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
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than 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:
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>
[LOGO] Virginia
Commonwealth
Financial
Corporation
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 14, 1999
To Our Stockholders:
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Virginia Commonwealth Financial
Corporation will be held at the Lake of the Woods Clubhouse, Locust Grove,
Virginia, on Friday, May 14, 1999 at 3:00 p.m. for the following purposes:
1. To elect two (2) directors to serve until the 2002 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, or until their successors are elected and qualified;
2. To vote upon a proposal to approve an amendment to VCFC's articles of
incorporation to increase the number of shares of VCFC common stock that
VCFC is authorized to issue from 3 million to 5 million.
3. To ratify the appointment of Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C., as external
auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999; and
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 18, 1999, will be
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournments
thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
EDWARD V. ALLISON, JR.
SECRETARY
March 18, 1999
PLEASE SIGN, DATE, AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD PROMPTLY. NO POSTAGE
IS REQUIRED IF THE RETURN ENVELOPE IS USED AND MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. IF
YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY, IF YOU DESIRE, REVOKE YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN
PERSON.
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THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
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<PAGE>
[LOGO] Virginia
Commonwealth
Financial
Corporation
102 SOUTH MAIN STREET
POST OFFICE BOX 71
CULPEPER, VIRGINIA 22701
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 14, 1999
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GENERAL INFORMATION
The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Virginia
Commonwealth Financial Corporation (the "Company") for the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of the Company (the "Annual Meeting") to be held at the Lake of
the Woods Clubhouse, Locust Grove, Virginia on May 14, 1999, at 3:00 p.m., for
the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting. The
approximate mailing date of this Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy is
March 22, 1999.
REVOCATION AND VOTING OF PROXIES
Execution of a proxy will not affect a Stockholder's right to attend the
Annual Meeting and to vote in person. Any Stockholder who has executed and
returned a proxy may revoke it at any time before the proxy is exercised by
filing an instrument effecting such revocation or a duly exercised proxy
bearing a later date with the Company at the above address. Stockholders also
may revoke their proxies by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.
Proxies will extend to, and will be voted at, any adjourned session of the
Annual Meeting.
VOTING RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 18, 1999 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment
thereof. As of the close of business on the record date, 2,041,762 shares of
Company common stock, par value of $2.50 per share, were outstanding and
entitled to vote at the meeting. The Company has no other class of stock
outstanding.
Each share of Company common stock is entitled to one vote for as many
persons as there are directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting and one vote
for all other matters voted on at the Annual Meeting. Shares of Company common
stock are not entitled to cumulative voting rights. The presence, in person or
by proxy, of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast will constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting.
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<PAGE>
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The expenses of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. Proxies
are being solicited by mail, and also may be solicited by directors, officers,
employees and agents of the Company in person, by telephone, or by mail.
Officers, directors and employees of the Company will not receive special
compensation for their solicitation activities. The Company may reimburse
banks, brokerage firms, and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for
their reasonable expenses in sending proxy materials to beneficial owners of
Company common stock.
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
As of March 18, 1999, no person was known to the Company to beneficially
own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Company common stock.
The Trust Division of Second Bank & Trust, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
the Company, holds as trustee of various trust accounts a total of 93,311
shares (or approximately 4.6%) of Company common stock. Section 13.1-662E of
the Virginia Code prohibits the Trust Division from voting these shares at the
Annual Meeting unless a co-fiduciary is appointed for the sole purpose of
voting such shares.
As of March 18, 1999, the directors and executive officers of the Company
as a group beneficially owned 99,988 shares (or approximately 4.9%) of Company
common stock.
PROPOSAL ONE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of the Company is comprised of eight directors who
are divided into three classes (Class I, Class II, and Class III). The term of
office for the two Class I directors will expire at the Annual Meeting. The
first two persons in the beneficial share table below, all of whom currently
serve as directors of the Company, will be nominated to serve as Class I
directors. If elected, the Class I directors will serve for terms of three
years until the 2002 Annual Meeting, or until their successors are duly elected
and qualified.
