<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 15, 1997
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
SOUTHERN NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
NORTH CAROLINA 6060 56-0939887
(State or other jurisdiction (Primary Standard (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization) Industrial Identification Number)
Classification Code
Number)
</TABLE>
200 WEST SECOND STREET
WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA 27101
(910) 733-2000
(Address, including Zip Code, and telephone number, including
area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
JERONE C. HERRING, ESQ.
200 WEST SECOND STREET, 3RD FLOOR
WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA 27101
(910) 733-2180
(Name, address, including Zip Code, and telephone number, including
area code, of agent for service)
THE COMMISSION IS REQUESTED TO SEND COPIES OF
ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
GARZA BALDWIN, III BARRY A. WILTON
WOMBLE CARLYLE SANDRIDGE & RICE, PLLC PARKER, POLLARD & BROWN, P.C.
3300 ONE FIRST UNION CENTER SUITE 300, DUMBARTON OAKS BUILDING
301 SOUTH COLLEGE STREET 5511 STAPLES MILL ROAD
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA 28202 RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23228
</TABLE>
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES TO THE
PUBLIC:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box: ( )
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
[CAPTION]
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED AMOUNT TO BE REGISTERED OFFERING PRICE PER UNIT AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock,
par value $5.00 per share... 2,088,973 (1) $59,630,400 (2)
<CAPTION>
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF AMOUNT OF
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTRATION FEE
<S> <C>
Common Stock,
par value $5.00 per share... $6,322.63 (3)
</TABLE>
(1) Not applicable.
(2) Computed in accordance with Rule 457(f) based on the average of the high
($25) and low ($25) sales price of the common stock of Fidelity Financial
Bankshares Corporation on January 13, 1997 as reported on The Nasdaq
National Market.
(3) Pursuant to Rule 457(b), the registration fee has been reduced by an amount
equal to the fee of $11,747.19 paid upon the filing with the Commission of
the preliminary proxy materials of Fidelity Financial Bankshares Corporation
on December 11, 1996.
<PAGE>
SOUTHERN NATIONAL CORPORATION
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM
NUMBER CAPTION CAPTION IN PROSPECTUS
<C> <S> <C>
1 Forepart of Registration Statement and Outside
Front Cover Page of Prospectus.................. Facing Page; Cross Reference Sheet; Outside Front Cover Page
2 Inside Front and Outside Back Cover Pages of
Prospectus...................................... Available Information; Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference; Table of Contents
3 Risk Factors, Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
and Other Information........................... Summary; Special Meeting of Shareholders of FFBC; The Merger
4 Terms of the Transaction........................ Summary; The Merger; Description of SNC Capital Stock; Comparison
of Shareholders' Rights
5 Pro Forma Financial Information................. Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information
6 Material Contacts with the Company Being
Acquired........................................ The Merger -- Background of the Merger; The Merger -- Reasons for
the Merger
7 Additional Information Required for Reoffering
by Persons and Parties Deemed to be
Underwriters.................................... Not Applicable
8 Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.......... The Merger -- Opinion of FFBC's Financial Advisors; Legal Matters
9 Disclosure of Commission Position on
Indemnification for Securities Act
Liabilities..................................... Not Applicable
10 Information with Respect to S-3 Registrants..... Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information
11 Incorporation of Certain Information by
Reference....................................... Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference
12 Information with Respect to S-2 or S-3
Registrants..................................... Not Applicable
13 Incorporation of Certain Information by
Reference....................................... Not Applicable
14 Information with Respect to Registrants Other
Than S-3 or S-2 Registrants..................... Not Applicable
15 Information with Respect to S-3 Companies....... Not Applicable
16 Information with Respect to S-2 or S-3
Companies....................................... Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference
17 Information with Respect to Companies Other Than
S-3 or S-2 Companies............................ Not Applicable
18 Information if Proxies, Consents or Authori-
zations Are to Be Solicited..................... Outside Front Cover Page; Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference; Summary; Special Meeting of Shareholders of FFBC; The
Merger -- Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger; Shareholder
Proposals
19 Information if Proxies, Consents or Authori-
zations Are not to Be Solicited or in an
Exchange Offer.................................. Not Applicable
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
FIDELITY FINANCIAL BANKSHARES CORPORATION
2809 EMERYWOOD PARKWAY, SUITE 500
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23294
January 24, 1997
Dear Shareholders:
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of shareholders (the
"Special Meeting") of Fidelity Financial Bankshares Corporation ("FFBC"), to be
held at The Commonwealth Club, 401 West Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia on
February 27, 1997 at 2:00 p.m., local time. At the Special Meeting, you will be
asked to consider and vote on the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as
of August 22, 1996, by and between FFBC and Southern National Corporation, a
North Carolina corporation ("SNC"), as amended and restated as of December 17,
1996 (the "Reorganization Agreement"), and a related Plan of Merger (the "Plan
of Merger"), pursuant to which FFBC will merge with and into BB&T Financial
Corporation of Virginia, a Virginia corporation which is a wholly owned
subsidiary of SNC (the "Merger"), and each share of common stock of FFBC ("FFBC
Common Stock") will be converted into the right to receive between .8758 and
.7137 shares of common stock of SNC ("SNC Common Stock"), to be determined as
described in the following paragraph. Assuming a "Closing Value" as defined in
the following paragraph of $ , which was the closing per share market
price of SNC Common Stock on January , 1997, each share of FFBC Common Stock
would be converted into the right to receive shares of SNC Common Stock.
It is a condition to the Merger, and it is expected, that the exchange of SNC
Common Stock for shares of FFBC Common Stock will be tax free to the
shareholders of FFBC for federal income tax purposes (except to the extent, if
any, that cash is received in lieu of fractional shares of SNC Common Stock).
If the Merger is approved by the FFBC shareholders at the Special Meeting
and the other conditions of the Reorganization Agreement are met, the number of
shares of SNC Common Stock to be received for each share of FFBC Common Stock
(the "Exchange Ratio") will be determined based upon the average closing price
per share (the "Closing Value") of SNC Common Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange for the twenty business days ending on and including February 21, 1997.
If the Closing Value is less than $24.00, the Exchange Ratio shall be .8758
shares of SNC Common Stock for each share of FFBC Common Stock. If the Closing
Value is less than $26.50 but not less than $24.00, the Exchange Ratio shall be
determined by dividing $21.02 by the Closing Value, which would result in an
Exchange Ratio of between .7935 and .8758 shares of SNC Common Stock for each
share of FFBC Common Stock. If the Closing Value is not less than $26.50 and not
more than $31.50, the Exchange Ratio will be .7931 shares of SNC Common Stock
for each share of FFBC Common Stock. If the Closing Value is greater than $31.50
but not greater than $35.00, the Exchange Ratio shall be determined by dividing
$24.98 by the Closing Value, which would result in an Exchange Ratio of between
.7928 and .7137 shares of SNC Common Stock for each share of FFBC Common Stock.
If the Closing Value is greater than $35.00, the Exchange Ratio shall be .7137
shares of SNC Common Stock for each share of FFBC Common Stock. On January ,
1997, the closing price of SNC Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange was
$ per share.
On November 4, 1996, SNC announced that it had entered into an agreement to
acquire United Carolina Bancshares Corporation, a bank holding company based in
Whiteville, North Carolina. Certain information relating to this pending
transaction is set forth in the accompanying Prospectus/Proxy Statement under
"SUMMARY -- Parties to the Merger -- SNC," "INFORMATION ABOUT SNC -- UCB Merger"
and "PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION."
THE ENCLOSED NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SPECIAL MEETING AND THE PROPOSED
MERGER, INCLUDING DETAILS AS TO THE DETERMINATION OF THE EXCHANGE RATIO. PLEASE
CAREFULLY READ THESE MATERIALS AND THOUGHTFULLY CONSIDER THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN THEM.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, you are urged to
complete, sign, date, and promptly return the enclosed proxy card to assure that
your shares will be voted at the Special Meeting. If you attend the Special
Meeting, you may vote in person, whether or not you have previously submitted a
proxy.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF FFBC UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE REORGANIZATION
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND BELIEVES THAT THE MERGER IS FAIR TO, AND IN THE
BEST INTERESTS OF, THE SHAREHOLDERS OF FFBC. ACCORDINGLY, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF FFBC RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS OF FFBC VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THE
REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT AND THE PLAN OF MERGER.
Sincerely,
BARRY D. CRAWFORD
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
<PAGE>
FIDELITY FINANCIAL BANKSHARES CORPORATION
2809 EMERYWOOD PARKWAY, SUITE 500
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23294
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON FEBRUARY 27, 1997
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF FIDELITY FINANCIAL BANKSHARES CORPORATION:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of shareholders (the "Special
Meeting") of Fidelity Financial Bankshares Corporation, a Virginia corporation
("FFBC"), will be held at The Commonwealth Club, 401 West Franklin Street,
Richmond, Virginia on February 27, 1997 at 2:00 p.m., local time, for the
following purposes:
1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the Agreement and Plan
of Reorganization, dated as of August 22, 1996, by and between FFBC and
Southern National Corporation, a North Carolina corporation ("SNC"), as
amended and restated as of December 17, 1996 (the "Reorganization
Agreement"), and a related Plan of Merger (the "Plan of Merger"),
pursuant to which FFBC will merge with and into BB&T Financial
Corporation of Virginia, a Virginia corporation which is a wholly owned
subsidiary of SNC, and each share of common stock of FFBC will be
converted into the right to receive between .8758 and .7137 shares of
common stock of SNC, to be determined as described in the accompanying
Proxy Statement/Prospectus. A copy of the Reorganization Agreement and
the Plan of Merger set forth therein is attached to the accompanying
Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix I.
2. To transact such other business as may be properly brought before the
Special Meeting or at any and all adjournments or postponements thereof.
Shareholders of FFBC of record at the close of business on January 23, 1997
are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting. You are cordially
invited to attend the Special Meeting in person; however, whether or not you
plan to attend, we urge you to complete, date, and sign the accompanying proxy
card and to return it promptly in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
H. R. POLLARD, IV
SECRETARY
Richmond, Virginia
January 24, 1997
PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD PROMPTLY WHETHER
OR NOT YOU PLAN TO BE PRESENT AT THE SPECIAL MEETING. PLEASE DO NOT SEND IN ANY
CERTIFICATES FOR YOUR SHARES AT THIS TIME.
<PAGE>
PROXY STATEMENT
FIDELITY FINANCIAL BANKSHARES CORPORATION
PROSPECTUS
SOUTHERN NATIONAL CORPORATION
COMMON STOCK
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is being furnished to the holders of the
common stock of Fidelity Financial Bankshares Corporation, a Virginia
corporation ("FFBC"), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the
Board of Directors of FFBC for use at the special meeting of shareholders of
FFBC, or any adjournment or postponement thereof (the "Special Meeting"), to be
held on February 27, 1997 at 2:00 p.m., local time, at The Commonwealth Club,
401 West Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia. At the Special Meeting, the
shareholders of FFBC will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to
approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of August 22, 1996,
between FFBC and Southern National Corporation, a North Carolina corporation
("SNC"), as amended and restated as of December 17, 1996 (the "Reorganization
Agreement"), a copy of which is attached hereto as Appendix I, and the related
Plan of Merger (the "Plan of Merger"), a copy of which appears as Exhibit A to
the form of Articles of Merger attached as Annex A to the Reorganization
Agreement. See "SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF FFBC."
The Reorganization Agreement and Plan of Merger provide for the merger of
FFBC with and into BB&T Financial Corporation of Virginia, a Virginia
corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of SNC ("BB&T Financial-VA") (the
"Merger"). As a result, FFBC will cease to exist and the shareholders of FFBC
will become shareholders of SNC in accordance with the terms of the
Reorganization Agreement and the Plan of Merger. See "THE MERGER -- Exchange
Ratio."
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus also constitutes a prospectus of SNC with
respect to up to 2,088,973 shares of common stock, par value $5.00 per share,
together with associated preferred stock purchase rights (as described herein)
of SNC (the "SNC Common Stock"), to be issued to holders of the outstanding
shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of FFBC (the "FFBC Common
Stock") in accordance with the Reorganization Agreement and the Plan of Merger.
The SNC Common Stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
(the "NYSE") under the trading symbol "SNB." On January , 1997, the last sale
price of SNC Common Stock as reported on the NYSE Composite Transactions List
was $ . The FFBC Common Stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq National
Market under the trading symbol "FFRV." On January , 1997, the last sale price
of FFBC Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market was $ . On
August 20, 1996, the last trading day before FFBC announced that it was engaged
in negotiations with a third party relating to an acquisition of FFBC, the last
reported sale price of FFBC Common Stock on the Nasdaq National Market was
$13.25.
On November 4, 1996, SNC announced that it had entered into an agreement to
acquire United Carolina Bancshares Corporation ("UCB"), a bank holding company
based in Whiteville, North Carolina. For certain information relating to this
pending transaction, see "SUMMARY -- Parties to the Merger -- SNC," "INFORMATION
ABOUT SNC -- UCB Merger" and "PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION."
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Notice of Special Meeting, and the
accompanying proxy card are first being mailed to the shareholders of FFBC on or
about January 24, 1997.
NEITHER THE MERGER NOR THE SECURITIES TO BE ISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS HAVE BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR
ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY
OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE SHARES OF SNC COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY ARE NOT SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, DEPOSITS
OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK OR NON-BANK SUBSIDIARY OF SNC AND ARE
NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY
OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
The date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus is January 24, 1997.
<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
SNC and FFBC are each subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
accordance therewith file reports, proxy statements, and other information with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The reports, proxy
statements, and other information filed with the Commission can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the following
Regional Offices of the Commission: 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661 and at 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New
York 10048. Copies of such material can be obtained at prescribed rates from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary
Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission maintains a World Wide Web site on
the Internet at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically
with the Commission, including SNC and FFBC.
Shares of SNC Common Stock are listed on the NYSE, and proxy statements,
reports and other information concerning SNC can also be inspected and copied at
the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
SNC has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (together with all
amendments, exhibits, and schedules thereto, the "Registration Statement") with
the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), with respect to the shares of SNC Common Stock to be issued in the
Merger. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus does not include all of the information
set forth in the Registration Statement, as permitted by the rules and
regulations of the Commission. The Registration Statement, including any
amendments, schedules, and exhibits filed or incorporated by reference as a part
thereof, is available for inspection and copying as set forth above. Statements
contained in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus or in any document incorporated
herein by reference as to the contents of any contract or other document
referred to herein or therein are not necessarily complete and in each instance
reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement or such other document, and each such
statement shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by such reference.
The information contained herein with respect to SNC has been provided by
SNC, and the information contained herein with respect to FFBC before the Merger
has been provided by FFBC.
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES OR THE OFFERING OF
SECURITIES MADE HEREBY OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY SNC OR FFBC.
THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY THE SECURITIES COVERED BY THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS OR A SOLICITATION OF A PROXY IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE, OR
TO OR FROM ANY PERSON TO WHOM, IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION
OF AN OFFER OR PROXY SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF
THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS NOR ANY DISTRIBUTION OF SECURITIES MADE
HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS
BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF SNC OR FFBC SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY
TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents previously filed by SNC with the Commission under
the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:
(a) SNC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1995;
(b) SNC's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended
March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996;
(c) SNC's Current Reports on Form 8-K, dated April 15, 1996, May 3, 1996,
July 12, 1996, August 27, 1996, September 3, 1996, October 11, 1996,
October 11, 1996, November 4, 1996, December 19, 1996 and January 14,
1997;
(d) SNC's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated January 10, 1997, with
respect to the adoption of its shareholder rights plan; and
(e) The description of SNC Common Stock in SNC's registration statement
filed under the Exchange Act with respect to SNC Common Stock,
including all amendments and reports filed for the purpose of updating
such description.
The following documents previously filed by FFBC with the Commission under
the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:
(a) FFBC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1995;
i
<PAGE>
(b) FFBC's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended
March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996; and
(c) FFBC's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 30, 1996.
In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission, a copy of
FFBC's 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders and a copy of FFBC's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996 filed by FFBC with the
Commission accompany this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
All documents filed by SNC or FFBC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and
prior to the Special Meeting shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
into this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of
the filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes hereof to the extent that a statement contained herein (or in any
subsequently filed document that is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein) modifies or supersedes such previous statement. Any statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof except as
so modified or superseded.
THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE WHICH
ARE NOT PRESENTED HEREIN OR DELIVERED HEREWITH. THESE DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN
EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE HEREIN) ARE AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE, UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST BY
ANY PERSON, INCLUDING ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER OF FFBC COMMON STOCK, TO WHOM THIS
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS HAS BEEN DELIVERED. REQUESTS FOR DOCUMENTS RELATING
TO SNC SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO INVESTOR RELATIONS, SOUTHERN NATIONAL CORPORATION,
223 WEST NASH STREET, WILSON, NORTH CAROLINA 27893 OR TELEPHONE: (919) 246-4219.
REQUESTS FOR DOCUMENTS RELATING TO FFBC SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO PRESIDENT,
FIDELITY FINANCIAL BANKSHARES CORPORATION, 2809 EMERYWOOD PARKWAY, SUITE 500,
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23294 OR TELEPHONE: (804) 756-0200. IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY
DELIVERY OF THE DOCUMENTS, ANY SUCH REQUEST SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY FEBRUARY 20,
1997.
THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS CONTAINS CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
WITH RESPECT TO THE FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND BUSINESS OF
SNC FOLLOWING THE CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER AND THE UCB MERGER, INCLUDING
STATEMENTS RELATING TO DIVIDENDS, THE COST SAVINGS AND REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS THAT
ARE EXPECTED TO BE REALIZED FROM THE UCB MERGER AND THE EXPECTED IMPACT OF THE
UCB MERGER ON SNC'S FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE. (SEE "THE MERGER -- REASONS FOR THE
MERGER" AND "INFORMATION ABOUT SNC -- THE UCB MERGER.") THESE FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS INVOLVE CERTAIN RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE
ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE CONTEMPLATED BY SUCH
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDE, AMONG OTHERS, THE FOLLOWING POSSIBILITIES:
(1) EXPECTED COST SAVINGS FROM THE UCB MERGER CANNOT BE FULLY REALIZED; (2)
DEPOSIT ATTRITION, CUSTOMER LOSS OR REVENUE LOSS FOLLOWING THE UCB MERGER IS
GREATER THAN EXPECTED; (3) COMPETITIVE PRESSURE IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY
INCREASES SIGNIFICANTLY; (4) COSTS OR DIFFICULTIES RELATED TO THE INTEGRATION OF
THE BUSINESSES OF SNC AND UCB ARE GREATER THAN EXPECTED; (5) REQUIRED
OPERATIONAL DIVESTITURES ARE GREATER THAN EXPECTED; (6) CHANGES IN THE INTEREST
RATE ENVIRONMENT REDUCE MARGINS; (7) GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, EITHER
NATIONALLY OR REGIONALLY, ARE LESS FAVORABLE THAN EXPECTED, RESULTING IN, AMONG
OTHER THINGS, A DETERIORATION IN CREDIT QUALITY; (8) CHANGES OCCUR IN THE
REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT; (9) CHANGES OCCUR IN BUSINESS CONDITIONS AND INFLATION;
AND (10) CHANGES OCCUR IN THE SECURITIES MARKETS. THE FORWARD-LOOKING EARNINGS
ESTIMATES INCLUDED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS HAVE NOT BEEN EXAMINED OR
COMPILED BY THE INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF SNC OR FFBC NOR HAVE SUCH
ACCOUNTANTS APPLIED ANY PROCEDURES THERETO. ACCORDINGLY, SUCH ACCOUNTANTS DO NOT
EXPRESS AN OPINION OR ANY OTHER FORM OF ASSURANCE ON THEM. FURTHER INFORMATION
ON OTHER FACTORS THAT COULD AFFECT THE FINANCIAL RESULTS OF SNC AFTER THE MERGER
AND THE UCB MERGER IS INCLUDED IN THE COMMISSION FILINGS INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE HEREIN.
ii
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
<S> <C>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION.................................................................................................. i
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE........................................................................ i
SUMMARY................................................................................................................ 1
Special Meeting of Shareholders of FFBC.............................................................................. 1
Parties to the Merger................................................................................................ 1
The Merger........................................................................................................... 2
Comparison of Shareholders' Rights................................................................................... 4
Comparative Market Prices and Dividends.............................................................................. 5
Selected Financial Data.............................................................................................. 5
Comparative Per Share Data........................................................................................... 8
Recent Developments.................................................................................................. 8
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF FFBC................................................................................ 10
General.............................................................................................................. 10
Record Date, Voting Rights, and Vote Required........................................................................ 10
Voting and Revocation of Proxies..................................................................................... 10
Solicitation of Proxies.............................................................................................. 11
Recommendation of FFBC Board......................................................................................... 11
THE MERGER............................................................................................................. 11
General.............................................................................................................. 11
Background of the Merger............................................................................................. 11
Reasons for the Merger............................................................................................... 13
Opinions of FFBC's Financial Advisors................................................................................ 14
Exchange Ratio....................................................................................................... 17
Exchange of FFBC Common Stock Certificates........................................................................... 18
The Reorganization Agreement......................................................................................... 18
Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger........................................................................... 20
Regulatory Considerations............................................................................................ 22
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger................................................................ 24
Accounting Treatment................................................................................................. 24
The Option Agreement................................................................................................. 25
Effect on Employees, Employee Benefit Plans and Stock Options........................................................ 26
Restrictions on Resales by Affiliates................................................................................ 27
INFORMATION ABOUT SNC.................................................................................................. 28
General.............................................................................................................. 28
Subsidiaries......................................................................................................... 28
UCB Merger........................................................................................................... 28
Capital.............................................................................................................. 30
Deposit Insurance Assessments........................................................................................ 30
INFORMATION ABOUT FFBC................................................................................................. 31
General.............................................................................................................. 31
FFSB's Subsidiary.................................................................................................... 31
Market Area.......................................................................................................... 31
Lending Activities................................................................................................... 31
Competition.......................................................................................................... 31
Regulatory Capital Requirements...................................................................................... 31
OWNERSHIP OF FFBC COMMON STOCK BYCERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.............................................. 32
DESCRIPTION OF SNC CAPITAL STOCK....................................................................................... 32
General.............................................................................................................. 32
Common Stock......................................................................................................... 33
Preferred Stock...................................................................................................... 33
Shareholder Rights Plan.............................................................................................. 33
Certain Provisions of the NCBCA, SNC Articles and SNC Bylaws......................................................... 35
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
<S> <C>
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS..................................................................................... 36
Authorized Capital Stock............................................................................................. 36
Directors............................................................................................................ 37
Dividends and Other Distributions.................................................................................... 37
Notice of Shareholder Nominations and Shareholder Proposals.......................................................... 37
Exculpation and Indemnification...................................................................................... 38
Mergers, Share Exchanges and Sales of Assets......................................................................... 39
Anti-takeover Statutes............................................................................................... 39
Amendments to Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws................................................................... 40
Shareholders' Rights of Dissent and Appraisal........................................................................ 40
Liquidation Rights................................................................................................... 41
LEGAL MATTERS.......................................................................................................... 42
EXPERTS................................................................................................................ 42
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS.................................................................................................. 42
PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION.............................................................................. 43
Appendix I -- Agreement and Plan of Reorganization and the Plan of Merger
Appendix II -- Opinion of Danielson Associates, Inc.
Appendix III -- Opinion of Scott & Stringfellow, Inc.
</TABLE>
iv
<PAGE>
SUMMARY
THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS INTENDED ONLY TO HIGHLIGHT CERTAIN INFORMATION
CONTAINED ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. THIS SUMMARY IS NOT
INTENDED TO BE COMPLETE AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION CONTAINED ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, THE
APPENDICES HERETO, AND THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE OR OTHERWISE
REFERRED TO HEREIN. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO REVIEW CAREFULLY THIS ENTIRE PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, INCLUDING THE APPENDICES HERETO.
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF FFBC
The Special Meeting will be held on February 27, 1997 at 2:00 p.m., local
time, at The Commonwealth Club, 401 West Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia. At
the Special Meeting, the shareholders of FFBC will vote upon a proposal to
approve the Reorganization Agreement and the Plan of Merger attached hereto as
Appendix I. On January 23, 1997, the record date for the Special Meeting (the
"Record Date"), there were approximately 798 holders of record of the 2,299,467
shares of FFBC Common Stock then outstanding and entitled to vote at the Special
Meeting.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
of FFBC Common Stock is required to approve the Reorganization Agreement and the
Plan of Merger. As of the Record Date, directors and executive officers of FFBC
and their affiliates beneficially owned 298,229 shares, or 12.56% of the FFBC
Common Stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting, all of which are expected
to be voted in favor of the Reorganization Agreement and the Plan of Merger. See
"SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF FFBC."
PARTIES TO THE MERGER
SNC
SNC is a multi-bank holding company headquartered in Winston-Salem, North
Carolina. SNC conducts its operations in North Carolina, South Carolina, and
Virginia primarily through its commercial banking subsidiaries and, to a lesser
extent, through its other subsidiaries. SNC's bank subsidiaries are Branch
Banking and Trust Company ("BB&T-NC"), a North Carolina chartered bank which
currently operates 302 banking offices throughout North Carolina; Branch Banking
and Trust Company of South Carolina ("BB&T-SC"), a South Carolina chartered bank
which currently operates 96 banking offices throughout South Carolina; and
Branch Banking and Trust Company of Virginia ("BB&T-VA"), a Virginia chartered
bank which currently operates 21 banking offices in the Hampton Roads region of
Virginia.
Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of November 1,
1996 by and between SNC and UCB, as amended and restated (the "UCB Agreement"),
UCB will merge with and into SNC (the "UCB Merger"). Upon consummation of the
UCB Merger, each share of the $4.00 par value common stock of UCB ("UCB Common
Stock") (excluding shares held by any dissenting shareholders) issued and
outstanding at the effective time of the UCB Merger will be converted into and
exchanged for 1.135 shares of SNC Common Stock, subject to possible upward
adjustment (the "UCB Exchange Ratio"). In addition, at the effective time, all
rights with respect to UCB Common Stock outstanding at the effective time
pursuant to stock options granted by UCB under the existing stock plans of UCB,
whether or not exercisable, shall be converted into and become rights with
respect to SNC Common Stock on a basis that reflects the UCB Exchange Ratio.
Approximately 28 million shares of SNC Common Stock have been reserved for
issuance in the UCB Merger. The UCB Merger is intended to constitute a tax-free
transaction under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
and to be accounted for as a pooling of interests. The UCB Merger, which is
expected to occur in mid-1997, is subject to approval by the shareholders of UCB
and SNC, the receipt of required regulatory approvals and certain other
customary conditions.
Through its two bank subsidiaries, United Carolina Bank and United Carolina
Bank of South Carolina, UCB operates 153 banking offices in 89 communities in
North Carolina and South Carolina. United Carolina Bank and United Carolina Bank
of South Carolina will merge into BB&T-NC and BB&T-SC, respectively (the "UCB
Bank Mergers"), as soon as practicable after completion of the UCB Merger. For
additional information about the UCB Merger, see "INFORMATION ABOUT SNC -- UCB
Merger" and "PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION."
The mailing address and telephone number of SNC's principal executive
offices are 200 West Second Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101, (910)
733-2000. For additional information regarding SNC, see "INFORMATION ABOUT SNC."
1
<PAGE>
BB&T FINANCIAL-VA
BB&T Financial-VA is a Virginia corporation that serves as the holding
company of BB&T-VA. BB&T Financial-VA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNC. In
the Merger, FFBC will be merged with and into BB&T Financial-VA, and BB&T
Financial-VA will be the surviving corporation. The mailing address and
telephone number of BB&T Financial-VA's principal executive offices are 5101
Cleveland Street, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462, (804) 456-1007.
FFBC
FFBC is a savings and loan holding company headquartered in Richmond,
Virginia. FFBC, which was incorporated in Virginia in 1995, has one direct
subsidiary, Fidelity Federal Savings Bank, which is a federal stock savings bank
("FFSB"). FFSB's primary business is the granting of residential real estate
loans, commercial real estate loans and, to a lesser extent, commercial business
and consumer loans and the solicitation of deposits. FFSB, which was chartered
in 1986, conducts its operations through seven full-service offices in Richmond.
FFSB has a wholly owned subsidiary, Fidelity Service Corporation ("FSC"). FSC,
which was incorporated in Virginia in 1988, holds interests in two limited
partnerships that invest in entities that own and operate low-income residential
rental properties in Virginia and an interest in a limited liability company
that operates a title insurance agency business.
The mailing address and telephone number of the principal executive offices
of FFBC, FFSB and FSC are 2809 Emerywood Parkway, Suite 500, Richmond, Virginia
23294, (804) 756-0200. For additional information regarding FFBC, see
"INFORMATION ABOUT FFBC."
THE MERGER
GENERAL
FFBC will be merged with and into BB&T Financial-VA, and BB&T Financial-VA
will be the surviving corporation in the Merger. Each share of FFBC Common Stock
will be converted into the right to receive shares of SNC Common Stock.
Following the Merger, BB&T Financial-VA will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of
SNC. It is expected that, not later than the first quarter of 1998, FFSB will be
merged into BB&T-VA, with BB&T-VA as the surviving entity (the "FFSB Bank
Merger").
EXCHANGE RATIO
In the Merger, each outstanding share of FFBC Common Stock will be
converted into the right to receive a number of shares of SNC Common Stock based
on the Closing Value (as defined below) of SNC Common Stock (the "Exchange
Ratio"). Assuming a Closing Value of $ , which was the closing per share
price of SNC Common Stock on the NYSE on January , 1997, the Exchange Ratio
would be shares of SNC Common Stock for each share of FFBC Common Stock.
The Reorganization Agreement provides that if the Closing Value is less
than $24.00, each outstanding share of FFBC Common Stock will be converted into
.8758 shares of SNC Common Stock. If the Closing Value is less than $26.50 but
not less than $24.00, the Exchange Ratio shall be determined by dividing $21.02
by the Closing Value, which would result in an Exchange Ratio of between .7935
and .8758 shares of SNC Common Stock for each share of FFBC Common Stock. If the
Closing Value is not less than $26.50 and not greater than $31.50, the Exchange
Ratio will be .7931 shares of SNC Common Stock for each share of FFBC Common
Stock. If the Closing Value is greater than $31.50 but not greater than $35.00,
the Exchange Ratio shall be determined by dividing $24.98 by the Closing Value,
which would result in an Exchange Ratio of between .7928 and .7137 shares of SNC
Common Stock for each share of FFBC Common Stock. If the Closing Value is
greater than $35.00, the Exchange Ratio shall be .7137 shares of SNC Common
Stock for each share of FFBC Common Stock.
"Closing Value" means the average closing price per share, as reported on
the NYSE, of the SNC Common Stock for the twenty NYSE trading days immediately
preceding the fifth calendar day preceding the date on which the shareholders of
FFBC approve the Merger. The Closing Value is expected to be determined based on
the twenty trading days ending on and including February 21, 1997.
Any changes in the market price of the SNC Common Stock after the period
for which the Closing Value is determined will not affect the Exchange Ratio,
and the actual market price of the SNC Common Stock at the time the Merger is
consummated could be more or less than the Closing Value used to determine the
Exchange Ratio.
2
<PAGE>
No fractional shares of SNC Common Stock will be issued in the Merger.
Holders of FFBC Common Stock otherwise entitled to a fractional share will be
paid an amount in cash determined by multiplying that fraction by the Closing
Value. See "THE MERGER -- Exchange Ratio."
EFFECTIVE DATE AND TIME OF THE MERGER
The Merger will be effective on the date (the "Effective Date") and at the
time specified in the Articles of Merger to be filed with the State Corporation
Commission of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Assuming the Reorganization
Agreement and the Plan of Merger are approved by FFBC shareholders at the
Special Meeting on February 27, 1997, the filing of the Articles of Merger is
anticipated to take place on or about March 4, 1997. See "THE MERGER -- The
Reorganization Agreement -- Effective Date and Time of the Merger."
RECOMMENDATION OF FFBC BOARD; REASONS FOR THE MERGER
The Board of Directors of FFBC (the "FFBC Board") has unanimously approved
the Reorganization Agreement and Plan of Merger and the transactions
contemplated thereby. The FFBC Board believes that the Merger is in the best
interests of FFBC and its shareholders and recommends that the shareholders of
FFBC vote "FOR" approval of the Reorganization Agreement and the Plan of Merger.
For further discussion of the factors considered by the FFBC Board in reaching
its conclusions, see "THE MERGER -- Background of the Merger" and " -- Reasons
for the Merger."
OPINIONS OF FFBC'S FINANCIAL ADVISORS
FFBC has retained Danielson Associates Inc. ("Danielson") and Scott &
Stringfellow, Inc. ("Scott & Stringfellow") to act as its financial advisors in
connection with the Merger, and each of Danielson and Scott & Stringfellow has
rendered its opinion to the FFBC Board that, as of the date of such opinion, the
Exchange Ratio is fair from a financial point of view to FFBC's shareholders.
The full texts of the Danielson and Scott & Stringfellow opinions, updated to
the date hereof, are set forth as Appendices II and III, respectively, to this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and each should be read in its entirety with respect
to the assumptions made and other matters considered and limitations on the
review undertaken by Danielson or Scott & Stringfellow, as the case may be, in
rendering such opinion. See "THE MERGER -- Opinions of FFBC's Financial
Advisors."
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
The consummation of the Merger is subject to various conditions, including
the approval of the Reorganization Agreement and the Plan of Merger by the
shareholders of FFBC, receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, receipt of an
opinion regarding tax consequences and other customary conditions to closing.
See "THE MERGER -- The Reorganization Agreement -- Conditions to the Merger."
TERMINATION OF THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT
The Reorganization Agreement may be terminated by either SNC or FFBC if the
Merger is not consummated on or before June 30, 1997 and the terminating party
is not in breach of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or
undertakings in the Reorganization Agreement. The parties also have certain
rights of termination upon the occurrence of certain other events. See "THE
MERGER -- The Reorganization Agreement -- Termination."
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
Pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement, Barry D. Crawford, President and
a director of FFBC, and Gerald L. Martin, Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and a director of FFBC, and three members of the management of
FFSB, will enter into employment agreements with SNC on the Effective Date that
provide for employment terms of up to seven years and severance payments and
other benefits upon the occurrence of a merger or other change in control of SNC
after the Merger. The Reorganization Agreement also provides that directors of
FFBC will serve as directors of FFSB (and, following the FFSB Bank Merger, as
directors of BB&T-VA) for at least three years after the Merger (subject to
eligibility and willingness to serve) and each nonemployee director (i.e., each
director other than Mr. Crawford and Mr. Martin) will receive options to
purchase 2,000 shares of SNC Common Stock. In addition, Mr. Crawford and Richard
J. November, H. R. Pollard, IV and Robert G. Watts, who also are directors of
FFBC, will serve on the board of directors of BB&T-VA's parent, BB&T
Financial-VA, following consummation of the Merger. The Reorganization
Agreement further obligates BB&T-VA to indemnify the directors and officers
of FFBC after the Merger against certain liabilities arising prior to the
Merger and obligates SNC or BB&T-VA to obtain directors' and officers'
liability insurance for the benefit of FFBC's directors and officers covering
periods prior to and after the Merger. Further, pursuant to FFBC's 1994 Stock
Option and Incentive Plan
3
<PAGE>
(the "1994 Stock Plan"), vesting of options of directors and officers
participating in such plan will be accelerated as a result of consummation of
the Merger. In addition, the 1994 Stock Plan provides for the automatic grant to
nonemployee directors of FFBC of options to purchase FFBC Common Stock upon the
occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in such plan). Pursuant to the
Change in Control provisions of the plan, each nonemployee director of FFBC will
be granted an option to purchase 1,890 shares of FFBC Common Stock at a price
equal to the fair market value of FFBC Common Stock on the Effective Date. Such
options will be converted into and become rights with respect to SNC Common
Stock on a basis that reflects the Exchange Ratio in accordance with the
Reorganization Agreement. See "THE MERGER -- Interests of Certain Persons in the
Merger" and " -- Effect on Employees, Employee Benefit Plans and Stock
Options."
REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
The Merger must be approved by the Bureau of Financial Institutions of the
State Corporation Commission of the Commonwealth of Virginia (the "BFI") under
the Virginia Savings Institutions Act. SNC also must provide notice of the
Merger to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal
Reserve") under the Bank Holding Company Act and the Federal Reserve's
Regulation Y thereunder. The FFSB Bank Merger must be approved by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") under the Bank Merger Act, by the
Office of Thrift Supervision (the "OTS") under its regulations and by the BFI
under the Virginia Savings Institutions Act. The required applications and
notices relating to the Merger were submitted to the appropriate regulatory
authorities in October 1996, and the required applications relating to the FFSB
Bank Merger were submitted to the appropriate regulatory authorities in January
1997. The Federal Reserve approved the notification of the Merger on December
16, 1996 and the BFI approved the Merger on December 23, 1996. See "THE
MERGER -- Regulatory Considerations."
SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS OF DISSENT AND APPRAISAL
Pursuant to the Virginia Stock Corporation Act (the "VSCA"), holders of
FFBC Common Stock do not have dissenters' or appraisal rights in connection with
the Merger because as of the Record Date shares of FFBC Common Stock were listed
on the Nasdaq National Market and because the shares of SNC Common Stock to be
received in the Merger are listed on the NYSE. See "COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS'
RIGHTS -- Shareholders' Rights of Dissent and Appraisal -- FFBC."
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The Merger has been structured to qualify as a nontaxable transaction under
the Code. It is a condition to the Merger that SNC and FFBC receive an opinion
from Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, counsel to SNC, to the effect that
no gain or loss will be recognized by reason of the Merger by the holders of
FFBC Common Stock (other than with respect to cash received in lieu of
fractional shares). See "THE MERGER -- Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences
of the Merger."
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
It is anticipated that the Merger and other transactions contemplated in
the Reorganization Agreement will be accounted for as a "purchase" for
accounting and financial reporting purposes. See "THE MERGER -- Accounting
Treatment."
OPTION AGREEMENT
As a condition to SNC entering into the Reorganization Agreement and to
increase the probability that the Merger will be consummated, SNC and FFBC
entered into an Option Agreement, dated as of August 22, 1996 (the "Option
Agreement"), pursuant to which SNC was granted an option to purchase up to
456,044 shares of FFBC Common Stock (approximately 19.9% of the number of shares
of FFBC Common Stock currently outstanding), subject to adjustment, at an
exercise price of $13.00 per share (the "Option"). The exercise of the Option is
permitted only upon the occurrence of certain events which generally relate to
an acquisition of control of FFBC, or the public offer or announcement of such
an acquisition of control, by a party other than SNC, or upon the acquisition by
a third party of, or an offer or an announcement of an intention by a third
party to acquire, a significant interest in the equity or assets of FFBC. The
Option is not presently exercisable. See "THE MERGER -- The Option Agreement."
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS
The rights of the shareholders of FFBC currently are determined by the
VSCA, the Articles of Incorporation of FFBC (the "FFBC Articles") and the Bylaws
of FFBC (the "FFBC Bylaws"). At the Effective Date, the shareholders of FFBC
will
4
<PAGE>
become shareholders of SNC. Their rights as shareholders will then be determined
by the North Carolina Business Corporation Act (the "NCBCA"), the Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation of SNC (the "SNC Articles") and the Bylaws of
SNC (the "SNC Bylaws"). See "DESCRIPTION OF SNC CAPITAL STOCK" and "COMPARISON
OF SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS."
COMPARATIVE MARKET PRICES AND DIVIDENDS
SNC Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "SNB." FFBC Common
Stock is included in the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "FFRV." The
following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales
prices of SNC Common Stock and FFBC Common Stock on the NYSE Composite
Transactions List and the Nasdaq National Market, respectively, and cash
dividends paid per share. The prices have been rounded up to the nearest eighth
and do not include retail markups, markdowns or commissions. Prices of FFBC
Common Stock have been adjusted where appropriate to give effect to a five
percent share dividend in 1995. Prices of FFBC Common Stock prior to May 29,
1995, the date FFBC became the holding company of FFSB, are those of the common
stock of FFSB.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SNC FFBC
CASH CASH
HIGH LOW DIVIDEND HIGH LOW DIVIDEND
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Quarter Ended
March 31, 1996................................................. $29.75 $25.88 $ .23 $14.25 $13.25 $.04
June 30, 1996.................................................. 31.75 28.88 .23 14.00 12.00 .05
September 30, 1996............................................. 33.88 28.63 .27 24.50 12.75 .05
December 31, 1996.............................................. 36.75 33.38 .27 25.50 23.00 .05
For year 1996............................................... 36.75 25.88 1.00 25.50 12.00 0.19
Quarter Ended
March 31, 1995................................................. 22.38 18.88 .20 11.00 9.38 .04
June 30, 1995.................................................. 24.13 19.88 .20 14.00 10.00 .04
September 30, 1995............................................. 27.13 23.63 .23 14.75 12.75 .04
December 31, 1995.............................................. 27.00 25.63 .23 14.75 12.50 .04
For year 1995............................................... 27.13 18.88 .86 14.75 9.38 .16
Quarter Ended
March 31, 1994................................................. 20.50 18.38 .17 9.63 8.25 .03
June 30, 1994.................................................. 21.88 18.88 .17 10.00 7.88 .03
September 30, 1994............................................. 21.88 20.00 .20 12.00 9.38 .03
December 31, 1994.............................................. 21.13 17.13 .20 11.50 9.88 .04
For year 1994............................................... 21.88 17.13 .74 12.00 7.88 .13
</TABLE>
The following table sets forth the last reported sales prices for shares of
SNC Common Stock and FFBC Common Stock on August 20, 1996, the last trading day
before FFBC announced that it was engaged in negotiations with a third party
relating to an acquisition of FFBC, and January , 1997, on the NYSE Composite
Transactions List and the Nasdaq National Market, respectively. The FFBC
Equivalent Range represents the last sales prices of a share of SNC Common Stock
on those dates multiplied by the maximum and minimum Exchange Ratios of .8758
and .7137. The Exchange Ratio shall be determined based on the Closing Value.
See "THE MERGER -- Exchange Ratio."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DATE SNC FFBC FFBC EQUIVALENT RANGE
<S> <C> <C> <C>
August 20, 1996.................. $31.125 $13.25 $27.26 to $22.21
January , 1997.................
