<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by Registrant [x]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[x] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12
REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP
------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(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:
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2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing
fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount previously paid:
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
<PAGE>
REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP
111 SANTA ROSA AVENUE
SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA 95404
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
MAY 18, 1999
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP:
The 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Redwood Empire Bancorp
("Redwood") will be held in the Golden Gate Room of the Sonoma County Hilton,
3555 Round Barn Boulevard, Santa Rosa, California, at 4:00 p.m. on May 18, 1999,
for the following purposes:
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. To elect a Board of five Directors to serve for
the ensuing year.
2. RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS. To ratify the appointment of
Deloitte & Touche, LLP as independent certified accountants to audit
Redwood's financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31,
1999.
3. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS. To approve an amendment to Redwood's Bylaws
reducing the maximum number of authorized directors from thirteen to
nine.
3. OTHER BUSINESS. To consider and act upon such other business as may
properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Only holders of Common Stock of record as of the close of business on April
12, 1999 will be entitled to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Marta J. Idica
Corporate Secretary
April 19, 1999
YOU ARE URGED TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF MANAGEMENT'S PROPOSALS BY SIGNING AND
RETURNING THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO
ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON. THE ENCLOSED PROXY IS SOLICITED BY REDWOOD'S BOARD
OF DIRECTORS. ANY SHAREHOLDER GIVING A PROXY MAY REVOKE IT PRIOR TO THE TIME IT
IS VOTED BY NOTIFYING THE SECRETARY OF REDWOOD IN WRITING OF SUCH REVOCATION, BY
FILING A DULY-EXECUTED PROXY BEARING A LATER DATE, OR BY ATTENDING THE ANNUAL
MEETING IN PERSON AND VOTING BY BALLOT.
<PAGE>
REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP
111 SANTA ROSA AVENUE
SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA 95404
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
MAY 18, 1999
INTRODUCTION
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
Proxies for use at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual
Meeting") of Redwood Empire Bancorp ("Redwood," and with its subsidiaries the
"Company") to be held on Tuesday, May 18, 1999 at 4:00 p.m., in the Golden Gate
Room of the Sonoma County Hilton, 3555 Round Barn Boulevard, Santa Rosa,
California, and at any and all adjournments thereof.
It is anticipated that this Proxy Statement and the accompanying Notice and
form of Proxy will be mailed to shareholders eligible to receive notice of and
vote at the Annual Meeting on or about April 19, 1999.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES.
A form of Proxy for voting your shares at the Annual Meeting is enclosed.
Any shareholder who executes and delivers such Proxy has the right to, and may,
revoke it at any time before it is exercised, by filing with the Secretary of
Redwood an instrument revoking it or a duly executed Proxy bearing a later date.
In addition, if the person executing a Proxy is present at the Annual Meeting,
and elects to vote in person, the powers of the Proxy holders will be superseded
as to those Proposals on which the shareholder actually votes at the Annual
Meeting.
<PAGE>
PERSONS MAKING THE SOLICITATION
THIS SOLICITATION OF PROXIES IS BEING MADE BY REDWOOD'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The
expenses of preparing, assembling, printing, and mailing this Proxy Statement
and the materials used in the solicitation of Proxies for the Annual Meeting
will be borne by the Company. It is contemplated that Proxies will be solicited
principally through the use of the mails, but officers, directors, and employees
of the Company and its subsidiary, National Bank of the Redwoods ("NBR"), may
solicit Proxies personally or by telephone, without receiving special
compensation therefor. The Company will reimburse banks, brokerage houses and
other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for their reasonable expenses in
forwarding these Proxy materials to shareholders whose stock in Redwood is held
of record by such entities. In addition, the Company may use the services of
individuals or companies it does not regularly employ in connection with this
solicitation of Proxies if management determines it to be advisable.
VOTING SECURITIES
There were issued and outstanding __________ shares of Redwood's common
stock (the "Common Stock") on April 12, 1999, which date has been fixed as the
record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of,
and to vote at, the Annual Meeting (the "Record Date"). A majority of the shares
of Common Stock entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy, constitutes a
quorum.
All properly executed proxies delivered pursuant to this solicitation and
not revoked will be voted at the Annual Meeting in accordance with the
directions given. Regarding the election of directors, shareholders may vote in
favor of all nominees, or withhold their votes as to all nominees, or withhold
their votes as to specific nominees, by following the instructions on the
enclosed proxy card. With respect to the appointment of Deloitte & Touche, LLP
to serve as the Company's independent auditors for the 1999 fiscal year
(Proposal 2) and the proposal to amend the Bylaws (Proposal 3), shareholders may
vote in favor of or against the proposal, or may abstain from voting, by
specifying their choice as indicated on the enclosed proxy card. If no specific
instructions are given with respect to any matter to be voted on, the shares
represented by a signed proxy will be voted FOR the election of the Board's
nominees, FOR the appointment of Deloitte & Touche, LLP as independent auditors,
and FOR the proposal to amend the Bylaws.
Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders
of Redwood's Common Stock, voting in person or by proxy at the Annual Meetings.
Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche, LLP as independent
auditors will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
shares of Common Stock voting on such appointment in person or by proxy at the
Annual Meeting. The affirmation vote of the holders of a majority of the shares
of Common Stock outstanding as of the Record Date, voting in person or by proxy
at the Annual Meeting, will be required to approve Proposal 3. Abstentions,
although they will be counted in determining whether a quorum is present for the
vote, will have the same effect as negative votes. Similarly, broker non-votes
are also counted towards a quorum but are not
2
<PAGE>
counted for any purpose in determining whether a matter has been approved,
and thus will have the same effect as negative votes.
On any matter submitted to the vote of the shareholders other than the
election of directors, each holder of Common Stock will be entitled to one vote,
in person or by Proxy, for each share of Common Stock held of record on
Redwood's books as of the Record Date. In connection with the election of
directors, shares may be voted cumulatively, but only for persons whose names
have been placed in nomination prior to the voting for election of directors and
only if a shareholder present at the Annual Meeting gives notice at the Annual
Meeting, prior to such voting, of his or her intention to vote cumulatively.
(Notice of intention to vote cumulatively may not be given by simply marking and
returning a proxy.) If any Company shareholder gives such notice, then all
shareholders eligible to vote will be entitled to cumulate their votes in voting
for election of directors. Cumulative voting allows a shareholder to cast a
number of votes equal to the number of shares held in his or her name as of the
Record Date, multiplied by the number of directors to be elected. All of these
votes may be cast for any one nominee, or they may be distributed among as many
nominees as the shareholder sees fit. The nominees receiving the highest number
of votes, up to the number of directors to be elected, shall be elected.
If one of Redwood's shareholders gives notice of intention to vote
cumulatively, the persons holding the proxies solicited by the Board of
Directors will exercise their cumulative voting rights, at their discretion, to
vote the shares they hold in such a way as to ensure the election of as many of
the Board's nominees as they deem possible. This discretion and authority of the
proxyholders may be withheld by checking the box on the proxy card marked
"withhold from all nominees." Such an instruction, however, will also deny the
proxyholders the authority to vote for any or all of the nominees of the Board
of Directors, even if cumulative voting is not called for at the Annual Meeting,
although it will not prevent the proxyholders from voting, at their discretion,
for any other person whose name may be properly placed in nomination at the
Annual Meeting.
A shareholder may choose to withhold from the proxyholders the authority to
vote for any of the individual candidates nominated by the Board of Directors,
by marking the appropriate box on the proxy card and striking out the names of
the disfavored candidates as they appear on the proxy card. In that event the
proxyholders will not cast any of the shareholder's votes for candidates whose
names have been crossed out, whether or not cumulative voting is called for at
the Annual Meeting, but they will retain the authority to vote for the
candidates nominated by the Board of Directors whose names have not been struck
out, and for any other candidates who may be properly nominated at the Annual
Meeting. If a shareholder wishes to specify the manner in which his or her votes
are allocated in the event of cumulative voting, he or she must appear and vote
in person at the Annual Meeting. Ballots will be available at the Annual Meeting
for persons desiring to vote in person.
All votes will be tabulated by ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, the
Company's tabulating agent. A representative of ChaseMellon will be in
attendance at the Annual Meeting in order to receive any votes cast at that
time.
3
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDINGS OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
SECURITIES OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS.
Management of the Company knows of no person who owns, beneficially or of
record, either individually or together with associates, more than five percent
of the outstanding shares of Redwood's Common Stock, except as set forth in the
following table. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons listed have sole voting
and investment power over the shares beneficially owned. Such information is
presented as of March 1, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Address of Percent
Beneficial Owner Amount Owned of Class
- ------------------- ------------ --------
<S> <C> <C>
Mr. B. John Barry 562,334 shares (1) 16.64%
1128 Red Mountain Road
Aspen, CO 81612
</TABLE>
- ----------------------------
(1) Based on information reported by Mr. Barry in a Form 4 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 1998, reflecting ownership
data as of May 6, 1998. The amount includes 52,128 shares of common stock
from the conversion of 60,100 shares of preferred stock on April 28, 1998.
SECURITIES OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT.
The following table sets forth, as of March 1, 1999, the number and
percentage of shares of Redwood's outstanding Common Stock which are
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by (a) each of Redwood's directors
and nominees for director, (b) the Chief Executive Officer of Redwood and each
of the Company's two most highly compensated executive officers other than the
Chief Executive Officer (the "named executive officers"), and (c) Redwood's
directors and the named executive officers as a group. The Company identifies as
its executive officers the Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief
Financial Officer of Redwood, and those key policy-making officers of Redwood's
subsidiaries who have a significant impact on the overall direction or financial
reporting of the Company. The shares "beneficially owned" are determined under
Securities and Exchange Commission Rules, and do not necessarily indicate
ownership for any other purpose. In general, beneficial ownership includes
shares over which the indicated person has sole or shared voting or investment
power and shares which he has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 1,
1999. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons listed have sole voting and
investment power over the shares beneficially owned. Management is not aware of
any arrangements, which may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control
of the Company.
