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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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SCHEDULE 13E-4
ISSUER TENDER OFFER STATEMENT
(PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(e)(1) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934)
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY
--------------------------------
(Name of Issuer)
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY
--------------------------------
(Name of Person Filing Statement)
Common Stock, Par Value $0.10 per Share
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(Title of Class of Securities)
605785 10 4
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(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
Thomas J. Leiferman
President and Chief Executive Officer
Mississippi View Holding Company
35 East Broadway
Little Falls, Minnesota 56345-3093
(320) 632-5461
With Copies to:
Lloyd H. Spencer, Esq.
Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C.
One Franklin Square
1301 K Street, N.W.
Suite 700 East
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 434-4660
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(Name, Address and Telephone Number
of Persons Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications
on Behalf of Persons Filing Statement)
April 13, 1998
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(Date Tender Offer First Published, Sent or Given to Security Holders)
CALCULATION OF FILING FEE
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Transaction Valuation* Amount of
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$4,773,000 $954.60
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* For purposes of calculating fee only. Based on the Offer for 222,000 shares
at the maximum tender offer price per share of $21.50.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was
previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
Amount Previously Paid: N/A Filing Party: N/A
Form or Registration No.: N/A Date Filed: N/A
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<PAGE>
This Issuer Tender Offer Statement (the "Statement") relates to the tender
offer by Mississippi View Holding Company, a Minnesota corporation (the
"Company"), to purchase up to 222,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.10
per share (the "Shares"), at prices not greater than $21.50 nor less than $19.50
per Share upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to
Purchase, dated April 13, 1998 (the "Offer to Purchase") and the related Letter
of Transmittal (which are herein collectively referred to as the "Offer"). The
Offer is being made to all holders of Shares, including officers, directors and
affiliates of the Company.
Item 1. Security and Issuer.
(a) The name of the issuer is Mississippi View Holding Company, a Minnesota
corporation. The address of its principal executive office is 35 East Broadway,
Little Falls, Minnesota 56345-3093.
(b) The classes of securities to which this Statement relates are the
Shares. The information set forth in "Introduction" in the Offer to Purchase is
incorporated herein by reference.
(c) The information set forth in "Introduction" and "The Offer--Price
Range of Shares; Dividends" in the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by
reference.
(d) This statement is being filed by the Issuer.
Item 2. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
(a)-(b) The information set forth in "The Offer--Source and Amount of
Funds" in the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3. Purpose of the Tender Offer and Plans or Proposals of the Issuer.
(a)-(j) The information set forth in "Introduction", "Special
Factors--Background of the Offer" and "--Purposes of and Reasons for the Offer,"
and" The Offer--Number of Shares; Proration", and "--Effects of the Offer on the
Market for Shares; Registration under the Exchange Act" in the Offer to Purchase
is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
The information set forth in "Special Factors--Interest of Directors and
Executive Officers; Transactions and Arrangements Concerning Shares" in the
Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect
to the Issuer's Securities.
The information set forth in "Introduction", "The Offer--Number of
Shares; Proration", "--Effects of the Offer on Market for Shares;
Registration under the Exchange Act" "Special Factors--"Background of the
Offer", "--Purposes of and Reasons for the Offer," and "--Interest of Directors
and Executive Officers; Transactions and Arrangements Concerning Shares" in the
Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 6. Persons Retained, Employed or to be Compensated.
The information set forth in "The Offer--Fees and Expenses" in the Offer
to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Financial Information.
The information set forth in "Certain Information Concerning the Company--
Selected Consolidated Financial Information" and "--Unaudited Pro Forma
Financial Information" and Annex II in the Offer to Purchase is incorporated
herein by reference.
Item 8. Additional Information.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) The information set forth in "Miscellaneous" in the Offer to Purchase
is incorporated herein by reference.
(c) The information set forth in "The Offer--Effects of the Offer on the
Market for Shares; Registration Under the Exchange Act" in the Offer to Purchase
is incorporated herein by reference.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase and the related
Letter of Transmittal, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits (a)(1)
and (a)(2), respectively, is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Item 9. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.
(a)(1) Form of Offer to Purchase dated April 13, 1998.
(a)(2) Form of Letter of Transmittal.
(a)(3) Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust
Companies and Other Nominees dated April 13, 1998.
(a)(4) Form of Letter to Clients from Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks,
Trust Companies and Other Nominees dated April 13, 1998.
(a)(5) Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
(a)(6) Form of Letter to Stockholders from the Chief Executive Officer of
the Company dated April 13, 1998.
(a)(7) Form of press release issued by the Company dated April 13, 1998.
(a)(8) Form of Letter to Participants in the Community Federal Savings and
Loan Association of Little Falls Employee Stock Ownership Plan dated April 13,
1998.
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(a)(9) Form of Letter to Participants in the Community Federal Savings and
Loan Association of Little Falls Profit Sharing Plan dated April 13, 1998.
(a)(10) Form of Letter to Participants in the Community Federal Savings and
Loan Association of Little Falls Management Stock Bonus Plan dated April 13,
1998.
(b) Not applicable.
(c)(1) Mississippi View Holding Company Stock Employee Compensation Trust
Agreement
(c)(2) Common Stock Purchase Agreement
(d) Not applicable.
(e) Not applicable.
(f) Not applicable.
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SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
Dated: April 10, 1998.
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY
By: /s/ Thomas J. Leiferman
-----------------------
Name: Thomas J. Leiferman
Title: President and Chief
Executive Officer
<PAGE>
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
(a)(1) Form of Offer to Purchase dated April 13, 1998.
(a)(2) Form of Letter of Transmittal.
(a)(3) Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks,
Trust Companies and Other Nominees dated April 13, 1998.
(a)(4) Form of Letter to Clients from Brokers, Dealers, Commercial
Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees dated April 13,
1998.
(a)(5) Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
(a)(6) Form of Letter to Stockholders from the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company dated April 13, 1998.
(a)(7) Form of press release issued by the Company dated April 13,
1998.
(a)(8) Form of Letter to Participants in the Community Federal
Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls Employee Stock
Ownership Plan dated April 13, 1998.
(a)(9) Form of Letter to Participants in the Community Federal
Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls Profit
Sharing Plan dated April 13, 1998.
(a)(10) Form of Letter to Participants in the Community Federal
Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls Management Stock
Bonus Plan dated April 13, 1998.
(b) Not applicable.
(c)(1) Mississippi View Holding Company Stock Employee Compensation
Trust Agreement
(c)(2) Common Stock Purchase Agreement
(d) Not applicable.
(e) Not applicable.
(f) Not applicable.
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY
Offer to Purchase For Cash Up to 222,000 Shares of its
Common Stock
at a Purchase Price not in excess of
$21.50 nor less than $19.50 Per Share
THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
EASTERN TIME, ON MONDAY, MAY 11, 1998, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
Mississippi View Holding Company, a Minnesota corporation (the 'Company'),
invites its shareholders to tender shares of its common stock, $0.10 par value
per share (the 'Shares') at prices not in excess of $21.50 nor less than $19.50
per Share in cash, as specified by shareholders tendering their Shares, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the related Letter
of Transmittal (which together constitute the 'Offer'). The Company will
determine the single per Share price, not in excess of $21.50 nor less than
$19.50 per Share, net to the seller in cash (the 'Purchase Price'), that it will
pay for Shares validly tendered pursuant to the Offer, taking into account the
number of Shares so tendered and the prices specified by tendering shareholders.
The Company will select the lowest Purchase Price that will allow it to buy
222,000 Shares (or such lesser number of Shares as are validly tendered at
prices not in excess of $21.50 nor less than $19.50 per Share). All Shares
validly tendered at prices at or below the Purchase Price and not withdrawn will
be purchased at the Purchase Price, upon the terms and subject to the conditions
of the Offer, including the proration provisions. All Shares acquired in the
Offer will be acquired at the Purchase Price.
THIS TRANSACTION HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE FAIRNESS OR MERITS OF
SUCH TRANSACTION NOR UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED
IN THIS DOCUMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
THE OFFER IS CONDITIONED UPON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE COMPANY OBTAINING THE
FUNDS NECESSARY TO CONSUMMATE THE OFFER AND TO PAY ALL RELATED FEES AND
EXPENSES. THE OFFER IS NOT CONDITIONED ON ANY MINIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES BEING
TENDERED. SEE 'THE OFFER--CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER.'
The Shares are traded in the over-the-counter market ('OTC'). On March 31,
1998, the last full trading day in the OTC on which a sale was reported prior to
the commencement of the Offer, the closing per Share sales price was $18.50.
Shareholders are urged to obtain current market quotations for the shares. FOR
INFORMATION REGARDING RECENT TRADING IN THE SHARES, SHAREHOLDERS MAY CALL
MACKENZIE PARTNERS, INC. AT 1-800-322-2885. See 'The Offer--Price Range of
Shares; Dividends.'
Any shareholder wishing to tender all or any part of his or her Shares
should either (a) complete and sign a Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile
thereof) in accordance with the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal and
either mail or deliver it with any required signature guarantee and any other
required documents to Registrar and Transfer Company (the 'Depositary'), and
either mail or deliver the stock certificates for such Shares to the Depositary
(with all such other documents) or tender such Shares pursuant to the procedure
for book-entry delivery set forth in 'The Offer--Procedures for Tendering
Shares,' or (b) request a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
other nominee to effect the transaction for such shareholder. Holders of Shares
registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
other nominee must contact that broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company
or other nominee if such shareholder desires to tender such Shares. Any
shareholder who desires to tender Shares and whose certificates for such Shares
cannot be delivered to the Depositary or who cannot comply with the procedure
for book-entry delivery or whose other required documents cannot be delivered to
the Depositary, in any case, by the expiration of the Offer must tender such
Shares pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in 'The
Offer--Procedures for Tendering Shares.' SHAREHOLDERS MUST PROPERLY COMPLETE THE
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL INCLUDING THE SECTION OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
RELATING TO THE PRICE AT WHICH THEY ARE TENDERING SHARES IN ORDER TO EFFECT A
VALID TENDER OF THEIR SHARES.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, BASED ON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE
UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS OF THE
BOARD, HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE OFFER, HOWEVER, NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR ITS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION TO ANY SHAREHOLDER AS TO WHETHER TO
TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING SHARES. EACH SHAREHOLDER MUST MAKE THE DECISION
WHETHER TO TENDER SHARES AND, IF SO, HOW MANY SHARES TO TENDER AND AT WHICH
PRICE OR PRICES.
Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of this Offer
to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may
be directed to MacKenzie Partners, Inc. (the 'Information Agent'), at its
address and telephone number set forth on the back cover of this Offer to
Purchase.
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The Date of this Offer to Purchase is April 13, 1998
<PAGE>
SUMMARY
This general summary is solely for the convenience of the Company's
shareholders and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text and
more specific details in this Offer to Purchase.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Purchase Price.......................................... The Company will select a single Purchase Price
which will be not more than $21.50 nor less than
$19.50 per Share. All Shares purchased by the
Company will be purchased at the Purchase Price
even if tendered at or below the Purchase Price.
Each shareholder desiring to tender Shares must
specify in the Letter of Transmittal the minimum
price (not more than $21.50 nor less than $19.50 per
Share) at which such shareholder is willing to have
his or her Shares purchased by the Company.
Number of Shares to be Purchased........................ 222,000 Shares (or such lesser number of Shares as
are validly tendered).
How to Tender Shares.................................... See "The Offer--Procedures for Tendering Shares."
Call the Information Agent or consult your broker for
additional assistance.
Brokerage Commissions................................... None.
Stock Transfer Tax...................................... None, if payment is made to the registered holder.
Expiration and Proration Dates.......................... Monday, May 11, 1998, at 5:00 p.m., Eastern time,
unless extended by the Company.
Payment Date............................................ As soon as practicable after the termination of the
Offer.
Position of the Company and its
Directors............................................. Neither the Company nor its Board of Directors
makes any recommendation to any shareholder as to
whether to tender or refrain from tendering Shares.
The Company has been advised that none of its
directors or executive officers intends to tender any
Shares pursuant to the Offer.
Withdrawal Rights....................................... Tendered Shares may be withdrawn at any time until
5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Monday, May 11, 1998,
unless the Offer is extended by the Company, and,
unless previously purchased, after 12:00 Midnight,
Eastern time, on Monday, June 8, 1998. See "The
Offer--Withdrawal Rights."
Odd Lots................................................ There will be no proration of Shares tendered by any
shareholder owning beneficially less than 100 Shares
as of April 8, 1998, who tenders all such Shares at or
below the Purchase Price prior to the Expiration Date
and who checks the "Odd Lots" box in the Letter of
Transmittal. See "The Offer--Number of Shares;
Proration."
</TABLE>
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NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY RECOMMENDATION ON BEHALF OF THE
COMPANY AS TO WHETHER SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING
SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER OTHER
THAN THOSE CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. IF GIVEN OR
MADE, ANY SUCH RECOMMENDATION OR ANY SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT
BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
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<S> <C>
INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................4
SPECIAL FACTORS.......................................................................................................5
1. Background of the Offer..............................................................................5
2. Purposes of and Reasons for the Offer ...............................................................8
3. Fairness of the Offer ...............................................................................9
4. Opinion of Financial Advisor .......................................................................10
5. Plans for the Company After the Offer ..............................................................16
6. Certain Effects of the Offer........................................................................16
7. Interest of Directors and Executive Officers; Transactions and Arrangements
Concerning Shares................................................................................17
8. Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences.............................................................18
9. Dissenters' Rights..................................................................................20
THE OFFER............................................................................................................20
1. Number of Shares; Proration.........................................................................20
2. Procedures for Tendering Shares.....................................................................22
3. Withdrawal Rights...................................................................................26
4. Price Range of Shares; Dividends....................................................................27
5. Purchase of Shares and Payment of Purchase Price....................................................28
6. Certain Conditions of the Offer.....................................................................28
7. Extension of the Offer; Termination; Amendment......................................................30
8. Source and Amount of Funds..........................................................................30
9. Certain Information Concerning the Company..........................................................31
10. Effects of the Offer on the Market for Shares;
Registration under the Exchange Act...........................................................39
11. Fees and Expenses...................................................................................39
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...............................................................................................40
MISCELLANEOUS........................................................................................................40
Schedule A................. Certain Information Concerning the Directors and Executive Officers of the Company
Annex I.................... Opinion of FinPro, Inc.
Annex II................... Financial Statements of Mississippi View Holding Company and Subsidiary
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
To the Holders of Common Stock of Mississippi View Holding Company:
INTRODUCTION
Mississippi View Holding Company, a Minnesota corporation (the
"Company"), invites its shareholders to tender shares of its common stock, $0.10
par value per share (the "Shares") at prices, net to the seller in cash, not in
excess of $21.50 nor less than $19.50 per Share, as specified by shareholders
tendering their Shares, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein and in the related Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the
"Offer"). The Company will determine the single per Share price, not in excess
of $21.50 nor less than $19.50 per Share (the "Purchase Price"), that it will
pay for Shares validly tendered pursuant to the Offer, taking into account the
number of Shares so tendered and the prices specified by tendering shareholders.
The Company will select the lowest Purchase Price that will allow it to buy
222,000 Shares (or such lesser number of Shares as are validly tendered). All
Shares acquired in the Offer will be acquired at the Purchase Price. All Shares
validly tendered at prices at or below the Purchase Price and not withdrawn will
be purchased at the Purchase Price, net to the seller in cash, upon the terms
and subject to the conditions of the Offer, including the proration provisions.
The Offer is conditioned upon, among other things, the Company
obtaining the funds necessary to consummate the Offer and to pay all related
fees and expenses (the "Financing Condition"). The Offer is not conditioned on
any minimum number of shares being tendered. See "The Offer--Certain Conditions
of the Offer."
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, if at the
expiration of the Offer more than 222,000 Shares are validly tendered at or
below the Purchase Price and not withdrawn, the Company will buy Shares first
from all Odd Lot Holders (as defined in "The Offer--Number of Shares;
Proration") who validly tender all their Shares at or below the Purchase Price
and then on a pro rata basis from all other shareholders who validly tender at
prices at or below the Purchase Price (and did not withdraw them prior to the
expiration of the Offer). See "The Offer--Number of Shares; Proration." All
Shares not purchased pursuant to the Offer, including Shares tendered at prices
greater than the Purchase Price and not withdrawn and Shares not purchased
because of proration, will be returned at the Company's expense to the
shareholders who tendered such Shares.
The Purchase Price will be paid net to the tendering shareholder in
cash for all Shares purchased. Tendering shareholders will not be obligated to
pay brokerage commissions, solicitation fees or, subject to Instruction 7 of the
Letter of Transmittal, stock transfer taxes on the purchase of Shares by the
Company. HOWEVER, ANY TENDERING SHAREHOLDER OR OTHER PAYEE WHO FAILS TO
COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN TO THE DEPOSITARY THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 THAT IS
INCLUDED IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MAY BE SUBJECT TO REQUIRED BACKUP FEDERAL
INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING. SEE "THE OFFER--PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING SHARES" OF THIS
OFFER TO PURCHASE AND INSTRUCTION 12 OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. The Company
will pay all fees and expenses of Registrar and Transfer Company (the
"Depositary") and MacKenzie Partners, Inc. (the "Information Agent") incurred in
connection with the Offer. See "The Offer--Fees and Expenses."
The Company is the sponsor of three employee benefit plans (the "Stock
Plans") which hold Shares: the Community Federal Savings and Loan Association of
Little Falls Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP"); the Community Federal
Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls Management Stock Bonus Plan
("MSBP"); and the Community Federal Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls
Profit Sharing Plan ("Profit Sharing Plan"). Participants in each plan have the
right to direct the Trustee to tender Shares in their accounts, to specify the
price at which such Shares (if any) are to be tendered and to receive tender
offer materials in connection therewith.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, BASED ON, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
THE UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS OF
THE BOARD (THE "SPECIAL COMMITTEE"), HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE
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OFFER. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAKES ANY
RECOMMENDATION TO ANY SHAREHOLDER AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM
TENDERING THEIR SHARES. EACH SHAREHOLDER MUST MAKE THE DECISION WHETHER TO
TENDER SHARES AND, IF SO, HOW MANY SHARES AND AT WHICH PRICE OR PRICES.
On April 2, 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the
creation of a stock employee compensation trust (the "Trust") for the purpose of
enabling the Company to pre-fund a portion of its obligations under certain of
its employee benefit plans and to make an ongoing commitment to such employee
benefit plans and the employees participating in them. Pursuant to its terms,
the Trust is restricted from funding any liabilities of the Company related to
future benefit plans which benefit directors of the Company. Pursuant to an
agreement between the Company and the Trust dated April 10, 1998, the Company
will sell to the Trust, in exchange for a note in an aggregate principal amount
of $1,214,750 issued by the Trust to the Company, the number of Shares having a
value of $1,214,750 based on the Purchase Price subject, however, to the Trust
not purchasing more than 9.9% of the outstanding Shares. It is currently
anticipated that the consummation of the sale of Shares to the Trust will occur
on the day immediately following the Expiration Date.
Assuming the maximum 222,000 Shares are purchased pursuant to the
Offer and the sale of Shares to the Trust immediately after the Expiration Date,
officers, directors, the ESOP, the MSBP and the Trust, in the aggregate, will
own approximately 49.5% of the outstanding Shares. Consequently, the officers
and directors will be able to exert greater control over the business affairs
and management of the Company than that which they were able to exert prior to
the Offer. In addition, it will be more difficult to remove directors and change
the management. See "Special Factors--Certain Effects of the Offer."
The Special Committee was formed on April 2, 1998, for the purpose of
reviewing and considering the creation of a stock employee compensation trust
and stock repurchases by the Company. FinPro, Inc. ("FinPro"), financial advisor
to the Special Committee and the Board, has delivered its opinion to the Special
Committee and the Board of Directors to the effect that the Offer is fair, from
a financial point of view, to the shareholders of the Company. A copy of this
opinion is attached hereto as Annex I. Shareholders should read the full text of
FinPro's opinion for a description of the assumptions made, matters considered
and procedures followed in rendering such opinion. See "Special Factors--Opinion
of Financial Advisor." See "Special Factors--Fairness of the Offer" for the
various factors considered by the Special Committee in approving the Offer and
in unanimously recommending that the Board approve the Offer.
As of April 9, 1998, there were 736,864 Shares outstanding held by
approximately 199 holders of record, and 92,860 Shares issuable upon exercise of
stock options under the Company's stock option plans. The 222,000 Shares that
the Company is offering to purchase pursuant to the Offer represent
approximately 30% of the outstanding Shares. The Shares are traded in the
over-the-counter market ("OTC") with quotations available through the OTC
Electronic Bulletin Board. Shareholders are urged to obtain current market
quotations for the Shares. For trading information regarding the Shares,
shareholders may call MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at 1-800-322- 2885. See "The
Offer--Price Range of Shares; Dividends."
SPECIAL FACTORS
1. Background of the Offer
The Company was organized in November 1994 at the direction of
Community Federal Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls (the
"Association") in connection with the Association's conversion from the mutual
to stock form (the "Conversion"). On March 23, 1995, the Association completed
the Conversion and became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The
Conversion generated, through the issuance of common stock of the Company, $7.6
million of new capital to the Company, of which approximately $3.8 million was
contributed to the Association, whose capital ratios prior to the Conversion had
significantly exceeded all minimum federal
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regulatory capital requirements. Prior to the Conversion, the Association's
total risk-based capital ratio was 20.08% which exceeded the minimum regulatory
capital requirement of 8% by 12.08%. After the Conversion as of March 31, 1995,
the Association's total risk-based capital ratio was 32.07%, exceeding the
minimum regulatory capital requirement by 24.07%. The additional capital was
raised through the Conversion due to regulations (the "Conversion Regulations")
promulgated by the Office of Thrift Supervision (the "OTS") governing
conversions from the mutual to stock form by savings associations. After the
Conversion, the cash proceeds were invested in U.S. Government and federal
agency securities.
Due to the Offering of stock of the Company in connection with the
Conversion and pursuant to the Conversion Regulations, the Company's common
stock was registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act"). In addition, the Conversion Regulations have
required the Company to maintain such registration for a period of no less than
three years from the consummation of the Conversion on March 23, 1995.
Since the Conversion, management has attempted to deploy the
additional capital in such a manner so as to maximize earnings. However, due to
limited loan demand within the Association's market area, management has been
unable to substantially increase the Association's loan portfolio. As of
September 30, 1994, the Association's loans receivable, net was $44.2 million
compared with $44.5 million as of December 31, 1997. Consequently, the cash
proceeds from the Conversion have either been invested in mortgage-backed
securities or have remained in U.S. Government and federal agency securities.
Both mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Government securities typically have
lower yields than substantially all loans contained in the Association's loan
portfolio. The inability to invest the Conversion proceeds in higher yielding
assets such as loans has adversely affected the Company's return on average
equity. For the three months ended December 31, 1997, the Company's annualized
return on average equity was 6.37% compared to 7.35% for the Comparable Group.
For more information regarding the Comparable Group, see " --Opinion of
Financial Advisor."
The Company has considered the use of the excess capital to fund
growth of the Association through branch acquisitions and/or acquisitions of
other financial institutions. However, the Company has been unable to identify
potential institutions and transactions which would meet the strategic goals of
the Company or with terms which were acceptable. The Company may still consider
such acquisitions after the Offer.
In light of the above, the Company has taken efforts to reduce capital
through the payment of dividends and the implementation of open market
repurchase programs during the past three years. In fiscal years 1996 and 1997,
the Company paid annual cash dividends of $0.16 per share. In addition, as of
December 31, 1997, the Company had repurchased approximately 27% of the common
stock sold in the Conversion. While such efforts have reduced capital, the
Company still has excess capital which is adversely affecting the return on
average equity. As of December 31, 1997, the Association's total risk-based
capital ratio was 33.09%.
In February 1998, management discussed with the Board of Directors a
proposal to repurchase stock by means of an issuer tender offer. The Board
discussed the matter at such meeting and instructed management to obtain further
information from counsel regarding the structure, timing and costs of such an
offer. At the Board of Director's meeting in March 1998, the Board was advised
of management's review of issuer tender offers and provided a memorandum from
counsel. The Board considered that the Conversion Regulations have restricted
the amount and timing of stock repurchases conducted by the Company during the
past three years and that such restrictions would be lifted on March 23, 1998,
the third anniversary of the consummation of the Conversion. Absent such
restrictions, the Board discussed the possibility of a one-time repurchase of a
large block of stock in order to reduce excess capital and possibly save costs.
Management also discussed with the Board of Directors a proposal to create a
stock employee compensation trust ("SECT") to fund existing stock compensation
plans and future stock compensation plans. The Board instructed management to
consult with counsel regarding the advantages, disadvantages and mechanics of
such a trust. After the meeting, management had further discussions with counsel
regarding issuer tender offers and SECTs.
6
<PAGE>
On April 2, 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company established
the Special Committee. The members appointed to the Special Committee were Peter
Vogel and Wallace R. Mattock. In addition, the Board authorized management to
create a SECT on behalf of the Company. In so authorizing management, the Board
considered the anticipated effects on future compensation expenses and on the
voting power to be held by affiliates resulting from the creation of a SECT.
Based on a review of liquidity, the average rate on earning assets and return on
equity as well as other factors, the Board authorized management to prepare
terms of an issuer tender offer and propose such terms to the Special Committee
for its review and consideration.
The Special Committee met on April 8, 1998 to act on organizational
matters and review and consider the proposed transaction. At that meeting the
Special Committee ratified the selection of FinPro, as financial advisor, and
directed counsel to, and counsel did by letter dated April 10, 1998, instruct
the Board that any proposals from third parties relating to an acquisition of
the Company should be referred to the Special Committee for its consideration
and recommendation. The Special Committee then invited a representative from
FinPro into the meeting, by teleconference, and received an analysis from FinPro
of the estimated trading value of the Shares based on a comparable trading
analysis, acquisition analysis and a discounted cash flow analysis. FinPro then
presented an analysis of multiples to trading value for comparable issuer tender
offers by similar financial institution holding companies. Members of the
Special Committee asked questions of counsel and FinPro regarding the
methodologies used by FinPro, the ramifications of third party offers and the
effect on the value of Shares held by remaining shareholders. The Special
Committee then invited a representative of management into the meeting and
discussed the potential need for financing and the likelihood of obtaining
financing, the possibility of increasing the dividend to the Company from the
Association and the need for regulatory approval and the size of the repurchase
in light of aggregate costs.
On April 9, 1998, the Special Committee met with FinPro, counsel and a
management representative. At such meeting FinPro presented a booklet containing
its analysis of the Company, the Offer and the methodologies it employed. The
Special Committee asked questions regarding FinPro's presentation regarding the
extent to which growth potential was considered, the adjustments made to
FinPro's acquisition analyses and the effect of the Offer on future earnings per
Share. FinPro provided the Special Committee with its recommendation regarding
the pricing of the Offer and the Special Committee questioned FinPro's analyses
regarding the selection of members of the comparable groups, the effect of the
current illiquidity in the Shares and the short-term and long-term Share price
potential after successful completion of such an offer. FinPro stated that it
was prepared to render its opinion that the Offer (based on the range it
recommended) was fair from a financial point of view to the shareholders of the
Company. The Special Committee, by unanimous vote, determined to accept FinPro's
recommended pricing and to recommend that the Board of Directors approve the
Offer as fair and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
The Board of Directors met after the Special Committee meeting on
April 9, 1998, with all directors in attendance. The proposed offer with a price
range of $19.50 to $21.50 was presented. The Board reviewed the opinion of
FinPro, the recommendation of the Special Committee and the terms of the Offer,
including the sale of Shares to the Trust, and determined to approve the Offer
as fair and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
7
<PAGE>
2. Purposes of and Reasons for the Offer
The Company is making the Offer to promote its long-term objectives of
(1) remaining a locally owned financial institution committed to the convenience
and needs of the communities served by the Association, and (2) providing a fair
financial return to its shareholders as well as providing those shareholders who
desire to sell their Shares an opportunity to do so at a fair price. The Company
has recognized that since the Shares were delisted from the Nasdaq SmallCap
Market on March 17, 1998, there is no established market for the Shares and
limiting opportunities for shareholders to sell their Shares. The Company also
believes that its purchase of Shares represents an attractive long-term
investment that will benefit the Company and its remaining shareholders.
The Offer is designed to reposition the Company's balance sheet to
increase return on equity and earnings per share by redeploying a portion of the
Company's equity capital. In addition, the Offer will offset the earnings per
share dilution which would otherwise result from the issuance of Shares to the
Trust, as referred to above. Following completion of the Offer, the Company and
the Association, will continue to have strong capital positions and will
continue to qualify as "well capitalized" institutions under the prompt
corrective action scheme enacted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Improvements Act of 1991. On a pro forma basis as of December 31, 1997, giving
effect to the Offer at the maximum Purchase Price of $21.50 per Share and
assuming acceptance of the maximum number of Shares in the Offer, the Company
would have had an equity to assets ratio of 12.07%, and the Association would
have had a total risk-based capital ratio of approximately 20.10% and a leverage
ratio of approximately 10.38%.
The Offer will enable shareholders to sell a portion of their Shares
while retaining a continuing equity interest in the Company if they so desire.
The Offer may provide shareholders who are considering a sale of all or a
portion of their Shares the opportunity to determine the price or prices (not
greater than $21.50 nor less than $19.50 per Share) at which they are willing to
sell their Shares and, if any such Shares are purchased pursuant to the Offer,
to sell those Shares for cash without the usual transaction costs associated
with open-market sales. In addition, Odd Lot Holders whose Shares are purchased
pursuant to the Offer not only will avoid the payment of brokerage commissions
but also would avoid any applicable odd lot discounts in a sale of such holder's
Shares. To the extent the purchase of Shares in the Offer results in a reduction
in the number of shareholders of record, the costs of the Company for services
to shareholders may be reduced. For shareholders who do not tender, there is no
assurance that the price of the stock will not trade below the price currently
being offered by the Company pursuant to the Offer. For shareholders who do
tender, the trading price of stock may increase as a result of the Offer or an
unexpected acquisition at a premium could occur in the future. Finally, the
Offer may affect the Company's ability to qualify for pooling-of-interests
accounting treatment for any acquisition transaction for approximately the next
two years.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, BASED ON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE UNANIMOUS
RECOMMENDATION OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE, HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE OFFER.
HOWEVER, NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION
TO ANY SHAREHOLDER AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING ANY OR ALL
OF SUCH SHAREHOLDER'S SHARES AND HAS NOT AUTHORIZED ANY PERSON TO MAKE ANY SUCH
RECOMMENDATION. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO EVALUATE CAREFULLY ALL INFORMATION IN
THE OFFER, CONSULT THEIR OWN INVESTMENT AND TAX ADVISORS AND MAKE THEIR OWN
DECISIONS WHETHER TO TENDER SHARES AND, IF SO, HOW MANY SHARES TO TENDER AND THE
PRICE OR PRICES AT WHICH SHARES SHOULD BE TENDERED.
Shares the Company acquires pursuant to the Offer will be held in the
Company's treasury and will be available for the Company to issue without
further shareholder action (except as required by applicable law). Such Shares
could be issued without shareholder approval for such purposes as, among others,
the acquisition of other businesses or the raising of additional capital for use
in the Company's business.
8
<PAGE>
3. Fairness of the Offer
The Company. The Special Committee of the Board, designated by the
Board on April 2, 1998, and the Board upon the recommendation of the Special
Committee, each unanimously approved the Offer as fair and in the best interests
of the Company and its shareholders.
The Special Committee took into account a number of factors, including
the following, in concluding to approve the Offer:
(i) The opinion delivered to the Special Committee by FinPro,
financial advisor to the Special Committee, that the consideration to
be received in the Offer is fair, from a financial point of view, to
the Company's shareholders, and the oral and written presentations of
FinPro supporting this opinion. A copy of FinPro's opinion is attached
to this Offer to Purchase as Annex I and should be read in its
entirety by each shareholder. For a description of the information
presented by FinPro to the Special Committee, see "--Opinion of
Financial Advisor"
(ii) The financial condition and results of operations of the
Company, including the earnings per Share and capital levels of the
Company for fiscal year 1997 and the first three months of fiscal year
1998.
(iii) The capital of the Company and the Association after
the payment of a dividend to the Company by the Association and the
Company's purchase of 222,000 Shares in the Offer would remain
significantly in excess of minimum capital requirements. The following
table sets forth (a) the Association's capital ratios as of December
31, 1997 and as adjusted to give effect to the purchase of 222,000
Shares, and (b) the minimum capital ratios for savings associations
required by the OTS;
As of December 31, 1997
-----------------------
Ratio Historical As Adjusted Minimum
----- ---------- ----------- -------
Tangible capital ratio 16.36% 10.38% 1.50%
Leverage capital ratio 16.36 10.38 3.00
Total risk-based capital ratio 33.09 20.10 8.00
(iv) The percentage by which the per Share price to be paid
in the Offer exceeds recent trading prices and estimated trading
values. See "--Opinion of Financial Advisor."
(v) Various financial ratios of the Company compared to those
of comparable companies, including particularly comparisons of return
on equity and equity-to-assets ratio. See "--Opinion of Financial
Advisor."
(vi) The likelihood that the transaction would be
consummated.
(vii) The fact that the public shareholders would be able to
participate in the Offer by selling a portion of their Shares and have
the opportunity to participate in any future growth of the Company
following consummation of the Offer. The Special Committee also is
aware that certain members of management of the Company will benefit
from any increase in the value of the Company following the Offer by
virtue of the equity interest they will have in the Company following
the Offer. The Special Committee recognizes that because of the equity
interests in the Company which certain members of management of the
Company have or are expected to acquire following the Offer, such
persons have
9
<PAGE>
conflicts of interest in connection with the Offer. See "Interests of
Certain Persons in the Offer." Accordingly, the Special Committee
considered the Company's results of operations and future growth
opportunities in light of these factors.
(viii) The Company's payment of a dividend to the Company to
purchase Shares in the Offer would not require prior approval by the
OTS.
Among the reasons for the Special Committee reaching its decision to
approve the Offer were the following: that recent return on average equity of
the Company had not shown substantial improvement; that the future prospects of
the Company, particularly low growth potential; that the per Share consideration
in the Offer was at a premium over the recent trading price and such premium, on
a percentage basis, appeared generally comparable to, or in excess of, premiums,
in other recent issuer tender offers; that based in part upon the written and
oral presentations of FinPro, including the opinion of FinPro referred to above,
the Special Committee concluded that the consideration in the Offer was fair to
the shareholders of the Company; that based upon the various financial ratios of
the Company compared to those of comparable companies in the FinPro
presentation, the consideration in the Offer was fair to the shareholders of the
Company; that based upon the Offer is a voluntary transaction in which
shareholders of the Company may or may not participate; that the use of all-cash
consideration means that the value of the consideration received by the
shareholders would not be dependent on the future performance of the Company;
and that, given the financial condition and capital levels of the Association,
there is a significant likelihood that the Offer would be consummated. The
Special Committee did not take into consideration the book value of the Company
because it believed that book value did not reflect the fair value of the
Company and because book value was substantially lower than the values resulting
from any of the analyses of FinPro.
In making its determination that the Offer is fair and in the best
interests of the shareholders of the Company, the Board considered, among other
things, the opinion of FinPro, the recommendation of the Special Committee, and
the factors considered by the Special Committee.
In view of the wide variety of factors considered in connection with
its evaluation of the Offer, each of the Special Committee and the Board has
found it impractical to, and therefore has not, quantified or otherwise
attempted to assign relative weights to the specific factors considered in
reaching a decision to approve the Offer.
The Offer does not require the approval of a majority of unaffiliated
security holders. All directors, including the directors who are not employees
of the Company, have approved the Offer. The non-employee directors, who
comprise a majority of the Board of Directors, have not retained an unaffiliated
representative to act solely on behalf of the unaffiliated shareholders for
purposes of negotiating terms of the Offer.
It is expected that if Shares are not accepted for payment by the
Company in the Offer, the Company's current management, under the general
direction of the Company's Board of Directors, will continue to manage the
Company as an ongoing business.
The Trust. The Trust believes that the Offer is fair to shareholders.
This determination is based upon the conclusions as to fairness reached by the
Special Committee, the Board of Directors, and FinPro's fairness analysis and
opinion.
4. Opinion of Financial Advisor
As of April 2, 1998 the Company retained FinPro, a financial
consulting firm, on the basis of its experience, to render a written fairness
opinion to the Board of Directors and shareholders of the Company. FinPro, Inc.
has been in the business of consulting for the banking industry for ten years,
including the appraisal and valuation of banking institutions and their
securities in connection with mergers, acquisitions and other securities
transactions. FinPro has knowledge of and experience with the banking and thrift
market on a national and regional
10
<PAGE>
level. FinPro reviewed the terms of the Offer including governance matters.
Except as described herein, FinPro is not affiliated in any way with the Company
or its respective affiliates.
On April 9, 1998, in connection with its consideration of the Offer,
FinPro issued an Opinion to the Board of Directors of the Company that, in its
opinion as financial consultants, the terms of the share repurchase as provided
in the Offer are fair and equitable, from a financial perspective, to the
Company and its shareholders. This opinion is based upon conditions as they
existed on April 2, 1998. A copy of the opinion is attached as Annex I to this
Offer to Purchase and should be read in its entirety by the Company
shareholders. FinPro's written opinion does not constitute an endorsement of the
Offer or a recommendation to any shareholder to tender their shares.
In rendering its opinion, FinPro reviewed certain publicly available
information concerning the Company, including its audited financial statements
and annual reports. FinPro considered many factors in making its evaluation. In
arriving at its Opinion regarding the fairness of the transaction, FinPro
reviewed: (i) the Offer; (ii) the most recent external auditor's reports to the
Boards of Directors; (iii) the December 31, 1997 Report of Condition and Income;
(iv) the most recent regulatory report, compliance report and Community
Reinvestment Act Report; (v) the most recent annual report (10k); (vi) the
internal loan classification list, OREO list and Delinquency list; (vii) details
on stock price performance; (viii) the budget and long range operating plan; and
(ix) details on the ESOP and MSBP. FinPro conducted an off-site review of the
Company's historical performance and current financial condition.
In addition, FinPro discussed with the management of the Company the
relative operating performance and future prospects for the Company, primarily
with respect to the current level of their earnings and future expected
operating results, giving weight to FinPro's assessment of the future of the
banking industry and the Company's performance within the industry. FinPro
compared the results of operation of the Company with the results of operation
of all Minnesota thrifts and to those of a Comparable Group selected by FinPro
on the basis of similarity with the Company.
11
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
At or For the Three Months Ended December 31, 1997
--------------------------------------------------------------
The Company Comparable Group Median National Median
----------- ----------------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance Sheet Data
Gross Loans to Deposits......................... 82.66% 107.56% 96.56%
Total Net Loans to Assets....................... 66.10 73.28 69.92
Deposits to Assets.............................. 79.96 69.59 71.94
Borrowed Funds to Assets........................ 0.00 9.58 12.83
Capital
Equity to Assets................................ 18.18 18.26 10.51
Tangible Equity to Assets....................... 18.18 18.26 10.45
Intangible Assets to Equity..................... 0.00 0.00 0.00
Regulatory Core Capital to Assets............... 16.36 15.12 9.16
Equity + Reserves to Assets..................... 19.44 18.47 11.19
Total Capital to Risk Adjusted Assets........... 33.09 26.83 17.62
Growth
Asset Growth.................................... (7.20) 4.77 8.35
Loan Growth..................................... 1.39 11.99 10.87
Deposit Growth.................................. (2.62) 2.60 5.38
Asset Quality
Non-Performing Loans to Loans................... 0.65% 0.27% 0.62%
Reserves to Non-Performing Loans................ 290.24 64.36 122.13
Non-Performing Assets to Assets................. 0.43 0.23 0.49
Non-Performing Assets to Equity................. 2.38 1.17 4.41
Reserves to Loans............................... 1.90 0.44 0.81
Profitability
Return on Assets................................ 1.08 1.25 0.92
Return on Equity................................ 6.37 7.35 8.22
Income Statement
Net Interest Margin............................. 3.91% 3.59% 3.48%
Interest Income to Average Assets............... 7.48 7.35 7.39
Interest Expense to Average Assets.............. 3.62 3.83 4.14
Net Interest Income to Average Assets........... 3.85 3.49 3.31
Noninterest Income to Average Assets............ 0.25 0.19 0.33
Noninterest Expense to Average Assets........... 2.35 2.36 2.18
Efficiency Ratio................................ 57.68 55.45 58.36
</TABLE>
- ---------------
Source: SNL Securities as of April 2, 1998 with financial data from the most
recent quarter available
12
<PAGE>
Many variables affect the value of banks, not the least of which is
the uncertainty of future events, so that the relative importance of the
valuation variable differs in different situations, with the result that
appraisal theorists argue about which variables are the most appropriate ones on
which to focus. However, most appraisers agree that the primary financial
variables to be considered are earnings, equity, dividends or dividend-paying
capacity, asset quality and cash flow. In addition, in most instances, if not
all, value is further tempered by non-financial factors such as marketability,
voting rights or block size, history of past sales of the banking company's
stock, nature and relationship of the other shareholdings in the bank, and
special ownership or management considerations.