The persons named in the proxy will vote for the election of the nominees
named below unless authority is withheld. If any of the persons named below is
unavailable to serve for any reason, an event which the Board of Directors does
not anticipate, proxies will be voted for the remaining nominees and such other
person or persons as the Board of Directors may reduce the size of Class I to
the number of remaining nominees, for whom the proxies will be voted.
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the nominees
for election at the Annual Meeting as Class I directors, as well as certain
information about the Class II and Class III directors, who will continue in
office after the Annual Meeting until the 2001 and 2000 Annual Meetings,
respectively. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR
ELECTION OF THE CLASS I DIRECTORS.
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<PAGE>
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION
CLASS I DIRECTORS
(TO SERVE UNTIL 2002 ANNUAL MEETING)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER & PERCENT
OF SHARES
DIRECTOR OCCUPATION BENEFICIALLY
NAME AND AGE SINCE(2) PAST 5 YEARS OWNED(3)
- -------------------------- --------- ----------------------------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Gregory L. Fisher 49 1992 President, Eddins Ford,Inc. 450(1)
Thomas F. Williams, Jr. 60 1988 Partner, Franklin, Williams 12,754(1)(4)
and Cowan, Esq.
CLASS II DIRECTORS
(SERVING UNTIL 2001 ANNUAL MEETING)
Taylor E. Gore 60 1975 Executive Vice President & 6,747(1)
General Manager, Culpeper
Farmers' Co-op, Inc.
W. Robert Jebson, Jr. 65 1990 President, Environmental 5,867(1)(4)
Systems Service, Ltd.
William B. Young 61 1988 Chief Executive Officer, 14,933(1)(4)
Virginia Heartland Bank
CLASS III DIRECTORS
(SERVING UNTIL 2000 ANNUAL MEETING)
O. R. Barham, Jr. 48 1996 President and Chief Executive 4,900(1)
Officer, Second Bank & Trust
Marshall D. Gayheart, Jr. 68 1971 Retired, Proprietor, Gayheart 29,466(4)
Drug Store
H. Wayne Parrish 55 1988 President and General 8,167(1)(4)
Manager, Allmans BBQ;
President, Telephone
Answering Service of
Fredericksburg, Inc.
Real Estate Appraiser
All Directors & Executive Officers of the Company as a group (13) 99,988 (4.9%)
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</TABLE>
(1) Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares based upon 2,041,762
shares outstanding as of March 18, 1999.
(2) Each Director has served on the Board of Directors of the Company since the
consummation of the affiliation with Virginia Heartland Bank in October,
1998. The date above refers to the year in which Messrs. Barham, Gayheart,
Gore, Jebson and Fisher were first elected to the Board of Directors of
Second Bank & Trust, and Messrs. Parrish, Williams and Young were first
elected to the Board of Directors of Virginia Heartland Bank.
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<PAGE>
(3) For purposes of this table, beneficial ownership has been determined in
accordance with the provisions of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 under which, in general, a person is deemed to be the
beneficial owner of a security if he or she has or shares the power to
vote or direct the voting of the security or the power to dispose of or
direct the disposition of the security, or if he or she has the right to
acquire beneficial ownership of the security within sixty days.
(4) Includes shares held by spouses and minor children, shares held jointly or
with spouses, and shares held as custodian or trustee: Mr. Williams, 5,520
shares; Mr. Jebson, 523 shares; Mr. Young, 9,247 shares; Mr. Gayheart,
1,000 shares; and Mr. Parrish, 230 shares.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors of the Company met monthly in 1998. In 1998, all
directors attended at least 75% of the regular, special, or committee meetings
of the Board of Directors of the Company which he (she) was required to attend.
There are no family relationships among any of the directors or executive
officers, and none of the directors serves as a director of any other company
with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
The Company has a Nominating Committee comprised of Messrs. Gayheart, Gore
and Jebson. The Nominating Committee meets once a year to nominate directors
and recommend officers to serve the Company for the coming year.
The Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Barham, Fisher, Gore, Williams
and Young. The Audit Committee meets periodically to examine audit reports to
determine whether audit exceptions are being addressed by management and
whether internal control of the Company remains adequate. The Committee met 4
times in 1998.
