given unless all delivery or postage charges are pre-paid. Notice shall
be given to an addressee's most recent address as it appears on the
Corporation's records. A Notice shall be deemed "given" when dispatched for
delivery, or if mailed, on the date postmarked. This Section shall not have the
effect of shortening any notice period provided for in these Bylaws.
9.02 Waiver of Notice. Any Notice required by the General
Corporation Law of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws
may be waived in writing at any time by the person entitled to the Notice, and
such waiver shall be equivalent to the giving of notice. Notice of any meeting
shall be waived by attendance (if a stockholders' meeting, in person or by
proxy) at the meeting. A waiver of Notice of a special meeting of stockholders
shall state the purpose for which the meeting was called or the business to be
transacted thereat.
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EXHIBIT 5
[LETTERHEAD OF SMITH, GAMBRELL & RUSSELL, LLP]
May 7, 1999
Board of Directors
First Premier Financial Corporation
13004 Starbuck Road
St. Louis, Missouri 63141
Re: First Premier Financial Corporation
Registration Statement on Form S-1
3,450,000 Shares
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for First Premier Financial Corporation (the
"Company") in connection with the proposed public offering of 3,450,000 Shares
of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock"), covered by the
above-described Registration Statement.
In connection therewith, we have examined the following:
(1) The Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company,
certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;
(2) The By-Laws of the Company, certified as complete and correct
by the Secretary of the Company;
(3) The minute book of the Company, certified as correct and
complete by the Secretary of the Company;
(4) Certificate of Good Standing with respect to the Company,
issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; and
(5) The Registration Statement.
<PAGE> 2
Board of Directors
First Premier Financial Corporation
May 7, 1999
Page 2
Based upon such examination and upon examination of such other
instruments and records as we have deemed necessary, we are of the opinion that:
(A) The Company has been duly incorporated and is in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware; and
(B) The 3,450,000 shares of Common Stock covered by the
Registration Statement to be sold by the Company have been
legally authorized and, when issued and sold in accordance
with the terms described in the Registration Statement, will
be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus contained in said Registration Statement. In
giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933,
or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder.
Very truly yours,
SMITH, GAMBRELL & RUSSELL, LLP
/s/ Robert C. Schwartz
--------------------------------------------
Robert C. Schwartz
RCS/DWG/cs
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of the 16th day of July, 1998, by and between
Missouri Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company" or "Employer")
and Richard C. Jensen (the "Executive").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company intends to seek approval
from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Fed"), the
Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC") and the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation ("FDIC") to acquire a bank with federally insured deposits in St.
Louis, Missouri (the "Bank") and to expand the Company's banking business
throughout Missouri; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company intends to approve the
sale in a firm underwritten public offering of an amount of Company common stock
requisite to expanding the Company's banking business (the "Initial Public
Offering"); and
WHEREAS, Executive is willing to assist the directors of the Company in
the acquisition of the Bank and subsequent public offering and to become the
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank and the Company in accordance
with the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual premises and
covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT. Employer employs Executive and Executive accepts
employment upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
2. TERM. The term of employment of Executive under this Agreement
shall be the three year period commencing on July 16, 1998 and ending on July
15, 2001.
3. COMPENSATION. (a) Prior to Closing of the Initial Public
Offering. The Company shall pay Executive a minimum annual base salary of
$250,000, payable in semi-monthly installments from the date of this Agreement
until the closing of the Initial Public Offering. Salary payments shall be
subject to withholding and other applicable taxes. As an additional inducement
to Executive to accept employment with the Company, the Company agrees to pay
Executive a signing bonus in the amount of $300,000, such payment to be made in
a manner including, but not limited to, installment payments or in connection
with a deferred compensation arrangement to be mutually agreed to by the Company
and the Executive as soon as practicable after the execution of this Agreement.