FinPro analyzed the total purchase price on a cash equivalent fair
market value basis using the standard evaluation techniques (as discussed below)
including comparable trading multiples, comparable sales multiples, net present
value, return on investment and the price equity index based on certain
assumptions of projected growth, earnings and dividends and a range of discount
rates from 10% to 12%.
Net Asset Value. Net asset value is the value of the net equity of a
bank, including every kind of property and value. This approach normally assumes
liquidation on the date of appraisal with the recognition of securities gains or
losses, real estate appreciation or depreciation, adjustments to the loan loss
reserve, discount to the loan portfolio and changes in the net value of other
assets. As such, it is not the best approach to use when valuing a going
concern, because it is based on historical costs and varying accounting methods.
Even if the assets and liabilities are adjusted to reflect prevailing prices and
yields (which is often of limited accuracy because readily available data is
often lacking), it still results in a liquidation value for the concern.
Furthermore, since this method does not take into account the values
attributable to the going concern such as the interrelationship among the
company's assets and liabilities, customer relations, market presence, image and
reputation, and staff expertise and depth, little weight is given by FinPro to
the net asset value method of valuation.
Market Value. Market value is generally defined as the price,
established on an "arms-length" basis, at which knowledgeable, unrelated buyers
and sellers would agree. The market value is frequently used to determine the
price of a minority block of stock when both the quantity and the quality of the
"comparable" data are deemed sufficient. However, the relative thinness of the
specific market for the stock of the banking company being appraised may result
in the need to review alternative markets for comparative pricing purposes. The
"hypothetical" market value for a small bank with a thin market for its stock is
normally determined by comparison to the average price to earnings, price to
equity and dividend yield of local or regional publicly-traded bank issues,
adjusting for significant differences in financial performance criteria and for
any lack of marketability or liquidity. The market value in connection with the
evaluation of control of a bank is determined by the previous sales of banks in
the state or region. In valuing a business enterprise, when sufficient
comparable trading data is available, the market value deserves greater weight
than the net asset value and similar emphasis as the investment value as
discussed below.
FinPro maintains substantial files concerning the trading prices and
acquisition prices paid for thrifts and banking institutions nationwide. The
database includes transactions involving national thrift organizations,
Minnesota thrift organizations and thrift organizations in the Midwest region of
the United States over the last five years. Organized by different peer groups,
the data presents averages of financial performance, trading levels and purchase
price levels, thereby facilitating a valid comparative pricing analysis. In
analyzing the transaction value of the Company, FinPro has considered the market
approach and has evaluated price to equity and price to earnings multiples of
all national, Minnesota, the Comparable Group and Regional banking organizations
with assets less than $100 million.
a. Comparable Trading Multiples. FinPro calculated an "Adjusted Book
Value" of $23.06 per share, based on the Company's fully diluted December 31,
1997 equity and the median price to book multiple of 136.85% for Comparable
savings organizations using trading data as of April 2, 1998. FinPro calculated
an "Adjusted Book Value" of $27.16 per share, based on the Company's fully
diluted December 31, 1997 equity and the median price to book multiple of
161.16% for national savings organizations using trading data as of April 2,
1998. FinPro calculated an "Adjusted Book Value" of $22.55 per share, based on
the Company's fully diluted December 31, 1997
13
<PAGE>
equity and the median price to book multiple of 133.81% for Minnesota savings
organizations using trading data as of April 2, 1998. FinPro calculated an
"Adjusted Book Value" of $21.25 per share, based on the Company's fully diluted
December 31, 1997 equity and the median price to book multiple of 126.12% for
institutions less than $100 million in asset size using trading data as of April
2, 1998.
FinPro calculated an "Adjusted Earnings Value" of $18.01 per share,
based on the Company's fully diluted unadjusted last twelve months earnings
ending December 31, 1997 and the median price to earnings multiple of 18.96 for
Comparable savings organizations using trading data as of April 2, 1998. FinPro
calculated an "Adjusted Earnings Value" of $19.77 per share, based on the
Company's fully diluted unadjusted last twelve months earnings ending December
31, 1997 and the median price to earnings multiple of 20.81 for national savings
organizations using trading data as of April 2, 1998. FinPro calculated an
"Adjusted Earnings Value" of $18.65 per share, based on the Company's fully
diluted unadjusted last twelve months earnings ending December 31, 1997 and the
median price to earnings multiple of 19.63 for Minnesota savings organizations
using trading data as of April 2, 1998. FinPro calculated an "Adjusted Earnings
Value" of $21.86 per share, based on the Company's fully diluted unadjusted last
twelve months earnings ending December 31, 1997 and the median price to earnings
multiple of 23.01 for institutions less than $100 million in asset size using
trading data as of April 2, 1998.
The financial performance characteristics of the regional banking
organizations vary, sometimes substantially, from those of the Company. When the
variance is significant for relevant performance factors, adjustments to the
price multiples are appropriate when comparing them to the transaction value.
b. Comparable Sales Multiples. FinPro calculated an "Adjusted Book
Value" of $26.68 per share, based on the Company's fully diluted December 31,
1997 equity and the median price to book multiple of 158.33% for Comparable
savings organizations sold between April 2, 1997 and April 2, 1998. FinPro
calculated an "Adjusted Book Value" of $31.27 per share, based on the Company's
fully diluted December 31, 1997 equity and the median price to book multiple of
185.60% for national savings organizations sold between April 2, 1997 and April
2, 1998. FinPro calculated an "Adjusted Book Value" of $25.55 per share, based
on the Company's fully diluted December 31, 1997 equity and the median price to
book multiple of 151.65% for savings organizations less than $100 million in
asset size sold between April 2, 1997 and April 2, 1998.
FinPro calculated an "Adjusted Earnings Value" of $24.02 per share,
based on the Company's fully adjusted last twelve month ended December 31, 1997
earnings and the median price to last twelve months earnings multiple of 25.28
for Comparable savings organizations sold between April 2, 1997 and April 2,
1998. FinPro calculated an "Adjusted Earnings Value" of $21.26 per share, based
on the Company's fully adjusted last twelve month ended December 31, 1997
earnings and the median price to last twelve months earnings multiple of 22.38
for national savings organizations sold between April 2, 1997 and April 2, 1998.
FinPro calculated an "Adjusted Earnings Value" of $21.25 per share, based on the
Company's fully adjusted last twelve month ended December 31, 1997 earnings and
the median price to last twelve months earnings multiple of 22.37 for savings
organizations less than $100 million in asset size sold between April 2, 1997
and April 2, 1998.
The financial performance characteristics of the regional banking
organizations vary, sometimes substantially, from those of the Company. When the
variance is significant for relevant performance factors, adjustments to the
price multiples are appropriate when comparing them to the transaction value.
Investment Value. The investment value is sometimes referred to as the
income value or earnings value. One investment value method frequently used
estimates the present value of an enterprise's future earnings or cash flow.
Another popular investment value method is to determine the level of current
annual benefits (earnings, cash flow, dividends, etc.), and then capitalize one
or more of the benefit types using an appropriate capitalization rate such as an
earnings or dividend yield. Yet another method of calculating investment value
is a cash flow analysis of the ability of a banking company to service
acquisition debt obligations (at a certain price level) while providing
sufficient earnings for reasonable dividends and capital adequacy requirements.
In connection with the cash flow
14
<PAGE>
analysis, the return on investment that would accrue to a prospective buyer at
the transaction value is calculated. The investment value methods which were
analyzed in connection with this transaction were the net present value
analysis, and the return on investment analysis, which are discussed below.
a. Net Present Value Analysis. The investment of earnings value of any
banking organization's stock is an estimate of present value of the future
benefits, usually earnings, cash flow or dividends, which will accrue to the
stock. An earnings value is calculated using an annual future earnings stream
over a period of time of no less than ten years and the residual value which
assumes the sale of the organization in the tenth year, and an appropriate
capitalization rate (the net present value discount rate). FinPro's computations
were based on an analysis of the banking industry, the economic and competitive
situations in the Company's market area, its current financial condition and
historical levels of growth and earnings. Using a net present value discount
rate of 12%, an acceptable discount rate considering the risk-return
relationship most investors would demand for an investment of this type as of
the valuation date, the "Net Present Value of Future Earnings," equaled $20.00
per share.
b. Return on Investment Analysis. Return on investment (ROI) analysis
assumes the formation of a bank holding company and analyzes the ten year ROI of
an equity investment equal to the Company's book value at December 31, 1997,
assuming a constant return on equity of 5.96%, with a liquidation at book value
in the year 2007, as opposed to a sale at 25.7 times projected earnings for the
year 2007. This ROI analysis provides a benchmark for assessing the validity of
the fair market value of a majority block of stock. The ROI analysis is one
approach to valuing a going concern, and is directly impacted by the earnings
stream, dividend payout levels and levels of debt, if any. Other financial and
non-financial factors indirectly affect the ROI; however, these factors more
directly influence the level of ROI an investor would demand from an investment
in a majority block of stock of a specific bank at a certain point in time. The
ROI, assuming a constant return on equity of 5.96% with liquidation at book
value in 2007, is 5.96%, and sale at 25.7 projected earnings in 2007, is 9.86%.
Price Equity Index Analysis. Furthermore, a price level indicator, the
equity index, may be used to confirm the validity of the transaction value. The
equity index adjusts the price to equity multiple in order to facilitate a truer
price level comparison with comparable banking organizations, regardless of
differing levels of equity capital. The equity index is derived by multiplying
the price to equity multiple by the equity-to-assets ratio. The following table
sets forth the average price equity indexes for all Minnesota public thrifts,
for all Comparable public thrifts, and for the Company for the years 1997, 1996
and 1995.
1997 1996 1995
equity index equity index equity index
------------ ------------ ------------
Mississippi View 0.2008 0.1510 0.1506
Comparables 0.1963 0.1790 0.2080
Minnesota 0.2026 0.1716 0.1506
Purchase Price at $19.50 0.2038
Purchase Price at $21.50 0.2247
Finally, another test of appropriateness for the transaction value of
a majority block of stock is the net present value-to-transaction value ratio.
Theoretically, an earnings stream may be valued through the use of a net present
value analysis. In FinPro's experience with majority block community bank stock
valuations, it has determined that a relationship does exist between the net
present value of an "average" community banking organization and the transaction
value of a majority block of the banking organization's stock. The net present
value-to-transaction value ratio ranges between and 102.56% (at $19.50 per
share) to 93.02% (at $21.50 per share) for the Company, which falls within
FinPro's expected range. There are many other factors to consider, when valuing
a going concern, which do not directly impact the earnings stream and the net
present value but which do exert a degree of influence over the fair market
value of a going concern. These factors include, but are not limited to, the
general condition of the industry, the economic and competitive situations in
the market area and the expertise of the management of the organization being
valued.
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When the net asset value, market value and investment value methods
are subjectively weighed, using the appraiser's experience and judgment, it is
FinPro's opinion that the proposed transaction is fair.
FinPro considered this transaction as a trading valuation rather than
a merger or a purchase. Consideration was given to the levels of earnings per
share, equity per share and dividends per share appreciation or dilution
percentages. To justify the fairness of the transaction for the Company
shareholders, it is important to project, based upon realistic projections of
future performance, a positive impact for the Company shareholders. FinPro
projected that the Company shareholders will have a higher level of earnings per
share, equity per share and dividends per share after the transaction. The
primary focus has been on short-term and long-term earnings per share, equity
per share and dividends per share appreciation potential for the Company
shareholders.
The Company did not impose any limitations upon the scope of the
investigation to be performed by FinPro in formulating its Opinion. In rendering
its Opinion, FinPro did not independently verify the asset quality and financial
condition of the Company, but instead relied upon the data provided by or on
behalf of the Company to be true and accurate in all material respects.
For its services as independent financial analyst of the transaction,
including the rendering of its Opinion referred to above, the Company has paid
FinPro aggregate fees of approximately $20,000 including out-of-pocket expenses.
5. Plans for the Company After the Offer
It is expected that following the Offer, the business and operations
of the Company will be continued by the Company substantially as they are
currently being conducted by management. Except for the Offer and as otherwise
described in this Offer to Purchase, the Company does not have any present plans
or proposals which relate to or would result in an extraordinary corporate
transaction, such as a merger, reorganization, liquidation, relocation of any
operations of the Company or sale or transfer of a material amount of assets
involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any changes in the
Company's capitalization or any other change in the Company's corporate
structure or business or the composition of its management. However, the Company
will continue to review its business plan and strategic direction and in such
process may develop strategies for internal growth through expansion of products
and services or growth through acquisitions and/or branching.
Following completion of the Offer, the Company may repurchase
additional Shares in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or
otherwise. Any such purchases may be on the same terms or on terms which are
more or less favorable to shareholders than the terms of the Offer. Rule 13e-4
under the Exchange Act prohibits the Company and its affiliates from purchasing
any Shares, other than pursuant to the Offer, until at least ten business days
after the Expiration Date. The Company expects to obtain an exemption from the
Commission from compliance with the requirements of Rule 13e-4 to the extent
necessary to permit the sale of Shares to the Trust at or shortly after the
Expiration Date. Any possible future purchases by the Company will depend on
many factors, including the market price of the Shares, the results of the
Offer, the Company's business and financial position and general economic and
market conditions.
6. Certain Effects of the Offer
Impact on Tendering Shareholders. Shareholders who sell Shares to the
Company in response to the Offer will receive the Purchase Price in cash. The
sale of Shares in response to the Offer will have federal income tax
consequences to the selling shareholders and may have tax consequences under
applicable federal, state, local and other tax laws. See "--Certain Federal
Income Tax Consequences."
Impact on Non-Tendering Shareholders. The purchase of Shares as a
result of the Offer will decrease the Company's shareholders' equity per Share
because the Purchase Price will be greater than the Company's
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shareholders' equity per Share of $16.85 at December 31, 1997. The Shares
purchased by the Company pursuant to the Offer will be held in the Company's
treasury and will constitute authorized but unissued Shares.
If the Company purchases Shares pursuant to the Offer with funds
received as dividends from the Association, the capital ratios of the
Association will be reduced but will continue to exceed the minimum capital
ratios required by the OTS. See "--Fairness of the Offer." To the extent the
Company utilizes borrowings to purchase Shares pursuant to the Offer, the
consolidated indebtedness of the Company following the Offer will be greater
than that of the Company prior to the Offer. The Company does not anticipate any
change to the current dividend policy, however, there can be no assurance that
dividends will be paid in the future. Any payment of cash dividends in the
future will depend upon the financial condition, capital requirements and
earnings of the Company, regulatory restrictions applicable to financial
institutions, as well as other factors the Board of Directors may deem relevant.
The purchase of Shares by the Company will increase the percentage
ownership of Shares held by non-tendering shareholders. The Offer may reduce the
number of Shares that might otherwise be traded publicly and, depending upon the
number of Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, could adversely affect the
liquidity and market value of the remaining Shares held by the public. The
Shares were delisted from the Nasdaq SmallCap Market on March 17, 1998. The
Shares are currently traded in the over-the-counter market with quotations
available on the OTC Electronic Bulletin Board. Consummation of the Offer will
further reduce the liquidity of the Shares. There can be no assurance that
shareholders will be able to find willing buyers for their shares after the
Offer.
The Company is required to file periodic reports with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act. Regardless of the results of the
Offer, the Company plans to apply to the Commission to suspend this duty since
the number of its shareholders is currently less than 300 holders of record.
Termination of the Company's reporting duty would substantially reduce the
public information available concerning the Company. The reduction of such
public information may adversely effect option holders' ability to exercise
their options or resell such underlying securities as well as the ability of
affiliates of the Company to resell Shares held by them. Such termination will,
however, decrease the Company's non-interest expenses.
To the extent that officers and directors of the Company do not tender
their Shares, the percentage ownership in the Company represented by their
Shares will increase in proportion to the reduction in the number of Shares
outstanding. See "Schedule A--Directors and Executive Officers." It is currently
expected that after consummation of the Offer the officers, directors, the ESOP,
the MSBP, and the Trust will own, in the aggregate, 49.5% of the outstanding
Shares. Therefore, the Company's officers and directors will be able to exert
greater control over the business affairs and management of the Company than
that which they were able to exert prior to the Offer's consummation. After the
Offer, it will be more difficult to remove directors and change the Company's
management.
7. Interest of Directors and Executive Officers; Transactions
and Arrangements Concerning Shares.
As of April 9, 1998, the Company's directors and executive officers as
a group beneficially owned (including pursuant to options) an aggregate of
209,894 Shares (approximately 28.48% of the outstanding Shares including Shares
issuable upon the exercise of options held by directors and executive officers).
Such ownership includes 92,860 Shares as of April 9, 1998 subject to stock
options which are held by executive officers and directors.
Except as set forth in "Schedule A--Certain Transactions Involving
Shares," neither the Company, nor any subsidiary of the Company nor, to the best
of the Company's knowledge, any of the Company's directors or
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executive officers, nor any affiliates of any of the foregoing, had any
transactions involving the Shares during the 40 business days prior to the date
hereof.
Except for outstanding options to purchase Shares granted from time to
time over recent years to certain employees (including executive officers) and
directors of the Company pursuant to the Company's stock option plans and except
as otherwise described herein, neither the Company nor, to the best of the
Company's knowledge, any of its directors or executive officers, is a party to
any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship with any other person
relating, directly or indirectly, to the Offer including, but not limited to,
any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship concerning the transfer
or the voting of any such securities, joint ventures, loan or option
arrangements, puts or calls, guaranties of loans, guaranties against loss or the
giving or withholding of proxies, consents or authorizations.
The officers and directors have advised the Company that they do not
intend to tender any Shares pursuant to the Offer. Assuming the Company
purchases 222,000 Shares pursuant to the Offer and the sale of Shares to the
Trust, the percentage of Shares outstanding held by executive officers,
directors, the ESOP, the MSBP and the Trust would be approximately 49.5% of the
outstanding Shares immediately after the Offer (including Shares issuable upon
exercise of options held by executive officers and directors).
8. Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences
General. The federal income tax discussion set forth below summarizes
the principal federal income tax consequences to domestic shareholders of sales
of stock pursuant to the Offer and is included for general information only. The
discussion does not address all aspects of federal income taxation that may be
relevant to a particular shareholder nor any relevant foreign, state, local or
other tax laws. Certain shareholders (including, but not limited to, insurance
companies, tax-exempt entities, foreign persons, financial institutions, broker
dealers, employee benefit plans, personal holding companies and persons who
acquired their Shares upon the exercise of employee stock options or as
compensation) may be subject to special rules not discussed below. The
discussion is based on laws, regulations, rulings and court decisions currently
in effect as of the date of this Offer to Purchase, all of which are subject to
change. The Company intends that, under the terms of the Offer, sales of Shares
will be completed in 1998 and shareholders will receive payment for purchased
Shares in 1998. In that event, shareholders will report the sale of Shares
pursuant to the Offer in 1998 for tax purposes. In the event that sales are not
completed this year and/or shareholders receive payments for Shares in 1999,
shareholders may be required to report the sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer
in 1999 for tax purposes. The Company has neither requested nor obtained a
written opinion of counsel or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the
"Service") with respect to the tax matters discussed herein. Prior to tendering
any Shares pursuant to the Offer, each shareholder is strongly advised to
consult with their own tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences of the
Offer to such shareholder, including the application of foreign, state, local,
or other tax laws.
In general, a sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer will be a taxable
transaction for federal income tax purposes. Such sale will constitute a
"redemption" within the meaning of Section 317 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"). Each tendering shareholder will recognize either
gain or loss from a sale of Shares or dividend income, depending upon the
application of Section 302 of the Code to the shareholder's particular facts and
circumstances. If the redemption qualifies as a sale of Shares under Section
302, the cash received pursuant to the Offer will be treated as a distribution
from the Company in part or full payment in exchange for the Shares surrendered
("Sale Treatment"). Sale Treatment will result in the shareholder's recognizing
gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the cash received pursuant to
the Offer and (ii) the shareholder's tax basis in the Shares surrendered. If the
redemption does not qualify for Sale Treatment, the shareholder will not be
treated as having sold Shares but will be treated as having received a dividend
taxable as ordinary income, in an amount equal to the cash received pursuant to
the Offer ("Dividend Treatment").
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Sale Treatment. Under Section 302 of the Code, a sale of Shares
pursuant to the Offer will be treated as a sale of such Shares for federal
income tax purposes if such sale of Shares (i) results in a "complete
redemption" of all of the shareholder's stock in the Company, (ii) is a
"substantially disproportionate redemption" with respect to the shareholder, or
(iii) is "not essentially equivalent to a dividend" with respect to the
shareholder. In determining whether any of these three tests under Section 302
is satisfied, shareholders must take into account not only Shares that they
actually own, but also any Shares that they are deemed to own pursuant to the
constructive ownership rules of Section 318 of the Code. Pursuant to these
constructive ownership rules, shareholders will be treated as owning a certain
amount of (i) Shares held by certain family members, including the shareholder's
spouse, children, grandchildren, and parents, (ii) Shares owned by certain
trusts of which the shareholder is a beneficiary, (iii) Shares owned by an
estate of which the shareholder is a beneficiary, (iv) Shares owned by any
partnership or "S corporation" in which the shareholder is a partner or
shareholder, (v) Shares owned by any non-S corporation of which the shareholder
owns at least 50% in value of the stock and (vi) Shares that the shareholder can
acquire by exercise of an option or similar right.
A shareholder's sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer will generally
result in a "complete redemption" of all the shareholder's stock in the Company
if, pursuant to the Offer, the Company purchases all of the Shares actually
owned by the shareholder and subsequently the shareholder does not
constructively own any Shares. If the shareholder's sale of Shares pursuant to
the Offer would satisfy the complete redemption requirement but for the
shareholder's constructive ownership of Shares held by certain family members,
such shareholder may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to waive such
constructive ownership, provided the shareholder complies with the provisions of
Section 302(c) of the Code. If the shareholder actually owns no Shares after
selling his or her Shares pursuant to the Offer, constructively owns only Shares
owned by certain family members, and the shareholder qualifies to and does waive
constructive ownership of Shares owned by certain family members, that
redemption of Shares would generally qualify as a "complete redemption."
A shareholder's sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer will generally be
a "substantially disproportionate redemption" with respect to the shareholder if
the percentage of Shares actually and constructively owned by the shareholder
compared to all the outstanding Shares of the Company immediately following the
sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer (treating as not outstanding all Shares
sold by all the shareholders pursuant to the Offer) is less than 80% of the
percentage of Shares actually and constructively owned by the shareholder
compared to all the outstanding Shares of the Company immediately before the
sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer (treating as outstanding all Shares sold by
the shareholders pursuant to the Offer). If the Trust Shares were treated as
outstanding immediately after the redemption, then the sale of Shares pursuant
to the Offer would be "substantially disproportionate" with respect to a
stockholder only if such stockholder's actual and constructive ownership of the
voting stock of the Company after the sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer
(treating the Trust Shares as outstanding) were also less than 80% of the
stockholder's actual and constructive percentage ownership of the voting stock
of the Company immediately before the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer
and the issuance of the Trust Shares. This test will be applied to each
shareholder individually, regardless of the effect of the redemption on the
other shareholders.
A shareholder's sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer will generally
"not be essentially equivalent to a dividend" if, as a result of the sale of
Shares pursuant to the Offer, the shareholder experiences a "meaningful
reduction" in his proportionate interest in the Company, including the
shareholder's voting rights, participation in earnings, and liquidation rights
and taking into account the constructive ownership rules. The Service has
indicated in a published ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate
interest of a small minority shareholder who does not exercise any control over
company affairs may constitute a "meaningful reduction" in the shareholder's
interest in the company. The fact that the redemption fails to qualify as a sale
pursuant to the other two tests is not taken into account in determining whether
the redemption is "not essentially equivalent to a dividend."
Shareholders should be aware that their ability to satisfy any of the
foregoing tests may be affected by proration pursuant to the Offer. Therefore, a
shareholder can be given no assurance, even if he tenders all of his
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Shares, that the Company will purchase a sufficient number of such Shares to
permit him to satisfy any of the foregoing tests. Shareholders should also be
aware that it is possible that, depending on the facts and circumstances, an
acquisition or disposition of Shares in the market or to other parties as part
of an integrated plan may be taken into account in determining whether any of
the foregoing tests is satisfied. Shareholders are strongly advised to consult
with their own tax advisors with regard to whether acquisitions from sales to
third parties, including market sales, may be so integrated. Subsequent open
market purchases by the Company may also be taken into account in determining
whether any of the foregoing tests is satisfied. It is also possible that the
issuance of the Trust Shares will be taken into account.
If any of the above three tests is satisfied by a tendering
shareholder, such shareholder will recognize gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount of cash received by the shareholder pursuant to
the Offer and the shareholder's tax basis in the Shares sold. Such gain or loss
must be determined separately for each block of Shares sold (i.e., Shares
acquired at the same time in a single transaction), and will be capital gain or
loss, assuming the Shares were held by the shareholder as a capital asset.
Capital gain or loss will qualify as long-term capital gain or loss if, at the
time the Company accepts the Shares for payment, the Shares were held by the
shareholder for more than eighteen (18) months.
Dividend Treatment. If none of the three foregoing tests are
satisfied, the tendering shareholder generally will be treated as having
received a dividend, taxable as ordinary income, in an amount equal to the total
cash received by the shareholder pursuant to the Offer, provided the Company has
sufficient accumulated or current earnings and profits. The Company expects that
its current and accumulated earnings and profits will be sufficient to cover the
amount of all distributions pursuant to the Offer, if any, that are treated as
dividends. To the extent that the purchase of Shares from any shareholder
pursuant to the Offer is treated as a dividend, such shareholder's tax basis in
any Shares which the shareholder actually or constructively retains after
consummation of the Offer will be increased by the shareholder's tax basis in
the Shares surrendered pursuant to the Offer.
Treatment of Dividend Income for Corporate Shareholders. In the case
of a corporate shareholder, if the cash received for Shares pursuant to the
Offer is treated as a dividend, the dividend income may be eligible for the
dividends-received deduction under Section 243 of the Code. The
dividends-received deduction is subject to certain limitations and may not be
available if the corporate shareholder does not satisfy certain holding period
requirements with respect to the Shares or if the Shares are treated as
"debt-financed portfolio stock." The Company believes that the Offer will not
result in a pro rata distribution to all shareholders. Consequently, dividends
received by corporate shareholders pursuant to the Offer will probably be
treated as "extraordinary dividends" as defined by Section 1059 of the Code.
Corporate shareholders should consult their tax advisors as to the availability
of the dividends-received deduction and the application of Section 1059 of the
Code.
SEE "THE OFFER--PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING SHARES" WITH RESPECT TO THE
APPLICATION OF BACKUP FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING.
9. Dissenters' Rights
No dissenters' rights are available to shareholders in connection with
the Offer under applicable Minnesota law.
THE OFFER
1. Number of Shares; Proration.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, the Company
will purchase up to 222,000 Shares or such lesser number of Shares as are
validly tendered (and not withdrawn in accordance with "--Withdrawal Rights")
prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below) at prices not in excess of
$21.50 nor less than $19.50 net
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per Share in cash. The term "Expiration Date" means 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on
Monday, May 11, 1998, unless and until the Company, in its sole discretion,
shall have extended the period of time during which the Offer will remain open,
in which event the term "Expiration Date" shall refer to the latest time and
date at which the Offer, as so extended by the Company, shall expire. In the
event of an oversubscription of the Offer, Shares tendered at or below the
Purchase Price prior to the Expiration Date will be subject to proration except
for Odd Lots as explained below. The proration period also expires on the
Expiration Date.
The Company will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Offer, determine the Purchase Price (not greater than $21.50 nor less than
$19.50 per Share) that it will pay for Shares validly tendered pursuant to the
Offer taking into account the number of Shares so tendered and the prices
specified by tendering shareholders. The Company will select a single per Share
Purchase Price that will allow it to buy 222,000 Shares (or such lesser number
as are validly tendered at prices not greater than $21.50 nor less than $19.50
per Share) pursuant to the Offer. The Company reserves the right, in its sole
discretion, to purchase more than 222,000 Shares pursuant to the Offer.
If (i) the Company increases or decreases the price to be paid for
Shares, increases the number of Shares being sought and any such increase in the
number of Shares being sought exceeds 2% of the outstanding Shares, decreases
the number of Shares being sought, or incurs dealer manager soliciting fees and
(ii) the Offer is scheduled to expire less than ten business days from and
including the date that notice of such increase or decrease is first published,
sent or given in the manner specified in "--Extension of the Offer;Termination;
Amendment," the Offer will be extended for at least ten business days from and
including the date of such notice. For purposes of the Offer, a "business day"
means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday and consists of the
time period from 12:01 a.m. through 12:00 midnight, Eastern time.
This Offer is conditioned upon, among other things, the Company
obtaining the funds necessary to consummate the Offer and to pay all related
fees and expenses. The Offer is not conditioned on any minimum number of shares
being tendered. See "--Certain Conditions of the Offer."
In accordance with Instruction 5 of the Letter of Transmittal,
shareholders desiring to tender Shares must specify the price, not in excess of
$21.50 nor less than $19.50 per Share, at which they are willing to sell their
Shares to the Company. Shares validly tendered pursuant to the Offer at or below
the Purchase Price and not withdrawn will be purchased at the Purchase Price,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer, including the proration
provisions. All Shares tendered and not purchased pursuant to the Offer,
including Shares tendered at prices in excess of the Purchase Price and Shares
not purchased because of proration will be returned to the tendering
shareholders at the Company's expense as promptly as practicable following the
Expiration Date.
Priority of Purchases. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
the Offer, if more than 222,000 Shares (or such greater number of Shares as the
Company may elect to purchase) have been validly tendered at prices at or below
the Purchase Price and not withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date, the Company
will purchase validly tendered Shares on the basis set forth below:
(a) first, all Shares tendered and not withdrawn prior to the
Expiration Date by any Odd Lot Holder (as defined below) who:
(1) tenders all Shares beneficially owned by such Odd Lot
Holder at a price at or below the Purchase Price (tenders of less than
all Shares owned by such shareholder will not qualify for this
preference); and
(2) completes the box captioned "Odd Lots" on the Letter of
Transmittal and, if applicable, on the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery;
and
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(b) second, after purchase of all of the foregoing Shares, all other
Shares validly tendered at prices at or below the Purchase Price and
not withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date, on a pro rata basis (with
appropriate adjustments to avoid purchases of fractional Shares) as
described below.
Odd Lots. For purposes of the Offer, the term "Odd Lots" shall mean
all Shares validly tendered prior to the Expiration Date at prices at or below
the Purchase Price and not withdrawn by any person (an "Odd Lot Holder") who
owned, beneficially or of record, as of the close of business on April 8, 1998
and as of the Expiration Date, an aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares and so
certified in the appropriate place on the Letter of Transmittal and, if
applicable, on the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. In order to qualify for this
preference, an Odd Lot Holder must tender all such Shares in accordance with the
procedures described in "--Procedures for Tendering Shares." As set forth above,
Odd Lots will be accepted for payment before proration, if any, of the purchase
of other tendered Shares. This preference is not available to partial tenders or
to beneficial or record holders of an aggregate of 100 or more Shares, even if
such holders have separate accounts or certificates representing fewer than 100
Shares. By accepting the Offer, an Odd Lot Holder would not only avoid the
payment of brokerage commissions but also would avoid any applicable odd lot
discounts in a sale of such holder's Shares. Any shareholder wishing to tender
all of such shareholder's Shares pursuant to this Section should complete the
box captioned "Odd Lots" on the Letter of Transmittal and, if applicable, on the
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
The Company also reserves the right, but will not be obligated, to
purchase all Shares validly tendered by any shareholder who tendered all Shares
owned, beneficially or of record, at or below the Purchase Price and who, as a
result of proration, would then own, beneficially, an aggregate of fewer than
100 Shares. If the Company exercises this right, it will increase the number of
Shares that it is offering to purchase by the number of Shares purchased through
the exercise of the right.
Proration. In the event that proration of tendered Shares is required,
the Company will determine the proration factor as soon as practicable following
the Expiration Date. Proration for each shareholder tendering Shares, other than
Odd Lot Holders, shall be based on the ratio of the number of Shares tendered by
such shareholder to the total number of Shares tendered by all shareholders,
other than Odd Lot Holders, at or below the Purchase Price. Because of the
difficulty in determining the number of Shares validly tendered (including
Shares tendered by guaranteed delivery procedures, as described in Section 3)
and not withdrawn, and because of the odd lot procedure, the Company does not
expect that it will be able to announce the final proration factor or to
commence payment for any Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer until
approximately seven over-the-counter ("OTC") trading days after the Expiration
Date. The preliminary results of any proration will be announced by press
release as promptly as practicable after the Expiration Date. Shareholders may
obtain such preliminary information from the Information Agent and may be able
to obtain such information from their brokers.
This Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal will be
mailed to record holders of Shares and will be furnished to brokers, banks and
similar persons whose names, or the names of whose nominees, appear on the
Company's shareholder list or, if applicable, who are listed as participants in
a clearing agency's security position listing for subsequent transmittal to
beneficial owners of Shares.
2. Procedures for Tendering Shares.
Valid Tender of Shares. For Shares to be validly tendered pursuant to
the Offer, (a) the certificates for such Shares (or confirmation of receipt of
such Shares pursuant to the procedures for book-entry delivery set forth below),
together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or
manually signed facsimile thereof) including any required signature guarantees
and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, must be received
prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Expiration Date by the Depositary at
one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase or
(b) the tendering shareholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedure
set forth below.
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IN ACCORDANCE WITH INSTRUCTION 5 OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL,
SHAREHOLDERS DESIRING TO TENDER SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER MUST PROPERLY
INDICATE IN THE SECTION CAPTIONED "PRICE (IN DOLLARS) PER SHARE AT WHICH SHARES
ARE BEING TENDERED" ON THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL THE PRICE (IN MULTIPLES OF
$.125) AT WHICH THEIR SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED. SHAREHOLDERS WHO DESIRE TO
TENDER SHARES AT MORE THAN ONE PRICE MUST COMPLETE A SEPARATE LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL FOR EACH PRICE AT WHICH SHARES ARE TENDERED, PROVIDED THAT THE SAME
SHARES CANNOT BE TENDERED (UNLESS VALIDLY WITHDRAWN PREVIOUSLY IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE TERMS OF THE OFFER) AT MORE THAN ONE PRICE. IN ORDER TO VALIDLY TENDER
SHARES, ONE AND ONLY ONE PRICE BOX MUST BE CHECKED IN THE APPROPRIATE SECTION ON
EACH LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
In addition, Odd Lot Holders who tender all such Shares must complete
the box captioned "Odd Lots" on the Letter of Transmittal and, if applicable, on
the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, in order to qualify for the preferential
treatment available to Odd Lot Holders as set forth in "--Number of Shares;
Proration."
Signature Guarantees and Method of Delivery. No signature guarantee is
required on the Letter of Transmittal (i) if the Letter of Transmittal is signed
by the registered holder of the Shares (which term, for purposes of this Section
3, shall include any participant in The Depository Trust Company or The
Philadelphia Depository Trust Company (collectively, the "Book-Entry Transfer
Facilities") whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of
the Shares) tendered therewith and such holder has not completed either the box
entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Payment
Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal; or (ii) if Shares are tendered for
the account of a member firm of a registered national securities exchange, a
member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial
bank or trust company having an office, branch or agency in the United States.
In all other cases, all signatures on the Letter of Transmittal must be
guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (bank, stockbroker, savings and
loan association or credit union with membership in an approved signature
guarantee medallion program) pursuant to Rule 17Ad-15 promulgated under the
Exchange Act (an "Eligible Institution"). See Instruction 1 of the Letter of
Transmittal. If a certificate for Shares is registered in the name of a person
other than the person executing a Letter of Transmittal, or if payment is to be
made, or Shares not purchased or tendered are to be issued, to a person other
than the registered holder, the certificate must be endorsed or accompanied by
an appropriate stock power, in either case, signed exactly as the name of the
registered holder appears on the certificate, with the signature on the
certificate or stock power guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
In all cases, payment for Shares tendered and accepted for payment
pursuant to the Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary
of certificates for such Shares (or a timely confirmation of a book-entry
transfer of such Shares into the Depositary's account at one of the Book-Entry
Transfer Facilities as described above), a properly completed and duly executed
Letter of Transmittal (or manually signed facsimile thereof) and any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal. The method of delivery of all
documents, including certificates for Shares, the Letter of Transmittal and any
other required documents, is at the election and risk of the tendering
shareholder. If delivery is by mail, registered mail with return receipt
requested, properly insured, is recommended.
Book-Entry Delivery. The Depositary will establish an account with
respect to the Shares for purposes of the Offer at each Book-Entry Transfer
Facility within two business days after the date of this Offer to Purchase, and
any financial institution that is a participant in a Book-Entry Transfer
Facility's system may make book-entry delivery of the Shares by causing such
facility to transfer Shares into the Depositary's account in accordance with the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility's procedures for transfer. Although delivery of
Shares may be effected through a book-entry transfer into the Depositary's
account at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility, either (i) a properly completed and
duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile thereof)
with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents must, in
any case, be transmitted to and received by the Depositary at one of its
addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase prior to the
Expiration Date, or (ii) the
23
<PAGE>
guaranteed delivery procedure described below must be followed. Delivery of the
Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents to a book-entry transfer
facility does not constitute delivery to the Depositary.
Backup Federal Income Tax Withholding. To prevent backup federal
income tax withholding on payments made to shareholders for Shares purchased
pursuant to the Offer, each shareholder who does not otherwise establish an
exemption from such withholding must provide the Depositary with the
shareholder's correct taxpayer identification number and provide certain other
information by completing the substitute Form W-9 included in the Letter of
Transmittal. Foreign shareholders may be required to submit Form W-8, certifying
non-United States status, to avoid backup withholding. See Instructions 12 and
13 of the Letter of Transmittal. For a discussion of certain federal income tax
consequences to tendering shareholders, see "Certain Federal Income Tax
Consequences."
Withholding For Foreign Shareholders. The Depositary will withhold
federal income taxes equal to 30% of the gross payments payable to a foreign
shareholder or his agent unless the Depositary determines that an exemption from
or a reduced rate of withholding is available pursuant to a tax treaty or an
exemption from withholding is applicable because such gross proceeds are
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United
States. In order to obtain an exemption from or a reduced rate of withholding
pursuant to a tax treaty, a foreign shareholder must deliver to the Depositary a
properly completed Form 1001 (or any related successor form). For this purpose,
a foreign shareholder is a shareholder that is not (i) a citizen or resident of
the United States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity created or
organized in or under the laws of the United States, any State or any political
subdivision thereof or (iii) an estate or trust the income of which is subject
to United States federal income taxation regardless of the source of such
income. In order to obtain an exemption from withholding on the grounds that the
gross proceeds paid pursuant to the Offer are effectively connected with the
conduct of a trade or business within the United States, a foreign shareholder
must deliver to the Depositary a properly completed Form 4224 (or any related
successor form). The Depositary will determine a shareholder's status as a
foreign shareholder and eligibility for a reduced rate of, or an exemption from,
withholding by reference to any outstanding certificates or statements
concerning eligibility for a reduced rate of, or exemption from, withholding
(e.g., Form 1001 or Form 4224) unless facts and circumstances indicate that such
reliance is not warranted. A foreign shareholder who has not previously
submitted the appropriate certificates or statements with respect to a reduced
rate of, or exemption from, withholding for which such shareholder may be
eligible should consider doing so in order to avoid excess withholding. A
foreign shareholder may be eligible to obtain a refund of tax withheld if such
shareholder meets one of the three tests for sale treatment described in
"Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences" or is otherwise able to establish that
no tax or a reduced amount of tax is due. Backup withholding generally will not
apply to amounts subject to the 30% or treaty-reduced rate of withholding.
