<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.1a-11(c) or Section 240.1a-12
BANCTEXAS GROUP INC.
-------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
BANCTEXAS GROUP INC.
-------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (check the appropriate box):
[X] $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(j)(2).
[ ] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3)
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11;<F*>
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
[FN]
<F*> Set forth amount on which the filing is calculated and state how it was
determined.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount previously paid: $125.00
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: Schedule 14-A
3) Filing Party: BancTEXAS Group Inc.
4) Date Filed: 7-7-95
<PAGE> 2
PRELIMINARY COPY
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BancTEXAS Group Inc.
P. O. BOX 630369
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77263-0369
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held Wednesday, August 23, 1995
To the Stockholders of BancTEXAS Group Inc.:
Notice is hereby given that the 1995 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(the "Annual Meeting") of BancTEXAS Group Inc., a Delaware corporation
("BancTEXAS" or the "Company"), will be held at 135 North Meramec, Clayton,
Missouri, on Wednesday, August 23, 1995 at 10:00 a.m., local time, for the
following purposes:
(1) To elect six directors to serve until the next Annual
Meeting and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified;
(2) To change the name of the corporation from "BancTEXAS
Group Inc." to "First Banks America, Inc." by approving an amendment to the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation;
(3) To authorize a reverse stock split whereby each
fifteen (15) shares of Common Stock or of Class B Common Stock will be
converted into one share of Common Stock or Class B Common Stock,
respectively, by approving amendments to the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation; and
(4) To transact any and all other business as may properly
be presented at the meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on July 20,
1995, as the record date (the "Record Date") for the determination of
stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any
adjournment(s) thereof. The stock transfer books will not be closed. A list
of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for
examination at the main office of BancTEXAS for ten (10) days prior to the
meeting.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING.
HOWEVER, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, YOU
ARE URGED TO PROMPTLY MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING
PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED, SELF-ADDRESSED, STAMPED ENVELOPE SO THAT
YOUR SHARES MAY BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR WISHES AND THE
PRESENCE OF A QUORUM MAY BE ASSURED.
<PAGE> 3
YOUR PROXY WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU IF YOU SHOULD REQUEST SUCH
RETURN IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR REVOCATION OF PROXIES ON PAGE 2
OF THE ENCLOSED PROXY STATEMENT. PROMPT RESPONSE BY OUR
STOCKHOLDERS WILL REDUCE THE TIME AND EXPENSE OF SOLICITATION.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Houston, Texas ALLEN H. BLAKE,
July ------, 1995 Secretary
<PAGE> 4
PRELIMINARY COPY
- ----------------
BancTEXAS Group Inc.
P. O. BOX 630369
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77263-0369
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 23, 1995
-----------------
SOLICITATION AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
This Proxy Statement is being furnished to stockholders of BancTEXAS
Group Inc. ("BancTEXAS" or the "Company") in connection with the solicitation
by the Board of Directors of BancTEXAS of proxies to be voted at the 1995
Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") to be held on
Wednesday, August 23, 1995, at the time and place and for the purposes set
forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and at
any adjournment(s) thereof. This Proxy Statement and applicable form of proxy
is first being mailed to the stockholders of BancTEXAS on or about July ----,
1995.
The accompanying form of proxy is designed to permit each holder of
BancTEXAS's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), to
vote for or against the following proposal:
(1) To vote for or withhold voting for any or all of the
six nominees for election as directors of BancTEXAS listed on the proxy;
(2) To change the name of the corporation from "BancTEXAS
Group Inc." to "First Banks America, Inc." by approving an amendment to the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation;
(3) To authorize a reverse stock split whereby each fifteen
(15) shares of Common Stock or each fifteen (15) shares of Class B Common
Stock will be converted into one share of Common Stock or Class B Common
Stock, respectively, by approving amendments to the Company's Certificate
of Incorporation; and
to authorize the named proxies to vote in their discretion with respect to
any other proposal properly presented at the Annual Meeting.
As of July 20, 1995, the record date for determining the stockholders
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, there were -------------- shares of
voting stock outstanding, consisting of --------------- shares of Common
Stock and 37,500,000 shares of Class B Common Stock. All of the shares of
Class B Common Stock are owned by First Banks, Inc., a Missouri corporation
("First Banks"). Each share of Common Stock and of Class B Common Stock is
entitled to one vote in the election of each director.
<PAGE> 5
First Banks is owned by trusts created and administered by and for the
benefit of James F. Dierberg and members of his immediate family. Mr.
Dierberg was elected Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
President of BancTEXAS effective January 2, 1995 to replace Nathan C.
Collins, who resigned from those positions. Mr. Dierberg is also Chairman of
the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of First Banks. The other
executive officers and directors of BancTEXAS were the record holders of
- --------------- shares of Common Stock as of July 20, 1995.
When a stockholder's proxy specifies a choice with respect to a voting
matter, the shares will be voted accordingly. If no such specification is
made, the accompanying form of proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting and
any adjournment(s) thereof FOR the election of the nominees listed herein
under the caption "ELECTION OF DIRECTORS," FOR the proposed change of the
Company's name, FOR the reverse stock split, and at the discretion of the
proxies on any other business which may be properly presented at the Annual
Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof.
BancTEXAS encourages the personal attendance of its stockholders at the
Annual Meeting, and execution of the accompanying proxy will not affect a
stockholder's right to attend the Annual Meeting and to vote in person. Any
stockholder giving a proxy has the right to revoke it by giving written
notice of revocation to the Secretary of BancTEXAS at its principal executive
offices at any time before the proxy is voted, or by executing and delivering
a later-dated proxy, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting his or her
shares in person. No such notice of revocation or later-dated proxy, however,
will be effective until received by BancTEXAS at or prior to the Annual
Meeting. Such revocation will not affect a vote on any matters taken prior to
receipt of the revocation. Mere attendance at the Annual Meeting will not
revoke the proxy.
The total cost of the solicitation of proxies pursuant to this Proxy
Statement will be borne by BancTEXAS. Proxies may be solicited by directors,
officers and employees of BancTEXAS without special remuneration. BancTEXAS
has engaged the services of Chemical Bank to solicit proxies and has agreed
to pay the sum of $4,500, plus expenses, to that firm for its assistance in
proxy solicitation. Banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees
and fiduciaries who forward soliciting material to the beneficial owners of
shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the meeting will be reimbursed by
BancTEXAS for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in this connection. In
addition to the mails and other delivery services, proxies may be solicited
by personal interviews, telephone or telegraph.
The Annual Report to Stockholders covering BancTEXAS fiscal year ended
December 31, 1994, including audited financial statements, has been
previously mailed to stockholders. The Annual Report does not form any part
of the proxy solicitation material. Additional copies of the 1994 Annual
Report to Stockholders may be obtained without charge upon written request to
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<PAGE> 6
Allen H. Blake, Secretary, BancTEXAS Group Inc., 135 North Meramec, Clayton,
Missouri 63105 or to Kathryn Aderman, Assistant Secretary, BancTEXAS Group
Inc., P. O. Box 630369, Houston, Texas 77263-0369.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
GENERAL
The Board of Directors of BancTEXAS has fixed the close of business on
July 20, 1995, as the record date (the "Record Date") for the Annual Meeting.
Only holders of record of outstanding shares of Common Stock on the Record
Date and First Banks, as the holder of all of the outstanding shares of Class
B Common Stock, are entitled to notice of, and to vote, in person or by
proxy, at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof. On the Record
Date, there were issued and outstanding ------------- shares of Common Stock
and 37,500,000 shares of Class B Common Stock.
Holders of shares of Common Stock, and First Banks as the holder of all
of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, are entitled to one vote
at the Annual Meeting for each share held of record on the Record Date. As
the result of an amendment to BancTEXAS' Certificate of Incorporation adopted
in 1994, holders of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are permitted to
exercise cumulative voting in a contested election of directors. This means
that, if there are more nominees for director than positions to be elected,
each holder would be permitted to cast as many votes as equals the product of
the number of directors to be elected (i.e., six at the Annual Meeting) times
the number of shares held by such holder, and to cast all these votes for one
candidate or to divide the votes among two or more candidates in any amounts
chosen by the stockholder. First Banks would also have the right to utilize
cumulative voting with respect to its Class B Common Stock. The proxy
holders authorized to vote in favor of nominees listed herein under the
caption "ELECTION OF DIRECTORS" will be permitted to vote cumulatively in the
absence of instructions to the contrary.
The presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of
the issued and outstanding shares of voting stock, including the Common Stock
and the Class B Common Stock, is necessary to constitute a quorum to transact
business at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof.
On each proposed action, proxies marked as withheld votes or
abstentions and broker non-votes will not be voted but will be treated as
present and entitled to vote. Such proxies will therefore have the same
effect as votes against the proposed action. Directors will be elected by a
plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by
proxy and entitled to vote on such election.
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<PAGE> 7
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND OF CONTROLLING STOCKHOLDER
The following table sets forth, as of July 10, 1995, certain
information with respect to the beneficial ownership of Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock of BancTEXAS by each person known to the company to be
the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the outstanding shares of
either class of stock, by each director and nominee for director, by certain
executive officers and by all executive officers and directors of BancTEXAS
as a group:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SHARES
AND NATURE
NAME OF OF BENEFICIAL PECENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER RELATIONSHIP TO THE COMPANY OWNERSHIP<F1> CLASS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
First Banks, Inc. 5% Stockholder 37,500,000<F2> 100
135 North Meramec
Clayton, Missouri 63105
Allen H. Blake Director, Vice President, Chief Financial -0- <F*>
Officer and Secretary
Charles A. Crocco, Jr. Director 124,100<F3> <F*>
James F. Dierberg Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief 37,500,000<F2> 100
Executive Officer and President
Jerry V. Garrett Senior Vice President (Consumer 46,000<F4> <F*>
Lending), BankTEXAS N.A.
Edward T. Story, Jr. Director 122,750<F5> <F*>
Mark T. Turkcan Director -0- <F*>
David F. Weaver Executive Vice President, BancTEXAS; 100,400<F6> <F*>
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and President, BankTEXAS N.A.
Donald D. Williams Nominee for Director; Director, 2,000<F7> <F*>
BankTEXAS N.A.
All executive officers 393,250 Common ----% of
and directors as a Stock Common
group (7 persons) Stock
37,500,000 Class B 100% of
Common Stock Class B
Common Stock
<FN>
- ------------------------------
<F*> Less than one percent.
-4-
<PAGE> 8
<F1> Shares shown for First Banks and James F. Dierberg comprise 100% of
the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock; for all other persons
listed, the shares and percentages reflected are Common Stock. With
respect to Messrs. Crocco, Garrett, Story and Weaver, the indicated
numbers of shares include shares subject to vested stock options
granted under the 1990 Stock Option Plan. All of the options reflected
in the table are vested and may be exercised at any time.
<F2> The controlling shareholders of First Banks are (i) Mary W. Dierberg
and James F. Dierberg, II, trustees under the living trust of James F.
Dierberg, II, dated July 24, 1989, (ii) Mary W. Dierberg and Michael
James Dierberg, trustees under the living trust of Michael James
Dierberg, dated July 24, 1989, (iii) Mary W. Dierberg and Ellen C.
Dierberg, trustees under the living trust of Ellen C. Dierberg, dated
July 17, 1992, and (iv) James F. Dierberg, trustee of the James F.
Dierberg living trust, dated October 8, 1985. Mr. James F. Dierberg
and Mrs. Mary W. Dierberg are husband and wife, and Messrs. James F.
Dierberg, II, Michael James Dierberg and Miss Ellen C. Dierberg are
their children.
<F3> Mr. Crocco has a vested option covering 100,000 shares and owns
directly 24,100 shares.
<F4> Mr. Garrett has a vested option covering 45,000 shares and owns
directly 1,000 shares.
<F5> Mr. Story has a vested option covering 100,000 shares and owns
directly 22,750 shares.
<F6> Mr. Weaver owns 100,400 shares directly.
<F7> Mr. Williams owns 2,000 shares directly.
</TABLE>
ACQUISITION OF CONTROL BY FIRST BANKS
On August 31, 1994, BancTEXAS completed a private placement transaction
whereby First Banks acquired 37,500,000 shares of Class B Common Stock for an
aggregate purchase price of $30,000,000. First Banks thereby acquired the
power to vote approximately 65% of all outstanding voting stock of the
Company.
The transaction with First Banks was completed pursuant to the terms of
a Stock Purchase and Operating Agreement dated May 19, 1994 (the "Agreement")
and following approval by the Company's stockholders at the 1994 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, which was held on August 18, 1994, and also
following the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals. The Agreement
contained provisions generally customary for transactions similar in
structure to the transaction, including representations and warranties of
BancTEXAS regarding its financial condition and operations and numerous other
matters. The Agreement further provides a mechanism for First Banks to
maintain ownership of at least 55% of the outstanding voting stock of
BancTEXAS, if First Banks elects to do so, in the event that BancTEXAS issues
additional voting stock, by purchasing a sufficient number of shares at a
price determined by a formula related to the book value per share of
BancTEXAS Common Stock.
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<PAGE> 9
Immediately following the consummation of the transaction with First
Banks, three directors resigned from the Board of Directors of BancTEXAS, in
accordance with the terms of the Agreement, and Messrs. Dierberg, Blake and
Turkcan were appointed to fill the vacancies created by such resignations.
The Company has been informed by First Banks that, of the $30,000,000
purchase price for the Class B Common Stock, $3,000,000 was provided by
general corporate funds of First Banks and $27,000,000 was borrowed pursuant
to an existing credit agreement which First Banks maintains with a group of
unaffiliated commercial banks. The Company understands that the Class B
Common Stock has been pledged as collateral for the loan evidenced by the
credit agreement, and that the terms of the credit agreement include
customary provisions which could ultimately result in foreclosure of the
Class B Common Stock in the event of a default in repayment of the loan by
First Banks, if such a default were not cured or other arrangements
acceptable to the lending banks were not made by First Banks.
Following the consummation of the transaction with First Banks,
BancTEXAS has entered into agreements with First Banks and its affiliates,
pursuant to which various management, investment and data processing services
are obtained. In addition, BancTEXAS sold a substantial amount of
mortgage-backed securities to a subsidiary of First Banks in September, 1994.
Additional information concerning such agreements and transactions is set
forth herein under the caption "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions."
The private placement transaction with First Banks constituted a
"change of control" of BancTEXAS under the employment agreement which existed
between BancTEXAS and Nathan C. Collins, who was the Company's Chairman of
the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer. Following the change of
control, the Board of Directors determined that many of the functions which
had been managed or overseen by Mr. Collins should be transferred to First
Banks and to other levels within BancTEXAS and the Bank; this circumstance
constituted a "termination" of Mr. Collins' employment pursuant to the
employment agreement and entitled him to receive a cash severance payment in
the amount of $500,000, which was paid to him in January, 1995.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote to re-elect
Messrs. Blake, Crocco, Dierberg, Story and Turkcan as directors and to
elect Donald D. Williams as a director, each for a one-year term.
NOMINEES
As of July 10, 1995, the Board of Directors consisted of five
members. Six directors are nominated to be elected at the Annual Meeting,
including the five current directors and Donald D. Williams. Information
concerning the six nominees for director appears in the following table:
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<PAGE> 10
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR OF PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING LAST
BANCTEXAS FIVE YEARS AND DIRECTORSHIPS
NAME AGE SINCE OF PUBLIC COMPANIES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Allen H. Blake 52 1994 Chief Financial Officer since September, 1994,
Secretary since December, 1994, and Vice President
of BancTEXAS since July 1995; Senior Vice President
of First Banks since 1992; Secretary and Director
of First Banks since 1988; joined First Banks as
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in 1984.
Charles A. Crocco, Jr.<F1> 56 1988 Partner in the law firm of Crocco & De Maio, P.C.,
New York City, since 1968; director of The Hallwood
Group Incorporated (merchant banking) since January
1981; director of Showbiz Pizza Time, Inc. since
January 1988.
