SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant /x/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant /_/
Check the appropriate box:
/_/ Preliminary Proxy Statement
/x/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/_/ Definitive Additional Materials
/_/ Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
FIRST COLONIAL GROUP, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
________________________________________________________________________________
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/x/ No fee required
/_/ $125 per Exchange Act Rule 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:*
_____________________________________________________________________________
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
_____________________________________________________________________________
/_/ Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which
the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous
filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule
and the date of its filing.
1) Amount previously paid: _________________________________________________
2) Form, Schedule or Registration No. ______________________________________
3) Filing party: ___________________________________________________________
4) Date filed: _____________________________________________________________
___________
*Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
determined.
<PAGE>
FIRST COLONIAL GROUP, INC.
76 South Main Street
Nazareth, Pennsylvania 18064
-----------------------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
to be held May 11, 2000
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To the Shareholders of First Colonial Group, Inc.:
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of First Colonial Group, Inc.
("Company") will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2000, at 9:00 a.m., prevailing
time, at the Bethlehem Holiday Inn, Routes 22 and 512, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
18017, for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following:
1. To elect three Class 2 directors to hold office for a term of four years
and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, as more fully
described in the accompanying Proxy Statement; and
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting.
Only shareholders of record, as shown by the transfer books of the Company,
at the close of business on March 24, 2000, will be entitled to notice of, and
to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
If the Annual Meeting is adjourned for one or more periods aggregating at
least 15 days because of the absence of a quorum, those shareholders entitled to
vote who attend the reconvened Annual Meeting, if less than a quorum as
determined under applicable law, shall nevertheless constitute a quorum for the
purpose of acting upon any matter set forth in this Notice of Annual Meeting.
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON. WHETHER
OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON, YOU ARE URGED TO SIGN,
DATE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY. A SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE IS
ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE; NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED
STATES.
By Order of the Board of Directors
S. ERIC BEATTIE
President and Chief
Executive Officer
Nazareth, Pennsylvania
March 31, 2000
<PAGE>
FIRST COLONIAL GROUP, INC.
76 South Main Street
Nazareth, Pennsylvania 18064
(610) 746-7300
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of First
Colonial Group, Inc. ("Company") for use at the Annual Meeting ("Meeting") of
Shareholders to be held on Thursday, May 11, 2000 at 9:00 a.m., prevailing time,
at the Bethlehem Holiday Inn, Routes 22 and 512, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18017,
and any adjournments or postponements thereof. This Proxy Statement and
accompanying proxy are first being mailed to Company shareholders on or about
March 31, 2000.
The cost of the solicitation will be borne by the Company. In addition to
solicitation by mail, proxies may be solicited in person or by telephone,
facsimile or similar means by officers, directors or employees of the Company,
without additional compensation. Upon request, the Company will pay the
reasonable expenses incurred by record holders of the Company's common stock,
par value $5.00 per share ("Common Stock"), who are brokers, dealers, banks or
voting trustees, or their nominees, for mailing proxy material and annual
shareholder reports to beneficial owners.
Only shareholders of record, as shown on the transfer books of the Company,
at the close of business on March 24, 2000 ("Record Date") will be entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 1,853,270
shares of Common Stock outstanding. All share and per share information in this
Proxy Statement has been adjusted to reflect the 5% stock dividends paid in June
1999, June 1998 and May 1997.
Sending in a signed proxy will not affect a shareholder's right to attend
the Meeting and vote in person since the proxy is revocable. Any shareholder
giving a proxy has the power to revoke it by, among other methods, giving
written notice to the Secretary of the Company at any time before the proxy is
exercised.
Proxies in the accompanying form, properly executed and received in time
for voting, and not revoked, will be voted as indicated in accordance with the
instructions thereon. If no directions to the contrary are indicated, the
persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote all shares of Common Stock "for"
the election of all nominees for directors hereinafter named.
The presence, in person or represented by proxy, of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock will constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business at the Meeting. All shares of the Company's common
stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting, no matter how they are voted or whether they abstain from
voting, will be counted in determining the presence of a quorum. If the Annual
Meeting is adjourned because of the absence of a quorum, those shareholders
entitled to vote who attend the adjourned meeting, although constituting less
than a quorum as provided herein, shall nevertheless constitute a quorum for the
purpose of electing directors. If the Annual Meeting is adjourned for one or
more periods aggregating at least 15 days because of the absence of a quorum,
those shareholders entitled to vote who attend the reconvened Annual Meeting, if
less than a quorum as determined under applicable law, shall nevertheless
constitute a quorum for the purpose of acting upon any matter set forth in the
Notice of Annual Meeting.
<PAGE>
Except for certain restrictions (hereinafter summarized), each share of
Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter which may be brought before
the Meeting except that, in the election of directors, shareholders are entitled
to cumulate their votes. Cumulative voting entitles each shareholder to cast as
many votes as is equal to the number of shares held by such shareholder
multiplied by the number of directors to be elected; all such votes may be cast
for one candidate or they may be distributed among any two or more candidates in
the election. The persons named in the accompanying proxy may exercise
cumulative voting rights in any manner they deem desirable to secure the
election of as many as possible of the nominees named below. See "ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS."
The election of directors will be determined by a plurality vote and the
three nominees receiving the most "for" votes will be elected. Under the
Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, an abstention, withholding of authority
to vote or broker non-vote will not have the same legal effect as an "against"
vote and will not be counted in determining whether the proposal has received
the required shareholder vote.
Article 7 of the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation,
as amended, restricts the rights of a Person (as hereafter defined) to cast (or
execute written consents with respect to) more than 10% of the total votes which
all shareholders are entitled to cast at a meeting, unless authorized to do so
by the Board of Directors and subject to such conditions as the Board of
Directors may impose. The term "Person" includes not only individuals and
entities, but also groups of individuals and entities who act together for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, disposing of or voting Common Stock.
The restrictions of Article 7 do not apply to the shares of Common Stock
held by the Bank for itself or as trustee of the Company's Employee Stock
Ownership Plan or other trusts. See "VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS
THEREOF."