</TABLE>
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected historical financial information has been derived
from historical consolidated financial statements of SNC and FFBC, respectively,
and should be read in conjunction with such historical consolidated financial
statements, and the notes thereto, which are incorporated herein by reference.
For certain information relating to the effects of the Merger and the pending
UCB Merger on SNC's historical financial position and results of operations, see
"PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION."
5
<PAGE>
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA -- SNC(1)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF/FOR THE NINE MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30 AS OF/FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993 1992
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
Interest income.................... $ 1,194,662 $ 1,173,791 $ 1,576,612 $ 1,339,542 $ 1,212,986 $ 1,218,194
Interest expense................... 580,127 606,609 813,942 586,296 509,110 592,675
Net interest income................ 614,535 567,182 762,670 753,246 703,876 625,519
Provision for loan and lease
losses........................... 38,161 23,315 34,632 20,584 54,558 63,584
Net interest income after provision
for loan and lease losses........ 576,374 543,867 728,038 732,662 649,318 561,939
Noninterest income................. 216,995 168,916 230,994 230,264 223,229 187,754
Noninterest expense................ 490,849 539,910 681,228 589,795 667,441 513,649
Income before income taxes......... 302,520 172,873 277,804 373,131 205,106 236,040
Provision for income taxes......... 98,536 58,813 91,463 129,289 112,717 84,332
Net income......................... $ 203,984 $ 114,060 $ 186,341 $ 243,842 $ 92,389 $ 151,718
PER SHARE DATA
Primary earnings................... $ 1.85 $ 1.01 $ 1.65 $ 2.21 $ 0.83 $ 1.51
Fully diluted earnings............. 1.83 1.00 1.62 2.16 0.83 1.44
Cash dividends..................... 0.73 0.63 0.86 0.74 0.64 0.50
Book value......................... 15.18 14.40 15.04 13.44 12.63 12.71
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA
Securities at carrying value....... $ 5,095,854 $ 5,413,783 $ 5,394,372 $ 5,340,070 $ 4,670,213 $ 3,998,587
Loans and leases(2)................ 14,145,508 13,673,281 13,591,113 12,290,880 11,087,053 10,069,318
Other assets....................... 1,178,990 1,257,508 1,418,385 1,441,666 1,369,128 1,339,256
Total assets..................... $20,420,352 $20,344,572 $20,403,870 $19,072,616 $17,126,394 $15,407,161
Deposits........................... $14,696,774 $14,261,110 $14,251,176 $14,298,728 $13,546,050 $12,601,590
Other liabilities.................. 2,323,968 3,462,977 3,422,090 2,624,611 1,590,357 1,453,887
Long-term debt..................... 1,756,915 1,043,602 1,127,575 677,227 597,519 153,064
Common shareholders' equity........ 1,622,447 1,503,807 1,530,684 1,397,907 1,318,325 1,132,815
Preferred shareholders' equity..... 20,248 73,076 72,345 74,143 74,143 65,805
Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity........................... $20,420,352 $20,344,572 $20,403,870 $19,072,616 $17,126,394 $15,407,161
PERIOD END BALANCES
Total assets....................... $21,096,557 $20,814,751 $20,636,430 $19,971,602 $18,927,837 $16,016,224
Deposits........................... 15,018,412 14,435,840 14,684,056 14,314,154 14,594,952 13,044,173
Long-term debt..................... 2,050,211 1,305,282 1,383,935 910,755 837,241 423,211
Shareholders' equity............... 1,656,806 1,642,236 1,711,342 1,525,548 1,420,790 1,275,877
SELECTED PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Rate of return on:
Average total assets............. 1.33% 0.75% 0.91% 1.28% 0.54% 0.98%
Average common shareholders'
equity......................... 16.76 9.80 11.84 17.07 6.61 12.99
Dividend payout.................... 39.46 62.38 52.12 33.48 77.11 33.11
Average equity to average assets... 8.04 7.75 7.86 7.72 8.13 7.78
<CAPTION>
AS OF/FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
1991
<S> <C>
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
Interest income.................... $ 1,251,991
Interest expense................... 746,400
Net interest income................ 505,591
Provision for loan and lease
losses........................... 76,922
Net interest income after provision
for loan and lease losses........ 428,669
Noninterest income................. 179,600
Noninterest expense................ 438,617
Income before income taxes......... 169,652
Provision for income taxes......... 51,640
Net income......................... $ 118,012
PER SHARE DATA
Primary earnings................... $ 1.32
Fully diluted earnings............. 1.28
Cash dividends..................... 0.46
Book value......................... 11.64
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA
Securities at carrying value....... $ 3,336,542
Loans and leases(2)................ 9,123,809
Other assets....................... 1,251,716
Total assets..................... $13,712,067
Deposits........................... $11,398,365
Other liabilities.................. 1,238,147
Long-term debt..................... 142,359
Common shareholders' equity........ 933,196
Preferred shareholders' equity..... --
Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity........................... $13,712,067
PERIOD END BALANCES
Total assets....................... $14,475,718
Deposits........................... 12,166,090
Long-term debt..................... 417,050
Shareholders' equity............... 1,030,257
SELECTED PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Rate of return on:
Average total assets............. 0.86%
Average common shareholders'
equity......................... 12.65
Dividend payout.................... 34.85
Average equity to average assets... 6.81
</TABLE>
(1) The selected historical financial data of SNC gives effect to the
acquisition by SNC of Regional Acceptance Corporation on September 1, 1996.
Such transaction was accounted for as a pooling of interests.
(2) Loans and leases are net of unearned income and the allowance for losses.
Amounts include loans held for sale.
6
<PAGE>
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA -- FFBC
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF/FOR THE NINE
MONTHS
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30 AS OF/FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
1996 1995 1995 1994 1993 1992
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
Interest income........................................ $ 19,746 $ 18,961 $ 25,427 $ 20,880 $ 18,484 $ 18,327
Interest expense....................................... 10,740 10,300 13,973 10,228 9,638 10,776
Net interest income.................................... 9,006 8,661 11,454 10,652 8,846 7,551
Provisions for loan and lease losses................... 385 283 431 525 504 823
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease
losses............................................... 8,621 8,378 11,023 10,127 8,342 6,728
Noninterest income..................................... 638 465 741 582 976 631
Noninterest expense.................................... 7,046 5,186 7,020 6,402 5,520 4,981
Income before income taxes............................. 2,213 3,657 4,744 4,307 3,798 2,378
Provision for income taxes............................. 809 1,338 1,713 1,568 1,380 473
Net income............................................. $ 1,404 $ 2,319 $ 3,031 $ 2,739 $ 2,418 $ 1,905
PER SHARE DATA (1)
Primary earnings....................................... $ .61 $ 1.03 $ 1.34 $ 1.22 $ 1.28 $ 1.12
Fully diluted earnings................................. .61 1.03 1.34 1.22 1.28 1.12
Cash dividends......................................... .14 .12 .16 .12 .11 .06
Book value............................................. 12.07 11.46 11.79 10.53 9.70 8.75
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA
Securities at carrying value........................... $ 47,420 $ 40,325 $ 42,426 $ 36,265 $ 36,420 $ 35,977
Loans and leases(2).................................... 261,512 251,743 252,003 228,766 199,010 176,031
Other assets........................................... 11,698 9,700 9,407 8,446 9,833 10,805
Total assets......................................... $320,630 $301,768 $303,836 $273,477 $245,263 $222,813
Deposits............................................... $243,197 $226,545 $229,214 $199,221 $180,794 $168,194
Other liabilities...................................... 23,063 25,407 24,073 26,962 16,321 16,880
Long-term debt......................................... 26,711 24,925 25,263 24,690 30,505 23,888
Common shareholders' equity............................ 27,659 24,891 25,286 22,604 17,643 13,851
Preferred shareholders' equity......................... -- -- -- -- -- --
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity............. $320,630 $301,768 $303,836 $273,477 $245,263 $222,813
PERIOD END BALANCES
Total assets........................................... $329,233 $308,628 $314,413 $288,379 $257,172 $235,529
Deposits............................................... 249,184 233,562 239,121 214,179 185,692 175,793
Long-term debt......................................... 29,510 26,595 28,595 26,645 24,135 22,650
Shareholders' equity................................... 27,747 26,089 26,837 23,565 21,683 14,808
SELECTED PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Rate of return on:
Average total assets................................. .58% 1.03% 1.00% 1.00% .99% .85%
Average common shareholders' equity.................. 6.78 12.46 12.00 12.12 13.70 13.75
Dividend payout........................................ 22.95 11.65 11.94 10.08 8.96 5.63
Average equity to average assets....................... 8.63 8.25 8.32 8.27 7.19 6.22
<CAPTION>
AS OF/FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
1991
<S> <C>
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
Interest income........................................ $ 20,214
Interest expense....................................... 13,753
Net interest income.................................... 6,461
Provisions for loan and lease losses................... 884
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease
losses............................................... 5,577
Noninterest income..................................... 1,034
Noninterest expense.................................... 4,727
Income before income taxes............................. 1,884
Provision for income taxes............................. 942
Net income............................................. $ 942
PER SHARE DATA (1)
Primary earnings....................................... $ .56
Fully diluted earnings................................. .56
Cash dividends......................................... --
Book value............................................. 7.67
AVERAGE BALANCE SHEET DATA
Securities at carrying value........................... $ 30,854
Loans and leases(2).................................... 172,122
Other assets........................................... 8,295
Total assets......................................... $211,271
Deposits............................................... $154,292
Other liabilities...................................... 25,033
Long-term debt......................................... 19,308
Common shareholders' equity............................ 12,638
Preferred shareholders' equity......................... --
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity............. $211,271
PERIOD END BALANCES
Total assets........................................... $208,569
Deposits............................................... 157,627
Long-term debt......................................... 21,000
Shareholders' equity................................... 12,995
SELECTED PERFORMANCE RATIOS
Rate of return on:
Average total assets................................. .45%
Average common shareholders' equity.................. 7.45
Dividend payout........................................ --
Average equity to average assets....................... 5.98
</TABLE>
(1) Adjusted for a 5% stock dividend paid June 28, 1995 and a three-for-two
stock split effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend paid May 28, 1993.
(2) Loans and leases are net of unearned income and the allowance for losses.
Amounts include loans held for sale.
7
<PAGE>
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA
The following table sets forth: (a) selected comparative per share data for
each of SNC and FFBC on an historical basis (adjusted where appropriate, in the
case of FFBC, for a 5% stock dividend paid June 28, 1995 and a three-for-two
stock split effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend paid May 28, 1993); (b)
selected unaudited pro forma comparative per share data assuming the Merger had
been effective during the periods presented for SNC and FFBC combined; and (c)
FFBC pro forma equivalent amounts. FFBC pro forma equivalent amounts are
calculated by multiplying the pro forma combined amounts by the maximum and
minimum Exchange Ratios of .8758 shares and .7137 shares, respectively, of SNC
Common Stock for each share of FFBC Common Stock.
SNC presently intends to repurchase shares of SNC Common Stock for reissue
in connection with the Merger. The impact of this proposed repurchase has not
been reflected in the pro forma earnings per common share amounts in the
following table.
The comparative per share data presented are based on and derived from, and
should be read in conjunction with, the historical consolidated financial
statements and the related notes thereto of each of SNC and FFBC incorporated by
reference herein. Results of each of SNC and FFBC for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the
entire year, nor are pro forma amounts necessarily indicative of results of
operations or combined financial position that would have resulted had the
Merger been consummated at the beginning of the period indicated. All
adjustments, consisting of only normal adjustments, necessary for a fair
statement of results of interim periods have been included.
For certain comparative per share data relating to the pending UCB Merger,
see "PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF/FOR THE NINE AS OF/FOR THE YEAR
MONTHS ENDED ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 DECEMBER 31, 1995
MAXIMUM MINIMUM MAXIMUM MINIMUM
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
SNC
Historical primary......................................................... $ 1.85 $ 1.85 $ 1.65 $ 1.65
Historical fully diluted................................................... 1.83 1.83 1.62 1.62
Pro forma combined primary................................................. 1.81 1.82 1.63 1.64
Pro forma combined fully diluted........................................... 1.79 1.80 1.61 1.61
FFBC
Historical................................................................. 0.61 0.61 1.34 1.34
Pro forma equivalent primary............................................... 1.59 1.30 1.43 1.17
Pro forma equivalent fully diluted......................................... 1.57 1.28 1.41 1.15
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED
SNC historical................................................................ 0.73 0.73 0.86 0.86
SNC pro forma combined........................................................ 0.73 0.73 0.86 0.86
FFBC historical............................................................... 0.14 0.14 0.16 0.16
FFBC pro forma equivalent..................................................... 0.64 0.52 0.75 0.61
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY PER COMMON SHARE
SNC historical................................................................ 15.18 15.18 15.04 15.04
SNC pro forma combined........................................................ 15.19 15.19 15.05 15.05
FFBC historical............................................................... 12.07 12.07 11.79 11.79
FFBC pro forma combined....................................................... 13.30 10.84 13.18 10.74
</TABLE>
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
SNC
Net income for the fourth quarter of 1996 was $79.7 million, compared to
earnings of $72.3 million for the fourth quarter of the prior year. On a per
share basis, fully diluted net income was $.72 for the quarter compared to $.63
for such quarter a year ago. Annualized returns on average assets and average
equity were 1.51% and 18.54%, respectively, for the fourth quarter.
8
<PAGE>
SNC showed improved net interest income of $214.0 million for the fourth
quarter of 1996 compared to $195.9 million for the same period during 1995. The
increased earnings also resulted from higher noninterest income, which totaled
$80.4 million for the fourth quarter, up from $62.1 million from the
fourth quarter of 1995. SNC's noninterest expense was $163.2 million,
up from $141.3 million recorded in the fourth quarter of the prior year.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 1996 was $283.7 million,
compared to $186.3 million recorded during 1995. On a fully diluted per share
basis, net income for the year was $2.54, compared to earnings for the prior
year of $1.62. Earnings for both 1996 and 1995 were significantly affected by
nonrecurring items. During 1996, SNC recorded $21.3 million, on an after-tax
basis, resulting from a special assessment made to recapitalize the Savings
Association Insurance Fund. During 1995, SNC incurred $76.3 million on an
after-tax basis to complete the February 1995 merger between SNC and BB&T
Financial Corporation ("BB&T").
FFBC
FFBC anticipates a net loss for the fourth quarter of 1996 of approximately
$950,000, compared to net earnings of $712,000 for the same period in 1995. Such
loss is due primarily to the fourth quarter provision for loan losses of
$2,665,000, compared to $148,000 for the same period in 1995. Such increase in
the fourth quarter provision for loan losses resulted from (a) the increase in
nonperforming assets from $2,866,000 or .91% of assets at December 31, 1995 to
$3,986,000 or 1.22% of assets at December 31, 1996 and (b) the increase in
net chargeoffs from $15,000 in the fourth quarter of 1995 to $1,878,000 in the
fourth quarter of 1996. Such net chargeoffs of $1,878,000 are related primarily
to adverse developments during the fourth quarter in the commercial business
loan portfolio. The total allowance for loan losses at December 31, 1996 is
$3,980,000 or 1.45% of loans receivable, as compared to $3,062,000 or 1.20% of
loans receivable at December 31, 1995.
9
<PAGE>
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF FFBC
GENERAL
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is being furnished to the shareholders of
FFBC as of the Record Date and is accompanied by a form of proxy which is
solicited by the FFBC Board for use at the Special Meeting to be held on
February 27, 1997 at 2:00 p.m., local time, at The Commonwealth Club, 401 West
Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
At the Special Meeting, the shareholders of FFBC will vote on a proposal to
approve the Reorganization Agreement and the Plan of Merger attached hereto as
Appendix I. Proxies may be voted on such other matters as may properly come
before the Special Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, at the
discretion of the proxy holders named therein. The FFBC Board knows of no such
other matters except matters incidental to the conduct of the Special Meeting.
Holders of FFBC Common Stock are requested to complete, date, and sign the
accompanying proxy and return it promptly to FFBC in the enclosed postage
prepaid envelope.
RECORD DATE, VOTING RIGHTS, AND VOTE REQUIRED
Only the holders of FFBC Common Stock on the Record Date (January 23, 1997)
are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting and at any
adjournments or postponements thereof. On the Record Date, there were 2,299,467
shares of FFBC Common Stock outstanding which were held by approximately 798
holders of record. Each share of FFBC Common Stock outstanding on the Record
Date is entitled to one vote as to each of the matters submitted at the Special
Meeting.
APPROVAL OF THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT AND THE PLAN OF MERGER WILL
REQUIRE THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE OUTSTANDING
SHARES OF FFBC COMMON STOCK. FAILURE OF A HOLDER OF FFBC COMMON STOCK TO VOTE
SUCH SHARES WILL HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS A VOTE "AGAINST" THE REORGANIZATION
AGREEMENT AND THE PLAN OF MERGER.
As of the Record Date, the directors and executive officers of FFBC and
their affiliates beneficially owned a total of 298,229 shares, or 12.56% of the
issued and outstanding shares of FFBC Common Stock, all of which are expected to
be voted in favor of the Reorganization Agreement and the Plan of Merger.
VOTING AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
The shares of FFBC Common Stock represented by properly completed proxies
received at or prior to the time for the Special Meeting will be voted as
directed by the shareholders unless revoked as described below. If no
instructions are given, executed proxies will be voted "FOR" approval of the
Reorganization Agreement and the Plan of Merger. Shares with respect to which
proxies have been marked as abstentions will not be counted as votes cast. In
addition, shares held in street name which have been designated by brokers on
proxy cards as not voted ("Broker Shares") will not be counted as votes cast.
Shares with respect to which proxies have been marked as abstentions and Broker
Shares, however, will be treated as shares present for purposes of determining
whether a quorum is present. If any other matters are properly presented at the
Special Meeting and may be properly voted on, the proxies solicited hereby will
be voted on such matters at the discretion of the proxy holders named therein.
However, in such event, voting authority will be exercised only to the extent
permissible under the applicable federal securities laws. The FFBC Board is not
aware of any other business to be presented at the Special Meeting, other than
matters incidental to the conduct of the Special Meeting. This proxy is being
solicited for the Special Meeting called to consider the Reorganization
Agreement and the Plan of Merger and any adjournments or postponements of the
Special Meeting and will not be used for any other meeting of the shareholders
of FFBC.
The presence of a shareholder at the Special Meeting will not automatically
revoke such shareholder's proxy. A shareholder may, however, revoke a proxy at
any time prior to its exercise by filing a written notice of revocation with, or
by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to, the Secretary of
FFBC at FFBC's principal executive offices prior to the Special Meeting, or by
attending the Special Meeting and voting in person. The proxy will not be
revoked by the death or incapacity of the shareholder executing it unless,
before the shares are voted, notice of such death or incapacity is filed with
the Secretary of FFBC or other person authorized to tabulate the votes.
BECAUSE APPROVAL OF THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
REQUIRES THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF THE OUTSTANDING SHARES OF FFBC
COMMON STOCK,
10
<PAGE>
ABSTENTIONS AND BROKER SHARES WILL HAVE THE SAME EFFECT AS NEGATIVE VOTES.
ACCORDINGLY, THE FFBC BOARD URGES ITS SHAREHOLDERS TO COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN
THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PREPAID
ENVELOPE.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
SNC and FFBC will share the cost of printing and mailing this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus equally, and FFBC will bear all other costs of soliciting
proxies. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited
personally or by telephone or facsimile by directors, officers, and other
employees of FFBC, who will not be specially compensated for such solicitation
activities. Arrangements also may be made with brokerage houses and other
custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation
materials to the beneficial owners of shares held of record by such persons, and
such persons will be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses incurred in
connection therewith by FFBC. FFBC does not presently intend to utilize the
services of a proxy soliciting firm in connection with the solicitation of
proxies in connection with the Special Meeting.
No person is authorized to give any information or to make any
representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representation
should not be relied upon as having been authorized by FFBC, SNC or any other
person. The delivery of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus will not, under any
circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the
affairs of FFBC or SNC since the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
RECOMMENDATION OF FFBC BOARD
The FFBC Board has unanimously adopted the Reorganization Agreement and the
Plan of Merger and believes that the proposed transaction is fair to and in the
best interests of FFBC and its shareholders. The FFBC Board unanimously
recommends that FFBC's shareholders vote "FOR" approval of the Reorganization
Agreement and the Plan of Merger. See "THE MERGER -- Background of the Merger"
and " -- Reasons for the Merger."
SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD NOT SEND IN STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THEIR PROXY CARDS.
See "THE MERGER -- Exchange of FFBC Common Stock Certificates."
THE MERGER
THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION OF THE MERGER IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO THE COMPLETE TEXT OF THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT AND THE PLAN OF
MERGER INCLUDED THEREIN, A COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AS APPENDIX I AND INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.
GENERAL
In the Merger, FFBC will be merged with and into BB&T Financial-VA, a
wholly owned subsidiary of SNC, and BB&T Financial-VA will be the surviving
corporation in the Merger (the "Surviving Corporation") and will remain a
wholly-owned subsidiary of SNC. Shareholders of FFBC will receive shares of SNC
Common Stock and cash in lieu of fractional shares as described below. It is
expected that, not later than the first quarter of 1998, the FFSB Bank Merger
will be effected, with BB&T-VA as the surviving entity. Thereafter, BB&T-VA will
operate as a Virginia chartered commercial bank, with branches in both the
Richmond and Hampton Roads regions of Virginia. See "THE MERGER -- Reasons for
the Merger" for a description of factors that the FFBC Board considered in
approving the Reorganization Agreement and the Plan of Merger.
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER
BB&T-VA, formerly known as Commerce Bank, was acquired on January 10, 1995
by BB&T prior to the February 1995 merger of BB&T with and into SNC. BB&T-VA
operates 21 banking offices in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia offering a
full range of commercial and retail banking services. SNC management has been
interested since early 1995 in expanding into other areas of Virginia, in
particular the Richmond market.
In late May, 1996, Burney S. Warren, III, a Senior Vice President of
BB&T-NC, contacted FFBC to set up a meeting to discuss the concept of a business
combination. On June 17, 1996, Mr. Warren and John A. Allison, IV, Chairman of
the Board and Chief Executive Officer of SNC, met in Richmond with Barry D.
Crawford, President and Chief Executive Officer of FFBC, and Richard J.
November, Chairman of the FFBC Board, to discuss their respective companies.
There was no
11
<PAGE>
discussion of pricing or other specific terms of a possible acquisition at this
meeting. Mr. Warren had met Mr. Crawford informally on several occasions prior
to this meeting and had casually indicated interest in discussing a business
combination with FFBC if FFBC determined to consider such an alternative.
On July 3, 1996, Mr. Warren met informally with Mr. Crawford and Gerald L.
Martin, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of FFBC, while
attending an industry conference. Discussions at this meeting centered on the
respective corporate cultures of SNC and FFBC and their compatibility, and on
the general effects upon the companies in the event of a merger or other
combination of SNC and FFBC. Again, pricing and other specific terms were not
discussed.
On July 15, 1996, Mr. Crawford and Mr. November attended a meeting at SNC's
principal offices in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with Mr. Allison and Mr.
Warren. At that meeting, SNC representatives presented to Mr. Crawford and Mr.
November a valuation of FFBC and made a proposal for an acquisition of FFBC by
SNC that included tentative pricing terms. On July 18, 1996, the FFBC Board held
a meeting to discuss this proposal, at which time it determined to engage
Danielson, a firm located in Rockville, Maryland that is regularly engaged in
the valuation of banks, bank holding companies and thrifts, to render financial
advisory services in connection with the proposed acquisition.
On July 23, 1996, Arnold G. Danielson, Chairman of the Board of Danielson,
met in Winston-Salem with Mr. Allison and Mr. Warren to present additional
information about FFBC and to discuss pricing components, including the earnings
and book value multiples paid in comparable transactions. Discussions regarding
the price, structure and other terms of a possible transaction continued over
the next week. On July 29, 1996, the FFBC Board held a meeting with Mr.
Danielson to discuss the status of the proposal. The FFBC Board appointed a
negotiating committee consisting of Mr. Crawford; Mr. November; Mr. Martin;
Robert G. Watts, Vice Chairman of the FFBC Board; and H. R. Pollard, IV,
Secretary of FFBC and a member of the FFBC Board (the "Negotiating Committee").
On July 31, 1996 Mr. Warren, by letter to Mr. Crawford, transmitted a formal
proposal for the Merger, subject to approval of the SNC Board and negotiation of
a definitive agreement, which contemplated an exchange ratio based on a value of
$23.00 per share of FFBC Common Stock. Shortly thereafter, FFBC advised SNC that
SNC's suggested exchange ratio would be an acceptable basis for a proposal by
SNC, subject to further negotiation of the pricing structure and other terms.
SNC undertook to have its counsel prepare drafts of definitive agreements
reflecting the parties' discussions and other proposed terms, and to submit the
draft agreements to FFBC and its counsel for further discussion.
On August 6, 1996, the members of the Negotiating Committee and Mr.
Danielson met in Winston-Salem with Mr. Allison, Mr. Warren and Henry
Williamson, Jr., a Senior Executive Vice President and the Chief Operating
Officer of SNC, to discuss certain additional details of the proposed
transaction, including the employment contracts to be entered into by certain
FFBC officers and the service of members of the FFBC Board on the board of
directors of BB&T-VA following the Merger.
Discussion of additional details continued for the following two weeks. On
August 20, 1996, management of FFBC, as well as its legal counsel and financial
advisor, reviewed for the FFBC Board, among other things, a summary of the terms
and conditions of the Reorganization Agreement and the Option Agreement.
Danielson presented its analysis of the SNC offer and its opinion as to the
fairness, from a financial point of view, to FFBC and its shareholders of the
proposed consideration. Danielson confirmed its opinion in writing on August 21,
1996. A copy of such opinion, updated to the date of this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, is attached hereto as Appendix II. On August 21, 1996,
representatives of SNC and FFBC and their respective legal counsel and FFBC's
financial advisor met in Winston-Salem to negotiate the final form of the
Reorganization Agreement and related agreements. The SNC Board and the FFBC
Board each met the following morning and unanimously approved the execution and
delivery of the Reorganization Agreement and the Option Agreement, and later
that day Mr. Allison and Mr. Crawford executed these documents on behalf of SNC
and FFBC, respectively.
Following its approval of the Reorganization Agreement and the Plan of
Merger, the FFBC Board engaged Scott & Stringfellow, a full service investment
banking and brokerage firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, to render a
fairness opinion with respect to the Merger. The factors that led the FFBC Board
to engage Scott & Stringfellow for this purpose include such firm's reputation
in Virginia (the state of residence of a significant number of FFBC's
shareholders) as a full service investment banking firm and the desire of the
FFBC Board to include in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus the fairness opinion of
a firm that is widely recognized among FFBC's shareholders. On August 26, 1996,
Scott & Stringfellow delivered its written opinion to the FFBC Board that the
terms of the Reorganization Agreement are fair from a financial point of view to
the holders of FFBC Common Stock. A copy of such opinion, updated to the date of
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, is attached hereto as Appendix III.
12
<PAGE>
As of December 17, 1996, SNC and FFBC entered into an Amended and Restated
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, which provided for certain amendments to
the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization entered into on August 22, 1996. These
amendments include (a) a change in the accounting treatment for the Merger from
pooling of interests to purchase accounting, (b) the designation of certain
directors of FFBC to serve as directors of BB&T Financial-VA, (c) the
indemnification of directors and officers of FFSB, and (d) certain other minor
changes necessary in order to give effect to the intent of the parties.
REASONS FOR THE MERGER
SNC
Since 1995, SNC had been considering methods by which it might expand its
presence in Virginia, which BB&T established with the January 1995 acquisition
of Commerce Bank, beyond the Hampton Roads area. SNC management viewed the
Richmond region, in particular, as highly significant and desirable, and had
considered attempting to enter the market there on a DE NOVO basis by setting up
new branches. SNC determined, however, that FFBC offered SNC an opportunity to
establish a strong presence in this area from the outset with its seven existing
branches, all of which management of SNC considered to be strategically located.
Management of SNC was also attracted by the community-based nature of FFBC's
operations, in particular the local strength of the FFBC Board and FFBC's system
of development and advisory boards, and by FFBC's strong performance in real
estate construction lending.
FFBC
In reaching its conclusion to approve the Merger at its August 20 and
August 22, 1996 meetings, the FFBC Board consulted with FFBC senior management,
as well as with its financial and legal advisors, and considered various
factors, including the material factors described below. The FFBC Board did not
assign any relative or specific weights to the factors, and the factors are not
necessarily listed in order of importance.
FINANCIAL TERMS OF THE MERGER. The FFBC Board was of the view that, based
on historical and anticipated trading ranges for SNC Common Stock, the value of
the consideration to be received by FFBC shareholders resulting from the
Exchange Ratio represented a fair multiple of FFBC's per share book value,
market value and earnings. The FFBC Board also considered that, under the
proposed Exchange Ratio and based on the FFBC Board's belief that SNC would
continue to pay dividends at least at its current rate, the Merger would result
in a substantial increase in dividend income to FFBC shareholders, although
there can be no assurance that current dividends are indicative of future
dividends. The FFBC Board also considered that the Merger would qualify as a
tax-free reorganization under the Code. See "SUMMARY -- Comparative Per Share
Data."
NON-FINANCIAL TERMS AND STRUCTURE OF THE MERGER. The FFBC Board considered
(a) the fact that SNC was an out-of-market acquiror, (b) that the Merger
consequently should not result in branch closings and (c) that the
Reorganization Agreement provided that BB&T-VA will attempt, consistent with
achieving corporate goals, to avoid employee lay-offs. The FFBC Board also
considered SNC's intention to provide for the growth of BB&T-VA in Richmond
through the opening of new branch banking offices. The FFBC Board considered
SNC's record as a community-oriented institution that supports local charities
and businesses and delegates as much decision-making and lending authority as
practical to the local management. The FFBC Board also considered it beneficial
that, following the Merger, BB&T-VA would designate the Richmond area as a
separate banking region with its own regional president to market and promote
BB&T-VA.
CERTAIN FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING SNC. The FFBC Board
considered, among other things, the consistently high position of SNC among its
peer group of national and regional financial institutions in terms of
profitability, capital adequacy and asset quality. The FFBC Board also
considered that the historical dividends per share, net income per share and
book value per share of SNC Common Stock to be received by FFBC shareholders,
after giving effect to the Exchange Ratio, would represent a substantial
increase in the historical dividends per share, net income per share and book
value per share of FFBC Common Stock, although there can be no assurance that
pro forma amounts are indicative of future dividends, income per share or book
value per share of SNC Common Stock. The FFBC Board further considered the
diversification of risk associated with ownership in an institution which serves
a broad geographic area encompassing most of North Carolina and parts of South
Carolina and Virginia. In addition, the FFBC Board considered the greater
marketability and liquidity of SNC Common Stock compared to FFBC Common Stock.
OPINIONS OF FINANCIAL ADVISORS. In recommending that the shareholders of
FFBC approve the Merger, the FFBC Board also considered the opinions of
Danielson and Scott & Stringfellow as to the fairness, from a financial point of
view, of the terms of the Reorganization Agreement to the FFBC shareholders. See
"THE MERGER -- Opinions of FFBC's Financial Advisors."
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CERTAIN OTHER CONSIDERATIONS. The FFBC Board further determined that BB&T's
deposit and loan products were more extensive than FFBC's products, which will
help retain existing customers and will help attract new customers. In addition,
the FFBC Board considered the prospects of nationwide interstate banking, the
continued disintegration of traditional geographic and industry lines and the
likelihood of further consolidation in the banking industry.
FOR THE REASONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, THE FFBC BOARD BELIEVES THE MERGER IS FAIR
TO, AND IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF, THE SHAREHOLDERS OF FFBC AND, ACCORDINGLY,
UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE FFBC SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" APPROVAL OF THE
REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT AND THE PLAN OF MERGER.
OPINIONS OF FFBC'S FINANCIAL ADVISORS
DANIELSON
FFBC retained Danielson in July 1996 to act as its financial advisor and as
such, among other things, to advise the FFBC Board as to FFBC's "fair" sale
value and the fairness to its shareholders of the financial terms of any offer
by SNC to acquire FFBC. Danielson is regularly engaged in the valuation of
banks, bank holding companies and thrifts in connection with mergers,
acquisitions and other securities transactions and has knowledge of, and
experience with, Virginia banking markets and banking organizations operating in
those markets. Danielson was selected by FFBC because of its knowledge of,
experience with and reputation in the financial services industry.
As a financial advisor to FFBC, Danielson participated in the negotiations
with SNC's representatives with respect to the pricing and other terms and
conditions of the Merger. In connection with the FFBC Board's consideration of
SNC's offer, Danielson advised the FFBC Board that, in its opinion, as of August
21, 1996, the financial terms of SNC's offer are fair to FFBC and its
shareholders. No limitations were imposed by the FFBC Board upon Danielson with
respect to the investigations made or procedures followed by it in arriving at
its opinion. A copy of Danielson's opinion, updated to the date of this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, is attached as Appendix II hereto. Danielson used
substantially the same types of financial analyses in preparing its updated
opinion as it used in providing its opinion dated as of August 21, 1996.
In arriving at its opinion, Danielson reviewed certain publicly available
business and financial information relating to FFBC and SNC, including (a)
annual reports for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995;
(b) call report data from 1989 through 1996, including quarterly reports for
1996; (c) recently reported prices and trading activities of, and dividends paid
on, SNC Common Stock; and (d) certain other publicly available information,
including data relating to the current economic environment generally and the
banking market in particular. Danielson also met with the management of FFBC to
discuss FFBC's past and current business operations and financial condition. In
preparing the updated opinion, Danielson also reviewed the impact of the UCB
Merger and, in particular, its effect on pro forma earnings and book value per
share.
As more fully described below, Danielson also considered certain financial
and stock market data of FFBC and SNC in comparison with similar data of other
publicly-held banks and thrifts and their holding companies and considered
financial terms of comparable transactions which have recently been effected.
Danielson did not obtain any independent appraisal of assets or liabilities
of FFBC or SNC or their respective subsidiaries. Further, Danielson did not
independently verify the information provided by FFBC or SNC and assumed the
accuracy and completeness of all such information.
In arriving at its opinion, Danielson performed a variety of financial
analyses. Danielson believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and
that consideration of portions of such analyses and the factors considered
therein, without considering all factors and analyses, could create an
incomplete view of the analyses and the process underlying Danielson's opinion.
The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process involving subjective
judgments and is not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis and summary
description.
In its analyses, Danielson made certain assumptions with respect to
industry performance, business and economic conditions and other matters, many
of which are beyond SNC's or FFBC's control. Any estimates contained in
Danielson's analyses are not necessarily indicative of future results of value,
which may be significantly more or less favorable than such estimates. Estimates
of values of companies do not purport to be appraisals or necessarily reflect
the prices at which companies or their securities may actually be sold.
Danielson analyzed and compared the earnings per share, book value per
share and dividends per share of SNC and FFBC on a historical basis and such per
share data of SNC on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the issuance of
approximately 1.8 million shares of SNC Common Stock in the Merger in exchange
for the outstanding shares of FFBC
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Common Stock. The analysis evaluated, among other things, dilution in earnings
and capital per share for SNC Common Stock and dividends to be received by
FFBC's shareholders on a pro forma basis and determined the amount of dilution
to be insignificant.
Danielson compared FFBC's (a) ratio of tangible capital to total assets of
8.03% as of March 31, 1996, (b) ratio of nonperforming assets to the total
assets of 1.15% as of March 31, 1996 and (c) ratio of net operating income to
average assets of 1.67% for the three-month period ended March 31, 1996, with
the medians for selected thrifts that Danielson deemed comparable. These medians
were (a) a ratio of tangible capital to assets of 7.77%, (b) a ratio of
nonperforming assets to assets of .86% and (c) a ratio of net operating income
to average assets of 1.41%. The comparable companies included selected Virginia
thrifts with assets between $100 and $800 million.
Danielson also compared certain stock-based and financial ratios of SNC
with the median ratios of selected Southern banks and bank holding companies
having stock traded on the NYSE, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock
Market and that Danielson deemed to be comparable to SNC. Such ratios included
(a) the price-earnings and price-book value ratios of SNC Common Stock as of
August 21, 1996, which were 12.2 times earnings and 204% of book value,
respectively, (b) SNC's dividend yield of 3.47% based on the trailing four
quarters as of June 30, 1996 and SNC Common Stock price as of August 21, 1996,
(c) the ratio of SNC's tangible capital as of June 30, 1996 to assets of 7.67%,
(d) the ratio of SNC's nonperforming assets as of June 30, 1996 to total assets
of .43% and (e) SNC's return on average assets during the trailing four quarters
ended June 30, 1996 of 1.36%. The comparable medians were (a) price-earnings and
price-book value ratios of 12.7 times earnings and 176% of book value,
respectively, (b) dividend yield of 3.20%, (c) ratio of tangible capital to
assets of 7.74%, (d) ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets of .43% and
(e) return on average assets of 1.24%.
Danielson also compared the consideration to be paid in the Merger to the
latest twelve months earnings and equity capital of FFBC and compared such
multiples with the earnings and capital multiples to be paid in acquisitions of
thrifts in the Mid-Atlantic region and east coast announced during the period
January 1, 1995 to August 18, 1996. Danielson determined that the consideration
to be paid in the Merger (based on the price of SNC Common Stock on August 21,
1996 and the proposed Exchange Ratio) equaled 201% of FFBC's June 30, 1996 book
value and 18 times FFBC's earnings for the trailing four quarters as of June 30,
1996. This compares to median multiples of 165% of book value and 15.1 times
earnings for the comparable Mid-Atlantic acquisitions, and 165% of book value
and 15.4 times earnings for the comparable small east coast thrift acquisitions.
Danielson also compared the fair value to the lowest possible Exchange Ratio
provided in the Reorganization Agreement.
No company or transaction used in this composite analysis is identical to
FFBC and SNC. Accordingly, an analysis of the results of the foregoing is not
mathematical; rather, it involves complex considerations and judgments
concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of the
companies and other factors that could affect the public trading values of the
company or companies to which they are being compared.
The summary set forth above does not purport to be a complete description
of the analyses and procedures performed by Danielson in the course of arriving
at its opinions.
The full text of the opinion of Danielson dated as of the date of this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which sets forth assumptions made and matters
considered, is attached hereto as Appendix II to this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. FFBC shareholders are urged to read this opinion in its
entirety. Danielson's opinion is directed only to the consideration to be
received by FFBC shareholders in the Merger and does not constitute a
recommendation to any FFBC shareholder as to how such shareholder should vote at
the Special Meeting.
Pursuant to the terms of an agreement dated July 22, 1996, FFBC has agreed
to pay Danielson a fee of $100,000 for acting as financial advisor to FFBC in
connection with the Merger, including rendering its opinion. FFBC paid $25,000
of this fee to Danielson upon execution of the agreement and the balance of this
fee is payable to Danielson if and when the Merger is consummated. FFBC has also
agreed to indemnify Danielson and certain related persons against certain
liabilities relating to or arising out of its engagement.
SCOTT & STRINGFELLOW
The FFBC Board retained Scott & Stringfellow to evaluate the terms of the
Reorganization Agreement, and Scott & Stringfellow has rendered its opinion to
the FFBC Board, dated August 26, 1996, that the terms of the Reorganization
Agreement are fair from a financial point of view to the holders of FFBC Common
Stock. In developing its opinion, Scott & Stringfellow reviewed and analyzed:
(a) the Reorganization Agreement; (b) this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the
Registration Statement of which it is a part; (c) FFBC's audited financial
statements for the three years ended December 31, 1995;
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(d) FFBC's unaudited financial statements for the quarter and six months ended
June 30, 1996 and 1995, and other internal information relating to FFBC prepared
by FFBC's management; (e) information regarding the trading markets for FFBC
Common Stock and SNC Common Stock and the price ranges within which the
respective stocks have traded; (f) the relationship of prices paid to relevant
financial data such as net worth, earnings, deposits and assets in certain
thrift and thrift holding company mergers and acquisitions in Virginia in recent
years; (g) SNC's annual reports to shareholders and its financial statements for
the three years ended December 31, 1995; (h) SNC's unaudited financial
statements for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 1996 and 1995 and other
internal information relating to SNC prepared by SNC's management; and (i)
certain financial information relating to the UCB Merger. Scott & Stringfellow
has discussed with members of FFBC's and SNC's management the background of the
Merger, the reasons and basis for the Merger, and the business and future
prospects of FFBC and SNC individually and as a combined entity. Finally, Scott
& Stringfellow has conducted such other studies, analyses and investigations,
particularly of the banking industry, and considered such other information, as
it deemed appropriate, the material portion of which is described below. No
instruction or limitations were given or imposed in connection with the scope of
or the examination or investigations made by Scott & Stringfellow in arriving at
its findings. A copy of Scott & Stringfellow's opinion, updated to the date of
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and setting forth the assumptions made, matters
considered and qualifications made on the review undertaken, is attached as
Appendix III hereto and should be read in its entirety. Scott & Stringfellow
used substantially the same types of financial analyses in preparing its updated
opinion as it used in providing its opinion dated August 26, 1996.
Scott & Stringfellow evaluated the financial terms of the Merger using
standard valuation methods, including comparable acquisition analysis, market
comparable analysis and dilution analysis.
COMPARABLE ACQUISITION ANALYSIS. Scott & Stringfellow compared the
relationship of prices paid to relevant financial data such as tangible net
worth, assets, deposits and earnings in 16 thrift and thrift holding company
mergers and acquisitions in Virginia since January 1, 1993, representing all
such transactions known to Scott & Stringfellow to have occurred during this
period involving thrift and thrift holding companies, with the proposed Merger
and found the consideration to be received from SNC to be within the relevant
pricing ranges acceptable for such recent transactions. Specifically, based upon
the most recent transactions either closed or announced in Virginia since
January 1, 1993, other than the Merger, the average price to tangible book value
in these transactions was 1.45 times, compared with 2.02 times for the Merger,
the average price to earnings ratio was 18.56 times, compared to 18.02 times for
the Merger, the average premium to deposits was 16.11% compared with 23.03% for
the Merger, and the average premium to assets was 12.14% compared with 17.34%
for the Merger. For purposes of computing the information with respect to the
Merger, $24.69 per share of consideration for each share of FFBC Common Stock
was used.
