<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section
240.14a-12
COMMUNITY FIRST BANKSHARES, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ No fee required
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
COMMUNITY FIRST BANKSHARES, INC.
520 MAIN AVENUE
FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA 58124-0001
------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 27, 1999
------------------------
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Community
First Bankshares, Inc. (the "Company") will be held on Tuesday, April 27, 1999
at 10:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time, at the Holiday Inn, I-29 and 13th Avenue
South, Fargo, North Dakota 58103, for the following purposes:
1. To elect ten (10) directors of the Company.
2. To ratify and approve the selection of independent public accountants
for the current fiscal year.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
Only holders of record of Company Common Stock at the close of business on
March 2, 1999 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting
and any adjournment or adjournments thereof. Prior to the actual voting thereof,
a proxy may be revoked by the person executing the proxy: (i) by filing with the
Chief Financial Officer of the Company an instrument of revocation, (ii) by
delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or (iii) by voting in
person at the Annual Meeting.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ Donald R. Mengedoth
Donald R. Mengedoth
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Fargo, North Dakota
March 23, 1999
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. TO VOTE YOUR SHARES, PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND DATE THE
ENCLOSED PROXY AND MAIL IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE, WHICH
REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. PLEASE REFER TO PAGE 2 OF
THIS PROXY STATEMENT FOR INFORMATION ON INTERNET AND TELEPHONE VOTING METHODS.
<PAGE>
COMMUNITY FIRST BANKSHARES, INC.
------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
------------------------
This Proxy Statement is furnished to the shareholders of Community First
Bankshares, Inc. (the "Company") in connection with the solicitation of proxies
of the Company's shareholders by the Board of Directors to be voted at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held on April 27, 1999, or
any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
March 2, 1999 (the "Record Date") is the Record Date for determining the
holders of record of shares of the Common Stock of the Company entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting of the Company and any adjournments
thereof.
Only holders of record of Common Stock at the close of business on the
Record Date are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. A quorum for the
purposes of conducting business at the Annual Meeting is a majority of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote. As of the Record Date, the
Company had 47,171,769 shares, net of treasury shares, of Common Stock
outstanding and entitled to vote. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one
vote per share of Common Stock at the Annual Meeting, subject to cumulative
voting rights described under "Election of Directors."
The cost of the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting is being
borne by the Company. In addition to this solicitation, the directors, officers
and employees of the Company may solicit proxies from shareholders by telephone,
telegram, personal interview or other means of communication. The Company may
also request banks and brokers to solicit their customers who have a beneficial
interest in the Company's Common Stock registered in the name of nominees and
will reimburse such banks and brokers for their reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses.
All proxies that are properly executed and received in a timely manner will
be voted in accordance with the instructions noted thereon. Any proxy which does
not specify to the contrary will be voted in favor of each of the directors
nominated by management and in favor of approval of the appointment of Ernst &
Young LLP as independent public accountants for the Company. A shareholder
granting a proxy in the form enclosed has the right to revoke it at any time
before it is voted by filing with the Chief Financial Officer of the Company an
instrument of revocation, delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date,
or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. The mailing of this
Proxy Statement to shareholders of the Company commenced on or about March 23,
1999.
This year, registered shareholders may vote in one of three ways: by
completing and returning the enclosed proxy card via regular mail, by telephone
or via the Internet, as permitted by Delaware law. Specific instructions for
using these methods are set forth on the enclosed proxy card. The Internet and
telephone voting procedures are designed to authenticate the shareholder's
identity and to allow shareholders to vote their shares and confirm that their
instructions have been properly recorded.
2
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of March 2, 1999, the number and
percentage of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company beneficially
owned by each director of the Company, by each executive officer named in the
Summary Compensation Table below, and by all directors and officers of the
Company as a group:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY PERCENT
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED (1)(2) OF CLASS
- -------------------------------------------------- ------------ --------
<S> <C> <C>
Donald R. Mengedoth............................... 635,186(3) 1.3%
Mark A. Anderson.................................. 612,135(4) 1.3%
Ronald K. Strand.................................. 164,920 *
David E. Groshong................................. 4,311 *
David A. Lee...................................... 172,048(5) *
Patricia A. Adam.................................. 18,810 *
James T. Anderson................................. 18,103 *
Patrick E. Benedict............................... 26,628(6) *
Patrick Delaney................................... 35,242 *
John H. Flittie................................... 17,400(7) *
Darrell G. Knudson................................ 4,000 *
Dennis M. Mathisen................................ 2,296,410 4.8%
Marilyn R. Seymann................................ 1,103 *
Thomas C. Wold.................................... 41,339 *
Harvey L. Wollman................................. 28,438(8) *
All officers and directors as a group (30
persons)........................................ 4,674,357(9) 9.8%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* Less than 1%
(1) Unless otherwise indicated below, the persons named in the table have sole
voting and investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned.
(2) Includes the following numbers of shares of Common Stock which may be
purchased pursuant to stock options which are exercisable within sixty days
of the date hereof: Mr. Mengedoth, 23,992 shares; Mr. Mark Anderson, 41,666
shares; Mr. Strand, 41,666 shares; Mr. Lee, 26,000 shares; Ms. Adam, 8,000
shares; Mr. James Anderson, 8,000 shares; Mr. Benedict, 12,000 shares; Mr.
Delaney, 14,000 shares; Mr. Flittie, 14,000 shares; Mr. Knudson, 4,000
shares; Mr. Mathisen, 8,000 shares; Mr. Wold, 14,000 shares; Mr. Wollman,
6,000 shares; all executive officers and directors as a group, 435,922
shares.
