PEOPLES SAVINGS FINANCIAL CORP /CT/
DEF 14A, 1997-04-08
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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<PAGE>
 
 
                           SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

          Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                    Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.  )
        
Filed by the Registrant [_]

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [X] 

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 Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12

                       People's Savings Financial Corp.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

                           R. R. Donnelley Financial
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (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)(4) 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):

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

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

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     (3) Filing Party:
      
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------


     (4) Date Filed:

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Notes:

<PAGE>
 
                       PEOPLE'S SAVINGS FINANCIAL CORP.
                               123 BROAD STREET
                        NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT 06053
 
                                                                 March 21, 1997
 
Dear Stockholders:
 
  You are cordially invited to attend the People's Savings Financial Corp.
Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday, April 22, 1997 at 10:00
a.m. at the Ramada Inn, 65 Columbus Boulevard, New Britain, Connecticut.
 
  The proposals to be considered at the meeting are (1) the election of four
directors, each for a term of three years, and (2) the ratification of the
appointment of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P. as independent auditors for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 1997. All of the nominees for election as
directors are members of the present Board of Directors. Their names and
information about them and the other members of the Board of Directors will be
found in the Proxy Statement which, along with the formal Notice of Annual
Meeting, is attached.
 
  We hope that you will attend the Annual Meeting. Regardless of whether you
plan to attend, please complete, date, sign and return the enclosed proxy card
in the accompanying envelope.
 
  YOUR SHARES CANNOT BE VOTED AT THE MEETING UNLESS YOU ARE PRESENT OR
REPRESENTED BY PROXY.
 
  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Secretary,
Teresa Sasinski, at (860)224-7771.
 
  The Company's 1996 Annual Report is included in this package, and we urge
you to read it carefully.
 
  Thank you for your cooperation and continuing support.
 
                                          Sincerely,
 
                                          Joseph A. Welna, M.D.
                                          Chairman of the Board
 
                                          Richard S. Mansfield
                                          President and Chief Executive
                                           Officer
<PAGE>
 
                   NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF PEOPLE'S SAVINGS FINANCIAL CORP.
 
  Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of People's
Savings Financial Corp. (the "Company") will be held on Tuesday, April 22,
1997 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ramada Inn, 65 Columbus Boulevard, New Britain,
Connecticut, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the following
matters:
 
    1. Election of four directors who, with the seven directors whose terms
  of office do not expire at this meeting, will constitute the full Board of
  Directors of the Company.
 
    2. Ratification of the appointment of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P. as
  independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997.
 
    3. Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
  adjournment thereof.
 
  Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 7, 1997 are
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting.
 
                                          By order of the Board of Directors
 
                                          Teresa Sasinski, Secretary
 
March 21, 1997
 
  WE URGE YOU TO SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON. IF YOU WERE A
STOCKHOLDER OF RECORD ON MARCH 7, 1997 AND ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY THEN
REVOKE YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON.
<PAGE>
 
                       PEOPLE'S SAVINGS FINANCIAL CORP.
                               123 BROAD STREET
                        NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT 06053
                                (860) 224-7771
 
                               ----------------
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
              1997 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS: APRIL 22, 1997
          APPROXIMATE DATE OF MAILING TO STOCKHOLDERS: MARCH 21, 1997
 
INTRODUCTION
 
  This Proxy Statement is being furnished to the stockholders of People's
Savings Financial Corp., a Connecticut corporation (the "Company"), in
connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of the Company of
proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be
held on Tuesday, April 22, 1997, at 10:00 a.m. at the Ramada Inn, 65 Columbus
Boulevard, New Britain, Connecticut (the "Annual Meeting"), and at any
adjournment thereof. The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to consider and vote
upon (1) the election of four directors who, with the seven directors whose
terms of office do not expire at this meeting, will constitute the full Board
of Directors of the Company, and (2) the ratification of the appointment of
Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P. as independent auditors for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 1997.
 
  The principal executive offices of the Company and its subsidiary, People's
Savings Bank & Trust (the "Bank"), are located at 123 Broad Street, New
Britain, Connecticut 06053, and the telephone number of the Company and the
Bank is (860) 224-7771.
 
RECORD DATE; VOTING RIGHTS
 
  The Board of Directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on
March 7, 1997 as the record date (the "Record Date") for determining holders
of outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Company ("Company Common
Stock") entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any
adjournment thereof. Only holders of Company Common Stock of record on the
books of the Company at the close of business on the Record Date will be
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment thereof. As of
February 28, 1997, there were 1,905,863 shares of Company Common Stock issued
and outstanding, each of which is entitled to one vote on each matter
submitted to a vote at the Annual Meeting. Pursuant to the Bylaws of the
Company, a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Company Common
Stock present in person or by proxy will constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at the Annual Meeting.
 
  The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting
is required to approve the election of directors, and more votes must be cast
in favor then are voted against to ratify the appointment of the auditors. In
certain circumstances, a shareholder will be considered to be present at the
Annual Meeting for quorum purposes, but will not be deemed to have voted in
the election of directors or in connection with other matters presented for
approval at the Annual Meeting. Such circumstances will exist where a
shareholder is present but specifically abstains from voting, or where shares
are represented at a meeting by a proxy conferring authority to vote on
certain matters but not on the election of directors or on other matters to be
voted on at the Annual Meeting. Under Connecticut law, such abstentions and
non-votes have a neutral effect with respect to the election of directors and
ratification of auditors.
 
  The Company has been advised that all of the executive officers and
directors of the Company and their affiliates intend to vote their shares of
Company Common Stock in favor of the election of the four directors and the
ratification of the appointment of independent auditors.
 
<PAGE>
 
SOLICITATION, REVOCATION AND USE OF PROXIES
 
  Shares of Company Common Stock represented by properly executed proxies
will, unless such proxies have previously been revoked, be voted at the Annual
Meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated in the proxies. If no
instructions are indicated, shares will be voted FOR the proposals to elect
the nominees for director and ratify the appointment of independent auditors
and, in the discretion of the proxy holders, as to any other matter which may
properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
  Any stockholder of the Company who has given a proxy has the power to revoke
such proxy at any time before it is voted by filing with the Secretary of the
Company an instrument revoking it or a duly executed proxy bearing a later
date. A stockholder of record on the Record Date may also revoke a proxy by
appearing at the Annual Meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the Annual
Meeting will not in and of itself constitute the revocation of a proxy.
 