Upon execution of this Agreement and for a period of thirty days
thereafter, Executive shall be granted the right to acquire 250,000 shares of
Common Stock of the Company on the same basis
<PAGE> 2
as other organizers of the Company and at a per share price of fair market value
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company. These 250,000
shares shall have the same registration rights, if any, held by the existing
shareholders of the Company. As soon as practicable after the payment by
Executive of the purchase price for such Common Stock the Company shall deliver
a certificate or certificates representing those shares to Executive.
The Company represents and warrants that it currently has 100,000
shares of common stock and 99,900 shares of preferred stock issued and
outstanding, and total equity in excess of $1 million and no debt other than
trade accounts payable.
Except as provided in Section 7 and Section 11(a) below, no additional
compensation or benefits will be provided to Executive prior to the closing of
the Initial Public Offering.
(b) After the Closing of the Initial Public Offering. The Company
shall pay Executive a minimum annual base salary of $250,000, payable in
semi-monthly installments beginning the first of the month immediately
subsequent to the closing of the Initial Public Offering. Salary payments shall
be subject to withholding and other applicable taxes.
At the first Board of Directors meeting subsequent to the closing of
the Initial Public Offering the Company shall issue a warrant to Executive
providing for the purchase of 250,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at a
per share price equal to the per share price at which the Company sold its
shares of Common Stock in the Initial Public Offering. Such warrant shall be
exercisable in whole or in part for a period of ten years from the date of grant
and shall be subject to such other customary terms and conditions as set forth
in the warrant agreement which shall be delivered to Executive by the Company as
soon as practicable after the date of grant. Upon the written request of
Executive, the Company shall, at no cost to Executive, effect the registration
under the securities laws of any or all of the shares of the Company's Common
Stock acquired upon exercise of the warrant; provided, however, that the Company
shall not be required to effect such registration prior to the date three years
from the date of this Agreement. Further, if the Company at any time proposes
for any reason to register securities under the securities laws, it shall
provide Executive with 20 days' written notice of such proposed registration
and, upon the written request of Executive, shall, at no cost to Executive,
effect the registration of any or all of the shares of the Company's Common
Stock acquired upon exercise of the warrant. All such registration rights of
Executive with respect to the shares underlying the warrant shall terminate upon
the termination of the warrant.
4. TITLE AND DUTIES. Prior to the Closing of the Initial Public
Offering Executive shall serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and shall be nominated as a director of the Company for the term of this
Agreement. Executive shall run the day-to-day activities of the Company and
oversee the Company, within the framework of the approved annual budget, and
with a sound system of internal controls and in compliance with the policies of
the Board of Directors of the Company, and all applicable laws and regulations.
After the Closing of the Initial Public offering Executive shall also
be elected President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Bank and
shall run the day-to-day activities of the
2
<PAGE> 3
Bank and oversee the Bank within the framework of the approved annual budget,
and with the sound system of internal controls and in compliance with the
policies of the Board of Directors of the Bank and all applicable laws and
regulations.
5. EXTENT OF SERVICES. After the Closing of the Initial Public
Offering Executive shall devote his entire time, attention and energies to the
business of Employer and shall not during the term of this Agreement be engaged
in any other business activity which requires the attention or participation of
Executive during normal business hours of Employer, recognition being given to
the fact that Executive is expected on occasion to participate in client
development after normal business hours. However, Executive may invest his
assets in such form or manner as will not require his services in the operation
of the affairs of the companies in which such investments are made. Executive
shall notify Employer of any significant participation by him in any trade
association or similar organization and the Board of Directors shall approve in
advance Executive's service as a director of any entity or organization.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, charitable activities of Executive are
encouraged.
6. WORKING FACILITIES. After the Closing of the Initial Public
Offering Executive shall have such assistants, perquisites, facilities and
services as are suitable to his position and appropriate for the performance of
his duties, including membership in the Bellreve Country Club and the St. Louis
Club (including dues and assessments).
