<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section240.14a-11(c) or
Section240.14a-12
CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT BANCORP
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ No fee required.
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(I)(1) and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Total fee paid:
None
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
/ / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
None
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
Schedule 14A
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Filing Party:
California Independent Bancorp
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Date Filed:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT BANCORP
1227 BRIDGE STREET, SUITE C
YUBA CITY, CALIFORNIA 95991
(530) 674-4444
To Our Shareholders:
I am pleased to invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
California Independent Bancorp to be held on Wednesday, May 19, 1999, at 6:00
p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) at the Feather River State Bank branch located at
777 Colusa Avenue, Yuba City, California. Enclosed are the Secretary's official
notice of this meeting, a proxy statement, and form of proxy for your
utilization.
At this year's annual shareholders meeting, you will be asked to elect those
individuals to serve on the board of directors, to approve the appointment of
Arthur Andersen LLP to act as our independent accountants, to conduct such other
business as may appropriately be conducted at the meeting. The Notice of Annual
Meeting and Proxy Statement contain a more complete description of the matters
to be considered and acted upon. You should read those documents carefully.
In addition to these business items, I will report to you the results of
operations over the last year, describe our plans, respond to comments, and
answer questions that may be of general interest to the shareholders.
The entire board of directors encourages you and hopes that you are able to
personally attend the annual meeting. Should you be unable to do so, it is
important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. Accordingly,
we urge you to please complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy as soon
as possible. If your plans should change and you are subsequently able to attend
the meeting, your proxy may be withdrawn and you may personally vote your
shares.
I look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting on Wednesday, May 19,
1999.
Sincerely,
[SIGNATURE]
Robert J. Mulder
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
<PAGE>
CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT BANCORP
1227 BRIDGE STREET, SUITE C
YUBA CITY, CALIFORNIA 95991
(530) 674-4444
------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 19, 1999
6:00 P.M.
------------------------
To the Shareholders of California Independent Bancorp Common Stock:
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of California Independent Bancorp, a
California corporation ("Company") and the bank holding company for Feather
River State Bank ("Bank"), will be on Wednesday, May 19, 1999, at 6:00 p.m.
(Pacific Daylight Time) at the Bank's branch located at 777 Colusa Avenue, Yuba
City, California, for the following purposes:
1. To elect eleven (11) directors to serve until the 2000 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders or until their earlier retirement, resignation or removal
from office. The names of the nominees for the Board of Directors of the
Company are set forth in the accompanying proxy statement.
2. To ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP to act as the Company's
independent accountants for 1999.
3. To consider and transact such other business as may properly be brought
before the meeting and any adjournments thereof.
These proposals are more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement
to which your attention is invited.
In accordance with the Company's Bylaws, the Board of Directors has chosen
March 23, 1999, as the "record date" to identify the shareholders entitled to
notice of and the right to vote at the Annual Meeting.
All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in
person. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. To ensure your shares will be represented at the
meeting, please date, execute and return the enclosed proxy card, without delay,
in the enclosed postage-paid envelope whether or not you plan to attend the
meeting. You may revoke the proxy at any time prior to the time it is voted. Any
shareholder present at the meeting may vote personally on all matters brought
before the meeting in which event your proxy will not be used.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
/s/ Annette Dier Bertolini
Annette Dier Bertolini, Secretary
April 2, 1999
Yuba City, California
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE
ENCLOSED PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE.
<PAGE>
CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT BANCORP
PROXY STATEMENT
INFORMATION CONCERNING PROXY
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the
Board of Directors of California Independent Bancorp ("Company"), the bank
holding company for Feather River State Bank ("Bank"), of the enclosed proxy for
use at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company and at any
adjournments thereof ("Meeting"), to be held on Wednesday, May 19, 1999, at 6:00
p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time), at the Bank's branch located at 777 Colusa Avenue,
Yuba City, California. (References to the Company include the Bank.)
As many of our shareholders are unable to personally attend the Meeting, the
Company solicits proxies so that each shareholder is given an opportunity to
vote. Shares represented by duly executed proxies in the accompanying form
received by management prior to the Meeting will be voted at the Meeting. A
shareholder executing and delivering the enclosed proxy may revoke such proxy at
any time prior to the proxy being voted. A proxy may be revoked (i) by written
notice to Annette Dier Bertolini, Secretary of the Company; (ii) by a
subsequently dated proxy; or (iii) by attending the Meeting and voting by
ballot. If a shareholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be
acted upon by means of the ballot provided in the accompanying form of proxy,
the shares will be voted accordingly. If no specification is made, the shares
represented by this proxy will be voted in favor of election of the nominees
specified and in favor of the specified proposals. A shareholder who attends the
Meeting may vote by ballot at the Meeting, thereby canceling any proxy the
shareholder may previously have given.
The Proxy Committee is composed of three directors of the Company, David A.
Offutt, Louis F. Tarke, and William H. Gilbert, who will vote all shares of
Common Stock represented by the proxies. However, the Proxy Committee cannot
vote the shares of a shareholder unless the shareholder signs and returns a
proxy. Proxy cards also confer upon the Proxy Committee discretionary authority
to vote the shares represented on any matter that was not known at the time this
Proxy Statement was mailed which may properly be presented for action at the
Meeting. Such matters may include: approval of minutes of the prior annual
meeting which will not constitute ratification of the actions taken at such
meeting; action with respect to procedural matters pertaining to the conduct of
the Meeting; and election of any persons to any office for which a bona fide
nominee is named, if such nominee is unable or will not serve.