(3) Includes 558,526 shares held jointly with his wife for which he has shared
voting and investment power.
(4) Includes 541,712 shares held jointly with his wife for which he has shared
voting and investment power.
(5) Includes 61,334 shares held by his wife for which he has no voting or
investment power.
(6) Includes 12,128 shares held in joint tenancy with his minor child for which
he has shared voting and investment power and 500 shares held by his son for
which he has no voting or investment power.
(7) Includes 3,400 shares held by his wife for which he has no voting or
investment power.
(8) Includes 22,438 shares held jointly with his wife for which he has shared
voting and investment power.
(9) In addition to the common shares beneficially owned, executive officers and
directors own a combined 2,800 of the 8.875% Cumulative Capital Securities
issued by CFB Capital I, a business trust subsidiary
3
<PAGE>
of the Company, having an aggregate liquidation amount of $70,000 and
representing less than 1% of the class of securities.
------------------------
PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the Annual Meeting, the shareholders will elect ten directors to hold
office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until a successor is
elected and qualified. The Board of Directors has nominated each of the current
directors named below. The Company believes that each nominee named below will
be able to serve, but should any such nominee be unable to serve as a director,
the persons named in the proxies have advised that they will vote for the
election of such substitute nominee as management may propose.
Until August 4, 1998, the Company had a Board of Directors consisting of ten
directors. The Board of Directors currently has eleven members, as a result of
the election of Marilyn R. Seymann to the Board on August 4, 1998. On the date
of the Annual Meeting, the Board will be reduced from eleven to ten members to
reflect the retirement of Patricia A. Adam. As a result, the Company expects
that the Board will consist of ten directors for the foreseeable future.
In the election of directors, each shareholder voting in person or by proxy
shall have the number of votes to which such shareholder would otherwise be
entitled multiplied by ten (the number of directors to be elected). If there are
no nominees other than the management's slate, the named proxies will then
allocate the cumulated votes equally among the nominees for which authority to
vote has been granted. If there are additional nominees, the named proxies will
allocate the cumulated votes among the nominees for which authority to vote have
been granted in the manner which appears to the named proxies most likely to
result in the greatest number of management slate nominees being elected.
The names and ages of the current directors and their principal occupations
are set forth below, based upon information furnished to the Company by the
directors.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIRECTOR
NAME AND AGE SINCE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
- ------------------------------ --------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Donald R. Mengedoth (54) 1986 President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the
Company
Harvey L. Wollman (63) 1987 Farmer
Patrick Delaney (56) 1987 Attorney
Thomas C. Wold (61) 1987 Attorney; Real Estate Developer
Patrick E. Benedict (65) 1992 Farmer
James T. Anderson (59) 1993 Retired
John H. Flittie (62) 1993 President and Chief Operating Officer of ReliaStar Financial Corp.
Dennis M. Mathisen (59) 1996 President of Marshall Financial Group, Inc.
Darrell G. Knudson (61) 1998 Advisor to, and Former Senior Manager of, Banking Organizations
Marilyn R. Seymann (56) 1998 President and Chief Executive Officer, M One, Inc.
</TABLE>
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE OF NOMINEES AND DIRECTORS
Donald R. Mengedoth has been President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of
the Board and a director of the Company since its organization in 1986. He was
Senior Vice President of First Bank System, Inc. ("FBS"), currently known as
U.S. Bancorp, from 1982 to 1987 and has worked in the banking business since
1966, including management positions in retail banking operations, human
resources and
4
<PAGE>
commercial lending. From 1984 to 1987, Mr. Mengedoth was Regional Managing
Director of FBS. From 1979 to 1982, Mr. Mengedoth was Vice President--Operations
for FBS. Prior to that time, he was Senior Vice President of First Bank
Milwaukee. He has been First Vice President of the American Bankers Association
since October 1998.
Harvey L. Wollman is a farmer near Frankfurt, South Dakota. Mr. Wollman
served in the South Dakota State Senate from 1968 to 1974, was Lieutenant
Governor from 1974 to 1977, and served as Governor of South Dakota in 1978. Mr.
Wollman has served on various State government committees and is active in
various service, civic and community organizations.
Patrick Delaney is a partner in the Minneapolis law firm of Lindquist &
Vennum P.L.L.P., counsel to the Company. He has been a practicing attorney since
1967. He is also a director and the Secretary of CNS, Inc. and of Applied
Biometrics, Inc., both of which companies are medical device manufacturers based
in Minneapolis.
Thomas C. Wold has been a practicing attorney in Fargo, North Dakota since
1962 and is President and a shareholder of the law firm of Wold Johnson, P.C. He
is active in the development of motels, apartments and other real estate
projects. He has been actively involved in a number of civic and charitable
organizations.
Patrick E. Benedict is the President of Benedict Farms, Inc., a 6,000-acre
farming operation near Sabin, Minnesota. Mr. Benedict has been an advisory
director to the Board of Directors of the Company's affiliate bank in Fargo,
North Dakota since 1995 and was a director of the Company's affiliate bank in
Fargo, North Dakota from 1984 to 1995. Mr. Benedict is chairman of Golden
Growers Coop and of ProGold LLC, a North Dakota corn processing company that is
49% owned by Golden Growers Coop. He also serves on the executive committee and
Board of Directors of the Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, the Board of
Directors of MeritCare Health System, and is chairman of Northern Grain Company,
all in Fargo, North Dakota. Mr. Benedict is chairman emeritus of American
Crystal Sugar Company and past chairman of the Moorhead State University
Foundation, both in Moorhead, Minnesota.