James F. Dierberg 57 1994 Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive
Officer and President of BancTEXAS since January 2,
1995; Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of First Banks since 1988; director of
First Banks since 1979; President of First Banks,
1979-1992 and May 1994-present.
Edward T. Story, Jr.<F1> 51 1987 President and Chief Executive Officer of SOCO
International, Inc., a subsidiary of Snyder Oil
Corporation, engaged in international oil and gas
operations, since August 1991; from August 1990
until August 1991, Chairman of Thaitex Petroleum
Company; from August 1981 to August 1990 Vice
Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Conquest
Exploration Company; director of Hi-Lo Automotive,
Inc. since 1987; director of Territorial Resources,
Inc. since 1992; director of Command Petroleum
Limited since 1993.
Mark T. Turkcan 39 1994 Senior Vice President (Retail Banking), First
Banks, since 1994; Vice President (Mortgage
Banking), First Banks since 1990; joined First
Banks when Clayton Savings and Loan Association,
St. Louis, Missouri (now First Bank Federal Savings
Bank) for whom Mr. Turkcan was employed in various
capacities since 1985, was acquired by First Banks
in 1990.
Donald D. Williams 47 Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of
First Banks since March 1993; Senior Vice President
in charge of credit approval of Mercantile Bank of St. Louis,
N.A. from 1989 until March 1993.
<FN>
- ---------------------------------
<F1> Member of the Audit Committee.
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 11
Although BancTEXAS does not anticipate that any of the above-named
nominees will refuse or be unable to serve as a director of
BancTEXAS, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy intend, if any
nominee becomes unavailable, to vote the shares represented by the proxy for
the election of such other person or persons as may be nominated or designated
by management, unless they are directed by proxy to do otherwise.
Assuming the presence of a quorum, the six nominees receiving the
largest number of the votes cast, including those cast by holders of the
Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock represented at the Annual Meeting,
will be elected as directors. The Company's By-Laws require that any
nominations by a stockholder comply with certain procedural and disclosure
requirements, including advance written notice to the Secretary of the
Company.
<TABLE>
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The executive officers of the Company as of July 10, 1995 were as follows:
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE OFFICE(S) HELD
- ---- --- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
James F. Dierberg 57 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer and President.
Allen H. Blake 52 Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary.
David F. Weaver 47 Executive Vice President of BancTEXAS since
January, 1995; Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer and President of BankTEXAS
N.A. since December, 1994; President of
BankTEXAS Houston N.A. from 1988 until the
bank became a part of BankTEXAS N.A. as a
result of merger.
Jerry V. Garrett 54 Senior Vice President (Consumer Lending),
BankTEXAS N.A. since 1988.
</TABLE>
The executive officers were each elected by the Board of
Directors to the offices indicated. There is no family
relationship between any of the nominees for director, directors
or executive officers of BancTEXAS or its subsidiaries.
COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Until the completion of the private placement with First Banks in
August, 1994, the Board of Directors had an Executive Committee, an Audit
Committee, a Personnel Committee and a Nominating Committee. Following that
transaction, the Board of Directors eliminated the committees other than the
Audit Committee, determining that the responsibilities of the other committees
should be performed by the entire Board of Directors.
-8-
<PAGE> 12
The duties of the Audit Committee include the making of recommendations
to the Board of Directors for engaging and discharging BancTEXAS independent
auditors; reviewing and approving the engagement of the independent auditors
for audit and nonaudit services and considering the independence of the
auditors prior to engaging them; reviewing with the independent auditors the
fee, scope and timing of the audit and nonaudit services; reviewing the
completed audit with the independent auditors regarding the conduct of the
audit, accounting adjustments, recommendations for improving internal controls
and any other significant findings during the audit; meeting periodically with
management and internal audit and loan review staff to discuss planning,
scheduling and the extent and nature of internal audit and loan review
procedures to be performed and the results therefrom; accounting and financial
controls; reviewing internal accounting and auditing procedures with BancTEXAS
financial staff; and initiating and supervising any special investigations it
deems necessary.
Board and Committee Meetings. The Board of Directors held 12 meetings
in 1994, including regular and special meetings. During 1994, there were 3
meetings of the Audit Committee, 0 meetings of the Executive Committee, 1
meeting of the Personnel Committee and 1 meeting of the Nominating Committee.
During 1994, all directors of the Company attended more than 75% of the
aggregate of the number of meetings of the Board of Directors and the meetings
held by all committees of the Board of Directors on which they served.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
During 1994, each director of BancTEXAS (excluding Mr. Collins, who was
not paid separately for his services as a director, and Messrs. Blake,
Dierberg and Turkcan, who do not receive any compensation from the Company)
was paid $5,000 as an annual retainer and $750 for each meeting of the Board
of Directors attended. In addition, the chairman of each committee was paid an
annual retainer of $2,000 and each member of a committee was paid $500 for
each committee meeting attended. Also, directors traveling more than 75 miles
to attend a meeting were reimbursed for their actual travel expenses. The
Company entered into a consulting agreement with Edward T. Story, Jr. in 1990
whereby he is, when requested by the Chairman of the Board, obligated to
assist with certain capital formation projects. Mr. Story did not receive any
compensation under the consulting agreement in 1994.
During the first eight months of 1994, each director of BancTEXAS also
served as director of BankTEXAS N.A., the company's wholly-owned banking
subsidiary (the "Bank"). With the exception of Mr. Collins, who was not paid
for his services as a director, each director of the Bank received an annual
retainer of $2,500 from the Bank and $250 for each Board meeting attended.
During the remainder of 1994, the Bank's Board of Directors consisted of
persons who were not also directors of BancTEXAS (except for Mr. Collins, who
continued to serve as a director of the Company until January, 1995 and of the
Bank until November, 1994).
The 1993 Directors' Stock Bonus Plan (the "Stock Bonus Plan") provides
for annual grants of Common Stock to the non-employee directors of BancTEXAS.
Directors' compensation of $67,000 was recorded relating to this plan for the
year ended December 31,
-9-
<PAGE> 13
1994. This amount represented the market value of the 37,500 shares granted
under the Stock Bonus Plan as of the date of each grant.
The Stock Bonus Plan is self-operative, and the timing, amounts,
recipients and terms of individual grants are determined automatically. On
July 1 of each year, each non-employee director will automatically receive a
grant of 7,500 shares of Common Stock. Future grants under the plan would
apply equally to current directors and to any individual who becomes a
director of BancTEXAS in the future. The maximum number of plan shares that
may be issued shall not exceed 250,000 shares. The plan will expire on July
1, 2001.
In 1993, BancTEXAS also adopted a noncontributory defined benefit
pension plan (the "Directors' Retirement Plan") covering non-employee
directors of the holding company. Under this plan, retirement benefits are
primarily a function of years of service as a director. During 1994, coverage
under the Directors' Retirement Plan was extended to include non-employee
directors of the Bank. BancTEXAS recorded an expense of $65,000 to reflect
the costs accrued in 1994 in connection with this plan.
As noted above, the three directors who are also executive officers of
First Banks (Messrs. Blake, Dierberg and Turkcan) do not receive any
compensation for serving as directors (and, in the case of Messrs. Blake and
Dierberg, as executive officers) of BancTEXAS, and, in that regard, they do
not receive any benefits under the Stock Bonus Plan or the Directors'
Retirement Plan discussed above. First Banks, of which Messrs. Dierberg,
Blake and Turkcan are executive officers and Messrs. Dierberg and Blake are
directors, provides various services to BancTEXAS and the Bank for which it is
compensated, and a subsidiary of First Banks purchased certain mortgage-backed
securities from BancTEXAS in 1994 (see "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions"). Mr. Williams, who is also an executive officer of First Banks
and is nominated to become a director of BancTEXAS, will not be compensated
for serving as a director, nor will he receive benefits under the BancTEXAS
plans referred to above.
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
There is no family relationship between any of the nominees for
director, directors or executive officers of BancTEXAS or its subsidiaries.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The Bank had in 1994, and it may have in the future, loan transactions
in the ordinary course of business with directors of BancTEXAS and their
respective affiliates. These loan transactions have been and will be on the
same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at
the time for comparable transactions with unaffiliated persons and did not
involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other
unfavorable features. At December 31, 1994, such loans totalled $42,216 and
represented .11% of stockholders' equity. None of the indebtedness has been
classified in any manner by regulatory authorities or charged-off by the Bank.