The Board of Directors of Second Bank & Trust has, among others, a
standing Personnel Committee. The Personnel Committee is comprised of Messrs.
Armstrong, Gore, Honenberger and Myers. The Committee meets periodically to
review employee benefit plans and authorizes the level of compensation for each
officer and director of the Bank. The Committee met six times in 1998.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Directors of the Company receive a monthly fee of $600.00 for serving as
Board of Directors. Directors of the Company are not paid for committee
meetings on which they serve.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the Exchange Act), directors and executive officers of the Company are
required to file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission indicating
their holdings of and transactions in the Company's equity securities. 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, insiders of the Company complied with all filing requirements during
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.
CASH COMPENSATION
The officers of the Company do not receive any compensation from the
Company, but are paid by each subsidiary Bank for their service as executive
officers of the respective Bank. During 1998, the only
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<PAGE>
executive officers of the Company who received annual compensation in excess of
$100,000 were Messrs. Edward V. Allison, Jr., O. R. Barham, Jr. and William B.
Young. The following table summarizes the cash compensation paid to these
individuals.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
ANNUAL COMPENSATION(5)
------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME OF OFFICER OTHER ANNUAL
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION(3)
- --------------------------- ------ ----------- ---------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William B. Young(2) 1998 $138,800 $ 0 $ 4,155
O.R. Barham, Jr.(1) 1998 $146,668 $ 0 $31,733
1997 $139,800 $10,000 $28,702
1996 $ 97,196 $ 0 $14,194
Edward V. Allison, Jr.(4) 1998 $101,700 $ 0 $ 4,155
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</TABLE>
(1) Mr. Barham served as Senior Vice President of the Company during 1996:
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company during 1997 and 1998;
and President since the consummation of the affiliation with Virginia
Heartland Bank in October, 1998.
(2) Mr. Young has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since the
consummation of the affiliation with Virginia Heartland Bank in October,
1998.
(3) Includes for 1998: $24,483 accrued on behalf of Mr. Barham under the Profit
Sharing, 401k Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plans, $7,250 accrued to
Mr. Barham under a deferred compensation agreement, and $4,155 accrued to
Mr. Young and Mr. Allison under a profit sharing thrift plan.
(4) Mr. Allison has served as Secretary since the consumation of the affiliation
with Virginia Heartland Bank in October, 1998.
(5) No long term compensation was accrued to these officers in 1998, 1997 or
1996.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Mr. Barham entered into a three year employment agreement with the Company
effective January 1, 1997. The agreement is general in nature and has few
conditions relative to current or ongoing employment conditions. Mr. Barham's
base compensation under this agreement is determined at the sole discretion of
the Board of Directors, but does include minimum thresholds for each year of
the agreement. The agreement provides that in the event the Company, acting
either through its stockholders or its Directors, approves a change in control
event as defined, Mr. Barham will be entitled to receive from the Company base
compensation and accrued benefits for a twenty-four month period, regardless of
consideration of future employment. In the event the Company terminates Mr.
Barham's employment without cause, or Mr. Barham terminates his employment for
good reason as defined, the Company will pay to Mr. Barham a lump sum within
thirty days of employment termination equal to base compensation for a period
of eighteen months from the date of termination.
As incentive for Mr. Barham to remain in the employ of the Company and as
protection for the Company from Mr. Barham leaving the Company's employ, absent
a sale of the Company as defined, the agreement provides that if the officer
voluntarily leaves the employ of the Bank without there being any such change
in control of the Company, he may not be employed with or work in any office of
any company as an officer, director, employee or partner within a 50 mile
radius of any branch office of the
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<PAGE>
Company without written consent of the Board of Directors for a period of two
years after Mr. Barham's employment. Failure to comply will result in
termination of all benefits remaining to be paid as part of the agreement.
Mr. Young entered into a two year agreement effective October, 1998 which
provides that while Mr. Young is Chairman of the Company, his combined salary
for service to the Company and Virginia Heartland Bank will be $165,000 per
year. Following such term, Mr. Young will be offered a non-employee consulting
position at $75,000 per year for a two-year period.