James T. Anderson retired from his position as Vice President and Treasurer
of U S WEST, Inc., a telecommunications service provider in Englewood, Colorado,
in June 1998. Mr. Anderson had served in that position since 1984 and had also
held various positions with the Bell System from 1963 to 1984.
John H. Flittie has been the President and Chief Operating Officer of
ReliaStar Financial Corp., formerly known as The NWNL Companies, Inc., a
Minneapolis-based insurance and financial services company, since July 1993. Mr.
Flittie held various positions with NWNL and Northwestern National from 1985 to
July 1993. From 1976 to 1985, Mr. Flittie was a partner at Touche Ross & Co., an
audit and consulting firm. Mr. Flittie is a member of the Board of Directors of
ReliaStar Financial Corp. and various subsidiaries of ReliaStar, Northstar
Investment Management Corp., a mutual fund management company, and Chronimed,
Inc., a provider of health products and services.
Dennis M. Mathisen is Chairman of the Board of Governors of Marshall
Ventures, LLC and Chief Executive Officer of Marshall Financial Partners, an
equity investment fund. He is President, Chief Executive Officer and owner of
Marshall Financial Group, Inc., a merchant banking company located in
Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mr. Mathisen served as Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Mountain Parks Financial Corporation, a
multi-bank holding company, from its formation in 1981 until the acquisition by
merger of Mountain Parks into the Company on December 18, 1996. He was elected
as a director of the Company at that time pursuant to the merger agreement with
Mountain Parks. Since 1974, he served as a director and principal officer of
rural and suburban commercial banks located in Colorado and Minnesota. Mr.
Mathisen is a member of the Board of Directors of Transportation Corporation of
America, a midwestern trucking company, the Harlem Globetrotters, International,
an international sports entertainment company, IPI, Inc., a franchiser of
printing service operations, Horizon Asset Management, LLP, a registered asset
management company, and Sheldahl, Inc., a manufacturer of high quality flexible
printed circuitry and laminate materials.
5
<PAGE>
Darrell G. Knudson is an advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank
of Arizona and previously served as Chairman of Bank of Arizona from January
1997 until January 1998. He served as Executive Vice President and Director of
Boatmen's Bancshares from January 1996 to November 1996. He was Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer of Fourth Financial Corporation, Wichita,
Kansas, from July 1991 to November 1996 and served as Vice Chairman and a
Director of Fourth Financial Corporation from December 1990 to June 1991. From
1958 to 1990, Mr. Knudson was employed with FBS, holding a number of executive
positions, including Interim Chief Executive Officer, Vice Chairman and
Director. He was previously a member of the Bankers Roundtable Board of
Directors, the American Bankers Association Council, and the Board of Directors
of the Central Bank of Denver.
Marilyn R. Seymann joined the Board of Directors in 1998. Since 1991, she
has been President and Chief Executive Officer of M One, Inc., a bank consulting
firm. Ms. Seymann is also a member of the Board of Directors of Beverly
Enterprises, Inc., a provider of nursing home and rehabilitative care, and True
North Communications, Inc., an advertising company.
OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD
MEETINGS. During 1998, the Board of Directors met five times. Each of the
directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and the Committees
on which such director served.
COMMITTEES. The Company has an Audit Committee, a Finance Committee, a
Compensation Committee and a Corporate Governance Committee, all established by
the Board of Directors and each of which consists of members of the Board of
Directors. The Audit Committee, which consisted of Messrs. Anderson (chair),
Wollman and Benedict and Ms. Adam and Ms. Seymann, reviews the Company's
external and internal auditing systems, monitors compliance with prescribed
accounting and regulatory procedures, and met five times during 1998. The
Finance Committee, which consisted of Messrs. Mathisen (chair), Anderson,
Flittie, Knudson, Wold, Mengedoth and Ms. Seymann, reviews the financial
performance and financial planning of the Company, evaluates and approves larger
acquisitions and approves the terms of public offerings, and met twice during
1998. The Compensation Committee, which consisted of Messrs. Flittie (chair),
Wollman and Knudson and Ms. Adam, assists the Board in developing personnel
policies and compensation plans and administers certain incentive and
compensation programs and the Company's stock option plans, and met six times
during 1998. The Corporate Governance Committee, which consisted of Messrs. Wold
(chair), Benedict, Delaney, Mathisen and Mengedoth (an ex officio member),
considers succession planning, CEO and board evaluation and appropriate
replacements for vacancies on the Company's Board of Directors, and met three
times during 1998.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION. Each director who is not otherwise employed by the
Company receives an annual retainer of $9,000 and fees of $800 per meeting for
service on the Board of Directors. Committee members are paid: $900 for each
Committee meeting (including a telephonic meeting) held on a date other than the
date of a Board meeting, and $600 ($800 for the chair) per meeting if such
meeting is on the same day as a Board meeting. Directors are also reimbursed for
ordinary expenses incurred in connection with attending Board and Committee
meetings. Payments to Mr. Delaney are applied to legal fees payable to the law
firm of Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P. Finally, in April 1998, each nonemployee
director of the Company who was re-elected at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
received a nonqualified option under the Company's 1996 Stock Option Plan (the
"1996 Plan") to purchase up to 2,000 shares of Company Common Stock at an
exercise price of $24.6875 per share. The 1996 Plan gives the Compensation
Committee the authority to grant options to each of the non-employee directors
covering up to 2,000 shares each time they are re-elected to the Board. Such
options have an exercise price equal to the closing price on the date of grant
and are immediately exercisable. In February 1999, the Board of Directors
amended the 1996 Plan to extend the exercise term of these options from five
years to ten years for new options commencing with the 1999 Annual Meeting.
