COMMERCIAL NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORP /MI
DEF 14A, 2000-03-23
STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS
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<PAGE>   1

                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (RULE 14a-101)

                    INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

          PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
                     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO.  )

     Filed by the registrant [X]

     Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ]

     Check the appropriate box:

     [ ] Preliminary proxy statement.       [ ] Confidential, for use of the
                                                Commission only (as permitted by
                                                Rule 14a-6(e)(2).

     [X] Definitive proxy statement.

     [ ] Definitive additional materials.

     [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12.

                   Commercial National Financial Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
                   Commercial National Financial Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the Registrant)

Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box):

     [X] No fee required.

     [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
         0-11.

     (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
         pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
         filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (5) Total fee paid:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
         Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
         was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
         statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.

     (1) Amount Previously Paid:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (3) Filing Party:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (4) Date Filed:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------





<PAGE>   2
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                             TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2000


================================================================================


         The annual meeting of shareholders of Commercial National Financial
Corporation will be held at the Ithaca Community Center, 120 North Maple Street,
Ithaca, Michigan 48847, on Tuesday, April 25, 2000, at 7:00 p.m. to consider and
vote upon:

         1.    Election of Directors.


         2.    To transact any other business that may come before the meeting.

         Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 2000 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment of the
meeting.



                                           By Order of the Board of Directors,




                                           Jeffrey S. Barker
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer


March 24, 2000


================================================================================

             It is important that your shares be represented at the
               meeting. Even if you expect to attend the meeting,
                   PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY.



<PAGE>   3
                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                        ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
                    COMMERCIAL NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                                  P.O. Box 280
                           101 North Pine River Street
                             Ithaca, Michigan 48847


         This proxy statement is being furnished to holders of common stock,
with no par value ("Common Stock"), of Commercial National Financial Corporation
(the "Corporation") in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the
Corporation's board of directors for use at the annual meeting of shareholders
to be held on April 25, 2000, and at any adjournment of that meeting. The annual
meeting will be held at the Ithaca Community Center, 120 North Maple Street,
Ithaca, Michigan 48847, at 7:00 p.m. for the purposes set forth in the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This proxy statement and
form of proxy are first being sent to shareholders on or about March 24, 2000.

         If a proxy in the form distributed by the Corporation is properly
executed and returned to the Corporation, the shares represented by that proxy
will be voted at the annual meeting of shareholders and at any adjournment of
that meeting. Where a shareholder specified a choice, the proxy will be voted as
specified. If no choice is specified, the shares represented by the proxy will
be voted for the election of all nominees to the board of directors. Management
does not know of any other matters to be presented at the annual meeting. If
other matters are presented, all proxies will be voted in accordance with the
judgment of the persons named as proxies, who will consider management's
recommendations.

         A proxy may be revoked at any time prior to the closing of the polls by
written notice delivered to the President of the Corporation, by a subsequent
dated proxy, or by voting the shares represented by the proxy at the annual
meeting.

         Solicitation of proxies will be made initially by mail. Officers,
directors and employees of the Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary,
Commercial Bank (the "Bank"), may also solicit proxies in person or by telephone
without additional compensation. In addition, proxies may be solicited by
nominees and other fiduciaries, who may mail material to or otherwise
communicate with the beneficial owners of shares held by them. All expenses of
solicitation of proxies will be paid by the Bank.

                              ELECTION OF DIRECTORS


         The board of directors of the Corporation has nominated the following
10 persons for election to the board of directors at the annual meeting:

         Richard F. Abbott          Patrick G. Duffy        Howard D. Poindexter
         Jefferson P. Arnold        David A. Ferguson       Scott E. Sheldon
         Jeffrey S. Barker          Kenneth R. Luneack
         Don J. Dewey               Kim C. Newson


         Patrick G. Duffy was appointed to the board of directors on May 19,
1999. Directors are to be elected at the annual meeting of shareholders to serve
until the next following annual meeting of shareholders. The proposed nominees
are willing to be elected and to serve. In the event that any nominee is unable
to serve or is otherwise unavailable for election, which is not now
contemplated, the incumbent Corporation board of directors may or may not select
a substitute nominee. If a substitute nominee is selected, all proxies will be
voted for the person so selected. If a substitute nominee is not so selected,
all proxies will be voted for the


<PAGE>   4

election of the remaining nominees. Proxies will not be voted for a greater
number of persons than the number of nominees named.

