LANDMARK BANCSHARES INC
DEF 14A, 1998-12-10
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
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                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (Rule 14a-101)

                     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

                            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 ss. 240.14a-11(c) or ss. 240.14a-12

                            Landmark Bancshares, 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:
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<PAGE>
 


                         [HOLDING COMPANY LETTERHEAD]








December 15, 1998

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

         On  behalf  of the  Board  of  Directors  and  management  of  Landmark
Bancshares,  Inc., I cordially  invite you to attend the 1999 annual  meeting of
stockholders to be held at the Dodge City Country Club,  located at North Avenue
C, Dodge City, Kansas, on Wednesday,  January 20, 1999 at 1:30 p.m. The attached
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and proxy statement describe the formal
business to be transacted at the meeting. During the meeting, I will also report
on the operations of the company.  Directors and officers of the company will be
present to respond to your questions.

         The  matters  to be  considered  by  stockholders  at the  meeting  are
described in the  accompanying  material.  The Board of Directors has determined
that the matters to be considered at the meeting are in the best interest of the
company and its stockholders.  For the reasons set forth in the proxy statement,
the Board of  Directors  unanimously  recommends  a vote "FOR" each matter to be
considered.

         WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE
ENCLOSED  PROXY  CARD AND  RETURN  IT IN THE  ACCOMPANYING  POSTAGE-PAID  RETURN
ENVELOPE  AS  PROMPTLY  AS  POSSIBLE.  This will not  prevent you from voting in
person at the  meeting,  but will  assure  that your vote is  counted if you are
unable to attend. YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

                               Sincerely,

                               /s/ Larry Schugart
                               -------------------------------------------------
                               Larry Schugart
                               President and Chief Executive Officer


<PAGE>




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            LANDMARK BANCSHARES, INC.
                               CENTRAL AND SPRUCE
                            DODGE CITY, KANSAS 67801
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                         TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 20, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         NOTICE IS HEREBY  GIVEN that the 1999  Annual  Meeting of  Stockholders
(the "Meeting") of Landmark  Bancshares,  Inc. (the "Company"),  will be held at
the Dodge City Country Club,  located at North Avenue C, Dodge City,  Kansas, at
1:30 p.m., local time, on Wednesday, January 20, 1999.

         The  Meeting is for the  purpose  of  considering  and acting  upon the
following matters:

               1.   The election of one director of the Company;

               2.   The  ratification  of  Regier  Carr  &  Monroe,   L.L.P.  as
                    independent  auditors of Landmark  Bancshares,  Inc. for the
                    fiscal year ending September 30, 1999; and

               3.   The  transaction  of such other matters as may properly come
                    before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof. The Board of
                    Directors is not aware of any other  business to come before
                    the Meeting.

         Any action may be taken on the  foregoing  proposals  at the Meeting on
the date specified  above or on any date or dates to which, by original or later
adjournment,  the  Meeting  is held.  Stockholders  of  record  at the  close of
business on November  27,  1998,  are the  stockholders  entitled to vote at the
Meeting and any adjournments thereof.

         EACH STOCKHOLDER, WHETHER OR NOT HE OR SHE PLANS TO ATTEND THE MEETING,
IS REQUESTED TO SIGN,  DATE, AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD WITHOUT DELAY IN
THE ENCLOSED  POSTAGE-PAID  ENVELOPE.  ANY PROXY GIVEN BY THE STOCKHOLDER MAY BE
REVOKED BY FILING WITH THE  SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY A WRITTEN  REVOCATION  OR A
DULY EXECUTED PROXY BEARING A LATER DATE. ANY STOCKHOLDER PRESENT AT THE MEETING
MAY REVOKE HIS OR HER PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON ON EACH MATTER BROUGHT BEFORE THE
MEETING.  HOWEVER,  IF YOU ARE A STOCKHOLDER  WHOSE SHARES ARE NOT REGISTERED IN
YOUR OWN NAME, YOU WILL NEED ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION FROM YOUR RECORD HOLDER TO
VOTE IN PERSON AT THE MEETING.