In 1993, the Board of Directors adopted the Deferred Compensation Plan for
Members of the Board of Directors (the "Directors Deferred Plan") under which
directors may elect to defer compensation until termination of their status as a
director. In February 1999, the Board amended the Directors Deferred Plan to
allow the directors to designate all or part of the funds to be credited with
dividends and appreciation as if invested in the Company's Common Stock. Upon
termination of director status, these funds are distributed in the form of
Company Common Stock.
6
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY OF CASH AND CERTAIN OTHER COMPENSATION
The following table shows, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996, the cash compensation paid by the Company, as well as certain
other compensation paid or accrued for those years, to Donald R. Mengedoth, the
Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, and each of the other four most
highly compensated executive officers of the Company as of December 31, 1998
(the "Named Executives"), in all capacities in which they served:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM
COMPENSATION
------------
ANNUAL COMPENSATION SECURITIES ALL OTHER
----------------------- UNDERLYING COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS OPTIONS (#) (1)
- ---------------------------------------------- ---- ----------- -------- ------------ ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Donald R. Mengedoth 1998 $ 464,984(2) $ 45,000 30,000 $34,110
President and Chief Executive 1997 377,422 246,790 24,000 31,919
Officer 1996 344,305(3) 220,800 17,976 27,291
Mark A. Anderson 1998 279,494 21,000 20,000 19,675
Vice Chairman--Corporate 1997 223,896 110,000 18,000 17,833
Services, Chief Financial Officer, 1996 199,084 98,400 10,000 15,402
Chief Information Officer,
Secretary and Treasurer
Ronald K. Strand 1998 294,731(2) 21,000 20,000 20,153
Vice Chairman--Financial 1997 223,699 110,000 18,000 17,627
Services Division 1996 212,937(3) 98,400 10,000 15,404
David E. Groshong 1998 267,267(2) 0 20,000 18,218
Executive Vice President, 1997 187,272 95,000 18,000 14,379
Financial Services (4) 1996 157,494(3) 63,335 6,000 73,318(5)
David A. Lee 1998 209,788(2) 9,450 10,000 13,521
Executive Vice President of 1997 172,406 56,943 10,000 12,700
Regional Banking 1996 147,827 49,920 10,000 9,323
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Except as otherwise indicated, represents contributions by the Company to
the Company's 401(k) Plan, Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan on behalf of the Named Executive.
(2) Included in the 1998 compensation of Messrs. Mengedoth, Strand, Groshong and
Lee is special marketing incentive compensation as follows: Mr. Mengedoth
$16,868; Mr. Strand $15,926; Mr. Groshong $15,609 and Mr. Lee $18,095.
(3) Included in the 1996 compensation of Messrs. Mengedoth, Strand and Groshong
is special marketing incentive compensation as follows: Mr. Mengedoth
$13,060; Mr. Strand $14,215; and Mr. Groshong $19,985.
(4) Mr. Groshong resigned as an officer in September 1998 and as an employee in
December 1998. Includes compensation for the full year 1998.
(5) Includes $62,202 paid to Mr. Groshong as reimbursement for his relocation
expenses in 1996.
7
<PAGE>
STOCK OPTIONS
The following table contains information concerning grants of Company stock
options to the Named Executives during 1998:
OPTION GRANTS IN 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
---------------------------------------------------- VALUE AT ASSUMED
% OF TOTAL ANNUAL RATE OF STOCK
OPTIONS PRICE APPRECIATION FOR
GRANTED TO EXERCISE OPTION TERM
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES PRICE PER EXPIRATION ----------------------
NAME GRANTED (1) IN 1998 SHARE DATE 5% 10%
- ---------------------------------------- ----------- --------------- --------- ----------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Donald R. Mengedoth 30,000 5.6% $ 24.875 02/03/03 $ 206,175 $ 455,593
Mark A. Anderson 20,000 3.7% 24.875 02/03/03 137,450 303,729
Ronald K. Strand 20,000 3.7% 24.875 02/03/03 137,450 303,729
David E. Groshong 20,000 3.7% 24.875 02/03/03 137,450 303,729
David A. Lee 10,000 1.9% 24.875 02/03/03 68,725 151,864
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Each option becomes exercisable in equal installments over a period of three
years, commencing one year after the date of grant, so long as employment
with the Company or one of its subsidiaries continues.
OPTION EXERCISES AND HOLDINGS
The following table sets forth information with respect to the Named
Executives concerning the exercise of options during 1998 and unexercised
options held as of December 31, 1998:
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES AND DECEMBER 31, 1998 OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
SHARES OPTIONS AT 12/31/98 AT 12/31/98(1)
ACQUIRED VALUE -------------------------- --------------------------
NAME ON EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- -------------------------------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Donald R. Mengedoth 59,984 $ 980,228 0 21,992 $ 0 $ 171,542
Mark A. Anderson 12,000 228,750 37,667 15,333 457,146 116,542
Ronald K. Strand 12,000 205,500 37,667 15,333 457,146 116,542
David E. Groshong(2) 0 0 22,000 14,000 249,125 102,625
David A. Lee 10,000 193,125 26,667 9,333 328,500 73,250
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Based on a closing sale price of $21.0625 per share of Common Stock on
December 31, 1998.