         A vote of shareholders holding a plurality of shares is required to
elect directors. For the purpose of counting votes on this proposal,
abstentions, broker non-votes, and other shares not voted will not be counted as
shares voted, and the number of votes of which a plurality is required will be
reduced by the number of shares not voted.

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES AS
DIRECTORS

VOTING SECURITIES

         Holders of record of Common Stock, at the close of business on March
10, 2000, will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting of shareholders on
April 25, 2000, and any adjournment of that meeting. As of March 1, 2000, there
were 3,202,610 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. Each share of
Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote upon each matter to be voted upon
at the meeting.

         The following table shows certain information concerning the number of
shares of Common Stock held as of December 31, 1999, by shareholders known to
management to have been the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding
shares as of that date:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Amount and Nature of
                                             Beneficial Ownership (1)
                                             ------------------------

                                   Sole Voting or    Shared Voting or                         Percent
Name and Address of Beneficial    Investment Power      Investment        Total Beneficial    of Class
             Owner                                       Power(2)            Ownership
- -------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------ --------------------- ----------

<S>                             <C>                 <C>                <C>                   <C>
Kenneth R. Luneack                     210,230             7,518                217,748          6.80%
9333 N. Union Road St.
Louis, Michigan 48880
</TABLE>



         The following table sets forth information concerning the number of
shares of Common Stock held as of December 31, 1999, by each of the
Corporation's directors and nominees, the named executive officers of the
Corporation, and by all directors and executive officers of the Corporation as a
group:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1)
                                ---------------------------------------------

                                      Sole Voting        Shared Voting
                                          and            or Investment                     Total       Percent
                                      Investment            Power(2)        Stock         Beneficial    of Class
                                        Power                             Options(3)      Ownership
==============================================================================================================

<S>                                  <C>            <C>                  <C>             <C>          <C>
Richard F. Abbott                                -           86,736              -          86,736      2.71%
Jefferson P. Arnold                         34,697           25,183              -          59,880      1.87%
Jeffrey S. Barker(4)                         9,449            2,102         20,450          32,001      1.00%
Don J. Dewey                                 3,802           10,322          1,539          15,663       .49%
Patrick G. Duffy(4)                          1,426            2,931          3,361           7,718       .24%
David F. Ferguson                           21,766           27,775            752          50,293      1.57%
Kenneth R. Luneack                         209,503            7,518            727         217,748      6.80%
Kim C. Newson                                9,188            7,629          1,556          18,373       .57%
Howard D. Poindexter                        56,750           53,283              -         110,033      3.43%
Scott E. Sheldon                            34,613            3,100          2,115          39,828      1.24%
==============================================================================================================
All Directors and Executive
Officers as a Group                        381,194          226,579         30,500         638,273     19.92%
==============================================================================================================

</TABLE>

(1)       The number of shares stated is based on information furnished by the
          officers and directors and includes shares personally owned of record
          by each person and shares which under applicable regulations are
          deemed to be otherwise beneficially owned by each person. Under these
          regulations, a beneficial owner of a security includes any person who,
          directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement,
          understanding, relationship or otherwise has or shares voting power or
          investment power with respect to the security. Voting power includes
          the power to vote or to direct the voting of the security. Investment
          power includes the power to dispose or to direct the disposition of
          the security. A person is also considered to be the beneficial owner
          of a security if the person has a right to acquire beneficial
          ownership of the security within sixty days.

(2)       These numbers include shares as to which the indicated person is
          legally entitled to share voting or investment power by reason of
          joint ownership, trust or other contract or property right, and shares
          held by a family member over whom the indicated person may have
          substantial influence by reason of relationship.

(3)       These numbers include vested stock options, granted under the
          Corporation's 1991 Stock Option Plan, which entitle the holder to
          acquire beneficial ownership of such shares within sixty days.

(4)       These numbers include shares that are allocated to the member's
          individual account under the Commercial Bank Employee Savings and
          Stock Ownership Plan.



                                       2

<PAGE>   5





DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

          Biographical information concerning executive officers and directors
who are nominated for election to the board of directors at the annual meeting
is presented below. Except as otherwise indicated, all directors and executive
officers have had the same principal employment for over 5 years and have held
their positions with the Corporation since January 1995. All nominees except
Patrick G. Duffy were last elected to the Corporation's board of directors at
the last annual meeting of shareholders that was held on April 27, 1999. Mr.
Duffy was appointed to the Corporation's board of directors on May 19, 1999.