7. EXPENSES. Executive may incur reasonable expenses for
promoting the business of the Employer, including expenses for entertainment,
travel, and similar items. Executive will be reimbursed for all such expenses
upon Executive's periodic presentation of an itemized account of such
expenditures.
8. VACATIONS. After the Closing of the Initial Public Offering
Executive shall be entitled each year to a vacation in accordance with the
personnel policy established by the Company's Board of Directors, during which
time Executive's compensation shall be paid in full.
9. ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION. After the Closing of the Initial
Public Offering and as additional consideration paid to Executive, Executive
shall be provided with health, hospitalization, disability and a minimum of $
350,000 in term life insurance. In addition, after the Closing of the Initial
Public Offering Executive shall be provided with an automobile for his use or an
automobile allowance, in accordance with the automobile policy established by
the Company's Board of Directors.
10. CHANGE IN CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. (a) After the Closing of the
Initial Public Offering in the event of a "change in control" of the Company, as
defined herein, Executive shall be entitled, for a period of thirty (30) days
from the date of closing of the transaction effecting such change in control and
at his election, to give written notice to Employer of termination of this
Agreement and to receive a cash payment equal to two hundred ninety-nine percent
(299%) times the compensation, including bonus, if any, received by Executive in
the one-year period immediately preceding the change in control. The severance
payments provided for in this Section 10(a) shall be paid in cash, commencing
not later than ten (10) days after the date of notice of
3
<PAGE> 4
termination by Executive under this Section 10 or ten (10) days after the date
of closing of the transaction effecting the change in control of the Company,
whichever is later.
(b) In addition, if Executive elects to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to this Section 10, Executive shall further be entitled, in lieu of
shares of Common Stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of warrants to
which Executive is entitled under this Agreement, to an amount in cash or Common
Stock of the Company (or any combination thereof) as Executive shall in his
election designate equal to the excess of the fair market value of the Common
Stock as of the date of closing of the transaction effecting the change in
control over the per share exercise price of the warrants held by Executive,
times the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such warrants (whether or
not then fully exercisable). The fair market value of the Common Stock shall be
equal to the higher of (i) the value as determined by the Board of Directors of
the Company if there is no organized trading market for the shares at the time
such determination is made, or (ii) the closing price (or the average of the bid
and asked prices if no closing price is available) on any nationally recognized
securities exchange or association on which the Company's shares may be quoted
or listed, or (iii) the highest per share price actually paid for Common Stock
in connection with any change in control of the Company. The severance payments
provided for in this Section 10(b) shall be paid in full not later than ten (10)
days after the date of notice of termination by Executive under this Section 10
or ten (10) days after the date of closing of the transaction effecting the
change in control of the Company, whichever is later.
(c) For purposes of this Section 10, "change in control" of the
Company shall mean:
(i) any transaction, whether by merger, consolidation,
asset sale, tender offer, reverse stock split, or
otherwise, which results in the acquisition or
beneficial ownership (as such term is defined under
rules and regulations promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) by any
person or entity or any group of persons or entities
acting in concert, of 50% or more of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock of the Company;
(ii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company; or
(iii) the liquidation of the Company.
11. TERMINATION. (a) For Failure to Close the Initial Public
Offering. If during the period beginning one (1) year from the date hereof, or
such longer period as mutually agreed upon by the Executive and the Board of
Directors of the Company, the Board of Directors of the Company determines in
its sole discretion that the Company is unable to close the Initial Public
Offering then this Agreement may be terminated by the Board of Directors of the
Company without notice upon the condition that Executive shall be entitled, as
liquidated damages in lieu of all other claims, to be paid the sum of $250,000,
which payment shall be subject to withholding and other applicable taxes and
shall be made simultaneously with such termination of this Agreement.