If Mr. Young's employment contract is terminated without "cause," as
defined in the contract, Virginia Heartland Bank must pay all compensation
(which includes salary and/or consulting fee, as applicable) due under the
terminated contract for a period not to exceed one year following the
termination. The employment contracts also contain a provision that any
successor to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Company expressly assume this employment contract. Mr. Young's annual salary
and subsequent consulting fee is fixed. In addition, Mr. Young is not eligible
for merit raises, participation in stock option plans or bonus plans given or
maintained by the Company or either Virginia Heartland or Second Bank & Trust.
The contract provides that if Mr. Young voluntarily terminates the contract, he
shall not directly or indirectly become affiliated with another financial
institution within the Commonwealth of Virginia for a period of two years.
Mr. Allison, as President of Virginia Heartland Bank, and Senior Vice
President and Secretary of the Company, entered into a five year agreement
effective October, 1998 which provides that Mr. Allison receive an initial
annual salary of $100,000, subject to annual review and adjustment by the Board
of Directors. If Mr. Allison's employment contract is terminated without
"cause," as defined in the contract, Virginia Heartland Bank must pay annual
salary for a period not to exceed one year following the termination. The
employment contracts also contain a provision that any successor to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company expressly assume
this employment contract. The contract provides that if Mr. Allison voluntarily
terminates the contract, he shall not directly or indirectly become affiliated
with another financial institution within the Commonwealth of Virginia for a
period of two years.
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Company and its two banking subsidiaries, Second Bank & Trust and
Virginia Heartland Bank, maintain several tax qualified and non-qualified
employee benefit plans for employees of the two Banks, which benefit plans are
described below.
SECOND BANK & TRUST PLANS
Second Bank & Trust has a split dollar life insurance plan that is offered
to certain bank officers. The Bank advances a portion of the premium, which
will be reimbursed by the insured officer upon the termination of his
employment or death. In 1998, $1,931 was advanced to Mr. Barham under this
plan.
The Bank established an Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") under
section 401(e) of the Internal Revenue Code as of January 1, 1984. The plan's
primary purpose is to enable participating employees to share in the growth and
prosperity of the Bank and the Company by allowing employees to acquire Company
common stock. The Bank contributed $ 63,027 to the plan in 1998. Funds
contributed by the Bank to the plan are allocated to participants in the plan
in the ratio which the compensation of each participant bears to the total
compensation of all the participants. In 1998, $4,013 was accrued to Mr. Barham
under this plan.
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<PAGE>
Effective January 1, 1997, Second Bank & Trust adopted a non-qualified
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Pursuant to the plan, Mr. Barham and any
other employees of the Bank selected by the Board of Directors may defer
receipt of a certain amount of pre-tax income and cash incentive compensation,
plus a Bank percentage matching contribution of the deferred amount, for a
period of no less than three years or until retirement, subject to termination
of employment or certain other events, including an imminent change in control.
The Bank's matching contribution for Mr. Barham is 5% of his base salary and as
determined from time to time by the Board for other executives. In 1998, $7,250
was accrued to Mr. Barham under this plan. The participants must pay taxes on
the deferred payments when received.
The Bank has a noncontributory pension plan which conforms to the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The amount of benefits payable
under the plan is determined by an employee's period of credited service. The
amount of normal retirement benefit will be equal to 1% of a participating
employee's average compensation for each year of credited service plus .75% of
a participating employee's average compensation in excess of $10,000 for each
year of credited service. The plan provides for early retirement for
participants with 10 or more years of service to the Bank who retire after
attaining age 55. A participant who terminates employment after 3 or more years
of service is eligible for a deferred benefit.
