<PAGE>
PRELIMINARY COPY - SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14A-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant / /
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant /x/
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement / / Confidential, for the use of the Commission
only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
/ / Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/x/ Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12
DIME BANCORP, INC.
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(Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)
NORTH FORK BANCORPORATION, INC.
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/x/ No fee required.
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
to Exchange Act Rule 0-11: (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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5) Total fee paid:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount previously paid:
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.
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3) Filing party:
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4) Date filed:
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PRELIMINARY COPY - SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
[NORTH FORK LOGO]
NORTH FORK
BANCORPORATION, INC.
March 6, 2000
Dear Dime Stockholder:
ON MARCH 5, 2000, NORTH FORK BANCORPORATION, INC. ANNOUNCED ITS
INTENTION TO COMMENCE AN OFFER TO EXCHANGE EACH OUTSTANDING SHARE OF DIME
BANCORP, INC. COMMON STOCK FOR 0.9302 SHARES OF NORTH FORK COMMON STOCK AND
$2.00 IN CASH. Based on the closing price of North Fork's common stock on the
New York Stock Exchange on March 3, 2000, our exchange offer has a value of
$17.00 per Dime share, which represents a 41% premium over the implied value to
Dime stockholders of its proposed merger with Hudson United Bancorp (based on
the 0.60255 exchange ratio in that transaction and the $20.0625 closing price of
Hudson United common stock on March 3, 2000). We are also seeking, in connection
with the consummation of our exchange offer, to enter into an agreement with
Dime providing for a second-step merger between Dime and a wholly owned
subsidiary of North Fork in which each remaining Dime common share would be
exchanged for the same per share consideration paid to Dime stockholders in the
exchange offer. Our offer will be made by a prospectus and letter of
transmittal, which will be mailed separately to you, and will be subject to
certain conditions as described in the proxy statement accompanying this letter.
As you know, Dime has entered into a merger agreement with Hudson
United in which Dime will be the surviving corporation in the merger and will
change its name to Dime United. In the proposed merger, each outstanding share
of Dime common stock would be converted into 0.60255 shares of Dime United
common stock and each outstanding share of Hudson United common stock would be
converted into one share of Dime United common stock.
In connection with the proposed Hudson United merger, Dime has
scheduled a special meeting of stockholders to be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern
time, on March 15, 2000 at Chelsea Piers, Pier 60, 23rd and Hudson River, New
York, New York 10011. The Dime Board of Directors is soliciting your vote to
approve its proposed merger with Hudson United at that meeting. AS DISCUSSED IN
THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT, WE BELIEVE NORTH FORK'S PROPOSED EXCHANGE
OFFER AND SECOND-STEP MERGER WILL PROVIDE YOU A SIGNIFICANT PREMIUM AND GREATER
VALUE THAN THE PROPOSED HUDSON UNITED/DIME MERGER.
WE URGE YOU TO VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED HUDSON UNITED/DIME MERGER
BECAUSE:
o The North Fork offer provides a significant premium and more value for
your Dime shares than the proposed Hudson United merger. Based on the
closing price for North Fork Common Stock on the last trading day
prior to the date of this Proxy Statement, our offer provides you with
$17.00 per share in value, representing a premium of $4.91 per share
(or approximately 41%) over the implied value of the
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proposed Hudson United/Dime merger, based on the closing price of
Hudson United common stock on the last trading day prior to the date
of this Proxy Statement.
o One of the conditions of our offer is that the Hudson United/Dime
merger NOT be approved by the stockholders of Dime. As a result, for
you to have an opportunity to exchange your Dime shares for the
consideration to be offered in the North Fork offer, the proposed
Hudson United/Dime merger MUST NOT be approved by the holders of a
majority of the shares of Dime common stock.
o Your vote AGAINST the Hudson United/Dime merger will send a strong
message to the Dime Board of Directors that you want to preserve your
opportunity to accept the superior value represented by North Fork's
offer.
YOUR VOTE IS ESSENTIAL! IF YOU WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER THE
NORTH FORK OFFER, VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED HUDSON UNITED/DIME MERGER BY
SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE ACCOMPANYING GOLD PROXY CARD TODAY.
Even if you previously have submitted a proxy card furnished by the
Dime Board, it is not too late to change your vote by simply signing, dating and
returning the enclosed GOLD proxy card today.
WE URGE YOU TO PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS -- PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN
THE GOLD PROXY CARD TODAY.
Thank you for your consideration and support.
Sincerely,
/s/ John Adam Kanas
------------------------------------------
John Adam Kanas
Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer
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IMPORTANT
1. If your Dime shares are held in your own name, please sign, date and mail
the enclosed GOLD proxy card to D.F. King & Co., Inc. ("D.F. King") in the
postage-paid envelope provided.
2. If your Dime shares are held in "street-name," only your broker or bank can
vote your shares and only upon receipt of your specific instructions. If
your shares are held in "street-name," deliver the enclosed GOLD proxy card
to your broker or bank and contact the person responsible for your account
to vote on your behalf and to ensure that a GOLD proxy card is submitted on
your behalf. North Fork urges you to confirm in writing your instructions
to the person responsible for your account and to provide a copy of those
instructions to North Fork in care of D.F. King & Co., Inc., 77 Water
Street, New York, NY 10005 so that North Fork will be aware of all
instructions given and can attempt to ensure that such instructions are
followed.
3. Only stockholders of record on February 4, 2000 are entitled to vote at the
special meeting of Dime stockholders. North Fork urges each stockholder to
ensure that the record holder of his or her shares signs, dates and returns
the enclosed proxy card as soon as possible.
Do not sign or return any proxy card you may receive from Dime.
If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your shares, please
call:
D.F. KING & CO., INC.
77 Water Street
New York, New York 10005
Toll Free: 1-800-755-7250
THIS PROXY STATEMENT RELATES SOLELY TO THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES IN
OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED HUDSON UNITED/DIME MERGER AND IS NEITHER AN OFFER TO
SELL ANY SHARES OF NORTH FORK COMMON STOCK NOR A REQUEST FOR THE TENDER OF DIME
COMMON STOCK. THE NORTH FORK EXCHANGE OFFER WILL BE REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND WILL BE MADE ONLY BY MEANS OF A PROSPECTUS AND
RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO BE MAILED SEPARATELY TO DIME STOCKHOLDERS.
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PRELIMINARY COPY - SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF
DIME BANCORP, INC.
TO BE HELD ON MARCH 15, 2000
PROXY STATEMENT
OF
NORTH FORK BANCORPORATION, INC.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED MERGER OF
DIME BANCORP, INC. AND HUDSON UNITED BANCORP
This Proxy Statement and the enclosed GOLD proxy card are furnished by
North Fork Bancorporation, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("North Fork"), in
connection with its solicitation of proxies to be used at a special meeting (the
"Special Meeting") of stockholders of Dime Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Dime"), to be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, on March 15, 2000 and at any
adjournments, postponements or reschedulings thereof. The Special Meeting is
scheduled to be held at Chelsea Piers, Pier 60, 23rd and Hudson River, New York,
New York 10011. Pursuant to this Proxy Statement, North Fork is soliciting
proxies from holders of shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of
Dime ("Dime Common Stock") to vote AGAINST the proposed merger of Hudson United
Bancorp, a New Jersey corporation ("Hudson"), with and into Dime (such proposed
merger, the "Proposed Hudson United Merger"). Dime has set February 4, 2000 as
the record date for determining those stockholders who will be entitled to vote
at the Special Meeting. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed GOLD proxy are
first being sent or given to stockholders of Dime on or about March , 2000. The
principal executive offices of Dime are located at 589 Fifth Avenue, New York,
New York 10017.
