SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 24, 1997
Regent Bancshares Corp.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New Jersey 0-17753 23-2440805
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(State or other (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
1430 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (215) 546-6500
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N/A
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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Item 4. Changes in Registrant's Certifying Accountant.
(a) (1) (i) Arthur Andersen LLP ("AA") served as independent public accountants
for Regent Bancshares Corp. (the "Registrant") and its wholly owned subsidiary,
Regent National Bank (the "Bank"), for the years ended December 31, 1993,
December 31, 1994 and December 31, 1995. During the years ended December 31,
1995 and the nine months ended September 30, 1996, the Registrant and the Bank
incurred significant losses and expenses in connection with the Bank's
automobile insurance premium finance ("IPF") loan portfolio. The Bank, as a
result of such losses and the adverse impact thereof on the Bank's capital,
entered into a written agreement in October 1996 with the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency, and the Bank thereafter undertook an investigation
to determine whether various third parties, including AA, had any liability to
the Registrant or the Bank in connection with the losses and expenses they
incurred in connection with the Bank's IPF loan portfolio.
As a result of the pendency of the Bank's investigation, in November 1996,
AA notified the Registrant and the Bank that, absent the unconditional release
of AA by the Registrant and the Bank, AA could not serve as independent public
accountants for the Registrant and the Bank in respect of the Registrant's and
the Bank's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31,
1996. Because the Registrant and the Bank had not completed their investigation
by December 31, 1996 and were therefore not sufficiently knowledgeable to
execute an unconditional release in favor of AA, on December 31, 1996, as
reported in the Registrant's Form 8-K Report dated December 31, 1996, AA
submitted its resignation as the independent public accountants for the
Registrant and the Bank. The resignation of Andersen was accepted by the
Registrant's Audit Committee effective as of such date.
Effective December 31, 1996, as reported in the Registrant's Form 8-K
Report dated December 31, 1996, the Registrant, with the approval of the
Registrant's Audit Committee, retained the firm of Grant Thornton LLP to serve
as the independent public accountants for the Registrant and the Bank with
respect to the Registrant's and the Bank's consolidated financial statements for
the year ended December 31, 1996.
Because of the extensive changes which were to occur in the membership of
the Registrant's Board of Directors following the Registrant's 1997 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders, as reported in the Registrant's May 2, 1997 proxy
statement, the Registrant's Board of Directors did not select or recommend
stockholder approval of an independent certified public accounting firm to audit
the Registrant's and the Bank's consolidated financial statements for the year
ending December 31, 1997.
Since December 31, 1996, the Registrant, the Bank and AA have held
discussions during which the Registrant, the Bank and AA have
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exchanged additional information regarding the Bank's IPF loan portfolio and the
cost and scope of the audits and work performed by AA so that the Registrant and
the Bank could complete their investigation and become sufficiently
knowledgeable to determine whether to execute an unconditional release in favor
of AA with respect to the IPF matters.
On September 24, 1997, the Registrant, the Bank and AA executed an
Agreement of Settlement and Release (the "Agreement") whereby the Regent and the
Bank unconditionally released AA with respect to the IPF matters discussed
herein. Reference is made to the copy of the Agreement attached hereto as
Exhibit 1 for further information.
(ii) Neither AA's report on the consolidated financial statements of
the Registrant and the Bank for the year ended December 31, 1995 nor Grant
Thornton LLP's report on the consolidated financial statements of the Registrant
and the Bank for the year ended December 31, 1996 contained an adverse opinion
or a disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty,
audit scope or accounting principles.
(iii) On September 24, 1997, with the approval of the Audit Committees
of the Boards of Directors of the Registrant and the Bank, the Boards of
Directors of the Registrant and the Bank determined to engage AA, and not to
continue the engagement of Grant Thornton LLP, as independent public accountants
in respect of the Registrant's and the Bank's consolidated financial statements
for the years ending December 31, 1997, December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1999.
(iv) During Registrant's two most recent fiscal years and any
subsequent interim period preceding the decision of the Boards of Directors of
the Registrant and the Bank not to continue the engagement of Grant Thornton
LLP, there were no disagreements between Grant Thornton LLP and the Registrant
on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement
disclosure or auditing scope or procedure which, if not resolved to the
satisfaction of Grant Thornton LLP, would have caused Grant Thornton LLP to make
a reference to the subject matter of such disagreement in connection with its
reports. Reference is made to the Registrant's December 31, 1996 Form 8-K Report
for information regarding AA's advice to the Registrant concerning certain
matters prior to AA's December 31, 1996 resignation.