MARKET COMPARABLE ANALYSIS. Scott & Stringfellow analyzed the performance
and financial condition of SNC relative to a "Bank Group" that includes the
following financial institutions: UCB, Wachovia Corporation, NationsBank
Corporation, Centura Banks, Inc., CCB Financial Corporation, First Union
Corporation, First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Crestar Financial Corporation,
Central Fidelity Banks, Inc., F&M National Corporation, First Virginia Banks,
Inc., Jefferson Bankshares, Inc., Signet Banking Corporation, One Valley
Bancorp, Inc., United Bankshares, Inc., Mercantile Bankshares Corp. and Citizens
Bancorp. Financial information analyzed by Scott & Stringfellow included
information relating to tangible equity to assets, loans to deposits, net
interest margin, non-performing assets, total assets, non-accrual loans and
efficiency ratio. Scott & Stringfellow also compared, for the trailing
twelve-month period ended June 30, 1996, (a) price to tangible book value ratio
which was 2.09x for SNC, compared to an average of 1.89x for the Bank Group, (b)
price to earnings ratio which was 12.11x for SNC, compared to an average of
12.78x for the Bank Group, (c) return on average assets which was 1.36% for SNC,
compared to an average of 1.22% for the Bank Group, (d) return on equity which
was 17.15% for SNC, compared to an average of 13.91% for the Bank Group, and (e)
a dividend yield of 3.50% for SNC, compared to an average of 3.26% for the Bank
Group. Overall, in the opinion of Scott & Stringfellow, SNC's operating
performance and financial condition were slightly better than the Bank Group
average and SNC's market value was reasonable when compared to the Bank Group.
Accordingly, FFBC shareholders shall receive SNC Common Stock that is reasonably
valued when compared to the Bank Group.
DILUTION ANALYSIS. Based upon publicly available financial information on
Fidelity and SNC, Scott & Stringfellow considered the effect of the transaction
on the book value, earnings and market value of FFBC and SNC. The immediate
effect on SNC was to decrease earnings by $0.03 per share or 1.65% and to
increase book value by $0.31 or 2.07%. The effect on FFBC under the same
assumptions is to increase earnings $0.69 per share or 111.99%, to decrease book
value by $0.78 per share or 6.56%, to increase dividends by $0.57 or 286.79% and
to increase the market value of FFBC to $24.98. This dilution analysis does not
take into account the longer term benefits for the combined companies resulting
from the combination. Scott & Stringfellow concluded from this analysis that the
transaction would have a significant positive effect on FFBC and
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FFBC shareholders in that dividends per share, net income per share and the
market value of SNC Common Stock to be received by FFBC shareholders, after
giving effect to the Exchange Ratio, would represent a substantial increase in
the historical dividends per share, net income per share and market value of
FFBC Common Stock, although there can be no assurance that pro forma amounts are
indicative of future results.
The summary set forth above includes the material factors considered, but
does not purport to be a complete description of the presentation by Scott &
Stringfellow to FFBC or of the analyses performed by Scott & Stringfellow. The
preparation of a fairness opinion involves various determinations as to the most
appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the application of
those methods to the particular circumstances and, therefore, such an opinion is
not readily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Accordingly,
notwithstanding the separate factors summarized above, Scott & Stringfellow
believes that its analysis must be considered as a whole and that selecting
portions of its analyses and the factors considered by it, without considering
all analyses and factors, would create an incomplete view of the process
underlying the preparation of its opinion. As a whole, these various analyses
contributed to Scott & Stringfellow's opinion that the terms of the
Reorganization Agreement are fair from a financial point of view to FFBC
shareholders.
FFBC has agreed to pay Scott & Stringfellow a fee of $25,000 for evaluating
the terms of the Merger and rendering its opinion. The fee is payable only in
the event the Merger is consummated.
Scott & Stringfellow is a full service investment banking and brokerage
firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, that provides a broad array of
services to corporations, financial institutions and state and local
governments. The Financial Institutions Group of Scott & Stringfellow actively
works with financial institutions in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, the
District of Columbia and West Virginia on these and other matters. As part of
its investment banking practice, it is continually engaged in the valuation of
financial institutions and their securities in connection with mergers and
acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, and secondary distribution of listed and
unlisted securities. Scott & Stringfellow was selected by the FFBC Board based
upon its expertise and (particularly in Virginia, the state of residence of a
significant number of FFBC's shareholders) its reputation in providing valuation
and merger and acquisitions and advisory services to financial institutions.
EXCHANGE RATIO
In the Merger, each outstanding share of FFBC Common Stock will be
converted into the right to receive a number of shares of SNC Common Stock based
on the Closing Value (as defined below) of SNC Common Stock as such term is
defined below (the "Exchange Ratio"). If the Closing Value of SNC Common Stock
were $ , which was the closing per share price of SNC Common Stock on the
NYSE on January , 1997, the Exchange Ratio would be shares of SNC
Common Stock for each share of FFBC Common Stock.
The Reorganization Agreement provides that if the Closing Value is less
than $24.00, each outstanding share of FFBC Common Stock will be converted into
.8758 shares of SNC Common Stock. If the Closing Value is less than $26.50 but
not less than $24.00, the Exchange Ratio shall be determined by dividing $21.02
by the Closing Value, which would result in an Exchange Ratio of between .7935
and .8758 shares of SNC Common Stock for each share of FFBC Common Stock. If the
Closing Value is not less than $26.50 and not greater than $31.50, each
outstanding share of FFBC Common Stock will be converted into .7931 shares of
SNC Common Stock. If the Closing Value is greater than $31.50 but not greater
than $35.00, the Exchange Ratio shall be determined by dividing $24.98 by the
Closing Value, which would result in an Exchange Ratio of between .7928 and
.7137 shares of SNC Common Stock for each share of FFBC Common Stock. If the
Closing Value is greater than $35.00, the Exchange Ratio shall be .7137 shares
of SNC Common Stock for each share of FFBC Common Stock.
"Closing Value" means the average closing price per share, as reported on
the NYSE, of SNC Common Stock for the twenty NYSE trading days immediately
preceding the fifth calendar day preceding the date on which the shareholders of
FFBC approve the Merger. If the Merger is approved at the Special Meeting on
February 27, 1997, the period during which the Closing Value will be determined
will be the twenty NYSE trading days ending on February 21, 1997.
Any changes in the market price of the SNC Common Stock after the period
for which the Closing Value is determined will not affect the Exchange Ratio,
and the actual market price of the SNC Common Stock at the time the Merger is
consummated could be more or less than the Closing Value used to determine the
Exchange Ratio.
No fractional shares of SNC Common Stock will be issued in the Merger.
Holders of FFBC Common Stock otherwise entitled to a fractional share will be
paid an amount in cash determined by multiplying that fraction by the Closing
Value.
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EXCHANGE OF FFBC COMMON STOCK CERTIFICATES
Promptly after the Effective Date, transmittal forms will be mailed to each
record holder of FFBC Common Stock at the Effective Date. The transmittal form
will include instructions to be followed in exchanging the certificates formerly
evidencing shares of FFBC Common Stock for certificates evidencing shares of SNC
Common Stock and, if applicable, cash in lieu of fractional shares. Upon
surrender of certificates formerly evidencing shares of FFBC Common Stock in
accordance with the transmittal forms and instructions, each holder thereof will
receive a certificate evidencing the number of whole shares of SNC Common Stock
to which that holder is entitled and any cash payable in lieu of a fractional
share.
HOLDERS OF FFBC COMMON STOCK SHOULD NOT SEND IN THEIR STOCK CERTIFICATES
UNTIL THEY RECEIVE TRANSMITTAL FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS.
After the Effective Date, until so surrendered and exchanged, each
certificate that evidenced shares of FFBC Common Stock immediately prior to the
Effective Date will represent only the right to receive the whole shares of SNC
Common Stock and any cash payment in lieu of a fractional share in the Merger.
THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE AND TIME OF THE MERGER
The Merger will be effective at the time and on the date specified in the
Articles of Merger to be filed with the State Corporation Commission of the
Commonwealth of Virginia. The filing of the Articles of Merger will take place
following approval of the Plan of Merger by the FFBC shareholders and
satisfaction of all other conditions to the respective obligations of SNC and
FFBC to consummate the Merger. If the Merger is approved at the Special Meeting
on February 27, 1997, it is currently anticipated that the filing of the
Articles of Merger and the consummation of the Merger will occur on or about
March 4, 1997.
THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT, A
COPY OF WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AS APPENDIX I AND
INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
The respective obligations of SNC and FFBC to consummate the Merger are
subject to the satisfaction or, where permissible, the waiver of certain
conditions including, without limitation, the following: (a) the authorization
of the execution, delivery, and performance of the Reorganization Agreement and
the Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby by all necessary
SNC and FFBC corporate action, including approval of the Merger by the requisite
vote of the shareholders of FFBC; (b) the registration under the Securities Act
of the shares of SNC Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger and
the receipt of all permits, authorizations, or confirmations under state
securities laws necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by the
Reorganization Agreement; (c) the receipt of all required regulatory approvals
of the Merger; (d) the absence of any order, decree or injunction issued by a
court or agency of competent jurisdiction enjoining or preventing the
consummation of the Merger; and (e) the receipt of the opinion of Womble Carlyle
Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, counsel to SNC, substantially to the effect that the
Merger will constitute a reorganization under Section 368 of the Code and that
the shareholders of FFBC will not recognize any gain or loss to the extent that
such shareholders exchange shares of FFBC Common Stock for shares of SNC Common
Stock (other than with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares).
The obligations of FFBC to consummate the Merger are also subject to the
satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions: (a) the material accuracy of
the representations and warranties and the performance of all covenants made by
SNC in the Reorganization Agreement; (b) the receipt of certain legal opinions
and closing certificates from SNC; and (c) the absence of any material adverse
change in the conditions, operations or prospects of SNC since December 31,
1995.
The obligations of SNC to consummate the Merger are also subject to the
satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions: (a) the material accuracy of
the representations and warranties and the performance of all covenants made by
FFBC in the Reorganization Agreement; (b) the receipt of certain legal opinions
and closing certificates from FFBC; (c) the absence of any regulatory approval
imposing any condition or requirement which, in the reasonable opinion of the
Board of Directors of SNC, would so materially adversely affect the business or
economic benefits to SNC of the Merger and other transactions contemplated in
the Reorganization Agreement as to render the consummation of such transactions
inadvisable or unduly burdensome; (d) the receipt of written agreements from
"affiliates," as defined in Rule 145 under the Securities Act, of FFBC
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regarding certain restrictions on resale of SNC Common Stock received in the
Merger; and (e) the determination by SNC that there has been no material adverse
change in the condition, operations or prospects of FFBC.
CONDUCT OF FFBC'S AND SNC'S BUSINESS PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE
Except as permitted, required, or specifically contemplated by the
Reorganization Agreement or with the prior written consent of SNC, FFBC will
not, and will cause each of its subsidiaries not to: (a) carry on its business
other than in the usual and ordinary course in substantially the same manner as
theretofore conducted; (b) declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other
distribution in respect of its capital stock other than regularly scheduled
dividends payable on record dates and in the amounts consistent with past
practice; (c) issue any shares of its capital stock other than pursuant to the
exercise of stock options or the exercise by SNC of its rights under the Option
Agreement; (d) issue, grant or authorize any rights in respect of its capital
stock (other than certain specified stock options) or effect any
recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split or other capital
change; (e) amend its articles of incorporation or bylaws; (f) merge or
consolidate with or acquire control over any other corporation or dispose of any
assets or acquire any assets, other than in the ordinary course of its business;
(g) fail to comply in any material respect with any laws, regulations,
ordinances or governmental actions applicable to it and the conduct of its
business; (h) increase the rate of compensation of any of its directors,
officers or employees, or agree to pay any bonus to, or provide any other
employee benefit or incentive to, any of its directors, officers or employees,
except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices; (i)
enter into or substantially modify (except as required by applicable law or
renewals consistent with past practices) any pension or other employee benefit
plan or arrangement; (j) solicit or encourage inquiries or proposals with
respect to, furnish any information relating to, or participate in any
negotiations or discussions concerning, any acquisition or purchase of all or a
substantial portion of the assets of, or a substantial equity interest in, FFBC
or its subsidiaries or any business combination with FFBC or its subsidiaries
(except where the failure to furnish such information or participate in such
negotiations or discussions would, in the written opinion of FFBC's legal
counsel, constitute a breach of the fiduciary or legal obligations of the FFBC
Board to its shareholders), or authorize any agent of FFBC or its subsidiaries
to take such actions, or fail to notify SNC immediately if any such inquiries or
proposals are received or any such negotiations or discussions are sought to be
initiated; (k) enter into any material agreement, arrangement or commitment
other than in the ordinary course of business; (l) change its lending,
investment or asset/liability management policies in any material respect,
except as may be required by applicable law, regulation or directive; (m) change
its methods of accounting in effect at December 31, 1995 or change any of its
methods of reporting income and deductions for federal income tax purposes from
those employed in the preparation of its federal income tax returns for the year
ended December 31, 1995, except as required by changes in law; (n) incur any
capital expenditures or obligations to make capital expenditures in excess of
$75,000 individually or $750,000 in the aggregate; (o) incur any indebtedness
other than in the ordinary course of business; (p) take any action which would
or might be expected to (i) cause the Merger not to constitute a reorganization
under Section 368 of the Code, as determined by SNC, (ii) result in any
representation or warranty made by FFBC in the Reorganization Agreement being
untrue in any material respect, or (iii) cause any of the conditions precedent
to the Merger to fail to be satisfied; (q) dispose of any material assets other
than in the ordinary course of business; or (r) agree to do any of the
foregoing.
Except with the prior written consent of FFBC, which consent may not be
arbitrarily or unreasonably withheld, prior to the Merger neither SNC nor any of
its subsidiaries may: (a) exercise the Option Agreement other than in accordance
with its terms, or dispose of the shares of FFBC Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of the option rights conferred thereby other than as permitted or
contemplated by the terms thereof; (b) enter into a merger or other business
combination transaction with any other corporation or person in which SNC would
not be the surviving or continuing entity after the consummation thereof; or (c)
sell or lease all or substantially all of the assets and business of BB&T
Financial-VA or BB&T-VA.
TERMINATION
The Reorganization Agreement may be terminated and the Merger abandoned at
any time prior to the Effective Date by the mutual written consent of SNC and
FFBC. Either SNC or FFBC also may terminate the Reorganization Agreement at any
time prior to the Effective Date if: (a) there has been a materially adverse
breach by the other party of any of its representations, warranties or covenants
that is not cured at the earlier of thirty days following written notice of the
breach or the Effective Date; (b) any approval required for the consummation of
the Merger is denied and the time period for appeals and requests for
reconsideration thereof has expired; or (c) the shareholders of FFBC do not
approve the Merger at the Special Meeting. Either party may terminate the
Reorganization Agreement on the Closing Date if any of the conditions precedent
to the obligations of the terminating party to consummate the Merger have not
been satisfied or fulfilled and the terminating party is not in breach of any of
its representations, warranties or covenants, and either party may terminate the
Reorganization
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Agreement at any time after the close of business on June 30, 1997, if the
Effective Date has not occurred and the terminating party is not in breach of
any of its representations, warranties or covenants.
If the Reorganization Agreement is terminated by either SNC or FFBC, the
Reorganization Agreement will become void. Thereafter, there will be no
liability on the part of SNC or FFBC other than, in either case, with respect to
(a) its obligations to protect the other party's confidential information, (b)
payment of its costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions
described herein, and (c) any claims arising out of any uncured breach of a
covenant or agreement, if such breach gave rise to the termination.
AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
SNC and FFBC may amend the Reorganization Agreement by mutual written
agreement. Except with respect to any required regulatory approval, at any time
prior to the Effective Date and whether before or after the Merger has been
approved by the shareholders of FFBC, either SNC or FFBC may extend the time of
performance of any obligations of the other party and may waive (a) any
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other party contained
in the Reorganization Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant thereto;
(b) compliance or performance by the other party of any of its agreements,
covenants or obligations contained in the Reorganization Agreement; or (c) any
condition to such waiving party's obligations to consummate the transactions
contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement. After the approval of the Merger
by the shareholders of FFBC at the Special Meeting, the Reorganization Agreement
may not be amended to reduce the number of shares of SNC Common Stock into which
each share of FFBC Common Stock is converted or amend the payment terms for
fractional shares.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
Certain members of FFBC's management, including all of its directors, have
certain interests in the Merger that are in addition to their interests as
shareholders of FFBC generally.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BB&T-VA AND BB&T FINANCIAL-VA
The Reorganization Agreement provides that, following consummation of the
Merger, SNC shall cause the persons who were members of the FFBC Board
immediately preceding the Merger to serve as members of the FFSB Board of
Directors (the "Continuing Directors") and as members of a Marketing and
Development Board for the Richmond region. SNC will cause each Continuing
Director to be reappointed to the FFSB Board (and, following the FFSB Bank
Merger, to the BB&T-VA Board) for periods extending at least through the third
anniversary of the Merger, subject in each case to his eligibility and
willingness to serve, and subject further to the conditions with respect to each
that he shall have complied with all fiduciary duties to FFSB and BB&T-VA, shall
not have been involved in any action that disqualifies him from serving or which
would bring discredit to FFSB or BB&T-VA or any other entity affiliated with SNC
and shall have carried out his duties to FFSB and BB&T-VA in a reasonably
competent, businesslike and attentive manner. For a period of three years
following the Merger, the Continuing Directors will receive fees and
compensation, as directors of FFSB or BB&T-VA, as the case may be, at the same
levels and under the same conditions as were applicable to the FFBC Board as of
the Effective Date. Following such three-year period, fees and compensation
payable to the Continuing Directors who continue as members of the BB&T-VA Board
will be at the same level as those paid by comparable SNC bank subsidiaries to
members of their respective boards of directors. Further, in recognition of
their proactive roles in assuring a smooth transaction during and following the
Merger, supporting the ongoing success of BB&T-VA in the Richmond region as well
as throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and providing general business
consulting, each Continuing Director who does not become an employee of SNC or
any of its subsidiaries and who becomes a member of the BB&T-VA Board as
described above will receive options to purchase 2,000 shares of SNC Common
Stock pursuant to the terms of SNC's 1995 Omnibus Stock Option Plan (the "SNC
Omnibus Plan"). Such options will be granted immediately following the Merger,
will be exercisable at fair market value per share on the date of grant and will
vest as follows: 667 shares on each of the first and second anniversaries of the
Merger and 666 shares on the third anniversary. If any such nonemployee Director
ceases to be a member of the FFSB Board or BB&T-VA Board prior to the third
anniversary, any options not vested will be forfeited except to the extent
otherwise provided in the SNC Omnibus Plan. Those options which have vested will
be exercisable at any time during the ten-year period following the Merger,
subject to the terms of the SNC Omnibus Plan relating to exercise following a
termination of service, and will in all respects be governed by the provisions
of the SNC Omnibus Plan as in effect from time to time.
The Reorganization Agreement further provides that, following consummation
of the Merger, Barry D. Crawford, Richard J. November, H. R. Pollard, IV and
Robert G. Watts, who are directors of FFBC, will be appointed to serve as
directors of BB&T-Financial-VA.
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INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The Reorganization Agreement provides that after the Merger, each director
and officer of FFBC who, prior to the Merger, was entitled to indemnification
pursuant to Virginia law will be indemnified for acts or omissions prior to and
following the Merger, in accordance with BB&T-VA's bylaw provisions, to the
maximum extent permitted under Virginia law and federal law, if applicable. The
Reorganization Agreement further provides that SNC or BB&T-VA shall purchase and
keep in force directors' and officers' liability insurance to provide coverage
for actions or omissions by directors and officers of FFBC for claims made for
the periods prior to and following the Merger. SNC intends to extend such
protections also to FFSB and FSC officers and directors who are not also
officers or directors of FFBC. Such FFSB and FSC officers and directors are
currently entitled to indemnification pursuant to the FFBC Articles. See
"COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS -- Exculpation and Indemnification -- FFBC."
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
In connection with the Merger, SNC will enter into a seven-year employment
agreement with Mr. Crawford, a five-year employment agreement with Mr. Martin
and a three-year employment agreement with each of Bonnie H. Agee, Cary A.
Morris and Helen T. Reese (referred to herein individually as an "Executive" and
collectively as the "Executives"). The employment agreements will provide for
the employment of the Executives in their current capacities. After the FFSB
Bank Merger, Mr. Crawford will serve as Regional President, Mr. Martin will
serve as Executive Vice President and Ms. Agee, Mr. Morris and Ms. Reese will
each serve as Senior Vice President of BB&T-VA.
The employment agreement for each of the Executives provides that the
Executive will receive a base salary at least equal to the base salary received
by that Executive from FFSB as of January 1, 1997. Each Executive will be
entitled to participate in any bonus or incentive plan, whether such plan
provides for awards in cash or securities, made available to officers of SNC
similarly situated to the Executive, as such plan or plans may be modified from
time to time, or such other similar plans for which the Executive may become
eligible and designated a participant. Each Executive also will be entitled to
receive, on the same basis as other officers of SNC, employee pension and
welfare benefits and group employee benefits such as sick leave, vacation, group
disability and health, life and accident insurance and similar indirect
compensation which SNC may from time to time extend to its officers. If during
his or her term of employment an Executive becomes eligible for benefits under
SNC's pension plan and retires, the Executive will be eligible to participate in
the same retiree health insurance program provided to other retiring employees
at the time.
Each Executive's employment agreement provides that, in the event SNC
terminates his or her employment other than by reason of death or disability or
for cause, the Executive will, if he or she complies with certain noncompetition
provisions, be entitled to receive an annual salary for the remainder of what
would otherwise have been the term of such employment agreement equal to the
highest amount of cash compensation (including bonuses) received during any of
the preceding five calendar years ("Termination Compensation") together with
health insurance and other benefits then provided by SNC. In the case of the
employment agreement with Mr. Crawford, the agreement further provides that if
Mr. Crawford voluntarily terminates employment with SNC at any time after the
second anniversary of the date of the agreement other than for "Good Reason," as
described in the following paragraph, Mr. Crawford will be entitled to receive
annually 60% of Termination Compensation for the remainder of what would
otherwise have been the term of the employment agreement, so long as Mr.
Crawford complies with certain noncompetition provisions. In the case of the
employment agreement with Mr. Martin, the agreement provides that if Mr. Martin
voluntarily terminates employment with SNC at any time after the first
anniversary of the date of the Agreement other than for "Good Reason," as
described in the following paragraph, Mr. Martin will be entitled to receive
annually 60% of Termination Compensation for the remainder of what would
otherwise have been the term of the employment agreement (or, at Mr. Martin's
election, to receive such amount immediately in a lump sum using a discount rate
of 8%), so long as Mr. Martin complies with certain noncompetition provisions.
In addition, each Executive would continue to receive health insurance coverage
from SNC on the same terms as were in effect prior to the termination, either
under SNC's plans or comparable coverage, during the time payments of
Termination Compensation are made.
In the event of a Change of Control (as hereinafter defined) of SNC during
the term of an Executive's employment agreement and the voluntary termination of
his or her employment with SNC for Good Reason (as hereinafter defined) at any
time during the twenty-four months following such Change of Control, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive a lump sum payment, in lieu of any other
amounts payable under his or her employment agreement, equal to the amount of
his or her Termination Compensation multiplied by 2.99. A "Change of Control"
shall be deemed to have occurred if: (a) any person or group (as defined in
Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) of persons, other than SNC or its
affiliates (excluding certain employee benefit plans), is or becomes the
beneficial owner of securities of SNC representing 20% or more of the combined
voting power of SNC's then outstanding securities; (b) as a result of any tender
offer, exchange offer, proxy
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contest, merger, consolidation or sale of assets, individuals who at the
beginning of any two-year period constitute the SNC Board, plus new directors
whose election is approved by at least two-thirds of the directors still in
office who were directors at the beginning of such two-year period, cease for
any reason to constitute at least two-thirds of the members of the SNC Board;
(c) the shareholders of SNC approve certain mergers or consolidations involving
SNC which result in shareholders of SNC having less than 60% of the voting power
of the combined entity; (d) the shareholders of SNC approve a plan of complete
liquidation of SNC or an agreement for the sale or disposition of all or
substantially all of SNC's assets; or (e) any other event occurs which the SNC
Board determines to be a change of control. "Good Reason" is defined as: (a) the
assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent with his or her position
immediately before the Change of Control; (b) a reduction in his or her base
salary, the exclusion of the Executive from participation in SNC's benefit plans
in which he or she previously participated as in effect on the effective date of
the employment agreement or as the same may be increased or a failure to
increase his or her base salary by a percentage equal to the average of that
received by executives entitled to participate in those SNC executive incentive
plans for which the Executive was eligible during the preceding twelve months;
(c) an involuntary relocation more than 100 miles from where the Executive
worked prior to the Change of Control; or (d) a material breach by SNC of the
employment agreement.
The Executives' employment agreements with SNC will supersede any of their
existing employment agreements and change of control arrangements with FFSB.
STOCK OPTIONS
The 1994 Stock Plan provides for the acceleration of vesting of rights
under all outstanding options to purchase FFBC Common Stock upon the occurrence
of the Merger. As of September 30, 1996, directors and officers of FFBC held
unvested options to purchase 31,100 shares of FFBC Common Stock at an average
exercise price of $9.68 per share. In connection with the Merger, such options
will be converted into options to purchase shares of SNC Common Stock adjusted
for the Exchange Ratio, and such options will become immediately exercisable.
Further, pursuant to the 1994 Stock Plan, vesting of options of directors and
officers participating in such plan will be accelerated as a result of
consummation of the Merger.
In addition, the 1994 Stock Plan provides for the automatic grant to
nonemployee directors of FFBC of options to purchase 315 shares of FFBC Common
Stock on an annual basis through May of 2002. The 1994 Stock Plan provides that
upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in such plan), each
nonemployee director shall immediately be granted an option to purchase shares
of FFBC Common Stock in an amount equal to 315 shares times the number of
automatic annual grants which would have been made had the Change in Control not
occurred and the optionee remained a nonemployee director. Accordingly, in
connection with the Merger, each nonemployee director of FFBC will be granted an
option to purchase 1,890 shares of FFBC Common Stock at a price equal to the
fair market value of FFBC Common Stock on the Effective Date. Such options will
be converted into and become rights with respect to SNC Common Stock on a basis
that reflects the Exchange Ratio in accordance with the Reorganization
Agreement. See "THE MERGER -- Effect on Employees, Employee Benefit Plans and
Stock Options."
REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
Bank holding companies (such as SNC and BB&T Financial-VA), savings and
loan holding companies (such as FFBC) and their respective depository
institution subsidiaries (including BB&T-VA and FFSB, respectively) are highly
regulated institutions, with numerous federal and state laws and regulations
governing their activities. Among these laws and regulations are requirements of
prior approval by applicable government regulatory authorities in connection
with acquisition and merger transactions such as the Merger, as summarized
below. In addition, these institutions are subject to ongoing supervision,
regulation, and periodic examination by various federal and state financial
institution regulatory agencies. Detailed discussions of such ongoing regulatory
oversight and the laws and regulations under which it is carried out can be
found in the Annual Reports on Forms 10-K of each of SNC and FFBC incorporated
by reference herein. See "AVAILABLE INFORMATION" and "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN
DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE." Those summaries are qualified in their entirety by the
actual language of the laws and regulations, which are subject to change based
on recently enacted and future legislation and action by regulatory agencies.
The Merger and the FFSB Bank Merger are subject to certain regulatory
approvals, as set forth below. To the extent that the following information
describes statutes and regulations, it is qualified in its entirety by reference
to those particular statutes and regulations.
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THE MERGER
The Merger is subject to approval by the BFI under Section 6.1-194.97 of
the Code of Virginia, which permits an out-of-state holding company, such as
SNC, to acquire directly or indirectly more than twenty five percent (25%) of
the voting shares of a Virginia savings institution holding company, such as
FFBC, or a savings institution located in Virginia, such as FFSB, if the BFI
approves the transaction. Approval of such an application is conditioned upon,
among other things, the BFI's determination that the laws of the state in which
the out-of-state holding company is located, in this case North Carolina, would
permit Virginia savings institution holding companies to acquire savings
institutions and savings institution holding companies in that state. North
Carolina law would permit a Virginia savings and loan holding company to acquire
a savings institution and savings and loan holding company located in North
Carolina, subject to certain conditions. The BFI also must determine whether:
(a) the proposed acquisition would be detrimental to the safety and soundness of
the companies involved; (b) the applicant, its directors and officers, and any
proposed new directors and officers are qualified by character, experience and
financial responsibility to control and operate a Virginia savings institution;
(c) the proposed acquisition would be prejudicial to the interests of the
depositors, creditors, beneficiaries of fiduciary accounts or shareholders of
the companies involved; and (d) the acquisition is in the public interest.
SNC also is required to provide notice of the Merger to the Federal Reserve
under the Bank Holding Company Act and the Federal Reserve's Regulation Y. Under
the Bank Holding Company Act, a bank holding company, such as SNC, may not
acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of a company engaged in
nonbanking activities unless the company is engaged in an activity that the
Federal Reserve has determined to be so closely related to banking, or managing
or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. The Federal Reserve has
determined by regulation that owning a savings institution is closely related to
banking. However, the Federal Reserve is required by the Bank Holding Company
Act to review the Merger to determine whether it reasonably can be expected to
produce benefits to the public (such as greater convenience, increased
competition or gains in efficiency) that outweigh possible adverse effects (such
as undue concentration of resources, decreased or unfair competition, conflicts
of interest or unsound banking practices). This consideration includes an
evaluation by the Federal Reserve of the financial and managerial resources of
SNC, including its subsidiaries, and FFBC, and the effect of the proposed
transaction on those resources, as well as whether the Merger would result in a
monopoly or otherwise would substantially lessen competition. Recently enacted
legislation requires the Federal Reserve to forward a copy of the notice
required to be filed by SNC to the OTS for its review and comment. However,
because such legislation exempts bank holding companies that acquire savings
institutions from the provisions of the federal law relating to savings and loan
holding companies, SNC is not required to file a separate application with the
OTS for approval of the Merger.
THE FFSB BANK MERGER
Although not required by the terms of the Reorganization Agreement or the
Plan of Merger, SNC expects to effect the FFSB Bank Merger no later than the
first quarter of 1998. The FFSB Bank Merger is subject to approval of the FDIC
under the Bank Merger Act. In granting its approval under the Bank Merger Act,
the FDIC must consider the financial and managerial resources and future
prospects of the existing and proposed institutions and the convenience and
needs of the communities to be served. Further, the FDIC may not approve the
FFSB Bank Merger if it would result in a monopoly, if it would be in furtherance
of any combination or conspiracy to monopolize or to attempt to monopolize the
business of banking in any part of the United States, if the effect of the FFSB
Bank Merger in any section of the country may be substantially to lessen
competition or to tend to create a monopoly or if it would be in any other
manner in restraint of trade, unless the FDIC finds that the anticompetitive
effects of the FFSB Bank Merger are clearly outweighed in the public interest by
the probable effect of such Merger in meeting the convenience and needs of the
communities to be served. In addition, the FDIC must take into account the
record of performance of the existing and proposed institution under the
Community Reinvestment Act in meeting the credit needs of the entire community,
including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, served by such institution.
Applicable regulations also require publication of notice of the application for
approval of the FFSB Bank Merger and an opportunity for the public to comment on
the application in writing and to request a hearing.
The FFSB Bank Merger also is subject to approval by the OTS under its
regulations regarding mergers and transfers of assets and assumption of
liabilities of a savings institution, which require, among other things, the OTS
to consider factors similar to those the FDIC must consider in approving a
transaction under the Bank Merger Act. In addition, the BFI must approve the
FFSB Bank Merger under Section 6.1-194.40 of the Virginia Code, which authorizes
the merger between a federal savings bank and a Virginia chartered bank, when,
among other things, the BFI determines that all applicable laws governing such
mergers are complied with and the public interest will be served.
The Bank Merger Act requires that any bank merger, including the FFSB Bank
Merger, may not be consummated until the thirtieth day after approval by the
FDIC, during which time the U.S. Department of Justice (the "DOJ") may challenge
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the FFSB Bank Merger on antitrust grounds. The FDIC may shorten the thirty day
waiting period to fifteen days in the event the FDIC has not received any
adverse comments from the DOJ concerning the competitive effects of the proposed
transaction.
The Federal Reserve approved the notification of the Merger on December 16,
1996 and the BFI approved the Merger on December 23, 1996. BB&T-VA filed the
necessary applications to consummate the FFSB Bank Merger in January 1997.
Approval of such applications is not necessary for the consummation of the
Merger.
SNC and FFBC are not aware of any other governmental approvals or actions
that are required for consummation of the Merger or the FFSB Bank Merger, except
as described above. Should any other approval or action be required, it is
contemplated presently that such approval or action would be sought. There can
be no assurance that any such approval or action, if needed, could be obtained,
would not delay consummation of the Merger or would not be conditioned in a
manner that would cause SNC to abandon the Merger.
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER
The following is a summary description of certain anticipated federal
income tax consequences of the Merger to the shareholders of FFBC and to FFBC
and SNC. This summary is not intended to be a complete description of all of the
federal income tax consequences of the Merger. No information is provided with
respect to the tax consequences of the Merger under any other tax laws,
including applicable state, local and foreign tax laws. In addition, the
following discussion may not be applicable with respect to certain specific
categories of shareholders, including but not limited to persons who are
corporations, trusts, dealers in securities, financial institutions, insurance
companies, or tax exempt organizations; persons who are not United States
citizens or resident aliens or domestic entities (partnerships or trusts);
persons who are subject to alternative minimum tax (to the extent that tax
affects the tax consequences of the Merger) or are subject to the "golden
parachute" provisions of the Code (to the extent that tax affects the tax
consequences of the Merger); persons who acquired FFBC Common Stock pursuant to
employee stock options or otherwise as compensation if such shares are subject
to any restriction related to employment; persons who do not hold their shares
as capital assets; or persons who hold their shares as part of a "straddle" or
"conversion transaction." The federal income tax laws are complex, and a
shareholder's individual circumstances may affect the tax consequences to the
shareholder. Consequently, each FFBC shareholder is urged to consult his or her
own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the Merger. No ruling has been
or will be requested from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to the tax
effects of the Merger.
In the opinion of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, counsel to SNC:
(a) the Merger will constitute a reorganization under Section 368 of the Code;
(b) no gain or loss will be recognized by SNC or FFBC by reason of the Merger;
(c) the shareholders of FFBC will recognize no gain or loss for federal income
tax purposes to the extent SNC Common Stock is received in the Merger in
exchange for FFBC Common Stock; (d) a shareholder of FFBC who receives cash in
lieu of a fractional share of SNC Common Stock will recognize gain or loss as if
the shareholder received the fractional share and it was then redeemed for cash
at the Closing Value; (e) the tax basis in the SNC Common Stock received by a
shareholder (including any fractional share interest deemed received) will be
the same as the tax basis in the FFBC Common Stock surrendered in exchange
therefor; and (f) the holding period for SNC Common Stock received (including
any fractional share interest deemed received) in exchange for shares of FFBC
Common Stock will include the period during which the shareholder held the
shares of FFBC Common Stock surrendered in the exchange, provided that the FFBC
Common Stock was held as a capital asset at the Effective Date.
The consummation of the Merger is conditioned upon the receipt by FFBC and
SNC of an opinion of Womble, Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC, counsel to SNC,
dated as of the Closing Date to the effect of items (a) and (c) as described
above.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
It is anticipated that the Merger will be accounted for under the
purchase method of accounting, wherein SNC will record the acquired
identifiable assets and liabilities assumed at the fair market value
at the time of consummation of the Merger. Any excess of the cost
of FFBC and the sum of the fair values of tangible and identifiable
intangible assets less liabilities assumed will be recorded
as goodwill. Any goodwill recorded is expected to be amortized
over the period of expected benefit. SNC's reported income shall include
the operations of FFBC after acquisition, based on the cost of the
transaction. Financial statements of SNC issued after consummation
of the Merger would reflect the impact of FFBC. Financial statements of SNC
issued before consummation of the Merger would not be restated retroactively
to reflect FFBC's historical financial position or results of
operations. The unaudited pro forma financial information contained in this
Proxy Statement/Prospectus has been prepared using the purchase accounting
basis to account for the Merger.
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It is expected that the pooling of interests method of accounting will be
used to reflect the UCB Merger. As required by generally accepted accounting
principles, under pooling of interests accounting, as of the effective date of
the UCB Merger, the assets and liabilities of UCB would be added to those of SNC
at their recorded book values and the shareholders' equity accounts of SNC and
UCB would be combined on SNC's consolidated balance sheet. On a pooling of
interests accounting basis, income and other financial statements of SNC issued
after consummation of the UCB Merger would be restated retroactively to reflect
the consolidated combined financial position and results of operations of SNC
and UCB as if the UCB Merger had taken place prior to the periods covered by
such financial statements. The unaudited pro forma financial information
contained in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus has been prepared using the pooling
of interests accounting basis to account for the UCB Merger.
THE OPTION AGREEMENT
GENERAL
Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Reorganization
Agreement, and as a condition to SNC's entering into the Reorganization
Agreement, SNC and FFBC entered into the Option Agreement, pursuant to which
FFBC has granted SNC the Option for the purchase up to 456,044 shares of the
authorized and unissued shares of FFBC Common Stock (or such other number of
shares as will represent not more than 19.9% of the then outstanding FFBC Common
Stock) at a price of $13.00 per share.
THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE OPTION AGREEMENT IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE OPTION AGREEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH
HAS BEEN FILED AS AN EXHIBIT TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND IS INCORPORATED
HEREIN BY REFERENCE.
EXERCISE OF OPTION
SNC may exercise the Option, in whole or in part, only following the
occurrence of one of the following events (each a "Purchase Event"):
(a) FFBC or any of its subsidiaries shall have authorized,
recommended, proposed or publicly announced an intention to authorize,
recommend or propose a transaction with a person (other than SNC or its
affiliates), or entered into an agreement with a person (other than SNC or
its affiliates), to (i) effect a merger or consolidation with, or enter
into any similar business combination with, FFBC or any of its
subsidiaries, (ii) sell, lease or otherwise dispose of to such person
assets of FFBC aggregating 10% or more of the consolidated assets of FFBC
and its subsidiaries (other than a sale of loan receivables in a financing
transaction in the normal course of business) or (iii) issue, sell or
otherwise dispose of to such person (including by way of merger,
consolidation, share exchange, or any similar transaction) securities
representing more than 10% of the voting power of FFBC or any of its
subsidiaries;
(b) any person other than SNC or any of its affiliates shall have
acquired beneficial ownership of more than 10% of the outstanding shares of
FFBC Common Stock or any person (other than SNC or its affiliates) shall
have merged, consolidated with or consummated a similar transaction with
FFBC, or any person (other than SNC or its affiliates) shall have
purchased, leased or otherwise acquired 10% of more of the assets of FFBC
(other than a sale of loan receivables in a financing transaction in the
normal course of business); or
(c) a bona fide proposal shall have been made by any person (other
than SNC or its affiliates) by public announcement or written communication
that is or becomes the subject of public disclosure or disclosure in an
application to any federal or state regulatory authority to (i) acquire,
merge or consolidate with, or enter into any similar transaction with FFBC,
(ii) purchase, lease or otherwise acquire 10% or more of the assets of FFBC
(other than a sale of loan receivables in a financing transaction in the
normal course of business) or (iii) purchase or otherwise acquire
(including by way of tender offer, merger, consolidation, share exchange,
tender or exchange offer or any similar transaction) securities
representing more than 10% of the voting power of FFBC.
The right to purchase shares under the Option Agreement will expire and
terminate upon the earliest to occur of: (a) the Effective Date of the Merger;
(b) the termination of the Reorganization Agreement other than following or in
connection with (i) a willful and material breach by FFBC of any of its
covenants or agreements in the Reorganization Agreement or (ii) the failure of
the shareholders of FFBC to approve the Merger by the vote required under
applicable law; (c) eighteen months after the first occurrence of a Purchase
Event; or (d) August 22, 1999.
If prior notification to, or approval of, any federal or state regulatory
agency is required in connection with such purchase, SNC and FFBC will promptly
file such notice or application for approval and the period of time that
otherwise would
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run pursuant to such notice period will run instead from the
date on which the last required notification period has expired or has been
terminated or such approvals have been obtained and any requisite waiting period
has expired.
ADJUSTMENT OF NUMBER OF SHARES
The number and type of securities subject to the Option and the purchase
price thereof will be adjusted for any change in the number of shares of
outstanding FFBC Common Stock by reason of a stock dividend, stock split,
merger, recapitalization, combination, exchange of shares or similar
transaction, such that SNC will receive (upon the exercise of the Option) the
same number and type of securities as if the Option had been exercised
immediately prior to such change. The number of shares of FFBC Common Stock
subject to the Option will also be adjusted if FFBC otherwise issues additional
shares of FFBC Common Stock, such that the number of shares of Common Stock
subject to the Option represents 19.9% of the shares of FFBC Common Stock then
outstanding, without giving effect to shares subject to or issued pursuant to
the Option. In no event shall the shares subject to the Option constitute more
than 19.9% of the shares of FFBC Common Stock.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
SNC has certain rights to require the registration under the securities
laws of the sale of any shares of FFBC Common Stock purchased pursuant to the
Option if such registration is necessary for SNC to be able to sell such shares.
EFFECT OF OPTION AGREEMENT
The Option Agreement, which SNC required as a condition to SNC's entering
into the Reorganization Agreement with FFBC, is intended to increase the
likelihood that the Merger will be consummated on the terms set forth in the
Reorganization Agreement. Consequently, certain aspects of the Option Agreement
may have the effect of discouraging persons who might now or prior to the
Effective Date be interested in acquiring all of or a significant interest in
FFBC from considering or proposing such an acquisition, even if such persons
were prepared to offer higher consideration per share for the FFBC Common Stock
than the consideration implicit in the Exchange Ratio.