The casting of votes by a Person as a proxy holder for other shareholders
is not counted in computing the 10% limitation to the extent that the proxies so
voted were revocable and were secured from other shareholders who are not
members of a group which includes such Person. Giving a revocable proxy to a
Person does not in itself cause the shareholder giving the proxy to be a member
of a group which includes such Person. Article 7 provides that the determination
by the Board of Directors of the existence or membership of a group, and of a
number of votes any Person or each member of a group is entitled to cast, is
final and conclusive absent clear and convincing evidence of bad faith.
In the event of a violation of Article 7 and in addition to other remedies
afforded the Company, the judges of election cannot count votes cast in
violation of Article 7 and the Company or its nominees have an option to acquire
from the violator shares of Common Stock in excess of the 10% limit at prices
which would in certain situations be lower than the then current market price of
such shares.
The foregoing is a brief summary of Article 7 and is qualified and
amplified in all respects by the exact provisions of the Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation, as amended, a copy of which can be obtained in the
same manner as the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1999. See "ANNUAL
REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS AND FORM 10-K".
The enclosed proxy confers discretionary authority to vote with respect to
any and all of the following matters that may come before the Meeting: (i)
matters which the Company did not have notice of by February 15, 2000 are to be
presented at the Meeting; (ii) approval of the minutes of a prior meeting of
shareholders, if such approval does not amount to ratification of the action
taken at the meeting; (iii) the election of any person to any office for which a
bona fide nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve; (iv) any
proposal omitted from this Proxy Statement and the form of proxy pursuant to
Rules 14a-8 or 14a-9 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (v) matters
incident to the conduct of the Meeting. In connection with such matters, the
persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote in accordance with their best
judgment.
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<PAGE>
The Company is not presently aware of any matters (other than procedural
matters) which will be brought before the Meeting which are not reflected in the
attached Notice of the Meeting. If any such matters are brought before the
Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will act or vote in accordance
with their best judgment.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
As permitted under Pennsylvania law, the Bylaws of the Company provide for
staggering the terms of office of the Company's directors by dividing the Board
of Directors into four classes, with members of each class serving four-year
terms. The Company's Bylaws further provide that the Board of Directors shall
consist of not fewer than five nor more than 25 directors, with the exact number
fixed by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors currently consists of
nine members.
At the Meeting, the shareholders will elect three Class 2 directors to
serve for a term of four years and until their successors are elected and
qualified. As described above, shareholders are entitled to cumulative voting
rights in the election of directors.
The following table sets forth information, as of the Record Date,
concerning the Company's directors and nominees for election to the Board of
Directors. Unless directed otherwise, the persons named in the enclosed proxy
intend to vote such proxy for the election of the listed nominees or, in the
event of death, disqualification, refusal or inability of any nominee to serve,
for the election of such other persons as the management of the Company may
recommend in the place of such nominee to fill the vacancy. The Board has no
reason to believe that any of the nominees will not be a candidate or will be
unable to serve.
The director nominees named below were nominated by the Board of Directors
and currently serve as directors. Messrs. Martin and Ruhle were appointed to the
Board of Directors in 1999 to fill vacancies existing on the Board. In addition,
all of the directors and director nominees named below also serve on the Board
of Directors of the Company's banking subsidiary, Nazareth National Bank and
Trust Company ("Bank"). Messrs. Beattie and Bergren have been directors of the
Bank since 1982.
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<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name/Age Principal Occupation or Director Term of
as of Record Date Employment for Past Five Years Since Office Expires
----------------- ------------------------------ -------- --------------
Director Nominees
<S> <C> <C> <C>
S. Eric Beattie President of the Company and Chief Executive Officer 1983 2000
53 (1) of the Company and the Bank since January 1987, and
President of the Bank since 1984
Christian F. Martin, IV Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, C. F. Martin & 1999 2000
43 Co., Inc. (manufacturer of guitars), Nazareth,
Pennsylvania since 1975
John H. Ruhle, Jr. President and Chairman, Reeb Millwork Corporation 1999 2000
52 (3) (wholesale distributor of windows, doors and affiliated
building products for residential market), Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania since 1979
Continuing Directors
Robert J. Bergren Retired; former Vice President Administration, SI 1983 2003
74 (1) (2) (3) Handling Systems, Inc. (manufacturer of materials
handling equipment), Easton, Pennsylvania
Gordon B. Mowrer Pastor, Advent Moravian Church, Bethlehem, 1989 2002
64 (1) (2) Pennsylvania; former President, Hampson-Mowrer-
Kreitz Insurance Agency, Inc. (insurance sales)
Daniel B. Mulholland President, Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. (chemical 1994 2001
47 (1) (2) manufacturing), Phillipsburg, New Jersey since 1974
Charles J. Peischl Attorney, Peters, Moritz, Peischl, Zulick & Landes 1996 2001
55
Richard Stevens, III Chairman of the Board of the Company and the Bank 1989 2003
67 (1) (2) (3) since January 1999 Retired; former Division Manager
(Marketing) for Computer Aid, Inc.
Maria Zumas Thulin Executive Vice President, Arcadia Development 1994 2002
46 Corporation (real estate development and management),
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania since 1989
</TABLE>
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(1) Member of the Executive Committee.
(2) Member of the Compensation Committee.
(3) Member of the Audit Committee.
There are no other nominees for director known to the Company at this time.
Under the Company's Bylaws, shareholders have the right to nominate
directors in accordance with the procedures specified therein. Nominations for
directors made by shareholders must be submitted in writing to the Secretary of
the Company not later than the close of business on the fifth day immediately
preceding the date of the meeting. All late nominations will be rejected. In
addition, at any time prior to the election of directors at a meeting of
shareholders, the Board of Directors may designate a substitute nominee to
replace any bona fide nominee who was nominated in accordance with the Bylaws
and who, for any reason, becomes unavailable for election as a director.