(2) Mr. Groshong's options expired on December 31, 1998, the effective date of
his resignation as an employee.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS, TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
ARRANGEMENTS
The Company has entered into Change in Control Severance Agreements with
Donald R. Mengedoth, Mark A. Anderson and 15 other executive officers of the
Company (together, the "Executives"). Under the agreements, the Company is
required to pay specified benefits if the Executive voluntarily terminates
employment for "good reason" or is involuntarily terminated without "cause"
after a "change in control"(as those terms are defined in the agreements).
For all Executives, good reason is defined to include a material breach of
the agreement by the Company, change in the Executive's duties, or reduction in
compensation, employee benefits or vacation.
8
<PAGE>
The agreements with Messrs. Mengedoth and Anderson also provide that good reason
includes any decision by them to terminate their employment during the period
from 90 to 180 days following a change in control. Therefore, during this
period, Messrs. Mengedoth and Anderson may terminate employment for any reason
and still receive benefits under their agreement. All other executives are
entitled to benefits after a change in control only upon involuntary termination
without cause or voluntary termination with good reason.
Cause is defined as the Executive's conviction of a felony, willful acts of
fraud or dishonesty harming the Company or willful failure, after written
demand, to substantially perform the Executive's duties. A change in control
occurs when: any person or group, acting together, acquires 25% or more of the
Company's stock; more than a majority of directors are elected who were not
nominated by the Board; a merger or consolidation is effected resulting in the
Company's shareholders owning less than 50% of the stock of the merged company;
or any liquidation or sale of assets is effected constituting more than 50% of
the aggregate market value of the Company.
The agreements provide for a term of three years, expiring on December 31,
2001. The agreements are then extended automatically for successive annual
terms, unless the Board of Directors gives written notice to the Executive of a
decision not to extend the agreement. During the term of the agreements, the
Executive is entitled to base compensation and such additional benefits as are
customarily offered to Company executives, including participation in annual
incentive compensation and employee benefit plans.
Upon a change in control, Messrs. Mengedoth, Anderson and Ronald K. Strand
are entitled to a lump sum severance payment ("Severance Payment") equal to
three times the sum of (1) the greater of the Executive's annual base
compensation immediately prior to notification of termination, or at any time
during the previous 24 months, plus (2) the maximum award permitted for that
year under the Company's Annual Incentive Compensation Plan, plus (3) the
average percentage of employer profit sharing and matching contributions to the
Company's Retirement Savings Plan and Employee Stock Ownership Plan for the
three most recent plan years ending immediately prior to the date of
termination. The minimum Severance Payment is $4,000,000 in the case of Mr.
Mengedoth and $3,000,000 in the case of Mr. Anderson. Messrs. Bruce A. Heysse
and David A. Lee are entitled to a lump sum Severance Payment equal to two times
the elements of compensation described in Items (1), (2) and (3) above and the
remaining Executives are entitled to lump sum Severance Payment equal to one
time the elements of compensation described in Items (1), (2) and (3) above. In
addition, the Executives will be entitled to continuation of life, disability,
accident and group health benefits for 36 months in the case of Messrs
Mengedoth, Anderson and Strand, 24 months in the case of Messrs. Heysse and Lee,
and 12 months for the other Executives, reduced by any comparable benefits
received from a subsequent employer.
In the event of a change in control, the agreements also provide that all
unvested options become vested and immediately exercisable and that the
Executive will receive cash payments for shares of stock subject to restrictions
or shares issuable under unexercised stock options based on a value of such
shares equal to the greater of (a) the highest market value during the ten
trading days prior to the termination of employment or (b) the value of the
shares determined in the merger or other event constituting a change in control.
The Company is also required to pay outplacement expenses for a period of 12
months following the date of termination, and all legal fees and expenses of the
Executive incurred as a result of termination and any enforcement of payment.
The Company also must indemnify the Executive for claims arising out of their
service as employees. The agreements also provide for "gross-up" payments to the
Executive in the event that payments made under the agreements are subject to
excise tax pursuant to Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended or any similar federal, state or local tax which may be imposed, in an
amount, after deduction of any federal, state and local income and excise tax on
the gross-up payment, equal to the excise tax then due.
9
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
This is a report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of
the Company (the "Committee"), which is composed of the undersigned Board
members, all of whom are nonemployee directors of the Company. This report shall
not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act
of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not otherwise be deemed
filed under either such Act.
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
In designing executive compensation, the Committee has adopted the policy
that the Company's executives should be paid fairly for the positions they hold
in view of the nature and size of the business which the Company operates. For
those elements of total compensation (base salary, benefits and perquisites)
which are not performance sensitive, plan provisions and standards have been set
close to average for the commercial banking industry and financial institutions
of the Company's size, with variations based on individual responsibilities and
performance. In the year 1998, the Company acquired, in five transactions,
aggregate assets of $1.3 billion and 52 additional banking offices. This growth
was considered by the Committee to have resulted in a significant change in the
structure and size of the Company's business, substantially enlarging, and
requiring management additions and realignments.
The base salary data forming the basis for the salary recommendations by
management to the Committee are maintained on an annual basis by independent
consultants. For those elements of the total package (annual incentives and
long-term incentives) which are performance sensitive, it is intended that
awards under these plans reflect internal Company performance criteria as well
as the Company's performance as compared to the performance of certain peer
groups described under "Annual Incentives" below.