The Bank does not extend credit to officers of BancTEXAS or of the Bank,
-10-
<PAGE> 14
except extensions of credit secured by mortgages on personal residences, loans
to purchase automobiles and personal credit card accounts.
As discussed under "Acquisition of Control by First Banks," First Banks
became the largest stockholder of BancTEXAS in August, 1994. Following that
transaction, BancTEXAS began purchasing certain services and supplies from or
through First Banks. During the remaining four months of 1994 this was
primarily limited to the purchase of insurance policies, office supplies and
other commonly-used banking products which could be acquired more economically
than BancTEXAS had previously been able to realize as a separate company. The
amounts of these purchases were not material to the consolidated financial
position or results of operations of BancTEXAS for the year ended December 31,
1994.
In December 1994, the Board of Directors of the Bank approved a data
processing agreement and a management fee agreement with First Banks. Under
the data processing agreement, a subsidiary of First Banks began providing
data processing and various related services to BancTEXAS in February 1995.
The fees for such services are significantly lower than BancTEXAS has
previously paid a non-affiliated vendor. The management fee agreement
provides that BancTEXAS will compensate First Banks on an hourly basis for its
use of personnel for various functions including internal auditing, loan
review, income tax preparation and assistance, accounting, asset/liability and
investments services, loan servicing and other management and administrative
services. Hourly rates for such services compare favorably with those for
similar services from unrelated sources, as well as the internal costs of
BancTEXAS personnel which were used previously, and BancTEXAS estimates that
the aggregate cost for the services will be significantly more economical than
those previously incurred by BancTEXAS. Total fees paid under these agreements
were $14,000 in 1994.
In September 1994, BancTEXAS sold mortgage-backed securities with an
original aggregate cost of $113,852,000, in connection with a review by
management of the nature of the Company's investment securities portfolio. Of
that amount, $60,091,000, which had been acquired by BancTEXAS from October
1990 through April 1994, were sold to a subsidiary of First Banks for an
aggregate price of $55,273,000. The prices at which the securities were sold
by BancTEXAS to a subsidiary of First Banks were agreed upon by personnel of
BancTEXAS and First Banks based upon market quotations for such securities by
unrelated third party securities firms.
Certain of the directors and officers of BancTEXAS and their respective
affiliates have deposit accounts with the Bank. It is the Bank's policy not to
permit any officers or directors of BancTEXAS or their affiliates to overdraw
their respective deposit accounts unless that person has been previously
approved for overdraft protection under a plan whereby a credit limit has been
established in accordance with the Bank's standard credit criteria.
-11-
<PAGE> 15
During 1994 the Bank engaged in a series of repurchase transactions with
Edward T. Story, Jr., a director of BancTEXAS and, until September 1994, of
the Bank. These transactions are short-term in nature and involve the deposit
with the Bank of U.S. government securities, subject to agreements to
repurchase. The principal amounts of the repurchase transactions have varied
and the largest principal amount of any transaction in 1994 was $189,402.46.
All of the transactions with Mr. Story have been at market interest rates and,
in the opinion of management, have been on terms as favorable to the Bank as
are available in transactions with unaffiliated persons.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The table on the following page sets forth certain information regarding
compensation earned during the year ended December 31, 1994, and specified
information with respect to the two preceding years, by the chief executive
officer, Mr. Collins, and two of the other most highly compensated executive
officers of BancTEXAS, as determined based upon salary and bonus earned during
1994. Mr. Collins resigned from his positions with BancTEXAS effective
January 2, 1995; Mr. Braucher resigned from his positions effective November
30, 1994.
James F. Dierberg became the Chief Executive Officer and President of
the Company on January 2, 1995, and Allen H. Blake became the Company's Chief
Financial Officer on September 30, 1994, Secretary on December 1, 1994 and
Vice President on July 3, 1995. Neither Mr. Dierberg nor Mr. Blake receives
any compensation directly from either the Company or the Bank. The Company
and BankTEXAS N.A., its wholly-owned indirect banking subsidiary (the "Bank"),
have entered into various contracts with First Banks, of which Messrs.
Dierberg and Blake are directors and executive officers, pursuant to which
services are provided to the Company and the Bank (see "Certain Relationships
and Related Transactions" for additional information regarding contracts with
First Banks).
No information is included in the table with respect to other executive
officers whose combined salary and bonus did not exceed $100,000 in any year
covered by the table.
-12-
<PAGE> 16
<TABLE>
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE FOR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
<CAPTION>
Long-Term Compensation
----------------------
Annual Compensation Awards Payouts
----------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------
Other Securities
Name and Annual Restricted underlying LTIP All Other
Principal Salary Bonus Compensation Stock Award(s) Options/SARs Payouts Compensation
Position Year ($) ($) ($)<F1> ($) (#) ($) ($)<F2>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Nathan C. 1994 200,000 -0- N/A none none none 500,750
Collins,
Chairman of 1993 250,000 -0- N/A none none none 899
the Board,
President & 1992 250,000 23,200 N/A none none none 1,000
Chief
Executive
Officer
David F. 1994 107,500 -0- N/A none none none 538
Weaver,
Executive 1993 107,500 -0- N/A none none none 840
Vice
President; 1992 107,500 10,750 N/A none none none 2,942
Chairman of
the Board,
Chief Executive
Officer and
President of
BankTEXAS N.A.
Richard H. 1994 91,800 -0- N/A none none none 91,800
Braucher,
Senior Vice 1993 91,800 -0- N/A none none none 459
President
Secretary & 1992 91,800 9,180 N/A none none none -0-
General Counsel
<FN>
<F1> The total of all other annual compensation for each of the named
officers is less than the amount required to be reported, which is
the lesser of (a) $50,000 or (b) ten percent (10%) of the total of the
annual salary and bonus paid to that person.
<F2> Except as indicated in Note (3), all items reported are BancTEXAS'
matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan for the year indicated except
that in 1992, the total for Mr. Weaver is comprised of $1,592 as
relocation assistance to cover mortgage rate differential and $1,350
as BancTEXAS's contribution to the 401(k) Plan.
<F3> Mr. Collins received a severance payment in the amount of $500,000 in
January, 1995 resulting from the change in control of BancTEXAS which
occurred in 1994. Mr. Braucher received a severance payment of $91,800
in 1994, also resulting from the change in control. See "Acquisition
of Control by First Banks."
</TABLE>
-13-
<PAGE> 17
STOCK OPTION EXERCISES AND VALUES
The following table indicates the number of options, if any, exercised
by the named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 1994 and
the number and value of options held as of December 31, 1994. BancTEXAS does
not have any outstanding stock appreciation rights.
<TABLE>
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND YEAR-END VALUES
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities Value of Unexercised
Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money
Options at FY-End (#) Options at FY-End($)<F2>
Shares Acquired on Value Realized Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Name and Principal Position Exercise (#) ($)<F1> Unexercisable Unexercisable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Nathan C. Collins 200,000 $175,000.00 700,000 shares $437,500.00
exercisable
none - unexercisable
David F. Weaver -0- -0- 50,000 shares $ 31,250.00
exercisable
none - unexercisable
Richard H. Braucher -0- -0- 75,000 shares $ 46,875.00
exercisable
none - unexercisable
<FN>
<F1> Value realized is before applicable taxes, based on the difference
between exercise prices and closing prices on the dates of exercise.
<F2> Value is based on the differences between the exercise prices and
the closing price of BancTEXAS Common Stock on December 30, 1994.
</TABLE>
BancTEXAS has omitted from this Proxy Statement tables which would
disclose information regarding options granted during 1994 and Long Term
Incentive Plan awards. No options were granted in 1994, and BancTEXAS does
not currently have a Long Term Incentive Plan.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Mr. Weaver is party to an employment agreement whereby he would be
entitled to receive additional compensation in the event that, prior to August
31, 1995, he is terminated or he resigns after determining in good faith that
a significant reduction or other adverse change has occurred in the nature or
scope of his responsibilities, authorities or compensation. In such event,
Mr. Weaver would receive a severance payment equal to one year's salary. The
-14-
<PAGE> 18
agreement is substantially similar to employment agreements between BancTEXAS
and other management personnel which were first implemented in 1989 and
extended through December 31, 1994.