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<PAGE>
Board of Directors, Committees and Attendance at Meetings
The Board of Directors of the Company held sixteen meetings during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1999. The Executive Committee, which held three
meetings during the fiscal year, makes recommendations to the Board of Directors
with respect to executive compensation and the Company's stock option plans
(among other matters). The Board has a Compensation Committee which makes
decisions concerning executive compensation and stock options and which
administers the Company's stock option plans. The Compensation Committee met
once during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999. The Board has an Audit
Committee, which meets at varying intervals. The purpose of the Audit Committee
is to review all recommendations made by the Company's independent public
accountants with respect to the accounting methods used and the system of
internal control followed by the Company and to advise the Board of Directors
with respect thereto. The Audit Committee held four meetings during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1999. The Board does not have a nominating committee.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, all directors of the Company
attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors
of the Company and of all committees of which they were members.
Compensation of Directors
Directors of the Company and the Bank are compensated at the rate of $300
per Board meeting attended, $160 per committee meeting attended and $1,000 as a
quarterly retainer fee. Each director has the option to defer some or all of the
annual directors' fees pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors
(the "Directors' Plan"). Any such deferred amount will be deemed invested in an
account paying interest equal to rates paid by the Bank on individual retirement
accounts. The director may elect the form and timing of the benefits payable
under the Directors' Plan, but, in general, such benefits will be payable
commencing at age 65. Benefits to a director under the Directors' Plan are
generally made in installments over a 15 year period. If a director electing
installments dies prior to receiving such director's full benefits under the
Directors' Plan, the remaining benefits will be made to the named beneficiary.
Upon establishment to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors of the
existence of a personal financial hardship, a director may obtain an immediate
distribution of some or all of such director's benefits under the Directors'
Plan.
Directors of the Company who are not employees of the Company or the Bank
are eligible to receive automatic grants of options to purchase shares of Common
Stock pursuant to the 1994 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors. On May
3, 1999, Robert J. Bergren, Gordon B. Mowrer, Robert C. Nagel and Richard
Stevens, III were each granted options to purchase 1,276 shares of the Company's
common stock at an exercise price of $21.09 per share and on June 17, 1999,
Christian F. Martin, III and John H. Ruhle, Jr. were each granted options to
purchase 1,275 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of
$23.25 per share. The exercise prices were the fair market value of the common
stock on the date of issue. See "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION -- 1994 Stock Option
Plan for Non-Employee Directors."
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
The following table sets forth certain information, as of the Record Date,
with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock by (1)
each shareholder known by the Company to own beneficially more than five percent
of the Company's outstanding Common Stock, (2) all directors of the Company and
the Bank, (3) all executive officers of the Company named in the Summary
Compensation Table which follows and (4) all directors and executive officers of
the Company and the Bank as a group. Except as otherwise specified, the named
beneficial owner has sole voting and investment power with respect
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<PAGE>
to his shares. The shareholdings set forth below reflect all stock dividends
paid and stock splits effected by the Company through the Record Date, and are
rounded to the nearest whole share.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount of
Common Stock
Beneficially Percent of
Name Owned (a) Class (a)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") Trust
Nazareth National Bank and Trust Company, Trustee
76 South Main Street, Nazareth, PA 18064 (b)....................... 277,778 14.99
S. Eric Beattie (c)................................................ 32,637 1.76
Tomas J. Bamberger (d)............................................. 2,041 *
Robert J. Bergren (e).............................................. 4,936 *
Reid L. Heeren (f)................................................. 18,134 *
Christian F. Martin, IV (g)........................................ 4,931 *
Gordon B. Mowrer (h)............................................... 4,150 *
Daniel B. Mulholland (i)........................................... 3,317 *
Charles J. Peischl (j)............................................. 1,305 *
John H. Ruhle, Jr.................................................. 3,300 *
Richard Stevens, III (k)........................................... 2,787 *
Maria Zumas Thulin (l)............................................. 3,185 *
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (13 persons) (m)... 92,135 4.90
</TABLE>
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* Less than 1%.
(a) The securities "beneficially owned" by an individual are determined as of
the Record Date in accordance with the definition of "beneficial ownership"
set forth in the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Accordingly, they may include securities owned by or for, among others, the
spouse and/or minor children of the individual and any other relative who
has the same home as such individual, as well as other securities as to
which the individual has or shares voting or investment power or has the
right to acquire under outstanding stock options within 60 days after the
Record Date. Beneficial ownership may be disclaimed as to certain of the
securities.
(b) Includes 216,766 allocated and 61,012 unallocated shares. Participants in
the ESOP have "pass-through" voting rights and are entitled to direct the
vote on all shares allocated to their accounts as of the Record Date.
Unallocated shares, as well as allocated shares for which no voting
directions are received, are voted by the plan administrators, who are
appointed by the Board of Directors and who have sole investment power with
respect to all shares held in the plan. Does not include shares held by the
Bank in various other trusts for which the Bank, in its capacity as
trustee, has or shares voting or investment power. As of the Record Date,
the Bank had or shared voting or investment power with respect to 147,925
shares held in trust for the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock
Purchase Plan, 29,718 shares held in trust for the Company's Optional
Deferred Salary Plan and 141,152 shares held in various other trust
accounts.
(c) Includes 17,443 shares allocated to his account under the ESOP and 6,841
shares issuable upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the
Company's Stock Option Plan. Also includes 160 shares held by his daughter
and 320 shares held by Mr. Beattie in custody for his two sons.
(d) Includes 277 shares allocated to his account under the ESOP and 1,654
shares issuable upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the
Company's Stock Option Plan.
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<PAGE>
(e) Includes 1,595 shares issuable upon the exercise of options granted
pursuant to the 1994 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
(f) Includes 9,091 shares allocated to his account under the ESOP, 5,131 shares
issuable upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the Company's
Stock Option Plan and 351 shares owned by his spouse.
(g) Includes 3,194 shares held in an investment advisory account in the Bank's
Trust Division and 61 shares owned by his spouse.