                                   BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                   /s/ Gary L. Watkins
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                   GARY L. WATKINS
                                   SECRETARY

Dodge City, Kansas
December 15, 1998

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT:  THE PROMPT  RETURN OF PROXIES  WILL SAVE THE  COMPANY THE EXPENSE OF
FURTHER  REQUESTS  FOR  PROXIES  IN ORDER TO INSURE A QUORUM AT THE  MEETING.  A
SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED
IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                                       OF
                            LANDMARK BANCSHARES, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                January 20, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     GENERAL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection  with the  solicitation
of proxies by the board of directors  (the "Board of  Directors" or the "Board")
of Landmark  Bancshares,  Inc. (the "Company"),  the holding company of Landmark
Federal  Savings  Bank (the  "Bank"),  to be used at the 1999 Annual  Meeting of
Stockholders of the Company (the "Meeting") which will be held at the Dodge City
Country  Club,  located at North  Avenue C,  Dodge  City,  Kansas on  Wednesday,
January 20, 1999, at 1:30 p.m., local time. The  accompanying  Notice of Meeting
and this proxy  statement  are being first  mailed to  stockholders  on or about
December 15, 1998.

         At the  Meeting,  stockholders  will  consider  and  vote  upon (i) the
election  of one  director  and (ii) the  ratification  of Regier Carr & Monroe,
L.L.P.  as  independent  auditors  of the  Company  for the fiscal  year  ending
September 30, 1999. The Board of Directors of the Company knows of no additional
matters that will be presented for consideration at the Meeting.  Execution of a
proxy, however, confers on the designated proxyholder discretionary authority to
vote the shares represented by such proxy in accordance with their best judgment
on such other business, if any, that may properly come before the Meeting or any
adjournment thereof.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       VOTING AND REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Stockholders who execute proxies retain the right to revoke them at any
time. Unless so revoked, the shares represented by such proxies will be voted at
the  Meeting  and all  adjournments  thereof.  Proxies may be revoked by written
notice to the  Secretary of the Company at the address above or by the filing of
a later dated proxy prior to a vote being taken on a particular  proposal at the
Meeting.  A proxy will not be voted if a  stockholder  attends  the  Meeting and
votes in person. Proxies solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company will
be voted in accordance with the directions given therein.  Where no instructions
are  indicated,  proxies will be voted for the nominees for  directors set forth
below and "FOR" the other  listed  proposals.  The proxy  confers  discretionary
authority on the persons  named  therein to vote with respect to the election of
any person as a director where the nominee is unable to serve, or for good cause
will not serve, and matters incident to the conduct of the Meeting.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Voting Securities

         Stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 27, 1998
(the  "Record  Date") are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock of
the Company  ("Common  Stock") then held. As of the Record Date, the Company had
1,358,071 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.

         The   articles  of   incorporation   of  the  Company   ("Articles   of
Incorporation")  provide  that  in no  event  shall  any  record  owner  of  any
outstanding Common Stock which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by
a person who beneficially  owns in excess of 10% of the then outstanding  shares
of Common Stock (the  "Limit") be entitled or permitted to any vote with respect
to the shares held in excess of the Limit.  The number of votes that may be cast
by any record owner by virtue of the provisions


<PAGE>



hereof in respect of Common  Stock  beneficially  owned by such  persons  owning
shares in excess of the Limit shall be equal to the total  number of votes which
a single record owner of all Common Stock owned by such person would be entitled
to cast,  multiplied  by a  fraction,  the  numerator  of which is the number of
shares of such class or series which are both beneficially  owned by such person
and owned of record by such  record  owner and the  denominator  of which is the
total number of shares of Common Stock  beneficially owned by such person owning
shares in excess of the Limit. Until March 28, 1999, no person shall directly or
indirectly offer to acquire or acquire the beneficial ownership of more than 10%
of any class of an equity  security  of the  Company.  Beneficial  ownership  is
determined  pursuant to the  definition  in the  Articles of  Incorporation  and
includes  shares  beneficially  owned by such person or his or her affiliates or
associates  (as defined in the  Articles of  Incorporation),  shares  which such
person or his or her affiliates or associates have the right to acquire upon the
exercise of conversion  rights or options and shares as to which such person and
his or her  affiliates or associates  have or share  investment or voting power,
but shall not  include  any other  shares of voting  stock which may be issuable
either   immediately   or  at  some  future  date  pursuant  to  any  agreement,
arrangement,  or understanding or upon exercise of conversion  rights,  exchange
rights, warrants, options, or otherwise.

         The  presence  in  person  or by proxy of at  least a  majority  of the
outstanding  shares of Common  Stock  entitled  to vote (after  subtracting  any
shares held in excess of the Limit) is necessary  to  constitute a quorum at the
Meeting.  In the event there are not sufficient  votes to constitute a quorum or
to ratify any proposals at the time of the Meeting, the Meeting may be adjourned
in order to permit the further solicitation of proxies.