4
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares of
Common Stock Percent of
Held Options (1) Total Class (2)
------------ ----------- ----- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
James E. Beckwith --- 15,000 15,000 *
Haskell E. Boyett(3) 37,725 17,650 55,375 1.63
Richard I. Colombini(4) 33,142 5,621 38,763 1.15
Robert D. Cook 1,000 3,750 4,750 *
S. Deborah Kaufman --- --- --- ---
Dennis E. Kelley 21,953 25,000 46,953 1.38
Patrick W. Kilkenny 9,001 50,869 59,979 1.75
William B. Stevenson 500 7,500 8,000 *
Tom D. Whitaker 2,206 17,650 19,856 *
Directors, Nominees and
Executive Officers as a
Group (9 persons) 105,527 143,040 248,676 7.06
</TABLE>
- -------------
* Represents less then one percent of the outstanding shares.
(1) Includes shares acquirable by the exercise of stock options exercisable
within 60 days of March 1, 1999.
(2) The percentage for each individual (and for the group) is calculated by
dividing (i) the number of Redwood shares beneficially owned (including
shares that could be obtained through the exercise of options within 60
days after March 1, 1999) by (ii) the number of Redwood shares outstanding
on March 1, 1999 plus, in each case, the number of shares which the
individual (or group) could obtain through the exercise of such an option.
(3) Mr. Boyett has shared voting and investment powers as to 37,725 shares.
(4) Mr. Colombini has shared voting and investment powers as to 484 shares.
5
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
NOMINEES.
Redwood's directors are elected annually, to serve until the next Annual
Meeting of shareholders and until their respective successors have been elected.
All of the nominees listed below have served as directors since Redwood's last
Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was held in May of 1998.
Redwood's Bylaws provide that the number of directors of Redwood may not be
less than five (5) nor more than thirteen (13) until changed by an amendment to
the Bylaws adopted by Redwood's shareholders, with the exact number of directors
within that range to be set by vote of the Board. If proposal 3 is approved by
the shareholders at the Annual Meeting, then such maximum number of authorized
directors will be lowered to nine.
The persons named below will be nominated for election as directors at the
Annual Meeting to serve until the 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until
their successors are duly elected. Unless otherwise instructed, proxy holders
will vote the proxies received by them for the election of the nominees below
(or as many thereof as possible under the rules of cumulative voting). In the
event that any of the nominees should be unable to serve as a director, it is
intended that the Proxy will be voted for the election of such substitute
nominee, if any, as shall be designated by the Board of Directors. The Board of
Directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees named below will be
unable to serve if elected. Additional nominations for director may only be made
by complying with the nomination procedures which are described under the
heading "Shareholder Proposals and Nominations" at the end of this Proxy
Statement.
On February 3, 1997 Redwood received permission to merge its thrift
subsidiary, Allied Bank, F.S.B. (Allied), into NBR. The merger was effective on
March 24, 1997 and the Board of Allied was dissolved at that time.
6
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth the names of, and certain information
concerning, the persons to be nominated by the Board of Directors for election
as directors of Redwood.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year First
Appointed Principal Occupation
Name and Title Age Director During Past Five Years
-------------- --- ---------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Richard I. Colombini 67 1997 President of Colombini Construction. Director of
Director NBR since 1984. Director of the Company since
1997.
Robert D. Cook 68 1996 President and CEO of R. D. Cook Management
Director Corporation, a financial and business consulting
firm. Director of the Company since 1996.
Director of NBR since 1996. Director of Allied
from 1996 to 1997.
Patrick W. Kilkenny 52 1995 Director, Chief Executive Officer and President
Chief Executive since 1995. Chairman of the Board of NBR from 1994
Officer and to 1997, CEO and Director of NBR since 1984.
President Director of the Company from 1988 to 1993 and
reappointed in 1995. Director of Allied from 1995 to
1997.
William B. Stevenson 68 1995 Principal, Financial Institutions Analysts &
Director Consultants, a San Francisco financial institution
consultancy, since 1992; President and CEO, Pan
American Savings Bank, from 1984 to 1991. Director
of the Company since 1995. Director of NBR since
1995. Director of Allied from 1995 to 1997.
Tom D. Whitaker 61 1992 President and CEO of Motion Analysis Corporation,
Director and Inc., a Northern California-based manufacturer of
Chairman of the devices that measure motion. Director of the Company
Board since 1992. Director of NBR since 1995. Director of
Allied from 1995 to 1997.
</TABLE>
No director was selected pursuant to any arrangement or understanding other
than with the directors and officers of Redwood acting within their capacities
as such. There are no family relationships between any of the directors and
executive officers of Redwood. No director or officer of Redwood serves as a
director of any company which has a class of securities registered under, or
which is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of, the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, or of any company registered as an investment company
under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees for
director described above.
7
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL NO. 2: RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Upon the recommendation of Redwood's Audit Committee, consisting of
Chairman Robert D. Cook, Richard I. Colombini, and William B. Stevenson, the
Board of Directors has appointed Deloitte & Touche, LLP as the Company's
independent accountants to audit the consolidated financial statements of
Redwood and its subsidiaries for the 1999 fiscal year. Deloitte & Touche, LLP
served as the Company's auditors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998,
and during the course of that fiscal year they were also engaged by the Company
to provide certain tax and consulting services.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposal No. 2, ratification of the
appointment of Deloitte & Touche, LLP as the Company's independent auditors for
the succeeding year. If the appointment is not ratified, Redwood's Board of
Directors will select other independent auditors. Representatives of Deloitte &
Touche, LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate
questions from the shareholders and will be given the opportunity to make a
statement should they desire to do so.