(h) Includes 1,595 shares issuable upon the exercise of options granted
pursuant to the 1994 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
(i) Includes 830 shares owned by his spouse in custody for his son, 606 shares
owned jointly with his spouse, 363 shares owned by his spouse and 1,276
shares issuable upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the 1994
Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
(j) Includes 957 shares issuable upon the exercise of options granted pursuant
to the 1994 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
(k) Includes 1,595 shares issuable upon the exercise of options granted
pursuant to the 1994 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
(l) Includes 74 shares owned by her spouse, 1,050 shares owned jointly with her
spouse, 210 shares owned by each of her two daughters, and 1,276 shares
issuable upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to the 1994 Stock
Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
(m) Includes an aggregate of 18,755 shares issuable upon the exercise of
options granted pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan, an aggregate
of 8,294 shares issuable upon the exercise of options granted pursuant to
the 1994 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors and 32,768 shares
allocated under the ESOP to the accounts of all executive officers of the
Company and the Bank, as a group.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than ten
percent of a registered class of the Company's Common Stock to file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of
the Company. Executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent
shareholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies
of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
To the Company's knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such
reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other
reports were required, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to the
Company's executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial
shareholders were complied with during the year ended December 31, 1999, except
that Ms. Thulin did not timely file one report with respect to a purchase and
sale of shares.
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<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Committee Report
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of
directors who are not employees of the Company or the Bank, and is responsible
for developing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to Company
executive compensation programs. In addition, the Compensation Committee,
pursuant to authority delegated by the Board, determines on an annual basis the
compensation to be paid to the Chief Executive Officer and each of the other
executive officers of the Company.
The policies of the Company's executive compensation program are to:
1. Provide compensation that will attract and retain superior executive
talent;
2. Support the achievement of the goals contained in the Company's annual
plan by linking a portion of the executive officer's compensation to
the achievement of such goals; and
3. Enhance shareholder value by the use of stock options to further align
the interests of the executive officers with those of shareholders.
The Compensation Committee believes that its executive compensation program
provides an overall level of compensation opportunity that is competitive to
that offered within the banking community. Actual compensation levels may be
greater or less than competitive levels based on surveys that are reviewed by
the Compensation Committee.
The Company's executive officer compensation program is comprised of base
salary, annual cash incentive compensation, executive benefit program consisting
of medical reimbursement, salary continuation and supplemental retirement
income, long term incentive compensation in the form of stock options, and
various benefits generally available to employees of the Company, including
group medical and life insurance coverage and participation in the ESOP and
401(k) plans. In determining the level of base salary, annual incentive
compensation and stock options for executive officers, the Compensation
Committee reviews the recommendations made by the Chief Executive Officer with
respect to subordinate executive officers, reviews surveys of compensation data
for comparable banks and bank holding companies and uses its discretion to set
compensation for individual executive officers, including the Chief Executive
Officer, at levels where, in its judgment, external, internal or individual
circumstances warrant.
Base Salary
Base salary levels for the Company's executive officers are set
competitively relative to companies in the banking industry of comparable size
within Pennsylvania as well as in the United States. In determining salaries,
the Committee also takes into account individual experience and performance of
executive officers as it relates to the particular needs of the Company.
Annual Incentive Compensation
Annual incentive compensation is awarded to executive officers and key
managers in the form of cash bonuses. The purpose of such cash bonuses is to
provide a direct financial incentive to the executives to achieve the annual
goals of the Company as set forth in the beginning of the year in the annual
plan. In
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<PAGE>
1999, the following measures were taken into consideration by the Compensation
Committee in evaluating the payment of bonuses:
1. Return on equity
2. Return on average assets
3. Change in net income compared to the prior fiscal year
4. Individual performance
If the Compensation Committee determines the Company has not achieved its
plan objectives, no bonuses will be awarded. There were no bonuses awarded for
1999.
Stock Options
The Compensation Committee uses the 1986 Stock Option Plan and the 1996
Employee Stock Option Plan (collectively the "Plans") as the Company's long-term
incentive plan for executive officers and key managers. The 1996 Employee Stock
Option Plan replaced the 1986 Stock Option Plan under which no new options could
be granted after 1996. The objectives of the Plans are to align the long-term
interests of executive officers and shareholders by creating a direct link
between executive compensation and shareholder return and to enable executives
to develop and maintain a significant long-term equity interest in the Company.
The Plans authorize the Compensation Committee to award stock options to
officers and key employees. In general, under the Plans, options are granted
with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
date of grant (although the Compensation Committee has the authority to grant
non-qualified options under the 1996 Employee Stock Option Plan at an exercise
price less than the fair market value on the date of grant) and are exercisable
beginning one year after the date of the grant (earlier in the event of a
"change in control" as defined in the Plans) up to ten years after the date of
grant. Awards are made at a level calculated to be competitive within the
banking industry based on reviews of industry surveys. No stock options were
awarded to officers or employees in 1999.
Determination of Compensation of Chief Executive Officer
During 1999, Mr. Beattie was President and Chief Executive Officer of First
Colonial Group, Inc. and Nazareth National Bank and Trust Company. The
Compensation Committee reviewed base salaries of chief executive officers of
peer group companies in determining Mr. Beattie's base compensation. The
committee reviewed Mr. Beattie's performance with respect to corporate goals and
objectives such as return on equity, return on assets and earnings per share and
his leadership and overall impact on the growth of the Company. Other objective
criteria such as community leadership and industry involvement were used in
determining his compensation. Mr. Beattie is a member of the Executive Committee
and Board of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation; a Board member
of the Lehigh Valley Industrial Park, Inc.; a Board member of the Lehigh Valley
Partnership; Chairman of the Board Development Committee, Vice Chairman of the
Executive Committee, and a member of the Strategic Planning Committee and Board
of Directors of Moravian Hall Square Retirement Community; a Board member of the
Northampton County Industrial Development Commission; and an Executive Committee
member of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association, Group III.