         As to the election of directors,  the proxy card being  provided by the
Board of Directors enables a stockholder to vote for the election of the nominee
proposed by the Board of  Directors,  or to withhold  authority  to vote for the
nominee being proposed.  Under the Company's bylaws,  directors are elected by a
plurality of votes cast,  without respect to either (i) Broker Non-votes (shares
for which a broker  indicates  on the proxy that it does not have  discretionary
authority to vote on a matter) or (ii) proxies as to which authority to vote for
the nominee being proposed is withheld.

         Concerning  all matters  that may  properly  come  before the  Meeting,
including  the  ratification  of auditors,  by checking the  appropriate  box, a
stockholder  may; (i) vote "FOR" the item,  or (ii) vote  "AGAINST" the item, or
(iii) "ABSTAIN" with respect to the item. Unless otherwise  required by law, all
other matters shall be determined by a majority of votes cast  affirmatively  or
negatively  without  regard  to (a)  Broker  Non-votes,  or (b)  proxies  marked
"ABSTAIN" as to that matter.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

         Persons  and  groups  owning in excess  of 5% of the  Common  Stock are
required  to file  certain  reports  regarding  such  ownership  pursuant to the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as  amended  ("1934  Act").  Based upon such
reports and information  provided by the Company's transfer agent, the following
table sets forth, as of the Record Date, certain information as to those persons
who were beneficial  owners of more than 5% of the outstanding  shares of Common
Stock and as to the Common Stock  beneficially  owned by executive  officers and
directors of the Company as a group.  Management knows of no persons, other than
those  set forth  below,  who owned  more than 5% of the  outstanding  shares of
Common Stock at the Record Date.


                                        2

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                     Percent of Shares of
                                               Amount and Nature of      Common Stock
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner           Beneficial Ownership      Outstanding
- ------------------------------------           --------------------  --------------------

<S>                                             <C>                      <C> 
John Hancock Advisers, Inc.                       100,000(1)               7.4%
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts  02199

Larry Schugart                                    121,077(2)               8.6%
Central and Spruce
Dodge City, Kansas  67801

Landmark Federal Savings Bank Employee            133,018(3)               9.8%
Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP"), Central and
Spruce, Dodge City, Kansas 67801

Jeffrey S. Halis                                   94,800(4)               7.0%
500 Park Avenue, Fifth Floor
New York, New York 10022

Kahn Brothers & Co., Inc.                         154,601(5)              11.4%
555 Madison Avenue
New York, New York  10022

All Directors and Executive Officers as a         379,252(6)              24.7%
Group (7 persons)
</TABLE>

- ----------------------------------  
(1)  Number of shares is based on a Schedule  13G,  Amendment  No. 1, filed with
     the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  ("SEC") on February 10, 1997 on
     behalf of the named entity,  John Hancock  Mutual Life  Insurance  Company,
     John Hancock  Subsidiaries,  Inc., John Hancock Asset  Management,  and The
     Berkeley Financial Group.
(2)  Includes 57,033 shares of Common Stock subject to options granted  pursuant
     to the 1994 Stock Option Plan which options are exercisable  within 60 days
     of the Record Date.
(3)  The ESOP purchased  such shares for the exclusive  benefit of plan employee
     participants  with borrowed  funds.  These shares are being allocated among
     ESOP participants annually on the basis of compensation as the ESOP debt is
     repaid. Unallocated shares are held in a suspense account. The ESOP Trustee
     must vote all shares  allocated to  participant  accounts under the ESOP as
     directed by participants. Unallocated shares and allocated shares for which
     no timely  direction  is  received  will be voted as  directed  by the ESOP
     Committee or the Board.
(4)  Number of shares based on Amendment  No. 4 to a Schedule 13D filed with the
     SEC on June 22, 1998.
(5)  Number of shares based on Amendment  No. 2 to a Schedule 13G filed with the
     SEC on March 13, 1998.
(6)  Includes  shares of Common  Stock  held  directly  as well as by spouses or
     minor children,  in trust and other indirect  ownership,  over which shares
     the individuals  effectively  exercise sole or shared voting and investment
     power, unless otherwise indicated.  Includes 175,659 shares of Common Stock
     subject to options  granted  pursuant  to the 1994 Stock  Option Plan which
     options are exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.  Excludes shares
     held by the ESOP that are not allocated to these individuals.