In 1988, 1993 and 1998, the Committee engaged Watson Wyatt (previously The
Wyatt Company) to conduct an independent review of the Company's compensation
programs. The Watson Wyatt study evaluated these programs relative to the
Company's peers to assist the Committee in determining whether adjustments were
needed in the various programs. The 1993 Watson Wyatt study concluded that the
Company's base salary levels and levels of perquisites for executives are close
to average for comparable institutions but that the potential compensation that
may be achieved by Company executives through incentive programs was below the
average level for the industry. In 1998, Watson Wyatt suggested that executive
compensation be enhanced by the addition of a reload feature to the stock option
plan for executives and by means of change in control severance agreements for
executives, both of which are described elsewhere in this proxy statement.
BASE SALARY
The Company's base salary program was designed and has been maintained with
the assistance of Hay Management Consultants. In 1998, the Company engaged Ben
S. Cole Financial Incorporated to provide additional reports and analyses on
executive and director compensation. The Committee establishes base salaries
through a comparison of the Company's executive salaries with those of
comparable executive positions nationwide, according to survey data provided by
Hay, Cole, Watson Wyatt and SNL Securities, and through assessment of the
executive's responsibilities, prior experience and breadth of knowledge. The
comparability of the peer group of banking organizations used by Hay has been
supported by the Watson Wyatt studies described above, which concluded that the
peer group is appropriate. Many of the institutions included in the peer group
analysis are companies included in the Nasdaq Bank Stock Index. That Index has
been used for comparison purposes in the stock performance graph included under
"Comparative Stock Performance" below.
Each year, each executive officer's base salary is established based on the
average salary for executives with comparable job categories. Some adjustments
are applied to the average salary level, based on the size
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<PAGE>
and complexity of the various employers surveyed and other factors. For each
Company executive, the salary level is annually adjusted up or down from the
industry mid-point to reflect the experience and job performance of the Company
executive within the job category.
ANNUAL INCENTIVES
In awarding annual cash bonuses, the Company uses an Annual Incentive Award
Program ("AIP") for its executives, as well as for its middle staff officers and
local bank presidents. Executive AIP awards for 1998 were made based on the
Committee's evaluation of the following factors:
1. Internal performance, measured by net income of the Company on a
consolidated basis as compared with the Company's plan level. Internal
performance was weighted to constitute 50% of the bonus calculation for
1998, and will be weighted at 50% for 1999.
2. External performance, measured by return on equity of the Company's
consolidated operations (ROE) and growth of the Company's total assets
compared to a peer group of 30 banks. The peer group is selected annually
by SNL Securities based on size comparability and geographic proximity to
the Company. The peer group institutions ranged in size from $1.5 billion
to $8.1 billion in assets. External performance was weighted to
constitute 50% of the bonus calculation in 1998 and will be weighted at
50% for 1999.
Prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, a target and maximum bonus level
is established for each AIP participant. In 1998, the target levels for
executive officers ranged from 10% to 40% of base salary, and maximum levels
ranged from 20% to 80% of base salary. Based on the Company's results for 1998,
bonuses were set at amounts of between 2.5% and 10% of the executives' base
salaries. These percentages were significantly lower than in previous years due
to the Company's financial results for the year. For 1999, the target levels for
executive officers have been increased to a range of 15% to 50% of base salary,
and the maximum levels have been increased to a range of 25% to 100% of base
salary.
Minimum internal and external performance thresholds below which no AIP
bonuses will be paid to executives are set annually. Under the AIP program for
1998, the internal performance component of the awards was not payable to
officers, because the Company's net income was below 90% of the plan level.
Also, the external performance component of the AIP awards would not have been
paid if the Company's external performance had been below the 50(th) percentile
of the peer group for both ROE and growth of total assets. Only the growth of
total assets reached or exceeded the 50(th) percentile, and all 1998 awards
reflected only this component.
For 1999, the external performance component will be measured according to
ROE and total shareholder return (TSR) of the Company compared to a peer group;
total asset growth will no longer be considered. The Committee believes it is
appropriate to decrease the emphasis on asset growth and tie compensation more
closely with shareholder return. Unless the Company is below the 50(th)
percentile on both ROE and TSR, some level of AIP bonuses for the external
component will be calculated based on a formula provided in the plan.
SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN
Effective August 1, 1995, the Board of Directors adopted the Community First
Bankshares, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for directors and
executive officers of the Company. The Plan permits Company directors and
certain executive and management employees to defer salary and incentive pay
amounts under a non-qualified retirement plan.
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLANS
The Company grants options to purchase its Common Stock to its employees
from time to time under the Company's Restated 1987 Stock Option Plan (the "1987
Plan") and the 1996 Stock Option Plan (the
11
<PAGE>
"1996 Plan"). Options granted to date have had five-year terms, with vesting as
to 33% of the shares covered after one year and 33% on each of the second and
third anniversaries of the grant date, exercisable at market value of the
Company's Common Stock at the time of grant. The 1996 Plan was approved by the
Company's shareholders in May 1996.
The Watson Wyatt consulting study prepared for the Company in 1989
recommended that, when it became publicly held as it did in August 1991, the
Company should limit annual option grants under the Plan to roughly 1% to 2% of
Common Stock outstanding and issuable under outstanding options and warrants.
The Company has observed this recommendation. Under the 1987 Plan and the 1996
Plan, the Company has made option grants to a broad group of line and staff
employees, as well as its executive officers. It is intended that stock options
will represent the chief component of long-term incentive compensation to
executives. Stock options align the interests of management more closely with
shareholder interests and reward executive officers for creating shareholder
value as measured by stock price appreciation.