The following table shows the estimated annual benefits payable upon
retirement based on specified remuneration and years of credited service
classifications, assuming continuation of the present plan and retirement on
January 1, 1997, at age 65 (normal retirement date):
ESTIMATED ANNUAL PENSION BASED ON AVERAGE COMPENSATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE 10 YEARS 15 YEARS 20 YEARS 25 YEARS
COMPENSATION OF SERVICE OF SERVICE OF SERVICE OF SERVICE
- -------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 10,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,500 $ 2,000 $ 2,500
25,000 3,625 5,438 7,250 9,063
50,000 8,000 12,000 16,000 20,000
75,000 12,375 18,563 24,750 30,938
100,000 16,750 25,125 33,500 41,875
125,000 21,125 31,688 42,250 52,813
150,000 25,500 38,250 51,000 63,375
175,000 29,875 44,813 59,750 74,688
200,000 34,250 51,375 68,500 85,625
</TABLE>
Mr. Barham will have an estimated 23 years of credited service at normal
retirement age.
The Bank established a 401(k) Savings Plan effective October 1, 1989. The
plan's primary purpose is to allow employees to save for retirement on a
pre-tax basis. The plan provides for matching contributions by the Bank equal
to 100% of the first 2% plus 25% of the next 4% of salary reduction
contributions made by the employee. The Bank made a matched contribution to the
plan of $ 62,973 in 1998. The plan also provides for discretionary
contributions to be made by the Bank and allocated to participant accounts in
proportion to the participant's compensation. The Bank made no discretionary
contribution to the plan in 1998. In 1998, $ 4,700 was accrued to Mr. Barham
under this plan.
The Bank has a profit sharing plan under which employees of the Bank
receive compensation directly related to the profitability of the Bank.
Compensation under the plan is calculated and approved by the Board of
Directors of the Bank. In 1998, the Bank contributed $225,000 to the plan. In
1998, $15,770 was accrued to Mr. Barham under the plan.
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<PAGE>
VIRGINIA HEARTLAND PLANS
Virginia Heartland Bank established a 401(k) Profit Sharing Thrift Plan in
1991. All permanent employees with more than three years of service may
participate. The Bank may contribute to the plan through either matching or
descretionary contributions. The plan provides for matching contributions by
the Bank equal to 25% of each participants deferred compensation not to execeed
6% of the participants compensation. The Bank made a matched contribution to
the plan of $11,980 in 1998. The plan also provides for discretionary
contributions to be made by the Bank and allocated to participant accounts in
proportion to the participant's compensation. The Bank accrued a discretionary
contribution to the plan of $36,000 in 1998. In 1998, $4,155 was accrued to Mr.
Young and Mr. Allison under this plan.
Virginia Heartland Bank has entered into supplemental retirement
agreements with the Bank's Chairman and President which provide benefits
payable over fifteen years to begin at age sixty and sixty-five, respectively.
The agreement with Mr. Young and Mr. Allison calls for Virginia Heartland Bank
to pay each $45,000 for fifteen years upon retirement. At December 31, 1998,
$513,918 has been accrued under these contracts, and this liability is
reflected in the consolidated financial statements. In 1998, $150,682 was
accrued to Messrs. Young and Allison under this plan.
The Bank is the owner and beneficiary of whole life insurance policies on
the lives of Messrs. Young and Allison. If the Chairman or President decease
during their employment, the Bank shall pay to their designated beneficiaries
or estate $75,000 and $60,000, respectively, per year till retirement date, and
thereafter $45,000 for both Messrs. Young and Allison for a period of fifteen
years. In the event that this death benefit should become payable, such benefit
shall be in lieu of all supplemental retirement accruals provided to the date
of death.
TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
As of December 31, 1998, borrowing from the Company by all policy-making
officers, directors, their immediate families, and affiliated companies in
which they are Stockholders amounted to approximately $3.947 million. This
amount represented 2.4% of the total equity capital and 1.1% of the total
assets of the Company as of December 31, 1998. These loans were made in the
ordinary course of the Company's business, on the same terms, including
interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the same time for
comparable transactions with others, and do not involve greater than normal
risks of collectibility. The Company expects to have similar banking
transactions with directors, officers, principal Stockholders and their
associates in the future.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Personnel Committee of the Board of Directors of each respective
subsidiary bank has furnished the following report on executive compensation.