Guaranteed Delivery. If a shareholder desires to tender Shares
pursuant to the Offer and such shareholder's Share certificates are not
immediately available (or the procedures for book-entry delivery cannot be
completed on a timely basis) or if time will not permit all required documents
to reach the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date, such Shares may
nevertheless be tendered, provided that all of the following conditions are
satisfied:
(a) such tender is made by or through an Eligible Institution;
(b) the Depositary receives by hand, mail, telegram or facsimile
transmission, on or prior to the Expiration Date, a properly completed and duly
executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery substantially in the form the Company has
provided with this Offer to Purchase (specifying the price at which the Shares
are being tendered), including (where required) a signature guarantee by an
Eligible Institution; and
(c) the certificates for all tendered Shares, in proper form for
transfer (or confirmation of book-entry delivery of such Shares into the
Depositary's account at one of the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities), together
with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a manually
signed facsimile thereof) and any required signature guarantees or other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, are received by the Depositary
within three OTC trading days after the date of receipt by the Depositary of
such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
24
<PAGE>
If any tendered Shares are not purchased, or if less than all Shares
evidenced by a shareholder's certificates are tendered, certificates for
unpurchased Shares will be returned as promptly as practicable after the
expiration or termination of the Offer or, in the case of Shares tendered by
book-entry delivery at a Book-Entry Transfer Facility, such Shares will be
credited to the appropriate account maintained by the tendering shareholder at
the appropriate Book-Entry Transfer Facility, in each case without expense to
such shareholder.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan. As of April 9, 1998, the ESOP owned
80,639 Shares of which 24,192 Shares were allocated to the accounts of the
participants. Shares allocated to participants' accounts will, subject to the
limitations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
and applicable regulations thereunder ("ERISA"), be tendered by the Trustee of
the plan according to the instructions of participants to the Trustee. Decisions
as to whether to tender Shares not allocated to participants' accounts will be
made by the Trustee subject to the terms of the plan and ERISA. The Trustee will
make available to the participants whose accounts hold allocated Shares all
documents furnished to the shareholders in connection with the Offer generally
and will provide additional information in a separate letter with respect to the
operations of the Offer to the participants of the ESOP. Each participant will
also receive a form upon which the participant may instruct the Trustee
regarding the Offer. Each participant may direct that all, some or none of the
Shares allocated to the participant's account be tendered. Participants will
also be afforded withdrawal rights. See "--Withdrawal Rights."
Under ERISA the Company will be prohibited from purchasing any Shares
from the ESOP (including Shares allocated to the accounts of participants) if
the Purchase Price is less than the prevailing market price of the Shares on the
date the Shares are accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer.
Company Stock Bonus Plan. As of April 9, 1998, the MSBP owned 28,629
Shares of which 17,534 Shares were allocated to the accounts of the
participants. Shares allocated to participants will, subject to the limitations
of ERISA, be tendered by the Trustee of the plan according to the instructions
of participants to the Trustee. Decisions as to whether to tender Shares not
allocated to participants' accounts will be made by the Trustee subject to the
terms of the plan and ERISA. The Trustee will make available to the participants
whose accounts hold allocated Shares all documents furnished to the shareholders
in connection with the Offer generally and will provide additional information
in a separate letter with respect to the operations of the Offer to the
participants of the MSBP. Each participant will also receive a form upon which
the participant may instruct the Trustee regarding the Offer. Each participant
may direct that all, some or none of the Shares allocated to the participant be
tendered. Participants will also be afforded withdrawal rights. See
"--Withdrawal Rights."
Company Stock Option Plans. The Company is not offering, as part of
the Offer, to purchase any of the options outstanding under the Company's stock
option plans and tenders of such options will not be accepted. In no event are
any options to be delivered to the Depositary in connection with a tender of
Shares hereunder. An exercise of an option cannot be revoked even if Shares
received upon the exercise thereof and tendered in the Offer are not purchased
in the Offer for any reason.
401(k) Profit Sharing Plan. Participants in the Profit Sharing Plan
who wish to have the plan's trustees tender Shares attributable to their
participant-directed investment accounts should so indicate by completing,
executing and returning to the Depositary the election form included in the
notice sent to such participants. Participants in the plan may not use the
Letter of Transmittal to direct the tender of the Shares attributed to their
accounts, but must use the separate election form sent to them. Participants in
the plan are urged to read the separate election form and related materials
carefully.
Determination of Validity; Rejection of Shares; Waiver of Defects; No
Obligation to Give Notice of Defects. All questions as to the number of Shares
to be accepted, the price to be paid therefor and the validity, form,
eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of any tender of Shares
will be determined by the Company, in its sole discretion, and its determination
shall be final and binding on all parties. The Company reserves the absolute
right to reject any or all tenders of any Shares that it determines are not in
appropriate form or the acceptance for payment of or payment for which may be
unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute right to waive any of the
conditions of the Offer or any defect or irregularity in any tender with respect
to any particular
25
<PAGE>
Shares. No tender of Shares will be deemed to have been validly made until all
defects or irregularities have been cured by the tendering shareholder or waived
by the Company. None of the Company, the Depositary, the Information Agent or
any other person shall be obligated to give notice of any defects or
irregularities in tenders, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure
to give any such notice.
Tendering Shareholder's Representation and Warranty; Company's
Acceptance Constitutes an Agreement. A tender of Shares pursuant to any of the
procedures described above will constitute the tendering shareholder's
acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Offer, as well as the tendering
shareholder's representation and warranty to the Company that (a) such
shareholder has a net long position in the Shares being tendered within the
meaning of Rule 14e-4 promulgated by the Commission under the Exchange Act and
(b) the tender of such Shares complies with Rule 14e-4. It is a violation of
Rule 14e-4 for a person, directly or indirectly, to tender Shares for such
person's own account unless, at the time of tender and at the end of the
proration period, the person so tendering (i) has a net long position equal to
or greater than the amount of (x) Shares tendered or (y) other securities
convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for the Shares tendered and will
acquire such Shares for tender by conversion, exchange or exercise and (ii) will
cause such Shares to be delivered in accordance with the terms of the Offer.
Rule 14e-4 provides a similar restriction applicable to the tender or guarantee
of a tender on behalf of another person. The Company's acceptance for payment of
Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer will constitute a binding agreement
between the tendering shareholder and the Company upon the terms and subject to
the conditions of the Offer.
3. Withdrawal Rights.
Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, the tender of Shares
pursuant to the Offer is irrevocable. Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer may
be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date and, unless theretofore
accepted for payment by the Company pursuant to the Offer, may also be withdrawn
at any time after 12:00 midnight, Eastern time, on Monday, June 8, 1998.
For a withdrawal to be effective, a notice of withdrawal must be in
written, telegraphic or facsimile transmission form and must be received in a
timely manner by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back
cover of this Offer to Purchase. Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the
name of the tendering shareholder, the name of the registered holder, if
different, the number of Shares tendered and the number of Shares to be
withdrawn. If the certificates for Shares to be withdrawn have been delivered or
otherwise identified to the Depositary, then, prior to the release of such
certificates, the tendering shareholder must also submit the serial numbers
shown on the particular certificates evidencing the Shares to be withdrawn and
the signature on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution (except in the case of Shares tendered by an Eligible Institution).
If Shares have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry delivery
set forth in "-- Procedures for Tendering Shares," the notice of withdrawal also
must specify the name and the number of the account at the applicable Book-Entry
Transfer Facility to be credited with the withdrawn Shares and otherwise comply
with the procedures of such facility. None of the Company, the Depositary, the
Information Agent or any other person shall be obligated to give notice of any
defects or irregularities in any notice of withdrawal nor shall any of them
incur liability for failure to give any such notice. All questions as to the
form and validity (including time of receipt) of notices of withdrawal will be
determined by the Company, in its sole discretion, which determination shall be
final and binding on all parties.
Withdrawals may not be rescinded and any Shares withdrawn will
thereafter be deemed not validly tendered for purposes of the Offer. However,
withdrawn Shares may be retendered prior to the Expiration Date by again
following one of the procedures described in "--Procedures for Tendering
Shares."
If the Company extends the Offer, is delayed in its purchase of Shares
or is unable to purchase Shares pursuant to the Offer for any reason, then,
without prejudice to the Company's rights under the Offer, the Depositary may,
subject to applicable law, retain tendered Shares on behalf of the Company, and
such Shares may not be withdrawn except to the extent tendering shareholders are
entitled to withdrawal rights as described in this Section 4.
26
<PAGE>
4. Price Range of Shares; Dividends.
Until March 17, 1998, the Shares were listed and quoted on the on the
Nasdaq SmallCap Market. The Shares currently trade in the over-the-counter
market with quotations available through the OTC Electronic Bulletin Board. The
following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing
per Share sales price as published by the Nasdaq statistical report, (except for
information subsequent to March 17, 1998) and the cash dividends paid per Share
in each such fiscal quarter.
Dividends
Paid
Fiscal Year High Low Per Share
- ----------- ---- --- ---------
1996:
1st Quarter............................. $12.00 $11.00 $ --
2nd Quarter............................. 12.25 11.25 0.08
3rd Quarter............................. 12.00 11.00 --
4th Quarter............................. 12.75 10.75 0.08
1997:
1st Quarter............................. 12.75 11.75 --
2nd Quarter............................. 15.50 12.25 0.08
3rd Quarter............................. 15.63 14.00 --
4th Quarter............................. 17.50 14.50 0.08
1998:
1st Quarter............................. 19.75 16.38 --
2nd Quarter............................. 20.00 17.00 0.08
3rd Quarter (through April 9, 1998)..... 18.50 18.50 --
On March 31, 1998, the last full trading day on which a sale was
reported prior to the commencement of the Offer, the closing per Share sales
price was $18.50. Shareholders are urged to obtain current market quotations for
the Shares. For trading information regarding the Shares, shareholders may call
MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at 1-800-322-2885.
27
<PAGE>
5. Purchase of Shares and Payment of Purchase Price.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, the Company
will determine the Purchase Price it will pay for the Shares validly tendered
and not withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date, taking into account the number
of Shares so tendered and the prices specified by tendering shareholders, and
will accept for payment and pay for (and thereby purchase) Shares validly
tendered at prices at or below the Purchase Price as promptly as practicable
following the Expiration Date. For purposes of the Offer, the Company will be
deemed to have accepted (and therefor purchased) Shares which are tendered at or
below the Purchase Price and not withdrawn (subject to the proration provisions
of the Offer) when, as and if it gives oral or written notice to the Depositary
of its acceptance of such Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, promptly
following the Expiration Date the Company will accept for payment and pay a
single per Share Purchase Price for 222,000 Shares (subject to increase or
decrease as provided in "--Extension of the Offer; Termination; Amendment") or
such lesser number of Shares as are validly tendered at prices not in excess of
$21.50 nor less than $19.50 per Share and not withdrawn as permitted in
"--Withdrawal Rights."
The Company will pay for Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer by
depositing the aggregate Purchase Price therefor with the Depositary, which will
act as agent for tendering shareholders for the purpose of receiving payment
from the Company and transmitting payment to the tendering shareholders.
In the event of proration, the Company will determine the proration
factor and pay for those tendered Shares accepted for payment as soon as
practicable after the Expiration Date; however, the Company does not expect to
be able to announce the final results of any proration and commence payment for
Shares purchased until approximately seven OTC trading days after the Expiration
Date. Certificates for all Shares tendered and not purchased, including all
Shares tendered at prices in excess of the Purchase Price and Shares not
purchased due to proration, will be returned (or, in the case of Shares tendered
by book-entry delivery, such Shares will be credited to the account maintained
with the Book-Entry Transfer Facility by the participant therein who so
delivered such Shares) to the tendering shareholder as promptly as practicable
after the Expiration Date without expense to the tendering shareholders. Under
no circumstances will interest on the Purchase Price be paid by the Company by
reason of any delay in making payment.
The Company will pay all stock transfer taxes, if any, payable on the
transfer to it of Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer. If, however, payment
of the Purchase Price is to be made to, or (in the circumstances permitted by
the Offer) if unpurchased Shares are to be registered in the name of, any person
other than the registered holder, or if tendered certificates are registered in
the name of any person other than the person signing the Letter of Transmittal,
the amount of all stock transfer taxes, if any (whether imposed on the
registered holder or such other person), payable on account of the transfer to
such person will be deducted from the Purchase Price unless evidence
satisfactory to the Company of the payment of the stock transfer taxes, or
exemption therefrom, is submitted. See Instruction 7 of the Letter of
Transmittal.
ANY TENDERING SHAREHOLDER OR OTHER PAYEE WHO FAILS TO COMPLETE FULLY,
SIGN AND RETURN TO THE DEPOSITARY THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 INCLUDED IN THE LETTER
OF TRANSMITTAL MAY BE SUBJECT TO REQUIRED BACKUP FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING.
SEE "-- PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING SHARES" AND INSTRUCTION 12 OF THE LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL. ALSO SEE "-- PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING SHARES" REGARDING FEDERAL
INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES FOR FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS.
6. Certain Conditions of the Offer.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Offer, the Company shall
not be required to accept for payment, purchase or pay for any Shares tendered,
and may terminate or amend the Offer or may postpone the acceptance
28
<PAGE>
for payment of, or the purchase of and the payment for Shares tendered, subject
to Rule 13e-4(f) under the Exchange Act (see "-- Extension of the Offer;
Termination; Amendment"), if (i) the Financing Condition has not been satisfied
or (ii) at any time on or after April 13, 1998 and prior to the time of payment
for any such Shares any of the following events shall have occurred (or shall
have been determined by the Company to have occurred) which, in the Company's
reasonable judgment in any such case and regardless of the circumstances giving
rise thereto (including any action or omission to act by the Company), makes it
inadvisable to proceed with the Offer or with such acceptance for payment or
payment:
(a) there shall have been threatened, instituted or pending any action
or proceeding by any government or governmental, regulatory or administrative
agency or authority or tribunal or any other person, domestic or foreign, or
before any court or governmental, regulatory or administrative authority or
agency or tribunal, domestic or foreign, which: (1) challenges the making of the
Offer, the acquisition of Shares pursuant to the Offer or otherwise relates in
any manner to the Offer or (2) in the Company's reasonable judgment, could
materially affect the business, condition (financial or other), income,
operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
or otherwise materially impair in any way the contemplated future conduct of the
business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or materially impair the
Offer's contemplated benefits to the Company; or
(b) there shall have been any claim, action or proceeding threatened,
pending or taken, or any consent, license, authorization, permit or approval
withheld, or any law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or injunction
threatened, proposed, sought, promulgated, enacted, entered, enforced or deemed
to be applicable to the Offer or the Company, by or before any court or any
government or governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or authority
(federal, state, local or foreign) or tribunal, domestic or foreign, which, in
the reasonable judgment of the Company, could or might directly or indirectly
(i) make the acceptance for payment of, or payment for, some or all of the
Shares illegal or otherwise restrict or prohibit the consummation of the Offer,
(ii) delay or restrict the ability of the Company, or render the Company unable,
to accept for payment or pay for some or all of the Shares, (iii) materially
affect the business, condition (financial or other), income, operations or
prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or otherwise
materially impair in any way the contemplated future conduct of the business of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or (iv) materially impair the
contemplated benefits of the Offer to the Company; or
(c) there shall have occurred any of the following events: (i) the
commencement of any state of war, international crisis or national emergency;
(ii) the declaration of any banking moratorium or suspension of payments by
banks in the United States or any limitation on the extension of credit by
lending institutions in the United States; (iii) any general suspension of
trading or limitation of prices for securities on any securities exchange or in
the over-the-counter market in the United States; (iv) any significant adverse
change in the market price of the Shares or any change in the general political,
market, economic or financial conditions in the United States or abroad that
could have a material adverse effect upon the trading of the Shares; (v) in the
case of any of the foregoing existing at the time of the commencement of the
Offer, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, a material acceleration or
worsening effect thereof; or (vi) any decline in either the Dow Jones Industrial
Average or the Standard and Poor's Index of 500 Industrial Companies by an
amount in excess of 10% measured from the close of business on April 9, 1998; or
(d) a tender or exchange offer with respect to some or all of the
Shares (other than the Offer), or a merger or acquisition proposal for the
Company, shall have been proposed, announced or made by another person or shall
have been publicly disclosed, or the Company shall have learned that any person
or "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), shall
have acquired or proposed to acquire beneficial ownership of more than five
percent of the outstanding Shares, or any new group shall have been formed that
beneficially owns more than five percent of the outstanding Shares; or
(e) there shall have occurred any event which, in the reasonable
judgment of the Company, has resulted in an actual or threatened material
adverse change in the business, financial condition, assets, income, operations,
prospects or stock ownership of the Company or which may adversely affect the
value of the Shares;
29
<PAGE>
and, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, such event makes it inadvisable
to proceed with the Offer or with acceptance for payment of or payment for any
Shares.
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and
may be asserted by the Company regardless of the circumstances (including any
action or inaction by the Company) giving rise to any such condition, and may be
waived by the Company, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time in
its sole discretion. The Company's failure at any time to exercise any of the
foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right and each such
right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time and
from time to time. Any determination by the Company concerning the events
described above will be final and binding on all parties.
7. Extension of the Offer; Termination; Amendment.
The Company expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, at
any time and from time to time, and regardless of whether or not any of the
events set forth in "-- Certain Conditions of the Offer" shall have occurred or
been determined by the Company to have occurred, (a) to extend the period of
time during which the Offer is open by giving oral or written notice of such
extension to the Depositary and making a public announcement thereof no later
than 9:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the next business day after the previously
scheduled Expiration Date, and (b) to amend the Offer in any respect (including,
without limitation, by increasing or decreasing the range of prices it may pay
for Shares or the number of Shares being sought in the Offer) by giving oral or
written notice of such amendment to the Depositary and, as promptly as
practicable thereafter, making a public announcement thereof. If (i) the Company
increases or decreases the price to be paid for Shares, increases or decreases
the number of Shares being sought in the Offer or incurs dealer manager
soliciting fees and, in the event of an increase in the number of Shares being
sought, such increase exceeds two percent of the outstanding Shares and (ii) the
Offer is scheduled to expire at any time earlier than the expiration of a period
ending on the tenth business day from, and including, the date that such notice
of an increase or decrease is first published, sent or given in the manner
specified in this Section 7, the Offer will, at least, be extended until the
expiration of such period of ten business days. The Company also expressly
reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to terminate the Offer
and not to accept for payment or pay for Shares upon the occurrence of any of
the conditions specified in "--Certain Conditions of the Offer" by giving oral
or written notice of such termination to the Depositary and, as promptly as
practicable thereafter, making a public announcement thereof. Without limiting
the manner in which the Company may choose to make a public announcement, except
as required by applicable law (including Rule 13e- 4(e)(2) under the Exchange
Act), the Company shall have no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise
communicate any such public announcement other than by making a release to the
Dow Jones News Service. The rights reserved by the Company in this paragraph are
in addition to the Company's rights under "--Certain Conditions of the Offer."
Payment for Shares accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer may be delayed in
the event of proration due to the difficulty of determining the number of
validly tendered Shares. See "--Number of Shares; Proration" and "--Purchase of
Shares and Payment of Purchase Price."
8. Source and Amount of Funds.
Assuming that the Company purchases 222,000 Shares pursuant to the
Offer at a price of $21.50 per Share, the cost to the Company (including all
fees and expenses relating to the Offer), is estimated to be approximately
$4,858,000. The Company plans to obtain substantially all the funds needed for
the Offer from a dividend from the Association of $4,650,000. The Association
filed a Notice of Capital Distribution (the "Notice") with the OTS, regarding
the dividend, on April 7, 1998. Pursuant to OTS regulations, the OTS could
object to the dividend within 30 days of the filing of the Notice. The Company
intends to obtain the remaining funds necessary to consummate the Offer through
short-term borrowings.
The terms of any short-term borrowings will depend upon market
conditions and other factors prevailing at the time or times of borrowing. The
Company expects that, under current circumstances and market conditions, such
short-term borrowings (i) would have a maturity of between approximately six and
nine months, (ii) would involve an effective interest cost to the Company of
approximately 10.25% per annum, and (iii) would be repaid from dividends from
the Association paid out of earnings or from the proceeds of other borrowings by
the Company.
30
<PAGE>
9. Certain Information Concerning The Company
General. The Company is the holding company for the Association which
was originally chartered in 1934. The Association is primarily engaged in the
business of attracting deposits from the general public and using those
deposits, together with other funds, to originate loans secured by first
mortgages on owner-occupied, one-to four-family residences in its market area,
and to purchase investment securities. The Association's loan portfolio
predominantly consists of both adjustable-rate and fixed-rate mortgage loans
secured by single family residences, and to a much lesser extent, the
Association also originates commercial mortgage, construction and consumer
loans.
The business of the Association is conducted through its only office
in Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota.
The Association is subject to examination by the OTS and the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company, as a federal savings and loan
holding company, is subject to examination by the OTS.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Set forth below is certain selected consolidated financial information
with respect to the Company, excerpted or derived from the audited financial
statements for the years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 and from the
unaudited financial statements for the three months ended December 31, 1997 and
1996 included in Annex II to this Offer to Purchase. The selected information
below is qualified in its entirety by reference to such consolidated financial
statements and the financial information and related notes contained therein.
Mississippi View Holding Company
Summary Historical Financial Information
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
At December 31, At September 30,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996(1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Selected Financial Condition
and Other Data
Total assets......................... $68,619 $70,329 $68,546 $70,011
Loans receivable, net................ 44,493 43,857 44,475 43,070
Mortgage-backed securities........... 4,318 4,543 5,064 4,857
Investment securities................ 14,538 17,139 15,956 17,323
Cash and cash equivalents............ 3,471 2,898 1,105 2,584
Deposits............................. 54,867 56,342 55,184 56,531
Total shareholders' equity........... 12,476 13,035 12,068 12,440
</TABLE>
31
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended December 31, Year Ended September 30,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996(1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Interest income...................... $1,272 $1,293 $5,165 $5,173
Interest expense..................... 626 634 2,502 2,531
Net interest income.................. 646 659 2,663 2,642
Provision for credit losses.......... -- -- -- 4
Noninterest income................... 42 38 202 351
Noninterest expense.................. 402 439 1,667 2,056
Income tax expense................... 109 84 458 374
Net income .......................... 177 173 740 559
Net income per share................. 0.27 0.22 0.96 0.66
Dividends per share.................. -- -- 0.16 0.16
Book value per share................. 16.85 15.25 16.30 14.17
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
At or For Three Months Ended At or For Year Ended
December 31, September 30,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997(1) 1996(1) 1997 1996(2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Selected financial ratios:
Return on average assets............. 1.07% 1.00% 1.08% 0.80%
Return on average equity............. 6.36 5.64 6.18 4.23
Dividend payout ratio................
Shareholders' equity/total assets.... 18.18 18.53 17.61 17.77
Allowance for loan losses/loans
receivable, net...................... 1.94 2.00 1.93 2.03
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed
Charges(3):
Excluding interest on deposits..... -- -- -- --
Including interest on deposits..... 0.46x 0.41x 0.48x 0.37x
</TABLE>
(footnotes on following page)
32
<PAGE>
- ------------------
(1) The ratios for the three month periods are annualized.
(2) The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has imposed a special
assessment on the Savings Association Insurance Fund members based on
deposits as of March 31, 1995. The Association paid an assessment of
$362,000 on September 30, 1996, which was required to be accrued and
expended for the quarter ended September 30, 1996.
(3) The consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges has been computed
by dividing income before income taxes, cumulative effect of changes
in accounting principles and fixed charges by fixed charges. Fixed
charges represent all interest expense (ratios are presented both
excluding and including interest on deposits). There were no
amortization of notes and debentures expense nor any portion of net
rental expense which was deemed to be equivalent to interest on debt.
Interest expense (other than on deposits) includes interest on notes,
federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to
repurchase, and other funds borrowed.
33
<PAGE>
SELECTED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following unaudited pro forma financial information of the Company
for the three months ended December 31, 1997 and the fiscal year ended September
30, 1997 show the effects of (i) the purchase of 222,000 Shares pursuant to the
Offer and (ii) the sale of Shares to the Trust equal to the Purchase Price in
exchange for a Note in an aggregate principal amount of $1,214,750. The balance
sheet data give effect to the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer as if it
had occurred as of the date of the balance sheet. The pro forma financial
information should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements
and related notes thereto for the year ended September 30, 1997 and the
unaudited financial statements for the three months ended December 31, 1997
contained in Annex II to this Offer to Purchase. The pro forma financial
information does not purport to be indicative of the results that would actually
have been attained had the purchases of the Shares and the issuance of Shares to
the Trust been completed at the dates indicated or that may be attained in the
future.
Mississippi View Holding Company
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
Three Months Ended December 31, 1997
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Shares Purchased at
----------------------------
$19.50 $21.50
per Share per Share
--------- ---------
Interest income.................................. $ 1,216 $1,212
Interest expense (3)............................. 626 631
--- ---
Net interest income......................... 590 581
Provision for credit losses...................... -- --
---- ----
Net interest income after provision
for credit losses......................... 590 581
Noninterest income............................... 42 42
Noninterest expenses............................. 402 402
----- -----
Income before income taxes....................... 230 221
Income tax expense (3)........................... 87 83
----- -----
Net income.................................. $ 143 $ 138
====== ======
Basic earnings per share.................... $ 0.29 $ 0.28
====== ======
Diluted earnings per share.................. $ 0.26 $ 0.25
====== ======
Weighted average shares outstanding (2).......... 489,441 489,441
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
Excluding interest on deposits............... -- 41.4x
Including interest on deposits................... 0.37x 0.35x
See Notes to Unaudited Proforma Financial Information on page 38
34
<PAGE>
Mississippi View Holding Company
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
Year Ended September 30, 1997
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Shares Purchased at
--------------------------
$19.50 $21.50
per Share per Share
--------- ---------
Interest income..................................... $ 4,900 $ 4,884
Interest expense (3)................................ 2,502 2,523
------- -------
Net interest income............................ 2,398 2,361
Provision for credit losses......................... -- --
------ ------
Net interest income after provision
for credit losses........................... 2,398 2,361
Noninterest income.................................. 202 202
Noninterest expenses................................ 1,668 1,668
------- --------
Income before income taxes.......................... 933 895
Income tax expense (3).............................. 352 337
------ ------
Net income..................................... $ 581 $ 558
====== =======
Basic earnings per share....................... $ 0.96 $ 0.92
====== =======
Diluted earnings per share..................... $ 0.92 $ 0.88
====== =======
Weighted average shares outstanding (2)............. 604,372 604,372
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
Excluding interest on deposits................... -- 42.0x
Including interest on deposits................... 0.37x 0.35x
See Notes to Unaudited Proforma Financial Information on page 38
35
<PAGE>
Mississippi View Holding Company
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
December 31, 1997
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Purchased at
-------------------------------
$19.50 $21.50
per Share per Share
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents (3)................................... $ 580 $ 655
Certificates of Deposit in other financial institutions......... 4,755 4,755
Mortgage backed securities held to maturity .................... 1,924 1,924
Securities available for sale (3)............................... 7,553 7,232
Mortgage backed securities available for sale................... 2,394 2,394
Loans receivable, net........................................... 44,493 44,493
Other assets.................................................... 2,450 2,450
------- -------
Total assets............................................... $64,149 $63,904
====== ======
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
Deposits...................................................... $54,867 $54,867
Borrowings (3)................................................ -- 208
Other liabilities............................................. 1,253 1,250
------- -------
Total liabilities.......................................... 56,120 56,325
Shareholders' equity
Common stock.................................................. 101 101
Paid in capital............................................... 7,566 7,566
Retained earnings (7)......................................... 7,881 7,875
Unrealized loss on securities available for sale.............. 1,287 1,287
Treasury stock (1)(2)(4)...................................... (6,917) (7,248)
Unearned ESOP/MSBP............................................ (787) (787)
Unearned stock compensation (8)............................... (1,102) (1,215)
-------- --------
Total shareholders' equity................................. 8,029 7,579
-------- -------
Total liabilities and equity............................... $ 64,149 $ 63,904
======= =======
Shareholders' equity/total assets............................ 12.52% 11.86%
Book value per common share.................................. $13.97 $13.19
</TABLE>
See Notes to Unaudited Proforma Financial Information on page 38
36
<PAGE>
Mississippi View Holding Company
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
September 30, 1997
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares Purchased at
----------------------------------
$19.50 $21.50
per Share per Share
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents (3)..................................... $ 505 $ 552
Certificate of Deposit in other financial institutions............ 4,755 4,755
Mortgage backed securities held to maturity ...................... 2,650 2,650
Securities available for sale (3)................................. 6,471 6,150
Mortgage backed securities available for sale..................... 2,413 2,413
Loans receivable, net............................................. 44,610 44,610
Other assets...................................................... 2,463 2,463
------- -------
Total assets................................................. $ 63,867 $ 63,594
======= =======
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
Deposits........................................................ $ 55,184 $ 55,184
Borrowings (3).................................................. -- 208
Other liabilities............................................... 1,189 1,174
------- -------
Total liabilities............................................ 56,373 56,566
Shareholders' equity
Common stock.................................................... 101 101
Paid in capital................................................. 7,540 7,540
Retained earnings (7)........................................... 7,578 7,556
Unrealized loss on securities available for sale................ 1,111 1,111
Treasury stock (1)(2)(4)........................................ (6,917) (7,248)
Unearned ESOP/MSBP.............................................. (816) (816)
Unearned stock compensation (8)................................. (1,102) (1,215)
------- -------
Total Shareholders' equity................................... 7,495 7,028
------- -------
Total liabilities and equity................................. $ 63,867 $ 63,594
======= =======
Shareholders' equity/total assets................................ 11.74% 11.05%
Book value per common share...................................... $ 13.04 $ 12.23
</TABLE>
See Notes to Unaudited Proforma Financial Information on page 38
37
<PAGE>
Mississippi View Holding Company
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(1) The proforma financial information reflects the repurchase of 222,000
Shares of stock at $19.50 and $21.50 per Share, as appropriate.
(2) The balance sheet data give effect to the purchase of Shares as of the
balance sheet date. The income statement data give effect to the
purchase of Shares as of the beginning of each period presented.
(3) The funds used to purchase Shares were considered to have been
obtained from cash and cash equivalents and securities available for
sale. In addition, borrowings will be obtained if Shares are purchased
at $21.50 per Share. The pro forma data assumes a rate of interest of
4.47% for cash and cash equivalents, 6.13% for securities available
for sale, a borrowing at a rate of 10.25% and a tax rate of 40%. The
income statement data reflects the decrease in investment income as if
cash was used to purchase the common stock at the beginning of the
period.
(4) Effect has been given to costs to be incurred in connection with the
Offer, which are estimated to be $85,000. Such costs will be
capitalized as part of the costs of the stock purchased.
(5) Reflects the sale of Shares having a value of $1,101,750 and
$1,214,750, based on a Purchase Price of $19.50 and $21.50 per Share,
respectively, to the Trust. The obligation of the Trust to the Company
is reflected in shareholders' equity as unearned compensation in the
accompanying pro forma financial information.
(6) Net income after tax effect on earnings as a result of pro forma
effect of repurchase.
(7) After tax effect of reduced earnings due to the loss of interest
income resulting from the sale of cash and cash equivalents and
securities available for sale.
(8) Assumes purchase of 56,500 shares by the Trust.
38
<PAGE>
10. Effects of the Offer on the Market for Shares; Registration under
the Exchange Act.
The Shares are not currently "margin securities" under the rules of
the Federal Reserve Board. The Company believes that, following the purchase of
Shares pursuant to the Offer, the Shares will continue to not be "margin
securities" for purposes of the Federal Reserve Board's margin regulations.
The Savings and Loan Holding Company Act and the Change in Bank
Control Act each set forth thresholds with respect to the ownership of voting
shares of a savings and loan holding company of 5% to 10%, respectively, over
which the owner of such voting shares may be determined to control such savings
and loan holding company. If, as a result of the Offer, the ownership interest
of any shareholder in the Company is increased over these thresholds, such
shareholder may be required to reduce its ownership interest in the Company or
file a notice with regulators. Each shareholder whose ownership interest may be
so increased is urged to consult the shareholder's own legal counsel with
respect to the consequences to the shareholder of the Offer.
The Company is required to file periodic reports with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act. Regardless of the results of the
Offer the Company plans to apply to the Commission to suspend this duty since
the number of its shareholders is currently less than 300 holders of record.
Termination of the Company's reporting duty would substantially reduce the
public information available concerning the Company. Such termination will,
however, decrease the Company's non-interest expenses.
11. Fees and Expenses.
The Company has retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to act as
Information Agent and Registrar and Transfer Company to act as Depositary in
connection with the Offer. The Information Agent may contact holders of Shares
by mail, telephone, telegraph and personal interviews and may request brokers,
dealers and other nominee shareholders to forward materials relating to the
Offer to beneficial owners. The Information Agent and the Depositary will each
receive reasonable and customary compensation for their respective services and
will be reimbursed by the Company for certain reasonable out-of-pocket expenses,
including attorneys' fees.
No fees or commissions will be payable to brokers, dealers or other
persons (other than fees to the Information Agent and the Depositary as
described above) for soliciting tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer. The
Company will, however, upon request, reimburse brokers, dealers and commercial
banks for customary mailing and handling expenses incurred by such persons in
forwarding the Offer to Purchase and related materials to the beneficial owners
of Shares held by any such person as a nominee or in a fiduciary capacity. No
broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company has been authorized to act as
the agent of the Company, the Information Agent or the Depositary for purposes
of the Offer. The Company will pay or cause to be paid all stock transfer taxes,
if any, on its purchase of Shares except as otherwise provided in Instruction 7
in the Letter of Transmittal.
The estimated costs and fees to be paid by the Company in connection
with the Offer are as follows:
Financial advisor fees................ $20,000
Accounting fees....................... 600
Legal fees............................ 30,000
Commission filing fees................ 955
Printing and mailing expenses......... 18,000
Depositary fees....................... 7,500
Information agent fees................ 5,000
Miscellaneous......................... 2,945
------
Total................................. $85,000
=======
39
<PAGE>
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Company is currently subject to the informational filing
requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, is obligated to
file reports and other information with the Commission relating to its business,
financial condition and other matters. Information, as of particular dates,
concerning the Company's directors and officers, their remuneration, options
granted to them, the principal holders of the Company's securities and any
material interest of such persons in transactions with the Company is required
to be disclosed in proxy statements distributed to the Company's shareholders
and filed with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other
information are available for inspection at the public reference facilities of
the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549; and for inspection and copying at the regional offices of the Commission,
located at Suite 1400, Citicorp Center, 14th Floor, 500 West Madison Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60661; and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New
York 10048. Copies of such material may also be obtained by mail, upon payment
of the Commission's customary charges, from the Commission's principal office at
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission
also maintains a Web site on the World Wide Web at http:\www.sec.gov that
contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Company is not aware of any jurisdiction where the making of the
Offer is not in compliance with applicable law. If the Company becomes aware of
any jurisdiction where the making of the Offer is not in compliance with any
valid applicable law, the Company will make a good faith effort to comply with
such law. If, after such good faith effort, the Company cannot comply with such
law, the Offer will not be made to (nor will tenders be accepted from or on
behalf of) the holders of Shares residing in such jurisdiction.
Pursuant to Rule 13e-3 and Rule 13e-4 under the Exchange Act, the
Company has filed with the Commission a Rule 13e-3 Transaction Statement and an
Issuer Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 13E-4 which contain additional
information with respect to the Offer. Such Schedule 13E-3 and Schedule 13E-4,
including the exhibits and any amendments thereto, may be examined, and copies
may be obtained, at the same places and in the same manner as is set forth in
"Additional Information" with respect to information concerning the Company.
Mississippi View Holding Company
April 13, 1998
40
<PAGE>
Schedule A
1. Directors and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth certain information about the Company's
directors and executive officers as of March 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Shares Percent of Percent of Shares
Name and Address(1) Principal Occupation Beneficially Owned Shares After Offer
------------------- -------------------- ------------------ ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DIRECTORS
Neil Adamek Farmer 27,169(2)(4)(5)(9) 3.69% 4.76%
Thomas J. Leiferman Bank & Company President 68,526(2)(8) 9.30 11.99
Wallace R. Mattock Retired (past Bank President) 17,869(2)(3)(4)(5) 2.43 3.13
Gerald Peterson Businessman 40,944(2)(4)(5)(6) 5.56 7.17
Peter Vogel Attorney 9,719(2)(4)(5)(7) 1.32 1.70
NON-DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Larry D. Hartwig Treasurer & Controller of 34,672(10) 4.71 6.07
Bank & Company
Mary Ann Karnowski Secretary of Bank & 22,103(11) 3.00 3.87
Company
</TABLE>
- --------------
(1) The address of the individuals listed above is 35 East Broadway,
Little Falls, Minnesota. Each of the individuals listed above is a
citizen of the United States of America.
(2) Excludes 80,639 Shares of Common Stock (56,447 currently unallocated)
held under the ESOP Committee for which such specified individual (or
certain individuals in the named group) serves as a member of the ESOP
Committee or as an ESOP Trustee. Excludes 28,629 unvested and unawared
Shares of Common Stock held by the MSBP for which such specified
individuals (or certain individual in the named group) serves as
member of the MSBP Committee or as an MSBP Trustee. Such individuals
disclaim beneficial ownership with respect to such Shares held in a
fiduciary capacity.
(3) Includes 75 Shares jointly owed by Mr. Mattock with his son, which Mr.
Mattock may be deemed to beneficially own.
(4) Includes 2,015 and 4,389 options each to purchase Shares of Common
Stock pursuant to 1995 and 1997 stock option plans, respectively,
exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1998.
(5) Includes 1,209 Shares each of restricted Common Stock granted, but not
vested, pursuant to the MSBP.
(6) Includes 6,250 Shares owned by the spouse of Mr. Peterson, and 25
Shares held in trust by Mr. Peterson under the Uniform Gifts to Minors
Act for the benefit of Mr. Peterson's minor grandchild, which Mr.
Peterson may be deemed to beneficially own.
(7) Includes 50 Shares held in trust by Mr. Vogel under the Uniform Gifts
to Minors Act for the benefit of Mr. Vogel's minor children, which
Shares Mr. Vogel may be deemed to beneficially own.
(8) Includes (i) 1,050 Shares held in trust by Mr. Leiferman under the
Uniform Gifts to Minors Act for the benefit of Mr. Leiferman's minor
children; (ii) 4,881 Shares held in an individual retirement account
for the benefit of Mr. Leiferman; (iii) 6,508 Shares held in the ESOP
and allocated for the benefit of Mr. Leiferman; and (iv) 7,407 Shares
held in a 401(k) Trust for the benefit of Mr. Leiferman, which Mr.
Leiferman may be deemed to beneficially own. Includes 10,079 and
21,943 options to purchase Shares of Common Stock pursuant to the 1995
and 1997 stock option plans, respectively, exercisable within 60 days
of March 31, 1998 and 6,047 Shares of restricted Common Stock granted,
but not vested, pursuant to the MSBP.
(9) Includes 402 Shares owned by Mr. Adamek's spouse, which Shares Mr.
Adamek may be deemed to beneficially own.
(10) Includes (i) 600 Shares held in trust by Mr. Hartwig under the Uniform
Gifts to Minors Act for the benefit of Mr. Hartwig's minor children;
(ii) 4,323 Shares held in an individual retirement account for the
benefit of Mr. Hartwig; (iii) 2,780 Shares held in the ESOP and
allocated for the benefit of Mr. Hartwig; and (iv) 5,920 Shares held
in a 401(k) Trust for the benefit of Mr. Hartwig, which Mr. Hartwig
may be deemed to beneficially own. Includes 5,039 and 10,971 options
to purchase Shares of Common Stock pursuant to the 1995 and 1997 stock
option plans, respectively, exercisable within 60 days of March 31,
1998 and 3,023 Shares of restricted Common Stock granted, but not
vested, pursuant to the MSBP.
(11) Includes (i) 25 Shares jointly owned by Ms. Karnowski with her son,
(ii) 1,000 Shares held in an individual retirement account for the
benefit of Ms. Karnowski; (iii) 2,080 Shares held in the ESOP and
allocated for the benefit of Ms.
A-1
<PAGE>
Karnowski; (iv) 2,159 Shares held in a 401(k) Trust for the benefit of
Ms. Karnowski, which Ms. Karnowski may be deemed to beneficially own.
Includes 4,031 and 8,777 options to purchase Shares of Common Stock
pursuant to the 1995 and 1997 stock option plans, respectively,
exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 1998, and 2,419 Shares of
restricted Common Stock granted, but not vested, pursuant to the MSBP.
2. Principal Shareholders
The following table lists the name and address of each person who, to
the best knowledge of the Company, owned beneficially (as determined in
accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission) more than 5% of the
Common Stock as of March 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Address Number of Shares Beneficially Owned Percent of Class
---------------- ----------------------------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
John Hancock Advisers, Inc. 85,000(1) 11.54%
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 021199
Wellington Management Company 89,200(1)(2) 12.11%
75 State Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Community Federal Savings and Loan 80,639(3) 10.94%
Association of Little Falls Employee
Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP")
35 East Broadway
Little Falls, Minnesota 56345
</TABLE>
- --------------
(1) Based on a Schedule 13G filed in February 1998.