(v) (A) None.
(B) None.
(C) None.
(D) (1) None.
(2) None.
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(2) On September 24, 1997, the Registrant and the Bank engaged AA to serve
as independent public accountants in respect of the consolidated financial
statements of the Registrant and the Bank for the years ending December 31,
1997, December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1999.
(3) Pursuant to Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K, the Registrant has
supplied Grant Thornton LLP with a copy of the disclosures contained in this
Form 8-K Report, and has requested that Grant Thornton LLP furnish the
Registrant with the letter required by Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K. A copy
of that letter is filed as Exhibit 2 to this Form 8-K Report.
(b) Reference is made to the Registrant's Form 8-K Report dated December 31,
1996 and the Registrant's Form 10-K Report for the year ended December 31, 1996.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
The following exhibits are being filed with this Form 8-K Report:
Exhibit No. Description
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1. Agreement of Settlement and Release dated
September 24, 1997 between the Registrant, Regent
National Bank and Arthur Andersen LLP.
2. Letter of Grant Thornton LLP addressed to the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
REGENT BANCSHARES CORP.
By: /s/ Robert B. Goldstein
-------------------------------
Robert B. Goldstein, President
and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: October 1, 1997
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EXHIBIT INDEX
(Pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K)
Exhibit No. Description
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1. Agreement of Settlement and
Release dated September 24, 1997
between the Registrant, Regent
National Bank and Arthur Andersen LLP
2. Letter of Grant Thornton LLP
addressed to the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to
Item 304(a)(3) of Regulation S-K
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AGREEMENT OF SETTLEMENT AND RELEASE
AGREEMENT OF SETTLEMENT AND RELEASE ("Agreement") made this 24th day of
September 1997 among REGENT BANCSHARES CORP., a New Jersey corporation
("Regent"), Regent's wholly owned subsidiary, REGENT NATIONAL BANK, a national
banking association (the "Bank") and ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP, an Illinois
partnership registered as a limited liability partnership ("AA").
WHEREAS:
A. AA served as independent public accountants for Regent and the Bank for
the years ended December 31, 1993, December 31, 1994 and December 31, 1995, AA
audited the consolidated financial statements of Regent and the Bank at and for
the years then ended and AA issued its report of independent public accountants
with respect thereto;
B. During the year ended December 31, 1995 and the nine months ended
September 30, 1996, Regent and the Bank incurred significant losses and expenses
in connection with the Bank's automobile insurance premium finance ("IPF") loan
portfolio, the Bank, as result of such losses, entered into a written
agreement with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in October 1996 and
the Bank thereafter undertook an investigation into whether various third
parties, including AA, had any liability to Regent or the Bank in connection
with the losses and expenses they incurred in connection with the Bank's IPF
loan portfolio;
C. As a result of the pendency of the Bank's investigation, in November
1996 AA notified Regent and the Bank that, absent the unconditional release of
AA by Regent and the Bank, AA could not serve as independent public accountants
for Regent and the Bank in respect of Regent's and the Bank's consolidated
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1996;
D. Because Regent and the Bank had not completed their investigation by
December 31, 1996 and were therefore not sufficiently knowledgeable at that time
to execute an unconditional release of AA, on December 31, 1996, AA resigned as
the independent public accountants for Regent and the Bank;
E. Since December 31, 1996, Regent, the Bank and AA have held discussions
during which Regent, the Bank and AA have exchanged additional information
regarding the Bank's IPF loan portfolio and the cost and scope of the audits and
work performed by AA so that Regent and the Bank are now sufficiently
knowledgeable to make this Agreement;
F. AA has at all times denied that it has any liability to Regent or the
Bank;
G. Regent, the Bank and AA desire to resolve all issues between them and to
set forth the basis on which such resolution will occur; and
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H. Regent and the Bank desire to engage AA as their independent public
accountants for the years ending December 31, 1997, December 31, 1998 and
December 31, 1999 on the terms and conditions set forth or referred to herein
and AA is willing to accept the engagements on the same terms and conditions.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, in consideration of the premises and
covenants herein contained and intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as
follows:
1. Engagement of AA as Independent Public Accountants for Regent and the
Bank.
