SWVA BANCSHARES INC
DEF 14A, 1999-09-13
SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED
Previous: INVESCO SPECIALTY FUNDS INC, 497, 1999-09-13
Next: ASSOCIATED VENTURE INVESTORS III LP, SC 13D/A, 1999-09-13



                                  SCHEDULE 14A
                                 (Rule 14a-101)

                     INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
           Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
                      Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

Filed by the registrant [X]
Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ]

Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement      [ ] Confidential, for use of the Commission
                                         Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material pursuant to ss. 240.14a-11(c) or ss. 240.14a-12

                              SWVA Bancshares, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
  [X] No fee required
  [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

          (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (3) Per unit price or other underlying  value of transaction  computed
pursuant  to Exchange  Act Rule 0-11.  (set forth the amount on which the filing
fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (5) Total fee paid:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  [ ]   Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
  [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as  provided  by  Exchange  Act
Rule  0-11(a)(2)  and identify the filing for which the  offsetting fee was paid
previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration  statement  number, or
the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

          (1) Amount previously paid:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (3) Filing Party:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (4) Date Filed:

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

<PAGE>

                       [SWVA BANCSHARES, INC. LETTERHEAD]






September 14, 1999

Dear Fellow Stockholder:

     On behalf of the Board of  Directors  and  management  of SWVA  Bancshares,
Inc., (the  "Company"),  I cordially  invite you to attend the annual meeting of
stockholders  to be held at the Holiday Inn -  Tanglewood,  4468  Starkey  Road,
Roanoke,  Virginia  on  October  13,  1999,  at 10:30 a.m.  We will be  electing
directors,  ratifying  the choice of auditors and  considering a proposal from a
stockholder. During the meeting, I will report on the operations of the Company.
Our directors  and  officers,  as well as  representatives  of Cherry  Bekaert &
Holland L.L.P., certified public accountants, will be present to respond to your
questions.

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

                                         Sincerely,

                                         /s/B.L. Rakes
                                         --------------------------
                                         B.L. Rakes
                                         Chairman


<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              SWVA BANCSHARES, INC.
                             302 SECOND STREET, S.W.
                          ROANOKE, VIRGINIA 24011-1597
                                 (540) 343-0135
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                         TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 13, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTICE  IS  HEREBY  GIVEN  that  the  Annual  Meeting  of  Stockholders  of SWVA
Bancshares,  Inc., (the "Company") will be held at the Holiday Inn - Tanglewood,
4468 Starkey Road, Roanoke, Virginia on Wednesday,  October 13, 1999, 10:30 a.m.
A proxy and a proxy statement for the meeting are enclosed.

The meeting is being held for the following purposes:

1.       The election of four directors;
2.       The  ratification of the appointment of Cherry Bekaert & Holland L.L.P.
         as independent  auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending June
         30, 2000;
3.       The  consideration  of a  stockholder's  proposal to recommend that the
         Board of Directors  appoint a special  committee  concerning  offers to
         acquire the Company; and
4.       The  transaction  of such other matters as may properly come before the
         meeting or any adjournments thereof.

         The  Board of  Directors  is not aware of any  other  business  to come
before the meeting.  Any action may be taken on the  foregoing  proposals at the
meeting  on the date  specified  above or on any  date or  dates  to  which,  by
original or later  adjournment,  the meeting may be adjourned.  Stockholders  of
record at the  close of  business  on  September  3,  1999 are the  stockholders
entitled to vote at the meeting and any adjournments thereof.

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

                                      BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                      /s/Barbara C. Weddle
                                      ----------------------------------
                                      Barbara C. Weddle
                                      Secretary

Roanoke, Virginia
September 14, 1999

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

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                                       OF
                              SWVA BANCSHARES, INC.
                             302 SECOND STREET, S.W.
                          ROANOKE, VIRGINIA 24011-1597
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                October 13, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     General
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         This proxy statement is furnished in connection  with the  solicitation
of proxies by the Board of Directors of SWVA Bancshares, Inc. (the "Company") to
be used at the annual meeting of  stockholders of the Company which will be held
at the  Holiday  Inn - Tanglewood,  4468  Starkey  Road,  Roanoke,  Virginia  on
Wednesday,  October 13, 1999, 10:30 a.m., local time. The accompanying Notice of
Meeting and this proxy  statement are being first mailed to  stockholders  on or
about  September  14,  1999.  The Company is the sole  shareholder  of Southwest
Virginia Savings Bank, FSB (the "Bank").

         At the  meeting,  stockholders  will  consider  and  vote  upon (i) the
election of four directors, (ii) the ratification of the appointment of auditors
for the  fiscal  year  ending  June 30,  2000 and (iii) the  consideration  of a
stockholder's  proposal  to  recommend  that the  Board of  Directors  appoint a
special  committee.  The Board of  Directors  of the Company (the "Board" or the
"Board of Directors") knows of no additional  matters that will be presented for
consideration  at the  meeting.  Execution of a proxy,  however,  confers on the
designated  proxy  holder  the  discretionary   authority  to  vote  the  shares
represented  by such proxy in accordance  with their best judgment on such other
business,  if any,  of which the  Company was not aware of on or before July 31,
1999,  that may  properly  come  before the  meeting or any  adjournment  of the
meeting.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Voting and Revocability of Proxies
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Stockholders who execute proxies retain the right to revoke them at any
time.  Unless  revoked,  the shares  represented by proxies will be voted at the
meeting and all  adjournments of the meeting.  Proxies may be revoked by written
notice to the  Secretary of the Company at the address above or by the filing of
a later dated proxy prior to a vote being taken on a particular  proposal at the
meeting.  A proxy will not be voted if a  stockholder  attends  the  meeting and
votes in person.  Proxies  solicited by the Board of Directors  will be voted in
accordance  with  the  directions  given  therein.  Where  no  instructions  are
indicated,  signed proxies will be voted "FOR" the nominees for directors, "FOR"
the ratification of auditors and "AGAINST" the stockholder proposal.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Stockholders of record as of the close of business on September  3,1999
(the "Record Date"),  are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock of
the Company then held. As of the Record Date,  the Company had 423,612 shares of
common stock issued and outstanding.