The committee has developed and implemented compensation policies and
plans which seek to enhance the profitability of the Company and maximize
stockholder value by aligning closely the financial interests of its senior
officers with those of its stockholders. The policies are designed to provide
competitive levels of compensation to attract and retain corporate officers and
key employees with outstanding abilities and to motivate them to perform to the
full extent of their abilities. The policies provide for both annual salaries
and participation in an incentive compensation plan with all other employees of
the Company.
The Board of Directors approves base salaries at levels competitive with
amounts paid to senior executives with comparable qualifications, experience
and responsibilities after comparing salary ranges
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<PAGE>
of similar sized banks as provided by the VBA Salary Survey of Virginia Banks.
The annual and incentive compensation is also closely tied to the Company's
success in achieving significant financial performance goals.
The Board of Directors approves the Chief Executive's annual salary based
on the compensation data from selected peer banks, their assessment of past
performance and its expectation as to future contributions in leading the
Company. In addition to the internal measures above, the Board of Directors
also reviews the financial performance of the Company in relation to peer group
averages and predetermined goals set by the Board of Directors. A subjective
approach is used in its evaluation of these factors and therefore does not rely
on a formula or weights of specific factors.
The incentive compensation plan, which includes all employees of the
Company, stresses rewards for achievement of financial goals set each year.
This program rewards employees for producing higher income, reducing costs and
providing customers with excellent service. The formula for 1998 as adopted by
the Board of Directors calls for an incentive of an increasing percentage based
on achievement of specified levels of return on assets. The formula defines the
incentive fund available for distribution for the year. The incentive funds are
allocated prorata to all employees based on their salary.
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<PAGE>
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the Company's Stockholder return with the
return of certain indices for the period beginning December 31, 1993 and for
following five years ending December 31. The Company's stock performance is
compared to the NASDAQ Stock Index and the Carson Medlin Independent Bank
Index.
[CHART]
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL CORPORATION 100 102 106 116 199 207
INDEPENDENT BANK INDEX 100 119 151 191 280 296
NASDAQ INDEX 100 98 138 170 209 293
During the years 1993-1996, and for the first six months of 1997, shares of
Company Common Stock were not traded on any national or regional exchange, and
trading was generally as a result of private negotiation. Accordingly, this
graph is not necessarily indicative of how the Company's stock would have
performed if it had traded on an exchange for the entire period. On July 14,
1997, the Company's stock began trading on the Nasdaq Small Cap Market, and
currently trades under the trading symbol VCFC. The Nasdaq Stock Market is a
highly regulated electronic securities market whose listings are supported by a
communications network linking them to quotation dissemination, trade
reporting, and order execution. The Nasdaq is operated by The Nasdaq Stock
Market, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.
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<PAGE>
PROPOSAL TWO
AMENDMENT TO VCFC ARTICLES
VCFC is currently authorized to issue 3,000,000 shares of VCFC Common
Stock. The VCFC Board of Directors has unanimously approved a proposed
amendment to the VCFC Articles, which would increase the number of authorized
shares of VCFC Common Stock from 3,000,000 to 5,000,000.
It is VCFC's intention to finance its operations through, among other
things, the issuance from time to time of equity securities, to consider the
acquisition or affiliation of other community banks or financial service
businesses (possibly using VCFC Common Stock as consideration in some
instances) and to consider the issuance of additional shares of VCFC Common
Stock through stock splits and stock dividends in appropriate circumstances.
Accordingly, the continued availability of shares of VCFC Common Stock is
necessary to provide VCFC with the flexibility to take advantage of
opportunities in such situations.
As of the record date, there were 2,041,762 shares outstanding. The
authorization of 3,000,000 shares was initially established in 1990 in
conjunction with the establishment of the Holding Company. VCFC's assets have
increased significantly since that time, having increased $169 million or 92.1%
from VCFC's assets at December 31, 1990.
THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF ALL THE VOTES ENTITLED TO
BE CAST BY THE HOLDERS OF THE OUTSTANDING SHARES OF VCFC COMMON STOCK AT THE
VCFC MEETING IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT TO VCFC ARTICLES. THE VCFC
BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT VCFC STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE AMENDMENT TO
INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED SHARES.