(a) Regent hereby advises AA that the Audit Committee of its Board of
Directors and its Board of Directors have resolved to offer to engage AA as
Regent's independent public accountants under the terms and conditions set forth
in summary in Sections 2 and 3 hereof and in more detail in a written engagement
letter in the form of Exhibit A hereto, the terms of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
(b) The Bank hereby advises AA that the Audit Committee of its Board of
Directors and its Board of Directors have resolved to offer to engage AA as
Regent's independent public accountants under the terms and conditions set forth
in summary in Sections 2 and 3 hereof and in more detail in a written engagement
letter in the form of Exhibit A hereto, the terms of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
(c) AA hereby advises Regent and the Bank that it will accept
engagements offered to AA under the terms and conditions referred to in Sections
1(a), 1(b), 2 and 3 hereof upon execution of appropriate engagement letters.
2. Recurring Services to be Performed by AA and Fees Therefor.
(a) For each of the years ending December 31, 1997, December 31, 1998
and December 31, 1999, AA agrees to provide the following recurring services to
Regent and the Bank, and Regent and the Bank agree to pay fees for such
recurring services as follows:
(i) Audit of year-end consolidated financial statements and
issuance of a report of independent public accountants, including a review of
Regent's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Annual Report to Stockholders, Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q, assistance in the preparation of footnote disclosures and
two joint meetings with the Audit Committees of the Boards of Directors of
Regent and the Bank for an annual fee not to exceed $60,000, all as more fully
set forth in the engagement letter in the form of Exhibit A hereto to be
executed simultaneously herewith;
(ii) As requested from time to time by the Audit Committees of the
Boards of Directors of Regent and the Bank, the performance of up to 400 hours
of internal
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audit related work, all as more fully set forth in audit resource allocation
plans to be agreed upon by the parties hereto, for an annual fee not to exceed
$28,000; and
(iii) Preparation of all federal, state and municipal income tax
returns, including other tax compliance filings and two tax planning/strategy
sessions for an annual fee not to exceed $12,000.
(b) Regent and the Bank agree that the fee limitations set forth in
Section 2(a) hereof are subject to adjustment upward for the years ending
December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1999 in the event that the Bank grows
materially in size or complexity after December 31, 1997, subject to the prior
written approval of Regent and the Bank, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld.
(c) In the event that Robert B. Goldstein shall cease for any reason to
be the Chief Executive Officer of Regent prior to the delivery of AA's report of
independent public accountants with respect to Regent's and the Bank's
consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 1999, AA may,
at its election, discontinue the provisions of the recurring services
contemplated by this Section 2.
3. Special Services to be Performed by AA and Fees Therefor.
(a) For each of the years ending December 31, 1997, December 31, 1998
and December 31, 1999, AA agrees to provide the following special services to
Regent and the Bank upon the request of Regent or the Bank for such services
from time to time, and Regent and the Bank agree to pay for such special
services as follows:
(i) Provide assistance in off-peak periods (May through October) in
preparing and documenting control procedures for such operational areas as may
be designated by Regent or the Bank for fees equal to 50% of AA's then standard
per diem rates;
(ii) Analyze transaction structures, research accounting and tax
issues and provide strategic consultation in connection with merger and
acquisition related activities for fees equal to 50% of AA's then standard per
diem rates;
(iii) Provide consents and related services to enable Regent to
include Regent's and the Bank's audited consolidated financial statements for
the year ended December 31, 1995 together with AA's report of independent public
accountants relating thereto in filings with United States government agencies
at no cost to Regent; and
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(iv) If requested by Regent, review the work papers of Grant
Thornton LLP relating to Regent's and the Bank's consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 1996 and issue AA's report of
independent public accountants in accordance with professional standards with
respect to such consolidated financial statements for fees equal to 50% of AA's
then standard per diem rates.
(b) In the event that Robert B. Goldstein shall cease for any reason to
be the Chief Executive Officer of Regent prior to the delivery of AA's report of
independent public accountants with respect to Regent's consolidated financial
statements for the year ending December 31, 1999, AA may, at its election,
discontinue the provision of the special services contemplated by this
Section 3.
4. Consultation Regarding SEC Reporting. The parties hereto agree to
consult with each other regarding the content of the Form 8-K Report Regent is
required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission to reflect the
appointment of AA as the independent public accountants for Regent and the Bank.
Consultation by AA with Regent and the Bank on the matters covered by this
Section 4 will be at no cost to Regent or the Bank.