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<PAGE> 5
(b) For Cause. This Agreement may be terminated
by the Board of Directors of the Company without notice and without further
obligation than for monies already paid, for any of the following reasons:
(i) failure of Executive to follow reasonable written
instructions or policies of the Board of Directors of
the Company or the Bank;
(ii) receipt by the Company or the Bank of written notice
from any bank regulatory agency having jurisdiction
over the Company or the Bank that such agency has
criticized Executive's performance or his area of
responsibility and has either (A) rated the Company
or the Bank a "4" or a "5" under the Uniform
Financial Institution Rating System or (B) has
determined that the Bank is in a "troubled condition"
as defined under Section 914 of the Financial
Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of
1989;
(iii) gross negligence or willful misconduct of Executive
materially damaging to the business of the Company or
Bank during the term of this Agreement, or at any
time while he was employed by the Company prior to
the term of this Agreement, if not disclosed to the
Company prior to the commencement of the term of this
Agreement; or
(iv) conviction of Executive during the term of this
Agreement of a crime involving breach of trust or
moral turpitude.
In the event that the Bank discharges Executive alleging
"cause" under this Section 11(b) and it is subsequently determined judicially
that the termination was "without cause," then such discharge shall be deemed a
discharge without cause subject to the provisions of Section 11(c) hereof. In
the event that the Bank discharges Executive alleging "cause" under this Section
11(b), such notice of discharge shall be accompanied by a written and specific
description of the circumstances alleging such "cause." The termination of
Executive for "cause" shall not entitle the Bank to enforcement of the
non-competition and non-solicitation covenants contained in Section 13 hereof.
(c) Without Cause.
(i) The Bank may, upon thirty (30) days' written notice
to Executive, terminate this Agreement without cause
at any time after the closing of the Initial Public
Offering during the term of this Agreement upon the
condition that Executive shall be entitled, as
liquidated damages in lieu of all other claims, to
the same severance payments as provided in Section 10
hereof; provided that for purposes of Section 10(b),
the fair market value of Common Stock shall be
determined as of the date of notice of termination of
this Agreement given by the Bank to Executive. The
severance payments provided for in this Section 11(c)
shall commence not later than thirty (30) days after
the actual
5
<PAGE> 6
date of termination of employment of Executive. The
termination of Executive "without cause" shall not
entitle the Bank to enforcement of the
non-competition and non-solicitation covenants
contained in Section 13 hereof.
(ii) Executive may upon thirty (30) days' written notice
to Employer terminate this Agreement without cause at
any time during the term of this Agreement. In the
event of termination of this Agreement by Executive,
the Bank shall have no further obligation to
Executive other than for monies paid and the Bank
shall be entitled to enforcement of the
non-competition and non- solicitation covenants
contained in Section 13 hereof.
12. DEATH OR DISABILITY. After the closing of the Initial Public
Offering, in the event of Executive's death, Employer shall pay to Executive's
designated beneficiary, or, if Executive has failed to designate a beneficiary,
to his estate, an amount equal to Executive's base salary pursuant to Section
3(b) hereof through the end of the month in which Executive's death occurred.
Such compensation shall be in lieu of any other benefits provided hereunder,
except that (i) in the event of a change in control of the Company as defined
herein, Executive's designated beneficiary or his estate, as the case may be,
shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10(b) hereof, and (ii) any benefit
payable pursuant to Section 3(b) shall be prorated and made available to
Executive in respect of any period prior to his death. The Bank may maintain
insurance on its behalf to satisfy in whole or in part the obligations of this
Section 12.
After the closing of the Initial Public Offering, in the event of
Executive's disability, as hereinafter defined, Employer shall pay to Executive
the base salary then in effect through the end of the month in which Executive
became disabled. Executive shall be deemed disabled if, by reason of physical or
mental impairment, he is incapable of performing his duties hereunder for a
period of 180 consecutive days.
13. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION. (a) Executive
acknowledges that he has performed services or will perform services hereunder
which directly affect Employer's business. Accordingly, the parties deem it
necessary to enter into the protective agreement set forth below, the terms and
condition of which have been negotiated by and between the parties hereto.