The principal method by which the Board of Directors is soliciting proxies
is by mail. However, additional solicitations may be made by telephone,
telegraph or personal visits by directors, officers and employees of the Company
or Bank. The Company may, at its discretion, engage the services of a proxy
solicitation firm to assist in the solicitation of proxies. The total expense of
this solicitation will be borne by the Company and will include reimbursement
paid to brokerage firms and others for their expenses in forwarding soliciting
material and such expenses as may be paid to any proxy soliciting firm engaged
by the Company. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy are
being mailed to shareholders on or about April 2, 1999.
The proxy card format enables you to record your vote on each matter. If you
wish to withhold your vote for any one or more directors, circle and draw a line
through the name of each director for whom you wish to withhold your vote. You
may withhold authority to vote for all of the directors by placing an X in the
box marked WITHHOLD AUTHORITY. You may vote FOR or AGAINST each other item by
placing an X in the box appropriately marked. Please note that a vote to ABSTAIN
may have the same effect as a vote AGAINST.
2
<PAGE>
VOTING SECURITIES
OUTSTANDING VOTING SECURITIES AND RECORD DATE
The Company has only one class of voting securities outstanding, identified
as the Common Stock. In accordance with the Company's Bylaws, the Board of
Directors has chosen March 23, 1999 as the "record date" to identify the
shareholders entitled to notice of and the right to vote at the Meeting. As of
such date, 1,749,873 shares were outstanding, all of which will be entitled to
vote at the Meeting. The determination of the shareholders entitled to vote at
the Meeting and the number of shares those shareholders are entitled to vote was
based upon the Company's records as of the record date.
VOTING
Each shareholder of record is entitled to one vote for each share held on
all matters to come before the Meeting, except with respect to the election of
the Company's directors. As to the election of directors a shareholder may
cumulate votes as to candidates nominated, provided any shareholder gives notice
of their intent to cumulate votes at the Meeting prior to voting. Under
cumulative voting, each share carries as many votes as the number of directors
to be elected. A shareholder may cast all such votes for a single nominee or
distribute the votes among as many nominees as the shareholder desires. If any
shareholder should give a notice of their intent to cumulate votes, all
shareholders may also cumulate their votes for director nominees.
Abstentions in voting are treated as shares that are present and entitled to
vote for purposes of determining a quorum is present at the Meeting. Such votes,
however, are not treated as voting for purposes of determining the approval of
any matter submitted to the shareholders for a vote.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The Company is of the opinion that no person possesses, directly or
indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of management and
policies of the Company. Nor is the Company aware of the existence of a group of
persons formed for such purpose, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract, or otherwise.
The following information sets forth the securities ownership by persons
known to the Company to own 5% or more of the Company's common stock, as of
March 23, 1999. This information has been obtained from the Company's records
and from information furnished directly by the individual or entity to the
Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
RELATIONSHIP BENEFICIAL PERCENTAGE OF
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER WITH COMPANY OWNERSHIP(1) CLASS
- --------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ---------------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Harold M. Eastridge...................................... Director 103,986(2) 5.84%
Michael C. Wheeler....................................... Director 102,679(3) 5.79%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the beneficial owner of these securities has
sole voting and investment powers.
(2) Includes an option for 30,947 shares which is exercisable within 60 days of
the Record Date.
(3) Includes options for 24,669 shares which are exercisable within 60 days of
the Record Date, and 14,894 shares over which Mr. Wheeler has shared voting
and disposition power. Mr. Wheeler disclaims beneficial ownership of 1,059
shares, and 9,135 shares owned by another person over which Mr. Wheeler has
voting power.
The following table shows the number of common shares of stock and the
percentage of the common shares beneficially owned by each director, executive
officer, and for each person nominated and
3
<PAGE>
recommended to be elected by the current Board of Directors of the Company. The
information is based upon the Company's records and information furnished to it
by the nominees as of March 23, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND
NATURE
NAME OF DIRECTOR, RELATIONSHIP DIRECTOR OF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, OR AGE WITH SINCE BENEFICIAL
OR NOMINEE PERCENTAGE COMPANY (COMPANY/BANK) OWNERSHIP(1)
- --------------------------------------- ----------- --------------------------- --------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Harold M. Eastridge.................... 55 Director 1995/1976 103,986(2)
5.84%
John L. Dowdell........................ 62 Nominee -0-
William H. Gilbert..................... 59 Director 1995/1988 62,945(3)
3.54%
Donald H. Livingstone.................. 56 Director 1998/1998 7,900(4)
0.45%
Alfred G. Montna....................... 54 Nominee -0-
Robert J. Mulder....................... 55 President, Chief Executive 1995/1992 45,985(5)
2.58% Officer and Director
David A. Offutt........................ 59 Director 1995/1976 62,687(6)
3.53%
William K. Retzer...................... 55 Director 1995/1979 41,020(7)
2.31%
Ross D. Scott.......................... 71 Director 1995/1976 39,504(8)
2.23%
Louis F. Tarke......................... 71 Director 1995/1976 59,375(9)
3.36%
Michael C. Wheeler..................... 49 Director 1995/1976 102,679(10)
5.79%
Kenneth M. Anderson.................... 46 Senior Vice President-- 2,678(11)
0.15% Administrative Services
Annette Dier Bertolini................. 53 Chief Financial Officer of 34,009(12)
1.91% the Company and Senior Vice
President and Chief
Financial Officer of the
Bank
Blaine C. Lauhon....................... 36 Senior Vice President-- 15,166(13)
0.86% Chief Lending Officer
Douglas R. Marr........................ 45 Senior Vice President-- 623(14)
0.04% Chief Credit Officer
-----
------------
All Directors, Executive Officers, and 578,557(15)
Nominees of the Company as a Group
(15 in number)....................... 28.94%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the beneficial owner of these securities has
sole voting and investment powers.