EFFECT ON EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS AND STOCK OPTIONS
Each employee of FFBC or its subsidiaries at the time of the Merger will
become, immediately following the Merger, an employee of BB&T Financial-VA or of
one of its subsidiaries upon substantially the same terms and conditions as in
effect immediately preceding the Merger. BB&T Financial-VA will attempt,
consistent with achieving corporate goals, to avoid lay-offs of employees and to
meet future efficiency goals through attrition and reassignment. Each employee
will be eligible to receive bonus or incentive, retirement, severance, group
hospitalization, medical, life, disability and other benefits comparable to
those provided to the present employees of BB&T-VA without the imposition of any
waiting period or limitation for pre-existing conditions. For purposes of
participating in all plans and benefits of BB&T-VA, service to FFBC and its
subsidiaries by each such employee will be deemed to be service with BB&T-VA for
participation and vesting purposes only. SNC will cause the 401(k) plan of FFBC
to be merged with the 401(k) plan maintained by SNC and its subsidiaries, and
the account balances of the employees who are participants in the FFBC plan will
be transferred to the accounts of such employees under the SNC 401(k) plan.
Following such merger and transfer, such accounts will be governed and
controlled by the terms of the SNC 401(k) plan as in effect from time to time.
FFBC's 1994 Stock Plan provides for the acceleration of vesting of rights
under all outstanding options to purchase shares of FFBC Common Stock upon the
occurrence of a merger or other Change in Control (as defined in the plan).
Pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement and the terms of the plan, each
outstanding option (other than the Option issued to SNC pursuant to the Option
Agreement) to purchase shares of FFBC Common Stock (whether or not then
exercisable) that is unexercised immediately prior to the Effective Date (the
"Stock Options") will be converted automatically into rights with respect to SNC
Common Stock in an amount equal to the product (omitting any resulting
fractional shares) of (a) the number of shares of FFBC Common Stock subject to
the original option and (b) the Exchange Ratio, and at an exercise price per
share of SNC Common Stock equal to the quotient (rounded up to the nearest cent)
of (x) the exercise price per share of FFBC Common Stock under the original
option divided by (y) the Exchange Ratio. Any Stock Option that is an "incentive
stock option" will be adjusted as required by Section 424 of the Code and the
Regulations thereunder so that the Stock Option will continue as an incentive
stock option under Section 424(a) of the Code without a modification, extension
or renewal thereof within the meaning of Section 424(h) of the Code.
SNC has agreed that it will assume the Stock Options and/or substitute
options under the SNC Omnibus Plan for all or part of the Stock Options on the
terms and conditions described above.
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<PAGE>
The 1994 Stock Plan provides for automatic grants to each nonemployee
director of an option to purchase 315 shares of FFBC Common Stock on the first
business day in May commencing in May 1995 and ending in May 2002. The plan also
provides that upon the occurrence of a merger or other Change in Control, each
nonemployee director shall be immediately granted an option to purchase shares
in an amount equal to 315 shares of FFBC Common Stock times the number of grants
which would have been made had the Change in Control not occurred and the
optionee remained a nonemployee director of FFBC. Pursuant to such provision, in
connection with the Merger each nonemployee director of FFBC will automatically
be granted an option to purchase 1,890 shares of FFBC Common Stock at a price
equal to the fair market value of FFBC Common Stock on the date of grant, and
such options will be converted into and become rights with respect to SNC Common
Stock on a basis that reflects the Exchange Ratio.
Options to purchase an aggregate of 104,650 shares of FFBC Common Stock
were outstanding as of the Record Date, which number includes the options to
purchase 1,890 shares of FFBC Common Stock that will automatically be granted to
each nonemployee director upon the consummation of the Merger, as described in
the preceding paragraph. Any shares of FFBC Common Stock issued pursuant to the
exercise of options under the plan prior to the Effective Date will be converted
into shares of SNC Common Stock in accordance with the Exchange Ratio in the
same manner as other shares of FFBC Common Stock.
RESTRICTIONS ON RESALES BY AFFILIATES
All shares of SNC Common Stock issuable in the Merger will be registered
under the Securities Act and will be freely transferable, except that any such
shares received by "persons" who are deemed to be "affiliates" (as such terms
are defined under the Securities Act) of FFBC at the Effective Date may be
resold by them only in transactions registered under the Securities Act or
permitted by the resale provisions of Rule 145 under the Securities Act or as
otherwise permitted by the Securities Act. Those who may be deemed affiliates of
FFBC generally include individuals or entities that directly, or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by or are under
common control with FFBC and may include certain executive officers and
directors of FFBC. The restrictions on resales by an affiliate extend also to
certain related parties of the affiliate, including spouse, relatives and
spouse's relatives who in each case have the same home as the affiliate.
The Reorganization Agreement requires FFBC to cause each of its affiliates
to deliver to SNC a written agreement to the effect that such person will not
offer or otherwise dispose of any shares of SNC Common Stock issued to that
person in the Merger except in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder.
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<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT SNC
THE INFORMATION BELOW CONTAINS CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITH
RESPECT TO THE FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND BUSINESS OF SNC
FOLLOWING CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER AND THE UCB MERGER. SEE THE INSIDE COVER
PAGE OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS FOR A DESCRIPTION OF FACTORS THAT MAY
CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE CONTEMPLATED BY SUCH
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.
GENERAL
SNC is a multi-bank holding company headquartered in Winston-Salem, North
Carolina. SNC conducts operations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia
primarily through its commercial banking subsidiaries and, to a lesser extent,
through its other subsidiaries. Substantially all of SNC's loans are to
businesses and individuals in the Carolinas and Virginia. SNC has no material
amount of foreign loans and no loans that can be defined as highly-leveraged
transactions. The principal assets of SNC are all of the issued and outstanding
shares of common stock of BB&T-NC, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, BB&T Financial
Corporation of South Carolina, Greenville, South Carolina, which in turn owns
all of the issued and outstanding shares of BB&T-SC, and BB&T Financial-VA,
which in turn owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of BB&T-VA.
SUBSIDIARIES
BB&T-NC, SNC's largest subsidiary, is the oldest bank in North Carolina and
currently operates through 302 banking offices throughout North Carolina.
BB&T-NC focuses on providing a wide range of banking services in its local
market for retail and commercial customers, including small and mid-size
businesses, public agencies and local governments, trust customers, and
individuals. BB&T Leasing Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BB&T-NC
located in Charlotte, North Carolina, offers lease financing to commercial
businesses and municipal governments. BB&T Investment Services, Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of BB&T-NC located in Charlotte, North Carolina, offers
customers investment alternatives, including discount brokerage services,
fixed-rate and variable-rate annuities, mutual funds, and government and
municipal bonds. BB&T Insurance Services, Inc., located in Raleigh, North
Carolina, is also a subsidiary of BB&T-NC and offers life and property and
casualty insurance on an agency basis. Regional Acceptance Corporation, a
subsidiary of SNC located in Greenville, North Carolina, that was acquired on
September 1, 1996, specializes in indirect financings for consumer purchases of
mid-model and late-model used automobiles and operates 28 branches in North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
BB&T-SC serves South Carolina through 96 banking offices. BB&T-SC focuses
on providing a wide range of banking services in its local market for retail and
commercial customers, including small and mid-size businesses, public agencies,
local governments, trust customers and individuals. BB&T-SC's subsidiaries
include BB&T Investment Services of South Carolina, Inc., which is licensed as a
general broker/dealer of securities and is currently engaged in retailing of
mutual funds, U.S. Government securities, municipal securities, fixed and
variable insurance annuity products and unit investment trusts.
BB&T-VA, formerly known as Commerce Bank, was acquired on January 10, 1995
by BB&T prior to the merger of BB&T with and into SNC. BB&T-VA offers a full
range of commercial and retail banking services through 21 banking offices in
the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.
UCB MERGER
Pursuant to the UCB Agreement, which was entered into between SNC and UCB
as of November 1, 1996, UCB will merge with and into SNC. Upon consummation of
the UCB Merger, each share of UCB Common Stock (excluding shares held by any
dissenting shareholders) issued and outstanding at the effective time of the UCB
Merger will be converted into and exchanged for 1.135 shares of SNC Common
Stock. The UCB Exchange Ratio is potentially subject to upward adjustment if
certain conditions are met concerning the trading price of SNC Common Stock. UCB
would have the right to terminate the UCB Agreement if such conditions should be
met, in which case the SNC Board would be required to determine whether to
proceed with the UCB Merger at a higher UCB Exchange Ratio. In addition, at the
effective time, all rights with respect to UCB Common Stock outstanding at the
effective time pursuant to stock options granted by UCB under the existing stock
plans of UCB, whether or not exercisable, will be converted into and become
rights with respect to SNC Common Stock on a basis that reflects the UCB
Exchange Ratio. Approximately 28 million shares of SNC Common Stock have been
reserved for issuance in the UCB Merger. The UCB Merger is intended to
constitute a tax-free transaction under the Code and to be accounted for as a
pooling of interests.
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<PAGE>
SNC's announced acquisition strategy is to pursue high quality banks and
thrifts in its current markets with the ultimate goal of improving its financial
performance and fundamental franchise value. SNC management believes the UCB
Merger meets these criteria and that it will significantly strengthen SNC's base
of business in North Carolina and South Carolina. SNC management considers UCB,
which operates 153 branch offices in 89 communities in the two states, to have a
solid capital position, excellent credit quality and a strong branch office
network, and believes that its corporate culture is highly compatible with
SNC's. In light of the benefits and potential cost savings that SNC management
perceives to be inherent in in-market acquisitions, such as the UCB Merger, SNC
management believes the UCB Merger will enable SNC to increase its franchise
value and improve upon its efficiencies and momentum in selling fee-based and
margin-based products and services.
Consummation of the UCB Merger is subject to various conditions, including
(a) receipt of the approval by the shareholders of UCB and SNC of appropriate
matters relating to the UCB Agreement and the UCB Merger as required under North
Carolina law and, in the case of SNC, under the rules of the NYSE; (b) receipt
of all regulatory approvals required in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the UCB Agreement, provided that no regulatory approval may
impose any condition or requirement (other than previously contemplated
divestitures or conditions or restrictions caused by other acquisitions by SNC)
which, in the reasonable opinion of SNC, would so materially adversely affect
the business or economic benefits of the UCB Merger as to render consummation of
the UCB Merger inadvisable or unduly burdensome; (c) receipt by SNC of letters,
dated as of the filing date of the registration statement to be filed with the
Commission, in connection with the UCB Merger and as of the effective time, from
Arthur Andersen LLP to the effect that the UCB Merger will qualify for
pooling-of-interests accounting treatment; (d) the representations and
warranties of the respective parties being true and accurate under the standards
set forth in the UCB Agreement; (e) the parties having performed in all material
respects all obligations and complied in all material respects with all
covenants required by the UCB Agreement; (f) the holders of no more than 9.0% of
the outstanding shares of UCB Common Stock having given written notice of their
intent to demand payment for their shares and having not voted for the UCB
Merger, pursuant to Article 13 of the NCBCA; and (g) satisfaction of certain
other conditions.
The UCB Merger may be terminated by the parties under certain circumstances
including on the basis of (a) a material breach of any covenant or agreement
contained in the UCB Agreement; (b) an inaccuracy of any representation or
warranty of the other party, which inaccuracy would provide the nonbreaching
party the ability to refuse to consummate the UCB Merger under the applicable
standard set forth in the UCB Agreement; (c) the inability to satisfy or fulfill
the conditions precedent to consummation of the UCB Agreement prior to the
closing date; (d) the failure to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals; (e)
the failure to obtain the requisite shareholder approvals; and (f) the failure
to consummate the merger by September 30, 1997.
UCB also has the right to terminate the UCB Agreement at any time during
the ten-day period commencing two days after the date on which the consent of
the Federal Reserve shall be received (the "Determination Date"), if either (A)
the "Average Closing Price" of SNC Common Stock is less than $27.00 or (B) both
of the following conditions are satisfied: (i) the Average Closing Price of SNC
Common Stock is less than $28.50 and (ii) (a) the quotient obtained by dividing
the Average Closing Price by $33.50 shall be less than (b) the quotient obtained
by dividing the "Index Price" on the Determination Date by the Index Price on
the "Starting Date" and subtracting 0.15 from the quotient. SNC has the right to
elect to adjust the UCB Exchange Ratio in accordance with the terms of the UCB
Agreement, and thereby eliminate UCB's right to terminate the UCB Agreement. For
purposes of the UCB Agreement, the Average Closing Price shall mean the average
of the daily last sales prices of SNC Common Stock as reported on the NYSE for
the 10 consecutive full trading days in which such shares are traded on the NYSE
ending at the close of trading on the Determination Date; the Index Price shall
mean the weighted average of the closing prices of the companies composing the
index group referred to the UCB Agreement; and the Starting Date shall mean
November 1, 1996.
In connection with executing the UCB Agreement, SNC and UCB entered into
two stock option agreements. Under the first stock option agreement, UCB granted
to SNC an option to purchase up to 4,828,960 shares of UCB Common Stock
(representing 19.9 percent of the outstanding shares of UCB Common Stock), at a
purchase price of $30.50 per share, upon certain terms and in accordance with
certain conditions. Under the second such stock option agreement, SNC granted to
UCB an option to purchase up to 10,806,121 shares of SNC Common Stock
(representing 9.9 percent of the outstanding shares of SNC Common Stock), at a
purchase price of $34.625 per share, upon certain terms and in accordance with
certain conditions.
For certain information relating to the effects of the UCB Merger on SNC's
historical financial position and results of operations, see "PRO FORMA
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION."
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<PAGE>
CAPITAL
The Federal Reserve has established a minimum requirement for a bank
holding company's ratio of capital to risk-weighted assets (including certain
off-balance-sheet activities, such as standby letters of credit) of 8%. At least
half of the total capital is required to be composed of common equity, retained
earnings, and qualifying perpetual preferred stock, less certain intangibles
("Tier 1 capital"). The remainder may consist of certain subordinated debt,
certain hybrid capital instruments and other qualifying preferred stock, and a
limited amount of the loan loss allowance ("Tier 2 capital" and, together with
Tier 1 capital, "total capital"). At December 31, 1996, SNC's Tier 1 and total
capital ratios were 11.7% and 14.7%, respectively. Effective January 1, 1997,
with mandatory compliance as of January 1, 1998, the Federal Reserve also is
requiring certain bank holding companies that engage in trading activities to
adjust their risk-based capital to take into consideration market risk that may
result from movements in market prices of covered trading positions in trading
accounts, or from foreign exchange or commodity positions, whether or not in
trading accounts, including changes in interest rates, equity prices, foreign
exchange rates or commodity prices. Any capital required to be maintained
pursuant to these provisions may consist of new "Tier 3 capital" consisting of
certain short term subordinated debt. In addition, the Federal Reserve has
issued a policy statement, pursuant to which a bank holding company that is
determined to have weaknesses in its risk management processes or a high level
of interest rate risk exposure may be required, among other things, to hold
additional capital.
The Federal Reserve also has established minimum leverage ratio
requirements for bank holding companies. These requirements provide for a
minimum leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to adjusted average quarterly assets
("leverage ratio") equal to 3% for bank holding companies that meet certain
specified criteria, including that they have the highest regulatory rating. All
other bank holding companies will generally be required to maintain a leverage
ratio of from at least 100 to 200 basis points above the stated minimum. SNC's
leverage ratio at December 31, 1996 was 8.0%. Bank holding companies
experiencing internal growth or making acquisitions are expected to maintain
strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels
without significant reliance on intangible assets. Furthermore, the requirements
indicate that the Federal Reserve will continue to consider a "tangible Tier 1
leverage ratio" (deducting all intangibles) in evaluating proposals for
expansion or new activity.
The FDIC has adopted minimum risk-based and leverage ratio regulations to
which SNC's bank subsidiaries are subject that are substantially similar to
those requirements established by the Federal Reserve described above. Under
federal banking laws, failure to meet the minimum regulatory capital
requirements could subject a banking institution to a variety of enforcement
remedies available to federal regulatory authorities, including, in the most
severe cases, the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC and placing the
institution into conservatorship or receivership. The capital ratios of each of
SNC's bank subsidiaries exceeded all minimum regulatory capital requirements as
of December 31, 1996.
DEPOSIT INSURANCE ASSESSMENTS
The deposits of each of SNC's bank subsidiaries are insured by the FDIC up
to the limits set forth under applicable law. A majority of the deposits of the
banks are subject to the deposit insurance assessments of the Bank Insurance
Fund ("BIF") of the FDIC. However, approximately 40% of the deposits of BB&T-NC
and BB&T-SC (related to the banks' acquisition of various savings associations)
are subject to assessments imposed by the Savings Association Insurance Fund
("SAIF") of the FDIC.
Pursuant to recently enacted budget reconciliation legislation, the FDIC
imposed a special assessment on SAIF-assessable deposits of 65.7 basis points
per $100 of SAIF-assessable deposits in order to increase the SAIF's net worth
to 1.25 percent of SAIF-insured deposits as of October 1, 1996. This special
assessment was applied by the FDIC to the amount of SAIF-assessable deposits
held by institutions as of March 31, 1995. Certain institutions that engaged in
thrift acquisitions, including BB&T-NC, received a 20 percent discount on the
assessment. As a result, the pre-tax impact of the special assessment on SNC was
approximately $33 million, and was recorded as an expense as of September 30,
1996.
The FDIC also lowered the assessment rates for SAIF-insured deposits,
effective January 1, 1997, to the same levels as of the assessment rates
currently applicable to BIF-insured deposits. Thus, for the semi-annual period
beginning January 1, 1997, the effective rate applicable to assessments imposed
on all FDIC deposits for deposit insurance ranges from 0 to 27 basis points per
$100 of insured deposits, depending on the institution's capital position and
other supervisory factors. However, because the recently enacted legislation
requires that both SAIF-insured and BIF-insured deposits must pay a pro rata
portion of the interest due on the obligations issued by the Financing
Corporation, the FDIC is assessing BIF-insured deposits an additional 1.30 basis
points per $100 of deposits, and SAIF-insured deposits an additional 6.48 basis
points per $100 of deposits, to cover those obligations.
30
<PAGE>
INFORMATION ABOUT FFBC
The following information should be read in conjunction with FFBC's 1995
Annual Report to Shareholders and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 1996, copies of which accompany this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.
GENERAL
FFBC was incorporated in Virginia in 1995 to serve as the holding company
for FFSB. The shareholders of FFSB approved the plan of reorganization at their
annual meeting on April 25, 1995, and the reorganization was consummated on May
28, 1995, with FFSB becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of FFBC.
FFBC's only direct subsidiary is FFSB. FFBC has no material assets or
liabilities, except for the stock in FFSB, and FFBC currently conducts no
operations except through FFSB. FFSB commenced its business operations as a
federal stock savings bank on July 17, 1986. FFSB is a member of the Federal
Home Loan Bank System and its deposits are insured by the SAIF of the FDIC. The
OTS serves as the primary regulator for thrifts, such as FFSB.
FFSB's primary business is the granting of residential real estate loans,
commercial real estate loans, and to a lesser extent, commercial business and
consumer loans, and the solicitation of deposits, which, along with loan
repayments and FHLB advances, are the principal sources of funding for such
loans.
FFSB'S SUBSIDIARY
FSC, FFSB's service corporation, was formed in February 1988. FSC was
initially formed to become a partner in a residential real estate development
project; however, FSC no longer owns any interest in such project. Currently,
FSC holds limited partnership interests in two Virginia limited partnerships
which encourage investments in low income residential rental properties located
in Virginia by investing in operating partnerships which own and operate low
income residential rental properties in Virginia. FSC also owns an interest in
Bankers Title, L.L.C., a Virginia limited liability company which conducts a
title insurance agency business.
MARKET AREA
FFSB considers the Richmond, Virginia metropolitan area to be its primary
market area for deposits and real estate loans. Richmond is the third largest
metropolitan area in Virginia. The area has a diversified economy and a moderate
but steady population growth. It is a center for state and federal government
functions, the location of the headquarters of national and international
corporations and a financial center.
LENDING ACTIVITIES
FFSB's lending activities have consisted of the origination of conventional
first mortgage permanent and construction loans secured by residential and
commercial properties and, to a lesser extent, the origination of commercial
business and consumer loans. During 1994, FFSB began offering loans insured by
the Federal Housing Administration and loans guaranteed by the Veterans
Administration.
COMPETITION
FFSB faces strong competition in attracting deposits, it principal source
of funds. Its most direct competition for deposits has historically come from
other thrift institutions, commercial banks and credit unions located in the
areas where FFSB's offices are located. In addition, mutual funds have become
increasing competition for FFSB's deposits. FFSB also must compete vigorously in
making loans. FFSB's competition for real estate loans comes principally from
thrift institutions, commercial banks, mortgage brokers, mortgage banking
companies and other institutional lenders located throughout Virginia.
REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
Savings institutions such as FFSB are required to maintain minimum capital
levels as follows: "tangible" capital equal to 1.5% of assets, "core" capital
equal to 3% of assets, and "risk-based" capital equal to 8% of risk-weighted
assets. As of September 30, 1996, FFSB's tangible capital was 7.85% of assets,
"core" capital was 7.85% of assets, and "risk-based" capital was 11.86% of
risk-weighted assets. Thus, FFSB exceeded all of its regulatory capital
requirements as of September 30, 1996.
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<PAGE>
OWNERSHIP OF FFBC COMMON STOCK BY
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
FFBC is not aware of any person or group who beneficially owned more than
5% of the outstanding shares of FFBC Common Stock as of January 23, 1997. The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial
ownership of FFBC's Common Stock as of January 23, 1997 by: (a) each director of
FFBC, (b) certain executive officers of FFBC, and (c) all directors and
executive officers of FFBC as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SHARES AND
NAME OF BENEFICIAL NATURE OF BENEFICIAL PERCENTAGE OF COMMON
OWNER OWNERSHIP(1)(2) STOCK OUTSTANDING
<S> <C> <C>
Barry D. Crawford....................................... 71,824(3) 3.10%
Charles E. Blankenship, Jr.............................. 33,486 1.45%
Gerald L. Martin........................................ 31,078(4) 1.35%
H. R. Pollard, IV....................................... 26,976 1.17%
Robert G. Watts......................................... 23,374 1.02%
Frank E. Laughon, Jr.................................... 17,808(5) .77%
Richard J. November..................................... 16,665 .72%
Berkwood M. Farmer...................................... 13,322 .58%
Ralph C. Ward........................................... 12,469 .54%
David C. Smith.......................................... 11,963(6) .52%
Ronald M. Evins......................................... 10,628 .46%
C. Linwood Clements..................................... 10,153 .44%
Directors and executive officers as a group 298,229(7) 12.56%
(15 persons)..........................................
</TABLE>
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, each shareholder has sole voting and sole
investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned.
(2) Includes 3,255 shares of FFBC Common Stock underlying stock options granted
to each of the directors except Mr. Crawford and Mr. Martin which are
exercisable within 60 days of January 23, 1997. Excludes 1,890 shares of
FFBC Common Stock underlying stock options to be automatically granted to
each of the directors except Mr. Crawford and Mr. Martin in connection with
the Merger and to be converted into options to purchase SNC Common Stock on
a basis that reflects the Exchange Ratio in accordance with the
Reorganization Agreement. See "THE MERGER -- Interests of Certain Persons in
the Merger."
(3) Includes 16,800 shares of FFBC Common Stock underlying stock options granted
to Mr. Crawford which are exercisable within 60 days of January 23, 1997.
(4) Includes 10,500 shares of FFBC Common Stock underlying stock options granted
to Mr. Martin which are exercisable within 60 days of January 23, 1997.
(5) Includes 6,804 shares of FFBC Common Stock owned by Richmond Cold Storage
Company, Inc., of which Mr. Laughon is a controlling shareholder and
President.
(6) Includes 6,804 shares of FFBC Common Stock owned by Baskervill & Son, P.C.,
of which Mr. Smith is Chairman.
(7) Includes a total of 74,450 shares of FFBC Common stock underlying stock
options which are exercisable within 60 days of January 23, 1997.
DESCRIPTION OF SNC CAPITAL STOCK
GENERAL
The authorized capital stock of SNC consists of 300,000,000 shares of SNC
Common Stock and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $5.00 per share
(the "SNC Preferred Stock"). As of January 23, 1997, there were shares of
SNC Common Stock issued and outstanding. There were no shares of SNC Preferred
Stock issued and outstanding as of such date, although 2,000,000 shares of SNC
Preferred Stock have been designated as Junior Participating Preferred Stock
(the "SNC Junior Preferred Stock") and are reserved for issuance in connection
with SNC's shareholder rights plan. See " -- Shareholder Rights Plan." Based on
the number of shares of FFBC Common Stock outstanding at the Record Date, if the
Closing Value is , approximately shares of SNC Common Stock would be
issued in the Merger.
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<PAGE>
COMMON STOCK
Each share of SNC Common Stock is entitled to one vote on all matters
submitted to a vote at any meeting of shareholders. Holders of SNC Common Stock
are entitled to receive dividends when, as, and if declared by the SNC Board out
of funds legally available therefor and, upon liquidation, to receive pro rata
all assets, if any, of SNC available for distribution after the payment of
necessary expenses and all prior claims. Holders of SNC Common Stock have no
preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities of any class that
SNC may issue, nor any conversion, redemption or sinking fund rights. Holders of
SNC Common Stock have no right to cumulate votes in the election of directors.
The rights and privileges of holders of SNC Common Stock are subject to any
preferences provided for by resolution of the SNC Board for any series of SNC
Preferred Stock that SNC may issue in the future. The terms of the SNC Junior
Preferred Stock reserved for issuance in connection with SNC's shareholder
rights plan provide that holders of such shares shall have rights and privileges
that are substantially identical to those of holders of SNC Common Stock.
The transfer agent and registrar for SNC Common Stock is BB&T-NC.
Application has been made for the listing, subject to official notice of
issuance, on the NYSE of the shares of SNC Common Stock to be issued in the
Merger.
PREFERRED STOCK
Under the SNC Articles, SNC may issue shares of SNC Preferred Stock in one
or more series as may be determined by the SNC Board or a duly authorized
committee. The SNC Board or committee may also establish, from time to time, the
number of shares to be included in each series and may fix the designation,
powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series and any
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, and may increase or
decrease the number of shares of any series without any further vote or action
by the shareholders. Any SNC Preferred Stock issued may rank senior to the SNC
Common Stock with respect to the payment of dividends or amounts upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of SNC, or both. In addition, any shares
of SNC Preferred Stock may have class or series voting rights. Under certain
circumstances, the issuance of SNC Preferred Stock or the existence of the
unissued SNC Preferred Stock may tend to discourage or render more difficult a
merger or other change in control of SNC. See " -- Shareholder Rights Plan."
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
SNC has adopted a shareholder rights plan pursuant to which holders of
shares of SNC Common Stock also hold rights to purchase securities or other
property that may be exercised upon the occurrence of certain "triggering
events." Shareholder rights plans such as the SNC plan are intended to encourage
potential hostile acquirors of a "target" corporation to negotiate with the
board of directors of the target corporation in order to avoid occurrence of the
"triggering events" specified in such plans. Shareholder rights plans are
intended to give the directors of a target corporation the opportunity to assess
the fairness and appropriateness of a proposed transaction in order to determine
whether or not it is in the best interests of the corporation and its
shareholders. Notwithstanding these purposes and intentions of shareholder
rights plans, such plans, including that of SNC, could have the effect of
discouraging a business combination which shareholders believe to be in their
best interests. The provisions of SNC's shareholder rights plan are discussed
below.
On December 17, 1996, the SNC Board declared a dividend distribution of one
right (a "Right," and collectively the "Rights") for each outstanding share of
SNC Common Stock to shareholders of record at the close of business on January
17, 1997. One Right will also be distributed for each share of SNC Common Stock
issued between January 17, 1997 and the occurrence of a "Distribution Date"
(described in the next paragraph). Accordingly, assuming no Distribution Date
occurs prior to the Effective Date, the shares of SNC Common Stock to be issued
in the Merger will each have a Right attached. Each Right entitles the
registered holder to purchase from SNC a unit consisting of one one-hundredth of
a share (a "Unit") of SNC Junior Preferred Stock at a Purchase Price of $145.00
per Unit, subject to adjustment. The description and terms of the Rights are set
forth in the Rights Agreement, dated as of December 17, 1996, between SNC and
BB&T-NC in the capacity of Rights Agent (the "Rights Agreement").
Initially, the Rights will be attached to all SNC Common Stock certificates
representing shares then outstanding, and no separate Rights Certificates will
be distributed. A "Distribution Date" will occur, and the Rights will separate
from shares of SNC Common Stock, upon the earliest of (a) 10 business days
following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or
associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has acquired, or obtained the right
to acquire, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of SNC
Common Stock (the "Stock Acquisition Date"), (b) 10 business days following the
commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer that would if consummated
result in a person or group beneficially owning 20% or more of such outstanding
shares of SNC Common Stock or (c) 10 business days after the SNC Board declares
any Person to be an "Adverse Person," as described in the following paragraph.
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The SNC Board will declare a person to be an Adverse Person upon its
determinations (a) that such person, alone or together with its affiliates and
associates, has or will become the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the
outstanding shares of SNC Common Stock (provided that any such determination
shall not be effective until such person has in fact become the beneficial owner
of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of SNC Common Stock) and (b) following
consultation with such persons as the SNC Board deems appropriate, that (i) such
beneficial ownership by such person is intended to cause, is reasonably likely
to cause or will cause SNC to repurchase the SNC Common Stock beneficially owned
by such person or to cause pressure on SNC to take action or enter into a
transaction or series of transactions intended to provide such person with
short-term financial gain under circumstances where the SNC Board determines
that the best long-term interests of SNC and its shareholders would not be
served by taking such action or entering into such transactions or series of
transactions at that time or (ii) such beneficial ownership is causing or is
reasonably likely to cause a material adverse impact (including, but not limited
to, impairment of relationships with customers or impairment of SNC's ability to
maintain its competitive position) on the business or prospects of SNC or (iii)
such beneficial ownership otherwise is determined to be not in the best
interests of SNC and its shareholders, employees, customers and communities in
which SNC and its subsidiaries do business.
However, the SNC Board may not declare a person to be an Adverse Person if,
prior to the time that the person acquired 10% or more of the shares of SNC
Common Stock then outstanding, such person provided to the SNC Board in writing
a statement of the person's purpose and intentions in connection with the
proposed acquisition of SNC Common Stock, together with any other information
reasonably requested of the person by the SNC Board, and the SNC Board, based on
such statement and reasonable inquiry and investigation as it deems appropriate,
determines to notify and notifies such person in writing that it will not
declare the person to be an Adverse Person. The SNC Board may, however,
expressly condition in any manner a determination not to declare a person an
Adverse Person on such conditions as the SNC Board may select, including,
without limitation, such person's not acquiring more than a specified amount of
stock and/or such person's not taking actions inconsistent with the purposes and
intentions disclosed by such person in the statement provided to the SNC Board.
In the event that the SNC Board should at any time determine, upon reasonable
inquiry and investigation, that such person has not met or complied with any
conditions specified by the SNC Board, the SNC Board may at any time thereafter
declare the person to be an Adverse Person.
Until the Distribution Date (a) the Rights will be evidenced by the SNC
Common Stock certificates and will be transferred with and only with such SNC
Common Stock certificates, (b) new SNC Common Stock certificates issued after
January 17, 1997 will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by
reference and (c) the surrender for transfer of any certificates for SNC Common
Stock outstanding will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated
with the SNC Common Stock represented by such certificates.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will expire
at the close of business on December 31, 2006, subject to extension by the SNC
Board, or unless earlier redeemed by SNC as described below.
As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, Rights Certificates
will be mailed to holders of record of SNC Common Stock as of the close of
business on the Distribution Date and, thereafter, the separate Rights
Certificates alone will represent the Rights. Except for certain issuances in
connection with outstanding options and convertible securities and as otherwise
determined by the SNC Board, only shares of SNC Common Stock issued prior to the
Distribution Date will be issued with Rights.
In the event that the SNC Board determines that a person is an Adverse
Person or, at any time following the Distribution Date, a person becomes the
beneficial owner of 25% or more of the then-outstanding shares of SNC Common
Stock, each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive at the
time specified in the Rights Agreement, (a) upon exercise and payment of the
exercise price, SNC Common Stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property
or other securities of SNC) having a value equal to two times the exercise price
of the Right or (b) at the discretion of the SNC Board, upon exercise and
without payment of the exercise price, SNC Common Stock (or, in certain
circumstances, cash, property or other securities of SNC) having a value equal
to the difference between the exercise price of the Right and the value of the
consideration which would be payable under clause (a). Notwithstanding any of
the foregoing, following the occurrence of any of the events set forth in this
paragraph, all Rights that are, or (under certain circumstances specified in the
Rights Agreement) were, beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person or Adverse
Person will be null and void. Rights will not become exercisable following the
occurrence of either of the events set forth above, however, until such time as
the Rights are no longer redeemable by SNC as set forth below.
For example, at an exercise price of $145.00 per Right, each Right not
owned by an Acquiring Person or an Adverse Person (or by certain related
parties) following an event set forth in the preceding paragraph would entitle
its holder to purchase $290.00 worth of SNC Common Stock (or other
consideration, as noted above) for $145.00. Assuming that the
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SNC Common Stock had a per share value of $72.50 at such time, the holder of
each valid Right would be entitled to purchase four shares of SNC Common Stock
for $145.00. Alternatively, at the discretion of the SNC Board, each Right
following an event set forth in the preceding paragraph, without payment of the
exercise price, would entitle its holder to SNC Common Stock (or other
consideration, as noted above) worth $145.00.
In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date, (a)
SNC is acquired in a merger, statutory share exchange or other business
combination transaction in which SNC is not the surviving corporation or (b) 50%
or more of SNC's assets or earning power is sold or transferred, each holder of
a Right (except Rights which previously have been voided as set forth above)
shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, common stock of the
acquiring company having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the
Right.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of Units of SNC Junior Preferred
Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are
subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (a) in the event of
a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the
SNC Junior Preferred Stock, (b) if holders of the SNC Junior Preferred Stock are
granted certain rights or warrants to subscribe for SNC Junior Preferred Stock
or convertible securities at less than the current market price of the SNC
Junior Preferred Stock, or (c) upon the distribution to holders of the SNC
Junior Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular
quarterly cash dividends) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than
those referred to above).
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase
Price. No fractional Units will be issued and, in lieu thereof, an adjustment in
cash will be made based on the market price of the SNC Junior Preferred Stock on
the last trading date prior to the date of exercise.
In general, SNC may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price
of $0.01 per Right at any time until 10 business days following the earlier of
the Stock Acquisition Date or the effective date of any declaration by the SNC
Board that any person is an Adverse Person. After the redemption period has
expired, SNC's right of redemption may be reinstated if an Acquiring Person or
Adverse Person reduces his beneficial ownership to less than 10% of the
outstanding shares of SNC Common Stock in a transaction or series of
transactions not involving SNC and if there are no other Acquiring Persons or
Adverse Persons. Immediately upon the action of the SNC Board ordering
redemption of the Rights, the Rights will terminate and the only right of the
holders of Rights will be to receive the $0.01 redemption price.
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a shareholder of SNC, including, without limitation, the right to vote
or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the Rights will not be
taxable to shareholders or to SNC, shareholders may, depending upon the
circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that the Rights become
exercisable for stock (or other consideration) of SNC or for common stock of the
acquiring company as set forth above.
Other than those provisions relating to the principal economic terms of the
Rights, any of the provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the SNC
Board prior to the Distribution Date. After the Distribution Date, the
provisions of the Rights Agreement may be amended by the SNC Board in order to
cure any ambiguity, to make changes which do not adversely affect the interests
of holders of Rights (excluding the interests of any Acquiring Person or Adverse
Person) or to shorten or lengthen any time period under the Rights Agreement;
provided, however, that no amendment to adjust the time period governing
redemption may be made when the Rights are not redeemable.
The Rights Agreement is filed as an exhibit to a Registration Statement on
Form 8-A dated January 10, 1997 that has been filed by SNC with the Commission.
Such registration statement and the Rights Agreement are incorporated by
reference in this Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and reference is made
thereto for the complete terms of the Rights Agreement and the Rights. The
foregoing discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights
Agreement. See "AVAILABLE INFORMATION" and "INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS
BY REFERENCE."
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE NCBCA, SNC ARTICLES AND SNC BYLAWS
Certain provisions of the NCBCA, the SNC Articles and the SNC Bylaws deal
with matters of corporate governance and the rights of shareholders. Certain of
these provisions, as well as the ability of the SNC Board to issue shares of SNC
Preferred Stock and to set the voting rights, preferences and other terms
thereof, may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay or prevent
takeover attempts not first approved by the SNC Board. These provisions also
could delay or deter the removal of incumbent directors or the assumption of
control by shareholders. SNC believes that these provisions are appropriate to
protect the interests of SNC and all of its shareholders. The following
describes the principal provisions of the NCBCA applicable to SNC, the SNC
Articles and SNC Bylaws that may be deemed to have anti-takeover effects.
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CONTROL SHARE ACT
The Control Share Acquisition Act of the NCBCA may make an unsolicited
attempt to gain control of SNC more difficult by restricting the right of
certain shareholders to vote newly acquired large blocks of stock. For a
description of this statute, see "COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS'
RIGHTS -- Anti-takeover Statutes."
PROVISIONS REGARDING SNC BOARD
The provisions of the SNC Articles and the SNC Bylaws with respect to the
classification of the SNC Board and the removal of directors only for cause
could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire,
or of discouraging a third party from acquiring, control of SNC. For a
description of such provisions, see "COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS'
RIGHTS -- Directors."
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS; SHAREHOLDERS' NOMINATIONS AND PROPOSALS
Under the SNC Bylaws, meetings of the shareholders may be called by the
Chief Executive Officer or the SNC Board. Shareholders of SNC may not request
that a special meeting of shareholders be called. This provision could have the
effect of delaying until the next annual shareholders' meeting shareholder
actions which are favored by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of SNC.
Certain procedures governing the submission of nominations for directors
and other proposals by shareholders may have some deterrent on shareholder
actions designed to result in change of control in SNC. See "COMPARISON OF
SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS -- Notice of Shareholder Nominations and Shareholder
Proposals."
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS
At the Effective Date, holders of FFBC Common Stock will become
shareholders of SNC. The following is a summary of material differences between
the rights of holders of SNC Common Stock and holders of FFBC Common Stock.
Since SNC is organized under the laws of North Carolina and FFBC is organized
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, differences in the rights of
holders of SNC Common Stock and those of holders of FFBC Common Stock arise from
differing provisions of the NCBCA and the VSCA in addition to differing
provisions of SNC's and FFBC's respective articles of incorporation and bylaws.
The following summary does not purport to be a complete statement of the
provisions affecting, and differences between, the rights of holders of SNC
Common Stock and holders of FFBC Common Stock. The identification of specific
provisions or differences is not meant to indicate that other equally or more
significant differences do not exist. This summary is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the NCBCA and VSCA and the governing corporate instruments of
SNC and FFBC, to which the shareholders of FFBC are referred.
AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK
SNC
SNC's authorized capital stock consists of 300,000,000 shares of SNC Common
Stock and 5,000,000 shares of SNC Preferred Stock. The SNC Articles authorize
the SNC Board to issue shares of SNC Preferred Stock in one or more series and
to fix the designation, powers, preferences, and rights of the shares of SNC
Preferred Stock in each such series. As of the Record Date, shares of SNC
Common Stock were outstanding. No shares of SNC Preferred Stock were issued and
outstanding as of such date, although 2,000,000 shares of SNC Preferred Stock
have been designated as SNC Junior Preferred Stock and are reserved for issuance
in connection with SNC's shareholder rights plan. See "DESCRIPTION OF SNC
CAPITAL STOCK -- Shareholder Rights Plan."
FFBC
FFBC's authorized capital stock consists of 4,000,000 shares of FFBC Common
Stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock ("FFBC Preferred Stock"). The FFBC
Articles authorize the FFBC Board, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law, to determine the preferences, limitations and relative rights of the FFBC
Preferred Stock or to create one or more series of FFBC Preferred Stock and
determine the preferences, limitations and relative rights of each such series.
As of the Record Date, 2,299,467 shares of FFBC Common Stock and no shares of
FFBC Preferred Stock were outstanding.
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DIRECTORS
SNC
The SNC Articles and the SNC Bylaws provide for a board of directors having
not less than three nor more than twenty-five members as determined from time to
time by vote of a majority of the members of the SNC Board or by resolution of
the shareholders of SNC. Currently, the SNC Board consists of twenty-four
directors. Holders of SNC Common Stock will vote at their annual meeting, which
is scheduled to be held on April 22, 1997, on a proposal to increase the maximum
number of directors of SNC to thirty. In connection with the UCB Merger, SNC has
agreed to cause four individuals designated by UCB to be appointed to the SNC
Board. In accordance with SNC's normal retirement policy for directors who reach
the age of 70, five current directors of SNC will retire from the SNC Board
effective December 31, 1997.
The SNC Board is divided into three classes, with directors serving
staggered three-year terms. Under the SNC Articles and the SNC Bylaws, SNC
directors may be removed only for cause and only by the vote of a majority of
the outstanding shares entitled to vote in the election of directors. Holders of
SNC Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of
directors.
FFBC
The FFBC Articles provide for a board having not less than seven nor more
than fifteen members, as shall be determined from time to time by resolution of
the FFBC Board. Currently, the FFBC Board consists of twelve directors.
The FFBC Board is divided into three classes, with directors serving
staggered three-year terms. Under the FFBC Articles and the FFBC Bylaws, FFBC
directors may be removed only for cause and only by the vote of two thirds of
the outstanding shares entitled to vote in the election of directors. Holders of
FFBC Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of
directors.
DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
SNC
The NCBCA prohibits a North Carolina corporation from making any
distributions to shareholders, including the payment of cash dividends, that
would render it insolvent or unable to meet its obligations as they become due
in the ordinary course of business. SNC is not subject to other express
regulatory restrictions on payments of dividends and other distributions. The
ability of SNC to pay distributions to the holders of SNC Common Stock will
depend, however, to a large extent upon the amount of dividends its bank
subsidiaries, which are subject to restrictions imposed by regulatory
authorities, pay to SNC. In addition, the Federal Reserve could oppose a
distribution by SNC if it determined that such a distribution would harm SNC's
ability to support its bank subsidiaries. There can be no assurances that
dividends will be paid in the future. The declaration, payment and amount of any
such future dividends would depend on business conditions, operating results,
capital, reserve requirements and the consideration of other relevant factors by
the SNC Board.