PROPOSAL NO. 3: AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
Section 2 of Article III of the Company's Bylaws presently provides that
the authorized number of directors shall be a minimum of five and a maximum of
thirteen with the exact number of directors to be fixed within those limits by
either the shareholders or the Board of Directors. The exact number of directors
is currently fixed at five. The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted,
subject to shareholder approval, an amendment to the Bylaws that would modify
the specified limits of the authorized number of directors to a minimum of five
and a maximum of nine with the exact number of directors to be fixed at five
until changed within the new limits by the shareholders or the Board of
Directors. This Bylaw amendment is necessary to comply with a California law
requirement that the maximum number of authorized directors not exceed two times
the stated minimum minus one.
Accordingly, it is proposed that Section 2 of Article III of the Bylaws of
the Company be amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 2. NUMBER AND QUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS. The authorized
number of Directors shall not be less than five (5) nor more than nine (9)
until changed by an amendment to this Bylaw adopted by the vote or written
consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote. The exact number of directors shall be five (5), until changed,
within the limits specified above, by a Bylaw amending this Section 2, duly
adopted by the Board or by the shareholders."
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required to approve
the amendment of Section 2 of Article III of the Bylaws. The Board of Directors
recommends a vote FOR approval of the foregoing amendment to the Bylaws
(Proposal No. 3).
8
<PAGE>
OTHER INFORMATION
PERFORMANCE GRAPH.
Set forth below is a performance graph comparing the yearly cumulative
total shareholder returns on Redwood's Common Stock with the yearly cumulative
total shareholder return on (a) stocks included in the S&P 500 composite index,
(b) an index of peer group companies from SNL Securities, L.P., and (c) an index
of peer group companies (California independent banks) derived from the
Montgomery Securities WESTERN BANK MONITOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA PROXY. The peer
group that was provided to the Company last year by Montgomery Securities was
not made available to the Company this year. Accordingly, the Company endeavored
to replicate such peer group for the performance graph with reference to the
WESTERN BANK MONITOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA PROXY. Such peer group consists of the
following companies: TriCo Bancshares, Exchange Bank, Redwood Empire Bancorp,
Union Bank,, Westamerica, Civic BanCorp, Silicon Valley Bancshares, Pacific
Capital Bancorp, SJNB Financial and Pacific Bank.
The total cumulative return on investment for each of the periods indicated
for Redwood, the peer group, and the S&P 500 is based on the stock price or
composite index at the end of 1993.
9
<PAGE>
[GRAPH]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERIOD ENDING
--------------------------------------------------------------------
INDEX 12/31/93 12/31/94 12/31/95 12/31/96 12/31/97 12/31/98
- ------------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Redwood Empire Bancorp 100.00 57.72 64.81 93.16 147.84 139.17
S&P 500 100.00 101.32 139.39 171.28 228.42 283.69
SNL Western Bank Index 100.00 99.01 166.03 236.05 347.97 358.54
Northern California Proxy 100.00 97.87 148.40 160.71 319.27 306.78
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE>
COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
The Board of Directors of Redwood held 12 regular and 1 special meeting in
1998. All directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate number of the Board of
Directors and committee meetings on which each director served.
The Board of Directors of Redwood has the following committees:
Compensation Committee, Audit Committee, and Nominating Committee.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE. The present members of the Compensation Committee
are Haskell E. Boyett, Chairman, Robert Cook and Tom Whitaker. The functions of
the Compensation Committee are to recommend compensation actions for executive
officers, oversee the compensation plan for the entire Company, and compensation
for Directors. The Compensation Committee met 4 times in 1998.
AUDIT COMMITTEE. The present members of the Audit Committee are Robert D.
Cook, Chairman, Richard I. Colombini, and William B. Stevenson. The functions of
the Audit Committee are to recommend the appointment of a firm of independent
certified public accountants to audit the books and records of the Company for
the fiscal year for which it is appointed, to analyze the results of internal
audits and regulatory examinations, establish and monitor the Company's
financial and accounting organization and financial reporting, monitor the
Company's risk management program and internal control structure, and supervise
the Internal Auditor. The Audit Committee met 11 times during 1998.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE. The Nominating Committee is comprised of Tom D.
Whitaker, Chairman, Robert D. Cook, and Patrick W. Kilkenny. The function of the
Nominating Committee is to recommend candidates for nomination to the Board of
Directors of Redwood. The Nominating Committee did not meet in 1998.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION.
The members of the Compensation Committee include Haskell E. Boyett,
Chairman, Robert D. Cook and Tom D. Whitaker. The functions of the Compensation
Committee are to recommend compensation actions for executive officers, oversee
the compensation plan for the entire Company, and compensation for Directors.
The Compensation Committee met 4 times in 1998.