<PAGE>


         The   Articles  of   Incorporation   of  the  Company   ("Articles   of
Incorporation")  provide  that  in no  event  shall  any  record  owner  of  any
outstanding common stock which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by
a person who beneficially  owns in excess of 10% of the then outstanding  shares
of common stock (the  "Limit") be entitled or permitted to any vote with respect
to the shares held in excess of the Limit.  Beneficial  ownership is  determined
pursuant to the definition in the Articles of Incorporation  and includes shares
beneficially  owned by such person or any of his or her affiliates or associates
(as such terms are defined in the Articles of Incorporation),  shares which such
person or his or her affiliates or associates have the right to acquire upon the
exercise of conversion  rights or options and shares as to which such person and
his or her  affiliates or associates  have or share  investment or voting power,
but shall not include shares  beneficially owned by any employee stock ownership
plan or similar plan of the Company or any subsidiary.

         The  presence  in  person  or by proxy of at  least a  majority  of the
outstanding  shares of common stock  entitled to vote (any shares held in excess
of the  Limit  shall  not be  considered  entitled  to  vote)  is  necessary  to
constitute a quorum at the meeting.  Any shares for which a broker  indicates on
the proxy that it does not have discretionary  authority to vote on such matter,
are considered  "Broker Non- Votes." In the event there are not sufficient votes
for a quorum or to ratify any proposals at the time of the meeting,  the meeting
may be adjourned in order to permit the further solicitation of proxies.

         As to the election of directors,  the proxy being provided by the Board
enables a stockholder  to vote for the election of the nominees  proposed by the
Board,  or to withhold  authority to vote for one or more of the nominees  being
proposed. Directors are to be elected by a plurality of votes cast by the shares
entitled to vote in the election at a meeting of  stockholders at which a quorum
is present.

         As to the ratification of auditors and consideration of the stockholder
proposal, by checking the appropriate box, a stockholder may: vote (i) "FOR" the
item,  (ii) vote  "AGAINST"  the item,  or (iii) vote to "ABSTAIN" on such item.
These two matters and, unless  otherwise  required by law, all other matters are
determined  by a majority  of votes cast  affirmatively  or  negatively  without
regard  to  (a)  broker  non-votes  (shares  that  brokers  cannot  vote  absent
instruction  from the beneficial  owner) or (b) proxies  marked  "ABSTAIN" as to
that matter.

         Persons  and  groups  owning in excess  of 5% of the  common  stock are
required  to file  certain  reports  regarding  such  ownership  pursuant to the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended (the "1934  Act").  The  following
table sets forth, as of the Record Date,  persons or groups who own more than 5%
of the common stock and the ownership of all executive officers and directors of
the Company as a group. Other than as noted below, management knows of no person
or group that owns more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock at the
Record Date.

                                       -2-

<PAGE>

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

Southwest Virginia Savings Bank, FSB          44,743                 10.6%
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
302 Second Street, S.W.
Roanoke, Virginia  24011-1597

B. L. Rakes                                   37,634(1)               8.4%
302 Second Street, S.W.
Roanoke, Virginia  24011-1597

All Directors and Executive Officers         105,645(2)(3)(4)         22.3%
  as a Group (9 persons)

- ------------------------
(1)      Includes  22,856 shares of common stock that the individual has a right
         to  acquire  pursuant  to  exercisable   options,  and  815  shares  of
         restricted  common  stock  that will vest  within 60 days of the Record
         Date.
(2)      Includes  shares of common stock held directly as well as by spouses or
         minor  children,  in trust and other  indirect  ownership,  over  which
         shares the individuals  effectively exercise sole voting and investment
         power,  unless  otherwise  indicated.  Includes 49,705 shares of common
         stock that  executive  officers and  directors  have a right to acquire
         pursuant  to the  exercise  of  options  within 60 days from the Record
         Date. Includes 8,843 shares of common stock allocated under the ESOP to
         executive officers or directors,  over which such individuals  exercise
         shared voting and investment power.
(3)      Excludes  22,824  unallocated  shares of common  stock  held  under the
         Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plan ("ESOP") for which  certain  directors
         serve as members of the administrative  committee ("ESOP Committee") or
         as trustees for the ESOP ("ESOP Trustees").  Such individuals  disclaim
         beneficial  ownership  with  respect to such shares held in a fiduciary
         capacity.  The ESOP purchased such shares for the exclusive  benefit of
         ESOP  participants  with funds borrowed from the Company.  These shares
         are  held  in  a  suspense   account  and  are  allocated   among  ESOP
         participants  annually on the basis of compensation as the ESOP debt is
         repaid. Messrs. B. L. Rakes, F.C. Hoge, and Michael M. Kessler serve on
         the ESOP Committee and Michael M. Kessler,  James H. Brock, and Glen C.
         Combs  serve as the ESOP  Trustees.  The ESOP  Committee  or the  Board
         instructs the ESOP Trustees  regarding  investment of ESOP plan assets.
         The  ESOP  Trustees  must  vote all  shares  allocated  to  participant
         accounts under the ESOP as directed by ESOP  participants.  Unallocated
         shares and shares for which no timely voting direction is received will
         be voted by the ESOP Trustees as directed by the ESOP Committee.
(4)      Excludes  14,895 shares of common stock held by the Southwest  Virginia
         Savings Bank, FSB Management Stock Bonus Plan ("Management  Stock Bonus
         Plan") as of the close of business on the Record Date.  Directors Hoge,
         Brock,  Combs,  and  Kessler  collectively  serve  as  trustees  to the
         Management  Stock  Bonus Plan'  trust,  and such  individuals  disclaim
         beneficial  ownership  with  respect to such shares held in a fiduciary
         capacity.


                                       -3-

<PAGE>

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

         The common stock is  registered  pursuant to Section  12(g) of the 1934
Act. The officers and directors of the Company and beneficial  owners of greater
than 10% of the common  stock ("10%  beneficial  owners")  are  required to file
reports  on  Forms 3, 4, and 5 with the SEC  disclosing  changes  in  beneficial
ownership of the common stock.  Based on the Company's  review of such ownership
reports,  other than as set forth below, to the best of the Company's knowledge,
no officer, director, or 10% beneficial owner of the Company failed to file such
ownership  reports on a timely  basis for the fiscal  year ended June 30,  1999.
Each of Director Weddle and officers Staples and Munden filed a Form 5 to report
the award,  during fiscal year 1999, of shares  through the ESOP.  These Forms 5
were filed 11 days late.