          Richard F. Abbott (age 65) has been a director of the Corporation and
          the Bank since 1989. He had been interim president and chief executive
          officer of the Bank from September 15, 1993, until March 16, 1994, and
          of the Corporation from September 15, 1993 until May 18, 1994. From
          May, 1990 to September 15, 1993, and from March 16, 1994 until
          December 31, 1996, Mr. Abbott served as executive vice president of
          the Bank and of the Corporation.

          Jefferson P. Arnold (age 60) has been a director of the Corporation
          since May 18, 1994. Mr. Arnold is an attorney at law and has practiced
          law with the Arnold Law Offices for over 30 years.

          Jeffrey S. Barker (age 51) is president and chief executive officer of
          the Corporation and the Bank. He has been a director of the
          Corporation and the Bank since November 12, 1997. He has been
          president and chief executive officer of the Bank and the Corporation
          since November 12, 1997. Prior to becoming the president of the
          Corporation, he was senior vice president-lending of the Bank from
          July, 1995 to November, 1997. From May 1990 to July 1995 he served as
          vice president-lending of the Bank.

          Don J. Dewey (age 62) has been a director of the Corporation since
          1988 and a director of the Bank since 1987. He is a funeral director
          and the owner and president of Dewey Funeral Homes, Inc.

          Patrick G. Duffy (age 36) is executive vice president and chief
          financial officer of the Corporation and the Bank. He was named
          executive vice president and appointed to the board of directors of
          the Corporation and the Bank on May 19, 1999. He has been vice
          president and chief financial officer of the Bank and the Corporation
          since February 19, 1997. Prior to joining the Corporation, he served
          as assistant controller and compliance officer for Shoreline Financial
          Corporation from January 1996 through February 1997. He previously
          served as compliance officer with Shoreline Financial Corporation from
          January 1995 through January 1996.

          David A. Ferguson (age 50) has been a director of the Corporation
          since 1988 and a director of the Bank since 1985. He is a member of
          Chodoka LLC. He previously served as vice president of Ashcraft's
          Market, Inc., a regional retail grocery store chain.

          Kenneth R. Luneack (age 68) has been a director of the Corporation and
          of the Bank since May, 1991. He is owner and operator of Ken Luneack
          Construction, Inc., a building materials manufacturer.

          Kim C. Newson (age 49) has been director of the Corporation since 1988
          and a director of the Bank since 1987. He is president of Alma
          Hardware Company and general manager of Alma True Value Hardware, both
          of which are in the retail hardware business.



                                       3

<PAGE>   6


          Howard D. Poindexter (age 64) has been chairman of the board of the
          Corporation since February of 1993. He has been a director of the
          Corporation since 1988 and a director of the Bank since 1973. He is
          manager of Poindexter Farms, an independent farming business. From
          1954 until his retirement in 1992, he was a soil conservationist for
          the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

          Scott E. Sheldon (age 42) has served as Chairman of the Board of the
          Bank since July of 1997. He has been a director of the Corporation
          since 1988 and a director of the Bank since 1985. He is the owner of
          Kernen-Sheldon Agency, Shepherd Insurance Agency and Ladu-Brundage
          Agency, which are insurance agencies.


          Jeffrey S. Barker and Patrick G. Duffy serve as the executive officers
of the Corporation. Biographical information for Mr. Barker and Mr. Duffy is
presented above.


          The Corporation's executive officers serve in their capacity without
receiving specific compensation for their services from the Corporation. The
Corporation's executive officers continue to serve as executive officers of the
Bank. All officers serve at the pleasure of the boards of directors of the
Corporation and the Bank.

          The Corporation's board has two standing committees, the human
resources committee and the audit committee. The human resources committee
includes Messrs. Ferguson, Arnold, Luneack, Poindexter and Sheldon. The human
resources committee makes compensation recommendations. The human resources
committee met 4 times in 1999. A sub-committee of the human resources committee
consisting of Messrs. Ferguson, Luneack, and Poindexter administers the 1991
Stock Option Plan.

          The audit committee recommends to the board the employment of
independent certified public accountants to examine the financial statements of
the Corporation and its subsidiary, makes such additional examinations as the
committee deems advisable, reviews reports of examination of the Corporation and
its subsidiary received from regulatory authorities, reports to the board at
least once each calendar year on the results of examinations made and offers
such conclusions and recommendations as the committee deems appropriate. Messrs.
Dewey, Newson, Poindexter, Sheldon and Abbott serve on the audit committee. The
audit committee met 4 times during 1999.