(b) In the event of termination of employment under this
Agreement by action of Executive pursuant to 11(c)(ii) prior to the expiration
of the term of this Agreement, Executive agrees with Employer that through the
actual date of termination of the Agreement, and for a period of twelve (12)
months after such termination date, Executive shall not, without the prior
written consent of Employer, within St. Louis County, Missouri either directly
or indirectly, serve as an executive officer of any bank or bank holding
company.
(c) The covenants of Executive set forth in this Section
13 are separate and independent covenants for which valuable consideration has
been paid, the receipt, adequacy and sufficiency of which are acknowledged by
Executive, and have also been made by Executive to induce Employer to enter into
this Agreement. Each of the aforesaid covenants may be availed of
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<PAGE> 7
or relied upon by Employer in any court of competent jurisdiction, and shall
form the basis of injunctive relief and damages including expenses of litigation
(including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees) suffered by Employer
arising out of any breach of the aforesaid covenants by Executive. The covenants
of Executive set forth in this Section 13 are cumulative to each other and to
all other covenants of Executive in favor of Employer contained in this
Agreement and shall survive the termination of this Agreement for the purposes
intended. Should any covenant, term, or condition contained in this Section 13
become or be declared invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent
jurisdiction, then the parties may request that such court judicially modify
such unenforceable provision consistent with the intent of this Section 13 so
that it shall be enforceable as modified, and in any event the invalidity of any
provision of this Section 13 shall not affect the validity of any other
provision in this Section 13 or elsewhere in this Agreement.
14. NOTICES. Any notice required or desired to be given under this
Agreement shall be deemed given if in writing sent by certified mail to his
residence in the case of Executive, or to its principal office in the case of
Employer.
15. WAIVER OF BREACH. The waiver by Employer of a breach of any
provision of this Agreement by Executive shall not operate or be construed as a
waiver of any subsequent breach by Executive. No waiver shall be valid unless in
writing and signed by an authorized officer of Employer.
16. ASSIGNMENT. Executive acknowledges that the services to be
rendered by him are unique and personal. Accordingly, Executive may not assign
any of his rights or delegate any of his duties or obligations under this
Agreement. The rights and obligations of Executive under this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of
Employer.
17. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri.
18. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire understanding
of the parties hereto regarding employment of Executive, and supersedes and
replaces any prior agreement relating thereto. It may not be changed orally but
only by an agreement in writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of
any waiver, change, modification, extension, or discharge is sought.
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<PAGE> 8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first above written.
"COMPANY"
MISSOURI HOLDINGS, INC.
By: /s/ Gerald G. Kaufman
-----------------------------------------
Name: Gerald G. Kaufman
Title: Vice President
"EXECUTIVE"
/s/ Richard C. Jensen (L.S.)
--------------------------------------------
Richard C. Jensen
8
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10.2
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of the _____ day of ____________________ 1999,
by and between Missouri Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company" or
"Employer") and ________________________ (the "Executive").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company intends to seek approval
from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Fed"), the
Missouri Division of Finance and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
("FDIC") to acquire a bank with federally insured deposits in St. Louis,
Missouri (the "Bank") and to expand the Company's banking business throughout
Missouri; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company intends to approve the
sale in a firm underwritten public offering of an amount of Company common stock
requisite to expanding the Company's banking business (the "Initial Public
Offering"); and
WHEREAS, Executive is willing to assist the directors of the Company in
the acquisition of the Bank and subsequent public offering and to become the
____________________ of the Bank and the Company in accordance with the terms
and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual premises and
covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT. Employer employs Executive and Executive accepts
employment upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
2. TERM. The term of employment of Executive under this Agreement
shall be the three year period commencing on _____________, 1999 and ending on
_____________, 200_.
3. COMPENSATION.
The Company shall pay Executive a minimum annual base salary of
$__________, payable in semi-monthly installments beginning on the date of this
Agreement. Salary payments shall be subject to withholding and other applicable
taxes.