FFBC
The VSCA prohibits a Virginia corporation from making any distributions to
shareholders, including the payment of cash dividends, that would render it
insolvent or unable to meet its obligations as they become due in the usual
course of business. FFBC is not subject to other express regulatory restrictions
on payments of dividends and other distributions. The ability of FFBC to pay
distributions to the holders of FFBC Common Stock will depend, however, upon the
amount of dividends its savings bank subsidiary, which is subject to the
restrictions imposed by regulatory authorities, pays to FFBC.
NOTICE OF SHAREHOLDER NOMINATIONS AND SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
SNC
The SNC Bylaws establish advance notice procedures for shareholder
proposals and the nomination, other than by or at the direction of the SNC Board
or a committee thereof, of candidates for election as directors. The SNC Bylaws
provide that a shareholder wishing to nominate a person as a candidate for
election to the SNC Board must submit such nomination in writing to the
Secretary of SNC not later than sixty days before one year after the date of the
immediately preceding Annual Meeting of Shareholders, together with biographical
information about the candidate and the shareholder's name and shareholdings.
Nominations not made in accordance with the foregoing provisions may be ruled
out of order by the presiding officer or the chairman of the meeting.
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Similarly, a shareholder must notify the Secretary of SNC in writing not
later than sixty days before one year after the date of the immediately
preceding Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the shareholder's intention to make
a proposal for consideration at the next Annual Meeting. The notice must
contain: (a) a brief description of the proposal, (b) the name and shareholdings
of the shareholder submitting the proposal and (c) any material interest of the
shareholder in such proposal.
FFBC
The FFBC Bylaws establish advance notice procedures for shareholder
proposals and the nomination, other than by or at the direction of the FFBC
Board, of candidates for election as directors. The FFBC Bylaws provide that,
except as described in the next sentence, a shareholder wishing to nominate a
person as a candidate for election to the FFBC Board must submit such nomination
in writing to FFBC not later than twenty days prior to the annual meeting of
FFBC shareholders (however, if less than thirty days' notice of the date of the
annual meeting is given to the shareholders, notice of the nomination by the
shareholder must be received by FFBC not later than the tenth day following the
day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed), together
with biographical information about the nominee, such nominee's written consent
to serving as a director if nominated, and the shareholder's name and
shareholdings. If the FFBC Board, acting as the nominating committee, fails to
deliver nominations to the Secretary of FFBC at least twenty days prior to the
annual shareholder meeting, then nominations for directors may be made at the
annual shareholder meeting by any shareholder entitled to vote on the election
of directors.
Similarly, a shareholder must notify FFBC not later than twenty days prior
to the annual meeting of shareholders (however, if less than thirty days' notice
of the date of the annual meeting is given to the shareholders, notice of the
proposal by the shareholder must be received by FFBC not later than the tenth
day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was
mailed) of the shareholder's intention to make a proposal for consideration at
the next annual meeting. The notice must contain a brief description of the
proposal and the name and shareholdings of the shareholder submitting the
proposal.
EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION
SNC
The NCBCA requires that a director of a North Carolina corporation
discharge his duties as a director (a) in good faith, (b) with the care an
ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar
circumstances and (c) in a manner he reasonably believes to be in the best
interests of the corporation. The NCBCA expressly provides that a director
facing a change of control situation shall not be subject to any different
duties or a higher standard of care. The SNC Articles provide that, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no director of SNC will have any
personal liability for monetary damage for breach of a duty as a director. The
SNC Bylaws require SNC to indemnify its directors and officers against
liabilities arising out of such person's status as such, excluding any liability
relating to activities that were at the time taken known or believed by such
person to be clearly in conflict with the best interests of SNC.
FFBC
The VSCA requires that a director of a Virginia corporation discharge his
duties as a director in accordance with his good faith business judgment of the
best interests of the corporation. The VSCA permits Virginia corporations to
provide indemnification for directors, officers and agents and also permits
Virginia corporations to eliminate personal liability for directors and officers
for certain actions. Pursuant to such provisions, the FFBC Articles provide for
indemnification of any individual who is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of FFBC, or any subsidiary of FFBC, including FFSB, in any proceeding in
which the individual is made a party, or any threatened proceeding, as a result
of his service in such capacity, except that no individual shall be indemnified
against any liabilities or expenses incurred because of his willful misconduct
or knowing violation of criminal law. The FFBC Articles also provide for
mandatory advancement of expenses, unless a determination has been made that
indemnification is not permissible, upon receipt of an undertaking of such
individual to repay the advancement if it is ultimately determined that such
individual is not entitled to indemnification.
The FFBC Articles also eliminate the liability of any director or officer
in any proceeding brought by FFBC or in any derivative proceeding unless the
director or officer engaged in willful misconduct or a knowing violation of
criminal law or any federal or state securities law.
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MERGERS, SHARE EXCHANGES AND SALES OF ASSETS
SNC
The NCBCA generally requires that any merger, share exchange or sale of
substantially all the assets of a corporation not in the ordinary course of
business be approved by the affirmative vote of the majority of the issued and
outstanding shares of each voting group entitled to vote. SNC is also subject to
certain statutory anti-takeover provisions. See " -- Anti-takeover Statutes."
FFBC
The VSCA generally requires that any merger, share exchange or sale of
substantially all of the assets of a corporation not in the ordinary course of
business be approved by at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by
each voting group entitled to vote, unless the articles of incorporation provide
for a greater or lesser vote (but in no event less than a majority of votes cast
by each such voting group at a meeting at which a quorum of the voting group
exists). The FFBC Articles provide that a vote of the holders of two-thirds of
the issued and outstanding shares of the FFBC Common Stock entitled to vote
thereon shall be required for the approval of (a) any plan of merger or share
exchange which is required to be approved by shareholders under the VSCA or (b)
any sale, lease, exchange or otherwise disposal of all or substantially of the
assets of FFBC other than in usual course of business which is required to be
approved by shareholders under VSCA; provided, however, that a vote of the
holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of the FFBC Common
Stock entitled to a vote thereon shall be required for the approval of any of
the above actions if such actions have been approved by at least two-thirds of
the "Continuing Directors." The FFBC Articles define "Continuing Director" to
mean any member of the FFBC Board who was a member for at least one year prior
to the time that the FFBC Board voted on such action.
ANTI-TAKEOVER STATUTES
SNC
The North Carolina Control Share Acquisition Act (the "Control Share Act")
applies to SNC. The Control Share Act is designed to protect shareholders of
publicly owned North Carolina corporations based within the state against
certain changes in control and to provide shareholders with the opportunity to
vote on whether to afford voting rights to certain shareholders.
The Control Share Act is triggered upon the acquisition by a person of
shares of voting stock of a covered corporation that, when added to all other
shares beneficially owned by the person, would result in that person holding
one-fifth, one-third or a majority of the voting power in the election of
directors. Under the Control Share Act, the shares acquired that result in the
crossing of any of these thresholds ("Control Shares") have no voting rights
until such rights are conferred by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of all outstanding voting shares, excluding those shares held by any
person involved or proposing to be involved in the acquisition of Control
Shares, any officer of the corporation and any employee of such corporation who
is also a director of such corporation. If voting rights are conferred on
Control Shares, all shareholders of such corporation have the right to require
that their shares be redeemed at the highest price paid per share by the
acquiror for any Control Shares.
In accordance with the provisions of such statute, SNC has elected not to
be governed by the North Carolina Shareholder Protection Act.
FFBC
Virginia has enacted several statutes which impose restrictions on
acquisitions of Virginia corporations. The Virginia Business Combination Statute
generally provides that an "interested shareholder" (generally defined to
include any shareholder owning more than 10% of the corporation's outstanding
voting shares) may not engage in a business combination (as broadly defined in
the statute) with the corporation for a period of three years following the date
he became an interested shareholder unless the business combination or the
transaction by which the interested shareholder became an interested shareholder
was approved prior to such date by a majority of the corporation's directors and
by holders of two-thirds of the shares other than the shares beneficially owned
by the interested shareholder. Following the expiration of this three year
period, any business combination with the interested shareholder must be
approved by a majority of the corporation's directors, be approved by holders of
two-thirds of the shares other than the shares beneficially owned by the
interested shareholder or meet certain fair price and other procedural
requirements. The Virginia Control Share Acquisition Statute precludes any
person acquiring voting shares in a Virginia corporation in excess of specified
thresholds of the voting power (i.e., 20%, 33.33% and 50%) in the corporation
from voting the excess shares unless voting rights for such shares are granted
by a vote of the holders of a majority of the disinterested shares after the
corporation has received an acquiring person statement from
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such person. The FFBC Articles incorporate the provisions of the Virginia
Business Combination Statute and the Virginia Control Share Acquisition Statute.
AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
SNC
The NCBCA provides generally that a North Carolina corporation's articles
of incorporation may be amended if the amendment is affirmatively approved by a
majority of the votes cast within each voting group entitled to vote. The SNC
Articles and SNC Bylaws also require the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
outstanding shares entitled to vote to approve an amendment to the SNC Articles
or SNC Bylaws amending, altering or repealing the portions of such articles or
bylaws relating to classification and staggered terms of the board, removal of
directors or any requirement for a supermajority vote on such an amendment.
The SNC Bylaws also prohibit the SNC Board from amending or repealing the
corporation's bylaws to: (a) require more than a majority of the voting shares
for a quorum at a regular meeting of the shareholders or more than a majority of
the votes cast to constitute action by the shareholders, unless higher
percentages are required by law; (b) increase or decrease the number of
directors; or (c) alter or repeal any bylaws adopted or amended by the
shareholders.
FFBC
The VSCA generally requires that any amendment to a Virginia corporation's
articles of incorporation be approved by at least two-thirds of the votes
entitled to be cast by each voting group entitled to vote on such amendment,
unless the articles of incorporation provide for a greater or lesser vote (but
in no event less than a majority of all of the votes cast by each such voting
group at a meeting at which a quorum of the voting group exists). The FFBC
Articles provide that a vote of the holders of two-thirds of the issued and
outstanding shares of the FFBC Common Stock entitled to vote thereon shall be
required for the approval of any amendment to the FFBC Articles; provided
however, that a vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding
shares of the FFBC Common Stock entitled to vote thereon shall be required for
the approval of an amendment to the FFBC Articles if such amendment has been
approved by at least two-thirds of the "Continuing Directors." The FFBC Articles
define "Continuing Director" to mean any member of the FFBC Board who was a
member of the FFBC Board for at least one year prior to the time that the FFBC
Board voted on such amendment.
The VSCA provides generally that a Virginia corporation's board of
directors may amend or repeal the corporation's bylaws except to the extent that
(a) such power is reserved to the shareholders by the articles of incorporation
or by law, (b) the shareholders in adopting or amending a particular bylaw
provided expressly that the board of directors could not amend or repeal such
bylaw and (c) the corporation's shareholders may amend or repeal the bylaws even
though the bylaws may be amended or repealed by the board of directors. The FFBC
Bylaws specifically provide that the FFBC Bylaws may be amended at any time by a
two-thirds vote of the FFBC Board or by a majority vote of the votes cast by the
shareholders at a meeting of the shareholders. The VSCA further provides that a
bylaw fixing greater quorum or voting requirements for the board of directors
may be amended or repealed (a) if originally adopted by the shareholders, only
by the shareholders or (b) if originally adopted by the directors, by either the
shareholders or the board of directors. A bylaw adopted or amended by the
shareholders fixing a greater quorum or voting requirement for the board of
directors may provide that it may be amended or repealed only by a specific vote
of either shareholders or the directors. Action by the board of directors to
adopt or amend a bylaw changing the quorum or voting requirement applicable to
meetings of the board of directors must meet the quorum requirement and be
adopted by the vote required to take action under the quorum and voting
requirement then in effect.
SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS OF DISSENT AND APPRAISAL
SNC
Under the NCBCA, a shareholder of a North Carolina corporation is entitled
to dissent from, and obtain payment of the "full value" of his shares in the
event of, any of the following corporate transactions: (a) consummation of a
plan of merger to which the corporation is a party, unless (i) the corporation
is a parent merging with a subsidiary pursuant to a particular NCBCA provision
for such transactions; (ii) the merger is subject to an NCBCA provision that
exempts from the shareholder approval requirement certain mergers that do not
result in a substantial change to the corporation or the rights of its
shareholders; or (iii) the shares in question are then redeemable by the
corporation at a price not greater than the cash to be received for such shares;
(b) consummation of a plan of share exchange to which the corporation is a party
as the corporation whose shares will be acquired, unless such shares are then
redeemable by the corporation at a price not greater than the cash to be
received in exchange for such shares; (c) consummation of a sale or exchange of
all or substantially all of the property
40
<PAGE>
of the corporation other than in the regular course of business, including a
sale in dissolution but not including a sale pursuant to court order or a sale
pursuant to a plan by which all or substantially all of the net proceeds are to
be distributed in cash to shareholders within one year; (d) an amendment to the
articles of incorporation that materially and adversely affects rights in
respect of a dissenter's shares because it (i) alters or abolishes a
preferential right of the shares; (ii) creates, alters or abolishes a right in
respect of redemption, including a provision respecting a sinking fund for the
redemption or repurchase, of the shares; (iii) alters or abolishes a preemptive
right of the holder of the shares to acquire shares or other securities; (iv)
excludes or limits the right of shares to vote on any matter; (v) reduces the
number of shares owned by the shareholder to a fraction of a share if the
fractional share so created is to be acquired for cash; or (vi) changes the
corporation into a nonprofit corporation or cooperative organization; or (e) any
corporation action take pursuant to a shareholder vote to the extent the
articles of incorporation, bylaws or a resolution of the board of directors
provides that voting or nonvoting shareholders are entitled to dissent and
obtain payment for their shares.
A shareholder who has the right to dissent from a transaction and receive
payment of the "fair value" of his shares must follow specific procedural
requirements as set forth in the NCBCA in order to maintain such right and
obtain such payment.
FFBC
Under the VSCA, a shareholder of a Virginia corporation is entitled to
dissent from, and to receive payment of the "fair value" of his shares in the
event of, any of the following corporation transactions: (a) consummation of a
merger to which the corporation is a party, provided that either (i) shareholder
approval is required for the merger pursuant to the VSCA or the corporation's
articles of incorporation and the shareholder is entitled to vote or (ii) the
corporation is a subsidiary being merged with its parent pursuant to a
particular VSCA provision for such transactions; (b) consummation of a plan of
share exchange to which the corporation is a party as the party whose shares
will be acquired, provided that the shareholder is entitled to vote on the plan;
(c) consummation of the sale or exchange of all or substantially all the
property of the corporation, if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the
transaction or the transaction is in furtherance of a dissolution on which the
shareholder is entitled to vote, and provided that the transaction is neither
(i) a transaction pursuant to court order nor (ii) a transaction for cash
pursuant to a plan by which all or substantially all of the net proceeds will be
distributed to shareholders within one year; or (d) any corporate action taken
pursuant to a shareholder vote, to the extent that the articles of
incorporation, the bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors provides
that voting and nonvoting shareholders are entitled to dissent and obtain
payment for their shares.
With respect to corporations that have a class or series of shares either
listed on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq market (such as FFBC) or
held by more than 2,000 record shareholders, dissenters' rights are not
available to the holders of such shares by reason of a merger, share exchange or
sale or exchange of property unless (a) the articles of incorporation of the
corporation issuing such shares provided otherwise; (b) in the case of a merger
or share exchange (unlike the Merger), the holders of such shares are required
to accept anything other than (i) cash, (ii) shares in another corporation that
are either listed on a national securities exchange or held by more than 2,000
record shareholders or (iii) a combination of cash and such shares; or (c) the
transaction is with a shareholder who owns more than 10 percent of a class of
shares and has not been approved by a majority of the directors unaffiliated
with such shareholder.
A shareholder who has the right to dissent from a transaction and receive
payment of the "fair value" of his shares must follow specific procedural
requirements as set forth in the VSCA in order to maintain such right and obtain
such payment.
LIQUIDATION RIGHTS
SNC
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs
of SNC, holders of outstanding shares of SNC Common Stock are entitled to share,
in proportion to their respective interests, in SNC's assets and funds remaining
after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and other liabilities of
SNC.
Because SNC is a bank holding company, its rights, the rights of its
creditors and of its shareholders, including the holders of the shares of any
SNC Preferred Stock that may be issued, to participate in the assets of any
subsidiary upon the latter's liquidation or recapitalization may be subject to
the prior claims of the subsidiary's creditors except to the extent that SNC may
itself be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary and any
interests in the liquidation accounts established by savings associations or
savings banks acquired by SNC for the benefit of eligible account holders in
connection with conversion of such savings associations to stock form.
41
<PAGE>
FFBC
The rights of holders of FFBC Common Stock upon liquidation are virtually
identical to those of SNC.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of SNC Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger
and, as a condition to the Merger, certain of the tax consequences of the Merger
will be passed upon at the Effective Date by Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice,
PLLC, Charlotte, North Carolina, as counsel to SNC. As of the date of this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, certain members of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
owned an aggregate of 21,888 shares of SNC Common Stock.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and schedules of SNC included in
SNC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 and
incorporated by reference in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus have been audited
by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their
reports with respect thereto, and are incorporated by reference herein in
reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.
The consolidated financial statements of FFBC incorporated in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus by reference to FFBC's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1995 have been so incorporated in reliance upon the
report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent auditors, incorporated herein by
reference, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing. The report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP refers to a change in accounting
for certain investments in debt and equity securities.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
In order to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of
proxy to be used in connection with FFBC's scheduled 1997 annual meeting of
shareholders, which shall not be held if the Merger is consummated, shareholder
proposals must have been received by the secretary of FFBC no later than
November 24, 1996; no shareholder proposals were received by such date. In the
event the Reorganization Agreement is terminated or the Merger is not otherwise
consummated, FFBC will promptly reschedule its 1997 annual meeting of
shareholders and, in a timely manner, inform its shareholders of the date on
which such annual meeting will be held and the date by which proposals of
shareholders must be received for inclusion in FFBC's proxy statement and form
of proxy relating to such annual meeting.
42
<PAGE>
PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information and
explanatory notes are presented to show the impact of the Merger and the UCB
Merger on SNC's historical financial position and results of operations. The Pro
Forma Condensed Financial Information reflects the Merger under the purchase
method of accounting and the UCB Merger under the pooling-of-interests method of
accounting. See "THE MERGER -- Accounting Treatment." The Pro Forma Condensed
Balance Sheet assumes that the Merger and the UCB Merger were consummated on
September 30, 1996, and the Pro Forma Condensed Income Statements assume that
the Merger and the UCB Merger were consummated at the beginning of each period
presented.
SNC acquired three insurance agencies in the fourth quarter of 1996 which
were accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. SNC issued 610,390
shares of SNC Common Stock to effect the acquisitions and recorded intangible
assets of $16.9 million. These amounts are not reflected in the Pro Forma
Condensed Balance Sheet contained herein. The intangible assets recorded would
result in amortization expense of $845,000 and $1.1 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 1996, and the year ended December 31, 1995, respectively.
These amounts are not reflected in the Pro Forma Condensed Income Statements
contained herein.
The pro forma earnings are not necessarily indicative of the results of
operations had the Merger and UCB Merger occurred at the beginning of the
periods presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of the results of future
operations.
43
<PAGE>
PRO FORMA CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
(UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SNC AND
PRO FORMA FFBC PRO
ADJUSTMENTS FORMA PRO FORMA
SNC FFBC DEBIT CREDIT COMBINED UCB ADJUSTMENTS
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks........ $ 656,632 $ 3,675 $ 660,307 $ 184,770
Interest-bearing deposits with
banks........................ 429 -- 429 --
Federal funds sold and
securities purchased under
resale agreements or similar
arrangements................. 7,433 -- 7,433 100,922
Securities available for
sale......................... 5,489,878 38,493 5,528,371 840,061
Securities held to maturity.... 126,848 4,492 131,340 48,446
Loans held for sale............ 178,582 2,184 180,766 --
Loans and leases, net of
unearned income.............. 13,932,414.. 272,496 14,204,910 3,068,910
Allowances for loan and lease
losses..................... (184,203) (3,193) (187,396) (45,837)
Loans and leases, net...... 13,748,211 269,303 14,017,514 3,023,073
Premises and equipment, net.... 314,406 4,575 318,981 55,984
Other assets................... 574,138 6,511 $32,243(1) 612,892 113,068 $(4,549)(2)
Total Assets............... $21,096,557 $329,233 $32,243 $21,458,033 $4,366,324 $(4,549)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY
Noninterest-bearing demand
deposits..................... $ 2,039,356 $ 13,527 $ 2,052,883 $ 616,201
Savings and interest
checking..................... 1,380,011 21,021 1,401,032 629,244
Money rate savings............. 3,204,789 51,958 3,256,747 790,881
Other time deposits............ 8,394,256 163,799 8,558,055 1,899,324
Total deposits............. 15,018,412 250,305 15,268,717 3,935,650
Short-term borrowed funds...... 2,095,282 17,809 $ 57,415(3) 2,170,506 39,437
Long-term debt................. 2,050,211 29,510 2,079,721 2,815
Accounts payable and other
liabilities.................. 275,846 3,862 1,500(4) 281,208 47,108 $35,847(5)(6)
Total liabilities.......... 19,439,751 301,486 58,915 19,800,152 4,025,010 35,847
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $5 par value,
5,000,000 shares authorized,
none issued and outstanding
at September 30, 1996........ -- -- -- --
Common stock, $5 par value,
300,000,000 shares
authorized, 109,112,010
issued and outstanding at
September 30, 1996;
109,112,010 shares and
136,652,937 shares issued and
outstanding for SNC and FFBC
pro forma combined and SNC,
UCB and FFBC pro forma
combined, respectively....... 545,560 2,298 10,500(3)(7) 8,202(1)(7) 545,560 97,061 40,644(8)
Paid-in capital................ 137,974 9,679 58,892(3)(7) 50,288 1)(4)(7) 139,049 50,787 (40,644)(8)
Retained earnings.............. 987,979 15,995 15,995(2) 987,979 195,989 (40,396)(2)(5)(6)
Loan to employee stock
ownership plan and unvested
restricted
stock........................ (2,971) -- (2,971) --
Net unrealized (depreciation)
appreciation on securities
available for sale........... (11,736) (225) 225(7) (11,736) (2,523)
Total shareholders'
equity................... 1,656,806 27,747 85,387 58,715 1,657,881 341,314 (40,396)
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity..... $21,096,557 $329,233 $85,387 $117,630 $21,458,033 $4,366,324 $(4,549)
<CAPTION>
SNC, UCB
AND FFBC
PRO FORMA
COMBINED
<S> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks........ $ 845,077
Interest-bearing deposits with
banks........................ 429
Federal funds sold and
securities purchased under
resale agreements or similar
arrangements................. 108,355
Securities available for
sale......................... 6,368,432
Securities held to maturity.... 179,786
Loans held for sale............ 180,766
Loans and leases, net of
unearned income.............. 17,273,820
Allowances for loan and lease
losses..................... (233,233)
Loans and leases, net...... 17,040,587
Premises and equipment, net.... 374,965
Other assets................... 721,411
Total Assets............... $25,819,808
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY
Noninterest-bearing demand
deposits..................... $ 2,669,084
Savings and interest
checking..................... 2,030,276
Money rate savings............. 4,047,628
Other time deposits............ 10,457,379
Total deposits............. 19,204,367
Short-term borrowed funds...... 2,209,943
Long-term debt................. 2,082,536
Accounts payable and other
liabilities.................. 364,163
Total liabilities.......... 23,861,009
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $5 par value,
5,000,000 shares authorized,
none issued and outstanding
at September 30, 1996........ --
Common stock, $5 par value,
300,000,000 shares
authorized, 109,112,010
issued and outstanding at
September 30, 1996;
109,112,010 shares and
136,652,937 shares issued and
outstanding for SNC and FFBC
pro forma combined and SNC,
UCB and FFBC pro forma
combined, respectively....... 683,265
Paid-in capital................ 149,192
Retained earnings.............. 1,143,572
Loan to employee stock
ownership plan and unvested
restricted
stock........................ (2,971)
Net unrealized (depreciation)
appreciation on securities
available for sale........... (14,259)
Total shareholders'
equity................... 1,958,799
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity..... $25,819,808
</TABLE>
See Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information.
44
<PAGE>
PRO FORMA CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENT
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
(UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SNC AND
FFBC PRO
PRO FORMA FORMA
SNC FFBC ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED UCB(9)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and fees on loans and leases................. $ 957,961 $17,539 $ 975,500 $201,256
Interest and dividends on securities.................. 236,117 1,214 237,331 38,469
Interest on short-term investments.................... 584 993 1,577 2,661
Total interest income............................. 1,194,662 19,746 1,214,408 242,386
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest on deposits.................................. 421,847 8,795 430,642 108,711
Interest on short-term borrowed funds................. 81,602 737 82,339 1,420
Interest on long-term debt............................ 76,678 1,208 7,886 127
Total interest expense............................ 580,127 10,740 590,867 110,258
NET INTEREST INCOME................................... 614,535 9,006 623,541 132,128
Provision for loan and lease losses................... 38,161 385 38,546 6,000
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISIONS FOR LOAN AND
LEASE LOSSES........................................ 576,374 8,621 584,995 126,128
NONINTEREST INCOME
Service charge on deposit accounts.................... 79,358 180 79,538 18,645
Mortgage banking activities........................... 24,834 -- 24,834 4,101
Trust income.......................................... 16,803 -- 16,803 4,339
Agency and other insurance commissions................ 24,432 -- 24,432 4,415
Other nondeposit fees and commissions................. 50,894 -- 50,894 6,781
Securities gains (losses), net........................ 543 26 569 (133)
Other noninterest income.............................. 20,131 432 20,563 319
Total noninterest income.......................... 216,995 638 217,633 38,467
NONINTEREST EXPENSES
Personnel expense..................................... 225,297 3,114 228,411 64,245
Occupancy and equipment expense....................... 76,965 1,006 77,971 12,863
Federal deposit insurance expense..................... 42,820 1,901 44,721 1,173
Other noninterest expense............................. 145,767 1,025 $ 1,613(10) 148,405 31,879
Total noninterest expense......................... 490,849 7,046 1,613 499,508 110,160
EARNINGS
Income before income taxes............................ 302,520 2,213 (1,613) 303,120 54,435
Income tax expense.................................... 98,536 809 -- 99,345 19,206
Net Income............................................ 203,984 1,404 (1,613) 203,775 35,229
Preferred dividend requirements..................... 610 -- -- 610 --
Income applicable to common shares.................. $ 203,374 $ 1,404 $(1,613) $ 203,165 $ 35,229
PER COMMON SHARE
Net income
Primary............................................. $1.85 $.61 $1.82 $1.46
Fully diluted....................................... $1.83 $.61 $1.80 $1.46
AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Primary............................................. 110,071,975 2,286,773 111,704,045 24,191,324
Fully diluted....................................... 111,722,834 2,286,773 113,354,904 24,191,324
<CAPTION>
SNC, FFBC
AND UCB PRO
FORMA
COMBINED(9)
<S> <C>
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and fees on loans and leases................. $1,176,756
Interest and dividends on securities.................. 275,800
Interest on short-term investments.................... 4,238
Total interest income............................. 1,456,794
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest on deposits.................................. 539,353
Interest on short-term borrowed funds................. 83,759
Interest on long-term debt............................ 78,013
Total interest expense............................ 701,125
NET INTEREST INCOME................................... 755,669
Provision for loan and lease losses................... 44,546
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISIONS FOR LOAN AND
LEASE LOSSES........................................ 711,123
NONINTEREST INCOME
Service charge on deposit accounts.................... 98,183
Mortgage banking activities........................... 28,935
Trust income.......................................... 21,142
Agency and other insurance commissions................ 28,847
Other nondeposit fees and commissions................. 57,675
Securities gains (losses), net........................ 436
Other noninterest income.............................. 20,882
Total noninterest income.......................... 256,100
NONINTEREST EXPENSES
Personnel expense..................................... 292,656
Occupancy and equipment expense....................... 90,834
Federal deposit insurance expense..................... 45,894
Other noninterest expense............................. 180,284
Total noninterest expense......................... 609,668
EARNINGS
Income before income taxes............................ 357,555
Income tax expense.................................... 118,551
Net Income............................................ 239,004
Preferred dividend requirements..................... 610
Income applicable to common shares.................. $ 238,394
PER COMMON SHARE
Net income
Primary............................................. $1.71
Fully diluted....................................... $1.70
AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Primary............................................. 139,161,198
Fully diluted....................................... 140,812,057
</TABLE>
See Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information.
45
<PAGE>
PRO FORMA CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENT
FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
(UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SNC AND
FFBC PRO
PRO FORMA FORMA
SNC FFBC ADJUSTMENTS COMBINED UCB(9)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and fees on loans and leases................. $1,261,658 $22,731 $1,284,389 $255,251
Interest and dividends on securities.................. 312,423 1,493 313,916 42,086
Interest on short-term investments.................... 2,531 1,203 3,734 6,754
Total interest income............................. 1,576,612 25,427 1,602,039 304,091
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest on deposits.................................. 564,464 11,185 575,649 132,620
Interest on short-term borrowed funds................. 178,879 1,251 180,130 2,653
Interest on long-term debt............................ 70,599 1,537 72,136 170
Total interest expense............................ 813,942 13,973 827,915 135,443
NET INTEREST INCOME................................... 762,670 11,454 774,124 168,648
Provision for loan and lease losses................... 34,632 431 35,063 7,292
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISIONS FOR LOAN AND
LEASE LOSSES........................................ 728,038 11,023 739,061 161,356
NONINTEREST INCOME
Service charge on deposit accounts.................... 89,621 201 89,822 24,043
Mortgage banking activities........................... 26,408 -- 26,408 4,810
Trust income.......................................... 18,629 -- 18,629 5,243
Agency and other insurance commissions................ 26,437 -- 26,437 5,252
Other nondeposit fees and commissions................. 54,635 -- 54,635 7,225
Securities (losses) gains, net........................ (18,600) (42) (18,642) 11
Other noninterest income.............................. 33,864 582 34,446 477
Total noninterest income.......................... 230,994 741 231,735 47,061
NONINTEREST EXPENSES
Personnel expense..................................... 346,308 4,016 350,324 78,390
Occupancy and equipment expense....................... 107,877 1,314 109,191 17,410
Federal deposit insurance expense..................... 22,995 501 23,496 3,864
Other noninterest expense............................. 204,048 1,189 $ 2,150(10) 207,387 37,633
Total noninterest expense......................... 681,228 7,020 2,150 690,398 137,297
EARNINGS
Income before income taxes............................ 277,804 4,744 (2,150) 280,398 71,120
Income tax expense.................................... 91,643 1,713 -- 93,176 25,073
Net Income............................................ 186,341 3,031 (2,150) 187,222 46,047
Preferred dividend requirements..................... 5,079 -- -- 5,079 --
Income applicable to common shares.................. $ 181,262 $ 3,031 $(2,150) $ 182,143 $ 46,047
PER COMMON SHARE
Net income
Primary............................................. $1.65 $1.34 $1.64 $1.91
Fully diluted....................................... $1.62 $1.34 $1.61 $1.91
AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Primary............................................. 109,776,710 2,261,310 111,390,607 24,099,190
Fully diluted....................................... 114,801,843 2,261,310 116,415,740 24,099,190
<CAPTION>
SNC, FFBC
AND UCB PRO
FORMA
COMBINED(9)
<S> <C>
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and fees on loans and leases................. $1,539,640
Interest and dividends on securities.................. 356,002
Interest on short-term investments.................... 10,488
Total interest income............................. 1,906,130
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest on deposits.................................. 708,269
Interest on short-term borrowed funds................. 182,783
Interest on long-term debt............................ 72,306
Total interest expense............................ 963,358
NET INTEREST INCOME................................... 942,772
Provision for loan and lease losses................... 42,355
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISIONS FOR LOAN AND
LEASE LOSSES........................................ 900,417
NONINTEREST INCOME
Service charge on deposit accounts.................... 113,865
Mortgage banking activities........................... 31,218
Trust income.......................................... 23,872
Agency and other insurance commissions................ 31,689
Other nondeposit fees and commissions................. 61,860
Securities (losses) gains, net........................ (18,631 )
Other noninterest income.............................. 34,923
Total noninterest income.......................... 278,796
NONINTEREST EXPENSES
Personnel expense..................................... 428,714
Occupancy and equipment expense....................... 126,601
Federal deposit insurance expense..................... 27,360
Other noninterest expense............................. 245,020
Total noninterest expense......................... 827,695
EARNINGS
Income before income taxes............................ 351,518
Income tax expense.................................... 118,249
Net Income............................................ 233,269
Preferred dividend requirements..................... 5,079
Income applicable to common shares.................. $ 228,190
PER COMMON SHARE
Net income
Primary............................................. $1.64
Fully diluted....................................... $1.62
AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Primary............................................. 138,743,188
Fully diluted....................................... 143,768,321
</TABLE>
See Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Financial Information.
46
<PAGE>
NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(1) Goodwill of $32,243,292 was recorded herein to represent the excess of
the purchase price of $60,053,641 (calculated as set forth below) plus
estimated capitalized costs of the Merger of $1,200,000 less the
aggregate exercise price of options to purchase FFBC Common Stock of
$1,263,349 over the fair market value of the net assets acquired of
$27,747,000. There are no material fair market value adjustments to
FFBC's assets or liabilities. The purchase price, goodwill and pro
forma capital were determined as follows, using the minimum Exchange
Ratio of .7137 shares of SNC Common Stock for each share of FFBC
Common Stock:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
CALCULATION OF PURCHASE PRICE AND GOODWILL
Shares of FFBC Common Stock outstanding.............................................................. 2,298,467
Options to purchase FFBC Common Stock outstanding.................................................... 105,650
Total FFBC shares and options outstanding............................................................ 2,404,117
Minimum Exchange Ratio............................................................................... .7137
Shares of SNC Common Stock and options to purchase SNC Common Stock outstanding...................... 1,715,818
Fair market value per share.......................................................................... $ 35.00
60,053,641
Plus: Estimated capitalized Merger costs............................................................. 1,200,000
Less: Aggregate exercise price of FFBC options....................................................... (1,263,349)
Purchase price of Merger............................................................................. $59,990,292
Fair market value of net assets acquired............................................................. $27,747,000
Goodwill............................................................................................. $32,243,292
CALCULATION OF PRO FORMA CAPITAL
Purchase price of Merger............................................................................. $59,990,292
Less: estimated capitalized Merger costs............................................................. 1,200,000
Less: estimated stock issuance costs................................................................. 300,000
Pro forma capital.................................................................................... $58,490,292
</TABLE>
(2) During May 1995, SNC and UCB entered into a transaction wherein UCB
acquired 12 North Carolina branch offices which were required to be
divested by SNC. In the acquisition, UCB assumed $178.7 million in
deposits and purchased $26.8 million in loans from SNC. Two of the
branch banking offices acquired by UCB in the transaction with
aggregate deposits and loans of $32.7 million and $4.9 million,
respectively, were sold to third party banks during the fourth quarter
of 1995. UCB recorded a premium of $10.1 million for the assumed
deposit base of the branches retained. SNC recorded a total gain on
divestiture of $12.3 million. This adjustment eliminates the
unamortized deposit intangible and the intercompany portion of the
gain in the Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet. The Pro Forma Condensed
Income Statements do not reflect these adjustments, nor do they
reflect the impact of UCB's reduced amortization expense, which
totaled $1.4 million and $1.2 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and the year ended December 31, 1995, respectively.
(3) To reflect SNC's intended repurchase of 1,640,416 shares of SNC Common
Stock in connection with the Merger at a fair value of $35.00 per
share. The cost of funding the repurchase and the related per share
and weighted average share impact are not reflected in the Pro Forma
Condensed Income Statements.
(4) To record the payable of $300,000 for estimated stock issuance costs
and $1,200,000 for estimated capitalized Merger costs.
(5) Certain material, nonrecurring adjustments of approximately $50
million will be recorded in conjunction with the UCB Merger. These
adjustments include amounts to effect the settlement of obligations
under existing employment contracts, severance pay for involuntary
terminations, early retirement and related employee benefits; amounts
associated with branch closings and divestitures and the consolidation
of bank operations and systems. It is estimated that $5 million of the
expenses will be directly related to effecting the UCB Merger and
therefore are not deductible for income tax purposes. The impact of
these adjustments has been reflected in the Pro Forma Condensed
Balance Sheet as of September 30, 1996.
47
<PAGE>
(6) UCB elected to amortize the accumulated postretirement obligation
related to the adoption of SFAS No. 106 over a period of 20 years as a
component of the postretirement benefit cost. SNC elected to reflect
the adoption of SFAS No. 106 through the recording of a cumulative
charge for this change in accounting principle. The Pro Forma
Condensed Balance Sheet reflects an adjustment to conform UCB's
transition method to the method elected by SNC. The accompanying Pro
Forma Condensed Income Statements do not reflect adjustments for
amounts previously recorded by UCB as amortization of the unrecorded
transition obligation, which amounted to $296,000 for the nine months
ended September 30, 1996 and $394,000 for the year ended December 31,
1995.
(7) To eliminate shareholders' equity of FFBC of $27,747,000 and to record
the issuance of 1,640,416 shares of SNC Common Stock at $35.00 per
share (see Note (1) above) and the issuance of options to purchase
75,402 shares of SNC Common Stock which have a weighted average value
of $18.25 per option.
(8) Based on an exchange ratio of 1.135 shares of SNC Common Stock for
each share of UCB Common Stock in the UCB Merger. At September 30,
1996, there were 24,265,134 shares of UCB Common Stock outstanding.
(9) No pro forma adjustments relating to the UCB Merger are reflected in
the Pro Forma Condensed Income Statements.
(10) To record amortization of the excess of the purchase price over the
estimated fair market value of the net assets acquired from FFBC over
a 15-year period using the straight-line method.
48
<PAGE>
APPENDIX I
AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
FIDELITY FINANCIAL BANKSHARES CORPORATION
AND
SOUTHERN NATIONAL CORPORATION
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS........................................................................................................... I-1
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER............................................................................................................ I-3
2.1 MERGER....................................................................................................... I-3
2.2 FILING; PLAN OF MERGER....................................................................................... I-3
2.3. EFFECTIVE TIME.............................................................................................. I-3
2.4 CLOSING...................................................................................................... I-3
2.5 EFFECT OF MERGER............................................................................................. I-3
2.6 FURTHER ASSURANCES........................................................................................... I-4
2.7 MERGER CONSIDERATION......................................................................................... I-4
2.8 CONVERSION OF SHARES; PAYMENT OF MERGER CONSIDERATION........................................................ I-4
2.9 DISSENTING SHARES............................................................................................ I-5
2.10 CONVERSION OF STOCK OPTIONS.................................................................................. I-5
2.11 MERGER OF SUBSIDIARY......................................................................................... I-5
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FIDELITY............................................................................ I-6
3.1 CAPITAL STRUCTURE............................................................................................ I-6
3.2 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND AUTHORITY......................................................................... I-6
3.3 OWNERSHIP OF SUBSIDIARY...................................................................................... I-6
3.4 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND AUTHORITY OF THE SUBSIDIARY....................................................... I-6
3.5 AUTHORIZED AND EFFECTIVE AGREEMENT........................................................................... I-6
3.6 SECURITIES AND OTS FILINGS................................................................................... I-7
3.7 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; MINUTE BOOKS........................................................................... I-7
3.8 MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE...................................................................................... I-7
3.9 ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES........................................................................... I-7
3.10 PROPERTIES................................................................................................... I-7
3.11 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS........................................................................................ I-8
3.12 ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES.................................................................................... I-8
3.13 TAX MATTERS.................................................................................................. I-8
3.14 EMPLOYEES; COMPENSATION; BENEFIT PLANS....................................................................... I-8
3.15 CERTAIN CONTRACTS............................................................................................ I-10
3.16 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS; REGULATORY APPROVALS...................................................................... I-11
3.17 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS......................................................................................... I-11
3.18 BROKERS AND FINDERS.......................................................................................... I-11
3.19 INSURANCE.................................................................................................... I-11
3.20 LOANS........................................................................................................ I-11
3.23 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS................................................................................... I-12
3.24 VOTE REQUIRED................................................................................................ I-12
3.25 CERTAIN INFORMATION.......................................................................................... I-12
3.26 REORGANIZATION............................................................................................... I-12
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SNC................................................................................. I-13
4.1 CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF SNC..................................................................................... I-13
4.2 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND AUTHORITY OF SNC.................................................................. I-13
4.3 AUTHORIZED AND EFFECTIVE AGREEMENT........................................................................... I-13
4.4 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND AUTHORITY OF SNC SUBSIDIARIES..................................................... I-13
4.5 SECURITIES DOCUMENTS......................................................................................... I-13
4.6 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS......................................................................................... I-14
4.7 MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE...................................................................................... I-14
4.8 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS; REGULATORY APPROVALS...................................................................... I-14
4.9 ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES........................................................................... I-14
4.10 ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES.................................................................................... I-14
4.11 TAX MATTERS.................................................................................................. I-14
4.12 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS......................................................................................... I-14
4.13 CERTAIN INFORMATION.......................................................................................... I-15
4.14 REORGANIZATION............................................................................................... I-15
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS............................................................................................................. I-15
5.1 SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING........................................................................................ I-15
5.2 REGISTRATION STATEMENT; PROXY STATEMENT...................................................................... I-15
5.3 PLAN OF MERGER; RESERVATION OF SHARES........................................................................ I-16
5.4 ADDITIONAL ACTS.............................................................................................. I-16
5.5 BEST EFFORTS................................................................................................. I-16
5.6 CERTAIN ACCOUNTING MATTERS................................................................................... I-16
5.7 ACCESS TO INFORMATION........................................................................................ I-16
5.8 PRESS RELEASES............................................................................................... I-17
5.9 FORBEARANCES OF FIDELITY..................................................................................... I-17
5.10 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS........................................................................................ I-18
5.11 AFFILIATES................................................................................................... I-18
5.12 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS....................................................................................... I-18
5.13 FIDELITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS.................................................................................. I-19
5.14 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS PROTECTION............................................................................ I-19
5.15 FORBEARANCES OF SNC.......................................................................................... I-19
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.................................................................................................. I-20
6.1 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT -- SNC AND FIDELITY..................................................................... I-20
6.2 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT -- FIDELITY............................................................................. I-20
6.3 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT -- SNC.................................................................................. I-21
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION, WAIVER AND AMENDMENT..................................................................................... I-21
7.1 TERMINATION.................................................................................................. I-21
7.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION........................................................................................ I-22
7.3 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS........................................................ I-22
7.4 WAIVER....................................................................................................... I-22
7.5 AMENDMENT OR SUPPLEMENT...................................................................................... I-22
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS......................................................................................................... I-23
8.1 EXPENSES..................................................................................................... I-23
8.2 ENTIRE AGREEMENT............................................................................................. I-23
8.3 NO ASSIGNMENT................................................................................................ I-23
8.4 NOTICES...................................................................................................... I-23
8.5 CAPTIONS..................................................................................................... I-24
8.6 COUNTERPARTS................................................................................................. I-24
8.7 GOVERNING LAW................................................................................................ I-24
8.8 PREDECESSOR AGREEMENT........................................................................................ I-24
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
("Reorganization Agreement" or "Agreement"), dated as of December 17, 1996,
between FIDELITY FINANCIAL BANKSHARES CORPORATION ("Fidelity"), a Virginia
corporation having its principal office at Richmond, Virginia, and SOUTHERN
NATIONAL CORPORATION ("SNC"), a North Carolina corporation having its principal
office at Winston-Salem, North Carolina;
RECITALS:
The parties desire that Fidelity shall be merged with and into BB&T
Financial Corporation of Virginia ("BB&T Financial-Virginia") (said transaction
being hereinafter referred to as the "Merger") pursuant to a plan of merger (the
"Plan of Merger") substantially in the form set forth in Articles of Merger
attached as Annex A hereto ("Articles of Merger"), and the parties desire to
provide for certain undertakings, conditions, representations, warranties and
covenants in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements herein contained, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
"Bank Holding Company Act" shall mean the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956,
as amended.
"Business Day" shall mean all days other than Saturdays, Sundays and
Federal Reserve holidays.
"Closing Date" shall mean the date specified pursuant to Section 2.4 as the
date on which the parties hereto shall close the transactions contemplated
herein.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"CRA" shall mean the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended.
"Effective Time" shall mean the time specified in Section 2.3 as the
Effective Time of the Merger.
"Environmental Claim" means any written notice from any governmental
authority or third party alleging potential liability (including, without
limitation, potential liability for investigatory costs, cleanup costs,
governmental response costs, natural resources damages, property damages,
personal injuries or penalties) arising out of, based upon, or resulting from
the presence, or release into the environment, of any Materials of Environmental
Concern.
"Environmental Laws" means all applicable federal, state and local laws and
regulations, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, that relate to pollution or protection of
human health or the environment.
"ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"FDIA" shall mean the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended.
"FDIC" shall mean the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
"Federal Reserve Board" shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.
"Financial Statements" shall mean (a) with respect to SNC, (i) the
consolidated balance sheet (including related notes and schedules, if any) of
SNC as of December 31, 1995, and the related consolidated statements of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if
any) for the year ended December 31, 1995, as filed by SNC in Securities
Documents and (ii) the consolidated balance sheets of SNC (including related
notes and schedules, if any) and related statements of income, shareholders'
equity and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if any) included
in Securities Documents filed by SNC with respect to periods ended subsequent to
December 31, 1995, and (b) with respect to
I-1
<PAGE>
Fidelity, (i) the consolidated balance sheets (including related notes and
schedules, if any) of Fidelity as of December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993, and the
related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and
cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if any) for each of the three
years ended December 31, 1995, 1994, and 1993 as filed by Fidelity either in OTS
filings or, beginning in 1995, in Securities Documents and (ii) the consolidated
balance sheets of Fidelity (including related notes and schedules, if any) and
related statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows
(including related notes and schedules, if any) included in Securities Documents
filed by Fidelity with respect to periods ended subsequent to December 31, 1995.
"FIRREA" shall mean the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and
Enforcement Act of 1989.
"Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a material adverse effect on the
financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects of Fidelity or
of the Subsidiary or of SNC, as the case may be.
"Materials of Environmental Concern" means pollutants, contaminants,
wastes, toxic substances, petroleum and petroleum products and any other
materials regulated under Environmental Laws.
"Option Agreement" shall mean the Option Agreement dated as of even date
herewith between Fidelity and SNC, which shall be executed immediately following
execution of this Reorganization Agreement.
"OTS" shall mean the Office of Thrift Supervision.
"Previously Disclosed" shall mean disclosed in (i) a Securities Document
delivered by one party to the other or (ii) a letter from one party to the other
party, in either case delivered not later than twenty days after the execution
of this Agreement (and, in the case of (ii), dated as of the date of this
Agreement).
"Proxy Statement/Prospectus" shall mean the proxy statement and prospectus,
together with any supplements thereto, sent to shareholders of Fidelity to
solicit their votes in connection with this Agreement and the Plan of Merger.
"Registration Statement" shall mean the registration statement with respect
to the SNC Common Stock to be issued in the Merger as declared effective by the
Commission under the Securities Act.
"Rights" shall mean warrants, options, rights, convertible securities and
other arrangements or commitments which obligate an entity to issue or dispose
of any of its capital stock or other ownership interests, and stock appreciation
rights, performance units and similar stock-based rights whether or not they
obligate the issuer thereof to issue stock or other securities or to pay cash.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Securities Documents" shall mean all reports, proxy statements,
registration statements and all similar documents filed, or required to be
filed, pursuant to the Securities Laws.
"Securities Laws" shall mean the Securities Act; the Exchange Act; the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; the Investment Advisers Act of 1940,
as amended; the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as amended; and the rules and
regulations of the Commission and the OTS promulgated thereunder.
"SNC Common Stock" shall mean the shares of common stock, par value $5.00
per share, of SNC.
"SNC Subsidiaries" shall mean Branch Banking and Trust Company, a North
Carolina chartered bank, Branch Banking and Trust Company of South Carolina, a
South Carolina chartered bank, Branch Banking and Trust Company of Virginia, a
Virginia chartered bank, and BB&T Financial Corporation of Virginia, a Virginia
chartered holding company.
"State Board" shall mean the Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau
of Financial Institutions.
"Stock Option Plan" shall mean the Fidelity Financial Bankshares
Corporation 1986 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, and the Fidelity Financial
Bankshares Corporation 1994 Stock Option and Incentive Plan.
"Stock Option" shall mean any option granted under the Stock Option Plan
and unexercised on August 22, 1996, to acquire shares of Fidelity Common Stock,
aggregating 95,116 shares.
"Subsidiary" shall mean Fidelity Federal Savings Bank and its subsidiary,
Fidelity Service Corporation.
"TILA" shall mean the Truth in Lending Act, as amended.
"VASCA" shall mean the Virginia Stock Corporation Act as amended.
I-2
<PAGE>
Other terms used herein are defined in the preamble and elsewhere in this
Agreement.
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
2.1 MERGER
BB&T Financial-Virginia and Fidelity are constituent corporations (the
"Constituent Corporations") to the Merger as contemplated by the VASCA. At the
Effective Time:
a. Fidelity shall be merged with and into BB&T Financial-Virginia in
accordance with the applicable provisions of the VASCA, with BB&T
Financial-Virginia being the surviving corporate entity (hereinafter sometimes
referred to as the "Surviving Corporation").
b. The separate existence of Fidelity shall cease and the Merger shall in
all respects have the effect provided for in Section 2.5.
c. The Articles of Incorporation of BB&T Financial-Virginia at the
Effective Time shall become the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation.
d. The Bylaws of BB&T Financial-Virginia at the Effective Time shall become
the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.
2.2 FILING; PLAN OF MERGER
The Merger shall not become effective unless this Agreement and the Plan of
Merger are duly approved by shareholders holding the requisite number of shares
of Fidelity and a majority of the shares of BB&T Financial Virginia. Upon
fulfillment or waiver of the conditions specified in Article VI and provided
that this Agreement has not been terminated pursuant to Article VII, the
Constituent Corporations will cause the Articles of Merger to be executed and
filed with the State Corporation Commission of Virginia as provided in Section
13.1-720 of Article 12 of the VASCA. The Plan of Merger is incorporated herein
by reference, and adoption of this Agreement by the Boards of Directors of the
Constituent Corporations and approval by the shareholders of the Constituent
Corporations shall constitute adoption and approval of the Plan of Merger.
2.3. EFFECTIVE TIME
The Merger shall be effective at the day and hour specified in the Articles
of Merger filed with the State Corporation Commission of Virginia (herein
sometimes referred to as the "Effective Time").
2.4 CLOSING
The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the
"Closing") shall take place at the executive offices of SNC, BB&T Financial
Center, 200 West Second Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, at 11:00 a.m. on
the Business Day designated by SNC which is within thirty days following the
satisfaction of the conditions to Closing set forth in Article VI, or such later
date as the parties may otherwise agree (the "Closing Date").
2.5 EFFECT OF MERGER
From and after the Effective Time, the separate existence of Fidelity shall
cease, and the Surviving Corporation shall thereupon and thereafter, to the
extent consistent with its Articles of Incorporation, possess all the rights,
privileges, immunities, and franchises, of a public as well as of a private
nature, of each of the Constituent Corporations; and all property, real,
personal and mixed, and all debts due on whatever account, and all other choses
in action, and all and every other interest of or belonging to or due to each of
the Constituent Corporations shall be taken and deemed to be transferred to and
vested in the Surviving Corporation without further act or deed; and the title
to any real estate or any interest therein vested in either of the Constituent
Corporations shall not revert or be in any way impaired by reason of the Merger.
The Surviving Corporation shall thenceforth be responsible and liable for all
the liabilities, obligations and penalties of each of the Constituent
Corporations; and any claim existing or action or proceeding, civil or criminal,
pending by or against either of the Constituent Corporations may be prosecuted
as if the Merger had not taken place, or the Surviving Corporation may be
substituted in its place; and any judgment rendered against either of the
Constituent Corporations may be enforced against the Surviving Corporation.
Neither the rights of creditors nor any liens upon the property of either of the
Constituent Corporations shall be impaired by reason of the Merger.
I-3
<PAGE>
2.6 FURTHER ASSURANCES
If, at any time after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall
consider or be advised that any further deeds, assignments or assurances in law
or any other actions are necessary, desirable or proper to vest, perfect or
confirm of record or otherwise, in the Surviving Corporation, the title to any
property or rights of the Constituent Corporations acquired or to be acquired by
reason of, or as a result of, the Merger, the Constituent Corporations agree
that such Constituent Corporations and their proper officers and directors shall
and will execute and deliver all such proper deeds, assignments and assurances
in law and do all things necessary, desirable or proper to vest, perfect or
confirm title to such property or rights in the Surviving Corporation and
otherwise to carry out the purpose of this Agreement, and that the proper
officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation are fully authorized and
directed in the name of the Constituent Corporations or otherwise to take any
and all such actions.
2.7 MERGER CONSIDERATION
As used herein, the term "Merger Consideration" shall mean whole shares of
SNC Common Stock to be exchanged for shares of Fidelity Common Stock issued and
outstanding as of the Effective Time, and cash to be payable in exchange for any
fractional shares of SNC Common Stock which would otherwise be exchanged for
shares of Fidelity Common Stock. The number of shares of SNC Common Stock to be
issued in exchange for each issued and outstanding share of Fidelity Common
Stock shall be in the ratio (the "Exchange Ratio") of .7931 shares of SNC Common
Stock for each share of Fidelity Common Stock issued and outstanding, if the
closing value per share of the SNC Common Stock ("Closing Value") is $26.50 or
more but not more than $31.50. If the Closing Value is less than $26.50 but not
less than $24.00, the Exchange Ratio shall be determined by dividing $21.02 by
the Closing Value. If the Closing Value is more than $31.50 but not more than
$35.00, the Exchange Ratio shall be determined by dividing $24.98 by the Closing
Value. In the event that the Closing Value shall be less than $24.00, the
Exchange Ratio shall be .8758; and in the event the Closing Value shall be more
than $35.00, the Exchange Ratio shall be .7137. For this purpose, the Closing
Value shall mean the average price per share of the last trade, as reported on
the New York Stock Exchange, of SNC's Common Stock for the twenty trading days
(determined by excluding days on which the New York Stock Exchange is closed)
immediately preceding the fifth calendar day preceding the date of the Fidelity
shareholder meeting (the fifth day will be determined by counting the day
preceding such meeting as the first day).
2.8 CONVERSION OF SHARES; PAYMENT OF MERGER CONSIDERATION
a. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on
the part of Fidelity or the holders of record of Fidelity Common Stock (the
"Fidelity Shareholders"), each share of Fidelity Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and
shall represent the right to receive, upon surrender of the certificate
representing such share of Fidelity Common Stock (as provided in paragraph (d)
below), the Merger Consideration.
b. Each share of the common stock of BB&T Financial-Virginia issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to be issued
and outstanding.
c. Until surrendered, each outstanding certificate which prior to the
Effective Time represented one or more shares of Fidelity Common Stock shall be
deemed upon the Effective Time for all purposes to represent only the right to
receive the Merger Consideration as described in this Section 2.8. No interest
will be paid or accrued on the Merger Consideration upon the surrender of the
certificate or certificates representing shares of Fidelity Common Stock. With
respect to any certificate for Fidelity Common Stock that has been lost or
destroyed, the Surviving Corporation shall pay the Merger Consideration
attributable to such certificate upon receipt of adequate indemnity and evidence
reasonably satisfactory to it of ownership of the shares represented thereby.
After the Effective Time, no transfer of the shares of Fidelity Common Stock
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be made on the stock
transfer books of the Surviving Corporation.
d. Promptly after the Effective Time, SNC shall cause to be delivered or
mailed to each Fidelity Shareholder a form of letter of transmittal and
instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the certificates which,
immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented any shares of Fidelity
Common Stock in exchange for the Merger Consideration. Upon surrender of such
certificates, together with such letter of transmittal duly executed and
completed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents
as may be reasonably requested, SNC shall promptly cause the transfer to the
persons entitled thereto of the Merger Consideration.
I-4
<PAGE>
2.9 DISSENTING SHARES
Any Fidelity Shareholder who shall have lawfully dissented from the Merger
in accordance with the VASCA and who has properly exercised such Shareholder's
rights to demand payment of the value of the Shareholder's shares (the
"Dissenting Shares") as provided in the VASCA (the "Dissenting Shareholder")
shall thereafter have only such rights, if any, as are provided a dissenting
shareholder in accordance with the VASCA and shall have no rights under Sections
2.7 and 2.8; provided, however, that if a Dissenting Shareholder shall withdraw
(in accordance with the VASCA) the demand for such appraisal or shall become
ineligible for such appraisal, then such Dissenting Shareholder's Dissenting
Shares automatically shall cease to be Dissenting Shares and shall be converted
into and represent only the right to receive from the Surviving Corporation the
Merger Consideration provided for in Section 2.7, without interest thereon, upon
surrender of the certificate representing the Dissenting Shares.
2.10 CONVERSION OF STOCK OPTIONS
a. At the Effective Time, each Stock Option then outstanding, whether or
not then exercisable, shall be converted into and become rights with respect to
SNC Common Stock, and SNC shall assume each Stock Option, in accordance with the
terms of the Stock Option Plan and stock option agreement, or other agreement,
by which it is evidenced, except that from and after the Effective Time (i) SNC
and its Compensation Committee shall be substituted for Fidelity and the
Committee of Fidelity's Board of Directors administering the Stock Option Plan,
(ii) each Stock Option assumed by SNC may be exercised solely for shares of SNC
Common Stock, (iii) the number of shares of SNC Common Stock subject to such
Stock Option shall be the number of whole shares of SNC (omitting any fractional
share) determined by multiplying the number of shares of Fidelity Common Stock
subject to such Stock Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by the
Exchange Ratio, and (iv) the per share exercise price under each such Stock
Option shall be adjusted by dividing the per share exercise price under each
such Stock Option by the Exchange Ratio and rounding up to the nearest cent. In
addition, notwithstanding the provisions of clauses (iii) and (iv) of the first
sentence of this Section 2.10(a), each Stock Option which is an "incentive stock
option" shall be adjusted as required by Section 424 of the Code, and the
Regulations promulgated thereunder, so as to continue as an incentive stock
option under Section 424(a) of the Code, and so as not to constitute a
modification, extension, or renewal of the option, within the meaning of Section
424(h) of the Code. SNC and Fidelity agree to take all necessary steps to
effectuate the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.10.
b. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time, SNC shall deliver to
the participants in the Stock Option Plan an appropriate notice setting forth
such participant's rights pursuant thereto, and the grants pursuant to such
Stock Option Plan shall continue in effect on the same terms and conditions
(subject to the adjustments required by Section 2.10(a) after giving effect to
the Merger). SNC shall comply with the terms of the Stock Option Plan to ensure,
to the extent required by and subject to the provisions of such Stock Option
Plan, that Stock Options which qualified as incentive stock options prior to the
Effective Time continue to qualify as incentive stock options after the
Effective Time. At or prior to the Effective Time, SNC shall take all corporate
action necessary to reserve for issuance sufficient shares of SNC Common Stock
for delivery upon exercise of Stock Options assumed by it in accordance with
this Section 2.10. Fidelity hereby represents that the Stock Option Plan in its
current form complies with Rule 16b-3.
c. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.10, SNC may
at its election substitute as of the Effective Time options under the Southern
National Corporation 1995 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the "SNC Option Plan")
for all or a part of the Stock Options, subject to the following conditions: (i)
the requirements of Section 2.10(a)(iii) and (iv) shall be met; (ii) such
substitution shall not constitute a modification, extension or renewal of any of
the Stock Options which are incentive stock options; and (iii) the substituted
options shall continue in effect on the same terms and conditions as the Stock
Option Plan or other document granting the Stock Option. As soon as practicable
following the Effective Time, SNC shall deliver to the participants receiving
substitute options under the SNC Option Plan an appropriate notice setting forth
such participant's rights pursuant thereto. SNC has reserved under the SNC
Option Plan adequate shares of SNC Common Stock for delivery upon exercise of
any such substituted options. SNC hereby represents that the SNC Option Plan in
its current form complies with Rule 16b-3, as in effect on the date hereof,
promulgated under the Exchange Act.
2.11 MERGER OF SUBSIDIARY
In the event that SNC shall request, Fidelity shall take such actions, and
shall cause the Subsidiary to take such actions, as may be required in order to
effect the merger at the Effective Time of the Subsidiary with and into Branch
Banking and Trust Company of Virginia.
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ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FIDELITY
Fidelity represents and warrants to SNC and BB&T Financial-Virginia as
follows:
3.1 CAPITAL STRUCTURE
The authorized capital stock of Fidelity consists of 4,000,000 shares of
common stock, par value $1.00 per share ("Fidelity Common Stock"), and 1,000,000
shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share. As of August 22, 1996,
there were 2,291,681 shares of Fidelity Common Stock issued and outstanding, and
no other shares of capital stock, common or preferred, issued and outstanding.
All outstanding shares of Fidelity Common Stock have been duly authorized and
are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. No other classes of capital
stock of Fidelity are authorized. No shares of capital stock have been reserved
for any purpose, except for (i) 114,016 shares of Fidelity Common Stock in
connection with Fidelity's Stock Option Plan, and (ii) 456,044 shares of
Fidelity Common Stock in connection with the Option Agreement. Except as set
forth herein, there are no Rights authorized, issued or outstanding with respect
to the capital stock of Fidelity. Holders of Fidelity Common Stock do not have
preemptive rights.
3.2 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND AUTHORITY
Fidelity is a Virginia corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia with full corporate
power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted. Fidelity is not
required to be qualified to do business in any other state of the United States
or foreign jurisdiction. Fidelity is a registered savings and loan holding
company.
3.3 OWNERSHIP OF SUBSIDIARY
Except as Previously Disclosed, Fidelity does not own, directly or
indirectly, any outstanding capital stock or other voting securities or
ownership interests of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, or other
organization, except for the Subsidiary. The outstanding shares of capital stock
of the Subsidiary are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and
nonassessable, and all such shares are directly or indirectly owned by Fidelity
free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances or preemptive rights of any
person. No Rights are authorized, issued or outstanding with respect to the
capital stock of the Subsidiary, and there are no agreements, understandings or
commitments relating to the right of Fidelity to vote or to dispose of said
shares. None of the shares of capital stock of the Subsidiary have been issued
in violation of the preemptive rights of any person.
3.4 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND AUTHORITY OF THE SUBSIDIARY
The Subsidiary is a federally chartered stock savings bank, with full power
and authority to carry on its business as now conducted, and is qualified to do
business in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Subsidiary is not required to be
qualified to do business in any other state of the United States or foreign
jurisdiction, and is not engaged in any activities that have not been Previously
Disclosed.
3.5 AUTHORIZED AND EFFECTIVE AGREEMENT
a. Fidelity has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into
and (subject to receipt of all necessary governmental approvals and the receipt
of approval of shareholders of Fidelity of the Plan of Merger) to perform all of
its obligations under this Reorganization Agreement, the Articles of Merger and
the Option Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Reorganization
Agreement, the Articles of Merger and the Option Agreement and consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly and validly
authorized by all necessary corporate action in respect thereof, except in the
case of this Agreement and the Plan of Merger contained in the Articles of
Merger, the approval of Fidelity shareholders pursuant to and to the extent
required by applicable law. This Agreement, the Plan of Merger and the Option
Agreement constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of Fidelity, and each
is enforceable against Fidelity in accordance with its terms, in each such case
subject to (i) bankruptcy, fraudulent transfer, insolvency, moratorium,
reorganization, conservatorship, receivership, or other similar laws from time
to time in effect relating to or affecting the enforcement of rights of
creditors of FDIC insured institutions or the enforcement of creditors' rights
generally; (ii) general principles of equity, and except that the availability
of equitable remedies or injunctive relief is within the discretion of the
appropriate court.
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b. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Articles of
Merger and the Option Agreement, nor consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby, nor compliance by Fidelity with any of the
provisions hereof or thereof shall (i) conflict with or result in a breach of
any provision of the articles of incorporation or by-laws of Fidelity or the
Subsidiary, (ii) constitute or result in a breach of any term, condition or
provision of, or constitute a default under, or give rise to any right of
termination, cancellation or acceleration with respect to, or result in the
creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or asset of
Fidelity or the Subsidiary pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
license, agreement or other instrument or obligation, or (iii) subject to
receipt of all required governmental approvals, violate any order, writ,
injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to Fidelity or the
Subsidiary.
3.6 SECURITIES AND OTS FILINGS
Fidelity has made available to SNC a true and complete copy of (i) each
Securities Document filed by Fidelity with the Commission prior to the date
hereof, which are all of the Securities Documents that Fidelity was required to
file; and (ii) each Securities Document filed with the OTS after December 31,
1993, which are all of the OTS filings that Fidelity was required to file during
such period. As of their respective dates of filing, the Securities Documents
and OTS filings complied in all material respects with the Securities Laws and
OTS requirements, respectively, as then in effect, and did not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
3.7 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; MINUTE BOOKS
The Financial Statements of Fidelity fairly present or will fairly present,
as the case may be, the consolidated financial position of Fidelity and the
Subsidiary as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of operations,
changes in shareholders' equity and statements of cash flows for the periods
then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited interim statements, to normal
year-end audit adjustments that are not material in amount or effect) in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to financial
institutions applied on a consistent basis. The minute books of Fidelity and the
Subsidiary contain legally sufficient records of all meetings and other
corporate actions of its shareholders and Board of Directors (including
committees of its Board of Directors).
3.8 MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE
Except as Previously Disclosed, since December 31, 1995, Fidelity and the
Subsidiary have not incurred any material liability or entered into any
transactions with affiliates (within the meaning of Rule 145 promulgated by the
Commission) other than in the ordinary course of business, nor has there been
any change, or any event involving a prospective change, in the business,
financial condition or results of operations of Fidelity or of the Subsidiary
which has had, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
3.9 ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES
Neither Fidelity nor the Subsidiary has any liability (contingent or
otherwise) except as has been Previously Disclosed and except for liabilities
made in the ordinary course of its business consistent with past practices since
the date of Fidelity's most recent Financial Statements.
3.10 PROPERTIES
a. Fidelity and the Subsidiary have good and marketable title, free and
clear of all liens, encumbrances, charges, defaults or equitable interests, to
all of the properties and assets, real and personal, reflected on the
consolidated balance sheet included in the Financial Statements of Fidelity as
of December 31, 1995 or acquired after such date, except (i) liens for current
taxes not yet due and payable, (ii) pledges to secure deposits and other liens
incurred in the ordinary course of banking business, (iii) such imperfections of
title, easements and encumbrances, if any, as are not material in character,
amount or extent, or (iv) dispositions and encumbrances for adequate
consideration in the ordinary course of business.
b. All leases pursuant to which Fidelity or the Subsidiary, as lessee,
leases real or personal property, are valid and enforceable in accordance with
their respective terms.
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3.11 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
a. Fidelity and the Subsidiary are in compliance with all Environmental
Laws. Neither Fidelity nor the Subsidiary has received any communication
alleging that Fidelity or the Subsidiary is not in such compliance, and there
are no present circumstances that would prevent or interfere with the
continuation of such compliance.
b. Fidelity has not received notice of any pending, and there are no
pending or, to the best of Fidelity's knowledge, threatened, legal,
administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, asserting Environmental Claims or
other claims, causes of action or governmental investigations of any nature,
seeking to impose, or that could result in the imposition of, any liability
arising under any Environmental Laws upon (i) Fidelity or the Subsidiary, (ii)
any person or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim Fidelity or the
Subsidiary has or may have retained or assumed, either contractually or by
operation of law, (iii) any real or personal property owned or leased by
Fidelity or the Subsidiary, or any real or personal property which Fidelity or
the Subsidiary has or is judged to have managed or supervised or participated in
the management of, or (iv) any real or personal property in which Fidelity or
the Subsidiary holds a security interest securing a loan recorded on the books
of Fidelity or the Subsidiary. Neither Fidelity nor the Subsidiary is subject to
any agreement, order, judgment, decree or memorandum by or with any court,
governmental authority, regulatory agency or third party imposing any such
liability.
c. Fidelity and the Subsidiary are in compliance in all material respects
with all recommendations contained in any environmental audits, analyses and
surveys relating to all real and personal property owned or leased by Fidelity
or the Subsidiary and all real and personal property which Fidelity or the
Subsidiary has or is judged to have managed or supervised or participated in the
management of.
d. There are no past or present actions, activities, circumstances,
conditions, events or incidents that could reasonably form the basis of any
Environmental Claim or other claim or action or governmental investigation that
could result in the imposition of any liability arising under any Environmental
Laws against Fidelity or the Subsidiary or against any person or entity whose
liability for any Environmental Claim Fidelity or the Subsidiary has or may have
retained or assumed, either contractually or by operation of law.
3.12 ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The allowance for loan losses reflected in the opinion of Fidelity's
Management and Directors on each of the consolidated balance sheets included in
the Financial Statements of Fidelity is adequate in all material respects as of
its date under the requirements of generally accepted accounting principles.
3.13 TAX MATTERS
a. Fidelity and the Subsidiary, and each of their predecessors, have timely
filed (or requests for extensions have been timely filed and any such extensions
have been granted and have not expired) all federal, state and local (and, if
applicable, foreign) tax returns required by applicable law to be filed by them
(including, without limitation, estimated tax returns, income tax returns,
information returns, and withholding and employment tax returns) and have paid,
or where payment is not required to have been made, have set up an adequate
reserve or accrual for the payment of, all taxes required to be paid in respect
of the periods covered by such returns and, as of the Effective Time, will have
paid, or where payment is not required to have been made, will have set up an
adequate reserve or accrual for the payment of, all taxes for any subsequent
periods ending on or prior to the Effective Time. Neither Fidelity nor the
Subsidiary will have any material liability for any such taxes in excess of the
amounts so paid or reserves or accruals so established.
b. All federal, state and local (and, if applicable, foreign) tax returns
filed by Fidelity and the Subsidiary are complete and accurate in all material
respects. Neither Fidelity nor the Subsidiary is delinquent in the payment of
any tax, assessment or governmental charge. No deficiencies for any tax,
assessment or governmental charge have been proposed, asserted or assessed
(tentatively or otherwise) against Fidelity or the Subsidiary which have not
been settled and paid. There are currently no agreements in effect with respect
to Fidelity or the Subsidiary to extend the period of limitations for the
assessment or collection of any tax. No audit examination or deficiency or
refund litigation with respect to such returns is pending.
3.14 EMPLOYEES; COMPENSATION; BENEFIT PLANS.
a. COMPENSATION. Fidelity has Previously Disclosed a complete and correct
list of the name, age, position, rate of compensation and any incentive
compensation arrangements, bonuses or commissions or fringe or other benefits,
whether payable in cash or in kind, of each director, shareholder, independent
contractor, consultant and agent of Fidelity and of each Subsidiary and each
other person to whom Fidelity or any Subsidiary pay or provide, or have an
obligation, agreement
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(written or unwritten), policy or practice of paying or providing, retirement,
health, welfare or other benefits of any kind or description whatsoever.
b. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
(i) Fidelity has Previously Disclosed an accurate and complete list of
all Plans, as defined below, contributed to, maintained or sponsored by
Fidelity or the Subsidiary, to which Fidelity or the Subsidiary is
obligated to contribute or has any liability or potential liability,
whether direct or indirect, including all Plans contributed to, maintained
or sponsored by each member of the controlled group of corporations, within
the meaning of Sections 414(b), 414(c), 414(m) and 414(o) of the Code, of
which Fidelity or the Subsidiary is a member. For purposes of this
Agreement, the term "Plan" shall mean a plan, arrangement, agreement or
program described in the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.14(b)(i)
and which is: (A) a profit-sharing, deferred compensation, bonus, stock
option, stock purchase, pension, retainer, consulting, retirement,
severance, welfare or incentive plan, agreement or arrangement, whether or
not funded and whether or not terminated, (B) an employment agreement, (C)
a personnel policy or fringe benefit plan, policy, program or arrangement
providing for benefits or perquisites to current or former employees,
officers, directors or agents, whether or not funded, and whether or not
terminated, including without limitation benefits relating to automobiles,
clubs, vacation, child care, parenting, sabbatical, sick leave, severance,
medical, dental, hospitalization, life insurance and other types of
insurance, or (D) any other employee benefit plan as defined in Section
3(3) of ERISA, whether or not funded and whether or not terminated.
(ii) Except as Previously Disclosed, neither Fidelity nor the
Subsidiary contributes to, has an obligation to contribute to or otherwise
has any liability or potential liability with respect to (A) any
multiemployer plan as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA, (B) any plan of
the type described in Sections 4063 and 4064 of ERISA or in section 413 of
the Code (and regulations promulgated thereunder), or (C) any plan which
provides health, life insurance, accident or other "welfare-type" benefits
to current or future retirees or former employees or directors, their
spouses or dependents, other than in accordance with Section 4980B of the
Code or applicable state continuation coverage law.
(iii) Except as Previously Disclosed, none of the Plans obligates
Fidelity or the Subsidiary to pay separation, severance, termination or
similar-type benefits solely as a result of any transaction contemplated by
this Agreement or solely as a result of a "change in control," as such term
is used in Section 280G of the Code (and regulations promulgated
thereunder).
(iv) Each Plan has been maintained, funded and administered in
compliance in all respects with its own terms and in compliance in all
respects with all applicable laws and regulations, including but not
limited to ERISA and the Code. No actions, suits, claims, complaints,
charges, proceedings, hearings, examinations, investigations, audits or
demands with respect to the Plans (other than routine claims for benefits)
are pending or threatened, and there are no facts which could give rise to
or be expected to give rise to any actions, suits, claims, complaints,
charges, proceedings, hearings, examinations, investigations, audits or
demands. No Plan that is subject to the funding requirements of Section 412
of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA has incurred any "accumulated funding
deficiency" as such term is defined in such Sections of ERISA and the Code,
whether or not waived, and each Plan has always fully met the funding
standards required under Title I of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code. No
liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") (except for
routine payment of premiums) has been or is expected to be incurred with
respect to any Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, no reportable
event (as such term is defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) has occurred with
respect to any such Plan, and the PBGC has not commenced or threatened the
termination of any Plan. None of the assets of Fidelity or the Subsidiary
is the subject of any lien arising under Section 302(f) of ERISA or Section
412(n) of the Code, neither Fidelity nor the Subsidiary has been required
to post any security pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29)
of the Code, and there are no facts which could be expected to give rise to
such lien or such posting of security. No event has occurred and no
condition exists that would subject Fidelity or the Subsidiary to any tax
under Sections 4971, 4972, 4977 or 4979 of the Code or to a fine or penalty
under Section 502(c) of ERISA.
(v) Each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of
the Code, and each trust (if any) forming a part thereof, has received a
favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service as to the
qualification under the Code of such Plan and the tax exempt status of such
related trust, and nothing has occurred since the date of such
determination letter that could adversely affect the qualification of such
Plan or the tax exempt status of such related trust.
(vi) No underfunded "defined benefit plan" (as such term is defined in
Section 3(35) of ERISA) has been, during the five years preceding the
Closing Date, transferred out of the controlled group of corporations
(within the meaning of
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Sections 414(b), (c), (m) and (o) of the Code) of which Fidelity or the
Subsidiary is a member or was a member during such five-year period.
(vii) As of the Closing Date, the fair market value of the assets of
each Plan that is a defined benefit plan equals or exceeds the present
value of all vested and non-vested liabilities thereunder determined in
accordance with applicable PBGC methods, factors and assumptions applicable
to a defined benefit plan terminating on such date. With respect to each
Plan that is subject to the funding requirements of Section 412 of the Code
and Section 302 of ERISA, all required or recommended contributions for all
periods ending prior to or as of the Closing Date (including periods from
the first day of the then-current plan year to the Closing Date and
including all quarterly contributions required in accordance with Section
412(m) of the Code) shall have been made. With respect to each other Plan,
all required or recommended payments, premiums, contributions,
reimbursements or accruals for all periods ending prior to or as of the
Closing Date shall have been made. No Plan has any material unfunded
liabilities.
(viii) No prohibited transaction (which shall mean any transaction
prohibited by Section 406 of ERISA and not exempt under Section 408 of
ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, whether by statutory, class or
individual exemption) has occurred with respect to any Plan which would
result in the imposition, directly or indirectly, of any excise tax,
penalty or other liability under Section 4975 of the Code or Section 409 or
502 (i) of ERISA. Neither Fidelity, nor the Subsidiary, nor any trustee,
administrator or other fiduciary of any Plan nor any agent of any of the
foregoing has engaged in any transaction or acted or failed to act in a
manner which could subject Fidelity or the Subsidiary to any material
liability for breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA or any other applicable
law.
(ix) With respect to each Plan, all reports and information required
to be filed with any government agency or distributed to Plan participants
and their beneficiaries have been duly and timely filed or distributed.
(x) Fidelity and the Subsidiary have been and are presently in
compliance with all of the requirements of Section 4980B of the Code.
(xi) Neither Fidelity nor the Subsidiary has a liability under any
Plan that is not reflected on the consolidated balance sheet included in
the Financial Statements of Fidelity as of December 31, 1995 or otherwise
Previously Disclosed.
(xii) The Board of Directors of Fidelity or the Subsidiary, or a
committee or officer authorized by such Board, has the authority to amend
or terminate the Plans at any time without limitation, and neither the
consideration or implementation of the transactions contemplated under this
Agreement nor the amendment or termination of any or all of the Plans on or
after the date of this Agreement will increase (A) Fidelity's or the
Subsidiary's obligation to make contributions or any other payments to fund
benefits accrued under the Plans as of the date of this Agreement or (B)
the benefits accrued or payable with respect to any participant under the
Plans (except to the extent benefits may be deemed increased by accelerated
vesting).
(xiii) With respect to each Plan, Fidelity has Previously Disclosed
true, complete and correct copies of (A) all documents pursuant to which
the Plans are maintained, funded and administered, including summary plan
descriptions, (B) the three most recent annual reports (Form 5500 series)
filed with the Internal Revenue Service (with attachments), (C) the three
most recent actuarial reports, if any, (D) the three most recent financial
statements, (E) all governmental filings for the last three years,
including without limitation, excise tax returns and reportable events
filings, and (F) all governmental rulings, determinations, and opinions
(and pending requests for governmental rulings, determinations, and
opinions).
3.15 CERTAIN CONTRACTS
a. Except as Previously Disclosed, neither Fidelity nor the Subsidiary is a
party to, is bound or affected by, or receives benefits under (i) any agreement,
arrangement or commitment, the default of which would have a Material Adverse
Effect or would adversely affect the transactions contemplated herein, whether
or not made in the ordinary course of business (other than loans or loan
commitments or certificates or deposit made in the ordinary course of the
banking business), or any agreement restricting its business activities,
including without limitation agreements or memoranda of understanding with
regulatory authorities, (ii) any agreement, indenture or other instrument
relating to the borrowing of money by Fidelity or the Subsidiary or the
guarantee by Fidelity or the Subsidiary of any such obligation, which cannot be
terminated within less than 30 days after the Closing Date by Fidelity or the
Subsidiary (without payment of any penalty or cost), (iii) any agreement,
arrangement or commitment relating to the employment of a consultant or the
employment, election or retention in office of any present or former director or
officer, which cannot be terminated within less than 30 days after the Closing
Date by
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Fidelity or the Subsidiary (without payment of any penalty or cost), or that
provides benefits which are contingent, or the terms of which are materially
altered, upon the occurrence of a transaction involving Fidelity of the nature
contemplated by this Agreement or the Option Agreement, (iv) any contract,
agreement or understanding with a labor union, in each case whether written or
oral, or (v) any agreement or plan, including any stock option plan, stock
appreciation rights plan, restricted stock plan or stock purchase plan, any of
the benefits of which will be increased, or the vesting of the benefits of which
will be accelerated, by the occurrence of any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement or the Option Agreement or the value of any of the benefits of
which will be calculated on the basis of any of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or the Option Agreement.
b. Neither Fidelity nor the Subsidiary is in default, which default would
have a Material Adverse Effect or would adversely affect the transactions
contemplated herein, under any agreement, commitment, arrangement, lease,
insurance policy, or other instrument, whether entered into in the ordinary
course of business or otherwise and whether written or oral, and there has not
occurred any event that, with the lapse of time or giving of notice or both,
would constitute such a default.
3.16 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS; REGULATORY APPROVALS
There are no actions, suits, claims, governmental investigations or
proceedings instituted, pending or threatened against Fidelity or the Subsidiary
or against any asset, interest, or right of Fidelity or the Subsidiary, or
against any officer, director or employee of any of them that in any such case,
if decided adversely, might have a Material Adverse Effect, and there is no
reasonable basis therefor. There are no actions, suits or proceedings
instituted, pending or threatened against any present or former director or
officer of Fidelity or the Subsidiary that might give rise to a claim against
Fidelity or the Subsidiary for indemnification, and there is no reasonable basis
for any such action, suit or proceeding. There are no actual or threatened
actions, suits or proceedings which present a claim to restrain or prohibit the
transactions contemplated herein, in the Plan of Merger or the Option Agreement.
No fact or condition relating to Fidelity or the Subsidiary exists (including
without limitation noncompliance with the CRA) that would prevent Fidelity or
SNC from obtaining all of the federal and state regulatory approvals
contemplated herein.
3.17 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS
Each of Fidelity and the Subsidiary is in compliance in all material
respects with all statutes and regulations (including, but not limited to, the
CRA, TILA and regulations promulgated thereunder, and other consumer banking
laws) applicable and material to the conduct of its business, and neither
Fidelity nor the Subsidiary has received notification that has not elapsed, been
withdrawn or abandoned by any agency or department of federal, state or local
government (i) asserting a violation or possible violation of any such statute
or regulation which violation would have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii)
threatening to revoke any license, franchise, permit or government
authorization, or (iii) restricting or in any way limiting its operations.
Neither Fidelity nor the Subsidiary is subject to any regulatory or supervisory
cease and desist order, agreement, directive, memorandum of understanding or
commitment, and neither of them has received any communication requesting that
it enter into any of the foregoing.
3.18 BROKERS AND FINDERS
Neither Fidelity nor the Subsidiary, nor any of their respective officers,
directors or employees, has employed any broker, finder or financial advisor or
incurred any liability for any fees or commissions in connection with the
transactions contemplated herein, in the Plan of Merger or in the Option
Agreement, except for fees to accountants and lawyers and an obligation to
Danielson Associates Inc. which has been Previously Disclosed for investment
banking services.
3.19 INSURANCE
Fidelity and the Subsidiary currently maintain insurance in the amounts and
for the coverages Previously Disclosed. Neither Fidelity nor the Subsidiary has
received any notice of a premium increase or cancellation or a failure to renew
with respect to any insurance policy or bond, and within the last three years,
neither Fidelity nor the Subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage
sought or applied for. Neither Fidelity nor the Subsidiary has any reason to
believe that existing insurance coverage cannot be renewed as and when the same
shall expire, upon terms and conditions as favorable as those presently in
effect, other than possible increases in premiums or unavailability of coverage
that do not result from any extraordinary loss experience on the part of
Fidelity or the Subsidiary.
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3.20 LOANS
To the best of Fidelity's knowledge, with respect to each loan on the books
and records of the Subsidiary: (i) such loan is a valid loan; (ii) its principal
balance as shown on the books and records of the Subsidiary is true and correct
as of the last date shown thereon; (iii) all purported signatures on and
executions of any document in connection with such loan are genuine; (iv) all
related documentation has been signed or executed by all necessary parties; (v)
the Subsidiary has custody of all documents or microfilm records thereof related
to such loan (as such documents relate to the matters described in clauses (i)-
(iv) and (vi)-(vii) hereof); (vi) to the extent secured, such loan has been
secured by valid liens and security interests which have been perfected; and
(vii) such loan is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the obligor named
therein, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance and other laws
of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to
general equity principles. All loans on the books and records of the Subsidiary
have been originated and administered in accordance with the terms of the
underlying notes related thereto. Neither the terms of such loans, nor any of
the loan documentation, nor the manner in which such loans have been
administered and serviced, violates in any material respect any federal, state
or local law, rule, regulation or ordinance applicable thereto, including
without limitation, the TILA, FIRREA Regulations O and Z of the Federal Reserve
Board, the CRA, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, as amended, and state laws,
rules and regulations relating to consumer protection, installment sales and
usury.
3.21 REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
With respect to all agreements currently outstanding pursuant to which
Fidelity or the Subsidiary has purchased securities subject to an agreement to
resell, Fidelity and the Subsidiary have a valid, perfected first lien or
security interest in the securities or other collateral securing such agreement,
and the value of such collateral equals or exceeds the amount of the debt
secured thereby. With respect to all agreements currently outstanding pursuant
to which Fidelity or the Subsidiary has sold securities subject to an agreement
to repurchase, Fidelity and the Subsidiary have not pledged collateral
materially in excess of the amount of the debt secured thereby. Neither Fidelity
nor the Subsidiary has pledged collateral materially in excess of the amount
required under any interest rate swap or other similar agreement currently
outstanding.
3.22 DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS
The deposit accounts of the Subsidiary are insured by the Savings
Association Insurance Fund of the FDIC to the maximum extent permitted by
federal law, and the Subsidiary has paid all premiums and assessments and filed
all reports required to have been paid or filed under the FDIA.
3.23 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Fidelity has Previously Disclosed all transactions, investments and loans,
including loan guarantees, to which Fidelity or the Subsidiary is a party with
any director, executive officer or 5% shareholder of Fidelity or any person,
corporation, or enterprise controlling, controlled by or under common control
with any of the foregoing. Other than residential loans made prior to FIRREA,
all such transactions, investments and loans are on terms no less favorable to
Fidelity than could be obtained from unrelated parties.
3.24 VOTE REQUIRED
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority (assuming that at least
two-thirds of Fidelity's continuing directors approve this Agreement) of the
outstanding shares of Fidelity Common Stock is the only vote of the holders of
any class or series of Fidelity capital stock necessary to approve this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
3.25 CERTAIN INFORMATION
When the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is mailed, and at the time of the
meeting of shareholders of Fidelity to vote upon the Plan of Merger, the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and all amendments or supplements thereto, with respect to
all information set forth therein relating to Fidelity, (i) shall comply in all
material respects with the applicable provisions of the Securities Laws, and
(ii) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were
made, not misleading.
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3.26 REORGANIZATION
Neither Fidelity nor the Subsidiary has taken any action which would or
might be expected to cause the business combination contemplated hereby
(including without limitation the anticipated merger of the Subsidiary into
Branch Banking and Trust Company of Virginia) not to constitute a reorganization
under Section 368 of the Code.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SNC
SNC represents and warrants to Fidelity as follows:
4.1 CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF SNC
The authorized capital stock of SNC consists of (i) 5,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $5.00 per share, of which no shares are issued and
outstanding, and (ii) 300,000,000 shares of SNC Common Stock, of which
103,430,150 shares were issued and outstanding on June 30, 1996. All outstanding
shares of SNC Common Stock have been duly authorized and are validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable. The shares of SNC Common Stock reserved as
provided in Section 5.3(b) are free of any Rights and have not been reserved for
any other purpose, and such shares are available for issuance as provided
pursuant to the Plan of Merger. Holders of SNC Common Stock do not have
preemptive rights.
4.2 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND AUTHORITY OF SNC
SNC is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the state of North Carolina, with full corporate power and
authority to carry on its business as now conducted, and is duly qualified to do
business in the states of the United States where its ownership or leasing of
property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification and where
failure to so qualify would have a material adverse effect on the financial
condition, results of operation, or business of SNC on a consolidated basis. SNC
is registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act.
4.3 AUTHORIZED AND EFFECTIVE AGREEMENT
a. SNC has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and
perform all of its obligations under this Agreement and the Option Agreement.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Option Agreement and
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly
and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action in respect thereof on
the part of SNC. This Agreement, including the Plan of Merger attached hereto,
and the Option Agreement constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of SNC,
and each is enforceable against SNC in accordance with its terms, in each case
subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization,
conservatorship, receivership or other similar laws in effect from time to time
relating to or affecting the enforcement of the rights of creditors of
FDIC-insured institutions or the enforcement of creditors' rights generally;
(ii) general principles of equity, and except that the availability of remedies
or injunctive relief is within the discretion of the appropriate court.
b. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the Option
Agreement, nor consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby,
nor compliance by SNC with any of the provisions hereof or thereof shall (i)
conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of the articles of
incorporation or bylaws of SNC, (ii) constitute or result in a breach of any
term, condition or provision of, or constitute a default under, or give rise to
any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration with respect to, or
result in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or
asset of SNC pursuant to any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, license, agreement
or other instrument or obligation, which would have a material adverse effect on
the business, operations or financial condition of SNC and the SNC Subsidiaries
taken as a whole, or (iii) violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute,
rule or regulation applicable to SNC.
4.4 ORGANIZATION, STANDING AND AUTHORITY OF SNC SUBSIDIARIES
Each of the SNC Subsidiaries is a duly organized corporation, validly
existing and in good standing under applicable laws. SNC owns, directly or
indirectly, all of the stock of each of the SNC Subsidiaries. Each of the SNC
Subsidiaries (i) has full power and authority to carry on its business as now
conducted and (ii) is duly qualified to do business in the states of the United
States and foreign jurisdictions where its ownership or leasing of property or
the conduct of its business requires such qualification and where failure to so
qualify would have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results
of
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operations, business or prospects of SNC on a consolidated basis. BB&T
Financial-Virginia is registered as a bank holding company under the Bank
Holding Company Act and applicable Virginia law.
4.5 SECURITIES DOCUMENTS
SNC has timely filed all Securities Documents required by the Securities
Laws since December 31, 1993, and such Securities Documents complied in all
material respects with the Securities Laws as in effect at the times of such
filings.
4.6 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Financial Statements of SNC fairly present or will fairly present, as
the case may be, the consolidated financial position of SNC and the SNC
Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of
operations, changes in shareholders' equity and changes in cash flows for the
periods then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
applicable to financial institutions.
4.7 MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE
SNC has not, on a consolidated basis, suffered any material adverse change
in its business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects since
December 31, 1995.
4.8 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS; REGULATORY APPROVALS
There are no actions, suits, claims, governmental investigations or
proceedings instituted, pending or, to the best knowledge of SNC, threatened (or
unasserted but considered by SNC to be probable of assertion and which, if
asserted, would have at least a reasonable probability of an unfavorable
outcome) against SNC or the SNC Subsidiaries or against any asset, interest or
right of SNC or the SNC Subsidiaries, or against any officer, director or
employee of any of them that, if decided adversely, might reasonably be expected
to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of
operations, business or prospects of SNC on a consolidated basis. To the best
knowledge of SNC, there are no actual or threatened actions, suits or
proceedings which present a claim to restrain or prohibit the transactions
contemplated herein or in the Plan of Merger. No fact or condition (including
but not limited to the failure to comply with the CRA) relating to SNC or the
SNC Subsidiaries known to SNC exists that would prevent SNC from obtaining all
of the federal and state regulatory approvals contemplated herein.
4.9 ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES
Neither SNC nor any of the SNC Subsidiaries has any liability (contingent
or otherwise) that is material to SNC on a consolidated basis or that, when
combined with all similar liabilities, would be material to SNC on a
consolidated basis, except as disclosed in the Financial Statements of SNC and
except for liabilities made in the ordinary course of its business since the
date of SNC's most recent Financial Statements.
4.10 ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The allowance for loan losses reflected on the consolidated balance sheets
included in the Financial Statements of SNC is or will be in the opinion of
SNC's management adequate in all material respects as of their respective dates
under the requirements of generally accepted accounting principles applicable to
banks and bank holding companies to provide for reasonably anticipated losses on
outstanding loans net of recoveries.
4.11 TAX MATTERS
a. SNC and each of its predecessors, has timely filed all federal, state
and local (and, if applicable, foreign) tax returns required by applicable law
to be filed by it (including, without limitation, estimated tax returns, income
tax returns, information returns, and withholding and employment tax returns)
and have paid, or have set up an adequate reserve or accrual for the payment of,
all taxes required to be paid as shown on such returns and, as of the Effective
Time, will have paid, or where payment is not required to have been made, will
have set up an adequate reserve or accrual for the payment of, all taxes for any
subsequent periods ending on or prior to the Effective Time. SNC will not to
SNC's knowledge have any material liability for any such taxes in excess of the
amounts so paid or reserves or accruals so established.
b. All federal, state and local (and, if applicable, foreign) tax returns
filed by SNC are complete and accurate in all material respects. SNC is not
delinquent in the payment of any tax, assessment or governmental charge, and has
not failed to file any tax return which is currently past due. No deficiencies
for any tax, assessment or governmental charge have been
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proposed, asserted or assessed (tentatively or otherwise) against SNC which have
not been settled and paid. There currently are no agreements in effect with
respect to SNC to extend the period of limitations for the assessment or
collection of any tax.
4.12 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS
Each of SNC and the SNC Subsidiaries is in compliance with all statutes and
regulations (including, but not limited to, the CRA, TILA and regulations
promulgated thereunder and other consumer banking laws) applicable and material
to the conduct of its business (except for any violations not material to the
business, operations or financial condition of SNC and the SNC Subsidiaries
taken as a whole), and neither SNC nor any of the SNC Subsidiaries has received
notification that has not elapsed, been withdrawn or abandoned from any agency
or department of federal, state or local government (i) asserting a violation or
possible violation of any such statute or regulation, and which violations would
be likely to have a material adverse effect on the business, operations or
financial condition of SNC and the SNC Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii)
threatening to revoke any license, franchise, permit or government
authorization, or (iii) restricting or in any way limiting its operations.
Neither SNC nor any of the SNC Subsidiaries is subject to any regulatory or
supervisory cease and desist order, agreement, directive or memorandum of
understanding, and none of them has received any communication requesting that
they enter into any of the foregoing.
4.13 CERTAIN INFORMATION
When the Proxy Statement/Prospectus is mailed, and at all times subsequent
to such mailing up to and including the time of the meeting of shareholders of
Fidelity to vote on the Merger, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and all
amendments or supplements thereto, with respect to all information set forth
therein relating to SNC, (i) shall comply in all material respects with the
applicable provisions of the Securities Laws, and (ii) shall not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements contained therein, in
light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
4.14 REORGANIZATION
Neither SNC nor the SNC Subsidiaries have taken any action which would
or might be expected to cause the business combination contemplated hereby
(including without limitation the anticipated merger of the Subsidiary into
Branch Banking and Trust Company of Virginia) not to constitute a reorganization
under Section 368 of the Code.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS
5.1 SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING
Fidelity shall submit this Reorganization Agreement and the Plan of Merger
to its shareholders for approval at a special meeting to be held as soon as
practicable, and by approving execution of this Agreement the Board of Directors
of Fidelity agrees that it shall unanimously recommend that the shareholders
vote for such approval; provided, that the Board of Directors of Fidelity may
withdraw or refuse to make such recommendation if and only if, in good faith
reliance on written advice of its financial and legal advisors, the Board of
Directors shall determine that such recommendation would violate its fiduciary
duty to shareholders of Fidelity.
5.2 REGISTRATION STATEMENT; PROXY STATEMENT
SNC and Fidelity shall cooperate in the timely preparation and filing of
the Registration Statement with the Commission. Fidelity will furnish to SNC the
information required to be included in the Registration Statement with respect
to its business and affairs before it is filed with the Commission and again
before any amendments are filed, and shall have the right to review and consult
with SNC on the form of, and any characterizations of such information included
in, the Registration Statement prior to the filing with the Commission. SNC
shall use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared
effective under the Securities Act. Such Registration Statement, at the time it
becomes effective and on the Effective Time, shall in all material respects
conform to the requirements of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission. SNC shall take all actions required to register
or obtain exemptions from such registration for the SNC Common Stock to be
issued in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
the Plan of Merger under applicable state "Blue Sky" securities laws, as
appropriate. The Registration Statement shall include the form of Proxy
Statement for the meeting of Fidelity's shareholders to be held for the purpose
of voting upon approval of this
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Agreement and the Plan of Merger. SNC and
Fidelity shall use their best efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be
approved by the SEC for mailing to Fidelity's stockholders, and the Proxy
Statement shall, on the date of mailing and at the Effective Time, conform in
all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Laws and the
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder. Fidelity shall cause the
Proxy Statement to be mailed to its shareholders in accordance with all
applicable notice requirements under the Securities Laws and the VASCA.
5.3 PLAN OF MERGER; RESERVATION OF SHARES
a. At the Effective Time, the Merger shall be effected in accordance with
the Plan of Merger substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A. In this
connection, SNC undertakes and agrees (i) to cause BB&T Financial-Virginia to
adopt the Plan of Merger; (ii) to vote the shares of BB&T Financial-Virginia
common stock for approval of the Plan of Merger; and (iii) to pay or cause to be
paid when due the number of shares of SNC Common Stock to be distributed
pursuant to Section 2.7 and any cash required to be paid for fractional shares.
b. SNC has reserved for issuance such number of shares of SNC Common Stock
as shall be necessary to pay the consideration to be distributed to Fidelity's
stockholders as contemplated in Section 2.8. If at any time the aggregate number
of shares of SNC Common Stock available for issuance hereunder shall not be
sufficient to effect the Merger, SNC shall take all appropriate action as may be
required to increase the amount of the authorized SNC Common Stock.
5.4 ADDITIONAL ACTS
a. Fidelity agrees to approve, execute and deliver any amendment to this
Agreement and the Plan of Merger and any additional plans and agreements
requested by SNC to modify the structure of, or to substitute parties to, the
transactions contemplated hereby, provided that such modifications do not
adversely affect the economic benefits of such transactions or otherwise
abrogate the covenants and other agreements contained in this Agreement.
b. As promptly as practicable after the date hereof, SNC and Fidelity shall
submit notice or applications for prior approval of the transactions
contemplated herein to the Federal Reserve Board, the OTS, and any other
federal, state or local government agency, department or body to which notice is
required or from which approval is required for consummation of the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated hereby. Fidelity and SNC each represents and
warrants to the other that all information concerning it and its directors,
officers and shareholders and concerning the Subsidiary included (or submitted
for inclusion) in any such application shall be true, correct and complete in
all material respects as of the date presented.
5.5 BEST EFFORTS
SNC and Fidelity shall each use its best efforts in good faith, and
Fidelity shall cause the Subsidiary to use its best efforts in good faith, to
(i) furnish such information as may be required in connection with and otherwise
cooperate in the preparation and filing of the documents referred to in Sections
5.2 and 5.4 or elsewhere herein, and (ii) take or cause to be taken all action
necessary or desirable on its part to fulfill the conditions in Article VI and
to consummate the transactions herein contemplated at the earliest possible
date. Neither SNC nor Fidelity shall take, or cause, or to the best of its
ability permit to be taken, any action that would substantially delay or impair
the prospects of completing the Merger pursuant to this Agreement and the Plan
of Merger, provided that nothing herein contained shall preclude SNC from
exercising its rights under the Option Agreement.
5.6 CERTAIN ACCOUNTING MATTERS
Fidelity shall cooperate with SNC concerning accounting and financial
matters necessary or appropriate to facilitate the Merger (taking into account
SNC's policies, practices and procedures), including without limitation issues
arising in connection with record keeping, loan classification, valuation
adjustments, levels of loan loss reserves and other accounting practices.
5.7 ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Fidelity will keep SNC advised of all material developments relevant to its
business and the business of the Subsidiary and to consummation of the Merger,
and SNC will advise Fidelity of any public disclosures by SNC of material
adverse changes in its financial condition or operations. Upon reasonable
notice, Fidelity and the Subsidiary shall afford to representatives of SNC
access, during normal business hours during the period prior to the Effective
Time, to all its properties, books, contracts, commitments and records and,
during such period, shall make available to representatives of SNC all
information concerning its business as SNC may reasonably request. No
investigation pursuant to this Section 5.7 shall affect or be
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deemed to modify
any representation or warranty made by, or the conditions to the obligations
hereunder of, either party hereto. Each party hereto shall, and shall cause each
of its directors, officers, attorneys and advisors to, maintain the
confidentiality of all information obtained hereunder which is not otherwise
publicly disclosed by the other party, said undertaking with respect to
confidentiality to survive any termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section
7.1. In the event of the termination of this Agreement, each party shall return
to the other party upon request all confidential information previously
furnished in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.8 PRESS RELEASES
SNC and Fidelity shall agree with each other as to the form and substance
of any press release related to this Agreement and the Plan of Merger or the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and consult with each other as to
the form and substance of other public disclosures related thereto; provided,
that nothing contained herein shall prohibit either party, following
notification to the other party, from making any disclosure which in the opinion
of its counsel is required by law.
5.9 FORBEARANCES OF FIDELITY
Except with the prior written consent of SNC, between August 22, 1996 and
the Effective Time Fidelity shall not, and shall cause the Subsidiary not to:
a. carry on its business other than in the usual, regular and ordinary
course in substantially the same manner as heretofore conducted, or establish or
acquire any new subsidiary or cause or permit the Subsidiary to engage in any
new activity or expand any existing activities;
b. declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution in
respect of its capital stock, other than regularly scheduled dividends payable
on record dates and in amounts consistent with past practices;
c. issue any shares of its capital stock, except pursuant to the Stock
Option Plan and the Option Agreement;
d. issue, grant or authorize any Rights or effect any recapitalization,
reclassification, stock dividend, stock split or like change in capitalization
other than options to acquire 18,900 shares of Fidelity Common Stock to be
granted by Fidelity under the Stock Option Plan;
e. amend its articles of incorporation or bylaws; impose or permit
imposition, of any lien, charge or encumbrance on any share of stock held by it
in the Subsidiary, or permit any such lien, charge or encumbrance to exist; or
waive or release any material right or cancel or compromise any debt or claim
other than in the ordinary course of business;
f. merge with any other entity or permit any other entity to merge into it,
or consolidate with any other entity; acquire control over any other entity; or
liquidate, sell or otherwise dispose of any assets or acquire any assets, other
than in the ordinary course of its business;
g. fail to comply in any material respects with any laws, regulations,
ordinances or governmental actions applicable to it and to the conduct of its
business;
h. increase the rate of compensation of any of its directors, officers or
employees, or pay or agree to pay any bonus to, or provide any other employee
benefit or incentive to, any of its directors, officers or employees, except in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, with it being
understood that Fidelity has customarily increased directors' fees and
employees' salaries in January of each year.
i. enter into or substantially modify (except as may be required by
applicable law or regulation) any pension, retirement, stock option, stock
purchase, stock appreciation right, savings, profit sharing, deferred
compensation, consulting, bonus, group insurance or other employee benefit,
incentive or welfare contract, plan or arrangement, or any trust agreement
related thereto, in respect of any of its directors, officers or other
employees; provided, that this subparagraph shall not prevent renewals of any of
the foregoing consistent with past practice;
j. solicit or encourage inquiries or proposals with respect to, furnish any
information relating to, or participate in any negotiations or discussions
concerning, any acquisition or purchase of all or a substantial portion of the
assets of, or a substantial equity interest in, Fidelity or the Subsidiary or
any business combination with Fidelity or the Subsidiary other than as
contemplated by this Agreement (except where the failure to furnish such
information or participate in such negotiations or discussions would, pursuant
to a written opinion of its legal counsel, constitute a breach of the fiduciary
or legal obligations of Fidelity's Board of Directors to its shareholders); or
authorize any officer, director, agent or affiliate of Fidelity or the
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Subsidiary to do any of the above; or fail to notify SNC immediately if any such
inquiries or proposals are received, any such information is requested or
required, or any such negotiations or discussions are sought to be initiated;
k. enter into (i) any material agreement, arrangement or commitment not
made in the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation,
agreements or memoranda of understanding with regulatory authorities, (ii) any
agreement, indenture or other instrument not made in the ordinary course of
business relating to the borrowing of money by Fidelity or the Subsidiary or
guarantee by Fidelity or the Subsidiary of any obligation, (iii) any agreement,
arrangement or commitment relating to the employment or severance of a
consultant or the employment, severance, election or retention in office of any
present or former director, officer or employee (this clause shall not apply to
the election of directors by shareholders in the normal course, and the election
of officers by directors in the normal course terminable at will except to the
extent otherwise provided in an agreement, arrangement or commitment Previously
Disclosed); or (iv) any contract, agreement or understanding with a labor union;
l. change its lending, investment or asset liability management policies in
any material respect, except as may be required by applicable law, regulation,
or directives, and except that after approval of the Plan of Merger by its
shareholders Fidelity shall cooperate in good faith with SNC to adopt policies,
practices and procedures consistent with those utilized by SNC, effective on or
before the Closing Date;
m. change its methods of accounting in effect at December 31, 1995, except
as required by changes in generally accepted accounting principles concurred in
by SNC's independent certified public accountants, which concurrence shall not
be unreasonably withheld, or change any of its methods of reporting income and
deductions for federal income tax purposes from those employed in the
preparation of its federal income tax returns for the year ended December 31,
1995, except as required by changes in law or regulation;
n. incur any capital expenditures or obligation to make capital
expenditures in excess of $75,000 for any one expenditure or $750,000 in the
aggregate;
o. incur any indebtedness other than acceptance of deposits, advances from
the Federal Home Loan Bank and reverse repurchase arrangements, in each case in
the ordinary course of business;
p. take any action which would or might be expected to (i) cause the
business combination contemplated hereby not to constitute a reorganization
under Section 368 of the Code, in either case as determined by SNC, (ii) result
in any representation or warranty herein to be untrue in any material respect,
or (iii) cause any of the conditions precedent to the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement to fail to be satisfied;
q. dispose of any material assets other than in the ordinary course of
business; or
r. agree to do any of the foregoing.
5.10 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
SNC shall enter into employment agreements with those Fidelity employees
and on the terms substantially as agreed by SNC and Fidelity prior to the date
hereof.
5.11 AFFILIATES
Fidelity shall cause all persons who are "affiliates" of Fidelity, within
the meaning of Rule 145 promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act,
to deliver to SNC prior to the Effective Time a written agreement providing that
such person will not dispose of SNC Common Stock received in the Merger except
in compliance with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
5.12 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
a. Each employee of Fidelity or the Subsidiary at the Effective Time
(herein "Employee") shall become an employee immediately following the Effective
Time of BB&T Financial-Virginia or of its subsidiary, upon substantially the
same terms and conditions as in effect immediately preceding the Effective Time.
Each Employee shall be eligible to receive bonus or incentive, retirement,
severance, group hospitalization, medical, life, disability and other benefits
comparable to those provided to the present employees of Branch Banking and
Trust Company of Virginia without the imposition of any waiting period or
limitation for pre-existing conditions. For purposes of participating in all
plans and benefits of Branch Banking and Trust Company of Virginia, service to
Fidelity and the Subsidiary by each Employee shall be deemed to be service with
Branch Banking and Trust Company of Virginia for participation and vesting
purposes only. Branch Banking and Trust
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Company of Virginia will attempt,
consistent with achieving corporate goals, to avoid lay-offs of Employees
following the Effective Time and to meet future efficiency goals through
attrition and reassignment.
b. SNC shall cause the 401(k) plan of Fidelity to be merged with the 401(k)
plan maintained by SNC and the SNC Subsidiary, and the account balances of the
Employees who are participants in the Fidelity plan shall be transferred to the
accounts of such Employees under the SNC 401(k) plan. Following such merger and
transfer, such accounts shall be governed and controlled by the terms of the SNC
401(k) plan as in effect from time to time.
5.13 FIDELITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Following the Closing, SNC shall cause the persons who were members of the
Board of Directors of Fidelity and of Fidelity Federal Savings Bank ("FFSB")
immediately preceding the Closing (the "Fidelity Directors") to continue to
serve as members of the Board of Directors of FFSB and as members of a
Marketing and Development Board for the Richmond region. SNC shall cause the
Fidelity Directors to be reappointed to the Board of Directors of FFSB (and,
following the Merger described in Section 2.11, of Branch Banking and Trust
Company of Virginia ("BB&T-VA")) for periods extending at least through the
third anniversary of the Closing Date, subject in each case to his or her
eligibility and willingness to serve, and subject further to the conditions
with respect to each that he or she shall have complied with all fiduciary
duties to FFSB and BB&T-VA, shall not have been involved in any action that
disqualifies him or her from serving or which would bring discredit to FFSB or
BB&T-VA or any other entity affiliated with SNC, and shall have carried out
his or her duties to FFSB and BB&T-VA in a reasonably competent, businesslike
and attentive manner. For a period of three years following the Closing, the
Fidelity Directors shall receive for such services fees and compensation at
the same levels and under the same conditions as are received by them as
members of Fidelity's Board of Directors as of the Effective Time. Following
such three-year period, fees and compensation payable to the Fidelity
Directors who continue as members of the Board of Directors of BB&T-VA shall
be at the same level as paid by comparable SNC Subsidiaries to members of
their respective Boards of Directors. In recognition of proactive roles in
assuring a smooth transaction during and following the Merger, support for the
ongoing success of FFSB and BB&T-VA in the Richmond region as well as
throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, and providing general business
consulting, each Fidelity Director who does not become an employee of SNC or any
of the SNC Subsidiaries, and who becomes a member of the Board of Directors of
FFSB as provided in this Section 5.13, shall receive options to purchase 2,000
shares of SNC Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the SNC Omnibus Stock Option
Plan (the "SNC Omnibus Plan"). Such options shall be granted immediately
following the Closing, shall be exercisable at fair market value per share on
the date of grant, and shall vest as follows: 667 shares each on the first and
second anniversaries of the Closing Date, and 666 shares on the third such
anniversary. If any Fidelity Director shall cease being a member of the Board of
Directors of FFSB or BB&T-VA prior to the such third anniversary, any options
not so vested at the time he shall cease being a director shall be forfeited
except to the extent otherwise provided in the SNC Omnibus Plan. Such options
which have vested shall be exercisable at any time during the ten-year period
following the Closing Date, subject to the terms of the Omnibus Plan relating to
exercise following a termination of service, and shall in all respects be
governed by the provisions of the SNC Omnibus Plan as in effect from time to
time. In addition to the foregoing, SNC shall cause Richard J. November, H. R.
Pollard, IV, Robert G. Watts and Barry D. Crawford, being Fidelity Directors, to
be appointed by BB&T Financial-Virginia to its Board of Directors as soon as
practicable following the Closing, subject in each case to his eligibility and
willingness to serve. Reappointments shall be subject to the same conditions as
provided hereinabove for reappointment to the Board of Directors of FFSB or
BB&T-VA.
5.14 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS PROTECTION
a. Following the Effective Time, each director and officer of Fidelity and
the Subsidiary who is currently entitled to indemnification pursuant to Virginia
law shall be indemnified for acts or omissions prior to and following the
Effective Time, in accordance with Branch Banking and Trust Company of
Virginia's bylaw provisions, to the maximum extent permitted under Virginia law,
and federal law if applicable.
b. SNC or Branch Banking and Trust Company of Virginia agrees to purchase
and to keep in force directors' and officers' liability insurance to provide
coverage for actions or omissions by directors and officers of Fidelity and the
Subsidiary for claims made for the period prior to or commencing with and after
the Effective Date.
5.15 FORBEARANCES OF SNC
Except with the prior written consent of Fidelity, which consent shall not
be arbitrarily or unreasonably withheld, between August 22, 1996 and the
Effective Time, neither SNC nor any SNC Subsidiary shall:
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a. Exercise the Option Agreement other than in accordance with its terms,
or dispose of the shares of Fidelity Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the
option rights conferred thereby other than as permitted or contemplated by the
terms thereof; or
b. Enter into a merger or other business combination transaction with any
other corporation or person in which SNC would not be the surviving or
continuing entity after the consummation thereof; or
c. Sell or lease all or substantially all of the assets and business of
BB&T Financial-Virginia or Branch Banking and Trust Company or Virginia.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
6.1 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT -- SNC AND FIDELITY
The respective obligations of SNC and Fidelity to effect the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to satisfaction or waiver of the
following conditions at or prior to the Effective Time:
a. All corporate action necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance of this Reorganization Agreement and the Option Agreement and
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall have been
duly and validly taken, including without limitation the approval of the
shareholders of Fidelity of the Merger;
b. The Registration Statement (including any post-effective amendments
thereto) shall be effective under the Securities Act, and SNC shall have
received all state securities or "Blue Sky" permits or other authorizations, or
confirmations as to the availability of an exemption from registration
requirements as may be necessary, and no proceedings shall be pending or to the
knowledge of SNC threatened by the Commission or any state "Blue Sky" securities
administration to suspend the effectiveness of such Registration Statement; and
the SNC Common Stock to be issued as contemplated in the Plan of Merger shall
have either been registered or be subject to exemption from registration under
applicable state securities laws;
c. The parties shall have received all regulatory approvals required in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Reorganization Agreement,
all notice periods and waiting periods required after the granting of any such
approvals shall have passed, and all such approvals shall be in effect;
d. None of SNC, any of the SNC Subsidiaries, Fidelity or the Subsidiary
shall be subject to any order, decree or injunction of a court or agency of
competent jurisdiction which enjoins or prohibits consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Reorganization Agreement; and
e. Fidelity and SNC shall have received an opinion of SNC's legal counsel,
in form and substance satisfactory to Fidelity and SNC, substantially to the
effect that the Merger (and, if appropriate, the merger of the Subsidiary into
Branch Banking and Trust Company of Virginia) will constitute one or more
reorganizations under Section 368 of the Code and that the shareholders of
Fidelity will not recognize any gain or loss to the extent that such
shareholders exchange shares of Fidelity Common Stock for shares of SNC Common
Stock.
6.2 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT -- FIDELITY
The obligations of Fidelity to effect the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following additional
conditions at or prior to the Effective Time, unless waived by Fidelity pursuant
to Section 7.4:
a. The representations and warranties of SNC set forth in Article IV shall
be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement
and as of the Effective Time as though made on and as of the Effective Time (or
on the date designated in the case of any representation and warranty which
specifically relates to an earlier date), except as otherwise contemplated by
this Reorganization Agreement or consented to in writing by Fidelity;
b. SNC shall have performed all obligations and complied with all covenants
required by this Agreement;
c. SNC shall have delivered to Fidelity a certificate, dated the Closing
Date and signed by its Chairman or President or an Executive Vice President, to
the effect that the conditions set forth in Sections 6.1(a), 6.1(b), 6.1(c),
6.2(a) and 6.2(b), to the extent applicable to SNC, have been satisfied and that
there are no actions, suits, claims, governmental investigations or procedures
instituted, pending or, to the best of such officer's knowledge, threatened that
reasonably may be expected to have
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a material adverse effect on SNC or that present a claim to restrain or
prohibit the transactions contemplated herein or in the Plan of Merger;
d. Fidelity shall have received opinions of counsel to SNC in the form
reasonably acceptable to Fidelity's legal counsel;
e. All approvals of the transactions contemplated herein from the Federal
Reserve Board, the OTS, and any other state or federal government agency,
department or body, the approval of which is required for the consummation of
the Merger, shall have been received and all waiting periods with respect to
such approvals shall have expired; and
f. Fidelity shall not have reasonably determined in good faith that there
has been a material adverse change in the condition, operations or prospects of
SNC since December 31, 1995.
6.3 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT -- SNC
The obligations of SNC to effect the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall be subject to satisfaction of the following additional
conditions at or prior to the Effective Time, unless waived by SNC pursuant to
Section 7.4:
a. The representations and warranties of Fidelity set forth in Article III
shall be, true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this
Agreement and as of the Effective Time as though made on and as of the Effective
Time (or on the date designated in the case of any representation and warranty
which specifically relates to an earlier date), except as otherwise contemplated
by this Agreement or consented to in writing by SNC;
b. No regulatory approval shall have imposed any condition or requirement
which, in the reasonable opinion of the Board of Directors of SNC, would so
materially adversely affect the business or economic benefits to SNC of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement as to render consummation of such
transactions inadvisable or unduly burdensome;
c. Fidelity shall have performed all obligations and complied with all
covenants required by this Agreement;
d. Fidelity shall have delivered to SNC a certificate, dated the Closing
Date and signed by its Chairman or President, to the effect that the conditions
set forth in Sections 6.1(a), 6.1(c), 6.3(a) and 6.3(c), to the extent
applicable to Fidelity, have been satisfied and that there are no actions,
suits, claims, governmental investigations or procedures instituted, pending or,
to the best of such officer's knowledge, threatened that reasonably may be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Fidelity or that present a claim
to restrain or prohibit the transactions contemplated herein or in the Plan of
Merger;
e. SNC shall have received opinions of counsel to Fidelity in the form
reasonably acceptable to SNC's legal counsel;
f. SNC shall not have reasonably determined in good faith that there has
been a material adverse change in the condition, operations or prospects of
Fidelity since December 31, 1995;
g. SNC shall have received the written agreements from affiliates as
specified in Section 5.11; and
h. If dissenters' rights apply to this transaction, the holders of no more
than 9% of the Fidelity Common Stock shall have given written notice of their
intent to demand payment for their shares and shall not have voted for the
Merger, pursuant to Article 15 of the VASCA.
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION, WAIVER AND AMENDMENT
7.1 TERMINATION
This Agreement may be terminated:
a. at any time prior to the Effective Time, by the mutual consent in
writing of the parties hereto;
b. at any time prior to the Effective Time, by SNC in writing if Fidelity
has, or by Fidelity in writing if SNC has, in any material respect, breached (i)
any covenant, agreement or undertaking contained herein, in the Plan of Merger,
in the Option Agreement, or (ii) any representation or warranty contained
herein, and, in the case of (i) or (ii), if such breach has not been cured by
the earlier of 30 days following written notice of such breach to the party
committing such breach or the Effective Time;
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<PAGE>
c. at any time prior to the Effective Time, by either party hereto in
writing, if any of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such party to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby have not been satisfied or
fulfilled, and the party giving the notice is not in breach of any of its
representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings herein;
d. at any time, by either party hereto in writing, if any of the
applications for prior approval referred to in Section 5.4 are denied, and the
time period for appeals and requests for reconsideration has run;
e. at any time, by either party hereto in writing, if the shareholders of
Fidelity do not approve the transactions contemplated herein;
f. at any time following June 30, 1997, by either party hereto in writing,
if the Effective Time has not occurred by the close of business on such date,
and the party giving the notice is not in breach of any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or undertakings herein;
g. at any time prior to November 30, 1996 by SNC in writing, if SNC
determines in its sole good faith judgment, through the performance of its due
diligence or otherwise, that the financial condition, business or prospects of
Fidelity are materially adversely different from what was reasonably expected by
SNC; provided that SNC shall inform Fidelity upon such termination as to the
reasons for SNC's determination; and, provided further, that this Section 7.1(g)
shall not limit in any way the due diligence investigation of Fidelity which SNC
may perform or otherwise affect any other rights which SNC has after the date
hereof under the terms of this Agreement; and
h. at any time prior to October 1, 1996, by SNC in writing, in the event
that SNC shall not be satisfied with any information Previously Disclosed by
Fidelity.
7.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION
In the event this Agreement or the Plan of Merger is terminated pursuant to
Section 7.1, both this Agreement and the Plan of Merger shall become void and
have no effect, except that (i) the provisions hereof relating to
confidentiality and expenses set forth in Sections 5.7 and 8.1, respectively,
shall survive any such termination and (ii) a termination pursuant to Section
7.1(b) shall not relieve the breaching party from liability for an uncured
breach of the covenant or agreement giving rise to such termination.
7.3 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
All representations, warranties and covenants in this Agreement or the Plan
of Merger or in any instrument delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall expire
on, and be terminated and extinguished at, the Effective Time, other than
covenants that by their terms are to be performed after the Effective Time,
provided that no such representations, warranties or covenants shall be deemed
to be terminated or extinguished so as to deprive SNC or Fidelity (or any
director, officer or controlling person thereof) of any defense at law or in
equity which otherwise would be available against the claims of any person,
including, without limitation, any shareholder or former shareholder of either
SNC or Fidelity, the aforesaid representations, warranties and covenants being
material inducements to consummation by SNC and Fidelity of the transactions
contemplated herein.
7.4 WAIVER
Except with respect to any required regulatory approval, each party hereto,
by written instrument signed by an executive officer of such party, may at any
time (whether before or after approval of the Agreement and the Plan of Merger
by the shareholders of Fidelity) extend the time for the performance of any of
the obligations or other acts of the other party hereto and may waive (i) any
inaccuracies of the other party in the representations or warranties contained
in this Agreement, the Plan of Merger or any document delivered pursuant hereto
or thereto, (ii) compliance with any of the covenants, undertakings or
agreements of the other party, or satisfaction of any of the conditions
precedent to its obligations, contained herein or in the Plan of Merger, or
(iii) the performance by the other party of any of its obligations set out
herein or therein; provided that no such extension or waiver, or amendment or
supplement pursuant to Section 7.5, executed after approval by the shareholders
of Fidelity of this Agreement and the Plan of Merger shall reduce either the
number of shares of SNC Common Stock into which each share of Fidelity Common
Stock shall be converted in the Merger or the payment terms for fractional
interests.
7.5 AMENDMENT OR SUPPLEMENT
This Agreement and the Plan of Merger may be amended or supplemented at any
time in writing by mutual agreement of SNC and Fidelity, subject to the proviso
to Section 7.4.
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ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 EXPENSES
Each party hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it
in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Reorganization
Agreement, including fees and expenses of its own financial consultants,
accountants and counsel, except that SNC and Fidelity shall each pay fifty
percent of the cost of printing and mailing the Proxy Statement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, SNC shall reimburse Fidelity for all of its reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses if this Agreement is terminated for any reason other than
a termination pursuant to Section 7.1(b).
8.2 ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement and the Option Agreement contain the entire agreement
between the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereunder and
thereunder and supersede all prior arrangements or understandings with respect
thereto, written or oral, other than documents referred to herein or therein.
The terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Option Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and thereto and their
respective successors. Nothing in this Agreement or the Option Agreement,
expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any party, other than the
parties hereto and thereto, and their respective successors, any rights,
remedies, obligations or liabilities.
8.3 NO ASSIGNMENT
Neither of the parties hereto may assign any of its rights or obligations
under this Reorganization Agreement to any other person, except upon the prior
written consent of the other party.
8.4 NOTICES
All notices or other communications which are required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered personally or sent by
nationally recognized overnight express courier or by facsimile transmission,
addressed or directed as follows:
If to Fidelity:
Fidelity Financial Bankshares Corporation
2809 Emerywood Parkway, Suite 500
Richmond, Virginia 23294
Attention: Mr. Barry D. Crawford
Fax No.: 804-755-7814
With a required copy to:
Parker, Pollard & Brown, P.C.
5511 Staples Mill Road
Richmond, Virginia 23228
Attention: Mr. H. R. Pollard, IV
Fax No.: 804-262-3284
If to SNC:
Southern National Corporation
200 West Second Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101
Attention: Scott E. Reed
Fax No.: 910-773-0340
With a required copy to:
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice
200 West Second Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101
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Attention: Mr. William A. Davis, II
Fax No.: 910-733-8364
Any party may by notice change the address to which notice or other
communications to it are to be delivered.
8.5 CAPTIONS
The captions contained in this Agreement are for reference only and are not
part of this Agreement.
8.6 COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such
counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such
counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement.
8.7 GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia applicable to agreements made and entirely
to be performed within such jurisdiction, except to the extent federal law may
be applicable.
8.8 PREDECESSOR AGREEMENT
This Agreement amends and supersedes in its entirety the Agreement and Plan
of Reorganization (the "Predecessor Agreement") between the parties dated as of
August 22, 1996, and the Predecessor Agreement shall have no further force and
effect from and after the date hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound
hereby, have caused this Agreement to be executed in counterparts by their duly
authorized officers, all as of the day and year first above written.
SOUTHERN NATIONAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ JOHN A. ALLISON IV
Title: Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer
FIDELITY FINANCIAL BANKSHARES
CORPORATION
By: /s/ BARRY D. CRAWFORD
Title: President and Chief Executive
Officer
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<PAGE>
ANNEX A
ARTICLES OF MERGER
OF
FIDELITY FINANCIAL BANKSHARES CORPORATION
WITH AND INTO
BB&T FINANCIAL CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA
The undersigned corporations, pursuant to Section 13.1-720 of the Virginia
Stock Corporation Act, hereby execute the following articles of merger.
ONE
The merger of Fidelity Financial Bankshares Corporation, a Virginia
corporation ("Fidelity"), with and into BB&T Financial Corporation of Virginia,
a Virginia corporation ("BB&T Financial-Virginia"), shall be in accordance with
the Plan of Merger attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Plan of Merger").
TWO
The Plan of Merger was submitted to the shareholders of each of Fidelity
and BB&T Financial-Virginia by its Board of Directors in accordance with the
provisions of Section 13.1-718 of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act:
A. The number of outstanding shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per
share, of Fidelity (the only voting group entitled to vote on the Plan of
Merger) entitled to be cast and number of undisputed votes cast for the Plan of
Merger were:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OUTSTANDING SHARES UNDISPUTED VOTES CAST FOR THE PLAN
<S> <C>
</TABLE>
The number of undisputed votes cast for the Plan of Merger was sufficient
for approval of the Plan of Merger.
B. The Plan of Merger was adopted by unanimous consent of the shareholders
of BB&T Financial-Virginia.
THREE
The articles of merger shall become effective at .m. on
, 199 .
The undersigned, [Title] of each of Fidelity and BB&T Financial-Virginia
declares that the facts herein stated are true as of , 199 .
FIDELITY FINANCIAL BANKSHARES
CORPORATION
By:
Name:
Title:
BB&T FINANCIAL CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA
By:
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
PLAN OF MERGER
OF
FIDELITY FINANCIAL BANKSHARES CORPORATION
WITH AND INTO
BB&T FINANCIAL CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA
SECTION 1. CORPORATIONS PROPOSING TO MERGE AND SURVIVING CORPORATION.
Fidelity Financial Bankshares Corporation, a Virginia corporation ("Fidelity"),
shall be merged (the "Merger") with and into BB&T Financial Corporation of
Virginia, a Virginia corporation ("BB&T Financial-Virginia"), pursuant to the
terms and conditions of this Plan of Merger (the "Plan of Merger") and of the
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of August , 1996 (the
"Agreement"), by and between Fidelity and Southern National Corporation, a North
Carolina corporation and parent corporation of BB&T Financial-Virginia ("SNC").
The effective time for the Merger (the "Effective Time") shall be set forth in
the Articles of Merger to be filed with the Clerk of the State Corporation
Commission of Virginia. BB&T Financial-Virginia shall continue as the surviving
corporation (the "Surviving Corporation") in the Merger and the separate
corporate existence of Fidelity shall cease.