  The Company will bear the costs of soliciting proxies from its stockholders.
In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by the
directors, officers and employees of the Company, without additional
remuneration, by personal interview, telephone or telegram. Arrangements will
also be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation material to the beneficial
owners of Company Common Stock held of record by such persons, and the Company
may reimburse such custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable out-of-
pocket expenses incurred in connection therewith.
 
                            PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
 
  The following table shows, as of the most recent practicable date (February
28, 1997), any person known to the Company (including any "group" as that term
is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act")), to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the
Company Common Stock. This information is furnished in accordance with
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") rules with respect to any persons
known by the Company to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company
Common Stock.
 
  In preparing the following table, the Company has relied on information
furnished by First Manhattan Co. and First Union Corporation on Schedules 13D
and 13G filed with the SEC and mailed to the Company. Unless otherwise
indicated, each person has sole voting and sole dispositive power with respect
to the shares shown.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  NAME AND ADDRESS              AMOUNT AND NATURE OF   PERCENT
                 OF BENEFICIAL OWNER            BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF CLASS(a)
                 -------------------            -------------------- -----------
      <S>                                       <C>                  <C>
      First Manhattan Co. .....................      103,500(b)         5.43%
      437 Madison Avenue
      New York, New York 10022
      First Union Corporation..................      161,700(c)         8.48%
      One First Union Center
      Charlotte, North Carolina 28288
</TABLE>
- --------
  (a) The percentages shown are calculated on the basis of the number of
outstanding shares of the Company Common Stock on February 28, 1997.
  (b) First Manhattan Co. is a registered investment advisor and the general
partner of First Save Associates, L.P. ("First Save") and Second First Save
Associates, L.P. ("Second First"). According to their report on Schedule 13D
filed with the SEC on February 7, 1996, First Save and Second First have sole
voting and dispositive power with respect to 51,900 and 51,600 shares,
respectively.
  (c) First Union Corporation is a parent holding company as defined in SEC
Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(G). According to its report on Schedule 13G filed with the
SEC on February 12, 1996, First Union Corporation exercises shared voting
power with respect to 10,000 shares.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                       ELECTION OF A CLASS OF DIRECTORS
 
                                 (PROPOSAL 1)
 
  The Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Company provide for
the election of directors by the stockholders and for the division of the
Board of Directors into three classes as nearly equal in number as possible.
The terms of office of the members of one class expire and a successor class
is elected at each annual meeting of the stockholders. Vacancies in
directorships may be filled, until the expiration of the term of the vacated
directorship, by the vote of a majority of the directors then in office.
 
INFORMATION ON NOMINEES AND DIRECTORS
 
  There are now eleven directors of the Company. The terms of four directors
expire at this Annual Meeting, each of whom has been nominated for re-election
at the Annual Meeting for a three-year term, expiring at the annual meeting in
2000. In the event that any nominee for director is unable or declines to
serve, which the Board of Directors has no reason to expect, the proxy holders
will vote for a substitute nominee designated by the present Board of
Directors. The terms of the remaining two classes of directors expire at the
annual meetings in 1998 and 1999, respectively, or when their successors are
elected and qualify.
 
  Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at
a meeting of stockholders by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or
by any stockholder of the Company entitled to vote for the election of
directors at the meeting who complies with certain prior notice procedures set
forth in the Company's Bylaws. Such nominations, other than those made by or
at the direction of the Board of Directors, must be made in writing to the
Secretary of the Company and must be delivered or mailed to the principal
executive offices of the Company not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days
prior to the meeting; provided, however, that in the event that less than 50
days notice of the date of the meeting is given to stockholders, notice by the
stockholder to be timely must be so mailed or delivered not later than the
close of business on the seventh day following the day on which such notice of
the date of the meeting was mailed. A stockholder's notice must set forth (a)
as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or
re-election as a director, (i) the name, age, business address and residence
address of such person, (ii) the principal occupation of such person, (iii)
the number of shares of the Company Common Stock which will be voted for such
person and (iv) any other information relating to such person that is required
to be disclosed in solicitation of proxies for election of directors, or is
otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange
Act (including, without limitation, such person's written consent to being
named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if
elected), and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice, (i) the name and
address, as they appear on the Company's books, of such stockholder, and (ii)
the number of shares of the Company Common Stock which are beneficially owned
by such stockholder.
 
  Except as indicated in the notes following the tables below, the nominees
and the directors continuing in office have sole voting and investment power
with respect to the shares listed as being beneficially owned by them.
 
  The following tables set forth information, as of the most recent
practicable date (February 28, 1997), regarding the nominees for re-election
as directors at the Annual Meeting and the directors of the Company continuing
in office, including (a) the name of each nominee and director continuing in
office, (b) his principal occupation for the previous five years, (c) his
current service on the committees of the Board of Directors, (d) his age and
period of service as a director of the Bank and the Company, (e) the number of
shares and percentage of the Company Common Stock beneficially owned, either
directly or indirectly, and (f) the expiration date of his current term as
director. Each nominee and director continuing in office is also a director of
the Bank and has served as a director of the Company since its incorporation
in February 1989.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AT THIS MEETING FOR A THREE YEAR TERM
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             AMOUNT AND
                                                                             NATURE OF     PERCENT
                          POSITIONS HELD WITH                                BENEFICIAL   OF COMPANY
                          THE COMPANY AND THE         HAS SERVED TERM WILL  OWNERSHIP OF    COMMON
                           BANK AND PRINCIPAL            AS A    EXPIRE AT    COMPANY       STOCK
                           OCCUPATION DURING           DIRECTOR  THE ANNUAL    COMMON    BENEFICIALLY
          NAME            THE PAST FIVE YEARS     AGE   SINCE    MEETING IN    STOCK        OWNED
          ----          -----------------------   --- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------
 <C>                    <S>                       <C> <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
 Walter D.              Investment Committee       63    1977       2000    15,000(a)        .78%
  Blogoslawski........   (Chairman); Owner of
                         Investment Research
                         and PHB Realty, Vero
                         Beach, Florida
 Stanley P. Filewicz,   Pension and Audit          63    1982       2000    12,400(b)(c)     .65%
  M.D.................   Committees; Orthopedic
                         Surgeon; President of
                         New Britain Orthopedic
                         Surgical Group, Inc.
 Roland L. LeClerc....  Audit and Marketing        69    1983       2000    9,628(c)         .50%
                         (Chairman) Committees;
                         Retired Partner of
                         insurance and real
                         estate firm of LeClerc
                         & Fortier, New
                         Britain, CT
 Chester S. Sledzik,    Executive, Loan and        69    1975       2000    11,077(c)(d)     .58%
  Esquire.............   Investment Committees;
                         General Counsel to the
                         Bank; Partner in law
                         firm of Sledzik &
                         McGuire, New Britain,
                         CT
</TABLE>
- --------
  (a) Includes options to purchase 1,000 shares granted to outside directors
upon re-election as a director in 1988 and 1994, and options to purchase 2,000
shares granted to outside directors at the 1995 and 1996 annual meetings of
shareholders.
  (b) Includes 100 shares owned by Dr. Filewicz's spouse, and 300 shares owned
by his minor children, over which he shares voting and investment power.
  (c) Includes options to purchase 1,000 shares granted upon re-election as a
director in 1988, 1991 and 1994, and options to purchase 2,000 shares granted
at the 1995 and 1996 annual meetings of shareholders.
  (d) Includes 1,077 shares owned jointly by Attorney Sledzik and his spouse
in which Attorney Sledzik shares voting and investment power.
 
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                         DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              AMOUNT AND
                                                                              NATURE OF     PERCENT
                           POSITIONS HELD WITH                                BENEFICIAL   OF COMPANY
                           THE COMPANY AND THE         HAS SERVED TERM WILL  OWNERSHIP OF    COMMON
                           BANK AND PRINCIPAL             AS A    EXPIRE AT    COMPANY       STOCK
                            OCCUPATION DURING           DIRECTOR  THE ANNUAL    COMMON    BENEFICIALLY
          NAME             THE PAST FIVE YEARS     AGE   SINCE    MEETING IN    STOCK        OWNED
          ----          ------------------------   --- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------
 <C>                    <S>                        <C> <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
 Robert A. Gryboski,    Planning (Chairman),        57    1976       1998    27,546(a)(b)    1.44%
  M.D.................   Executive, Loan,
                         Investment, Trust and
                         Nominating Committees;
                         Senior Attending
                         Otolaryngologist and
                         Head and Neck Surgeon
                         at New Britain General
                         Hospital; Assistant
                         Clinical Professor of
                         Otolaryngology and Head
                         and Neck Surgery at the
                         University of
                         Connecticut Medical
                         School
 Walter J. Liss.......  Audit (Chairman),           68    1970       1998    18,769(c)(d)     .98%
                         Executive, Planning,
                         Nominating and
                         Personnel Committees;
                         Secretary of Board of
                         Directors; President of
                         Liss Insurance Agency,
                         Inc., New Britain, CT
 Richard S. Mansfield.  Member of all Committees    56    1985       1998    32,415(e)       1.70%
                         (except the Audit and
                         Personnel Committees);
                         President and Chief
                         Executive Officer of
                         the Company and the
                         Bank; formerly
                         Executive Vice
                         President and Vice
                         President for Mortgage
                         Lending at the Bank
 Robert A. Story......  Executive, Loan             55    1983       1998    14,811(d)(f)     .77%
                         (Chairman), Investment,
                         Nominating (Chairman),
                         Trust, Pension and
                         Personnel Committees;
                         President of Story
                         Brothers Auto Rental,
                         Inc. and Story
                         Brothers, Inc., New
                         Britain, CT; automobile
                         repair business
</TABLE>
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               AMOUNT AND
                                                                               NATURE OF     PERCENT
                           POSITIONS HELD WITH                                 BENEFICIAL   OF COMPANY
                           THE COMPANY AND THE          HAS SERVED TERM WILL  OWNERSHIP OF    COMMON
                            BANK AND PRINCIPAL             AS A    EXPIRE AT    COMPANY       STOCK
                            OCCUPATION DURING            DIRECTOR  THE ANNUAL    COMMON    BENEFICIALLY
          NAME             THE PAST FIVE YEARS      AGE   SINCE    MEETING IN    STOCK        OWNED
          ----          -------------------------   --- ---------- ---------- ------------ ------------
 <C>                    <S>                         <C> <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>
 Joseph A. Welna,       Chairman of Board of         65    1969       1998    35,097(g)       1.84%
  M.D. ...............   Directors; Member of all
                         Committees; Chairman of
                         the Executive and Trust
                         Committee; Senior
                         Attending
                         Obstetrician/Gynecologist
                         at New Britain General
                         Hospital; Senior
                         Gynecologist at Bradley
                         Memorial Hospital;
                         Assistant Clinical
                         Professor at the
                         University of
                         Connecticut Medical
                         School
 Henry Poplaski.......  Marketing Committee;         64    1984       1999    8,675(h)(i)      .45%
                         Owner/Manager of Hank's
                         Automotive Service, New
                         Britain, CT
 A. Richard Puskarz...  Personnel (Chairman),        53    1979       1999    9,808(i)(j)      .51%
                         Planning and Executive
                         Committees; President
                         and Treasurer of Art
                         Press, Inc., New
                         Britain, CT; printing
                         company
</TABLE>
- --------
  (a) Includes 4,500 shares owned as custodian for Dr. Gryboski's minor
children; and 12,700 shares owned by his IRA.
  (b) Includes options to purchase 2,000 shares granted to outside directors
at the 1995 and 1996 annual meeting of shareholders.
  (c) Includes 2,423 shares owned by Mr. Liss' spouse; 1,787 shares held in
his spouse's Individual Retirement Account ("IRA"); 2,000 shares owned by a
corporate investment plan; and 1,346 shares owned by a scholarship fund for
which he is an officer.
  (d) Includes options to purchase 1,000 shares granted upon re-election as a
director in 1989 and 1992, and options to purchase 2,000 shares granted at the
1995 and 1996 annual meeting of shareholders.
  (e) Includes options to purchase 31,000 shares, and 1,366 shares owned
jointly with Mr. Mansfield's spouse.
  (f) Includes 105 shares owned by Mr. Story's spouse as custodian for his
minor child; 100 shares owned as custodian for his minor child; and 129 shares
held in his spouse's IRA.
  (g) Includes 10,000 shares owned by New Britain Obstetrics/Gynecology Group
Pension Plan. Dr. Welna has a 25% interest in the pension plan but disclaims
beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the pension plan. Also includes
options to purchase 2,000 shares granted to outside directors at the 1995 and
1996 meetings.
  (h) Includes 1,675 shares owned jointly with Mr. Poplaski's spouse.
  (i) Includes options to purchase 1,000 shares granted upon re-election as a
director in 1987, 1990 and 1993, and options to purchase 2,000 shares granted
at the 1995 and 1996 annual meetings of shareholders.
  (j) Includes 526 shares owned by Mr. Puskarz's spouse, and 572 shares owned
as custodian for his minor children.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
OWNERSHIP OF SHARES BY DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
  As of February 28, 1997, John G. Medvec, Executive Vice President and
Treasurer, beneficially owned 24,272 shares (including 23,000 shares under
stock options that are exercisable within 60 days), representing 1.26% of the
Company's outstanding stock. Including such shares, all of the current
directors and executive officers of the Company as a group (12 persons) own
beneficially as of February 28, 1997 an aggregate of 219,498 shares of Company
Common Stock, representing 10.86% of the total number of such shares
outstanding. Of that aggregate, current non-employee directors own 162,811
shares of Company Common Stock, or 8.28% of the total shares outstanding, and
executive officers own 56,687 such shares, or 2.89%.
 
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  The Board of Directors of the Company held eight meetings and the Board of
Directors of the Bank had fourteen meetings during fiscal year 1996. The
committees of the Board of Directors of the Company were established on July
1, 1989. The committees of the Board of Directors of the Company did not (with
the exception of the Nominating Committee) meet separately from the committees
of the Board of Directors of the Bank. The committees of the Board of
Directors of the Bank are the Audit Committee, the Executive Committee, the
Loan Committee, the Investment Committee, the Pension Committee, the Personnel
Committee, the Marketing Committee, the Trust Committee and the Planning
Committee. The following information relates to the committees of the Board of
Directors of the Bank and the Nominating Committee of the Company.
 
  The Audit Committee met five times during fiscal year 1996. The members of
the Audit Committee are Walter J. Liss (Chairman), Stanley P. Filewicz and
Roland L. LeClerc. The Audit Committee reviews the examination reports of the
state and federal regulatory agencies, the quarterly reports of the internal
auditor and the annual reports of the independent auditors, and reviews the
adequacy of accounting, financial and operating controls.
 
  The Executive Committee did not meet during fiscal year 1996. The members of
the Executive Committee are Joseph A. Welna (Chairman), Robert A. Gryboski,
Walter J. Liss, A. Richard Puskarz, Robert A. Story and Chester S. Sledzik.
The Executive Committee has general supervision of the affairs of the Bank in
the absence of the full Board of Directors, and meets when and if necessary
between full Board meetings.
 
  The Company's Nominating Committee met one time in 1996. The current members
of the Nominating Committee are Robert A. Story (Chairman), Robert A. Gryboski
and Walter J. Liss. The Nominating Committee nominates candidates for election
to the Board of Directors or for appointment by the Board from time to time
for the purpose of filling any vacancy among the directors. Nominations of
persons for election to the Board of Directors may also be made by
stockholders, as described above under "Election of a Class of Directors
(Proposal 1)".
 
  The Loan Committee met twenty-two times during fiscal year 1996. Members of
the Loan Committee are Robert A. Story (Chairman), Robert A. Gryboski and
Chester S. Sledzik. The Loan Committee reviews and approves all loans in
excess of $250,000.
 
  The Investment Committee met ten times during fiscal year 1996. Members of
the Investment Committee are Walter D. Blogoslawski (Chairman), Robert A.
Story, Robert A. Gryboski and Chester S. Sledzik. The Investment Committee
reviews all fixed income investments and all equity investments to ensure that
they have been made within the policy guidelines established by the Board.
 
  The Pension Committee met three times during fiscal year 1996. The members
of the Pension Committee are Robert A. Story and Stanley P. Filewicz
(Chairman). The Committee is responsible for supervising and controlling the
operation of the pension plan.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
  The Personnel Committee met twelve times during fiscal year 1996. The
members of the Personnel Committee are A. Richard Puskarz (Chairman), Walter
J. Liss and Robert A. Story. The Personnel Committee oversees and makes
recommendations to the Board regarding compensation and benefits for officers
and employees of the Bank. The Personnel Committee is also responsible for
administering the 1995 Stock Option and Incentive Plan and the 1995 Stock
Option Plan for Outside Directors.
 
  The Marketing Committee met four times during 1996. The members of the
Marketing Committee are Roland L. LeClerc (Chairman), and Henry Poplaski. The
Marketing Committee reviews marketing, public relations and advertising for
the Bank.
 
  The Planning Committee met eight times during fiscal year 1996. The members
of the Planning Committee are Robert A. Gryboski (Chairman), Walter J. Liss
and A. Richard Puskarz. The Planning Committee conceives and recommends short
and long range plans and objectives to strengthen the Bank's and the Company's
continued growth and sound financial condition.
 
  The Trust Committee met twelve times during fiscal year 1996. Members of the
Trust Committee are Joseph A. Welna (Chairman), Robert A. Gryboski and Robert
A. Story. The Trust Committee is responsible for supervising the operations of
the Bank's trust department.
 
  Richard S. Mansfield and Joseph A. Welna are members of each of the
committees of the Board of Directors, except that Mr. Mansfield is not a
member of the Audit Committee or the Personnel Committee. John G. Medvec, who
is not a director but is Executive Vice President and Treasurer of the Bank,
also attends meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of
Directors. Other senior officers regularly attend committee meetings relevant
to their responsibilities.
 
  During 1996, every director attended at least 75 percent of the combined
total of the meetings of the Board of Directors and of committee(s) of which
he was a member.
 
                           COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
  Each director who is not an employee of the Company or the Bank is currently
paid an annual retainer fee of $16,000. The Chairman of the Board is paid an
annual fee of $25,000. Directors of the Company do not receive additional
compensation for any Company or Bank Board of Directors or committee meeting
they attend. At the present time, each director of the Company is also a
director of the Bank. Individual directors are also compensated for additional
services they may provide in the following capacities: committee chairman
($1,500); executive committee member ($3,050); and Secretary of the Board
($3,250).
 
DIRECTORS' DEFERRED FEES PLANS
 
  The Bank has in effect programs which permit directors to defer certain
amounts to which such director would be entitled for services rendered as a
director. Such amounts are to be credited to deferred compensation accounts,
generally up to the full amount of the directors fees to which they are
entitled. The funds in such deferred compensation accounts are, in each case,
invested in a life insurance policy owned by the Bank. Following the
retirement or death of the participating director, the Bank will make monthly
payments for ten years to him or his beneficiary of an amount computed
actuarially. If the director becomes disabled prior to retirement, he will be
entitled to the same benefits as upon retirement, depending on the number of
years of participation in the program. If the director terminates his services
with the Bank, or the Bank terminates the services of the director for cause,
or if the director withdraws from the program, the program provides that the
Bank will pay him the amount of the deferred fees plus interest at 12%. Total
payments in 1996 of $60,610 were made
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
by the Bank pursuant to these programs to former directors and to certain
current directors who have attained age 65 (or 70, in the case of one of the
Bank's programs) to Matthew R. Duksa ($6,960), Joseph Welna ($16,963), Edward
Januszewski ($6,352), Roland L. LeClerc ($8,728), Eugene M. Rosol ($7,495),
Chester S. Sledzik ($8,728) and Walter Liss ($5,384). By properly deferring
fees under this program, a director avoids federal income tax in the year in
which the fees are earned and incurs such tax when the deferred payments are
made. The Bank is not entitled to a deduction for the life insurance premiums
which are paid, but may deduct the amount of deferred compensation paid when
paid. Although the Bank currently funds the benefits payable under this
program through the purchase of life insurance owned by the Bank on each
participating director, any deficiency would be provided from the general
assets of the Bank.
 
1995 STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR OUTSIDE DIRECTORS
 
  The Company also adopted, and the stockholders have approved, the 1995 Stock
Option Plan for Outside Directors (the "Outside Directors' Plan"). The purpose
of the Outside Directors' Plan is to promote the long-term success of the
Company by providing financial incentives to directors who are in a position
to make significant contributions to such success and to ally more closely
their financial interests with that of the Company and its stockholders.
 
  The Outside Directors' Plan provides for annual option grants of 2,000
options to all non-employee directors on the Company's Board of Directors on
the date of the Company's annual meeting of stockholders (the "Grant Date")
beginning with the annual meeting in 1995. The aggregate number of shares
subject to options under the Outside Directors' Plan is 120,000, subject to
adjustment for stock splits or other changes in corporate structure or
capitalization affecting the Company's Common Stock. Shares delivered upon the
exercise of options pursuant to the Outside Directors' Plan may be either
authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or shares of Common Stock held
in treasury. Shares subject to options which expire or terminate before
exercise become available for issuance under the Outside Directors' Plan. If
the number of shares of Common Stock subject to options on any Grant Date
under the Outside Directors' Plan exceeds the number of shares which are
available for issuance on such grant date, each director's options shall be
reduced on a pro rata basis in order to comply with the maximum number of
shares issuable under the Outside Directors' Plan. Options are exercisable
upon grant except for options granted to a director who first becomes a
director on a Grant Date; such options are exercisable 60 days after that
Grant Date.
 
  The Outside Directors' Plan is administered by a Committee of three or more
non-employee directors of the Company. Only non-employee directors are
eligible to participate in the Outside Directors' Plan. All options are
exercisable at the Fair Market Value of the Company's Common Stock on the date
preceding the date of grant (the "Option Price"). "Fair Market Value" is
defined as the average of bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on the
date as of which the determination is made, as made available for publication
by the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System,
National Market. In the event of any stock split, stock dividend, merger,
consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other change in corporate
structure or capitalization affecting the Company's Common Stock, the number
of shares subject to the Outside Directors' Plan, the number of shares then
subject to options and the price per share payable upon the exercise of
options may be appropriately adjusted by the Committee. In the event a new
non-employee director is appointed by the Board to fill a vacant directorship,
the new director will not be eligible for an automatic option grant until the
next annual meeting of stockholders.
 
  Unless earlier terminated, the term of the Plan is for 5 years (through the
1999 annual meeting of stockholders) and each option shall be exercisable for
10 years from the date of grant. Upon termination of service as a director,
options will terminate on the earlier of three months after termination of
service as a director or the expiration of the term of the option, except in
the event of the grantee's death, disability or retirement. In the event of
termination of service as a director for such reasons, options will terminate
at the expiration of the option term.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                      COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
  Each of the executive officers of the Company is also currently an officer
of the Bank. The Company has no existing plan or arrangement to pay any
remuneration to such officers in addition to the compensation that they will
receive from the Bank in their respective capacities as officers of the Bank.
The following table sets forth a summary for the last three (3) fiscal years
of the cash and non-cash compensation paid or awarded by the Bank to the Chief
Executive Officer and the only other executive officer whose total annual
salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 (the "Named Executive Officers").
 
                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        LONG-TERM
                                             ANNUAL    COMPENSATION
                                          COMPENSATION    AWARDS
                                          ------------ ------------
                (a)                  (b)      (c)          (d)          (e)
                                                                     ALL OTHER
                                             SALARY                 COMPENSATION
    NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION      YEAR     ($)      OPTIONS (#)    ($) (1)
    ---------------------------      ---- ------------ ------------ ------------
<S>                                  <C>  <C>          <C>          <C>
Richard S. Mansfield................ 1996   162,647          0       10,738(2)
President and Chief                  1995   157,857          0       10,203(3)
 Executive Officer                   1994   144,076          0       11,872(4)
John G. Medvec...................... 1996   124,044          0        4,417
Executive Vice President             1995   118,489          0        3,553
 and Treasurer                       1994   113,007          0        3,453
</TABLE>
- --------
  (1) Amounts of All Other Compensation are amounts contributed or accrued in
the relevant year by the Company for the Named Executive Officers under the
Company's Savings and Investment Plan. The executives may receive other
perquisites customary to their positions the aggregate amount of which do not
amount to, on an annual basis, 10% of the salary shown above for each.
  (2) Includes $5,988 paid to Mr. Mansfield for vacation time not used in
1996.
  (3) Includes $5,703 paid to Mr. Mansfield for vacation time not used in
1995.
  (4) Includes $8,146 paid to Mr. Mansfield for vacation time not used in
1994.
 
OPTIONS/SAR GRANTS
 
  There were no stock options granted to the Named Executive Officers pursuant
to the 1995 Stock Option and Incentive Plan for employees during 1996.
 
  The following table sets forth information concerning option exercises in
fiscal 1996 and the fiscal year-end value of unexercised options to purchase
the Company's Common Stock granted to the Named Executive Officers under the
1995 Stock Option and Incentive Plan for employees and a prior plan for
employees.
 
                AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                       AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          (a)                (b)          (c)             (d)               (e)
                                                   NUMBER OF SHARES      VALUE OF
                                                      UNDERLYING        UNEXERCISED
                                                      UNEXERCISED      IN-THE-MONEY
                                                      OPTIONS AT        OPTIONS AT
                            SHARES                 DECEMBER 31, 1996 DECEMBER 31, 1996
                         ACQUIRED ON     VALUE     (#) EXERCISABLE/  ($) EXERCISABLE/
          NAME           EXERCISE (#) REALIZED ($)   UNEXERCISABLE   UNEXERCISABLE (1)
          ----           ------------ ------------ ----------------- -----------------
<S>                      <C>          <C>          <C>               <C>
Richard S. Mansfield....    3,000        29,250       31,000/N/A        366,500/N/A
John G. Medvec..........    2,000        22,500       23,000/N/A        259,675/N/A
</TABLE>
- --------
  (1) Based on the difference between the option exercise price and the
average of the high and low price of the Company Common Stock on December 31,
1996 ($27.75).
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
PENSION PLAN
 
  The table that follows shows the estimated annual benefits payable upon
retirement to Bank employees, including officers, in the earnings and years of
service classifications indicated, under the Bank's noncontributory defined
benefit plan. The plan covers officers and employees of the Bank who have
attained the age of 20 1/2 years, who in one year work at least 1,000 hours
and have completed six months of service with the Bank. The retirement
benefits reflect a reduction to recognize in part the Bank's cost of Social
Security benefits related to service for the Bank. The plan also provides for
the payment of benefits to an employee's surviving spouse or other
beneficiary, and for optional early retirement benefits provided a participant
has attained age 55 and completed at least 10 years of credited service with
the Bank.
 
                     ESTIMATED ANNUAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      HIGHEST FIVE
          YEAR            15           20           25           30           35
        AVERAGE        YEARS OF     YEARS OF     YEARS OF     YEARS OF     YEARS OF
      COMPENSATION     SERVICE      SERVICE      SERVICE      SERVICE      SERVICE
      ------------     --------     --------     --------     --------     --------
      <S>              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
       $ 20,000        $ 4,950      $ 6,600      $ 8,250      $ 9,900      $ 11,550
       $ 25,000          6,188        8,250       10,313       12,375        14,438
       $ 50,000         14,393       19,190       23,988       28,786        33,583
       $ 75,000         23,018       30,690       38,363       46,036        53,708
       $100,000         31,643       42,190       52,738       63,286        73,833
       $125,000         40,268       53,690       67,113       80,536        93,958
       $150,000         48,893       65,190       81,488       97,786       114,083
</TABLE>
- --------
  * Applicable pension law currently restricts the amount of annual
compensation on which these benefits can be based to $150,000.
 
  The compensation covered by the plan whose benefits are summarized in the
table above equals salary and bonus. The covered compensation for each of the
Named Executive Officers is the highest five-year average of the amounts shown
in the "Salary" column of the Summary Compensation Table.
 
  The Named Executive Officers have been credited with the following years of
service: Mr. Mansfield, 16 years; and Mr. Medvec, 21 years.
 
EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS
 
  Mr. Mansfield and Mr. Medvec each entered into new employment agreements and
change in control agreements with the Bank in 1996. The employment agreements
have three year terms which are automatically extended on each January 1 for
an additional year (unless either party gives written notice of his or its
intention not to extend the agreement). These agreements provide for payment
of an annual base salary and annual salary increases at not less than the
percentage increase in the cost of living, as measured by the Consumer Price
Index --All Urban Consumers of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Mr.
Mansfield and Mr. Medvec are also eligible to participate in all pension and
other benefits paid by the Bank to its officers. Under these agreements, Mr.
Mansfield and Mr. Medvec currently are paid annual salaries for the period
September 15, 1996 through September 15, 1997 of $171,252 and $129,012,
respectively. If the employment of Mr. Mansfield or Mr. Medvec is terminated
without "cause" (as defined in the agreements), they will be entitled to
severance pay equal to their salary and bonus compensation for an additional
twelve-month period plus other benefits they would have been entitled to had
they remained employed for such period.
 
  The change in control agreements survive and continue for as long as Mr.
Mansfield and Mr. Medvec are full-time officers of the Bank or Company. These
agreements provide that upon a change
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
in control of the Bank (as defined in the agreements) Mr. Mansfield and Mr.
Medvec will receive a lump sum cash payment severance equal to three times the
greater of their respective compensation for the last full calendar year or
the average of the most recent three full calendar years. These agreements
also provide that for a period of three years Mr. Mansfield and Mr. Medvec are
entitled to 401(k) contributions, Pension Plan credit, and participation in
all life, health, disability and similar insurance plans and programs of the
Bank. These agreements further provide that to the extent that the severance
amounts are deemed to be "excess parachute payments" under Section 280G of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, Mr. Mansfield and Mr. Medvec are
entitled to additional cash payments in the amount of the excise tax imposed
pursuant to Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended for
that portion of the severance amount which is deemed to be an excess parachute
payment (if any).
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
  The following non-employee directors served on the Personnel Committee of
the Board of Directors during the last fiscal year: Messrs. A. Richard Puskarz
(Chairman), Walter J. Liss and Robert A. Story. Mr. Puskarz is the President
and Chief Executive Officer of Art Press, Inc., which provides certain
printing services to the Company and the Bank. In 1996, the Company paid Art
Press, Inc. approximately $76,700 for such work.
 
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any of the Company's
previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange
Act, that might incorporate by reference future filings in whole or in part,
including this Proxy Statement, the following report and the Performance Graph
immediately following the report shall not be incorporated by reference into
any such filings.
 
  Executive Compensation for the officers (including the Named Executive
Officers) of the Company is managed by the Personnel Committee of the Board of
Directors (the "Committee"). The Committee consists of three non-employee
members of the Board of Directors appointed by the Chairman of the Board: A.
Richard Puskarz (Chairman), Walter J. Liss and Robert A. Story. The Committee
is charged with determining the compensation level of Mr. Mansfield, President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and approving management salary
recommendations for the other Company officers. The Committee is also
responsible for developing and implementing any annual and long-term incentive
programs for the Company's executives and other employees. All determinations
made by the Committee with respect to the cash component of compensation are
subject to approval by the full Board of Directors.
 
  The Committee has implemented an Executive Compensation program which
reflects its conservative and straightforward approach to compensating
officers. Executive compensation is designed to attract and retain qualified
executives with a market competitive salary and to focus the executives on the
long-term growth of the Company and the creation of stockholder value through
long-term incentive awards. Compensation for officers consist of one or more
of the following components: salary, perquisites, employer contributions under
the Company's Savings and Investment Plan and equity-based long-term
incentives in the form of stock options. The Personnel Committee sets salary
levels for the twelve-month period beginning in September of each year.
 
  Salaries paid to officers in 1996 were based primarily on the market levels
of compensation paid to senior banking executives of similar-sized Connecticut
banks as reported in a survey published by the Connecticut Bankers Association
(the "CBA Survey"). The CBA Survey included a comparison of compensation
levels paid to executive officers by 18 Connecticut banks with assets ranging
from $200 million to $399 million. The Personnel Committee based 1996 salary
increases on average percentage
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
increases paid by other Connecticut and regional banks as reflected in the CBA
Survey. However, in Mr. Mansfield's case, a larger percentage increase was
appropriate due to the higher levels of base salary paid by many peer
institutions to their client executive officers. The banks included in the CBA
Survey provided salary increases of 4% to 5% in 1996. The median percentage
increase in compensation reflected in the CBA Survey was 4.5% for Bank
officers.
 
  Although not computed on the basis of specific financial goals or
quantitative performance criteria, other factors considered by the Personnel
Committee in determining base salary levels in 1996 included:
 
  . the respective level of experience and contributions to the Company's
    growth of executive officers;
 
  . the past and projected performance of the Company; and
 
  . the Company's performance compared with that of its peer group of
    Connecticut banks of similar asset size.
 
  Stock option grants are made periodically by the Committee to officers and
other key employees and are based on individual officer and employee
contributions to the success of the Company, the performance of the Company in
general and the Company's performance in comparison with the performance of
the Company's peer group. The size of stock option grants is based on market
practice generally and on the respective accomplishments of the selected
executives. Options were granted to officers in 1996 based on the Bank's
expansion activities, growth, and performance since 1995, when options were
last granted to officers.
 
  For the September 1995 to September 1996 period, Mr. Mansfield received a
salary of $171,262, a 10% increase over the salary of $155,692 for the
corresponding 1994 period. The salary level is based on a comparison of
compensation paid to chief executive officers of Connecticut banks with a
similar asset size as reflected in the CBA Survey and on the overall financial
performance of the Company. Data contained in the CBA Survey indicate that Mr.
Mansfield's salary is well within the competitive market range.
 
                                          THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
                                          A. Richard Puskarz (Chairman)
                                          Walter J. Liss
                                          Robert A. Story
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
                               PERFORMANCE GRAPH
 
  Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change in
the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company Common Stock with the
cumulative total return of the NASDAQ Stock Market (U.S.) Index and the Keefe,
Bruyette & Woods, Inc. New England Banks Index for the period of five fiscal
years commencing December 31, 1991 and ended December 31, 1996.
 
               COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN *
 

                             [GRAPH APPEARS HERE]


              1991       1992       1993       1994       1995       1996

    KEEFE    100.00     175.64     234.48     236.05     368.43     508.20
   NASDAQ    100.00     116.40     133.60     130.60     184.70     227.20
PSB of NB    100.00     168.80     189.70     190.50     216.60     323.50

 
                    TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS
 
  Certain of the directors and executive officers of the Company are and have
been customers of the Company and the Bank and have had banking transactions
with the Bank. As of December 31, 1996, the Bank had outstanding a maximum
aggregate amount of $2,337,687 in loans to directors and executive officers of
the Company and the Bank and immediate family members of such directors and
executive officers. As a matter of policy, these loans were made on
substantially the same terms (including interest rates and collateral) as
those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other customers
of the Bank, were made in the ordinary course of business, and did not involve
more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable
features. No director or executive officer (together with his immediate family
members) had indebtedness to the Bank exceeding $680,221.
 
  The Bank had no loans outstanding on December 31, 1996 to any person known
by the Company to be a beneficial owner of more than five percent of Company
Common Stock.
 
  The Company and the Bank expect to have in the future banking transactions
in the ordinary course of business with directors and executive officers of
the Company and the Bank and their
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
immediate family members, on substantially the same terms, including interest
rates and collateral on loans, as those prevailing at the same time for
comparable transactions with persons not affiliated with the Company or the
Bank.
 
  Several of the Company's directors are affiliated with entities engaged in
various levels of business activity with the Company and the Bank. Mr. Puskarz
is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Art Press, Inc., which
provides certain printing services to the Company and the Bank. In 1996, the
Company paid Art Press, Inc. approximately $76,700 for such work. LeClerc
Fortier Insurance, of which Mr. LeClerc's daughter owns a percent of the
company, provides insurance coverage for the Company and the Bank. In 1996,
LeClerc Fortier Insurance, as agent, collected premiums from the Company and
the Bank totalling approximately $157,797. Attorney Sledzik has been elected
by the Board as Bank attorney and was paid a retainer of $17,365 in 1996 for
his work in such position. In addition, Attorney Sledzik is a member of the
law firm of Sledzik & McGuire, which often acts as counsel to the Bank on loan
closings, the fees for which are paid by the borrower. Such firm also provides
certain additional legal services for the Bank for which, in 1996, it was paid
approximately $5,515.
 
  The Company believes that all transactions of the Company and the Bank with
officers, directors, employees, principal stockholders or affiliates,
including those outlined above, have been or will be on terms no less
favorable to the Company than could have been or could be obtained from third
persons.
 
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
  Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors and
executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent (10%) of the
Company Common Stock, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership of Company Common Stock and other equity
securities of the Company. Officers, directors and ten percent (10%)
shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with
copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
 
  To the Company's knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such
reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other
reports were required, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, all
Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and
ten percent (10%) beneficial owners were complied with.
 
  THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR MUST BE ELECTED BY A PLURALITY OF THE VOTES CAST
AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT
STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.
 
         RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF COOPERS & LYBRAND, L.L.P.
                  AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
                           ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
                                 (PROPOSAL 2)
 
  The Board of Directors of the Company has renewed the Company's arrangements
with Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P., Independent Certified Public Accountants, to
be its independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1997,
subject to ratification by the Company's stockholders. Representatives of
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting.
They will be afforded an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do
so and to respond to appropriate stockholders' questions.
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
  THE APPOINTMENT OF THE AUDITORS WILL BE RATIFIED IF MORE VOTES ARE CAST IN
FAVOR THAN ARE VOTED AGAINST. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF COOPERS & LYBRAND, L.L.P., AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.
 
                                 OTHER MATTERS
 
  As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors of the
Company knows of no other matters which may come before the Annual Meeting. If
any matter other than those referred to in this Proxy Statement should
properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of each person
named in the enclosed form of proxy to vote each proxy with respect to such
matters in accordance with his or her best judgment.
 
                             STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
 
  Any stockholder who intends to present a proposal at the Company's April 21,
1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is advised that, in order for such
proposal to be included in the Board of Directors' proxy material for such
meeting, the proposal must be received by the Company at its principal
executive office no later than November 21, 1997, directed to the Secretary of
the Company. Any such stockholder proposal must meet the requirements
specified in SEC Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
 
  If the date of the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders is subsequently
advanced or delayed by more than thirty (30) calendar days from the date
announced above, the Company will, in a timely manner, inform its stockholders
of such change and the date by which proposals of stockholders must be
received.
 
                                          BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
                                          Teresa Sasinski, Secretary
 
New Britain, Connecticut
March 21, 1997
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
                       PEOPLE'S SAVINGS FINANCIAL CORP.
                               123 BROAD STREET
                        NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT 06053
             1997 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS - APRIL 22, 1997

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PEOPLE'S SAVINGS 
                                FINANCIAL CORP.

The undersigned shareholder of People's Savings Financial Corp. hereby appoints
Richard S. Mansfield and Joseph A. Welna, M.D. and each of them the proxies of
the undersigned with full power of substitution to vote all the shares of
People's Savings Financial Corp. held of record by the undersigned on March 7,
1997, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Corporation to be held at the
Ramada Inn, in New Britain, Connecticut, at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22,
1997 and at any adjournment(s) thereof, with all the power which the undersigned
would have if personally present, hereby revoking any proxy heretofore given. A
majority of said proxies or their substitutes who attend the meeting (or if only
one shall be present, then that one) may exercise all of the powers hereby
granted.

This proxy when properly signed will be voted in the manner directed herein by 
the undersigned shareholder. If no specification is made, this proxy will be 
voted "FOR" all nominees for Director and "FOR" proposal 2. If any other 
business is properly presented at this Annual Meeting, or any adjournment(s) 
thereof, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the determination of a 
majority of the Board of Directors.

The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the proxy statement for the 
Meeting and instructs the proxies to vote as follows on the reverse side.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE 
                              ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please sign exactly as your name appears on this card. When signing as a 
fiduciary or representative - attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or  
guardian - please give your full title as such. Proxies signed by a corporation 
must be signed in the full corporate name by the President or otherwise duly 
authorized officer. Proxies signed by a partnership must be signed in the 
partnership name by a duly authorized person.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED?

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

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

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

DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS?

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

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
[X] PLEASE MARK VOTES
    AS IN THIS EXAMPLE

- --------------------------------
PEOPLE'S SAVINGS FINANCIAL CORP.
- --------------------------------

RECORD DATE SHARES:
                                                With-    For All
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:                For    hold      Except
                                         [_]     [_]       [_]
   WALTER D. BIOGOSLAWSKI,
   STANLEY P. FILEWICZ, M.D.,
   ROLAND L. LECLERC, AND
   CHESTER S. SLEDZIK, ESQ.

NOTE: If you do not wish your shares voted "For" a particular nominee, mark the 
"For All Except" box and strike a line through the nominee's(s') name(s). Your 
shares will be voted for the remaining nominee(s).

                                         For    Against  Abstain
2. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY APPOINTMENT        [_]      [_]      [_]
   OF COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P. as independent auditors for the fiscal year 
   ending December 31, 1997.

3. With discretionary authority to vote upon such other matters as may properly 
   come before the Meeting.

   Mark box at right if an address change or comment has been noted on the 
   reverse side of this card. [_]


                                                 -------------------------------
Please be sure to sign and date this Proxy.      Date
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