5. Unconditional Release. In consideration of the agreements of AA set
forth in Sections 2 and 3 hereof, Regent and the Bank and all those persons and
entities claiming by, through or under any of them, together with their
successors and assigns (collectively, the "Regent Parties") hereby settle,
compromise, remise, release and forever discharge AA and its past and present
partners, employees and agents from claims, sums of money, fees, compensation,
counterclaims, crossclaims, rights, obligations, demands, losses, damages,
trespasses, bonds, executions, liabilities, suits, actions and causes of action
against AA or its past and present partners, employees and agents that any of
the Regent Parties, jointly or severally, ever had, now have or may have, in law
or in equity, that exist as of the date of this Agreement or arise hereafter in
whole or in part as a result of any act or omission described in Paragraphs A,
B, E and F of the Whereas Section of this Agreement, which is incorporated
herein by reference.
6. No Liability. AA denies any wrongdoing or liability whatsoever to Regent
or the Bank and the execution of this Agreement by AA does not constitute an
admission of any liability to Regent or the Bank under statutory or common law.
This Agreement may not be used in any court or proceeding as evidence of any
matter, except in a proceeding between the parties hereto to enforce its terms.
7. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective affiliates, subsidiaries,
directors, officers, partners, employees, successors, assigns and other legal
representatives.
8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including any engagement letters
executed simultaneously herewith, constitutes the entire agreement among the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no other
written or oral understandings directly or indirectly connected with this
Agreement.
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9. Due Authorization.
(a) Regent and the Bank hereby represent to AA that each of Regent and
the Bank has duly authorized the execution of this Agreement and, assuming due
execution hereof by AA, this Agreement is the valid and binding obligation of
Regent and the Bank and is enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(b) AA hereby represents to Regent and the Bank that AA has duly
authorized the execution of this Agreement and, assuming due execution hereof by
Regent and the Bank, this Agreement is the valid and binding obligation of AA
and is enforceable in accordance with its terms.
10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts. Each counterpart, when executed, shall be deemed to be an original
and such counterparts collectively shall constitute one and the same instrument.
With respect to any party hereto, this Agreement shall become effective
immediately upon the delivery of a facsimile of an executed counterpart of this
Agreement to the other parties.
11. Governing Law. This agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to
the principles of conflicts of law.
IN WITNESS HEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the day and year first above written.
REGENT BANCSHARES CORP. ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
By: /s/ Robert B. Goldstein By: /s/ David L. Cornish
------------------------------ ---------------------------
Robert B. Goldstein, President David L. Cornish, A Partner
and Chief Executive Officer
REGENT NATIONAL BANK
By: /s/ Robert B. Goldstein
----------------------------------
Robert B. Goldstein, Chairman
of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer
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EXHIBIT A
ARTHUR
ANDERSEN
---------------------------
Arthur Andersen LLP
September 24, 1997 ---------------------------
1345 Avenue of the Americas
Mr. Robert B. Goldstein New York NY 10105-0032
President and Chief Executive Officer
Regent Bancshares Corp.
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Regent National Bank
1430 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Dear Mr. Goldstein:
This will confirm our understanding of the arrangements discussed with you for
the audits you wish us to make of the consolidated financial statements of
Regent Bancshares Corp. ("Regent") and its subsidiary, Regent National Bank (the
"Bank") (collectively, the "Company"), for the years ending December 31, 1997,
1998 and 1999.
We will review Regent's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Annual Report to
Stockholders, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, provide assistance in the
preparation of footnote disclosures and attend two joint meetings with the Audit
Committees of the Boards of Directors of Regent and the Bank.
Upon completion of our audits, we will provide you with our auditors' report on
the financial statements referred to above, separately report any significant
deficiencies relating to the internal control structure noted during our audits,
and bring to your attention any material errors, and any irregularities or
illegal acts of which we become aware during our audits.
Audit Responsibilities and Limitations
We will conduct our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Accordingly, we will examine, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assess the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluate the
overall financial statement presentation.
As part of our audits, we will consider, solely for the purpose of determining
the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures, the Company's internal
control structure elements (i.e., its control environment, accounting system and
control techniques). This consideration will not be sufficient to enable us to
render a separate opinion on the effectiveness of the internal control structure
over financial reporting.
<PAGE>
ARTHUR
ANDERSEN
The objective of our audits is to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material errors or irregularities. While an
effective internal control structure reduces the likelihood that errors or
irregularities (including misappropriation of assets), may occur and remain
undetected, it does not eliminate that possibility. For that reason, and because
we use selective testing in our audits, we cannot guarantee that material errors
or irregularities, if present, will be detected.