          The Corporation's entire board of directors performs the functions of
nominating and compensation committees.

          The Corporation's board of directors will consider the nomination of
candidates for election as directors of the Corporation at any meeting of
shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors submitted by any
shareholder entitled to vote at that meeting. Any shareholder desiring to
nominate a candidate for director must deliver a notice to the Secretary of the
Corporation, not less than 14 nor more than 50 days prior to the meeting,
setting forth: the name, age, business address and residence address of the
nominee; the principal occupation or employment of the nominee; the number of
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the nominee; the total number of
shares of Common Stock that will be voted for each nominee; the name, business
address and residence address of the nominating shareholder; the number of
shares of Common Stock owned by the nominating shareholder; a statement that the
nominee is willing to be nominated; and such other information regarding the
nominee as would be required under the rules of the



                                       4

<PAGE>   7

Securities and Exchange Commission to be included in a proxy statement
soliciting proxies for the election of the nominee.

          The board of directors of the Corporation held 13 meetings during
1999. All incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of
meetings of the board of directors and meetings of committees on which they
served while they served in such capacities.

COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

         The following table shows certain information concerning the
compensation of the named executive officers of the Corporation and the Bank for
the three years ended December 31, 1999. For the same period, the annual salary
and bonus of no other executive officer of the Corporation or Bank exceeded
$100,000.


                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Long Term
                                                                               Compensation
                                                                                  Awards
                                                                                Securities
                                                                                Underlying
                                         Annual Compensation(1)                  Options             All Other
                                        -----------------------
                               Year         Salary          Bonus             (No. Shares)(2)     Compensation(3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                           <C>       <C>             <C>                  <C>                 <C>
Jeffrey S. Barker              1999      $ 117,015       $  57,000                10,057             $ 10,692
President and                  1998        106,565          55,043                 9,963                8,505
   Chief Executive Officer     1997         90,269          24,000                 9,919                5,005
   of the Corporation and
   Bank

Patrick G. Duffy*              1999      $  80,496       $  32,500                 6,300             $  7,163
Executive Vice President
   and Chief Financial Officer
   of the Corporation and
   Bank

</TABLE>

(1)      Includes compensation deferred under the Commercial Bank Employee
         Savings and Stock Ownership Plan and directors' fees.

(2)      Shares have been adjusted for the 3 for 1 stock split issued in
         September 1999 and the 5% stock dividend paid in November of 1999.

(3)      All other compensation for Mr. Barker includes Corporation matching and
         base contributions under the Commercial Bank Employee Savings and Stock
         Ownership Plan ($9,600 for 1999, $7,252 for 1998 and $4,214 for 1997)
         and the amount paid by the Corporation for his life, short term, and
         long term disability insurance ($1,092 for 1999, $1,253 for 1998 and
         $791 for 1997). All other compensation for Mr. Duffy includes
         Corporation matching and base contributions under the Commercial Bank
         Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan ($6,290 for 1999) and the
         amount paid by the Corporation for his life, short term and long term
         disability insurance ($873 for 1999).

*        Not a named officer prior to 1999.


                                       5



<PAGE>   8

         It is the Corporation's practice to award stock options annually to key
policy making members of management. Stock options have been an important
component of the Corporation's executive compensation program for several years.
Stock options are believed to help align the interests of senior management with
the interests of shareholders by promoting stock ownership by senior executive
officers and by rewarding them for appreciation in the price of the
Corporation's Common Stock. Stock options which were granted, exercised, or
outstanding during 1999 were granted under the 1991 Stock Option Plan. The
Corporation's shareholders have approved the 1991 Stock Option Plan. The 1989
Stock Option Plan, by its terms, terminated on April 26, 1999.

         The Corporation's 1991 Stock Option Plan provides that stock options,
stock appreciation rights, and tax benefit rights may be issued to directors,
officers, and key employees. Stock options entitle a participant to buy shares
of Common Stock of the Corporation during a specified time period at a specified
price. Subject to restrictions imposed by the Plan, the stock option committee
in its discretion determines who will be granted options, how many shares will
be subject to options, and the form of consideration that may be paid upon
exercise of an option. As of December 31, 1999, a maximum of 89,918 authorized
shares are subject to the exercise of options under the plan. As of December 31,
1999, no stock appreciation rights had been granted under the plan.
The 1991 Stock Option Plan will terminate by its terms on April 22, 2001.

