SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
BERKSHIRE BANK
401(k) Plan
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 6036 Being applied for
(State or Other (Primary Standard (IRS Employer
Jurisdiction of Industrial Identification No.)
Incorporation or Classification Code Number)
Organization)
24 North Street
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201
(413) 443-5601
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(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
James A. Cunningham, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Berkshire Bank
24 North Street
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201
(413) 443-5601
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Douglas P. Faucette, Esquire
Lawrence M. F. Spaccasi, Esquire
Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP
5101 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20016
(202) 362-0840
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. [X]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. [_]
(1) Includes shares of Common Stock to be issued to Berkshire Hills Foundation,
Inc., a private foundation.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.
(3) In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act, this
registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to
be offered or sold pursuant to the employee benefit plan described herein.
(4) The securities of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. to be purchased by Berkshire
Bank 401(k) Plan are included in the amount shown for Common Stock.
Accordingly, no separate fee is required for the participation interests. In
accordance with Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act, as amended, the
registration fee has been calculated on the basis of the number of shares of
Common Stock that may be purchased with the current assets of such Plan.
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a), may determine.
INTERESTS IN
BERKSHIRE BANK
401(k) Plan
and
Offering of 592,924 Shares of
This prospectus supplement relates to the offer and sale to participants in the Berkshire Bank 401(k) Plan of participation interests and shares of common stock of Berkshire Hills.
The Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank has adopted a plan to convert Berkshire Bancorp, the mutual holding company for Berkshire Bank, to a stock holding company. As part of the conversion, Berkshire Hills has been established to acquire all of the stock of Berkshire Bank and simultaneously offer Berkshire Hills common stock to the public under certain purchase priorities in the plan of conversion. After the conversion, Berkshire Bancorp will cease to exist.
In connection with the offering of Berkshire Hills common stock, 401(k)
Plan participants are now permitted to direct the trustee of the 401(k) Plan to
use their current account balances to subscribe for and purchase shares of
Berkshire Hills common stock through the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund. Based
upon the value of the 401(k) Plan assets at December 31, 1999, the trustee of
the 401(k) Plan could purchase up to 592,924 shares of Berkshire Hills common
stock assuming a purchase price of $10.00 per share. This prospectus supplement
relates to the election of 401(k) Plan participants to direct the trustee of the
401(k) Plan to invest all or a portion of their 401(k) Plan accounts in
Berkshire Hills common stock.
The prospectus dated _______________________________, 2000, of Berkshire Hills, which we have attached to this prospectus supplement, includes detailed information regarding the conversion, the common stock and the financial condition, results of operations and business of Berkshire Bank. This prospectus supplement provides information regarding the 401(k) Plan. You should read this prospectus supplement together with the prospectus and keep both for future reference.
Please refer to "Risk Factors" beginning on page __ of the prospectus.
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is ____________________, 2000.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, THE MASSACHUSETTS DIVISION OF BANKS, THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, NOR ANY OTHER STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS UNLAWFUL.
This prospectus supplement may be used only in connection with offers and
sales by Berkshire Hills of interests or shares of common stock pursuant to the
401(k) Plan. No one may use this prospectus supplement to reoffer or resell
interests or shares of common stock acquired through the 401(k) Plan.
Berkshire Bank has not authorized any person to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in the prospectus or this prospectus supplement, and, if given or made, no one may rely on such information or representations as having been authorized by Berkshire Bank or the 401(k) Plan. This prospectus supplement does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. Neither the delivery of this prospectus supplement and the prospectus nor any sale of common stock shall under any circumstances create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of Berkshire Bank or the 401(k) Plan since the date of this prospectus supplement, or that the information contained in this prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference is correct as of any time subsequent to the date hereof.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE OFFERING.................................................... 1 Securities Offered............................................ 1 Election to Purchase the Common Stock in the Conversion....... 1 Value of Participation Interests.............................. 1 Method of Directing Transfer.................................. 1 Time for Directing Transfer................................... 2 Irrevocability of Transfer Direction.......................... 2 Direction to Purchase the Common Stock After the Conversion... 2 Purchase Price of the Common Stock............................ 2 Nature of a Participant's Interest in the Common Stock........ 2 Voting and Tender Rights of the Common Stock.................. 3 DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN......................................... 3 Introduction.................................................. 3 Eligibility and Participation................................. 4 Contributions Under the Plan.................................. 4 Limitations on Contributions.................................. 4 Investment of Contributions................................... 5 Benefits Under the Plan....................................... 7 Withdrawals and Distributions from the Plan................... 7 Administration of the Plan.................................... 8 Reports to Plan Participants.................................. 8 Plan Administrator............................................ 8 Amendment and Termination..................................... 8 Merger, Consolidation or Transfer............................. 9 Federal Income Tax Consequences............................... 9 ERISA and Other Qualification................................. 10 Restrictions on Resale........................................ 10 SEC Reporting and Short-Swing Profit Liability................ 10 LEGAL OPINION................................................... 11 |
THE OFFERING
Securities Offered
The securities offered in connection with this prospectus supplement are participation interests in the 401(k) Plan. Assuming a purchase price of $10.00 per share, the trustee may acquire up to 592,924 shares of common stock for the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund. Berkshire Hills, the proposed holding company for Berkshire Bank, is the issuer of the common stock. Only employees of Berkshire Bank may participate in the 401(k) Plan. The interests offered under this prospectus supplement are conditioned on the consummation of the conversion. Your investment in the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund in connection with the conversion is subject to priorities set forth in the plan of conversion of Berkshire Bank.
This prospectus supplement contains information regarding the 401(k) Plan. The attached prospectus contains information regarding the conversion and the financial condition, results of operations and business of Berkshire Bank. The address of the principal executive office of Berkshire Bank is 24 North Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201. The telephone number of Berkshire Bank is (413) 443-5601.
Election to Purchase the Common Stock in the Conversion
In connection with the conversion, Berkshire Bank has amended the 401(k) Plan to permit you to direct the trustee to transfer all or part of the funds which represent your beneficial interest in the assets of the 401(k) Plan to the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund. The trustee of the 401(k) Plan will subscribe for common stock offered for sale in connection with the conversion in accordance with each participant's direction. In the event the conversion offering is oversubscribed and some or all of your funds cannot be used to purchase common stock in the conversion offering, the trustee will reallocate the amount not invested in common stock on a proportionate basis to the other investment options you have selected.
All plan participants are eligible to direct a transfer of funds to the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund. However, such directions are subject to the purchase priorities in the plan of conversion of Berkshire Bancorp. Participants who had a savings account of $50.00 or more on September 30, 1998, at Berkshire Bank have first priority. No 401(k) Plan participants may purchase in the subscription offering more than $250,000 of the common stock.
Value of Participation Interests
As of December 31, 1999, the market value of the assets of the 401(k) Plan totaled $5,929,249. The plan administrator informed each participant of the value of his or her beneficial interest in the 401(k) Plan as of December 31, 1999. The value of plan assets represents the past contributions to the 401(k) Plan by or on behalf of the participants of the 401(k) Plan, plus or minus earnings or losses on the contributions, less previous withdrawals.
Method of Directing Transfer
If you want to use your 401(k) Plan funds to purchase common stock in the Berkshire Hills initial public offering, you must make a transfer of funds into the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund from the other investment funds in which your funds are invested. You must do this by completing the attached form and submitting it to Human Resources. The trustee will submit an order form on your behalf to purchase the maximum number of shares in the initial public offering that can be purchased with the funds you transferred to the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund. If you do not wish to make such an election at this time, you do not need to take any action.
Time for Directing Transfer
The deadline for submitting a direction to transfer amounts to the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund in connection with the conversion is ten (10) days prior to ____________________, the Expiration Date of the offering. You should return the Contribution and Investment Form attached to this prospectus supplement to the Human Resources Department of Berkshire Bank by __:__ p.m. on __________.
Irrevocability of Transfer Direction
Your direction to transfer amounts credited to your account in the 401(k) Plan to the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund in connection with the conversion cannot be changed. Pending completion of the initial public offering, the funds you transfer to the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund will be held in an interest-bearing account at Berkshire Bank on the same terms as other subscribers in the initial public offering, as described in the attached prospectus.
Direction to Purchase the Common Stock After the Conversion
After the conversion, you may direct the trustee of the 401(k) Plan to
transfer a certain percentage (in multiples of not less than 1%) of the net
value of your interests in the trust fund to the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund or
to the other investment funds available under the 401(k) Plan. Alternatively,
you may direct the trustee of the 401(k) Plan to transfer a certain percentage
of your interest in the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund to the trust fund and
invested in accordance with the terms of the 401(k) Plan. You may direct the
trustee to invest future contributions made to the 401(k) Plan on your behalf in
the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund or any of the other funds available under the
401(k) Plan. Following your initial election, you may change the allocation of
your interest in the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund on the first day of any calendar
quarter by submitting an appropriate form to the plan administrator. You may
obtain a form from the Human Resources Department of Berkshire Bank. Special
restrictions may apply to transfers directed by those participants who are
officers, directors and principal shareholders of Berkshire Bank who are subject
to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Purchase Price of the Common Stock
The trustee will use the funds transferred to the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund to purchase shares of common stock in the conversion. The trustee will pay the same price for shares of common stock as all other persons who purchase shares of the common stock in the conversion.
Nature of a Participant's Interest in the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund
With the other investment funds in the 401(k) Plan, the funds purchase their underlying investment every pay period. Each investment fund's unit value is updated every day based on the total value of its underlying investments and the number of units held in the fund. Distributions, withdrawals, loans and investment transfers occur without having to wait until the end of the calendar quarter. Loan and transfer requests are made through the Voice Response System ("VRS"). However, the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund differs from the other investment options in the 401(k) Plan in the following ways:
. Any of your elective deferrals that you direct into the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund are invested in the fund every pay period (as your deferrals are withheld from each paycheck). However, your money is invested in a money market fund and earns interest until the end of the calendar quarter, at which time the cash is used to buy Berkshire Hills common stock.
. The Berkshire Hills Stock Fund's unit values are determined only at the end of a calendar quarter, based on the market value of all Berkshire Hills common stock the fund holds. The units you hold do not represent an equivalent number of Berkshire Hills common stock, but instead reflect your portion of the fund's holdings.
. The value of your investment in the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund that you can obtain from the VRS will be its value based on the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund unit value at the close of the prior calendar quarter plus your deferrals, which are being held in money market fund until the end of the calendar quarter.
. If you invest in the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund, all distributions and investment transfers you make involving that fund are done only at the end of the applicable calendar quarter using the appropriate administrative form, which must reach Human Resources at least two weeks before the end of the calendar quarter. Transfers into or out of the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund cannot be initiated in the VRS.
. Withdrawals can only be drawn from your Berkshire Hills Stock Fund at the end of a calendar quarter, unlike the other funds, which can be drawn against on any day. Therefore, withdrawals will be drawn first from the other funds, not your interest in the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund. Only if there is not enough money in your other funds to meet your withdrawal amount will the remainder be drawn from your interest in the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund at the end of the calendar quarter. In that event, the entire amount of your withdrawal will not be made until after the end of the calendar quarter.
. When you request from the VRS the amount available for loan, the amount will not include your interest in the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund. If you wish to borrow from your interest in the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund, you must first transfer an amount out of the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund, equal to twice the amount you wish to borrow, into one of the other investment funds. Then you can follow the usual procedures to request a loan from that investment fund.
Voting and Tender Rights of the Common Stock
The plan administrator generally will exercise voting rights attributable
to all of the common stock held by the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund. However, in
the event that a significant corporate transaction is proposed to the
shareholders of Berkshire Hills, such as a tender offer, the trustees of the
401(k) Plan may pass-through to you the voting or tender rights of shares in the
Berkshire Hills Stock Fund that represent your interest in the fund. The number
of shares of the common stock held in the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund that the
trustee votes in the affirmative and negative on each matter shall be
proportionate to the number of voting instruction rights exercised by
participants in the affirmative and negative, respectively. For matters not
involving a tender offer, the plan administrator will direct the vote of
allocated shares and participants will not have an opportunity to direct the
voting of shares.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN
Introduction
Effective February 1, 2000, Berkshire Bank adopted the Berkshire Bank
401(k) Plan in the SBERA Common and Collective Trust. Berkshire Bank intends
for the 401(k) Plan to comply, in form and in operation, with all applicable
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act, most commonly referred to as "ERISA." Berkshire Bank may amend
the 401(k) Plan from time to time in the future to ensure continued compliance
with these laws. Berkshire Bank may also amend the 401(k) Plan from time to
time in the future to add, modify, or eliminate certain features of the plan, as
it sees fit. As a plan subject to ERISA, federal law provides you with various
rights and protections as a plan participant. Although the 401(k) Plan is
subject to many of the provisions of ERISA, your benefits under the plan are not
guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
APPLICABLE FEDERAL TAX LAW REQUIRES THE 401(K) PLAN TO IMPOSE SUBSTANTIAL RESTRICTIONS ON YOUR RIGHT TO WITHDRAW AMOUNTS HELD UNDER THE PLAN PRIOR TO YOUR TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT WITH BERKSHIRE BANK. FEDERAL LAW MAY ALSO IMPOSE AN EXCISE TAX ON WITHDRAWALS MADE FROM THE 401(k) PLAN PRIOR TO YOUR ATTAINMENT OF AGE 59-1/2, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE WITHDRAWAL OCCURS DURING YOUR EMPLOYMENT WITH BERKSHIRE BANK OR AFTER TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
Eligibility and Participation
Any employee of Berkshire Bank may participate in the 401(k) Plan as of the first day of the month following completion of a "year of service" and attainment of age twenty-one. For purposes of the 401(k) Plan, you generally complete a "year of service" when you complete 1,000 hours of service with Berkshire Bank within a twelve-consecutive-month period measured from your date of hire.
As of October 31, 1999, approximately 239 out of 254 then eligible employees had elected to participate in the 401(k) Plan.
Contributions Under the Plan
Limitations on Contributions
In general, a Highly Compensated Employee includes any employee who (1) was a five percent owner of the employer at any time during the year or preceding year; or (2) had compensation for the preceding year in excess of $85,000 and, if the employer so elects, was in the top 20% of employees by compensation for the year. The dollar amounts in the foregoing sentence are for 2000. Such amounts are adjusted annually to reflect increases in the cost of living.
In order to prevent the disqualification of the 401(k) Plan, any amount contributed by Highly Compensated Employees that exceed the average deferral limitation in any plan year ("excess contributions"), together with any income allocable thereto, must be distributed to such Highly Compensated Employees before the close of the following plan year. Berkshire Bank will be subject to a 10% excise tax on any excess contributions unless such excess contributions, together with any income allocable thereto, either are recharacterized or are distributed before the close of the first 2 1/2 months following the plan year to which such excess contributions relate.
In general, the 401(k) Plan will be regarded as a "Top-Heavy Plan" for any
plan year if, as of the last day of the preceding plan year, the aggregate
balance of the accounts of participants who are Key Employees (as defined below)
exceeds 60% of the aggregate balance of the accounts of all participants. Key
Employees generally include any employee who, at any time during the plan year
or any of the four preceding plan years, is (1) an officer of the Bank having
annual compensation in excess of $60,000 who is in an administrative or policy-
making capacity, (2) one of the ten employees having annual compensation in
excess of $30,000 and owning, directly or indirectly, the largest interests in
Berkshire Bank, (3) a 5% owner of Berkshire Bank, (i.e., owns directly or
indirectly more than 5% of the stock of Berkshire Bank, or stock possessing more
than 5% of the total combined voting power of all stock of Berkshire Bank) or
(4) a 1% owner of Berkshire Bank having annual compensation in excess of
$150,000. The dollar amounts in the foregoing sentence are for 2000.
Investment of Contributions
All amounts credited to participants' accounts under the 401(k) Plan are held in trust. A trustee appointed by the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank administers the trust.
Immediately prior to [insert date of Prospectus here], the 401(k) Plan offered the following investment choices:
Money Market Account: The money market account seeks to maximize current income while preserving capital and liquidity. The money market account intends to maintain a consistent net cash value of $1.00 per share. The objective of the money market account is to consistently out-perform the Donoghue Money Fund Average. The Savings Bank Employees Retirement Association manages the money market account.
Asset Allocation Account: The asset allocation account seeks to offer a competitive long-term total return and below-average volatility through a balanced and diversified investment approach. The asset allocation account invests in a carefully selected portfolio of mutual funds that emphasize either equity, fixed income, or money market securities, both foreign and domestic. Putnam Investments manages the asset allocation account.
Equity Account: The equity account seeks long-term growth of capital and income by investing in common stocks of domestic and foreign companies. Five investment advisors selected by the Board of Trustees of the Savings Bank Employees Retirement Association manage the equity account.
Bond Account: The bond account seeks to produce a positive real rate of return after inflation with a high degree of stability and limited volatility. The entire portfolio of the bond account consists of United States Treasury obligations, Government National Mortgage Association mortgage-backed certificates, other United States Agency obligations and cash equivalents. The bond account seeks to exceed the returns of the Lehman Brothers Mortgage Backed securities Index. Putnam Investment Management manages the bond account.
Enhanced Index Account: The enhanced index account is a domestic common stock portfolio. The enhanced index account seeks to consistently provide excess returns over the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. The enhanced index account controls risk by maintaining portfolio characteristics and industry weights similar to those of the S&P 500 Index. Fidelity Management Trust Company manages the enhanced index account.
Index 500 Account: The Index 500 account attempts to provide investment results that parallel the performance of the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index. The portfolio holds all of the 500 underlying securities in proportion to their weighting in the index. The Index 500 account expects to provide investors with long-term growth of capital and income. The Vanguard Group manages the Index 500 account.
International Equity Account: The international equity account seeks to obtain long-term growth through a diversified portfolio of marketable equity securities of foreign companies. The international equity account looks to outperform the Morgan Stanley Capital International EAFE (Europe, Australia, Far East) Index in U.S. dollars over a market cycle. Putnam International Equity Management manages the international equity account.
Small Cap Equity Account: The small cap equity account seeks capital appreciation. The small cap equity account is designed for investors willing to assume above-average risk in exchange for above-average capital potential. The account invests primarily in common stocks of small to medium-sized companies that the account's investment advisor believes have potential for capital appreciation significantly greater than the market average. Putnam Investment Management manages the small cap equity account.
In connection with the Conversion, the 401(k) Plan now provides the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund as an additional choice to these investment alternatives. The Berkshire Hills Stock Fund will invest primarily in the common stock of Berkshire Hills. Participants in the 401(k) Plan may direct the trustee to invest all or a portion of their 401(k) Plan account balance in the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund.
On the first day of any calendar quarter you may elect (in increments of 1%), to have both past and future contributions and additions to your accounts invested in the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund. Your election becomes effective as of the last day of the calendar quarter for which you make the election, provided you file written notice with the plan administrator at least 15 days before it is to become effective.
Prior to the Conversion and implementation of the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund, contributions under the 401(k) Plan were invested in the funds specified below. The annual percentage return on these funds for the prior three years was:
1999 1998 1997
-----------------------
a. Money Market Account 5.05% 5.40% 5.45%
b. Asset Allocation Account 31.73 13.68 14.57
c. Equity Account 37.16 13.98 21.99
d. Bond Account 1.19 7.41 8.79
e. Enhanced Index Account 19.47 28.87 29.03
f. Index 500 Account 21.28 28.79 33.28
g. International Equity Account 59.79 12.91 12.61
h.Small Cap Equity Account 85.11 7.11 17.20
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The Berkshire Hills Stock Fund will consist of investments primarily in the common stock of Berkshire Hills made on and after the effective date of the Conversion. After the conversion, the trustee of the 401(k) Plan will, to the extent practicable, use all amounts held by it in the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund, including cash dividends paid on the common stock held in the fund, to purchase shares of common stock of Berkshire Hills. Berkshire Bank expects that the trustee will make all purchases of common stock at prevailing market prices.
As of the date of this prospectus supplement, none of the shares of common stock have been issued or are outstanding and there is no established market for the common stock of Berkshire Bank. Accordingly, there is no record of the historical performance of the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund. Performance of the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund depends on a number of factors, including the financial condition and profitability of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank and market conditions for the common stock generally.
Investments in the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund may involve certain special risks in investments in the common stock of Berkshire Hills. For a discussion of these risk factors, see "Risk Factors" in the prospectus.
Benefits Under the Plan
Withdrawals and Distributions From the 401(k) Plan
hardship distribution, the trustee will make the distribution pro rata from the investment funds in which you have invested your account balances. You may not receive more than one hardship withdrawal in any calendar year. Hardship withdrawals may not be paid back to the 401(k) Plan.
Administration of the Plan
The trustee receives, holds and invests the contributions to the 401(k) Plan in trust and distributes them to participants and beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of the plan and the directions of the plan administrator. The trustee is responsible for investment of the assets of the trust.
Reports to Plan Participants
The plan administrator will furnish you a statement at least quarterly showing (i) the balance in your account as of the end of that period, (ii) the amount of contributions allocated to your account for that period, and (iii) the adjustments to your account to reflect earnings or losses (if any).
Plan Administrator
Currently, the plan administrator of the 401(k) Plan is Thomas Forese, Jr., SBERA, 69 Cummings Park, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801, (781) 938-3500. The plan administrator is responsible for the administration of the 401(k) Plan, interpretation of the provisions of the plan, prescribing procedures for filing applications for benefits, preparation and distribution of information explaining the plan, maintenance of plan records, books of account and all other data necessary for the proper administration of the plan, and preparation and filing of all returns and reports relating to the plan which are required to be filed with the U.S. Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service, and for all disclosures required to be made to participants, beneficiaries and others under ERISA.
Amendment and Termination
Berkshire Bank intends to continue the 401(k) Plan indefinitely. Nevertheless, Berkshire Bank may terminate the 401(k) Plan at any time. If Berkshire Bank terminates the 401(k) Plan in whole or in part, then regardless of other provisions in the plan, all participants affected by such termination
shall become fully vested in their accounts. Berkshire Bank reserves the right to make, from time to time, any amendment or amendments to the 401(k) Plan which do not cause any part of the trust to be used for, or diverted to, any purpose other than the exclusive benefit of participants or their beneficiaries; provided, however, that Berkshire Bank may amend the plan as it determines necessary or desirable, with or without retroactive effect, to comply with ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code.
Merger, Consolidation or Transfer
In the event of the merger or consolidation of the 401(k) Plan with another plan, or the transfer of the trust assets to another plan, the plan requires that you would (if either the plan or the other plan then terminated) receive a benefit immediately after the merger, consolidation or transfer which is equal to or greater than the benefit you would have been entitled to receive immediately before the merger, consolidation or transfer (if the plan had then terminated).
Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is only a brief summary of the material federal income tax aspects of the 401(k) Plan. You should not rely on this summary as a complete or definitive description of the material federal income tax consequences relating to the 401(k) Plan. Statutory provisions change, as do their interpretations, and their application may vary in individual circumstances. Finally, the consequences under applicable state and local income tax laws may not be the same as under the federal income tax laws. You are urged to consult your tax advisor with respect to any distribution from the 401(k) Plan and transactions involving the 401(k) Plan.
As a "qualified retirement plan," the Internal Revenue Code affords the
401(k) Plan special tax treatment, including:
(1) the sponsoring employer is allowed an immediate tax deduction for the amount contributed to the plan each year;
(2) participants pay no current income tax on amounts contributed by the employer on their behalf; and
(3) earnings of the plan are tax-deferred thereby permitting the tax- deferred accumulation of income and gains on investments.
Berkshire Bank will administer the 401(k) Plan to comply in operation with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code as of the applicable effective date of any change in the law. If Berkshire Bank receives an adverse determination letter regarding its tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, all participants would generally recognize income equal to their vested interest in the 401(k) Plan, the participants would not be permitted to transfer amounts distributed from the 401(k) Plan to an Individual Retirement Account or to another qualified retirement plan, and Berkshire Bank may be denied certain deductions taken with respect to the 401(k) Plan.
Lump Sum Distribution. A distribution from the 401(k) Plan to a participant or the beneficiary of a participant will qualify as a lump sum distribution if it is made within one taxable year, on account of the participant's death, disability or separation from service, or after the participant attains age 59 1/2; and consists of the balance to the credit of the participant under this plan and all other profit sharing plans, if any, maintained by Berkshire Bank. The portion of any lump sum distribution required to be included in your taxable income for federal income tax purposes consists of the entire amount of the lump sum distribution less the amount of after-tax contributions, if any, you have made to this plan and any other profit sharing plans maintained by Berkshire Bank which is included in the distribution.
Distributions: Rollovers and Direct Transfers to Another Qualified Plan or to an IRA. You may roll over virtually all distributions from the 401(k) Plan to another qualified plan or to an individual retirement account generally in accordance with the terms of the other plan or account.
We have provided you with a brief description of the material federal income tax aspects of the 401(k) Plan which are of general application under the Code. It is not intended to be a complete or definitive description of the federal income tax consequences of participating in or receiving distributions from the 401(k) Plan. Accordingly, you are urged to consult a tax advisor concerning the federal, state and local tax consequences of participating in and receiving distributions from the 401(k) Plan.
ERISA and Other Qualification
As noted above, the 401(k) Plan is subject to certain provisions of ERISA and is intended to be a qualified retirement plan under the Internal Revenue Code.
Restrictions on Resale
Any person receiving a distribution of shares of common stock under the
401(k) Plan who is an "affiliate" of Berkshire Hills under Rules 144 and 405
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") (e.g.,
directors, officers and substantial shareholders of the Bank) may reoffer or
resell such shares only pursuant to a registration statement filed under the
Securities Act assuming the availability of a registration statement, pursuant
to Rule 144 or some other exemption of the registration requirements of the
Securities Act. Any person who may be an "affiliate" of Berkshire Bank may wish
to consult with counsel before transferring any common stock they own. In
addition, participants are advised to consult with counsel as to the
applicability of Section 16 of the 1934 Act which may restrict the sale of
common stock acquired under the 401(k) Plan, or other sales of common stock.
SEC Reporting and Short-Swing Profit Liability
Section 16 of the 1934 Act imposes reporting and liability requirements on officers, directors and persons beneficially owning more than ten percent of public companies such as Berkshire Hills. Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act requires the filing of reports of beneficial ownership. Within ten days of becoming a person subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a), a Form 3 reporting initial beneficial ownership must be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain changes in beneficial ownership, such as purchases, sales, gifts and participation in savings and retirement plans must be reported periodically, either on a Form 4 within ten days after the end of the month in which a change occurs, or annually on a Form 5 within 45 days after the close of Berkshire Bank' fiscal year. Participation in the Berkshire Hills Stock Fund of the 401(k) Plan by officers, directors and persons beneficially
owning more than ten percent of common stock of Berkshire Hills must be reported to the SEC annually on a Form 5 by such individuals.
In addition to the reporting requirements described above, Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act provides for the recovery by Berkshire Hills of profits realized by any officer, director or any person beneficially owning more than ten percent of the common stock ("Section 16(b) Persons") resulting from the purchase and sale or sale and purchase of the common stock within any six-month period.
The SEC has adopted rules that exempt many transactions involving the
401(k) Plan from the "short-swing" profit recovery provisions of Section
16(b).The exemptions generally involve restrictions upon the timing of elections
to buy or sell employer securities for the accounts of Section 16(b) Persons.
Except for distributions of the common stock due to death, disability, retirement, termination of employment or under a qualified domestic relations order, Section 16(b) Persons may, under limited circumstances involving the purchase of common stock within six months of the distribution, be required to hold shares of the common stock distributed from the 401(k) Plan for six months following such distribution.
LEGAL OPINION
The validity of the issuance of the common stock will be passed upon by Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP, Washington, D.C. Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP, who acted as special counsel for Berkshire Bank in connection with the conversion.
Name of Plan participant: ________________________________
Social Security Number: ________________________________
To direct a transfer of all or a part of the funds credited to your accounts to the Employer Stock Fund, you should complete and file this form with the Human Resources Department, no later than 10 days prior to the expiration date of the Offering. A representative for the Plan Administrator will retain a copy of this form and return a copy to you. If you need any assistance in completing this form, please contact the Human Resource Department. If you do not complete and return this form to the Plan Administrator by ____________, 2000, the funds credited to your accounts under the 401(k) Plan will continue to be invested in accordance with your prior investment direction, or in accordance with the terms of the 401(k) Plan if no investment direction has been provided.
2. Investment Directions. I hereby authorize the Plan Administrator to direct the Trustee to invest the following percentage (in multiples of not less than 1%) of my accounts in the Employer Stock Fund:
a. Money Market Account _______% b. Equity Account _______% c. Bond Account _______% d. Asset Allocation Account _______% e. Index 500 Account _______% f. Enhanced Index Account _______% g. Small Cap Equity Account _______% h. International Equity Account _______% |
3. Purchaser Information. The ability of participants in the 401(k) Plan to purchase common stock in the Conversion and to direct their current account balances into the Employer Stock Fund is based upon the participant's status as an Eligible Account Holder or Supplemental Eligible Account Holder. Please indicate your status.
a. [ ] Eligible Account Holder - Check here if you were a depositor
with $50.00 or more on deposit with Berkshire Bank,
September 30, 1998.
b. [ ] Supplemental Eligible Account Holder - Check here if you
were a depositor with $50.00 or more on deposit with
Berkshire Bank as of September 30, 1999, but are not an
Eligible Account Holder.
c. [ ] Trustees, Corporators, directors, officers and employees of
Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. who do not
otherwise qualify as an Eligible Account Holder or
Supplemental Eligible Account Holder.
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4. Acknowledgment of Participant. I understand that this Contribution and Investment Form shall be subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan. I acknowledge that I have received a copy of the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement.
Signature of Participant Date
THE PARTICIPATION INTERESTS REPRESENTED BY COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY ARE NOT DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE BANK INSURANCE FUND OR THE SAVINGS ASSOCIATION INSURANCE FUND OF THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY AND ARE NOT GUARANTEED BY THE COMPANY OR BANK. THE COMMON STOCK IS SUBJECT TO INVESTMENT RISK, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF THE PRINCIPAL INVESTED.
[To be used in connection with Syndicated Community Offering only]
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT FOR SYNDICATED COMMUNITY OFFERING
[LOGO] BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
(Proposed Holding Company for Berkshire Bank)
24 North Street
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201
(413) 443-5601
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Berkshire Bancorp, the mutual holding company for Berkshire Bank, is converting to a stock holding company. After the conversion, Berkshire Hills will own all of Berkshire Bank's stock. Berkshire Hills has already received subscriptions for _________ shares. Up to ________ shares will be sold in the conversion. The conversion will not be completed and no common stock will be sold unless additional subscriptions are received for at least the minimum number of shares in the offering. Berkshire Hills will hold all funds of subscribers in an interest-bearing savings account at Berkshire Bank until the conversion is completed or terminated. Funds will be returned promptly with interest if the conversion is terminated.
Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. will use its best efforts to assist Berkshire Hills in selling at least the minimum number of shares but does not guarantee that this number will be sold. Neither Sandler O'Neill nor any selected broker-dealer is obligated to purchase any shares of common stock in the syndicated community offering. Sandler O'Neill intends to make a market in the common stock.
PRICE PER SHARE: $10.00
MINIMUM SUBSCRIPTION REQUIREMENT: 25 shares or $250
EXPECTED TRADING MARKET AND SYMBOL: American Stock Exchange "___________"
This offering will expire no later than 12:00 noon, Eastern time, on ____________, 2000, unless extended.
. Number of Shares Minimum/Maximum
. Estimated Underwriting Commissions and Other Expenses Minimum/Maximum
. Estimated Net Offering Proceeds to Berkshire Hills Minimum/Maximum
. Estimated Net Offering Proceeds per Share to Berkshire Hills Minimum/Maximum
Please refer to "Risk Factors" beginning on page __ of the attached Prospectus dated ________ __, 2000.
These securities are not deposits or accounts and are not insured or guaranteed by Berkshire Hills, Berkshire Bank, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc. or any other federal or state government agency. The common stock is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of money invested.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Massachusetts Division of Banks, nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representations to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P.
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is _______________, 2000
THE SYNDICATED COMMUNITY OFFERING
Berkshire Hills is offering for sale between ___________ and __________ shares of common stock at price of $10.00 per share in a syndicated community offering. These shares are to be sold in connection with the conversion of Berkshire Bancorp to a stock holding company and the issuance of Berkshire Bank's outstanding capital stock to Berkshire Hills. The remaining __________ shares of common stock to be sold in connection with the conversion have been subscribed for in subscription and direct community offerings. The prospectus in the form used in the subscription and direct community offerings is attached to this prospectus supplement. The purchase price for all shares sold in the syndicated community offering will be the same as the price paid by subscribers in the subscription and direct community offerings.
Funds sent with purchase orders will earn interest at the Berkshire Bank's passbook rate from the date Berkshire Bank receives them until the completion or termination of the conversion. If the syndicated community offering is not completed by _________________, 2000, and the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner allows more time to complete the conversion, Berkshire Bank will contact everyone who subscribed for shares to see if they still want to purchase stock. Subscribers will be able to confirm, modify or cancel their subscriptions. A failure to respond will be treated as a cancellation of the purchase order. If payment for the stock was made by check or money order, subscription funds will be returned with accrued interest. If payment was authorized by withdrawal of funds on deposit at Berkshire Bank, that authorization would terminate. The conversion must be completed by October 22, 2001.
The minimum number of shares which may be purchased is 25 shares. Except for the Berkshire Bank employee stock ownership plan, which intends to purchase up to 8% of the total number of shares of common stock sold in the conversion, no person, together with related persons and persons acting together, may purchase more than $250,000 of common stock (25,000 shares) in the syndicated community offering. However, the maximum amount of shares of common stock that may be subscribed for or purchased in all categories of the conversion by any person, related persons or persons acting together is 1.0% of the shares of common stock sold in the conversion. Berkshire Hills reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to accept or reject, in whole or in part, any or all subscriptions in the syndicated community offering. If a subscription is rejected in part, you cannot cancel the remainder of your order.
Berkshire Hills, Berkshire Bancorp and Berkshire Bank have engaged Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. as their financial advisor to assist them in the sale of the common stock in the syndicated community offering. Sandler O'Neill expects to use the services of other registered broker-dealers and that fees to Sandler O'Neill and other selected broker-dealers will not exceed 6% of the aggregate purchase price of the shares sold in the syndicated community offering.
Before this offering, there has not been a public market for the common stock, and there can be no assurance that an active and liquid trading market for the common stock will develop. The absence or discontinuance of an active and liquid trading market may hurt the market price of the common stock. See "Risk Factors--Berkshire Hills cannot assure or guarantee an active trading market for the common stock." in the attached prospectus.
PROSPECTUS
[LOGO]
BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
(Proposed Holding Company for Berkshire Bank)
8,314,500 Shares of Common Stock
Berkshire Bancorp, the mutual holding company for Berkshire Bank, is converting to a stock holding company. After the conversion, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. will own all of Berkshire Bank's common stock.
Price Per Share: $10.00 Minimum Subscription Requirement: 25 shares or $250 Expected Trading Market and Symbol: American Stock Exchange "__________"
Minimum Maximum
----------- -----------
Number of shares: 6,145,500 8,314,500
Gross offering proceeds: $61,455,000 $83,145,000
Estimated underwriting commissions
and other offering expenses: $ 2,361,000 $ 2,658,000
Estimated net proceeds: $59,094,000 $80,487,000
Estimated net proceeds per share: $ 9.62 $ 9.68
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If the appraiser increases the estimated value, Berkshire Hills may increase the maximum number of shares by up to 15%, to 9,561,675 shares.
Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. will use its best efforts to assist Berkshire Hills in selling at least the minimum number of shares but does not guarantee that this number will be sold. Sandler O'Neill is not obligated to purchase any shares of common stock in the offering. Sandler O'Neill intends to make a market in the common stock.
The offering to depositors, officers, directors, trustees and employees of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Bancorp will end at 12:00 Noon, Eastern Time, on ________, 2000, unless extended. An offering to the general public may also be held and may end as early as 12:00 Noon, Eastern Time, on _________ __, 2000. If the conversion is not completed by _________ __, 2000, and the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner allows more time to complete the conversion, all subscribers will be able to increase, decrease or cancel their orders. All extensions may not go beyond October 22, 2001. Berkshire Hills will hold all funds of subscribers in an interest-bearing savings account until the conversion is completed or terminated. Funds will be returned promptly with interest if the conversion is terminated.
These securities are not deposits or accounts and are not insured or guaranteed by Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Hills, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc. or any other federal or state government agency. The common stock is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of money invested.
For a discussion of the material risks that you should consider, see "Risk Factors" beginning on page __.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Massachusetts Division of Banks, nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
For assistance, please contact the conversion center at (___) ___-____.
SANDLER O'NEILL & PARTNERS, L.P.
The date of this prospectus is ________, 2000.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
Summary.....................................................................................
Risk Factors................................................................................
Selected Consolidated Financial Information.................................................
Use of Proceeds.............................................................................
Dividend Policy.............................................................................
Market for Common Stock.....................................................................
Capitalization..............................................................................
Historical and Pro Forma Regulatory Capital Compliance......................................
Pro Forma Data..............................................................................
Comparison of Independent Valuation and Pro Forma Financial Information With and
Without the Foundation....................................................................
Berkshire Bancorp and Subsidiary Consolidated Statements of Income..........................
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition.................................
and Results of Operations..................................................................
Business of Berkshire Bancorp...............................................................
Business of Berkshire Hills.................................................................
Business of Berkshire Bank..................................................................
Management of Berkshire Hills...............................................................
Management of Berkshire Bank................................................................
Regulation and Supervision..................................................................
Federal and State Taxation of Income........................................................
Shares to Be Purchased by Management with Subscription Rights...............................
The Conversion..............................................................................
Restrictions on Acquisition of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank...........................
Description of Berkshire Hills Stock........................................................
Description of Berkshire Bank Stock.........................................................
Transfer Agent and Registrar................................................................
Registration Requirements...................................................................
Legal and Tax Opinions......................................................................
Experts.....................................................................................
Where You Can Find More Information.........................................................
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements--Berkshire Bancorp and Subsidiary................
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SUMMARY
You should read the entire prospectus carefully before you decide to invest. For assistance, please contact the conversion center at (___) ___-____.
THE COMPANIES
Berkshire Bancorp (page __) Berkshire Bancorp was formed in 1996 as the mutual
24 North Street holding company for Berkshire County Savings Bank.
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201 In the mutual holding company reorganization,
(413) 443-5601 Berkshire County Savings Bank converted from
mutual to stock form and issued all of its
outstanding stock to Berkshire Bancorp. Berkshire
Bancorp is governed by a Board of Trustees. All
voting control of Berkshire Bancorp lies in its
governing body of corporators. To date, Berkshire
Bancorp's business activities have been limited to
directing, planning and coordinating Berkshire
Bank's business activities. After the conversion,
Berkshire Bancorp will no longer exist.
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (page __) Berkshire Bank recently formed Berkshire Hills to
24 North Street be its new stock holding company. To date,
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201 Berkshire Hills has only conducted organizational
(413) 443-5601 activities. After the conversion, it will own all
of Berkshire Bank's capital stock and will direct,
plan and coordinate Berkshire Bank's business
activities. After the conversion, Berkshire Hills
might become an operating company or acquire or
organize other operating subsidiaries, including
other financial institutions or financial services
companies. Berkshire Hills intends to retain 50%
of the net conversion proceeds.
Berkshire Bank (page __) Berkshire Bank is a Massachusetts-chartered stock
24 North Street savings bank that operates as a community bank
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201 dedicated to serving the financial service needs
(413) 443-5601 of consumers and small businesses within its
primary market area. Berkshire Bank is the
product of the 1997 merger of Berkshire County
Savings Bank and Great Barrington Savings Bank.
Currently, Berkshire Bank operates out of its main
office in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and its 12
full-service banking offices in Berkshire County,
Massachusetts, which Berkshire Bank considers its
primary market area for making loans and
attracting deposits. Berkshire Bank also makes
loans outside its primary market area, primarily
in eastern New York, northern Connecticut,
southern Vermont and western Massachusetts.
Historically, Berkshire Bank's principal business
has been attracting deposits from the general
public and using those funds to make one- to
four-family real estate, multi-family real estate,
commercial real estate, commercial and consumer
loans, which accounted for 36.4%, 2.2%, 6.9%,
21.7% and 31.0%, respectively, of Berkshire Bank's
total loan portfolio at December 31, 1999.
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Berkshire Bank also invests in U.S. government and agency securities, mortgage- and
asset-backed securities, including real estate mortgage investment conduits and
collateralized mortgage obligations, corporate bonds and marketable equity securities.
At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank had total assets of $841.7 million, deposits of
$680.8 million and total capital of $88.4 million.
Berkshire Bank also offers trust services and savings bank life insurance. See "Business
of Berkshire Bank--Trust Services." Going forward, Berkshire Bank intends to expand the
offering of insurance products to its customers through the establishment of an insurance
agency.
For a discussion of Berkshire Bank's business strategy and recent results of operations,
see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations." For a discussion of Berkshire Bank's business activities, see "Business of
Berkshire Bank."
THE CONVERSION
What is the Conversion (page __) The conversion is a change in Berkshire Bancorp's legal form of organization. Currently,
Berkshire Bancorp owns all of the outstanding capital stock of Berkshire Bank. Berkshire
Bancorp is a mutual holding company and has no stock or stockholders. Instead, Berkshire
Bancorp operates for the mutual benefit of Berkshire Bank's depositors. Berkshire
Bancorp's corporators elect directors and vote on other important matters. After the
conversion, Berkshire Bancorp and its governing body of corporators will cease to exist
and Berkshire Bank will continue as a stock savings bank but will be owned and controlled
by the new holder of all its stock, Berkshire Hills. Voting rights in Berkshire Bank will
belong to Berkshire Hills. Voting rights in Berkshire Hills will belong to its
stockholders.
Berkshire Bancorp is conducting the conversion under the terms of its plan of conversion.
The corporators of Berkshire Bancorp approved the plan of conversion at a special meeting
of corporators called for that purpose on _________, 2000. The Massachusetts Banking
Commissioner approved the plan of conversion on ____________, 2000. In addition, the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Federal Reserve Board have reviewed the
application for conversion. Berkshire Hills expects to receive approval from the Office
of Thrift Supervision to acquire all of the stock of Berkshire Bank. Before the offering
can close and the conversion can be completed, Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills must
obtain all required regulatory approvals, including that of the Office of Thrift
Supervision, and satisfy all of the conditions of those approvals that must be completed
before the completion of the conversion. See "The Conversion--General."
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Reasons for the Conversion (page __) By converting Berkshire Bancorp to the stock form of organization, Berkshire Bank will be
structured in the form used by commercial banks, most business entities and a large
number of savings institutions. The conversion will be important to Berkshire Bank's
future growth and performance because it will:
. enhance its ability to diversify into other financial
services related activities;
. enhance its ability to expand through the acquisition of other
financial institutions or their assets;
. enhance its ability to attract and retain qualified management through stock-
based compensation plans;
. provide a larger capital base from which to operate and expand its
ability to serve the public; and
. enhance its ability to access the capital markets.
With the exception of the potential establishment of an insurance agency, currently
neither Berkshire Hills nor Berkshire Bank has any specific contracts, understandings, or
arrangements for the acquisition of other financial service companies or their assets.