In January 1999, the Compensation Committee set Mr. Beattie's annual salary
rate at $176,748 effective with the first pay period of January 1999. This
salary was the same as his 1998 salary rate. No bonus or stock options were
awarded to Mr. Beattie for 1999, because the Company did not achieve its plan
objectives.
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<PAGE>
Policy with Respect to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
Generally, Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, and the regulations
promulgated thereunder (collectively, "Section 162(m)"), denies a deduction to
any publicly held company, such as the Company, for certain compensation
exceeding $1,000,000 paid to the chief executive officer and four other highest
paid executive officers excluding (among other things) certain performance based
compensation. The Compensation Committee has considered the impact of Section
162(m) and, based on current compensation levels of the executive officers of
the Company, believes that it will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company in 2000.
Members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors during
1999: Robert J. Bergren, Gordon B. Mowrer, Robert C. Nagel (retired December 31,
1999) and Richard Stevens, III.
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph shows a comparison of the cumulative total return for
the Company's Common Stock, the Nasdaq Bank Index and the Nasdaq Composite
Index, assuming an investment of $100 in each on December 31, 1994 and the
reinvestment of dividends.
[GRAPHIC]
In the printed version of the document, a line graph appears which depicts
the following plot points:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL RETURN TO STOCKHOLDERS
(Assumes $100 investment on 12/30/94)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Return Analysis
12/30/94 12/29/95 12/31/96 12/31/97 12/31/98 12/31/99
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
First Colonial Group $100.00 $120.81 $160.43 $279.12 $246.15 $158.23
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nasdaq Bank Index $100.00 $148.92 $196.62 $329.21 $326.56 $307.62
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nasdaq Composite $100.00 $140.98 $173.45 $211.85 $297.00 $552.79
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Source: Carl Thompson Associates www.ctaonline.com (800) 959-9677. Data from
Bloomberg Financial Markets.
-10-
<PAGE>
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth all cash compensation paid by the Company
and the Bank for services rendered in all capacities to the Company and its
subsidiaries during the fiscal years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 to
(1) the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank and (2) each
executive officer of the Company and the Bank whose salary and bonus exceeded
$100,000 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.
Summary Compensation Table
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Compensation Long Term Compensation
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Fiscal Other Annual Securities All Other
Name and Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Compensation Underlying Options Compensation
--------------------------- ------ -------- ------ ------------ ------------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
S. Eric Beattie, President, Chief 1999 $176,748 $ $10,720(1) -- $21,789(2)
Executive Officer and Director of 1998 $176,748 $ $11,320 4,410 $22,827
the Company and Bank 1997 $175,256 $20,000 $10,020 4,410 $20,747
Tomas J. Bamberger, Executive 1999 $127,200 $ $ -- -- $83,893(3)
Vice President, Senior Loan 1998 $124,062 $ $ -- 3,307 $78,232
Officer of the Bank 1997 $ 39,231 $ 3,923 $ -- -- $ --
Reid L. Heeren, Executive Vice 1999 $116,148 $ $ -- -- $19,683(4)
President, Chief Financial Officer 1998 $111,566 $ $ -- 3,307 $19,933
of the Bank, Vice President and 1997 $108,241 $10,453 $ -- 3,307 $12,573
Treasurer of the Company
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Represents director fees.
(2) Includes a contribution to his account in the Company's Employee Stock
Ownership Plan of $8,317, the Company's matching contribution to his
account under the Optional Deferred Salary Plan of $4,110, the payment of
life insurance premiums pursuant to the Company's Salary Continuation
Program of $3,866, the funding expense pursuant to the Company's
Supplemental Retirement Insurance Program of $3,673 and reimbursement
pursuant to the Company's Medical Reimbursement Program of $1,823.
(3) Includes a contribution to his account in the Company's Employee Stock
Ownership Plan of $6,690, the Company's matching contribution to his
account under the Optional Deferred Salary Plan of $3,125, the payment of
life insurance premiums pursuant to the Company's Salary Continuation
Program of $36,364, the funding expense pursuant to the Company's
Supplemental Retirement Insurance Program of $36,214 and reimbursement
pursuant to the Company's Medical Reimbursement Program of $1,500.
(4) Includes a contribution to his account in the Company's Employee Stock
Ownership Plan of $6,116, the Company's matching contribution to his
account under the Optional Deferred Salary Plan of $2,904, the payment of
life insurance premiums pursuant to the Company's Salary Continuation
Program of $9,163 and reimbursement pursuant to the Company's Medical
Reimbursement Program of $1,500.
-11-
<PAGE>
Option Grants in 1999
No stock options were granted during 1999 to any of the executive officers
of the Company named in the Summary Compensation Table or to any other employee
of the Company.
Aggregated Option Exercises in 1999 and 1999 Year-End Option Values
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the number of
unexercised options and the value of unexercised options at December 31, 1999
held by the executive officers of the Company named in the Summary Compensation
Table. In 1999, no stock options were exercised by any of those executive
officers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised Value of Unexercised
Shares Options at In-the-Money Options at
Acquired on Value December 31, 1998 December 31, 1998(2)
Name Exercise Realized(1) Exercisable/Unexercisable Exercisable/Unexercisable
- ------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
S. Eric Beattie.......... -- -- 6,841/4,410 $8,731/$--
Tomas J. Bamberger....... -- -- 1,654/1,653 $ --/$--
Reid L. Heeren........... -- -- 5,131/3,306 $6,554/$--
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Represents the difference between the last sale price of the Common Stock
on the date of exercise, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market, and the
exercise price per share of the options exercised multiplied by the number
of options exercised.
(2) Represents the difference between $17.375 the last sale price of the Common
Stock on December 31, 1999, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market, and
the exercise price per share of in-the-money options multiplied by the
number of exercisable and unexercisable options held, respectively.