                                        3

<PAGE>





- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Section  16(a) of the 1934 Act  requires  the  Company's  officers  and
directors,  and persons who own more than ten  percent of the Common  Stock,  to
file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of the Common Stock, on Forms
3, 4 and 5, with the Securities and Exchange  Commission  ("SEC") and to provide
copies of those Forms 3, 4 and 5 to the Company. The Company is not aware of any
beneficial  owner,  as defined under Section 16(a),  of more than ten percent of
its Common Stock.

         Based  upon a  review  of the  copies  of the  forms  furnished  to the
Company, or written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms
5 were required, the Company believes that all Section 16(a) filing requirements
applicable  to its officers and  directors  were  complied  with during the 1998
fiscal year.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       PROPOSAL I - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         The Articles of  Incorporation  require that  directors be divided into
three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible,  each class to serve for a
three-year period,  with  approximately  one-third of the directors elected each
year. The Board of Directors  currently  consists of five members.  As a result,
one director  will be elected at the Meeting to serve for a three-year  term, as
noted below, or until a respective successor has been elected and qualified.

         David H. Snapp has been nominated by the Board of Directors to serve as
a director.  He is currently a member of the Board of Directors.  It is intended
that  proxies  solicited  by the  Board  of  Directors  will,  unless  otherwise
specified,  be voted for the  election of the named  nominee.  If the nominee is
unable to serve,  the shares  represented by all valid proxies will be voted for
the election of such substitute as the Board of Directors may recommend. At this
time, the Board of Directors knows of no reason the nominee might be unavailable
to serve.

         The  following  table sets forth the  existing  directors  and nominee,
their  name,  age,  the year they first  became a director of the Company or the
Bank,  the expiration  date of their current term as a director,  and the number
and percentage of shares of the Common Stock  beneficially  owned. Each director
of the Company is also a director of the Bank.


                                        4

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                 Shares of
                                                                Common Stock
                         Age at        Year First     Current   Beneficially   Percent
                      September 30,    Elected or     Term to       Owned         of
Name                      1998        Appointed(1)    Expire      (2)(3)(4)     Class
- ----                     ------       ------------    -------     ---------     ------
<S>                      <C>            <C>          <C>       <C>             <C> 
                                  BOARD NOMINEE FOR TERM TO EXPIRE IN 2001
David H. Snapp             43             1986         1998       31,352(5)      2.3%

                                       DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE

Larry L. Schugart          59             1971         2000      121,077         8.6%
Jim W. Lewis               42             1991         2000       47,812(5)      3.5%
C. Duane Ross              62             1986         1999       31,263(5)      2.3%
Richard A. Ball            45             1995         1999       14,687(5)      1.1%
</TABLE>

- ------------------------------
(1)  Refers to the year the  individual  first  became a director of the Bank or
     Company.  All directors of the Bank as of November 1993 became directors of
     the Company when it was incorporated in November 1993.
(2)  Includes  shares of Common  Stock  held  directly  as well as by spouses or
     minor children,  in trust and other indirect  ownership,  over which shares
     the individuals  effectively  exercise sole or shared voting and investment
     power, unless otherwise indicated.
(3)  Beneficial ownership as of the Record Date.
(4)  Includes  shares of Common Stock  subject to options  that are  exercisable
     within 60 days of the Record  Date for the  following  individuals  (in the
     following  amount of shares of Common  Stock);  C. Ross  (13,687),  R. Ball
     (13,687), L. Schugart (57,033), J. Lewis (13,687) and D. Snapp (13,687).
(5)  Excludes  133,018  shares  of Common  Stock  held by the  Landmark  Federal
     Savings Bank Employee Stock  Ownership Plan for which such person serves as
     plan trustee and exercises shared voting and investment power. Shares which
     are unallocated to participating  employees  (approximately  69,272 shares)
     and shares for which no voting  directions  are  received  are voted by the
     plan trustee as directed by the ESOP Committee or the Board. Once allocated
     to  participant  accounts,  such  Common  Stock  will be  voted by the plan
     trustee as directed by the plan participant as the beneficial owner of such
     Common  Stock.  The plan trustee acts as a fiduciary  within the meaning of
     the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA").
     The individuals  serving as plan trustee disclaim  beneficial  ownership of
     stock held under the ESOP for which they serve as plan trustee.

         The principal occupation of, and other information about, each director
and  executive  officer of the  Company is set forth below as of  September  30,
1998. All directors and executive officers have held their present positions for
five years unless otherwise stated.