Berkshire Hills Foundation (page _______) To continue its long-standing commitment to its local communities, Berkshire Bank intends
to establish a charitable foundation, Berkshire Hills Foundation, as part of the
conversion. The foundation will be funded with Berkshire Hills common stock equal to 8%
of the shares sold in the conversion. This would range from 491,640 shares, assuming
6,145,500 shares are sold in the conversion, to 578,400 shares, assuming 7,230,000 shares
are sold in the conversion, or 665,160 shares if the number of shares sold in the
conversion is increased to 8,314,500 shares. Based on the purchase price of $10.00 per
share, the foundation would be funded with between $4.9 million and $6.7 million of
common stock, or $7.6 million, if the number of shares sold in the conversion is
increased to 9,561,675 shares. Berkshire Hills Foundation will make grants and donations
to non-profit and community groups within the communities in which Berkshire Bank
maintains a banking office. If Berkshire Hills Foundation was not established as part of
the conversion, then the amount of common stock sold would be greater than if the
conversion was completed with the foundation. For a further discussion of the financial
impact of the foundation, including its dilutive effect on those who purchase shares in
the conversion, see "Risk Factors--The contribution to Berkshire Hills Foundation means
that a stockholder's total ownership interest will be 7.4% less after the contribution,"
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"Pro Forma Data" and "Comparison of Independent Valuation and Pro Forma Financial
Information With and Without the Foundation."
Berkshire Hills Foundation will complement the activities of Greater Berkshire
Foundation, Inc., a private foundation established by Berkshire Bank in 1997, which was
funded with marketable equity securities with a fair market value of $2.5 million.
Greater Berkshire Foundation, Inc., which had assets of $2.1 million at December 31,
1999, provides grants within the communities that Berkshire Bank serves, to public
charities that are operated for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes.
Berkshire Bank does not expect to make any further contributions to Greater Berkshire
Foundation, Inc. after the conversion.
Benefits of the Conversion to Management Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank intend to adopt certain benefit plans and employment
(page __) and change in control agreements.
The following table summarizes the total number and dollar value of the shares of common
stock which the employee stock ownership plan, to be formed by Berkshire Hills as part of
the Conversion, expects to acquire and the total value of all stock awards that are
expected to be available under the stock-based incentive plan, assuming 8,979,660 shares
are issued in the conversion. The table assumes the value of the shares is $10.00 per
share, the purchase price in the offering. The table does not include a value for stock
options because the price paid for the option shares would be equal to the fair market
value of the common stock on the day that the options are granted. As a result, financial
gains can be realized on an option only if the market price of common stock increases
above the price at which the options are granted.
Percentage
of Shares
Number Estimated Issued
of Value in the
Shares of Shares Conversion
----------- -------------- ------------
Employee stock ownership plan..... 718,372 $ 7,183,720 8.0%
Stock awards...................... 359,186 3,591,860 4.0
Stock options..................... 897,966 -- 10.0
--------- ----------- ----
Total......................... 1,975,524 $10,775,580 22.0%
========= =========== ====
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The following table summarizes the estimated value of the benefits payable under the employment agreements, change in control agreements, supplemental executive retirement plan and the employee severance compensation plan assuming a change in control of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank had occurred as of December 31, 1999 based on 1999 compensation data. The estimated value of the benefit payable under the employee severance compensation plan assumes that all employees are terminated. |
Estimated
Value
of Benefit
-------------------
Employment agreements..................................... $ 3,000,000
Change in control agreements.............................. 2,100,000
Supplemental executive retirement plan.................... 450,000
Employee severance compensation plan...................... 12,000,000
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The following is a description of these benefit plans, employment agreements and change in control agreements: . Employee Stock Ownership Plan. This plan intends to acquire an amount of shares equal to 8% of the shares issued in the conversion. This would range from 530,971 shares, assuming 6,637,140 shares are issued in the conversion, to 718,372 shares, assuming 8,979,660 shares are issued in the conversion, or 826,128 shares if the number of shares issued in the conversion is increased to 10,326,609 shares. Berkshire Bank will allocate these shares to employees over a period of years in proportion to their compensation. . Stock-Based Incentive Plan. Under this plan, which will be adopted after the conversion and will be submitted to stockholders for their approval, Berkshire Hills may award stock options to key employees and directors of Berkshire Hills and its affiliates. No decisions have been made as to who will be awarded options or the amounts that will be awarded. The number of options available under this plan will equal 10% of the number of shares issued in the conversion. This would range from 663,714 shares, assuming 6,637,140 shares are issued in the conversion, to 897,966 shares, assuming 8,979,660 shares are issued in the conversion, or 1,032,660 shares if the number of shares issued in the conversion is increased to 10,326,609 shares. In addition to awarding options, this plan may also award shares of stock to key employees and directors at no cost to the recipient. No decisions have been made as to who will be awarded shares of stock or the amounts that will be awarded. The number of shares available for stock awards will equal an additional 4% of the number of shares issued in the conversion. This would range from 265,485 shares, assuming 6,637,140 shares are issued in the conversion, to 359,186 shares, assuming 8,979,660 shares are issued in the conversion, or 413,064 shares if the number of shares issued in the conversion is increased to 10,326,609 shares. |
. Employment Agreements. Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank intend to enter into employment agreements with five officers of Berkshire Bank. These agreements will provide for severance benefits if the executive is terminated following a change in control of Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank. . Change in Control Agreements. Berkshire Bank intends to enter into change in control agreements with six officers of Berkshire Bank who will not be covered by an employment agreement. These agreements will provide for the payment of severance compensation in the event of a change in control of Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills. . Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. This plan will provide benefits to eligible employees if their retirement benefits under the employee stock ownership plan, pension plan or 401(k) plan are reduced because of federal tax law limitations. The plan will also provide benefits to eligible employees at the time of a change in control of Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank but before the complete allocation of shares under the employee stock ownership plan. . Employee Severance Compensation Plan. This plan will provide severance benefits to eligible employees if there is a change in control of Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank. For a discussion of risks associated with these plans and agreements, see "Risk Factors-- Implementation of additional benefit plans will increase future compensation expense and lower Berkshire Bank's profits," "Risk Factors--Issuance of shares for benefit program may lower your ownership interest" and "Risk Factors--Employment and change in control agreements, the employee stock ownership plan, supplemental executive retirement plan and the severance plan could make takeover attempts more difficult to achieve." For a further discussion of these plans and agreements, see "Management of Berkshire Bank--Executive Compensation." |
THE OFFERING
Subscription Offering (page __) Berkshire Bancorp has granted subscription rights in the following order of priority to:
Note: Subscription rights are not 1. Persons with $50 or more on deposit at Berkshire Bank as of September 30, 1998.
transferable, and persons with
subscription rights may not subscribe 2. Persons with $50 or more on deposit at Berkshire Bank as of September 30, 1999,
for shares for the benefit of any other other than the officers, directors, trustees or corporators of Berkshire Bank or
person. If you violate this prohibition, Berkshire Bancorp and their associates.
you may lose your rights to purchase
shares and may face criminal prosecution 3. Berkshire Bank employee stock ownership plan.
and/or other sanctions.
4. Directors, trustees, officers and employees of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire
Bancorp who do not have a higher priority right.
To ensure that Berkshire Hills properly identifies your subscription rights, you must
list all of your deposit accounts as of the eligibility dates on the stock order form.
Failure to do so may result in reduction or rejection of your order.
The subscription offering will end at 12:00 Noon, Eastern time, on _________ __, 2000,
unless extended. If the offering is oversubscribed, shares will be allocated in order of
the priorities described above under a formula outlined in the plan of conversion.
Direct Community Offering (page __) Berkshire Hills may offer shares not sold in the subscription offering to the general
public in a direct community offering. Residents of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, will
have first preference to purchase shares in a direct community offering. If shares are
available, Berkshire Hills expects to offer them to the general public immediately after
the end of the subscription offering, but may begin a direct community offering at any
time during the subscription offering.
Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank may reject orders received in the direct community
offering either in whole or in part. If your order is rejected in part, you cannot
cancel the remainder of your order.
Syndicated Community Offering (page __) Berkshire Hills may also offer shares not sold in the subscription offering in a
syndicated community offering through a syndicate of registered broker-dealers to be
formed and managed by Sandler O'Neill. Berkshire Hills will have the right to reject
orders, in whole or in part, at their sole discretion in the syndicated community
offering. The syndicated community offering may begin at any time during or after the
subscription offering.
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Time Period for Completing the Conversion If the conversion is not completed by _________ __, 2000, and the Massachusetts Banking
Commissioner allows more time to complete the conversion, everyone who subscribed for
shares will be contacted to see if they still want to purchase stock. This is known as a
"resolicitation offering." A material change in the independent appraisal of Berkshire
Hills and Berkshire Bank would be the most likely, but not necessarily the only, reason
for a delay in completing the conversion. The conversion must be completed by
October 22, 2001.
In the resolicitation offering, if you previously subscribed for stock, you will receive
a supplement to this prospectus which will instruct you how to confirm, modify or cancel
your subscription. If you fail to respond to the resolicitation offering, it would be as
if you had canceled your order. If you paid for stock by check or money order, your
subscription funds would be returned to you, together with accrued interest. If you
authorized payment by withdrawal of funds on deposit at Berkshire Bank, that
authorization would terminate.
If you affirmatively confirm your subscription order during the resolicitation offering,
your subscription funds will be held until the end of the resolicitation offering. You
would be unable to cancel your resolicitation order without the approval of Berkshire
Hills and Berkshire Bank until the conversion is completed or terminated.
Purchase Price The purchase price is $10.00 per share. The Boards of Directors of Berkshire Hills and
Berkshire Bank consulted with Sandler O'Neill in determining it. You will not pay a
commission to buy any shares in the conversion.
Number of Shares to be Sold (page __) Berkshire Hills will sell between 6,145,500 and 8,314,500 shares of its common stock in
this offering. With regulatory approval, Berkshire Hills may increase the number of
shares to be sold to 9,561,675 shares without giving you further notice.
Estimated Market Value of The amount of common stock that Berkshire Hills will offer in the conversion is based on
Berkshire Hills Common Stock an independent appraisal of the estimated market value of the common stock of Berkshire
Hills to be sold in the conversion as if the conversion had occurred as of the date of
the appraisal. FinPro, Inc., an independent appraiser, has estimated that, in its
opinion, as of March 8, 2000, the estimated market value ranged between $61.5 million and
$83.1 million, with a midpoint of $72.3 million. The appraisal was based in part on
Berkshire Bank's financial condition and results of operations and the effect on
Berkshire Bank of the additional capital raised by the sale of common stock in this
offering. The independent appraisal will be updated before the conversion is completed.
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Comparable Thrift Stock Pricing Ratios In preparing its independent appraisal, FinPro focused primarily on the price/core
earnings for the past 12 months and price/book valuation methodologies, both of which are
discussed in the appraisal report. See "Where You Can Find More Information" for how you
may obtain a copy of the appraisal report. The following table, which is derived from
data contained in the independent appraisal report, compares Berkshire Bank's pro forma
core price/core earnings for the past 12 months and price/book ratios at the minimum and
maximum of the offering range to the medians for all publicly traded thrift institutions,
all publicly traded Massachusetts thrift institutions and a comparable group of 12
publicly traded thrift institutions identified in the appraisal report, based on the
closing prices as of March 2, 2000. Thrift institutions in the mutual holding company
structure that have publicly issued stock are excluded from each comparison group.
Price/Core Price/
Earnings Book
Ratio Ratio
-------------- -------------
Berkshire Bank:
Minimum.................................. 8.77x 46.99%
Maximum.................................. 11.11 55.96
Median for all publicly traded thrifts...... 11.15 87.84
Median for all publicly traded
Massachusetts thrifts.................... 9.48 99.38
Median for the comparable group............. 9.70 122.34
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The independent appraisal does not necessarily indicate market value. Do not assume or
expect that the valuation as shown in the above table means that the common stock will
trade above the $10.00 purchase price after the conversion. Berkshire Hills cannot
guarantee that anyone who purchases shares in the conversion will be able to sell their
shares at or above the $10.00 purchase price.
Purchase Limitations (page __) The minimum purchase is 25 shares.
The maximum purchase in the subscription offering by any person or group of persons
through a single deposit account or similarly titled deposit accounts is $250,000 of
common stock, which equals 25,000 shares.
The maximum purchase by any person, related persons or persons acting together in the
direct community offering is $250,000 of common stock, which equals 25,000 shares.
The maximum purchase in the subscription offering, direct community offering and
syndicated community offering combined by any person, related persons or persons acting
together is 1% of the common stock offered for sale in the offering. This maximum
purchase limit ranges from $614,550, if 6,145,500 shares are offered for sale in the
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offering, to $831,450, if 8,314,500 shares are offered for sale in the offering or
$956,168 if the number of shares offered for sale in the offering is increased to
9,561,675 shares.
How to Purchase Common Stock (page __) If you want to subscribe for shares in the direct subscription offering or place a
purchase order for shares in the community offering, you must complete an original stock
Note: Once Berkshire Hills receives your order form and send it together with full payment to Berkshire Hills in the postage-paid
order, you cannot cancel or change it envelope provided. You must sign the certification that is part of the stock order form.
without Berkshire Hills' consent. If Berkshire Hills must receive your stock order form before the end of the subscription
Berkshire Hills sells fewer than offering or the end of the direct community offering, as appropriate.
6,145,500 shares or more than 9,561,675
shares, all subscribers will be notified You may pay for shares in the subscription offering or the direct community offering in
and given the opportunity to change or any of the following ways:
cancel their orders. If you do not
respond to such notice, Berkshire . By cash, if delivered in person to a full-service banking office of Berkshire Bank.
Hills will return your funds promptly
with interest. . By check or money order made payable to Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
. By withdrawal from an account at Berkshire Bank. To use funds in an Individual
Retirement Account at Berkshire Bank, you must transfer your account to an unaffiliated
institution or broker-dealer. Please contact the conversion center as soon as possible
for assistance.
You will be paid interest on your subscription funds at the rate Berkshire Bank pays on
passbook accounts from the date it receives your funds until the conversion is completed
or terminated. All funds authorized for withdrawal from deposit accounts with Berkshire
Bank will earn interest at the applicable account rate until the conversion is completed.
There will be no early withdrawal penalty for withdrawals from certificates of deposit
used to pay for stock.
No prospectus will be mailed later than five days before the end of the offering or hand-
delivered less than 48 hours before the end of the offering.
Use of Proceeds (page __) Berkshire Hills will use 50% of the net offering proceeds to buy all of the common stock
of Berkshire Bank and will retain the remaining net proceeds for general business
purposes. These purposes may include investment in securities, paying cash dividends or
repurchasing shares of its common stock, although Berkshire Hills has no specific plans
to pay dividends or repurchase its common stock at this time. Berkshire Bank will use the
funds it receives for general business purposes, including originating loans and
purchasing securities.
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Berkshire Hills will also capitalize a subsidiary it intends to establish with an amount
equal to 8% of the total dollar value of the stock to be issued in the conversion. That
subsidiary will then lend those funds to the employee stock ownership plan to fund its
purchase of common stock in the conversion. Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank may also
use the proceeds of the offering to expand and diversify their businesses although, with
the exception of the potential establishment of an insurance agency, they do not have any
specific contracts, understandings or arrangements to acquire other financial service
companies or their assets.
Purchases by Directors and Berkshire Bank's and Berkshire Bancorp's directors, trustees and executive officers
Executive Officers (page __) intend to subscribe for 208,500 shares, which equals 2.51% of the 8,314,500 shares that
would be sold at the maximum of the offering range. If fewer shares are sold in the
conversion, then directors and executive officers will own a greater percentage of
Berkshire Hills. Directors and executive officers will pay the $10.00 per share price as
will everyone else who purchases shares in the conversion. For a further discussion of
the impact of management's ownership interests in Berkshire Hills, see "Risk Factors--
Expected voting control by management and employees may make takeover attempts more
difficult to achieve" and "Restrictions on Acquisition of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire
Bank. "
Market for Common Stock (page __) Berkshire Hills intends to have its common stock listed on the American Stock Exchange
under the trading symbol "________." After shares of the common stock begin trading, you
may contact a stock broker to buy or sell shares. Berkshire Hills cannot assure you that
there will be an active trading market for the common stock.
Dividend Policy (page __) Berkshire Hills intends to adopt a policy of paying regular cash dividends, but has not
yet decided on the exact amount or range of amounts, or the frequency of payments. For a
further discussion of Berkshire Bank's and Berkshire Hills' dividend policies, see
"Dividend Policy."
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RISK FACTORS
Before investing in Berkshire Hills common stock please carefully consider the matters discussed below.
Berkshire Bank's lower than average return on equity may decrease the market price of the common stock
Return on equity, which equals net income divided by average equity, is a ratio used by many investors to compare the performance of a particular company with other companies. For the year ended December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank's return on equity was 6.51%. As a result of the additional capital that will be raised in this offering, Berkshire Bank's return on equity will decrease substantially. Assuming the conversion was completed as of December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank's return on equity would have been 4.97% if 6,145,500 shares had been sold in the conversion, 4.69% if 8,314,500 shares had been in the conversion, and 4.56% if 9,561,675 shares had been sold in the conversion. Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills will not be able to immediately deploy the increased capital from the offering into higher-yielding loans. Berkshire Bank's and Berkshire Hills' ability to invest in loans will depend on market interest rates, demand in their market area and their ability to compete successfully for loans. Unless and until the capital can be deployed in higher- yielding assets, Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills expect that their return on equity will continue to be below average. In addition, compensation expense will increase as a result of the new benefit plans. Over time, Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to increase earnings per share and book value per share, without assuming undue risk, with the goal of achieving a return on equity competitive with other publicly traded financial institutions. This goal could take a number of years to achieve, and Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank cannot assure you that they can reach this goal. Consequently, you should not expect a return on equity that is average or better than average in the near future. See "Pro Forma Data" for an illustration of the financial effects of this stock offering.
Berkshire Bank's increased emphasis on commercial and consumer lending may hurt both asset quality and profits
At December 31, 1999, commercial business, commercial real estate and consumer loans aggregated 59.6% of Berkshire Bank's total loan portfolio. Berkshire Bank's portfolio will continue to emphasize these types of lending. Berkshire Bank's commercial loans are generally secured by business assets other than real estate, such as equipment, inventory and accounts receivable. Consumer loans are secured by rapidly depreciating assets such as automobiles, or to a lesser extent, are unsecured. The substantial majority of Berkshire Bank's commercial business, commercial real estate and consumer loans generally offer higher rates of return but also possess a greater risk of loss than loans secured by residential real estate. For 1999, 1998 and 1997, charge-offs for commercial business, commercial real estate and consumer loans totalled $2.2 million (or 95.0% of total charge-offs), $798,000 (or 98.3% of total charge-offs) and $2.1 million (or 93.6% of total charge-offs), respectively. Berkshire Bank cannot assure that its level of charge-offs of commercial business loans, commercial real estate and consumer loans, as well as other types of loans, will not be higher in future periods which would reduce net interest income, or that it will not have to charge-off material amounts of commercial business, commercial real estate or consumer loans or other types of loans in future periods, which could lead to a material increase in the provision for loan losses in future periods which would also reduce net income. See "Business of Berkshire Bank--Lending Activities--Nonperforming Assets, Delinquencies and Impaired Loans," "Business of Berkshire Bank--Lending Activities--Real Estate Lending--Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate Loans," "Business of Berkshire Bank--Lending Activities--Commercial Lending" and "Business of Berkshire Bank--Lending Activities--Consumer Lending" for additional information.
A decline in the stock market may hurt Berkshire Bank's profits and negatively impact its net worth
The profitability of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank and their net worth is tied, in part, to the market value of the securities it holds. All of Berkshire Bank's debt and mortgage-backed securities carry market risk insofar as increases in market rates of interest may cause a decrease in their market value. They also carry prepayment risk insofar as they may be called or repaid before maturity in times of low market interest rates, so that
Berkshire Bank may have to invest the funds at a lower rate. The marketable equity securities portfolio also carries market risk as such investments are not insured or guaranteed and are subject to market fluctuations. As marketable equity securities are carried at their fair value, any decline in their value due to unfavorable market conditions or other factors will negatively impact Berkshire Bank's equity. Additionally, sales of securities at prices below their purchase price due to unfavorable market conditions may also negatively impact Berkshire Bank's net income. At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank's net unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of income taxes, totaled $17.7 million, or 20.0%, of total net worth.
Competition has hurt Berkshire Bank's net interest income
Berkshire Bank faces intense competition both in making high yield and quality loans and in attracting deposits. This competition has forced Berkshire Bank to offer higher deposit rates in its market area. This competition from other providers of financial services for loans and deposits has contributed to a recent narrowing of its average interest rate spread, from 3.65% for the year ended December 31, 1997 to 3.50% for the year ended December 31, 1999, which has hurt net interest income. Berkshire Bank expects that the competition for loans and deposits will continue to be intense and is likely to increase in the future. For more information about Berkshire Bank's market area and the competition it faces, see "Business of Berkshire Bank--Market Area" and "Business of Berkshire Bank--Competition."
Banking reform legislation restricts the activities in which Berkshire Hills may engage compared to existing unitary holding companies
Legislation intended to modernize the financial services industry has been enacted which provides for greater affiliations by commercial bank holding companies with financial companies such as securities and insurance companies. Under the legislation, newly formed savings and loan holding companies will not have the broad powers formerly available to unitary savings and loan holding companies. Berkshire Hills will be a savings and loan holding company after the conversion. Certain unitary savings and loan holding companies would be grandfathered under the proposed legislation; however, Berkshire Hills will not qualify for the grandfathering. Consequently, Berkshire Hills will be restricted in terms of activities in which it may engage to a greater extent than previously existing unitary savings and loan holding companies.
Establishment of Berkshire Hills Foundation will hurt Berkshire Hills' profits for the year 2000
Berkshire Hills intends to contribute to Berkshire Hills Foundation shares of its common stock equal to 8% of the shares sold in the conversion. This contribution will hurt net income during the fiscal year in which the foundation is established, which is expected to be 2000, possibly resulting in an operating loss for that year. For a further discussion regarding the effect of the contribution to the foundation, see "The Conversion--Establishment of the Charitable Foundation."
Management will have substantial discretion over investment of the offering proceeds and may make investments with which you may disagree
The net offering proceeds to Berkshire Bank are estimated to range from $29.5 million to $40.2 million. The net offering proceeds to Berkshire Hills are estimated to range from $24.2 million to $33.1 million after it uses a portion of its proceeds to capitalize a subsidiary it intends to create which will lend funds to Berkshire Bank's employee stock ownership plan to purchase shares of common stock. Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank intend to use these funds for general business purposes, giving management substantial discretion over their investment. You may disagree with investments that management makes. See "Use of Proceeds" for further discussion.
Implementation of additional benefit plans will increase future compensation expense and lower Berkshire Bank's profits
Berkshire Bank will recognize additional material employee compensation and benefit expenses stemming from the shares purchased by or granted to employees and executives under new benefit plans. Berkshire Bank cannot predict the actual amount of these new expenses because applicable accounting practices require that they be based on the fair market value of the shares of common stock at specific points in the future. Berkshire Bank would recognize expenses for its employee stock ownership plan when shares are committed to be released to participants' accounts and would recognize expenses for the stock-based incentive plan over the vesting period of awards made to recipients. These expenses have been estimated in the pro forma financial information under "Pro Forma Data" assuming the $10.00 per share purchase price as fair market value. Actual expenses, however, may be higher or lower. For further discussion of these plans, see "Management of Berkshire Bank--Benefits."
Declining interest rates could hurt Berkshire Bank's profits
Like most financial institutions, Berkshire Bank's ability to make a profit depends largely on its net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income it receives from its loans and securities and the interest it pays on deposits and borrowings. A large percentage of Berkshire Bank's interest-earning assets have shorter maturities. Therefore, if interest rates decline, Berkshire Bank anticipates that its net interest income would decline because interest earned on its assets would decrease more quickly than the interest paid on deposits. For further discussion of how changes in interest rates could impact Berkshire Bank, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Management of Interest Rate Risk and Market Risk Analysis."
A downturn in the local economy or the economy in western Massachusetts in general could hurt Berkshire Bank's profits
The vast majority of Berkshire Bank's loans are made to borrowers who live and work in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. A prolonged economic recession in Berkshire County or western Massachusetts in general would likely cause significant increases in nonperforming loans and assets, which would create operating losses for Berkshire Bank and would hurt its profits. For a further discussion of Berkshire Bank's market area and competition, see "Business of Berkshire Bank--Market Area" and "Business of Berkshire Bank--Competition."
Issuance of shares for benefit program may lower your ownership interest
If stockholders approve the new stock-based incentive plan, Berkshire Hills intends to issue shares to its officers and directors through this plan. If the restricted stock awards under the stock-based incentive plan are granted from authorized but unissued stock, your ownership interest could be reduced by up to approximately 3.85%. If the options under the stock-based incentive plan are granted from authorized but unissued stock, your ownership interest could be further reduced by up to approximately 9.09%. See "Pro Forma Data" and "Management of Berkshire Bank--Benefits."
Expected voting control by management and employees may make takeover attempts more difficult to achieve
The shares of common stock that Berkshire Bank's directors and executive officers intend to purchase in the conversion, when combined with the shares that may be awarded to participants under Berkshire Bank's employee stock ownership plan and Berkshire Hills' stock-based incentive plan, could result in management and employees controlling a significant percentage of Berkshire Hills' common stock. If these individuals were to act together, they could have significant influence over the outcome of any stockholder vote. This voting power may discourage takeover attempts you might like to see happen. In addition, the total voting power of management and employees could exceed 20% of Berkshire Hills' outstanding stock, which would enable management and
employees as a group to defeat any stockholder matter that requires an 80% vote. For information about management's intended stock purchases and the number of shares that may be awarded under new benefit plans, see "Management of Berkshire Bank--Executive Compensation," "Shares to Be Purchased by Management with Subscription Rights" and "Restrictions on Acquisition of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank."
The contribution to Berkshire Hills Foundation means that a stockholder's total ownership interest will be 7.4% less after the contribution
Purchasers of shares will have their ownership and voting interests in Berkshire Hills diluted by 7.4% at the close of the conversion when Berkshire Hills issues an additional 8% of its shares and contributes those shares to the foundation. For a further discussion regarding the effect of the contribution to the foundation, see "Pro Forma Data" and "Comparison of Independent Valuation and Pro Forma Financial Information With and Without the Foundation."
Contribution to Berkshire Hills Foundation may not be tax deductible which could hurt Berkshire Hills' profits
Berkshire Hills believes that its contribution to the Berkshire Hills Foundation should be deductible for federal income tax purposes. However, Berkshire Hills does not have any assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will grant tax-exempt status to the foundation. If the contribution is not deductible, Berkshire Hills would not receive any tax benefit from the contribution. In addition, even if the contribution is tax deductible, Berkshire Hills may not have sufficient profits to be able to fully use the deduction. For a further discussion of the contribution to the charitable foundation, see "The Conversion--Establishment of the Charitable Foundation--Tax Considerations."
Anti-takeover provisions and statutory provisions could make takeover attempts more difficult to achieve and may decrease the market price of common stock
Provisions in Berkshire Hills' Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, the corporate law of the State of Delaware, Massachusetts banking law, and federal banking regulations may make it difficult and expensive to pursue a takeover attempt that management opposes. These provisions may discourage or prevent takeover attempts you might like to see happen and may decrease the market price of the common stock. These provisions will also make the removal of the current board of directors or management of Berkshire Hills, or the appointment of new directors, more difficult. These provisions include: limitations on voting rights of beneficial owners of more than 10% of Berkshire Hills' common stock; supermajority voting requirements for certain business combinations; the election of directors to staggered terms of three years; certain qualifications to stand for election to and serve on the board of directors; and the elimination of cumulative voting for directors. The Certificate of Incorporation of Berkshire Hills also contains provisions regarding the timing and content of stockholder proposals and nominations and limiting the calling of special meetings. Similar provisions in the Amended and Restated Articles of Organization and Bylaws of Berkshire Bank would also discourage takeover attempts and make takeovers less likely to succeed without the support of management. For further information about these provisions, see "Restrictions on Acquisition of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank."
Employment and change in control agreements, the employee stock ownership plan, supplemental executive retirement plan and the severance plan could make takeover attempts more difficult to achieve
The employment and change in control agreements to be entered into with officers of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank provide for cash severance payments and/or the continuation of health, life and disability benefits if the officers are terminated following a change in control of Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank. If a change in control had occurred at December 31, 1999, the aggregate value of the severance benefits available to these officers under the agreements would, based on 1999 compensation data, have been approximately $5.1 million. In addition, if a change in control had occurred at December 31, 1999 and all eligible employees had been terminated, the
aggregate payment due under the supplemental executive retirement plan would have been approximately $450,000 and the aggregate payment due under the severance plan would have been approximately $12.0 million. These estimates do not take into account future salary adjustments or bonus payments or the value of the continuation of other employee benefits. All of these arrangements may have the effect of increasing the costs of acquiring Berkshire Hills, thereby discouraging future attempts to take over Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank. For information about the proposed employment, change in control and severance agreements and the severance plan, see "Management of Berkshire Bank--Executive Compensation."
Berkshire Hills cannot assure or guarantee an active trading market for the common stock
Because Berkshire Hills has never issued stock, there is no current trading market for the common stock. Consequently, Berkshire Hills cannot assure or guarantee that an active trading market for the common stock will develop or that an active trading market, if developed, will continue. An active and orderly trading market will depend on the existence and individual decisions of willing buyers and sellers at any given time over which neither Berkshire Hills nor any market maker will have any control. If an active trading market does not develop or is sporadic, this may hurt the market value of the common stock. Furthermore, Berkshire Hills cannot assure or guarantee that purchasers of common stock in the offering will be able to sell their shares after the conversion at or above the $10.00 per share purchase price. For further information, see "Market for Common Stock."
Sandler O'Neill has not given an opinion or recommendation that the common stock is a good investment
Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank have engaged Sandler O'Neill to consult with and to advise Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank with respect to the conversion and to assist, on a best-efforts basis, with the solicitation of subscriptions and purchase orders for shares of common stock. Sandler O'Neill has not prepared or delivered any opinion or recommendation on the prices at which the common stock may trade after the conversion or the appropriateness of the amount of common stock to be issued in the conversion. Sandler O'Neill also has neither verified the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this prospectus, nor prepared a report or opinion making recommendations to Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following tables contain certain information concerning the consolidated financial position and results of operations of Berkshire Bancorp and Berkshire Bank at and for the dates indicated. The data as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and for the years then ended represents the combined financial position and results of operations of Great Barrington Savings Bank and Berkshire County Savings Bank and is derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements. These two banks were merged to form Berkshire Bank on May 1, 1997. The data as of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 and for the years then ended are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Berkshire Bancorp and Berkshire Bank. This information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this prospectus.
At December 31,
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1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- --------
(In thousands )
Selected Financial Data:
Total assets .......................................... $841,651 $780,289 $637,346 $627,453 $602,679
Loans, net ............................................ 665,554 599,171 491,743 459,059 440,761
Investment securities:
Available for sale .............................. 93,084 93,774 71,778 82,888 81,865
Held to maturity ................................ 17,014 23,780 34,675 33,243 17,456
Federal Home Loan Bank stock .................... 3,843 2,547 2,547 2,509 2,399
Savings Bank Life Insurance stock ............... 2,043 2,043 2,043 2,043 2,043
Deposits (1) .......................................... 680,767 647,122 539,061 535,505 524,327
Federal Home Loan Bank advances ....................... 58,928 29,590 6,880 7,732 6,357
Repurchase agreements ................................. 1,120 7,000 5,070 6,340 2,843
Total equity .................................... 88,352 84,201 75,317 68,713 61,458
Other real estate owned ............................... 220 398 364 2,888 219
Nonperforming loans ................................... 2,841 3,490 2,156 4,845 3,912
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For the Year Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- --------
(In thousands)
Selected Operating Data:
Total interest and dividend income .................... $58,468 $52,495 $48,423 $46,890 $44,761
Total interest expense ................................ 26,922 24,182 22,290 22,032 19,422
------ ------- ------- ------- -------
Net interest income ................................ 31,546 28,313 26,133 24,858 25,339
Provision for loan losses ............................. 3,030 2,055 1,477 1,980 2,509
------ ------- ------- ------- -------
Net interest income after provision
for loan losses ................................. 28,516 26,258 24,656 22,878 22,830
------ ------- ------- ------- -------
Noninterest income:
Service charges and fees ........................... 3,405 2,568 2,440 2,801 2,609
Gain on sales and dispositions, net................. 491 425 2,653 1,364 244
Other .............................................. 402 300 512 653 708
------ ------- ------- ------- -------
Total noninterest income ........................ 4,298 3,293 5,605 4,818 3,561
------ ------- ------- ------- -------
Total noninterest expense ....................... 25,196 22,359 26,066 19,257 17,805
------ ------- ------- ------- -------
Income before income taxes ......................... 7,618 7,192 4,195 8,439 8,586
Income taxes ....................................... 1,995 2,768 1,692 3,039 2,066
------ ------- ------- ------- -------
Net income ...................................... $ 5,623 $ 4,424 $ 2,503 $ 5,400 $ 6,520
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
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(footnotes on following page)
At December 31,
---------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
------------ ---------- ---------- --------- -------
Selected Other Data:
Number of:
Mortgage loans outstanding ..................................... 3,667 2,961 2,879 2,967 2,827
Deposit accounts ............................................... 76,493 75,648 65,012 65,142 64,760
Banking offices ................................................ 14 14 11 11 11
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At or For the Year Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
------------ ---------- ---------- --------- -------
Selected Operating Ratios and Other Data:
Performance Ratios (2):
Average yield on interest-earning assets ...................... 7.65% 7.83% 8.10% 8.07% 8.26%
Average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities ............. 4.15 4.36 4.45 4.42 4.14
Interest rate spread (3) ...................................... 3.50 3.47 3.65 3.65 4.12
Net interest margin (4) ....................................... 4.13 4.22 4.37 4.28 4.67
Interest-bearing assets to interest-bearing liabilities ....... 117.75 120.94 119.44 116.46 115.55
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
to noninterest expense ..................................... 113.18 117.44 94.59 118.80 128.22
Non-interest expense as a percent of average assets ........... 3.09 3.19 4.16 3.13 3.11
Return on average assets (5) .................................. 0.69 0.63 0.40 0.88 1.14
Return on average equity (6) .................................. 6.51 5.56 3.54 8.55 11.95
Average equity to average assets .............................. 10.59 11.34 11.30 10.25 9.68
Regulatory Capital Ratios:
Tier 1 capital to average assets .............................. 7.91 7.79 9.80 9.46 9.18
Total capital to risk-weighted assets ......................... 12.90 13.04 13.46 14.52 13.73
Asset Quality Ratios:
Nonperforming loans as a percent of total loans (7) ............ 0.42 0.58 0.43 1.04 0.87
Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets (8) .......... 0.36 0.50 0.40 1.23 0.69
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total loans .......... 1.27 1.25 1.22 1.35 1.45
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of nonperforming loans .. 302.62 217.45 281.91 130.09 165.75
Net loans charged-off as a percent of interest-earning loans ... 0.31 0.09 0.34 0.47 0.25
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USE OF PROCEEDS
The following table presents the estimated net proceeds of the offering, the amount to be retained by Berkshire Hills, the amount to be contributed to Berkshire Bank, and the amount of Berkshire Hills' capitalization of a subsidiary to be created which will lend funds to the employee stock ownership plan. See "Pro Forma Data" for the assumptions used to arrive at these amounts.
6,145,500 8,314,500 9,561,675
Shares at Shares at Shares at
$10.00 $10.00 $10.00
Per Share Per Share Per Share
------------ -------------- --------------
(In thousands)
Gross proceeds ....................................... $61,455 $83,145 $95,617
Less: estimated underwriting commissions and
other offering expenses ....................... 2,361 2,658 2,829
------- ------- -------
Net proceeds ......................................... $59,094 $80,487 $92,788
======= ======= =======
Net proceeds to be retained by Berkshire Hills ....... $29,547 $40,244 $46,394
Net proceeds to be contributed to Berkshire Bank ..... $29,547 $40,244 $46,394
Amount of loan by Berkshire Hills to employee
stock ownership plan .............................. $ 5,310 $ 7,184 $ 8,261
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Berkshire Hills will purchase all of the capital stock of Berkshire Bank to be issued in the conversion in exchange for 50% of the net proceeds of the stock offering. Receipt of the 50% of the net proceeds of the sale of the common stock will increase Berkshire Bank's capital and will support the expansion of Berkshire Bank's existing business activities. Berkshire Bank will use the funds contributed to it for general business purposes, including, loan originations and investment in short- to intermediate-term investment grade securities.
Berkshire Hills intends to capitalize a subsidiary it intends to create which will lend funds to the employee stock ownership plan in an amount necessary for the plan to acquire an amount of shares equal to 8% of the shares issued in the conversion, including shares issued to Berkshire Hills Foundation. Accordingly, acquisitions by the employee stock ownership plan would range between 530,971 shares, assuming 6,637,140 shares are issued in the conversion, to 826,128 shares, if 10,326,609 shares are issued in the conversion. Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank may alternatively choose to fund the employee stock ownership plan's stock purchases through a loan by a third party financial institution. For purposes of the above table, it is assumed that any shares of common stock to be purchased by the employee stock ownership plan in the open market will be purchased at $10.00 per share. If there are not enough shares to satisfy the employee stock ownership plan's subscription for shares sold in the conversion, the plan may purchase such shares in the open market after conversion. It is anticipated that the employee stock ownership plan loan will have a 15-year term with a fixed rate of interest equal to the prime rate published in The Wall Street Journal on the closing date of the conversion. The loan will be repaid primarily from Berkshire Bank's contributions to the employee stock ownership plan and from any dividends paid on shares of common stock held by the employee stock ownership plan.
The remaining net proceeds retained by Berkshire Hills will initially be invested primarily in short- to intermediate-term investment grade securities. Berkshire Hills may also use the funds it retains to support future expansion of operations or diversification into other banking or financial services related businesses and for other business or investment purposes. However, with the exception of the potential establishment of an insurance agency, there are no specific plans, arrangements, agreements or understandings, written or oral, regarding any expansion activities.
Berkshire Hills may also use available funds to repurchase shares of common stock and for the payment of dividends, subject to any limitations set forth in applicable laws and regulations. Following the conversion, the Board of Directors will have the authority to adopt plans that meet statutory and regulatory requirements for repurchases of common stock. Since Berkshire Hills has not yet issued stock, there currently is insufficient information upon which an intention to repurchase stock could be based and consequently, no such intention currently exists. The Board of Directors will consider many facts and circumstances in determining whether to repurchase stock in the future. These factors include market and economic factors such as the price at which the stock is trading in the market, the volume of trading, the attractiveness of other investment alternatives in terms of the rate of return and risk involved in the investment, the ability to increase the book value and/or earnings per share of the remaining outstanding shares, and the ability to improve Berkshire Hills' return on equity. The avoidance of dilution to stockholders by not having to issue additional shares to cover the exercise of stock options or to fund employee stock benefit plans is another factor that will be considered. The Board of Directors will also consider any other circumstances in which repurchases would be in the best interests of Berkshire Hills and its stockholders.
Before undertaking any stock repurchases, the Board of Directors must determine that both Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank will be capitalized in excess of all applicable regulatory requirements after any repurchases and that capital will be adequate, taking into account, among other things, Berkshire Bank's level of nonperforming and classified assets, Berkshire Hills' and Berkshire Bank's current and projected results of operations and asset/liability structure, the economic environment and tax and other regulatory considerations. For a discussion of the regulatory limitations applicable to stock repurchases, see "The Conversion--Restrictions on Repurchase of Stock."
Except as described above, neither Berkshire Hills nor Berkshire Bank has specific plans for the investment of the proceeds of this offering. For a discussion of management's business reasons for undertaking the conversion, see "The Conversion--Reasons for the Conversion."
DIVIDEND POLICY
General
Berkshire Hills' Board of Directors intends to adopt a policy of paying regular cash dividends after the conversion, but has not decided the exact amount or range of amounts that may be paid, when the payments may begin or the frequency of any payments. In addition, the Board of Directors may declare and pay periodic special cash dividends in addition to, or in lieu of, regular cash dividends. When deciding whether to declare or pay any dividends, whether regular or special, the Board of Directors will take into account the amount of the net proceeds retained by Berkshire Hills, Berkshire Hills' financial condition, results of operations, tax considerations, capital requirements, industry standards, and economic conditions. The Board of Directors will also consider the regulatory restrictions discussed below that affect the payment of dividends by Berkshire Bank to Berkshire Hills. Berkshire Hills is also subject to Delaware law, which generally limits dividends to an amount equal to an excess of the net assets of a company (the amount by which total assets exceed total liabilities) over statutory capital, or if there is no excess, to the company's net profits for the current and/or immediately preceding fiscal year. In order to pay cash dividends, however, Berkshire Hills must have available cash either from the net proceeds raised in the conversion and retained by Berkshire Hills, borrowings by Berkshire Hills, dividends received from Berkshire Bank or earnings on Berkshire Hills' assets. No assurances can be given that any dividends, either regular or special, will be declared or paid, or if declared and paid, what the amount of dividends will be or whether they will continue uninterrupted.
Regulatory Restrictions
Dividends from Berkshire Hills may depend, in part, upon receipt of dividends from Berkshire Bank because Berkshire Hills will initially have no source of income other than dividends from Berkshire Bank and earnings from the investment of the net proceeds from the offering retained by Berkshire Hills. Berkshire Bank, as a Massachusetts-chartered savings bank, must also comply with Massachusetts law when considering paying a dividend. A Massachusetts savings bank may only pay dividends on its stock if such payment would not impair the
bank's stock and surplus account. In addition, Berkshire Bank may not declare or pay a cash dividend on its stock if the effect would be to reduce its regulatory capital below the amount required for the liquidation account to be established under the plan of conversion and below amounts required to be maintained by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. See "The Conversion-- Effects of Conversion to Stock Form--Liquidation Account."
Tax Considerations
In addition to the foregoing, retained earnings of Berkshire Bank appropriated to bad debt reserves and previously deducted for federal income tax purposes cannot be used to pay cash dividends to Berkshire Hills without the payment of federal income taxes by Berkshire Bank at the then current income tax rate on the amount deemed distributed, which would include the amounts of any federal income taxes relating to the distribution. See "Federal and State Taxation of Income--Federal Income Taxation." Berkshire Hills does not contemplate any distribution by Berkshire Bank that would result in a recapture of its bad debt reserve or create the above-mentioned federal tax liabilities.
MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK
Because Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank have not issued capital stock to the public, no established market for the common stock exists. Berkshire Hills expects to receive approval to have its common stock listed on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "_____" upon completion of the conversion. To receive that approval, Berkshire Hills must satisfy various conditions, including selling the stock and meeting certain listing criteria. There can be no assurance that the common stock will be able to meet the applicable listing criteria to maintain its quotation on the American Stock Exchange or that an active and liquid trading market will develop or, if developed, will be maintained. No assurance can be given that an investor will be able to resell the common stock at or above the purchase price of the common stock after the conversion.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table presents the historical capitalization of Berkshire Bancorp at December 31, 1999, and the pro forma capitalization of Berkshire Hills after giving effect to the assumptions listed under "Pro Forma Data," based on the sale of the number of shares of common stock indicated in the table. Pro forma capitalization does not reflect the issuance of additional shares under the proposed stock-based incentive plan. A change in the number of shares to be issued in the conversion may materially affect pro forma capitalization.