At the first Board of Directors meeting subsequent to the closing of
the Initial Public Offering the Company shall grant of options to Executive
providing for the purchase of _________ shares of the Company's Common Stock at
a per share price equal to the per share price at which the Company sold its
shares of Common Stock in the Initial Public Offering. Such options shall be
exercisable in whole or in part for a period of ten years from the date of grant
and shall be subject to such other customary terms and conditions as set forth
in the option agreement which shall be delivered to Executive by the Company as
soon as practicable after the date of grant.
<PAGE> 2
4. TITLE AND DUTIES. Executive shall serve as
____________________________ of the Company. Executive shall run the day-to-day
activities of _____________ and oversee _______________, within the framework of
the approved annual budget, and with a sound system of internal controls and in
compliance with the policies of the Board of Directors of the Company, and all
applicable laws and regulations.
5. EXTENT OF SERVICES. Executive shall devote his entire time,
attention and energies to the business of Employer and shall not during the term
of this Agreement be engaged in any other business activity which requires the
attention or participation of Executive during normal business hours of
Employer, recognition being given to the fact that Executive is expected on
occasion to participate in client development after normal business hours.
However, Executive may invest his assets in such form or manner as will not
require his services in the operation of the affairs of the companies in which
such investments are made. Executive shall notify Employer of any significant
participation by him in any trade association or similar organization and the
Board of Directors shall approve in advance Executive's service as a director of
any entity or organization. Notwithstanding the foregoing, charitable activities
of Executive are encouraged.
6. WORKING FACILITIES. After the Closing of the Initial Public
Offering Executive shall have such assistants, perquisites, facilities and
services as are suitable to his position and appropriate for the performance of
his duties, including membership in a luncheon club and a country club
(including dues and assessments).
7. EXPENSES. Executive may incur reasonable expenses for
promoting the business of the Employer, including expenses for entertainment,
travel, and similar items. Executive will be reimbursed for all such expenses
upon Executive's periodic presentation of an itemized account of such
expenditures.
8. VACATIONS. Executive shall be entitled each year to a vacation
in accordance with the personnel policy established by the Company's Board of
Directors, during which time Executive's compensation shall be paid in full.
9. ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION. After the Closing of the Initial
Public Offering and as additional consideration paid to Executive, Executive
shall be provided with health, hospitalization, disability and a minimum of one
times Executive's annual salary in term life insurance. In addition, after the
Closing of the Initial Public Offering Executive shall be provided with an
automobile for his use or an automobile allowance, in accordance with the
automobile policy established by the Company's Board of Directors.
10. CHANGE IN CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. (a) After the Closing of the
Initial Public Offering in the event of a "change in control" of the Company, as
defined herein, Executive shall be entitled, for a period of thirty (30) days
from the date of closing of the transaction effecting such change in control and
at his election, to give written notice to Employer of termination of this
Agreement and to receive a cash payment equal to two hundred ninety-nine percent
(299%) times the compensation, including bonus, if any, received by Executive in
the one-year period
2
<PAGE> 3
immediately preceding the change in control. The severance payments provided for
in this Section 10(a) shall be paid in cash, commencing not later than ten (10)
days after the date of notice of termination by Executive under this Section 10
or ten (10) days after the date of closing of the transaction effecting the
change in control of the Company, whichever is later.
(b) In addition, if Executive elects to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 10, Executive shall further be entitled, in
lieu of shares of Common Stock of the Company issuable upon exercise of options
to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement, to an amount in cash or
Common Stock of the Company (or any combination thereof) as Executive shall in
his election designate equal to the excess of the fair market value of the
Common Stock as of the date of closing of the transaction effecting the change
in control over the per share exercise price of the options held by Executive,
times the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such options (whether or
not then fully exercisable). The fair market value of the Common Stock shall be
equal to the higher of (i) the value as determined by the Board of Directors of
the Company if there is no organized trading market for the shares at the time
such determination is made, or (ii) the closing price (or the average of the bid
and asked prices if no closing price is available) on any nationally recognized
securities exchange or association on which the Company's shares may be quoted
or listed, or (iii) the highest per share price actually paid for Common Stock
in connection with any change in control of the Company. The severance payments
provided for in this Section 10(b) shall be paid in full not later than ten (10)
days after the date of notice of termination by Executive under this Section 10
or ten (10) days after the date of closing of the transaction effecting the
change in control of the Company, whichever is later.