THE NORTH FORK OFFER
On March 5, 2000, North Fork announced its intention to commence an
offer (the "North Fork Offer" or the "Offer") to exchange each outstanding share
of Dime Common Stock for 0.9302 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per
share, of North Fork ("North Fork Common Stock") and $2.00 in cash. Based on the
closing price of North Fork Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE")
on March 3, 2000, the North Fork Offer has a value of $17.00 per Dime share,
which represents a 31% premium over the closing price of Dime's stock on the
NYSE on March 3, 2000, and a 41% premium over the implied value of the Proposed
Hudson United Merger of $12.09 (based on the 0.60255 exchange ratio in that
transaction and the $20.0625 closing price of Hudson United common stock on
March 3, 2000). The terms and conditions of the North Fork Offer will be set
forth in a prospectus to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") and mailed to you separately.
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North Fork is seeking, upon the valid termination of the merger
agreement between Hudson United and Dime, to negotiate a definitive merger
agreement with Dime pursuant to which Dime would, as soon as practicable
following the completion of the North Fork Offer, merge with a wholly owned
subsidiary of North Fork (the "Proposed North Fork Merger"). The purpose of the
North Fork Offer and the Proposed North Fork Merger is to enable North Fork to
acquire control of, and ultimately the entire equity interest in, Dime. The
North Fork Offer, as the first step in North Fork's proposed acquisition of
Dime, is intended to facilitate the acquisition of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Dime Common Stock. The purpose of the Proposed North Fork Merger is to
acquire all shares of Dime Common Stock not exchanged pursuant to the North Fork
Offer or otherwise. Pursuant to the Proposed North Fork Merger, each then
outstanding share of Dime Common Stock (other than shares owned by North Fork
and shares held in the treasury of Dime), would be converted into the right to
receive 0.9302 shares of North Fork Common Stock and $2.00 in cash.
CONDITIONS TO THE NORTH FORK OFFER
The North Fork Offer will be conditioned upon, among other things, (1)
there being validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the
North Fork Offer that number of shares of Dime Common Stock which, together with
the shares of Dime Common Stock beneficially owned by North Fork for its own
account, constitutes a majority of the shares of Dime Common Stock outstanding
on a fully diluted basis (the "Minimum Condition"), (2) the stockholders of Dime
not having approved and adopted the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
September 15, 1999 as amended and restated on December 27, 1999, between Dime
and Hudson United (the "Hudson United Merger Agreement") in satisfaction of
Section 251 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL"), (3) North Fork
being satisfied, in its sole judgment, that the Hudson United Merger Agreement
has been validly terminated, and Dime having entered into a definitive merger
agreement with North Fork to provide for the acquisition of Dime pursuant to the
North Fork Offer and the Proposed North Fork Merger, (4) approval of the
issuance of shares of North Fork Common Stock pursuant to the North Fork Offer
by the requisite vote of holders of North Fork Common Stock under applicable
NYSE rules, (5) North Fork being satisfied, in its sole judgment, that the Dime
Stockholder Protection Rights Plan is inapplicable to the North Fork Offer and
the Proposed North Fork Merger, (6) North Fork being satisfied, in its sole
judgment, that the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL are inapplicable to the
North Fork Offer and the Proposed North Fork Merger, (7) all regulatory
approvals required to consummate the North Fork Offer having been obtained and
remaining in full force and effect without the imposition of any condition or
restriction that would be materially adverse to North Fork and Dime on a
combined basis, and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof having
expired, (8) North Fork being satisfied, in its sole judgment, that the Stock
Option Agreement, dated as of September 16, 1999 (the "Hudson United Option
Agreement"), between Hudson United and Dime has been validly terminated and that
the option issued by Dime to Hudson United thereunder has been surrendered to
Dime for an amount not to exceed $50 million in cash, and (9) Dime not having
entered into or effectuated any other agreement or transaction with any person
or entity having the effect of impairing North Fork's ability to acquire Dime or
otherwise diminishing the expected economic value to North Fork of the
acquisition of Dime.
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All conditions to the North Fork Offer must be satisfied or waived
prior to the expiration of the North Fork Offer.
The conditions described in clause (6) above would be satisfied upon
approval by Dime's Board of Directors of the North Fork Offer and the Proposed
North Fork Merger. In addition, the condition described in clause (2) above
would be satisfied if the stockholders of Dime do not approve the Hudson United
Merger Agreement.
On October 20, 1995, the Board of Directors of Dime adopted a
Stockholder Protection Rights Plan (the "Rights Plan"). Under the Rights Plan,
which expires in November 2005, the Dime Board declared a dividend of one right
on each outstanding share of Dime Common Stock, which was distributed on
November 6, 1995 to stockholders of record on that date (the "Rights"). The
Rights Plan, if not invalidated or otherwise made inapplicable to North Fork,
the North Fork Offer and the Proposed North Fork Merger, will make the
acquisition of shares of Dime Common Stock pursuant to the North Fork Offer and
the Proposed North Fork Merger impracticable. Satisfaction of condition (5) set
forth in the third preceding paragraph would require the Dime Board to redeem
the Rights, amend the Rights Plan or otherwise make the Rights Plan inapplicable
to North Fork, the North Fork Offer and the Proposed North Fork Merger.
There can be no assurance as to whether the conditions to the North
Fork Offer will be satisfied and, if so, as to the timing of satisfaction of
such conditions. While satisfaction of certain of such conditions is within the
control of the Dime Board, satisfaction of certain other conditions are outside
of the control of the Dime Board. By voting against the Proposed Hudson United
Merger, stockholders can demonstrate their support for the proposed combination
of Dime and North Fork. A vote against the Proposed Hudson United Merger moves
all Dime stockholders closer to being able to benefit from the North Fork Offer.
While North Fork is committed to helping Dime's stockholders realize
the significant premium and greater value to be offered in the North Fork Offer
and the Proposed North Fork Merger, until the conditions to the North Fork Offer
are satisfied or waived, North Fork will not purchase any Dime Common Stock
pursuant to the North Fork Offer. Accordingly, a vote for the Proposed Hudson
United Merger could leave Dime stockholders without a viable alternative for an
acquisition of Dime because North Fork will not proceed with the North Fork
Offer if the Proposed Hudson United Merger is approved by Dime stockholders.
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PROPOSED HUDSON UNITED MERGER
The Hudson United Merger Agreement provides that in the Proposed Hudson
United Merger, Dime will be the surviving corporation and will change its name
to Dime United. Each outstanding share of Dime Common Stock, other than those
beneficially owned by Dime or Hudson United, would be converted into 0.60255
shares of Dime United common stock, and each outstanding share of Hudson United
common stock, other than those beneficially owned by Dime or Hudson United,
would be converted into one share of Dime United common stock. The obligations
of Dime and
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Hudson United to complete the Proposed Hudson United Merger are subject to
various conditions, including the following: (1) approval and adoption of the
Hudson United Merger Agreement by the stockholders of Dime and Hudson United,
(2) receipt and effectiveness of all governmental and other approvals,
registrations and consents and the expiration of all related waiting periods
required to consummate the Proposed Hudson United Merger and the issuance of
Dime United common stock, and (3) the receipt by each of Dime and Hudson United
of a letter from its respective independent auditors to the effect that the
Proposed Hudson United Merger will qualify for pooling-of-interests accounting
treatment.