Berkshire Hills Pro Forma
Capitalization Based Upon the Sale of $10.00 Per Share
15% Above
Minimum of Maximum of Maximum of
Estimated Estimated Estimated
Valuation Valuation Valuation
Range Range Range
-------------- -------------- --------------
6,145,500 8,314,500 9,561,675
Berkshire Bancorp Shares at Shares at Shares at
as of $10.00 $10.00 $10.00
December 31, 1999 Per Share Per Share Per Share
------------------ -------------- -------------- --------------
(In thousands)
Deposits(1) .......................................... $680,767 $680,767 $680,767 $680,767
Short-term borrowed funds ............................ 1,120 1,120 1,120 1,120
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank ................. 58,928 58,928 58,928 58,928
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total deposits and borrowed funds..................... $740,815 $740,815 $740,815 $740,815
======== ======== ======== ========
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock:
1,000,000 shares, $.01 par value per share,
authorized; none issued or outstanding ...... $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
Common stock:
26,000,000 shares, $.01 par value per share,
authorized; specified number of shares
assumed to be issued and outstanding(2) ..... -- 66 90 103
Additional paid-in capital ........................... -- 59,028 80,397 92,685
Undivided profits (3) ................................ 70,679 70,679 70,679 70,679
Accumulated other comprehensive income (4) ........... 17,673 17,673 17,673 17,673
Plus:
Contribution to foundation ........................ -- 4,916 6,652 7,649
Less:
Expense of contribution to foundation, net of
taxes (5)....................................... -- (3,146) (4,257) (4,896)
Less:
Common stock acquired by employee stock ownership
plan (6)........................................ -- (5,310) (7,184) (8,261)
Common stock to be acquired by stock-based
incentive plan (7) ............................. -- (2,655) (3,592) (4,131)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total stockholders' equity ........................... $ 88,352 $141,250 $160,458 $171,501
======== ======== ======== ========
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HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA REGULATORY CAPITAL COMPLIANCE
The following table presents Berkshire Bank's historical and pro forma capital position relative to its regulatory capital requirements at December 31, 1999. The table amounts include $15,631 in cash held by Berkshire Bancorp that will be added to Berkshire Bank's capital upon conversion. The amount of capital infused into Berkshire Bank for purposes of the following table is 50% of the net proceeds of the offering. For purposes of the table, the amount expected to be borrowed by the employee stock ownership plan and the cost of the shares expected to be awarded under the stock-based incentive plan as restricted stock are deducted from pro forma regulatory capital. For a discussion of the assumptions underlying the pro forma capital calculations presented below, see "Use of Proceeds," "Capitalization" and "Pro Forma Data." The definitions of the terms used in the table are those provided in the capital regulations issued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. For a discussion of the capital standards applicable to Berkshire Bank, see "Regulation and Supervision--Federal Regulations--Capital Requirements."
Berkshire Bank Pro Forma Regulatory Capital Compliance at
December 31, 1999, Based Upon the Sale of
---------------------------------------------------------------------
15% Above
Minimum of Maximum of Maximum of
Estimated Estimated Estimated
Valuation Range Valuation Range Valuation Range
Berkshire Bank -------------------- ---------------------- -----------------------
Historical at 6,145,500 Shares 8,314,500 Shares 9,561,675 Shares
December 31, 1999 at $10.00 Per Share at $10.00 Per Share at $10.00 Per Share
--------------------- -------------------- ---------------------- -----------------------
Percent of Percent of Percent of Percent of
Adjusted Adjusted Adjusted Adjusted
Total Total Total Total
Amount Assets(1) Amount Assets Amount Assets Amount Assets
--------- --------- -------- ----------- --------- ---------- --------- ------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Generally accepted accounting
principles capital ............. $88,352 10.50% $109,934 12.74% $117,820 13.53% $122,354 13.98%
======= ===== ======== ===== ======== ===== ======== =====
Tier 1 capital to average
assets (2) ..................... $63,870 7.91% $ 85,452 10.31% $ 93,338 11.15% $ 97,872 11.63%
Requirement ....................... 32,305 4.00 33,168 4.00 33,484 4.00 33,665 4.00
------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Excess ............................ $31,565 3.91% $ 52,284 6.31% $ 59,854 7.15% $ 64,207 7.63%
======= ===== ======== ===== ======== ===== ======== =====
Total capital to risk-weighted
assets (3) ..................... $84,652 12.90% $106,234 15.92% $114,120 17.00% $118,654 17.62%
Requirement ....................... 52,516 8.00 53,379 8.00 53,694 8.00 53,876 8.00
------- ----- -------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Excess ............................ $32,136 4.90% $ 52,855 7.92% $ 60,426 9.00% $ 64,778 9.62%
======= ===== ======== ===== ======== ===== ======== =====
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PRO FORMA DATA
The plan of conversion requires that the common stock must be sold at a price equal to the estimated market value of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank, as converted, based upon an independent appraisal by FinPro. The estimated valuation range as of March 8, 2000 is from a minimum of $61.5 million to a maximum of $83.1 million with a midpoint of $72.3 million. At a price per share of $10.00, this results in a minimum number of shares of 6,145,500, a maximum number of shares of 8,314,500 and a midpoint number of shares of 7,230,000.
The actual net proceeds from the sale of the common stock cannot be determined until the conversion is completed. However, net proceeds indicated in the following tables are based upon the following assumptions:
. All shares of common stock will be sold in the subscription and direct community offerings;
. Sandler O'Neill will receive a fee equal to 1.50% of the aggregate purchase price of the shares sold in the subscription and direct community offerings, except that no fee will be paid with respect to shares purchased by the employee benefit plans, shares purchased by officers, employees or directors of Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills, or their immediate families. See "The Conversion--Plan of Distribution for the Subscription, Direct Community and Syndicated Community Offerings"; and
. Conversion expenses, excluding the 1.50% fee paid to Sandler O'Neill, will total approximately $1,550,000 regardless of the number of shares sold in the conversion.
Actual expenses may vary from this estimate, and the fees paid will depend upon whether a syndicate of broker-dealers or other means is necessary to sell the shares, and other factors.
Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank prepared the following pro forma data with the assistance of FinPro. The following tables summarize the historical consolidated net income and capital of Berkshire Bancorp and Berkshire Bank and the pro forma consolidated net income and stockholders' equity of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank at and for the year ended December 31, 1999. Pro forma net income for the year ended December 31, 1999 has been calculated as if the conversion was completed on January 1, 1999 and the estimated net proceeds had been invested at 5.98% beginning on that date, which represents the one-year U.S. Treasury Bill yield as of December 31, 1999.
A pro forma after-tax return of 3.83% is used for the year ended December 31, 1999, after giving effect to a combined federal and state income tax rate of 36%. Historical and pro forma per share amounts have been calculated by dividing historical and pro forma amounts by the number of shares of common stock indicated in the table.
When reviewing the following tables you should consider the following:
. The final column gives effect to the sale of an additional 1,247,175 shares in the conversion, which may be issued without any further notice if FinPro increases its appraisal to reflect the results of this offering or changes in the financial condition or results of operations of Berkshire Bank or changes in market conditions after the date of the appraisal. See "The Conversion--Stock Pricing and Number of Shares to be Issued."
. Since funds on deposit at Berkshire Bank may be withdrawn to purchase shares of common stock, the amount of funds available for investment will be reduced by the amount of withdrawals for stock purchases. The pro forma tables do not reflect withdrawals from deposit accounts.
. Historical per share amounts have been computed as if the shares of common stock expected to be issued in the conversion had been outstanding at January 1, 1999. However, neither historical nor pro forma stockholders' equity has been adjusted to reflect the investment of the estimated net proceeds from the sale of the shares in the conversion, the additional employee stock ownership plan expense or the proposed stock-based incentive plan.
. Pro forma stockholders' equity ("book value") represents the difference between the stated amounts of Berkshire Bank's assets and liabilities. The amounts shown do not reflect the liquidation account, which will be established for the benefit of eligible depositors as of September 30, 1999 and September 30, 1998, or the federal income tax consequences of the restoration to income of Berkshire Bank's special bad debt reserves for income tax purposes, which would be required in the unlikely event of liquidation. See "Federal and State Taxation of Income" and "The Conversion--Effects of Conversion to Stock Form." The amounts shown for book value do not represent fair market values or amounts available for distribution to stockholders in the unlikely event of liquidation.
. The amounts shown as pro forma stockholders' equity per share do not represent possible future price appreciation or depreciation of Berkshire Hills' common stock.
. The amounts shown do not account for the shares to be reserved for issuance upon the exercise of stock options that may be granted under the proposed stock-based incentive plan, which requires stockholder approval at a meeting following the conversion.
The following pro forma data, which are based on Berkshire Bancorp's and Berkshire Bank's capital at December 31, 1999 and net income for the year ended December 31, 1999 on a consolidated basis, may not represent the actual financial effects of the conversion or the operating results of Berkshire Hills after the conversion. The pro forma data rely exclusively on the assumptions outlined above. The pro forma data does not represent the fair market value of Berkshire Hills' common stock, the current fair market value of Berkshire Bank's or Berkshire Bancorp's assets or liabilities, or the amount of money that would be available for distribution to stockholders if Berkshire Hills is liquidated after the conversion.
The following tables assume that Berkshire Hills Foundation is funded as part of the conversion and therefore gives effect to the issuance of authorized but unissued shares of Berkshire Hills common stock to Berkshire Hills Foundation. The valuation range accounts for the dilutive impact of the issuance of shares to Berkshire Hills Foundation.
At or For the Year Ended December 31, 1999
-----------------------------------------------
15% Above
Minimum of Maximum of Maximum of
Estimated Estimated Estimated
Valuation Valuation Valuation
Range Range Range
------------- --------------- --------------
6,145,500 8,314,500 9,561,675
Shares Shares Shares
at $10.00 at $10.00 at $10.00
Per Share Per Share Per Share
------------- --------------- --------------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Gross proceeds ................................................................ $ 61,455 $ 83,145 $ 95,617
Plus: shares issued to the foundation (equal to 8% of the shares
sold in the conversion) .................................................... 4,916 6,652 7,649
-------- -------- --------
Pro forma market capitalization ............................................... $ 66,371 $ 89,797 $103,266
======== ======== ========
Gross proceeds ................................................................ $ 61,455 $ 83,145 $ 95,617
Less: estimated expenses ..................................................... (2,361) (2,658) (2,829)
-------- -------- --------
Estimated net proceeds ........................................................ 59,094 80,487 92,788
Less: common stock acquired by employee stock ownership plan ................. (5,310) (7,184) (8,261)
Less: common stock to be acquired by stock-based incentive plan .............. (2,655) (3,592) (4,131)
-------- -------- --------
Net investable proceeds .................................................... $ 51,129 $ 69,711 $ 80,396
======== ======== ========
Pro Forma Net Income:
Number of shares used to calculate pro forma net income per share ............. 6,141,567 8,309,179 9,555,557
========= ========= =========
Pro forma net income (1):
Historical ................................................................. $ 5,623 $ 5,623 $ 5,623
Pro forma income on net investable proceeds ................................ 1,958 2,670 3,079
Less: pro forma employee stock ownership plan adjustments (2) ............. (227) (307) (352)
Less: pro forma stock-based incentive plan adjustments (3) ................ (340) (460) (529)
-------- -------- --------
Pro forma net income .................................................... $ 7,014 $ 7,526 $ 7,821
======== ======== ========
Pro forma net income per share (1):
Historical ................................................................. $ 0.92 $ 0.68 $ 0.59
Pro forma income on net investable proceeds ................................ 0.32 0.32 0.32
Less: pro forma employee stock ownership plan adjustments (2) ............. (0.04) (0.04) (0.04)
Less: pro forma stock-based incentive plan adjustments (3) ................ (0.06) (0.06) (0.06)
-------- -------- --------
Pro forma net income per share (4) ...................................... $ 1.14 $ 0.90 $ 0.81
======== ======== ========
Pro Forma Stockholders' Equity:
Number of shares used to calculate pro forma stockholders' equity
per share .................................................................. 6,637,140 8,979,660 10,326,611
========= ========= ==========
Pro forma stockholders' equity (book value) (1):
Historical ................................................................. $ 88,352 $ 88,352 $ 88,352
Estimated net proceeds ..................................................... 59,094 80,487 92,788
Plus: tax benefit of the contribution to the foundation .................... 1,770 2,395 2,753
Less: common stock acquired by the employee stock ownership plan ........... (5,310) (7,184) (8,261)
Less: common stock acquired by stock-based incentive plan (3) .............. (2,655) (3,592) (4,131)
-------- -------- --------
Pro forma stockholders' equity (4) ...................................... $141,251 $160,458 $171,501
======== ======== ========
Pro forma stockholders' equity per share (1):
Historical ................................................................. $13.31 $9.84 $ 8.56
Estimated net proceeds ..................................................... 8.90 8.96 8.99
Plus: tax benefit of the contribution to the foundation .................... 0.27 0.27 0.27
Less: common stock acquired by the employee stock ownership plan ........... (0.80) (0.80) (0.80)
Less: common stock acquired by stock-based incentive plan (3) .............. (0.40) (0.40) (0.40)
-------- -------- --------
Pro forma stockholders' equity per share ................................ $21.28 $17.87 $16.62
======== ======== ========
Offering price as a percentage of pro forma stockholders' equity
per share .................................................................. 46.99% 55.96% 60.17%
======== ======== ========
Offering price as a multiple of pro forma net income per share ................ 8.77x 11.11x 12.35x
======== ======== ========
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15% Above
Minimum Maximum Maximum
of Estimated of Estimated of Estimated
Valuation Valuation Valuation
Range Range Range
-------------- -------------- --------------
6,145,500 8,314,500 9,561,675
Shares Shares Shares
at $10.00 at $10.00 at $10.00
Per Share Per Share Per Share
-------------- -------------- --------------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
After-tax expense of contribution to foundation:
Year ended December 31, 1999 ......................................... $3,146 $4,257 $4,896
Pro forma net income:
Year ended December 31, 1999 ......................................... 3,868 3,269 2,925
Pro forma net income per share:
Year ended December 31, 1999 ......................................... 0.63 0.39 0.31
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(2) Assumes that the employee stock ownership plan will acquire an amount of stock equal to 8% of the shares of common stock issued in the conversion. Shares purchased are assumed to be purchased at $10.00 per share. The employee stock ownership plan will borrow the funds used to acquire these shares from a subsidiary to be established by Berkshire Hills. The subsidiary will receive these funds from the net proceeds from the conversion retained by Berkshire Hills. The amount of this borrowing, which will have an interest rate equal to the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal, which was 8.5% at December 31, 1999, has been reflected as a reduction from gross proceeds to determine estimated net investable proceeds. Berkshire Bank intends to make contributions to the employee stock ownership plan in amounts at least equal to the principal and interest requirement of the debt. As the debt is paid down, stockholders' equity will be increased. Berkshire Bank's payment of the employee stock ownership plan debt is based upon equal installments of principal over a 15-year period, assuming a combined federal and state income tax rate of 36%. Interest income earned by Berkshire Hills on the loan to the employee stock ownership plan offsets the interest paid on the loan by Berkshire Bank. No reinvestment is assumed on proceeds contributed to fund the employee stock ownership plan. Applicable accounting principles require that compensation expense for the employee stock ownership plan be based upon shares committed to be released and that unallocated shares be excluded from earnings per share computations. The valuation of shares committed to be released would be based upon the average market value of the shares during the year, which, for purposes of this calculation, was assumed to be equal to the $10.00 per share purchase price. See "Management of Berkshire Bank--Benefits--Employee Stock Ownership Plan."
(3) Assumes that the stock-based incentive plan will acquire an amount of stock equal to 4% of the common stock issued in the conversion for award to key employees and directors. In calculating the pro forma effect of the stock- based incentive plan, it is assumed that the required stockholder approval has been received, that the shares were acquired by the stock-based incentive plan at the beginning of the respective period in open market purchases at the $10.00 per share purchase price, that 20% of the amount contributed was an amortized expense during the period, that the combined federal and state income tax rate is 36%, and that stock options which may be issued under the stock-based incentive plan are not granted or exercised. The issuance of authorized but unissued shares of the common stock instead of open market purchases would dilute the voting interests of existing stockholders by approximately 3.85%.
For purposes of this table, shares issued under the stock-based incentive plan vest 20% per year and compensation expense is recognized on a straight- line basis over each vesting period. If the fair market value per share is greater than $10.00 per share on the date shares are awarded under the stock-based incentive plan, total stock-based incentive plan expense would be greater. The total estimated stock-based incentive plan expense was multiplied by 20%, which is the total percent of shares for which expense is recognized in the first year.
The following table shows the estimated pro forma net income and stockholders' equity per share if shares for the stock-based incentive plan were authorized but unissued shares instead of repurchased shares. The table also shows the estimated pre-tax stock-based incentive plan expense.
15% Above
Minimum Maximum Maximum
of Estimated of Estimated of Estimated
Valuation Valuation Valuation
Range Range Range
--------------- --------------- ---------------
6,145,500 8,314,500 9,561,675
Shares Shares Shares
at $10.00 at $10.00 at $10.00
Per Share Per Share Per Share
--------------- --------------- ---------------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Pro forma net income per share:
Year ended December 31, 1999 ...................................... $ 1.11 $ 0.88 $ 0.80
Pro forma stockholders' equity per share:
At December 31, 1999 .............................................. 20.46 17.18 15.97
Pre-tax stock-based incentive plan expense:
Year ended December 31, 1999 ...................................... 2,655 3,592 4,131
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(4) In calculating the pro forma effect of the stock-based incentive plan, no effect has been given for any shares that may be reserved for issuance upon the exercise of stock options that may be granted under the stock-based incentive plan. The number of options available under the stock-based incentive plan will be equal to 10% of the number of shares issued in the conversion. The issuance of authorized but unissued shares of common stock instead of open market purchases would dilute the voting interests of existing stockholders by approximately 9.09%.
The following table shows the estimated pro forma net income and stockholders' equity per share if shares for stock issued as a result of the exercise of stock options were authorized but unissued shares instead of repurchased shares.
15% Above
Minimum Maximum Maximum
of Estimated of Estimated of Estimated
Valuation Valuation Valuation
Range Range Range
-------------- -------------- --------------
6,145,500 8,314,500 9,561,675
Shares Shares Shares
at $10.00 at $10.00 at $10.00
Per Share Per Share Per Share
-------------- -------------- --------------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Pro forma net income per share:
Year ended December 31, 1999 ..................... $ 1.03 $ 0.82 $ 0.74
Pro forma stockholders' equity per share:
At December 31, 1999 ............................. 20.26 17.15 16.01
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COMPARISON OF INDEPENDENT VALUATION AND
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION WITH AND WITHOUT THE FOUNDATION
As set forth in the following table, if Berkshire Hills Foundation is not established and funded as part of the conversion, FinPro estimates that the pro forma valuation of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank would be greater than if the foundation is included, and would result in an increase in the amount of common stock offered for sale in the conversion. If the foundation is not established, there is no assurance that the appraisal prepared at that time of conversion would conclude that the pro forma market value of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank would be the same as the estimate set forth in the table below. Any appraisal prepared at the time of conversion would be based on the facts and circumstances existing at that time, including, among other things, market and economic conditions.
The information presented in the following table is for comparative purposes only. It assumes that the conversion was completed at December 31, 1999, based on the assumptions set forth under "Pro Forma Data."
At the Maximum,
At the Minimum of At the Maximum of as Adjusted, of
Estimated Valuation Estimated Valuation Estimated Valuation
Range Range Range
------------------------ --------------------------- -----------------------
With No With No With No
Foundation Foundation Foundation Foundation Foundation Foundation
---------- ---------- ------------- ------------ ----------- ----------
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Estimated pro forma valuation (1) .............. $ 61,455 $ 69,275 $ 83,145 $ 93,725 $ 95,617 $107,784
Pro forma market capitalization ................ 66,371 69,275 89,797 93,725 103,266 107,784
Total assets ................................... 894,550 900,138 913,757 921,317 924,800 933,495
Total liabilities .............................. 756,360 756,360 756,360 756,360 756,360 756,360
Pro forma stockholders' equity ................. 141,251 146,839 160,458 168,018 171,501 180,196
Pro forma net income ........................... 7,014 7,272 7,526 7,874 7,821 8,221
Pro forma stockholders' equity per share ....... 21.28 21.19 17.87 17.93 16.62 16.72
Pro forma net income per share ................. 1.14 1.13 0.90 0.90 0.81 0.81
Pro Forma Pricing Ratios:
Offering price as a percentage of
pro forma stockholders' equity ........... 46.99% 47.19% 55.96% 55.77% 60.17% 59.81
Offering price as a multiple of pro
forma net income per share ............... 8.77 8.85 11.11 11.11 12.35 12.35
Offering price to assets ................. 7.42 7.70 9.83 10.17 11.17 11.55
Pro Forma Financial Ratios:
Return on assets (annualized) ............ 0.78 0.81 0.82 0.85 0.85 0.88
Return on stockholders' equity
(annualized) ............................. 4.97 4.95 4.69 4.69 4.56 4.56
Stockholders' equity to total assets ..... 15.79 16.31 17.56 18.24 18.54 19.30
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BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
The following Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 1999 have been audited by Wolf & Company, P.C., independent public accountants. The report of Wolf & Company, P.C. on these Consolidated Statements of Income appears on page F-2 of this prospectus. These statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes and with the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Years Ended December 31,
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1999 1998 1997
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(In thousands)
Interest and dividend income:
Interest and fees on loans............................................ $52,522 $46,449 $41,514
Interest and dividends on securities.................................. 5,595 5,392 6,387
Interest on short-term investments and other investments.............. 351 654 522
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Total interest and dividend income.............................. 58,468 52,495 48,423
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Interest expense:
Interest on deposits.................................................. 23,848 22,601 21,564
Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank advances........................... 2,796 1,214 394
Interest on securities sold under agreements to repurchase............ 278 367 332
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Total interest expense ......................................... 26,922 24,182 22,290
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Net interest income...................................................... 31,546 28,313 26,133
Provision for loan losses................................................ 3,030 2,055 1,477
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Net interest income, after provision for loan losses..................... 28,516 26,258 24,656
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Other income:
Customer service fees................................................. 1,333 1,180 1,089
Trust department fees................................................. 1,730 1,154 1,006
Loan servicing fees................................................... 342 234 345
Gain on sales and dispositions of securities, net..................... 491 425 2,653
Gain on sale of other real estate..................................... -- 119 --
Loss on sale of equipment............................................. (30) -- --
Miscellaneous......................................................... 432 181 512
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Total other income.............................................. 4,298 3,293 5,605
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Operating expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits........................................ 13,767 11,842 12,305
Occupancy and equipment............................................... 4,152 3,591 3,483
Data processing....................................................... 1,493 1,204 1,298
Charitable contributions.............................................. -- 200 2,488
Foreclosed real estate, net........................................... (8) 54 766
Office supplies....................................................... 687 930 1,006
Professional fees..................................................... 869 895 1,007
Advertising........................................................... 599 792 921
Amortization of goodwill.............................................. 549 259 286
Other general and administrative expenses............................. 3,088 2,592 2,506
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Total operating expenses........................................ 25,196 22,359 26,066
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Income before income taxes............................................... 7,618 7,192 4,195
Provision for income taxes............................................... 1,995 2,768 1,692
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Net income...................................................... $5,623 $4,424 $2,503
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the "Selected Consolidated Financial Information" and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes appearing elsewhere in the prospectus. In addition to historical information, the following "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contains forward looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those discussed in "Risk Factors," contained elsewhere in this prospectus.
General
Berkshire Bancorp owns all of the outstanding common stock of Berkshire Bank. Berkshire Bancorp does not transact any business other than through Berkshire Bank. Berkshire Bank's results of operations depend primarily on net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on its interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and the interest expense on its interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Berkshire Bank also generates non-interest income primarily from fees charged on customers' accounts and fees earned on its trust services. Gains on the sales of securities is another source of non-interest income. Berkshire Bank's non- interest expenses primarily consist of employee compensation and benefits, occupancy expense, advertising and other operating expenses. Berkshire Bank's results of operations are also affected by general economic and competitive conditions, notably changes in market interest rates, government policies and regulations. Berkshire Bank exceeded all of its regulatory capital requirements at December 31, 1999.
Forward Looking Statements
This prospectus contains forward looking statements that are based on assumptions and describe future plans, strategies, and expectations of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills. These forward looking statements are generally identified by use of the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions. Berkshire Bank's and Berkshire Hills' ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the operations of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills and their subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions, legislative/regulatory changes, monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board, the quality and composition of the loan or investment portfolios, demand for loan products, deposit flows, competition, demand for financial services in Berkshire Bank's and Berkshire Hills' market area and changes in relevant accounting principles. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills do not undertake--and specifically disclaim any obligation--to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
Operating Strategy
Berkshire Bank is an independent, community-oriented savings bank, delivering quality customer service and offering a wide range of deposit, loan and investment products to its customers. In recent years, Berkshire Bank's strategy has been to enhance profitability through controlled balance sheet growth by emphasizing the origination of real estate mortgages, commercial loans, home equity loans and automobile loans, increasing sources of noninterest income and by improving operating efficiencies while managing its capital position and limiting its credit and interest rate risk exposure. To accomplish these objectives, Berkshire Bank has sought to:
. Operate as a full service community bank by expanding the services and products it offers.
. Provide superior customer service and innovative products by expanding delivery systems through the opening of new branch offices, increasing the functionality of its ATM network and expanding the capability of its call center.
. Increase fee income by broadening non-depository product offerings and services, including expansion of its trust services, and expanding the offering of insurance products through the establishment of an insurance agency.
. Increase fee income through the sale of a portion of its indirect automobile loan portfolio, while retaining the servicing rights.
. Continue to increase its emphasis on high quality commercial and consumer loans to increase the yields earned on its overall loan portfolio, without incurring unacceptable credit risk.
. Control credit risk by continuing to employ conservative underwriting standards to minimize the level of new problem assets.
. Manage interest rate risk by emphasizing investments in shorter-term loans and investment securities.
. Invest primarily in debt instruments and money market type equity investments to provide adequate liquidity, to meet cash flow needs and to earn a reasonable return on investment.
Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998
Total assets increased $61.4 million, or 7.9%, to $841.7 million at December 31, 1999 from $780.3 million at December 31, 1998, primarily due to growth in loans. Loans increased $66.4 million, or 11.1%, to $665.6 million from $599.2 million, primarily due to a $36.6 million, or 21.2%, increase in consumer loans, primarily automobile loans, to $208.7 million at December 31, 1999 from $172.2 million at December 31, 1998, due to increased originations. The growth in the automobile portfolio was offset by sales of $39.2 million of automobile loans in the second half of fiscal 1999 to bolster Berkshire Bank's liquidity position. Loan growth was also due to an increase in one- to four- family real estate loans of $24.6 million, or 11.2%, to $245.2 million from $220.6 million, due primarily to increased refinancing activity due to a lower interest rate environment in 1999. Commercial loans also increased $12.1 million, or 9.0%, to $146.2 million at December 31, 1999 from $134.1 million at December 31, 1998, due to aggressive marketing efforts. These increases were offset by a $6.1 million, or 7.6%, decrease in commercial real estate, multi- family real estate and construction loans from a total of $79.8 million at December 31, 1998 to $73.7 million at December 31, 1999.
The growth in loans was offset, in part, by a decrease in the securities portfolio of $6.2 million, or 5.0%, to $116.0 million from $122.1 million at December 31, 1998, as the funds which had been received from the purchase of the three Fleet branch offices in August 1998 and which were temporarily invested in short-term securities, were used to support loan growth. Berkshire Bank's net loans to assets ratio at December 31, 1999 was 79.08% compared to 76.79% at December 31, 1998.
Nonperforming assets totaled $3.1 million at December 31, 1999 compared to $3.9 million at December 31, 1998, a decrease of $827,000, or 21.3%. This decrease was primarily due to a $1.1 million decrease in nonaccruing commercial real estate loans and an $822,000 decrease in nonaccruing one- to four-family real estate loans, offset by a $960,000 increase in nonaccruing commercial loans and a $277,000 increase in consumer loans.
Total interest-bearing liabilities increased $57.9 million, or 9.4%, due to increased deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank advances. Total deposits increased $33.6 million, or 5.2%, to $680.8 million at December 31, 1999 from $647.1 million at December 31, 1998, due primarily to an increase in money market deposits, particularly from commercial entities and municipalities. Their balances increased $23.0 million, or 32.9%, to $92.7 million at December 31, 1999 from $69.8 million at December 31, 1998 due to increased marketing efforts and continuing growth of the government banking program established during 1998. Certificates of deposit increased $4.6 million, or 1.6%, to $295.3 million from $290.7 million, due primarily to increased marketing activities in the fourth quarter of 1999. Regular savings accounts also increased by $6.8 million, or 4.9%, to $145.5 million from $138.7 million. Slightly offsetting these increases was a decline in non-interest bearing
checking accounts of $762,000. Federal Home Loan Bank advances increased $29.3 million, or 99.2%, to $58.9 million from $29.6 million at December 31, 1998, and were used primarily to fund loan growth. Retail repurchase agreements decreased $5.9 million, or 84.0%, to $1.1 million at December 31, 1999 from $7.0 million at December 31, 1998 due to Berkshire Bank's efforts to encourage its retail repurchase agreement customers to switch to money market accounts.
Total equity was $88.4 million at December 31, 1999 compared to $84.2 million at December 31, 1998, an increase of $4.2 million, or 4.9%, primarily due to net income of $5.6 million, offset by a decline in net accumulated unrealized gains on available for sale securities of $1.5 million. The decrease in the unrealized gains on securities occurred due to market declines in Berkshire Bank's equity portfolio consisting primarily of bank, financial and industrial stocks, which experienced greater market declines than other sectors of the overall market.
Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 1998 and 1997
Total assets increased $142.9 million, or 22.4%, to $780.3 million at December 31, 1998 from $637.3 million at December 31, 1997. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in Berkshire Bank's net loan portfolio of $107.4 million, or 21.9%, to $599.2 million at December 31, 1998 from $491.7 million at December 31, 1997, primarily due to the addition of three new automobile dealers to Berkshire Bank's indirect automobile loan program whose originations significantly contributed to an increase in consumer loans of $55.5 million, or 47.6%, to $172.2 million at December 31, 1998 from $116.7 million at December 31, 1997. The increase in loan growth was also due to the purchase of three local branch offices from Fleet Bank in August 1998 which resulted in the acquisition of $16.8 million in loans, primarily commercial and commercial real estate loans. Increased marketing efforts also contributed to the $22.7 million, or 20.4%, increase in commercial loans from $111.4 million at December 31, 1997 to $134.1 million at December 31, 1998. Commercial real estate loans increased $10.3 million, or 25.0%, from $41.3 million at December 31, 1997 to $51.6 million at December 31, 1998. Residential real estate loans also increased by $18.3 million, or 9.1%, in 1998 to $220.6 million from $202.3 million in 1997, due to increased refinancings due to a lower interest rate environment. Loan growth was primarily funded by deposits purchased in connection with the acquisition of the three branches from Fleet Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank advances and deposit growth.
The securities portfolio also increased by $11.1 million, or 10.0%, to $122.1 million at December 31, 1998 from $111.0 million at December 31, 1997, primarily due to the purchase of short-term securities, primarily collateralized mortgage obligations (both agency and private label) and corporate bonds and notes. Security purchases were funded by deposits acquired from the purchase of the Fleet branches.
Nonperforming assets totaled $3.9 million at December 31, 1998 compared to $2.5 million at December 31, 1997, an increase of $1.4 million, or 54.3%. This increase was primarily due to a $728,000, or 216.7%, increase in nonaccruing commercial real estate loans and a $649,000, or 104.2%, increase in nonaccruing one- to four-family real estate loans from December 31, 1997 to December 31, 1998.
Total interest-bearing liabilities increased $112.7 million, or 22.5%, due to increased deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank advances. Total deposits increased $108.1 million, or 20.1%, to $647.1 million at December 31, 1998 from $539.1 million at December 31, 1997. This growth was primarily due to the assumption of $69.7 million in deposits through the acquisition of the three branches in 1998. The increased emphasis on commercial deposits, generally due to additional relationships generated with Berkshire Bank's commercial lending borrowers, and the establishment of government banking in 1998 contributed to the increase in deposits. Deposit growth was spread relatively evenly among the various deposit categories as demand deposit accounts grew by $20.0 million, or 40.2%, NOW checking accounts grew by $26.7 million, or 51.8%, money market accounts increased by $17.6 million, or 33.7%, savings accounts rose by $13.7 million, or 11.0% and certificates of deposit grew by $30.0 million, or 11.5%. Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston increased $22.7 million, or 330.1%, to $29.6 million at December 31, 1998 from $6.9 million at December 31, 1997 and were used to fund the loan growth.
Total equity was $84.2 million at December 31, 1998 compared to $75.3 million at December 31, 1997, an increase of $8.9 million, or 11.8%. The increase in equity was primarily attributable to net accumulated unrealized gains on available for sale securities of $4.5 million and net income of $4.4 million.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 1999 and 1998
Net Income. Net income increased $1.2 million, or 27.1%, to $5.6 million for 1999 from $4.4 million for the previous year, primarily due to an increase in net interest income of $3.2 million, or 11.4%, an increase in non-interest income, of $1.0 million, and a decrease in income taxes of $773,000, or 27.9%, to $2.0 million for 1999 from $2.8 million for the previous year. Also, non- interest expense increased $2.8 million, or 12.7%, to $25.2 million for 1999 from $22.4 million for 1998, due to additional accruals for certain items, and an increase in the provision for loan losses of $1.0 million, or 47.5%, to $3.0 million due to loan growth, in particular, growth in consumer loans. Berkshire Bancorp's efficiency ratio was 71.27% for 1999 compared to 71.71% for 1998.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased by $3.2 million, or 11.4%, to $31.5 million for 1999 from $28.3 million for 1998. Total interest and dividend income rose $6.0 million, or 11.4%, to $58.5 million for 1999 from $52.5 million for 1998, offset in part by a $2.7 million, or 11.3%, increase in interest expense to $26.9 million for 1999 from $24.2 million for 1998.
The increase in interest income was due to a $93.6 million, or 14.0%, increase in average interest earning assets to $764.2 million from $670.6 million, partially offset by an 18 basis point decrease in the average yield on interest earning assets to 7.65% for 1999 from 7.83% for 1998 due to increased competition and a lower interest rate environment. Interest on loans rose $6.1 million, or 13.1%, to $52.5 million for 1999 from $46.4 million in 1998, primarily due to increases in one- to four-family real estate loans and consumer loans, partially offset by a competitive pricing environment which caused management to more aggressively price such loans and resulted in the average yield on the loan portfolio decreasing to 8.21% for 1999 from 8.49% for 1998. Investment security income, including dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank stock and Savings Bank Life Insurance stock rose $203,000, or 3.8%, to $5.6 million from $5.4 million for 1998 as average balances increased $6.5 million, or 5.8%, to $119.2 million from $112.6 million for 1998. The higher balances were offset by a 8 basis point decline on the average rate earned on investments to 4.70% for 1999 from 4.78% for 1998, due to investment securities in lower-yielding, higher liquidity securities in preparation for the Year 2000 transition.
Interest expense increased $2.7 million, or 11.3%, to $26.9 million for 1999 from $24.2 million for 1998, due to a $1.2 million, or 5.5%, increase in interest expense on deposits and a $1.6 million, or 130.3%, increase in interest expense on Federal Home Loan Bank advances. The Federal Home Loan Bank interest expense includes an additional $277,000, which resulted from Berkshire Bank accounting for Federal Home Loan Bank interest on an accrual basis. The increase in interest expense was due to a $69.1 million, or 13.2%, increase in average interest bearing deposit balances to $592.1 million for the year from $523.1 million for the previous year. The increased deposit balances for 1999 are due to the assumption of $69.7 million of deposits associated with the purchase of three Fleet branches in August 1998, an increased emphasis on attracting commercial and governmental deposit accounts and increased marketing efforts in late 1999. The increase in the average balance on interest-bearing deposits was offset by a 29 basis point decrease in the average rate paid on interest-bearing deposit accounts for 1999 to 4.03%, from 4.32% for 1998. Average borrowings increased $27.0 million, or 112.8%, to $51.0 million for 1999 from $23.9 million for 1998. Also, a number of lower cost borrowings repriced into higher cost obligations throughout the year from the increase in market interest rates resulting in a higher effective cost of borrowings and an additional $100,000 in interest expense. The average rate paid for 1999 was 5.49%, compared to 5.07% for 1998. The additional Federal Home Loan Bank advances primarily were used to fund loan growth.
Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses increased $975,000, or 47.4%, for 1999 to $3.0 million from $2.1 million to reflect the growth in the loan portfolio and, in particular, the increase in the average balance of commercial and consumer loans, which generally bear a greater degree of risk than one- to four-family mortgage loans. The increase in the provision also reflects management assessment of increased charge-offs
which increased to $2.4 million for 1999 from $812,000 the previous year due primarily to increased charge-offs of commercial loans which increased by $974,000, or 416.2%, and increases in consumer loan charge-offs of $420,000, or 135.1%. The ratio of net charge-offs to interest earning loans was 0.31% for 1999 and 0.09% for 1998. At December 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998, the allowance for loan losses was $8.5 million and $7.6 million, respectively, which represented 300.39% of nonperforming loans and 1.27% of total loans at December 31, 1999, compared to 217.45% of nonperforming loans and 1.25% of total loans at December 31, 1998.
Provisions for loan losses are charges to earnings to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a level considered by management as adequate to provide for estimated loan losses based on management's evaluation of the collectibility of the loan portfolio. Management assesses the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses based on known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio and upon management's continuing analysis of the factors underlying the quality of the loan portfolio. While management believes that, based on information currently available, Berkshire Bank's allowance for loan losses is sufficient to cover losses inherent in its loan portfolio at this time, no assurances can be given that Berkshire Bank's level of allowance for loan losses will be sufficient to cover future loan losses incurred by Berkshire Bank or that future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses will not be necessary if economic and other conditions differ substantially from the economic and other conditions used by management to determine the current level of the allowance for loan losses. Management may increase its level of allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans and non-performing loans if the level of commercial real estate, multi-family, commercial, construction and development or consumer lending as a percentage of its total loan portfolio increases. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review Berkshire Bank's allowance for loan losses. These agencies may require Berkshire Bank to provide additions to the allowance based upon judgments different from management. See "Business of Berkshire Bank--Lending Activities--Allowance for Loan Losses."
Noninterest Income. Non-interest income totaled $4.3 million for 1999 and $3.3 million for 1998, an increase of $1.0 million, or 30.5%, due primarily to a $576,000, or 49.9%, increase in trust fees to $1.7 million for 1999 from $1.2 million for 1998 of which $245,000 resulted from a one-time adjustment made in connection with accounting for trust fees during 1999. The remainder of the increase in trust fees primarily resulted from increased trust account activity and revisions to the fee structure. Also contributing to the increase in non- interest income was a $251,000 increase in other fee income, including ATM fees and government banking advisory fees, a $92,000 increase in service charges on checking accounts due to increased volume, and a $66,000 increase in gains on the sale of securities.
Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense increased $2.8 million, or 12.7%, to $25.2 million for 1999, compared to $22.4 million for 1998, primarily due to the increased expenses associated with the purchase of three branches in August 1998. The additional personnel required to staff the branches contributed to an increase in other salary and benefit costs of $1.9 million. Additionally, expense for the amortization of goodwill rose $290,000, or 112.0%, in 1999 due to the purchase of the three branches. Also contributing to the increase in noninterest expense was $300,000 in consulting expenses incurred in streamlining Berkshire Bank's management information system and Year 2000 preparedness. Audit and examination fees increased by $131,000 and salary expense increased $170,000. In addition, severance costs were $189,000 for 1999 while there were none for 1998. The increase in noninterest expense also reflects a $210,000 expense relating to the acceleration of depreciation on a branch office which closed in April 2000.
Income Taxes. Income taxes for the year ending December 31, 1999 were $2.0 million, a decrease of $773,000, or 27.9%, from $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1998. The effective tax rates for 1999 and 1998 were 26.2% and 38.5%, respectively. The lower effective tax rate for 1999 was attributable to a projected $850,000 carryforward of the deduction in connection with the establishment of Greater Berkshire Foundation, Inc. in 1997. Under the Internal Revenue Code, Berkshire Bank may only deduct up to 10% of its consolidated taxable income before the charitable contribution to any one year. The excess of the deductible amount will be deductible over each of the five succeeding taxable years, subject to a 10% limitation each year. In 1998, $381,000 of the carryforward was utilized and approximately $545,000 of such carryforward remains to be utilized. Additionally, federal tax credits of an estimated $300,000 in 1999, obtained in connection with Berkshire Bank's rehabilitation of
a historic firehouse in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, contributed to lowering taxes. At the state level, Greenland Development Corporation and Forward Development Corporation, two wholly owned bank subsidiaries, utilized the remaining $1.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively, of their unused state net operating loss carryforwards available at December 31, 1998.
Comparison of Operating Results for the Years Ended December 31, 1998 and 1997
Net Income. Net income increased by $1.9 million, or 76.8%, from $2.5 million for 1997 to $4.4 million for 1998. The increase was primarily due to a $2.2 million, or 8.3%, increase in net interest income and a decrease in noninterest expense of $3.7 million, or 14.2%, partially offset by a decrease in noninterest income of $2.3 million. The decrease in non-interest income was due to a decrease in the gains on the sale or contribution of securities from $2.7 million for 1997 to $425,000 for 1998 due to the recognition of a $2.4 million gain in 1997 resulting from the funding of Greater Berkshire Foundation, Inc. in May 1997 with appreciated securities. The gain represents the excess of the market value of the contributed securities over the cost basis of the securities at the date of transfer. Greater Berkshire Foundation, Inc. was created in connection with the merger of Berkshire County Savings Bank and Great Barrington Savings Bank which were merged to form Berkshire Bank. Berkshire Bancorp's efficiency ratio was 71.71% for 1998 compared to 89.62% for 1997.
Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $2.2 million, or 8.3%, to $28.3 million for 1998 from $26.1 million for 1997. This increase was primarily due to a $72.5 million, or 12.1%, increase in the average balance of interest-earning assets to $670.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $598.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1997. The increase in interest income due to the higher average balance of interest-earning assets was offset in part by a decline in the average yield on interest-earning assets of 27 basis points to 7.83% for 1998 from 8.10% for 1997 due primarily to a lower interest rate environment. Total interest and dividend income increased $4.1 million, or 8.4%, to $52.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $48.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1997. The increase in interest and dividend income was due to a $4.9 million, or 11.9%, increase in interest income on loans to $46.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $41.5 million for the prior year. The increase in interest income on loans was due to an increase in the average balance of loans of $70.5 million, or 14.8%, to $546.8 million for 1998 from $476.3 million for 1997 due to: (1) a higher level of one- to four-family refinancings; (2) the addition of new automobile dealers as indirect automobile lenders; and (3) the purchase of $16.8 million of loans in connection with the branch purchases in 1998. The increase in interest income from loans was partially offset by a 23 basis point decline in the average yield to 8.49% from 8.72% due to a lower interest environment. Interest and dividend on investment securities, including dividends on Federal Home Loan Bank stock and Savings Bank Life Insurance stock, decreased $995,000, or 15.6%, to $5.4 million for 1998 from $6.4 million for 1997 due to a 90 basis point decrease in the average rate earned from 5.69% for 1997 to 4.79% for 1998 due to the lower interest rate environment. The decrease in interest income and dividends was offset, in part, by an increase in the average balance of investment securities to $112.6 million for 1998 from $112.3 million for the previous year due in part to additional investments with funds acquired in the three branch purchases in 1998.