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

         The  Articles of  Incorporation  require that the Board of Directors be
divided into three classes,  each of which contains  approximately  one-third of
the members of the Board.  The directors are elected by the  stockholders of the
Company for staggered  three-year  terms, or until their  successors are elected
and  qualified.  One class,  consisting  of James H. Brock,  Glen C. Combs,  and
Michael M.  Kessler,  has a term of office  expiring  at the  meeting.  A second
class,  consisting  of B. L.  Rakes  and  D.W.  Shilling,  has a term of  office
expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2000. A third class
of directors,  consisting of F. Courtney Hoge and Barbara C. Weddle,  has a term
of office expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2001. The
Board of Directors consists of seven members. Three directors will be elected at
the meeting to serve for three-year terms and one director will be elected for a
one year term.

         James Brock,  Glen Combs,  Michael Kessler and D.W.  Shilling have been
nominated by the Board of Directors to serve as directors.  Messrs. Brock, Combs
and  Kessler  are  currently  members of the Board and have been  nominated  for
three-year  terms to expire in 2002.  Mr.  Shilling has been nominated for a one
year  term.  Mr.  Shilling  was  appointed  to fill the  vacancy  created by the
election  of Mr.  John Hart to Director  Emeritus  in 1999 and,  therefore,  Mr.
Shilling must stand for election at the meeting. It is intended that the persons
named in the proxies  solicited  by the Board will vote for the  election of the
named nominees.  If a nominee is unable to serve, the shares  represented by all
valid proxies will be voted for the election of such  substitute as the Board of
Directors may recommend or the size of the Board may be reduced to eliminate the
vacancy.  At this  time,  the Board  knows of no reason  why a nominee  might be
unavailable to serve.

         The  following   table  sets  forth  the  nominees  and  the  directors
continuing in office,  their name, age, the year they first became a director of
the  Company  or the  Bank,  the  expiration  date of  their  current  term as a
director,  and  the  number  and  percentage  of  shares  of  the  common  stock
beneficially  owned.  Each director of the Company is also a member of the Board
of Directors of the Bank.


                                       -4-

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Shares of
                                              Year First          Current      Common Stock
                                              Elected or          Term to      Beneficially       Percent
         Name                  Age(1)        Appointed (2)        Expire         Owned (3)        of Class
         ----                  ------        -------------        -------      ------------       --------
                        BOARD NOMINEES FOR TERM TO EXPIRE IN 2002
<S>                          <C>             <C>                <C>           <C>                <C>
James H. Brock                 57              1985               1999          8,247(4)(5)(6)       1.9%
Glen C. Combs                  52              1987               1999         14,215(4)(5)(6)       3.3%
Michael M. Kessler             47              1987               1999          8,917(4)(5)(6)       2.1%
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                        BOARD NOMINEE FOR TERM TO EXPIRE IN 2000
<S>                          <C>             <C>                <C>           <C>                <C>
D.W. Shilling                  53              1999               1999          3,315                0.8%
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
<S>                          <C>             <C>                <C>           <C>                <C>
B. L. Rakes                    66              1977               2000         37,634(7)             8.4%
F. Courtney Hoge               58              1979               2001          7,715(4)(5)          1.8%
Barbara C. Weddle              62              1987               2001         12,959(8)             3.0%
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
(1)      At June 30, 1999.
(2)      Refers  to the year the  individual  first  became  a  director  of the
         Company or the Bank.  All directors of the Bank during June 1994 became
         directors of the Company when it was incorporated in June 1994.
(3)      Beneficial ownership as of the Record Date.
(4)      Includes  3,727 shares of common stock that the  individual has a right
         to  acquire  pursuant  to  exercisable   options,  and  163  shares  of
         restricted  common  stock  that will vest  within 60 days of the Record
         Date.
(5)      Excludes  14,895  shares of common stock held by the  Management  Stock
         Bonus Plan's trust,  to which the  individual  serves as trustee.  Such
         individual  disclaims  beneficial ownership with respect to such shares
         held in a fiduciary capacity.
(6)      Excludes 22,824  unallocated shares of Common Stock held under the ESOP
         for which certain  directors  serve as members of the ESOP Committee or
         as ESOP Trustees.  Such individual  disclaims beneficial ownership with
         respect to such shares held in a fiduciary capacity. The ESOP purchased
         shares  for the  exclusive  benefit  of ESOP  participants  with  funds
         borrowed from the Company.  These shares are held in a suspense account
         and are  allocated  among ESOP  participants  annually  on the basis of
         compensation  as the ESOP  debt is  repaid.  Messrs.  B. L.  Rakes  and
         Michael M. Kessler serve on the ESOP  Committee and Michael M. Kessler,
         James H. Brock, and Glen C. Combs serve as the ESOP Trustees.  The ESOP
         Committee or the Board instructs the ESOP Trustees regarding investment
         of ESOP plan assets.  The ESOP Trustees must vote all shares  allocated
         to   participant   accounts   under  the  ESOP  as   directed  by  ESOP
         participants.  Unallocated shares and shares for which no timely voting
         direction is received will be voted by the ESOP Trustees as directed by
         the ESOP Committee.
(7)      Includes  22,856 shares of common stock that the individual has a right
         to  acquire  pursuant  to  exercisable   options,  and  815  shares  of
         restricted  common  stock  that will vest  within 60 days of the Record
         Date.
(8)      Includes  7,379 shares of common stock that the  individual has a right
         to acquire pursuant to exercisable options and 423 shares of restricted
         common stock that will vest within 60 days of the Record Date.

                                       -5-

<PAGE>

         The following table sets forth the non-director  executive  officers of
the Company and the Bank, their name, age, the year they first became an officer
of the Company or the Bank,  and their current  position with the Company or the
Bank.

                                    Year First
                                   Appointed as
Name of Individual   Age (1)        Officer(2)               Position (3)
- ------------------   -------        ----------               ------------

Wayne F. Munden        55              1985             Senior Vice President/
                                                        Director of Lending

Mary G. Staples        45              1990             Treasurer/Controller

- ------------------------
(1)      As of June 30, 1999.
(2)      Refers to the year the individual first became an officer of the Bank.
(3)      Mr. Munden  serves as an executive  officer of the Bank. In addition to
         serving as  Treasurer/Controller  of the Company, Ms. Staples serves as
         Vice President of Operations and as Treasurer/Controller of the Bank.