PROPOSAL THREE
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors has appointed Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C., as the
external auditors for the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1999.
Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C. rendered audit services to the Company during 1998.
These services consisted primarily of the examination and audit of the
financial statements of the Company, tax reporting assistance, and other audit
and accounting matters. Representatives of Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C. will
have the opportunity to make a statement and to answer questions at the Annual
Meeting if they desire to do so. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE
STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF YOUNT, HYDE & BARBOUR, P.C.
2000 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The Board of Directors need not include an otherwise appropriate
stockholder proposal in its proxy statement or form of proxy for that meeting
unless the proposal is received by the Company at its main office on or before
December 15, 1999.
ANNUAL REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS
The Company's Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998, which
includes audited financial statements of the Company prepared in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles, has been enclosed with this
proxy. A copy of the Annual Report will be sent to any stockholder upon
request. REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE ANNUAL REPORT SHOULD BE DIRECTED
TO JEFFREY W. FARRAR, CPA, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, AT
102 SOUTH MAIN STREET, P. O. BOX 71, CULPEPER, VIRGINIA 22701.
- 13 -
<PAGE>
OTHER MATTERS
Management knows of no other business to be brought before the Annual
Meeting. Should any other business properly be presented for action at the
meeting, the shares represented by the enclosed proxy will be voted by the
persons named therein in accordance with their best judgment and in the best
interests of the Company.
- 14 -
<PAGE>
TRUE BLANK
- 15 -
<PAGE>
TRUE BLANK
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<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT PROXY
[X] PLEASE MARK VOTES
AS IN THIS EXAMPLE VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH
FINANCIAL CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS MAY 14, 1999
The undersigned Stockholder(s) of Virginia Commonwealth Financial
Corporation (the "Holding Company") hereby appoints H. Wayne Parrish, W. Robert
Jebson, Jr., and Taylor E. Gore, with full power to act alone and full power of
substitution to each, as proxies of the undersigned with authority to vote in
the name and on behalf of the undersigned at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
of the Holding Company to be held at the Lake of the Woods Clubhouse, Locust
Grove, Virginia, on Friday, May 14, 1999 at 3:00 p.m., or at any adjournment
thereof, on the following matters:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>
1. To elect two (2) directors to serve
until the 2002 Annual Meeting of WITH- FOR ALL
Stockholders, or until their successors FOR HOLD EXCEPT
are elected and qualified <C> <C> <C>
(CUMULATIVE VOTING IS NOT
PERMITTED); [ ] [ ] [ ]
GREGORY L. FISHER THOMAS F. WILLIAMS, JR.
INSTRUCTIONS: IF YOU WISH TO GRANT AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ALL
NOMINEES OR AGAINST ALL NOMINEES, PLACE AN "X" ON THE APPROPRIATE
LINE. IF YOU WISH TO WITHHOLD YOUR VOTE FROM ONE OR MORE NOMINEES,
PLACE A LINE THROUGH THE NAME(S).
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ABSTAIN
FOR AGAINST EXCEPT
<S> <C> <C> <C>
2. To vote upon a proposal to approve an
amendment to VCFC's articles of [ ] [ ] [ ]
incorporation to increase the number of
shares of VCFC common stock that
VCFC is authorized to issue from 3
million to 5 million.
3. To ratify the appointment of Yount,
Hyde & Barbour, P.C. as external [ ] [ ] [ ]
auditors for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 1999.
4. To transact such other business as may
properly come before the meeting.
</TABLE>
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DETACH ABOVE CARD, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL IN POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH
FINANCIAL CORPORATION
When properly signed, this proxy will be voted in the manner directed by
the undersigned. IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR ITEMS
(1) THROUGH (2).
By signing this proxy, the undersigned acknowledges that he or she has
received the Holding Company's Proxy Statement dated March 15, 1999.
Dated:_______________ Number of Shares________________________
________________________________________
Signature of Stockholder
________________________________________
Signature of Stockholder
NOTE: Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, or guardian, please give full title as such. If signer is a
corporation, please sign with the full corporate name by duly authorized
officers.
Number attending the meeting _____ .