Interest expense increased $1.9 million, or 8.5%, to $24.2 million for 1998 from $22.3 million for 1997. The increase in interest expense was attributable to a $1.0 million, or 4.8%, increase in interest on deposits and a $820,000 increase in interest on Federal Home Loan Bank advances. The increase in interest expense on deposits was due to a higher average balance of deposits of $35.8 million, or 7.4%, to $523.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $487.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, predominately in money market accounts which increased $536,000. The increase in interest expense due to the increase in deposits was partially offset by an 11 basis point decrease in the average rate paid on deposits from 4.43% for 1997 to 4.32% for 1998 due, again, to the lower interest rate environment. The increase in the interest expense of Federal Home Loan Bank advances was due to a $16.9 million increase in the average balance to $23.9 million for 1998 from $7.0 million for 1997, offset by a 56 basis point decrease in the average rate paid from 5.63% for 1997 to 5.07% for 1997. The additional Federal Home Loan Bank advances were used primarily to fund loan growth.
Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses increased $578,000, or 39.1%, to $2.1 million for 1998 from $1.5 million for 1997 as Berkshire Bank recognized the need to increase its provision in response to the strong growth in loan balances. In determining the provision for 1998, management considered the decrease in charge-offs from $2.3 million for 1997 to $812,000 for 1998 and recoveries of previously charged-off loans, which amounted to $268,000 for 1998 versus $594,000 for 1997. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, the allowance for loan losses was $7.6 million and $6.1 million, respectively, which represented 217.45% of non-performing loans and 1.25% of total loans at December 31, 1998 compared to 281.91% of non-performing loans and 1.22% of total loans at December 31, 1997.
Noninterest Income. Noninterest income totaled $3.3 million and $5.6 million for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The $2.3 decrease in noninterest income was attributable to the one-time gain of $2.4 million recognized on the donation of appreciated marketable equity securities to Greater Berkshire Foundation, Inc. in May 1997. A decrease of $158,000 in service fees on checking accounts contributed to this decrease as Berkshire Bank's fee structure was realigned to the lower of the two merged institutions. These decreases were partially offset by trust department fees, which rose $148,000, or 14.7%, in 1998 over 1997 levels.
Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense totaled $22.4 million for 1998, a decrease of $3.7 million, or 14.2%, from $26.1 million for 1997. This decrease was primarily attributable to higher expenses in 1997 due to merger-related activities and to a decrease in charitable contributions of $2.3 million to $200,000 in 1998 from $2.5 million in 1997. A donation of $2.5 million of appreciated securities was made to Greater Berkshire Foundation, Inc. in 1997 while no contribution was made in 1998. Also contributing to the decrease in noninterest expense was a $129,000, or 14.0%, decrease in marketing and advertising expense to $792,000 for 1998 from $921,000 for 1997. Other real estate owned and nonaccrual expenses declined $276,000 to $181,000 for 1998 from $457,000 for 1997 due to a decrease in the amount of real estate owned. Additionally, the consolidation of accounts resulted in an $83,000 decline in service charges paid from $265,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997 to $182,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998. Offsetting these decreases in noninterest expense were acquisition expenses related to the August 1998 purchase of three local branch offices from Fleet Bank totaling $585,000, including goodwill from the purchases, which is being amortized over 15 years and amounted to $207,000 in 1998 and other items relating to the purchase such as legal fees, equipment purchases, and system conversion costs, which totaled $380,000.
Income Taxes. Income taxes increased $1.1 million, or 63.6%, to $2.8 million for 1998 from $1.7 million for 1997 resulting in effective tax rates of 38.5% and 40.3% for 1998 and 1997, respectively. The lower effective tax rate in 1998 was attributable to the utilization of $1.5 million, $498,000 and $14,000 of state net operating loss carryforwards at Greenland Development Corporation, Forward Development Corporation and Woodland Realty, Inc., respectively, three wholly owned subsidiaries of Berkshire Bank. The lower tax amount in 1997 was partially attributable to the contribution of appreciated securities to Greater Berkshire Foundation, Inc. Although common stock with a market value of $2.5 million was donated to Greater Berkshire Foundation, Inc. in 1997, only $682,000 was allowable as a deduction for tax purposes. In 1998, $381,000 of the carry forward was utilized. Berkshire Bank anticipates that it will be able to fully use the contribution carryover for the six-year period.
Average Balances, Interest and Average Yields/Cost
The following table presents certain information for the years indicated regarding average balances of assets and liabilities, as well as the total dollar amounts of interest income from average interest-earning assets and interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities and the resulting average yields and costs. The yields and costs for the years indicated are derived by dividing income or expense by the average balances of assets or liabilities, respectively, for the years presented. Average balances for the 1999 and 1998 years were derived from average daily balances. Average balances for 1997 were derived from average monthly balances. The yields and rates include fees which are considered adjustments to yields.
At For the Year Ended December 31,
December 31, -------------------------------
1999 1999
---------- -------------------------------
Average
Average Yield/
Balance Balance Interest Rate
---------- ---------- -------- -------
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans (1).................................... $665,554 $639,517 $52,522 8.21%
Federal funds sold........................... 1,000 4,042 215 5.32
Investment securities........................ 110,098 113,929 5,351 4.70
Federal Home Loan Bank stock................. 3,843 3,193 181 5.67
Savings Bank Life Insurance stock............ 2,043 2,043 63 3.08
Interest-earning deposits.................... 341 1,470 136 9.25
-------- -------- ------- ----
Total interest-earning assets............. 782,879 764,194 58,468 7.65
Non-interest earning assets.................. 58,772 51,111
-------- --------
Total assets.............................. $841,651 $815,305
======== ========
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Money market accounts .................... $92,721 $84,971 3,169 3.73
NOW accounts.............................. 78,223 73,615 830 1.13
Savings accounts (2)...................... 145,486 142,193 4,366 3.07
Certificates of deposit................... 295,303 291,344 15,483 5.31
-------- -------- ------- ----
Total interest-bearing deposits..... 611,733 592,123 23,848 4.03
Federal Home Loan Bank advances........... 58,928 50,951 2,796 5.49
Repurchase agreements..................... 1,120 5,923 278 4.69
-------- -------- ------- ----
Total interest-bearing liabilities.. 671,781 648,997 26,922 4.15
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits...... 69,034 67,571
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities..... 12,484 12,388
-------- --------
Total liabilities................... 753,299 728,956
Equity.................................... 88,352 86,349
-------- --------
Total liabilities and equity........ $841,651 $816,105
======== ========
Net interest-earning assets............... $111,223 $115,197
======== ========
Net interest income....................... $31,546
=======
Interest rate spread...................... 3.50%
Interest margin (net interest income as a
percentage of total interest-earning
assets)............................... 4.13%
Total interest-earning assets to total
interest-bearing liabilities........... 117.75%
For the Year Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997
------------------------------ ---------------------------
Average Average
Average Yield/ Average Yield/
Balance Interest Rate Balance Interest Rate
--------- -------- ------- ------- -------- -------
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans (1).................................... $546,845 $46,449 8.49% $476,335 $41,514 8.72%
Federal funds sold........................... 9,336 498 5.33 6,450 324 5.02
Investment securities........................ 108,048 5,165 4.78 107,763 6,169 5.72
Federal Home Loan Bank stock................. 2,546 164 6.44 2,527 155 6.13
Savings Bank Life Insurance stock............ 2,043 63 3.08 2,043 63 3.08
Interest-earning deposits.................... 1,754 156 8.89 2,984 198 6.64
-------- ------- ---- -------- ------- ----
Total interest-earning assets............. 670,572 52,495 7.83 598,102 48,423 8.10
Non-interest earning assets.................. 30,933 27,977
-------- --------
Total assets.............................. $701,505 $626,079
======== ========
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Money market accounts .................... $62,043 2,173 3.50 $49,159 1,637 3.33
NOW accounts.............................. 60,039 1,165 1.94 50,696 998 1.97
Savings accounts (2)...................... 129,020 3,925 3.04 125,020 3,752 3.00
Certificates of deposit................... 271,959 15,338 5.64 262,379 15,177 5.78
-------- ------- ---- -------- ------- ----
Total interest-bearing deposits..... 523,061 22,601 4.32 487,254 21,564 4.43
Federal Home Loan Bank advances........... 23,941 1,214 5.07 7,001 394 5.63
Repurchase agreements..................... 7,446 367 4.93 6,498 332 5.11
-------- ------- ---- -------- ------- ----
Total interest-bearing liabilities.. 554,448 24,182 4.36 500,753 22,290 4.45
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits...... 55,259 45,218
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities..... 12,266 9,384
-------- --------
Total liabilities................... 621,973 555,355
Equity.................................... 79,532 70,724
-------- --------
Total liabilities and equity........ $701,505 $626,079
======== ========
Net interest-earning assets............... $116,124 $ 97,349
======== ========
Net interest income....................... $28,313 $26,133
======= =======
Interest rate spread...................... 3.47% 3.65%
Interest margin (net interest income as a
percentage of total interest-earning
assets)............................... 4.22% 4.37%
Total interest-earning assets to total
interest-bearing liabilities........... 120.94% 119.44%
|
Rate/Volume Analysis
The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on the interest income and interest expense of Berkshire Bank. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The net column represents the sum of the prior columns. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to changes in both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately based on the absolute value of the change due to rate and the change due to volume.
Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, 1999 December 31, 1998
Compared to Compared to
Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, 1998 December 31, 1997
------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Increase (Decrease) Increase (Decrease)
Due to Due to
-------------------------- -------------------------
Rate Volume Net Rate Volume Net
------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- ----------- -----------
(In thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans....................................... $(1,581) $7,654 $6,073 $(1,077) $6,012 $4,935
Federal funds sold.......................... (1) (282) (283) 21 153 174
Investment securities....................... (103) 306 203 (1,012) 17 (995)
Interest-bearing deposits................... 6 (26) (20) 55 (97) (42)
------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ------
Total interest-earning assets............ (1,679) 7,652 5,973 (2,013) 6,085 4,072
------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ------
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Money market accounts.................... 149 847 996 88 448 536
NOW accounts............................. (560) 225 (335) (14) 181 167
Savings accounts......................... 37 404 441 52 121 173
Certificates of deposit ................. (913) 1,058 145 (385) 546 161
------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ------
Total deposits........................ (1,287) 2,534 1,247 (259) 1,296 1,037
Federal Home Loan Bank advances............. 107 1,475 1,582 (43) 863 820
Repurchase agreements....................... 17 (72) (89) (12) 47 35
------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ------
Total interest-bearing liabilities.... (1,196) 3,936 2,740 (314) 2,206 1,892
------- ------ ------ ------- ------ ------
Increase (decrease) in net interest income..... $ (483) $3,716 $3,233 $(1,699) $3,879 $2,180
======= ====== ====== ======= ====== ======
|
Management of Interest Rate Risk and Market Risk Analysis
Qualitative Aspects of Market Risk. Berkshire Bank's most significant form of market risk is interest rate risk. The principal objectives of Berkshire Bank's interest rate risk management are to evaluate the interest rate risk inherent in certain balance sheet accounts, determine the level of risk appropriate given its business strategy, operating environment, capital and liquidity requirements and performance objectives, and manage the risk consistent with its established policies. Berkshire Bank maintains an Asset/Liability Committee that is responsible for reviewing its asset/liability policies and interest rate risk position, which meets quarterly and reports trends and interest rate risk position to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. The Asset/Liability Committee consists of Berkshire Bank's President and Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice President- Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President-Senior Loan Officer, Executive Vice President-Retail Banking and Executive Vice President-Commercial Lending. The extent of the movement of interest rates is an uncertainty that could have a negative impact on the earnings of Berkshire Bank.
In recent years, Berkshire Bank has managed interest rate risk by:
. emphasizing the origination of adjustable-rate loans and, from time to time, selling a portion of its longer term fixed-rate loans as market interest rate conditions dictate;
. originating shorter-term commercial and consumer loans, with an emphasis on automobile loans;
. investing in a high quality liquid securities portfolio that provides adequate liquidity and flexibility to take advantage of opportunities that may arise from fluctuations in market interest rates, the overall maturity and duration of which is monitored in relation to the repricing of its loan portfolio;
. promoting lower cost liability accounts such as core deposits; and
. using Federal Home Loan Bank advances to better structure maturities of its interest rate sensitive liabilities.
Berkshire Bank's market risk also includes equity price risk. Berkshire Bank's marketable equity securities portfolio had gross unrealized gains of $28.4 million at December 31, 1999 and gross unrealized losses of $501,000 which are included, net of taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of Berkshire Bank's equity. If equity security prices decline due to unfavorable market conditions or other factors, Berkshire Bank's equity would decrease.
Quantitative Aspects of Market Risk. Berkshire Bank uses a simulation model to measure the potential change in net interest income, incorporating various assumptions regarding the shape of the yield curve, the pricing characteristics of loans, deposits and borrowings, prepayments on loans and securities and changes in balance sheet mix. The table below sets forth, as of December 31, 1999, estimated net interest income and the estimated changes in Berkshire Bank's net interest income for the next twelve month period which may result given instantaneous increases or decreases in market interest rates of 100 and 200 basis points.
Increase/
(Decrease) -----------------------------------------------
in Market At December 31, 1999
Interest Rates -----------------------------------------------
in Basis Points $ %
(Rate Shock) Amount Change Change
-------------- ---------- ---------- ---------
(Dollars in thousands)
200 $31,624 $ 78 0.24%
100 31,596 50 0.15
Static 31,546 -- --
(100) 31,318 (228) (0.72)
(200) 31,031 (515) (1.63)
|
The above table indicates that in the event of a sudden and sustained decline in prevailing market interest rates of 100 basis points and 200 basis points, Berkshire Bank's net interest income would be expected to decrease by $228,000 and $515,000, respectively.
Computation of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on a number of assumptions including the level of market interest rates, the degree to which certain assets and liabilities with similar maturities or periods to repricing react to changes in market interest rates, the expected prepayment rates on loans and investments, the degree to which early withdrawals occur on certificates of deposit and other deposit flows. As
a result, these computations should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results. Further, the computations do not reflect any actions that management may undertake in response to changes in interest rates.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity is the ability to meet current and future financial obligations of a short-term nature. Berkshire Bank further defines liquidity as the ability to respond to the needs of depositors and borrowers as well as maintaining the flexibility to take advantage of investment opportunities. Primary sources of funds consist of deposit inflows, loan repayments, maturities, paydowns, and sales of investment and mortgage-backed securities and borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit outflows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition.
Berkshire Bank's primary investing activities are: (1) originating residential one-to four-family mortgage loans, commercial business and real estate loans, multi-family loans, home equity loans and lines of credit and consumer loans, and (2) investing in mortgage- and asset-backed securities, U.S. Government and agency obligations and corporate equity securities and debt obligations. These activities are funded primarily by principal and interest payments on loans, maturities of securities, deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances. During years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998, Berkshire Bank's loan originations totaled $280.4 million, and $277.7 million, respectively. At December 31, 1999 and 1998, Berkshire Bank's investments in mortgage- and asset-backed securities, U.S. Government and agency obligations and corporate equity securities and debt obligations totaled $116.0 million and $122.1 million, respectively. Berkshire Bank experienced a net increase in total deposits of $33.6 million and $108.1 million for the years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively, primarily as a result of: (1) the assumption of $69.7 million in deposits in connection with the acquisition of three branches in 1998; (2) the increase in governmental and commercial deposits, in part due to the establishment of the government banking program in 1998; and (3) increased marketing efforts and special promotions. Deposit flows are affected by the overall level of interest rates, the interest rates and products offered by Berkshire Bank and its local competitors and other factors. Berkshire Bank closely monitors its liquidity position on a daily basis. If Berkshire Bank should require funds beyond its ability to generate them internally, additional sources of funds are available through advances or a line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank and through a repurchase agreement with the Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc.
Outstanding commitments for all loans and unadvanced construction loans and lines of credit totaled $117.4 million at December 31, 1999. Management of Berkshire Bank anticipates that it will have sufficient funds available to meet its current loan commitments. Certificates of deposit that are scheduled to mature in one year or less from December 31, 1999 totaled $206.6 million. Berkshire Bank relies primarily on competitive rates, customer service, and long-standing relationships with customers to retain deposits. Occasionally, Berkshire Bank will also offer special competitive promotions to its customers to increase retention and promote deposit growth. Based upon Berkshire Bank's historical experience with deposit retention, management believes that, although it is not possible to predict future terms and conditions upon renewal, a significant portion of such deposits will remain with Berkshire Bank.
Berkshire Bank must satisfy various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal and state banking agencies including a risk-based capital measure. The risk-based capital guidelines include both a definition of capital and a framework for calculating risk-weighted assets by assigning balance sheet assets and off-balance sheet items to broad risk categories. At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank exceeded all of its regulatory capital requirements with Tier 1 capital to total assets of $63.9 million, or 7.91% of average assets, which is above the required level of $32.3 million, or 4.0%, and total capital to risk-weighted assets of $84.7 million, or 12.90% of risk- weighted assets, which is above the required level of $52.5 million, or 8.0%. Berkshire Bank is considered "well capitalized" under regulatory guidelines.
The capital from the conversion will significantly increase liquidity and capital resources. Over time, the initial level of liquidity will be reduced as net proceeds are used for general corporate purposes, including the
funding of lending activities. Berkshire Bank's financial condition and results of operations will be enhanced by the capital from the conversion, resulting in increased net interest-earning assets and net income. However, due to the large increase in equity resulting from the capital injection, return on equity will be adversely impacted following the conversion. See "Risk Factors--Berkshire Bank's lower than average return on equity may decrease the market price of the common stock."
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
The consolidated financial statements and related data presented in this prospectus have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars, without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. Unlike many industrial companies, substantially all of the assets and liabilities of Berkshire Bank are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on Berkshire Bank's performance than the general level of inflation. Over short periods of time, interest rates may not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as inflation.
Impact of New Accounting Standards
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." This statement establishes accounting and reporting standards requiring that every derivative instrument (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) be recorded in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. The statement requires that changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Special accounting for qualifying hedges allows a derivative's gains and losses to offset related results on the hedged item in the statement of operations and requires that an entity formally document, designate and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting. This statement was amended by SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133." As a result, SFAS No. 133 will be effective on June 15, 2001 for Berkshire Hills. Management does not expect that the adoption of this statement will have a material impact on Berkshire Hills' financial position or results of operations.
BUSINESS OF BERKSHIRE BANCORP
Berkshire Bancorp is a mutual holding company that was created when Berkshire County Savings Bank reorganized into the mutual holding company form of organization in 1996. Berkshire Bancorp is registered with the Federal Reserve Board as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. Since its formation, Berkshire Bancorp has owned 100% of Berkshire Bank's outstanding capital stock. After consummation of the conversion, Berkshire Bancorp will cease to exist.
In addition to the capital stock of Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Bancorp's assets consist of approximately $15,600 in cash and $80,300 in securities as of December 31, 1999. Berkshire Bancorp is subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve Bank and the Massachusetts Division of Banks. At the present time, Berkshire Bancorp does not employ any persons other than certain officers who are also officers of Berkshire Bank but uses the support staff of Berkshire Bank from time to time.
BUSINESS OF BERKSHIRE HILLS
General
Berkshire Hills was organized as a Delaware business corporation at the direction of Berkshire Bank in January 2000 to become the holding company for Berkshire Bank upon completion of the conversion. As a result of the conversion, Berkshire Bank will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hills, which will own all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Berkshire Bank.
Business
Before the completion of the conversion, Berkshire Hills will not engage in any significant activities other than of an organizational nature. Upon completion of the conversion, Berkshire Hills' business activity will be the ownership of the outstanding capital stock of Berkshire Bank and management of the investment of offering proceeds retained from the conversion. In the future, Berkshire Hills may acquire or organize other operating subsidiaries; however, there are no current plans, arrangements, agreements or understandings, written or oral, to do so.
Initially, Berkshire Hills will neither own nor lease any property but will instead use the premises, equipment and other property of Berkshire Bank with the payment of appropriate rental fees, as required by applicable law and regulations.
Since Berkshire Hills will hold the outstanding capital stock of Berkshire Bank after the conversion, the competitive conditions applicable to Berkshire Hills will be the same as those confronting Berkshire Bank. See "Business of Berkshire Bank--Competition."
BUSINESS OF BERKSHIRE BANK
General
Berkshire Bank is the product of the May 1, 1997 merger of Berkshire County Savings Bank and Great Barrington Savings Bank, which at the time of the merger were the two largest banks headquartered in Berkshire County, with assets of $335.9 million and $282.9 million, respectively. Berkshire County Savings Bank was incorporated in 1846 as a Massachusetts-chartered mutual savings bank. In 1996, Berkshire County Savings Bank converted to stock form as part of the Berkshire Bancorp mutual holding company formation. Berkshire County Savings Bank had six full-service banking offices at the time of the merger. Great Barrington Savings Bank was incorporated in 1869 as a Massachusetts-chartered mutual savings bank. While it offered commercial and trust services, its business was primarily dependent on residential mortgage lending, primarily in the southern portion of Berkshire County. It had five full-service banking offices at the time of the merger.
Berkshire Bank is regulated by the Massachusetts Division of Banks and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Berkshire Bank's deposits are insured to the maximum allowable amount by the Bank Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Depositors Insurance Fund of the Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc. Berkshire Bank has been a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System since 1973.
Berkshire Bank is a community bank that accepts retail deposits from the general public in the areas surrounding its 14 banking offices and uses those funds, together with funds generated from operations and borrowings, to originate residential mortgage loans, commercial business and real estate loans and consumer loans, primarily indirect automobile loans. Berkshire Bank primarily holds the loans that it originates for investment, but sells some of its loans, including automobile and fixed-rate mortgage loans, in the secondary market, while generally retaining the servicing. See "--Lending Activities." Berkshire Bank also invests in U.S. Government and agency securities, mortgage- and asset-backed securities, including real estate mortgage investment conduits and
collateralized mortgage obligations, debt and equity securities and other permissible investments. Berkshire Bank's revenues are derived principally from the generation of interest and fees on loans originated and, to a lesser extent, interest and dividends on its investment securities. Berkshire Bank's primary sources of funds are deposits, principal and interest payments on loans and investments and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston.
Berkshire Bank currently offers savings bank life insurance. Berkshire Bank intends to expand the offering of insurance products to its customers through the establishment of an insurance agency. On February 24, 2000, Berkshire Bank entered into an agreement with a third party vendor for consulting and management services with respect to the offering of insurance services. The agreement has an initial term of four years with a total management fee of $325,000 and servicing fees based upon a percentage of gross revenues.
Market Area
Berkshire Bank is headquartered in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in Berkshire County. Berkshire Bank's primary deposit gathering and lending areas are concentrated in the communities surrounding its 14 banking offices located in Berkshire County. However, Berkshire Bank also makes loans throughout western Massachusetts, northern Connecticut, eastern New York and southern Vermont.
Berkshire County, the western-most county in Massachusetts, is approximately two and one-half hours from both Boston and New York City. Berkshire County borders Vermont, Connecticut and New York. Berkshire County has experienced a shift in its economy as manufacturing jobs have been replaced with service-related jobs, primarily in tourism, social service and health care. Other than Berkshire Bank, the major employers in the area include Berkshire Life Insurance Company, Crane & Company, GE Plastics, Kay Bee Toys, Berkshire Health Systems, General Dynamics Defense Systems and Mead Corporation and several institutions of higher education. The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission identified economic development as a critical issue to aid the region in accommodating this shift away from manufacturing jobs. The goal is to find land suitable for modern industry, technology based businesses and corporate offices. According to published statistics, Berkshire County's 1998 population was approximately 134,100 and consisted of approximately 36,100 households. The population decreased approximately 3.8% from 1990. Per capita income in 1998 for Berkshire County was approximately $19,300, which was less than the Massachusetts average of approximately $22,500 but higher than the national average of $18,000. 1998 median household income for Berkshire County was $36,006 compared to approximately $45,250 for Massachusetts and $38,100 for the U.S.
Massachusetts is in the midst of a broad-based recovery from the severe recession experienced in the New England region in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This is evidenced by the state's 3.3% unemployment rate. While the western Massachusetts economy has improved from that experienced in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as illustrated by higher property values, increased income levels and lower unemployment, it continues to lag behind the improved economy of eastern Massachusetts, particularly the Boston metropolitan area which has occurred over the past few years.
Competition
Berkshire Bank faces intense competition for the attraction of deposits and origination of loans in its primary market area. Berkshire Bank's most direct competition for deposits has historically come from credit unions in the area, which have a competitive advantage as they do not have to pay state or federal taxes. Additionally, Berkshire Bank faces competition for deposits from the several commercial and savings banks operating in its primary market area and, to a lesser extent, from other financial institutions, such as brokerage firms and insurance companies. While these entities continue to provide a source of competition for deposits, Berkshire Bank increasingly faces significant competition for deposits from the mutual fund industry as customers seek alternative sources of investment for their funds. Berkshire Bank also faces significant competition for investors' funds from their direct purchase of short-term money market securities and other corporate and government securities. Berkshire Bank faces competition for loans from the significant number of traditional financial institutions,
primarily savings banks and commercial banks in its market area, as well as the mortgage companies and mortgage brokers operating in its primary market area. The increase of internet accessible financial institutions which solicit deposits and originate loans on a nationwide basis may also increase competition for Berkshire Bank's customers and have an adverse impact on its future operations. Additionally, competition is likely to increase as a result of recent regulatory actions and legislative changes, most notably the recent enactment of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999. These changes have eased and likely will continue to ease restrictions on interstate banking and the entrance into the financial services market by non-depository and non-traditional financial services providers, including insurance companies, securities brokerage and underwriting firms and specialty financial services companies (such as internet-based providers). Competition for deposits, for the origination of loans and the provision of other financial services may limit Berkshire Bank's growth in the future. See "Risk Factors--Competition has hurt Berkshire Bank's net interest income."
Lending Activities
General. The types of loans that Berkshire Bank may originate are limited by federal and state laws and regulations. Interest rates charged by Berkshire Bank on loans are affected principally by Berkshire Bank's current asset/liability strategy, the demand for such loans, the supply of money available for lending purposes and the rates offered by competitors. These factors, in turn, are affected by general and economic conditions, monetary policies of the federal government, including the Federal Reserve Board, legislative tax policies and governmental budgetary matters.
Loan Portfolio Analysis. The following table sets forth the composition of Berkshire Bank's loan portfolio in dollar amounts and as a percentage of the portfolio at the dates indicated.
At December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---------------------- ---------------------- ------------------------
Percent of Percent of Percent of
Amount Total Amount Total Amount Total
--------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------- ----------
(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate loans:
One- to four-family.......... $245,240 36.39% $220,612 36.36% $202,305 40.64%
Commercial................... 46,419 6.89 51,598 8.50 41,267 8.29
Multi-family................. 14,793 2.20 15,393 2.54 14,740 2.96
Construction ................ 12,534 1.86 12,821 2.11 11,531 2.32
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Total real estate loans.... 318,986 47.34 300,424 49.51 269,843 54.21
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Consumer loans:
Home equity lines of credit.. 33,168 4.92 31,628 5.21 25,801 5.18
Automobiles.................. 164,862 24.46 134,616 22.19 84,979 17.07
Other........................ 10,706 1.59 5,933 0.98 5,889 1.18
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Total consumer loans...... 208,736 30.97 172,177 28.38 116,669 23.43
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Commercial loans................ 146,196 21.69 134,115 22.11 111,372 22.36
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Total loans............... 673,918 100.00% 606,716 100.00% 497,884 100.00%
====== ====== ======
Net deferred loan
origination costs (fees)..... 170 44 (63)
Allowance for loan losses.... (8,534) (7,589) (6,078)
-------- -------- --------
Total loans, net.......... $665,554 $599,171 $491,743
======== ======== ========
|
At December 31,
---------------------------------------------------
1996 1995
-------------------------- -----------------------
Percent of Percent of
Amount Total Amount Total
--------- ---------- -------- ----------
(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate loans:
One- to four-family.......... $196,712 42.26% $195,786 43.76%
Commercial................... 50,824 10.92 55,507 12.41
Multi-family................. 12,451 2.67 11,591 2.59
Construction ................ 6,229 1.34 8,324 1.86
-------- ----- -------- -----
Total real estate loans.... 266,216 57.19 271,208 60.62
-------- ----- -------- -----
Consumer loans:
Home equity lines of credit.. 24,945 5.36 22,417 5.01
Automobiles.................. 67,006 14.39 47,031 10.51
Other........................ 3,446 0.74 5,710 1.28
-------- ----- -------- -----
Total consumer loans...... 95,397 20.49 75,158 16.80
-------- ----- -------- -----
Commercial loans................ 103,884 22.32 101,061 22.58
-------- ----- -------- -----
Total loans............... 465,497 100.00% 447,427 100.00%
====== ======
Net deferred loan
origination costs (fees)..... (135) (182)
Allowance for loan losses.... (6,303) (6,484)
-------- --------
Total loans, net.......... $459,059 $440,761
======== ========
|
Real Estate Lending
One- to Four-Family Real Estate Loans. One of Berkshire Bank's primary lending activities is to originate loans secured by one- to four-family residences located in its primary market area. At December 31, 1999, $245.2 million, or 36.4%, of Berkshire Bank's total loans consisted of one- to four- family mortgage loans. Of the one- to four-family loans outstanding at that date, approximately 40.2% were fixed-rate mortgage loans and approximately 59.8% were adjustable-rate loans.
Berkshire Bank originates fixed-rate fully amortizing loans with maturities of 15, 20 and 30 years. Management establishes the loan interest rates based on market conditions. Berkshire Bank offers mortgage loans that conform to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines, as well as jumbo loans, which presently are loans in amounts over $250,000. Fixed-rate conforming loans are generally originated for portfolio. However, such loans may be sold by Berkshire Bank from time to time. The determination of whether to sell loans is determined periodically by management in response to changes in prevailing market interest rates and liquidity needs. Loans that are sold are generally sold to a local financial institution, with the servicing rights retained.
Berkshire Bank also currently offers adjustable-rate mortgage loans, with an interest rate based on the one year, three year or five year Constant Maturity Treasury index, which adjust every one, three or five years from the outset of the loan or which adjust annually after a seven or ten year initial fixed period and with terms of up to 30 years. Interest rate adjustments on such loans range from 2% to 5% during any adjustment period and are limited to no more than 6% over the life of the loan. All of Berkshire Bank's adjustable- rate mortgages are originated at an interest rate below the fully indexed rate on adjustable-rate mortgages. At December 31, 1999, the initial discounted rate on these loans was 200 to 300 basis points below the current fully indexed rate. Generally, these loans will begin to reprice towards their fully indexed rate in their second year. However, Berkshire Bank's experience, which cannot be guaranteed in future periods, is that discounted adjustable-rate loans tend to be more stable and less susceptible to prepayment activity in a falling interest rate environment.
Adjustable-rate mortgage loans help reduce Berkshire Bank's exposure to changes in interest rates. There are, however, unquantifiable credit risks resulting from the potential of increased costs due to changed rates to be paid by borrowers. It is possible that during periods of rising interest rates the risk of default on adjustable-rate mortgage loans may increase as a result of repricing and the increased payments required to be made by borrowers. In addition, although adjustable-rate mortgage loans allow Berkshire Bank to increase the sensitivity of its asset base to changes in interest rates, the extent of this interest sensitivity is limited by the annual and lifetime interest rate adjustment limits. Because of these considerations Berkshire Bank has no assurance that yields on adjustable-rate mortgage loans will be sufficient to offset increases in Berkshire Bank's cost of funds during periods of rising interest rates. Berkshire Bank believes these risks, which have not had a material adverse effect on Berkshire Bank to date, generally are less than the risks associated with holding fixed-rate loans in its portfolio in a rising interest rate environment.
Berkshire Bank underwrites fixed- and variable-rate one- to four-family residential mortgage loans with loan-to-value ratios of up to 100% on a one- to two-family primary residence; up to 90% on a three- to four-family primary residence or a vacation home; and up to 75% on a condominium. A borrower is required to obtain private mortgage insurance on loans that exceed 80%, or 75% in the case of a condominium, of the appraised value or sales price, whichever is less, of the secured property. Berkshire Bank also generally requires fire, casualty, title, hazard insurance and, if appropriate, flood insurance be maintained on all properties securing real estate loans made by Berkshire Bank. An independent licensed appraiser generally appraises all properties.
Berkshire Bank also offers adjustable-rate home equity loans with an interest rate based on the prime rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal, which adjusts monthly. The combined loan-to-value ratio of home equity loans is generally limited to 80%. Second mortgages are also offered on owner-occupied primary or secondary residences and are adjustable-rate, either adjusting annually or with a five-year initial fixed period which adjusts annually thereafter, with terms up to 30 years.
In an effort to provide financing for low- and moderate-income families, Berkshire Bank offers Federal Housing Authority, Veterans Administration and Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency residential mortgage loans to qualified individuals with adjustable- and fixed-rates of interest and terms of up to 30 years. Such loans may be secured by one- to four-family residential property and are underwritten using modified underwriting guidelines. Berkshire Bank also participates in the Good Samaritan Home Ownership Program, which is a non- profit venture established to advise and assist low- and middle-income families in the purchase of their first home in Berkshire County. Qualified individuals can obtain a 30 year fixed-rate mortgage loan on a one- to four-family, owner occupied property. Additionally, Berkshire Bank maintains its own First-Time Home Buyer loan program. This program offers one- and two-family residential mortgage loans to first-time home buyers. These loans are offered with initial five-year fixed-rates of interest which adjust annually thereafter with terms of up to 30 years.
Construction Loans. At December 31, 1999, construction loans totaled $12.5 million, or 1.9% of Berkshire Bank's total loan portfolio, of which $5.6 million were residential construction loans and $6.9 million were commercial construction loans. At December 31, 1999, the unadvanced portion of construction loans totaled $4.7 million.
Berkshire Bank originates construction loans to individuals for the construction and acquisition of personal residences. Berkshire Bank's residential construction loans generally provide for the payment of interest only during the construction phase, which is usually twelve months. At the end of the construction phase, the loan converts to a permanent mortgage loan. Loans can be made with a maximum loan to value ratio of 90%, provided that the borrower obtains private mortgage insurance on the loan if the loan balance exceeds 80% of the appraised value or sales price, whichever is less, of the secured property. At December 31, 1999, the largest outstanding residential construction loan commitment was for $500,000, $106,000 of which was outstanding. This loan was performing according to its terms at December 31, 1999. Construction loans to individuals are generally made on the same terms as Berkshire Bank's one- to four-family mortgage loans.
Before making a commitment to fund a residential construction loan, Berkshire Bank requires an appraisal of the property by an independent licensed appraiser. Berkshire Bank also reviews and inspects each property before disbursement of funds during the term of the construction loan. Loan proceeds are disbursed after inspection based on the percentage of completion method.
Berkshire Bank also makes construction loans for commercial development projects, including multi-family, commercial properties, single-family subdivisions and condominiums. These loans generally have an interest-only phase during construction then convert to permanent financing. Disbursement of funds are at the sole discretion of Berkshire Bank and are based on the progress of construction. The maximum loan to value ratio for these loans depends upon the type of commercial development project being undertaken, but generally will not exceed 80%. At December 31, 1999, the largest outstanding commercial construction loan commitment was $5.2 million, of which $5.2 million was outstanding.
Berkshire Bank also originates land loans to local contractors and developers for the purpose of making improvements thereon, or for the purpose of holding or developing the land for sale. Such loans are secured by a lien on the property; have loan to value ratios that are limited to 70% of the value of the land used for residential development and 65% of the value of the land used for commercial development (based on the lower of the acquisition price or the appraised value of the land) and are written with a fixed interest rate based on a margin over the prime rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal. Land loans are offered with a term of three years in which only interest is required to be paid each month. A balloon payment for the principal plus any accrued interest is due at the end of the three year period. Additionally, Berkshire Bank offers fully-amortized land loans with a term of 15 years. Berkshire Bank's land loans are generally secured by property in its primary market area. Berkshire Bank requires title insurance and, if applicable, a hazardous waste survey reporting that the land is free of hazardous or toxic waste.
Construction and development financing is generally considered to involve a higher degree of credit risk than long-term financing on improved, owner- occupied real estate. Risk of loss on a construction loan is dependent
largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property's value at completion of construction compared to the estimated cost (including interest) of construction and other assumptions. If the estimate of construction cost proves to be inaccurate, Berkshire Bank may be required to advance funds beyond the amount originally committed in order to protect the value of the property. Additionally, if the estimate of value proves to be inaccurate, Berkshire Bank may be confronted with a project, when completed, having a value which is insufficient to assure full repayment.
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate Loans. Berkshire Bank originates multi-family and commercial real estate loans that are generally secured by five or more unit apartment buildings and properties used for business purposes such as small office buildings, industrial facilities or retail facilities primarily located in Berkshire Bank's primary market area. At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank had $61.2 million in commercial and multi-family real estate loans which amounted to 9.1% of total loans. Berkshire Bank's multi-family and commercial real estate underwriting policies provide that such real estate loans may be made in amounts of up to 80% of the appraised value of the property or the selling price, whichever is less. Loans secured by single-family subdivisions and condominium projects may be made in amounts of up to 75% and 70%, respectively, of the appraised value of the property or selling price, whichever is less. All loans must comply with Berkshire Bank's current in-house loans-to-one-borrower limit, which at December 31, 1999 was $8.8 million. Berkshire Bank's multi-family and commercial real estate loans may be made with terms of up to 20 years and substantially all of which are originated with interest rates that adjust periodically and are generally indexed to the prime rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal. In reaching its decision on whether to make a multi-family or commercial real estate loan, Berkshire Bank considers the net operating income of the property, the borrower's expertise, credit history and profitability and the value of the underlying property. In addition, with respect to commercial real estate rental properties, Berkshire Bank will also consider the term of the lease and the quality of the tenants. Berkshire Bank has generally required that the properties securing these real estate loans have debt service coverage ratios (the ratio of earnings before debt service to debt service) of at least 1.25x. Environmental surveys are generally required for commercial real estate loans. Additionally, in larger real estate projects, it is recommended that a feasibility study be obtained to determine the viability of the project. A feasibility study is particularly important with respect to multi-family housing projects, hotel/motel construction and health care facilities. Generally, multi-family and commercial real estate loans made to corporations, partnerships and other business entities require personal guarantees by the principals. The largest multi-family or commercial real estate loan in Berkshire Bank's portfolio at December 31, 1999 was a performing $5.3 million real estate loan secured by a motel located in Lenox, Massachusetts.
Loans secured by multi-family and commercial real estate properties generally involve larger principal amounts and a greater degree of risk than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Because payments on loans secured by multi-family and commercial real estate properties are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties, repayment of such loans may be affected by adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. Berkshire Bank seeks to minimize these risks through strict adherence to its underwriting standards. See "Risk Factors--Berkshire Bank's increased emphasis on commercial lending may hurt both asset quality and profits."
Commercial Lending
Commercial Loans. At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank had $146.2 million in commercial loans which amounted to 21.7% of total loans. In addition, at such date, Berkshire Bank had $49.6 million of unadvanced commercial lines of credit. Berkshire Bank makes commercial business loans primarily in its market area to a variety of professionals, sole proprietorships and small businesses. Berkshire Bank offers a variety of commercial lending products, the maximum amount of which is limited by Berkshire Bank's in-house loans-to-one-borrower limit. Berkshire Bank's largest commercial loan relationship was a $6.0 million loan secured by various types of business assets located in Hillsdale and Millerton, New York and Lakeville, Connecticut. This loan was performing according to its original terms at December 31, 1999.
Berkshire Bank offers secured commercial term loans, which have a maturity of greater than one year and the payment of which is dependent on future earnings. The term for repayment of the loan will normally be limited to the lesser of the expected useful life of the asset being financed or a fixed amount of time, generally less than seven years. Berkshire Bank also offers loans originated in order to finance a business' operating facility, revolving lines of credit secured by business assets other than real estate, such as business equipment, inventory and accounts receivable, letters of credit, time notes and Small Business Administration guaranteed loans. Business lines of credit have adjustable rates of interest and are payable on demand, subject to annual review and renewal. Time notes are short-term loans, generally limited to 90 days which do not require payment of principal or interest until maturity.
Berkshire Bank also offers a Business Manager Line of Credit. Unlike a traditional line of credit, the Business Manager Line is a program whereby Berkshire Bank purchases a customer's accounts receivable on a recourse basis. Berkshire Bank's income from the program arises primarily from: (1) service charges, which range from two to five percent, which are discounted from each receivable purchased, and (2) the interest, if any, charged to account debtors on unpaid balances. At December 31, 1999, Business Manager Lines of Credit totaled $1.6 million, or 1.2% of commercial loans. Additionally, the unadvanced amounts of Business Manager Lines of Credit totaled approximately $1.0 million.
When making commercial business loans, Berkshire Bank considers the financial statements of the borrower, the borrower's payment history of both corporate and personal debt, the debt service capabilities of the borrower, the projected cash flows of the business, and viability of the industry in which the customer operates and the value of the collateral. Commercial business loans are generally secured by a variety of collateral, primarily accounts receivable, inventory and equipment, and are generally supported by personal guarantees. Depending on the collateral used to secure the loans, commercial loans are made in amounts of up to 95% of the value of the collateral securing the loan. Berkshire Bank generally does not make unsecured commercial loans.
Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of the borrower's ability to make repayment from his or her employment or other income, and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial loans are of higher risk and typically are made on the basis of the borrower's ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower's business. As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial loans may depend substantially on the success of the business itself. Further, any collateral securing such loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value. See "Risk Factors--Berkshire Bank's increased emphasis on commercial lending may hurt both asset quality and profits."
Consumer Lending
Automobile Lending. At December 31, 1999, automobile loans totaled $164.9 million, or 24.5% of Berkshire Bank's total loans and 79.0% of consumer loans. The Bank offers fixed-rate automobile loans on a direct and indirect basis with terms of up to 72 months for new and recent model used cars and up to 60 months for older model used cars. Berkshire Bank generally will make such loans up to 100% of the retail value shown in the NADA Used Car Guide. The interest rates offered differ depending on the age of the automobile and current interest rates offered by competitors.
Berkshire Bank began offering indirect automobile loans through automobile dealers approximately seven years ago. Currently, Berkshire Bank maintains contractual relationships with over 100 new and used car dealers throughout western Massachusetts, northern Connecticut, eastern New York and southern Vermont. Such loans are only made following an underwriting review and acceptance by Berkshire Bank. These loans are closed by the automobile dealer and immediately assigned to Berkshire Bank, who then services the loans. On loans originated by its automobile dealers, Berkshire Bank compensates the originator based upon the higher rate paid on the loan, up to a maximum of four percent. For the fiscal years 1999 and 1998, Berkshire Bank originated $131.0 million and $90.0 million of automobile loans, respectively, of which 96.1% and 95.6% were originated indirectly through the automobile dealers in fiscal years 1999 and 1998, respectively. The substantial majority of such loans are
secured by used automobiles. The large growth in the automobile portfolio in the past few years is primarily attributable to the addition of one automobile dealer in 1997 and two automobile dealers in 1998. These three dealers, located in eastern New York, northern Connecticut and western Massachusetts, accounted for approximately 30% of the loans originated in 1999. Berkshire Bank has been selling automobile loans since 1998. Berkshire Bank anticipates that it will continue to sell a portion of its automobile loans in the secondary market for liquidity purposes and to manage the credit risk of the loan portfolio.