Biographical Information

         Set forth below is certain  information  with respect to the  executive
officers and  directors of the Company and executive  officers of the Bank.  All
directors  have held their  present  positions  for five years unless  otherwise
stated.

         James H. Brock is currently President of Rusco Window Company, Roanoke,
Virginia,  a manufacturer and distributor of home improvement products which has
employed Mr. Brock since 1970.  He is a member and past  President of the Rotary
Club of Roanoke,  past  President of the Better  Business  Bureau,  and a former
member  of the  board  of  directors  of the  Credit  Marketing  and  Management
Association.

         Glen C.  Combs is Vice  President  of Acosta  Sales,  a food  brokerage
company.  Mr.  Combs is a former  member of the Rotary  Club of Roanoke  and the
Roanoke Food Brokers  Association and a past Board member of Inter-City Athletic
Association.

         Michael M.  Kessler  has been the  President  and sole  stockholder  of
Kessler Associates,  Ltd., a photo processing company,  since 1983. He is also a
member and past  President of the Rotary Club of Roanoke,  past President of the
Virginia Professional  Photographers  Association, a past member of the Board of
Governors  of the  Southeastern  Professional  Photographers  Association,  past
chairman of the Specialist  Group of the  Professional  Photographers of America
and a past Board Member of the Better Business Bureau.

         D. W. Shilling  joined the Bank in April 1998,  filling the position of
Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer.  Between January 1995 and
April 1998,  Mr.  Shilling was a Senior Vice  President and Area Manager for the
Roanoke,  Virginia area of a Virginia-based commercial bank. Prior to that time,
Mr.  Shilling was a Senior Vice  President and Area Manager for the same bank in
the  southwestern  part of Virginia.  Mr.  Shilling  became  President and Chief
Executive  Officer of the Bank and  President  of the Company in March 1999.  In
June 1999, Mr. Shilling became Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

                                       -6-

<PAGE>


         B.L. Rakes  became  Chairman  of the Boards of the Company and the Bank
in March 1999. At that time he resigned as President and Chief Financial Officer
of the Company and  resigned as  President,  Chief  Executive  Officer and Chief
Financial  Officer of the Bank.  He resigned as Chief  Executive  Officer of the
Company and retired  from the Bank at the end of June 1999.  Mr.  Rakes had been
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank since
1977 and of the Company since 1994 and has been employed by the Bank since 1959.
He served as Vice  President and Treasurer  from 1973 to 1977,  and as Secretary
from 1974 to 1977.  He is a member  and past  President  of the  Rotary  Club of
Roanoke. Mr. Rakes serves as a consultant to the Bank.

         F. Courtney  Hoge has been an insurance  sales  representative  for New
York Life Insurance Company, Roanoke, Virginia since 1965. He is President and a
member of the board of the Life  Line  Foundation  of the  Rescue  Mission,  and
serves on the Personnel  Committee of the Presbyterian  Community  Center. He is
past President of the E. Price Ripley Memorial Foundation, past President of the
Roanoke  Association of Life Underwriters,  past President of the Roanoke Valley
Estate  Planning  Council,  and past  President  of the Rotary Club of Roanoke -
Downtown.

         Barbara C.  Weddle has been  Senior  Vice  President  of the Bank since
1985,  in which  capacity she oversees the  savings,  accounting  and  personnel
departments.  She has served as Secretary  of the Bank since 1977.  She has been
employed  by the Bank  since  1965 in  various  capacities  and served as a Vice
President from 1977 until 1985.

         Wayne F.  Munden has been a Senior Vice  President  since 1985 in which
capacity he is Director of Lending.  He has been employed by the Bank since 1968
and  served as Vice  President  from 1977 to 1985.  He is a member of the Rotary
Club of Roanoke.

         Mary G.  Staples has been Vice  President  of  Operations  for the Bank
since 1997.  She has served as  Controller/Treasurer  since  1990.  She has been
employed by the Bank since 1972 in various capacities.

Stockholder Nominations of Directors

         Pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation,  nominations by stockholders
must be made  pursuant to timely  notice in writing as set forth in the Articles
of Incorporation. A stockholder's notice must be received by the Chairman of the
Nominating Committee of the Board or the Secretary of the Company, not less than
14 days nor more than 60 days prior to any  meeting of the  stockholders  called
for the election of  directors;  provided,  however,  that if fewer than 21 days
notice of the meeting is given to  stockholders,  such  written  notice shall be
received  not later than the close of the tenth day  following  the day on which
notice of the meeting was mailed to stockholders.

         The stockholder's  notice must contain certain  information as required
by and set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.  In addition, the stockholder
making such nomination shall promptly provide any other  information  reasonably
requested by the Company.  The nomination made by a stockholder may be made only
at a meeting of the  stockholders  of the  Company  called for the  election  of
directors at which such  stockholder  is present in person or by proxy,  and can
only be made by a  stockholder  who has  theretofore  complied  with the  notice
provisions set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.

                                       -7-

<PAGE>

Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors

         The Company's Board of Directors conducts its business through meetings
of the Board.  The Board of  Directors  of the Company  did not have  committees
during the fiscal year ended June 30,  1999,  but the  committees  of the Bank's
Board of Directors acted as committees for both the Company and the Bank. During
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999,  the Board of Directors of the Company held
11 regular  meetings.  No director of the Company attended fewer than 75% of the
total  meetings of the Board of Directors of the Company and committees on which
such director served during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999.

         During the 1999 fiscal year, Directors Brock, Combs, Kessler, and Rakes
acted as the Company's nominating committee ("Nominating Committee"), which is a
non-standing  committee,  for selecting the management  nominees for election of
directors in accordance with the Company's  Bylaws.  In its  deliberations,  the
Nominating Committee considers the candidate's knowledge of the banking business
and involvement in community,  business,  and civic affairs.  While the Board of
Directors  will  consider  nominees  recommended  by  stockholders,  it has  not
actively solicited  recommendations from the Company's stockholders for nominees
nor,  subject  to the  procedural  requirements  set  forth in the  Articles  of
Incorporation and Bylaws, established any procedures for this purpose. The Board
of Directors  of the Company met twice as the  Nominating  Committee  during the
1999 fiscal year.