In connection with the execution of the Hudson United Merger Agreement,
Dime and Hudson United also entered into the Hudson United Option Agreement,
pursuant to which Dime granted to Hudson United an option (the "Hudson United
Option") to purchase 22,271,682 shares of Dime Common Stock (or approximately
19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Dime Common Stock at the time of
grant of the Hudson United Option), at an exercise price of $17.75 per share,
subject to certain adjustments.
Hudson United may exercise the Hudson United Option if both an "initial
triggering event" and a "subsequent triggering event" occur prior to the
occurrence of an event that would terminate the Hudson United Option. In light
of the public announcement of the North Fork Offer, an initial triggering event
will have occurred under the Hudson United Option Agreement if, among other
things, the Dime stockholders fail to approve and adopt the Hudson United Merger
Agreement at the Special Meeting. An initial triggering event also will have
occurred under the Hudson United Option Agreement if North Fork files a
registration statement with the Commission with respect to the North Fork Offer.
A subsequent triggering event under the Hudson United Option will have occurred
if any person acquires beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the outstanding
voting securities of Dime or if Dime enters into an agreement with respect to or
otherwise proposes or recommends any transaction with a third party (other than
Hudson United) involving a merger or consolidation of, or a sale of all or a
substantial part of the assets or deposits of or securities constituting 25% or
more of the outstanding voting power of, Dime or any of its subsidiaries.
Furthermore, under certain circumstances, Hudson United will have the right to
surrender the Hudson United Option to Dime for a cash payment of $50 million.
The foregoing description of the Hudson United Merger Agreement and the
Hudson United Option Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
full text of the Hudson United Merger Agreement and the Hudson United Option
Agreement, copies of which have been included as annexes to the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus of Dime and Hudson United, dated February 8, 2000 (the
"Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus"), included in Dime's Registration Statement
on Form S-4, filed with the Commission on February 8, 2000.
The purpose of the solicitation made by this Proxy Statement is to
enable Dime stockholders to decide for themselves whether the proposed North
Fork Offer is superior to the Proposed Hudson United Merger and to act in their
own best interests.
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IMPORTANT
IF YOU WANT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACCEPT THE NORTH FORK OFFER, WE
URGE YOU TO PROMPTLY SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY TO VOTE AGAINST
THE PROPOSED HUDSON UNITED MERGER. BECAUSE THE SPECIAL MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR
MARCH 15, 2000, WE URGE YOU TO EXECUTE AND MAIL THE GOLD PROXY CARD AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
REJECTION OF THE PROPOSED HUDSON UNITED MERGER IS A CRITICAL STEP IN
SECURING THE SUCCESS OF THE NORTH FORK OFFER. YOUR VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED
HUDSON UNITED MERGER DOES NOT OBLIGATE YOU TO TENDER YOUR SHARES PURSUANT TO THE
NORTH FORK OFFER.
EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SENT A PROXY TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
DIME, YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO CHANGE YOUR VOTE. YOU MAY REVOKE THAT PROXY AND
VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED HUDSON UNITED MERGER BY SIGNING, DATING AND MAILING
THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE IS
NECESSARY IF YOUR PROXY IS MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
THIS PROXY STATEMENT RELATES SOLELY TO THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES IN
OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED HUDSON UNITED MERGER AND IS NEITHER AN OFFER TO SELL
ANY SHARES OF NORTH FORK COMMON STOCK NOR A REQUEST FOR THE TENDER OF DIME
COMMON STOCK. THE NORTH FORK EXCHANGE OFFER WILL BE REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND WILL BE MADE ONLY BY MEANS OF A PROSPECTUS AND
RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO BE MAILED SEPARATELY TO DIME STOCKHOLDERS.
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BACKGROUND OF THE NORTH FORK OFFER
From time to time, North Fork is involved in due diligence
investigations, discussions and negotiations concerning possible business
combination transactions with other financial institutions. North Fork generally
seeks to acquire financial institutions that would (i) complement its overall
strategic focus, (ii) provide opportunities for growth in markets where the
target financial institution conducts business, and (iii) improve North Fork's
retail banking franchise.
On September 15, 1999, Dime and Hudson United announced that they had
entered into the Hudson United Merger Agreement and the Hudson United Option
Agreement. On or about February 9, 2000, Dime and Hudson United mailed the Joint
Proxy Statement/Prospectus to their respective stockholders.
Following the dissemination of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus,
representatives of North Fork and North Fork's outside financial advisors and
legal counsel held several meetings to review and discuss North Fork's strategic
options in light of the Proposed Hudson United Merger and the upcoming Special
Meeting of Dime stockholders. In addition, representatives of North Fork
initiated discussions with representatives of FleetBoston Financial Corporation
("FleetBoston") to ascertain FleetBoston's interest in making an equity
investment in North Fork in connection with the North Fork Offer. See "Certain
Arrangements with FleetBoston Financial Corporation."
On March 5, 2000, North Fork's Board of Directors (the "North Fork
Board") met to review the proposed terms of the North Fork Offer, the proxy
solicitation and the proposed arrangements with FleetBoston. Because the North
Fork Board believes that a combination of North Fork and Dime would offer
compelling benefits to both companies, their stockholders and their other
constituencies, it unanimously determined that North Fork should solicit proxies
against the Proposed Hudson United Merger, proceed with the North Fork Offer,
and initiate litigation (the "Delaware Litigation") in Delaware as described
below under "Certain Litigation." The North Fork Board also approved the
arrangements with respect to FleetBoston's equity investment in North Fork.
On March 5, 2000, North Fork signed a definitive agreement with
FleetBoston providing for an equity investment in North Fork in connection with
the North Fork Offer.
On March 5, 2000, North Fork announced its intention to commence the
North Fork Offer, to be followed by the Proposed North Fork Merger, and that
North Fork would be soliciting proxies against the Proposed Hudson United
Merger. On March 6, 2000, North Fork commenced the Delaware Litigation.
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REASONS TO VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED HUDSON UNITED MERGER
North Fork urges you to vote your shares of Dime Common Stock AGAINST
the Proposed Hudson United Merger for the following reasons:
o A VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED HUDSON UNITED MERGER GIVES YOU THE
OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A SIGNIFICANT PREMIUM FOR YOUR SHARES IN THE
NORTH FORK OFFER.
The North Fork Offer, if consummated, would provide you 0.9302 shares
of North Fork Common Stock and $2.00 in cash per share of Dime Common Stock.
Based on the closing price of North Fork Common Stock on the NYSE on March 3,
2000, the North Fork Offer has a value of $17.00 per Dime share. In the Proposed
Hudson United Merger you will receive shares of Dime United which have an
implied value of $12.09 based on the exchange ratios in the Proposed Hudson
United Merger and the closing price of Hudson United common stock on March 3,
2000. The North Fork Offer represents a premium of $4.91 per share of Dime
Common Stock, or approximately 41% over the implied value of the Proposed Hudson
United Merger.
o A VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED HUDSON UNITED MERGER SENDS A STRONG
MESSAGE TO THE DIME BOARD OF DIRECTORS THAT YOU WANT TO PRESERVE YOUR
OPPORTUNITY TO ACCEPT THE NORTH FORK OFFER.