         Larry L.  Schugart  has been  with the Bank for 35  years,  serving  as
President since 1985, and has been the President,  Chief Executive Officer and a
director of the Company since its incorporation in November 1993. He is a former
director of the Federal  Home Loan Bank of Topeka where he served on the Finance
and  Executive  Committees.  Mr.  Schugart  is a member  and  chair  of  various
committees of the Heartland Community Bankers Association, is a past Chairman of
the Kansas-Nebraska League of Savings and serves as a member of the Governmental
Affairs Committee of the America's  Community Bankers.  In addition Mr. Schugart
is a member of the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce  and the Dodge  City/Ford
County Development Corporation.

         Jim W. Lewis has served as a director of the Bank since 1991 and of the
Company  since its  incorporation  in November  1993.  Mr. Lewis is the owner of
several automobile dealerships across the State of Kansas,  including Dodge City
Toyota,  Inc.  Mr. Lewis is a member of the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce.
He is also a member of the Finance Committee of the Dodge City Swim Team.


                                        5

<PAGE>



         David H.  Snapp has been a  director  of the Bank since 1986 and of the
Company  since its  incorporation  in November  1993. He is a partner in the law
firm of Waite,  Snapp & Doll in Dodge City,  Kansas.  Mr.  Snapp is also a board
member of Arrowhead West, Inc., a mental and physical rehabilitation center, and
Catholic Social Service.

         C. Duane Ross has served as a director of the Bank for eleven years and
of the  Company  since its  incorporation  in  November  1993.  He has served as
Chairman  of the Boards of the Company and the Bank since  January  1995.  He is
President of High Plains Publishers,  Inc., a  publishing/printing  company. Mr.
Ross is Vice  Chairman of the Board of  Commissioners  of the Dodge City Housing
Authority and is a board member and past president of the Dodge City/Ford County
Development  Corporation and Dodge City Community  College  Endowment  Board. In
addition,  he is President of the Dodge City Community College  Foundation.  Mr.
Ross is a past president of the Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce.

         Richard A. Ball has served as a director  of the  Company  and the Bank
since 1995. Mr. Ball, a Certified Public Accountant,  is a shareholder of Adams,
Brown, Beran & Ball, Chtd., an accounting firm with offices in Great Bend, Hays,
LaCrosse,  Ellinwood and St. John,  Kansas.  He has served as a board member and
board  chairman of the Great Bend  Chamber of  Commerce,  Great Bend United Way,
Petroleum Club and Barton County Community  College  Academic Fund Campaign.  He
has also served on the boards of the Kiwanis Club, Cougar Booster Club, Downtown
Development,  Mid-Kansas  Economic  Development  and the Kansas Oil & Gas Museum
Committee.

         James F. Strovas,  age 52, has been employed by the Bank since 1988 and
presently  serves as Senior Vice  President and Chief  Financial  Officer of the
Company  and Bank.  He is also a board  member of the Dodge City Area  Community
Foundation,  the American Heart  Association of Ford County,  and is a member of
the Dodge City Rotary Club.

         Gary L.  Watkins,  age 43, has been employed by the Bank since 1985 and
is currently a Senior Vice President,  Chief Operating Officer, and Secretary of
the  Company  and  Bank.  He is also a member  of the  Kiwanis  and the Board of
Directors of Trinity  Association.  Mr.  Watkins is a past Vice President of the
Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Meetings and Certain Committees of the Board of Directors

         The Board of Directors  conducts its business  through  meetings of the
Board of Directors and through its  committees.  All committees act for both the
Company and the Bank. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998, the Board
of Directors of the Company held 12 regular meetings and no special meetings. No
director of the  Company  attended  fewer than 75% of the total  meetings of the
Board of Directors  and  committee  meetings on which such Board  member  served
during this period.

         The Audit Committee,  a standing committee,  is comprised of the entire
Board of  Directors.  The  Audit  Committee  annually  selects  the  independent
auditors and meet with the  accountants  to discuss the annual audit.  The Audit
Committee is further responsible for internal controls for financial reporting.
The Committee met one time in fiscal year 1998.

         A Nominating  Committee is comprised of the entire Board of  Directors.
The  Nominating  Committee  is not a standing  committee.  The  committee  makes
nominations  for  directors  prior to the Annual  Meeting.  The  committee  will
consider  nominees  recommended by stockholders  but has no procedures in effect
concerning a  recommendation.  The committee held one meeting during fiscal year
1998.


                                        6

<PAGE>




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Director Compensation

         Each  member of the Board of  Directors  receives  a fee of $1,000  per
month. No additional fees are paid for committee  meetings.  For the fiscal year
ended September 30, 1998, total fees paid to directors were $60,000.