         The Audit Committee,  a standing  committee,  is comprised of Directors
Hoge (Chairman), Brock, Combs, and Kessler. The Audit Committee annually selects
the  independent  auditors and meets with the  accountants to discuss and review
the annual  audit.  The Audit  Committee  is further  responsible  for  internal
controls for financial reporting. The Audit Committee met once during the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1999.

         The Executive  Committee,  a standing committee,  consists of Directors
Rakes  (Chairman),  Combs,  and Hoge. The Executive  Committee meets on call. It
offers guidance to the Bank's and the Company's management.  When necessary,  it
performs  functions of the full Board during the intervals  between  meetings of
the Board of Directors.  The Company's  Executive  Committee did not meet during
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999. However, the Bank's Executive Committee met
once during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999.  The Executive  Committee  also
acts as the Personnel Committee.

         The full Board of Directors acts as a standing compensation  committee,
however,  at times the  Personnel  Committee is directed to act on  compensation
matters, and any action taken by the Personnel Committee must be approved by the
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors did not meet in fiscal 1999 to review
and approve salary adjustments for the Company's senior management. However, the
Bank's  Board  of  Directors  met  three  times  during  fiscal  1999  to act on
compensation matters.

         The  Retirement   Committee  consists  of  Directors  Hoge  (Chairman),
Kessler,  and Weddle. The Retirement Committee meets on call to review and study
the Bank's retirement plans. The Retirement Committee met once during the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1999.


                                       -8-

<PAGE>


Directors' Compensation

         The  Company  pays  Board of  Director  fees of $3,600 per year to each
member  of its  Board of  Directors.  The  Company  paid a total of  $25,800  in
directors fees during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999.

         The Bank  also  pays  Board of  Director  fees.  Former  Chairman  Hart
received $400 monthly and $450 per meeting  attended and all other directors are
paid $450 per meeting  attended.  Directors  Rakes,  Shilling and Weddle did not
receive fees for attendance of meetings of the Board of Directors of the Bank or
any of its committees  during the 1999 fiscal year. Each  non-employee  director
attending a meeting of the Executive Committee,  Retirement  Committee,  or Loan
Committee of the Bank receives a fee of $100 per meeting attended. The Bank paid
a total of  $33,050  in board  and  committee  fees to  members  of the Board of
Directors during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999.

         Stock  Awards.  On October 25, 1995,  the  stockholders  of the Company
approved the SWVA  Bancshares,  Inc.  1994 Stock Option Plan ("1994 Stock Option
Plan") and the Southwest  Virginia Savings Bank, FSB Management Stock Bonus Plan
("Management Stock Bonus Plan").  Directors Hoge, Brock, Combs, and Kessler each
received  (as of the date of  stockholder  approval)  options to purchase  2,852
shares of common  stock  under the 1994 Stock  Option  Plan and 1,141  shares of
restricted  stock under the Management  Stock Bonus Plan. The options granted to
these  directors are  exercisable  at a rate of 20% annually.  Restricted  stock
granted to the above named directors vest at a rate of 14.28% annually. In March
1998,  each  Director of the Company was awarded  exercisable  stock  options to
purchase 1,446 shares of common stock.

Executive Compensation

         Summary Compensation Table. The following table sets forth the cash and
non-cash compensation awarded to or earned by the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company.  Mr. Rakes  resigned as Chief  Executive  Officer of the Company during
June 1999,  at which time Mr.  Shilling  became Chief  Executive  Officer of the
Company.  No other  executive  officers  of the  Company  had a salary and bonus
during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999 that  exceeded  $100,000 for services
rendered in all capacities to the Company.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    Long Term Compensation
                                            Annual Compensation                              Awards
                                   ---------------------------------------      -------------------------------
                                                                                                    Securities
                                                                                 Restricted         Underlying
Name and                           Fiscal                 Other Annual            Stock              Options/           All Other
Principal Position      Year       Salary        Bonus     Compensation(1)      Awards($)(2)          SARs(#)         Compensation
- ------------------      ----       ------        -----     ---------------      ------------        -----------       ------------
<S>                   <C>       <C>            <C>            <C>                   <C>            <C>                <C>
B. L. Rakes             1999      $100,995       $  --          $3,850                 --            10,000             $24,165(3)
Chief Executive         1998      $100,995       $  --          $3,750                 --             1,446             $27,567(4)
Officer                 1997      $ 97,245       $  --          $3,800                 --               --              $24,050(5)

D.W. Shilling           1999      $ 95,000       $  --          $1,300                 --               --              $10,000(6)
Chief Executive
Officer
</TABLE>

- ------------------------
(footnotes begin on the next page)


                                       -9-

<PAGE>


(continued from prior page)

(1)      Consists  of board of  director  fees from the  Company  and  Southwest
         Virginia  Service  Corp.  Does not include  the value of certain  other
         benefits, such as automobile allowances, which do not exceed 10% of the
         total salary and bonus of the individual.
(2)      As of the end of the 1999 fiscal  year,  Mr.  Rakes had 3,261 shares of
         restricted  stock in the  aggregate  which had a total value of $42,393
         (calculated by multiplying the aggregate  number of restricted stock by
         the common stock's  closing market price as of the last day of the 1999
         fiscal year). Dividends are paid on the restricted stock awarded.
(3)      Includes 613 shares of common stock allocated, in the 1999 fiscal year,
         under the ESOP with a market  value of as of June 30,  1999,  of $13.00
         per share,  for a total value of $7,969.  Includes  accruals  under the
         Bank's Supplemental  Executive  Retirement Plan of $16,196 for the 1999
         fiscal year.
(4)      Includes 608 shares of common stock allocated, in the 1998 fiscal year,
         under the ESOP with a market value as of June 30, 1998,  of $20.375 per
         share, for a total value of $12,388. Includes accruals under the Bank's
         Supplemental  Executive  Retirement Plan of $15,179 for the 1998 fiscal
         year.
(5)      Includes 614 shares of common stock allocated, in the 1997 fiscal year,
         under the ESOP with a market value as of June 30,  1997,  of $16.00 per
         share,  for a total value of $9,824,  and includes  accruals  under the
         Bank's Supplemental  Executive  Retirement Plan of $14,226 for the 1997
         fiscal year.
(6)      Consists of funds provided with the specific  requirement  that they be
         used by the  officer  to obtain an equity  interest  in the  Company by
         purchasing shares of Company common stock.