(2) Includes an option for 30,947 shares which is exercisable within 60 days of
the Record Date.
4
<PAGE>
(3) Includes 29,840 shares in a trust pursuant to which Mr. Gilbert has shared
voting and disposition power; and an option for 27,815 shares which is
exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date. Mr. Gilbert disclaims
beneficial ownership of 330 of these shares.
(4) Includes an option for 7,584 shares which are exercisable within 60 days of
the Record Date.
(5) Includes an option for 29,236 shares which is exercisable within 60 days of
the Record Date.
(6) Includes an option for 27,878 shares which is exercisable within 60 days of
Record Date.
(7) Includes an option for 25,032 shares which is exercisable within 60 days of
the Record Date.
(8) Includes an option for 18,312 shares which is exercisable within 60 days of
the Record Date.
(9) Includes 19,271 shares in a trust pursuant to which Mr. Tarke has shared
voting and disposition power, and an option for 14,720 shares which is
exercisable within 60 days of the Record Date.
(10) Includes options for 24,669 shares which are exercisable within 60 days of
the Record Date, and 14,894 shares over which Mr. Wheeler has shared
voting and disposition power. Mr. Wheeler disclaims beneficial ownership
of 1,059 shares, and 9,135 shares owned by another person over which Mr.
Wheeler has voting power.
(11) Includes an option for 2,335 shares which is exercisable within 60 days of
the Record Date, and 121 shares vested pursuant to the Bank's ESOP.
(12) Includes an option for 27,232 shares which is exercisable within 60 days
of the Record Date, and 1,455 shares vested pursuant to the Bank's ESOP.
(13) Includes an option for 13,102 shares which is exercisable within 60 days
of the Record Date, and 892 shares vested pursuant to the Bank's ESOP.
(14) Includes an option for 525 shares which is exercisable within 60 days of
the Record Date, and 43 shares vested pursuant to the Bank's ESOP.
(15) Includes options for 249,387 shares which are exercisable within 60 days
of the Record Date.
INFORMATION PERTAINING TO ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
PROPOSAL 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Bylaws provide that the number of directors may be no less
than seven (7) and no more than thirteen (13) with the exact number to be fixed
from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. The number of
directors is currently fixed at eleven (11). Such directors, if elected, shall
hold office until the next Annual Meeting of the Shareholders or until their
earlier retirement, resignation or removal from office. If any nominee should
become unable or unwilling to serve as a director, the proxies will be voted for
such person as shall be designated by the Board of Directors to replace the
nominee. The Board currently has no knowledge that any of the nominees will be
unable or unwilling to serve. In the event that additional persons are nominated
for election as directors, the proxy holders intend to vote all proxies received
by them in such manner as will assure the election of as many of the nominees
listed below as possible.
There are no family relationships between any of the directors, officers or
persons nominated or chosen by the Board of Directors to become a director or
officer. Set forth below are summaries of the background and business experience
of all the directors and persons nominated to become a director. Unless
otherwise indicated, each person has been engaged in the noted occupation with
the same entity for more than 5 years.
5
<PAGE>
JOHN L. DOWDELL is President and Chief Executive Officer of Dowdell
Financial Services, a company that is engaged in investment banking and the
financial services industry.
HAROLD M. EASTRIDGE is President of the Trident Investment Corporation, a
company engaged in real estate development and is President of Feather River
Construction, Inc.
WILLIAM H. GILBERT is Vice President of Gilbert Orchards, Inc., walnut
growers.
DONALD H. LIVINGSTONE is a director for the Center of Entrepreneurship and a
Teaching Professor at Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University.
Additionally, Mr. Livingstone serves on the board of directors of Tropical
Sportswear International Corporation, a company that is required to report under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Eureka Mutual Funds which is an
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
ALFRED G. MONTNA is the owner of Montna Farms, a rice, walnut, and prune
farm.
ROBERT J. MULDER has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank
since 1992 and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 1995.
Previously, Mr. Mulder was the Executive Vice President and Senior Loan
Administrator of the Bank.
DAVID A. OFFUTT is an attorney at law.
WILLIAM K. RETZER has been Chairman of Examen, Inc. since 1992, a firm that
performs analysis and cost containment of legal bills.
ROSS D. SCOTT is a physical therapist, Chief Executive Officer, and the
owner of Scott Center, physical therapy.
LOUIS F. TARKE is a partner in Tarke Bros. and Anderson, a walnut and rice
farm.