By voting against the Proposed Hudson United Merger, stockholders can
demonstrate their support for the proposed combination of Dime and North Fork. A
vote against the Proposed Hudson United Merger moves Dime stockholders closer to
being able to benefit from the North Fork Offer.
A vote against the Proposed Hudson United Merger will not obligate you
to tender your shares of Dime Common Stock pursuant to the North Fork Offer.
However, it will give you an opportunity to decide for yourself whether the
North Fork Offer is in your best interest. On the other hand, if Dime
stockholders approve the Proposed Hudson United Merger, it is likely that the
Proposed Hudson United Merger will be consummated.
o A VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED HUDSON UNITED MERGER WILL SATISFY ONE OF
THE CONDITIONS TO THE NORTH FORK OFFER.
One condition of the North Fork Offer is that Dime stockholders do not
approve the Hudson United Merger. North Fork will not acquire any Dime Common
Stock in the North Fork Offer unless this condition is satisfied. Thus, a vote
against the Hudson United Merger moves all Dime stockholders closer to being
able to receive the North Fork Common Stock and cash to be offered
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<PAGE>
in the North Fork Offer. For a description of certain other conditions to the
North Fork Offer, see "Conditions to the North Fork Offer."
While North Fork is committed to helping Dime stockholders realize the
significant premium and greater value of the North Fork transaction, until the
conditions to the North Fork Offer are satisfied or waived, North Fork will not
purchase any Dime Common Stock pursuant to the North Fork Offer. Accordingly, a
vote for the Proposed Hudson United Merger could leave Dime stockholders without
a viable alternative to the Proposed Hudson United Merger because North Fork
will not proceed with the North Fork Offer if the Proposed Hudson United Merger
is approved by Dime stockholders.
OBSTACLES TO THE NORTH FORK OFFER CREATED BY
THE DIME BOARD OF DIRECTORS
You should be aware that the Board of Directors of Dime has taken
several actions in connection with the Proposed Hudson United Merger which
create barriers against any competing proposals (including the North Fork Offer)
and thus hinder your ability to receive greater value for your Dime Common
Stock.
THE DIME BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS AGREED TO IGNORE SUPERIOR PROPOSALS. In
the Hudson United Merger Agreement, Dime has agreed that from the date of
execution of the Hudson United Merger Agreement until the closing of the
Proposed Hudson United Merger or the termination of the Hudson United Merger
Agreement, Dime may not enter into any discussions with or furnish any
confidential information to any person making an offer to merge with or acquire
Dime (the "No-Talk Provision").
THE DIME BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS AGREED TO RECOMMEND THE PROPOSED HUDSON
UNITED MERGER TO DIME STOCKHOLDERS REGARDLESS OF THE FACTS. Under the terms of
the Hudson United Merger Agreement, the Dime Board of Directors has obligated
itself to recommend the Proposed Hudson United Merger to Dime shareholders under
any and all circumstances, even if a third party makes a superior proposal to
merge with or acquire Dime (the "Recommendation Covenant").
THE DIME BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS AGREED TO STRICT LIMITATIONS ON ITS
ABILITY TO TERMINATE THE HUDSON UNITED MERGER AGREEMENT. Under the Hudson United
Merger Agreement, Dime may not terminate the Hudson United Merger Agreement even
if Dime stockholders fail to approve the Proposed Hudson United Merger (the
"Delayed Termination Provision"). In this circumstance, Dime could not terminate
the Hudson United Merger Agreement until June 30, 2000.
THE DIME BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADOPTED A STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN. On
October 20, 1995, the Board of Directors of Dime adopted the Rights Plan (a
so-called "poison pill"). The Rights Plan, if not invalidated or otherwise made
inapplicable to North Fork, the North Fork Offer and the Proposed North Fork
Merger, will make the acquisition of Dime Common Stock pursuant to the North
Fork Offer and the Proposed North Fork Merger impracticable. However, pursuant
to the
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<PAGE>
Rights Plan, Dime has agreed (without stockholder approval) that the Rights
Agreement is not applicable to the Proposed Hudson United Merger. By adopting
this "poison pill," the Dime Board created a significant obstacle to your
receiving greater value for your shares of Dime Common Stock, whether from North
Fork or otherwise.
North Fork has commenced litigation challenging certain of these
actions. See "CERTAIN LITIGATION."
YOU CAN TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO HELP OBTAIN
THE MAXIMUM VALUE FOR YOUR SHARES
(1) Return your GOLD proxy and vote AGAINST the Proposed Hudson
United Merger; and
(2) Make your views known to the Dime Board of Directors.
BY TAKING THESE STEPS, YOU WILL GIVE THE DIME BOARD OF DIRECTORS A
CLEAR MESSAGE THAT THEY SHOULD TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS TO REMOVE
ALL OBSTACLES TO THE NORTH FORK OFFER, WHICH PROVIDES YOU THE
OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A SIGNIFICANT PREMIUM FOR YOUR DIME SHARES.
We believe that a vote against the Proposed Hudson United Merger will
better enable Dime stockholders to consider the North Fork Offer, and is
essential to secure the success of the North Fork Offer.
CERTAIN LITIGATION
On March 6, 2000, North Fork filed a complaint against Dime, certain
members of the Dime Board and Hudson United in the Chancery Court of the State
of Delaware, alleging, among other things, breaches of fiduciary duties by the
Dime Board in connection with the Hudson United Merger Agreement. The complaint
seeks, among other things, an order invalidating certain provisions of the
Hudson United Merger Agreement. North Fork believes that the Dime Board of
Directors has violated its fiduciary duties to Dime stockholders by agreeing to
the No-Talk Provision, the Recommendation Covenant and the Delayed Termination
Provision, which are designed to inhibit any competing offers for Dime from
North Fork or anyone else.
VOTING INFORMATION
According to information contained in the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, as of February 4, 2000, there were 110,899,492 shares of
Dime Common Stock outstanding. Approval of the Proposed Hudson United Merger
requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of all outstanding shares
of Dime Common Stock. Broker non-votes and abstentions will have the same effect
as votes against the Proposed Hudson United Merger.
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<PAGE>
The accompanying GOLD proxy will be voted in accordance with the
stockholder's instructions on such GOLD proxy. Stockholders may vote against the
Proposed Hudson United Merger by marking the proper box on the GOLD proxy. If no
instructions are given, the GOLD proxy will be voted AGAINST the Proposed Hudson
United Merger.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, we urge you to
vote AGAINST the Proposed Hudson United Merger on the enclosed GOLD proxy and
immediately mail it in the enclosed envelope. You may do this even if you have
already sent in a different proxy solicited by Dime's Board of Directors. IT IS
YOUR LATEST DATED PROXY THAT COUNTS. Execution and delivery of a proxy by a
record holder of shares of Dime Common Stock will be presumed to be a proxy with
respect to all shares held by such record holder unless the proxy specifies
otherwise.
You may revoke your proxy at any time prior to its exercise by
attending the Special Meeting and voting in person, by submitting a duly
executed later dated proxy or by submitting a written notice of revocation.