(2) Includes 89,200 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Bay Pond
Partners, L.P. which maintains the same business address as Wellington
Management Company.
(3) The ESOP purchased such shares for the executive benefit of plan
participants with funds borrowed from the Company and are held in
trust.
In addition to Shares held by the directors and officers of the
Company, the MSBP holds 28,629 Shares, or approximately 3.89% of the Common
Stock outstanding.
3. Certain Transactions Involving Shares
During the 40 business days prior to April 13, 1998, the Company and
its executive officers and directors effected transactions in the Shares as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Person Who Number Average Price
Effected of Per
Date Transaction Shares Share Nature of Transaction
---- ----------- ------ ----- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
March 19, 1998 Company 3,379 $17.75 Open market stock repurchase
</TABLE>
A-2
<PAGE>
4. Previous Stock Repurchases
Since October 1, 1995, the Company has purchased 271,128 Shares of
Common Stock at a range of prices of $11.25 to $17.75. The average purchase
price for each quarterly period since October 1, 1995 is disclosed below.
Fiscal Year Average Purchase Price
----------- ----------------------
1996:
1st Quarter.................................... N/A
2nd Quarter.................................... $12.04
3rd Quarter.................................... 11.56
4th Quarter.................................... 11.76
1997:
1st Quarter.................................... 11.96
2nd Quarter.................................... 12.38
3rd Quarter.................................... N/A
4th Quarter.................................... 17.18
1998:
1st Quarter.................................... N/A
2nd Quarter.................................... 17.75
A-3
<PAGE>
Annex I
[FINPRO LETTERHEAD]
April 9, 1998
Board of Directors
Mississippi View Holding Company
35 East Broadway
Little Falls, Minnesota 56345
Members of the Board:
You have requested our opinion, as an independent financial analyst to the
common shareholders of Mississippi View Holding Company and its wholly owned
subsidiary Community Federal Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls,
Little Falls, Minnesota (the "Bank"), as to the fairness, from a financial point
of view to the common shareholders of the Bank, of the terms of the proposed
Tender Offer.
As part of its banking analysis business, FinPro, Inc. is continually engaged in
the valuation of bank, bank holding company and thrift securities in connection
with mutual-to-stock conversions, stock repurchases and mergers and acquisitions
nationwide.
In rendering its opinion, FinPro reviewed certain publicly available information
concerning the Company, including it's audited financial statements and annual
reports. FinPro considered many factors in making its evaluation. In arriving at
its Opinion regarding the fairness of the transaction, FinPro reviewed: (i) the
Tender Offer; (ii) the most recent external auditor's reports to the Boards of
Directors; (iii) the December 31, 1997 Report of Condition and Income; (iv) the
most recent regulatory report, compliance report and Community Reinvestment Act
Report; (v) the most recent annual report (10k); (vi) the internal loan
classification list, OREO list and Delinquency list; (vii) details on stock
price performance; (viii) the budget and long range operating plan; and (ix)
details on the ESOP and RRP plans. FinPro conducted an off-site review of the
Company's historical performance and current financial condition.
We have also had discussions with the management of the Bank regarding its
financial results and have analyzed the most current financial data available on
the Bank. We also considered such other information, financial studies, analyses
and investigations, and economic and market criteria which we deemed relevant.
We also considered: (a) a transaction summary of the financial terms of the
Modified Dutch Auction, including the aggregate consideration relative to fully
diluted book value, fully diluted earnings, fully diluted assets, and deposit
liabilities of the Bank; (b) the financial terms, financial condition, operating
performance, and market areas of other recently completed mergers and
acquisitions of comparable financial institution entities, including evaluating
Midwest transactions both generally and specifically, along with trading and
financial multiples of comparable institutions; and (c) discounted cash flow
analyses for the Bank, incorporating the current business plan and future
prospects. We also considered the reduced marketability characteristics of the
Bank's Common Stock and the earnings in the future. The results of these
analyses and the other factors considered were evaluated as a whole, with the
aggregate results indicating a range of financial parameters utilized to assess
the consideration as described in the Tender Offer.
I-1
<PAGE>
We have not independently verified any of the information reviewed by us and
have relied on its being complete and accurate in all material respects. In
addition, we have not made an independent evaluation of the assets of the Bank.
In reaching our opinion we took into consideration the financial benefits of the
proposed transaction to all the Bank's shareholders. Based on all factors that
we deem relevant and assuming the accuracy and completeness of the information
and data provided to us by the Bank, it is our opinion as of April 9, 1998, that
the proposed transaction is fair and equitable to all of the Bank's shareholders
from a financial point of view.
Respectfully submitted,
FinPro, Inc.
Liberty Corner, New Jersey
By /s/Donald J. Musso
----------------------------
Donald J. Musso
President
I-2
<PAGE>
Annex II
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Mississippi View Holding Company
First Quarter 1998 Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited)
as of December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996............................II-2
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
for the Three Months Ended December 31, 1997 and 1996....................II-3
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended
December 31, 1997 and 1996...............................................II-4
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements (Unaudited)...................................................II-6
Annual Financial Statements
Independent Auditor's Report..............................................II-8
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
as of September 30, 1997 and 1996........................................II-9
Consolidated Statements of Income for the
Years Ended September 30, 1997, 1996,
and 1995................................................................II-10
Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's
Equity for the Years Ended September 30,
1997, 1996 and 1995.....................................................II-11
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
for the Years Ended September 30, 1997,
1996 and 1995...........................................................II-12
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...............................II-14
II-1
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
1997 SEPTEMBER 30,
(UNAUDITED) 1997
------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and due from banks.......................................................... $ 407,159 $ 214,934
Interest bearing deposits with banks............................................. 3,063,423 889,660
Securities available for sale, at fair value....................................... 11,526,081 12,963,344
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost..................................... 6,679,180 7,405,466
FHLB stock, at cost................................................................ 650,700 650,700
Loans held for sale................................................................ -- 135,550
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $861,953 in 1998 and
$861,170 in 1997................................................................. 44,493,413 44,474,809
Accrued interest receivable........................................................ 426,913 437,548
Premises and equipment............................................................. 785,805 806,900
Other assets....................................................................... 586,117 567,539
------------ -------------
Total assets................................................................ 68,618,791 68,546,450
------------ -------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Demand deposits.................................................................. $ 4,329,750 4,408,558
Savings deposits................................................................. 14,325,889 14,525,018
Time deposits.................................................................... 36,211,228 36,250,011
Total deposits.............................................................. 54,866,867 55,183,587
Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance.................................. 52,239 107,038
Accrued income taxes............................................................. 67,245 66,352
Deferred tax liability........................................................... 650,869 525,353
Other liabilities................................................................ 505,446 596,216
------------ -------------
Total liabilities........................................................... 56,142,666 56,478,546
------------ -------------
Shareholders' equity:
Serial preferred stock, no par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares
issued........................................................................ -- --
Common stock, $.10 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 1,007,992 shares
issued; 656,629 and 653,151 shares outstanding................................ 100,799 100,799
Paid in capital.................................................................. 7,565,816 7,540,218
Treasury stock (267,749 and 267,749 shares), at cost............................. (3,605,111) (3,605,111)
Retained earnings, substantially restricted...................................... 7,914,162 7,737,458
Unearned ESOP shares (56,447 and 58,463 shares), at cost......................... (483,330) (498,012)
Unearned MSBP shares (27,167 and 28,629 shares), at cost......................... (303,206) (317,954)
Unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale securities, net of tax............. 1,286,995 1,110,506
Total shareholders' equity.................................................. 12,476,125 12,067,904
------------ -------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity.................................. $ 68,618,791 $ 68,546,450
------------ -------------
------------ -------------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
II-2
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
1997 1996
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Interest income:
Loans receivable................................................................. $ 973,457 $ 942,489
Securities available for sale.................................................... 171,696 173,997
Securities held to maturity...................................................... 126,754 176,451
----------- -----------
Total interest income....................................................... 1,271,907 1,292,937
----------- -----------
Interest Expense:
Demand deposits.................................................................. 9,451 9,973
Savings deposits................................................................. 102,312 94,223
Time deposits.................................................................... 514,287 530,099
----------- -----------
Total interest expense...................................................... 626,050 634,295
----------- -----------
Net interest income.............................................................. 645,857 658,642
----------- -----------
Provision for loan losses........................................................ -- --
Net interest income after provision for loan loss........................... 645,857 658,642
----------- -----------
Noninterest Income:
Other fees and service charges................................................... 17,458 13,989
Gain on sale of loans............................................................ 2,535 2,246
Other............................................................................ 22,196 21,282
----------- -----------
Total noninterest income.................................................... 42,189 37,517
----------- -----------
Noninterest expense:
Compensation and employee benefits............................................... 257,785 225,574
Occupancy........................................................................ 22,771 21,933
Deposit insurance premium........................................................ 14,677 38,185
Data processing.................................................................. 18,541 21,402
Advertising...................................................................... 6,828 8,086
Real estate owned expense, net................................................... 335 346
Other............................................................................ 81,213 123,294
----------- -----------
Total noninterest expense................................................... 402,150 438,820
----------- -----------
Income before income taxes......................................................... 285,896 257, 339
Income tax expense................................................................. 109,192 84, 074
Net income......................................................................... $ 176,704 $ 173,265
Basic earnings per share........................................................... $ 0.27 $ 0.22
Diluted earnings per share......................................................... $ 0.24 $ 0.22
Dividends declared during the period............................................... $ -- $ --
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
II-3
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
1997 1996
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Interest received on loans and investments....................................... $ 1,273,811 $ 1,256,833
Interest paid.................................................................... (626,012) (634,127)
Other fees, commissions, and income received..................................... 58,664 61,506
Cash paid to suppliers, employees and others..................................... (438,359) (781,205)
Contributions to charities....................................................... (1,727) (3,749)
Income taxes paid................................................................ (94,037) --
Loans originated for sale........................................................ (232,783) (170,400)
Proceeds from sale of loans...................................................... 370,868 231,391
Net cash provided by operating activities................................... 310,425 (39,751)
----------- -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale securities....................................... (882,527) --
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities........................ 2,610,643 632,860
Purchases of held-to-maturity securities......................................... (889,000) (988,000)
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities.......................... 1,615,033 1,951,990
Loan originations and principal payments on loans, net........................... (21,535) (677,459)
Purchases of property and equipment.............................................. (3,621) (12,266)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities......................... 2,428,993 907,125
----------- -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase (decrease) in non-interest bearing demand and savings deposit
accounts...................................................................... (278,075) 247,000
Net (decrease) increase in time deposits......................................... (38,682) (436,058)
Net (decrease) increase in mortgage escrow funds................................. (54,800) (88,154)
Acquisition of treasury stock.................................................... -- (275,000)
Net increase in unearned MSBP shares............................................. (1,873) (912)
Net cash used by financing activities....................................... (373,430) (553,124)
----------- -----------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents............................... 2,365,988 314,250
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year..................................... 1,104,594 2,583,654
----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year........................................... $ 3,470,582 $ 2,897,904
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
II-4
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS--(CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
1997 1996
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income....................................................................... $ 176,704 $ 173,265
Adjustments:
Provision for losses on loans and real estate................................. -- --
Depreciation.................................................................. 24,716 20,951
Non-cash dividends............................................................ (1,385) (1,319)
ESOP fair value adjustment.................................................... 11,515 4,451
Amortization of ESOP compensation............................................. 14,681 14,359
Amortization of MSBP compensation............................................. 16,622 16,622
Tax benefit of MSBP vesting activities........................................ 14,083 3,052
Net amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on securities........ 4,934 993
Net loan fees deferred and amortized.......................................... 2,932 10,334
Net mortgage loan servicing fees deferred..................................... 430 363
(Increase) decrease in:
Loans held for sale......................................................... 135,550 58,745
Accrued interest receivable................................................. 10,634 (26,552)
Prepaid income tax.......................................................... -- (71,640)
Deferred tax asset.......................................................... -- 163,903
Other assets................................................................ (19,008) 31,873
Increase (decrease) in:
Accrued interest payable.................................................... 38 168
Accrued income taxes........................................................ 8,749 (8,272)
Other liabilities........................................................... (90,770) (431,047)
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities..................................... $ 310,425 $ (39,751)
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Noncash dividends................................................................ $ 1,385 $ 1,319
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
II-5
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1: PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the three
month period ended December 31, 1997, include the accounts of Mississippi View
Holding Company (the 'Company') and its wholly owned subsidiary Community
Federal Savings & Loan Association of Little Falls (the 'Association'). All
significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
NOTE 2: BASIS OF PRESENTATION
General: The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles for interim financial information and instructions per Form 10-QSB.
Accordingly, they do not include all information and disclosures required by
generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. The
accompanying consolidated financial statements do not purport to contain all the
necessary financial disclosures required by generally accepted accounting
principles that might otherwise be necessary in the circumstances and should be
read with the fiscal 1997 consolidated financial statements and notes of
Mississippi View Holding Company and Subsidiary included in their annual audit
report for the year ended September 30, 1997.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal
recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair presentations have been
included. The results of operations for the three month period ended December
31, 1997, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for
the entire fiscal year or any other period.
Reclassification: Certain items previously reported have been reclassified
to conform with the current period's reporting format.
NOTE 3. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
SFAS No. 130, 'Reporting Comprehensive Income'--issued June 1997,
establishes standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive income and its
components in general-purpose financial statements. Comprehensive income
includes net income and several other items that current accounting standards
require to be recognized outside of net income. This statement requires entities
to display comprehensive income and its components in the financial statements
with presentation of the accumulated balances of other comprehensive income
reported in stockholder's equity separately from retained earnings and
additional paid-in capital. SFAS No. 130 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1997. Reclassification of financial statements for earlier
periods that are presented for comparative purposes is required.
SFAS No. 131, 'Disclosures about Segments of Enterprise and Related
Information'--issued June 1997, requires public business enterprises to report
information about their operating segments in a complete set of financial
statements to shareholders. This statement also requires entities to report
enterprise-wide information about their products and services, their activities
in different geographic areas, and their reliance on major customers. Certain
segment information is also to be reported in interim financial statements. The
basis for determining an enterprise's operating segments is the manner in which
management operates the business. Specifically, financial information is
required to be reported on the basis that is used internally by the enterprise's
chief operating decision maker in making decisions related to resource
allocation and segment performance. SFAS No. 131 is effective for financial
statements for years beginning after December 31, 1997.
Management believes adoption of the above-described Statements will not
have a material effect on financial position and the results of operations, nor
will adoption require additional capital resources.
II-6
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
(UNAUDITED)
EARNINGS PER SHARE
In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128, Earnings per Share. Statement 128
replaced the previously reported primary and fully diluted earnings per share
with basic and diluted earnings per share. Unlike primary earnings per share,
basic earnings per share excludes any dilutive effects of options, warrants, and
convertible securities. Diluted earnings per share is very similar to the
previously reported fully diluted earnings per share. All earnings per share
amounts for all periods have been presented, and where necessary restated, to
conform to the Statement 128 requirements.
The following tables set forth the computation of basic and diluted
earnings per share:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE
THREE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------
1997 1996
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Numerator:
Net income--Numerator for basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per
share--income available to common shareholders............................. $176,704 $173,265
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per shares--weighted-average shares............ 654,941 771,742
Effect of dilutive securities: stock options and employee stock-based
compensation............................................................. 68,243 8,760
Denominator for diluted earnings per share--adjusted weighted-average shares
and assumed conversions.................................................... 723,184 780,502
Basic earnings per share........................................................ $ 0.27 $ 0.22
Diluted earnings per share...................................................... $ 0.24 $ 0.22
</TABLE>
II-7
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
Mississippi View Holding Company and Subsidiary
Little Falls, Minnesota 56345
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition
of Mississippi View Holding Company and Subsidiary (the Company) as of September
30, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in
shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the two years then ended. These
financial statements are the responsibility of management. Our responsibility is
to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Mississippi View
Holding Company and Subsidiary as of September 30, 1997 and 1996, and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the two years
then ended, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
BERTRAM COOPER & CO., LLP
Waseca, Minnesota
October 29, 1997
II-8
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------
1997 1996
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and due from banks.......................................................... $ 214,934 $ 317,777
Interest bearing deposits with banks............................................. 889,660 2,265,877
Securities available-for-sale, at fair value....................................... 12,963,344 12,235,145
Securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $7,470,314 for 1997
and $9,320,741 for 1996)......................................................... 7,405,466 9,294,092
FHLB stock, at cost................................................................ 650,700 650,700
Loans held for sale................................................................ 135,550 178,663
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of $861,170 in 1997 and
$877,094 in 1996................................................................. 44,474,809 43,070,281
Accrued interest receivable........................................................ 437,548 450,327
Premises and equipment............................................................. 806,900 788,846
Deferred tax asset (net of valuation allowance).................................... -- 163,903
Other assets....................................................................... 567,539 595,208
----------- -----------
Total assets.................................................................. $68,546,450 $70,010,819
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities:
Demand deposits.................................................................. $ 4,408,558 $ 4,471,137
Savings deposits................................................................. 14,525,018 14,087,832
Time deposits.................................................................... 36,250,011 37,972,225
----------- -----------
Total deposits................................................................ 55,183,587 56,531,194
----------- -----------
Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance.................................... 107,038 138,530
Accrued income taxes............................................................... 66,352 --
Deferred tax liability............................................................. 525,353 --
Other liabilities.................................................................. 596,216 900,850
----------- -----------
Total liabilities............................................................. 56,478,546 57,570,574
----------- -----------
Shareholders' equity:
Serial preferred stock, no par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares
issued........................................................................... -- --
Common stock, $.10 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 1,007,992 shares
issued, 653,151 and 776,713 outstanding.......................................... 100,799 100,799
Paid in capital.................................................................... 7,540,218 7,510,397
Treasury stock (267,749 and 130,278 shares), at cost............................... (3,605,111) (1,536,689)
Retained earnings, substantially restricted........................................ 7,737,458 7,116,646
Unearned ESOP shares (58,463 and 66,527 shares) at cost............................ (498,012) (566,736)
Unearned MSBP shares (28,629 and 34,474 shares) at cost............................ (317,954) (387,412)
Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $740,337 in
1997 and $135,494 in 1996........................................................ 1,110,506 203,240
----------- -----------
Total shareholders' equity.................................................... 12,067,904 12,440,245
----------- -----------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity.................................... $68,546,450 $70,010,819
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements
II-9
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------
1997 1996
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Interest income:
Loans receivable.................................................................... $3,817,212 $3,703,652
Securities available-for-sale....................................................... 740,781 528,912
Securities held-to-maturity......................................................... 606,933 940,865
---------- ----------
Total interest income............................................................ 5,164,926 5,173,429
---------- ----------
Interest expense:
Demand deposits..................................................................... 36,963 37,345
Savings deposits.................................................................... 394,811 330,357
Time deposits....................................................................... 2,070,092 2,163,841
---------- ----------
Total interest expense........................................................... 2,501,866 2,531,543
---------- ----------
Net interest income................................................................. 2,663,060 2,641,886
Provision for loan losses........................................................... -- 3,725
---------- ----------
Net interest income after provision for loan losses.............................. 2,663,060 2,638,161
---------- ----------
Noninterest income:
Other fees and service charges...................................................... 79,022 70,603
Gain on sale of loans............................................................... 17,372 74,142
Net gain on sale of foreclosed real estate.......................................... 12,848 17,394
Contingency recovery................................................................ -- 81,023
Other............................................................................... 92,818 107,516
---------- ----------
Total noninterest income......................................................... 202,060 350,678
---------- ----------
Noninterest expenses:
Compensation and employee benefits.................................................. 963,690 919,565
Occupancy........................................................................... 94,829 87,856
Deposit insurance assessment........................................................ -- 362,557
Deposit insurance premiums.......................................................... 76,073 150,091
Data processing..................................................................... 83,254 75,996
Advertising......................................................................... 27,201 30,787
Foreclosed real estate expense, net................................................. 1,415 5,053
Other............................................................................... 421,081 424,066
---------- ----------
Total noninterest expense........................................................ 1,667,543 2,055,971
---------- ----------
Income before income taxes............................................................ 1,197,577 932,868
Income tax expense.................................................................... 457,862 374,100
---------- ----------
Net income............................................................................ $ 739,715 $ 558,768
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
Earnings per share of common stock.................................................... $ 0.96 $ 0.66
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
Weighted averages common shares outstanding........................................... 746,484 851,025
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements
II-10
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RETAINED UNALLOCATED
ADDITIONAL EARNINGS COMMON
COMMON PAID-IN TREASURY SUBSTANTIALLY STOCK HELD
STOCK CAPITAL STOCK RESTRICTED BY ESOP
-------- ---------- ----------- ------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, September 30, 1995............................. $100,799 $7,494,971 $ -- $ 6,697,907 $(644,441)
Treasury stock acquired............................... -- -- (1,536,689) -- --
Net earnings for the year ended September 30, 1996.... -- -- -- 558,768 --
Dividend paid $0.16/share............................. -- -- -- (140,029) --
Fair value adjustment of ESOP shares net of taxes of
$10,284............................................. -- 15,426 -- -- --
Allocated ESOP shares................................. -- -- -- -- 77,705
MSBP shares acquired, net of earned shares in the
amount of $71,217................................... -- -- -- -- --
Net change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale
securities, net of taxes of $46,318................. -- -- -- -- --
-------- ---------- ----------- ------------- -----------
Balance, September 30, 1996............................. $100,799 $7,510,397 $(1,536,689) $ 7,116,646 $(566,736)
-------- ---------- ----------- ------------- -----------
Treasury stock acquired............................... -- -- (2,068,422) -- --
Net earnings for the year ended September 30, 1997.... -- -- -- 739,715 --
Dividend paid $0.16/share............................. -- -- -- (118,903) --
Fair value adjustment of ESOP shares net of taxes of
$17,846............................................. -- 26,769 -- -- --
Allocated ESOP shares................................. -- -- -- -- 68,724
MSBP shares earned.................................... -- -- -- -- --
Effect of tax adjustment for vested MSBP shares....... -- 3,052 -- -- --
Net change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale
securities, net of taxes of $740,337................ -- -- -- -- --
-------- ---------- ----------- ------------- -----------
Balance, September 30, 1997............................. $100,799 $7,540,218 $(3,605,111) $ 7,737,458 $(498,012)
-------- ---------- ----------- ------------- -----------
-------- ---------- ----------- ------------- -----------
<CAPTION>
UNREALIZED
UNALLOCATED GAIN ON
COMMON SECURITIES
STOCK HELD AVAILABLE
FOR MSBP FOR SALE TOTAL
----------- ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, September 30, 1995............................. $ -- $ 133,763 $13,782,999
Treasury stock acquired............................... -- -- (1,536,689)
Net earnings for the year ended September 30, 1996.... -- -- 558,768
Dividend paid $0.16/share............................. -- -- (140,029)
Fair value adjustment of ESOP shares net of taxes of
$10,284............................................. -- -- 15,426
Allocated ESOP shares................................. -- -- 77,705
MSBP shares acquired, net of earned shares in the
amount of $71,217................................... (387,412) -- (387,412)
Net change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale
securities, net of taxes of $46,318................. -- 69,477 69,477
----------- ---------- -----------
Balance, September 30, 1996............................. $(387,412) $ 203,240 $12,440,245
----------- ---------- -----------
Treasury stock acquired............................... -- -- (2,068,422)
Net earnings for the year ended September 30, 1997.... -- -- 739,715
Dividend paid $0.16/share............................. -- -- (118,903)
Fair value adjustment of ESOP shares net of taxes of
$17,846............................................. -- -- 26,769
Allocated ESOP shares................................. -- -- 68,724
MSBP shares earned.................................... 69,458 -- 69,458
Effect of tax adjustment for vested MSBP shares....... -- -- 3,052
Net change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale
securities, net of taxes of $740,337................ -- 907,266 907,266
----------- ---------- -----------
Balance, September 30, 1997............................. $(317,954) $1,110,506 $12,067,904
----------- ---------- -----------
----------- ---------- -----------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements
II-11
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------
1997 1996
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Interest received on loans and investments........................................ $ 5,146,533 $ 5,212,957
Interest paid..................................................................... (2,499,878) (2,532,101)
Other fees, commissions, and income received...................................... 285,085 299,433
Cash paid to suppliers, employees and others...................................... (1,704,523) (1,350,252)
Contributions to charities........................................................ (29,482) (7,869)
Income taxes paid................................................................. (298,000) (643,219)
Loans originated for sale......................................................... (1,744,089) (2,455,977)
Proceeds from sale of loans....................................................... 1,742,622 4,487,415
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities...................................... 898,268 3,010,387
----------- -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale securities........................................ (5,311,916) (6,547,147)
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities......................... 6,074,554 1,356,285
Purchases of held-to-maturity securities.......................................... (4,755,000) (4,694,532)
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities........................... 6,641,854 9,295,315
Loan originations and principal payments on loans, net............................ (1,375,500) (2,123,430)
Purchases of property and equipment............................................... (109,049) (10,936)
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed real estate...................................... 12,848 17,394
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities............................ 1,177,791 (2,707,051)
----------- -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase in non-interest bearing demand and savings deposit accounts.......... 375,500 398,025
Net (decrease) increase in time deposits.......................................... (1,722,125) 1,213,396
Net (decrease) in mortgage escrow funds........................................... (31,492) (49,168)
Dividend on unallocated ESOP shares............................................... 10,322 11,612
Acquisition of treasury stock..................................................... (2,068,422) (1,536,689)
Acquistion of unearned MSBP shares................................................ -- (453,899)
Dividends paid.................................................................... (118,902) (140,029)
----------- -----------
Net cash used by financing activities............................................... (3,555,119) (556,752)
----------- -----------
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents......................................... (1,479,060) (253,416)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year...................................... 2,583,654 2,837,070
----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year............................................ $ 1,104,594 $ 2,583,654
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements
II-12
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS--(CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------
1997 1996
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH
PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income..................................................................... $ 739,715 $ 558,768
Adjustments:
Provision for losses on loans and real estate................................ -- 3,725
Depreciation................................................................. 90,995 83,771
Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends....................................... -- (12,800)
Reinvested dividends......................................................... (5,421) (5,071)
ESOP fair value adjustment................................................... 26,768 15,426
Amortization of ESOP compensation............................................ 58,403 66,092
Amortization of MSBP compensation............................................ 66,487 66,487
Tax benefit of MSBP vesting activities....................................... 3,052 --
Net amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on
securities................................................................ 28,466 38,211
Net (gains) on sales of foreclosed real estate............................... (12,848) (17,393)
Net loan fees deferred and amortized......................................... 32,924 14,291
Net mortgage loan servicing fees deferred.................................... 2,112 (11,611)
Net increase in unearned MSBP shares......................................... 2,971 --
Contingency recovery......................................................... -- (81,023)
(Increase) decrease in:
Loans held for sale....................................................... (18,839) 2,014,650
Accrued interest receivable............................................... 12,780 78,598
Prepaid income tax........................................................ 23,892 (23,892)
Deferred tax asset........................................................ 163,903 (119,721)
Other assets.............................................................. 1,664 (6,639)
Increase (decrease) in:
Accrued interest payable.................................................. (983) (558)
Accrued income tax........................................................ (13,139) (115,222)
Other liabilities......................................................... (304,634) 464,298
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities................................. $ 898,268 $ 3,010,387
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends......................................... $ -- $ 12,800
Refinancings of sales of foreclosed real estate................................ -- 37,200
Transfers from loans to real estate acquired through foreclosure............... -- 4,989
Reinvested dividends........................................................... 5,421 5,071
Transfer of debt securities to available-for-sale from securities
held-to-maturity............................................................. -- 2,449,446
Transfers of loans held for investment to loans held for sale.................. -- 2,135,339
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements
II-13
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND 1996
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following summarizes the significant accounting policies Mississippi
View Holding Company (the Company) follows in presenting its financial
statements.
Principles of Consolidation--The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary Community Federal
Savings and Loan Association (the Association). All significant intercompany
transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts in
the financial statements for the prior year have been reclassified to conform to
current financial statement presentation.
Nature of Business--The Company is a unitary thrift holding company whose
subsidiary provides financial services. The Association's business is that of a
financial intermediary and consists primarily of attracting deposits from the
general public and using such deposits, together with borrowings and other
funds, to make mortgage loans secured by residential real estate and other
consumer loans. At September 30, 1997, the Association operated one retail
banking office in Minnesota. The Association is subject to significant
competition from other financial institutions, and is also subject to regulation
by certain federal regulatory agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by
those regulatory agencies.
Use of Estimates--In preparing the consolidated financial statements,
management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheets,
and income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant
change relate to the determination of the allowance for losses on loans and the
valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in
satisfaction of loans. In connection with the determination of the allowance for
losses on loans and foreclosed real estate, management obtains independent
appraisals for significant properties.
A substantial portion of the Association's loans are collateralized by real
estate in local markets (see Note 13). In addition, foreclosed real estate is
located in the same market area. Accordingly, the ultimate collectibility of a
substantial portion of the Association's loan portfolio and the recovery of a
substantial portion of the carrying amount of foreclosed real estate are
susceptible to changes in local market conditions.
While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans
and foreclosed real estate, future additions to the allowances may be necessary
based on changes in local economic conditions. In addition, regulatory agencies,
as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the
Association's allowance for losses on loans and foreclosed real estate. These
agencies may require the Association to recognize additions to the allowance
based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of
their examination.
Cash Equivalents--Cash equivalents of $300,000 and $1,000,000 at September
30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, consist of certificates of deposit, and funds
due from banks. For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Association
considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three
months or less to be cash equivalents.
Investment Securities--The Company classifies its investments, including
debt securities, marketable equity securities, mortgage-backed securities, and
mortgage related securities in one of three catagories: held-to-maturity,
trading and available-for-sale. Debt securities that the Company has the
positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as
held-to-maturity and reported at amortized cost. The Company does not engage in
securities trading, therefore, the balance of its debt securities and all equity
securities are classified as available-for-sale. The Company classifies debt
securities as available-for-sale when it determines that such securities may be
sold at a future date or if there are foreseeable circumstances under which the
Company would sell such securities.
II-14
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND 1996
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
Securities designated as available-for-sale are recorded at fair value.
Changes in the fair value of securities available-for-sale are included in
shareholders' equity as unrealized holding gains or losses net of the related
tax effect. Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities or
held-to-maturity securities reflecting a decline in value judged to be other
than temporary are charged to income. Realized gains or losses on
available-for-sale securities are computed on a specific identification basis.
Premiums and discounts on debt and mortgage-backed securities are amortized
to expense or accreted to income over the estimated life of the respective
security using a method that approximates the level yield method.
The Association, as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, is
required to maintain an investment in capital stock of the Federal Home Loan
Bank of Des Moines. Because no ready market exists for this stock, and it has no
quoted market value, the Association's investment in this stock is carried at
cost.
Loans Held for Sale--Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the
secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or estimated market value in
the aggregate. Net unrealized losses are recognized through a valuation
allowance by charges to income.
Loans Receivable--Loans receivable that management has the intent and
ability to hold for the forseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are
reported at their outstanding principal balance adjusted for any charge-offs,
the allowance for loan losses, and any deferred fees or costs on originated
loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Discounts and
premiums on purchased residential real estate loans are amortized to income
using the interest method over the remaining period to contractual maturity,
adjusted for anticipated prepayments. Discounts and premiums on purchased
consumer loans are recognized over the expected lives of the loans using the
level yield method.
The allowance for loan losses is increased by charges to income and
decreased by charge-offs (net of recoveries). Management's periodic evaluation
of the adequacy of the allowance is based on the Association's past loan loss
experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that
may affect the borrower's ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying
collateral, and current economic conditions. Loans are considered impaired if
full principal and interest payments are not anticipated to be made in
accordance with the contractual terms. Impaired loans are carried at the present
value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest
rate or at the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.
A portion of the allowance for loan losses is allocated to impaired loans if the
value of such loans is deemed to be less than the unpaid balance. If these
allocations cause the allowance for loan losses to require an increase, such an
increase is reported as a component of the provision for loan losses.
Uncollectible interest on loans contractually past due for three months is
charged off or an allowance is established based on management's periodic
evaluation. The allowance is established by a charge to interest income equal to
all interest previously accrued and income is subsequently recognized only to
the extent cash payments are received until, in management's judgment, the
borrower's ability to make periodic interest and principal payments returns to
normal, in which case the loan is returned to accrual status.
Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are capitalized
with the net fee or cost recognized as an adjustment to interest income using
the interest method.
Mortgage Servicing Rights--The Association adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 125, 'Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of
Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities' for transactions entered
into after December 31, 1996. SFAS No. 125 established accounting and reporting
standards for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of
liabilities based on the consistent application of the financial-components
approach. This approach requires the recognition of financial assets and
servicing assets that are controlled by the reporting entity, and the
derecognition of financial assets and liabilities
II-15
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND 1996
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
when control is extinguished. Liabilities and derivatives incurred or obtained
by transferors in conjunction with the transfer of financial assets are measured
at fair value, if practicable. Servicing assets and other retained interests in
transferred assets are measured by allocating the carrying amount between the
assets sold and the interest retained, based on their relative fair value. The
adoption of SFAS No. 125 did not have a material effect on the Association's
operations for the year ended September 30, 1997.
Foreclosed Real Estate--Real estate properties acquired through, or in lieu
of, loan foreclosure are initially recorded at the lower of the related unpaid
loan balance or fair value of the property, less estimated costs to sell, at the
date of foreclosure. Costs relating to development and improvement of property
are capitalized, whereas costs relating to the holding of property are expensed.
Valuations are periodically performed by management and an allowance for losses
is established by a charge to operations if the carrying value of a property
exceeds its estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell.
Premises and Equipment--Land is carried at cost. Building, furniture and
equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is
computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the
assets, which range from five to forty years.
Income Taxes--Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences
of temporary differences by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to
future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and
the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities. The effect on deferred taxes
of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the
enactment date. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary,
by the amount of any tax benefits that, based on available evidence, are not
expected to be realized. The effect of a change in the beginning-of-the-year
balance of a valuation allowance that results from a change in judgment about
the realizability of deferred tax assets is included in income.
The Company files consolidated income tax returns with the Association and
they have entered into a tax sharing agreement which provides that the
Association will pay to the Company, or receive a refund from the Company, as if
the Associations portion of income tax liability or benefit was separately
determined based on the Association's taxable income or loss.
Earnings Per Share--Earnings per share of common stock has been determined
by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock
and common stock equivalents outstanding during the year. Stock options are
regarded as common stock equivalents computed using the treasury stock method.
Shares acquired by the employee stock ownership plan are not considered in the
weighted average shares outstanding until shares are committed to be released to
an employee's individual account or have been earned. The difference between
primary and fully diluted earnings per share is not material.
Treasury Stock--Treasury stock is recorded at cost. In the event of a
subsequent reissue, the treasury stock account will be reduced by the cost of
such stock on the average cost basis with any excess proceeds credited to
addional paid-in capital. Treasury stock is available for general corporate
purposes.
Stock-Based Compensation--SFAS No. 123, 'Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation,' establishes a new fair value-based accounting method for
stock-based compensation plans. As permitted by SFAS No. 123, management has
elected to continue measuring compensation costs based on the intrinsic value
method as prescribed by APB Opinion No. 25, 'Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees.' See Footnote No. 10 for proforma disclosure of net income and
earnings per share as if the fair value method had been adopted.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments--SFAS No. 107, 'Disclosures about Fair
Value of Financial Instruments,' requires disclosure of fair value information
about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the statement of
financial condition. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair
values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques.
Those techniques are
II-16
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND 1996
NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES--(CONTINUED)
significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and
estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimated
cannot be substantiated by comparison to to independent markets and, in many
cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instruments. SFAS
No. 107 excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial assets and
liabilities from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair
value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in
estimating its fair value disclosures, as presented in Note 12:
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts of cash and cash
equivalents approximates fair value.
Debt and equity securities: Fair values for debt and equity securities
are based on quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices
are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of
comparable instruments.
FHLB stock: The carrying amount of FHLB stock approximates fair value.
Loans: For variable-rate loans that reprice frequently with no
significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying
amounts. The fair values for other loans (for example, fixed rate
commercial real estate, rental property mortgage loans, and commercial and
industrial loans) are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based
on interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to
borrowers of similar credit quality giving consideration to estimated
prepayment and credit loss factors. Loan fair value estimates include
judgments regarding future expected loss experience and risk
characteristics. Fair values for impaired loans are estimated using
discounted cash flow analysis or underlying collateral values, where
applicable.
Accrued interest receivable: The carrying amount of accrued interest
receivable approximates fair value.
Deposits: The fair values disclosed for demand deposits are, by
definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date
(that is, their carrying amounts). Fair values for time deposits are
estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest
rates currently offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated
expected monthly maturities on time deposits. The carrying amount of
accrued interest payable approximates fair value.
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance (escrow
accounts): The carrying amount of escrow accounts approximate fair value.
Loan commitments: Commitments to extend credit were evaluated and fair
value was estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar
agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and
the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. For fixed-rate loan
commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current
levels of interest rates and the committed rates. The carrying value and
fair value of commitments to extend credit are not considered material for
disclosure.
II-17
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND 1996
NOTE 2. DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES
The amortized costs and fair values of debt and equity securities are
summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS GROSS
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997:
Securities available-for-sale:
Debt securities:
U.S. Government and agency obligations.... $ 8,566,851 $ 36,481 $(12,322) $ 8,591,010
Mortgage-backed securities................ 2,401,673 11,657 (19) 2,413,311
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Subtotal............................. 10,968,524 48,138 (12,341) 11,004,321
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Equity securities:
Mutual fund.................................. 92,325 596 -- 92,921
Stock in FHLMC............................... 51,653 1,814,449 -- 1,866,102
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Subtotal............................. 143,978 1,815,045 -- 1,959,023
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Total........................................ $11,112,502 $1,863,183 $(12,341) $12,963,344
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Securities held-to-maturity:
Certificates of deposit...................... $ 4,755,000 $ -- $ -- $ 4,755,000
Mortgage-backed securities................... 2,650,466 87,715 (22,867) 2,715,314
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Total........................................ $ 7,405,466 $ 87,715 $(22,867) $ 7,470,314
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996:
Securities available-for-sale:
Debt securities:
U.S. Government and agency obligations.... $10,361,165 $ 21,133 $(47,513) $10,334,785
Mortgage-backed securities................ 1,396,690 -- (19,107) 1,377,583
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Subtotal............................. 11,757,855 21,133 (66,620) 11,712,368
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Equity securities:
Mutual fund............................... 86,903 -- (33) 86,870
Stock in FHLMC............................ 51,653 384,254 -- 435,907
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Subtotal............................. 138,556 384,254 (33) 522,777
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Total..................................... $11,896,411 $ 405,387 $(66,653) $12,235,145
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Securities held-to-maturity:
U.S. Government and agency obligations....... $ 1,749,672 $ 172 $ (2,031) $ 1,747,813
Certificates of deposit...................... 4,065,000 -- -- 4,065,000
Mortgage-backed securities................ 3,479,420 75,648 (47,140) 3,507,928
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Total........................................ $ 9,294,092 $ 75,820 $(49,171) $ 9,320,741
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
</TABLE>
There were no sales of securities during the two years ended September 30,
1997 and 1996.