MICHAEL C. WHEELER is General Manager and President of Wheeler
Oldsmobile-Cadillac.
RECOMMENDATION OF MANAGEMENT
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS INTENDS TO VOTE ALL PROXIES HELD BY IT IN FAVOR OF
ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES. YOU ARE URGED TO VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 1: TO ELECT
THE ELEVEN (11) NOMINEES SET FORTH HEREIN TO SERVE UNTIL THE NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
OF SHAREHOLDERS AND UNTIL THEIR RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS SHALL BE ELECTED AND
QUALIFIED.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CERTAIN BOARD COMMITTEES
Board Committees. The Company's Board of Directors has an Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee monitors significant accounting policies, approves services
rendered by the auditors, reviews audit and management reports, makes
recommendations regarding the appointment of independent auditors and the fees
payable for their services. The following directors serve as members of the
Audit Committee: Michael C. Wheeler, Chairman; Harold M. Eastridge; Ross D.
Scott; and Donald H. Livingstone. The Company's Audit Committee met eight (8)
times in 1998.
In 1998, the Bank merged its Audit, Insurance, CRA, Compliance, and
Investment committees into a newly formed committee designated as the Risk
Management Committee. In addition to fulfilling the duties of the Audit
Committee, the Risk Management Committee is also responsible for monitoring
Interest Rate Risk, the Bank's investment portfolio, insurance adequacy,
compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, and credit review. The
Risk Management Committee is comprised of the same individuals who serve on the
Company's Audit Committee. During 1998, the Risk Management and its predecessor,
the Bank's Audit Committee, met a combined twelve (12) times.
6
<PAGE>
The Company does not have a nominating or a compensation and personnel
committee. The Company's and Bank's boards of directors perform the functions of
these committees.
During 1998, the Bank's Board of Directors held twelve (12) regular meetings
and one (1) special meeting, while the Company's Board of Directors held twelve
(12) regular meetings and no special meetings. Each director, following his
election, attended at least 75% of the aggregate of: (1) the total number of
meetings of the Board of Directors; and (2) the total number of meetings of
committees of the Board on which they served.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The Company's and Bank's executive officers serve at the pleasure of the
Boards and are subject to annual appointment by the Boards at their respective
first meeting following the annual shareholder's meeting. Set forth below is
certain information as of March 23, 1999, with respect to each executive officer
of the Company and/or Bank, not previously discussed.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH YEAR JOINED
NAME AGE THE COMPANY AND/OR BANK (COMPANY/BANK)
- ------------------------------------ --- ---------------------------------------------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Kenneth M. Anderson................. 46 Senior Vice President Administrative Services of the ----/1994
Bank (1998-present); Vice President of Business
Development of the Bank (1994-1998); Assistant Vice
President, Business Development Officer of the Bank
(1994)
Annette Dier Bertolini.............. 53 Chief Financial Officer of the Company 1995/1980
(1995-present); Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of the Bank (1991-present)
Blaine C. Lauhon.................... 36 Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of ----/1990
the Bank (1998-present); Senior Vice President and
Senior Credit Officer of the Bank (1996-1998);
Assistant Loan Administrator of the Bank
(1994-1996); Vice President, Loan Officer of the
Bank (1990-1994).
Douglas R. Marr..................... 45 Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of ----/1996
the Bank (1998-present); Vice President and
Administrative Credit Officer of the Bank (1998);
Vice President and Senior Credit Officer of the Bank
(1997-1998); Vice President and Senior Loan Officer
of the Bank (1996-1997)
</TABLE>
7
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation paid (for
services rendered in all capacities) during the past three fiscal years to the
executive officers of the Bank whose annual compensation for 1998 exceeded
$100,000. All compensation is currently paid by the Bank.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
OTHER ANNUAL COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION AWARDS OPTIONS ALL OTHER
NAME POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS (1) (2) (3) COMPENSATION
- -------------------------- ------------------ --------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ----------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Robert J. Mulder.......... President and 1998 $ 130,000 $ 7,797 $ 0 2,744 $ 41,151(4)
Chief Executive 1997 $ 130,000 $ 15,647 $ 18,088 4,363 $ 36,479(4)
Officer 1996 $ 123,643 $ 19,387 $ 12,668 5,049 $ 21,021(4)
Annette Dier Bertolini.... Senior Vice 1998 $ 83,500 $ 4,643 $ 0 2,950 $ 13,108(5)
President and 1997 $ 83,500 $ 7,863 $ 21,600 3,000 $ 12,733(5)
Chief Financial 1996 $ 81,070 $ 9,993 $ 12,712 3,540 $ 12,265(5)
Officer
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Annual bonuses are paid out over a three year period. The amount reported in
the Bonus column represents the part of the bonus earned and paid in the
year specified and the part of the bonuses deferred from prior years and
paid in the year specified.
(2) No perquisites are reported as Other Annual Compensation as they did not
exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total of the annual salary and
bonus reported for the named executive officer. The amount reported
represents reimbursement for taxes in connection with the exercise of stock
options.
(3) Includes stock options granted during 1998 and stock options pursuant to a
reload feature whereby an optionee who utilizes a cashless exercise to
exercise their stock options is granted an option for an equal number of
shares.