Unless revoked in the manner set forth above, duly executed proxies in the form
enclosed will be voted at the Special Meeting on the Proposed Hudson United
Merger in accordance with your instructions. In the absence of such
instructions, such proxies will be voted AGAINST the Proposed Hudson United
Merger.
NORTH FORK STRONGLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED HUDSON UNITED
MERGER.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE GOLD PROXY TODAY.
IF YOU ALREADY HAVE SENT A PROXY TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF DIME, YOU MAY
REVOKE THAT PROXY AND VOTE AGAINST THE PROPOSED HUDSON UNITED MERGER BY
SIGNING, DATING AND MAILING THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY.
If you have any questions about the voting of your shares, please
call:
D.F. KING & CO., INC.
77 Water Street
New York, New York 10005
Toll Free: 1-800-755-7250
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
Proxies will be solicited by mail, telephone, telefax, telegraph, the
Internet, newspapers and other publications of general distribution and in
person. Directors, officers and certain employees of North Fork and the other
participants listed on Schedule II hereto may assist in the solicitation of
proxies without any additional remuneration (except as otherwise set forth in
this Proxy Statement).
North Fork has retained D.F. King & Co., Inc. ("D.F. King") for
solicitation and advisory
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<PAGE>
services in connection with solicitations relating to the Special Meeting, for
which D.F. King is to receive a fee estimated not to exceed $300,000 in
connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Special Meeting. Up to 120
people may be employed by D.F. King in connection with the solicitation of
proxies for the Special Meeting. North Fork has also agreed to reimburse D.F.
King for out-of-pocket expenses and to indemnify D.F. King against certain
liabilities and expenses, including reasonable legal fees and related charges.
D.F. King will solicit proxies for the Special Meeting from individuals,
brokers, banks, bank nominees and other institutional holders. Directors,
officers and certain employees of North Fork may assist in the solicitation of
proxies without any additional remuneration. The entire expense of soliciting
proxies for the Special Meeting by or on behalf of North Fork is being borne by
North Fork.
CERTAIN ARRANGEMENTS WITH
FLEETBOSTON FINANCIAL CORPORATION
On March 5, 2000, North Fork entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement
(the "Stock Purchase Agreement") with FleetBoston Financial Corporation
("FleetBoston") pursuant to which FleetBoston agreed to purchase (i) 250,000
shares of North Fork's 7.5% Series B Non-Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock,
par value $1.00 per share and with a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per
share (the "North Fork Preferred"), and (ii) Common Stock Purchase Rights to
acquire 7,500,000 shares of North Fork Common Stock (the "Rights"), for an
aggregate purchase price of $250,000,000.
The North Fork Preferred will be convertible, in whole or in part, at
any time and from time to time, into shares of North Fork Common Stock at a
conversion price of $18.69 per share of North Fork Common Stock, subject to
certain antidilution adjustments. The Rights will be exercisable, in whole or in
part, at any time and from time to time, for shares of North Fork Common Stock
for a period of ten years after their issuance at a price of $17.88 per share,
subject to certain antidilution adjustments. If North Fork consummates the North
Fork Offer and completes the Proposed North Fork Merger, and issues the North
Fork Preferred and the Rights to FleetBoston, FleetBoston would beneficially own
approximately 20,876,137 shares of North Fork Common Stock (assuming conversion
of the North Fork Preferred and exercise of the Rights), or approximately 7% of
the outstanding North Fork Common Stock after completion of the Proposed North
Fork Merger.
Completion of FleetBoston's purchase of the North Fork Preferred and
the Rights is subject to certain conditions, including (1) satisfaction of the
conditions in the North Fork Offer (without substantial change in the terms and
conditions of the North Fork Offer); (2) acceptance for exchange of shares of
Dime Common Stock tendered in the North Fork Offer; and (3) receipt and
effectiveness of all regulatory approvals required to complete the purchase and
the expiration of all related statutory waiting periods (without the imposition
of any condition or restriction that would be materially adverse to
FleetBoston).
In the Stock Purchase Agreement, North Fork has agreed, subject to the
consummation of the North Fork Offer, to cause Dime to sell to a FleetBoston
subsidiary 17 retail banking offices of
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Dime that, as of December 31, 1999, had total deposits of approximately $2.0
billion. Consummation of the branch sale transaction will be subject to the
execution of a definitive branch sale agreement (which FleetBoston and North
Fork have agreed to negotiate in good faith and enter into reasonably promptly
following the consummation of the North Fork Offer), the receipt and
effectiveness of all necessary regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction of
other customary closing conditions. It is expected that the branch sale would be
completed within 120 days of the closing of the North Fork Offer.
Under the Stock Purchase Agreement, FleetBoston has agreed that, other
than as contemplated in the Stock Purchase Agreement, for a period of two years
it will not, among other things, acquire beneficial ownership of any North Fork
voting securities, make any public announcement with respect to (or submit to
North Fork) any proposal for the acquisition of any North Fork voting securities
or with respect to a merger or other business combination involving North Fork,
unless North Fork shall have made a prior written request to FleetBoston to
submit such proposal, or participate in any solicitation of proxies to vote any
North Fork voting securities (the "North Fork Standstill"). In addition,
FleetBoston has agreed that until December 31, 2001, it will not acquire, or
offer to acquire, any voting securities or assets of Dime or Hudson United, or
make any public announcement with respect to (or submit to Dime or Hudson
United) any proposal for the acquisition of any voting securities of Dime or
Hudson United, respectively, or for a merger or other business combination
involving Dime or Hudson United (the "Hudson United/Dime Standstill"), except
that from and after the earlier of the termination of the Stock Purchase
Agreement and March 31, 2001, FleetBoston may terminate the Hudson United/Dime
Standstill by providing notice to North Fork and paying North Fork a fee of $2.5
million. In the event that FleetBoston acquires a majority interest in Dime on
or prior to December 31, 2001, FleetBoston must pay North Fork an additional fee
of $2.5 million.
Under the Stock Purchase Agreement, North Fork must pay FleetBoston a
fee of $2.5 million on the earlier of the termination of the Stock Purchase
Agreement and March 31, 2001 if at such time North Fork has not acquired a
majority interest in Dime. If North Fork acquires a majority of the equity
interest in Dime on or prior to the later of the termination of the Stock
Purchase Agreement and March 31, 2001, North Fork must pay FleetBoston a fee of
$5.0 million on the date of the closing of such acquisition (or $2.5 million if
North Fork has paid the $2.5 million fee referred to in the previous sentence).
If North Fork does not acquire Dime and if, subsequent to the
termination of the Hudson United/Dime Standstill, FleetBoston acquires a
majority interest in Dime on or before December 31, 2001, FleetBoston has agreed
to cause Dime to sell to North Fork 5 branches with total deposits of
approximately $500 million as of December 31, 1999. Consummation of any such
transaction would be subject to conditions comparable to those applicable to the
branch purchase by FleetBoston.
In the Stock Purchase Agreement, North Fork has agreed to operate
substantially in the ordinary course and to refrain from paying or making any
extraordinary dividends or distributions on the North Fork Common Stock. North
Fork has also agreed to indemnify FleetBoston for breaches of the
representations or covenants in the Stock Purchase Agreement and for losses
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<PAGE>
(including litigation expenses) arising out of North Fork's solicitation of
proxies from holders of Dime Common Stock and the North Fork Offer.