(c) For purposes of this Section 10, "change in control"
of the Company shall mean:
(i) any transaction, whether by merger, consolidation,
asset sale, tender offer, reverse stock split, or
otherwise, which results in the acquisition or
beneficial ownership (as such term is defined under
rules and regulations promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) by any
person or entity or any group of persons or entities
acting in concert, of 50% or more of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock of the Company;
(ii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company; or
(iii) the liquidation of the Company.
11. TERMINATION. (a) For Cause. This Agreement may be terminated
by the Board of Directors of the Company without notice and without further
obligation than for monies already paid, for any of the following reasons:
(i) failure of Executive to follow reasonable written
instructions or policies of the Board of Directors of
the Company or the Bank;
(ii) gross negligence or willful misconduct of Executive
materially damaging to the business of the Company or
Bank during the term of this Agreement; or
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<PAGE> 4
(iii) conviction of Executive during the term of this
Agreement of a crime involving breach of trust or
moral turpitude.
In the event that the Bank discharges Executive alleging
"cause" under this Section 11(a) and it is subsequently determined judicially
that the termination was "without cause," then such discharge shall be deemed a
discharge without cause subject to the provisions of Section 11(b) hereof. In
the event that the Bank discharges Executive alleging "cause" under this Section
11(a), such notice of discharge shall be accompanied by a written and specific
description of the circumstances alleging such "cause." The termination of
Executive for "cause" shall not entitle the Bank to enforcement of the
non-competition and non-solicitation covenants contained in Section 13 hereof.
(b) Without Cause.
(i) The Bank may, upon thirty (30) days' written notice
to Executive, terminate this Agreement without cause
at any time after the closing of the Initial Public
Offering during the term of this Agreement upon the
condition that Executive shall be entitled, as
liquidated damages in lieu of all other claims, to
the payment of Executive's base salary for a period
of ___ months and the exercise, for a period of
ninety (90) days, of all options to purchase the
Company's Common Stock granted to Executive
hereunder, whether or not such options are then
currently exercisable. The severance payments
provided for in this Section 11(b) shall commence not
later than thirty (30) days after the actual date of
termination of employment of Executive. The
termination of Executive "without cause" shall not
entitle the Bank to enforcement of the
non-competition and non-solicitation covenants
contained in Section 13 hereof.
(ii) Executive may upon thirty (30) days' written notice
to Employer terminate this Agreement without cause at
any time during the term of this Agreement. In the
event of termination of this Agreement by Executive,
the Bank shall have no further obligation to
Executive other than for monies paid and the Bank
shall be entitled to enforcement of the
non-competition and non-solicitation covenants
contained in Section 13 hereof.
12. DEATH OR DISABILITY. After the closing of the Initial Public
Offering, in the event of Executive's death, Employer shall pay to Executive's
designated beneficiary, or, if Executive has failed to designate a beneficiary,
to his estate, an amount equal to Executive's base salary pursuant to Section
3(b) hereof through the end of the month in which Executive's death occurred.
Such compensation shall be in lieu of any other benefits provided hereunder,
except that (i) in the event of a change in control of the Company as defined
herein, Executive's designated beneficiary or his estate, as the case may be,
shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10(b) hereof, and (ii) any benefit
payable pursuant to Section 3(b) shall be prorated and made available to
Executive in respect of any period prior to his death. The Bank may maintain
insurance on its behalf to satisfy in whole or in part the obligations of this
Section 12.