The amortized cost and estimated market value of debt securities at
September 30, 1997, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Mortgage-backed
securities have been aggregated and disclosed separately, rather
II-18
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND 1996
NOTE 2. DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES--(CONTINUED)
than allocated over several maturity groupings, since they lack a single
maturity date and because borrowers retain the right to prepay the obligation.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HELD-TO-MATURITY AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
------------------------ --------------------------
ESTIMATED ESTIMATED
AMORTIZED FAIR AMORTIZED FAIR
COST VALUE COST VALUE
---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Due in one year or less................................ $ -- $ -- $ 5,200,006 $ 5,214,434
Due from one to five years............................. -- -- 2,510,207 2,528,845
Due from five to ten years............................. -- -- 501,291 501,961
Due after ten years.................................... -- -- 355,347 345,770
---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Subtotal............................................. -- -- 8,566,851 8,591,010
Mortgage-backed securities............................. 2,650,466 2,715,314 2,401,673 2,413,311
---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
Total................................................ $2,650,466 $2,715,314 $10,968,524 $11,004,321
---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
</TABLE>
NOTE 3. LOANS RECEIVABLE
Loans receivable at September 30, 1997 and 1996 consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Secured by 1-4 family residences............................... $39,863,763 $37,623,209
Secured by other real estate................................... 2,831,392 3,964,195
Construction................................................... 953,265 626,900
Consumer and other............................................. 2,053,921 1,916,165
Loans secured by deposits...................................... 212,790 281,115
----------- -----------
Total loans receivable....................................... 45,915,131 44,411,584
Less:
Undisbursed portion of mortgage loans........................ (309,781) (227,762)
Allowance for loan losses.................................... (861,170) (877,094)
Deferred loan fees........................................... (269,371) (236,447)
----------- -----------
Loans receivable, net..................................... $44,474,809 $43,070,281
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
</TABLE>
A summary of the activity in the allowance for loan losses is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------
1997 1996
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Balance, beginning of period.......................................... $877,094 $962,086
Provision for losses.................................................. -- 3,725
Charge offs........................................................... (17,017) (92,213)
Recoveries............................................................ 1,093 3,496
-------- --------
Balance, end of period................................................ $861,170 $877,094
-------- --------
-------- --------
</TABLE>
In the ordinary course of business, the Association has granted loans to
certain executive officers, directors and their related interests. Related party
loans are made on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time
for comparable transactions with unrelated persons and do not involve more than
the normal risk of collectibility. The aggregate dollar amount of these loans
was approximately $124,000 and $140,000 at September 30, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
II-19
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
NOTE 4. FORECLOSED REAL ESTATE
Foreclosed real estate acquired in settlement of loans consists of the
following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------
1997 1996
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Real estate acquired by foreclosure............................................. $ 15,700 $ 15,700
Less allowance for losses....................................................... 15,700 15,700
-------- --------
Foreclosed real estate, net................................................... $ -- $ --
-------- --------
-------- --------
</TABLE>
Activity in the allowance for losses on foreclosed real estate is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------
1997 1996
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Beginning balance............................................................... $ 15,700 $ 25,187
Provision charged to income..................................................... -- --
Charge-offs..................................................................... -- (9,487)
Recoveries...................................................................... -- --
-------- --------
Ending balance.................................................................. $ 15,700 $ 15,700
-------- --------
-------- --------
</TABLE>
NOTE 5. LOAN SERVICING
Mortgage loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying
consolidated statements of financial condition. The unpaid principal balance of
loans serviced for others was $2,351,000 and $2,823,000 at September 30, 1997
and 1996, respectively.
Custodial escrow balances maintained in connection with the foregoing loan
servicing, and included in demand deposits were approximately $4,700 and $13,300
at September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Capitalized mortgage servicing rights included in other assets are
summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------
1997 1996
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Beginning balance, net of accumulated amortization.............................. $ 11,600 $ --
Amounts capitalized............................................................. -- 12,700
Amortization.................................................................... 2,100 1,100
Valuation adjustments........................................................... -- --
-------- --------
Balance, end of period.......................................................... $ 9,500 $ 11,600
-------- --------
-------- --------
</TABLE>
NOTE 6. ACCRUED INTEREST RECEIVABLE
Accrued interest receivable at September 30, 1997 and 1996 is summarized as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Investment securities........................................................... $152,279 $164,382
Mortgage-backed securities...................................................... 38,569 41,500
Loans receivable................................................................ 246,700 244,445
-------- --------
Total......................................................................... $437,548 $450,327
-------- --------
-------- --------
</TABLE>
II-20
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
NOTE 7. PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
Premises and equipment at September 30, 1997 and 1996 consists of the
following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Land........................................................................ $ 98,840 $ 98,840
Office building............................................................. 797,008 790,702
Furniture and equipment..................................................... 541,618 463,914
---------- ----------
Total..................................................................... 1,437,466 1,353,456
Less accumulated depreciation............................................... (630,566) (564,610)
---------- ----------
Premises and equipment, net............................................... $ 806,900 $ 788,846
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
</TABLE>
NOTE 8. DEPOSITS
The aggregate amount of certificates of deposit with a minimum denomination
of $100,000 was approximately $2,489,000 and $2,434,000 at September 30, 1997
and 1996, respectively. Deposited amounts in excess of $100,000 per account are
not insured by the Savings Association Insurance Fund.
At September 30, 1997, the scheduled maturities of time deposits, for the
fiscal years ended, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1998................................................................. $27,624,960
1999................................................................. 8,424,248
2000................................................................. 99,744
2001................................................................. 101,059
Thereafter........................................................... --
-----------
Total.............................................................. $36,250,011
-----------
-----------
</TABLE>
Deposits by related parties were approximately $1,014,000 and $803,000 at
September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
The Association provides collateral to various local governmental units as
required by State statute on savings and certificate accounts with balances
greater than $100,000. The collateral pledged against these deposits consisted
of mortgage-backed securities totaling $961,363 and $1,101,623 as of September
30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
NOTE 9. INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense (benefit) applicable to operations include current and
deferred taxes as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
----------------------
1997 1996
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
CURRENT
Federal.................................................................... $279,700 $367,539
State...................................................................... 93,750 126,283
-------- --------
Subtotal................................................................ 373,450 493,822
-------- --------
DEFERRED
Federal.................................................................... 63,310 (89,790)
State...................................................................... 21,102 (29,932)
-------- --------
Subtotal................................................................ 84,412 (119,722)
-------- --------
Total income tax provision................................................... $457,862 $374,100
-------- --------
-------- --------
</TABLE>
II-21
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
NOTE 9. INCOME TAXES--(CONTINUED)
The State of Minnesota follows the Internal Revenue Code for the
determination of taxable income in connection with temporary differences. The
State portion of deferred tax assets and liabilities is approximately 25%.
Temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax
basis of assets and liabilities that create deferred tax assets and liabilities
are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30,
-----------------------
1997 1996
---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
General loan loss allowance................................................ $ 278,044 $ 350,838
Deferred loan fees......................................................... 107,748 94,579
Deferred compensation...................................................... 140,875 129,278
Accrual adjustments........................................................ 16,847 --
SAIF assessment............................................................ -- 145,023
---------- ---------
543,514 719,718
Less valuation allowance..................................................... (68,679) (162,000)
---------- ---------
Subtotal................................................................... 474,835 557,718
---------- ---------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Excess tax reserves........................................................ 115,768 115,768
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities.......................... 740,337 135,494
FHLB stock dividends....................................................... 99,680 99,680
Mortgage servicing assets.................................................. 3,800 4,644
Depreciation and basis adjustment.......................................... 40,604 38,229
---------- ---------
Subtotal................................................................... 1,000,189 393,815
---------- ---------
---------- ---------
Net deferred tax (liability) asset........................................... $ (525,354) $ 163,903
---------- ---------
---------- ---------
</TABLE>
The Association has paid sufficient income taxes in prior carryback years
which would enable it to recover the balance of the net deferred tax assets,
therefore, no additional valuation allowance was required at September 30, 1997
and 1996.
Actual income tax expense varied from 'expected' tax expense (computed by
applying the United States federal corporate income tax rate of 34 percent to
earnings before taxes) as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
----------------------
1997 1996
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Computed 'expected' tax expense:............................................. $407,000 $317,200
Increase (reduction) in income tax resulting from:
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit............................. 76,000 63,600
Other (net)................................................................ (25,138) (6,700)
-------- --------
Total income tax expense..................................................... $457,862 $374,100
-------- --------
-------- --------
</TABLE>
Savings and loan associations were allowed a bad debt deduction, in
determining income tax for tax purposes, based on specified experience formulas
or a percentage of taxable income before such deduction. On August 21, 1996
legislation was signed into law which repealed the percentage of taxable income
method for the tax bad debt deduction. The repeal is effective for the
Association's taxable year beginning October 1, 1996. In addition, the
legislation requires the Association to include in taxable income its tax bad
debt reserves in excess of its base year reserves (pre-1988 reserves) over a
six, seven, or eight year period depending upon the attainment of certain loan
origination levels. Since the percentage of taxable income method for the tax
bad debt deduction and the corresponding increase in the tax bad debt reserve in
excess of base year have been recorded as temporary differences, this change in
the tax law will not effect the Company's statement of operations.
II-22
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
NOTE 9. INCOME TAXES--(CONTINUED)
Retained earnings at September 30, 1996, includes approximately $1,459,000
of pre-1988 reserves, for which no deferred income tax liability, approximately
$584,000, has been recognized. This amount represents an allocation of income to
bad debt deductions for tax purposes only. Reduction of amounts so allocated for
purposes other than tax bad debt losses or adjustments from carryback of net
operating losses would create income for tax purposes only, which would be
subject to the then current corporate income tax rate.
NOTE 10. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Salary Continuation Plan
The Association has adopted a directors' consultation and retirement plan.
Benefits related to services are expensed under the plan vesting schedule. The
Association adopted an insured executive supplemental retirement plan and the
estimated benefits will be accrued over the expected remaining years of
employment. The compensation expense related to these plans amounted to $31,663
and $29,892 for the years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Salary Reduction Plan
The Association maintains a salary reduction plan (401(k) Plan) which
covers qualifying all full time employees. Company contributions are determined
anually by the Board of Directors. The Company's expense related to this plan
was $-0- and $1,042 for the years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
The Association established an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
covering all employees over the age of 21, with at least one year of service who
work at least 1,000 hours during the plan year. The ESOP borrowed funds from the
Company to purchase a total of 80,639 shares of the Company's common stock. The
loan is collateralized by the common stock. Contributions by the Association are
used to repay the loan with shares being released from the Company's lien
proportional to the loan repayment. Annually, on December 31, the released
shares are allocated to the participants in the same proportion as their wages
bear to the total compensation of all of the participants.
The Company presents these financial statements in accordance with the
AICPA Statement of Position (SOP) No. 93-6, 'Employers' Accounting for Employee
Stock Ownership Plans.' The price of the shares issued and unreleased are
charged to unearned compensation, a contra-equity account, and shares released
are reported as compensation expense equal to the current market value price of
the released shares. Dividends paid on allocated shares are charged to retained
earnings and those on unallocated shares are charged to expense.
The following table presents the components of the ESOP shares:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------
1997 1996
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Allocated shares................................................................ 16,128 8,064
Commited to be released shares.................................................. 6,048 6,048
Unreleased shares............................................................... 58,463 66,527
-------- --------
Total ESOP shares............................................................... 80,639 80,639
-------- --------
-------- --------
Fair value of unreleased shares................................................. $993,871 $848,219
-------- --------
-------- --------
Compensation expense recorded................................................... $105,127 $ 94,003
-------- --------
-------- --------
</TABLE>
II-23
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
NOTE 10. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS--(CONTINUED)
Management Stock Bonus Plan (MSBP)
The Company has adopted a MSBP for directors and management to enable the
Association to attract and retain experienced and capable personnel in key
positions of responsibility. A total of 29,224 shares were awarded in the form
of restricted stock payable over a five year vesting period and 11,095 shares
were reserved for future awards. The Company acquired the MSBP shares in fiscal
1996 in an open market purchase at a cost of $458,629, which was initially
recorded as unearned compensation in a contra shareholders' equity account. The
Company recognizes compensation expense pro rata over the vesting period which
amounted to $66,663 and $66,487 for fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Stock Option Plan
In September, 1995 the Company adopted a stock option plan, the 1995 Stock
Option Plan (the SOP). During 1995, options exercisable for 73,072 shares of the
Company's common stock were granted to certain officers and directors at an
exercise price of $11.375 per share. The options vest over a five year period
and may be exercised within 10 years of the grant date. In January 1997, a
second option plan, the 1997 Stock Option and Incentive Plan was adopted. In
1997, options exercisable for 63,636 shares of the Company's common stock were
granted to certain officers and directors at an exercise price of $13.00 per
share. The options vest over a two year period and may be exercised within 10
years of the grant date. All options granted in the 1997 Stock Option Plan have
dividend equivalent rights associated with such options.
The Company uses the intrinsic value method as described in APB Opinion No.
25 and related interpretations to account for its stock incentive plans.
Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the fixed option plan.
There are no charges or credits to expense with respect to the granting or
exercise of options since the options were issued at fair value on the
respective grant dates. Had compensation cost for the Company's stock-based
plans been determined in accordance with the fair value method recommended by
SFAS No. 123, the Company's net income and earnings per share would have been
reduced to the proforma amounts indicated below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Net income:
As reported................................................................... $739,715 $558,768
Pro forma..................................................................... 614,602 519,471
Earnings per common share and common share equivalent:
As reported................................................................... $ 0.96 $ 0.66
Pro forma..................................................................... 0.82 0.61
</TABLE>
The above disclosed pro forma effects of applying SFAS No. 123, to
compensation costs, may not be representative of the effects on reported pro
forma net income for future years.
The fair value for each option grant is estimated on the date of the grant
using the Black Scholes Model. The model incorporates the following assumptions:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1997 1996
------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
Risk-free interest rate............................................................ 5.60% 6.08%
Expected life...................................................................... 10 Yrs. 10 Yrs.
Expected volatility................................................................ 19.00% 20.00%
Expected dividends................................................................. 2.00% None
</TABLE>
II-24
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
NOTE 10. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS--(CONTINUED)
The fair value of the granted 1995 options granted in 1995 was $4.48 per
option. The fair value of the options granted in 1997 was $3.51 per options. A
summary of stock option activity under the SOP's are detailed below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WEIGHTED
OPTIONS AVERAGE
AVAILABLE OPTIONS EXERCISE
FOR GRANT OUTSTANDING PRICE
--------- ----------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
September 30, 1994.................................................. None None --
Plan adopted........................................................ 100,799 -- $11.375
Granted September 27, 1995.......................................... (73,072) 73,072 11.375
--------- ----------- --------
September 30, 1995.................................................. 27,727 73,072 11.375
Exercised........................................................... -- -- --
Forfeited........................................................... -- -- --
--------- ----------- --------
September 30, 1996.................................................. 27,727 73,072 11.375
Plan adopted........................................................ 87,771 -- 13.000
Granted January 22, 1997............................................ (63,636) 63,636 13.000
Exercised........................................................... -- -- --
Forfeited........................................................... -- -- --
--------- ----------- --------
September 30, 1997.................................................. 51,862 136,708 $12.131
--------- ----------- --------
--------- ----------- --------
</TABLE>
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding
at September 30, 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
- ------------------------------------------
WEIGHTED AVG. OPTIONS
REMAINING EXERCISABLE
NUMBER EXERCISE CONTRACTUAL ------------------
OUTSTANDING PRICE LIFE IN YEARS NUMBER PRICE
- ----------- -------- ------------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
73,072 $ 11.375 8.0 Yrs. 29,224 $11.375
63,636 $ 13.000 9.1 Yrs. 31,813 $13.000
- ----------- ------
136,708 61,037
- ----------- ------
- ----------- ------
</TABLE>
NOTE 11. COMMITMENTS
Loans serviced for FNMA, in the amount of $480,474 at September 30, 1997,
were sold subject to recourse provisions which require the Association to buy
back any loan which is delinquent more than ninety days. The Association also
sold loans and related servicing subject to recourse provisions which expire in
March 1998 in the amount of $910,350 at September 30, 1997. The Association has
not incurred any losses on loans sold with recourse provisions.
NOTE 12. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Association is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet
risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its
customers. These financial instruments are commitments to extend credit and
involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount
recognized on the balance sheet.
The Association's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by
the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is
represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Association uses
the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance sheet
instruments.
II-25
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
NOTE 12. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long
as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.
Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses
and may require payment of a fee. Commitments to extend credit which represent
credit risk totaled $660,750 for loans ($481,650 at fixed rates and $179,100 at
adjustable rates) and $1,292,196 unused lines of credit at September 30, 1997.
Commitments to sell loans amounted to $237,300 at September 30, 1997.
The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
-------------------------- --------------------------
CARRYING FAIR CARRYING FAIR
AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents............... $ 1,104,594 $ 1,104,594 $ 2,583,654 $ 2,583,654
Investment securities................... 20,368,810 20,433,657 21,529,237 21,555,886
FHLB stock.............................. 650,700 650,700 650,700 650,700
Loans receivable........................ 44,610,359 46,246,918 43,248,944 44,201,216
Accrued interest receivable............. 437,548 437,548 450,327 450,327
Financial liabilities:
Deposits................................ 55,183,587 55,209,196 56,531,194 56,538,374
Advance payments by borrowers
(escrows)............................ 107,038 107,038 138,530 138,530
</TABLE>
NOTE 13. SIGNIFICANT GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
A significant portion of the Association's loans receivable are to
borrowers located in Little Falls, Minnesota, and the surrounding counties. This
geographic concentration amounted to approximately 95% of the total loans
receivable balance for the years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996.
NOTE 14. STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY AND REGULATORY MATTERS
On March 23, 1995, the Association converted from a mutual association to a
stock association pursuant to a Plan of Conversion, (the Conversion) via the
issuance of common stock. In conjunction with the Conversion, the Company sold
1,007,992 shares of common stock which, after giving effect to offering expenses
of $471,714, resulted in net proceeds of $7.6 million which included an order
for 20,159 shares of stock in the amount of $161,272 from the Employee Stock
Ownership Plan (ESOP). Pursuant to the Conversion, the Association transferred
all of its outstanding shares to its newly organized holding company. On March
24, 1995 the Association's ESOP purchased an additional 60,480 shares in the
open market, in the amount of $529,200. The ESOP's purchases were funded through
a loan from the Company.
Upon the Conversion, the preexisting liquidation rights of the mutual stock
association members were unchanged. Such rights will be accounted for by the
Company for the benefit of such depositors in proportion to their liquidation
interests as of either the Eligibility Record Date or the Supplemental
Eligibility Record Date as defined in the Conversion.
Subsequent to the Conversion, neither the Company nor the Association may
declare or pay cash dividends on any of their shares of common stock if the
effect would be to reduce shareholders' equity below applicable regulatory
capital requirements or if such declaration of payment would otherwise violate
regulatory requirements.
II-26
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
NOTE 14. STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY AND REGULATORY MATTERS--(CONTINUED)
The Association is subject to various regulatory capital requirements
administered by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS). Failure to meet minimum
capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory--and possible additional
discretionary--actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct
material effect on the Association's financial statements. Under capital
adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action,
the Association must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative
measures of the Association's assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet
items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Association's
capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgements by
the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy
require the Association to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the
following table) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulation), to
risk-weighted assests (as defined), and of tangible and Tier 1 capital (as
defined) to adjusted total assets (as defined). Management believes, as of
September 30, 1997, that the Association meets all of capital adequacy
requirements to which it is subject.
As of September 30, 1997 and 1996, the most recent notification from the
OTS categorized the Association as 'well capitalized' under the regulatory
framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized
the Association must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, Tier
1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events
since that notification that management believes have changed the Association's
category.
The Association's actual regulatory capital amounts, with reconcilation to
the Company's capital investment in the Association determined in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and ratios as of September
30, 1997 and 1996, are also presented in the following tables (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TO BE WELL
CAPITALIZED UNDER
FOR CAPITAL PROMPT CORRECTIVE
ACTUAL ADEQUACY PURPOSES ACTION PROVISION
------------------ ----------------- -----------------
AMOUNT PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT
------- ------- ------ ------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
GAAP capital, September 30, 1997............. $11,998
Less: Unrealized gains on securities
available-for-sale......................... (1,111)
Excess mortgage servicing rights............. (1)
-------
Tangible capital and ratio to adjusted total
assets..................................... $10,886 16.3% $1,000 1.50%
------- ------- ------ -------
Tier 1 (Core) capital and ratio to adjusted
total assets............................... $10,886 16.3% $2,000 3.0% $3,335 5.0%
------- ------- ------ ------- ------ -------
Tier 1 capital and ratio to risk-weighted
assets..................................... $10,886 31.9% $1,365 4.0% $2,047 6.0%
------- ------- ------ ------- ------ -------
Tier 2 capital, allowance for loan losses.... 432
-------
Total risk-based capital and ratio to risk-
weighted assets, September 30, 1997........ $11,318 33.2% $2,730 8.0% $3,412 10.0%
------- ------- ------ ------- ------ -------
------- ------- ------ ------- ------ -------
</TABLE>
II-27
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
NOTE 14. STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY AND REGULATORY MATTERS--(CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TO BE WELL
CAPITALIZED UNDER
FOR CAPITAL PROMPT CORRECTIVE
ACTUAL ADEQUACY PURPOSES ACTION PROVISION
------------------ ----------------- -----------------
AMOUNT PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT
------- ------- ------ ------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
GAAP capital, September 30, 1996............. $10,643
Less: Unrealized gains on securities
available-for-sale......................... (238)
Excess mortgage servicing rights............. (1)
-------
Tangible capital and ratio to adjusted total
assets..................................... $10,404 14.9% $1,046 1.50%
------- ------- ------ -------
Tier 1 (Core) capital and ratio to adjusted
total assets............................... $10,404 14.9% $2,092 3.0% $3,487 5.0%
------- ------- ------ ------- ------ -------
Tier 1 capital and ratio to risk-weighted
assets..................................... $10,404 30.5% $1,366 4.0% $2,049 6.0%
------- ------- ------ ------- ------ -------
Tier 2 capital, allowance for loan losses.... 430
-------
Total risk-based capital and ratio to risk-
weighted assets, September 30, 1996........ $10,834 31.7% $2,733 8.0% $3,416 10.0%
------- ------- ------ ------- ------ -------
------- ------- ------ ------- ------ -------
</TABLE>
NOTE 15. EFFECTS OF NEW FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
SFAS No. 128, 'Earnings Per Share'--issued February 1997, establishes
standards for computing and presenting earnings per share (EPS). It simplifies
prior standards by replacing primary earnings per share with basic earnings per
share and by altering the calculation of diluted EPS, which replaces fully
diluted EPS. SFAS No. 128 is effective for financial statements issued after
December 15, 1997, including interim periods.
SFAS No. 130, 'Reporting Comprehensive Income'--issued June 1997,
establishes standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive income and its
components in general-purpose financial statements. Comprehensive income
includes net income and several other items that current accounting standards
require to be recognized outside of net income. This statement requires entities
to display comprehensive income and its components in the financial statements
with presentation of the accumulated balances of other comprehensive income
reported in stockholders' equity separately from retained earnings and
additional paid-in capital. SFAS No. 130 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 1997. Reclassification of financial statements for earlier
periods that are presented for comparative purposes is required.
SFAS No. 131, 'Disclosures about Segments of Enterprise and Related
Information'--issued June 1997, requires public business enterprises to report
information about their operating segments in a complete set of financial
statements to shareholders. This statement also requires entities to report
enterprise-wide information about their products and services, their activities
in different geographic areas, and their reliance on major customers. Certain
segment information is also to be reported in interim financial statements. The
basis for determining an enterprise's operating segments is the manner in which
management operates the business. Specifically, financial information is
required to be reported on the basis that it is used internally by the
enterprise's chief operating decision maker in making decisions related to
resource allocation and segment performance. SFAS No. 131 is effective for
financial statements for years beginning after December 31, 1997.
Management believes adoption of the above-described Statements will not
have a material effect on financial position and the results of operations, nor
will adoption require additional capital resources.
II-28
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
NOTE 16. PARENT ONLY CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
This information should be read in conjunction with the other Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements. On March 23, 1995 the Company issued $7.6
million of common stock and contributed one-half of the net proceeds to the
Association as equity capital. Shareholders' equity differs from the
consolidated statements primarily by the amount of consolidating ESOP
adjustments.
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------
1997 1996
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents.......................................................... $ 24,203 $ 61,525
Investment in Association subsidiary............................................... 11,998,136 10,642,889
Loan to Association subsidiary..................................................... 65,000 1,725,000
Loan to Association ESOP........................................................... 542,056 609,813
Tax benefit due from subsidiary.................................................... 40,781 33,235
Total.................................................................... 12,670,176 13,072,462
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Other liabilities.................................................................. $ 111,961 $ 70,210
Shareholders' equity............................................................... 12,558,215 13,002,252
Total.................................................................... $12,670,176 $13,072,462
</TABLE>
STATEMENT OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------
1997 1996
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Interest from:
Association's subsidiary loan.................................................... $ 80,148 $ 151,949
Association's ESOP loan.......................................................... 47,137 54,101
Dividends from Association subsidiary............................................ 450,000 200,000
----------- -----------
Total income............................................................. 577,285 406,050
Expenses:
Non-interest expenses............................................................ 272,672 234,402
Income tax (benefit)............................................................. (58,435) (11,679)
----------- -----------
Total expenses........................................................... 214,237 222,723
----------- -----------
Income before equity in undistributed net income of Association subsidiary......... 363,048 183,327
Equity in undistributed net income of Association subsidiary....................... 828,442 577,217
----------- -----------
Net income......................................................................... $ 1,191,490 $ 760,544
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
</TABLE>
II-29
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
NOTE 16. PARENT ONLY CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION--(CONTINUED)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------
1997 1996
----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Net income.......................................................................... $ 1,191,490 $ 760,544
Adjustments:
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiary.................................. (828,442) (577,217)
ESOP fair value adjustment, net of taxes.......................................... 26,768 15,426
Increase in income tax benefit due from subsidiary................................ (3,499) (33,235)
Increase in deferred income taxes................................................. (4,047) --
(Decrease) in accrued income taxes................................................ -- (160)
Increase in other liabilities..................................................... 41,750 70,210
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by operations..................................................... 424,020 235,568
----------- -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Subsidiary loan proceeds.......................................................... 1,660,000 1,375,000
Purchase of treasury stock........................................................ (2,068,422) (1,536,689)
----------- -----------
Net cash used in investing activities............................................. (408,422) (161,689)
----------- -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of cash dividend.......................................................... (120,677) (141,804)
Principal received on ESOP loan................................................... 67,757 80,660
----------- -----------
Net cash used in financing activities............................................... (52,920) (61,144)
----------- -----------
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents.................................... (37,322) 12,735
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of year................................................................. 61,525 48,790
----------- -----------
End of year....................................................................... $ 24,203 $ 61,525
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
</TABLE>
II-30
<PAGE>
Manually signed photocopies of the Letter of Transmittal will be accepted
from Eligible Institutions. The Letter of Transmittal and certificates for
Shares and any other required documents should be sent or delivered by each
shareholder or his or her broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
nominee to the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth below.
THE DEPOSITARY FOR THE OFFER IS:
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER COMPANY
By Mail/Overnight Delivery: By Hand Only:
10 Commerce Drive c/o The Depository Trust Co.
Cranford, New Jersey 07016 Transfer Agent Drop
55 Water Street, 1st Floor
New York, New York 10041-0099
By Facsimile Transmission:
(Eligible Institutions Only)
(908) 497-2313
Any questions or requests for assistance or additional copies of this Offer
to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may
be directed to the Information Agent at the telephone numbers and location
listed below. Shareholders may also contact their local broker, dealer,
commercial bank or trust company for assistance concerning the Offer.
THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE OFFER IS:
MACKENZIE PARTNERS, INC. LOGO
156 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10010
(212) 929-5500 (Call Collect)
Call Toll Free
(800) 322-2885
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
TO ACCOMPANY SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
OF
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY
TENDERED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE
DATED APRIL 13, 1998
THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
EASTERN TIME, ON MONDAY, MAY 11, 1998, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
TO: REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER COMPANY, DEPOSITARY
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
By Mail/Overnight Delivery: Facsimile Transmission: By Hand Only:
10 Commerce Drive (908) 497-2313 c/o The Depository Trust Co.
Cranford, New Jersey 07016 (for Eligible Institutions Only) Transfer Agent Drop
55 Water Street, 1st Floor
New York, New York 10041-0099
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3 AND 4)
NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S) CERTIFICATE(S) TENDERED
(PLEASE FILL IN EXACTLY AS NAME(S) APPEAR(S) ON CERTIFICATE(S)) (ATTACH SIGNED LIST IF NECESSARY)
NUMBER OF SHARES NUMBER OF
CERTIFICATE REPRESENTED BY SHARES
NUMBER(S)* CERTIFICATE(S)* TENDERED**
TOTAL SHARES TENDERED
* Need not be completed if Shares are delivered by book-entry transfer.
** If you desire to tender fewer than all Shares evidenced by any certificates
listed above, please indicate in this column the number of Shares you wish to
tender. Otherwise, all Shares evidenced by such certificates will be deemed
to have been tendered.
See Instruction 4.
</TABLE>
DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THOSE SHOWN ABOVE OR
TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA A FACSIMILE NUMBER OTHER THAN ONE OF THOSE
LISTED ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
This Letter of Transmittal is to be used only (a) if certificates for
Shares (as defined below) are to be forwarded with it (or such certificates will
be delivered pursuant to a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery previously sent to the
Depositary) or (b) if a tender of Shares is to be made by book-entry transfer to
the account maintained by the Depositary at The Depository Trust Company ('DTC')
or Philadelphia Depository Trust Company ('PDTC') (collectively, the 'Book-Entry
Transfer Facilities') pursuant to 'The Offer--Procedures for Tendering Shares'
of the Offer to Purchase.
Stockholders whose certificates are not immediately available or who cannot
deliver their certificates for Shares and all other required documents to the
Depositary before the Expiration Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) or
whose Shares cannot be delivered on a timely basis pursuant to the procedure for
book-entry transfer must tender their Shares according to the guaranteed
delivery procedure set forth in 'The Offer--Procedures for Tendering Shares' of
the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2. Delivery of the Letter of Transmittal
and any other required documents to one of the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities
does not constitute delivery to the Depositary.
<PAGE>
/ / CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
MADE TO AN ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY WITH ONE OF THE BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER FACILITIES, AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name of Tendering Institution:_____________________________________________
Check Box of Applicable Book-Entry Transfer Facility:
/ / DTC / / PDTC
Account Number:____________________________________________________________
Transaction Code Number:___________________________________________________
/ / CHECK HERE IF CERTIFICATES FOR TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT
TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY, AND
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):___________________________________________
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:________________________
Name of Institution Which Guaranteed Delivery:_____________________________
Check Box of Applicable Book-Entry Transfer Facility and Give Account
Number if Delivered by Book-Entry Transfer:
/ / DTC / / PDTC
Account Number:_________________________________________________________________
ODD LOTS
(SEE INSTRUCTION 9)
To be completed ONLY if Shares are being tendered by or on behalf of a
person owning beneficially, as of the close of business on April 8, 1998, an
aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares.
The undersigned either (check one box):
/ / was the beneficial owner as of the close of business on April 8,
1998, and will continue to be the beneficial owner as of the
Expiration Date, of an aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares, all of
which are being tendered; or
/ / is a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee
which:
(a) is tendering, for the beneficial owners thereof, Shares with
respect to which it is the record holder; and
(b) believes, based upon representations made to it by such beneficial
owners, that each such person was the beneficial owner as of the
close of business on April 8, 1998 and each such person will
continue to be the beneficial owner as of the Expiration Date, of
an aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares and is tendering all of such
Shares.
<PAGE>
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to Mississippi View Holding Company, a
Minnesota corporation (the 'Company'), the above described shares of the
Company's common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the 'Shares') at the price
per Share indicated in this Letter of Transmittal, net to the seller in cash,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Company's Offer to
Purchase dated April 13, 1998, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in
this Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the 'Offer').
Subject to, and effective on acceptance for payment of the Shares tendered
hereby in accordance with, the terms of the Offer (including, if the Offer is
extended or amended, the terms or conditions of any such extension or
amendment), the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the
order of the Company all right, title and interest in and to all Shares tendered
hereby or orders the registration of such Shares tendered by book-entry transfer
that are purchased pursuant to the Offer to or upon the order of the Company and
hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Depositary as attorney-in-fact
of the undersigned with respect to such Shares, with full power of substitution
(such power of attorney being an irrevocable power coupled with interest), to:
(a) deliver certificates for such Shares, or transfer ownership of such
Shares on the account books maintained by a Book-Entry Transfer Facility,
together in either such case with all accompanying evidences of transfer and
authenticity, to or upon the order of the Company, upon receipt by the
Depositary, as the undersigned's agent, of the Purchase Price (as defined below)
with respect to such Shares;
(b) present certificates for such Shares for cancellation and transfer on
the Company's books; and
(c) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial
ownership of such Shares, subject to the next paragraph, all in accordance with
the terms of the Offer.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that:
(a) the undersigned understands that tenders of Shares pursuant to any one
of the procedures described in 'The Offer-- Procedures for Tendering Shares' of
the Offer to Purchase and in the Instructions hereto will constitute the
undersigned's acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Offer, including the
undersigned's representation and warranty that (i) the undersigned has a 'net
long position' in Shares or 'equivalent securities' at least equal to the Shares
tendered within the meaning of Rule 14e-4 promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (ii) such tender of Shares complies with
Rule 14e-4.
(b) when and to the extent the Company accepts the Shares for purchase, the
Company will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to them, free and
clear of all security interests, liens, charges, encumbrances, conditional sales
agreements or other obligations relating to their sale or transfer, and not
subject to any adverse claim;
(c) on request, the undersigned will execute and deliver any additional
documents the Depositary or the Company deems necessary or desirable to complete
the assignment, transfer and purchase of the Shares tendered hereby; and
(d) the undersigned has read and agrees to all of the terms of the Offer.
The names and addresses of the registered holders should be printed, if
they are not already printed above, exactly as they appear on the certificates
representing Shares tendered hereby. The certificate numbers, the number of
Shares represented by such certificates, the number of Shares that the
undersigned wishes to tender and the purchase price at which such Shares are
being tendered should be indicated in the appropriate boxes on this Letter of
Transmittal.
The undersigned understands that the Company will, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Offer, determine a single per Share price (not
greater than $21.50 nor less than $19.50 per Share) that it will pay for Shares
validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer (the 'Purchase Price'),
taking into account the number of Shares so tendered and the prices specified by
tendering stockholders. The undersigned understands that the Company will select
the lowest Purchase Price which will allow it to buy 222,000 Shares (or such
lesser number of Shares as are validly tendered and not withdrawn at prices not
greater than $21.50 nor less than $19.50 per Share) pursuant to the Offer, or
such greater number of Shares as the Company may elect to purchase. The
undersigned understands that all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn at
prices at or below the Purchase Price will be purchased at the Purchase Price,
net to the seller in cash, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Offer, including the proration provisions, and that the Company will return all
other Shares, including Shares tendered at prices greater than the Purchase
Price and Shares not purchased because of proration.
<PAGE>
The undersigned recognizes that under certain circumstances set forth in
the Offer to Purchase, the Company may terminate or amend the Offer or may
postpone the acceptance for payment of, or the payment for, Shares tendered or
may not be required to purchase any of the Shares tendered hereby or may accept
for payment fewer than all of the Shares tendered hereby. In either event, the
undersigned understands that certificate(s) for any Shares not tendered or not
purchased will be returned to the undersigned at the address indicated above,
unless otherwise indicated under the 'Special Payment Instructions' or 'Special
Delivery Instructions' below. The undersigned recognizes that the Company has no
obligation, pursuant to the Special Payment Instructions, to transfer any
certificate for Shares from the name of their registered holder, or to order the
registration or transfer of such Shares tendered by book-entry transfer, if the
Company purchases none of the Shares represented by such certificate or tendered
by such book-entry transfer.
The undersigned understands that acceptance of Shares by the Company for
payment will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the
Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.
The check for the Purchase Price for such of the tendered Shares as are
purchased will be issued to the order of the undersigned and mailed to the
address indicated above unless otherwise indicated under 'Special Payment
Instructions' or 'Special Delivery Instructions' below.
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of
Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned, and any
obligations of the undersigned under this Letter of Transmittal shall be binding
upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the
undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer to Purchase, this tender is
irrevocable.
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
PRICE (IN DOLLARS) PER SHARE AT
WHICH SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED
IF SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED AT MORE
THAN ONE PRICE, USE A SEPARATE
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL FOR EACH PRICE SPECIFIED.
(SEE INSTRUCTION 5)
CHECK ONLY ONE BOX.
IF MORE THAN ONE BOX IS CHECKED, OR IF
NOBOX IS CHECKED (EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN), THERE
IS NO VALID TENDER OF SHARES.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
/ / $19.500 / / $20.125 / / $20.625 / / $21.125
/ / 19.625 / / 20.250 / / 20.750 / / 21.250
/ / 19.750 / / 20.375 / / 20.875 / / 21.375
/ / 19.875 / / 20.500 / / 21.000 / / 21.500
/ / 20.000
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 4, 6, 7 AND 8)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Shares not tendered or not
purchased and/or any check for the Purchase Price of Shares purchased are to be
issued in the name of and sent to someone other than the undersigned.
Issue / / Check / / Certificates to:
Name ..........................................................................
(PLEASE PRINT)
Address .......................................................................
........................................................................
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
...............................................................................
(TAX IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER)
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 4, 6 AND 8)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Shares not tendered or not
purchased issued in the name of the undersigned and/or any check for the
Purchase Price of Shares purchased issued in the name of undersigned are to be
sent to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address
other than that shown above.
Deliver / / Check / / Certificates to:
Name ..........................................................................
(PLEASE PRINT)
Address .......................................................................
...............................................................................
(INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
<PAGE>
STOCKHOLDER(S) SIGN HERE
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND 6)
(PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ON BACK PAGE)
Must be signed by the registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on
certificate(s) or on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to
become registered holder(s) by certificate(s) and documents transmitted with
this Letter of Transmittal. If signature is by attorney-in-fact, executor,
administrator, trustee, guardian, officer of a corporation or another acting in
a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth the full title. See
Instruction 6.
...............................................................................
(Signature(s))
Dated .................................................................. , 1998
Name(s) .......................................................................
........................................................................
(Please Print)
Capacity (full title): ........................................................
...............................................................
Address: ......................................................................
......................................................................
......................................................................
Area Code and Telephone Number: ...............................................
Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s) ...............................
Dated: ................................................................. , 1998
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S) (See Instructions 1 and 6)
Authorized Signature ..........................................................
Name: .........................................................................
(Please Print)
Title: ........................................................................
Name of Firm: .................................................................
Address: ......................................................................
...............................................................................
...............................................................................
(Including Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone Number: ...............................................
Dated: ................................................................. , 1998
Tax Identification or Social Security Number(s) ................................
<PAGE>
INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS OF THE OFFER
1. Guarantee of Signatures. No signature guarantee is required if either:
(a) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder of the
Shares (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant
in a Book-Entry Transfer Facility whose name appears on a security position
listing as the owner of Shares) exactly as the name of the registered holder
appears on the certificate tendered with this Letter of Transmittal unless such
holder has completed either the box entitled 'Special Payment Instructions' or
the box entitled 'Special Delivery Instructions'; or
(b) such Shares are tendered for the account of a member firm of a
registered national securities exchange, a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company having an office,
branch or agency in the United States. See Instruction 6.
In all other cases the signature(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible
guarantor institution (bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit
union with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program),
pursuant to Rule 17Ad-15 promulgated under the Exchange Act (an 'Eligible
Institution'). See Instruction 6.
2. Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Certificates; Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures. This Letter of Transmittal is to be used only if certificates are
delivered with it to the Depositary (or such certificates will be delivered
pursuant to a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery previously sent to the Depositary)
or if tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedure for tender by book-entry
transfer set forth in 'The Offer-Procedures for Tendering Shares' of the Offer
to Purchase. Certificates for all physically tendered Shares, or confirmation of
a book-entry transfer into the Depositary's account at a Book-Entry Transfer
Facility of Shares tendered electronically, together in each case with a
properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal or duly executed
facsimile of it, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal,
should be mailed or delivered to the Depositary at the appropriate address set
forth herein and must be delivered to the Depositary on or before the Expiration
Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase).
Stockholders whose certificates are not immediately available or who cannot
deliver Shares and all other required documents to the Depositary before the
Expiration Date, or whose Shares cannot be delivered on a timely basis pursuant
to the procedure for book-entry transfer, may tender their Shares by or through
any Eligible Institution by properly completing (including the price at which
the Shares are being tendered) and duly executing and delivering a Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery (or a facsimile of it) and by otherwise complying with the
guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in 'The Offer-Procedures for Tendering
Shares' of the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such procedure, the certificates
for all physically tendered Shares or book-entry confirmation, as the case may
be, as well as a properly completed Letter of Transmittal and all other
documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the
Depositary within three over-the-counter trading days after receipt by the
Depositary of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in 'The Offer-
Procedures for Tendering Shares' of the Offer to Purchase.
The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or transmitted
by telegram, facsimile transmission or mail to the Depositary and must include a
guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in such Notice. For
Shares to be validly tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure, the
Depositary must receive the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery before the Expiration
Date.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES,
IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING STOCKHOLDER. IF DELIVERY IS BY
MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS
RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ASSURE DELIVERY.
The Company will not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent
tenders, nor will it purchase any fractional Shares. All tendering stockholders,
by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile of it), waive any
right to receive any notice of the acceptance of their tender.
<PAGE>
3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided in the box captioned
'Description of Shares Tendered' is inadequate, the certificate numbers and/or
the number of Shares should be listed on a separate signed schedule and attached
to this Letter of Transmittal.