(4) Includes $1,490, $1,184 and $1,120 allocated to Mr. Mulder's ESOP account
for 1996, 1997 and 1998; $1,617, $1,524 and $1,286 contributed to Mr.
Mulder's account in the Bank's 401(k) Plan for 1996, 1997 and 1998; $17,914,
$33,771, and $38,745 accrued under a Salary Continuation Agreement for 1996,
1997 and 1998.
(5) Includes $1,353, $1,184, and $746 allocated to Mrs. Bertolini's ESOP account
for 1996, 1997 and 1998; $1,300, $1,272 and $1,150 contributed to Mrs.
Bertolini's account in the Bank's 401(k) Plan for 1996, 1997 and 1998; and
$9,612, $10,277, and $11,212 accrued under a Salary Continuation Agreement
for 1996, 1997 and 1998.
During 1998, except for Chairman Offutt, the non-employee directors of the
Company received $350 for each Board meeting attended. Chairman Offutt received
$500 for each Board Meeting attended and Mr. Mulder received no additional
compensation for attending the Board meetings.
During 1998, except for Chairman Offutt, the non-employee directors of the
Bank received $1,250 for each Board meeting attended. Chairman Offutt received
$2,100 for each Board Meeting attended and no additional compensation for
attending committee meetings. Mr. Mulder received no additional compensation for
attending the Board or committee meetings.
During 1998, the Directors each received $350 for each Board meeting
attended as non-employee directors of the Bank's wholly owned subsidiary E.P.I.
Leasing Co., Inc. ("EPI"). Mr. Mulder also serves as
8
<PAGE>
a non-employee director of EPI, however, he received no additional compensation
for attending the Board meetings.
In addition, non-employee directors are granted stock options each year
based upon a formula that has allocated one-third of the options to be granted
each year to the non-employee directors of the Company. Options are then further
allocated to individual directors based upon the number of board and committee
meetings attended. In addition, they receive reimbursement for taxes incurred in
connection with the exercise of stock options.
CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT BANCORP 1989 AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK OPTION PLAN
On June 13, 1995, the Company adopted the California Independent Bancorp
1989 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan ("1989 Plan") which was previously
the Feather River State Bank 1989 Stock Option Plan and which sets aside 448,989
shares of no par value Common Stock of the Company for which options may be
granted to key, full-time salaried employees and officers of the Company, as
well as non-employee directors of the Company.
The exercise price of all options to be granted under the 1989 Plan must be
at least 100% of the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the
granting date and be paid in full at the time the option is exercised in cash,
shares of the Company's Common Stock with a fair market value equal to the
purchase price or a combination thereof. Under the 1989 Plan, all options expire
no more than ten years after the date of grant.
In the case of termination of employment or status as a director, no
additional options become exercisable, and exercise rights cease after three (3)
months and one (1) day unless employment or status as a director is terminated
because of death or disability, in which case the option may be exercised for
not more than one year following termination. In case of termination of
employment for cause, or cessation of status as a director as a result of being
removed from office by a bank regulatory authority or by judicial process,
exercise rights cease immediately.
The following table shows information regarding stock options granted during
1998 to the executive officers of the Company.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
-----------------------------------------------------------
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
VALUE AT ASSUMED
ANNUAL RATES OF
NUMBER OF STOCK
SECURITIES % OF TOTAL PRICE APPRECIATION
UNDERLYING OPTIONS GRANTED EXERCISE FOR OPTION TERM
OPTIONS TO EMPLOYEES PRICE EXPIRATION --------------------
NAME GRANTED (#) IN FISCAL YEAR ($/SH) DATE 5%($) 10%($)
- ------------------------------- ------------- ----------------- ----------- ------------ --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Aug. 27,
Robert J. Mulder............... 2,744 8.9% $ 22.00 2008 $ 98,333 $ 156,579
Jan. 22,
Annette Dier Bertolini......... 2,950 9.6% $ 25.38 2008 $ 121,933 $ 194,158
</TABLE>
The following table shows information regarding stock options exercised
during 1998 by the executive officers of the Company and the value at December
31, 1998 of unexercised options held by such persons:
9
<PAGE>
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FY-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING IN- THE-MONEY OPTIONS
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT
AT FISCAL FISCAL
YEAR-END(#) YEAR-END ($)
SHARES ------------------- ----------------------
ACQUIRED VALUE REALIZED EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
NAME ON EXERCISE (#) ($) UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ---------------------------------- --------------- ---------------- ------------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Robert J. Mulder.................. 9,115 $ 187,761 33,392/-0- $ 109,950/-0-
Annette Dier Bertolini............ -0- $ -0- 27,232/-0- $ 139,871/-0-
</TABLE>
CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT BANCORP 1996 STOCK OPTION PLAN
On April 9, 1996, the Company adopted the California Independent Bancorp
1996 Stock Option Plan ("1996 Plan") which sets aside 164,329 shares of no par
value Common Stock of the Company for which options may be granted to key,
full-time salaried employees and officers of the Company, as well as
non-employee directors of the Company.
The exercise price of all options to be granted under the 1996 Plan must be
at least 100% of the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the
granting date and be paid in full at the time the option is exercised in cash,
shares of the Company's Common Stock with a fair market value equal to the
purchase price or a combination thereof. Under the 1996 Plan, all options expire
no more than ten years after the date of grant.