The Compensation Committee interfaces with the Board of Directors of REB
and NBR. The Committee reviews and makes recommendations regarding the salary
and bonus of the Company's Chief Executive Officer to these Boards. In addition,
the committee reviews recommendations from the Chief Executive Officer for
salary levels of other senior staff members. Members of the Compensation
Committee listed above are also members of the Board of Directors of NBR.
11
<PAGE>
BOARD COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The Compensation Committee of Redwood's Board of Directors provides
recommendations and oversight for Redwood's executive officers, subject to
review by the full Board of Directors. Compensation decisions relating to the
executive officers of Redwood's subsidiary, NBR, is made by the Board of
Directors of the subsidiary and neither the Compensation Committee nor Redwood's
Board of Directors participate in compensation awards to such individuals except
to the extent of stock option awards under Redwood's 1991 Stock Option Plan.
Option awards are also determined for the executive officers and directors of
Redwood and its subsidiaries (including the individuals named above under the
caption "Compensation Committee") by Redwood's full Board of Directors, except
where such individuals are also directors of Redwood, in which case their annual
option grants are determined under the terms of the 1991 Option Plan.
The following is a report submitted by the Compensation Committee,
addressing the compensation policies of the Company as they relate to employees
of Redwood.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION POLICY. The goal of the Compensation Committee is to
ensure that an appropriate relationship exists between executive compensation
and Redwood's overall performance, while at the same time retaining key
employees of Redwood and motivating them to perform at a superior level for the
benefit of the shareholders. To achieve this goal, Redwood integrates annual
base compensation with bonuses based on Redwood's performance and the
performance and initiative of its individual executive officers. Redwood
attempts to establish base salaries that are generally within the range of
salaries paid to people holding comparably responsible positions at other peer
group financial institutions in California, taking into account the individual's
past performance and potential future contributions. Bonus compensation is based
primarily on the performance of Redwood and specific individual performance.
Measurement of Company performance is based primarily on that of peer group
financial institutions and Company goals, including primarily its return on
equity. Except as limited by the Company's Stock Option Plan, stock options are
granted from time to time to officers of Redwood and its subsidiaries on the
basis of the recipient's potential for contribution to the Company's future
growth and profitability.
12
<PAGE>
The Compensation Committee believes that linking executive compensation to
corporate performance results aligns executive compensation with Redwood's goals
and shareholder interests. As performance goals are met or exceeded, resulting
in increased shareholder value, Redwood's executives are commensurably rewarded.
1999 COMPENSATION GOALS. The committee relies principally on data gathered
through independent sources in determining the salary ranges for executive
positions. In addition, in 1996 an independent consultant was retained to review
the salary structure for substantially all positions within the Company. The
results of the survey provided the Company with a defined salary structure based
upon job function and relevant market data.
EXECUTIVE BASE SALARY. The Committee reviews Mr. Kilkenny's salary on an
annual basis. Factors that are considered by the Committee include the annual
performance review performed by the Company's Executive Committee and peer group
compensation. Based on the Committee's review of these factors Mr. Kilkenny's
base salary is well within peer group levels.
BONUS COMPENSATION. The Company has adopted a bonus plan for its executive
officers. The purpose of the plan is to motivate each participant to perform in
an outstanding manner and to encourage teamwork at the executive level. The plan
is based upon exceeding the Company's annual budget. In summary, one ninth of
the amount of the Company's annual net income that exceeds plan net income is
reserved for executive bonuses. The maximum amount an executive may receive
under the plan is limited to 20% of base salary. No amounts were paid to any
executive under this plan in 1998.
In addition, executive officers below the rank of Chief Executive Officer
may also receive incentive compensation based upon achieving certain milestones,
or at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer, in recognition of their
overall performance.
Haskell E. Boyett, Chairman
Robert D. Cook
Tom D. Whitaker
13
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS.
Directors of Redwood or its subsidiaries who are also employees of the
Company do not receive compensation for their service on such Boards of
Directors. For twelve months of 1998, non-employee directors of Redwood received
a fee of $1,000 per Board meeting for attendance and participation based upon
80% annual attendance. Members of Board Committees received $250 per Committee
meeting attended. Non-employee NBR subsidiary directors received $1,000 per
Board meeting for attendance and participation based upon 80% annual attendance.
Additionally, each non-employee director received $250 per subsidiary Committee
meeting attended.
In his position as Chairman of Redwood, Mr. Whitaker receives an additional
$500 per month.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the named executive
officers of the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year First
Appointed
Executive Position & Offices with Company and Principal
Name Age Officer Occupation or Employment for Past Five Years
---- --- ---------- ---------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Patrick W. Kilkenny 52 1985 Chief Executive Officer, President
and Director of Redwood since 1995.
Chairman of the Board of NBR from
1994 to March 1997; Chief Executive
Officer and Director of NBR since
1985; Director of Redwood from 1988
to 1993. Director and Chief
Executive Officer of Allied from
1996 to March 1997.
James E. Beckwith 41 1995 Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Redwood since
January 1997. Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial
Officer of NBR since March, 1997.
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Redwood and
NBR from January 1995 to March
1997. Chief Financial Officer of
Allied from January 1995 to October
1996. Chief Financial Officer of
Sunrise Bancorp from 1991 to 1994.