Employment Agreement

         The  Bank  maintains  an  employment  agreement  with D.  W.  Shilling,
President and Chief Executive  Officer of the Bank. The employment  agreement is
for a term of three  years at his then  current  salary  level.  The  employment
agreement  may be  terminable  by the Bank for "just  cause" as  defined  in the
employment agreement. If the Bank terminates Mr. Shilling without just cause, he
will be entitled to a  continuation  of his salary from the date of  termination
through the remaining  term of the employment  agreement,  but in no event for a
period of less than 12 months.  The  employment  agreement  contains a provision
stating  that in the  event of his  involuntary  termination  of  employment  in
connection  with, or within two years after,  any change in control of the Bank,
Mr.  Shilling  will be paid in a lump sum an  amount  equal to 2.999  times  his
average  annual  compensation  for the prior five  years.  Following a change in
control,  a termination of employment as of June 30, 1999 would have resulted in
a lump sum payment of  approximately  $315,000 to Mr.  Shilling.  The employment
agreement may be renewed annually by the Board of Directors upon a determination
of satisfactory performance.

1994 Stock Option Plan

         Pursuant to the SWVA  Bancshares,  Inc.  1994 Stock  Option Plan ("1994
Stock Option  Plan"),  shares of common stock were  reserved for issuance by the
Company upon exercise of stock options granted to officers,  directors,  and key
employees of the Company (or any present or future  parent or  subsidiary of the
Company).


                                      -10-

<PAGE>

                      OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                               (Individual Grants)

                                    Percent of
                     Number of    Total Options/
                    Securities     SARs Granted
                    Underlying     to Employees    Exercise or
                   Options/SARs      in Fiscal     Base Price
   Name             Granted (#)        Year          ($/Sh)      Expiration Date
- ----------         ------------    ------------    -----------   ---------------

B. L. Rakes           10,000           100%           13.00       June 29, 2004



         AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FY-END
                                OPTION/SAR VALUES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Number of Securities
                                                                 Underlying Unexercised        Value of Unexercised
                                  Shares                              Options/SARs           in-the-Money Options/SARs
                                Acquired on        Value           at Fiscal Year-End           at Fiscal Year-End
                                 Exercise        Realized                  (#)                          ($)
            Name                    (#)             ($)         Exercisable/Unexercisable    Exercisable/Unexercisable
- ----------------------------- ---------------  -------------  ---------------------------- ---------------------------

<S>                               <C>          <C>                    <C>                        <C>
         B. L. Rakes                 0            $0                     20,004 / 5,706            N/A / N/A(1)

</TABLE>

- ------------------------
(1)      Based upon an exercise  price of $16.69 per share for 8,558 shares,  an
         exercise price of $13.00 per share for 10,000  shares,  and an exercise
         price of $21.00 per share for 1,446  shares  versus a closing  price of
         $13.00 at June 30, 1999.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Except as noted below, no directors,  executive officers,  or immediate
family members of such individuals were engaged in transactions with the Bank or
any subsidiary involving more than $60,000 during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1999. Furthermore,  the Bank had no "interlocking"  relationships existing on or
after June 30, 1999 in which (i) any executive  officer is a member of the Board
of  Directors/Trustees  of another entity,  one of whose executive officers is a
member of the Bank's Board of Directors,  or where (ii) any executive officer is
a member of the compensation committee of another entity, one of whose executive
officers is a member of the Bank's Board of Directors.

         Set forth below is certain information as of June 30, 1999, relating to
mortgage and other loans given to executive  officers  and  directors  and their
immediate  family who had aggregate  outstanding  loan balances with the Bank of
$60,000 or greater.

         The Bank,  like many financial  institutions,  has followed a policy of
granting  various types of loans to officers,  directors,  and  employees.  Such
loans have been made in the ordinary course of business and on substantially the
same terms, including interest rates and collateral as those prevailing

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

at the time for comparable transactions with the Bank's other customers,  and do
not involve  more than the normal  risk of  collectability,  nor  present  other
unfavorable  features.  However, as part of the Bank's compensation program, the
Bank  makes   adjustable-rate  first  mortgage  loans  to  full-time  employees,
officers,  directors  and  related  parties at 1% above the bank's cost of funds
while adjustable-rate  second mortgages and cash out refinances are made at 1.5%
above the Bank's cost of funds. Such rates are only effective while such persons
are employees,  officers,  directors (including loans to related parties of such
individuals)  of the Bank and  continue to occupy the real estate  securing  the
loans as their primary residence.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                 Highest Unpaid
                                                                                                    Balance
                                                                                                   Outstanding
                                                                                                   During Last          Unpaid
                                                   Original      Interest       Prevailing Rate    Two Fiscal         Balance As
Name of Officer                        Date          Loan          Rate          at Time Loan      Years Ended       Of June 30,
or Director          Type of Loan   Originated      Amount       Charged           was Made       June 30, 1999          1999
- ---------------      ------------   ----------     --------      --------           --------     ---------------     -----------
<S>                <C>              <C>            <C>          <C>              <C>            <C>                 <C>
Wayne F. Munden      Home Mortgage    05/30/97       $200,000    5.75%(1)           5.50%          $199,781           $193,557

</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1)      The interest  rate of 5.75% on the home  mortgage loan is an adjustable
         rate mortgage plan. The loan was modified at the time the loan was made
         to 1% above the cost of Bank's  funds  rounded to the next  one-quarter
         percent.  The  rate  on  this  loan  adjusts  annually.  The  loan  was
         originated with a 5.5% interest rate.

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

         Cherry  Bekaert & Holland L.L.P.  served as the Company's  auditors for
the fiscal year ended June 30,  1999.  The Board of  Directors  has approved the
selection of Cherry Bekaert & Holland L.L.P. as its auditors for the fiscal year
ended June 30, 2000,  subject to ratification by the Company's  stockholders.  A
representative  of Cherry Bekaert & Holland L.L.P.  is expected to be present at
the meeting to respond to stockholders'  questions and will have the opportunity
to make a statement if he or she so desires.

         The Board of  Directors  recommends  that  stockholders  vote "FOR" the
ratification  of the  appointment  of Cherry  Bekaert &  Holland  L.L.P.  as the
Company's auditors for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       PROPOSAL III -- STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL CONCERNING A SPECIAL COMMITTEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Mr. Earl C. Faggert, 376 St. Alban Court, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
27104, is the owner of 16,837 shares of common stock.  Mr. Faggert has submitted
the following proposal and the accompanying statement.