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After the closing of the Initial Public Offering, in the event of
Executive's disability, as hereinafter defined, Employer shall pay to Executive
the base salary then in effect through the end of the month in which Executive
became disabled. Executive shall be deemed disabled if, by reason of physical or
mental impairment, he is incapable of performing his duties hereunder for a
period of 180 consecutive days.
13. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION. (a) Executive
acknowledges that he has performed services or will perform services hereunder
which directly affect Employer's business. Accordingly, the parties deem it
necessary to enter into the protective agreement set forth below, the terms and
condition of which have been negotiated by and between the parties hereto.
(b) In the event of termination of employment under this
Agreement by action of Executive pursuant to 11(b)(ii) prior to the expiration
of the term of this Agreement, Executive agrees with Employer that through the
actual date of termination of the Agreement, and for a period of
________________ months after such termination date, Executive shall not,
without the prior written consent of Employer, either directly or indirectly,
serve as an executive officer or director of any bank or bank holding company or
as an executive officer, director, consultant, advisor or in any other capacity
to any person, firm, partnership or corporation or any other entity which is
involved in the organization of or chartering of any bank or bank holding
company, which is or intends to engage in competition in any substantial manner
with Employer.
(c) The covenants of Executive set forth in this Section
13 are separate and independent covenants for which valuable consideration has
been paid, the receipt, adequacy and sufficiency of which are acknowledged by
Executive, and have also been made by Executive to induce Employer to enter into
this Agreement. Each of the aforesaid covenants may be availed of or relied upon
by Employer in any court of competent jurisdiction, and shall form the basis of
injunctive relief and damages including expenses of litigation (including but
not limited to reasonable attorney's fees) suffered by Employer arising out of
any breach of the aforesaid covenants by Executive. The covenants of Executive
set forth in this Section 13 are cumulative to each other and to all other
covenants of Executive in favor of Employer contained in this Agreement and
shall survive the termination of this Agreement for the purposes intended.
Should any covenant, term, or condition contained in this Section 13 become or
be declared invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then
the parties may request that such court judicially modify such unenforceable
provision consistent with the intent of this Section 13 so that it shall be
enforceable as modified, and in any event the invalidity of any provision of
this Section 13 shall not affect the validity of any other provision in this
Section 13 or elsewhere in this Agreement.
14. NOTICES. Any notice required or desired to be given under this
Agreement shall be deemed given if in writing sent by certified mail to his
residence in the case of Executive, or to its principal office in the case of
Employer.
15. WAIVER OF BREACH. The waiver by Employer of a breach of any
provision of this Agreement by Executive shall not operate or be construed as a
waiver of any subsequent breach by Executive. No waiver shall be valid unless in
writing and signed by an authorized officer of Employer.
5
<PAGE> 6
16. ASSIGNMENT. Executive acknowledges that the services to be
rendered by him are unique and personal. Accordingly, Executive may not assign
any of his rights or delegate any of his duties or obligations under this
Agreement. The rights and obligations of Executive under this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of
Employer.
17. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri.
18. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains the entire
understanding of the parties hereto regarding employment of Executive, and
supersedes and replaces any prior agreement relating thereto. It may not be
changed orally but only by an agreement in writing signed by the party against
whom enforcement of any waiver, change, modification, extension, or discharge is
sought.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first above written.
"COMPANY"
MISSOURI HOLDINGS, INC.
By:
-----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
"EXECUTIVE"
(L.S.)
-----------------------------------------
6
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 23.2a
Independent Auditors' Consent
The Board of Directors
First Premier Financial Corporation:
We consent to the use of our report included herein and to the reference to our
firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.
/s/ KPMG LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
May 7, 1999
<PAGE> 1
Exhibit 23.2b
Independent Auditors' Consent
The Board of Directors
Premier Bancshares, Inc.:
We consent to the use of our report included herein and to the reference to our
firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.
/s/ KPMG LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
May 7, 1999