         Director   Deferred   Compensation.   The  Company  has  established  a
non-qualified  deferred  compensation  plan for  directors  by which  individual
directors may defer payment of director fee compensation. At the election of the
director,  fees will be invested with an unrelated insurance company rather than
paid to the director.  Such deferred  compensation  will be paid to the director
upon retirement or upon their request.

         Other  Compensation.  Directors  Ross,  Schugart,  Snapp and Lewis have
received awards of restricted stock under the Management Stock Bonus Plans which
plans were  approved at the  Special  Meeting of  Stockholders  held on June 22,
1994.  During the 1998 fiscal year, 5,475 of such shares vested for Mr. Schugart
and 1,825 of such  shares  vested  for each of  Messrs.  Ross,  Snapp and Lewis.
During  the  1998  fiscal  year,  Director  Ball  received  options  that may be
exercised to purchase 2,053 shares of Common Stock.

Executive Compensation

         Summary  Compensation  Table.  The  following  table sets forth for the
fiscal years ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996, certain  information as to
the total remuneration  received by Larry Schugart,  the President and the Chief
Executive  Officer of the  Company.  No other  executive  officer of the Company
during such periods received total cash compensation in excess of $100,000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    
                              Annual Compensation                      Long Term Compensation
- --------------------------------------------------------------  --------------------------------
                                                                                Awards
                                                                --------------------------------
           (a)        (b)     (c)    (d)           (e)               (f)            (g)                 (h)
                                                                   Restricted     Securities
Name and Principal  Fiscal                      Other Annual         Stock        Underlying         All Other
Position             Year   Salary   Bonus     Compensation(1)    Award(s)(2)  Options/SARs (#)  Compensation(3)(4)
- --------             ----   ------   -----     ---------------    -----------  ----------------  ------------------
<S>                 <C>    <C>      <C>           <C>              <C>            <C>              <C>    
Larry Schugart       1998   $97,422  $59,289       $20,289          $  --          --               $45,973
President and CEO    1997   $97,422  $60,307       $17,407             --          --               $53,494
                     1996   $97,422  $22,611       $18,369             --          --               $34,507
</TABLE>
- ----------------
(1)  For fiscal year 1998, other annual compensation included director's fees of
     $12,000 and a housing  allowance  of $4,669.  For fiscal  year 1997,  other
     annual  compensation  included  director's  fees of  $10,500  and a housing
     allowance  of $4,462.  For  fiscal  year 1996,  other  annual  compensation
     included director's fees of $9,000 and a housing allowance of $4,901.
(2)  On September 30, 1998,  Mr.  Schugart had 5,476 shares of restricted  stock
     that had a total value of $121,841 (calculated by multiplying the aggregate
     number of shares of  restricted  stock by the closing  market  price of the
     Common Stock on September 30, 1998).
(3)  Includes Company's contribution to individual's account under a 401(k) Plan
     of $2,876,  $2,873 and $2,873  during the fiscal years ended  September 30,
     1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

(footnotes continued on next page)

                                        7

<PAGE>



(continued from prior page)

(4)  Includes  accruals  made  for the  payment  which  will be made  under  the
     Supplemental   Executive  Retirement  Plans  to  Mr.  Larry  Schugart  upon
     retirement  in the amount of $0, $0 and $0 for the fiscal years 1998,  1997
     and 1996,  respectively.  Includes  2,066.2201  shares valued at $22.25 per
     share,  2,004.8100  shares  valued at $25.25 per share,  1,931.8661  shares
     valued at $16.375 per share at the closing  share  price on  September  30,
     1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, allocated through the ESOP. Compensation
     deferred at the election of Mr. Schugart for a deferred  compensation  plan
     for directors is included under other annual compensation in this chart.

Employment Agreement

         In May 1998, the Company entered into a three year employment agreement
with President  Larry  Schugart with a base salary of $95,000.  The agreement is
terminable by the Company for just cause. Just cause is defined in the agreement
as  termination  by  reason  of  personal  dishonesty;   incompetence;   willful
misconduct;  breach of a fiduciary duty involving  personal profit;  intentional
failure to perform stated duties; willful violation of any law, rule, regulation
(other than  traffic  violations  or similar  offenses);  entering  into a final
cease-and-desist order; or material breach of any provision of the agreement. If
the  agreement is  terminated  for just cause,  the employee  only  receives his
salary up to the date of  termination.  If the Company  terminates the agreement
without just cause,  the employee is entitled to a  continuation  of salary from
the date of termination through the remaining term of the agreement.