The North Fork Preferred will bear a non-cumulative dividend of 7.5%
per annum (payable quarterly), and will be redeemable, at North Fork's option,
in whole or in part, at any time after the third anniversary of the issuance
date at a redemption price of $1,000 per share, plus declared and unpaid
dividends to the date fixed for redemption. If the North Fork Preferred is not
redeemed on the third anniversary of the issuance date, thereafter North Fork
will pay to the holders thereof additional quarterly non-cumulative cash
dividends at the rate of 2% per annum ($5.00 per share on a quarterly basis)
through and including the fifth anniversary of the issuance date. If the North
Fork Preferred is not redeemed on or before the fifth anniversary of the
issuance date, North Fork thereafter will pay to the holders thereof additional
quarterly non-cumulative cash dividends at the rate of 4% per annum ($10.00 per
share on a quarterly basis). At its option, the Company may pay any such
additional dividends by delivery to the holders of the North Fork Preferred of
shares of North Fork Common Stock having an equivalent value.
Each of the North Fork Preferred, the Rights and any shares of North
Fork Common Stock received upon conversion of the North Fork Preferred or the
exercise of such Rights will be subject to certain transfer restrictions, and
would benefit from customary rights related to the registration of the offering
and sale of the North Fork Preferred, Rights and/or shares of North Fork Common
Stock pursuant to a registration rights agreement.
There can be no assurance as to the timing of the satisfaction of the
conditions to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Stock
Purchase Agreement. The Stock Purchase Agreement may be terminated by mutual
consent. Either North Fork or FleetBoston may terminate the Stock Purchase
Agreement under certain circumstances, including if the acquisition of Dime
Common Stock pursuant to the North Fork Offer has not been consummated by March
31, 2001, if Dime's and Hudson United's stockholders approve the Proposed Hudson
United Merger, or if North Fork publicly announces the abandonment of its
efforts to acquire Dime.
FleetBoston, a Rhode Island corporation with its principal executive
office at One Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, is a diversified
financial services company formed by the merger on October 1, 1999 of BankBoston
Corporation with and into FleetBoston Financial Group, Inc. None of FleetBoston
or any of FleetBoston's officers or directors intends to solicit proxies from
holders of Dime Common Stock in connection with the Special Meeting or otherwise
in connection with the Proposed Hudson United Merger, and FleetBoston disclaims
that it is a participant in such solicitation, although FleetBoston may be
deemed to be a participant by reason of the Stock Purchase Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby.
As of the date hereof, except as described below, FleetBoston does not
beneficially own any securities of Dime. As of December 31, 1999, certain
FleetBoston subsidiaries may be deemed to have had beneficial ownership of
79,594 shares of Dime Common Stock, which shares were held in a fiduciary
capacity. FleetBoston disclaims beneficial ownership of all of such shares.
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CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT NORTH FORK
North Fork is a Delaware corporation with its principal executive
offices located at 275 Broad Hollow Road, Melville, New York 11747. The
telephone number of North Fork at such location is (516) 844-1004.
North Fork is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956. North Fork's primary subsidiary, North Fork Bank, a New
York State-chartered, FDIC-insured commercial bank, operates retail banking
facilities throughout Suffolk and Nassau counties on Long Island, New York, as
well as in the New York City boroughs of Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the
Bronx and in Westchester and Rockland counties north of New York City. North
Fork, through North Fork Bank, provides a variety of banking and financial
services to middle market and small business organizations, local government
units and retail customers in the metropolitan New York area. At December 31,
1999, North Fork had assets of $12.1 billion, deposits of $6.5 billion and
stockholders' equity of $618.7 million, and operated 112 retail banking
facilities. At December 31, 1999, on a pro forma basis giving effect to North
Fork's recent acquisitions of Reliance Bancorp, Inc. ("Reliance") and JSB
Financial, Inc. ("JSB"), North Fork had assets of $16.3 billion, deposits of
$9.2 billion and stockholders' equity of $1.3 billion.
On February 18, 2000, North Fork completed its acquisition of Reliance
in a stock-for-stock merger accounted for as a purchase. Reliance's principal
subsidiary, Reliance Federal Savings Bank, a savings institution with 29 retail
banking offices in Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, New York, as well
as in the New York City borough of Queens, was merged with North Fork Bank. At
December 31, 1999, Reliance had assets of $2.5 billion, deposits of $1.5 billion
and stockholders' equity of $176.4 million.
On February 29, 2000, North Fork completed its acquisition of JSB in a
stock-for-stock merger accounted for as a pooling-of-interests. JSB is the
holding company for Jamaica Savings Bank FSB, a savings institution with 13
retail banking offices in the New York metropolitan area. At December 31, 1999,
JSB had assets of $1.6 billion, deposits of $1.07 billion and stockholders'
equity of $380 million.
North Fork is subject to the informational filing requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, in accordance therewith, is
obligated to file reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Commission relating to its business, financial condition and other matters.
Information as of particular dates concerning North Fork's directors and
officers, their remuneration, options granted to them, the principal holders of
North Fork's securities and any material interests of such persons in
transactions with North Fork is required to be disclosed in proxy statements
distributed to North Fork's stockholders and filed with the Commission. Such
reports, proxy statements and other information should be available for
inspection at the public reference facilities of the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the regional offices of the
Commission located at Seven World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, NY 10048
and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60661 (call 1-800-SEC-0330
for hours). Copies of such information should be obtainable by mail, upon
payment of the Commission's customary
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<PAGE>
charges, by writing to the Commission's principal office at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549-6009. The Commission also maintains an Internet
website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other
information filed electronically by North Fork. North Fork Common Stock is
listed on the NYSE under the symbol "NFB," and reports, proxy statements and
other information concerning North Fork should also be available at the offices
of the NYSE located at 20 Broad Street, New York, NY 10005.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Proxy Statement contains certain "forward-looking" statements
which North Fork believes are within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and Section 21E of the Exchange
Act. The safe harbors intended to be created thereby are not available to
statements made in connection with an exchange offer and North Fork is not aware
of any judicial determination as to the applicability of such safe harbors to
forward-looking statements made in proxy solicitation materials when there is a
simultaneous exchange offer. However, the proxy solicitation is intended to
facilitate the North Fork Offer and the statements made herein may be deemed to
have been made in connection with an exchange offer. Accordingly, such
statements may not be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Act.
Stockholders should be aware that any forward-looking statements made herein are
only predictions, subject to risks and uncertainties that exist in the business
environment which could render actual outcomes and results materially different
than predicted. In some cases, such forward-looking statements may be identified
by terminology such as "may," "will," "could," "should," "expects," "intends" or
"believes" or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology.
OTHER INFORMATION
The information concerning Dime, Hudson United and the Proposed Hudson
United Merger contained herein has been taken from, or based upon, and is
qualified in its entirety by, publicly available documents on file with the
Commission and other publicly available information. North Fork does not take
any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information or for
any failure by Dime to disclose events that may have occurred and may affect the
significance or accuracy of any such information.
The information contained in this Proxy Statement concerning the North
Fork Offer is qualified in its entirety by reference to the more detailed
information to be contained in the North Fork Offer to Purchase and the related
Letter of Transmittal.