The working papers prepared in conjunction with our audits are the property of
our firm, constitute confidential information and will be retained by us in
accordance with our firm's policies and procedures.
Management's Responsibilities and Representations
The financial statements referred to above are the responsibility of the
management of the Company. In this regard, management is responsible for
properly recording transactions in the accounting records and maintaining an
internal control structure sufficient to permit the preparation of reliable
financial statements. Management is also responsible for making available to us,
upon request, all of the Company's original accounting records and related
information, and Company personnel to whom we may direct inquiries.
As required by generally accepted auditing standards, we will make specific
inquiries of management and others about the representations embodied in the
financial statements and the effectiveness of the internal control structure.
Generally accepted auditing standards also require that we obtain a
representation letter covering the financial statements from certain members of
management. The results of our audit tests, the responses to our inquiries, and
the written representations comprise the evidential matter we intend to rely
upon in forming an opinion on the financial statements.
If you intend to publish or otherwise reproduce the financial statements
together with our report (or otherwise make reference to our firm) in a document
that contains other information, you agree to (a) provide us with a draft of the
document to read, and (b) obtain our approval for inclusion of our report,
before it is printed and distributed.
Internal Audit Services
Our work will also include agreed upon internal auditing services during the
period May through October of 400 hours per year. Our work will be based upon
the audit priorities and objectives that you select for the arrangement period.
Based on your defined priorities and objectives, we wil1 develop and submit for
your approval an audit resource allocation plan. In coordination with the
Company's Internal Audit Liaison, we will advise you of suggested modifications
to the audit resource allocation plan which may be necessary due to changes in
the Company's operations or other pertinent
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ARTHUR
ANDERSEN
factors. After the plan is approved and accepted by you, we will perform the
work specified in the work plan and report our findings directly to you at
periodic Audit Committee meetings. Our reporting responsibility is to report on
the results of performing the audit procedures in accordance with the approved
work plan, including any suggestions and recommendations for improvement. At the
conclusion of each departmental audit, we will submit a final report containing
a description of the procedures we performed, a summary of our findings and,
where applicable, recommendations for improvement. Our reports will be issued
solely for the use of Regent's management, employees and Board of Directors; any
other use or distribution of our reports must be approved by us.
Tax Services
We will prepare all Federal, state and municipal income tax returns including
other tax compliance filings for 1997, 1998 and 1999. The scope of tax services
will also include two tax planning/strategy sessions each year.
Fees and Billing Agreements
We estimate that our fee for the work referred to above will be $100,000 per
annum; plus customary out-of-pocket expenses for lodging, transportation,
communication, tax software and report production costs, etc. This estimate
assumes we will able to receive appropriate assistance in terms of schedule
preparation, account analyses and other matters from your accounting department.
In the event that the Bank grows materially in size or complexity after December
31, 1997, our fees shall be adjusted upward by an amount subject to the prior
written approval of the Company, which approval will not be unreasonably
withheld. We will render interim billings based upon a billing schedule to be
mutually agreed upon at a later date.
Other Services
From time to time, Bank management may ask us to assist them with respect to
specific tax or business matters. The cost of services of this type would vary
with the complexity of the issue at hand and the expected level of the personnel
that would be required to properly handle the work and will be subject to
separate agreements. AA agrees to perform such services upon execution of
appropriate job engagement letters. As previously discussed, during the period
September 15, 1997 through December 31, 1999, fees for such services will be
provided at 50% of our normal per diem rates.
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ARTHUR
ANDERSEN
Acknowledgment
Please confirm your agreement with the above terms by signing a copy of this
letter and returning it in the enclosed self-addressed envelope.
We are pleased to again have an opportunity to be of service to you.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
Agreed and acknowledged:
Regent Bancshares Corp.
By: /s/ Robert B. Goldstein Date: September 24, 1997
-------------------------------------
Robert B. Goldstein
President and Chief Executive Officer
Regent National Bank
By: /s/ Robert B. Goldstein Date: September 24, 1997
-------------------------------------
Robert B. Goldstein
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT 2
[Grant Thorton LOGO]
September 24, 1997
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: Regent Bancshares Corporation
File No. 0-17753
Dear Sir or Madam:
We have read Item 4 of the Form 8-K of Regent Bancshares Corporation
(Commission File No. 0-17753) dated September 24, 1997, and agree with the
statements in Item 4(a)(1)(ii)(iv) contained therein.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Grant Thornton LLP