Stock Option Plans
In March 1996, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the 1996
Employee Stock Option Plan (the "1996 Plan") which was approved by the
shareholders of the Company in April 1996. The 1996 Plan replaces the 1986 Stock
Option Plan (the "1986 Plan") adopted in 1986 under which no new options could
be granted after December 1996. Pursuant to the 1996 Plan and 1986 Plan (the
"Plans"), stock options may be granted which qualify under the Code as incentive
stock options ("Incentive Options") as well as stock options that do not qualify
as Incentive Options under the Code ("Non-Qualified Options"). All officers and
key employees of the Company or any current or future subsidiary who are
employed on a full-time basis will be eligible to receive an option or options
under the 1996 Plan. As of December 31, 1999, options to purchase an aggregate
of 58,806 shares of Common Stock had been granted pursuant to the Plans, of
which 32,898 are exercisable on or before 60 days after the Record Date. Options
issued pursuant to the 1986 Plan continue to be administered under the terms of
that Plan.
The purpose of the Plans is to provide additional incentive to employees of
the Company by encouraging them to invest in the Company's Common Stock and
thereby acquire a proprietary interest in the Company and an increased personal
interest in the Company's continued success and progress. The Plans are
administered by the Compensation Committee (the "Committee") which is appointed
by the Board and consists only of directors who are not eligible to receive
options under the Plans. The Committee is to determine, among other things,
which officers and key employees receive an option or options, the type of
-12-
<PAGE>
option (Incentive Options or Non-Qualified Options, or both) to be granted, the
number of shares subject to each option, the rate of option exercisability, and,
subject to certain other provisions to be discussed below, the option price and
duration of the option.
The aggregate number of shares which may be issued upon the exercise of
options under the 1996 Plan is 303,876 shares of Common Stock. The Code provides
that the aggregate fair market value, determined at the time the Incentive
Option is granted, of the shares with respect to which Incentive Options are
exercisable for the first time by an optionee during any calendar year shall not
exceed $100,000 and any excess amount will be treated as Non-Qualified Options.
The option price for Incentive Options issued under the 1996 Plan must be
at least equal to 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock as of the
date the option is granted. The fair market value is determined by the
Committee. The option price for Non-Qualified Options issued under the 1996 Plan
may, in the discretion of the Committee, be at less than the fair market value
of the Common Stock as of the date the option is granted. The rate of option
exercisability is set by the Committee at the time of grant. In the event of
"change in control" of the Company, as defined in the Plan, each optionee may
exercise the total number of shares then subject to the option. Unless
terminated earlier by the option's terms, options expire ten years after the
date they are granted.
No options were granted under the 1996 Plan during the year ended December
31, 1999.
1994 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors
In March 1994, the Board of Directors adopted, and in April 1994 the
shareholders approved, the 1994 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors
(the "Director Plan"). An amendment to the Director Plan was approved by the
shareholders in April 1995. The purpose of the Director Plan is to provide
additional incentive to members of the Boards of Directors of the Company and
each present and future subsidiary corporation who are not also employees by
encouraging them to invest in the Company's Common Stock and thereby acquire a
further proprietary interest in the Company and an increased personal interest
in the Company's continued success and progress.
Pursuant to the Director Plan, each person who was, as of May 1, 1994, a
director of the Company or any subsidiary corporation, and who was not as of
such date an employee of the Company or any subsidiary corporation, was, as of
May 1, 1994, automatically granted an option to purchase 1,276 shares of the
Company's Common Stock. Non-employee directors who were first elected or
appointed to the Board after May 1, 1994 receive an automatic grant of options
under the Director Plan upon the date of their election or appointment, except
that any non-employee director appointed after May 1, 1994 and prior to the 1995
Annual Meeting of Shareholders received an automatic grant of options on the
date of the 1995 Annual Meeting. On the fifth anniversary of the initial option
grant under the Director Plan and provided a grant recipient continues to be a
non-employee director on such anniversary, such person shall, on such fifth
anniversary, automatically be granted an option to purchase 1,276 shares of the
Company's Common Stock or such lower number of shares as shall be equal to the
number of shares as shall then be available (if any) for grant under the
Director Plan divided by the number of persons who are to receive an option on
such anniversary.
The Director Plan is administered by the Board of Directors of the Company,
including non-employee directors. Under the Director Plan, the Board has the
right to adopt such rules for the conduct of its business and the administration
of the Director Plan as it considers desirable. The Board of Directors has the
exclusive right to construe the Director Plan and the options issued pursuant to
it, to correct defects and
-13-
<PAGE>
omissions and to reconcile inconsistencies to the extent necessary to effectuate
the purpose of the Director Plan and the options issued pursuant to it.
The aggregate number of shares which may be issued upon the exercise of
options under the Director Plan is 25,526 shares of the Company Common Stock. In
the event of any change in the capitalization of the Company, such as by stock
dividend, stock split or what the Board of Directors deems in its sole
discretion to be similar circumstances, the aggregate number and kind of shares
which may be issued under the Director Plan will be appropriately adjusted in a
manner determined in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. Reacquired
shares of the Company's Common Stock, as well as unissued shares, may be used
for the purpose of the Director Plan. Common Stock of the Company subject to
options which have terminated unexercised, either in whole or in part, will be
available for future options granted under the Director Plan.
The option price for options issued under the Director Plan shall be equal
to the fair market value as determined by the Board of the Company Common Stock
on the date of grant of the option. Payment of the option price on exercise of
options granted under the Director Plan may be made in (a) cash, (b) (unless
prohibited by the Board of Directors) Company Common Stock which will be valued
by the Secretary of the Company at its fair market value on the date of delivery
or (c) (unless prohibited by the Board of Directors) any combination of cash and
Common Stock of the Company valued as provided in clause (b).