         The agreement provides that in the event of involuntary  termination of
employment in connection  with, or within eighteen  months after,  any change in
control of the Company or Bank,  the employee will be paid a lump sum or, at his
option in periodic  payments,  a payment equal to 2.99 times the average  annual
taxable  compensation paid during the five years prior to the change in control.
If a lump sum payment had been made as of September 30, 1998, Mr. Schugart would
have  received a payment of  approximately  $650,000.  That payment  would be an
expense to the Bank,  reducing net income and the Bank's capital by that amount.
The agreement is renewed annually if the Board of Directors  determines that the
executive has met its requirements and standards.

Benefits

         Long Term Incentive Plans.  The Company does not presently  sponsor any
long-term incentive plans nor did it make any awards or payouts under such plans
during the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998.

         Stock Option Plan. The Company's Board of Directors  previously adopted
the 1994 Stock Option Plan (the "Option  Plan").  The following table sets forth
the year end value of options  granted  pursuant to the Option Plan to the chief
executive officer.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year, and FY-End Option/SAR Values
                                ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     (a)                (b)                  (c)                         (d)                         (e)

                                                                  Number of Securities
                                                                 Underlying Unexercised       Value of Unexercised
                                                                    Options/SARs at        In-The-Money Options/SARs
                                                                       FY-End (#)                at FY-End ($)

                    Shares Acquired
Name                on Exercise (#)    Value Realized($)(1)   Exercisable/Unexercisable  Exercisable/Unexercisable(1)
- ----                ---------------    --------------------   -------------------------  ----------------------------
<S>                    <C>                  <C>                       <C>                       <C>
Larry Schugart           N/A                  N/A                      57,033 / 0                $698,654 / $0

</TABLE>

- ------------------  
(1)  Market value of underlying  securities  at fiscal 1998  year-end  (equal to
     market closing price of $22.25) minus the $10.00 exercise price.

                                        8

<PAGE>





- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
         The Bank,  like many financial  institutions,  has followed a policy of
granting various types of loans to officers,  directors and employees. The loans
were made in the  ordinary  course of  business  and on  substantially  the same
terms, including interest rates and collateral,  as those prevailing at the time
for the Bank's other customers,  and do not involve more than the normal risk of
collectibility, nor present other unfavorable features. All loans by the Bank to
its directors and executive officers are subject to regulations of the Office of
Thrift  Supervision  ("OTS")  restricting  loans  and  other  transactions  with
affiliated  persons of the Bank.  In  addition,  loans to an  affiliate  must be
approved in advance by a disinterested  majority of the Board of Directors or be
within other guidelines established as a result of OTS regulations.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             PROPOSAL II -- RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Regier  Carr & Monroe,  L.L.P.  was the  Company's  independent  public
accountant for the 1998 fiscal year. The Board of Directors intends to renew the
Company's  arrangement  with  Regier Carr & Monroe,  L.L.P.  for the 1999 fiscal
year, subject to ratification by the Company's stockholders. A representative of
Regier Carr & Monroe, L.L.P. is not expected to be present at the Meeting.

         Ratification   of  the   appointment  of  the  auditors   requires  the
affirmative  vote of a  majority  of the votes cast by the  stockholders  of the
Company at the Meeting. The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote
"FOR" the ratification of the appointment of Regier Carr & Monroe, L.L.P. as the
Company's auditors for the 1999 fiscal year.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  MISCELLANEOUS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         The Board of  Directors is not aware of any business to come before the
Meeting  other  than those  matters  described  above in this  proxy  statement.
However,  if any other matters  should  properly come before the Meeting,  it is
intended that proxies in the accompanying  form will be voted in respect thereof
in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons voting such proxies. If
the Company did not have notice of a matter on or before  November 22, 1998,  it
is  expected  that the persons  named in the  accompanying  proxy will  exercise
discretionary authority when voting on that matter.

         The  cost of  soliciting  proxies  will be borne  by the  Company.  The
Company will  reimburse  brokerage  firms and other  custodians,  nominees,  and
fiduciaries for reasonable  expenses  incurred by them in sending proxy material
to the beneficial  owners of Common Stock. In addition to solicitations by mail,
directors,  officers,  and regular  employees of the Company may solicit proxies
personally or by telegraph or telephone without additional compensation.

         The Company's 1998 Annual Report to Stockholders has been mailed to all
stockholders  of record as of the close of  business  on the  Record  Date.  Any
stockholder  who has not received a copy of the annual  report may obtain a copy
by writing to the Secretary of the Company.