Home Equity Lines of Credit and Other Consumer Loans. Berkshire Bank offers home equity lines of credit secured by owner-occupied one- to four-family residences. At December 31, 1999, home equity lines of credit totaled $33.2 million, or 4.9% of Berkshire Bank's total loans and 15.9% of consumer loans. Additionally, at December 31, 1999, the unadvanced amounts of home equity lines of credit totaled $35.2 million. The underwriting standards employed by Berkshire Bank for home equity lines of credit include a determination of the applicant's credit history, an assessment of the applicant's ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan and the value of the collateral securing the loan. Home equity loans will not be made if the borrower's first mortgage payment, monthly real estate payment and amortized equity line payment exceeds 25% of the borrower's gross monthly income. Additionally, the borrower's monthly debt cannot exceed 35% of the borrower's gross monthly income. Home equity lines of credit have adjustable rates of interest which are indexed to the prime rate as reported in The Wall Street Journal. Generally, the maximum combined loan-to-value ratio on home equity lines of credit is 80% for loans less than $200,000 and 60% for loans greater than $200,000. A home equity line of credit may be drawn down by the borrower for an initial period of five years from the date of the loan agreement. During this period, the borrower has the option of paying, on a monthly basis, either principal and interest or only the interest. If not renewed, the borrower has to pay back the amount outstanding under the line of credit over a term not to exceed ten years, beginning at the end of the five year period.
Other consumer loans at December 31, 1999 amounted to $10.7 million, or 1.6% of Berkshire Bank's total loans and 5.1% of consumer loans. These loans include education, collateral, personal and unsecured loans. Collateral loans are generally secured by a passbook account, a certificate of deposit or marketable securities. Unsecured loans generally have a maximum borrowing limitation of $10,000 and a maximum term of five years.
Loans secured by rapidly depreciable assets such as automobiles or that are unsecured entail greater risks than one- to four-family mortgage loans. In such cases, repossessed collateral for a defaulted loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance, since there is a greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation of the underlying collateral. The remaining deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection efforts against the borrower beyond obtaining a deficiency judgment. Further, collections on these loans are dependent on the borrower's continuing financial stability and, therefore, are more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy. Repossed collateral relating to consumer loans at December 31, 1999 approximated $996,000. Finally, the application of various federal and state laws, including federal and state bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered on such loans if a borrower defaults.
Loans to One Borrower. The maximum amount that Berkshire Bank may lend to one borrower is limited by statute. At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank's statutory limit on loans to one borrower was $17.6 million. At that date, Berkshire Bank's largest amount of loans to one borrower, including the borrower's related interests, was approximately $7.3 million and consisted of six loans secured by residential and commercial real estate and marketable equity securities. These loans were performing according to their original terms at December 31, 1999.
Maturity of Loan Portfolio. The following table shows the remaining contractual maturity of Berkshire Bank's total loans at December 31, 1999, excluding the effect of future principal prepayments.
At December 31, 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial Home
One- to and Equity
four- Multi-Family Lines of Other
family (1) Construction (2) Real Estate Commercial Credit Automobile Consumer Total
------------ ---------------- ------------- ---------- ---------- ------------- -------- ------
(In thousands)
Amounts due in:
One year or less ......... $ 869 $12,369 $ 1,440 $ 38,458 $ 1,980 $ 1,674 $ 2,133 $ 58,923
After one year:
More than one year
to three years ...... 1,432 54 1,027 11,011 -- 24,030 3,128 40,682
More than three years
to five years ....... 2,835 83 3,142 14,830 -- 104,271 4,356 129,517
More than five years
to 15 years ......... 68,686 28 33,457 33,794 14,278 34,887 950 186,080
More than 15 years ..... 171,418 -- 22,146 48,103 16,910 -- 139 258,716
-------- ------- -------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Total amount due..... $245,240 $12,534 $61,212 $146,196 $33,168 $164,862 $10,706 $673,918
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The following table sets forth, at December 31, 1999, the dollar amount of loans contractually due after December 31, 2000, and whether such loans have fixed interest rates or adjustable interest rates.
Due After December 31, 2000
-----------------------------------------------
Fixed Adjustable Total
------------- ------------ ------------
(In thousands)
Real estate loans:
One- to four-family (1) ................. $ 97,651 $146,720 $244,371
Construction ............................ 165 -- 165
Commercial and multi-family ............. 6,348 53,424 59,772
-------- -------- --------
Total real estate loans .............. 104,164 200,144 304,308
Home equity loans ......................... -- 31,188 31,188
Commercial loans .......................... 10,959 96,779 107,738
Automobile ................................ 163,188 -- 163,188
Other ..................................... 8,406 167 8,573
--------- -------- --------
Total loans.......................... $286,717 $328,278 $614,995
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Scheduled contractual principal repayments of loans do not reflect the actual life of the loans. The average life of a loan is substantially less than its contractual term because of prepayments. In addition, due-on-sale clauses on loans generally give Berkshire Bank the right to declare loans immediately due and payable if, among other things, the borrower sells the real property with the mortgage and the loan is not repaid. The average life of a mortgage loan tends to increase, however, when current mortgage loan market rates are substantially higher than rates on existing mortgage loans and, conversely, tends to decrease when rates on existing mortgage loans are substantially higher than current mortgage loan market rates.
Loan Approval Procedures and Authority. Berkshire Bank's lending activities follow written, non-discriminatory, underwriting standards and loan origination procedures established by Berkshire Bank's Board of Directors and management. The Board of Directors has designated certain individuals of Berkshire Bank and certain branch managers to consider and approve loans within their designated authority.
The Board of Directors has authorized the following persons and groups of persons to approve loans up to the amounts indicated: several residential mortgage lenders have been delegated authority to approve residential mortgage loans ranging from $240,000 to $300,000; home equity lines of credit ranging from $50,000 to $100,000; unsecured consumer loans from $10,000 to $30,000; and secured consumer loans from $30,000 to $50,000. All one- to four-family mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit in amounts of up to $300,000, all secured consumer loans up to $50,000 and all unsecured installment loans up to $30,000, may be approved by the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Executive Vice President-Senior Loan Officer, the Senior Vice President-Retail Lending and the Vice President-Residential Mortgage. All such loans in excess of these amounts require the approval of a majority of the members and the signature of two of the members of Berkshire Bank's Residential Mortgage Lending Committee, which consists of the President, the Executive Vice President-Senior Loan Officer, the Senior Vice President-Retail Lending, the Vice President- Residential Mortgage, the Retail Loan Administration Officer and the residential mortgage lenders. Combining any delegated approval authorities is permitted provided that individual limits may be combined only up to $600,000 for residential mortgage loan approvals without requiring the approval of the Residential Mortgage Lending Committee provided that residential mortgage loans approved by a combination of authorities must include the signature of either the Executive Vice President-Senior Loan Officer, the Senior Vice President- Retail Lending or the Senior Vice President-Commercial Lending. All residential loans in excess of $1.0 million require the approval of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors or the full Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors has delegated the authority to approve loans to several commercial loan officers in amounts ranging from $20,000 to $150,000 for secured commercial loans and in amounts ranging from $20,000 to $75,000 for unsecured commercial loans. All secured commercial loans in amounts up to $300,000 and unsecured commercial loans in amounts up to $175,000 may be approved by the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Executive Vice President-Senior Loan Officer, the Senior Vice Presidents of Lending and certain commercial loan managers. Such loans in excess of these amounts require the approval of a majority of the members of Berkshire Bank's Senior Lending Committee, which consists of the Executive Vice President, Senior Loan Officer, the Senior Vice Presidents of Lending and all commercial loan officers. The President and the Credit Administration Officer are non-voting members of the Senior Loan Committee. Delegated approval authorities may be combined. However, individual limits may be combined only up to $500,000 for commercial loan approvals without requiring approval of the Senior Lending Committee provided that commercial loans approved by a combination of authorities must include the signature of either the Executive Vice President-Senior Loan Officer, Senior Vice President-Commercial Lending or the Senior Commercial Lender. All commercial loans in excess of $1.0 million require the approval of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors or the full Board of Directors.
Loan Originations, Purchases and Sales. Berkshire Bank lending activities are conducted by its salaried and commissioned loan personnel and through its relationship with automobile dealers. Currently, Berkshire Bank has contractual relationships with approximately 100 automobile dealers who originate automobile loans for Berkshire Bank. Berkshire Bank underwrites such loans. The automobile dealers close the loans and immediately assign them to Berkshire Bank. These automobile dealers accounted for approximately 43.0% of the loans originated by Berkshire Bank in 1999. The automobile dealers are compensated based on the difference between the interest rate on the loan offered in excess of the interest rate prescribed by Berkshire Bank, up to a maximum of 4 points. The compensation is paid at the time the loan is closed and assigned to Berkshire Bank. Additionally, Berkshire Bank utilizes third parties, including finance companies to originate loans.
From time to time, Berkshire Bank will purchase whole loans or participations in loans. Historically, Berkshire Bank generally purchased consumer loans from a third party which originates loans through smaller automobile dealers and has participated in loans secured by commercial real estate. The consumer loans purchased from the third party are underwritten and closed by that third party. Berkshire Bank, however, will also perform its
own credit analysis before purchasing the loan. Berkshire Bank purchased $11.9 million of these consumer loans in 1999. The commercial real estate loans participated in by Berkshire Bank are underwritten according to Berkshire Bank's own underwriting criteria and procedures and are generally purchased with the accompanying servicing rights. Berkshire Bank purchased $2.2 million of such loans in 1999. Amounts outstanding related to loan participation interests purchased by Berkshire Bank totaled $2.9 million and $6.3 million at December 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998, respectively, and consisted primarily of loans secured by commercial real estate.
At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank was servicing $66.4 million of loans for others, consisting primarily of automobile and one-to four-family mortgage loans sold by Berkshire Bank. Loan servicing includes collecting and remitting loan payments, accounting for principal and interest, contacting delinquent borrowers, supervising foreclosures and property dispositions when there are unremedied defaults, making insurance and tax payments on behalf of the borrowers and generally administering the loans. The gross servicing fee income from loans sold is generally between 25 basis points for one- to four-family mortgage loans and 100 basis points for automobile loans of the total balance of the loan being serviced.
Berkshire Bank generally originates loans for portfolio but from time to time will sell loans in the secondary market based on prevailing market interest rate conditions and an analysis of the composition and risk of the loan portfolio and liquidity needs. Historically, Berkshire Bank, from time to time, sold one-to four-family mortgage loans in the secondary market while retaining the servicing. However, in recent years Berkshire Bank has begun to primarily sell a portion of its automobile loans in the secondary market to a financial institution in Vermont. In 1999, Berkshire Bank sold $44.3 million of loans, which consisted primarily of automobile loans. The determination of which loans to sell depends upon liquidity needs, the loan mix of the portfolio and interest rate risk management. Berkshire Bank currently anticipates that future loan sales will consist predominately of automobile loans. Generally, loans are sold without recourse.
The following table presents total loans originated, purchased, sold and repaid during the periods indicated.
For the Year Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- ----------
(In thousands)
Loans at beginning of period................................... $606,716 $497,884 $465,497
-------- -------- --------
Originations:
Real estate loans:
One-to four-family.................................... 49,207 66,410 34,203
Construction.......................................... 7,199 10,978 4,736
Multifamily........................................... 3,620 926 4,036
Commercial real estate................................ 9,478 24,454 9,224
-------- -------- ---------
Total real estate loans......................... 69,504 102,768 52,199
-------- -------- ---------
Consumer loans:
Home equity lines of credit........................... 10,796 21,942 6,252
Other................................................. 135,574 101,035 75,778
-------- -------- ---------
Total consumer loans............................ 146,370 122,977 82,030
Commercial loans........................................ 64,542 51,989 42,019
-------- -------- ---------
Total loans originated.......................... 280,416 277,734 176,248
-------- -------- ---------
Purchases:
Real estate loans:
Multi-family.......................................... 566 2,080 --
Commercial real estate................................ 2,228 -- --
-------- -------- ---------
Total real estate loans......................... 2,794 2,080 --
Consumer loans:
Other................................................. 11,877 6,006 --
Commercial loans......................................... 1,088 15,567 1,160
-------- -------- --------
Total loans purchased........................... 15,759 23,653 1,160
-------- -------- --------
Deduct:
Principal loan repayments, repayments and other, net..... 182,474 186,014 140,908
Loan sales............................................... 44,308 5,763 1,903
Net loan charge-offs..................................... 2,085 544 1,702
Transfers to real estate owned........................... 106 234 508
-------- -------- --------
Total deductions................................... 228,973 192,555 145,021
-------- -------- --------
Net increase in loans.......................................... 67,202 108,832 32,387
-------- -------- --------
Loans at end of period......................................... $673,918 $606,716 $497,884
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Loan Commitments. Berkshire Bank issues loan commitments to its prospective borrowers conditioned on the occurrence of certain events. Commitments are made in writing on specified terms and conditions and are generally honored for up to 60 days from approval. At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank had loan commitments and unadvanced loans and lines of credit totaling $117.4 million. See Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this prospectus.
Loan Fees. In addition to interest earned on loans, Berkshire Bank receives income from fees derived from loan originations, loan modifications, late payments and for miscellaneous services related to its loans. Income from these activities varies from period to period depending upon the volume and type of loans made and competitive conditions.
Berkshire Bank charges loan origination fees which are calculated as a percentage of the amount borrowed. As required by applicable accounting principles, loan origination fees, discount points and certain loan origination costs are deferred and recognized over the contractual remaining lives of the related loans on a level yield basis. At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank had approximately $170,000 of net deferred loan fees and costs. Berkshire Bank amortized $44,000 of net deferred loan fees and costs during the year ended December 31, 1999.
Nonperforming Assets, Delinquencies and Impaired Loans. When a borrower fails to make a required loan payment, Berkshire Bank attempts to cure the deficiency by mailing a past due notice on the 10th day of the month. In most cases, delinquencies are cured promptly. If a delinquency continues beyond the 15th day, the loan will appear on a delinquency list and the account officer will contact the borrower. If a delinquency continues beyond the 30th day of the month, the borrower is again contacted and if it is determined that the late payment is not a short-term cash flow problem, the account is reported to the Senior Workout Officer. While Berkshire Bank generally prefers to work with borrowers to resolve problems, Berkshire Bank generally will initiate foreclosure or other proceedings no later than the 90th day of a delinquency, as necessary, to minimize any potential loss.
Management informs the Board of Directors monthly of the amount of loans delinquent more than 30 days, all loans in foreclosure, and all foreclosed and repossessed property that Berkshire Bank owns. Berkshire Bank generally ceases accruing interest on all loans when principal or interest payments are delinquent 90 days or more unless management determines the loan principal and interest to be fully-secured and in the process of collection. Once the accrual of interest on a loan is discontinued, all interest previously accrued is reversed against current period interest income once management determines that interest is uncollectible.
On January 1, 1995, Berkshire Bank adopted SFAS No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan," as amended by SFAS No. 118 "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan--an amendment to SFAS No. 114." At December 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998, Berkshire Bank had a $1.5 million and $938,000, respectively, recorded investment in impaired loans, which had no specific allowances and $50,000 and $1.5 million in loans with valuation allowances of $14,000 and $304,000, respectively.
The following table sets forth information regarding nonperforming assets at the dates indicated.
At December 31,
----------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------- --------- --------- --------- -----------
(Dollars in thousands)
Nonaccruing loans:
One- to four-family real estate...................................... $ 450 $1,272 $ 623 $ 766 $1,411
Commercial real estate............................................... -- 1,064 336 1,421 966
Commercial........................................................... 1,572 612 613 2,619 1,393
Consumer............................................................. 819 542 584 39 142
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total nonperforming loans........................................ 2,841 3,490 2,156 4,845 3,912
Real estate owned....................................................... 220 398 364 2,888 219
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total nonperforming assets....................................... $3,061 $3,888 $2,520 $7,733 $4,131
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Total nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans................ 0.42% 0.58% 0.43% 1.04% 0.87%
Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets.............. 0.36% 0.50% 0.40% 1.23% 0.69%
|
Interest income that would have been recorded for the year ended December 31, 1999 had nonaccruing loans been current according to their original terms amounted to approximately $362,000, $209,000 of which was included in interest income related to these loans.
The following tables set forth the delinquencies in Berkshire Bank's loan portfolio as of the dates indicated.
At December 31, 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------
60-89 Days 90 Days or More
----------------------------- ---------------------------
Principal Principal
Number of Balance of Number of Balance of
Loans Loans Loans Loans
------------ -------------- ----------- --------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate loans:
One- to four-family................................... 6 $ 384 1 $ 106
Commercial real estate................................ -- -- -- --
Multi-family.......................................... -- -- -- --
Consumer loans:
Equity lines of credit................................ -- -- -- --
All other............................................. 95 831 121 776
Commercial loans......................................... 6 335 11 1,168
----- ------ ---- ------
Total.............................................. 107 $1,550 133 $2,050
===== ====== ==== ======
Delinquent loans to total loans.......................... 0.34% 0.23% 0.43% 0.31%
|
At December 31, 1998
-----------------------------------------------------------------
60-89 Days 90 Days or More
----------------------------- ----------------------------------
Principal Principal
Number of Balance of Number of Balance of
Loans Loans Loans Loans
---------- --------------- -------------- -----------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate loans:
One- to four-family..................................... 2 $ 169 4 $ 375
Commercial real estate.................................. -- -- -- --
Multi-family........................................... -- -- 1 79
Consumer loans:
Equity lines of credit.................................. -- -- 1 50
All other............................................... 68 607 65 492
Commercial loans......................................... 2 150 19 1,397
-- ----- -- ------
Total.................................................. 72 $ 926 90 $2,393
== ===== == ======
Delinquent loans to
total loans........................................... 0.29% 0.15% 0.36% 0.39%
At December 31, 1997
-------------------------------------------------------------------
60-89 Days 90 Days or More
---------------------------- ----------------------------------
Principal Principal
Number of Balance of Number of Balance of
Loans Loans Loans Loans
------------ ------------- ------------- -----------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate loans:
One- to four-family..................................... 10 $ 719 4 $ 988
Commercial real estate.................................. -- -- -- --
Multi-family........................................... -- -- -- --
Consumer loans:
Equity lines of credit.................................. -- -- 1 115
All other............................................... 59 414 52 469
Commercial loans......................................... 3 311 9 556
-- ------ -- ------
Total.................................................. 72 $1,444 66 $2,128
== ====== == ======
Delinquent loans to
total loans........................................... 0.35% 0.29% 0.32% 0.43%
|
Real Estate Owned. Real estate acquired by Berkshire Bank as a result of foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure is classified as real estate owned until sold. When property is acquired it is recorded at fair market value at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Holding costs and declines in fair value after acquisition are expensed. At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank had $220,000 of real estate owned, net, consisting primarily of three commercial properties.
Asset Classification. Regulators have adopted various regulations and practices regarding problem assets of savings institutions. Under such regulations, federal and state examiners have authority to identify problem assets during examinations and, if appropriate, require them to be classified.
There are three classifications for problem assets: substandard, doubtful and loss. Substandard assets have one or more defined weaknesses and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the insured institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Doubtful assets have the weaknesses of substandard assets with the additional characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full on the basis of currently
existing facts, conditions and values questionable, and there is a high possibility of loss. An asset classified as loss is considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as an asset of the institution is not warranted. If an asset or portion thereof is classified as loss, the insured institution establishes specific allowances for loan losses for the full amount of the portion of the asset classified as loss. All or a portion of general loan loss allowances established to cover probable losses related to assets classified substandard or doubtful can be included in determining an institution's regulatory capital, while specific valuation allowances for loan losses generally do not qualify as regulatory capital. Assets that do not currently expose the insured institution to sufficient risk to warrant classification in one of the aforementioned categories but possess weaknesses are designated "special mention." Berkshire Bank performs an internal analysis of its loan portfolio and assets to classify such loans and assets similar to the manner in which such loans and assets are classified by the federal banking regulators. In addition, Berkshire Bank regularly analyzes the losses inherent in its loan portfolio and its nonperforming loans in determining the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses.
The following table sets forth Berkshire Bank's classified assets at December 31, 1999.
Loss Doubtful Substandard Special Mention
-------------------------- ------------------------ --------------------------- -----------------------
Number Principal Number Principal Number Principal Number Principal
of Loans Balance of Loans Balance of Loans Balance of Loans Balance
------------ ----------- ---------- ----------- ------------- ----------- --------- -----------
(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate loans:
One- to four-family... -- $ -- -- $ -- 7 $ 450 11 $1,477
Commercial
real estate....... -- -- -- -- 21 6,003 19 2,198
Multi-family......... -- -- -- -- 10 1,550 -- --
Consumer loans:
Equity lines of
credit.............. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
All other............ -- -- -- -- 181 776 109 831
Commercial loans........ -- -- -- -- 30 1,344 20 1,761
------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------ -------
Total............. -- $ -- -- $ -- 249 $10,123 159 $ 6,267
======= ======== ======= ======= ======= ======= ===== =======
|
At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank had six outstanding loans with one borrower, which were adversely classified or identified as a problem credit, totalling $1.2 million. These loans, all of which were delinquent and classified as Substandard, were secured by commercial real estate, commercial business assets and accounts receivable. Berkshire Bank charged-off approximately $600,000 in fiscal 1999 in connection with these loans and anticipates that it will incur additional charge-offs in the future. Berkshire Bank had no other classified loans greater than $500,000 which were not performing according to their terms on December 31, 1999.
Allowance for Loan Losses. In originating loans, Berkshire Bank recognizes that losses will be experienced on loans and that the risk of loss will vary with, among other things, the type of loan being made, the creditworthiness of the borrower over the term of the loan, general economic conditions and, in the case of a secured loan, the quality of the security for the loan. Berkshire Bank maintains an allowance for loan losses to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses represents management's estimate of probable losses based on information available as of the date of the financial statements. The allowance for loan losses is based on management's evaluation of the collectibility of the loan portfolio, including past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, and economic conditions.
The loan portfolio and other credit exposures are regularly reviewed by management to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. The methodology for assessing the appropriateness of the allowance includes comparison to actual losses, peer group comparisons, industry data and economic conditions. In addition, management employs an independent third party to perform a review of all of Berkshire Bank's commercial loan
relationships exceeding $1.0 million, all material credits on Berkshire Bank's watch list or classified as Substandard and a random sampling of new loans. The regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, also periodically review Berkshire Bank's allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require Berkshire Bank to make additional provisions for estimated losses based upon judgments different from those of management.
In assessing the allowance for loan losses, loss factors are applied to various pools of outstanding loans and certain unused commitments. Berkshire Bank segregates the loan portfolio according to risk characteristics (i.e., mortgage loans, home equity, consumer, commercial). Loss factors are derived using Berkshire Bank's historical loss experience and may be adjusted for significant factors that, in management's judgment, affect the collectibility of the portfolio as of the evaluation date.
In addition, management assesses the allowance using factors that cannot be associated with specific credit or loan categories. These factors include management's subjective evaluation of local and national economic and business conditions, portfolio concentration and changes in the character and size of the loan portfolio. The allowance methodology reflects management's objective that the overall allowance appropriately reflects a margin for the imprecision necessarily inherent in estimates of expected credit losses.
At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank had an allowance for loan losses of $8.5 million which represented 1.27% of total loans and 302.62% of nonperforming loans at that date. Although management believes that it uses the best information available to establish the allowance for loan losses, future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary and results of operations could be adversely affected if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the determinations. Furthermore, while Berkshire Bank believes it has established its existing allowance for loan losses in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, there can be no assurance that regulators, in reviewing Berkshire Bank's loan portfolio, will not request Berkshire Bank to increase its allowance for loan losses. In addition, because future events affecting borrowers and collateral cannot be predicted with certainty, there can be no assurance that the existing allowance for loan losses is adequate or that increases will not be necessary should the quality of any loans deteriorate as a result of the factors discussed above. Any material increase in the allowance for loan losses may adversely affect Berkshire Bank's financial condition and results of operations.
The following table presents an analysis of Berkshire Bank's allowance for loan losses for the years indicated.
At or For the Year Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses, beginning of year........ $ 7,589 $ 6,078 $ 6,303 $ 6,484 $ 5,079
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Charged-off loans:
One- to four-family real estate.................. 117 14 66 188 395
Multi-family..................................... -- -- 82 -- --
Commercial real estate........................... 297 253 959 103 64
Consumer (1)..................................... 731 311 699 363 257
Commercial....................................... 1,208 234 490 1,754 748
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total charged-off loans....................... 2,353 812 2,296 2,408 1,464
Recoveries on loans previously charged off.......... 268 268 594 247 360
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net loans charged off............................... 2,085 544 1,702 2,161 1,104
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Provision for loan losses........................... 3,030 2,055 1,477 1,980 2,509
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Allowance for loan losses, end of year.............. $ 8,534 $ 7,589 $ 6,078 $ 6,303 $ 6,484
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Ratios:
Net loans charged-off to interest-earning loans..... 0.31% 0.09% 0.34% 0.47% 0.25%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans............ 1.27% 1.25% 1.22% 1.35% 1.45%
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans.... 302.62% 217.45% 281.91% 130.09% 165.75%
Net loans charged-off to allowance
for loan losses.................................. 24.43 7.17 28.00 34.29 17.03
Recoveries to charge-offs........................... 11.39 33.00 25.87 10.26 24.59
|
For additional discussion regarding the provision for loan losses in recent periods, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Comparison of Operating Results for the year ended December 31, 1999 and 1998--Provision for Loan Losses."
The following table presents the approximate allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan categories at the dates indicated and the percentage of such amounts to the total allowance and to total loans. Management believes that the allowance can be allocated by category only on an approximate basis. The allocation of the allowance to each category is not indicative of future losses and does not restrict the use of any of the allowance to absorb losses in any category.
At December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---------------------------------- --------------------------------- --------------------------------
Percent of Percent of Percent of
Allowance Percent Allowance Percent Allowance Percent of
in Each of Loans in Each of Loans in Each of Loans
Category in Each Category in Each Category in Each
to Total Category to to Total Category to to Total Category to
Amount Allowance Total Loans Amount Allowance Total Loans Amount Allowance Total Loans
------ --------- ----------- ------ --------- ----------- ------ --------- -----------
(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate loans......... $2,322 27.20% 47.34% $2,262 29.81% 49.51% $1,938 31.88% 54.21
Consumer loans............ 2,867 33.60 30.97 2,339 30.82 28.38 1,590 26.16 23.43
Commercial................ 3,345 39.20 21.69 2,988 39.37 22.11 2,550 41.96 22.36
------ ------ ------ ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total allowance
for loan losses..... $8,534 100.00% 100.00% $7,589 100.00% 100.00% $6,078 100.00% 100.00
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
At December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995
------------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Percent of Percent of
Allowance Percent Allowance Percent
in Each of Loans in Each of Loans
Category in Each Category in Each
to Total Category to to Total Category to
Amount Allowance Total Loans Amount Allowance Total Loans
-------- ------------ ------------- ------- ----------- ------------
(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate loans......... $1,866 29.60% 57.19% $1,973 30.43% 60.61%
Consumer loans............ 1,901 30.15 20.49 1,883 29.04 16.80
Commercial................ 2,536 40.25 22.32 2,628 40.53 22.59
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total allowance
for loan losses..... $6,303 100.00% 100.00% $6,484 100.00% 100.00%
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
|
Investment Securities Activities
General. Under Massachusetts law, Berkshire Bank has authority to purchase a wide range of investment securities. As a result of recent changes in federal banking laws, however, financial institutions such as Berkshire Bank may not engage as principals in any activities that are not permissible for a national bank, unless the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has determined that the investments would pose no significant risk to the Bank Insurance Fund and Berkshire Bank is in compliance with applicable capital standards. In 1993, the Regional Director of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation approved a request by Berkshire Bank to acquire and retain certain listed stocks and/or registered stocks subject to certain conditions. See "Regulation and Supervision."
Berkshire Bank's main source of income has been and will continue to be derived from its loan portfolio. The investment securities portfolio is primarily used to provide for Berkshire Bank's cash flow needs, to provide adequate liquidity to protect the safety of customer deposits and to earn a reasonable return on investment. The structure of the investment securities portfolio is based upon the composition and quality of the loan portfolio and Berkshire Bank's liquidity position and deposit structure. Berkshire Bank currently utilizes its fixed income investment securities portfolio as a source of liquidity to its loan portfolio and to manage its interest rate risk profile. As such, higher priority has generally been given to investments in money market and shorter-term readily marketable securities.
Berkshire Bank's investment securities policy divides investments into two categories, fixed income and equity portfolios. The primary objectives of the fixed income portfolio are to: (1) maintain an adequate source of liquidity sufficient to meet regulatory and operating requirements, including funding for loans; (2) safeguard against deposit outflows, reduced loan amortization and increased loan demand; and (3) manage interest rate risk. The fixed income securities portfolio primarily consists of debt issues, including corporate and municipal bonds, U.S. government and agency obligations and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations and real estate mortgage investments conduits. A collateralized mortgage obligation is a mortgage-backed bond that separates mortgage pools into different maturities called "tranches." Tranches pay different rates of interest and can mature in a few months, or a few years. In return for a lower yield, collateralized mortgage obligations provide increased security about the life of the investment. However, in a lowering interest rate risk environment, collateralized mortgage obligations tend to be repaid before their expected maturities as prepayments increase. This may result in Berkshire Bank having to reinvest the funds at a lower interest rate. Real estate mortgage investments conduits, a type of collateralized mortgage obligation, are similar in that securities representing an undivided interest in such mortgages are issued. However, real estate mortgage investments conduits have more flexibility than other types of collateralized mortgage obligations as issuers can separate mortgage pools not only into different maturity classes but also into different risk classes. Approximately 71.2% of Berkshire Bank's mortgage-backed securities are issued or guaranteed by agencies of the U.S. Government, which carry lower credit risk than mortgage-backed securities of a private issuer. Other types of asset-backed securities in which Berkshire Bank invests are typically collateralized by the cash flow from a pool of auto loans, credit card receivables, consumer loans and other similar obligations. Both mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities carry market risk, the risk that increases in market interest rates may cause a decrease in market value.
The marketable equity securities portfolio is currently managed to produce capital gains through price appreciation and lowering taxable income through deductions permitted for a portion of dividends received. The total book value of the marketable equity securities portfolio is currently limited by the investment policy to 100% of total capital. At December 31, 1999, the cost of the marketable equity securities portfolio, including restricted equity securities, totaled $16.3 million or 18.5% of its authorized limit and consisted primarily of bank, utility and industrial stocks. At December 31, 1999, the gross unrealized gains associated with the marketable equity securities portfolio were $28.4 million and the gross unrealized losses were $501,000. The market equity securities portfolio carries equity price risk in that, if equity prices decline due to unfavorable market conditions or other factors, Berkshire Bank's capital would decrease.
SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities," requires that investments be categorized as "held to maturity," "trading securities" or "available for sale," based on management's
intent as to the ultimate disposition of each security. SFAS No. 115 allows debt securities to be classified as "held to maturity" and reported in financial statements at amortized cost only if the reporting entity has the positive intent and ability to hold those securities to maturity. Securities that might be sold in response to changes in market interest rates, changes in the security's prepayment risk, increases in loan demand, or other similar factors cannot be classified as "held to maturity." Debt and equity securities held for current resale are classified as "trading securities." These securities are reported at fair value, and unrealized gains and losses on the securities would be included in earnings. Berkshire Bank does not currently use or maintain a trading account. Debt and equity securities not classified as either "held to maturity" or "trading securities" are classified as "available for sale." These securities are reported at fair value, and unrealized gains and losses on the securities are excluded from earnings and included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes.
The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for developing and reviewing Berkshire Bank's investment policy, which is designed to complement Berkshire Bank's lending activities, improve liquidity and earn a reasonable return through interest, dividend and capital gain income while minimizing Berkshire Bank's federal tax liability through deductions available on corporate dividends. Investment decisions are made in accordance with Berkshire Bank's investment policy and are based upon the quality of a particular investment, its inherent risks, Berkshire Bank's liquidity needs, prospects for yield and/or appreciation and the potential tax consequences. While general investment strategies are developed and authorized by the Executive Committee, the execution of specific investment actions and the day- to-day oversight of Berkshire Bank's investment portfolio rests with the Chairman, President and Treasurer. These officers are authorized to execute investment transactions up to specified limits based on the type of security without the prior approval of the Executive Committee. However, such purchases require the ratification of the Executive Committee at their next scheduled meeting. The Board of Directors receives a monthly report of all securities transactions made during the previous month.
Berkshire Bank's investment policy allows the use of certain hedging strategies, including the purchase of options in an effort to increase the return and decrease the risk on the securities portfolio. However, Berkshire Bank has not engaged in such practices to date and does not currently intend to do so in the future. If circumstances warrant the use of such derivative instruments in the future, Berkshire Bank's current investment securities policy would be amended to specifically authorize such transactions and provide limitations on such investments.
The following table presents the amortized cost and fair value of Berkshire Bank's available for sale securities, by type of security, at the dates indicated.
At December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------
Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair
Cost Value Cost Value Cost Value
----------- ---------- ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------
(In thousands)
Investment securities:
Obligations of U.S. Treasury
and U.S. Government agencies....... $10,986 $10,711 $12,243 $12,286 $21,310 $21,257
Corporate bonds and notes........... 31,177 30,634 18,054 18,073 1,078 1,083
Asset-backed securities............. 3,253 3,207 2,639 2,604 2,191 2,209
Marketable equity securities........ 10,454 38,399 10,538 39,786 11,096 33,526
------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total investment securities....... 55,870 82,951 43,474 72,749 35,675 58,075
Mortgage-backed securities:
Freddie Mac......................... $ 2,469 $ 2,493 $ 3,591 $ 3,654 $ 3,448 $ 3,539
Fannie Mae.......................... 1,604 1,618 2,124 2,188 3,951 4,020
Private label REMICs................ 5,878 5,841 14,877 14,886 5,651 5,648
Ginnie Mae.......................... 180 181 293 297 487 496
------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total mortgage-backed securities.. 10,131 10,133 20,885 21,025 13,537 13,703
------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total available-for-sale
securities...................... $66,001 $93,084 $64,359 $93,774 $49,212 $71,778
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
|
The following table presents the amortized cost and fair value of Berkshire Bank's held for maturity securities, by type of security, at the dates indicated.
At December 31,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
------------------------------ ----------------------------- ------------------------
Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair
Cost Value Cost Value Cost Value
------------ -------------- ------------ -------------- ----------- ----------
(In thousands)
Investment securities:
Obligations of U.S. Treasury
and U.S. Government agencies ... $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 2,000 $ 2,001
Municipal notes.................. 6,720 6,720 6,997 6,997 3,464 3,464
Other bonds and notes............ -- -- -- -- -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total investment securities..... 6,720 6,720 6,997 6,997 5,464 5,465
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Mortgage-backed securities:
Freddie Mac ..................... 5,368 5,334 8,642 8,643 11,679 11,668
Fannie Mae....................... 4,352 4,303 7,306 7,288 15,962 15,940
Ginnie Mae....................... 574 565 835 828 1,570 1,566
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total mortgage-backed
securities................ 10,294 10,202 16,783 16,759 29,211 29,174
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total held-to-maturity
securities $17,014 $16,922 $23,780 $23,756 $34,675 $34,639
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
|
At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank did not own any investment or mortgage-backed securities of a single issuer, other than U.S. Government and agency securities, which had an aggregate book value in excess of 10% of Berkshire Bank's capital at that date.
The following presents the activity in the investment securities and mortgage-backed securities portfolios for the years indicated.
For the Year Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
----------- ---------- --------------
(In thousands)
Investment securities:
Investment securities, beginning of year................. $ 79,746 $ 63,539 $ 79,256
Purchases................................................... 34,636 56,472 13,566
Sales....................................................... (240) (16,554) (11,219)
Maturities and calls........................................ (16,646) (27,220) (26,568)
Net (premium)/discount...................................... (5,626) (3,373) 2,297
(Decrease)/increase in unrealized gain...................... (2,199) 6,882 6,207
-------- -------- --------
Net (decrease)/increase in investment securities......... 9,925 16,207 (15,717)
Investment securities, end of year....................... 89,671 79,746 63,539
-------- -------- --------
Mortgage-backed securities:
Mortgage-backed securities, beginning of year............ 37,808 42,914 36,809
Purchases................................................ 18,256 58,638 42,045
Sales.................................................... -- -- (346)
Repayments and prepayments............................... (36,246) (62,592) (30,559)
Net (premium)/discount...................................... 742 (1,122) (5,140)
(Decrease)/increase in unrealized gain...................... (133) (30) 105
-------- -------- --------
Net (decrease)/increase in mortgage-backed securities.... (17,381) (5,106) 6,105
Mortgage-backed securities, end of year.................. 20,427 37,808 42,914
-------- -------- --------
Total securities, end of year............................... $110,098 $117,554 $106,453
======== ======== ========
|
The following table presents certain information regarding the amortized cost, weighted average yields and estimated maturities or periods to repricing of Berkshire Bank's debt securities at December 31, 1999.
At December 31, 1999
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More than One Year More than Five Years
One Year or Less to Five Years to Ten Years
--------------------------- --------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Amortized Average Amortized Average Amortized Average
Cost Yield Cost Yield Cost Yield
-------------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(Dollars in thousands)
Investment securities:
Obligations of U.S. Treasury and
U.S. Government agencies......... $ 2,349 5.15% $ 7,639 5.81% $ 998 5.82%
Mortgage-backed securities.......... 13,073 6.37 6,957 6.47 334 6.76
Municipals.......................... 5,888 3.85 221 5.62 -- --
Corporate bonds and notes........... 8,590 6.30 20,742 6.40 1,002 6.35
Asset-backed securities (1)......... 2,599 6.45 623 6.60 31 8.27
------- ------- ------
Total......................... $32,499 5.81% $36,182 6.29% $2,365 6.25%
======= ======= ======
At December 31, 1999
------------------------------------------------
More than Ten Years Total
----------------------- ----------------------
Weighted Weighted
Amortized Average Amortized Average
Cost Yield Cost Yield
---------- ----------- ---------- ----------
(Dollars in thousands)
Investment securities:
Obligations of U.S. Treasury and
U.S. Government agencies..................... $ -- --% $10,986 5.69%
Mortgage-backed securities...................... 61 6.29 20,425 6.41
Municipals...................................... 611 4.99 6,720 4.01
Corporate bonds and notes....................... 843 7.99 31,177 6.41
Asset-backed securities (1)..................... -- -- 3,253 6.50
------ -------
Total..................................... $1,515 6.68% $72,561 6.09%
====== =======
|
Deposit Activities and Other Sources of Funds
General. Deposits are the major external source of funds for Berkshire Bank's lending and other investment activities. In addition, Berkshire Bank also generates funds internally from loan principal repayments and prepayments and maturing investment securities. Scheduled loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and outflows and loan prepayments are influenced significantly by general interest rates and money market conditions. Berkshire Bank may use borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston as a source of funding for loan and securities investment activity. To a lesser extent, Berkshire Bank also utilizes retail repurchase agreements as a source of funds.
Deposit Accounts. Substantially all of Berkshire Bank's deposits are generated from the areas surrounding its branch offices. Berkshire Bank offers a wide variety of deposit accounts with a range of interest rates and terms. Berkshire Bank's deposit accounts consist of interest-bearing checking, noninterest-bearing checking, regular savings, money market savings and certificates of deposit. The maturities of Berkshire Bank's certificate of deposit accounts range from three months to ten years. In addition, Berkshire Bank offers retirement accounts, including Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, Simple IRAs, Self-Directed IRAs and Keogh accounts, simplified employee pension plan, profit-sharing qualified plan and money purchase pension plan accounts. Berkshire Bank also offers commercial business products to small businesses operating within its primary market area. Deposit account terms vary with the principal differences being the minimum balance deposit, early withdrawal penalties, limits on the number of transactions and the interest rate. Berkshire Bank reviews its deposit mix and pricing on a weekly basis.
Berkshire Bank also offers a variety of deposit accounts designed for the businesses operating in its market area. Berkshire Bank's business banking deposit products include a commercial checking account which provides an earnings credit to offset monthly service charges and a checking account specifically designed for small business. Additionally, Berkshire Bank offers sweep accounts and money market accounts for businesses and IOLTA interest checking and escrow accounts. Berkshire Bank has sought to increase its commercial deposits through the offering of these products, particularly to its commercial borrowers and to the municipalities that participate in its government banking program.
Berkshire Bank believes it offers competitive interest rates on its deposit products. Berkshire Bank determines the rates paid based on a number of factors, including rates paid by competitors, Berkshire Bank's need for funds and cost of funds, borrowing costs, Berkshire Bank's current asset/liability structure, the amount of maturing deposits and movements of market interest rates. Berkshire Bank currently does not utilize brokers to obtain deposits but may choose to do so in the future. At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank had no brokered deposits. All Massachusetts savings banks are required to be members of the Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc. and as such must pay its assessments. The Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc. maintains the Depositors' Insurance Fund, a private deposit insurer, which insures all deposits in member banks in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation deposit insurance limits. See "Regulation and Supervision--Massachusetts Banking Laws and Supervision."
In the unlikely event Berkshire Bank is liquidated after the conversion, depositors will be entitled to full payment of their deposit accounts before any payment is made to Berkshire Hills as the sole stockholder of Berkshire Bank.
The following table presents the deposit activity of Berkshire Bank for the years indicated.
For the Year Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
------------- --------------- ---------------
(In thousands)
Increase/(Decrease) before interest credited............ $ 9,797 $ 85,460 $(18,008)
Interest credited....................................... 23,848 22,601 21,564
-------- --------- ---------
Net increase............................................ $33,645 $108,061 $ 3,556
======== ========= =========
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At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank had certificate of deposit accounts in amounts of $100,000 or more maturing as follows:
Weighted
Average
Maturity Period Amount Rate
--------------- ------------ -------------
(In thousands)
Three months or less................... $16,550 5.11%
Over 3 months through 6 months......... 15,645 5.22
Over 6 months through 12 months........ 18,947 5.54
Over 12 months......................... 31,623 6.10
--------
Total............................. $82,765 5.61%
========
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The following table presents information concerning average balances and weighted average interest rates on Berkshire Bank's deposit accounts for the years indicated.
For the Year Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
------------------------------------ ----------------------------------- --------------------------------
Percent Percent Percent
of Total Weighted of Total Weighted of Total Weighted
Average Average Average Average Average Average Average Average Average
Balance Deposits Rate Balance Deposits Rate Balance Deposits Rate
----------- --------- --------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(Dollars in thousands)
Money market accounts.... $ 84,971 12.88% 3.73% $ 62,043 10.73% 3.50% $ 49,159 9.23% 3.33%
NOW accounts............. 73,615 11.16 1.13 60,039 10.38 1.94 50,696 9.52 1.97
Savings (1).............. 142,193 21.55 3.07 129,020 22.31 3.04 125,020 23.48 3.00
Certificates of deposit.. 291,344 44.16 5.31 271,959 47.02 5.64 262,379 49.28 5.78
Demand accounts.......... 67,571 10.25 -- 55,259 9.56 -- 45,218 8.49 --
-------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ------
Total.............. $659,694 100.00% 3.62% $578,320 100.00% 3.91% $532,472 100.00% 4.05%
======== ====== ======== ====== ======== ======
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Certificates of Deposit by Rates and Maturities. The following table presents the amount of certificate accounts categorized by rates and maturities, for the periods and years indicated.