4. Partial Tenders and Unpurchased Shares. (Not applicable to stockholders
who tender by book-entry transfer.) If fewer than all of the Shares evidenced by
any certificate are to be tendered, fill in the number of Shares which are to be
tendered in the column entitled 'Number of Shares Tendered.' In such case, if
any tendered Shares are purchased, a new certificate for the remainder of the
Shares evidenced by the old certificate(s) will be issued and sent to the
registered holder(s), unless otherwise specified in the 'Special Payment
Instructions' or 'Special Delivery Instructions' box on this Letter of
Transmittal, as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date. All Shares
represented by the certificate(s) listed and delivered to the Depositary are
deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
5. Indication of Price at Which Shares Are Being Tendered. For Shares to be
validly tendered, the stockholder must check the box indicating the price per
Share at which he or she is tendering Shares under 'Price (In Dollars) Per Share
at Which Shares Are Being Tendered' on this Letter of Transmittal. Only one box
may be checked. If more than one box is checked, or if no box is checked (except
as otherwise provided herein), there is no valid tender of Shares. A stockholder
wishing to tender portions of his Share holdings at different prices must
complete a separate Letter of Transmittal for each price at which he or she
wishes to tender each such portion of his or her Shares. The same Shares cannot
be tendered (unless previously validly withdrawn as provided in 'The
Offer--Withdrawal Rights' of the Offer to Purchase) at more than one price.
6. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal, Stock Powers, and Endorsements.
(a) If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of
the Shares tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the
name(s) as written on the face of the certificate without any change whatsoever.
(b) If the Shares are registered in the names of two or more joint holders,
each such holder must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
(c) If any tendered Shares are registered in different names on several
certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate
Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles of it) as there are different
registrations of certificates.
(d) When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s)
of the Shares listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsements of certificate(s)
representing such Shares or separate stock powers are required unless payment is
to be made, or the certificate(s) for Shares not tendered or not purchased are
to be issued, to a person other than the registered holder(s). If this Letter of
Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder(s) of the
certificate(s) listed, or if payment is to be made or certificate(s) for shares
not tendered or not purchased are to be issued to a person other than the
registered holder(s), the certificate(s) must be endorsed or accompanied by
appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name(s) of the
registered holder(s) appear(s) on the certificate(s), and any signature(s) on
such certificate(s) or stock power(s) must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution. See Instruction 1.
(e) If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates or stock powers are
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity for the registered holder(s) of the certificates listed, such persons
should so indicate when signing and must submit proper evidence satisfactory to
the Company of their authority so to act.
7. Stock Transfer Taxes. Except as provided in this Instruction, no stock
transfer tax stamps or funds to cover such stamps need accompany this Letter of
Transmittal. The Company will pay or cause to be paid any stock transfer taxes
payable on the transfer to it of Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer. If,
however:
(a) payment of the Purchase Price is to be made to any person other
than the registered holder(s);
(b) Shares not tendered or not accepted for purchase are to be
registered in the name of any person other than the registered holder(s);
or
(c) tendered certificates are registered in the name of any person
other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal;
<PAGE>
then the Depositary will deduct from the Purchase Price the amount of any stock
transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder, such other person or
otherwise) payable on account of the transfer to such person unless satisfactory
evidence of the payment of such taxes, or an exemption from them, is submitted.
8. Special Payment and Delivery Instructions. If certificate(s) for Shares
not tendered or not purchased and/or check(s) are to be issued in the name of a
person other than the signer of the Letter of Transmittal or if such
certificate(s) and/or check(s) are to be sent to someone other than the signer
of the Letter of Transmittal or to the signer at a different address, the boxes
captioned 'Special Payment Instructions' and/or 'Special Delivery Instructions'
on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed and signatures must be
guaranteed as described in Instructions 1 and 6.
9. Odd Lots. As described in 'The Offer--Number of Shares; Proration' of
the Offer to Purchase, if the Company is to purchase less than all Shares
validly tendered and not withdrawn before the Expiration Date, the Shares
purchased first will consist of all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn by
any stockholder who owned beneficially as of the close of business on April 8,
1998 and who continues to own as of the Expiration Date, an aggregate of fewer
than 100 Shares and who tenders all of his Shares at or below the Purchase Price
(an 'Odd Lot Holder'). This preference will not be available unless the box
captioned 'Odd Lots' is completed.
10. Irregularities. The Company will determine, in its sole discretion, all
questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and
acceptance for payment of any tender of Shares, and its determination shall be
final and binding on all parties. The Company reserves the absolute right to
reject any or all tenders determined by it not to be in proper form or the
acceptance of which or payment for which may, in the opinion of the Company's
counsel, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute right to waive any
of the conditions of the Offer or any defects or irregularities in the tender of
any particular Shares, and the Company's interpretation of the terms of the
Offer (including these instructions) will be final and binding on all parties.
No tender of Shares will be deemed to be validly made until all defects and
irregularities have been cured or waived. Unless waived, any defects or
irregularities in connection with tenders must be cured within such time as the
Company shall determine. None of the Company, the Depositary nor any other
person is or will be obligated to give notice of any defects or irregularities
in tenders, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give any
such notice.
11. Questions and Requests for Assistance and Additional Copies. Questions
and requests for assistance may be directed to, or additional copies of the
Offer to Purchase, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, and this Letter of
Transmittal may be obtained from the Information Agent at its address and
telephone number set forth at the end of this Letter of Transmittal.
12. Substitute Form W-9 and Form W-8. Stockholders other than corporations
and certain foreign individuals may be subject to backup federal income tax
withholding. Each such tendering stockholder or other payee who does not
otherwise establish to the satisfaction of the Depositary an exemption from
backup federal income tax withholding is required to provide the Depositary with
a correct taxpayer identification number ('TIN') on Substitute Form W-9 which is
provided as a part of this Letter of Transmittal, and to indicate that the
stockholder or other payee is not subject to backup withholding by checking the
box in Part 2 of the form. For an individual, his TIN will generally be his
social security number. Failure to provide the information on the form or to
check the box in Part 2 of the form may subject the tendering stockholder or
other payee to 31% backup federal income tax withholding on the payments made to
the stockholder or other payee with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the
Offer and to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. Backup
withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons
subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If
withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained. The
box in Part 3 of the form may be checked if the tendering stockholder or other
payee has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends to apply
for a TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 3 is checked and the Depositary
is not provided with a TIN within sixty (60) days, the Depositary will withhold
31% on all such payments thereafter until a TIN is provided to the Depositary.
Stockholders who are foreign individuals should submit Form W-8 to certify that
they are exempt from backup withholding, unless Instruction 13 applies. Form W-8
may be obtained from the Depositary. For additional information concerning
Substitute Form W-9, see the enclosed 'Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9.'
<PAGE>
13. Withholding on Foreign Stockholders. The Depositary will withhold
federal income taxes equal to 30% of the gross payments payable to a foreign
stockholder or his agent unless the Depositary determines that a reduced rate of
withholding or an exemption from withholding is applicable. (Exemption from
backup withholding does not exempt a foreign stockholder from the 30%
withholding.) For this purpose, a foreign stockholder is any stockholder that is
not (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation,
partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the
United States or any political subdivision thereof or (iii) an estate or trust
the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation
regardless of the source of such income. The Depositary will determine a
stockholder's status as a foreign stockholder and eligibility for a reduced rate
of, or an exemption from, withholding by reference to the stockholder's address
and to any outstanding certificates or statements concerning eligibility for a
reduced rate of, or exemption from, withholding on the grounds that the gross
proceeds paid pursuant to the Offer are effectively connected with the conduct
of a trade or business within the United States, a foreign stockholder must
deliver to the Depositary a properly executed Form 4224. Such form can be
obtained from the Depositary. A foreign stockholder who has not previously
submitted the appropriate certificates or statements with respect to a reduced
rate of, or exemption from, withholding for which such stockholder may be
eligible should consider doing so in order to avoid excess withholding. A
foreign stockholder may be eligible to obtain a refund of tax withheld if such
stockholder meets one of the three tests for capital gain or loss treatment
described in 'Special Factors--Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences' of the
Offer to Purchase or is otherwise able to establish that no tax or reduced
amount of tax was due. Foreign stockholders are advised to consult their tax
advisors regarding the application of federal income tax withholding, including
eligibility for a withholding tax reduction or exemption and the refund
procedures.
14. ESOP, Profit Sharing Plan and MSBP. Participants in the Community
Federal Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls Employee Stock Ownership
Plan, the Community Federal Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls Profit
Sharing Plan and the Community Federal Savings and Loan Association of Little
Falls Management Stock Bonus Plan may not use this Letter of Transmittal to
direct the tender of Shares attributed to a participant's account, but must use
the separate instruction form sent to them.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR A MANUALLY SIGNED FACSIMILE OF IT
(TOGETHER WITH CERTIFICATE(S) FOR SHARES OR CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) OR, IF APPLICABLE, THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE.
IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
Under the United States federal income tax law, a stockholder whose
tendered Shares are accepted for payment generally is required by law to provide
the Depositary with such stockholder's correct TIN on Substitute Form W-9 below.
If the Depositary is not provided with the correct TIN, the Internal Revenue
Service may subject the stockholder or other payee to a $50 penalty. In
addition, payments that are made to such stockholder or other payee with respect
to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer may be subject to backup withholding.
Certain stockholders (including, among others, all corporations and certain
foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting
requirements. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an exempt
recipient, the stockholder must submit a Form W-8, signed under penalties of
perjury, attesting to the individual's exempt status. A Form W-8 can be obtained
from the Depositary. See the enclosed 'Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9' for more instructions.
If backup withholding applies, the Depositary is required to withhold 31%
of any such payments made to the stockholder or other payee. Backup withholding
is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons subject to backup
withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding
results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.
PURPOSE OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
To prevent backup withholding on payment made to a stockholder or other
payee with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, the stockholder is
required to notify the Depositary of the stockholder's correct TIN by completing
the form below, certifying that the TIN provided on Substitute Form W-9 is
correct (or that such stockholder is awaiting a TIN) and that:
(a) the stockholder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue
Service that the stockholder is subject to backup withholding as a result
of failure to report all interest or dividends; or
(b) the Internal Revenue Service has notified the stockholder that the
stockholder is no longer subject to backup withholding.
<PAGE>
WHAT NUMBER TO GIVE THE DEPOSITARY
The stockholder is required to give the Depositary the TIN (e.g., social
security number or employer identification number) of the registered holder of
the Shares. If the Shares are in more than one name or are not in the name of
the actual owner, consult the enclosed 'Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9' for additional guidance on which
number to report.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
PAYER'S NAME:
SUBSTITUTE Part 1--PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT RIGHT Social Security Number
FORM W-9 AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING BELOW.
OR Employer Identification
Number
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Part 2--Check the box if you are NOT subject to
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE backup withholding under the provisions of Section
3406(a)(1)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code because
(1) you are exempt from backup withholding, or (2)
you have not been notified by the Internal Revenue
Service that you are subject to backup withholding
as a result of failure to report all interest or
dividends, or (3) the Internal Revenue Service has
notified you that you are no longer subject to
backup withholding. / /
PAYER'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER CERTIFICATION--UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I Part 3--
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN) CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS FORM Awaiting TIN / /
IS TRUE, CORRECT, AND COMPLETE.
SIGNATURE DATE
</TABLE>
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN A BACKUP
WITHHOLDING OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE
REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU
CHECK THE BOX IN PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number
has not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an
application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate
Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office, or (b)
I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that
if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number within sixty (60) days, 31%
of all reportable payments made to me thereafter will be withheld until I
provide a number.
- ---------------------------- -----------------------------
Signature Date
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
FACSIMILE COPIES OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS. THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND
ANY OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE SENT OR DELIVERED BY EACH TENDERING
STOCKHOLDER OR HIS BROKER, DEALER, COMMERCIAL BANK, TRUST COMPANY OR OTHER
NOMINEE TO THE DEPOSITARY AT ONE OF ITS ADDRESSES SET FORTH BELOW.
THE DEPOSITARY
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER COMPANY
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
By Mail/Overnight Delivery: Facsimile Transmission: By Hand Only:
10 Commerce Drive (908) 497-2313 c/o The Depository Trust Co.
Cranford, New Jersey 07016 (for Eligible Institutions Only) Transfer Agent Drop
55 Water Street, 1st Floor
New York, New York 10041-0099
</TABLE>
ANY QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE
OFFER TO PURCHASE, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION AGENT AT ITS TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND
ADDRESS SET FORTH BELOW. A TENDERING STOCKHOLDER MAY ALSO CONTACT HIS BROKER,
DEALER, COMMERCIAL BANK OR TRUST COMPANY FOR ASSISTANCE CONCERNING THE OFFER. IN
ORDER TO CONFIRM THE DELIVERY OF HIS SHARES, A TENDERING STOCKHOLER SHOULD
CONTACT THE DEPOSITARY.
THE INFORMATION AGENT:
MACKENZIE PARTNERS, INC. LOGO
156 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10010
(212) 929-5500 (Call Collect)
Call Toll Free: (800) 322-2885
April 13, 1998
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY
Offer to Purchase For Cash
Up to 222,000 Shares of its Common Stock
at a Purchase Price
Not Greater Than $21.50 Nor Less than $19.50 Per Share
THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., EASTERN TIME,
ON MONDAY, MAY 11, 1998, UNLESS
THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
April 13, 1998
To: Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks,
Trust Companies and Other Nominees
Mississippi View Holding Company, a Minnesota corporation (the
"Company"), has appointed us to act as Information Agent in connection with its
offer to purchase up to 222,000 shares of its Common Stock, par value $0.10 per
share (the "Shares"), at prices, net to the seller in cash, not greater than
$21.50 nor less than $19.50 per Share, specified by tendering stockholders, upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in its Offer to Purchase,
dated April 13, 1998, and the related Letter of Transmittal (which together
constitute the "Offer").
The Company will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Offer, determine a single per Share price (not greater than $21.50 nor less than
$19.50 per Share) that it will pay for Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn
pursuant to the Offer (the "Purchase Price"), taking into account the number of
Shares so tendered and the prices specified by tendering stockholders. The
Company will select the lowest Purchase Price which will allow it to purchase
222,000 Shares (or such lesser number of Shares as are validly tendered and not
withdrawn at prices not greater than $21.50 nor less than $19.50 per Share)
pursuant to the Offer, or such greater number as the Company may elect to
purchase. All Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn at prices at or below
the Purchase Price will be purchased at the Purchase Price, net to the seller in
cash, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, including the
proration terms thereof. See "The Offer -- Number of Shares; Proration" in the
Offer to Purchase.
If, prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase),
more than 222,000 Shares are validly tendered and not withdrawn at or below the
Purchase Price, the Company will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions
of the Offer, buy Shares first from all Odd Lot Holders (as defined in the Offer
to Purchase) who validly tender and do not withdraw all their Shares at or below
the Purchase Price and then on a pro rata basis from all other stockholders
whose Shares are validly tendered and not withdrawn at or below the Purchase
Price.
The Offer is conditioned upon, among other things, the Company
obtaining the funds necessary to consummate the Offer and pay all related fees
and expenses. The Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum number of Shares
being tendered. See "The Offer -- Certain Conditions of the Offer" in the Offer
to Purchase.
<PAGE>
For your information and for forwarding to your clients for whom you
hold Shares registered in your name or in the name of your nominee, we are
enclosing the following documents:
1. Offer to Purchase, dated April 13, 1998;
2. Letter to Clients that may be sent to your clients for
whose accounts you hold Shares registered in your name or in the name
of your nominee, with space provided for obtaining such clients'
instructions with regard to the Offer;
3. Letter dated April 13, 1998 from Thomas J. Leiferman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, to stockholders
of the Company;
4. Letter of Transmittal for your use and for the information
of your clients (together with accompanying Substitute Form W-9 and
guidelines); and
5. Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to be used to accept the
Offer if the Share certificates and all other required documents cannot
be delivered to the Depositary by the Expiration Date or if the
procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely
basis.
WE URGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR CLIENTS AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. THE OFFER,
PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., EASTERN TIME,
ON MONDAY, MAY 11, 1998, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
No fees or commissions will be payable to brokers, dealers or any
person for soliciting tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer other than fees
paid to the Information Agent or the Depositary as described in the Offer to
Purchase. The Company will, however, upon request, reimburse you for customary
mailing and handling expenses incurred by you in forwarding any of the enclosed
materials to the beneficial owners of Shares held by you as a nominee or in a
fiduciary capacity. The Company will pay or cause to be paid any stock transfer
taxes applicable to its purchase of Shares, except as otherwise provided in
Instruction 7 of the Letter of Transmittal.
In order to take advantage of the Offer, a duly executed and properly
completed Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents should be sent
to the Depositary with either certificate(s) representing the tendered Shares or
confirmation of their book-entry transfer all in accordance with the
instructions set forth in the Letter of Transmittal and the Offer to Purchase.
As described in "The Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Shares" in the
Offer to Purchase, tenders may be made without the concurrent deposit of stock
certificates or concurrent compliance with the procedure for book-entry
transfer, if such tenders are made by or through a broker or dealer which is a
member firm of a registered national securities exchange, or a member of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust
company having an office, branch or agency in the United States. Certificates
for Shares so tendered (or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such
Shares into the Depositary's account at one of the Book-Entry Transfer
Facilities described in the Offer to Purchase), together with a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and any other documents
required by the Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary within
three over-the-counter trading days after timely receipt by the Depositary of a
properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
2
<PAGE>
Any inquiries you may have with respect to the Offer should be
addressed to the Information Agent at its address and telephone number set forth
on the back cover page of the Offer to Purchase.
Additional copies of the enclosed material may be obtained from the
undersigned, telephone: (800) 322-2885.
Very truly yours,
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
Enclosures
|==============================================================================|
| NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOU OR|
| ANY OTHER PERSON AS AN AGENT OF THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, THE |
| INFORMATION AGENT OR THE DEPOSITARY, OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO |
| USE ANY DOCUMENT OR MAKE ANY STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF ANY OF THEM IN CONNECTION|
| WITH THE OFFER OTHER THAN THE DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED HEREWITH AND THE STATEMENTS |
| CONTAINED THEREIN. |
|==============================================================================|
3
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY
Offer to Purchase for Cash
Up to 222,000 Shares of its Common Stock
at a Purchase Price Not Greater
than $21.50 Nor Less than $19.50 Per Share
To Our Clients:
Enclosed for your consideration are the Offer to Purchase, dated April
13, 1998 and the related Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the
"Offer") in connection with the Offer by Mississippi View Holding Company, a
Minnesota corporation (the "Company"), to purchase up to 222,000 shares of its
common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the "Shares"), at prices net to the
seller in cash, not greater than $21.50 nor less than $19.50 per Share,
specified by tendering stockholders, on the terms and subject to the conditions
of the Offer.
The Company will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Offer, determine a single per Share price (not greater than $21.50 nor less than
$19.50 per Share) that it will pay for Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn
pursuant to the Offer (the "Purchase Price"), taking into account the number of
Shares so tendered and the prices specified by tendering stockholders. The
Company will select the lowest Purchase Price which will allow it to purchase
222,000 Shares (or such lesser number of Shares as are validly tendered and not
withdrawn at prices not greater than $21.50 nor less than $19.50 per Share)
pursuant to the Offer, or such greater number as the Company may elect to
purchase. All Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn at prices at or below
the Purchase Price will be purchased at the Purchase Price, net to the seller in
cash, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, including the
proration terms thereof. The Company will return all other Shares, including
Shares tendered at prices greater than the Purchase Price and Shares not
purchased because of proration. See "The Offer -- Number of Shares; Proration"
in the Offer to Purchase.
If, prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase),
more than 222,000 Shares are validly tendered and not withdrawn at or below the
Purchase Price, the Company will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions
of the Offer, accept Shares for purchase first from Odd Lot Holders (as defined
in the Offer to Purchase) who validly tender and do not withdraw their Shares at
or below the Purchase Price and then on a pro rata basis from all other
stockholders whose Shares are validly tendered and not withdrawn at or below the
Purchase Price. See "The Offer -- Number of Shares; Proration" in the Offer to
Purchase.
We are the holder of record of Shares held for your account. As such,
we are the only ones who can tender your Shares, and then only pursuant to your
instructions. We are sending you the Letter of Transmittal for your information
only; you cannot use it to tender Shares we hold for your account. Please
instruct us as to whether you wish us to tender any or all of the Shares we hold
for your account on the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.
We call your attention to the following:
1. You may tender Shares at prices, net to you in cash, not greater
than $21.50 nor less than $19.50 per Share, as indicated in the attached
instruction form.
2. The Offer is conditioned upon, among other things, the Company
obtaining the funds necessary to consummate the Offer and to pay all related
fees and expenses. The Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum number of
Shares being tendered.
3. The Offer, proration period and withdrawal rights will expire at
5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Monday, May 11, 1998, unless the Company extends the
Offer.
4. The Offer is for 222,000 Shares constituting approximately 30% of
the Shares outstanding as of April 9, 1998.
<PAGE>
5. Assuming 222,000 Shares are purchased pursuant to the Offer and the
sale of Shares to the newly-formed Trust (as defined in the Offer to Purchase)
immediately after the Expiration Date, executive officers, directors, the Stock
Plans (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) and the Trust, in the aggregate,
will own approximately 49.5% of the outstanding Shares. The Board of Directors
of the Company, based on, among other things, the unanimous recommendation of a
Special Committee of non-employee directors of the Board, has unanimously
approved the Offer. However, neither the Company nor its Board of Directors
makes any recommendation to any stockholder as to whether to tender or refrain
from tendering their Shares. Each stockholder must make the decision whether to
tender Shares, and if so, how many Shares and at which price or prices.
6. Tendering stockholders will not be obligated to pay any brokerage
commissions, solicitation fees or, subject to Instruction 7 of the Letter of
Transmittal, stock transfer taxes on the Company's purchase of Shares pursuant
to the Offer.
7. If you owned beneficially as of the close of business on April 8,
1998 and will continue to own beneficially as of the Expiration Date an
aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares and you instruct us to tender on your behalf
all such Shares at or below the Purchase Price before the Expiration Date and
check the box captioned "Odd Lots" in the attached instruction form, the
Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, will accept
all such Shares for purchase before proration, if any, of the purchase of other
Shares tendered and not withdrawn at or below the Purchase Price.
8. If you wish to tender portions of your Share holdings at different
prices, you must complete separate instructions for each price at which you wish
to tender each such portion of your Shares. We must submit separate Letters of
Transmittal on your behalf for each price you will accept. The same Shares
cannot be tendered at different prices unless such tendered Shares are validly
withdrawn and retendered.
If you wish to have us tender any or all of your Shares, please so
instruct us by completing, executing and returning to us the attached
instruction form. An envelope to return your instructions to us is enclosed. If
you authorize us to tender your Shares, we will tender all such Shares unless
you specify otherwise on the attached instruction form.
Your Instruction Form should be forwarded to us in ample time to permit
us to submit a tender on your behalf on or before the expiration of the Offer.
The Offer, proration period and withdrawal rights expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern
time, on Monday, May 11, 1998, unless the Company extends the Offer.
As described in "The Offer -- Number of Shares; Proration" in the Offer
to Purchase, if before the Expiration Date a greater number of Shares are
validly tendered and not withdrawn at or below the Purchase Price than the
Company will accept for purchase, the Company will accept Shares for purchase at
the Purchase Price in the following order of priority:
(a) first, all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn at or below
the Purchase Price before the Expiration Date by any Odd Lot Holder
who:
(1) tenders all Shares beneficially owned by such Odd Lot
Holder at or below the Purchase Price (partial tenders will not qualify
for this preference); and
(2) completes the box captioned "Odd Lots" on the Letter of
Transmittal and, if applicable, on the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery;
and
(b) then, after purchase of all of the foregoing Shares, all other
Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn at or below the Purchase
Price before the Expiration Date on a pro rata basis (with adjustments
to avoid purchases of fractional Shares), as provided in the Offer to
Purchase.
The Company is not making the Offer to, nor will it accept tenders from
or on behalf of, owners of Shares in any jurisdiction in which the Offer or its
acceptance would violate the securities, blue sky or other laws of such
jurisdiction.
2
<PAGE>
Instruction Form
With Respect to the
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY
Offer to Purchase for Cash
Up to 222,000 Shares of Its Common Stock
at a Purchase Price Per Share Not Greater
than $21.50 Nor Less than $19.50 Per Share
The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of your letter and the enclosed
Offer to Purchase, dated April 13, 1998 and related Letter of Transmittal (which
together constitute the "Offer"), in connection with the Offer by Mississippi
View Holding Company, a Minnesota corporation (the "Company"), to purchase up to
222,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the "Shares"), at
prices, net to the Seller in cash, not greater than $21.50 nor less than $19.50
per Share, specified by tendering stockholders, upon the terms and subject to
the conditions of the Offer.
The undersigned acknowledges that the Company will, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Offer, determine a single per Share price (not
greater than $21.50 nor less than $19.50 per Share) that it will pay for Shares
validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer (the "Purchase Price"),
taking into account the number of Shares so tendered and the prices specified by
tendering stockholders. The Company will select the lowest Purchase Price which
will allow it to purchase 222,000 Shares (or such lesser number of Shares as are
validly tendered and not withdrawn at prices not greater than $21.50 nor less
than $19.50 per Share) pursuant to the Offer, or such greater number as the
Company may elect to purchase. All Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn at
prices at or below the Purchase Price will be purchased at the Purchase Price,
net to the seller in cash, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Offer, including the proration terms thereof. The Company will return all other
Shares. See "The Offer -- Number of Shares; Proration" in the Offer to Purchase.
The undersigned hereby instruct(s) you to tender to the Company the
number of Shares indicated below or, if no number is indicated, all Shares you
hold for the account of the undersigned, at the price per Share indicated below,
pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer. The Company
will return Shares tendered at prices greater than the Purchase Price and Shares
not purchased because of proration.
Aggregate number of Shares to be tendered by you for
the account of the undersigned: *
Shares
--------------------
* Unless otherwise indicated, all of the Shares held for the account of the
undersigned will be tendered.
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| ODD LOTS |
| |
| |_| By checking this box, the undersigned represents that the undersigned |
| owned beneficially as of the close of business on April 8, 1998 and |
| will continue to own beneficially as of the Expiration Date an |
| aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares and is instructing the holder to |
| tender all such Shares. |
| |
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3
<PAGE>
|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| PRICE (IN DOLLARS) PER SHARE AT |
| WHICH SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED |
| |
| IF SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED AT MORE |
| THAN ONE PRICE, USE A SEPARATE |
| LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL FOR EACH PRICE SPECIFIED. |
| |
| |
| CHECK ONLY ONE BOX. |
| IF MORE THAN ONE BOX IS CHECKED, OR IF |
| NO BOX IS CHECKED (EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED |
| HEREIN), THERE IS NO VALID TENDER OF SHARES. |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |_| $ 19.500 |_| $ 20.500 |_| $21.500 |
| |_| 19.625 |_| 20.625 |
| |_| 19.750 |_| 20.750 |
| |_| 19.875 |_| 20.875 |
| |_| 20.000 |_| 21.000 |
| |_| 20.125 |_| 21.125 |
| |_| 20.250 |_| 21.250 |
| |_| 20.375 |_| 21.375 |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|============================================================================|
| SIGNATURE BOX |
| |
| |
| Signature(s)______________________________________________________________ |
| |
| Dated ______________________________________________________________, 1998 |
| |
| Name(s) and Address(es)____________________________________________________|
|
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| (Please Print) |
|Area Code and Telephone Number____________________________________________ |
| |
|Taxpayer Identification or |
|Social Security Number_____________________________________________________ |
|============================================================================|
4
NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
of
Shares of Common Stock
of
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY
This form or a facsimile of it must be used to accept the Offer, as
defined below, if:
(a) certificates for common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the
"Shares"), of Mississippi View Holding Company, a Minnesota corporation, are not
immediately available or certificates for Shares and all other required
documents cannot be delivered to the Depositary before the Expiration Date (as
defined in "The Offer -- Number of Shares; Proration" in the Offer to Purchase,
as defined below); or
(b) Shares cannot be delivered on a timely basis pursuant to the
procedure for book-entry transfer.
This form or a facsimile of it, signed and properly completed, may be
delivered by hand, mail, telegram or facsimile transmission to the Depositary.
See "The Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Shares" in the Offer to Purchase.
To: Registrar and Transfer Company
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
By Mail/Overnight Delivery: Facsimile Transmission: By Hand Only:
10 Commerce Drive (908) 497-2313 c/o The Depository Trust Co.
Cranford, New Jersey 07016 (for Eligible Institutions Only) Transfer Agent Drop
55 Water Street, 1st Floor
New York, New York 10041-0099
</TABLE>
DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THOSE
SHOWN ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA A
FACSIMILE NUMBER OTHER THAN THAT LISTED ABOVE
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY
<PAGE>
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to Mississippi View Holding Company, at the price
per Share indicated below, net to the seller in cash, upon the terms and
conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated April 13, 1998 (the "Offer
to Purchase") and the related Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute
the "Offer"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Shares pursuant to the
guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in "The Offer - - Procedures for
Tendering Shares" in the Offer to Purchase.
|============================================================================ |
| ODD LOTS |
| |
| To be completed ONLY if Shares are being tendered by or on behalf of a |
| person owning beneficially as of the close of business on April 8, 1998 and|
| who will continue to own beneficially as of the Expiration Date, an |
| aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares. |
| |
| The undersigned either (check one): |
| |
| |_| was the beneficial owner as of the close of business on April 8, 1998 |
| and will continue to be the beneficial owner as of the Expiration Date,|
| of an aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares, all of which are being |
| tendered; or |
| |
| |_| is a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee |
| which: |
| |
| (a) is tendering, for beneficial owners, Shares with respect to |
| which it is the registered holder; and |
| |
| (b) believes, based upon representations made to it by such |
| beneficial owners, that each such person was the beneficial |
| owner as of the close of business on April 8, 1998 and each |
| such person would continue to be the beneficial owner as of |
| the Expiration Date, of an aggregate of fewer than 100 |
| Shares and is tendering all of such Shares. |
|============================================================================= |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| PRICE (IN DOLLARS) PER SHARE AT |
| WHICH SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED |
| |
| IF SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED AT MORE |
| THAN ONE PRICE, USE A SEPARATE |
| LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL FOR EACH PRICE SPECIFIED. |
| |
| |
| CHECK ONLY ONE BOX. |
| IF MORE THAN ONE BOX IS CHECKED, OR IF |
| NOBOX IS CHECKED (EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN), THERE |
| IS NO VALID TENDER OF SHARES. |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| |_| $ 19.500 |_| $ 20.250 |_| $21.000 |
| |_| 19.625 |_| 20.375 |_| 21.125 |
| |_| 19.750 |_| 20.500 |_| 21.250 |
| |_| 19.875 |_| 20.625 |_| 21.375 |
| |_| 20.000 |_| 20.750 |_| 21.500 |
| |_| 20.125 |_| 20.875 |
| |
| |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
<PAGE>
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|Certificate Nos. (if available): |
| |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
|Name(s): |
| |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Please type or print |
| |
|Address(es): |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Zip Code |
| |
|Area Code and |
|Telephone Number: |
| -------------------------------------------------------------|
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| SIGN HERE |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|Dated: , 1998 |
| |
|If Shares will be tendered by book-entry transfer, check box of applicable |
|Book-Entry Facility: |
| |
||_| The Depository Trust Company |
| |
||_| Philadelphia Depository Trust Company |
| |
|Account Number: |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
3
<PAGE>
GUARANTEE
The undersigned is (1) a member firm of a registered securities
exchange; (2) a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.;
or (3) a commercial bank or trust company having an office, branch or agency in
the United States, and represents that:
(a) the above-named person(s) has a "net long position" in Shares or
"equivalent securities" at least equal to the Shares tendered within the meaning
of Rule 14e-4 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
and
(b) such tender of Shares complies with such Rule 14e-4;
and guarantees that the Depositary will receive certificates for the Shares
tendered hereby in proper form for transfer, or Shares will be tendered pursuant
to the procedure for book-entry transfer at The Depository Trust Company or
Philadelphia Depository Trust Company, in any case, together with a properly
completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and any other documents
required by the Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile of them),
all within three over-the-counter trading days after the day the Depositary
receives this Notice.
|==============================================================================|
|Name of Firm: Address: |
| ------------------------------- -----------------------|
| |
|-------------------------------------------- -------------------------------|
| Authorized Signature |
| -------------------------------|
| |
| -------------------------------|
|Name: Zip Code |
| --------------------------------------- |
| Please Print |
| Area Code and |
| Telephone Number: |
| --------------|
|Title: Dated: , 1998 |
| -------------------------------------- ------------------ |
| |
| |
|==============================================================================|
4
[LETTERHEAD OF MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY]
April 13, 1998
To Our Stockholders:
Mississippi View Holding Company (the "Company") is offering to
purchase 222,000 shares (approximately 30% of its currently outstanding shares)
of its common stock from its stockholders at a cash price not greater than
$21.50 nor less than $19.50 per share. The Company is conducting the Offer
through a procedure commonly referred to as a "Modified Dutch Auction." This
procedure allows you to select the price within that price range at which you
are willing to sell your shares to the Company. Based upon the number of shares
tendered and the prices specified by the tendering stockholders, the Company
will determine a single per share purchase price within that price range which
will allow it to buy 222,000 shares (or such lesser number of shares as are
validly tendered and not withdrawn at prices not greater than $21.50 nor less
than $19.50 per share) (the "Purchase Price"). Subject to possible proration in
the event more than 222,000 shares are tendered at or below the Purchase Price,
all of the shares that are validly tendered at prices at or below that Purchase
Price (and are not withdrawn) will be purchased at that same Purchase Price, net
to the selling stockholder in cash. Since the Company is purchasing stock
directly from its stockholders, there are no brokerage commissions. All other
shares which have been tendered and not purchased will be returned to the
stockholder.
For those stockholders who own an aggregate of fewer than 100 shares,
the Offer may represent an opportunity to sell all of their shares without
having to pay brokerage commissions.
The Offer, proration period and withdrawal rights expire at 5:00 p.m.,
Eastern time, on Monday, May 11, 1998, unless the Offer is extended.
Neither the Company nor its Board of Directors makes any recommendation
to any stockholder as to whether to tender or refrain from tendering shares. You
must make your own decision whether to tender shares and, if so, how many shares
to tender and at which price or prices.
This Offer is explained in detail in the enclosed Offer to Purchase and
Letter of Transmittal. If you want to tender your shares, the instructions on
how to tender shares are also explained in detail in the enclosed materials. I
encourage you to read these materials carefully before making any decision with
respect to the Offer.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Thomas J. Leiferman
Thomas J. Leiferman
President
contact: Thomas J. Leiferman, President and CEO
Phone: (320) 632-5461
For immediate release April 13, 1998
Mississippi View Holding Company Announces
Share Repurchase Of Up To 222,000 Shares
Little Falls, Minnesota, April 13, 1998 -- Mississippi View Holding
Company (formally traded on Nasdaq SmallCap Market under the symbol "MIVI"), the
holding company of Community Federal Savings and Loan Association of Little
Falls (the "Association") commenced a "Modified Dutch Auction" self-tender offer
on April 13, 1998 for up to 222,000 common shares, or approximately 30 percent,
of its 736,864 common shares currently outstanding.
The offer will allow common shareholders to specify prices at which
they are willing to tender their shares at a price not greater than $21.50 and
not less than $19.50 per share. After receiving tenders, the Company will select
a single per share price which will allow it to buy up to 222,000 shares. All
shares purchased will be purchased at the company-selected price for cash, even
if tendered at a lower price. If more than the maximum number of shares sought
is tendered at or below the company-selected price, tendering shareholders
owning fewer than 100 shares will have their shares purchased without pro-
ration. Other shares will be purchased pro rata. The offer is conditioned upon,
among other things, the Company obtaining the funds necessary to consummate the
offer and to pay all related fees and expenses. The offer is not conditioned on
a minimum number of shares being tendered.
In connection with the offer, the Company has established the
Mississippi View Holding Company Stock Employee Compensation Trust (the "Trust")
and has agreed to sell approximately $1.2 million of common shares (based on the
company-selected price in the offer) to the Trust. The Trust will use such
shares to fund contributions to Company employee benefit plans the benefits of
which are paid in stock of the Company. Assuming the purchase of 222,000 shares
pursuant to the offer and the sale of shares to the Trust, executive officers,
directors, Company compensation plans and the Trust will own approximately 49.5%
of the Company's outstanding shares after completion of the offer.
<PAGE>
The tender offer, proration period and withdrawal rights will expire at
5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 1998, unless extended. On March 31, 1998, the last
full trading day in the over-the-counter market on which a sale was reported
prior to the commencement of the offer, the closing per share sales price of the
Company's common stock was $18.50.
MacKenzie Partners, Inc., New York, New York will act as the
information agent for the offer.
Shareholders will, in general, be able to tender their shares free of
all brokerage commissions and stock transfer taxes, if any, which will be paid
by the Company. Each shareholder is urged to consult his tax advisor as to the
particular tax consequences of the tender offer to such shareholder. The full
details of the offer, including complete instructions on the tender process
procedure along with the transmittal forms and other data is being mailed to
shareholders commencing April 13, 1998.
NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION
TO ANY SHAREHOLDER AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING ANY OR ALL
OF SUCH SHAREHOLDER'S SHARES IN THE OFFER AND HAS NOT AUTHORIZED ANY PERSON TO
MAKE ANY SUCH RECOMMENDATION.
This announcement is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of
an offer to sell shares of Mississippi View Holding Company common stock. The
offer is made solely by the Offer to Purchase, dated April 13, 1998, and the
related Letter of Transmittal.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
2
[Community Federal Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls Letterhead]
IMMEDIATE ATTENTION REQUIRED
April 13, 1998
RE: DIRECTION CONCERNING TENDER OF SHARES
DEAR ESOP PARTICIPANT:
Enclosed are materials that require your immediate attention. They describe
matters directly affecting your participant account in the Community Federal
Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the
"ESOP"). Read all the materials carefully. You will need to complete the
enclosed Direction Form and return it in the postage paid envelope provided. THE
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF YOUR COMPLETED DIRECTION FORM IS 5:00 P.M., EASTERN
TIME, FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1998 (UNLESS EXTENDED). YOU SHOULD COMPLETE THE FORM AND
RETURN IT EVEN IF YOU DECIDE NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRANSACTION DESCRIBED IN
THE MATERIALS.
The remainder of this letter summarizes the transaction and your rights and
alternatives under the ESOP, but you also should review the more detailed
explanation provided in the other materials.
BACKGROUND
Mississippi View Holding Company (the "Company"), the parent corporation of
Community Federal Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls, has made a
tender offer (the "Offer') to purchase up to 222,000 shares of its common stock.
The objectives of the purchase, and financial and other information relating to
the Offer, are described in detail in the enclosed Offer to Purchase, which is
being provided to all shareholders of the Company.
As a participant in the ESOP, you are directly affected, because the
Company's Offer to Purchase extends to the approximately 80,639 shares of the
Company's stock currently held by the ESOP. Only the Trustee of the ESOP can
tender the shares of common stock held by the ESOP. However, as an ESOP
participant, you may direct the Trustee whether or not to
<PAGE>
tender the shares that are allocated to your ESOP Account. If you elect to have
the Trustee tender these shares, you also are entitled to specify the price or
prices at which they should be tendered.
To assure the confidentiality of your decision, the Company has retained
MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to tabulate the directions of ESOP participants. You
will note from the enclosed envelope that your Direction Form is to be returned
to MacKenzie Partners, Inc. The Trustee will decide whether to tender or hold
shares of the ESOP that currently have not been allocated to participants' ESOP
Accounts. The Trustee will also decide the disposition of shares that are
allocated to Accounts of participants who fail to return a timely or properly
completed Direction Form. The Trustee will determine whether the implementation
of any participant directions or adherence to any ESOP provisions would be
contrary to its fiduciary duties in accordance with the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"). As the fiduciary to the ESOP,
the Trustee will make the final determination as to whether participants'
directions will be followed taking into account the ESOP's purpose and the
interest of all participants. Although it is not anticipated that any
participant direction will violate ERISA, such that the direction would have to
be reversed or disregarded, the United States Department of Labor requires that
the Trustee, as the fiduciary for ESOP participants, retain this discretion.
HOW THE OFFER WORKS
The details of the Offer are described in the enclosed materials, which you
should review carefully. However, in broad outline, the Offer will work as
follows with respect to ESOP participants.
- The Company has offered to purchase up to 222,000 shares of its
common stock at a price between $19.50 and $21.50 per share.