Options granted pursuant to the Director Plan may be exercised at the
following rates, whichever is higher: (i) 25% commencing one year after the date
of their grant, 50% after two years, 75% after three years and 100% after four
years, or (ii) 100% commencing upon a "change in control" of the Company, as
such term is defined in the Director Plan. Unless terminated earlier by the
option's terms, options granted under the Director Plan expire ten years after
the date they are granted. Options terminate three months after the optionee
ceases to be a director of the Company or a subsidiary corporation (whether by
death, disability, resignation, removal, failure to be reelected or otherwise,
and regardless of whether the failure to continue as a director was for cause or
otherwise), but not later than ten years after the date of option grant. Options
granted pursuant to the Director Plan are not transferable, except by the will
or the laws of descent and distribution in the event of death. During an
optionee's lifetime, the option is exercisable only by the optionee, including,
for this purpose, the optionee's legal guardian or custodian in the event of
disability. Options may not be granted pursuant to the Director Plan after the
expiration of eight years from and after the adoption of the Director Plan by
the Company's shareholders at the 1994 Annual Meeting. Options granted pursuant
to the Director Plan will not qualify as incentive stock options under the Code.
Severance Agreements
The Bank has entered into a Severance Agreement, as amended, with S. Eric
Beattie providing for certain severance payments in the event that (a) the Bank
terminates his employment without cause or (b) Mr. Beattie terminates his
employment with the Bank (i) for any reason, whether with or without cause, at
any time within three years after a "change in control" of the Bank, or (ii) due
to the fact that, without his consent and whether or not a change in control of
the Bank has occurred, the nature and scope of his duties and authority or his
responsibilities with the Bank or the surviving or acquiring person are reduced
to a level below that which he enjoys on the date of the agreement, his then
current base annual salary is reduced to a level below that which he enjoys on
the date of the agreement or at any time thereafter (whichever may be greater),
the fringe benefits which the Bank provides him on the date of the agreement or
at any time thereafter (whichever may be greater) are materially reduced, his
position or title with the Bank or the surviving or acquiring person is reduced
from his current position or title with the Bank, or his principal
-14-
<PAGE>
place of employment with the Bank is changed to a location greater than 80 miles
from his current principal place of employment with the Bank.
A "change in control" is defined as a change within a 12 month period in a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Bank or the Company, a
change within a 12 month period in holders of more than 50% of the outstanding
voting stock of the Bank or the Company or any other event deemed to constitute
a "change in control" by the Compensation Committee.
The term of Mr. Beattie's Severance Agreement ends on December 31, 2000 or
the earlier of his death or permanent disability, the termination of his
employment for cause, mutual agreement, resignation or otherwise. "Cause" is
defined as a conviction for any felony, fraud or embezzlement or failure or
refusal to comply with the written policies or directives of the Board of
Directors of the Bank or for being guilty of misconduct in connection with the
performance of his duties for the Bank and failure to cure such non-compliance
or misconduct within 20 days of receiving written notice from the Board of
Directors of the Bank.
In the event that Mr. Beattie is entitled to severance payments, he will be
paid annual compensation for a period of three years following the date on which
his employment is terminated ("Termination Date") at a rate equal to 100% of his
highest annual cash compensation, including cash bonuses, during the three year
period ending on the Termination Date, without offset for subsequent earnings,
subject to reduction to reduce the present value of any "parachute payments",
determined pursuant to Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code") and the regulations thereunder, to below 300% of his "base
amount" (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3)(A) of the Code and the regulations).
Any severance payments made to Mr. Beattie after he reaches age 65 will be
reduced by the amount of any pension or annuity benefits Mr. Beattie would have
received under the Bank's defined benefit pension plan if he had retired at age
65 (regardless of when he actually retired) and had elected the single life
annuity benefit (regardless of the benefit he actually elected). Mr. Beattie
also will be entitled to certain benefits.
The Severance Agreement also contains provisions restricting Mr. Beattie's
right to compete with the Bank in Northampton County, Pennsylvania for a period
of one year following the Termination Date.
The Bank has entered into similar Severance Agreements with Tomas J.
Bamberger, Reid L. Heeren and certain of the other executive officers of the
Company, except that such agreements do not contain change in control
provisions. In the event that any of these executive officers are entitled to
severance payments, he will be paid annual compensation for one year following
the Termination Date at a rate equal to 100% of his base annual salary on the
Termination Date, exclusive of cash bonuses and payments under the Bank's Annual
Incentive Bonus Plan, reduced by the amount of any pension or annuity benefits
he receives under the Bank's defined benefit pension plan if he had retired at
age 65 (regardless of when he actually retired) and had elected the single life
annuity benefit (regardless of the benefit he actually elected) and by any base
salary he earns during the one year period following the Termination Date. Such
executive officers also will be entitled to certain benefits.
Executive Benefit Program
In 1985, the Bank established an Executive Benefit Program (the "Program")
for certain of its officers. Currently, seven officers of the Bank are eligible
to participate in the Program. Any non-current obligation of the Bank under the
Program constitutes an unfunded general obligation of the Bank. The
-15-
<PAGE>
Program is administered by the Executive Committee of the Board of the Bank and
provides participants with the following benefits:
(1) Medical Reimbursement Program. Subject to a maximum, the Bank
reimburses participants in the Program for medical or dental expenses which they
or their dependents incur and which are not otherwise covered by an existing
medical insurance plan or other reimbursement arrangement.
(2) Salary Continuation Program. If a participant in the Program dies while
in the employ of the Bank, his designated beneficiary is entitled to receive 70%
of his base-year salary (as defined in the Program) for one year after his death
and thereafter 35% of his base-year salary until the earlier to occur of the
10th anniversary of his death or the date on which the participant would have
attained age 65.
(3) Supplemental Retirement Income Program. If a participant in the Program
is continuously employed by the Bank through retirement on or after age 65, the
participant will be entitled to a "target benefit" equal to a specified
percentage of the participant's average annual compensation during the five
years immediately prior to his retirement. The "target benefit" amount is to be
provided with reference to the participant's benefits under (a) the Salary Plan
(to the extent of the Bank's contribution only, and excluding employee deferral
amounts or voluntary contributions); (b) the ESOP (including amounts transferred
to the Program as a result of the termination of the Bank's Defined Benefit
Pension Plan); and (c) each participant's Social Security benefits (to the
extent of the participant's primary insurance amount). If amounts payable to the
participant from those three sources are insufficient to fund the "target
benefit", the Bank is obligated to provide the shortfall in an annual
supplemental benefit. Each participant is entitled to terminate before reaching
age 65 and receive the "target benefit" computed as above (with certain
modifications and assumptions), reduced by a factor to reflect the participant's
earlier separation from service. However, if the participant's earlier
separation from service is due to dishonesty, collaboration with a competitor,
fraud or similar cause, the participant will forfeit all benefits under the
Supplemental Retirement Income Program. In general, no separate death benefit is
payable under the Program, except with respect to a participant who dies in the
active employment of the Bank after attaining age 65. Benefits under the Program
will be paid in equal monthly installments during the participant's lifetime,
unless an annuity form of payment is selected.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
In 1999, the Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan
purchased 15,061 shares of Common Stock from the Company at an average purchase
price of $20.99 per share.
The Bank has had, and expects to have in the future, banking transactions
in the ordinary course of business with many of its directors, officers and
their associates. All extensions of credit to such persons have been made in the
ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest
rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with other persons, and in the opinion of the management of the
Company and the Bank, do not involve more than a normal risk of collectibility
or present other unfavorable features.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The members of the Compensation Committee during 1999 were Robert J.
Bergren, Gordon B. Mowrer, Robert C. Nagel (retired December 31, 1999) and
Richard Stevens, III.
-16-
<PAGE>
Mr. Nagel resigned from the Board of Directors and the Compensation
Committee effective December 31, 1999 and David M. Mulholland was appointed to
the Compensation Committee to replace him. No person who served as a member of
the Compensation Committee during 1999 was a current or former officer or
employee of the Company or the Bank or engaged in certain transactions with the
Company or the Bank required to be disclosed by regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Additionally, there were no compensation committee
"interlocks" during 1999, which generally means that no executive officer of the
Company served as a director or member of the compensation committee of another
entity, one of whose executive officers served as a director or member of the
Compensation Committee.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Pursuant to the proxy rules promulgated under the Exchange Act, Company
shareholders are notified that the deadline for providing the Company timely
notice of any shareholder proposal to be submitted outside of the Rule 14a-8
process for consideration at the Company's Annual Meeting to be held in 2001
(the "2001 Annual Meeting") will be February 14, 2001. As to all such matters
which the Company does not have notice on or prior to February 14, 2001,
discretionary authority shall be granted to the persons designated in the
Company's proxy related to the 2001 Annual Meeting to vote on such proposal.
A shareholder proposal for the 2001 Annual Meeting must be submitted to the
Company at its headquarters located at 76 South Main Street, Nazareth,
Pennsylvania 18064 by December 4, 2000 to receive consideration for inclusion in
the Company's proxy materials relating to the 2001 Annual Meeting. Any such
proposal must also comply with the proxy rules under the Exchange Act, including
Rule 14a-8.
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Company's independent public accountant for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1999, and for the current fiscal year is the firm of Grant Thornton
LLP, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Based upon the recommendation of the Audit
Committee, the Board of Directors has selected Grant Thornton LLP to be the
Company's independent auditor for 2000. The selection of the Company's
independent auditor is not being submitted to shareholders because there is no
legal requirement to do so.
A representative of Grant Thornton LLP is expected to be present at the
Meeting and to be available to respond to appropriate questions. The
representative will have the opportunity to make a statement if he so desires.
-17-
<PAGE>
ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS AND FORM 10-K
This Proxy Statement is accompanied by the Company's Annual Report to
Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1999.
EACH PERSON SOLICITED HEREUNDER CAN OBTAIN A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL
REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 AS FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, WITHOUT CHARGE EXCEPT FOR EXHIBITS TO THE
REPORT, BY SENDING A WRITTEN REQUEST THEREFOR TO FIRST COLONIAL GROUP, INC., 76
SOUTH MAIN STREET, NAZARETH, PENNSYLVANIA 18064, ATTENTION: REID L. HEEREN, VICE
PRESIDENT.
By Order of the Board of Directors
S. ERIC BEATTIE
President and Chief
Executive Officer
-18-
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
PROXY
FIRST COLONIAL GROUP, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS -- MAY 11, 2000
SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
FIRST COLONIAL GROUP, INC.
The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints James P. Vitale and Maria A.
Keller, and each of them, as attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with full
power of substitution, for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned,
to appear at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of First Colonial Group, Inc.
(the "Company") to be held on the 11th day of May, 2000, and at any postponement
or adjournment thereof, and to vote all of the shares of the Company which the
undersigned is entitled to vote, with all the powers and authority the
undersigned would possess if personally present.
1. FOR /_/ the election of S. Eric Beattie, Christian F. Martin, IV, and
John H. Ruhle, Jr. as Class II directors of the Company to hold office for
a term of four years and until their successors are duly elected and
qualified.
(To withhold authority to vote for all directors, check this box /_/)
To withhold authority to vote for an individual nominee, write that
nominee's name on the space provided below.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTIONS TO THE CONTRARY ARE
INDICATED, THE PROXY AGENTS INTEND TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL THE NOMINEES
LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1.
BOTH PROXY AGENTS PRESENT AND ACTING IN PERSON OR BY THEIR SUBSTITUTES (OR,
IF ONLY ONE IS PRESENT AND ACTING, THEN THAT ONE) MAY EXERCISE ALL THE POWERS
CONFERRED BY THIS PROXY. DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY IS CONFERRED BY THIS PROXY AS
TO CERTAIN MATTERS DESCRIBED IN THE COMPANY'S PROXY STATEMENT.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Company's 1999 Annual
Report to Shareholders, Notice of the Company's 2000 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and the Proxy Statement relating thereto.
Date:__________________________, 2000
(Please date this Proxy
______________________________________
______________________________________
(Signatures)
It would be helpful if you signed your
name exactly as it appears on your stock
certificate(s), indicating any official
position or representative capacity. If
shares are registered in more than one
name, all owners should sign.
PLEASE DATE AND SIGN THIS PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE
ENCLOSED POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE.