                                        9

<PAGE>




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Company's  proxy  material
for next year's annual meeting of stockholders, any stockholder proposal to take
action at such meeting must be received at the  Company's  executive  offices at
Central and Spruce, Dodge City, Kansas 67801, no later than August 17, 1999.

         In the event the Company  receives notice of a stockholder  proposal to
take action at next year's annual meeting of stockholders  that is not submitted
for inclusion in the Company's proxy material, or is submitted for inclusion but
is properly  excluded  from the proxy  material,  the persons named in the proxy
sent by the Company to its  stockholders  intend to exercise their discretion to
vote on the  stockholder  proposal  in  accordance  with their best  judgment if
notice of the proposal is not received at the Company's  main office by November
21, 1999.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   FORM 10-KSB
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         A copy of the  Company's  annual  report on Form  10-KSB for the fiscal
year ended  September 30, 1998 will be furnished  without charge to stockholders
as  of  the  record  date  upon  written  request  to  the  Secretary,  Landmark
Bancshares, Inc., Central and Spruce, Dodge City, Kansas 67801.


                                  BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS




Dodge City, Kansas
December 15, 1998

                                       10

<PAGE>


[PROXY CARD]

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            LANDMARK BANCSHARES, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                January 20, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         The  undersigned  hereby  appoints  the Board of  Directors of Landmark
Bancshares,  Inc.  (the  "Company"),  or  its  designee,  with  full  powers  of
substitution,  to act as attorneys and proxies for the undersigned,  to vote all
shares of Common Stock of the Company which the  undersigned is entitled to vote
at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders  (the  "Meeting"),  to be held at the
Dodge City  Country  Club,  located at North  Avenue C,  Dodge  City,  Kansas on
Wednesday,  January  20,  1999,  at 1:30  p.m.,  local  time  and at any and all
adjournments thereof, in the following manner:

                                                          FOR  WITHHELD
                                                          ---  --------

1.        The election as director of the nominee
          listed below:                                   |_|    |_|

          David H. Snapp

INSTRUCTIONS:  To withhold  your vote for the nominee  mark the  "WITHHELD"  box
above and write the  nominee's  name,  for whom  authority  to vote for is being
withheld, on the line provided below.

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

                                                          FOR  AGAINST  ABSTAIN
                                                          ---  -------  -------
2.        The  ratification  of Regier  
          Carr & Monroe,  L.L.P.,  as  independent
          auditors of Landmark Bancshares, Inc., for the
          fiscal year ending September 30, 1999.          |_|    |_|      |_|


In their discretion, such attorneys and proxies are authorized to vote upon such
other  business as may  properly  come  before the  Meeting or any  adjournments
thereof.

         The Board of Directors  recommends a vote "FOR" all of the above listed
propositions.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE SPECIFIED, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE PROPOSITIONS  STATED.  IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS
IS  PRESENTED AT SUCH  MEETING,  THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY THOSE NAMED IN THIS
PROXY IN THEIR BEST JUDGMENT.  AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS KNOWS
OF NO OTHER BUSINESS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>



                THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

         Should the undersigned be present and elect to vote at the Meeting,  or
at any  adjournments  thereof,  and after  notification  to the Secretary of the
Company at the Meeting of the  stockholder's  decision to terminate  this proxy,
the power of said  attorneys  and proxies shall be deemed  terminated  and of no
further force and effect. The undersigned may also revoke this proxy by filing a
subsequently  dated proxy or by written  notification  to the  Secretary  of the
Company of his or her decision to terminate this proxy.

         The  undersigned  acknowledges  receipt  from the Company  prior to the
execution  of this  proxy of an annual  report,  a Notice of Annual  Meeting  of
Stockholders and a proxy statement dated December 15, 1998.


                                              Please check here if you
Dated:              , 199___         |_|      plan to attend the Meeting.



- ------------------------------------          ----------------------------------
PRINT NAME OF STOCKHOLDER                     PRINT NAME OF STOCKHOLDER


- ------------------------------------          ----------------------------------
SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER                      SIGNATURE OF STOCKHOLDER


Please  sign  exactly  as your name  appears  on this  proxy.  When  signing  as
attorney, executor,  administrator,  trustee, or guardian, please give your full
title. If shares are held jointly, each holder should sign.



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE  COMPLETE,  DATE,  SIGN,  AND MAIL THIS PROXY  PROMPTLY  IN THE  ENCLOSED
POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------





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