- If you want any of the shares that are allocated to your ESOP
Account sold, you need to direct that they be offered (or
"tendered") for sale.
- You also need to specify the price at which you want the shares
tendered. That price must be between the two limits above.
- After the deadline for the tender of shares by all shareholders,
including the ESOP, Registrar and Transfer Company will tabulate
all tenders, and the Company will determine the price, between the
two limits, that it will pay for shares validly tendered pursuant
to the Offer (the "Purchase Price").
- All shares validly tendered at prices at or below the Purchase
Price and not withdrawn will be purchased at the Purchase Price,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer,
including the proration provisions.
2
<PAGE>
- If you tender any shares at a price in excess of the Purchase Price
as finally determined, those shares will not be purchased by the
Company, and they will remain allocated to your ESOP Account.
This form of transaction is commonly called a "Dutch Auction" and requires
some strategy on your part. For example, if you determine that it is advisable
that your ESOP plan assets be sold at this time, you may want to tender your
shares at a price at or near the lower limit. If you are not sure whether or not
you want to participate, but would be willing to sell at a price above the lower
limit, then you may want to specify a higher price, not to exceed the upper
limit. If you do not want to sell shares allocated to your ESOP Account at this
time under any circumstances, an option is provided for you to direct that
shares allocated to your ESOP Account be held.
The Trustee may override any direction that it determines is contrary to
its fiduciary duties under ERISA, as previously described. In particular, the
Company will be prohibited from purchasing shares from the ESOP if the Purchase
Price, as finally determined, is less than the fair market price of the shares
on the date the shares are accepted for purchase. Finally, the Company will
prorate the number of shares purchased from shareholders if there is an excess
of shares tendered over the exact number desired at the Purchase Price as
ultimately determined.
PROCEDURE FOR DIRECTING TRUSTEE
A Direction Form for making your direction is enclosed. You must complete
this form and return it in the included envelope in time to be received no later
than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Friday, May 8, 1998 (unless the Offer is
extended or amended). If your form is not received by this deadline, or if it is
not fully and properly completed, the shares in your ESOP Account will be
tendered or held as decided by the Trustee.
To properly complete your Direction Form, you must do the following:
(1) On the face of the form, check Box 1 or 2. CHECK ONLY ONE BOX.
Make your decision which box to check as follows:
- CHECK BOX 1 if you do not want the shares presently allocated to
your ESOP Account tendered for sale at any price and simply want
the Trustee to continue holding such shares allocated to your
Account.
- CHECK BOX 2 in all other cases and complete lines A to E of the
table immediately below Box 2. (You should not complete the table
if you checked Box 1). Use lines A, B and C to specify the number
of shares that you want to tender at each price indicated.
Typically, you would elect to have all of your shares tendered at a
single
3
<PAGE>
price; however, the form gives you the option of splitting your
shares among several prices. You must state the number of shares to
be sold at each indicated price by filling in the number of shares
in the box immediately below the price.
After you have specified your tender price or prices, you should
total the number of shares in each row A, B and C and insert the
total of each line in the box provided at the end of that line.
Specify the number of shares, if any, that you do not want
tendered, but wish the Trustee to hold, in the single box on line
D.
Finally, total the shares in the end boxes of rows A to D and
insert the total in the box on line E. The total in this box must
equal the number of shares allocated to your ESOP Account as shown
on the address label on the reverse side of the Direction Form.
(2) Turn the Direction Form over, and date and sign it in the
spaces provided.
(3) Return the Direction Form in the included postage prepaid
envelope no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Friday, May 8,
1998 (unless this deadline is extended). Be sure to return the
form even if you decide not to have the Trustee tender any
shares.
Your direction will be deemed irrevocable unless withdrawn by 5:00 p.m.,
Eastern time, on Friday, May 8, 1998 (unless the Offer is extended or amended).
To be effective, a notice of withdrawal of your direction must be in writing and
must be received by MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at the following address:
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
156 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10010
Facsimile Transmission (212) 929-0308
4
<PAGE>
Your notice of withdrawal must include your name, address, Social Security
number, and the number of shares allocated to your ESOP Account. Upon receipt of
your notice of withdrawal by MacKenzie Partners, Inc., your previous direction
will be deemed canceled. You may direct the re-tendering of any shares in your
Account by repeating the previous instructions for directing the tendering set
forth in this letter.
INVESTMENT OF TENDER PROCEEDS
For any ESOP shares that are tendered and purchased by the Company, the
Company will pay cash to the ESOP. The Trustee then will determine whether to
reinvest in shares of the Company's stock or in alternative investments, being
guided by the ESOP's terms and the trust agreement, and subject to the
limitations of ERISA. At present, it is anticipated that the cash proceeds for
any stock purchased in the Offer will be allocated to your ESOP Account and
invested in certificates of deposit at Community Federal Savings and Loan
Association of Little Falls. Please be advised that to the extent that common
stock is tendered and converted to cash, you will no longer be eligible to
receive cash dividends paid on such ESOP shares sold and you will not
participate in any appreciation or depreciation in the future market value of
the common stock sold. Future allocations of common stock may be made to your
participant Account in accordance with the terms of the ESOP.
Individual participants in the ESOP will not receive any portion of the
tender proceeds at this time. All such proceeds and the assets will remain in
the ESOP and may be withdrawn only in accordance with the ESOP's terms. No gain
or loss will be recognized by the ESOP or participants in the ESOP for federal
income tax purposes in connection with the tender or sale of shares held in the
ESOP.
NO RECOMMENDATION
THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MAKING OF THE
OFFER. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE COMPANY, ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE TRUSTEE, THE
ESOP COMMITTEE, OR ANY OTHER PARTY MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION TO PARTICIPANTS AS
TO WHETHER TO TENDER SHARES, THE PRICE AT WHICH TO TENDER, OR WHETHER TO REFRAIN
FROM TENDERING SHARES. EACH PARTICIPANT MUST MAKE HIS OR HER OWN DECISION
WHETHER TO TENDER ALL, A PORTION OR NO SHARES AND AT WHAT PRICE, IF ANY.
5
<PAGE>
CONFIDENTIALITY
AS MENTIONED ABOVE, MACKENZIE PARTNERS, INC. HAS BEEN RETAINED TO HELP
ASSURE THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF YOUR DECISION AS AN ESOP PARTICIPANT. YOUR
DECISION WILL NOT BE DISCLOSED TO ANY DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, OR EMPLOYEES OF
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY OR COMMUNITY FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN
ASSOCIATION OF LITTLE FALLS, EXCEPT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALLOCATING PROCEEDS TO
YOUR ESOP ACCOUNT IN THE EVENT THAT ALL OR A PORTION OF YOUR SHARES ARE SOLD.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Although MacKenzie Partners, Inc. also has no recommendation and cannot
advise you what to do, its representatives are prepared to answer any question
that you may have on the procedures involved in the Dutch Auction and your
direction. MacKenzie Partners, Inc. can also help you complete your Direction
Form.
For this purpose, you may contact MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at the following
toll-free number:
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
(800) 322-2885
Please consider this letter and the enclosed materials carefully and then
return your Direction Form promptly.
Sincerely,
Trustees for the Community Federal
Savings and Loan Association of
Little Falls Employee Stock
Ownership Plan
6
<PAGE>
COMMUNITY FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OF LITTLE FALLS
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
DIRECTION FORM
BEFORE COMPLETING THIS FORM, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
THE ACCOMPANYING OFFER TO PURCHASE
See the Address Label on Reverse Side of This Form for the
Number of Shares Allocated to Your Plan Account
In accordance with the Mississippi View Holding Company (the "Company")
Offer to Purchase dated April 13, 1998, a copy of which I have received and
read, I hereby direct the Plan's Trustee as follows (check only one box):
|_| 1. To refrain from tendering and to hold all shares allocated to my
Account.
|_| 2. To tender shares allocated to my Account at the price or prices
indicated below, except for any shares to be held as indicated on
line D below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price $19.500 $19.625 $19.750 $19.875 $20.000 $20.125 $20.250 $20.375 Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
A Number
Of
Shares
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price $20.500 $20.625 $20.750 $20.875 $21.000 $21.125 $21.250 $21.375 Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B Number
Of
Shares
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price $21.500 Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Number
Of
Shares
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D Shares
To Be
Held
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E Total
Shares
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Total the number of shares in each of rows A, B and C and insert that total
in the box at the end of each row. Show shares to be held in the box at the end
of row D. Total the numbers in the end boxes of rows A to D and insert that
total number in the end box of row E. The total in the box of row E must equal
the number of shares allocated to your Account as shown on the address label on
the reverse side of this form.
INSTRUCTIONS
Carefully complete the face portion of this Direction Form. Then insert
today's date and sign your name in the spaces provided below. Enclose the form
in the included postage prepaid envelope and mail it promptly. Your Direction
Form must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Friday, May 8,
1998. Direction Forms that are not fully or properly completed, dated and
signed, or that are received after the deadline, will not be processed, and the
shares allocated to your Account will be held or tendered, and if tendered, at a
price, as determined by the Trustee. Note that the Trustee also has the right to
disregard any direction that it determines cannot be implemented without
violation of applicable law.
Neither the Company, its Board of Directors, the Trustee, the Committee,
nor any other party makes any recommendation to participants as to whether to
tender shares, the price at which to tender, or to refrain from tendering
shares. Each participant must make his or her own decision on these matters.
Date: __________, 1998 _________________________________
Your Signature
[Community Federal Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls Letterhead]
IMMEDIATE ATTENTION REQUIRED
April 13, 1998
RE: DIRECTION CONCERNING TENDER OF SHARES
DEAR PROFIT SHARING PLAN PARTICIPANT:
Enclosed are materials that require your immediate attention. They describe
matters directly affecting your participant account in the Community Federal
Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls Profit Sharing Plan (the "Plan").
Read all the materials carefully. You will need to complete the enclosed
Direction Form and return it in the postage paid envelope provided. THE DEADLINE
FOR RECEIPT OF YOUR COMPLETED DIRECTION FORM IS 5:00 P.M., EASTERN TIME, FRIDAY,
MAY 8, 1998 (UNLESS EXTENDED). YOU SHOULD COMPLETE THE FORM AND RETURN IT EVEN
IF YOU DECIDE NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRANSACTION DESCRIBED IN THE MATERIALS.
The remainder of this letter summarizes the transaction and your rights and
alternatives under the Plan, but you also should review the more detailed
explanation provided in the other materials.
BACKGROUND
Mississippi View Holding Company (the "Company"), the parent corporation of
Community Federal Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls, has made a
tender offer (the "Offer") to purchase up to 222,000 shares of its common stock.
The objectives of the purchase, and financial and other information relating to
the offer, are described in detail in the enclosed Offer to Purchase, which is
being provided to all shareholders of the Company.
As a participant in the Plan, you are directly affected, because the
Company's Offer to Purchase extends to the shares of the Company's stock held by
the Plan. Only the Trustee of the Plan can tender the shares of common stock
held by the Plan. However, as a Plan participant, you may direct the Trustee
whether or not to tender the shares that are allocated to
<PAGE>
your Plan Account. If you elect to have the Trustee tender these shares, you
also are entitled to specify the price or prices at which they should be
tendered.
To assure the confidentiality of your decision, the Company has retained
MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to tabulate the directions of Plan participants. You
will note from the enclosed envelope that your Direction Form is to be returned
to MacKenzie Partners, Inc. The Trustee will decide the disposition of shares
that are allocated to Accounts of participants who fail to return a timely or
properly completed Direction Form. The Trustee will determine whether the
implementation of any participant directions or adherence to any Plan provisions
would be contrary to its fiduciary duties in accordance with the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"). As the fiduciary
to the Plan, the Trustee will make the final determination as to whether
participants' directions will be followed taking into account the Plan's purpose
and the interest of all participants. Although it is not anticipated that any
participant direction will violate ERISA, such that the direction would have to
be reversed or disregarded, the United States Department of Labor requires that
the Trustee, as the fiduciary for Plan participants, retain this discretion.
HOW THE OFFER WORKS
The details of the Offer are described in the enclosed materials, which you
should review carefully. However, in broad outline, the Offer will work as
follows with respect to Plan participants.
- The Company has offered to purchase up to 222,000 shares of its
common stock at a price between $19.50 and $21.50 per share.
- If you want any of the shares that are allocated to your Plan
Account sold, you need to direct that they be offered (or
"tendered") for sale.
- You also need to specify the price at which you want the shares
tendered. That price must be between the two limits above.
- After the deadline for the tender of shares by all shareholders,
including the Plan, Registrar and Transfer Company will tabulate
all tenders, and the Company will determine the price, between the
two limits, that it will pay for shares validly tendered pursuant
to the Offer (the "Purchase Price").
- All shares validly tendered at prices at or below the Purchase
Price and not withdrawn will be purchased at the Purchase Price,
upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer,
including the proration provisions.
- If you tender any shares at a price in excess of the Purchase Price
as finally determined, those shares will not be purchased by the
Company, and they will remain allocated to your Plan Account.
2
<PAGE>
This form of transaction is commonly called a "Dutch Auction" and requires
some strategy on your part. For example, if you determine that it is advisable
that your Plan assets be sold at this time, you may want to tender your shares
at a price at or near the lower limit. If you are not sure whether or not you
want to participate, but would be willing to sell at a price above the lower
limit, then you may want to specify a higher price, not to exceed the upper
limit. If you do not want to sell shares allocated to your Plan Account at this
time under any circumstances, an option is provided for you to direct that
shares allocated to your Plan Account be held.
The Trustee may override any direction that it determines is contrary to
its fiduciary duties under ERISA, as previously described. In particular, the
Company will be prohibited from purchasing shares from the Plan if the Purchase
Price, as finally determined, is less than the fair market price of the shares
on the date the shares are accepted for purchase. Finally, the Company will
prorate the number of shares purchased from shareholders if there is an excess
of shares tendered over the exact number desired at the Purchase Price as
ultimately determined.
PROCEDURE FOR DIRECTING TRUSTEE
A Direction Form for making your direction is enclosed. You must complete
this form and return it in the included envelope in time to be received no later
than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Friday, May 8, 1998 (unless the Offer is
extended or amended). If your form is not received by this deadline, or if it is
not fully and properly completed, the shares in your Plan Account will be
tendered or held as decided by the Trustee.
To properly complete your Direction Form, you must do the following:
(1) On the face of the form, check Box 1 or 2. CHECK ONLY ONE BOX.
Make your decision which box to check as follows:
- CHECK BOX 1 if you do not want the shares presently allocated to
your Plan Account tendered for sale at any price and simply want
the Trustee to continue holding such shares allocated to your
Account.
- CHECK BOX 2 in all other cases and complete lines A to E of the
table immediately below Box 2. (You should not complete the table
if you checked Box 1). Use lines A, B and C to specify the number
of shares that you want to tender at each price indicated.
Typically, you would elect to have all of your shares tendered at a
single price; however, the form gives you the option of splitting
your shares among several prices. You must state the number of
shares to be sold at each indicated price by filling in the number
of shares in the box immediately below the price.
3
<PAGE>
After you have specified your tender price or prices, you should
total the number of shares in each row A, B and C and insert the
total of each line in the box provided at the end of that line.
Specify the number of shares, if any, that you do not want
tendered, but wish the Trustee to hold, in the single box on line
D.
Finally, total the shares in the end boxes of rows A to D and
insert the total in the box on line E. The total in this box must
equal the number of shares allocated to your Plan Account as shown
on the address label on the reverse side of the Direction Form.
(2) Turn the Direction Form over, and date and sign it in the spaces
provided.
(3) Return the Direction Form in the included postage prepaid
envelope no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Friday, May 8,
1998 (unless this deadline is extended). Be sure to return the
form even if you decide not to have the Trustee tender any shares.
Your direction will be deemed irrevocable unless withdrawn by 5:00 p.m.,
Eastern time, on Friday, May 8, 1998 (unless the Offer is extended or amended).
To be effective, a notice of withdrawal of your direction must be in writing and
must be received by MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at the following address:
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
156 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10010
Facsimile Transmission (212) 929-0308
Your notice of withdrawal must include your name, address, Social Security
number, and the number of shares allocated to your Plan Account. Upon receipt of
your notice of withdrawal by MacKenzie Partners, Inc., your previous direction
will be deemed canceled. You may direct the re-tendering of any shares in your
Account by repeating the previous instructions for directing the tendering set
forth in this letter.
4
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OF TENDER PROCEEDS
For any Plan shares that are tendered and purchased by the Company, the
Company will pay cash to the Plan. The Trustee then will determine whether to
reinvest in shares of the Company's stock or in alternative investments, being
guided by the Plan's terms and the trust agreement, and subject to the
limitations of ERISA. At present, it is anticipated that the cash proceeds for
any stock purchased in the Offer will be allocated to your Plan Account and
invested in certificates of deposit at Community Federal Savings and Loan
Association of Little Falls. Please be advised that to the extent that common
stock is tendered and converted to cash, you will no longer be eligible to
receive cash dividends paid on such Plan shares sold and you will not
participate in any appreciation or depreciation in the future market value of
the common stock sold. Future allocations of common stock may be made to your
participant Account in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
Individual participants in the Plan will not receive any portion of the
tender proceeds at this time. All such proceeds and the assets will remain in
the Plan and may be withdrawn only in accordance with the Plan's terms. No gain
or loss will be recognized by the Plan or participants in the Plan for federal
income tax purposes in connection with the tender or sale of shares held in the
Plan.
NO RECOMMENDATION
THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MAKING OF THE
OFFER. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE COMPANY, ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE TRUSTEE, OR ANY
OTHER PARTY MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION TO PARTICIPANTS AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER
SHARES, THE PRICE AT WHICH TO TENDER, OR WHETHER TO REFRAIN FROM TENDERING
SHARES. EACH PARTICIPANT MUST MAKE HIS OR HER OWN DECISION WHETHER TO TENDER
ALL, A PORTION OR NO SHARES AND AT WHAT PRICE, IF ANY.
CONFIDENTIALITY
AS MENTIONED ABOVE, MACKENZIE PARTNERS, INC. HAS BEEN RETAINED TO HELP
ASSURE THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF YOUR DECISION AS A PLAN PARTICIPANT. YOUR DECISION
WILL NOT BE DISCLOSED TO ANY DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, OR EMPLOYEES OF MISSISSIPPI
VIEW HOLDING COMPANY OR COMMUNITY FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OF LITTLE
FALLS, EXCEPT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALLOCATING PROCEEDS TO YOUR PLAN ACCOUNT IN THE
EVENT THAT ALL OR A PORTION OF YOUR SHARES ARE SOLD.
5
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION
Although MacKenzie Partners, Inc. also has no recommendation and cannot
advise you what to do, its representatives are prepared to answer any question
that you may have on the procedures involved in the Dutch Auction and your
direction. MacKenzie Partners, Inc. can also help you complete your Direction
Form.
For this purpose, you may contact MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at the following
toll-free number:
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
(800) 322-2885
Please consider this letter and the enclosed materials carefully and then
return your Direction Form promptly.
Sincerely,
Trustees for the Community Federal
Savings and Loan Association of
Little Falls Profit Sharing Plan
6
<PAGE>
COMMUNITY FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OF LITTLE FALLS
PROFIT SHARING PLAN
DIRECTION FORM
BEFORE COMPLETING THIS FORM, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
THE ACCOMPANYING OFFER TO PURCHASE
See the Address Label on Reverse Side of This Form for the
Number of Shares Allocated to Your Plan Account
In accordance with the Mississippi View Holding Company (the "Company")
Offer to Purchase dated April 13, 1998, a copy of which I have received and
read, I hereby direct the Plan's Trustee as follows (check only one box):
|_| 1. To refrain from tendering and to hold all shares allocated to my
Account.
|_| 2. To tender shares allocated to my Account at the price or prices
indicated below, except for any shares to be held as indicated on
line D below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price $19.500 $19.625 $19.750 $19.875 $20.000 $20.125 $20.250 $20.375 Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
A Number
Of
Shares
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price $20.500 $20.625 $20.750 $20.875 $21.000 $21.125 $21.250 $21.375 Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B Number
Of
Shares
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price $21.500 Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number
Of
Shares
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D Shares
To Be
Held
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E Total
Shares
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Total the number of shares in each of rows A, B and C and insert that total
in the box at the end of each row. Show shares to be held in the box at the end
of row D. Total the numbers in the end boxes of rows A to D and insert that
total number in the end box of row E. The total in the box of row E must equal
the number of shares allocated to your Account as shown on the address label on
the reverse side of this form.
INSTRUCTIONS
Carefully complete the face portion of this Direction Form. Then insert
today's date and sign your name in the spaces provided below. Enclose the form
in the included postage prepaid envelope and mail it promptly. Your Direction
Form must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Friday, May 8,
1998. Direction Forms that are not fully or properly completed, dated and
signed, or that are received after the deadline, will not be processed, and the
shares allocated to your Account will be held or tendered, and if tendered, at a
price, as determined by the Trustee. Note that the Trustee also has the right to
disregard any direction that it determines cannot be implemented without
violation of applicable law.
Neither the Company, its Board of Directors, the Trustee, nor any other
party makes any recommendation to participants as to whether to tender shares,
the price at which to tender, or to refrain from tendering shares. Each
participant must make his or her own decision on these matters.
Date: __________, 1998 ____________________
Your Signature
[Community Federal Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls Letterhead]
IMMEDIATE ATTENTION REQUIRED
April 13, 1998
RE: DIRECTION CONCERNING TENDER OF SHARES
DEAR MANAGEMENT STOCK BONUS PLAN PARTICIPANT:
Enclosed are materials that require your immediate attention. They describe
matters directly affecting your participant account in the Community Federal
Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls Management Stock Bonus Plan (the
"Plan"). Read all the materials carefully. You will need to complete the
enclosed Direction Form and return it in the postage paid envelope provided. THE
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF YOUR COMPLETED DIRECTION FORM IS 5:00 P.M., EASTERN
TIME, FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1998 (UNLESS EXTENDED). YOU SHOULD COMPLETE THE FORM AND
RETURN IT EVEN IF YOU DECIDE NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRANSACTION DESCRIBED IN
THE MATERIALS.
The remainder of this letter summarizes the transaction and your
rights and alternatives under the Plan, but you also should review the more
detailed explanation provided in the other materials.
BACKGROUND
Mississippi View Holding Company (the "Company"), the parent corporation of
Community Federal Savings and Loan Association of Little Falls has made a tender
offer (the "Offer") to purchase up to 222,000 shares of its common stock. The
objectives of the purchase, and financial and other information relating to the
offer, are described in detail in the enclosed Offer to Purchase, which is being
provided to all shareholders of the Company.
As a participant in the Plan, you are directly affected, because the
Company's Offer to Purchase extends to the approximately 28,629 shares of the
Company's stock currently held by
<PAGE>
the Plan. Only the Trustee of the Plan can tender the shares of common stock
held by the Plan. However, as a Plan participant, you may direct the Trustee
whether or not to tender the shares that are allocated to your Plan Account. If
you elect to have the Trustee tender these shares, you also are entitled to
specify the price or prices at which they should be tendered. Please note
however, whether or not you elect to tender Shares, upon vesting of awards under
the Plan, you will receive common stock, not cash.
To assure the confidentiality of your decision, the Company has retained
MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to tabulate the directions of Plan participants. You
will note from the enclosed envelope that your Direction Form is to be returned
to MacKenzie Partners, Inc. The Trustee will decide whether to tender or hold
shares of the Plan that currently have not been allocated to participants' Plan
Accounts. The Trustee will also decide the disposition of shares that are
allocated to Accounts of participants who fail to return a timely or properly
completed Direction Form. The Trustee will determine whether the implementation
of any participant directions or adherence to any Plan provisions would be
contrary to its fiduciary duties in accordance with the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"). As the fiduciary to the Plan,
the Trustee will make the final determination as to whether participants'
directions will be followed taking into account the Plan's purpose and the
interest of all participants. Although it is not anticipated that any
participant direction will violate ERISA, such that the direction would have to
be reversed or disregarded, the United States Department of Labor requires that
the Trustee, as the fiduciary for Plan participants, retain this discretion.
HOW THE OFFER WORKS
The details of the Offer are described in the enclosed materials, which you
should review carefully. However, in broad outline, the Offer will work as
follows with respect to Plan participants.
- The Company has offered to purchase up to 222,000 shares of its
common stock at a price between $19.50 and $21.50 per share.
- If you want any of the shares that are allocated to your Plan
Account sold, you need to direct that they be offered (or
"tendered") for sale.
- You also need to specify the price at which you want the shares
tendered. That price must be between the two limits above.
- After the deadline for the tender of shares by all shareholders,
including the Plan, Registrar and Transfer Company will tabulate
all tenders, and the Company will determine the price, between the
two limits, that it will pay for shares validly tendered pursuant
to the Offer (the "Purchase Price").
2
<PAGE>
- If you tender any shares at a price in excess of the Purchase Price
as finally determined, those shares will not be purchased by the
Company, and they will remain allocated to your Plan Account.
The Trustee may override any direction that it determines is contrary to
its fiduciary duties under ERISA, as previously described. In particular, the
Company will be prohibited from purchasing shares from the Plan if the Purchase
Price, as finally determined, is less than the fair market price of the shares
on the date the shares are accepted for purchase. Finally, the Company will
prorate the number of shares purchased from shareholders if there is an excess
of shares tendered over the exact number desired at the Purchase Price as
ultimately determined.
PROCEDURE FOR DIRECTING TRUSTEE
A Direction Form for making your direction is enclosed. You must complete
this form and return it in the included envelope in time to be received no later
than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Friday, May 8, 1998 (unless the Offer is
extended or amended). If your form is not received by this deadline, or if it is
not fully and properly completed, the shares in your Plan Account will be
tendered or held as decided by the Trustee.
To properly complete your Direction Form, you must do the following:
(1) On the face of the form, check Box 1 or 2. CHECK ONLY ONE BOX.
Make your decision which box to check as follows:
- CHECK BOX 1 if you do not want the shares presently allocated to
your Plan Account tendered for sale at any price and simply want
the Trustee to continue holding such shares allocated to your
Account.
- CHECK BOX 2 in all other cases and complete lines A to E of the
table immediately below Box 2. (You should not complete the table
if you checked Box 1). Use lines A, B and C to specify the number
of shares that you want to tender at each price indicated.
Typically, you would elect to have all of your shares tendered at a
single price; however, the form gives you the option of splitting
your shares among several prices. You must state the number of
shares to be sold at each indicated price by filling in the number
of shares in the box immediately below the price.
3
<PAGE>
After you have specified your tender price or prices, you should
total the number of shares in each row A, B and C and insert the
total of each line in the box provided at the end of that line.
Specify the number of shares, if any, that you do not want
tendered, but wish the Trustee to hold, in the single box on line
D.
Finally, total the shares in the end boxes of rows A to D and
insert the total in the box on line E. The total in this box must
equal the number of shares allocated to your Plan Account as shown
on the address label on the reverse side of the Direction Form.
(2) Turn the Direction Form over, and date and sign it in the spaces
provided.
(3) Return the Direction Form in the included postage prepaid envelope
no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Friday, May 8, 1998
(unless this deadline is extended). Be sure to return the form
even if you decide not to have the Trustee tender any shares.
Your direction will be deemed irrevocable unless withdrawn by 5:00 p.m.,
Eastern time, on Friday, May 8, 1998 (unless the Offer is extended or amended).
To be effective, a notice of withdrawal of your direction must be in writing and
must be received by MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at the following address:
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
156 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10010
Facsimile Transmission (212) 929-0308
Your notice of withdrawal must include your name, address, Social Security
number, and the number of shares allocated to your Plan Account. Upon receipt of
your notice of withdrawal by MacKenzie Partners, Inc., your previous direction
will be deemed canceled. You may direct the re-tendering of any shares in your
Account by repeating the previous instructions for directing the tendering set
forth in this letter.
INVESTMENT OF TENDER PROCEEDS
For any Plan shares that are tendered and purchased by the Company, the
Company will pay cash to the Plan. The Trustee then will determine whether to
reinvest in shares of the Company's stock or in alternative investments, being
guided by the Plan's terms and the trust agreement, and subject to the
limitations of ERISA. It is currently anticipated that the Trustee
4
<PAGE>
will use any cash proceeds to repurchase shares of Company common stock. Please
be advised that directing the Trustee to tender shares will not affect the
number of shares previously allocated to you or the vesting schedule of such
shares. Any cash proceeds received from the tender of shares by the Plan will be
retained by the trust, and not allocated to the accounts of participants.
NO RECOMMENDATION
THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE MAKING OF THE
OFFER. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE COMPANY, ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE TRUSTEE, OR ANY
OTHER PARTY MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION TO PARTICIPANTS AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER
SHARES, THE PRICE AT WHICH TO TENDER, OR WHETHER TO REFRAIN FROM TENDERING
SHARES. EACH PARTICIPANT MUST MAKE HIS OR HER OWN DECISION WHETHER TO TENDER
ALL, A PORTION OR NO SHARES AND AT WHAT PRICE, IF ANY.
CONFIDENTIALITY
AS MENTIONED ABOVE, MACKENZIE PARTNERS, INC. HAS BEEN RETAINED TO HELP
ASSURE THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF YOUR DECISION AS A PLAN PARTICIPANT. YOUR DECISION
WILL NOT BE DISCLOSED TO ANY DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, OR EMPLOYEES OF MISSISSIPPI
VIEW HOLDING COMPANY OR COMMUNITY FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OF LITTLE
FALLS.
5
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION
Although MacKenzie Partners, Inc. also has no recommendation and cannot
advise you what to do, its representatives are prepared to answer any question
that you may have on the procedures involved in the Dutch Auction and your
direction. MacKenzie Partners, Inc. can also help you complete your Direction
Form.
For this purpose, you may contact MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at the following
toll-free number:
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
(800) 322-2885
Please consider this letter and the enclosed materials carefully and then
return your Direction Form promptly.
Sincerely,
Trustees for the Community Federal
Savings and
Loan Association of Little Falls
Management Stock Bonus Plan
6
<PAGE>
COMMUNITY FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OF LITTLE FALLS
MANAGEMENT STOCK BONUS PLAN
DIRECTION FORM
BEFORE COMPLETING THIS FORM, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
THE ACCOMPANYING OFFER TO PURCHASE
See the Address Label on Reverse Side of This Form for the
Number of Shares Allocated to Your Plan Account
In accordance with the Mississippi View Holding Company (the "Company")
Offer to Purchase dated April 13, 1998, a copy of which I have received and
read, I hereby direct the Plan's Trustee as follows (check only one box):
|_| 1. To refrain from tendering and to hold all shares allocated to my
Account.
|_| 2. To tender shares allocated to my Account at the price or prices
indicated below, except for any shares to be held as indicated on
line D below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price $19.500 $19.625 $19.750 $19.875 $20.000 $20.125 $20.250 $20.375 Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
A Number
Of
Shares
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price $20.500 $20.625 $20.750 $20.875 $21.000 $21.125 $21.250 $21.375 Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B Number
Of
Shares
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price $21.500 Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C Number
Of
Shares
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D Shares
To Be
Held
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E Total
Shares
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Total the number of shares in each of rows A, B and C and insert that total
in the box at the end of each row. Show shares to be held in the box at the end
of row D. Total the numbers in the end boxes of rows A to D and insert that
total number in the end box of row E. The total in the box of row E must equal
the number of shares allocated to your Account as shown on the address label on
the reverse side of this form.
INSTRUCTIONS
Carefully complete the face portion of this Direction Form. Then insert
today's date and sign your name in the spaces provided below. Enclose the form
in the included postage prepaid envelope and mail it promptly. Your Direction
Form must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on Friday, May 8,
1998. Direction Forms that are not fully or properly completed, dated and
signed, or that are received after the deadline, will not be processed, and the
shares allocated to your Account will be held or tendered, and if tendered, at a
price, as determined by the Trustee. Note that the Trustee also has the right to
disregard any direction that it determines cannot be implemented without
violation of applicable law.
Neither the Company, its Board of Directors, the Trustee, nor any other
party makes any recommendation to participants as to whether to tender shares,
the price at which to tender, or to refrain from tendering shares. Each
participant must make his or her own decision on these matters.
Date: __________, 1998 ____________________________
Your Signature
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY
STOCK EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION TRUST
Effective as of April 10, 1998
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
ARTICLE 1.
Trust, Trustee and Trust Fund................................................ 2
1.1. Trust......................................................2
1.2. Trustee....................................................2
1.3. Trust Fund.................................................2
1.4. Trust Fund Subject to Claims...............................2
1.5. Definitions................................................3
ARTICLE 2.
Contribution and Dividends....................................................5
2.1. Contributions .............................................5
2.2. Dividends..................................................5
ARTICLE 3.
Release and Allocation of Company Stock.......................................6
3.1. Release of Shares..........................................6
3.2. Allocations................................................6
3.3 Prohibition Against Funding Future Benefits
of Company Directors.....................................6
ARTICLE 4.
Trust Expenses and Tax Withholding............................................6
4.1. Trust Expenses.............................................6
4.2. Withholding of Taxes.......................................6
ARTICLE 5.
Administration of Trust Fund..................................................7
5.1. Management and Control of Trust Fund.......................7
5.2. Investment of Funds........................................7
5.3. Trustee's Administrative Powers............................7
5.4. Voting and Tendering of Company Stock......................9
5.5. Indemnification...........................................10
5.6. General Duty to Communicate to Committee..................10
ARTICLE 6.
Accounts and Reports of Trustee..............................................11
6.1. Records and Accounts of Trustee...........................11
6.2. Fiscal Year...............................................11
6.3. Reports of Trustee........................................11
6.4. Final Report..............................................11
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 7.
Succession of Trustee........................................................11
7.1. Resignation of Trustee....................................11
7.2. Removal of Trustee........................................11
7.3. Appointment of Successor Trustee..........................12
7.4. Succession of Trust Fund Assets...........................12
7.5. Continuation of Trust.....................................12
7.6. Changes in Organization of Trustee........................12
7.7. Continuance of Trustee's Powers in Event of
Termination of the Trust..................................12
ARTICLE 8.
Amendment or Termination.....................................................12
8.1. Amendments................................................12
8.2. Termination...............................................13
8.3. Form of Amendment or Termination..........................13
ARTICLE 9.
Miscellaneous................................................................13
9.1. Controlling Law...........................................13
9.2. Committee Action..........................................13
9.3. Notices...................................................13
9.4. Severability..............................................14
9.5. Protection of Persons Dealing with the Trust..............14
9.6. Tax Status of Trust.......................................14
9.7. Participants to Have No Interest in the Company
by Reason of the Trust ...................................14
9.8. Nonassignability..........................................14
9.9. Gender and Plurals........................................14
9.10. Counterparts..............................................15
9.11. Term of Trust.............................................15
<PAGE>
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY
STOCK EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION TRUST
THIS TRUST AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") made effective as of April 10,
1998, between Mississippi View Holding Company (the "Company"), a Minnesota
corporation, and Neil Adamek and Gerald Peterson (collectively referred to
herein as the "Trustee").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Company desires to establish a trust (the "Trust") in
accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota and for the purposes stated
in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Trustee desires to act as trustee of the Trust, and to
hold legal title to the assets of the Trust, in trust, for the purposes
hereinafter stated and in accordance with the terms hereof; and
WHEREAS, the Company or its subsidiaries have previously adopted the
Plans (as defined below); and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide assurance of the availability
of the shares of its common stock necessary to satisfy certain of its
obligations or those of its subsidiaries under the Plans (as defined below);
WHEREAS, the Company desires that the assets to be held in the Trust
Fund (as defined below) should be principally or exclusively securities of the
Company and, therefore, expressly waives any diversification of investments that
might otherwise be necessary, appropriate, or required pursuant to applicable
provisions of law, if any; and
WHEREAS, the Trustee has been appointed as trustee and has accepted
such appointment as of the date set forth first above.
NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby establish the Trust and agree
that the Trust will be comprised, held and disposed of as follows:
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 1.
Trust, Trustee and Trust Fund
1.1. Trust. This Agreement and the Trust shall be known as the
Mississippi View Holding Company Stock Employee Compensation Trust ("Trust").
The parties intend that the Trust will be an independent legal entity with title
to and power to convey all of its assets. The parties hereto further intend that
the Trust not be subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended. The Trust is not a part of any of the Plans (as herein defined) and
does not provide retirement or other benefits to any Plan Participant (as herein
defined). The assets of the Trust will be held, managed, invested, and disposed
of by the Trustee, in accordance with the terms of the Trust.
1.2. Trustee. The trustee named above, and its successor or
successors, is hereby designated as the trustee hereunder, to receive, hold,
invest, manage, administer and distribute the Trust Fund (as defined
hereinafter) in accordance with this Agreement, the provisions of which shall
govern the power, duties and responsibilities of the Trustee.
1.3. Trust Fund. The assets held at any time and from time to time
under the Trust collectively are herein referred to as the "Trust Fund" and
shall consist of contributions received by the Trustee, proceeds of any loans,
investments and reinvestment thereof, the earnings and income thereon, less
disbursements therefrom. Except as herein otherwise provided, title to the
assets of the Trust Fund shall at all times be vested in the Trustee and
securities that are part of the Trust Fund shall be held in such manner that the
Trustee's name and the fiduciary capacity in which the securities are held are
fully disclosed, subject to the right of the Trustee to hold title in bearer
form or in the name of a nominee, and the interests of others in the Trust Fund
shall be only the right to have such assets received, held, invested,
administered and distributed in accordance with the provisions of the Trust.
1.4. Trust Fund Subject to Claims. Notwithstanding any provision of
this Agreement to the contrary, the Trust Fund shall at all times remain subject
to the claims of the Company's general creditors under federal and state law.
In addition, the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company shall have the duty to inform the Trustee in writing of the Company's
Insolvency. If a person claiming to be a creditor of the Company alleges in
writing to the Trustee that the Company has become Insolvent, the Trustee shall
determine whether the Company is Insolvent and, pending such determination, the
Trustee shall discontinue allocations pursuant to Article 3.
Unless the Trustee has actual knowledge of the Company's Insolvency,
or has received notice from the Company or a person claiming to be a creditor
alleging that the Company is Insolvent, the Trustee shall have no duty to
inquire whether the Company is Insolvent. The Trustee may in all events rely on
such evidence concerning the Company's solvency as may be
-2-
<PAGE>
furnished to the Trustee and that provides the Trustee with a reasonable basis
for making a determination concerning the Company's Insolvency.
If at any time the Trustee has determined that the Company is
Insolvent, the Trustee shall discontinue allocations pursuant to Article 3 and
shall hold the Trust Fund for the benefit of the Company's general creditors.
Nothing in this Trust Agreement shall in any way diminish any rights of
employees as general creditors of the Company with respect to benefits due under
the Plan(s) or otherwise.
The Trust shall resume allocations pursuant to Article 3 only after
the Trustee has determined that the Company is not Insolvent (or is no longer
Insolvent).
1.5. Definitions. In addition to the terms defined in the preceding
portions of the Trust, certain capitalized terms have the meanings set forth
below;
Association. "Association" means Community Federal Savings and
Loan Association of Little Falls.
Board of Directors. "Board of Directors" means the board of
directors of the Company.
Change of Control. "Change of Control" means: (i) the sale of
all, or a material portion, of the assets of the Company or the
Association; (ii) the merger or recapitalization of the Company or the
Association whereby the Company or the Association is not the
surviving entity; (iii) a change of control of the Company or the
Association, as otherwise defined or determined by the Office of
Thrift Supervision or regulations promulgated by it; or (iv) the
acquisition, directly or indirectly, of the beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of that term as it is used in Section 13(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder) of twenty-five percent (25%) or
more of the outstanding voting securities of the Company or the
Association by any person, trust, entity or group. This limitation
shall not apply to the purchase of shares of up to 25% of any class of
securities of the Company or the Association by a tax-qualified
employee stock benefit plan which is exempt from the approval
requirements, set forth under 12 C.F.R. ss.574.3(c)(1)(vi) as now in
effect or as may hereafter be amended. The term "person" refers to an
individual or a corporation, partnership, trust, association, joint
venture, pool, syndicate, sole proprietorship, unincorporated
organization or any other form of entity not specifically listed
herein. The decision of the Committee as to whether a change in
control has occurred shall be conclusive and binding.
Code. "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Committee. "Committee" means a committee of directors and/or
officers selected by the Board of Directors or by an individual or
individuals authorized by the Board of Directors to make such
selection which is charged with administration of the Trust.
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Company. "Company" means Mississippi View Holding Company, a
Minnesota corporation, or any successor thereto. References to the
Company shall include its subsidiaries where appropriate.
Company Stock. "Company Stock" means shares of common stock, par
value $0.10 per share, issued by the Company and any successor
securities.
Extraordinary Dividend. "Extraordinary Dividend" means any
dividend or other distribution of cash or other property (other than
Company Stock) made with respect to Company Stock, which the Board of
Directors declares generally to be other than an ordinary dividend.