         "RESOLVED,  that the shareholders recommend that the Board of Directors
of SWVA  Bancshares,  Inc. (the  "Company")  appoint a special  committee of the
Board of  Directors  to  solicit,  review and  negotiate  offers to acquire  the
Company  on  terms  that are fair  and in the  best  interest  of the  Company's
shareholders;  if the committee  determines an offer is financially  fair to the
Company's

                                      -12-

<PAGE>


shareholders  and would receive  required  regulatory  approvals,  the committee
shall recommend to the Board that it consider and act on the offer in accordance
with applicable law."

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSAL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         Proponent  believes that shareholders  should review carefully the SWVA
Bancshares, Inc., Third 1999 Quarter News Release, issued by the Company May 12,
1999.  Proponent further believes that the following  information,  contained in
the News Release, should be of special concern to shareholders:

         o        At  March  31,  1998,   the  return  on  average   assets  was
                  approximately .45% and return on average equity was below 5% -
                  both  return on  average  assets  and  return  on equity  were
                  significantly below the Southeast Peer Group.

         o        Net  interest  income  decreased  by  $57,000  or  8.51%  from
                  $670,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1998 to $613,000
                  for the three months  ended March 31,  1999.  The decrease was
                  mainly due to a reduction in mortgage loans and an increase in
                  borrowed funds offset by a reduction in deposits.

         o        Net income decreased $89,000 or 58.17%,  from $153,000 for the
                  three  months  ended  March 31,  1998 to $64,000 for the three
                  months  ended March 31,  1999.  The decrease was mainly due to
                  higher  expenses for  Personnel,  Data  Processing,  Increased
                  Interest or  Borrowings  and a decrease in Interest  Income on
                  mortgage loans offset by decrease interest Paid on Deposits.

         o        Total  assets   decreased  by  4.33%,   net  loans  receivable
                  decreased by 5.99% and deposit decreased by 6.53% for the nine
                  month period ending March 31, 1999.

SWVA Bancshares,  Inc. has been a public company for over four years.  Proponent
believes  that in that four year  period,  SWVA  Bancshares,  Inc.,  should have
attained  significantly  higher  returns on assets and  equity.  Proponent  also
believes SWVA  Bancshares,  Inc.  should have attained a greater  penetration of
market  share in the  Roanoke  Market.  Recent  declines  in  assets,  net loans
receivable and deposits are indicatives of a declining market share.

         As more financial institution mergers and acquisitions occur, Proponent
believes that the time to actively  explore the possibility of an acquisition of
SWVA  Bancshares,  Inc.,  is now.  Proponent  believes  that the  creation  of a
committee  of directors to carry out this effort is the best method of enhancing
and maximizing shareholder value and serving the interests of shareholders.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (VOTE AGAINST PROPOSAL III)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

         The Board of Directors  recommends that the  stockholders  vote against
Proposal  III.  The Board of Directors  believes  that the creation of a special
committee  for the  purpose of  soliciting  offers to acquire the Company is not
needed.  If the shareholders  direct the Company to form a special  committee to
solicit offers,  it will likely attract parties  interested in bargains and will
not be in the best interest of the

                                      -13-

<PAGE>


Company nor the  stockholders  and  employees.  The Board feels that if an offer
were received,  that it could review and, if appropriate,  negotiate by means of
its current resources.

         Each  director  owns a  substantial  amount  of  Common  Stock and each
director naturally wants to maximize the value of the Common Stock they own. The
Board is aware that there have been  acquisitions  of financial  institutions in
southwest Virginia and that certain stockholders hope the Company will be next.

         While some  stockholders may be interested only in short-term  profits,
the Board considers the interests of all  stockholders.  The Board believes that
the  Company can  remain an independent  community-based institution and provide
long-term value to stockholders. Since the Bank converted from a mutual to stock
form,  each share of Common Stock from the initial  offering has earned $2.45 in
dividends which is 24.5% of the original price of the Common Stock.  During this
past fiscal year, the Company paid $0.40 in dividends.

         Mergers and acquisitions of other local  institutions have provided the
Company with opportunities for growth and the Company is repositioning itself in
an effort to be a more active participant in the financial marketplace. In April
1998, the Bank hired Mr. D.W. Shilling to assist in the restructure and in March
of this fiscal year,  Mr.  Shilling was elected  President  and Chief  Executive
Officer.  Mr.  Shilling  placed  priorities on  establishing  a commercial  loan
department, creating a retail sales culture and improving the Bank's delivery of
products  and  services.  A  commercial  lender with more than 25 years  banking
experience  was hired to establish  business  banking  with primary  emphasis on
building  a  portfolio  of strong  community  business  credits.  The  volume of
commercial  loans closed is  increasing  as is the pipeline of  prospective  new
business relationships.  Most of the loans closed have been real estate related,
however,  a full menu of commercial  products are available and a new package of
commercial  deposit  products  should be ready in the  upcoming  first  quarter.
Commercial  loans provide the Bank an increase in portfolio yield and commercial
deposits  provide  a  lower  cost  of  funding  than  the  traditional   savings
certificates.  Productivity and efficiency in the Bank's branches have increased
as a sales culture becomes  defined and refined.  The Banks retail staff is more
aggressive in seeking new business and this past year their efforts  resulted in
doubling  the Bank's  portfolio  of home equity lines of credit as well as doing
twice the business in new consumer  loans.  New ATMs at the Oak Grove and Vinton
offices  were  constructed  in June and  provide a much  needed  response to the
demand of a growing  segment  of  customers  that want 24 hour  banking  access.
Further,  a new package of personal account services should be introduced in the
first quarter of the next fiscal year which should assist the branch  efforts in
soliciting new accounts.

         Concentrated  efforts in the commercial and retail sectors will be even
more focused in fiscal 2000.  Increased  earnings are anticipated  since much of
the  restructure  expense was absorbed this past fiscal year. The Board is aware
that  stockholders  who  have  only  recently  purchased  Common  Stock  may  be
disappointed in the short-term performance of the Company,  however,  management
projected that the additional  staffing and increased  expenses would negatively
impact the Company's earnings for this fiscal year. Management fully anticipates
increased  earnings in the new fiscal year as these  changes take effect.  While
Bank  management  is  focusing  on  commercial  and  retail  banking,  it is not
neglecting residential mortgage lending which is the Bank's primary function.