SECTION 2. EFFECTS OF THE MERGER. The Merger shall have the effects set
forth in Section 13.1-721 of the Virginia Stock Corporation Act (the "VSCA").
SECTION 3. ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS. The Articles of
Incorporation and the Bylaws of BB&T Financial-Virginia as in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall remain in effect as the Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation following the Effective
Time until changed in accordance with their terms and the VSCA.
SECTION 4. CONVERSION OF SHARES.
(a) At the Effective Time, each share of common stock, $1.00 par value per
share, of Fidelity ("Fidelity Common Stock") outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time, shall by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the
part of the holder thereof, be converted into and become shares of common
stock, $5.00 par value per share, of SNC ("SNC Common Stock").
(b) At the Effective Time, each share of the common stock of BB&T
Financial-Virginia issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall continue to be issued and outstanding.
SECTION 5. NO RIGHT TO DISSENT. Pursuant to Section 13.1-730C of the VSCA,
holders of Fidelity Common Stock shall have no right to dissent from the Merger.
SECTION 6. NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. Notwithstanding any other term or
provision hereof, no fraction of a share of SNC Common Stock, and no
certificates or script therefor or other evidence of ownership thereof, will be
issued in connection with the conversion of Fidelity Common Stock in the Merger,
and no right to receive cash in lieu thereof shall entitle the holder hereof to
any voting or other rights of a holder of shares or fractional share interests
of Fidelity. In lieu of such fractional shares, any holder of shares who would
otherwise be entitled to fractional shares of SNC Common Stock will, upon
surrender of his certificate or certificates representing shares of Fidelity
Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, be paid the
cash value of each such fraction, computed in accordance with the ratio set
forth in Section 4(a) above.
SECTION 7. AMENDMENT. At any time before the Effective Time, this Plan of
Merger may be amended, provided that: (i) any such amendment is approved by the
Board of Directors of Fidelity ; and (ii) no such amendment made subsequent to
the submission of this Plan of Merger to the shareholders of Fidelity shall have
any of the effects specified in Section 13.1-718.I of the VSCA without the
approval of the shareholders affected thereby.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX II
January , 1997
Board of Directors
Fidelity Financial Bankshares Corporation
2809 Emerywood Parkway, Suite 500
Richmond, VA 23294
Dear Members of the Board:
Set forth herein is the updated opinion of Danielson Associates Inc.
("Danielson Associates") as to the "fair" sale value of Fidelity Financial
Bankshares Corporation ("Fidelity") and the "fairness" of the offer by Southern
National Corporation ("Southern National") to buy all of the outstanding common
stock of Fidelity. The "fair" sale value is defined as the price at which all of
Fidelity common stock would change hands between a willing seller and willing
buyer, each having a reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts.
In preparing the original opinion dated August 21, 1996, the Bank's market
was analyzed; its business and prospects were discussed with management; and its
financial performance was compared with other banks in the region. In addition,
any unique characteristics were considered.
This opinion was based on data supplied to Danielson Associates by
Fidelity, and it relied on some public information, all of which was believed to
be reliable, but neither the completeness nor the accuracy of such information
could be guaranteed. The opinion assumed, based on management's representation,
that there was no significant loan problems beyond what was stated in recent
reports to regulatory agencies and in the monthly report to the directors.
In determining the "fair" sale value of Fidelity, primary emphasis was
given to prices paid for thrifts that had similar financial, market and
structural characteristics. These prices were then related to earnings and
equity capital, also referred to as "book."
Based on the analysis of Fidelity's recent performance and its future
potential, comparisons with similar transactions and unique characteristics, it
was determined that its "fair" sale value was between $48.3 and $52.5 million,
or about $21.00 to $23.00 per share. Thus, the $56.5 million, or $24.70 for each
share of common stock, offered to Fidelity by Southern National was a "fair"
offer from a financial point of view to Fidelity and its shareholders.
There has been no subsequent change in Southern National's performance, but
there has been a significant event involving Southern National since the
original fairness opinion -- the announcement of an agreement to acquire United
Carolina Bancshares Corporation ("UCB"), a North Carolina bank holding
company. Based on the offer price and trailing twelve month earnings as of
September 30, 1996, this offer is highly dilutive to Southern National, i.e.,
a 6.4% earnings per share dilution.
We have not analyzed the potential cost savings; however, as an in-market
consolidation, there should be sufficient savings to eliminate most of the
dilution in a reasonable period of time. To eliminate all of the dilution, about
$34 million in cost reductions would be needed, or 23.7% of UCB's annual
operating expenses. This is a high percentage, but it is well below the 45% cost
savings estimate that was put forth by Southern National's chief executive
officer, which is based on approximately 80 branches being closed and the
elimination of most of UCB's independent administrative and support
operations. Thus, this transaction should not negatively affect the fairness
of the Southern National offer to Fidelity.
As of the trailing ten trading day period ended , Southern
National's common stock had an average closing price of . This means the
value of the offer has increased to $ million, or $ per share.
Since the value of the offer has increased and there has been no subsequent,
negative change, this offer is still "fair" from a financial point of view to
Fidelity and its shareholders.
Respectfully submitted,
ARNOLD G. DANIELSON
CHAIRMAN
DANIELSON ASSOCIATES, INC.
<PAGE>
APPENDIX III
January , 1997
Board of Directors
Fidelity Financial Bankshares Corporation
2809 Emerywood Parkway
Richmond, Virginia 23294
Gentlemen:
You have asked us to render our opinion relating to the fairness, from a
financial point of view, to the shareholders of Fidelity Financial Bankshares
Corporation ("Fidelity") of the terms of an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
by and between Southern National Corporation ("SNC") and Fidelity dated August
22, 1996 and amended and restated as of December 17, 1996 (the "Merger
Agreement"). The Merger Agreement provides for the merger
of Fidelity with and into SNC (the "Merger") and further provides that each
share of Common Stock of Fidelity which is issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Date of the Merger shall be exchanged for shares of SNC
Common Stock (the "Exchange Ratio"). The Exchange Ratio is subject to adjustment
based upon the average closing price per share of SNC Common Stock for the
twenty business days ending on and including February 21, 1997. In no case will
the Exchange Ratio be less than .7137 or greater than .8758.
In developing our opinion, we have, among other things, reviewed and
analyzed: (1) the Merger Agreement; (2) Fidelity's audited financial statements
for the three years ended December 31, 1995; (3) Fidelity's unaudited financial
statements for the quarter and nine month period ended September 30, 1996 and
1995, and other internal information relating to Fidelity prepared by Fidelity's
management; (4) information regarding the trading market for the common stocks
of Fidelity and SNC and the price ranges within which the respective stocks have
traded; (5) the relationship of prices paid to relevant financial data such as
net worth, assets, deposits and earnings in certain thrift and thrift holding
company mergers and acquisitions in Virginia in recent years; (6) SNC's audited
annual reports to shareholders and its financial statements for the three years
ended December 31, 1995; and (7) SNC's unaudited financial statements for the
quarter and nine month period ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, and other
internal information relating to SNC prepared by SNC's management. We have
discussed with members of management of Fidelity and SNC the background to the
Merger, reasons and basis for the Merger and the business and future prospects
of Fidelity and SNC individually and as a combined entity. Finally, we have
conducted such other studies, analyses and investigations, particularly of the
banking industry, and considered such other information as we deemed
appropriate.
In conducting our review and arriving at our opinion, we have relied upon
and assumed the accuracy and completeness of the information furnished to us by
or on behalf of Fidelity and SNC. We have not attempted independently to verify
such information, nor have we made any independent appraisal of the assets of
Fidelity or SNC. We have taken into account our assessment of general economic,
financial market and industry conditions as they exist and can be evaluated at
the date hereof, as well as our experience in business valuation in general.
On the basis of our analyses and review and in reliance on the accuracy and
completeness of the information furnished to us and subject to the conditions
noted above, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof the terms of the
Merger Agreement are fair from a financial point of view to the shareholders of
Fidelity Common Stock.
Very truly yours,
SCOTT & STRINGFELLOW, INC.
By:
Gary S. Penrose
Managing Director
Financial Institutions Group
<PAGE>
PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Sections 55-8-50 through 55-8-58 of the North Carolina Business Corporation
Act contain specific provisions relating to indemnification of directors and
officers of North Carolina corporations. In general, such sections provide that:
(i) a corporation must indemnify a director or officer who is wholly successful
in his defense of a proceeding to which he is a party because of his status as
such, unless limited by the articles of incorporation, and (ii) a corporation
may indemnify a director or officer if he is not wholly successful in such
defense, if it is determined as provided by statute that the director or officer
meets a certain standard of conduct, provided when a director or officer is
liable to the corporation or is adjudged liable on the basis that personal
benefit was improperly received by him, the corporation may not indemnify him. A
director or officer of a corporation who is a party to a proceeding may also
apply to a court for indemnification, and the court may order indemnification
under certain circumstances set forth in statute. A corporation may, in its
articles of incorporation or bylaws or by contract or resolution of the board of
directors, provide indemnification in addition to that provided by statute,
subject to certain conditions.
SNC's bylaws provide for the indemnification of any director or officer of
SNC against liabilities and litigation expenses arising our of his status as
such, excluding: (i) any liabilities or litigation expenses relating to
activities which were at the time taken known or believed by such person to be
clearly in conflict with the best interest of SNC and (ii) that portion of any
liabilities or litigation expenses with respect to which such person is entitled
to receive payment under any insurance policy.
SNC's articles of incorporation provide for the elimination of the personal
liability of each director of SNC to the fullest extent permitted by law.
SNC maintains directors and officers liability insurance which, in general,
insures: (i) SNC's directors and officers against loss by reason of any of their
wrongful acts and (ii) SNC against loss arising from claims against the
directors and officers by reason of their wrongful acts, all subject to the
terms and conditions contained in the policy.
Certain rules of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit the
ability of certain depository institutions, their subsidiaries and their
affiliated depository institution holding companies to indemnify affiliated
parties, including institution directors. In general, subject to the ability to
purchase directors and officers liability insurance and to advance professional
expenses under certain circumstances, the rules prohibit such institutions from
indemnifying a director for certain costs incurred with regard to an
administrative or enforcement action commenced by any federal banking agency
which results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which the director is
assessed a civil money penalty, removed from office, prohibited from
participating in the affairs of an insured depository institution or required to
cease and desist from or take an affirmative action described in Section 8(b) of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. (section mark) 1818(b)).
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as exhibits to this registration
statement on Form S-4:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
<C> <S>
2 Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of December 17, 1996, between Fidelity
Financial Bankshares Corporation and Southern National Corporation
5 Opinion of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
8 Opinion of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC
23(a) Consent of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC (Included in Exhibits 5 and 8)
23(b) Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23(c) Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
23(d) Consent of Danielson Associates, Inc.
23(e) Consent of Scott & Stringfellow, Inc.
24 Power of Attorney (On signature page)
99(a) Form of Fidelity Financial Bankshares Corporation Proxy Card
99(b) Option Agreement, dated as of August 22, 1996, between Fidelity
Financial Bankshares Corporation and Southern National
Corporation.
</TABLE>
(b) Financial statement schedules: Not applicable.
II-1
<PAGE>
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS
A. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
in the registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
or any material change to such information in the registration
statement.
2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
B. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
C. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows: That prior to
any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a
prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or
party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the
issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information
called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by
persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called
for by the other Items of the applicable form.
D. The registrant undertakes that every prospectus (i) that is filed
pursuant to Paragraph (C) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet
the requirements of section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and is used
in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed
as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used
until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
E. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
F. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the
date of responding to the request.
G. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
II-2
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-4 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Winston-Salem, State of North Carolina, on
January 15, 1997.
SOUTHERN NATIONAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ JERONE C. HERRING
JERONE C. HERRING
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND
SECRETARY
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each of the undersigned, being a director and/or officer of Southern
National Corporation (the "Company"), hereby nominates, constitutes and appoints
John A. Allison, Scott E. Reed and Jerone C. Herring, or any one of them
severally, to be his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and to sign in his
or her name and on his or her behalf in any and all capacities stated below, and
to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), a
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") relating to
the issuance of shares of the Company's common stock, $5.00 par value per share,
in connection with the acquisition by the Company of Fidelity Financial
Bankshares Corporation, a Virginia corporation, and to file any and all
amendments, including post-effective amendments, to the Registration Statement,
making such changes in the Registration Statement as such attorney-in-fact deems
appropriate, and generally to do all such things on his or her behalf in any and
all capacities stated below to enable the Company to comply with the provisions
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the
Commission.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been signed by the following persons
in the capacities indicated on January 15, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE CAPACITY
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ JOHN A. ALLISON IV Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
JOHN A. ALLISON IV Officer (principal executive
officer)
/s/ SCOTT E. REED Senior Executive Vice President and Chief
SCOTT E. REED Financial Officer (principal financial
officer)
/s/ SHERRY A. KELLETT Executive Vice President and Controller
SHERRY A. KELLETT (principal accounting
officer)
/s/ PAUL B. BARRINGER Director
PAUL B. BARRINGER
/s/ W. R. CUTHBERTSON, JR. Director
W. R. CUTHBERTSON, JR.
/s/ RONALD E. DEAL Director
RONALD E. DEAL
</TABLE>
II-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ A. J. DOOLEY, SR. Director
A. J. DOOLEY, SR.
/s/ JOE L. DUDLEY, SR. Director
JOE L. DUDLEY, SR.
/s/ TOM D. EFIRD Director
TOM D. EFIRD
/s/ O. WILLIAM FENN, JR. Director
O. WILLIAM FENN, JR.
/s/ PAUL S. GOLDSMITH Director
PAUL S. GOLDSMITH
/s/ L. VINCENT HACKLEY Director
L. VINCENT HACKLEY
/s/ ERNEST F. HARDEE Director
ERNEST F. HARDEE
/s/ RICHARD JANEWAY, M.D. Director
RICHARD JANEWAY, M.D.
/s/ J. ERNEST LATHEM, M.D. Director
J. ERNEST LATHEM, M.D.
/s/ JAMES H. MAYNARD Director
JAMES H. MAYNARD
/s/ JOSEPH A. MCALEER, JR. Director
JOSEPH A. MCALEER, JR.
/s/ ALBERT O. MCCAULEY Director
ALBERT O. MCCAULEY
/s/ DICKSON MCLEAN, JR. Director
DICKSON MCLEAN, JR.
/s/ CHARLES E. NICHOLS Director
CHARLES E. NICHOLS
/s/ L. GLENN ORR, JR. Director
L. GLENN ORR, JR.
</TABLE>
II-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ A. WINNIETT PETERS Director
A. WINNIETT PETERS
/s/ RICHARD L. PLAYER, JR. Director
RICHARD L. PLAYER, JR.
/s/ E. EDWARD PLEASANTS, JR. Director
C. EDWARD PLEASANTS, JR.
/s/ NIDO R. QUBEIN Director
NIDO R. QUBEIN
/s/ A. TAB WILLIAMS, JR. Director
A. TAB WILLIAMS, JR.
</TABLE>
II-5
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 2
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
[INCLUDED AS APPENDIX I TO THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED IN THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 5
[LETTERHEAD OF WOMBLE CARLYLE SANDRIDGE & RICE, PLLC]
January 15, 1997
Southern National Corporation
200 West Second Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27102
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-4 with respect to Shares Issued
pursuant to the Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization by and between Southern National Corporation and
Fidelity Financial Bankshares Corporation
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Southern National Corporation (the "Company")
in connection with the registration by the Company of 2,088, 973 shares of its
Common Stock, par value $5.00 per share (the "Common Stock"), issuable pursuant
to the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of August 22, 1996 and
amended and restated as of December 17, 1996 (the "Reorganization Agreement"),
by and between the Company and Fidelity Financial Bankshares Corporation, a
Virginia corporation, as set forth on the registration statement on Form S-4
(the "Registration Statement") that is being filed on the date hereof by the
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended. This opinion is provided pursuant to the requirements
of Item 21(a) of Form S-4 and Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K. All capitalized
terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the
Registration Statement.
In connection with the foregoing, we have examined such records, documents,
and proceedings as we have deemed relevant as a basis for the opinion expressed
herein, and we have relied upon an officer's certificate as to certain factual
matters.
Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that when (1) the
Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and (2) the shares of Common Stock have been
issued in accordance with the Reorganization Agreement and upon the terms and
conditions set forth in the Registration Statement, then the shares of Common
Stock will be legally issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.
We hereby consent to be named in the Registration Statement and in the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus as attorneys who passed upon the legality of the
shares of Common Stock and to the filing of a copy of this opinion as Exhibit 5
to the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
WOMBLE CARLYLE SANDRIDGE & RICE,
A PROFESSIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY
By: /s/ GARZA BALDWIN, III
Garza Baldwin, III
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 8
[LETTERHEAD OF WOMBLE CARLYLE SANDRIDGE & RICE, PLLC]
January 15, 1997
Southern National Corporation
200 West Second Street
Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101
Re: Certain federal income tax consequences of Merger provided for in the
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and between Southern National
Corporation ("SNC") and Fidelity Financial Bankshares Corporation
("FFBC") dated as of August 22, 1996 and amended and restated as of
December 17, 1996 (the "Reorganization Agreement"); capitalized terms
herein have the meanings defined in the Reorganization Agreement
Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion concerning certain federal income tax
consequences of the proposed Merger. We have acted as counsel to SNC in
connection with the Merger in which FFBC, a Virginia corporation, will merge
into a wholly owned subsidiary of SNC, BB&T Financial Corporation of Virginia,
pursuant to Virginia law. In the Merger, each outstanding share of FFBC Common
Stock (the only class outstanding) is to be converted into a number of shares of
SNC Common Stock determined under a formula in the Reorganization Agreement.
Cash will be paid in lieu of issuance of fractional shares. FFBC shareholders
are not entitled by state law to dissent to the Merger.
In giving this opinion we have reviewed, and with your permission we rely
upon the facts contained in, the Reorganization Agreement, the Registration
Statement on Form S-4 proposed to be filed by SNC under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), relating to the shares of SNC Common
Stock to be issued in the Reorganization (the "Registration Statement"), and Tax
Certificates dated January 7, 1997 (the "Tax Certificates") in which officers of
FFBC and officers of SNC make certain representations on behalf of FFBC and SNC
regarding the Merger. We also have reviewed such other documents as we have
considered necessary and appropriate.
In giving this opinion we have made certain assumptions, with your
permission. We have assumed that the statements in the Tax Certificates are
correct as of the date of this opinion, and any representation or statement made
"to the best of knowledge" or similarly qualified is correct without such
qualification. As to all matters in which a person or entity has represented
that such person or entity either is not a party to, or does not have, or is not
aware of, any plan or intention, understanding or agreement, we have assumed
that there is in fact no such plan, intention, understanding or agreement. We
also assume that (a) the Merger will be consummated in accordance with the
Reorganization Agreement, (b) FFBC's only outstanding stock (as that term is
used in (section mark)368 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code")) is the FFBC Common Stock, (c) any redemptions by SNC of its stock after
the Effective Time under ongoing stock repurchase programs will be separate and
independent from the Merger and (d) the Rights attached to shares of SNC Common
Stock issued in the Merger will not be exchanged by SNC for any part of the
value of the FFBC Common Stock, and such Rights will have no ascertainable fair
market value at the Effective Time.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the limitations herein, we are of
the opinion that under existing law, upon consummation of the Merger in
accordance with the Reorganization Agreement, for federal income tax purposes:
(1) The Merger will constitute a "reorganization" within the meaning
of Section 368(a) of the Code.
(2) No gain or loss will be recognized by SNC or FFBC upon
consummation of the Merger by FFBC's exchange of its assets for
SNC Common Stock and assumption of FFBC's liabilities and by
FFBC's constructive distribution of the SNC Common Stock to FFBC
shareholders.
(3) No gain or loss will be recognized by the shareholders of FFBC
upon the receipt of SNC Common Stock (including any fractional
share interest to which they may be entitled) solely in exchange
for their shares of FFBC Common Stock.
(4) The aggregate adjusted basis of the SNC Common Stock (including
any fractional share interest to which they may be entitled) to be
received by the shareholders of FFBC will be the same as the
aggregate adjusted basis of the FFBC Common Stock surrendered in
exchange therefor.
<PAGE>
(5) The holding period of the SNC Common Stock (including any
fractional share interest to which they may be entitled) to be
received by the shareholders of FFBC in the Merger will include
the holding period of the FFBC Common Stock surrendered in
exchange therefor, provided the FFBC Common Stock was held as a
capital asset by the shareholder of FFBC on the date of the
exchange.
(6) The payment of cash to FFBC shareholders in lieu of fractional
share interests of SNC Common Stock will be treated for federal
income tax purposes as if the fractional shares were distributed
as part of the exchange and then were redeemed by SNC. These cash
payments will be treated as distributions in full payment in
exchange for the stock redeemed as provided in Section 302(a) of
the Code.
We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the
United States of America. Further, our opinion is limited to the specific
conclusions set forth above, and no other opinions are expressed or implied. The
opinions stated with respect to shares of FFBC Common Stock do not apply to any
stock rights, warrants or options to acquire FFBC Common Stock. The opinions
stated as to FFBC shareholders are general in nature and do not necessarily
apply to any particular FFBC shareholder, and, for example, may not apply to
shareholders who are corporations, trusts, dealers in securities, financial
institutions, insurance companies or tax exempt organizations; or to persons who
are not United States citizens or resident aliens or domestic entities
(partnerships or trusts), subject to the alternative minimum tax (to the extent
that tax affects the tax consequences), or are subject to the "golden parachute"
provisions of the Code (to the extent that tax affects the tax consequences); or
to shareholders who acquired FFBC Common Stock pursuant to employee stock
options or otherwise as compensation if such shares are subject to any
restriction related to employment, who do not hold their shares as capital
assets, or who hold their shares as part of a "straddle" or "conversion
transaction."
This opinion represents our best legal judgment, but it has no binding
effect or official status of any kind. Changes to the Code, regulations, the
rulings thereunder, or changes by the courts in the interpretation of the
authorities relied upon, may be applied retroactively and may affect the
opinions expressed herein. Any material defect in any assumption or
representation on which we have relied would adversely affect our opinions.
We furnish this opinion to you solely to support the discussion of Certain
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger in the Registration Statement and
we do not consent to its use for any other purpose. We consent to its attachment
thereto as an exhibit. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are
within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the
Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
WOMBLE CARLYLE SANDRIDGE & RICE
A PROFESSIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANY
By: /s/ JASPER L. CUMMINGS, JR.
Jasper L. Cummings, Jr.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23(B)
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this registration statement of our report dated January 18,
1996, included in Southern National Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995, and to all references to our Firm included in this
registration statement.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Charlotte, North Carolina
January 15, 1997
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23(C)
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FIDELITY FINANCIAL BANKSHARES CORPORATION
We consent to the use of our report included in Fidelity Financial
Bankshares Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1995 incorporated herein by reference and to the reference to our firm under
the heading "Experts" in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Our report refers to a
change in accounting for certain investments in debt and equity securities.
/s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
Richmond, Virginia
January 15, 1997
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23(D)
CONSENT OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR
We hereby consent to the reference to our name appearing herein under the
captions entitled "Summary -- The Merger -- Opinions of FFBC's Financial
Advisors," "The Merger -- Background of the Merger," "The Merger -- Reasons for
the Merger" and "The Merger -- Opinions of FFBC's Financial Advisors." We
further consent to the use of our letter to the Board of Directors of Fidelity
Financial Bankshares Corporation concerning the fairness of the financial terms
of the proposed merger, appearing as Appendix II to the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus contained herein.
/s/ ARNOLD G. DANIELSON
ARNOLD G. DANIELSON, CHAIRMAN
DANIELSON ASSOCIATES INC.
Rockville, Maryland
January 15, 1997
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23(E)
CONSENT OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR
We consent to the use, quotation and summarization in the Registration
Statement of our fairness opinion rendered to the Board of Directors of Fidelity
Financial Bankshares Corporation in connection with the merger of Fidelity
Financial Bankshares Corporation and Southern National Corporation and to the
use of our name, and the statements with respect to us, appearing in the
Registration Statement.
SCOTT & STRINGFELLOW, INC.
/S/ GARY S. PENROSE
GARY S. PENROSE
MANAGING DIRECTOR
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS GROUP
Richmond, Virgina
January 15, 1997
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99(A)
FORM OF PROXY
FIDELITY FINANCIAL BANKSHARES CORPORATION
P R O X Y
SPECIAL MEETING FEBRUARY 27, 1997
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION
The undersigned shareholder of Fidelity Financial Bankshares Corporation, a
Virginia corporation ("FFBC"), appoints Charles E. Blankenship, Jr. and Robert
G. Watts, or either of them, with full power to act alone, the true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and
revocation, to vote all shares of stock of FFBC which the undersigned is
entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Shareholders of FFBC to be held at
The Commonwealth Club, 401 West Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia, on
Thursday, February 27, 1997, at 2:00 p.m. and at any adjournment thereof, with
all powers the undersigned would possess if personally present, as follows:
1. Proposal to approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August
22, 1996 and amended and restated as of December 17, 1996 (the
"Agreement"), among FFBC and Southern National Corporation ("SNC"), and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, pursuant to
which FFBC would be merged with and into BB&T Financial Corporation of
Virginia, a wholly owned subsidiary of SNC, and the shareholders of FFBC
would become shareholders of SNC, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Agreement.
( ) FOR ( ) AGAINST ( ) ABSTAIN
2. Any other matter that may be submitted to a vote of shareholders at the
Special Meeting.
(YOU ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY)
(continued on other side)
<PAGE>
(continued from other side)
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE PROPOSAL ON
THE REVERSE SIDE IF NO INSTRUCTION TO THE
CONTRARY IS INDICATED. IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS IS
PRESENTED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING, THIS PROXY WILL
BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS
OF MANAGEMENT.
The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that said proxies, or either of
them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof,
and acknowledges receipt of the notice of the Special Meeting and the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus accompanying it.
Dated: , 1997
Please insert date of signing.
Sign exactly as name appears at
left. Where stock is issued in two
or more names, all should sign. If
signing as attorney, administrator,
executor, trustee or guardian, give
full title as such. A corporation
should sign by an authorized
officer and affix seal.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99(B)
THE TRANSFER OF THIS AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO
CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN.
OPTION AGREEMENT
This OPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of the 22nd day of August, 1996,
between SOUTHERN NATIONAL CORPORATION ("SNC"), a North Carolina corporation, and
FIDELITY FINANCIAL BANKSHARES CORPORATION ("Fidelity"), a Virginia corporation;
R E C I T A L S:
The Boards of Directors of SNC and Fidelity have approved an Agreement
and Plan of Reorganization (the "Reorganization Agreement"), dated as of August
22, 1996, between SNC and Fidelity, providing for the merger of Fidelity into
BB&T Financial-Virginia, a subsidiary of SNC (the "Merger"), which
Reorganization Agreement has been executed by the parties concurrently with this
Agreement. As a condition to SNC's execution of the Reorganization Agreement,
and in consideration thereof, Fidelity has agreed to grant to SNC the option set
forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises herein contained, the
parties agree as follows:
1. Definitions. Capitalized terms defined in the Reorganization
Agreement and used herein shall have the same meanings as in the Reorganization
Agreement.
2. Grant of Option. Fidelity hereby grants to SNC an option (the
"Option") to purchase up to 456,044 shares of authorized but unissued shares of
Fidelity Common Stock at a price of $13.00 per share (the "Exercise Price")
payable in cash as provided in Section 4; provided, however, that such number of
shares shall be reduced if and to the extent necessary so that the number of
shares for which this Option is exercisable shall not exceed 19.9% of the issued
and outstanding Fidelity Common Stock, as of the date hereof. The number of
shares of Fidelity Common Stock that may be received upon the exercise of the
Option is subject to adjustment as set forth herein.
3. Exercise of Option.
(a) Subject to compliance with applicable law and regulations,
and unless SNC shall have breached in any material respect and failed to cure
any covenant or representation in the Reorganization Agreement, SNC may exercise
the Option, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time following the
occurrence of a Purchase Event (as defined below) and prior to the occurrence of
a Termination Event (as defined below).
(b) (i) As used herein, "Purchase Event" shall mean when:
(A) Fidelity or the Subsidiary shall have authorized,
recommended, proposed or publicly announced an intention to authorize, recommend
or propose a transaction with a person (other than SNC or its affiliates) to, or
entered into an agreement with a person (other than SNC or its affiliates) to:
(a) effect a merger or consolidation with, or enter into any similar business
combination with, Fidelity or the Subsidiary, (b) sell, lease or otherwise
dispose of the assets of Fidelity to such person aggregating 10% or more of the
consolidated assets of Fidelity and the Subsidiary (other than a sale of loan
receivables in a financing transaction in the normal course of business
consistent with past practices), or (c) issue, sell or otherwise dispose of to
such person (including by way of merger, consolidation, share exchange or any
similar transaction) securities representing more than 10 percent of the voting
power of Fidelity or the Subsidiary; or
(B) any person other than SNC or any of its
Subsidiaries shall have acquired beneficial ownership of more than 10 percent of
the outstanding shares of Fidelity Common Stock; or any person shall have
merged, consolidated with or consummated a similar transaction with Fidelity or
any person shall have purchased, leased or otherwise acquired 10% of more of
Fidelity's assets (other than a sale of loan receivables in a financing
transaction in the normal course of business consistent with past practices); or
(C) a bona fide proposal is made by any person (other
than SNC or its Affiliates) by public announcement or written communication that
is or becomes the subject of public disclosure, or disclosure in an application
to any federal or state regulatory authority, to (a) acquire, merge or
consolidate with, or enter into any similar transaction with Fidelity, (b)
purchase, lease or otherwise acquire 10% or more of the assets of Fidelity
(other than a sale of loan receivables in a
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financing transaction), or (c)
purchase or otherwise acquire (including by way of tender offer, merger,
consolidation, share exchange, tender or exchange offer or any similar
transaction) securities representing more than 10 percent of the voting power of
Fidelity;
(ii) The term "person" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 3(a)(9), and "beneficial ownership" shall have the meaning specified
under Section 13(d)(3), of the Exchange Act.
(c) Fidelity shall notify SNC promptly in writing of the
occurrence of any transaction, offer or event giving rise to a Purchase Event.
(d) In the event SNC wishes to exercise the Option, it shall
send to Fidelity a written notice (an "Exercise Notice," the date of which being
herein referred to as the "Notice Date") specifying (i) the total number of
shares SNC will purchase pursuant to such exercise, and (ii) a place and date
not earlier than three business days nor later than 20 business days from the
Notice Date for the closing of such purchase with respect to such exercise (the
"Option Closing Date"); provided that if the closing of the purchase and sale
pursuant to the Option cannot be consummated by reason of any applicable
judgment, decree, order, law or regulation, the period of time that otherwise
would run pursuant to this sentence shall run instead from the date on which
such restriction on consummation has expired or been terminated; and provided
further, without limiting the foregoing, if prior notification to, or approval
of, any federal or state regulatory agency is required in connection with such
purchase, SNC, and Fidelity if required by applicable law, shall promptly file
the required notice or application for approval and shall expeditiously process
the same and the period of time that otherwise would run pursuant to this
sentence shall run instead from the date on which the last required notification
period has expired or been terminated or such approvals have been obtained and
any requisite waiting periods shall have passed.
(e) The Option shall expire and terminate, to the extent not
previously exercised, upon the earliest of (a "Termination Event"):
(i) the Effective Time of the Merger; or
(ii) the termination of the Reorganization Agreement
without a Purchase Event having occurred, other than a termination based upon,
following, or in connection with, either (A) a willful and material breach by
Fidelity of any of its covenants or agreements in the Reorganization Agreement,
or (B) the failure of Fidelity to obtain shareholder approval of the
transactions contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement by the vote required
under applicable law; or
(iii) 18 months after the first occurrence of a
Purchase Event; or
(iv) 36 months after the date hereof.
(f) Notwithstanding the termination of the Option, SNC shall
be entitled to purchase any shares with respect to which it has exercised the
Option in accordance with the terms hereof prior to the termination of the
Option. The termination of the Option shall not affect any rights hereunder
which by their terms extend beyond the date of such termination.
4. Payment and Delivery of Certificates.
(a) On each Option Closing Date, SNC shall pay to Fidelity the
aggregate purchase price for the shares being purchased on that Option Closing
Date in immediately available funds by a wire transfer to a financial
institution designated by Fidelity.
(b) At each closing relating to an exercise of the Option,
simultaneously with the delivery of cash by SNC as provided in subsection (a)
with respect to the Option, Fidelity shall deliver to SNC a certificate or
certificates representing the number of shares of Fidelity purchased by SNC, and
SNC shall deliver to Fidelity a letter agreeing that SNC will not offer to sell
or otherwise dispose of such shares in violation of applicable law or the
provisions of this Option Agreement and providing such undertakings and
representations as necessary for the issuance and sale of such shares to be
exempt from registration under applicable securities laws.
5. Representations. Fidelity hereby represents and warrants to, and
covenants with, SNC as follows:
(a) Fidelity has all requisite corporate power and authority
to enter into this Option Agreement and, subject to any approvals referred to
herein, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and
delivery of this Option Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
on the part of Fidelity. This Option Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Fidelity and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
Fidelity, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
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(b) Fidelity has taken all necessary corporate action to
authorize and reserve for issuance the full number of shares of Fidelity Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of the Option, and shall continue to reserve such
shares until the Option is exercised or until this Agreement is terminated as
provided herein.
(c) The shares to be issued upon due exercise, in whole or in
part, of the Option, when paid for as provided herein, will be duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and shall be delivered free and
clear of all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances of any kind or nature
whatsoever, including any preemptive rights of any shareholder of Fidelity, but
subject to restrictions on transfer imposed by applicable securities laws.
(d) The execution and delivery of this Option Agreement does
not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not,
conflict with or result in any violation of any provision of the Articles of
Incorporation or By-laws of Fidelity or the Subsidiary or, subject to obtaining
any approvals or consents contemplated hereby, result in any violation of any
loan or credit agreement, note, mortgage, indenture, lease, benefit plan or
other agreement, obligation, instrument, permit, concession, franchise, license,
judgment, order, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable
to Fidelity or the Subsidiary or their respective properties or assets which
violation would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect.
(e) The provisions of the Virginia Control Share Acquisition
Act do not and will not apply to this Option Agreement or the purchase of shares
of Fidelity Common Stock pursuant to this Option Agreement.
6. Adjustment upon Changes in Capitalization, etc. In the event of any
change in the outstanding Fidelity Common Stock by reason of stock dividends,
split-ups, mergers, recapitalizations, combinations, exchanges of shares or the
like, the number of shares subject to the Option and its purchase price per
share shall be adjusted appropriately so that the Option will entitle the holder
thereof to acquire, at a price economically equivalent to the Exercise Price,
all of the shares or other securities, property, or rights to which ownership of
the underlying shares of Fidelity Common Stock would have entitled the holder
had they been outstanding immediately prior to such change. In the event that
any shares of Fidelity Common Stock are issued after the date of this Agreement
other than in a transaction described in the first sentence of this Section 6 or
pursuant to the exercise of the Option, the number of shares subject to the
Option shall be adjusted so that, immediately after such issuance, the number of
shares subject to the Option (together with the number of shares previously
issued under the Option) equals 19.9 percent (subject to reduction as provided
in Section 2 hereof) of the number of the then-outstanding shares of Fidelity
Common Stock. Nothing contained in this Section 6 shall be deemed to authorize
Fidelity to breach any provision of the Reorganization Agreement or the Plan of
Merger.
7. Registration Rights. Fidelity shall, if requested by SNC at any time
and from time to time within two years of the first exercise of the Option, as
expeditiously as possible, prepare and file a registration statement under the
Securities Act if such registration is necessary in order to permit the sale or
other disposition of any or all shares or securities that have been acquired by
or are issuable to SNC upon exercise of the Option in accordance with the
intended
method of sale or other disposition stated by SNC, including a "shelf"
registration statement under Rule 415 under the Securities Act or any successor
provision. Fidelity shall use its best efforts to qualify such shares or other
securities under any applicable state securities laws, to cause such
registration statement to become effective, to obtain all consents or waivers of
other parties which are required therefor, and to keep such registration
statement effective for such period not in excess of 360 days from the day such
registration statement first becomes effective as may be reasonably necessary to
effect such sale or other disposition. The obligations of Fidelity hereunder to
file a registration statement and to maintain its effectiveness may be suspended
for one or more periods of time not exceeding 60 days in the aggregate if the
Board of Directors of Fidelity shall have determined that the filing of such
registration statement or the maintenance of its effectiveness would require
disclosure of nonpublic information that would materially and adversely affect
Fidelity. Any registration statement prepared and filed under this Section 7,
and any sale covered thereby, shall be at Fidelity's expense except for
underwriting discounts or commissions, brokers' fees and the fees and
disbursements of SNC's counsel related thereto. SNC shall provide all
information reasonably requested by Fidelity for inclusion in any registration
statement to be filed hereunder. If during the time periods referred to in the
first sentence of this Section 7 Fidelity effects a registration under the
Securities Act of Fidelity Common Stock for its own account or for any other
stockholders of Fidelity (other than on Form S-4 or Form S-8, or any successor
form), it shall allow SNC the right to participate in such registration, and
such participation shall not affect the obligation of Fidelity to effect two
registration statements for SNC under this Section 7; provided that, if the
managing underwriters of such offering advise Fidelity in writing that in their
opinion the number of shares of Fidelity Common Stock requested to be included
in such registration exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering,
Fidelity shall include the shares requested to be included therein by SNC only
to the maximum extent such managing underwriter determines to be feasible. In
connection
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with any registration pursuant to this Section 7, Fidelity and SNC
shall provide each other and any underwriter of the offering with customary
representations, warranties, covenants, indemnification and contribution in
connection with such registration.
8. Listing. If Fidelity Common Stock or any other securities to be
acquired upon exercise of the Option are then listed on The NASDAQ National
Market or any other national market or exchange, Fidelity, upon the request of
SNC, will promptly file an application to list the shares of Fidelity Common
Stock or other securities to be acquired upon exercise of the Option on The
NASDAQ National Market or such other market or exchange and will use its best
efforts to obtain approval of such listing as soon as practicable.
9. Division of Option. This Option Agreement (and the Option granted
hereby) are exchangeable, without expense, at the option of SNC, upon
presentation and surrender of this Option Agreement at the principal office of
Fidelity for other Agreements providing for Options of different denominations
entitling the holder thereof to purchase in the aggregate the same number of
shares of Fidelity Common Stock purchasable hereunder. The terms "Agreement" and
"Option" as used herein include any other Agreements and related Options for
which this Agreement (and the Option granted hereby) may be exchanged. Upon
receipt by Fidelity of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss,
theft, destruction or mutilation of this Agreement, and (in the case of loss,
theft or destruction) of reasonably satisfactory indemnification, and upon
surrender and cancellation of this Agreement, if mutilated, Fidelity will
execute and deliver a new Agreement of like tenor and date. Any such new
Agreement executed and delivered shall constitute an additional contractual
obligation on the part of Fidelity, whether or not the Agreement so lost,
stolen, destroyed or mutilated shall at any time be enforceable by anyone.
10. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
contained in this Option Agreement is held by a court or a federal or state
regulatory agency of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or
unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and
restrictions contained in this Option Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect, and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. If for any
reason such court or regulatory agency determines that the Option will not
permit the holder to acquire the full number of shares of Fidelity Common Stock
provided in Section 2 hereof (as adjusted pursuant to Section 6 hereof), it is
the express intention of Fidelity to allow the holder to acquire such lesser
number of shares as may be permissible, without any amendment or modification
hereof.
11. Miscellaneous.
(a) Expenses. Except as otherwise provided herein, each of the
parties hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it or on
its behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder, including
fees and expenses of its own financial consultants, investment bankers,
accountants and counsel.
(b) Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereunder and supersedes all prior
arrangements or understandings with respect thereto, written or oral. The terms
and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties hereto and their respective successors. Nothing in this
Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any party, other
than the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns, any
rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this
Agreement, except as expressly provided herein.
(c) Assignment. Neither of the parties hereto may assign any
of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any other person, without
the express written consent of the other party, except that SNC may assign in
whole or in part the Option and other benefits and obligations hereunder without
limitation to any of its wholly owned subsidiaries and SNC may assign in whole
or in part the Option and other benefits and obligations hereunder without
limitation if a Purchase Event has occurred and SNC shall have delivered to
Fidelity a copy of a letter from the staff of the Commission, or an opinion of
counsel, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Fidelity, to the
effect that such Assignment will not violate the requirements of the Securities
Act; provided, that prior to any such assignment, SNC shall give written notice
of the proposed assignment to Fidelity, and within 24 hours of receipt of such
notice of a bona fide proposed assignment, Fidelity may purchase the Option at a
price and on other terms at least as favorable to SNC as that set forth in the
notice of assignment.
(d) Notices. All notices or other communications which are
required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered
personally or sent by nationally recognized overnight express or by facsimile
transmission, addressed or directed as follows:
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If to Fidelity:
Fidelity Financial Bankshares Corporation
2809 Emerywood Parkway, Suite 500
Richmond, Virginia 23294
Attention: Mr. Barry D. Crawford
Fax No.: 804-755-7814
With a required copy to:
Parker, Pollard & Brown, P.C.
5511 Staples Mill Road
Richmond, Virginia 23228
Attention: Mr. H. R. Pollard, IV
Fax No.: 804-262-3284
If to SNC:
Southern National Corporation
200 West Second Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101
Attention: Mr. Scott E. Reed
Fax No.: 910-733-0340
<PAGE>
With a required copy to:
Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice
1600 BB&T Financial Center
200 West Second Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101
Attention: Mr. William A. Davis, II
Fax No.: 910-733-8364
Any party may by notice change the address to which notice or other
communications to it are to be delivered or mailed.
(e) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original
instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one
agreement.
(f) Specific Performance. The parties agree that damages would
be an inadequate remedy for a breach of the provisions of this Agreement by
Fidelity and that this Agreement may be enforced by SNC through injunctive or
other equitable relief.
(g) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia without
regard to principles of conflicts of laws thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first written above.
SOUTHERN NATIONAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ John A. Allison IV
Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
FIDELITY FINANCIAL BANKSHARES CORPORATION
By: /s/ Barry D. Crawford
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
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