Insolvency. "Insolvency" means (i) the inability of the Company
to pay its debts as they become due, or (2) the Company being subject
to a pending proceeding as a debtor under the provisions of Title 11
of the United States Code (Bankruptcy Code).
Leveraged Shares Account. "Leveraged Shares Account" means an
account containing shares of Company Stock that were acquired with the
Loan, continue to be held as collateral for the Loan, and which have
not been released from such account.
Loan. "Loan" means the loan and extension of credit to the Trust
evidenced by the promissory note dated as of the date of the Closing
(as defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement to be dated May 11, 1998
between the Trust and the Company), with which the Trustee will
purchase Company Stock.
Participant Shares. "Participant Shares" means shares of Company
Stock that are Available Shares and that have been allocated to a Plan
Participant.
Plan Committee Certification. "Plan Committee Certification"
means a certification to be provided to the Trustee by the Committee
promptly after the end of each Trust Year which (i) sets forth the
number of shares of Company Stock transferred to each Plan
Participant, whether or not pursuant to the Trust, during the Relevant
Period (as defined in Section 5.4) under each Plan, and (ii) certifies
that the determination of such number is in accordance with the terms
of each Plan.
Plans. "Plans" means the Mississippi View Holding Company 1995
Stock Option Plan, the Mississippi View Holding Company 1997 Stock
Option Plan, and any other employee benefit plan of the Company or its
subsidiaries designated as such by the Board of Directors.
Plan Participant. "Plan Participant" means a participant in any
of the Plans.
Trustee. "Trustee" means collectively the following individuals:
Neil Adamek and Gerald Peterson, or any successor trustee.
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Trust Year. "Trust Year" means the period beginning on April 10,
1998 and ending on April 9, 1999, and each 12-month period thereafter
beginning on the 10th day of April and ending on the 9th day of April
in the following calendar year.
Unallocated Shares Account. "Unallocated Shares Account" means a
separate account to be maintained by the Trustee to hold Available
Shares that have not been allocated or distributed to the Plans to
meet the Plans' employee benefit liability.
ARTICLE 2.
Contributions and Dividends
2.1 Contributions. For each Trust Year, the Company shall contribute
to the Trust in cash such amount, which together with dividends, as provided in
Section 2.2, and any other earnings of the Trust, shall enable the Trustee to
make all payments of principal and interest due under the Loan on a timely
basis. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, the Trustee shall apply all
such contributions, dividends and earnings to the payment of principal and
interest due under the Loan. If, at the end of any Trust Year, no such
contribution has been made in cash, such contribution shall be deemed to have
been in the form of forgiveness of principal and interest on the Loan to the
extent of the Company's failure to make contributions as required by this
Section 2.1. All contributions made under the Trust shall be delivered to the
Trustee. The Trustee shall be accountable for all contributions received by it,
but shall have no duty to require any contributions to be made to it.
2.2 Dividends. Except as otherwise provided herein, dividends paid in
cash on Company Stock held by the Trust, including Company Stock held in the
Suspense Account, shall be applied to pay interest and repay scheduled principal
due under the Loan. In the event that dividends paid on Company Stock held in
the Trust exceed the amount of scheduled principal and interest due in any Trust
Year, such excess shall be applied by the Trustee, to the extent directed by the
Committee, to prepay principal of the Loan and/or invested in additional Company
Stock. Dividends which are not in cash or in Company Stock (including
Extraordinary Dividends, or portions thereof) shall be reduced to cash by the
Trustee and reinvested in Company Stock as soon as practicable. For purposes of
this Agreement, Company Stock purchased with the proceeds of an Extraordinary
Dividend or with the proceeds of a non-cash dividend shall, for purposes of this
Agreement (including without limitation Section 3.1 hereof), be deemed to have
been acquired with the proceeds of the Loan. In the Trustee's discretion,
investments in Company Stock may be made through open-market purchases, private
transactions or (with the Company's consent) purchases from the Company.
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ARTICLE 3.
Release and Allocation of Company Stock
3.1 Release of Shares. Subject to the other provisions of this Article
3, upon the payment or forgiveness in any Trust Year of any principal on the
Loan (a "Principal Payment"), the following number of shares of Company Stock
acquired with the proceeds of the Loan shall be available for allocation
("Available Shares") as provided in this Article 3: the number of shares so
acquired and held in the Trust immediately before such payment or forgiveness,
multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the amount of the Principal
Payment and the denominator of which is the sum of such Principal Payment and
the remaining principal of the Loan outstanding after such Principal Payment.
3.2 Allocations. Available Shares shall be allocated as directed by
the Committee to the Plans at such times as the Company may be required to
provide shares of Company Stock in accordance with the terms of such Plans. The
Committee's discretion shall be limited to the number of Available Shares. In
the event that as of the last day of any Trust Year, any unallocated Available
Shares remain after satisfaction of all current and future benefit obligations
under each of the Plans, all remaining Available Shares shall be contributed by
the Trustee to the Company or its subsidiaries.
3.3 Prohibition Against Funding Future Benefits of Company Directors
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, under no circumstances may any
assets of the Trust be released, allocated, or otherwise directed by the
Committee or the Trustee to fund any future liabilities of the Company or its
subsidiaries related to any future benefit plans which are adopted after the
effective date of the Trust to benefit Directors of the Company.
ARTICLE 4.
Trust Expenses and Tax Withholding
4.1 Trust Expenses. The Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for
its reasonable legal, accounting and appraisal fees, out-of-pocket expenses and
other charges reasonably incurred in connection with the administration,
management, investment and distribution of the Trust Fund. Such reimbursement
shall be made out of the Trust Fund. The Company agrees to make sufficient
contributions to the Trust to pay such amounts owing the Trustee in addition to
those contributions required by Section 2.1 and, in the event the Company fails
to make the contributions necessary to pay amounts owing to the Trustee, the
Trustee shall be entitled to seek payment directly from the Company. Absent
receipt of payment for expenses from the Company, the Trustee may utilize
contributions from the Company otherwise intended to be principal payments for
the purpose of meeting expense obligations of the Trust.
4.2 Withholding of Taxes. The Trustee may withhold, require
withholding, or otherwise satisfy its withholding obligation, on any
distribution which it is directed to make, such amount as it may reasonably
estimate to be necessary to comply with applicable federal, state and local
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withholding requirements. Upon settlement of such tax liability, the Trustee
shall distribute the balance of such amount. Prior to making any distribution
hereunder, the Trustee may require such release or documents from any taxing
authority, or may require such indemnity, as the Trustee shall reasonably deem
necessary for its protection.
ARTICLE 5.
Administration of Trust Fund
5.1 Management and Control of Trust Fund. Subject to the terms of this
Agreement, the Trustee shall have exclusive authority and responsibility to
manage and control the assets of the Trust Fund.
5.2 Investment of Funds.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.2 and in this
Section 5.2, the Trustee shall invest and reinvest the Trust Fund exclusively in
Company Stock, including any accretions thereto resulting from the proceeds of a
tender offer, recapitalization or similar transactions which, if not in Company
Stock, shall be reduced to cash as soon as practicable. The Trustee may invest
any portion of the Trust Fund temporarily pending investment in Company Stock,
distribution or payment of expenses in (i) investments in United States
Government obligations with maturities of less than one year, (ii)
interest-bearing accounts including but not limited to certificates of deposit,
time deposits, savings accounts and money market accounts with maturities of
less than one year in any bank, which accounts are insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation or other similar federal agency, including the
Association, (iii) obligations issued or guaranteed by any agency or
instrumentality of the United States of America with maturities of less than one
year or (iv) short-term discount obligations of the Federal National Mortgage
Association.
5.3 Trustee's Administrative Powers.
Except as otherwise provided herein, and subject to the Trustee's
duties hereunder, the Trustee shall have the following powers and rights, in
addition to those provided elsewhere in this Agreement or by law:
(a) to retain any asset of the Trust Fund;
(b) subject to Section 5.4 and Article 3, to sell, transfer,
mortgage, pledge, lease or otherwise dispose of, or grant options with
respect to, any Trust Fund assets at public or private sale;
(c) upon direction from the Company, to borrow from any
lender (including the Company pursuant to the Loan), to acquire
Company Stock as authorized by this Agreement, to enter into lending
agreements upon such terms (including reasonable interest and security
for the loan and rights to renegotiate and prepay such loan) as may
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be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that any collateral
given by the Trustee for the Loan shall be limited to cash and
property contributed by the Company to the Trust and dividends paid on
Company Stock held in the Trust Fund and shall include Company Stock
acquired with the proceeds of the Loan;
(d) with the consent of the Committee, to settle, submit to
arbitration, compromise, contest, prosecute or abandon claims and
demands in favor of or against the Trust Fund;
(e) to vote or to give any consent with respect to any
securities, including any Company Stock, held by the Trust either in
person or by proxy for any purpose, provided that the Trustee shall
vote, tender or exchange all shares of Company Stock as provided in
Section 5.4;
(f) to exercise any of the powers and rights of an individual
owner with respect to any asset of the Trust Fund and to perform any
and all other acts that in its judgment are necessary or appropriate
for the proper administration of the Trust Fund, even though such
powers, rights and acts are not specifically enumerated in this
Agreement;
(g) to employ such accountants, actuaries, investment
bankers, appraisers, other advisors and agents as may be reasonably
necessary in collecting, managing, administering, investing, valuing,
distributing and protecting the Trust Fund or the assets thereof or
any borrowings of the Trustee made in accordance with Section 5.3(c);
and to pay their reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses, which
shall be deemed to be expenses of the Trust and for which the Trustee
shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 4.1;
(h) to cause any asset of the Trust Fund to be issued, held
or registered in the Trustee's name or in the name of its nominee, or
in such form that title will pass by delivery, provided that the
records of the Trustee shall indicate the true ownership of such
asset;
(i) to utilize another entity as custodian to hold, but not
invest or otherwise manage or control, some or all of the assets of
the Trust Fund; and
(j) to consult with legal counsel (who may also be counsel
for the Company generally) with respect to any of its duties or
obligations hereunder; and to pay the reasonable fees and
out-of-pocket expenses of such counsel, which shall be deemed to be
expenses of the Trust and for which the Trustee shall be reimbursed in
accordance with Section 4.1.
(k) to deliver to the Company from time to time, as directed
by the Committee, any assets held by the Trust (including Company
Stock).
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(l) to execute and file any such application, statement or
report on behalf of the Trust with any governmental regulatory agency
necessary to consumate the acquisition by the Trust of Company Stock.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Trust nor the Trustee shall have any
power to, and shall not, engage in any trade or business.
5.4. Voting and Tendering of Company Stock.
(a) Voting of Company Stock. Shares of Company Stock held in
the Leveraged Shares Account or in the Unallocated Shares Account shall be voted
by the Trustee as directed by the Committee. The Trustee shall follow the
directions of each Plan Participant that has been allocated Available Shares, as
to the manner in which shares of Company Stock held by the Trust are to be voted
on each matter brought before an annual or special stockholders' meeting of the
Company or the manner in which any consent is to be executed, in each case as
provided below. Before each such meeting of stockholders, the Trustee shall
cause to be furnished to each Plan Participant that has been allocated Available
Shares a copy of the proxy solicitation material received by the Trustee,
together with a form requesting confidential instructions as to how to vote the
shares of Company Stock held by the Trustee. Upon timely receipt of directions
from the Plan Participants, the Trustee shall on each such matter vote the
number of shares of the Company Stock held by the Trust in the manner directed
by the Plan Participants who have been allocated Available Shares. With respect
to any Participant Shares for which the Trustee does not receive a signed
voting-direction instrument, such shares will be voted by the Trustee in the
same manner as if they were shares of Company Stock held in the Leveraged Shares
Account or in the Unallocated Shares Account. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if
the Trustee determines upon the advice of its legal counsel, that voting the
Company Stock in the manner described above would violate any relevant federal
or state laws or regulations, the Trustee, in its sole discretion, may vote such
shares of Company Stock in an alternative manner so as to comply with such laws
or regulations.
(b) Tender or Exchange of Company Stock. Shares of Company
Stock held in the Leveraged Shares Account or in the Unallocated Shares Account
shall be tendered by the Trustee as directed by the Committee. The Trustee shall
use its best efforts timely to distribute or cause to be distributed to each
Plan Participant any written materials distributed to stockholders of the
Company generally in connection with any tender offer or exchange offer,
together with a form requesting confidential instructions on whether or not to
tender or exchange shares of Company Stock held in the Trust. Upon timely
receipt of instructions from a Plan Participant, the Trustee shall tender such
Participant Shares if such Plan Participant has directed the Trustee to tender.
If the Trustee shall not receive timely instruction from a Plan Participant as
to the manner in which to respond to such a tender or exchange offer, such
shares shall be tendered by the Trustee as directed by the Committee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Trustee determines upon the advice of its
legal counsel, that tendering the Company Stock in the manner described above
would violate any relevant federal or state laws or regulations, the Trustee, in
its sole discretion, may tender such shares of Company Stock in an alternative
manner so as to comply with such laws or regulations.
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(c) The Company shall maintain appropriate procedures to
ensure that all instruction by Plan Participants are collected, tabulated, and
transmitted without being divulged or released to any person affiliated with the
Company or its affiliates. All actions taken by Plan Participants shall be held
confidential by the Trustee and shall not be divulged or released to any person.
5.5 Indemnification.
(a) The Company shall and hereby does indemnify and hold
harmless the Trustee from and against any claims, demands, actions,
administrative or other proceedings, causes demands, actions, administrative or
other proceedings, causes of action, liability, loss, cost, damage or expense
(including reasonable attorneys' fees), which may be asserted against it, in any
way arising out of or incurred as a result of its action or failure to act in
connection with the operation and administration of the Trust; provided that
such indemnification shall not apply to the extent that the Trustee has acted
(i) in willful or grossly negligent violation of applicable law or its duties
under this Trust or (ii) in bad faith. The Trustee shall be under no liability
to any person for any loss of any kind which may result (i) by reason of any
action taken by it in accordance with any direction of the Committee, (ii) by
reason of its failure to exercise any power or authority or to take any action
hereunder because of the failure of any such directing participant to give
directions to the Trustee, as provided for in this Agreement, or (iii) by reason
of any act or omission of any of the directing participants with respect to its
duties under this Trust. The Trustee shall be fully protected in acting upon any
instrument, certificate, or paper delivered by the Committee and believed in
good faith by the Trustee to be genuine and to be signed or presented by the
proper person or persons, and the Trustee shall be under no duty to make any
investigation or inquiry as to any statement contained in any such writing, but
may accept the same as conclusive evidence of the truth and accuracy of the
statements therein contained.
(b) The Company may, but shall not be required to, maintain
liability insurance to insure its obligations hereunder. If any payments made by
the Company or the Trust pursuant to this indemnity are covered by insurance,
the Company or the Trust (as applicable) shall be subrogated to the rights of
the indemnified party against the insurance company.
(c) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Company will, at the request of the Trustee, advance to the Trustee reasonable
amounts of expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, which
the Trustee advised have been incurred in connection with its investigation or
defense of any claim, demand, action, cause of action, administrative or other
proceeding arising out of or in connection with the Trustee's performance of its
duties under this Agreement.
5.6. General Duty to Communicate to Committee. The Trustee shall
promptly notify the Committee of all communications with or from any government
agency or with respect to any legal proceeding with regard to the Trust and with
or from any Plan Participants concerning their entitlement under the Plans or
the Trust.
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ARTICLE 6.
Accounts and Reports of Trustee
6.1 Records and Accounts of Trustee. The Trustee shall maintain
accurate and detailed records and accounts of all transactions of the Trust,
which shall be available at all reasonable times for inspection or audit by any
person designated by the Company and which shall be retained as required by
applicable law.
6.2 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Trust shall be the twelve
month period beginning on April 10 and ending April 9. The first fiscal year of
the Trust shall begin on April 10, 1998 and end on April 9, 1999.
6.3 Reports of Trustee. The Trustee shall prepare and present to the
Committee a report for the period ending on the last day of each fiscal year,
and for such shorter periods as the Committee may reasonably request, listing
all securities and other property acquired and disposed of and all receipts,
disbursements and other transactions effected by the Trust after the date of the
Trustee's last account, and further listing all cash, securities, and other
property held by the Trust, together with the fair market value thereof, as of
the end of such period. In addition to the foregoing, the report shall contain
such information regarding the Trust Fund's assets and transactions as the
Committee in its discretion may reasonably request.
6.4 Final Report. In the event of the resignation or removal of a
Trustee hereunder, the Committee may request and the Trustee shall then with
reasonable promptness submit, for the period ending on the effective date of
such resignation or removal, a report similar in form and purpose to that
described in Section 6.3.
ARTICLE 7.
Succession of Trustee
7.1 Resignation of Trustee. The Trustee or any successor thereto may
resign as Trustee hereunder at any time upon delivering a written notice of such
resignation, to take effect sixty (60) days after the delivery thereof to the
Committee, unless the Committee accepts shorter notice; provided, however, that
no such resignation shall be effective until a successor Trustee has assumed the
office of Trustee hereunder.
7.2 Removal of Trustee. The Trustee or any successor thereto may be
removed by the Company by delivering to the Trustee so removed an instrument
executed by the Committee informing the Trustee of the Committee's decision.
Such removal shall take effect at the date specified in such instrument, which
shall not be less than sixty (60) days after delivery of the instrument, unless
the Trustee accepts shorter notice; provided, however, that no such removal
shall be effective until a successor Trustee has assumed the office of Trustee
hereunder.
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7.3 Appointment of Successor Trustee. Whenever the Trustee or any
successor thereto shall resign or be removed or a vacancy in the position shall
otherwise occur, the Company shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor
Trustee as soon as practicable after receipt by the Committee of a notice
described in Section 7.1, or the delivery to the Trustee of a notice described
in Section 7.2, as the case may be, but in no event more than seventy-five (75)
days after receipt or delivery, as the case may be, of such notice. A successor
Trustee's appointment shall not become effective until such successor shall
accept such appointment by delivering its acceptance in writing to the Company.
If a successor is not appointed within such 75 day period, the Trustee, at the
Company's expense, may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for
appointment of a successor.
7.4 Succession to Trust Fund Assets. The title to all property held
hereunder shall vest in any successor Trustee acting pursuant to the provisions
hereof without the execution or filing of any further instrument, but a
resigning or removed Trustee shall execute all instruments and do all acts
necessary to vest title in the successor Trustee. Each successor Trustee shall
have, exercise and enjoy all of the powers, both discretionary and ministerial,
herein conferred upon its predecessors. A successor Trustee shall not be obliged
to examine or review the accounts, records, or acts of, or property delivered
by, any previous Trustee and shall not be responsible for any action or any
failure to act on the part of any previous Trustee.
7.5 Continuation of Trust. In no event shall the legal disability,
resignation or removal of a Trustee terminate the Trust, but the Company shall
forthwith appoint a successor Trustee in accordance with section 7.3 to carry
out the terms of the Trust.
7.6. Changes in Organization of Trustee. In the event that any
corporate Trustee hereunder shall be converted into, shall merge or consolidate
with, or shall sell or transfer substantially all of its assets and business to,
another corporation, state or federal, the corporation resulting from such
conversion, merger or consolidation, or the corporation to which such sale or
transfer shall be made, shall thereunder become and be the Trustee under the
Trust with the same effect as though originally so named.
7.7. Continuance of Trustee's Powers in Event of Termination of the
Trust. In the event of the termination of the Trust, as provided herein, the
Trustee shall dispose of the Trust Fund in accordance with the provisions
hereof. Until the final distribution of the Trust fund, the Trustee shall
continue to have all powers provided hereunder as necessary or expedient for the
orderly liquidation and distribution of the Trust Fund.
Article 8.
Amendment or Termination
8.1. Amendments. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Company may
amend the Trust at any time and from time to time in any manner which it deems
desirable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall retain the power
under all circumstances to amend the Trust to correct any errors or clarify any
ambiguities or similar issues of interpretation of this Agreement.
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8.2. Termination. Subject to the terms of this Section 8.2, the Trust
shall terminate on the date on which the Loan is paid in full (the "Termination
Date"). The Company may terminate the Trust at any time prior to the Termination
Date. The Trust shall also terminate automatically upon the Company giving the
Trustee written notice of a Change of Control. Immediately upon a termination of
the Trust, the Company shall be deemed to have forgiven all amounts then
outstanding under the Loan. As directed by the Committee, the Trustee shall
allocate the Available Shares to the Plans. As soon as practicable after
receiving notice from the Company of a Change of Control or upon any other
termination of the Trust, the Trustee shall sell any unallocated Available
Shares and other non-cash assets (if any) then held in the Trust Fund as
directed by the Committee. The proceeds of such sale shall first be returned to
the Company up to an amount equal to the principal amount, plus any accrued
interest, of the Loan that was forgiven upon such termination. Any funds
remaining in the Trust after such payment to the Company shall be distributed
with reasonable promptness to the Company; provided, however, that all
distributions from the Trust comply with all relevant federal and state laws and
regulations.
8.3 Form of Amendment or Termination. Any amendment or termination of
the Trust shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by an authorized
officer of the Company, certifying that said amendment or termination has been
authorized and directed by the Company or the Board of Directors, as applicable,
and, in the case of any amendment, shall be consented to by signature of the
Trustee, or an authorized officer of the Trustee, if required by Section 8.1
Article 9.
Miscellaneous
9.1. Controlling Law. The laws of the State of Minnesota shall be the
controlling law in all matters relating to the trust, without regard to
conflicts of law, except to the extent that the laws of the United States of
America shall be deemed applicable.
9.2. Committee Action. Any action required or permitted to be taken by
the Committee may be taken on behalf of the Committee by any individual so
authorized. The Company shall furnish to the Trustee the name and specimen
signature of each member of the Committee upon whose statement of a decision or
direction the Trustee is authorized to rely. Until notified of a change in the
identity of such person or persons, the Trustee shall act upon the assumption
that there has been no change.
9.3. Notices. All notices, requests, or other communications required
or permitted to be delivered hereunder shall be in writing, delivered by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested as follows:
To the Company:
Mississippi View Holding Company
35 East Broadway
Little Falls, Minnesota 56345-3093
Attention: Thomas J. Leiferman, President
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To the Trustee:
Mississippi View Holding Company
Stock Employee Compensation Trust
35 East Broadway
Little Falls, Minnesota 56345-3093
Attention: Trustee Chairman
Any party hereto may from time to time, by written notice given as
aforesaid, designate any other address to which notices, requests or other
communications addressed to it shall be sent.
9.4. Severability. If any provision of the Trust shall be held
illegal, invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall not
affect the remaining parts hereof, but the Trust shall be construed and enforced
as if said provision had never been inserted herein.
9.5. Protection of Persons Dealing with the Trust. No person dealing
with the Trustee shall be required or entitled to monitor the application of any
money paid or property delivered to the Trustee, or determine whether or not the
Trustee is acting pursuant to authorities granted to it hereunder or to
authorizations or directions herein required.
9.6. Tax Status of Trust. It is intended that the Company, as grantor
hereunder, be treated as the owner of the entire Trust and the trust assets
under Section 671, et seq. of the Code. Until advised otherwise, the Trustee may
presume that the Trust is so characterized for federal income tax purposes and
shall make all filings of tax returns on that presumption.
9.7. Participants to Have No Interest in the Company by Reason of the
Trust. Neither the creation of the Trust nor anything contained in the Trust
shall be construed as giving any person, including any individual employed by
the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, any equity or interest in the
assets, business, or affairs of the Company except to the extent that any such
individuals are entitled to exercise stockholder rights with respect to Company
Stock pursuant to Section 5.4
9.8. Nonassignability. No right or interest of any person to receive
distributions from the Trust shall be assignable or transferable, in whole or in
part, either directly or by operation of law or otherwise, including, but not by
way of limitation, execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge, or
bankruptcy, but excluding death or mental incompetency, and no right or interest
of any person to receive distributions from the Trust shall be subject to any
obligation or liability of any such person, including claims for alimony or the
support of any spouse or child.
9.9. Gender and Plurals. Whenever the context requires or permits, the
masculine gender shall include the feminine gender and the singular form shall
include the plural form and shall be interchangeable.
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9.10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be considered an original.
9.11. Term of Trust. This Trust shall remain in effect until the
earlier of (i) termination by the Company's Board of Directors, (ii) the
distribution of all assets of the Trust, or (iii) 21 years from the Closing
Date. Termination of the Trust shall not effect any Available Shares previously
allocated to the Plans.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Trustee have caused this
Agreement to be signed, and their seals affixed hereto, by their authorized
officers all as of the day, month and year first above written.
The following individuals sign
as Trustee of the Mississippi View Holding
Company Stock Employee Compensation Trust
/s/ Neil Adamek
-------------------------------
Neil Adamek, as Trustee
/s/ Gerald Peterson
-------------------------------
Gerald Peterson, as Trustee
Attest: /s/ Mary Ann Karnowski
----------------------
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY
By: /s/ Thomas J. Leiferman
------------------------------
Thomas J. Leiferman
Its: President and Chief Executive Officer
Attest: /s/ Mary Ann Karnowski
----------------------
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COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), made
this 10th day of April, 1998, between Mississippi View Holding Company, a
Minnesota corporation (the "Seller") and Messrs. Gerald Peterson and Neil
Adamek, solely in their capacity as trustees (the "Trustees") of the Mississippi
View Holding Company Stock Employee Compensation Trust (the "Trust") (the Trust
is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Purchaser") under a trust agreement
between the Seller and the Trustees dated April 10, 1998 (the "Trust
Agreement").
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, as contemplated by the Trust Agreement, the
Purchaser is to purchase from the Seller, and the Seller is to sell to the
Purchaser, shares of the Seller's common stock, $0.10 par value (the "Common
Stock"), all as more specifically provided herein;
WHEREAS, Seller intends to initiate a tender offer, in
accordance with Rule 13e- 3 and Rule 13e-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), under which Seller will offer to purchase
up to 222,000 shares of Common Stock (the "Tender Offer"), which is intended to
offset the dilution in earnings per share which would otherwise result from the
sale of Common Stock to the Trustees hereunder. Seller has provided to the
Trustees copies of the proposed forms of the Offer to Purchase and related
documents to be distributed in connection with the Tender Offer (the "Offer
Materials"). Seller will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Offer, determine a single per Share price (not greater than $21.50 nor less than
$19.50 per Share) that it will pay for Shares properly tendered and not
withdrawn pursuant to the Offer (the "Purchase Price"), taking into account the
number of Shares so tendered and the prices specified by tendering stockholders.
The Offer is subject to various conditions, as set forth in "The Offer --
Certain Conditions of the Offer" in the Offer to Purchase.
WHEREAS, the parties intend to base the purchase price to be
paid by the Trustee hereunder on the purchase price in the Tender Offer. The
parties intend that the transaction hereunder shall be closed immediately after
the expiration of the Tender Offer, and have requested and expect to obtain an
exemption (the "Exemptive Order") from the restrictions of Rule 13e-4(f)(6)
under the Exchange Act to permit such schedule to be followed.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
undertakings contained herein, and subject to and on the terms and conditions
set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES
1.1 Purchase and Sale. Subject to the terms and conditions
set forth herein, the Seller will sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser will
purchase from the Seller, at the
<PAGE>
Closing (as hereinafter defined), that number of shares of Common Stock which is
equal to the lesser of (i) the quotient of $1,214,750 divided by the Purchase
Price (as defined in the recitals to this Agreement) or (ii) 9.9% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock at the time of the Closing, with any
fractional shares of Common Stock being rounded to the nearest whole number of
shares. The shares of Common Stock to be purchased by the Purchaser and sold by
the Seller at the Closing are referred to in this Agreement as the "Common
Shares." In consideration for the Common Shares, the Purchaser will deliver to
the Seller the note in the form of Schedule 1.1 to this Agreement in the
principal amount of $1,214,750 (the "Note").
1.2 Closing. The closing of the sale and purchase of the
Common shares hereunder (the "Closing"), will be held at the offices of the
Seller's counsel (a) as soon as practicable following the closing of the
Seller's Tender Offer, or (b) at such earlier time, date and place as may be
designated by the Seller, or (c) at such later time, date and place as may be
mutually agreed upon by the Seller and the Purchaser.
1.3 Delivery and Payment. At the Closing, the Seller will
deliver to the Purchaser a certificate representing the Common Shares, which
certificate shall be registered in the name of the Trustees, or the name of its
nominee, against payment by the Purchaser to the Seller of the aggregate
purchase price therefor. The Seller will pay all stamp and other transfer taxes,
if any, which may be payable in respect of the sale and delivery of the Common
Shares.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER
The Seller represents and warrants to the Purchaser as
follows:
2.1 Corporate Existence and Authority. The Seller (i) is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Minnesota; (ii) has all requisite corporate power to execute,
deliver and perform this Agreement; and (iii) has taken all necessary corporate
action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.
2.2 No Conflict. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
does not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not,
violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) the Seller's
certificate of incorporation or by-laws, (ii) any agreement, indenture or other
instrument to which the Seller is a party or by which the Seller or its assets
may be bound or (iii) upon receipt of the Exemptive Order, any law, regulation,
order, arbitration, award, judgment or decree applicable to the Seller.
2.3 Validity. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by the Seller and is a valid and binding agreement of the Seller
enforceable against the Seller in accordance with its terms, except as the
enforceability thereof may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other laws affecting the
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enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and by general principles of equity.
2.4 The Common Shares. The Common Shares have been duly
authorized and are (or when issued as contemplated hereby will be) validly
issued and constitute fully-paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock,
$0.10 par value per share, of the Seller. No stockholder of the Seller has any
preemptive or other subscription right to acquire any shares of Common Stock.
The Seller will convey to the Purchaser, on the date of Closing, good and valid
title to the Common Shares free and clear of any liens, claims, security
interests and encumbrances.
2.5 Litigation. There are no actions, suits, proceedings or
arbitrations or investigations pending, or to the Seller's best knowledge,
threatened in any court or before any governmental agency or instrumentality or
arbitration panel or otherwise against or by the Seller which seek to or could
restrain, prohibit, rescind or declare unlawful, or result in substantial
damages in respect of, this Agreement or the performance hereof by the Seller
(including, without limitation, the delivery of the Common Shares).
2.6 Business and Financial Information. Seller has heretofore
delivered to the Purchaser copies of the audited consolidated statements of
financial condition, and statements of earnings and statements of shareholders'
equity of Seller and its subsidiaries as of and for the fiscal years ended
September 30, 1997 and 1996 and the unaudited consolidated statements of
financial condition, and statement of earnings of Seller and its subsidiaries as
of and for the three months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 (including the
related notes and schedules, the "Seller Financial Statements"). The Seller
Financial Statements fairly present the consolidated results of operations and
changes in financial position for the periods set forth therein and the
consolidated financial position as at the dates thereof of Seller and its
subsidiaries, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied throughout the periods involved, except as set forth in the
notes thereto and subject, in the case of unaudited financial statements, to the
omission of certain notes not ordinarily accompanying such unaudited financial
statements and to normal year-end audit adjustments which in each case will not
be material to Seller and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. Since March 23,
1995, Seller has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission all forms,
reports and documents required to be filed by it pursuant to the Exchange Act
(the "Disclosure Documents"), all of which have complied as to form in all
material respects with all applicable requirements of such Acts. None of the
Disclosure Documents, at the time filed, contained any untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Seller's Rule
13e-3 Transaction Statement and Issuer Tender Offer Statement on Schedule 13E-4
relating to the Offer, and the Offer to Purchase and the other documents sent to
holders of shares of Common Stock in connection with the Offer, do not contain
and will not contain, at the time filed, any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were or shall be made, not misleading.
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<PAGE>
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER
The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Seller as
follows:
3.1 Authority; Validity. The Purchaser has full power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Note as Trustee and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The Note has been duly executed
by the Trustee on behalf of the Trust and, upon the execution and delivery by
the Trustee on behalf of the Trust, the Note will be a valid and binding
agreement of the Purchaser enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as
the enforceability thereof may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and by general
principles of equity.
ARTICLE IV
RESTRICTIONS ON DISPOSITION OF THE COMMON SHARES
4.1 Restricted Securities. The Purchaser acknowledges that
the Purchaser is acquiring the Common Shares pursuant to a transaction exempt
from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"). The Purchaser represents, warrants and agrees that all Common Shares
acquired by the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement are being acquired for
investment without any intention of making a distribution thereof, or of making
any sale or other disposition thereof which would be in violation of the
Securities Act or any applicable state securities law, and that the Purchaser
will not dispose of any of the Common Shares except that the Trustees will, from
time to time, convey a portion of the Common Shares to the participants in the
Plans to satisfy the obligations of the Company thereunder and convey a portion
of the Common Shares to the trustee of the Plans, and except upon termination of
the Trust to the extent that the Trust then holds any Common Shares, all in
compliance with all provisions of applicable federal and state law regulating
the issuance, sale and distribution of securities.
4.2 Legend. Until such time as the Common Shares are
registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act, any certificate or
certificates representing the Common Shares delivered pursuant to Section 1.3,
will bear a legend in substantially the following form:
"The shares represented by this certificate have not been
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
may not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of unless
they have first been registered under such Act or unless an
exemption from registration is available."
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<PAGE>
The Seller may place stop transfer orders against the registration or transfer
of any share evidenced by such a certificate or certificates until such time as
the requirements of the foregoing are satisfied.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS OF SELLER
The Seller agrees that:
5.1 Financial Statements, Reports and Documents. Subsequent
to the Closing, and for as long as the Common Shares are held by the Trust
(unless the Trustees shall otherwise consent in writing), the Seller shall
deliver to the Trustees each of the following:
(a) Annual Statements. As soon as available and in
any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the
close of each fiscal year of the Seller, copies of the
consolidated statement of financial position of the Seller
and its subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal year and
consolidated statements of income, cash flow and
shareholders' equity of the Seller and its subsidiaries for
such fiscal year, in each case setting forth in comparative
form the figures for the preceding fiscal year, all in
reasonable detail and accompanied by an opinion thereon of
Bertram Cooper & Co., LLP, or of other independent public
accountants of recognized national standing, to the effect
that such financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied (except for changes in which such
accountants concur) and that the examination of such
accountants in connection with such financial statements has
been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards and, accordingly, includes such tests of the
accounting records and such other auditing procedures as were
considered necessary in the circumstances;
(b) SEC and Other Reports. Promptly upon their
becoming available, one copy of each financial statement,
report, notice or proxy statement sent by the Seller to
stockholders generally and of each regular or periodic
report, registration statement or prospectus (other than any
registration statement on Form S-8 and its related
prospectus) filed by the Seller with the Securities and
Exchange Commission or any successor agency; and
(c) Other Information. Such other information
concerning the business, properties or financial condition of
the Seller as the Trustee shall reasonably request.
The Seller will comply with all federal, state, local and foreign laws,
regulations or orders, and all the rules of any foreign laws, regulations or
orders, and all the rules of any stock exchange or similar entity which are
applicable to it or to the conduct of this business, and, without
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<PAGE>
limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall make such filings, distributions
and disclosures as are required by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any
of the regulations, rules or orders promulgated thereunder, insofar as the
failure to comply would materially and adversely affect the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole. To the extent required under the Exchange Act,
the Seller will maintain complete and accurate books, records and accounts in
accordance with the requirements of Section 13(b)(2) under the Exchange Act.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
6.1 Conditions to Obligations of the Purchaser. The
obligation of the Purchaser to purchase the Common Shares is subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions on the date of Closing:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Seller
set forth in Article II hereof shall be true and correct; and
if the Closing shall occur on a date other than the date of
this Agreement, the Purchaser shall have been furnished with
a certificate, dated the date of Closing, to such effect,
signed by an authorized officer of the Seller;
(b) All permits, approvals, authorizations and
consents of third parties necessary for the consummation of
the transactions herein shall have been obtained, and no
order of any court or administrative agency shall be in
effect which restrains or prohibits the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and no suit, action or other
proceeding by any governmental body or other person shall
have been instituted which questions the validity or legality
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and
(c) The Exemptive Order shall be in full force and
effect and shall be sufficient to permit the sale of the
Common Shares to the Trustees on the date of Closing as
contemplated hereby.
6.2 Conditions to Obligations of the Seller. The obligation
of the Seller to issue, sell and deliver the Common Shares to the Purchaser is
subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions on the date of Closing:
(a) The representations and warranties of the
Purchaser set forth in Article III hereof shall be true and
correct; and if the Closing shall occur on a date other than
the date of this Agreement, the Seller shall have been
furnished with a certificate dated the date of Closing, to
such effect, signed by the Trustees;
(b) No order of any court or administrative agency
shall be in effect which restrains or prohibits the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and
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<PAGE>
no suit, action or other proceeding by any governmental body
or other person shall have been instituted which questions
the validity or legality of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement; and
(c) The Exemptive Order shall be in full force and
effect and shall be sufficient to permit the sale of the
Common Shares to the Trustees on the date of Closing as
contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
7.1 Expenses. The Seller shall pay all of its expenses, and
it shall pay the Purchaser's expenses, in connection with the authorization,
preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement, including without
limitation the reasonable fees and expenses of the Trustee, its agents,
representatives, counsel, financial advisors and consultants.
7.2 Survival of Seller's Representations and Warranties. All
representations and warranties made by the Seller to the Purchaser in this
Agreement shall survive the Closing.
7.3 Notices. All notices, requests, or other communications
required or permitted to be delivered hereunder shall be in writing, delivered
by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, as follows:
(a) To the Seller:
Mississippi View Holding Company
35 East Broadway
Little Falls, Minnesota 56345
Attention: Thomas J. Leiferman
(b) To the Purchaser:
Mississippi View Holding Company
35 East Broadway
Little Falls, Minnesota 56345
Attention: Trustees of Mississippi View
Holding Company
Stock Employee Compensation Trust
Any party hereto may from time to time, by written notice given as aforesaid,
designate any other address to which notices, requests or other communications
addressed to it shall be sent.
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<PAGE>
7.4 Specific Performance. The parties hereto acknowledge that
damages would be an inadequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this
Agreement and agree that the obligations of the parties hereunder shall be
specifically enforceable, and neither party will take any action to impede the
other from seeking to enforce such rights of specific performance.
7.5 Successors and Assigns; Integration; Assignability. This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by the parties hereto, and their respective legal representatives, successors
and assigns. This Agreement (a) constitutes, together with the Note, the Trust
Agreement, and any other written agreements between the Purchaser and the Seller
executed and delivered on the date hereof, the entire agreement between the
parties hereto and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings,
both written and oral, among the parties, with respect to the subject matter
hereof; (b) shall not confer upon any persons other than the parties hereto any
rights or remedies hereunder; and (c) shall not be assignable by operation of
law or otherwise, except that the Trustees may assign all their rights hereunder
to any corporation or other institution exercising trust powers in connection
with any such institution assuming the duties of a trustee under the Trust.
7.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the state of Minnesota.
7.7 Further Assurances. Subject to the terms and conditions
herein provided, each of the parties hereto agrees to use all reasonable efforts
to take, or cause to be taken, all action and to do, or cause to be done, all
things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
7.8 Amendment and Waiver. No amendment or waiver of any
provision of this Agreement or consent to departure therefrom shall be effective
unless in writing and signed by the Purchaser and the Seller.
7.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts with the same effect as if the signatures thereto were
upon one instrument.
7.10 Certain Limitations. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the performance by the Trustees of this Agreement and under the
terms of the Trust have been, or will be, effected by the Trustees in their
capacity as Trustees. Nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted to
increase, decrease or modify in any manner any liability of the Trustees to the
Seller or to any Trustee, representative or other claimant by right of the
Seller resulting from the Trustees' performance of their duties under the
constituent instruments of the Trust, and no personal liability shall be
asserted or enforceable against said person by reason of any of the covenants,
statements or representations contained in this Agreement.
7.11 Incorporation. The terms and conditions of the Trust
Agreement relating to the nature of the responsibilities of the Trustees and the
indemnification of the Trustees by the Seller are incorporated herein by
reference and made applicable to this Agreement.
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<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this
Agreement on the date and year first above written.
By: /s/ Gerald Peterson
-----------------------------
Name:
Title:
as Trustee of the Mississippi View
Holding Company
Stock Employee Compensation Trust
Attest: /s/ Neil Adamek
------------------------
Title:
By: /s/ Neil Adamek
------------------------
Name:
Title:
as Trustee of the Mississippi View
Holding Company
Stock Employee Compensation Trust
Attest: Mary Ann Karnowski
------------------------
Title:
MISSISSIPPI VIEW HOLDING COMPANY
By: /s/ Thomas J. Leiferman
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
Attest: Mary Ann Karnowski
-------------------------
Title:
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