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph sets forth a comparison of the cumulative total
shareholder returns of Common Stock of BancTEXAS, the New York Stock Exchange
Market Value Index and the Media General Index of Banks located in the West
South Central Region, for the five year period from December 31, 1989 through
December 31, 1994. The Company's common stock and the securities of 32 other
banks primarily located in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas are
currently included in the Media General West South Central Banks index. The
graph and the table which follows are based on the assumption that the value
of the investment in BancTEXAS Common Stock and in each index was $100 at
December 31, 1989 and that all dividends were reinvested (BancTEXAS did not
pay any dividends during such period).
COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURNS
[THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
12/31/89 12/31/90 12/31/91 12/31/92 12/31/93 12/31/94
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BancTEXAS Group Inc. 100.00 75.01 130.02 560.00 440.00 280.00
NYSE Market Value
Index 100.00 95.92 124.12 129.96 147.56 144.69
Media General West
South Central Banks 100.00 59.98 101.12 172.89 202.80 93.89
</TABLE>
-15-
<PAGE> 19
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
BancTEXAS maintains various employee benefit plans. Directors are not
eligible to participate in such plans (except the 1990 Stock Option Plan and
the 1993 Directors' Stock Bonus Plan) unless they are also employees of
BancTEXAS or one of its subsidiaries. Messrs. Blake, Dierberg and Turkcan are
not participants in any employee benefit plans of BancTEXAS.
Pension Plan. The BancTEXAS Group Inc. and Subsidiaries' Employees
Retirement Plan (the "Pension Plan") is a noncontributory, defined benefit
plan for all eligible officers and employees of BancTEXAS and its
subsidiaries. Benefits under the Pension Plan are based upon annual base
salaries and years of service and are payable only upon retirement or
disability and, in some instances, at death. An employee is eligible to
participate in the Pension Plan after completing one year of employment if he
or she was hired before attaining age 60, is at least 21 years of age and
worked 1,000 hours or more in the first year of employment. A participant who
has fulfilled the eligibility and tenure requirements will receive, upon
reaching the normal retirement age of 65, monthly benefits based upon average
monthly compensation during the five consecutive calendar years out of his or
her last ten calendar years that provided the highest average compensation.
During 1994, BancTEXAS discontinued the accumulation of benefits under
the Pension Plan. While the Pension Plan will continue in existence and
provide benefits which have been accumulated, no additional benefits will
accrue to participants, and no new participants will become eligible for
benefits thereunder.
The following table sets forth, based upon certain assumptions, the
approximate annual benefits payable under the Pension Plan at normal
retirement age to persons retiring with the indicated average base salaries
and years of credited service:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Remuneration<F1> Years of Credited Service<F2>
---------------- -----------------------------
10 15 20 25 30 35
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$100,000 $14,700 $22,050 $29,400 [No additional credit after
$150,000(3) 22,200 33,300 44,400 20 years]
<FN>
- -------------------------------
<F1> Compensation covered by the Pension Plan is equal to the salary shown in
the Summary Compensation Table for each of the executive officers shown,
except that Mr. Collins' compensation covered by the Pension Plan is
limited to $150,000.00 (see footnote (3)).
<F2> Benefits shown are computed based on straight life annuities with a
10-year guarantee and are not subject to deduction for social security,
but are subject to withholding for federal income tax purposes.
<F3> Maximum annual retirement income of $118,800 is permitted under the
Internal Revenue Code, as amended; the maximum compensation allowed for
retirement benefit computations is $150,000.
</TABLE>
-16-
<PAGE> 20
The amounts of current annual covered compensation and the
credited years of service under the Pension Plan at December 31,
1994, for each of the executive officers of BancTEXAS named in the
Summary Compensation Table are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994
Compensation Credited Years
Covered by the of Service at
Name of Individual Pension Plan December 31,1994
------------------ -------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
Nathan C. Collins $150,000 7
David F. Weaver 107,500 7
Richard H. Braucher 91,800 16
</TABLE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee of BancTEXAS is comprised of its entire
Board of Directors. During 1994, Nathan C. Collins served as Chairman of the
Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of BancTEXAS. Mr. Collins
refrained from voting on matters affecting his compensation in that capacity.
None of the current directors of BancTEXAS has ever been compensated as an
executive officer of the Company. The purpose of the Compensation Committee
is to consider the levels and components of executive compensation relative
to those generally available in its market place, to the overall long-term
objectives of BancTEXAS and to the interest of its shareholders. By
maintaining appropriate balance in these factors, the Committee believes that
it will be most effective in attracting and retaining well-qualified
executives who will be capable of contributing to the success of BancTEXAS.
The paramount objective of BancTEXAS is building the long-term value of
the shareholders' investment, within the framework of operating the
subsidiary financial institutions in a safe and sound manner. This is
accomplished by achieving substantial improvements and consistency in
earnings, strengthening the subsidiary banking franchise, and entering into
strategic, economically-viable acquisitions of other financial institutions.
Consequently, the compensation of executives should be structured to attract
individuals capable in contributing to the achievement of these objectives
and to align the welfare of those individuals with that of the shareholders.
The Committee periodically reviews the various components of the
Company's executive compensation programs as outlined below:
BASE SALARY. In determining the appropriate base salaries of its
executive officers, the Committee evaluates the performance of BancTEXAS,
considering general business and industry
-17-
<PAGE> 21
conditions, among other factors, and the contributions of specific executives
toward that performance. Particular measurements to which the Committee
assigns significance are net income, earnings per share, expense control, net
interest margin, regulatory reports and the performance of the Company's
stock. The Committee also evaluates each officer's areas of responsibility
and the Company's performance in those areas. Finally, the Company considers
the level of compensation paid comparable executives by other financial
institutions of comparable size in its market places.
BONUS. The Committee may elect to award bonuses to selected executive
officers based largely upon the same criteria as the evaluations of base
salaries, emphasizing the need to maintain competitive compensation packages
and the desire to recognize outstanding performance by the officers.
STOCK OPTION PROGRAM. The Committee recognizes that one way to
align the interests of BancTEXAS' executive officers with those of its
shareholders is the encouragement of ownership of BancTEXAS stock through
stock options granted under its 1990 Stock Option Plan. Under this Plan,
executive officers are eligible to receive stock options from time to time,
giving them the right to purchase shares of common stock of BancTEXAS at a
specified price in the future. Considering the number of options granted
prior to 1993, no new options have subsequently been granted.
The difficulties which BancTEXAS experienced in recent years has
limited its success in accomplishing the Company's objectives. As a result
of the private placement of Class B Common Stock in 1994, BancTEXAS was in a
better position to direct its attention toward the future development of the
Company. In anticipation of this, the Committee began re-examining its
benefit programs during 1994, and restructuring or eliminating certain of
them which it believed to be excessively expensive for the benefits provided.
This process resulted in the discontinuation of the accumulation of benefits
under the BancTEXAS defined benefit pension plan, the elimination of Company
contributions for coverage of new retirees under the BancTEXAS
post-retirement health care and life insurance plans and the increase in the
Company matching contribution under the 401(k) Plan. Furthermore, after the
completion of the private placement, various functions within BancTEXAS were
eliminated, or combined with those of First Banks, resulting in significant
staff reductions and organizational restructuring.
During the fourth quarter of 1994, the Committee determined that,
considering the factors discussed above and the magnitude of organizational
change which was occurring within BancTEXAS, adjustments of bases salaries of
the executive officers and granting of bonuses were not appropriate at that
time. Consequently, any such adjustments were deferred by the Committee
until the performance of BancTEXAS, based on the criteria above, suggested
that they were warranted.
During 1994, no executive officer of BancTEXAS served as (i) a member
of the Compensation Committee, or any other committee performing comparable
functions, of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the
Company's Compensation Committee, (ii)
-18-
<PAGE> 22
a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the
Company's Compensation Committee, or a member of the Compensation Committee,
or (iii) any other committee performing comparable functions, of another
entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director of the Company.
COMPENSATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. Mr. Collins' compensation in
1994 was paid pursuant to an employment contract that called for an annual
salary of $250,000 and a bonus to be paid if certain financial goals had been
attained. In recognition of the difficulties being experienced by BancTEXAS
in achieving profitability, Mr. Collins proposed that his salary for 1994 be
reduced to $200,000, without otherwise waiving contractual rights that he had,
and he was paid a $200,000 salary, with no bonus, in 1994. Mr. Collins also
received a severance payment in the amount of $500,000 on January 2, 1995 (see
"Acquisition of Control by First Banks").
THE FOREGOING REPORT HAS BEEN PRESENTED BY THE ENTIRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CONSISTING OF MESSRS. BLAKE, CROCCO, DIERBERG, STORY AND TURKCAN.
PROPOSED CHANGE OF NAME TO "FIRST BANKS AMERICA, INC."
The Board of Directors has approved and recommends that stockholders
vote in favor of an amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation") changing the name of the
Company to "First Banks America, Inc."
The current corporate name was selected during a period in which the
Company's focus was on competing with other banking organizations based and
operating solely in Texas. Until the latter half of the 1980's, Texas and
federal law generally precluded banking organizations located in other states
from engaging in banking activities or operating banks or branches in Texas,
and Texas banks were generally precluded from participating in banking
activities or operating banks or branches in other states.
However, most of these restrictions have been eliminated as a result of
many factors, including federal legislation, and the Company now competes
with national, regional and "super-regional" banking organizations, as well
as other types of financial services companies. The Company has benefitted
from the erosion of restrictions on interstate banking, in that in 1994 it
received a $30 million capital infusion and became affiliated with First
Banks, a larger bank holding company with significantly greater capital
resources, assets, customers and banking operations.
The Company has historically devoted all of its acquisition efforts to
banks in Texas. However, after discussing possible combinations with several
prospective acquisition candidates in the Dallas and Houston, Texas market
areas, the Company determined that the pricing expectations of potential
sellers in those markets and the prices which have recently been paid for
Texas banks generally have been higher than the Company's assessment of the
fair value of
-19-
<PAGE> 23
the institutions involved. Accordingly, management and the Board of Directors
have decided, without ruling out future Texas transactions, to pursue
potential banking acquisitions in other markets.
The new corporate name "First Banks America, Inc." is intended to
reflect the potential operations of the Company and subsidiary banks in
diverse banking markets, as well as to emphasize the affiliation with First
Banks.
The favorable vote of the holders of a majority of all outstanding
stock entitled to vote, including the Common Stock and the Class B Common
Stock, is necessary in order to approve the change in the Company's name.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that the stockholders
vote FOR the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation changing the
Corporation's name to "First Banks America, Inc."
PROPOSED REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
The Board of Directors has approved and recommends that stockholders
vote in favor of amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation effecting a
one-for-fifteen reverse stock split of the Company's Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock. The principal purpose of this reverse stock split is to revise
the Company's capital structure to reduce the number of shares outstanding,
increase the value of the resulting shares, and thereby enhance the market
for the Company's securities. The reverse stock split will not materially
affect the stockholders' equity of the Company. The complete text of Article
Fourth of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation as the same would read
after approval of the proposed amendments is set forth as Appendix I to this
Proxy Statement, and the discussion which follows is qualified by reference
to the text of the Article, as amended.
The effect of the reverse stock split will be to convert each share of
Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the reverse split (the "Old
Shares") into one-fifteenth that number of shares after the reverse stock
split (the "New Shares"), with an identical effect on the outstanding Class B
Common Stock. No fractional New Shares will be issued. In lieu of
fractional shares, each stockholder whose Old Shares are not evenly divisible
by fifteen will receive an appropriate whole number of New Shares plus cash
equal to the value of the fraction of a New Share surrendered. That value
will be determined by multiplying the closing price of a New Share on the
first trading day following the effective date of the reverse stock split by
the fraction of a New Share surrendered.
The Common Stock and Class B Common Stock issued pursuant to the
reverse split will be fully paid and nonassessable. The voting and other
rights that presently characterize the Common Stock and Class B Common Stock
will not be altered by the reverse split, and the relationship between the
Common Stock and Class B Common Stock will not be affected. Similarly,
outstanding rights to acquire Common Stock such as stock options, rights to
convert
-20-
<PAGE> 24
debentures of a subsidiary of BancTEXAS into shares of Common Stock,
and warrants to purchase Common Stock will be automatically adjusted to
enable the holders thereof to obtain the same relative ownership interest in
the Company upon exercise as was the case before the date on which the
reverse stock split becomes effective (the "Effective Date"). Delaware law
does not provide a right of appraisal for stockholders who dissent from the
proposed reverse stock split.
There are several reasons why the reverse stock split is recommended.
The Company's strategy for the long-term growth includes as an important
component the ability to acquire additional financial institutions. In
negotiating the structure of potential acquisitions, it is desirable for the
Company to be flexible in its ability to offer cash or the Company's stock,
as sellers in different financial circumstances may desire one or another
form of consideration. In discussions with acquisition candidates, the
Company has encountered some resistance to acceptance of its Common Stock
from potential sellers. Much of this resistance appears to arise from the
low trading price for the Common Stock over the last several years and the
concern that this low price is a negative reflection on the Company's
prospects and investment quality.
The reverse split is intended to enhance the acceptability of the
Common Stock to potential sellers as well as the financial community and
investing public generally. The reduction in the number of issued and
outstanding shares of Common Stock caused by the reverse split is expected to
increase the market price of each outstanding share. The Board of Directors
also believes that the proposed reverse split can result in a broader market
for the Common Stock than that which currently exists. A variety of
brokerage house policies and practices tend to discourage individual brokers
from dealing with low priced stocks. Some of those policies and practices
pertain to the payment of broker's commissions and to time- consuming
procedures that make the handling of low priced stocks economically
unattractive to brokers. In addition, the structure of trading commissions
also tends to have an adverse impact upon holders of low priced stock because
the brokerage commission on a sale of low priced stock generally represents a
higher percentage of the sales price than the commission on a relatively
higher priced issue. The proposed reverse split may result in a price level
for the Common Stock that would reduce the effect of the above-referenced
policies and practices of brokerage firms and diminish the adverse impact of
trading commissions on the market for the Common Stock. An increased price
level may also encourage interest and trading in the Common Stock and
possibly promote greater liquidity for the Company's stockholders, although
such liquidity could also be adversely affected by the reduced number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding after the reverse split.
The reverse stock split will also reduce the Company's costs somewhat
by reducing the number of stockholders. Those stockholders who own fewer
than fifteen (15) shares, and who do not have an economic means of selling
their shares because of commissions that would be payable in a sale, will
receive cash and thereby liquidate their holdings. The Company will save
some printing and mailing costs to the extent that the overall number of
stockholders is reduced.
-21-
<PAGE> 25
BancTEXAS intends to apply to the NYSE for listing of the New Shares of
Common Stock and has reserved the trading symbol "FBA" for use after the name
change and the reverse stock split have been effected.
There can be no assurance that the effects outlined above will occur.
In particular, the market price per New Share after the reverse split will
not necessarily be fifteen times the market price per Old Share before the
reverse split. Further, there is no assurance that the market for the Common
Stock will be improved or broadened.
The Company has authorized capital stock of 100,000,000 shares of
Common Stock and 60,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock (as well as
3,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, none of which are outstanding). The
authorized Common Stock and Class B Common Stock will be reduced
proportionately by reason of the reverse split, and the $.01 par value per
share of each class of stock will be increased to $.15. As of the Record
Date, the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock was
- ----------------------. The following table illustrates the principal
effects of the reverse split and decrease in outstanding Common Stock and
Class B Common Stock, assuming no additional shares are issued prior to
the Effective Date:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Old Shares New Shares
Shares of Prior to Proposed After Proposed
Common Stock Reverse Split Reverse Split
------------ ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Authorized 100,000,000 6,666,666
Outstanding --------------------- -----------------<F1>
Shares of Class B
Common Stock
------------
Authorized 60,000,000 4,000,000
Outstanding 37,500,000 2,500,000
<FN>
- -------------------------
<F1> The exact number of outstanding New Shares will vary depending on the number cancelled
as a result of issuing cash in lieu of fractional shares.
</TABLE>
As soon as practicable after the Effective Date, the Company will send
a letter of transmittal to each holder of record of Old Shares of Common
Stock. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions for the surrender
of certificate(s) representing Old Shares to Chemical Bank, the Company's
exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent"). Upon proper completion and execution
of the letter of transmittal and return thereof to the Exchange Agent,
together with the certificate(s) representing Old Shares, a stockholder will
be entitled to receive a certificate representing the number of New Shares of
Common Stock into which his Old Shares have been reclassified as a result of
the reverse split. Until a certificate representing Old Shares has been
surrendered, the certificate will represent the right to receive an
appropriate number of New
-22
<PAGE> 26
Shares and the amount of cash to be paid for any fractional New Share
surrendered.
Stockholders should not submit any certificates until requested to do
so. No new Certificate will be issued to a stockholder until he has
surrendered his outstanding certificate(s), together with the properly
completed and executed letter of transmittal, to the Exchange Agent.
Shortly after the Effective Date, First Banks, as owner of all of the
outstanding Class B Common Stock, will exchange its existing certificate for
a new certificate representing 2,500,000 New Shares of Class B Common Stock.
The Company has not sought and will not seek an opinion of counsel or a
ruling from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the federal income tax
consequences of the reverse split. The Company believes that any income tax
effect of the reverse stock split will not be substantial. The receipt of
Common Stock in the reverse stock split should not result in any taxable gain
or loss to stockholders for federal income tax purposes. If the reverse
stock split is effected, the tax basis of the New Shares received will be
equal, in the aggregate, to the basis of the Old Shares exchanged. For tax
purposes, the holding period of the shares immediately prior to the Effective
Date will be included in the holding period of the New Shares received as a
result of the reverse stock split. Stockholders who receive cash in lieu of
a fractional New Share will be treated for income tax purposes as receiving
cash as payment for the surrendered fractional share, and they will recognize
capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount
of cash received and the adjusted basis of the fractional share surrendered.
The Board of Directors may abandon the proposed reverse split at any
time before or after the Annual Meeting and prior to the Effective Date if
for any reason it deems it advisable to do so. The Board of Directors may
consider abandoning the proposed reverse split if it determines that the
reverse split would adversely effect the ability of the Company to raise
capital or the liquidity of the Common Stock, among other considerations. In
addition, the Board of Directors may make any changes to the amendments to
the Certificate of Incorporation that it deems necessary to file the
amendments with the Secretary of State and give effect to the reverse split.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock, and a majority of the outstanding Class B Common Stock, each voting
separately as a class, is required to approve the amendments effecting the
reverse split. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of the
reverse stock split.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act") requires the executive officers And directors Of BancTEXAS, and persons
who beneficially own more than ten percent of a registered class of its
equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange.
Based solely upon a review of the reports received by BancTEXAS and the
written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were
required for such persons,
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<PAGE> 27
BancTEXAS believes That during the year ended December 31, 1994 all executive
officers, directors and ten percent beneficial owners complied with the
applicable filing requirements.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
On September 23, 1994, BancTEXAS engaged the accounting firm of KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP ("Peat Marwick") to audit the Company's financial
statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994 to replace the firm
of Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte & Touche"), which had been the
principal independent accountant for the Company's certified financial
statements since 1987.
In connection with the audits of the last two fiscal years, ended
December 31, 1993, and the subsequent interim periods preceding the
appointment of Peat Marwick, there were no disagreements with Deloitte &
Touche on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements if
not resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte & Touche would have caused that
firm to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in
connection with its reports.
As a result of the completion of a private placement on August 31,
1994, in which the Company sold 37.5 million shares of its Class B Common
Stock to First Banks for $30 million and First Banks thereby acquired the
right to vote securities of the Company equal to 65% of all of its
outstanding voting securities, and the fact that Peat Marwick has for several
years served as independent certifying accountant for First Banks and all of
its subsidiaries, the Company requested both Deloitte & Touche and Peat
Marwick to submit bids and proposals to do the necessary accounting and
auditing work for 1994. After review and consideration, Deloitte & Touche
determined that it did not desire to submit such a bid and declined to stand
for reappointment as independent certifying accountant, stating that it did
not believe that it was in a position to submit a proposal which would be
competitive economically, in light of the expected consolidation of many of
the Company's operational functions into the comparable operations of First
Banks.
After reviewing the bid and proposal submitted by Peat Marwick, the
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors recommended that Peat Marwick be
selected as auditor for the Company's financial statements for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 1994, and the Board of Directors unanimously
approved that recommendation.
Deloitte & Touche's report on the financial statements of the Company
for the past two fiscal years contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of
opinion and was not qualified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting
principles.
Representatives of Peat Marwick are expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting and such representatives will have the opportunity to make a
statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to
appropriate questions.
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OTHER BUSINESS
Management knows of no other business to be presented at the Annual
Meeting. If, however, other matters should properly be presented at the
Annual Meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof, the person or persons voting
the proxy will vote as in his discretion he may deem appropriate.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, stockholders may present proper proposals for inclusion in
BancTEXAS's proxy statement for consideration at its Annual Meeting of
Stockholders by submitting proposals to BancTEXAS in a timely manner. In
order to be so included for the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders,
stockholder proposals must have been received by BancTEXAS by December 31,
1995 and must otherwise comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 and with
the Company's By-laws.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
ALLEN H. BLAKE
Secretary
Houston, Texas
July ------, 1995
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<PAGE> 29
APPENDIX I
FOURTH: (A) The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock
which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is thirteen million six
hundred sixty-six thousand six hundred sixty-six (13,666,666) shares consisting
of (a) three million (3,000,000) shares of a class designated as Preferred
Stock, par value $1.00 per share ("Preferred Stock"), (b) six million six
hundred sixty-six thousand six hundred sixty-six (6,666,666) shares of a
class designated Common Stock, par value $0.15 per share ("Common Stock"),
and (c) four million (4,000,000) shares of a class designated Class B
Common Stock, par value $0.15 per share ("Class B Common Stock").
(B) The designations and the powers, preferences, rights,
qualifications, limitations, and restrictions of the Preferred Stock, the
Common Stock, and the Class B Common Stock are as follows:
1. Provisions Relating to the Preferred Stock. Shares of Preferred
Stock may be issued in one or more series as determined from time to time by
the Board of Directors. All shares of any one series of Preferred Stock will
be identical, except as to the dates of issue and the dates from which
dividends on shares of the series issued on different dates will cumulate, if
dividends on the shares of such series are cumulative. Authority is hereby
expressly granted to the Board of Directors to authorize the issuance of one
or more series of Preferred Stock, and to fix by one or more resolutions
providing for the issuance of each such series the voting powers,
designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional, redemption,
conversion, exchange or other special rights, qualifications, limitations or
restrictions of such series, and the number of shares in such series, to the
full extent now or hereafter permitted by law.
2. Provisions Relating to the Common Stock and the Class B Common
Stock.
(a) General. Except as otherwise provided herein, or as otherwise
provided by applicable law, all shares of Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock shall have identical rights and privileges in every respect.
(b) Voting. The Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock shall each
be fully voting stock entitled to one vote per share with respect to the
election of directors and for all other purposes. The holders of Common Stock
and Class B Common Stock shall, unless otherwise required by law or by
another provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, vote as a single
class on all matters. In all elections for directors of the Corporation, each
stockholder shall have the right to cast as many votes in the aggregate as
shall equal the number of voting shares held by such stockholder in the
Corporation, multiplied by the number of directors to be elected by the class
to which such stockholder belongs at such election, and each stockholder may
cast the whole number of votes, either in person or by proxy, for one
candidate or distribute them among two or more candidates.