Period to Maturity from December 31, 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than One to Two Two to Three Over Three
One Year Years Years Years
-------------- ---------------- -------------- ---------------
(Dollars in thousands)
0.00-4.00%....................... $ 851 $ -- $ -- $ --
4.01-5.00%....................... 103,577 4,093 184 183
5.01-6.00%....................... 90,224 46,615 8,253 9,769
6.01-7.00%....................... 11,163 2,709 932 7,438
7.01% and above.................. 741 14 7,206 1,351
--------- -------- -------- -------
Total................... $206,556 $53,431 $16,575 $18,741
========= ======== ======== =======
Total at December 31,
---------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---------------- -------------- ---------------
(Dollars in thousands)
0.00-4.00%........................ $ 851 $ 1,095 $ 698
4.01-5.00%........................ 108,037 61,510 6,110
5.01-6.00%........................ 154,861 188,280 195,356
6.01-7.00%........................ 22,242 27,626 41,413
7.01% and above................... 9,312 12,146 17,016
-------- -------- --------
Total.................... $295,303 $290,657 $260,593
======== ======== ========
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Borrowings. Berkshire Bank utilizes advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston to supplement its supply of lendable funds and to meet deposit withdrawal requirements. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston functions as a central reserve bank providing credit for savings banks and certain other member financial institutions. As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, Berkshire Bank is required to own capital stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston and is authorized to apply for advances on the security of the capital stock and certain of its mortgage loans and other assets, principally securities that are obligations of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. Government or its agencies, provided certain creditworthiness standards have been met. Advances are made under several different credit programs. Each credit program has its own interest rate and range of maturities. Depending on the program, limitations on the amount of advances are based on the financial condition of the member institution and the adequacy of collateral pledged to secure the credit. At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank had the ability to borrow a total of approximately $209.2 million from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. At that date, Berkshire Bank had outstanding advances of $58.9 million. In addition, Berkshire Bank had a $2.0 million repurchase agreement line of credit to be secured by securities or other assets of Berkshire Bank with the Depositors Insurance Fund. Berkshire Bank only intends to use this line of credit on an emergency basis to solve a funding problem. At December 31, 1999 Berkshire Bank had no outstanding borrowings against this agreement.
Berkshire Bank offers retail repurchase agreements to selected higher balance customers and certain municipalities. These agreements are direct obligations of Berkshire Bank, which are then transferred to the customer, to repay at maturity or on demand the purchase price of an undivided interest in a U.S. Government or agency security owned by Berkshire Bank. Since these agreements are not deposits, they are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. At December 31, 1999, such retail repurchase agreement borrowings totaled $1.1 million.
The following tables presents certain information regarding Berkshire Bank's Federal Home Loan Bank advances during the periods and at the dates indicated.
Year Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
----------- ---------- ---------
Maximum amount of advances
outstanding at any month end....... $76,861 $42,892 $9,972
Approximate average advances
outstanding........................ 50,951 24,597 7,297
Approximate weighted average rate
paid on advances................... 5.49% 4.93% 5.37%
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At December 31,
-------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
----------- ----------- -------
Balance outstanding at end of year........ $58,928 $29,590 $6,880
Weighted average rate paid on advances.... 5.64% 4.52% 6.20%
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Trust Services
Berkshire Bank maintains the Asset Management/Trust Department Group as a department within Berkshire Bank which primarily provides trust and investment services to individuals, partnerships, corporations and institutions and also acts as a fiduciary of estates and conservatorships as a trustee under various wills, trusts and other plans. Berkshire Bank believes that the trust department allows it to provide investment opportunities and fiduciary services to both current and prospective customers. Consistent with Berkshire Bank's operating strategy, Berkshire Bank will continue to emphasize the growth of its trust service operations to grow assets and increase fee-based income. Berkshire Bank has implemented several policies governing the practices and procedures of the trust department, including policies relating to maintaining confidentiality of trust records, investment of trust property, handling conflicts of interest, and maintaining impartiality. At December 31, 1999, the trust department managed 622 accounts with aggregate assets of $242.8 million, of which the largest relationship totaled $4.5 million, or 1.9% of the trust department's total assets, at December 31, 1999. For 1999, trust services generated $1.7 million of net and service income compared to $1.2 million for 1998, an increase of 49.9%.
Government Banking
In 1998, Berkshire Bank began offering full-service government banking for cities, towns and municipal school districts in western Massachusetts, eastern New York, northern Connecticut and southern Vermont. Berkshire Bank offers municipalities all aspects of financial advisory services for the sale of notes and bonds, actively working with bond counsel, rating agencies, consulting agencies and bond buyers. Additionally, Berkshire Bank offers a wide range of commercial deposit products and checking accounts, as well as the origination of payroll accounts. At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank was working with approximately 25 municipalities. For 1999, government banking generated $94,500 of net fee income compared to $53,900 for 1998.
Subsidiary Activities
The following are descriptions of Berkshire Bank's wholly owned active subsidiaries, which will be indirectly owned by Berkshire Hills following the conversion.
G.B.S.B., Inc. G.B.S.B., Inc. was established in August 1990 to acquire and hold investment securities of a type that are permissible for banks to hold under applicable law. G.B.S.B. was qualified as a "securities corporation" for Massachusetts income tax purposes. Income earned by a qualifying securities corporation is generally entitled to special tax treatment from Massachusetts income tax. As of December 31, 1999, G.B.S.B., Inc. had assets totaling $44.9 million, consisting primarily of state and municipal bonds and bank, utility and industrial stocks.
North Street Securities Corporation. North Street, originally named GBSB Leasing Corporation, was established in January 1984 to acquire and hold investment securities of a type that are permissible for banks to hold under applicable law. North Street was qualified as a "securities corporation" for Massachusetts income tax purposes. Income earned by a qualifying securities corporation is generally entitled to special tax treatment from Massachusetts income tax. As of December 31, 1999, North Street had assets totaling $31.6 million, consisting primarily of corporate and private label REMICs.
Greater Berkshire Foundation, Inc.
In 1997, Berkshire Bank established a private charitable foundation, Greater Berkshire Foundation, Inc. This foundation, which is not a subsidiary of Berkshire Bank, provides grants to public charities that are operated for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes, within the communities that Berkshire Bank serves. In 1997, Berkshire Bank contributed marketable equity securities with a cost basis and fair market value of $97,000 and $2.5 million, respectively, at the date of contribution and transfer. At December 31, 1999, the foundation had assets of approximately $2.1 million. The foundation's current six member Board of Directors consists of current directors of Berkshire Bank. After the conversion, Berkshire Bank will continue to maintain the foundation. However, Berkshire Bank does not expect to make any further contributions to the foundation. The existence of Berkshire Bank's current foundation is not expected to impact the business and affairs of Berkshire Hills Foundation which is being established in connection with Berkshire Bank's conversion. See "The Conversion--Establishment of the Charitable Foundation."
Properties
Berkshire Bank currently conducts its business through its main office located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and 12 other full-service banking offices and other facilities listed below. Berkshire Hills believes that Berkshire Bank's facilities will be adequate to meet the then present and immediately foreseeable needs of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills.
Net Book Value
of Property
Original or Leasehold
Lease Year Improvements
or Leased Date of Lease at December 31,
Location Own or Acquired Expiration 1999
--------------------------------------- ----------- -------------- ------------- ------------------
(In thousands)
Main Office:
24 North Street
Pittsfield, Massachusetts.............. Own 1898 -- $1,184
Banking Offices:
244 Main St.
Great Barrington, Massachusetts........ Own 1950 -- 1,347
Main Street
Sheffield, Massachusetts............... Own 1966 -- 240
Old Town Hall
Pittsfield, Massachusetts.............. Lease 1969 2030 50
Allendale Shopping Center
Pittsfield, Massachusetts.............. Lease 1970 2001 66
2 Depot Street
W. Stockbridge, Massachusetts.......... Own 1975 -- 123
165 Elm Street
Pittsfield, Massachusetts.............. Own 1977 -- 329
255 Stockbridge Road
Great Barrington, Massachusetts........ Own 1985 -- 296
37 Main Street
North Adams, Massachusetts............. Lease 1985 2005(1) 95
1 Park Street
Lee, Massachusetts..................... Own 1991 -- 261
32 Main Street
Stockbridge, Massachusetts............. Own 1991 -- 297
39 Cheshire Road
Pittsfield, Massachusetts.............. Lease 1998 2002(2) 5
66 West Street
Pittsfield, Massachusetts.............. Lease 1998 2015(1) 71
Other Office:
66 Allen Street (3)
Pittsfield, Massachusetts.............. Own 1999 -- 2,421
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Personnel
As of December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank had 255 full-time employees and 32 part-time employees, none of whom is represented by a collective bargaining unit. Berkshire Bank believes its relationship with its employees is good.
Legal Proceedings
Periodically, there have been various claims and lawsuits involving Berkshire Bank, such as claims to enforce liens, condemnation proceedings on properties in which Berkshire Bank holds security interests, claims involving the making and servicing of real property loans and other issues incident to Berkshire Bank's business. Berkshire Bank is not a party to any pending legal proceedings that it believes would have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operations of Berkshire Bank.
MANAGEMENT OF BERKSHIRE HILLS
Directors are elected by the stockholders of Berkshire Hills for staggered three-year terms, or until their successors are elected and qualified. Berkshire Hills' Board of Directors consists of 18 persons divided into three classes, each of which contains approximately one-third of the Board. One class, consisting of Messrs. Henry D. Granger, Edward G. McCormick, Raymond B. Murray, III, Robert A. Wells, Ms. Ann H. Trabulsi and Ms. Anne Everest Wojtkowski, has a term of office expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders; a second class, consisting of Messrs. Thomas O. Andrews, A. Allen Gray, Michael G. Miller, Louis J. Oggiani, William E. Williams and Ms. Catherine B. Miller, has a term of office expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders; and a third class, consisting of Messrs. James A. Cunningham, Jr., Thomas R. Dawson, John Kittredge, Peter J. Lafayette, Robert S. Raser and Corydon L. Thurston, has a term of office expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders. Berkshire Hills anticipates that its first annual meeting of stockholders will be held in December 2000.
The executive officers of Berkshire Hills are elected annually and serve at the Board's discretion. The executive officers of Berkshire Hills are:
Name Position
---- --------
Robert A. Wells Chairman of the Board
James A. Cunningham, Jr. President and Chief Executive Officer
Michael P. Daly Executive Vice President
Charles F. Plungis, Jr. Senior Vice President, Treasurer
and Chief Financial Officer
Susan M. Santora Executive Vice President
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MANAGEMENT OF BERKSHIRE BANK
Directors and Executive Officers
The Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank is presently composed of 18 members who are elected annually as required by the Bylaws of Berkshire Bank. The executive officers of Berkshire Bank are appointed annually by the Board of Directors and hold office until their respective successors are chosen and qualified, or until their death, earlier resignation or removal from office. The following table presents information with respect to the directors and executive officers of Berkshire Bank.
Directors
Director Term
Name Age(1) Position Held With Berkshire Bank(2) Since (3) Expires
---- ----------- ------------------------------------ --------- -----------
Thomas O. Andrews 61 Director 1980 2000
James A. Cunningham, Jr. 49 President, Chief Executive Officer 1990 2000
and Director
Thomas R. Dawson 52 Director 1993 2000
Henry D. Granger 63 Director 1985 2000
A. Allen Gray 55 Director 1996 2000
John Kittredge 71 Director 1974 2000
Peter J. Lafayette 52 Director 1996 2000
Edward G. McCormick 52 Director 1994 2000
Catherine B. Miller 58 Director 1983 2000
Michael G. Miller 57 Director 1989 2000
Raymond B. Murray, III 53 Director 1991 2000
Louis J. Oggiani 48 Director 1995 2000
Robert S. Raser 43 Director 1996 2000
Corydon L. Thurston 47 Director 1988 2000
Ann H. Trabulsi 64 Director 1976 2000
Robert A. Wells 60 Chairman of the Board 1976 2000
William E. Williams 48 Director 1992 2000
Anne Everest Wojtkowski 64 Director 1973 2000
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Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors
Name Age(1) Position Held With Berkshire Bank
---- ----------- ---------------------------------
Michael P. Daly 38 Executive Vice President - Senior Loan Officer
Charles F. Plungis, Jr. 48 Senior Vice President, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer
Susan M. Santora 46 Executive Vice President - Retail Banking
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Biographical Information
Below is certain information regarding the directors and executive officers of Berkshire Bank. Unless otherwise stated, each director and executive officer has held his or her current occupation for the last five years. There are no family relationships among or between the directors or executive officers except as set forth below.
Thomas O. Andrews is the President and Chief Executive Officer of H.S. Andrews Insurance Agency in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
James A. Cunningham, Jr. serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Berkshire Bank and President and Chief Operating Officer of Berkshire Bancorp. Mr. Cunningham was President and Chief Executive Officer of Great Barrington Savings Bank prior to its merger with Berkshire County Savings Bank in May 1997.
Thomas R. Dawson is a self-employed certified public accountant.
Henry D. Granger is the owner of Northeast Technical Associates, Inc., a real estate appraisal firm, located in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
A. Allen Gray is a vice president and general counsel of General Dynamics Defense Systems, Inc., a government contractor located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
John Kittredge is a former vice president of Crane and Company, Inc., a paper manufacturer located in Dalton, Massachusetts. Mr. Kittredge serves as the clerk of Berkshire Bank.
Peter J. Lafayette is President of Berkshire Housing Development Corporation, a non-profit housing organization located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
Edward G. McCormick is a partner in the law firm of McCormick, Murtagh, Marcus & Smith, located in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
Catherine B. Miller is a former partner and vice-president of Wheeler & Taylor, Inc., an insurance agency with offices in Stockbridge, Great Barrington and Sheffield, Massachusetts.
Michael G. Miller has served as the President of South Mountain Products, a food importer located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts since 1997. Mr. Miller was retired from 1995 until 1997. Mr. Miller served as President and Chief Executive Officer of EPC Holding, a newspaper publishing company located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts prior to his two-year retirement.
Raymond B. Murray, III is vice president and co-owner of Ray Murray, Inc., a regional wholesale equipment distributor for propane, natural and industrial gas markets located in Lee, Massachusetts.
Louis J. Oggiani is an attorney with a private office in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
Robert S. Raser is the President of Carr Brothers Hardware Co, Inc. located in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
Corydon L. Thurston serves as executive vice president of Berkshire Broadcasting, Inc., which owns and operates three radio stations in North Adams and Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
Ann H. Trabulsi is a community volunteer serving on various not-for-profit boards, including Berkshire Medical Center and Berkshire Health Systems.
Robert A. Wells is Chairman of the Board of Berkshire Bank and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Berkshire Bancorp. Mr. Wells served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Berkshire County Savings Bank prior to its merger with Great Barrington Savings Bank in May 1997.
William E. Williams is the President of W.E. Williams Paving, Inc., a company located in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, providing all types of excavating and paving services throughout Berkshire County and surrounding areas.
Anne Everest Wojtkowski is a professor of engineering at Berkshire Community College.
Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors
Michael P. Daly was named Executive Vice President and Senior Loan Officer in December 1999. Before being named to these positions, Mr. Daly served as Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking. Prior to the merger of Berkshire County Savings Bank and Great Barrington Savings Bank, Mr. Daly was in charge of commercial lending, consumer lending and operations.
Charles F. Plungis, Jr. has served as Senior Vice President and Treasurer with both Great Barrington Savings Bank and Berkshire Bank. Mr. Plungis was additionally named Chief Financial Officer in December 1999.
Susan M. Santora served as Senior Vice President in charge of branch administration before being named Executive Vice President of Retail Banking in December 1999. Prior to the merger, Ms. Santora was a vice president of Great Barrington Savings Bank.
Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills
The business of Berkshire Bank is conducted through meetings and activities of the Board of Directors and its committees. During the year ended December 31, 1999 the Board of Directors held 12 regular meetings and three special meetings.
The Board of Directors has established the following committees:
The Auditing Committee consists of Messrs. Gray, Raser and Williams. This committee reviews Berkshire Bancorp's consolidated financial statements, supervises the internal auditor and engages the external auditors. The committee meets quarterly and met four times in 1999.
The Compensation Committee, which consists of Ms. Miller, Ms. Trabulsi and Messrs. Murray and Thurston, is responsible for all matters regarding compensation and fringe benefits for executive officers. This committee meets as needed. The Committee was established by the Board of Directors in December 1999.
The CRA Committee, which consists of Messrs. Lafayette, McCormick and Ms. Wojtkowski, monitors Berkshire Bank's compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, ensures that Berkshire Bank serves the various credit needs of individuals and businesses in its delineated market area and reviews Berkshire Bank's CRA examinations. The Committee meets quarterly and met four times in 1999.
The Executive Committee, which consists of Messrs. Cunningham, Murray, Thurston, Wells, Ms. Miller and Ms. Trabulsi, reviews and approves certain loans and evaluates issues of major importance between regularly scheduled board meetings. The Committee meets bi-monthly and as necessary, and met 24 times in 1999.
The Trust Committee, which consists of Messrs. Andrews, Kittredge and Wells, oversees Berkshire Bank's Asset Management/Trust Department activities. Such oversight includes the review and approval of the department's policies, the coordination of the annual audit and review of the department's examination reports. The Committee meets monthly and met 12 times in 1999.
The Board of Directors of Berkshire Hills has established the following committees: the Audit Committee consisting of Messrs. Gray, Raser, Miller and Williams; the Pricing Committee consisting of the entire Board of Directors of Berkshire Hills; the Compensation Committee consisting of Messrs. Murray and Thurston, Ms. Miller and Ms. Trabulsi; the Nominating Committee and the Executive Committee, both consisting of Messrs. Cunningham, Murray, Thurston, Wells, Ms. Miller and Ms. Trabulsi.
Directors' Compensation
Fees. Non-employee directors of Berkshire Bank currently receive an annual retainer of $3,000 for membership on the Board of Directors and $5,000 for membership on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. The Clerk of Berkshire Bank receives an annual retainer of $500. In addition, non-employee directors each receive $500 for each board meeting attended, $250 for each Trust, Audit or CRA Committee meeting attended, and $500 for each Executive Committee meeting attended. The meeting fee for attendance at Executive Committee meetings is $250 if it immediately precedes a Board of Directors' meeting. Following the conversion, non-employee directors of Berkshire Bank will each receive an annual retainer of $7,500, and members of the Executive Committee will receive an additional $1,500. In addition, non-employee directors will receive $500 for each board meeting attended, $750 for each Executive Committee meeting attended, $500 for each CRA or Audit Committee meeting attended and $250 for each Trust Committee meeting attended.
Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation Table. The following information is furnished for the President and Chief Executive Officer and the four other highest paid executive officers of Berkshire Bank who received a salary and bonus of $100,000 or more during the year ended December 31, 1999.
Annual Compensation(1)
-------------------------------------------------
Name and All Other
Position Year (2) Salary (3) Bonus Compensation
--------------------- ----------- -------------- ----------- ---------------
James A. Cunningham, Jr. 1999 $260,400 $52,080 $266,699(4)
President and Chief Executive Officer
Robert A. Wells 1999 248,750 45,000 81,674(4)
Chairman of the Board
Susan M. Santora 1999 109,140 32,742 15,543(5)
Executive Vice President-Retail
Banking
Michael P. Daly 1999 116,601 23,320 12,582(5)
Executive Vice President-Senior
Loan Officer
Charles F. Plungis, Jr. 1999 110,775 22,155 16,197(5)
Senior Vice President, Treasurer
and Chief Financial Officer
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Employment Agreements. Berkshire Bank currently has employment agreements with Messrs. Wells and Cunningham. However, upon the completion of the conversion, Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills each intend to enter into new employment agreements with Messrs. Wells and Cunningham, as well as with Messrs. Daly, Plungis and Ms. Santora. The employment agreements are intended to ensure that Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills will be able to maintain a stable and competent management base after the conversion. The continued success of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills depends to a significant degree on the skills and competence of officers.
The employment agreements will provide for a three-year term. The term of the employment agreements will automatically extend on a daily basis unless written notice of non-renewal is given by the Board of Directors of Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank or by the executive. The employment agreements provide that each executive's base salary will be reviewed annually. The base salaries which will be effective for such employment agreements for Messrs. Cunningham, Wells, Daly, and Plungis and Ms. Santora will be $320,000, $250,000, $139,250, $140,750 and $125,510, respectively. In addition to the base salary, the employment agreements provide for, among other things, participation in stock and employee benefits plans and fringe benefits applicable to executive personnel. The employment agreements provide for termination by Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills for cause, as defined in the employment agreements, at any time. If Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills chooses to terminate an
executive's employment for reasons other than for cause, or if an executive resigns from Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills after a: (1) failure to re-elect the executive to his/her current offices; (2) material change in the executive's functions, duties or responsibilities; (3) relocation of the executive's principal place of employment by more than 25 miles; (4) reduction in the benefits and perquisites being provided to the executive in the employment agreement; (5) liquidation or dissolution of Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills; or (6) breach of the employment agreement by Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills, the executive or, if the executive dies, his/her beneficiary, would be entitled to receive an amount equal to the remaining base salary and incentive compensation payments due to the executive for the remaining term of the employment agreement and the contributions that would have been made on the executive's behalf to any employee benefit plans of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills during the remaining term of the employment agreement. Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills would also continue and/or pay for the executive's life, health, dental and disability coverage for the remaining term of the employment agreement. Upon termination of the executive for reasons other than a change in control, the executive must adhere to a one year non-competition restriction.
Under the employment agreements, if voluntary (upon circumstances discussed
in the agreements) or involuntary termination follows a change in control of
Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills, the executive or, if the executive dies,
his/her beneficiary, would be entitled to a severance payment equal to the
greater of: (1) the payments due for the remaining terms of the agreement; or
(2) three times the average of the executive's compensation (as described in the
agreements) for the five preceding taxable years. Berkshire Bank and Berkshire
Hills would also continue the executive's life, health, and disability coverage
for thirty-six months. Even though both Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills
employment agreements provide for a severance payment if a change in control
occurs, the executive would only be entitled to receive a severance payment
under one agreement. The executive would also be entitled to receive an
additional tax indemnification payment if payments under the employment
agreements or any other payments constituting "excess parachute payments"
trigger liability under the Internal Revenue Code of an excise tax. Under
applicable law, the excise tax is triggered by change in control-related
payments which equal or exceed three times the executive's average annual
compensation over the five taxable years preceding the change in control. The
excise tax equals 20% of the amount of the payment in excess of one times the
executive's average compensation over that preceding five-year period. If a
change in control of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills occurred, the total
amount of payments due under the Agreements, based solely on the 1999 cash
compensation (and without regard to future base salary adjustments or bonuses
and excluding any benefits under any employee benefit plan which may be payable)
would be approximately $3.0 million.
Payments to the executive under Berkshire Bank's employment agreement will be guaranteed by Berkshire Hills if payments or benefits are not paid by Berkshire Bank. Payment under Berkshire Hills' employment agreement would be made by Berkshire Hills. All reasonable costs and legal fees paid or incurred by the executive in any dispute or question of interpretation relating to the employment agreements will be paid by Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills, respectively, if the executive is successful on the merits in a legal judgment, arbitration or settlement. The employment agreements also provide that Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills will indemnify the executive to the fullest extent legally allowable.
Change in Control Agreements. Upon conversion, Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills intend to enter into change in control agreements with six senior officers who will not be covered by an employment agreement. Each change in control agreement will be renewable on an annual basis. The change in control agreements will have terms of three years. The change in control agreements will provide that if voluntary (upon the occurrence of circumstances discussed in the agreements) or involuntary termination follows a change in control of Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills, the officers would be entitled to receive a severance payment equal three times their average annual compensation (as described in the agreements) for the five most recent taxable years. Berkshire Bank would also continue to pay for the officers' life, health and disability coverage for 36 months following termination. If a change in control of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills occurred, the total payments that would be due under the change in control agreements, based solely on the current annual compensation paid to the officers covered by the change in control agreements and excluding any benefits under any employee benefit plan which may be payable, would equal approximately $2.1 million.
Benefits
General. Berkshire Bank currently pays 75% of the total costs of the medical and health benefits for newly eligible employees and former employees of Berkshire County Savings Bank. A greater portion is paid for grand-fathered employees of Great Barrington Savings Bank. Berkshire Bank also pays 100% of the total costs of dental insurance plans and 100% of premiums for life and disability benefits for full-time employees.
Pension Plan. Berkshire Bank maintains a pension plan for its eligible employees. Generally, employees of Berkshire Bank begin participation in the pension plan once they reach age 21 and complete 1,000 hours of service in a consecutive 12-month period. Participants in the pension plan becomes vested in their accrued benefit under the pension plan upon the earlier of the: (1) attainment of their "normal retirement age" (as described in the pension plan) while employed at Berkshire Bank; (2) completion of three vesting years of service with Berkshire Bank; or (3) death or disability of the participant. Participants are generally credited with a vesting year of service for each year in which they complete at least 1,000 hours of service.
A participant's normal benefit under the pension plan equals the sum of (1) 1.35% of the participant's average compensation (generally defined as the average taxable compensation for the three consecutive limitation years that produce the highest average) by the number of years of service the participant has under the plan up to 25 years of service, plus (2) .6% of the excess of the participant's average compensation over the participant's covered compensation (the social security taxable wage base for the 35 years ending in the year the participant becomes eligible for non-reduced social security benefits) for each year of service under the plan up to 25 years of service. Participants may retire at or after age 65 and receive their full benefit under the plan. Participants may also retire early at age 62 or at age 55 with ten years of service or at age 50 with 15 years of service under the plan and receive a reduced retirement benefit. Pension benefits are payable in equal monthly installments for life, or for married persons, as a joint survivor annuity over the lives of the participant and spouse. Participants may also elect a lump sum payment with the consent of their spouse. If a participant dies while employed by Berkshire Bank, a death benefit will be payable to either his or her spouse or estate, or named beneficiary, equal to the entire amount of the participant's accrued benefit in the plan.
The following table indicates the annual employer-provided retirement benefits that would be payable under the pension plan upon retirement at age 65 to a participant electing to receive his pension benefit in the standard form of benefit, assuming various specified levels of plan compensation and various specified years of credited service. Under the Internal Revenue Code, maximum annual benefits under the pension plan are limited to $135,000 per year and annual compensation for benefit calculation purposes is limited to $170,000 per year for the 2000 calendar year.
Years of Service
Average Annual --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Compensation 10 15 20 25 30 35
--------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
$ 25,000 $ 3,375 $ 5,063 $ 6,750 $ 8,438 $ 8,438 $ 8,438
50,000 7,766 11,649 15,532 19,415 19,415 19,415
75,000 12,641 18,962 25,282 31,603 31,603 31,603
100,000 17,516 26,274 35,032 43,790 43,790 43,790
125,000 22,391 33,587 44,782 55,978 55,978 55,978
150,000 27,266 40,899 54,532 68,165 68,165 68,165
175,000 29,216 43,824 58,432 73,040 73,040 73,040
200,000 29,216 43,824 58,432 73,040 73,040 73,040
250,000 29,216 43,824 58,432 73,040 73,040 73,040
300,000 29,216 43,824 58,432 73,040 73,040 73,040
350,000 29,216 43,824 58,432 73,040 73,040 73,040
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At October 31, 1999, which is the date of the most recent pension plan statement, the pension plan's assets exceeded the benefit obligation by approximately $5.0 million. The benefits listed on the table above, for the pension plan are not subject to a deduction for Social Security benefits or any other offset amount. As of January 1, 2000, Messrs. Cunningham, Wells, Daly, Plungis and Ms. Santora had 27, 39, 14, 25 and 14 years of service, respectively, for purposes of the pension plan.
Other Retirement Arrangements. Berkshire Bank has entered into a split- dollar life insurance arrangement with Mr. Cunningham primarily to provide a specified level of benefits upon Mr. Cunningham's retirement from Berkshire Bank. Berkshire Bank has also entered into a separate agreement with Mr. Wells to provide similar benefits. The arrangements were designed to provide Messrs. Wells and Cunningham with an annual retirement benefit at age 60 equal to 70% of the average of the three consecutive years during which each of the executive's compensation is the highest. The determination of the total expected retirement benefit consideration of the benefits the executives would receive under the pension plan, the 401(k) plan, social security and certain life insurance arrangements. Upon the executive's death, Berkshire Bank expects to recover all of the premium payments it made with respect to the life insurance policies purchased in connection with such arrangements.
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. Upon conversion, Berkshire Bank intends to implement a supplemental executive retirement plan to provide for supplemental retirement benefits with respect to the 401(k) plan and the employee stock ownership plan; specifically benefits otherwise limited by other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or the terms of the employee stock ownership plan loan (see below). Specifically, the plan will provide benefits to eligible individuals (those designated by the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank or its affiliates) that cannot be provided under the 401(k) Plan and/or the employee stock ownership plan as a result of the limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code, but that would have been provided under the 401(k) Plan and/or the employee stock ownership plan but for such limitations. In addition to providing for benefits lost under tax-qualified plans as a result of limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code, the new plan will also provide supplemental benefits to designated individuals upon a change of control before the complete scheduled repayment of the employee stock ownership plan loan. Generally, upon such an event, the supplemental executive retirement plan will provide the individual with a benefit equal to what the individual would have received under the employee stock ownership plan had he remained employed throughout the term of the employee stock ownership plan loan less the benefits actually provided under the employee stock ownership plan on behalf of such individual. An individual's benefits under the supplemental executive retirement plan will generally become payable upon the change in control of Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills. The Board of Directors intends to designate Messrs. Cunningham and Wells as participants in the supplemental executive retirement plan.
Berkshire Bank may utilize a grantor trust in connection with the supplemental executive retirement plan in order to set funds aside with which to ultimately pay benefits under the plan. The assets of the grantor trust would be subject to the claims of Berkshire Bank's general creditors in the event of Berkshire Bank's insolvency until paid to the individual according to the terms of the supplemental executive retirement plans.
401(k) Plan. Berkshire Bank has implemented a 401(k) plan (the "401(k) Plan"), a tax-qualified profit sharing plan with a qualified cash or deferred arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code for the benefit of its eligible employees. The 401(k) Plan currently provides participants with savings and retirement benefits based on employee deferrals of compensation, as well as matching contributions made by Berkshire Bank. Eligible employees may begin participating in the 401(k) Plan upon the completion of one year of service (generally the completion of 1,000 hours of service during a twelve consecutive month period) and attainment of age 21. Participants currently may make pre-tax salary deferrals to the 401(k) Plan in amounts from 1% to 15% of their total compensation, within a legally permissible limit ($10,500 for 2000). Berkshire Bank makes a regular matching contribution equal to 100% of the elective deferrals made by each participant up to 3% of a participant's eligible compensation. This match is discretionary and may increase or decrease as determined by Berkshire Bank. A participant is always 100% vested in his or her account under the 401(k) Plan.
Currently, participants may invest their accounts under the 401(k) Plan in eight investment vehicles with varying investment characteristics. Berkshire Bank intends to add, as an investment option, an employer stock fund
in which participants may invest a portion of their account balances primarily in Berkshire Hills common stock within the limitations set forth in the 401(k) Plan document. However, a participant's ability to acquire common stock in the conversion will be based on his or her status as an eligible account holder. Regardless of the source of funds, no eligible account holders may elect to invest more than $250,000 in common stock.
Generally, distributions from the 401(k) Plan may commence upon a participant's separation from service for any reason. However, participants may request in-service distributions from the 401(k) Plan in the form of hardship withdrawals and loans. Distributions from the 401(k) Plan generally must comply with federal and state income taxes and distributions made before a participant attains the required minimum age also may be subject to a federal excise tax.
Incentive Compensation Programs. The Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank has approved an incentive compensation program for employees of Berkshire Bank based on the Board's evaluation of the fiscal year's operating results. The size of the available incentive compensation pool may not exceed 10% of the monthly net operating income of Berkshire Bank. The maximum bonus under the program is generally limited to either 10%, 15%, or 20% of a participant's base salary, depending on the individual's job classifications; however, greater bonuses may be paid under special circumstances.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Berkshire Bank's Board of Directors has authorized the adoption of an employee stock ownership plan for employees of Berkshire Bank to be effective upon the completion of the conversion. Eligible employees who are age 21 and employed by Berkshire Bank on the conversion effective date participate in the plan immediately. Thereafter, new employees of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank who have been credited with at least one year of service and attain age 21 will be eligible to participate in the employee stock ownership plan.
The employee stock ownership plan expects to acquire 8% of the shares issued in the conversion or between 530,971 shares, assuming 6,637,140 shares are issued in the conversion, and 718,372 shares assuming 8,979,660 shares are issued in the conversion. If the number of shares to be issued in the conversion is increased to 10,326,609 shares, the employee stock ownership plan expects to acquire 826,128 shares. It is anticipated that the employee stock ownership plan will borrow funds from a subsidiary to be established in connection with the conversion or from a third-party lender to purchase the stock. The loan will equal 100% of the aggregate purchase price of the common stock. The loan to the employee stock ownership plan will be repaid from Berkshire Bank's contributions to the employee stock ownership plan and, to a lesser extent, from dividends payable on Berkshire Hills common stock held by the employee stock ownership plan over the anticipated 15-year term of the loan. The interest rate for the employee stock ownership plan loan is expected to be the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal on the closing date of the conversion. See "Pro Forma Data." If the employee stock ownership plan is unable to acquire 8% of the common stock issued in the conversion through the offering, it is anticipated that these additional shares will be acquired following the conversion through open market purchases.
In any plan year, Berkshire Bank may make additional discretionary contributions to the employee stock ownership plan for the benefit of plan participants in either cash or shares of Berkshire Hills common stock, which may be acquired through the purchase of outstanding shares in the market or from individual stockholders or which constitute authorized but unissued shares or shares held in treasury by Berkshire Hills. The timing, amount, and manner of discretionary contributions will be affected by several factors, including applicable regulatory policies, the requirements of applicable laws and regulations, and market conditions.
Shares purchased by the employee stock ownership plan with the proceeds of the loan will be held in a suspense account and released on a pro rata basis as the loan is repaid. Discretionary contributions to the employee stock ownership plan and shares released from the suspense account will be allocated among participants on the basis of each participant's proportional share of total compensation. Any forfeitures will be reallocated among the remaining plan participants.
Participants will vest in their accrued benefits under the employee stock ownership plan upon the completion of five years of service with credit given for prior service with Berkshire Bank. A participant is fully vested at retirement, upon death or disability or upon termination of the employee stock ownership plan. Benefits are distributable upon a participant's retirement, death, disability, or termination of employment. Berkshire Bank's contributions to the employee stock ownership plan are not fixed, so benefits payable under the employee stock ownership plan cannot be estimated.
The Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank expects to appoint an independent trustee for the employee stock ownership plan. The trustee votes all allocated shares held in the employee stock ownership plan as instructed by the plan participants and unallocated shares and allocated shares for which no instructions are received are generally voted by the trustee in the same ratio on any matter as those shares for which instructions are given.
Under applicable accounting requirements, compensation expense for a leveraged employee stock ownership plan is recorded at the fair market value of the employee stock ownership plan shares when committed to be released to participants' accounts. See "Pro Forma Data."
The employee stock ownership plan must meet the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations of the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Labor. Berkshire Bank intends to request a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service regarding the tax-qualified status of the employee stock ownership plan. Berkshire Bank expects to receive a favorable determination letter, but cannot guarantee it.
Employee Severance Compensation Plan. Berkshire Bank's Board of Directors intends to adopt the Berkshire Bank Employee Severance Compensation Plan to provide benefits to eligible employees upon a change in control of Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank. Eligible employees are those with a minimum of one year of service with Berkshire Bank. Generally, all eligible employees, other than officers who will enter into separate employment or change in control agreements with Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank, will be eligible to participate in the severance plan. Under the severance plan, if a change in control of Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank occurs, eligible employees who are terminated or who terminate employment, but only upon the occurrence of events specified in the severance plan, within 24 months of the effective date of a change in control will be entitled to a payment equal to one month's compensation for each year of service with Berkshire Bank with a maximum payment equal to 24 months of compensation. Assuming that a change in control had occurred at December 31, 1999, and all eligible employees were terminated, the maximum aggregate payment due under the severance plan would be approximately $12.0 million.
Stock-Based Incentive Plan. Following the conversion, the Board of Directors of Berkshire Hills intends to adopt a stock-based incentive plan which will provide for the granting of options to purchase common stock and restricted stock awards, to eligible officers, employees, and directors of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank. If the stock-based incentive plan is adopted within one year after conversion, applicable regulations require such plan to be approved by a majority of Berkshire Hills' stockholders at a meeting of stockholders to be held no earlier than six months after the completion of the conversion.
Under the stock-based incentive plan, Berkshire Hills intends to grant stock options in an amount equal to 10% of the shares of common stock issued in the conversion. The amount granted would range from 663,714 shares, assuming 6,637,140 shares are issued in the conversion to 897,966 shares, assuming 8,979,660 shares are issued in the conversion. If the number of shares to be issued in the conversion is increased to 10,326,609, shares, the amount of options granted would equal 1,032,660 shares. Additionally, Berkshire Hills intends to grant stock awards in an amount equal to 4% of the shares of common stock issued in the conversion. The amount granted would range from 265,485 shares, assuming 6,637,140 shares are issued in the conversion to 359,186 shares, assuming 8,979,660 shares are issued in the conversion. If the number of shares to be issued in the conversion is increased to 10,326,609 shares, the amount of awards granted would equal 413,064 shares. Any common stock awarded under the stock-based incentive plan will be awarded at no cost to the recipients. The plan may be funded through the purchase of common stock by a trust established in connection with the stock-based incentive plan or
from authorized but unissued shares. Berkshire Hills intends to appoint an independent fiduciary to serve as trustee of a trust to be established in connection with the stock-based incentive plan. If additional authorized but unissued shares are acquired by the stock-based incentive plan after the conversion, the interests of existing shareholders would be diluted. See "Pro Forma Data."
The grants of stock options and stock awards will be designed to attract and retain qualified personnel in key positions, provide officers and key employees with a proprietary interest in Berkshire Hills as an incentive to contribute to the success of Berkshire Hills and reward key employees for outstanding performance. All employees of Berkshire Hills and its subsidiaries, including Berkshire Bank, will be eligible to participate in the stock-based incentive plan. It is expected that the committee administering the plan will determine the terms of awards granted to officers and employees. The committee will also determine whether stock options will be incentive or non-statutory stock options, as defined below, the number of shares available for each stock option and stock award, the exercise price of each non-statutory stock option, whether stock options may be exercised by delivering other shares of common stock, and when stock options become exercisable or stock awards vest. Only employees may receive grants of incentive stock options. Therefore, under the stock-based incentive plan, directors may receive only grants of non-statutory stock options. If such plan is adopted within one year after conversion, applicable regulations provide that no individual officer or employee of Berkshire Bank may receive more than 25% of the stock options available under the stock-based incentive plan (or any separate plan for officers and employees) and non- employee directors may not receive more than 5% individually, or 30% in the aggregate, of the stock options available under the stock-based incentive plan (or any separate plan for directors). Federal regulations also provide that no individual officer or employee of Berkshire Bank may receive more than 25% of the restricted stock awards available under the stock-based incentive plan (or any separate plan for officers and employees) and non-employee directors may not receive more than 5% individually, or 30% in the aggregate, of the restricted stock awards available under the stock-based incentive plan (or any separate plan for directors).
The stock-based incentive plan will provide for the grant of: (1) stock options intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code ("Incentive Stock Options"); and (2) stock options that do not so qualify ("Non-Statutory Stock Options"). It is anticipated that all stock options granted contemporaneously with stockholder approval of the stock- based incentive plan will qualify as Incentive Stock Options to the extent permitted under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code. Unless sooner terminated, the stock-based incentive plan will be in effect for a period of ten years from the earlier of adoption by the Berkshire Hills Board of Directors or approval by Berkshire Hills stockholders. If the stockholders approve the Plan, Berkshire Hills intends to grant stock options under the plan at an exercise price equal to at least the fair market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.
An individual will not be deemed to have received taxable income upon the grant or exercise of any Incentive Stock Option, provided that such shares received through the exercise of such option are not disposed of by the employee for at least one year after the date the stock is received in connection with the stock option exercise and two years after the date of grant of the stock option (a "disqualifying disposition"). No compensation deduction will be available to Berkshire Hills as a result of the grant or exercise of Incentive Stock Options unless there has been a disqualifying disposition. In the case of a Non-Statutory Stock Option and in the case of a disqualifying disposition of an Incentive Stock Option, an individual will realize ordinary income upon exercise of the stock option (or upon the disqualifying disposition) in an amount equal to the amount by which the fair market value on the date of exercise exceeds the exercise price of the option. The amount of any ordinary income realized by an optionee upon the exercise of a Non-Statutory Stock Option or due to a disqualifying disposition of an Incentive Stock Option will be a deductible expense to Berkshire Hills for income tax purposes.
The stock-based incentive plan will provide for the granting of stock awards. Grants of stock awards to officers and employees may be made in the form of base grants and/or performance grants (the vesting of which would be contingent upon performance goals established by the committee administering the plan). In establishing any performance goals, the committee may utilize the annual financial results of Berkshire Bank, actual performance of Berkshire Bank as compared to targeted goals such as the ratio of Berkshire Bank's net worth to
total assets, Berkshire Bank's return on average assets, or such other performance standards as determined by the committee with the approval of the Berkshire Hills Board of Directors.
When a participant becomes vested with respect to stock awards, the participant will realize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the common stock at the time of vesting (unless the participant made an election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code). The amount of income recognized by the participants will be a deductible expense for tax purposes for Berkshire Hills. When restricted stock awards become vested and shares of common stock are actually distributed to participants, the participants would receive amounts equal to any accrued dividends with respect thereto. Before vesting, recipients of stock awards may direct the voting of the shares awarded to them. Shares not subject to grants and shares allocated subject to the achievement of performance goals will be voted by the trustee in proportion to the directions provided with respect to shares subject to grants. Vested shares will be distributed to recipients as soon as practicable following the day on which they vest.
The vesting periods for awards under the stock-based incentive plan will be determined by the committee administering the plan. If the stock-based incentive plan is adopted within one year after conversion, awards would become vested and exercisable within the limits of applicable regulations, which such regulations require that any awards begin vesting no earlier than one year from the date of shareholder approval of the plan and, thereafter, vest at a rate of no more than 20% per year and may not be accelerated except in the case of death or disability. Stock options could be exercisable for three months following the date on which the employee or director ceases to perform services for Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills, except that if an employee or director dies or becomes disabled, stock options accelerate and become fully vested and could be exercisable for up to one year thereafter or such longer period as determined by Berkshire Hills. In the case of death or disability, stock options may be exercised for a period of 12 months. However, any Incentive Stock Options exercised more than three months following the date the employee ceases to perform services as an employee would be treated as a Non-Statutory Stock Option. If the optionee continues to perform services as a director or consultant on behalf of Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Hills or an affiliate after retirement, unvested stock options would continue to vest in accordance with their original vesting schedule until the optionee ceases to serve as a consultant or director. If a participant dies, is disabled or retires, Berkshire Hills, if requested by the optionee, or the optionee's beneficiary, could elect, in exchange for vested options, to pay the optionee, or the optionee's beneficiary if the optionee dies, the amount by which the fair market value of the common stock exceeds the exercise price of the stock options on the date of the employee's termination of employment.
Within the limits of any applicable regulatory requirements, the stock-based incentive plan may be amended after the first anniversary date of the conversion to provide for accelerated vesting of previously granted stock options or stock awards if a change in control of Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank occurs. A change in control would generally be considered to occur when a person or group of persons acting in concert acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of equity security of Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank or if a tender or exchange offer, merger or other form of business combination, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank or similar transaction occurs or a contested election of directors which resulted in the replacement of a majority of the Berkshire Hills Board of Directors by persons not nominated by the directors in office before the contested election occurs.