North Fork is not aware of any other matter to be considered at the
Special Meeting. However, if any other matter properly comes before the Special
Meeting, North Fork will vote all proxies held by it as North Fork, in its sole
discretion, may determine.
According to information contained in the Proxy Statement for Dime's
1999 Annual Meeting
15
<PAGE>
of Stockholders filed with the Commission on March 31, 1999 (the "Dime 1999
Annual Meeting Proxy"), in order to be considered for inclusion in Dime's proxy
statement for the annual meeting of its stockholders to be held in 2000, all
stockholder proposals must have been submitted to the Secretary of Dime at its
offices at 589 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10017, on or before December 2,
1999. Under Dime's By-laws, stockholder nominations for director and stockholder
proposals not included in Dime's 2000 proxy statement, in order to be considered
for possible action by stockholders at the 2000 annual meeting of stockholders,
must have been submitted to the Secretary of Dime, at the address set forth
above, not less than 60 nor more than 90 days in advance of March 31, 2000. In
addition, all stockholder nominations and stockholder proposals must meet other
applicable criteria set forth in the By-laws of Dime in order to be considered
at the 2000 annual meeting.
North Fork Bancorporation, Inc.
Dated: March 6, 2000
If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your shares,
please call:
D.F. KING & CO., INC.
77 Water Street
New York, New York 10005
Toll Free: 1-800-755-7250
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SCHEDULE I
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS,
DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT OF DIME
According to information contained in the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, as of February 4, 2000, there were 110,899,492 shares of
Dime Common Stock outstanding. Pursuant to the Hudson United Option Agreement,
Dime granted Hudson United an option to purchase up to 22,271,682 shares of Dime
Common Stock. The information concerning Dime and the Proposed Hudson United
Merger contained herein has been taken from, or based upon, publicly available
documents on file with the Commission and other publicly available information.
North Fork does not take any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of
such information or for any failure by Dime to disclose events that may have
occurred and may affect the significance or accuracy of any such information.
The following table sets forth certain information, which was taken
from the Dime 1999 Annual Meeting Proxy, regarding the beneficial ownership of
Dime Common Stock outstanding as of January 31, 1999 by (a) each of Dime's
current directors, (b) each of the named executive officers, (c) all of Dime's
directors and executive officers as a group, and (d) each person who, to Dime's
knowledge, beneficially owned more than 5% of the outstanding Dime Common Stock.
Beneficial Ownership
Name of Beneficial Owner As of January 31, 1999 (1)
- ------------------------ --------------------------
Shares Percent
------ -------
Lawrence J. Toal .................................... 655,034(2) *
Derrick D. Cephas ................................... 5,500 *
Frederick C. Chen ................................... 18,360 *
J. Barclay Collins II ............................... 5,500 *
Richard W. Dalrymple ................................ 32,049(3) *
James F. Fulton ..................................... 9,662(4) *
Sally Hernandez-Pinero .............................. 2,600 *
Fred B. Koons ....................................... 80,429 *
Virginia M. Kopp .................................... 13,745(5) *
James M. Large, Jr .................................. 403,776 *
John Morning ........................................ 9,405 *
Margaret Osmer-McQuade .............................. 25,488(6) *
Dr. Paul A. Qualben ................................. 28,506 *
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Eugene G. Schulz, Jr ................................ 15,658 *
Howard Smith ........................................ 54,500 *
Dr. Norman R. Smith ................................. 5,500 *
Ira T. Wender ....................................... 21,375 *
Anthony R. Burriesci ................................ 133,153 *
Carlos R. Munoz ..................................... 77,683 *
D. James Daras ...................................... 151,206(3)(7) *
FMR Corp. ...........................................
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109 .........................7,359,904(8) 6.61%
All Directors and Executives as a Group (23 persons) 1,978,510(3) 1.77%
- ------------
* Beneficial ownership does not exceed 1% of the outstanding Shares.
(1) The directors, nominees, executive officers, and group named in the table
above have sole or shared voting power or investment power with respect to
the shares listed in the table. Certain of such shares are restricted stock
that may be subject to repurchase by Dime under certain circumstances. The
share amounts listed include shares of Dime's common stock that the
following persons have the right to acquire within 60 days from January 31,
1999: Lawrence J. Toal, 448,658; James M. Large, Jr., 253,834; each of
Derrick D. Cephas, J. Barclay Collins II, Richard W. Dalrymple, Eugene G.
Schulz, Jr., Howard Smith, and Norman R. Smith, 3,500; each of Frederick C.
Chen, James F. Fulton, Sally Hernandez-Pinero, Virginia M. Kopp, John
Morning, Margaret Osmer-McQuade, Paul A. Qualben and Ira T. Wender, 500;
Fred B. Koons, 28,899; Anthony R. Burriesci, 72,233; Carlos R. Munoz,
41,333; D. James Daras, 113,164; and all current directors and executive
officers as a group, 1,129,671.
(2) Includes 334 shares held by Mr. Toal's spouse, as to which he disclaims
beneficial ownership.
(3) Includes shares held by the Trustee of Dime's 401(k) plan with respect to
the account of the individual or certain members of the group based on
reports dated as of December 31, 1998.
(4) Includes an aggregate of 832 shares owned by or in trust for Mr. Fulton's
spouse, as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership.
(5) Includes an aggregate of 3,000 shares owned by or in trust for Mrs. Kopp's
spouse, as to which she disclaims beneficial ownership.
(6) Includes 7,000 shares owned in trust for Ms. Osmer-McQuade's spouse, as to
which she disclaims beneficial ownership.
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(7) Includes 2,100 shares owned in trust for Mr. Daras' spouse, as to which he
disclaims beneficial ownership.
(8) The information as to FMR Corp. is derived from a Schedule 13G, dated
February 1, 1999, filed by FMR, Edward C. Johnson 3d, and Abigail P.
Johnson (together with FMR and Edward Johnson, the "Reporting Person"),
which states that, as of December 31, 1998, the Reporting Person, through
certain of its affiliates, had sole voting power with regard to 457,400 of
the shares indicated above, shared voting power with regard to none of such
shares, sole dispositive power with regard to 7,359,904 of such shares, and
shared dispositive power with regard to none of such shares. The Schedule
13G also states that the shares indicated above include 276,570 shares
beneficially owned by Fidelity International Limited, as to which FMR
disclaims beneficial ownership.
I-3
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
OF NORTH FORK AND OTHER PERSONS WHO MAY SOLICIT PROXIES
The following table sets forth the name and title of persons who may be
deemed to be participants on behalf of North Fork in the solicitation of proxies
from the stockholders of Dime.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF NORTH FORK
NAME POSITIONS
- -------------- ----------------------------
John A. Kanas ................ Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer
John Bohlsen ................. Vice Chairman
Thomas M. O'Brien ............ Vice Chairman
Park T. Adikes ............... Director
Irvin L. Cherashore .......... Director
Allan C. Dickerson ........... Director
Lloyd A. Gerard .............. Director
Daniel M. Healy .............. Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Director
Patrick E. Malloy, III ....... Director
Raymond A. Nielson ........... Director
James F. Reeve ............... Director
George H. Rowsom ............. Director
Kurt R. Schmeller ............ Director
Raymond W. Terry, Jr ......... Director
Kevin O'Connor ............... Executive Vice President
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, North Fork beneficially owns
690,900 shares of Dime Common Stock, and Park T. Adikes beneficially owns 100
shares of Dime Common Stock. Other than as set forth herein, as of the date of
this Proxy Statement, neither North Fork nor any of the other participants
listed in this Schedule II has any interest, direct or indirect, by security
holdings or otherwise, in Dime.
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OTHER PERSONS WHO MAY ALSO SOLICIT PROXIES
North Fork has retained Salomon Smith Barney and Sandler O'Neill &
Partners, L.P. ("Sandler O'Neill" and together with Salomon Smith Barney, the
"Financial Advisors") to act as its financial advisors in connection with the
North Fork Offer for which the Financial Advisors may receive substantial fees,
as well as reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. In addition,
North Fork has agreed to indemnify the Financial Advisors and certain related
persons against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the
federal securities laws, arising out of their engagement. Neither Salomon Smith
Barney nor Sandler O'Neill admits that it or any of its partners, directors,
officers, employees, affiliates or controlling persons, if any, is a
"participant" as defined in Schedule 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act, in
the solicitation of proxies, or that Schedule 14A requires the disclosure of
certain information concerning it.
NAME POSITIONS
- -------------- ----------------------------
Representatives of Salomon Smith
Barney:
David M. Head ..................... Managing Director
James M.Harasimowicz .............. Director
Gideon Asher ...................... Director
Paul D. Sowell II ................. Vice President
Tamara Rubinoff ................... Associate
Representatives of Sandler O'Neill:
Herman S. Sandler ................. Senior Managing Principal
Christopher Quackenbush ........... Principal
Salomon Smith Barney's principal business address is 388 Greenwich
Street, New York, New York 10013. Salomon Smith Barney engages in a full range
of investment banking, securities trading, market-making and brokerage services
for institutional and individual clients. In the normal course of its business,
Salomon Smith Barney may trade the debt and equity securities of Dime for its
own account and the accounts of its customers, and, accordingly, may at any time
hold a long or short position in such securities. Salomon Smith Barney has
informed North Fork that, as of the close of business on March 3, 2000, Salomon
Smith Barney and its affiliates owned 465,118 shares of Dime Common Stock for
its own account. Salomon Smith Barney and certain of its affiliates also may
have voting and dispositive power with respect to certain shares of Dime Common
Stock held in asset management, brokerage and other accounts. Salomon Smith
Barney and such affiliates disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares of Dime
Common Stock.
Sandler O'Neill's principal business address is Two World Trade Center,
New York, New York 10048. Sandler O'Neill engages in a full range of investment
banking, securities trading, market-making and brokerage services for
institutional and individual clients. In the normal course
II-2
<PAGE>
of its business, Sandler O'Neill may trade the debt and equity securities of
Dime for its own account and the accounts of its customers, and, accordingly,
may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities. Sandler
O'Neill has informed North Fork that, as of the close of business on March 3,
2000, Sandler O'Neill and its affiliates owned no shares of Dime Common Stock
for their own account. Sandler O'Neill has also informed North Fork that, as of
the date hereof, Sandler O'Neill Asset Management LLC, which may be deemed to be
an affiliate of Sandler O'Neill, has voting and dispositive power over 145,000
shares of Dime Common Stock and that Sandler O'Neill also may have voting and
dispositive power with respect to certain shares of Dime Common Stock held in
brokerage and other accounts. Sandler O'Neill disclaims beneficial ownership of
such shares of Dime Common Stock.
IMPORTANT
If your shares are held in your own name, please sign, date and return
the enclosed GOLD proxy card today. If your shares are held in "Street-Name,"
only your broker or bank can vote your Shares and only upon receipt of your
specific instructions. Please return the enclosed GOLD proxy card to your broker
or bank and contact the person responsible for your account to ensure that a
GOLD proxy is voted on your behalf.
Do not sign any proxy card you may receive from Dime.
If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your shares,
please call:
D.F. KING & CO., INC.
77 Water Street
New York, New York 10005
Toll Free: 1-800-755-7250
II-3
<PAGE>
REVISED PRELIMINARY COPY - SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
P THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF NORTH FORK BANCORPORATION, INC.
FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
R OF DIME BANCORP, INC.
TO BE HELD ON MARCH 15, 2000
O
THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER OF DIME BANCORP, INC. ("DIME") HEREBY
X APPOINTS ______________, __________________ AND __________________ AND
EACH OR ANY OF THEM, ATTORNEYS AND PROXIES OF THE UNDERSIGNED, WITH
Y FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION, TO VOTE ALL OF THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
OF DIME HELD OF RECORD BY THE UNDERSIGNED ON FEBRUARY 4, 2000, AT THE
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS OF DIME TO BE HELD ON MARCH 15,
2000, AT 10:00 A.M., LOCAL TIME, AT CHELSEA PIERS, PIER 60, 23RD AND
HUDSON RIVER, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10011, AND AT ANY ADJOURNMENTS,
POSTPONEMENTS, CONTINUATIONS OR RESCHEDULINGS THEREOF (THE "SPECIAL
MEETING"), WITH ALL THE POWERS THE UNDERSIGNED WOULD POSSESS IF
PERSONALLY PRESENT AT THE SPECIAL MEETING.
(CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE.)
IN OPPOSITION TO THE SOLICITATION BY THE DIME BANCORP, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
-----------
SEE REVERSE
SIDE
-----------
<PAGE>
[X] PLEASE MARK YOUR
VOTE AS THIS
EXAMPLE
- ------
NORTH FORK RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE AGAINST ITEM 1 BELOW
1. ADOPTION OF THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, AGAINST DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER
15, 1999, BETWEEN HUDSON UNITED BANCORP AND DIME BANCORP, INC., AS AMENDED
AND RESTATED ON DECEMBER 27, 1999.
AGAINST FOR ABSTAIN
[ ] [ ] [ ]
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED
HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER AND AT THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY HOLDERS
AS TO ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE SPECIAL MEETING. IF
YOU DO NOT INDICATE HOW YOU WANT TO VOTE, YOUR PROXY WILL BE COUNTED AS A VOTE
AGAINST THE MERGER AGREEMENT.
2. IN THEIR DISCRETION, UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE
THE SPECIAL MEETING.
PLEASE COMPLETE, EXECUTE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE
ENCLOSED, POSTAGE-PREPAID, BUSINESS REPLY ENVELOPE. NO ADDITIONAL POSTAGE IS
NECESSARY IF SUCH ENVELOPE IS MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
THIS PROXY REVOKES ALL PRIOR PROXIES GIVEN BY THE UNDERSIGNED WITH RESPECT TO
THE MATTERS COVERED HEREBY.
SIGNATURE____________________________________________DATED_____________, 2000
SIGNATURE (IF HELD JOINTLY) _________________________DATED_____________, 2000
PLEASE SIGN YOUR NAME EXACTLY AS IT APPEARS HEREON. WHEN SIGNING AS ATTORNEY,
EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE OR GUARDIAN PLEASE GIVE YOUR FULL TITLE. IF A
CORPORATION, PLEASE SIGN IN FULL CORPORATE NAME BY THE PRESIDENT OR OTHER
AUTHORIZED OFFICER. IF A PARTNERSHIP, PLEASE SIGN THE PARTNERSHIP NAME BY
AUTHORIZED PERSON(S).