Senior Manager with Deloitte &
Touche from 1986 to 1991.
</TABLE>
Every Company officer serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
There are no understandings or arrangements between any of such officers and any
other person pursuant to which they were or are to be selected as officers of
Redwood.
14
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The following table sets forth all cash and non-cash compensation
(including bonuses and deferred compensation) paid or accrued to the named
executive officers as of December 31, 1998, for services rendered to the Company
during the periods indicated.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long Term
Compensation
Annual Compensation Awards
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other All
Name and Annual Number of Other
Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Compensation (1) Options (2) Compensation (3)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Patrick W. Kilkenny 1998 $214,518 --- $27,85 9,000 2,000
CEO and President, Redwood, 1997 206,683 --- 25,107 --- 2,000
President and CEO of NBR 1996 205,202 --- 17,720 20,000 ---
James E. Beckwith 1998 139,616 19,800 7,917 6,000 2,000
Executive Vice President and 1997 131,648 15,000 6,620 --- 2,000
Chief Financial Officer of 1996 126,046 20,000 6,520 15,000 2,000
Redwood and NBR
Dennis E. Kelley (5) 1998 164,619 5,000 6,642 --- 2,000
Executive Vice President and 1997 159,000 7,000 12,473 --- 2,000
Chief Operating Officer of 1996 159,075 --- 8,107 15,000 2,000
NBR
S. Deborah Kaufman (4) 1998 140,755 15,000 4,922 6,000 2,000
Executive Vice President and 1997 130,192 7,000 5,122 --- 2,000
Chief Credit Officer of NBR
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------
(1) Includes directors' fees, auto allowances, personal use of company-owned
automobiles, insurance, the value of options exercised during the year, and
changes in the amounts vested for individuals under the Company's salary
continuation plan.
(2) Includes stock options issued under Redwood's stock option plan.
(3) Includes matching contributions to 401(K) plans.
(4) Ms. Kaufman was appointed to her position during 1997. Ms. Kaufman was no
longer employed by the Company as of March 25, 1999.
(5) Mr. Kelley resigned his position as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of NBR in January, 1999.
15
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth information concerning the aggregate value
of all unexercised options held by each of the named executive officers as of
December 31, 1998.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 1998 AND DECEMBER 31, 1998 OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Number of Value of Unexercised
Acquired Value Unexercised Options at In-the-Money Options at
Name on Exercise Realized December 31, 1998 December 31, 1998 (1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
-------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Patrick W. Kilkenny --- $ --- 45,869 20,250 $364,450 $82,266
Chief Executive Officer
and President,
Redwood and NBR
James E. Beckwith --- --- 11,250 14,750 86,485 64,453
Executive Vice
President and
Chief Financial Officer,
Redwood and NBR
Dennis E. Kelley 16,555 143,750 16,250 8,750 106,798 64,453
Executive Vice
President and Chief
Operating Officer, NBR
S. Deborah Kaufman --- --- --- 6,000 --- ---
Executive Vice
President and Chief
Credit Officer, NBR
</TABLE>
- -------------------
(1) The value realized is the difference between (a) the average of the high
and low prices of Redwood's Common Stock as reported by the NASDAQ National
Market System on the date of exercise and (b) the exercise price of the
option, multiplied by the number of shares exercised.
(2) All options were issued at the then-current market price on the grant date.
Total value of unexercised options is based on the closing price of the
Company's Common Stock as reported by the NASDAQ National Market System of
$17.06 as of December 31, 1998 less the exercise price of the option,
multiplied by the number of options outstanding.
16
<PAGE>
SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFIT PLAN
Redwood has adopted an Executive Salary Continuation Policy, which acts as
a supplemental benefit plan for senior management personnel. The Policy
authorizes Redwood and its subsidiaries to enter into individual agreements with
selected senior executive officers, providing them certain retirement benefits.
The Policy calls for Redwood's Board of Directors to approve all individual
agreements with executive officers, and to conduct a biennial review of all
scheduled benefits.
As authorized under the Policy, the Company has entered into an Executive
Salary Continuation Agreement with Mr. Kilkenny. This agreement, which provides
that upon retirement at age 65 the executive will receive, for a period of 15
years after the date of his retirement, a specified annual retirement payment,
payable in equal monthly installments. The annual retirement benefit payment to
which Mr. Kilkenny would be entitled upon his normal retirement age of 65 under
his agreement is currently $60,350. In the event that the executive dies after
his retirement, but before the end of the 15-year period, the Company will
continue to make such payments to the executive's designated beneficiary.
However, if the executive should die prior to his retirement as described above,
his designated beneficiary will receive, for a period of 15 years, the same
yearly benefit payable in equal monthly installments. The executive may take
early retirement at age 55 (if by that time he has completed 15 years of service
with the Company), but his annual retirement benefits will then be only about
25% of the amount he would have received if he had retired at age 65. If he
takes retirement between 55 and 65, his retirement benefits will continue to
vest incrementally, pursuant to a specified schedule, as his years of service
increase. The agreement provides that if the executive retires or is terminated
before age 55, or before he has completed his 15 years of service, he will be
entitled to receive a specified one-time payment, the amount of which increases
each year on a predetermined schedule. As of January 1, 1999, the amount of this
one-time payment for Mr. Kilkenny would be $80,865.
The agreement also provides that in the event of a change in control which
is defined by any person or company acquiring 25% or more of Redwood's
outstanding shares, through a tender offer, merger, or otherwise, and within two
years thereafter the executive's employment by the Company is terminated or his
salary or authority is materially reduced, the executive will be entitled to
receive an amount equal to one times his current annual salary. In addition, in
the event of a change in control, the executive, upon notice of such change of
control from the Company, may elect to terminate their employment with the
Company and receive an amount equal to one times annual salary.
The Company has also entered into a Salary Continuation Agreement with Mr.
Beckwith which provides that if any person or company acquires 25% or more of
Redwood's outstanding shares, through a tender offer, merger, or otherwise, and
within two years thereafter Mr. Beckwith's employment by the Company is
terminated or his salary or authority is materially reduced, he is entitled to
receive an amount equal to one times annual salary. In addition, in the event of
a change of control and upon notice of such change in control from the Company,
Mr. Beckwith may give notice to terminate employment and receive an amount equal
to one times annual salary.
17
<PAGE>
The Company has executed a one-year Compensation Agreement with Mr.
Kilkenny, which establishes an annual base salary of $213,200. The Company and
Mr. Kilkenny have also executed a one year Executive Severance Agreement which
generally provides that should Mr. Kilkenny be terminated for any reason other
than failure to perform his job duties, habitual neglect, illegal conduct, he
would be entitled to one times his current salary.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Redwood's
officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class
of Redwood's equity securities, to file reports of ownership on Form 3 and
changes of ownership on Form 4 or Form 5 with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") and the NASDAQ National Market. They are also required by
SEC rules to furnish Redwood with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they
file.
Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it, or
written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were
required for them, Redwood believes that during 1998 all Section 16(a) filing
requirements applicable to its officers, directors, and ten percent stockholders
were complied with.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Some of the Company's directors and executive officers and their immediate
families, as well as, the companies with which they are associated are customers
of, or have had banking transactions with, Redwood's subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of the Company's business, and the Company expects to have
banking transactions with such persons in the future. In management's opinion,
all loans and commitments to lend included in such transactions were made in
compliance with applicable laws on substantially the same terms, including
interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing for comparable transactions
with other persons of similar creditworthiness and, in the opinion of
management, did not involve more than a normal risk of collectibility or present
other unfavorable features. The Company has a strong policy regarding review of
the adequacy and fairness to the Company of loans to its directors and officers.
There was no balance outstanding under extensions of credit to directors and
executive officers of the Company and other companies with which such
individuals are associated as of December 31, 1998.
18
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND NOMINATIONS
Section 3 of Article III of the Bylaws of Redwood Empire Bancorp sets forth
the following procedures for shareholder nominations to the Board of Directors:
Nominations for election of members of the Board may be made by the Board
or by any holder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote for the election of Directors. Notice of
intention to make any nominations (other than for persons named in the
Notice of any meeting called for the election of Directors) are required to
be made in writing and to be delivered or mailed to the President of the
Corporation by the later of: (i) the close of business 21 days prior to any
meeting of shareholders called for the election of Directors or (ii) 10
days after the date of mailing of notice of the meeting to shareholders.
Such notification must contain the following information to the extent
known to the notifying shareholder: (a) the name and address of each
proposed nominee; (b) the principal occupation of each proposed nominee;
(c) the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation owned by each
proposed nominee; (d) the name and residence address of the notifying
shareholder; (e) the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation
owned by the notifying shareholder; (f) the number of shares of capital
stock of any bank, bank holding company, savings and loan association or
other depository institution owned beneficially by the nominee or by the
notifying shareholder and the identities and locations of any such
institutions; and (g) whether the proposed nominee has ever been convicted
of or pleaded nolo contendere to any criminal offense involving dishonesty
or breach of trust, filed a petition in bankruptcy or been adjudged
bankrupt. The notification shall be signed by the nominating shareholder
and by each nominee, and shall be accompanied by a written consent to be
named as a nominee for election as a Director from each proposed nominee.
Nominations not made in accordance with these procedures shall be
disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and upon his instructions,
the inspectors of election shall disregard all votes cast for each such
nominee. The foregoing requirements do not apply to the nomination of a
person to replace a proposed nominee who has become unable to serve as a
Director between the last day for giving notice in accordance with this
paragraph and the date of election of Directors if the procedure called for
in this paragraph was followed with respect to the nomination of the
proposed nominee.
The effect of the foregoing provision is that any shareholder wishing to
nominate one or more candidates for election to the Board of Directors must mail
or deliver to the President of Redwood written notice of intention to make such
a nomination no later than the close of business on April 30, 1999, or such a
nomination will not be considered at the Annual Meeting. To be effective, such a
notice must comply with all of the provisions of the Bylaw provision set forth
above. Any notice mailed or delivered to Redwood's President after April 30,
1999, or which is not made in accordance with the procedures specified in the
foregoing Bylaw provision, will be disregarded by the Chairman of the Annual
Meeting, and upon his instructions the Inspector of Elections for the Annual
Meeting will disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. The Chairman of the
Annual Meeting will decide whether a notice has been properly given and any
nomination should be recognized, and his or her determination will be final.
19
<PAGE>
OTHER MATTERS
Management does not know of any matters to be presented at the Annual
Meeting other than those set forth above. However, if other matters come before
the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying
Proxy to vote the shares represented by the Proxy in accordance with the
judgment of the person or persons authorized to vote the Proxy, and
discretionary authority to do so is included in the Proxy.
The deadline for shareholders to submit proposals to be considered for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement for Redwood's 2000 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders is December 16, 1999.
The accompany proxy grants the persons named therein discretionary
authority to vote on any matter raised at the Annual Meeting. If a shareholder
intends to submit a proposal at Redwood's 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders,
which proposal is not intended to be included in Redwood's Proxy Statement and
form of proxy relating to such meeting, the shareholder should give Redwood
appropriate notice no later than March 5, 2000. If Redwood fails to receive
notice of the proposal by such date, Redwood will not be required to provide any
information about the nature of the proposal in its proxy material and the
proposal will not be submitted to the shareholders for approval at Redwood's
2000 Annual Meeting as Redwood will not have received proper notice as required
by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Marta J. Idica
Corporate Secretary
Dated: April 19, 1999
The Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998 is being mailed concurrently with this Proxy Statement to all shareholders
of record as of April 12, 1999.
A COPY OF REDWOOD'S MOST RECENT ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FORM 10-K WILL BE PROVIDED TO SHAREHOLDERS WITHOUT CHARGE
UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO: CORPORATE SECRETARY, REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP, 111 SANTA
ROSA AVENUE, SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA 95404-4905.
20
<PAGE>
REDWOOD EMPIRE BANCORP
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
MAY 18, 1999
The undersigned appoint(s) Tom D. Whitaker and William B. Stevenson, and
each of them, as proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution
and revocation, to represent and to vote, as designated below, all shares of
Common Stock of Redwood Empire Bancorp (the "Company") that the undersigned
would be entitled to vote if personally present, at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of the Company to be held in the Golden Gate Room of the Sonoma
County Hilton, 3555 Round Barn Boulevard, Santa Rosa, California, on May 18,
1999 at 4:00 P.M., local time, upon the following items as set forth in the
Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, and according to their
discretion upon all other matters that may be properly presented for action
at the Annual Meeting, or at any adjournment thereof. The undersigned may
revoke this Proxy at any time prior to its exercise.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
<PAGE>
Please mark your votes as indicated in this example /X/
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE
PROPOSALS LISTED ON THIS CARD.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED AND RETURNED TO THE COMPANY, WILL BE VOTED
IN THE MANNER DIRECTED ON THIS CARD. IN THE EVENT THAT NO SUCH DIRECTION IS
GIVEN HEREON AND THIS PROXY IS NOT SUBSEQUENTLY REVOKED OR SUPERSEDED, THE
PROXYHOLDERS NAMED ABOVE INTEND TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR LISTED BELOW AND FOR EACH OF THE OTHER PROPOSALS LISTED
BELOW.
1. Proposal to elect the following nominees to serve as directors, each to
hold office until the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until his
successor has been duly elected and qualified:
Nominees: Richard I. Colombini, Robert D. Cook, Patrick W.
Kilkenny, William B. Stevenson, and Tom D. Whitaker.
FOR all WITHHOLD from FOR, except vote WITHHELD from those nominees whose
nominees all nominees names have been struck out of the foregoing list.
/ / / / / /
2. Proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte and Touche, LLP as
independent auditors to audit Redwood's financial statements for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1999.
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
/ / / / / /
3. Proposal to approve an amendment to Redwood's Bylaws reducing the maximum
number of authorized directors from thirteen to nine.
/ / / / / /
IF ANY SHAREHOLDER GIVES PROPER NOTICE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF HIS INTENTION
TO CUMULATE HIS VOTES IN THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, THE PROXY HOLDERS WILL
HAVE THE FULL DISCRETION AND AUTHORITY TO VOTE CUMULATIVELY AND TO ALLOCATE
VOTES AMONG ANY OR ALL OF THE NOMINEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN SUCH
ORDER AS THEY MAY DETERMINE UNLESS THE SHAREHOLDER HAS OTHERWISE INDICATED BY
MARKING THE BOXES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS CARD. SEE THE "VOTING SECURITIES"
SECTION OF THE PROXY STATEMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION.
I/we do / / do not / /
expect to attend this meeting (please check)
---------------------------------------
Shares held
---------------------------------------
Social Security Number
---------------------------------------
Shareholder (sign name)
Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s). When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee, officer, partner, or guardian, please give
full title. If more than one trustee, all should sign. WHETHER OR NOT YOU
INTEND TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE PROXY AS
PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
Signature(s) DATE: , 1999
---------------------------------------- ----------
TO ASSURE A QUORUM, YOU ARE URGED TO DATE, COMPLETE, AND SIGN THIS PROXY AND
MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO ADDITIONAL
POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOLD AND DETACH HERE