         The following tables set forth information concerning stock options
granted to and exercised or retained by the named executive officers of the
Corporation and Bank during 1999. In 1999, the Corporation granted options under
the 1991 Stock Option Plan. As indicated in the following table, some options
awarded in 1999 are exercisable for two years while the remaining options are
exercisable for five years.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             OPTIONS GRANTED IN LAST FISCAL YEAR (1)
                    No. of       Percent of                                 Potential Realizable Value at Assumed
                  Securities    Total Options                                    Annual Rates of Stock Price
                  Underlying     Granted to                                     Appreciation for Option Term
                    Options     Employees in    Exercise     Expiration
                    Granted      Fiscal Year  Price ($/Shr)     Date             0%             5%           10%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>              <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>               <C>          <C>
Jeffrey S. Barker    9,450            28.01%        $ 11.74    6/01/2006        $    0        $ 47,338     $110,515
                       607             1.80           11.74    6/01/2001             0             728        1,499

Patrick G. Duffy     6,300            18.68%        $ 11.74    6/01/2006        $    0        $ 30,110     $ 70,169

</TABLE>

(1)       The per share exercise price of each option is equal to the market
          value of the Common Stock on the date each option was granted. The
          option information has been adjusted to reflect the 3 for 1 stock
          split issued in September and the 5% stock dividend paid in November
          of 1999. All outstanding options were granted for a term of ten or
          fewer years. Options terminate, subject to certain limited exercise
          provisions, in the event of death, retirement, or other termination of
          employment. In the event of a change in control of the Corporation, a
          participant may exercise tax benefit rights granted in tandem with the
          options. Such tax benefit rights would entitle an optionee to cash
          payments at the time of exercise to partially reimburse the optionee
          for tax liability.


                                       6


<PAGE>   9





   AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND YEAR END OPTION VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               Value of Unexercised
                       Number of Shares                         Number of Unexercised      In-the-Money Options at Year
                         Acquired on                             Options at Year End                    End
                           Exercise        Value Realized     Exercisable/Unexercisable     Excercisable/Unexercisable
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                   <C>                 <C>                <C>                          <C>
Jeffrey S. Barker            426                $170                20,450/17,388                $102,204/$23,179
Patrick G. Duffy              0                   0                  3,361/9,342                 $ 14,318/$12,257

</TABLE>

CHANGE OF CONTROL ARRANGEMENT

         The Bank has entered into a Change of Control Arrangement with Jeffrey
S. Barker, Patrick G. Duffy and certain other officers providing that if certain
"employment changes" occur within 24 months after a "change of control" of the
Corporation, then they shall receive a lump sum severance payment equal to 1 1/2
times their yearly salary and bonus.

         The Arrangement generally defines employment changes as follows:
termination of employment for reasons other than good cause; a significant
change in the nature or scope of their authority or in the overall working
environment; their assignment to duties materially inconsistent with their
present duties, responsibilities and status; or a material reduction in their
monthly rate of base salary. A change of control occurs for purposes of the
Arrangement when more than 50% of the Corporation's common stock is acquired by
an entity, person or group.

         The Bank's purpose in entering into the Arrangement with Mr. Barker,
Mr. Duffy and certain other officers is to provide these individuals with
financial security following a change of control and to provide an additional
inducement for them to remain employed by the Bank. With continuation of their
employment reasonably assured, the Corporation and its shareholders should be
more assured that they will act, with respect to a possible change of control,
for the benefit of the Corporation and its shareholders and without concern for
their own financial security.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

         The board of directors of the Bank holds regular monthly meetings. The
Bank compensates its directors at the rate of $1,000 per month. The Chairman of
the board is paid $2,000 per month. Directors of the Bank who are not executive
officers are paid $150 for each committee meeting attended. The Corporation's
board of directors meetings customarily coincide with Bank board of directors
meetings. No separate cash compensation is paid to directors for Corporation
board of directors meetings.

         The directors of the Corporation and Bank may receive stock options
under the Corporation's 1991 Stock Option Plan. The number of shares of Common
Stock covered by each option equals the number of shares the director could
purchase if he had purchased shares with the directors fees that the director
earned during the year. The options awarded to the directors are exercisable
after six months from the date of grant and expire two years from the date of
grant.