Transactions with Related Persons
Federal regulations require that all loans or extensions of credit to executive officers and directors must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with the general public and must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features. In addition, Massachusetts law regulates the granting of loans to officers and directors of Berkshire Bank. Loans made to a director or executive officer in excess of the greater of $25,000 or 5% of Berkshire Bank's capital and surplus (up to a maximum of $500,000) must be approved in advance by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors.
Berkshire Bank offers full-time non-officer employees who have completed three months of employment and who satisfy the general underwriting standards of Berkshire Bank, personal loans with interest rates of 1% below the current interest rates in effect. If the individual leaves the employ of Berkshire Bank, the loan rate increases to Berkshire Bank's current rate then in effect. All other loans and all loans made to Berkshire Bank's officers and directors are made on the same terms and conditions offered to the general public. Berkshire Bank's policy provides that all loans made by Berkshire Bank to its executive officers and directors be made in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms, including collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and may not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present other unfavorable features. As of December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank's executive officers and directors had loans with outstanding balances totalling $3.9 million in the aggregate. All such loans were made by Berkshire Bank in the ordinary course of business, with no favorable terms and such loans do not involve more than the normal risk of collectibility or present unfavorable features.
Berkshire Hills intends that all transactions in the future between it and its executive officers, directors, holders of 10% or more of the shares of any class of its common stock and affiliates thereof, will contain terms no less favorable to Berkshire Hills than could have been obtained by it in arm's length negotiations with unaffiliated persons and will be approved by a majority of independent outside directors of Berkshire Hills not having any interest in the transactions.
REGULATION AND SUPERVISION
General
As a savings bank chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Berkshire Bank is extensively regulated under state law with respect to many aspects of its banking activities; this state regulation is administered by the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner. In addition, as a bank whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation through the Bank Insurance Fund, Berkshire Bank must pay deposit insurance assessments and is examined and supervised by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. These laws and regulations have been established primarily for the protection of depositors, customers and borrowers of Berkshire Bank, not bank stockholders.
Berkshire Hills will also be required to file reports with, and otherwise comply with the rules and regulations of, the Office of Thrift Supervision, the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and the Securities and Exchange Commission under the federal securities laws. The following discussion of the laws and regulations material to the operations of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such laws and regulations.
Berkshire Bank is and Berkshire Hills, as a savings and loan holding company, will be extensively regulated and supervised. Regulations, which affect Berkshire Bank on a daily basis, may be changed at any time, and the interpretation of the relevant law and regulations may also change because of new interpretations by the authorities who interpret those laws and regulations. Any change in the regulatory structure or the applicable statutes or regulations, whether by the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner, the State of Massachusetts, the Office of Thrift Supervision, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Congress, could have a material impact on Berkshire Hills, Berkshire Bank, its operations or the conversion.
Massachusetts Banking Laws and Supervision
Massachusetts savings banks are regulated and supervised by the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner. The Massachusetts Banking Commissioner is required to regularly examine each state-chartered bank. The approval of the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner is required to establish or close branches, to merge with another bank, to form a holding company, to issue stock or to undertake many other activities. Any Massachusetts bank that does not operate in accordance with the regulations, policies and directives of the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner
may be sanctioned. The Massachusetts Banking Commissioner may suspend or remove directors, trustees or officers of a bank who have violated the law, conducted a bank's business in a manner which is unsafe, unsound or contrary to the depositors' interests, or been negligent in the performance of their duties.
All Massachusetts-chartered savings banks are required to be members of the Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc. and as such must pay its assessments. The Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc. maintains the Deposit Insurance Fund, a private deposit insurer, which insures all deposits in member banks in excess of FDIC deposit insurance limits. In addition, the Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc. acts as a source of liquidity to its members in supplying them with low- cost funds, and purchasing qualifying obligations from them.
The powers which Massachusetts-chartered savings banks can exercise under these laws are summarized below.
Lending Activities. A Massachusetts-chartered savings bank may make a wide variety of mortgage loans. Fixed-rate loans, adjustable-rate loans, variable- rate loans, participation loans, graduated payment loans, construction and development loans, condominium and co-operative loans, second mortgage loans and other types of loans may be made in accordance with applicable regulations. Commercial loans may be made to corporations and other commercial enterprises with or without security. Consumer and personal loans may also be made with or without security. Loans to individual borrowers generally must be limited to 20% of the total of a bank's capital accounts and stockholders' equity.
Investments Authorized. Massachusetts-chartered savings banks have broad investment powers under Massachusetts law, including so-called "leeway" authority for investments that are not otherwise specifically authorized. The investment powers authorized under Massachusetts law are restricted by federal law to permit, in general, only investments of the kinds that would be permitted for national banks. Berkshire Bank has authority to invest in all of the classes of loans and investments that are permitted by its existing loan and investment policies.
Payment of Dividends. A savings bank may only pay dividends on its capital stock if such payment would not impair the bank's capital stock and surplus account. No dividends may be paid to stockholders of a bank if such dividends would reduce stockholders' equity of the bank below the amount of the liquidation account required by Massachusetts conversion regulations.
Parity Regulation. The Massachusetts regulation on parity with national banks establishes procedures allowing state-chartered banks to exercise additional or more flexible parallel powers granted to national banks under federal law which are not otherwise permitted under state law. The procedures and requirements for engaging in such activities range from an application process, expedited review and notice process to activities requiring no application or notice whatsoever. The applicable procedures and requirements vary according to the nature of the activity to be engaged in and the capitalization of the bank. As of the date of this prospectus, Berkshire Bank was eligible to engage in certain of the above- referenced activities, within the limits of the applicable procedure and requirements of Massachusetts regulation.
Federal Regulations
Capital Requirements. Under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regulations, federally insured state-chartered banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve System ("state non-member banks"), such as Berkshire Bank, are required to comply with minimum leverage capital requirements. For an institution determined by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to not be anticipating or experiencing significant growth and to be in general a strong banking organization, rated composite 1 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Ranking System (the rating system) established by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, the minimum capital leverage requirement is a ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets of 3%. For all other institutions, the minimum leverage capital ratio is not less than 4%. Tier 1 capital is the sum of common stockholders' equity, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock (including any related surplus) and minority investments in certain subsidiaries, less intangible assets (except for certain servicing rights and credit card relationships).
Berkshire Bank must also comply with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation risk-based capital guidelines. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation guidelines require state non-member banks to maintain certain levels of regulatory capital in relation to regulatory risk-weighted assets. The ratio of regulatory capital to regulatory risk-weighted assets is referred to as Berkshire Bank's "risk-based capital ratio." Risk-based capital ratios are determined by allocating assets and specified off-balance sheet items to four risk-weighted categories ranging from 0% to 100%, with higher levels of capital being required for the categories perceived as representing greater risk. For example, under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's risk-weighting system, cash and securities backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government are given a 0% risk weight, loans secured by one- to four-family residential properties generally have a 50% risk weight and commercial loans have a risk weighting of 100%.
State non-member banks must maintain a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8%, of which at least one-half must be Tier 1 capital. Total capital consists of Tier 1 capital plus Tier 2 or supplementary capital items, which include allowances for loan losses in an amount of up to 1.25% of risk-weighted assets, cumulative preferred stock, a portion of the net unrealized gain on equity securities and other capital instruments. The includable amount of Tier 2 capital cannot exceed the amount of the institution's Tier 1 capital.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act required each federal banking agency to revise its risk-based capital standards for insured institutions to ensure that those standards take adequate account of interest- rate risk, concentration of credit risk, and the risk of nontraditional activities, as well as to reflect the actual performance and expected risk of loss on multi-family residential loans. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, along with the other federal banking agencies, has adopted a regulation providing that the agencies will take into account the exposure of a bank's capital and economic value to changes in interest rate risk in assessing a bank's capital adequacy. See "Historical and Pro Forma Regulatory Capital Compliance."
As a savings and loan holding company regulated by the Office of Thrift Supervision, Berkshire Hills will not, under current law, be subject to any separate regulatory capital requirements.
Standards for Safety and Soundness. As required by statute, the federal banking agencies adopted final regulations and Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safety and Soundness to implement safety and soundness standards. The guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards that the federal banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired. The guidelines address internal controls and information systems, internal audit system, credit underwriting, loan documentation, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, asset quality, earnings and compensation, and fees and benefits. If the appropriate federal banking agency determines that an institution fails to meet any standard prescribed by the guidelines, the agency may require the institution to submit to the agency an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard.
Investment Activities
Since the enactment of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act, all state-chartered Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured banks, including savings banks, have generally been limited to activities as principal and equity investments of the type and in the amount authorized for national banks, notwithstanding state law. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation permit exceptions to these limitations. For example, state chartered banks, such as Berkshire Bank, may, with Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation approval, continue to exercise state authority to invest in common or preferred stocks listed on a national securities exchange or the Nasdaq National Market and in the shares of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is authorized to permit such institutions to engage in state authorized activities or investments that do not meet this standard (other than non-subsidiary equity investments) for institutions that meet all applicable capital requirements if it is determined that such activities or investments do not pose a significant risk to the Bank Insurance Fund. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has recently adopted revisions to its regulations governing the procedures for institutions seeking approval to engage in such activities or
investments. These revisions, among other things, streamline the application procedures for healthy banks and impose quantitative and qualitative restrictions on a bank's dealings with its subsidiaries engaged in activities not permitted for national bank subsidiaries. All non-subsidiary equity investments, unless otherwise authorized or approved by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, must have been divested by December 19, 1996, under a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-approved divestiture plan, unless such investments were grandfathered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Berkshire Bank received grandfathered authority from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in February 1993 to invest in listed stocks and/or registered shares. However, the maximum permissible investment is 100% of Tier 1 capital, as specified by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's regulations, or the maximum amount permitted by Massachusetts law, whichever is less. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation also required that Berkshire Bank provide prior notice to the agency if it increases the holdings of listed stock and/or registered shares as a percentage of Tier 1 equity capital by 25%. Such grandfathered authority may be terminated upon the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's determination that such investments pose a safety and soundness risk to Berkshire Bank or if Berkshire Bank converts its charter, other than a mutual to stock conversion, or undergoes a change in control. As of December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank had securities with a market value of $44.3 million which were held under such grandfathering authority. See "Business of Berkshire Bank--Investment Activities."
Interstate Branching
Until recently, branching across state lines was generally not available to a state bank such as Berkshire Bank. Out-of-state branches of banking institutions are authorized under the Massachusetts Banking Law, but similar authority did not exist generally under the laws of most other states. Beginning June 1, 1997, the Interstate Banking Act permitted the responsible federal banking agencies to approve merger transactions between banks located in different states, regardless of whether the merger would be prohibited under the law of the two states. The Interstate Banking Act also permitted a state to "opt in" to the provisions of the Interstate Banking Act before June 1, 1997, and permitted a state to "opt out" of the provisions of the Interstate Banking Act by adopting appropriate legislation before that date. Accordingly, beginning June 1, 1997, the Interstate Banking Act permitted a bank, such as Berkshire Bank, to acquire an institution by merger in a state other than Massachusetts unless the other state had opted out of the Interstate Banking Act. The Interstate Banking Act also authorizes de novo branching into another state if the host state enacts a law expressly permitting out of state banks to establish such branches within its borders.
Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action
Federal law requires, among other things, that federal bank regulatory authorities take "prompt corrective action" with respect to banks that do not meet minimum capital requirements. For these purposes, the law establishes five capital categories: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has adopted regulations to implement the prompt corrective action legislation. An institution is deemed to be "well capitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6% or greater and a leverage ratio of 5% or greater. An institution is "adequately capitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4% or greater, and generally a leverage ratio of 4% or greater. An institution is "undercapitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4%, or generally a leverage ratio of less than 4%. An institution is deemed to be "significantly undercapitalized" if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 3%, or a leverage ratio of less than 3%. An institution is considered to be "critically undercapitalized" if it has a ratio of tangible equity (as defined in the regulations) to total assets that is equal to or less than 2%. As of December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank was a "well capitalized" institution and immediately upon completion of the Conversion expects to remain a "well capitalized" institution.
"Undercapitalized" banks must adhere to growth, capital distribution (including dividend) and other limitations and are required to submit a capital restoration plan. A bank's compliance with such plan is required to be guaranteed by any company that controls the undercapitalized institution in an amount equal to the lesser of 5% of the institution's total assets when deemed undercapitalized or the amount necessary to achieve the status of adequately capitalized. If an "undercapitalized" bank fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is "significantly undercapitalized." "Significantly undercapitalized" banks must comply with one or more of a number of additional restrictions, including but not limited to an order by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to sell sufficient voting stock to become adequately capitalized, requirements to reduce total assets and cease receipt of deposits from correspondent banks or dismiss directors or officers, and restrictions on interest rates paid on deposits, compensation of executive officers and capital distributions by the parent holding company. "Critically undercapitalized" institutions must comply with additional sanctions including, subject to a narrow exception, the appointment of a receiver or conservator within 270 days after it obtains such status.
Transactions with Affiliates
Under current federal law, transactions between depository institutions and their affiliates are governed by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. In a holding company context, at a minimum, the parent holding company of a savings bank and any companies which are controlled by such parent holding company are affiliates of the savings bank. Generally, Section 23A limits the extent to which the savings bank or its subsidiaries may engage in "covered transactions" with any one affiliate to 10% of such savings bank's capital stock and surplus, and contains an aggregate limit on all such transactions with all affiliates to 20% of capital stock and surplus. The term "covered transaction" includes, among other things, the making of loans or other extensions of credit to an affiliate and the purchase of assets from an affiliate. Section 23A also establishes specific collateral requirements for loans or extensions of credit to, or guarantees, acceptances on letters of credit issued on behalf of an affiliate. Section 23B requires that covered transactions and a broad list of other specified transactions be on terms substantially the same, or no less favorable, to the savings bank or its subsidiary as similar transactions with nonaffiliates.
Further, Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act restricts an institution with respect to loans to directors, executive officers, and principal stockholders ("insiders"). Under Section 22(h), loans to insiders and their related interests may not exceed, together with all other outstanding loans to such persons and affiliated entities, the institution's total capital and surplus. Loans to insiders above specified amounts must receive the prior approval of the board of directors. Further, under Section 22(h), loans to directors, executive officers and principal shareholders must be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to other persons, except that such insiders may receive preferential loans made under a benefit or compensation program that is widely available to Berkshire Bank's employees and does not give preference to the insider over the employees. Section 22(g) of the Federal Reserve Act places additional limitations on loans to executive officers.
Enforcement
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has extensive enforcement authority over insured savings banks, including Berkshire Bank. This enforcement authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue cease and desist orders and to remove directors and officers. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated in response to violations of laws and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has authority under Federal law to appoint a conservator or receiver for an insured bank under limited circumstances. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is required, with certain exceptions, to appoint a receiver or conservator for an insured state non-member bank if that bank was "critically undercapitalized" on average during the calendar quarter beginning 270 days after the date on which the institution became "critically undercapitalized." See "--Prompt Corrective Regulatory Action." The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation may also appoint itself as conservator or receiver for an insured state non-member institution under specific circumstances on the basis of the institution's financial condition or upon the occurrence of other events, including: (1) insolvency; (2) substantial dissipation of assets or earnings through violations of law or unsafe
or unsound practices; (3) existence of an unsafe or unsound condition to transact business; and (4) insufficient capital, or the incurring of losses that will deplete substantially all of the institution's capital with no reasonable prospect of replenishment without federal assistance.
Insurance of Deposit Accounts
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has adopted a risk-based insurance assessment system. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation assigns an institution to one of three capital categories based on the institution's financial information consisting of (1) well capitalized, (2) adequately capitalized or (3) undercapitalized, and one of three supervisory subcategories within each capital group. The supervisory subgroup to which an institution is assigned is based on a supervisory evaluation provided to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation by the institution's primary federal regulator and information which the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation determines to be relevant to the institution's financial condition and the risk posed to the deposit insurance funds. An institution's assessment rate depends on the capital category and supervisory category to which it is assigned. Assessment rates for insurance fund deposits currently range from 0 basis points for the strongest institution to 27 basis points for the weakest. Bank Insurance Fund members are also required to assist in the repayment of bonds issued by the Financing Corporation in the late 1980's to recapitalize the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. Bank Insurance Fund members had been assessed about 1.2 basis points, which is generally 20% of the amount charged Savings Association Insurance Fund members. Effective January 1, 2000, full pro rata sharing of the payments between Bank Insurance Fund and Savings Association Insurance Fund members commenced. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is authorized to raise the assessment rates. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has exercised this authority several times in the past and may raise insurance premiums in the future. If such action is taken by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, it could have an adverse effect on the earnings of Berkshire Bank.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation may terminate insurance of deposits if it finds that the institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The management of Berkshire Bank does not know of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of deposit insurance.
Federal Reserve System
The Federal Reserve Board regulations require depository institutions to maintain non-interest-earning reserves against their transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking accounts). The Federal Reserve Board regulations currently require that reserves be maintained against aggregate transaction accounts as follows: for that portion of transaction accounts aggregating $44.3 million or less (which may be adjusted by the Federal Reserve Board) the reserve requirement is 3%; and for accounts greater than $44.3 million, the reserve requirement is $1.33 million plus 10% (which may be adjusted by the Federal Reserve Board between 8% and 14%) against that portion of total transaction accounts in excess of $44.3 million. The first $5.0 million of otherwise reservable balances (which may be adjusted by the Federal Reserve Board) are exempted from the reserve requirements. Berkshire Bank is in compliance with these requirements.
Community Reinvestment Act
Under the Community Reinvestment Act, as implemented by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regulations, a state non-member bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with its safe and sound operation to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. The Community Reinvestment Act neither establishes specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor limits an institution's discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community. The Community Reinvestment Act requires the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in connection with its examination of an institution, to assess the institution's record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to consider such record when it evaluates applications made by such institution.
The Community Reinvestment Act requires public disclosure of an institution's Community Reinvestment Act rating. Berkshire Bank's latest Community Reinvestment Act rating, received from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was "Outstanding."
Federal Home Loan Bank System
Berkshire Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank System, which consists of 12 regional Federal Home Loan Banks. The Federal Home Loan Bank provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions. Berkshire Bank, as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston in an amount at least equal to 1% of the aggregate principal amount of its unpaid residential mortgage loans and similar obligations at the beginning of each year, or 1/20 of its advances (borrowings) from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, whichever is greater. Berkshire Bank was in compliance with this requirement with an investment in Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock at December 31, 1999 of $3.8 million. At December 31, 1999, Berkshire Bank had $58.9 million in Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances.
The Federal Home Loan Banks are required to provide funds for certain purposes including contributing funds for affordable housing programs. These requirements could reduce the amount of dividends that the Federal Home Loan Banks pay to their members and result in the Federal Home Loan Banks imposing a higher rate of interest on advances to their members. For the years ended 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995, cash dividends from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston to Berkshire Bank amounted to approximately $180,900, $163,600, $155,000, $155,600 and $180,100, respectively. Further, there can be no assurance that the impact of recent or future legislation on the Federal Home Loan Banks will not also cause a decrease in the value of the Federal Home Loan Bank stock held by Berkshire Bank.
Holding Company Regulation
Federal law allows a state savings bank that qualifies as a "Qualified Thrift Lender," discussed below, to elect to be treated as a savings association for purposes of the savings and loan holding company provisions of the Home Owners' Loan Act. Such election allows its holding company to be regulated as a savings and loan holding company by the Office of Thrift Supervision rather than as a bank holding company by the Federal Reserve Board. Berkshire Bank has made such election and expects Berkshire Hills to receive approval from the Office of Thrift Supervision to become a savings and loan holding company. Berkshire Hills will be regulated as a savings and loan holding company within the meaning of the Home Owners' Loan Act. As such, Berkshire Hills will be required to register with the Office of Thrift Supervision and will have to adhere to the Office of Thrift Supervision's regulations and reporting requirements. In addition, the Office of Thrift Supervision may examine and supervise Berkshire Hills and the Office of Thrift Supervision has enforcement authority over Berkshire Hills and its non-savings institution subsidiaries. Among other things, this authority permits the Office of Thrift Supervision to restrict or prohibit activities that are determined to be a serious risk to the subsidiary savings institution. Additionally, Berkshire Bank will be required to notify the Office of Thrift Supervision at least 30 days before declaring any dividend to Berkshire Hills. By regulation, the Office of Thrift Supervision may restrict or prohibit Berkshire Bank from paying dividends.
Berkshire Hills will be a unitary savings and loan holding company under federal law because Berkshire Bank will be its only insured subsidiary immediately after the conversion. Formerly, a unitary savings and loan holding company was not restricted as to the types of business activities in which it could engage, provided that its subsidiary savings association continued to be a qualified thrift lender. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, however, restricts unitary savings and loan holding companies not existing or applied for before May 4, 1999 to activities permissible for a financial holding company as defined under the legislation, including insurance and securities activities, and those permitted for a multiple savings and loan holding company as described below. Berkshire Hills will be subject to these activities restrictions. Upon any non- supervisory acquisition by Berkshire Hills of another savings association as a separate subsidiary, Berkshire Hills would become a multiple savings and loan holding company. The Home Owners' Loan Act limits the activities of a multiple savings and loan holding
company and its non-insured institution subsidiaries primarily to activities permissible for bank holding companies under Section 4(c)(8) of the Bank Holding Company Act, provided the prior approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision is obtained, and to other activities authorized by Office of Thrift Supervision regulation. Multiple savings and loan holding companies are generally prohibited from acquiring or retaining more than 5% of a non-subsidiary company engaged in activities other than those permitted by the Home Owners' Loan Act. See "Risk Factors--Banking reform legislation restricts the activities in which Berkshire Hills may engage compared to existing unitary holding companies."
The Home Owners' Loan Act prohibits a savings and loan holding company from, directly or indirectly, acquiring more than 5% of the voting stock of another savings association or savings and loan holding company or from acquiring such an institution or company by merger, consolidation or purchase of its assets, without prior written approval of the Office of Thrift Supervision. In evaluating applications by holding companies to acquire savings associations, the Office of Thrift Supervision considers the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of Berkshire Hills and the institution involved, the effect of the acquisition on the risk to the insurance funds, the convenience and needs of the community and competitive factors.
The Office of Thrift Supervision is prohibited from approving any acquisition that would result in a multiple savings and loan holding company controlling savings institutions in more than one state, except: (1) interstate supervisory acquisitions by savings and loan holding companies; and (2) the acquisition of a savings institution in another state if the laws of the state of the target savings institution specifically permit such acquisitions.
To be regulated as a savings and loan holding company by the Office of Thrift Supervision (rather than as a bank holding company by the Federal Reserve Board), Berkshire Bank must qualify as a Qualified Thrift Lender. To qualify as a Qualified Thrift Lender, Berkshire Bank must maintain compliance with the test for a "domestic building and loan association," as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, or with a Qualified Thrift Lender Test. Under the Qualified Thrift Lender Test, a savings institution is required to maintain at least 65% of its "portfolio assets" (total assets less: (1) specified liquid assets up to 20% of total assets; (2) intangibles, including goodwill; and (3) the value of property used to conduct business) in certain "qualified thrift investments" (primarily residential mortgages and related investments, including certain mortgage-backed and related securities) in at least 9 months out of each 12 month period. As of December 31, 1999 Berkshire Bank maintained in excess of 75% of its portfolio assets in qualified thrift investments.
Massachusetts Holding Company Regulation. In addition to the federal holding company regulations, a bank holding company organized or doing business in Massachusetts must comply with any regulation under the Massachusetts law. The term "bank holding company," for the purposes of Massachusetts law, is defined generally to include any company which, directly or indirectly, owns, controls or holds with power to vote more than 25% of the voting stock of each of two or more banking institutions, including commercial banks and state co- operative banks, savings banks and savings and loan associations and national banks, federal savings banks and federal savings and loan associations. In general, a holding company controlling, directly or indirectly, only one banking institution will not be deemed to be a bank holding company for the purposes of Massachusetts law. Under Massachusetts law, the prior approval of the Board of Bank Incorporation is required before: any company may become a bank holding company; any bank holding company acquires direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting stock of, or all or substantially all of the assets of, a banking institution; or any bank holding company merges with another bank holding company. Although Berkshire Hills will not be a bank holding company for purposes of Massachusetts law upon the Effective Date of the Conversion, any future acquisition of ownership, control, or the power to vote 25% or more of the voting stock of another banking institution or bank holding company would cause it to become such. Berkshire Hills has no current plan or arrangement to acquire ownership or control, directly or indirectly, of 25% or more of the voting stock of another banking institution.
Federal Securities Laws
Berkshire Hills has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act for the registration of the common stock to be issued in the conversion. Upon completion of the conversion, Berkshire Hills' common stock will be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act. Berkshire Hills will then have to observe the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements under the Exchange Act.
The registration under the Securities Act of shares of the common stock to be issued in the conversion does not cover the resale of such shares. Shares of the common stock purchased by persons who are not affiliates of Berkshire Hills may be resold without registration. The resale restrictions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act govern shares purchased by an affiliate of Berkshire Hills. If Berkshire Hills meets the current public information requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, each affiliate of Berkshire Hills who complies with the other conditions of Rule 144 (including those that require the affiliate's sale to be aggregated with those of other persons) would be able to sell in the public market, without registration, a number of shares not to exceed, in any three-month period, the greater of (1) 1% of the outstanding shares of Berkshire Hills or (2) the average weekly volume of trading in such shares during the preceding four calendar weeks. Provision may be made in the future by Berkshire Hills to permit affiliates to have their shares registered for sale under the Securities Act under specific circumstances.
FEDERAL AND STATE TAXATION ON INCOME
Federal Income Taxation
General. Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank intend to report their income on a calendar year basis using the accrual method of accounting. The federal income tax laws apply to Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank in the same manner as to other corporations with some exceptions, including particularly Berkshire Bank's reserve for bad debts discussed below. The following discussion of tax matters is intended only as a summary and does not purport to be a comprehensive description of the tax rules applicable to Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills. Berkshire Bank's federal income tax returns have been either audited or closed under the statute of limitations through tax year 1995. For its 1998 tax year, Berkshire Bank's maximum federal income tax rate was 35%.
Bad Debt Reserves. For fiscal years beginning before December 31, 1995, thrift institutions which qualified under certain definitional tests and other conditions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, were permitted to use certain favorable provisions to calculate their deductions from taxable income for annual additions to their bad debt reserve. A reserve could be established for bad debts on qualifying real property loans, generally secured by interests in real property improved or to be improved, under the percentage of taxable income method or the experience method. The reserve for nonqualifying loans was computed using the experience method.
Federal legislation enacted in 1996 repealed the reserve method of accounting for bad debts and the percentage of taxable income method for tax years beginning after 1995 and require savings institutions to recapture or take into income certain portions of their accumulated bad debt reserves. Approximately $844,000 of Berkshire Bank accumulated bad debt reserves would not be recaptured into taxable income unless Berkshire Bank makes a "non-dividend distribution" to Berkshire Hills as described below.
Distributions. If Berkshire Bank makes "non-dividend distributions" to Berkshire Hills, they will be considered to have been made from Berkshire Bank's unrecaptured tax bad debt reserves, including the balance of its reserves as of December 31, 1987, to the extent of the "non-dividend distributions," and then from Berkshire Bank's supplemental reserve for losses on loans, to the extent of those reserves, and an amount based on the amount distributed, but not more than the amount of those reserves, will be included in Berkshire Bank's taxable income. Non-dividend distributions include distributions in excess of Berkshire Bank's current and accumulated earnings and profits, as calculated for federal income tax purposes, distributions in redemption of stock, and distributions in
partial or complete liquidation. Dividends paid out of Berkshire Bank's current or accumulated earnings and profits will not be so included in Berkshire Bank's taxable income.
The amount of additional taxable income triggered by a non-dividend is an amount that, when reduced by the tax attributable to the income, is equal to the amount of the distribution. Therefore, if Berkshire Bank makes a non-dividend distribution to Berkshire Hills, approximately one and one-half times the amount of the distribution not in excess of the amount of the reserves would be includable in income for federal income tax purposes, assuming a 35% federal corporate income tax rate. Berkshire Bank does not intend to pay dividends that would result in a recapture of any portion of its bad debt reserves.
State Taxation
Massachusetts Taxation. Before July 1995, Massachusetts savings banks had to pay an annual Massachusetts excise (income) tax equal to 12.54% of its pre- tax income. In 1995, legislation was enacted to reduce the Massachusetts bank excise (income) tax rate and to allow Massachusetts-based financial institutions to apportion income earned in other states. Further, this legislation expands the applicability of the tax to non-bank entities and out-of-state financial institutions. The Massachusetts excise tax rate for savings banks is currently 10.5% of federal taxable income, adjusted for certain items. Taxable income includes gross income as defined under the Internal Revenue Code, plus interest from bonds, notes and evidences of indebtedness of any state, including Massachusetts, less deductions, but not the credits, allowable under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Carryforwards and carrybacks of net operating losses are not allowed.
A financial institution or business corporation is generally entitled to special tax treatment as a "security corporation," provided that: (a) its activities are limited to buying, selling, dealing in or holding securities on its own behalf and not as a broker; and (b) it has applied for, and received, classification as a "security corporation" by the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. A security corporation that is also a bank holding company under the Code must pay a tax equal to 0.33% of its gross income. A security corporation that is not a bank holding company under the Code must pay a tax equal to 1.32% of its gross income. Berkshire Bank has received an opinion from Wolf & Company, P.C. that Berkshire Hills' ownership of 100% of the stock the subsidiary established to lend funds to the employee stock ownership plan by Berkshire Hills will not prevent Berkshire Hills from qualifying as a security corporation, provided that Berkshire Hills: (a) applies for, and receives, security corporation classification by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue; and (b) does not conduct any activities deemed impermissible under the governing statutes and the various regulations, directives, letter rulings and administrative pronouncements issued by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
Delaware State Taxation. As a Delaware holding company not earning income in Delaware, Berkshire Hills is exempted from Delaware Corporate income tax but is required to file an annual report with and pay an annual franchise tax to the State of Delaware.
SHARES TO BE PURCHASED BY MANAGEMENT WITH SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
The following table presents certain information as to the approximate purchases of common stock by each director and executive officer of Berkshire Bank, including their associates, as defined by applicable regulations. No individual has entered into a binding agreement to purchase these shares and, therefore, actual purchases could be more or less than indicated. Directors and executive officers and their associates may not purchase more than 30% of the shares sold in the conversion. For purposes of the following table, sufficient shares are assumed to be available to satisfy subscriptions in all categories.
Percent of Percent of
Anticipated Anticipated Shares at Shares at
Number of Dollar Minimum Maximum
Shares to be Amount to be of Estimated of Estimated
Name Purchased (1) Purchased (1) Valuation Range Valuation Range
---- ------------- ------------- --------------- ---------------
Thomas O. Andrews........................ 25,000 $ 250,000(2) 0.41% 0.30%
James A. Cunningham, Jr.................. 25,000 250,000(2) 0.41 0.30
Thomas R. Dawson......................... 6,500 65,000 0.11 0.08
Henry D. Granger......................... 5,000 50,000 0.08 0.06
A. Allen Gray............................ 15,000 150,000 0.24 0.18
John Kittredge........................... 2,000 20,000 0.03 0.02
Peter J. Lafayette....................... 6,000 60,000 0.10 0.07
Edward G. McCormick...................... 10,000 100,000 0.16 0.12
Catherine B. Miller...................... 10,000 100,000 0.16 0.12
Michael G. Miller........................ 25,000 250,000(2) 0.41 0.30
Raymond B. Murray, III................... 12,500 125,000 0.20 0.15
Louis J. Oggiani......................... 2,500 25,000 0.04 0.03
Robert S. Raser.......................... 1,500 15,000 0.02 0.02
Corydon L. Thurston...................... 5,000 50,000 0.08 0.06
Ann H. Trabulsi.......................... 10,000 100,000 0.16 0.12
Robert A. Wells.......................... 25,000 250,000(2) 0.41 0.30
William E. Williams...................... 7,000 70,000 0.11 0.08
Anne Everest Wojtkowski.................. 2,000 20,000 0.03 0.02
Michael P. Daly.......................... 10,000 100,000 0.16 0.12
Charles F. Plungis, Jr................... 2,000 20,000 0.03 0.02
Susan M. Santora......................... 1,500 15,000 0.02 0.02
------- ---------- ---- ----
All Directors and Executive Officers
as a group (21 persons) (3)........... 208,500 $2,085,000 3.37% 2.49%
======= ========== ==== ====
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THE CONVERSION
The Board of Trustees of Berkshire Bancorp, the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank, the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and Berkshire Bancorp's corporators have approved the Plan of Conversion subject to the satisfaction of certain other conditions. However, any approvals by the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner are not a recommendation or endorsement of the plan of conversion.
General
On October 22, 1999, the Board of Trustees of Berkshire Bancorp and the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank unanimously adopted the plan of conversion under which Berkshire Bancorp will convert from the mutual holding company to the stock holding company form. Following the conversion, Berkshire Bank will be held as a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hills, a recently formed Delaware corporation. The following discussion of the plan of conversion contains all material terms about the conversion. Nevertheless, readers are urged to read carefully the plan of conversion, which is available upon request. The plan of conversion is also filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that Berkshire Hills has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See "Where You Can Find More Information." The Massachusetts Banking Commissioner has approved the plan of conversion, subject to certain conditions. Additionally, Berkshire Hills' corporators approved the plan of conversion at a special meeting called for that purpose on _________, 2000.
In connection with the conversion, Berkshire Bancorp will adopt Amended and Restated Articles of Organization and Bylaws. As part of the conversion, Berkshire Bank will issue all of its newly issued capital stock to Berkshire Hills in exchange for 50% of the net proceeds from the sale of common stock by Berkshire Hills in connection with the conversion. Berkshire Hills expects to receive approval from the Office of Thrift Supervision to become a savings and loan holding company and to acquire all of Berkshire Bank's capital stock issued in the conversion.
The plan of conversion provides that the Board of Trustees of Berkshire Bancorp and the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank, at any time before the completion of the conversion, may decide not to use the holding company form of organization in implementing the conversion. This decision may be made to avoid possible delays resulting from overlapping regulatory processing, or policies or conditions, which could hurt the ability of Berkshire Bank's, Berkshire Bancorp's or Berkshire Hills' ability to complete the conversion and transact its business after the conversion as is contemplated and in accordance with Berkshire Bank's operating policies. If such a decision is made, Berkshire Hills will withdraw its registration statement from the Securities and Exchange Commission and Berkshire Bank will take all steps necessary to complete the conversion without Berkshire Hills, including filing any necessary documents. In such event, if Berkshire Bank determines to complete the conversion, if permitted by the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner, Berkshire Bank will issue and sell its common stock and subscribers will be notified of the elimination of Berkshire Hills and be permitted to affirm, modify or rescind their orders. Subscribers will need to reconfirm their subscriptions before the end of the resolicitation offering or their funds will be refunded with interest. The following description of the plan of conversion assumes that a holding company form of organization will be used in the conversion. If a holding company form of organization is not used, all other pertinent terms of the plan of conversion as described below will apply to the sale of Berkshire Bank's common stock.
The plan of conversion provides generally that: Berkshire Bancorp will convert from a Massachusetts-chartered mutual holding company to an interim stock bank and shall simultaneously combine or merge with and into Berkshire Bank, with Berkshire Bank being the surviving entity. The shares of Berkshire Bank's common stock currently held by Berkshire Bancorp will be extinguished. Berkshire Hills has been organized for the purpose of acquiring all of the outstanding shares of Berkshire Bank. The common stock of Berkshire Hills will be offered in the subscription offering to persons having subscription rights; if necessary, shares of common stock not subscribed for in the subscription offering will be offered in a direct community offering to certain members of the general public, with preference given to natural persons residing in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and then to certain members of the general public in a syndicated community offering through a syndicate of registered broker-
dealers under selected dealer agreements. Berkshire Hills will purchase all of the capital stock of Berkshire Bank to be issued in the conversion.
As part of the conversion, Berkshire Hills is offering its common stock in a subscription offering to holders of subscription rights in the following order of priority to: (1) holders of savings accounts with $50 or more on deposit as of September 30, 1998; (2) holders of savings accounts of Berkshire Bank with $50 or more on deposit as of September 30, 1999, except officers, directors, trustees and corporators of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Bancorp; (3) Berkshire Bank's employee stock ownership plan; and (4) directors, trustees, officers and employees of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Bancorp without a higher subscription priority.
Shares of common stock not subscribed for in the subscription offering are expected to be offered for sale in a direct community offering. A direct community offering, if one is held, may begin either at the same time as, during or after the subscription offering. Shares of common stock not sold in the subscription and direct community offerings may be offered in the syndicated community offering which may occur either at the same time as, during or after the subscription offering or direct community offering. Regulations require that the direct community and syndicated community offerings be completed within 45 days after completion of the fully extended subscription offering unless extended by Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills with the approval of all applicable regulatory authorities. If the syndicated community offering is not feasible, the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank will consult with the regulatory authorities to determine an appropriate alternative method for selling the unsubscribed shares of common stock, which may include a firm commitment public offering. The plan of conversion provides that the conversion must be completed within 24 months after the date of the approval of the plan of conversion by the Board of Trustees of Berkshire Bancorp and the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank.
The completion of the offering, however, depends on market conditions and other factors beyond Berkshire Bank's control. No assurance can be given as to the length of time that will be required to complete the sale of the common stock. If delays are experienced, significant changes may occur in the estimated pro forma market value of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank as converted, together with corresponding changes in the net proceeds realized by Berkshire Hills from the sale of the common stock. If the conversion is terminated, Berkshire Bank would be required to charge all conversion expenses against current income.
Orders for shares of common stock will not be filled until at least 6,145,500 shares of common stock have been subscribed for, the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and any other applicable bank regulatory authority approves the final valuation and the conversion closes. Furthermore, the closing of the stock offering and the completion of the conversion is subject to the receipt by Berkshire Bank of approval from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation of its merger with Berkshire Bancorp in its converted form as a Massachusetts-chartered interim stock savings bank and to the receipt by Berkshire Hills of approval from the Office of Thrift Supervision to acquire all of the stock of Berkshire Bank. If the conversion is not completed within 45 days after the last day of the fully extended subscription offering and the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and any other applicable bank regulatory authority consents to an extension of time to complete the conversion, subscribers will be given the right to increase, decrease or rescind their subscriptions. Unless an affirmative indication is received from subscribers that they wish to continue to subscribe for shares, the funds will be returned promptly, together with accrued interest at Berkshire Bank's passbook rate from the date payment is received until the funds are returned to the subscriber. If the period is not extended, or, in any event, if the conversion is not completed, all withdrawal authorizations will be terminated and all funds held will be promptly returned together with accrued interest at Berkshire Bank's passbook rate from the date payment is received until the conversion is terminated.
Establishment of the Charitable Foundation
General. In furtherance of Berkshire Bank's commitment to its local community, the plan of conversion provides for the establishment of a charitable foundation in connection with the conversion. The plan of conversion provides that Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills will establish Berkshire Hills Foundation, and will fund it with Berkshire Hills common stock, as further described below. Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank believe that the funding of Berkshire Hills Foundation with Berkshire Hills common stock is a means of establishing a common
bond between Berkshire Bank and its community and thereby enables Berkshire Bank's community to share in the potential growth and success of Berkshire Hills over the long-term. By further enhancing Berkshire Bank's visibility and reputation in its local community, Berkshire Bank believes that the foundation will enhance the long-term value of Berkshire Bank's community banking franchise.
Purpose of Berkshire Hills Foundation. Berkshire Bank emphasizes community lending and community activities. In 1997, Berkshire Bank formed Greater Berkshire Foundation, Inc., a foundation that provides grants to public charities that are operated for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes, within the communities in which Berkshire Bank serves. See "Business of Berkshire Bank--Greater Berkshire Foundation, Inc."
Berkshire Hills Foundation is being formed to complement, not to replace Berkshire Bank's existing community activities and its existing foundation's activities. Berkshire Bank intends to continue to emphasize community lending and community activities following the conversion. However, such activities are not Berkshire Bank's sole corporate purpose. Berkshire Hills Foundation, conversely, will be completely dedicated to community activities and the promotion of charitable causes, and may be able to support such activities in manners that are not presently available to Berkshire Bank. Berkshire Bank believes that Berkshire Hills Foundation will enable Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank to assist within the communities in which Berkshire Bank maintains a banking office in areas beyond community development and lending and will enhance its current activities under the CRA. Berkshire Bank received a "Outstanding" CRA rating in its last CRA examination by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. and the Massachusetts Division of Banks.
The Board of Directors believes the establishment of Berkshire Hills Foundation is consistent with Berkshire Bank's commitment to community service. The Board further believes that the funding of Berkshire Hills Foundation with Berkshire Hills common stock will allow Berkshire Bank's community to share in the potential growth and success of Berkshire Hills long after the conversion. Berkshire Hills Foundation will accomplish that goal by providing for continued ties between it and Berkshire Bank, thereby forming a partnership within the communities in which Berkshire Bank maintains a banking office.
Berkshire Bank, however, does not expect the contribution to Berkshire Hills Foundation to take the place of Berkshire Bank's traditional community lending and charitable activities. For the year ended 1999, Berkshire Bank and Greater Berkshire Foundation, Inc. contributed $310,000 to community organizations. Berkshire Bank and Greater Berkshire Foundation, Inc. expect to continue making charitable contributions within its communities. Upon conversion, Berkshire Hills intends to contribute to Berkshire Hills Foundation shares of its common stock equal to 8% of the common stock sold in the conversion, or stock valued at between approximately $4.9 million based on the purchase price of $10.00 per share, if 6,145,500 shares are sold in the conversion and approximately $6.7 million, based on the purchase price of $10.00 per share if 8,314,500 shares are sold in the conversion. If the number of shares sold in the conversion is increased to 9,561,675 shares, the foundation would be funded with common stock valued at $7.6 million. The conversion presents Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills with a unique opportunity to provide a substantial and continuing benefit to the communities in which Berkshire Bank maintains a banking office, and to receive the associated tax benefits, without any significant cash outlay by Berkshire Bank, and without any significant adverse impact to the depositors of Berkshire Bank.
Structure of Berkshire Hills Foundation. Berkshire Hills Foundation will be incorporated under Delaware law as a non-stock corporation. Under its Bylaws, Berkshire Hills Foundation's Board of Directors will be comprised of individuals that are existing or former directors or officers of Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank. The Certificate of Incorporation of Berkshire Hills Foundation will provide that the corporation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes as set forth in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Berkshire Hills Foundation's Certificate of Incorporation will further provide that no part of the net earnings of the foundation will inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its directors, officers or members.
The Board of Directors of Berkshire Hills Foundation will be responsible for establishing its grant and donation policies, consistent with the purposes for which it was established. As directors of a nonprofit corporation, directors of Berkshire Hills Foundation will at all times be bound by their fiduciary duty to advance Berkshire Hills
Foundation's charitable goals, to protect its assets and to act in a manner consistent with the charitable purposes for which Berkshire Hills Foundation is established. The directors of Berkshire Hills Foundation will also be responsible for directing the activities of the foundation, including the management and voting of the common stock of Berkshire Hills held by Berkshire Hills Foundation. However, all shares of common stock held by Berkshire Hills Foundation must be voted in the same ratio as all other shares of the common stock on all proposals considered by stockholders of Berkshire Hills.
Berkshire Hills Foundation's place of business will be located at Berkshire Hills' administrative offices. The Board of Directors of Berkshire Hills Foundation will appoint such officers and employees as may be necessary to manage its operations.