In the case of termination of employment or status as a director, no
additional options become exercisable, and exercise rights cease after three (3)
months and one (1) day unless employment or status as a director is terminated
because of death or disability, in which case the option may be exercised for
not more than one year following termination. In case of termination of
employment for cause, or cessation of status as a director as a result of being
removed from office by a bank regulatory authority or by judicial process,
exercise rights cease immediately.
EXECUTIVE SALARY CONTINUATION AGREEMENTS
On April 28, 1993, Mr. Mulder and Mrs. Bertolini (singularly the
"Executive") each entered into an Executive Salary Continuation Agreement
("Agreements") with the Bank. The Agreements provide that if the Executive
continues to be employed by the Bank at least until he or she reaches age 65,
upon retirement the Executive will receive an annual retirement benefit. Upon
the Executive's retirement, the Bank will pay an annual amount of $63,000 and
$42,000 to Mr. Mulder and Mrs. Bertolini, respectively, payable monthly for a
period of 180 months following such retirement, subject to certain conditions
set forth in the Agreements.
If the Executive has been employed by the Bank for a period of at least four
continuous years, and the Executive's employment is terminated by the Bank
without cause, the Executive will be considered to be vested in 30% of the total
amount he or she would otherwise receive and will become vested in an additional
10% for each succeeding year until he or she becomes 100% vested. In the event
of a change in control of the Bank, the Executive will become fully vested and,
if his or her employment is terminated as a result of said change in control,
will be entitled to the full amount as a severance payment.
On February 4, 1997, the Bank entered into an additional Executive Salary
Continuation Agreement ("Additional Agreement") with Mr. Mulder. The terms of
the Additional Agreement for Mr. Mulder provide for a benefit of $40,100 if Mr.
Mulder continues to be employed by the Bank at least until he reaches age 65.
The terms of the Additional Agreement are the same as Mr. Mulder's original
Executive Salary Continuation Agreement described above.
10
<PAGE>
The Bank purchased single premium life insurance policies on Mr. Mulder and
Mrs. Bertolini in order to assist in meeting its obligations under the
Agreements and to indemnify the Bank against loss. The Bank is named as owner
and beneficiary under each of the insurance policies.
FEATHER RIVER STATE BANK EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
The Board of Directors of the Bank adopted the Feather River State Bank
Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP"), effective as of January 1, 1989, to be
funded by annual contributions by the Bank, to be invested primarily in the
Company's Common Stock. The purpose of the ESOP is to reward employees for long
and loyal service by providing them with retirement benefits. During 1995, the
Bank amended the ESOP to add 401(k) provisions. Under the ESOP, there is both a
purchase of the Company's Common Stock for the account of employees as part of
the employee stock ownership provision and a contribution by the Bank, and an
opportunity for employee contributions and matching under the 401(k) provisions.
During 1998, the Bank made a matching contribution of $40,000 under the 401(k)
provisions.
The ESOP's Trustees are three officers of the Bank. During 1995, the Bank
borrowed $200,000 from United ComServe, a non-profit corporation and has agreed
to make an annual contribution sufficient in amount to make five annual
principal payments of $40,000 plus quarterly interest payments based upon an
interest rate of prime minus 1/2%.
All employees who have completed six months of service with the Bank and are
at least 21 years of age are eligible to participate in the ESOP. An employee or
their beneficiary is entitled to the full amount of the employee's account
balance in the event of their normal retirement at age 65; early retirement at
age 55 and having completed 7 years of service; or their death. In the event of
an employee's termination of employment for any reason other than retirement or
death, the employee shall only be entitled to the vested percentage of their
account balance.
DIRECTOR'S DEFERRED COMPENSATION
On July 19, 1994, the Bank entered into a Deferred Compensation Agreement
with William H. Gilbert, a director of the Company. Under the Deferred
Compensation Agreement, Mr. Gilbert has elected to defer $1,000 per month of the
director's fees to which he is entitled. He may change this election prior to
January 1 of any year for the upcoming year. Interest on the amount deferred is
credited at a rate equal to the prime rate as published in THE WALL STREET
JOURNAL on the last day of the preceding year.
Upon attainment of age 66 and 12 years of service as a director of the Bank
from the date of the Deferred Compensation Agreement, Mr. Gilbert will be
entitled to payments of $29,416 per year for 15 years in lieu of the amount that
he has deferred plus the interest accrued thereon ("Deferral Account Balance").
In the event that Mr. Gilbert no longer serves as a director of the Bank prior
to attaining age 66, is disabled, or there is a change of control of the Bank,
he will be entitled to the Deferral Account Balance in lieu of any other
benefit. In the event of Mr. Gilbert's death, his beneficiary will be entitled
to payments of $29,416 per year for 15 years.
Under the Deferred Compensation Agreement, Mr. Gilbert is a general
unsecured creditor of the Bank. The Bank has purchased an insurance policy on
the life of Mr. Gilbert to enable the Bank to make payments as required by the
Deferred Compensation Agreement.
INDEBTEDNESS OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
The Company has had and expects to have in the future, banking transactions
in the ordinary course of its business with its directors, executive officers,
principal shareholders, and their associates, on substantially the same terms,
including interest rates and collateral on loans comparable to transactions with
others, and such transactions did not involve more than the normal risks of
collectibility or present other unfavorable features.