                                       7

<PAGE>   10




CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS

         Directors and officers of the Corporation and members of their
immediate families and businesses controlled by them were customers of and had
certain transactions with the Bank in the ordinary course of business since
January 1, 1999. It is anticipated that such transactions will take place in the
future in the ordinary course of business. All loans and commitments included in
such transactions were made on substantially the same terms, including interest
rates, fees, and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with other persons and did not involve more than normal risk of
collectibility or present any unfavorable features.

         During 1999, the Bank retained the services of Mr. Arnold, an attorney,
for routine legal matters. These fees were billed at the regular rates charged
by Mr. Arnold for services rendered to all of his firm's clients. The fees paid
by the Bank did not exceed 5% of the firm's gross revenues for its last fiscal
year.

INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

         The Board of Directors appointed Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP as
independent auditors for the Corporation for the year ending December 31, 1999.
Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP has also been appointed to serve as the
Corporation's independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2000.

         A representative of Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP is expected to be
present at the annual meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement, and
will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS

         Proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the annual
meeting scheduled to be held April 24, 2001, must be received by the Corporation
for inclusion in its proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting
by November 24, 2000. Proposals of shareholders should be made in accordance
with Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14a-8.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

         Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the
Corporation's directors and certain officers and persons who own more than ten
percent of the Corporation's common stock, to file with the SEC initial reports
of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of the Corporation's common
stock. These officers, directors and greater than ten percent shareholders are
required by SEC regulation to furnish the Corporation with copies of these
reports.

         To the Corporation's knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of
such reports furnished to the Corporation during the fiscal year ended December
31, 1999, all Section 16(a) filing requirements were satisfied, with respect to
the applicable officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial
owners.


                                       8
<PAGE>   11
        PROXY       COMMERCIAL NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION       PROXY
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                                 APRIL 25, 2000

         The undersigned acknowledges receipt of notice of and a proxy statement
for the annual meeting of shareholders of Commercial National Financial
Corporation to be held on April 25, 2000, and hereby appoints Patrick L. Dolan
and Richard S. Prestage, and each of them, proxies of the undersigned, each with
full power of substitution, to vote all shares of the undersigned in Commercial
National Financial Corporation at the annual meeting of its shareholders to be
held on April 25, 2000, and at any adjournment thereof, with all powers which
the undersigned would have if personally present. The undersigned hereby
instructs Commercial National Financial Corporation to vote any and all shares
held for the account of the undersigned under the Commercial National Financial
Corporation Dividend Reinvestment Plan in accordance with the specifications, if
any, made in this proxy.

1.    Election of Directors:
      [ ] VOTE FOR all nominees (except as    [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote
          marked to the contrary).                for all nominees listed below.

         Richard F. Abbott, Jefferson P. Arnold, Jeffrey S. Barker, Don J.
Dewey, Patrick G. Duffy, David A. Ferguson, Kenneth R. Luneack, Kim C. Newson,
Howard D. Poindexter, and Scott E. Sheldon.

           YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ALL NOMINEES.

(INSTRUCTION:  To withhold  authority to vote for any  individual  nominee write
that  nominee's  name in the space below.)







         THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
COMMERCIAL NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION. IF THIS PROXY IS PROPERLY EXECUTED
AND DELIVERED, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED.
IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THE SHARES WILL BE VOTED FOR ELECTION OF ALL
NOMINEES NAMED ON THIS PROXY. THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES ON ANY OTHER MATTERS WHICH MAY COME BEFORE THE
MEETING.

Number of Shares:                             Dated:                      , 2000
                 ----------------------------       ----------------------

                                                       X
                                                       -------------------------
                                             Signature

                                                       X
                                                       -------------------------
                                             Signature, if held jointly

                                                         Please sign exactly as
                                                  your name(s) appear(s). Joint
                                                  owners should each sign
                                                  personally. Executors,
                                                  administrators, trustees and
                                                  persons signing for
                                                  corporations or partnerships
                                                  should give their title as
                                                  such. If a corporation, please
                                                  sign in full corporate name by
                                                  president or authorized
                                                  officer. If partnership,
                                                  please sign in partnership
                                                  name by properly authorized
                                                  person.

     PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE TO:
                    COMMERCIAL NATIONAL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                                  P.O. BOX 280
                           101 NORTH PINE RIVER STREET
                             ITHACA, MICHIGAN 48847



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