         The  Bank  is a  community  oriented  financial  institution  that  has
developed  long-term  relationships with many of its customers.  Approval of the
proposal  may confuse the Bank's  current and future  customers as to the future
ownership and control of the Bank and adversely affect the Bank's ability to

                                      -14-

<PAGE>


conduct its business in a normal manner.  In addition,  approval of the proposal
may confuse and undermine employees'  confidence regarding their future with the
Company.  This confusion could adversely affect the Company's  effectiveness and
ability to perform its services.

         The  Company  has  repeatedly  advised  its  stockholders  that it is a
community  based  institution.  The  members  of the Board  live and work in the
market area of the Bank and believe  that they are able to evaluate the changes,
both good and bad, that result from merger  activity in  southwestern  Virginia.
The  Board  believes  that its  ongoing  evaluation  of its  market  is a better
strategy than creating a special  committee  whose purpose may satisfy the short
term  interest  of a few  stockholders  at  the  expense  of all  other  Company
stockholders.  The Board will work to continue to provide long-term value to all
stockholders.

         The  Board  of  Directors   recommends  a  vote  AGAINST  Proposal  III
concerning a special committee.  Unless a contrary choice is specified,  proxies
solicited by the Board of Directors will be voted AGAINST Proposal III.

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

         In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Company's  proxy materials
for next year's annual meeting of stockholders, any stockholder proposal to take
action at that meeting must be received at the  Company's  executive  offices at
302 Second Street,  S.W., Roanoke,  Virginia  24011-1597,  no later than May 17,
2000.

         If the Company  receives  notice  after July 31, 2000 of a  stockholder
proposal to take action at next year's annual meeting of  stockholders,  but the
proposal is not included in the Company's proxy material, then the persons named
in the  accompanying  proxy  sent by the  Company  will  exercise  discretionary
authority when voting on that matter. The Articles of Incorporation provide that
if notice of a stockholder proposal to take action at next year's annual meeting
is not received at the  Company's  main office by August 15, 2000,  the proposal
will not be eligible for presentation at that meeting.

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

         The Board of  Directors is not aware of any business to come before the
meeting  other  than those  matters  described  above in this  proxy  statement.
However,  if any other matters  should  properly come before the meeting,  it is
intended  that  proxies  will be voted in  accordance  with the  judgment of the
persons named in the proxy. If the Company did not have notice of a matter on or
before July 31, 1999, it is expected that the persons named in the  accompanying
proxy will exercise discretionary authority when voting on that matter.

         The  cost of  soliciting  proxies  will be borne  by the  Company.  The
Company  will  reimburse  brokerage  firms and other  custodians,  nominees  and
fiduciaries for reasonable  expenses incurred by them in sending proxy materials
to the beneficial  owners of common stock. In addition to solicitations by mail,
directors,  officers,  and regular  employees of the Company may solicit proxies
personally or by telegraph or telephone  without  additional  compensation.  The
Company has retained Kissel Blake Inc., New York,

                                      -15-

<PAGE>


New York to assist in the  solicitation  of proxies at a cost to the Company not
anticipated to exceed $3,000 plus reimbursement of certain incurred expenses.

         The Company's 1999 Annual Report to Stockholders,  including  financial
statements,  will be mailed to all persons who were stockholders of record as of
the close of business on September 3, 1999. Any stockholder who has not received
a copy of the 1999 Annual Report to Stockholders may obtain a copy by writing to
the Secretary of the Company.

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

A COPY OF THE  COMPANY'S  ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, 1999 WILL BE FURNISHED  WITHOUT CHARGE TO STOCKHOLDERS AS OF THE RECORD
DATE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY,  SWVA  BANCSHARES,  INC., 302 SECOND
STREET, S.W., ROANOKE, VIRGINIA 24011-1597.

                                             BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                             /s/Barbara C. Weddle
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Barbara C. Weddle
                                             Secretary

Roanoke, Virginia
September 14, 1999

                                      -16-

<PAGE>


                                                                   Form of Proxy

                              SWVA BANCSHARES, INC.
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                                October 13, 1999

         The  undersigned  hereby  appoints  the  board  of  directors  of  SWVA
Bancshares, Inc. ("Company"), or its designee, with full powers of substitution,
to act as  attorneys  and  proxies  for the  undersigned,  to vote all shares of
common  stock of the Company  which the  undersigned  is entitled to vote at the
1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held at the Holiday Inn - Tanglewood,
4468 Starkey Road,  Roanoke,  Virginia on October 13, 1999, at 10:30 a.m. and at
any and all adjournments thereof, in the following manner:

                                                       FOR            WITHHELD

1.   The election as director of all nominees            _               _
     listed below with terms expiring as shown:         |_|             |_|

     James H. Brock (2002)
     Glen C. Combs (2002)
     Michael D. Kessler (2002)
     D.W. Shilling (2000)

INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold your vote for any individual nominee or nominees, mark
the  'WITHHELD"  box and insert the  nominee's  name or their  names on the line
provided below.

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

          The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" Proposal 1.

                                                    FOR      AGAINST     ABSTAIN

2.   The ratification of the appointment
     of Cherry Bekaert & Holland L.L.P.
     as independent auditors of the Company          _          _           _
     for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000.      |_|        |_|         |_|

          The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" Proposal 2.

                                                    FOR      AGAINST     ABSTAIN


3.   The proposal of a stockholder to recommend
     that the Board of Directors appoint a special
     committee concerning offers to acquire the      _          _           _
     Company.                                       |_|        |_|         |_|

          The Board of Directors recommends a vote "AGAINST" Proposal 3.

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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE SPECIFIED, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR  PROPOSALS 1 AND 2 AND AGAINST  PROPOSAL 3. IF ANY OTHER
BUSINESS IS PRESENTED AT THE MEETING, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED BY THOSE NAMED IN
THIS PROXY IN THEIR BEST  JUDGMENT.  AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
KNOWS OF NO OTHER BUSINESS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE MEETING.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

          The  undersigned  acknowledges  receipt from the Company  prior to the
execution  of this  proxy of a Notice of Annual  Meeting of  Stockholders  and a
proxy statement dated September 14, 1999.



                                              _   Please check here if you
Dated:                      , 1999           |_|  plan to attend the meeting.
       --------------------


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


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


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


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


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission