<PAGE>
EASTERN BANCORP, INC.
537 CENTRAL AVENUE
DOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03820
(603) 749-2150
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 7, 1996
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
"Annual Meeting") of Eastern Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") will be held on
Wednesday, February 7, 1996 at 10:30 a.m. in the Adirondack Ballroom at the
Radisson Hotel, 60 Battery Street, Burlington, Vermont, for the following
purposes:
(1) To elect three directors for a three-year term (Proposal 1);
(2) To ratify the appointment by the Board of Directors of the firm of KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP as independent auditors of the Company for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 1996 (Proposal 2); and
(3) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournments thereof.
Pursuant to the Bylaws, the Board of Directors has fixed the close of business
on December 13, 1995 as the record date for the determination of stockholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Only holders of record
of common stock of the Company at the close of business on that date will be
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments
thereof. In the event that there are not sufficient votes to approve any one or
more of the foregoing proposals at the time of the Annual Meeting, the Annual
Meeting may be adjourned in order to permit further solicitation of proxies by
the Company.
By Order of the Board of Directors
W. Stevens Sheppard
Chairman of the Board
Dover, New Hampshire
December 29, 1995
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. THEREFORE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU
PLAN TO BE PRESENT IN PERSON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND
COMPLETE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE WHICH
REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
<PAGE>
EASTERN BANCORP, INC.
537 CENTRAL AVENUE
DOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03820
(603) 749-2150
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
FEBRUARY 7, 1996
SOLICITATION, VOTING AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
This Proxy Statement is furnished to stockholders of Eastern Bancorp, Inc.
("Eastern Bancorp" or the "Company") in connection with the solicitation by the
Board of Directors of Eastern Bancorp of proxies to be used at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting"), to be held on Wednesday,
February 7, 1996 at 10:30 a.m. in the Adirondack Ballroom, at the Radisson
Hotel, 60 Battery Street, Burlington, Vermont, and at any adjournments thereof.
On May 9, 1995, an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") was
adopted and executed by each of the Company, Rockingham Bancorp, Inc., a wholly
owned subsidiary of the Company ("Rockingham"), First Savings of New Hampshire,
a wholly owned subsidiary of Rockingham ("First Savings"), and Vermont Federal
Bank, FSB, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company ("Vermont Federal").
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Rockingham was dissolved and First Savings was
merged into Vermont Federal (the "Merger") on October 1, 1995. In the Merger,
Vermont Federal was the surviving entity and successor to the rights and
obligations of First Savings.
Unless otherwise specified, all references in this Proxy Statement to
Vermont Federal and all references to First Savings, as appropriate, refer to
Vermont Federal as successor to the rights and obligations of First Savings.
If the enclosed form of proxy is properly executed and returned to the
Company in time to be voted at the Annual Meeting, the shares represented
thereby will be voted in accordance with the instructions marked thereon.
EXECUTED BUT UNMARKED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED (1) FOR PROPOSAL 1 TO ELECT THE
THREE NOMINEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO SERVE AS DIRECTORS FOR THREE-YEAR
TERMS AND (2) FOR PROPOSAL 2 TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OF THE COMPANY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,
1996. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting, the
persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote the shares represented by the
proxies on such matters as determined by a majority of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors is not aware of any other such matters that are proposed
to be presented at the Annual Meeting.
The presence of a stockholder at the Annual Meeting will not automatically
revoke such stockholder's proxy. However, stockholders may revoke a proxy at any
time prior to its exercise by filing with the secretary of the Company a written
notice of revocation, by delivering to the Company a duly executed proxy bearing
a later date, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.
The cost of soliciting proxies in the form enclosed herewith will be borne
by the Company. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, the Company,
through its directors, officers and regular employees, may also solicit proxies
personally or by telephone or telegraph. The Company will also request persons,
firms and corporations holding shares in their names or in the name of their
nominees, which are beneficially owned by others, to send proxy material to and
obtain proxies from the beneficial owners and will reimburse the holders for
their reasonable expenses in so doing. Eastern Bancorp has also retained
Corporate Investor Communications, Inc., a proxy soliciting
<PAGE>
firm, to assist in the solicitation of proxies for a fee of $3,750 plus
reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses authorized by the Company. It is
anticipated that this Proxy Statement will be mailed to stockholders on or about
December 29, 1995.
The securities which can be voted at the Annual Meeting consist of shares of
common stock of the Company, with each share entitling its owner to one vote on
all matters. Under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, cumulative voting
to elect directors is not authorized. The close of business on December 13, 1995
has been fixed by the Board of Directors as the record date for the
determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting. There were approximately 997 record holders of the Company's common
stock as of that date, and the number of shares outstanding as of that date was
2,398,466. The presence, in person or by proxy, of at least one third of the
outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote is necessary to constitute a
quorum at the Annual Meeting.
A copy of the Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1995 accompanies this Proxy Statement. THE COMPANY IS REQUIRED TO
FILE AN ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR ITS FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995
WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ("SEC"). STOCKHOLDERS MAY OBTAIN,
FREE OF CHARGE, A COPY OF THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K BY WRITING TO ROBERT K.
HAMME, CORPORATE SECRETARY, EASTERN BANCORP, INC., 282 WILLISTON ROAD, P.O. BOX
700, WILLISTON, VERMONT 05495.
The election of directors will be decided by plurality vote. The proposal to
ratify the appointment by the Board of Directors of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as
independent auditors of the Company requires the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the shares represented and voting at the Annual Meeting.
Shares of common stock represented in person or by proxy at the Annual
Meeting (including shares that abstain or do not vote with respect to one or
more of the matters presented for stockholder approval) will be counted for
purposes of determining whether or not a quorum is present at the Annual
Meeting. Abstentions will be treated as shares that are present and entitled to
vote for purposes of determining the number of shares that are present and
entitled to vote with respect to any particular matter, but will not be counted
as a vote in favor of such matter. Accordingly, an abstention from voting on a
matter by a stockholder present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual
Meeting has the same legal effect as a vote "against" the matter. If a broker or
nominee holding stock in "street name" indicates on the proxy that it does not
have discretionary authority to vote certain shares on a particular matter, such
shares will not be considered to be present and entitled to vote with respect to
that matter, nor will they be counted as votes in favor. Accordingly, such a
"broker non-vote" will have no effect on the voting for the election of
directors or the ratification of independent auditors.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
(PROPOSAL 1)
The Board of Directors of Eastern Bancorp consists of eleven persons at
present. Directors are elected for staggered terms of three years and until
their successors are elected and qualified. The directors are divided into three
classes as nearly equal in number as possible. The term of office of only one
class of directors expires in each year. At the Annual Meeting, three directors
will be elected for three-year terms.
Unless otherwise specified on the proxy, it is the intention of the persons
named in the proxy to vote the shares represented by each properly executed
proxy for the election as directors of the Board of Directors' nominees listed
below. The Board of Directors believes that each such nominee
2
<PAGE>
will stand for election and will serve if elected as a director. However, if any
such person fails to stand for election or is unable to accept election, proxies
will be voted by the proxyholders for the election of such other person or
persons as the Board of Directors may recommend.
INFORMATION AS TO NOMINEES AND CONTINUING DIRECTORS
Set forth below is certain information regarding the Board of Directors'
nominees for director and the continuing directors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR FOR TERM POSITION(S) HELD
AGE (A) SINCE (B) EXPIRING WITH THE COMPANY
------- --------- -------- --------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NOMINEES FOR 3-YEAR TERM:
- - -------------------------
John A. Cobb 51 1988 1999 President, Chief Executive Officer, Director
Mary Alice McKenzie 38 1991 1999 Director
Ernest A. Pomerleau 48 1990 1999 Director
CONTINUING DIRECTORS:
- - -------------------------
Michael D. Flynn 56 1991 1997 Director
E. David Humphrey 53 1992 1997 Director and Executive Vice President; President
and Chief Operating Officer of Vermont Federal
Bank
John S. Kimbell 49 1993 1997 Director
Garry T. Melia 53 1987 1997 Director
John K. Dwight 51 1989 1998 Director
Steven F. Shea 53 1985 1998 Director and Executive Vice President
W. Stevens Sheppard 65 1989 1998 Director
James M. Sutton 54 1995 1998 Director
</TABLE>
- - --------------------------
(a) At December 31, 1995.
(b) The dates shown include service as directors of the Company's subsidiaries,
Vermont Federal, in the case of Ms. McKenzie and Messrs. Cobb, Humphrey and
Pomerleau, or First Savings, (together with Vermont Federal, into which
First Savings was merged effective October 1, 1995, the "Banks"), in the
case of Messrs. Melia and Shea.
The business background of the Board of Directors' nominees for director and
the continuing directors for the past five years follows.
JOHN A. COBB, C.P.A. was elected President, Chief Executive Officer and a
Director of the Company in August 1988 and in February 1989, Mr. Cobb became the
Company's Chief Executive Officer. He also currently serves as a director of
Vermont Federal. He has a Bachelors degree from West Virginia University and is
a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Cobb currently serves on the boards of the
Vermont Business Roundtable and Flynn Theatre, as well as being a member of the
Campaign for the New Century for Trinity College in Burlington, Vermont, and the
South Burlington Lions Club. Prior to joining Eastern Bancorp, he most recently
served as advisor to Atlantic Financial Federal, Charleston, West Virginia. He
was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of Magnet Bank, FSB,
Charleston, West Virginia in 1985, serving in that capacity until 1988. In
addition to being President, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of
each subsidiary company, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the
parent bank. Prior to 1985, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of Magnet. In February 1988, a receiver was appointed for
Magnet Bank. In January 1991, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
3
<PAGE>
("FDIC") filed a lawsuit against Mr. Cobb in connection with his former
positions at Magnet Bank. In October 1991, the lawsuit was dismissed without any
liability of Mr. Cobb. In connection with the dismissal of the FDIC claims, the
insurance company which had issued director and officer liability coverage to
Magnet Bank made a payment to the FDIC within the policy limits. No payment was
required to be made by Mr. Cobb, and the insurance company funded the cost of
Mr. Cobb's defense. Mr. Cobb had expressly denied any liability to the FDIC, and
the settlement specifically provides that it is not to be construed as an
admission of any liability on his part.
MARY ALICE MCKENZIE is the President of McKenzie's L.L.C., a meat company
that was organized in 1907 in Burlington, Vermont and was in the McKenzie family
for four generations. She is a Director of Vermont Federal and the Central
Vermont Public Service Company. Ms. McKenzie is a director of, and on the
Executive Committees of, the Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation, the
Associated Industries of Vermont and the American Meat Institute. She is a
member of the Governor's Council of Economic Advisors. Ms. McKenzie holds a
Bachelors of Business Administration from St. Mary's College in Notre Dame,
Indiana and a J.D. from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana.
ERNEST A. POMERLEAU is President of Pomerleau Real Estate in Burlington,
Vermont, which owns and manages over 1.5 million square feet of commercial
space. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Vermont Federal, is a
member of the Executive Committee of Eastern Bancorp, and Chair of its
Compensation Committee. Mr. Pomerleau is also currently a director for the
Vermont Respite House, Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation and the Cancer
Wellness Center. Mr. Pomerleau has previously served on the boards of the
Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Burlington Development Association, Mater Christi
School Board, the Preservation Trust of Vermont, the Flynn Theatre for the
Performing Arts, and the Burlington Rotary Club. Mr. Pomerleau graduated from
St. Michael's College in Colchester, Vermont.
JOHN K. DWIGHT is currently President, Chief Executive Officer, and a
director of Dwight Asset Management Company, Inc. located in Burlington,
Vermont, which was acquired by United Asset Management Company, in Boston,
Massachusetts. Dwight Asset Management Company, Inc. provides strategic
consulting advice regarding aspects of pension finance and manages over $8
billion for retirement plan assets for various Fortune 500 companies. Upon
graduation from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 1967 with a
B.A. in English, Mr. Dwight joined Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company in
Cincinnati, Ohio, as a sales and pension consultant. Upon moving to Vermont in
1975, Mr. Dwight became a partner in Brown Bridgman & Company, offering
preferred investment vehicles for pension plans, and later owned and operated
John K. Dwight, Inc. and John K. Dwight Asset Management Company from 1985
through 1994 when the company was acquired by United Asset Management Company.
STEVEN F. SHEA was elected a Director and Executive Vice President of the
Company effective August 31, 1989 upon consummation of Eastern Bancorp's
acquisition of Rockingham, the former holding company of First Savings. Mr. Shea
served as President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of First Savings
since August 1985 and as President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of
Rockingham Bancorp since Rockingham's establishment as the holding company for
First Savings in July 1987. Since the merger of First Savings into Vermont
Federal on October 1, 1995, Mr. Shea has been head of commercial lending for the
combined banks. From January 1984 to August 1985, Mr. Shea served as Executive
Vice President of Peoples Savings Bank in Worcester, Massachusetts. He is
currently a director of the Community Bank League of New England and a director
and President of The Housing Partnership, a non-profit New Hampshire and
southeastern Maine affordable housing organization. Mr. Shea holds a B.S. from
the University of Massachusetts and an M.B.A. from Boston College.
4
<PAGE>
W. STEVENS SHEPPARD was elected to the Board in 1989 and currently serves as
Chairman. He is an Administrator of Pequot Investment Advisors, Inc., and an
Advisory Director of Berkshire Capital Corporation. Mr. Sheppard was a Managing
Director of Berkshire Capital Corporation from March 1988 to June 1995 and,
prior to that, a Managing Director of Financial Institutions Group in Corporate
Finance, specializing in the thrift and mortgage banking industries with Paine
Webber. Prior thereto, he served as President and Director of Paine Webber Real
Estate Securities Inc., as well as a board member of a number of Paine Webber
subsidiaries. As an investment banker, Mr. Sheppard has been involved in many
investment banking transactions, including various transactions concerning
thrifts. Mr. Sheppard is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a B.A. in
Economics, and is a retired Naval Officer.
JAMES M. SUTTON was elected to the Board of Directors effective November 1,
1995. Mr. Sutton is the general partner of James M. Sutton Investors Limited of
Englewood, Colorado, President and Chief Executive Officer of Maxwell
Corporation, an investment company headquartered in Welch, West Virginia, and
President of Monogram Homes, Inc. of Englewood, Colorado, a residential
construction firm. In addition, Mr. Sutton serves as a Director of SBR, Inc., of
Parkersburg, West Virginia, a manufacturer of vinyl windows with subsidiary
operations that include the retail and mail order distribution of woodworking
tools. In addition, he serves as Director of Steel Works, Inc. of Denver,
Colorado, a company engaged in international steel sales. He has formerly held
positions as Chairman of the Board and Director of Security Bank in Fairmont,
West Virginia, Guarantee Bank of Charleston, West Virginia and the Bank of War
in War, West Virginia. He currently serves as President of Ameribank in
Northfork, West Virginia, and Chairman of American Bankshares, Inc., a bank
holding company in Welch, West Virginia. Mr. Sutton is a graduate of West
Virginia University with a B.S./B.A. in Accounting. He has completed the
Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin
and the Small Company Management Program conducted by the Harvard Business
School.
MICHAEL D. FLYNN, C.P.A. is Managing Partner of the Burlington, Vermont
C.P.A. firm of Gallagher, Flynn & Company. He is Treasurer and a director of the
Vermont Business Roundtable and a member of the Board of Advisors for the School
of Business Administration of the University of Vermont. Mr. Flynn has served as
Chair of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, as the President of the Lake Champlain
Chamber of Commerce, President of the Ethan Allen Club, and Chair of the Board
of Rice Memorial High School. Prior to becoming a C.P.A., Mr. Flynn was in the
field of marketing, serving as Director of Marketing Administration for the Head
Ski Company. He is also a member of the Burlington Rotary Club and the Vermont
Society of C.P.A.'s. Mr. Flynn holds a B.A. from Colby College and an M.B.A.
from Harvard Business School.
E. DAVID HUMPHREY is the President and Chief Operating Officer and on the
Board of Vermont Federal. Before joining Vermont Federal, he served as
President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Eureka Savings Bank in
Overland Park, Kansas from 1988 through 1991. From 1983 through 1988, he was
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Magnet Bank in
Charleston, West Virginia, as well as being President of Magnet Mortgages, Inc.
Mr. Humphrey is a director of the Chittenden County United Way Agency and a
former director of the Greater Burlington YMCA. He holds a B.S. in Business
Administration from West Virginia University.
JOHN S. KIMBELL is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Vermont Gas
Systems, Inc. Prior to joining Vermont Gas in 1989, he served as Assistant Vice
President and subsequently as Vice President of Elizabethtown Gas Company in New
Jersey. He is currently a trustee of Trinity College in Burlington, past
President and Director of the Greater Burlington YMCA, Director of Chittenden
United Way, and Vice Chairman and Director of the Vermont Business Roundtable.
He
5
<PAGE>
is also Second Vice Chairman of the New England Gas Association. Mr. Kimbell
holds a B.A. in Human Relations from Salem College in Salem, West Virginia and
an M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.
GARRY T. MELIA is the managing partner of Melia & Osol, a law firm in
Worcester, Massachusetts. Mr. Melia is a member of both the Massachusetts and
Florida Bar Associations. He is also President and Director of several
Massachusetts business corporations. From December 1987 through September 1995,
Mr. Melia served on the Board of Directors of each of First Savings and
Rockingham. Mr. Melia holds a Bachelors degree from Salem State College in
Salem, Massachusetts and a J.D. from the University of Miami in Miami, Florida.
CERTAIN EXCHANGE ACT REPORTING MATTERS
Garry Melia filed a Form 4 on September 8, 1995, reporting the purchase of
1,000 shares of the Company's common stock on April 7, 1994. This disclosure
should have been reported on or before May 10, 1994.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors has appointed an Executive Committee whose members
currently consist of Mr. Sheppard (Chair), Ms. McKenzie, and Messrs. Cobb,
Dwight and Pomerleau. Seven meetings of the Executive Committee were held during
the year ended September 30, 1995. It is the Executive Committee's practice to
meet on months when the full Board does not meet and additionally when matters
arise that require action prior to the next regular meeting of the full Board.
The Executive Committee acts on behalf of and may exercise all authority of, the
full Board of Directors, except to the extent provided in the Company's Bylaws
and applicable law.
The Board of Directors has appointed an Audit Committee whose members
currently consist of Messrs. Flynn (Chair), Kimbell and Melia. The Audit
Committee reviews audit and budget procedures, internal controls at the Company,
and the report and performance of the Company's independent auditors. The Audit
Committee of the Company held three meetings during fiscal 1995. The Audit
Committees of Vermont Federal and First Savings held four meetings and three
meetings, respectively, during fiscal 1995.
The Board of Directors of the Company has appointed a Nominating Committee,
consisting of Messrs. Flynn (Chair), Melia and Sheppard, for selecting
management's nominees for election as directors and has made its nominations for
the 1996 Annual Meeting. The Company's Bylaws require that stockholder
nominations for directors be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the
Secretary of the Company. To be timely, notice must be delivered to, or mailed
to and received at, the principal executive offices of the Company not less than
30 days nor more than 90 days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting, unless
notice or public disclosure of the date of the meeting occurs less than 40 days
prior to the meeting, in which event stockholders may deliver such notice not
later than the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of the
meeting was mailed or public disclosure thereof was made. Public disclosure of
the date of the Annual Meeting was made by the issuance of a press release on
November 9, 1995. A stockholder's notice of nomination must set forth certain
information specified in Article II, Section 14 of the Company's Bylaws
concerning the stockholder and each person the stockholder proposes to nominate
for election. Stockholder nominations for the Annual Meeting are required to be
received on or before January 8, 1996. The Company's Bylaws provide that no
person may be elected as a director unless nominated in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the Bylaws.
The compensation and responsibilities of the Company's Compensation
Committee are described in the report of that Committee which appears elsewhere
in this Proxy Statement.
6
<PAGE>
During the year ended September 30, 1995, the Company's Board of Directors
held eight meetings. No incumbent director attended fewer than 75% of the total
number of meetings of the Board of Directors and the total number of meetings
held by all committees of the Board of Directors on which he or she served.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
FEES. None of the Company's directors who are also executive officers
receives directors' fees. The non-employee directors of the Company are paid an
annual retainer of $7,500 and a $660 monthly fee. Meetings are held quarterly or
more frequently when needed. Directors receive no fees for committee meetings
attended. During fiscal 1995, the Chairman of the Board received an annual
retainer of $15,000, (of which he donated $2,500 to the Company for special
events), the Chairman of the Executive Committee received an annual retainer of
$1,000, the Chairman of the Audit Committee received an annual retainer of
$2,500, and the Chairman of the Compensation Committee received an annual
retainer of $2,500.
Two of the Company's non-employee directors (Ms. McKenzie and Mr. Pomerleau)
also serve on the board of Vermont Federal and one non-employee director (Mr.
Melia) also served on the board of First Savings. They are compensated for such
service at the following rates: Ms. McKenzie and Mr. Pomerleau each receive an
annual retainer of $5,800 and $450 for monthly board meetings attended, and $260
per meeting for serving on each additional committee. Mr. Pomerleau also
receives a $10,400 fee as Chairman of the Vermont Federal Board (of which he
donated $2,500 to Vermont Federal for special events). During fiscal 1995, Mr.
Melia received a $1,500 annual retainer, $200 for board meetings attended and
$175 for Executive Committee meetings attended, as a director of First Savings.
The total amount of directors' fees paid or accrued by Eastern Bancorp for
all current directors, as a group, in fiscal 1995 was $124,660. This does not
include an additional $37,500 paid to such directors by the subsidiary banks.
Assuming that the compensation arrangements for directors will be the same in
1996 as in 1995, aggregate directors' fees payable by Eastern Bancorp during
fiscal 1996 are expected to be approximately $144,795, not including
approximately $31,980 to be paid by Vermont Federal. The Company also reimburses
non-employee directors for reasonable travel expenses incurred in connection
with attendance at meetings.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN. Eastern Bancorp and Vermont Federal have
established a deferred compensation plan which permits all directors and any
employee whose annual compensation exceeds a specified amount to defer payment
of part or all of their compensation. Under the plan, non-employee director
participants may elect to defer up to 100% of their director's fees and employee
participants may currently elect to defer up to 50% of their compensation. The
amounts deferred under the plan are adjusted periodically to reflect the value
they would have had if they had been (i) deposited at Vermont Federal, (ii)
invested in Eastern Bancorp stock or (iii) invested in specified mutual funds,
whichever is designated in advance by the individual participant. Adjustments on
deferred compensation that are treated as deposited at Vermont Federal are based
on a rate equal to the Bank's cost of deposits at the end of the prior quarter.
Amounts treated as if invested in Eastern Bancorp Stock or specified mutual
funds are marked to market periodically based on changes in trading prices for
Eastern Bancorp stock or such specified mutual funds assuming full reinvestment
of dividends. In addition, the plan requires the Company to place in a so-called
"rabbi" trust amounts equal to deferrals that are designated by participants for
periodic adjustment based on the performance of specified mutual funds or
Company stock. All deferred compensation, as adjusted over time, is payable to
the participant or to his or her designated
7
<PAGE>
beneficiary or estate, if applicable, following termination of service as a
director or employee for any reason. Such payments of deferred compensation are
generally made in equal monthly installments over a period of two to ten years,
depending on the amount of deferred account balances.
STOCK OPTIONS. Under the Company's 1987 Stock Option Plan, as currently in
effect (the "Plan"), each non-employee director is eligible to receive, upon
election to the Board, a one-time option grant covering 2,500 shares of the
Company's common stock at a per-share option exercise price not less than the
then fair market value of such stock (a "fair market value exercise price"),
subject to the availability of shares under the 1987 Option Plan. Thereafter, on
the date of each of the next five Annual Meetings, each such director is
entitled to receive an additional option grant covering 1,000 shares at the then
fair market value exercise price, provided he or she continues as a director
following such Annual Meeting. Such options are non-statutory options, have a
term of 10 years, and are subject to a one-year holding period prior to
exercise. The maximum number of shares that may be granted to all non-employee
directors is 30% of the shares covered by the Plan. The Company's eight
non-employee directors (Ms. McKenzie and Messrs. Dwight, Flynn, Kimbell, Melia,
Pomerleau, Sheppard and Sutton) have already received option awards covering
34,000 shares in the aggregate, having exercise prices ranging from $8.50 to
$23.75 per share, and are scheduled to receive additional option awards covering
26,000 shares in the aggregate between 1996 and 2000, assuming their continued
service as directors.
8
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the annual and
long-term compensation paid or accrued to or for the benefit of (i) the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and (ii) the other four most highly paid
executive officers of the Company whose annual salary and bonuses exceeded
$100,000 for services rendered during the year ended September 30, 1995 together
with the annual and long-term compensation paid or accrued to or for the benefit
of the same individuals (the "Named Executive Officers") for services rendered
during the years ended September 30, 1993 and 1994.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long-Term Compensation (1)
------------------------------
Annual Compensation (1)
----------------------------- Awards
Other -------------------- Payouts
Annual Restricted -------
Compen- Stock Options LTIP All Other
Name and Principal Position Year Salary Bonus sation (2) Awards (#) Payouts Compensation (3)
- - --------------------------------------- ------- -------- ------- ---------- ---------- ------- ------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John A. Cobb, President and 1995 $224,977 $68,015 $ -- $ -- -- $ -- $16,620(4)
Chief Executive Officer of 1994 $217,673 $62,027 $ -- $ -- -- $ -- $22,530(5)
the Company 1993 $207,685 $78,750 $ -- $ -- 75,000 $ -- $21,013(6)
E. David Humphrey, Executive Vice 1995 $184,504 $63,950 $ -- $ -- -- $ -- $16,620(7)
President of the Company, 1994 $176,287 $55,000 $ -- $ -- -- $ -- $21,307(8)
President of Vermont Federal 1993 $163,341 $57,140 $ -- $ -- 40,000 $ -- $18,187(9)
Steven F. Shea, Executive 1995 $161,953 $43,072 $ -- $ -- -- $ -- $10,016(10)
Vice President of the Company 1994 $154,936 $18,271 $ -- $ -- -- $ -- $10,016(10)
President of First Savings 1993 $148,207 $22,425 $ -- $ -- 35,000 $ -- $10,016(10)
</TABLE>
- - --------------------------
(1) Includes amounts that would have been paid in cash to such persons during
such fiscal years but for the deferral of such payments.
(2) Other compensation to any executive officer in the form of personal
benefits, including the use of a company car and the payment of club dues,
has been omitted pursuant to applicable regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, since such compensation constituted less than 10% of
such officer's salary and bonuses for the year.
(3) Amounts for 1993 and 1994 are adjusted in accordance with Section 415 of
the Internal Revenue Code and reflect amounts earned during the fiscal
year indicated.
(4) Comprised of $12,120 Company contribution to Mr. Cobb's 401(k) account and
$4,500 Company contribution to Mr. Cobb's Employee Stock Ownership Plan
("ESOP") account; amount of Company contribution to Mr. Cobb's
Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan account has not yet been
determined.
(5) Comprised of $14,376 Company contribution to Mr. Cobb's 401(k) account and
$5,366 Company contribution to Mr. Cobb's ESOP account and a $2,788
Company contribution to Mr. Cobb's Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan
account.
(6) Comprised of $15,881 Company contribution to Mr. Cobb's 401(k) account and
$5,132 Company contribution to Mr. Cobb's ESOP account.
(7) Comprised of $12,120 Company contribution to Mr. Humphrey's 401(k) account
and $4,500 Company contribution to Mr. Humphrey's ESOP account; amount of
Company contribution to Mr. Humphrey's Supplemental Deferred Compensation
Plan account has not yet been determined.
(8) Comprised of $11,906 Company contribution to Mr. Humphrey's 401(k) account
and $6,601 Company contribution to Mr. Humphrey's ESOP account and a
$2,800 Company contribution to Mr. Humphrey's Supplemental Deferred
Compensation account.
(9) Comprised of $12,387 Company contribution to Mr. Humphrey's 401(k) account
and $5,800 Company contribution to Mr. Humphrey's ESOP account.
(10) Represents the cost to the Company of life insurance benefits obtained for
such Named Executive Officer.
9
<PAGE>
OPTION GRANTS
No options were awarded to any of the Company's Named Executive Officers
during Fiscal Year 1995.
YEAR-END OPTION TABLE
The following table sets forth certain information concerning exercises of
stock options by the Named Executive Officers during the year ended September
30, 1995 and the number and value of unexercised options held by each of such
executive officers on September 30, 1995.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Value of Unexercised
Unexercised Options at In-The-Money Options
Shares Fiscal Year-End at Fiscal Year-End (1)
Acquired on Value --------------------------- ---------------------------
Exercise Realized Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
John A. Cobb -- $-- 105,000 -- $ 1,005,000 --
E. David Humphrey -- $-- 50,000 -- $ 517,500 --
Steven F. Shea -- $-- 48,000 -- $ 455,750 --
</TABLE>
- - --------------------------
(1) Represents the difference between the exercise price and the closing sale
price of Eastern Bancorp's common stock on Nasdaq on the final trading day
of the fiscal year which was $22.75.
SUPPLEMENTAL DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Executive officers of the Company including the Named Executive Officers are
eligible to participate in the deferred compensation plan described under "--
Compensation of Directors." Under a separate supplemental plan (the
"Supplemental Plan"), the Company matches amounts deferred by officers and
employees of the Company (but not directors) up to specified maximum amounts
equal to the difference between the maximum Company match permitted under the
401(k)/ESOP Plan pursuant to federal income tax law prior to 1993 and the
maximum Company match permitted under current law. Pursuant to the Supplemental
Plan, a Company match, which has not yet been determined, will be credited to
the accounts of Messrs. Cobb and Humphrey for the fiscal year ended September
30, 1995. The amounts credited for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994 for
Messrs. Cobb and Humphrey were $2,788 and $2,800, respectively. If they elect to
defer the maximum amount of compensation which qualifies for matching pursuant
to the Supplemental Plan, the Supplemental Plan will provide a maximum Company
match of $4,312 for Mr. Cobb (.$50 for every one dollar Mr. Cobb contributes,
provided that the total Company match under the 401(k) Plan and the Supplemental
Plan shall not exceed 3% of Mr. Cobb's total compensation), and $3,417 for Mr.
Humphrey (.$50 for every one dollar Mr. Humphrey contributes, provided that the
total Company match under the 401(k) Plan and the Supplemental Plan shall not
exceed 3% of Mr. Humphrey's total compensation). Each Company match is to be
fully vested for participants having two or more years of service with the
Company.
FIRST SAVINGS PENSION PLAN
First Savings, as a participating employer of the Financial Institutions
Retirement Fund, has maintained a qualified non-contributory defined benefit
pension plan for its eligible employees, the rights and obligations of which
were assumed by Vermont Federal pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the "First
Savings pension plan"). All employees of First Savings (other than employees
hired after attaining age 60) have been eligible to participate in the plan upon
attaining age 21 and completing one year of service. At September 30, 1995, Mr.
Shea, who was 52 years old, had ten
10
<PAGE>
years of credited service under the First Savings pension plan. The Company
intends to terminate the First Savings pension plan and offer, in lieu of such
plan, participation in the Company's 401(k)/ ESOP plan.
Benefits under the First Savings pension plan are funded by contributions
made by First Savings and are determined according to a formula which provides a
participant with an annual benefit for his or her lifetime equal to the product
of (i) the participant's years of service, multiplied by (ii) 2% of his or her
average annual salary for the three consecutive years out of the entire length
of service which produces the highest average. Annual salary for this purpose
consists of the salary and bonus set forth in the Summary Compensation Table
above, exclusive of any other type of compensation. Benefits under the First
Savings pension plan are not subject to offset for Social Security payments.
Participants in the plan become 100% vested in their benefits under the plan
upon completion of five years of service. Provisions for early retirement,
disability and deferred retirement termination and pre-retirement death benefits
are also included in the plan. Unless another form of payment is elected,
retirement benefits are distributed as a straight life annuity with a 12-times
(normal form) death benefit.
The following table illustrates annual pension plan benefits at age 65 under
the First Savings pension plan for specified years of service and specified
levels of average compensation for the three highest consecutive years.
PENSION PLAN TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Highest
3 Year Years of Service
Average --------------------------------------------------------------
Compensation 15 20 25 30 35
- - ------------ ------- ------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 125,000 $37,500 $50,000 $ 62,500 $ 75,000 $ 87,500
$ 150,000 $45,000 $60,000 $ 75,000 $ 90,000 $105,000
$ 175,000 $52,500 $70,000 $ 87,500 $105,000 $109,091
$ 200,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 $109,091 $109,091
</TABLE>
Benefits payable in any year will be subject to a limitation imposed by the
Internal Revenue Code. This annual limitation was $109,091 for 1995 and is
subject to increases in subsequent years to reflect cost-of-living changes.
First Savings has entered into an agreement with Mr. Shea which provides him
with supplemental retirement benefits. Under the agreement, if Mr. Shea's
employment terminates after attaining age 65, he is entitled to a benefit of 20%
of his then current base salary for 15 years. Mr. Shea is entitled to a reduced
benefit after attaining age 50 upon termination of employment. Such reduced
benefit equals the benefit he would have been entitled to upon reaching age 65
reduced 5% for each year prior to age 65 that payments commence. Under this
supplemental plan, Mr. Shea would receive a minimum benefit of $13,060 per year
for 15 years if he were to retire at age 53 in 1995 and a maximum benefit of
approximately $58,644 per year for 15 years if he were to retire at age 65 in
2007 (assuming a 5% annual rate of increase in his base salary).
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
ARRANGEMENTS
Mr. Cobb has entered into a written employment contract with the Company and
Mr. Humphrey has entered into written employment contracts with Vermont Federal
and the Company. These contracts are uniform except with respect to title and
capacity, responsibilities and duties, salary level and location of employment.
Each executive has a contract that provides for his participation on an
equitable basis in all of the Company's bonus and fringe benefit plans, subject
to applicable eligibility requirements. Each
11
<PAGE>
contract prohibits base salary reductions except as part of a general reduction
in the compensation of all executive officers. The Company may not materially
increase or decrease the executive's duties.
The contracts currently provide for a term ending December 31, 1996. Prior
to December 31, 1995, when the remaining term of the contract will be one year,
the Company and the executive may mutually agree to extend the term to two
years. Further annual extensions are permitted, provided that the term of the
contract never exceeds two years. The executive is prohibited from resigning as
an employee during the term of the contract except in some circumstances
following a change in control, as described below. Following any breach of this
provision, the Company is entitled to have the executive enjoined from working
for another bank or thrift institution in Vermont or New Hampshire or certain
other states during the remaining term. Termination for cause or voluntary
resignation also requires the employee to forfeit any bonus accruing for the
year of termination or resignation and to repay to the Company six months' base
salary. The Company is entitled to terminate the executive at any time with or
without cause (which is defined to include willful misconduct, willful violation
of any law or regulation, incompetence measured against standards generally
prevailing in the banking industry, and in various circumstances required by
applicable banking regulations). Termination without cause requires the payment
of severance pay in a lump sum equal to the executive's base salary over the
remaining term of the contract (or, in Mr. Cobb's case, a minimum of 18 months),
plus continuation of employee benefits during such period. Such payment is not
to be reduced by any compensation which the executive may subsequently earn from
other sources.
Special rules apply if there is a change in control (as defined in the
contract) of the Company or Vermont Federal during the term of the employment
agreement. If the executive were to be terminated by the Company or Bank other
than for cause in connection with or within one year after such a change in
control, he would be entitled to receive a lump sum cash payment (in lieu of his
regular severance pay) equal to three times his average annual compensation
includible in his gross income for federal income tax purposes with respect to
the five most recent taxable years ending prior to such change in control (or
such portion thereof as he was a full-time employee of the Company or Bank),
less one dollar and less any special bonus paid in connection with the change in
control. If for good reason, as defined, in connection with or within one year
after a change in control, the executive were to terminate his employment
voluntarily he would be entitled to receive a lump sum cash payment equal to two
times his then current salary (but not less than his salary for the fiscal year
preceding the change in control). "Good reason" includes a reduction in
compensation, a forced relocation, a material increase in the executive's
duties, or a material decrease in the executive's position. The executive is not
entitled to receive any of the foregoing payments to the extent that such
payments would be considered "excess parachute payments" under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). In addition, federal legislation
authorizes the FDIC under certain circumstances to prohibit or limit payments
that are contingent on the termination of a person's employment with an insured
depository institution or holding company such as Vermont Federal or the
Company.
In connection with the merger of First Savings into Vermont Federal, Mr.
Shea's employment contract was amended to provide for the right of either Mr.
Shea or the Company to terminate Mr. Shea's employment at any time prior to
April 1996, with or without stated cause. Upon such termination, the Company
would pay Mr. Shea a lump sum equal to the total amount of salary which he would
have received had he remained employed by the Company through October 1, 1998
assuming no change in salary during such period. Apart from this special
provision, the regular termination date under Mr. Shea's contract is December
31, 1998, subject to annual one-year
12
<PAGE>
extensions at the parties' mutual election commencing on December 31, 1996. In
other respects, Mr. Shea's employment and severance provisions are substantially
similar to those under the Company's employment agreement with Mr. Humphrey.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
None of the members of the Company's Compensation Committee (which consists
of Mr. Pomerleau (Chair), Ms. McKenzie and Messrs. Dwight, and Melia) has ever
been an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Mr.
Dwight and Mr. Pomerleau have outstanding loans from Vermont Federal. In the
Board's estimation, such loans were made in the ordinary course of business and
on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as
those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons, and
do not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other
unfavorable features. No executive officer of the Company has served as a
director or member of the Compensation Committee (or other committee serving an
equivalent function) of any other entity any of whose executive officers served
as a director of the Company or member of the Company's Compensation Committee.
13
<PAGE>
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AND ITS RESPONSIBILITIES
The Compensation and Options Committee (the "Committee") of Eastern Bancorp,
Inc. ("Eastern Bancorp" or the "Company") consists of four directors who are not
officers or employees of the Company: Mr. Pomerleau, Chairman, Ms. McKenzie and
Messrs. Dwight, and Melia. The Committee met three times in Fiscal 1995. The
Committee met in November 1994 to review officers' performance and determine
bonus awards. The Committee met in December 1994 to set salary adjustments for
executive officers and to renew executive officers' contracts for an additional
year. The Committee met in July 1995 to amend the employment contract for Mr.
Shea and to adopt a housing relocation plan for Mr. Cobb necessitated by the
merger of the Company's subsidiaries Vermont Federal Bank, FSB ("Vermont
Federal") and First Savings of New Hampshire ("First Savings") and the
subsequent relocation of the Company's headquarters to New Hampshire.
The Committee also administers the Company's stock option plans and awards
stock options to employees. None of the Committee members is currently eligible
to receive stock option awards other than pursuant to a fixed formula for all
outside directors set forth in the Company's 1987 Stock Option Plan. (This
formula was amended, with stockholder approval, at the 1994 Annual Meeting.) The
Committee met in November 1995 to award options to certain employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries. In accordance with applicable regulations under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Committee's awards of
options to executive officers are not subject to review by the full Board of
Directors, because the Board includes executive officers among its members.
The Committee regularly solicits the views of Mr. Cobb, the Company's chief
executive officer, in regard to the performance of other executive officers and
their compensation, as well as management's perspective on executive
compensation generally, but Mr. Cobb is not a member of the Committee and takes
no part in the Committee's deliberations or decisions.
Vermont Federal Bank, FSB ("Vermont Federal") has its own compensation
committee. Directors Pomerleau and McKenzie sit on Vermont Federal's
compensation committee, together with two other directors of that institution.
Prior to its merger into Vermont Federal on October 1, 1995, First Savings had
no compensation committee. All compensation decisions were made by the full
Board of Directors, with Mr. Shea abstaining. The compensation committee of the
Company and Vermont Federal and the Board of Directors of First Savings had no
material disagreements about executive compensation matters during 1995.
PRINCIPLES OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee believes in a policy of setting the base salaries
of the Company's executive officers after considering closely the median salary
levels of peer groups of comparable financial institutions, with annual cash
bonuses and other forms of incentive compensation reflecting the Company's
financial performance and/or the Committee's assessment of individual
performance. The overall strategy is to provide for competitive compensation
when performance meets business objectives; above average compensation for
better than expected performance; and moderate compensation if performance falls
short of plan. Under this strategic umbrella, base salary is intended to be
competitive, the annual bonus is the primary indicator of performance, and long-
term equity incentives are intended to align executive and stockholder
interests.
SPECIFIC COMPENSATION ELEMENTS
BASE SALARIES. The base salary of each of Eastern Bancorp's executive
officers was originally negotiated at arm's length by Eastern Bancorp and the
executive prior to the executive's joining the Company. In negotiating such
salaries, Eastern Bancorp was mindful of peer group data for officers of
comparable experience. In Mr. Shea's case, Eastern Bancorp assessed the salary
that Mr. Shea
14
<PAGE>
was receiving from First Savings, prior to its acquisition by Eastern Bancorp in
1989, and concluded that such salary was within Eastern Bancorp's overall salary
guidelines. Since being hired, the executives' base salaries have been adjusted
annually in light of peer group trends.
In reviewing peer group base salary data, the Committee uses published
information from available survey sources as well as more detailed analysis of
up to 19 thrift institutions located in the Northeast which are reasonably
comparable in size to the Company in terms of total assets. These 19 thrift
institutions are identified by SNL Securities Inc. annually, most recently in
1994, using a seven-step formula based upon relative size and geographic
proximity. The composition of this 19-member group may vary from year to year in
accordance with the seven-step formula. From these 19 institutions, the Company
has excluded seven this year because they do not engage in significant lending,
are in danger of failing, have been acquired, or exhibit other material
dissimilarities from the Company's line of business, and substituted two Vermont
commercial banks which were selected by the Company and which are engaged in
activities more closely aligned to the Company's lines of business. While the
Company does not believe that compensation structures for commercial banks
generally parallel compensation structures for thrift institutions, the two
Vermont commercial banks are believed to constitute an exception. Those 14
institutions that were initially identified by SNL Securities, Inc. in 1993 that
are still independently owned are included in the peer group which was used in
measuring the Company's relative stock performance in the graph which is
contained in the Company's proxy statement for its 1996 annual meeting (the
"Proxy Statement,") together with a few other Vermont depository institutions,
most of which are commercial banks. The Company retains an independent
employment benefits consulting firm, William M. Mercer, Inc., to research the
marketplace, report on peer group data, and provide recommendations respecting
the Company's executive compensation program.
CASH BONUSES: Under the Company's Short Term Incentive ("STI") Plan,
individual bonuses have been awarded to the named executives under a formula
providing for bonuses equal to stated percentages of base compensation ranging
from 10% to 50% to the extent that certain criteria are attained. Threshold,
target and maximum goals have been established for Eastern Bancorp and each Bank
in terms of return on equity ("ROE") as compared with budget and as compared
with peer group results ("Financial Criteria"). Each Financial Criterion has
been assigned a separate weighting. A separate weighting may also be assigned to
the Committee's assessment of the executive's accomplishments during the year in
relation to a list of personal goals and objectives, prepared early in the year
and approved by the Committee ("Individual Performance Criteria"). Goals and
objectives are specific to an executive's individual responsibilities and
typically include the implementation of new policies and practices in certain
areas, the analysis of other areas with a view towards developing and proposing
new policies and practices, the development of new business initiatives and the
correction of substandard or disappointing aspects of operations.
Mr. Cobb has an STI formula which includes Company-wide ROE. Mr. Humphrey
has an STI formula which includes Company-wide ROE, Vermont Federal ROE and
Individual Performance Criteria. Mr. Shea had an STI formula which included
Company-wide ROE, First Savings ROE and Individual Performance Criteria.
Following the merger of First Savings into Vermont Federal, Mr. Shea's STI
formula will include Company-wide ROE, Vermont Federal ROE and Individual
Performance Criteria. The weightings of the various Criteria differ from
executive to executive. Mr. Cobb's STI formula is described in greater detail
under "Chief Executive Officer's Compensation."
Except as the Committee may otherwise determine in unusual circumstances,
(1) no bonuses whatsoever will be paid with respect to any year in which the
Company sustains a loss from operations and (2) no bonus whatsoever will be paid
to an individual whose STI formula includes Individual Performance Criteria
unless the Committee determines that such individual's performance met at least
a threshold level under such Criteria.
15
<PAGE>
FRINGE BENEFITS. As with base salaries, the Committee considers that each
Company executive should have fringe benefits that are generally comparable to
the fringe benefits offered by peer institutions. These include group medical
and life insurance coverage, reimbursement of relocation expenses and access to
the Company's 401(k)/ESOP and deferred compensation and education plans. In Mr.
Shea's case, in lieu of participation in the 401(k)/ESOP, the Company has
continued Mr. Shea's participation in the defined-benefit pension plan that
covered him and all other First Savings employees prior to Eastern Bancorp's
acquisition of First Savings. With the merger of First Savings on October 1,
1995 the Company intends to terminate the First Savings deferred-benefit pension
plan and offer, in lieu of such plan, participation in the Company's 401(k) ESOP
plan.
COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNAL REVENUE CODE SECTION 162 (M)
Section 162 (m) of the Internal Revenue Code, enacted in 1993, generally
disallows a tax deduction to public companies for compensation over $1 million
paid to the corporation's chief executive officer and four other
most-highly-compensated executive officers. Qualifying compensation will not be
subject to the deduction limit if certain requirements are met. Although the
Company has not paid any of its executive officers annual compensation over $1
million and has no plans to do so, it has established a limit on option grants
to employees in a manner that complies with the provisions of the statute.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S COMPENSATION
When Mr. Cobb joined Eastern Bancorp as President in 1988, the terms of his
employment contract were substantially identical to those of his predecessor's
contract, and his base salary was negotiated at arm's length within the
principle of comparability to peer group compensation levels. Subsequently, Mr.
Cobb's base salary has increased, and cash bonuses have been awarded to him, as
described above. For fiscal 1995, Mr. Cobb was eligible under the STI Plan to
receive a bonus of between 20% and 50% of base salary based entirely on Eastern
Bancorp's attainment of Financial Criteria. One-half of such bonus was based on
Eastern Bancorp's attainment of its budgeted ROE between a threshold of 80% of
budget (which would result in a bonus equal to 10% of base pay) and a maximum of
120% of budget (which would result in a bonus equal to 25% of base pay).
One-half of such bonus was based on Eastern Bancorp's attaining between a
threshold of 80% of median peer group ROE (which would result in a bonus equal
to 10% of base pay) and a maximum of 120% of median peer group ROE (which would
result in a bonus equal to 25% of base pay). Based on Eastern Bancorp's ROE, Mr.
Cobb received a bonus equal to 30.23% of his base compensation. If neither ROE
threshold had been attained, Mr. Cobb would have received no bonus.
CONCLUSION
The Compensation Committee constantly reviews the Company's compensation
policies and makes changes when it believes changes are warranted.
The Committee intends to continue to take a proactive role in reshaping the
Company's compensation policies, as warranted, from time to time.
Respectfully submitted,
Ernest A. Pomerleau, Chairman
John K. Dwight
Mary Alice McKenzie
Garry T. Melia
16
<PAGE>
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The chart which appears below sets forth the percentage change, on an annual
basis, in the cumulative total return of the Company's common stock since
September 28, 1990 (the last trading day of fiscal 1990) through September 30,
1995 (the last trading day of fiscal 1995). For comparative purposes, changes in
the cumulative total return on two indices of publicly traded stocks (the
"Indices") are also set forth on the chart.
The S&P 500 Index reflects the total return of a group of stocks in a
cross-section of industries. All of these stocks have substantially larger
market capitalizations than the Company. The second Index tracks a peer group
which includes thrift institutions located in the Northeast which are reasonably
comparable in size to the Company in terms of total assets. Nineteen such thrift
institutions were originally identified in 1993 by SNL Securities Inc., using a
seven-step formula based upon relative size and geographic proximity. The
composition of this group may decline from year to year as members of the
original 19-member group cease to be independently owned: currently there are 14
institutions. To these institutions the Company initially added in 1993 four
Vermont banks of comparable size which were excluded from the original 19-member
group because they are commercial banks rather than thrift institutions, and one
Vermont thrift institution which was excluded because its assets were slightly
less than half the size of the Company's assets. The changes that have been made
in the peer group this year are the deletion of four institutions in the
original peer group and the Vermont thrift institution, which are no longer
independently owned. Some of the 18 institutions in the 1995 peer group have
larger market capitalizations than the Company and some have smaller market
capitalizations.
The chart begins with an equal base value of $100 for the Company's stock
and for each of the Indices in September 1990 and reflects year-end closing
prices and dividends paid thereafter by the Company and by the companies which
comprise the Indices. The chart assumes full reinvestment of such dividends.
Information about the Indices has been obtained from sources believed to be
reliable, but neither the accuracy nor the completeness of such information is
guaranteed by the Company.
17
<PAGE>
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among Eastern Bancorp, Inc., The S&P 500 Index and A Peer Group
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EASTERN BANCORP, INC. PEER GROUP S & P 500
<S> <C> <C> <C>
9/90 100 100 100
9/91 96 120 131
9/92 98 174 146
9/93 224 255 165
9/94 304 300 171
9/95 317 381 221
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Cumulative Total Return
---------------------------------------
9/90 9/91 9/92 9/93 9/94 9/95
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Eastern Bancorp, Inc. 100 96 98 224 304 317
Peer Group 100 120 174 255 300 381
S&P 500 100 131 146 165 171 221
</TABLE>
* $100 invested on 09/30/90 in Stock or Index -- including reinvestment of
dividends. Fiscal year ending September 30.
- - --------------------------
(1) The peer group consists of American Bank of Waterbury, Banknorth Group,
Inc., Chittenden Corporation, Central Co-Operative Bank, Community
Bancshares, Inc., Cooperative Bank Savings, Inc., Eagle Financial
Corporation, Framingham Savings Bank, Grove Bank, Hibernia Savings Bank,
Lawrence Savings Bank, Lexington Savings Bank, Merchants Bancshares Inc.,
New Milford Bank and Trust Co., Sandwich Cooperative Bank, Shelton Bancorp,
Somerset Savings Bank, and Vermont Financial Services Corporation.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Vermont Federal offers home and other loans to its directors, officers and
other employees. These loans are made in the ordinary course of business and in
the judgment of management do not involve more than the normal risk of
collectibility. Such loans are made on substantially the same terms, including
interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with non-affiliated persons, except that prior to enactment of the
Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 ("FIRREA"),
loan origination fees that would
18
<PAGE>
otherwise be payable on certain types of such loans were reduced or not charged.
Loans to directors and executive officers are in an aggregate amount which
equals less than 1% of stockholders' equity at September 30, 1995.
The following table sets forth information, as of September 30, 1995, with
regard to loans made by Vermont Federal to directors and executive officers of
the Company in aggregate amounts greater than $60,000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Highest Amount
Outstanding Unpaid Balance Interest Rate
Since as of as of
Name and Type of Loan October 1, 1994 September 30, 1995 September 30, 1995
- - ---------------------------------------- --------------- ------------------ ------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
John A. Cobb
First Mortgage Loan................... $340,705 $337,495 7.50%
John K. Dwight (a)
Equity Credit Line.................... 105,615 104,513 10.80
Credit Card........................... 1,661 913 14.40
Credit Card........................... 1,397 1,609 14.40
Credit Card........................... 1,251 66 14.40
Credit Card........................... 11,074 5,415 14.40
Steven F. Shea
First Mortgage Loan................... 78,611 70,286 6.875
</TABLE>
- - ---------------------
(a) Mr. Dwight is guarantor on a $45,000 Commercial Loan to JAB Marine,
LTD/John Buffington granted September 28, 1995. The unpaid balance was $181
as of September 30, 1995 and the loan's interest rate is prime + 2%
adjusted annually (10.75%). Mr. Dwight has no ownership or interest in JAB
Marine, LTD.
Under FIRREA, all loans and extensions of credit by an insured institution
to its executive officers and directors, or executive officers and directors of
its parent company, must be on substantially the same terms, including interest
rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with the general public and must not involve more than the normal
risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features. Loan programs providing
for lower interest rates on loans to directors and executive officers or the
waiver of loan origination fees normally charged to unaffiliated borrowers are
no longer permitted. In addition, a loan made to a director or executive officer
in excess of the greater of $25,000 or 5% of the Bank's capital and surplus (up
to a maximum of $500,000) must be approved in advance by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board of Directors.
The Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") adopted additional regulations in
1992, governing loans and other extensions of credit made by OTS-regulated
institutions, such as Vemont Federal to their executive officers, directors,
principal shareholders and all related interests of such individuals or entities
(collectively, "Affiliates"). The restrictions contained in these regulations
are in addition to those summarized in the paragraph immediately above and limit
the aggregate dollar amount of such loans or extensions of credit made (i) to
any Affiliate and (ii) to all Affiliates as a group. The regulations also
require prior approval of Vermont Federal's Board of Directors and certain other
procedural standards for loans and other extensions of credit made to any
Affiliate which (when added to the amount of all loans made to all related
interests of such Affiliate) exceed the higher of $25,000 or 5% of the Bank's
unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus. The regulations further restrict
loans to executive officers (other than loans made to finance the education of
such officer's children, or to finance the purchase, construction, or
improvement of a residence of the executive officer) so as not to exceed 2.5% of
capital and unimpaired surplus of the Banks up to a maximum of $100,000. Vermont
Federal's policy regarding loans to its directors and executive officers
complies with the requirements of FIRREA and the 1992 regulations.
19
<PAGE>
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
(PROPOSAL 2)
The Board of Directors has appointed the firm of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to
act as independent auditors for the Company for the fiscal year ending September
30, 1996, subject to ratification of such appointment by the Company's
stockholders. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP has served as the Company's auditors since
1991, and previously served from 1968 to 1987.
Unless otherwise indicated, properly executed proxies will be voted in favor
of ratifying the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to audit the books and
accounts of the Company for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1996. No
determination has been made as to what action the Board of Directors would take
if the stockholders do not ratify the appointment.
A representative of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP is expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting and will be given an opportunity to make a statement if he or she
desires to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
20
<PAGE>
STOCK OWNED BY MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information as of September 30, 1995 with
respect to the amount of the Company's common stock beneficially owned by (i)
each director, (ii) each of the Named Executive Officers and (iii) all current
directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage
Amount and of
Nature of Common Stock
Name and Positions with the Company Beneficial Ownership(a) Outstanding
- - ------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
W. Stevens Sheppard......................................... 28,000(b)(c) 1.17%
Chairman of the Board
John A. Cobb................................................ 127,823(d) 5.11%
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
John K. Dwight.............................................. 7,800(b)(c) *
Director
Michael D. Flynn............................................ 3,600 *
Director
E. David Humphrey........................................... 60,044(d) 2.45%
Director
John S. Kimbell............................................. 3,800(b) *
Director
Mary Alice McKenzie......................................... 4,041(b) *
Director
Garry T. Melia.............................................. 4,100(b) *
Director
Ernest A. Pomerleau......................................... 8,500(b) *
Director
Steven F. Shea.............................................. 59,500 2.43%
Director
James M. Sutton............................................. 235,000(e) 9.80%
Director
All directors and executive officers as a group (13 547,401 20.82%
persons)...................................................
</TABLE>
- - ---------------------
* Less than 1%.
(a) In accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act, a person is deemed to be
the beneficial owner of a security for purposes of the Rule if he or she
has or shares voting power or investment power with respect to such
security or has the right to acquire such ownership within 60 days. All
persons shown in the table have sole investment and voting power except as
otherwise indicated. The table includes 231,300 shares of Eastern Bancorp
common stock subject to outstanding stock options which are exercisable by
directors and officers of the Company within 60 days after September 30,
1995. Of such shares, the beneficial ownership interests of the named
persons are as follows: Mr. Cobb -- 105,000 shares; Mr. Dwight -- 3,500
shares; Mr. Flynn -- 3,500 shares; Mr. Humphrey -- 50,000 shares; Mr.
Kimbell -- 3,500 shares; Ms. McKenzie -- 3,500 shares; Mr. Melia -- 3,500
shares; Mr. Pomerleau -- 3,500 shares; Mr. Shea -- 48,000 shares; and Mr.
Sheppard -- 3,500 shares.
(b) Excludes 6,904, 1,885, 1,885, 4,290, 466, 1,885 shares purchased by the
Company through the Eastern Bancorp Director's Deferred Compensation Trust
to cover obligations of the Company to Messrs. Sheppard, Dwight, Melia,
Pomerleau, Kimbell, and Ms. McKenzie, respectively. Such directors do not
have power to vote or dispose of such shares.
(c) Mr. Sheppard's share amount includes 3,000 shares individually owned by his
wife as to which Mr. Sheppard disclaims beneficial ownership. Mr. Dwight's
share amount includes 1,200 shares held in trust for his two children.
(d) Includes amounts purchased through the 401(k)/ESOP.
(e) Includes 178,500 shares owned by JMS Investors, Ltd., 7,600 shares owned
through an IRA, 3,000 shares owned by Mr. Sutton as custodian for his
children, 3,300 shares owned by Mr. Sutton's wife, and 42,600 shares owned
by Mr. Sutton's wife as custodian for their children.
21
<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES
The following table sets forth information as of September 30, 1995 with
respect to the ownership of shares of common stock of the Company by each person
believed by management to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of
the Company's outstanding common stock. The information is based on the most
recent Schedule 13D or 13G filed on behalf of such person or other information
made available to the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage
Amount and of
Nature of Common Stock
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership Outstanding
- - ------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Kramer Spellman, L.P........................................ 217,300(1) 9.06%
2050 Center Avenue, Ste. 300
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
James M. Sutton............................................. 235,000(2) 9.80%
6402 South Troy Circle
Englewood, CO 80111-6424
</TABLE>
- - ---------------------
(1) The two general partners of Kramer Spellman, L.P., (Orin S. Kramer and Jay
Spellman) share voting and dispositive power over these shares.
(2) Includes 178,500 shares owned by JMS Investors, Ltd., 7,600 shares owned
through an IRA, 3,000 shares owned by Mr. Sutton as custodian for his
children, 3,300 shares owned by Mr. Sutton's wife, and 42,600 shares owned
by Mr. Sutton's wife as custodian for their children.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
TO BE PRESENTED AT 1997 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Any stockholder of the Company who intends to present a proposal for action
at the 1997 annual meeting expected to be held on or about February 6, 1997 must
file a copy thereof with the secretary of the Company not less than 30 days nor
more than 90 days prior to the date of the annual meeting (i.e., no later than
January 7, 1997, and no earlier than November 8, 1996), unless notice or public
disclosure of the meeting occurs less than 40 days prior to the date of the
meeting, in which event stockholders may deliver such proposal not later than
the tenth day following the day on which notice of the meeting was mailed or
public disclosure thereof was made. If the proposal or proposals are to be
included in the Company's proxy statement and form of proxy relating to the 1997
annual meeting, they must be received by August 31, 1996 pursuant to the proxy
soliciting rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Nothing in
this paragraph shall be deemed to require the Company to include in its proxy
statement and form of proxy relating to the 1997 annual meeting any stockholder
proposal which does not meet all the requirements for inclusion established by
the SEC in effect at the time such proposals are received.
22
<PAGE>
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors does not know
of any other matters to be presented for action by the stockholders at the
Annual Meeting. If, however, any other matters are properly brought before the
Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote such proxy in
accordance with the determination of a majority of the Board of Directors.
By Order of the Board of Directors
W. Stevens Sheppard
Chairman of the Board
Dover, New Hampshire
December 29, 1995
23