11
<PAGE>
During 1998, the Bank paid Examen, Inc., a company owned by Director William
Retzer, $6,960 to perform services relating to legal cost management, audit, and
other matters concerning legal services provided by outside law firms.
During 1998, the Bank paid a total of $9,711 to Feather River Construction,
Inc. to remodel a portion of the Bank's administrative offices and to make minor
repairs at other locations. Director Harold M. Eastridge is president of Feather
River Construction, Inc.
During 1998, the Bank also paid Trident Property Management Company $41,326
for property management services and maintenance and repairs for the Company's
properties. Of this amount, property management fees were $23,100. Director
Harold M. Eastridge is president of Trident Property Management Company.
During 1998, the Bank paid Wheeler Oldsmobile-Cadillac $1,041 for
maintenance on the Company's vehicles. Director Michael Wheeler is general
manager and president of Wheeler Oldsmobile-Cadillac.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
As part of the proxy statement disclosure requirements mandated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company is required to provide a
five-year comparison of the cumulative total stockholder return on its Common
Stock with that of a broad equity market index and either a published industry
index or a Company-constructed peer group index.
The following chart compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative
total stockholder return on the Company's Common Stock during the five years
ended December 31, 1998 with the cumulative total return on the NASDAQ Total
Return Index and the SNL Securities, Inc. Bank Index for banks with between $250
million to $500 million in asset size. The comparison assumes $100 was invested
on December 31, 1993 in the Company's Common Stock and in each of the foregoing
indices and the reinvestment of dividends.
There can be no assurance as to future trends in the cumulative total return
of the Company's Common stock or of the following indices. The Company does not
make or endorse any predictions as to future stock performance.
12
<PAGE>
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT BANCORP
INDEX VALUE
CALIFORNIA NASDAQ - SNL $250M-$500M
INDEPENDENT BANCORP TOTAL US BANK ASSET-SIZE INDEX
<S> <C> <C> <C>
12/31/93 $ 100.00 $ 100.00 $ 100.00
12/31/94 142.64 97.75 107.90
12/31/95 141.98 138.26 145.61
12/31/96 193.26 170.01 189.07
12/31/97 205.37 208.58 327.00
12/31/98 182.98 293.21 292.84
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERIOD ENDING
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDEX 12/31/93 12/31/94 12/31/95 12/31/96 12/31/97 12/31/98
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Independent Bancorp........................ 100.00 142.64 141.98 193.26 205.37 182.98
NASDAQ - Total US..................................... 100.00 97.75 138.26 170.01 208.58 293.21
SNL $250M - $500M Bank Asset-Size Index............... 100.00 107.90 145.61 189.07 327.00 292.84
</TABLE>
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
officers and directors, and any person who owns more than ten percent (10%) of a
registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of
ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC"). Officers, directors and greater than ten percent (10%) shareholders are
required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section
16(a) forms they file. To the best knowledge of the Company, no person owns ten
percent (10%) or more of the Company's Common Stock.
Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it, or
written representations from certain persons that no Form 5 was required to be
filed, the Company believes that for the period from January 1, 1998 through
December 31, 1998, its officers and directors complied with all applicable
filing requirements.
13
<PAGE>
REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
THE COMPENSATION AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
The Company's and the Bank's Boards of Directors, with the exception of
Robert J. Mulder, fulfill the functions of the Compensation and Personnel
Committee.
The Boards analyze, review, and approve the executive compensation for the
Company's and Bank's executive officers.
The Boards consider the tax law limitation of deductibility of executive
compensation of $1,000,000 per executive for publicly held corporations. The
Boards do not believe that this limitation will affect the Company as they do
not anticipate that their executives' compensation will approach this limit.
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
The Company's compensation philosophy is to provide executive officers with
compensation that is competitive with that paid by industry peers consisting of
banks located in Northern California of similar asset size, financial
performance, and marketing strategy.
CORPORATE PERFORMANCE FACTORS
It is the policy of the Boards to determine the components of executive
compensation principally upon the basis of corporate performance. Among the
performance factors considered are profitability, capital levels, and asset
quality (non-performing assets, loan delinquencies and loan charge-offs), net
interest margin, Return on Average Assets and Return on Average Equity. In
considering these factors, the Boards do not assign any quantitative weight to
the factors considered, but consider all the factors taken together.
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE FACTORS
Increases to an executive officer's base salary are determined, in part,
based on the officer's responsibilities.
COMPENSATION--SALARIES AND BONUS AWARDS
The Boards decide upon the salary for each executive officer, based on their
review of industry peer group data for both corporate performance and
compensation, and evaluations of the performance of each executive officer.
Industry peer group data for compensation is obtained from regulatory agencies
and industry trade groups.
Incentive compensation is determined pursuant to a formula that is
established before the fiscal year begins and is based upon the Company's budget
forecast for the fiscal year and the achievement of earnings of at least 95% of
budget and up to 120% of the budgeted amount for the year for net income.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
Robert J. Mulder serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and the Bank. Mr. Mulder's salary is based upon his performance and a
review of industry peer group data. (See "Compensation--Salaries and Bonus of
Awards.") Mr. Mulder's incentive compensation is based upon the achievement of
profitability as measured by the Company's budget forecast for the fiscal year.
(See "Compensation--Salaries and Bonus Awards.")
14
<PAGE>
THE COMPENSATION AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER
PARTICIPATION
The Company's Board of Directors, with the exception of Robert J. Mulder,
functions as the Company's and Bank's Compensation and Personnel Committee. None
of these individuals is or has been employed as an officer or employee of the
Company or the Bank or any of its subsidiaries.
PROPOSAL 2. RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT
The Board of Directors has selected and appointed Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants, to examine the financial statements of the
Company for the year ending December 31, 1999. In recognition of the important
role of the independent public accountants, the Board of Directors has
determined that its selection of the independent public accountants should be
submitted to the shareholders for review and ratification on an annual basis.
Arthur Andersen LLP has served as the Company's independent public accountants
since 1986. If ratified, Arthur Andersen LLP will serve as the independent
certified public accountant for the Company and the Bank.
In the event the appointment is not ratified through the affirmative vote of
a majority of the outstanding shares, the adverse vote will be deemed to be an
indication to the Board of Directors that it should consider selecting other
independent certified public accountants for 2000. Because of the difficulty and
expense of making any substitution of auditors after the beginning of the
current year, it is the intention of the Board of Directors that the appointment
of Arthur Andersen LLP for the year 1999 will stand unless for other reasons the
Board of Directors deems it necessary or appropriate to make a change. The Board
of Directors also retains the power to appoint another independent public
accountant to replace an independent public accountant ratified by the
shareholders in the event the Board of Directors determines that the interests
of the Company require such a change.
A representative of Arthur Andersen LLP is expected to be present at the
Meeting, will be provided the opportunity to make a statement if he or she so
desires, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions of
shareholders.
RECOMMENDATION
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS INTENDS TO VOTE ALL PROXIES HELD BY IT IN FAVOR OF
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP TO AUDIT THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY. YOU ARE URGED TO VOTE FOR PROPOSAL 2.
PROPOSAL 3. OTHER MATTERS
Management is not aware of any other matters to be raised at the Meeting. If
any other matter not mentioned in this Proxy Statement is brought before the
Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy will have discretionary
authority to vote all proxies with respect thereto in accordance with their
judgment.
15
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any shareholder desiring to submit a proposal for inclusion in next year's
Proxy Statement, must assure that their proposal is received on or before
December 3, 1999. All such shareholder proposals must be mailed, e-mailed,
faxed, or otherwise delivered by other electronic media to the attention of the
Company's secretary at its executive offices located at 1227 Bridge Street,
Suite C, Yuba City, California 95991. Finally, all shareholder proposals must
meet the requirements set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission Rule
14a-8.
April 2, 1999
Yuba City, California
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Annette Dier Bertolini
ANNETTE DIER BERTOLINI, SECRETARY
16
<PAGE>
PROXY
CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT BANCORP
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
MAY 19, 1999
The undersigned holder of Common Stock acknowledges receipt of a copy of the
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders of California Independent Bancorp and
the accompanying Proxy Statement dated April 2, 1999, and, revoking any Proxy
heretofore given, hereby constitutes and appoints David A. Offutt, Louis F.
Tarke, and William H. Gilbert, and each of them, with full power of
substitution, as attorneys and proxies to appear and vote all of the shares of
Common Stock of California Independent Bancorp, a California corporation,
standing in the name of the undersigned which the undersigned could vote if
personally present and acting at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
California Independent Bancorp, to be held at Feather River State Bank, 777
Colusa Avenue, Yuba City, California, on Wednesday, May 19, 1999, at 6:00 p.m.,
or at any adjournment thereof, upon the following items as set forth in the
Notice of Meeting and Proxy Statement and to vote according to their discretion
on all matters which may be properly presented for action at the meeting or any
adjournments thereof. All properly executed proxies will be voted as indicated.
UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE FOLLOWING
ITEMS:
1. To elect as directors the nominees set forth below:
/ / FOR all nominees listed below (except as marked to the contrary
below).
/ / WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below.
INSTRUCTION:
To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, circle and initial the
nominees name in the list below:
J. Dowdell, H. Eastridge, W. Gilbert, D. Livingstone, A. Montna, R. Mulder, D.
Offutt, W. Retzer, R. Scott, L. Tarke, and M. Wheeler
(CONTINUED ON THE REVERSE SIDE)
<PAGE>
2. To approve the proposal to ratify the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP
as independent public accountants for the Company's 1999 fiscal year.
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THIS
PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
I/WE do / / or; I/WE do not / / expect to attend this meeting.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY AND ON THE BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND
MAY BE REVOKED PRIOR TO ITS EXERCISE. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE
VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE,
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1 AND 2 AND DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY WILL
BE GRANTED AS TO PROPOSAL 3.
PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME APPEARS ON THE SHARE CERTIFICATES. WHEN
SHARES ARE HELD BY JOINT TENANTS, ALL JOINT OWNERS SHOULD SIGN. WHEN SIGNING AS
ATTORNEY, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE OR GUARDIAN, PLEASE GIVE FULL TITLE
AS SUCH. IF MORE THAN ONE PERSON IS SERVING IN SUCH A CAPACITY, ALL SHOULD SIGN.
_______________________________
Signature
_______________________________
Signature
Date __________________________