Each year, the Committee establishes the aggregate number of shares to be
covered by options granted to employees. In 1998, the Committee determined that
employee stock options should be granted for approximately 535,400 shares, or
approximately 1% of the Company's outstanding stock. Management recommends the
allocation of these shares among the employees according to their
responsibilities and performance, except that the Committee determines the level
of option grants to the Chief Executive Officer. Options granted to executive
officers through 1998 had terms of five years. Starting in 1999, options granted
to executive officers have terms of ten years.
RELOAD OPTION RIGHTS. In December 1998, the Board of Directors amended the
1996 Plan to give the Compensation Committee the authority to award replacement,
or reload, option rights to employees of the Company. The Committee adopted a
policy of granting reload rights in any options granted to executive officers
starting with the option grants in February 1999.
Reload rights are awarded at the time an option is granted and are intended
to encourage the future exercise of options by delivering shares of Company
Common Stock held for at least 6 months at the time of the exercise. If the
optionee exercises the option using this method, the optionee is automatically
granted a reload option for the same number of shares of Company Common Stock as
were delivered by the optionee to exercise the underlying option. A reload
option is also granted with respect to any stock withheld upon exercise to cover
federal and state income tax withholding obligations. The exercise price is
equal to the fair market value of the Company Common Stock on the grant date of
the reload option, and the expiration date of the reload option is the same as
for the option being exercised. Each reload option will be fully vested and
exercisable immediately. However, if the optionee sells the shares purchased
under the original option within 18 months after the granting of the reload
option, the Company will have the right to repurchase any shares purchased under
the reload option at a price equal to the exercise price of the reload option.
The right to receive a reload option with respect to the exercise of an
outstanding option terminates immediately upon an announcement of a change in
control of the Company. No further reload option will be granted upon the
exercise of a reload option.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S COMPENSATION
Donald R. Mengedoth, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, receives
compensation from the Company based on criteria identical to its other executive
officers. In 1998, the Company paid Mr. Mengedoth a salary of $464,984, and he
received an AIP award for 1998 performance of $45,000, or 9.7% of his base
salary. The Company also granted to him an option to buy 30,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock. Mr. Mengedoth's target AIP award and the number of his
option shares granted were higher than those granted to other executives in
recognition of his responsibilities and his performance in his position. As with
the other executives, Mr. Mengedoth's AIP award was significantly lower in 1998
than in previous years due to the Company's financial performance.
12
<PAGE>
DEDUCTIBILITY OF COMPENSATION
There is a $1 million limit on the deductibility of certain compensation for
federal income tax purposes established by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
of 1993 (the "Budget Act"). The Committee does not believe that any executive
will have sufficient compensation in the foreseeable future to cause this
limitation to have an impact on the Company. The Committee will continue to
evaluate whether any future action is appropriate to qualify any of the
Company's compensation plans under the Budget Act and applicable regulations of
the Internal Revenue Service to allow the deductibility of compensation under
such plans in excess of $1 million.
BOARD ACTION
All recommendations of the Compensation Committee to the Company, except for
grants of stock purchase rights to executives, have been and are subject to
Board of Director review and approval.
SUBMITTED BY THE COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
John H. Flittie, Chair
Patricia A. Adam
Darrell G. Knudson
Harvey L. Wollman
13
<PAGE>
COMPARATIVE STOCK PERFORMANCE
The graph below compares the cumulative shareholder return of the Company's
Common Stock since December 31, 1993 with the cumulative total return on the
Nasdaq Composite Index and the Nasdaq Bank Stock Index. The table below compares
the cumulative total return of the Company's Common Stock as of December 31,
1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998, assuming a $100 investment on December 31, 1993
and assuming reinvestment of all dividends:
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE COMPANY NASDAQ COMPOSITE INDEX NASDAQ BANK STOCK INDEX
<S> <C> <C> <C>
12/31/93 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00
12/31/94 $111.64 $97.75 $99.64
12/31/95 $196.77 $138.26 $148.38
12/31/96 $243.62 $170.01 $195.91
12/31/97 $479.73 $208.58 $328.02
12/31/98 $387.12 $293.21 $324.90
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
12/31/93 12/31/94 12/31/95 12/31/96 12/31/97 12/31/98
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
The Company..................................... $ 100.00 $ 111.64 $ 196.77 $ 243.62 $ 479.73 $ 387.12
Nasdaq Composite................................ 100.00 97.75 138.26 170.01 208.58 293.21
Nasdaq Bank Stock............................... 100.00 99.64 148.38 195.91 328.02 324.90
</TABLE>
The Company's Common Stock closed at $21.0625 per share on December 31, 1998
and closed at $19.6875 per share on March 2, 1999.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
The Company's subsidiary banks make loans from time to time to officers and
directors of the Company and its affiliates. Loans to executive officers and
directors of the Company at December 31, 1998 by its subsidiary banks were
approximately $4.0 million. Such loans were made in the ordinary course of
business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and
collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with
other persons and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability.
14
<PAGE>
PROPOSAL TWO
APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP, independent certified public accountants, have been the
auditors of the Company since its inception in 1987. They have been reappointed
by the Board of Directors as the Company's auditors for the current year.
Although shareholder approval is not required, it is the policy of the Board of
Directors to request shareholder ratification for the appointment or
reappointment of accountants.
A representative of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the meeting. Such
representative will be given the opportunity to make a statement at the meeting
and will be available to answer any appropriate questions.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR"
THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP.