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<PAGE> 30
(c) Dividends. Subject to the limitations prescribed herein, holders
of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall participate equally in any
dividends (whether payable in cash, stock or property) when and as declared
by the Board of Directors of the Corporation out of the assets of the
Corporation legally available therefor and the Corporation shall treat the
Common Stock and Class B Common Stock identically in respect of any
subdivisions or combinations (for example, if the Corporation effects a
two-for-one stock split with respect to the Common Stock, it shall at the same
time effect a two-for-one stock split with respect to the Class B Common
Stock); provided, however, that (i) with respect to dividends payable in cash
by the Corporation, the holders of Class B Common Stock shall participate
equally per share only if and to the extent such cash dividends exceed $0.45
per share on the Common Stock per calendar year (for example, if the Board of
Directors declares and the Corporation pays a dividend of $0.75 per share of
Common Stock for a given calendar year, holders of Class B Common Stock shall
be entitled to a dividend of $0.30 per share); and (ii) dividends payable in
shares of Common Stock (or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of
Common Stock or securities or indebtedness convertible into shares of Common
Stock) shall be paid only on shares of Common Stock and dividends payable in
shares of Class B Common Stock (or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares
of Class B Common Stock or securities or indebtedness convertible into shares
of Class B Common Stock) shall be paid only on shares of Class B Common Stock
(for example, if the Board of Directors declares and the Corporation pays a
five percent (5%) stock dividend on the Common Stock, payable in shares of
Common Stock, at the same time the Board of Directors shall declare and the
Corporation shall pay a five percent (5%) stock dividend on the Class B
Common Stock payable in shares of Class B Common Stock).
(d) Liquidation. In the event the Corporation is liquidated,
dissolved or wound up, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of
the Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock shall participate equally in
any distribution.
(e) Voluntary Conversion of Class B Common Stock.
(i) Conversion Rights. Each share of Class B Common Stock
may be converted into one (1) share of Common Stock at the option
of any holder thereof at any time after the fifth (5th) anniversary
of the date of its issuance by the Corporation. For the foregoing
purpose, a share of Class B Common Stock issued as a stock
dividend or pursuant to a stock split, reclassification or other
combination, shall be deemed to have been issued on the date of
the share of Class B Common Stock with respect to which it is so
issued.
(ii) Conversion Procedures. Any holder of Class B Common
Stock desiring to exercise such holder's option to convert such
Class B Common Stock in accordance with the foregoing shall
surrender the certificate or certificates representing the Class B
Common Stock to be converted, duly endorsed to the Corporation
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<PAGE> 31
or in blank, at the principal executive office of the Corporation,
and shall give written notice to the Corporation at such office
that such holder elects to convert the number of shares
represented by such certificate or certificates, or a specified
number thereof. As promptly as practicable after the surrender for
conversion of any Class B Common Stock, the Corporation shall
execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered to the
holder of such Class B Common Stock certificates representing the
shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion. In case any
certificate or certificates representing shares of Class B Common
Stock shall be surrendered for conversion for only a part of the
shares represented thereby, the Corporation shall execute and
deliver to the holders of the certificate or certificates for
shares of Class B Common Stock so surrendered a new certificate or
certificates representing the shares of Class B Common Stock not
converted, dated the same date as the certificate or certificates
representing the Common Stock. Shares of the Class B Common Stock
converted as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been converted
immediately prior to the close of business on the date such shares
are duly surrendered for conversion, and the person or persons
entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such
conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the recordholder
or holders of such shares of Common Stock as of such date.
(iii) Recapitalization, Consolidation, or Merger of the
Corporation. In the event that the Corporation shall be
recapitalized, consolidated with, or merged with or into any other
corporation (a "Reorganization") and the terms thereof shall provide
(i) that the Class B Common Stock shall remain outstanding after
such Reorganization and (ii) for any change in or conversion of
the Common Stock, then the terms of such Reorganization shall
include a provision to the effect that each share of Class B
Common Stock after such Reorganization shall thereafter be
entitled to receive upon conversion the same kind and amount of
securities or assets as shall be distributable upon such
Reorganization with respect to one share of Common Stock.
(iv) Reservation of Shares. The Corporation shall at all
times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but
unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting
the conversion of Class B Common Stock as herein provided, such
number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be
sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of
Class B Common Stock and shall take all such corporate action as may
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<PAGE> 32
be necessary to assure that such shares of Common Stock may be
validly and legally issued upon conversion of all of the outstanding
shares of Class B Common Stock; and if, at any time the number of
authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be
sufficient to effect the conversion of the Class B Common Stock, the
Corporation shall take such corporate action as may be necessary to
increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such
number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose.
(v) Retirement of Shares. Shares of Class B Common Stock
which have been issued and have been converted into Common Stock,
repurchased, or reacquired in any other manner by the Corporation
shall not be reissued.
(f) Mandatory Conversion of Class B Common Stock. If, at any time
while there are shares of Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding, it
shall be determined by the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, that
legislation or regulations are enacted or any judicial or administrative
determination is made which would prohibit the listing, quotation or trading
of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange or the National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System, or would
otherwise have a material adverse effect on the Corporation, in any such case
due to the Corporation having more than one class of common shares
outstanding, then the Board of Directors may by resolution convert all
outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Common Stock on a
share-for-share basis. To the extent practicable, notice of such conversion
of Class B Common Stock specifying the date fixed for said conversion shall
be mailed, postage pre-paid, at least ten (10) days but not more than thirty
(30) days prior to said conversion date to the holders of record of Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock at their respective addresses as the same
shall appear on the books of the Corporation; provided, however, that no
failure or inability to provide such notice shall limit the authority or
ability of the Board of Directors to convert all outstanding shares of Class
B Common Stock into shares of Common Stock. Immediately prior to the close of
business on said conversion date (or, if said conversion date is not a
business day, on the next succeeding business day) each outstanding share of
Class B Common Stock shall thereupon automatically be converted into a share
of Common Stock and each certificate theretofore representing shares of Class
B Common Stock shall thereupon and thereafter represent a like number of
shares of Common Stock.
(g) Class Voting Under Certain Circumstances. None of the provisions
hereof affecting the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations
or restrictions of the Class B Common Stock may be amended or repealed
unless, in addition to any other vote required by law or this Certificate of
Incorporation, such amendment shall be approved by the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the shares of the Common Stock then outstanding,
voting as a separate class.
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<PAGE> 33
3. General. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Certificate
of Incorporation, the Corporation may issue shares of its Preferred Stock,
Common Stock, and Class B Common Stock from time to time for such
consideration (not less than the par value thereof) as may be fixed by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation, which is expressly authorized to fix
the same in its absolute and uncontrolled discretion, subject to the
foregoing conditions. Shares so issued for which the consideration shall have
been paid or delivered to the Corporation shall be deemed fully paid stock
and shall not be liable to any further call or assessment thereon, and the
holders of such shares shall not be liable for any further payments in
respect of such shares.
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<PAGE> 34
PRELIMINARY COPY
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PROXY
BANCTEXAS GROUP INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS--AUGUST 23, 1995
The undersigned hereby appoints Allen H. Blake and Mark T. Turkcan, and
each of them with full power of substitution, the attorney and proxy of the
undersigned to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of BancTEXAS Group
Inc. ("BTX") to be held in Clayton, Missouri on August 23, 1995, at 10:00 a.m.
local time and at any adjournment thereof, and to vote the stock of the
undersigned with all powers the undersigned would possess if present upon the
following matters and upon any other business that may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The proxy when properly executed will be voted as specified herein. If no
specification is made with respect to any particular proposal, it is the
intention of the proxies to vote FOR each of the following proposals.
SEE REVERSE SIDE
<PAGE> 35
---------------------------
COMMON
1. Election of Directors
FOR AGAINST WITHHOLD
all all all
nominees nominees nominees
/ / / / / /
NOMINEES: Allen H. Blake, Charles A. Crocco, Jr., James F. Dierberg, Edward
T. Story, Jr., Mark T. Turkcan, Donald D. Williams
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write
that nominee's name below:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
2. To approve change of name to "First Banks America, Inc."
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
/ / / / / /
3. To approve reverse stock sp8it.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
/ / / / / /
4. In their discretion, upon any other matters which may
properly come before the meeting or any adjournments
thereof, hereby revoking any proxy heretofore given by
the undersigned for such meeting.
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Signature
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Signature if owned jointly
Dated:
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