------------------------
SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Pursuant to Section 16(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
executive officers, directors and 10% shareholders ("insiders") of the Company
are required to file reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5 of their beneficial holdings
and transactions in the Company's Common Stock. To the Company's knowledge, all
insiders of the Company made timely filings of Forms 3, 4 or 5 with respect to
transactions or holdings during 1998.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission permit shareholders of a
company, after timely notice to the company, to present proposals for
shareholder action in the company's proxy statement where such proposals are
consistent with applicable law, pertain to matters appropriate for shareholder
action and are not properly omitted by company action in accordance with the
proxy rules. The Company's 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is expected to be
held on or about April 27, 2000, and proxy materials in connection with that
meeting are expected to be mailed on or about March 10, 2000. The deadline for
submission of shareholder proposals pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement
for its 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is December 15, 1999. Additionally,
if the Company receives notice of a shareholder proposal after January 24, 2000,
such proposal will be considered untimely pursuant to Rules 14a-4 and 14a-5(e)
and the persons named in proxies solicited by the Board of Directors of the
Company for its 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders may exercise discretionary
voting power with respect to such proposal.
OTHER INFORMATION
The Board of Directors of the Company knows of no matters other than the
foregoing to be brought before the meeting. However, the enclosed proxy gives
discretionary authority in the event that any additional matters should be
presented.
If a shareholder abstains from voting on any matter, the Company intends to
count the abstention as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is
present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders for the transaction of business.
Additionally, the Company intends to count broker "non-votes" as present for
purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction
of business. A "non-vote" occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial
owner votes on one proposal, but does not vote on another proposal because the
nominee does not have discretionary voting power and has not received
instructions from the beneficial owner. Therefore, abstentions and broker
"non-votes" have the same effect as votes against the proposals.
15
<PAGE>
The Annual Report to securities holders of the Company for the past fiscal
year is enclosed herewith and contains the Company's financial statements for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998. A copy of the Form 10-K Annual Report
of the Company to the Securities and Exchange Commission, will be furnished
without charge to any shareholder who requests it in writing from Mark A.
Anderson, Chief Financial Officer, Community First Bankshares, Inc., 520 Main
Avenue, Fargo, North Dakota 58124-0001.
By the Order of the Board of Directors
Mark A. Anderson,
SECRETARY
16
<PAGE>
--------------------
COMPANY #
THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO VOTE YOUR PROXY CONTROL #
--------------------
YOUR TELEPHONE OR INTERNET VOTE AUTHORIZES THE NAMED PROXIES TO VOTE YOUR
SHARES IN THE SAME MANNER AS IF YOU MARKED, SIGNED AND RETURNED YOUR PROXY
CARD.
VOTE BY PHONE -- TOLL FREE -- 1-800-240-6326 -- QUICK *** EASY *** IMMEDIATE
- - Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week.
- - You will be prompted to enter your 3-digit Company Number and your 7-digit
Control Number which is located above.
- - Follow the simple instructions the Voice provides you.
VOTE BY INTERNET -- http://www.eproxy.com/cfbx/ -- QUICK *** EASY *** IMMEDIATE
- - Use the Internet to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- - You will be prompted to enter your 3-digit Company Number and your 7-digit
Control Number which is located above to obtain your records and create an
electronic ballot.
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid
envelope we've provided or return it to Community First Bankshares, Inc., c/o
Shareowner Services,-SM- P.O. Box 64873, St. Paul, MN 55164-0873.
IF YOU VOTE BY PHONE OR INTERNET, PLEASE DO NOT MAIL YOUR PROXY CARD
V PLEASE DETACH HERE V
<TABLE>
<S><C>
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ITEMS 1 AND 2.
1. Election of directors: 01 Donald R. Mengedoth 06 Darrell G. Knudson / / Vote FOR
02 James T. Anderson 07 Dennis M. Mathisen all nominees (Except as marked
03 Patrick E. Benedict 08 Marilyn R. Seymann to the contrary below)
04 Patrick Delaney 09 Thomas C. Wold
05 John H. Flittie 10 Harvey L. Wollman / / Vote WITHHELD
from all nominees
(INSTRUCTIONS: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDICATED NOMINEE,
WRITE THE NUMBER(S) OF THE NOMINEE(S) IN THE BOX PROVIDED TO THE RIGHT.) --------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
2. Proposal #2 TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
AS THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OF THE COMPANY. / / For / / Against / / Abstain
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH PROPOSAL.
---
Address Change? Mark Box / /
Indicate changes below:
Date: ________________________________
--------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
Signature(s) in Box
Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear on
Proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all persons
must sign. Trustees, administrators, etc.,
should include title and authority.
Corporations should provide full name of
corporation and title of authorized officer
signing the proxy.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
COMMUNITY FIRST BANKSHARES, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1999
10:00 A.M.
HOLIDAY INN
I-29 AND 13TH AVENUE SOUTH
FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA 58103
[MAP]
COMMUNITY FIRST BANKSHARES, INC.
[LOGO] 520 MAIN AVENUE, FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA 58124-0001 PROXY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR USE AT THE ANNUAL
MEETING ON APRIL 27, 1999.
The shares of stock you hold in your account or in a dividend reinvestment
account will be voted as you specify below.
IF NO CHOICE IS SPECIFIED, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" ITEMS 1 AND 2.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 2, 1999 will be
entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting.
By signing the proxy, you revoke all prior proxies and appoint Donald R.
Mengedoth and Mark A. Anderson, and each of them, with full power of
substitution, to vote your shares on the matters shown on the reverse side
and any other matters which may come before the Annual Meeting and all
adjournments.
SEE REVERSE FOR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS.