Berkshire Hills Foundation will receive working capital from: (1) any
dividends that may be paid on Berkshire Hills' common stock in the future; (2)
within the limits of applicable federal and state laws, loans collateralized by
the common stock; or (3) from the proceeds of the sale of any of the common
stock in the open market from time to time. As a private foundation under
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, Berkshire Hills Foundation will
be required to distribute annually in grants or donations, a minimum of 5% of
the average fair market value of its net investment assets. One of the
conditions imposed on the gift of common stock by Berkshire Hills is that the
amount of common stock that may be sold by Berkshire Hills Foundation in any one
year shall not exceed 5% of the average market value of the assets held by
Berkshire Hills Foundation, except where the Board of Directors of Berkshire
Hills Foundation determines that the failure to sell an amount of common stock
greater than such amount would result in a long-term reduction of the value of
its assets and/or would otherwise jeopardize its capacity to carry out its
charitable purposes. Upon completion of the conversion and the contribution of
shares to Berkshire Hills Foundation immediately following the conversion,
Berkshire Hills would have 6,637,140 and 8,979,660 shares issued and outstanding
at the minimum and maximum of the estimated valuation range. Because of the
gift of common stock to Berkshire Hills Foundation, Berkshire Hills will have an
increased number of shares outstanding and, therefore, the voting and ownership
interests of stockholders in Berkshire Hills will be diluted by 7.4%, compared
to their interests in Berkshire Hills if Berkshire Hills Foundation were not
established. For additional discussion of the dilutive effect, see "Pro Forma
Data."
Tax Considerations. Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank have been advised by their independent tax advisors that an organization created for the above purposes should qualify as a Section 501(c)(3) exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code and should be classified as a private foundation. Berkshire Hills Foundation will submit a request to the Internal Revenue Service to be recognized as an exempt organization. As long as Berkshire Hills Foundation files its application for tax-exempt status within 15 months from the date of its organization, and provided the Internal Revenue Service approves the application, its effective date as a Section 501(c)(3) organization will be the date of its organization. Berkshire Hills' independent tax advisors, however, have not rendered any advice on whether Berkshire Hills Foundation's tax exempt status will be affected by the requirement of the regulatory authorities that all shares of common stock of Berkshire Hills held by Berkshire Hills Foundation must be voted in the same ratio as all other outstanding shares of common stock of Berkshire Hills on all proposals considered by stockholders of Berkshire Hills. See "--Regulatory Conditions Imposed on Berkshire Hills Foundation."
Under Delaware law, Berkshire Hills is authorized by statute to make charitable contributions and case law has recognized the benefits of such contributions to a Delaware corporation. Delaware case law provides that a charitable gift must be within reasonable limits as to amount and purpose to be valid. Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank believe that the conversion presents a unique opportunity to establish and fund a charitable foundation given the substantial amount of additional capital being raised. In making such a determination, Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank considered the dilutive impact of the contribution of common stock to Berkshire Hills Foundation on the amount of common stock to be sold in the conversion. Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank believe that the contribution to Berkshire Hills Foundation in excess of the 10% annual limitation on charitable deductions described below is justified given Berkshire Bank's capital position and its earnings, the substantial additional capital being raised in the conversion and the potential benefits of Berkshire Hills Foundation within the communities in which Berkshire Bank maintains a banking office. See "Historical and Pro Forma Regulatory
Capital Compliance," "Capitalization," and "Comparison of Independent Valuation and Pro Forma Financial Information With and Without the Foundation." The amount of the contribution will not adversely impact the financial condition of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank. Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank therefore believe that the amount of the charitable contribution is reasonable given Berkshire Hills' and Berkshire Bank's pro forma capital positions and does not raise safety and soundness concerns.
Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank have received an opinion of their independent tax advisors that Berkshire Hills' contribution of its stock to Berkshire Hills Foundation should not constitute an act of self-dealing, and that Berkshire Hills should be entitled to a deduction in the amount of the fair market value of the stock at the time of the contribution less the nominal amount that Berkshire Hills Foundation is required to pay Berkshire Hills for such stock. Berkshire Hills is only permitted to deduct an amount equal to 10% of its annual taxable income. Berkshire Hills is permitted under the Internal Revenue Code to carry the excess contribution over the five year period following the contribution to Berkshire Hills Foundation. Berkshire Hills estimates that substantially all of the contribution should be deductible over the six-year period. However, Berkshire Hills does not have any assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will grant tax-exempt status to the foundation. Furthermore, even if the contribution is deductible, Berkshire Hills may not have sufficient earnings to be able to use the deduction in full. Neither Berkshire Hills nor Berkshire Bank expect to make any further contributions to Berkshire Hills Foundation or to Greater Berkshire Foundation, Inc. within the first five years following the initial contribution, unless such contributions would be deductible under the Internal Revenue Code. Any such decisions would be based on an assessment of, among other factors, the financial condition of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank at that time, the interests of stockholders and depositors of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank, and the financial condition and operations of Berkshire Hills Foundation.
Although Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank have received an opinion of their independent tax advisors that Berkshire Hills should be entitled to a deduction for the charitable contribution, there can be no assurances that the Internal Revenue Service will recognize Berkshire Hills Foundation as a Section 501(c)(3) exempt organization or that the deduction will be permitted. In such event, Berkshire Hills' contribution to Berkshire Hills Foundation would be expensed without tax benefit, resulting in a reduction in earnings in the year in which the Internal Revenue Service makes such a determination. See "Risk Factors--Contribution to the Berkshire Hills Foundation may not be tax deductible which could hurt Berkshire Hills' profits."
As a private foundation, earnings and gains, if any, from the sale of common stock or other assets are exempt from federal and state income taxation. However, investment income, such as interest, dividends and capital gains, is generally taxed at a rate of 2.0%. Berkshire Hills Foundation will be required to file an information return with the Internal Revenue Service within four and one-half months after the close of its fiscal year. Berkshire Hills Foundation will be required to make its annual information return available for public inspection for a three-year period. The information return for a private foundation must include, among other things, an itemized list of all grants made or approved, showing the amount of each grant, the recipient, any relationship between a grant recipient and the foundation's managers and a concise statement of the purpose of each grant.
Regulatory Conditions Imposed on Berkshire Hills Foundation. Establishment of Berkshire Hills Foundation is expected to be subject to the following conditions to be agreed to by Berkshire Hills Foundation as a condition to receiving the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner's approval to the conversion:
1. the Massachusetts Division of Banks can examine the foundation;
2. the foundation must comply with all supervisory directives or regulatory bulletins imposed by the Massachusetts Division of Banks;
3. the foundation will operate according to written policies adopted by its board of directors, including a business plan and a conflict of interest policy;
4. the foundation will give a proposed operating plan to the Massachusetts Division of Banks before the completion of the conversion;
5. the foundation will provide annual reports to the Massachusetts Division of Banks describing the grants made and the grant recipients;
6. the foundation shall not engage in self-dealing and shall comply with all laws necessary to maintain its tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code; and
7. the foundation must vote its shares in the same ratio as all other holders of shares.
Berkshire Hills Foundation will also need to comply with the requirement
that the establishment and funding of Berkshire Hills Foundation be approved by:
(1) a majority vote of Berkshire Bancorp's corporators present and voting at a
special meeting called for such purpose; and (2) the majority vote of all
"independent" corporators (who shall not constitute less than sixty percent
(60%) of all corporators eligible to vote) present and voting at a special
meeting called for such purpose.
Reasons for the Conversion
The Board of Directors and management believe that the conversion is in the best interests of Berkshire Bank, its customers, employees and the communities it serves. By converting to the stock holding company form of organization, Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank will be structured in the form used by holding companies of commercial banks, most business entities and by a growing number of savings institutions. Management of Berkshire Bank believes that the conversion offers a number of advantages which will be important to the future growth and performance of Berkshire Bank. The capital raised in the conversion is intended to support Berkshire Bank's future lending, operational growth and to increase its ability to render services to the communities it serves. The capital raised may also support possible future branching activities and the acquisition of other financial institutions or financial service companies or their assets. With the exception of the potential establishment of an insurance agency, there are no current specific plans, arrangements or understandings, written or oral, regarding these activities. The conversion is also expected to afford Berkshire Bank's management, depositors and others the opportunity to become stockholders of Berkshire Hills and participate more directly in, and contribute to, any future growth of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank. The conversion will also enable Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank to raise additional capital in the public equity or debt markets should the need arise, although there are no current specific plans, arrangements or understandings, written or oral, to do so.
Effects of Conversion to Stock Form
General. Each depositor in Berkshire Bank has both a deposit account in the institution and a pro rata ownership interest in the net worth of the institution through Berkshire Bancorp, based upon the balance in his or her account, which interest may only be realized if the institution is liquidated. However, this ownership interest is tied to the depositor's account and has no value separate from such deposit account. Any depositor who opens a deposit account obtains a pro rata ownership interest in the net worth of the institution without any additional payment beyond the amount of the deposit. A depositor who reduces or closes his account receives a portion or all of the balance in the account but nothing for his ownership interest in the net worth of the institution, which is lost to the extent that the balance in the account is reduced.
Consequently, Berkshire Bank's depositors would realize the value of their ownership interest only in the unlikely event that the bank is liquidated. In such event, the depositors of record at that time, as owners, would be able to share in any residual surplus and reserves after the payment of creditors' claims, including claims of depositors to the amounts of their deposits, are paid.
When a mutual holding company converts to stock form, depositors lose all rights to the net worth of the bank, except that eligible and supplemental eligible account holders at the time of conversion obtain the right to
claim a pro rata share of funds representing the liquidation account established in connection with the conversion. Additionally, nonwithdrawable common stock is created and offered to depositors which represents the ownership of the institution's net worth. The common stock is separate and apart from deposit accounts and cannot be and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc. or any other governmental agency. Certificates are issued to evidence ownership of the common stock. The stock certificates are transferable, and therefore the stock may be sold or traded if a purchaser is available with no effect on any deposit account the seller may hold in the institution.
No assets of Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank will be distributed in connection with the conversion other than the payment of those expenses incurred in connection with the conversion.
Continuity. While the conversion is being accomplished, the normal business of Berkshire Bank will continue without interruption, including being regulated by the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. After conversion, Berkshire Bank will continue to provide services for depositors and borrowers under current policies by its present management and staff.
The Directors of Berkshire Bank at the time of conversion will serve as Directors of Berkshire Bank after the conversion. The Directors of Berkshire Hills will be solely composed of individuals who served on the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank. All officers of Berkshire Bank at the time of conversion will retain their positions after the conversion.
Savings Accounts and Loans. Berkshire Bank's savings accounts, account balances and existing Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc. insurance coverage of savings accounts will not be affected by the conversion. Furthermore, the conversion will not affect the loan accounts, loan balances or obligations of borrowers under their individual contractual arrangements with Berkshire Bank.
Effect on Voting Rights of Corporators. Berkshire Bancorp presently maintains a governing board of 74 corporators. Generally, corporators consist of depositors of Berkshire Bank who are residents of the communities served by Berkshire Bank. Corporators are nominated by Berkshire Bancorp nominating committee and elected by ballot at corporators' meetings. Generally, corporators promote the goodwill of Berkshire Bank and, therefore, are individuals who are successful in their occupations and respected in their communities. Corporators also possess certain voting rights in Berkshire Bancorp. Upon conversion, Berkshire Bancorp and its governing body of corporators will no longer exist. Instead, Berkshire Hills, as the sole stockholder of Berkshire Bank, will possess all voting rights in Berkshire Bank. The holders of the common stock of Berkshire Hills will possess all voting rights in Berkshire Hills.
Tax Effects. The conversion will be effected through a series of contemporaneous transactions which result in Berkshire Bank becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hills. To facilitate the conversion, Berkshire Bancorp will convert to an interim Massachusetts-chartered stock savings bank and merge with and into Berkshire Bank. In connection with the merger, shares of Berkshire Bank common stock previously held by Berkshire Bancorp will be canceled. Berkshire Hills will then contribute 50% of the net offering proceeds to Berkshire Bank in exchange for 100% of its common stock.
Berkshire Bank has received an opinion from Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP, Washington, D.C., that addresses the material federal income tax consequences of the conversion. The opinion, which relies upon standard factual representations given by Berkshire Bank, concludes, as follows:
1. The conversion of Berkshire Bancorp to a Massachusetts-chartered interim savings bank will constitute a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Internal Revenue Code.
2. The merger of the interim savings bank and Berkshire Bank will constitute a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code.
3. Berkshire Bancorp will not recognize any gain or loss on the transfer of its assets to Berkshire Bank as a consequence of the merger of the interim savings bank and Berkshire Bank in exchange for an interest in a liquidation account established in Berkshire Bank for the benefit of eligible and supplemental eligible account holders who hold a liquidation interest in Berkshire Bancorp and who remain depositors of Berkshire Bank.
4. No gain or loss will be recognized by Berkshire Bank upon the receipt of the assets of Berkshire Bancorp as a consequence of the merger of the interim savings bank and Berkshire Bank in exchange for the transfer to the eligible and supplemental eligible account holders who hold a liquidation interest in Berkshire Bancorp of an interest in the liquidation account.
5. The basis of the assets of Berkshire Bancorp to be received by Berkshire Bank as a consequence of the merger of the interim savings bank and Berkshire Bank will be the same as the basis of such assets in the hands of Berkshire Bancorp immediately prior to the transfer.
6. The holding period of the assets of Berkshire Bancorp to be received by Berkshire Bank in connection with the merger of the interim savings bank and Berkshire Bank will include the holding period of those assets in the hands of Berkshire Bancorp.
7. An eligible or supplemental eligible account holder will recognize no gain or loss upon the receipt of an interest in the liquidation account in Berkshire Bank in exchange for the eligible and supplemental eligible account holder's liquidation interest in Berkshire Bancorp.
8. Berkshire Hills will recognize no gain or loss upon the receipt of cash in exchange for shares of common stock of Berkshire Hills issued in the conversion offering.
9. Berkshire Hills will recognize no gain or loss upon the transfer of a portion of the net offering proceeds to Berkshire Bank in exchange for common stock of Berkshire Bank.
10. Berkshire Bank will recognize no gain or loss upon the receipt of a portion of the net offering proceeds from Berkshire Hills in exchange for common stock of Berkshire Bank.
11. Assuming that the subscription rights have no value, no gain or loss will be recognized by Berkshire Hills or by eligible or supplemental eligible account holders or other persons described in the plan of conversion who will receive subscription rights as a result of the distribution of subscription rights to purchase shares of common stock. Additionally, eligible or supplemental eligible account holders or other persons shall not recognize gain or loss upon the exercise of subscription rights to purchase shares of common stock, provided that the amount to be paid for the common stock is equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of purchase.
Unlike a private letter ruling issued by the Internal Revenue Service, an opinion of counsel is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service and the Internal Revenue Service could disagree with the conclusions reached in the opinion. If there is a disagreement, no assurance can be given that the conclusions reached in an opinion of counsel would be sustained by a court if contested by the Internal Revenue Service.
The opinions regarding the tax consequences of the receipt of subscription rights are based upon past rulings of the Internal Revenue Service and the conclusion of FinPro that such subscription rights have no fair market value. FinPro, whose findings are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service, has issued a letter indicating that the subscription rights do not have any value, based on the fact that the rights are acquired by the recipients without cost, are nontransferable and of short duration and afford the recipients the right only to purchase shares of the common stock at a price equal to its estimated fair market value, which will be the same price paid by purchasers in the direct community offering for unsubscribed shares of common stock. If the subscription rights are determined to have value, the receipt of the rights may only be taxable to those persons who exercise their subscription rights. In such event, Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank could also recognize a gain on the distribution
of subscription rights. Holders of subscription rights are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences if the subscription rights are deemed to have any value.
Berkshire Bank has also received an opinion from Wolf & Company, P.C., Boston, Massachusetts, that, assuming the conversion does not result in any federal income tax liability to Berkshire Bank, its account holders, Berkshire Bancorp or Berkshire Hills, implementation of the plan of conversion will not result in any Massachusetts income tax liability to those entities or persons.
The opinions of Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP and Wolf & Company, P.C., and the opinion from FinPro relating to the value of the subscription rights, are filed as exhibits to the registration statement that Berkshire Hills has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See "Where You Can Find More Information."
Prospective investors are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the conversion particular to them.
Liquidation Account. In the unlikely event of a complete liquidation of Berkshire Bank before the conversion, each depositor in Berkshire Bank would receive a pro rata share of any assets of Berkshire Bank remaining after payment of claims of all creditors, including the claims of all depositors up to the withdrawal value of their accounts. Each depositor's pro rata share of the remaining assets would be in the same proportion as the value of his or her deposit account to the total value of all deposit accounts in Berkshire Bank at the time of liquidation.
After the conversion, holders of withdrawable deposit(s) in Berkshire Bank, including certificates of deposit, will not be entitled to share in any residual assets upon liquidation of Berkshire Bank. However, under the Massachusetts conversion regulations, Berkshire Bank will, at the time of the conversion establish a liquidation account in an amount equal to the amount of its net worth as set forth in its latest statement of financial condition contained in its final prospectus.
The liquidation account will be maintained by Berkshire Bank for the benefit of eligible account holders and supplemental eligible account holders who retain their deposit accounts in Berkshire Bank. Each eligible account holder and supplemental eligible account holder will, with respect to each deposit account held, have a related inchoate interest in a sub-account portion of the liquidation account balance.
The initial subaccount balance for a deposit account held by an eligible account holder or a supplemental eligible account holder will be determined by multiplying the opening balance in the liquidation account by a fraction of which the numerator is the amount of the holder's "qualifying deposit" in the deposit account and the denominator is the total amount of the "qualifying deposits" of all eligible or supplemental eligible account holders. The initial subaccount balance shall not be increased, and it will be decreased as provided below.
If the deposit balance in any deposit account of an eligible account holder or supplemental eligible account holder at the close of business on any annual closing day of Berkshire Bank after September 30, 1998 or September 30, 1999, is less than the lesser of the deposit balance in such deposit account at the close of business on any other annual fiscal year closing date after September 30, 1998 or September 30, 1999 or the amount of the "qualifying deposit" in such deposit account on September 30, 1998 or September 30, 1999, then the subaccount balance for such deposit account shall be adjusted by reducing the subaccount balance in an amount proportionate to the reduction in the deposit balance. Once reduced, the subaccount balance shall not be subsequently increased, notwithstanding any increase in the deposit balance of the related deposit account. If any deposit account is closed, the related subaccount balance shall be reduced to zero.
Only upon a complete liquidation of Berkshire Bank, each eligible account holder and supplemental eligible account holder will be entitled to receive a liquidation distribution from the liquidation account in the amount of the then current adjusted subaccount balance(s) for deposit account(s) held by the holder before any
liquidation distribution may be made to stockholders. No merger, consolidation, bulk purchase of assets with assumptions of deposit account and other liabilities or similar transactions in which Berkshire Bank is not the surviving institution will be considered to be a complete liquidation. In any of these transactions, the liquidation account will be assumed by the surviving institution.
In the unlikely event Berkshire Bank is liquidated after the conversion, depositors will be entitled to full payment of their deposit accounts before any payment is made to Berkshire Hills as the sole stockholder of Berkshire Bank.
The liquidation account will be a memorandum account on the books of Berkshire Bank and will not be reflected in the audited or unaudited consolidated financial statements of Berkshire Hills or in Berkshire Bank's regulatory reports.
The Subscription, Direct Community and Syndicated Community Offerings
Subscription Offering. Under the plan of conversion, nontransferable subscription rights to purchase the common stock in a subscription offering have been issued to certain persons and entities. The amount of the common stock which these parties may purchase will depend on the availability of the common stock. Subscription priorities have been established for the allocation of stock that may be available. These priorities are as follows:
Priority 1: Eligible Account Holders. Each depositor with a savings account of $50 or more on deposit at Berkshire Bank as of September 30, 1998 will receive nontransferable subscription rights to subscribe for up to the greater of: (1) $250,000 of common stock (such amount may be increased to 5.0% of the common stock offered or decreased to 0.10% of the common stock offered without the further approval of the corporators or resolicitation of subscribers); (2) one-tenth of one percent (0.10%) of the total offering of shares of common stock; or (3) fifteen times the product (rounded down to the next whole number) obtained by multiplying the total number of shares of common stock to be issued by a fraction of which the numerator is the amount of the holder's "qualifying deposit" and the denominator is the total amount of "qualifying deposits" of all eligible account holders. Nontransferable subscription rights received by directors, trustees, corporators or officers of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Bancorp and their associates in this priority based on any increased deposits in Berkshire Bank in the one-year period preceding September 30, 1998 will be subordinated to all other subscription rights of eligible account holders.
If the exercise of subscription rights in this priority results in an oversubscription, shares of common stock will be allocated among subscribing eligible account holders so as to permit each one, if possible, to purchase a number of shares sufficient to make the person's total allocation equal 100 shares or the number of shares actually subscribed for, whichever is less. After that, unallocated shares will be allocated proportionately, based on the amount of the eligible account holder's qualifying deposits compared to total qualifying deposits of all subscribing eligible account holders whose subscriptions remain unsatisfied. If the amount so allocated exceeds the amount subscribed for by any one or more eligible account holders, the excess shall be reallocated, one or more times as necessary, among those eligible account holders whose subscriptions are still not fully satisfied on the same principle until all shares have been allocated or all subscriptions satisfied.
Priority 2: Supplemental Eligible Account Holders. To the extent there
are sufficient shares of common stock remaining after satisfying the
subscriptions of eligible account holders, each depositor with an account of $50
or more on deposit at Berkshire Bank as of September 30, 1999, will receive
nontransferable subscription rights to subscribe for up to the greater of: (1)
$250,000 of common stock (such amount may be increased to 5.0% of the common
stock offered or decreased to 0.10% of the common stock offered without the
further approval of the corporators or resolicitation of subscribers); (2) one
tenth of one percent (0.10%) of the total offering of shares of common stock; or
(3) fifteen times the product (rounded down to the next whole number) obtained
by multiplying the total number of shares of common stock to be issued by a
fraction of which the numerator is the amount of the holder's "qualifying
deposit" and the denominator is the total amount of "qualifying deposits" of all
supplemental eligible account holders.
If the exercise of subscription rights in this priority results in an oversubscription, shares of common stock will be allocated among subscribing supplemental eligible account holders so as to permit each supplemental eligible account holder, if possible, to purchase a number of shares sufficient to make his or her total allocation equal 100 shares or the number of shares actually subscribed for, whichever is less. After that, unallocated shares will be allocated among subscribing supplemental eligible account holders proportionately, based on the amount of their respective qualifying deposits compared to total qualifying deposits of all subscribing supplemental eligible account holders whose subscriptions remain unsatisfied. If the amount so allocated exceeds the amount subscribed for by any one or more supplemental eligible account holders, the excess shall be reallocated, one or more times as necessary, among those supplemental eligible account holders whose subscriptions are still not fully satisfied on the same principle until all shares have been allocated or all subscriptions satisfied.
Priority 3: Employee Stock Ownership Plan. To the extent that there are sufficient shares remaining after satisfying the subscriptions of eligible and supplemental eligible account holders, the employee stock ownership plan will receive nontransferable subscription rights to purchase up to 8% of common stock issued in the conversion, or 530,971 and 718,372 shares at the minimum and maximum of the estimated valuation range. If the plan's subscription is not filled in its entirety, the employee stock ownership plan may purchase shares in the open market or may purchase shares directly from Berkshire Hills. The employee stock ownership plan shall not be deemed to be an associate or affiliate of, or a person acting in concert with, any trustee, corporator, director or officer of Berkshire Bancorp, Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills. Subscriptions by the employee stock ownership plan will not be combined with any other participants in the subscription and direct community offerings, including purchases made by any of the trustees, directors, corporators, officers, employees or associates of Berkshire Bancorp, Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills.
Priority 4: Directors, Trustees, Officers and Employees. To the extent that shares are available after satisfying the subscriptions of eligible account holders, supplemental eligible account holders and the employee stock ownership plan, directors, trustees, officers and employees of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Bancorp shall be entitled to purchase up to 30% of the total offering of shares of common stock. The shares shall be allocated among directors, trustees, officers and employees on a fair basis such as by giving weight to the period of service, compensation and position of the individual. Directors, trustees, officers and employees of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Bancorp shall not be deemed to be associates or persons acting in concert solely as a result of their board membership or employment.
Subscription rights are nontransferable. Persons selling or otherwise transferring their rights to subscribe for common stock in the subscription offering or subscribing for common stock on behalf of another person may forfeit those rights and may face possible further sanctions and penalties imposed by the Massachusetts Division of Banks, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or another agency of the U.S. Government. Stock purchased in the subscription offering must be registered in the name(s) of the registered account holder(s) and failure to do so will result in the rejection of the order. Joint registrations will be allowed only if the qualifying account is so registered. Each person exercising subscription rights will be required to certify that he or she is purchasing shares solely for his or her own account and that he or she has no agreement or understanding with any other person for the sale or transfer of the shares. Once tendered, subscription orders cannot be revoked without the consent of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills.
Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank will make reasonable attempts to provide a prospectus and related offering materials to holders of subscription rights. However, the subscription offering and all subscription rights under the plan of conversion will expire at 12:00 Noon, Eastern time, on ___________, 2000, whether or not Berkshire Bank has been able to locate each person entitled to subscription rights. Orders for common stock in the subscription offering received in hand by Berkshire Bank after that time will not be accepted. The subscription offering may be extended by Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank up to ________________, 2000 without regulatory approval. The Massachusetts conversion regulations require that Berkshire Hills complete the sale of common stock within 45 days after the close of the subscription offering, unless extended by Berkshire Bank with the approval of the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks and any other applicable bank regulatory authority. If the direct community offering and the syndicated community offerings are not completed within that period all
funds received will be promptly returned with interest at Berkshire Bank's passbook rate and all withdrawal authorizations will be canceled. If regulatory approval of an extension of the time period has been granted, all subscribers will be notified of the extension and of the duration of any extension that has been granted, and will be given the right to increase, decrease or rescind their orders. If an affirmative response to any resolicitation is not received by Berkshire Hills from a subscriber, the subscriber's order will be rescinded and all funds received will be promptly returned with interest, or withdrawal authorizations will be canceled. No extensions may be granted beyond October 22, 2001.
Direct Community Offering. Any shares of common stock which remain unsubscribed for in the subscription offering will be offered by Berkshire Hills to certain members of the general public in a direct community offering, with preference given to natural persons residing in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Purchasers in the direct community offering are eligible to purchase up to $250,000 of common stock, which equals 25,000 shares. This amount may be increased up to 5% of the total offering of shares without further approval of Berkshire Bancorp's corporators or a resolicitation of subscribers unless required by the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and any other applicable bank regulatory authority. If the purchase limit is increased to 5% of the total offering of shares, orders accepted in the direct community offering shall be filled up to a maximum of 2% of the total offering and thereafter shall be allocated on a pro rata basis per order until all orders have been filled or all of the remaining shares have been allocated. The direct community offering, if held, may commence concurrently with during or promptly after the subscription offering. The direct community offering may terminate on or at any time after 12:00 Noon, Eastern time, on ______________, 2000, but no later than 45 days after the close of the subscription offering, unless extended by Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank, with the approval of the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and any other applicable bank regulatory authority. If regulatory approval of an extension of the time period has been granted, all subscribers will be notified of the extension and of the duration of any extension that has been granted, and will be given the right to increase, decrease or rescind their orders. If an affirmative response to any resolicitation is not received by Berkshire Hills from a subscriber, the subscriber's order will be rescinded and all funds received will be promptly returned with interest. Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank have the absolute right to accept or reject in whole or in part any orders to purchase shares in the direct community offering. If an order is rejected in part, the purchaser does not have the right to cancel the remainder of the order. Berkshire Hills presently intends to terminate the direct community offering as soon as it has received orders for all shares available for purchase in the conversion.
If all of the common stock offered in the subscription offering is subscribed for, no common stock will be available for purchase in the direct community offering.
Syndicated Community Offering. The plan of conversion provides that, if necessary, all shares of common stock not purchased in the subscription offering and direct community offering, if any, may be offered for sale to certain members of the general public in a syndicated community offering through a syndicate of registered broker-dealers to be formed and managed by Sandler O'Neill acting as agent of Berkshire Hills. Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank have the right to reject orders, in whole or part, in their sole discretion in the syndicated community offering. Neither Sandler O'Neill nor any registered broker-dealer have any obligation to take or purchase any shares of the common stock in the syndicated community offering; however, Sandler O'Neill has agreed to use its best efforts in the sale of shares in the syndicated community offering.
Stock sold in the syndicated community offering also will be sold at the $10.00 purchase price. See "--Stock Pricing and Number of Shares to be Issued." No person will be permitted to subscribe in the syndicated community offering for more than $250,000 of common stock, which equals 25,000 shares. This amount may be increased up to 5% of the total offering of shares without further approval of Berkshire Bancorp's corporators or a resolicitation of subscribers unless required by the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and any other applicable bank regulatory authority. If the purchase limit is increased to 5% of the total offering of shares, orders accepted in the syndicated community offering shall be filed up to a maximum of 2% of the total offering and thereafter shall be allocated on a pro rata basis per order until all orders have been filled or all of the remaining shares have been allocated. See "-- Plan of Distribution for the Subscription, Direct Community and Syndicated Community Offerings" for a description of the commission to be paid to the selected dealers and to Sandler O'Neill.
Sandler O'Neill may enter into agreements with selected dealers to assist in the sale of shares in the syndicated community offering. During the syndicated community offering, selected dealers may only solicit indications of interest from their customers to place orders with Berkshire Hills as of a certain date for the purchase of shares. When and if Sandler O'Neill and Berkshire Hills believe that enough indications of interest and orders have been received in the subscription offering, the direct community offering and the syndicated community offering to consummate the conversion, Sandler O'Neill will request, as of that certain date, selected dealers to submit orders to purchase shares for which they have received indications of interest from their customers. Selected dealers will send confirmations to customers on the next business day after that certain date. Selected dealers may settle the trade by debiting the accounts of their customers on a date which will be three business days from that certain date. Customers who authorize selected dealers to debit their brokerage accounts are required to have the funds for payment in their account on but not before the settlement date. On the settlement date, selected dealers will remit funds to the account that Berkshire Hills established for each selected dealer. Each customer's funds so forwarded to Berkshire Hills, along with all other accounts held in the same title, will be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to the applicable $100,000 legal limit. After payment has been received by Berkshire Hills from selected dealers, funds will earn interest at Berkshire Bank's passbook rate until the completion of the offering. At the completion of the conversion, the funds received will be used to purchase the shares of common stock ordered. The shares issued in the conversion cannot and will not be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc. or any other government agency. If the conversion is not completed, funds with interest will be returned promptly to the selected dealers, who, in turn, will promptly credit their customers' brokerage accounts.
The syndicated community offering may terminate no more than 45 days after the expiration of the subscription offering, unless extended by Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank, with approval of the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and any other applicable bank regulatory authority.
If Berkshire Bank is unable to find purchasers from the general public for all unsubscribed shares, other purchase arrangements will be made by the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank, if feasible. Any other arrangements must be approved by the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and any other applicable bank regulatory authority.
Persons in Non-Qualified States. Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank will make reasonable efforts to comply with the securities laws of all states in the United States in which persons entitled to subscribe for stock under the plan of conversion reside. However, Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank are not required to offer stock in the subscription offering to any person who resides in a foreign country or who resides in a state of the United States to which both of the following apply: (a) less than 100 persons eligible to subscribe for shares reside; and (b) the granting of subscription rights or the offer or sale of shares to these persons would require Berkshire Hills or its employees under the securities laws of the state to register as a broker, dealer or agent, or to register or otherwise qualify the shares for sale in the state and registering or qualifying would be impractical for reasons of cost or otherwise. Neither Berkshire Hills nor Berkshire Bank will make any payments to persons residing in these states in lieu of granting subscription rights to them.
Plan of Distribution for the Subscription, Direct Community and Syndicated Community Offerings
Berkshire Bank has retained Sandler O'Neill to consult with and advise Berkshire Bank and to assist Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills, on a best efforts basis, in the distribution of shares in the offering. Sandler O'Neill is a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Sandler O'Neill will: (1) consult as to the securities marketing implications of the conversion; (2) review with the Board of Directors the independent appraisal of the common stock; (3) review all offering documents; (4) assist in the design and implementation of a marketing strategy; (5) assist in obtaining all requisite regulatory approvals; (6) assist Berkshire Bank management in scheduling and preparing for meetings with potential investors and broker- dealers; and (7) provide such other general advice and assistance as may be requested to promote the successful completion of the conversion.
Based on negotiations between Sandler O'Neill and Berkshire Bank concerning the fee structure, Sandler O'Neill will receive a fee equal to 1.50% of the aggregate dollar amount of all common stock sold in the offerings. Such amount does not include any shares sold to the employee stock ownership plan, directors, officers and employees of Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills or members of their immediate families or any shares contributed to Berkshire Hills Foundation. Such fee will be paid upon completion of the conversion. Sandler O'Neill shall be reimbursed for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees. In addition, Sandler O'Neill will perform conversion agent services and records management services for Berkshire Bank in the conversion and will receive a fee for these services of $45,000.
Sandler O'Neill has not prepared any report or opinion constituting a recommendation or advice to Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank or to persons who subscribe for stock, nor has it prepared an opinion as to the fairness to Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank of the purchase price or the terms of the common stock to be sold. Sandler O'Neill expresses no opinion as to the prices at which the common stock to be issued may trade. Total marketing fees to Sandler O'Neill are expected to be $811,000 to $1.1 million at the minimum and maximum of the estimated valuation range, respectively. See "Pro Forma Data" for the assumptions used to arrive at these estimates. Sandler O'Neill and selected dealers participating in the syndicated community offering will receive a commission for any common stock sold in the syndicated community offering in a maximum amount to be agreed upon by Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank to reflect market requirements at the time of the allocation of shares in the syndicated community offering but in no event will such amount exceed 6% of the aggregate dollar amount of any common stock sold in the syndicated community offering. In addition, Sandler O'Neill will be paid a management fee of 1.50% of the aggregate dollar amount of any common stock sold in the syndicated community offering.
With certain limitations, Berkshire Bank has also agreed to indemnify Sandler O'Neill against liabilities and expenses, including legal fees, incurred in connection with certain claims or litigation arising out of or based upon untrue statements or omissions contained in the offering material for the common stock or with regard to allocations of shares if there is an oversubscription, or determinations of eligibility to purchase shares.
Description of Sales Activities
The common stock will be offered in the subscription offering and direct community offering principally by the distribution of this prospectus and through activities conducted at Berkshire Bank's conversion center at its administrative office. The conversion center is expected to operate during normal business hours throughout the subscription offering and direct community offering. It is expected that at any particular time one or more Sandler O'Neill employees will be working at the conversion center. Employees of Sandler O'Neill will be responsible for mailing materials relating to the offering, responding to questions regarding the conversion and the offering and processing stock orders.
Sales of common stock will be made by registered representatives affiliated with Sandler O'Neill or by the selected dealers managed by Sandler O'Neill. The management and employees of Berkshire Bank may participate in the offering in clerical capacities, providing administrative support in effecting sales transactions or, when permitted by state securities laws, answering questions of a mechanical nature relating to the proper execution of the order form. Management of Berkshire Bank may answer questions regarding the business of Berkshire Bank when permitted by state securities laws. Other questions of prospective purchasers, including questions as to the advisability or nature of the investment, will be directed to registered representatives. The management and employees of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank have been instructed not to solicit offers to purchase common stock or provide advice regarding the purchase of common stock.
No officer, director, trustee or employee of Berkshire Bancorp, Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills will be compensated, directly or indirectly, for any activities in connection with the offer or sale of securities issued in the conversion.
None of Berkshire Bank's personnel participating in the offering is registered or licensed as a broker or dealer or an agent of a broker or dealer. Berkshire Bank's personnel will assist in the above-described sales activities under an exemption from registration as a broker or dealer provided by Rule 3a4- 1 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Rule 3a4-1 generally provides that an "associated person of an issuer" of securities shall not be deemed a broker solely by reason of participation in the sale of securities of the issuer if the associated person meets certain conditions. These conditions include, but are not limited to, that the associated person participating in the sale of an issuer's securities not be compensated in connection therewith at the time of participation, that the person not be associated with a broker or dealer and that the person observe certain limitations on his or her participation in the sale of securities. For purposes of this exemption, "associated person of an issuer" is defined to include any person who is a director, officer or employee of the issuer or a company that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the issuer.
Procedure for Purchasing Shares in the Subscription and Direct Community Offerings
To purchase shares in the subscription offering, an executed order form with the required full payment for each share subscribed for, or with appropriate authorization indicated on the stock order form for withdrawal of full payment from the subscriber's deposit account with Berkshire Bank, must be received by Berkshire Bank by 12:00 Noon, Eastern time, on _________ __, 2000. Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills are not required to accept order forms that are not received by that time or are executed defectively, or are received without full payment or without appropriate withdrawal instructions. In addition, Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills are not obligated to accept orders submitted on photocopied or telecopied stock order forms and will not accept stock order forms without an accompanying executed certification form. Nevertheless, Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills shall have the right, each in their sole discretion, to permit institutional investors to submit irrevocable orders together with a legally binding commitment for payment and to pay for the shares of common stock for which they subscribe at any time up to 48 hours before the completion of the conversion. Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank have the right to waive or permit a subscriber to correct an incomplete or improperly executed order form, but do not represent that they will do so. Under the plan of conversion, the interpretation of the terms and conditions of the plan of conversion and of the order form by the Board of Trustees of Berkshire Bancorp and the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank will be final subject to the authority of the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and any other applicable bank regulatory authority.
In order to purchase shares in the direct community offering, the order form, accompanied by the required payment for each share subscribed for, must be received by Berkshire Bank before the direct community offering terminates, which may be concurrently with or after the end of the subscription offering. Once received, an executed order form may not be modified, amended or rescinded without the consent of Berkshire Bank, unless the conversion has not been completed within 45 days after the end of the subscription offering.
In order to ensure that persons with subscription rights are properly identified as to their stock purchase priorities, all accounts must be listed on the order form giving all names on each account and the account number. Failure to list an account could result in no shares or fewer shares being allocated to a subscribing member.
Full payment for subscriptions may be made by check, bank draft or money order, or by authorization of withdrawal from deposit accounts maintained with Berkshire Bank. Appropriate means by which withdrawals may be authorized are provided on the order form. No wire transfers will be accepted. Interest will be paid on payments made by cash, check, bank draft or money order at Berkshire Bank's passbook rate from the date payment is received until the completion or termination of the conversion. If payment is made by authorization of withdrawal from deposit accounts, the funds authorized to be withdrawn from a deposit account will continue to accrue interest at the contractual rates until completion or termination of the conversion, unless the certificate matures after the date of receipt of the order form but before closing, in which case funds will earn interest at the passbook rate from the date of maturity until the conversion is completed or terminated, but a hold will be placed on the funds, making them unavailable to the depositor until completion or termination of the conversion. When the conversion is completed, the funds received in the offering will be used to purchase the shares of common stock ordered. The shares of common stock issued in the conversion cannot and will not be insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc. or any other government agency. If the conversion is not consummated for any reason, all funds submitted will be promptly refunded with interest as described above.
If a subscriber authorizes Berkshire Bank to withdraw the amount of the purchase price from his or her deposit account, Berkshire Bank will do so as of the effective date of conversion, though the account must contain the full amount necessary for payment at the time the subscription order is received. Berkshire Bank will waive any applicable penalties for early withdrawal from certificate accounts. If the remaining balance in a certificate account is reduced below the applicable minimum balance requirement at the time funds are actually transferred under the authorization the certificate will be canceled at the time of the withdrawal, without penalty, and the remaining balance will earn interest at the rate provided for in the certificates in the event of cancellation.
The employee stock ownership plan will not be required to pay for the shares subscribed for at the time it subscribes, but rather may pay for shares of common stock subscribed for at the $10.00 purchase price upon the completion of the subscription and direct community offerings, if all shares are sold, or upon the completion of the syndicated community offering; provided that there is in force from the time of its subscription until that time, a loan commitment from an unrelated financial institution, Berkshire Hills or a subsidiary established to lend to the employee stock ownership plan, at that time, the aggregate purchase price of the shares for which it subscribed.
Individual retirement accounts maintained in Berkshire Bank do not permit investment in the common stock. A depositor interested in using his or her individual retirement account funds to purchase common stock must do so through a self-directed individual retirement account. Depositors interested in using funds in an individual retirement account at Berkshire Bank to purchase common stock should contact the conversion center as soon as possible for assistance. In addition, federal laws and regulations require that officers, directors and 10% shareholders who use self-directed individual retirement account funds to purchase shares of common stock in the subscription offering, make purchases for the exclusive benefit of individual retirement accounts.
Certificates representing shares of common stock purchased, and any refund due, will be mailed to purchasers at the address specified on the order form or to the last address of the persons appearing on the records of Berkshire Bank as soon as practicable following the sale of all shares of common stock. Any certificates returned as undeliverable will be disposed of as required by applicable law. Purchasers may not be able to sell the shares of common stock which they purchased until certificates for the common stock are available and delivered to them, even though trading of the common stock may have begun.
To ensure that each purchaser receives a prospectus at least 48 hours before the end of the offering as required by Rule 15c2-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, no prospectus will be mailed any later than five days before that date or hand delivered any later than two days before that date. Execution of the order form will confirm receipt or delivery under Rule 15c2-8. Order forms will only be distributed with a prospectus. By executing and returning the regulatory mandated certification form, you will be certifying that you received this prospectus and acknowledging that the common stock is not a deposit account and is not insured or guaranteed by any federal or state governmental agency. You will also be acknowledging that you received disclosure concerning the risks involved in this stock offering. The certification form could be used as support to show that you understand the nature of your investment.
Stock Pricing and Number of Shares to be Issued
The plan of conversion requires that the aggregate purchase price of the securities sold in connection with the conversion be based upon an estimated pro forma value of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank as converted, as determined by an independent appraisal. Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills have retained FinPro, which is experienced in the evaluation and appraisal of business entities, to prepare an appraisal of the pro forma market value of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank as converted, as well as a business plan. FinPro will receive a fee expected to total approximately $39,500 for its appraisal services and assistance in the preparation of a business plan, plus reasonable out-of- pocket expenses incurred in connection with the appraisal. Berkshire Bank has agreed
to indemnify FinPro, its directors, officers, agents and employees under certain circumstances against liabilities and expenses, including legal fees, arising out of, related to, or based upon the conversion, except where FinPro's liability results from its own negligence or willful misconduct.
FinPro has prepared an appraisal of the estimated pro forma market value of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank as converted. For its analysis, FinPro undertook substantial investigations to learn about Berkshire Bank's business and operations. Management supplied financial information, including annual financial statements and information on the composition of assets and liabilities. In addition to this information, FinPro reviewed Berkshire Bank's conversion application as filed with the Massachusetts Division of Banks and Berkshire Hills' registration statement as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Furthermore, FinPro visited Berkshire Bank's facilities and had discussions with Berkshire Bank's management and its special conversion legal counsel, Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP.
FinPro's analysis utilized three selected valuation procedures, the Price/Book method, the Price/Earnings method, and Price/Assets method, all of which are described in its report. FinPro placed the greatest emphasis on the Price/Earnings and Price/Book methods in estimating pro forma market value. In applying these procedures, FinPro reviewed, among other factors, the economic make-up of Berkshire Bank's primary market area, Berkshire Bank's financial performance and condition in relation to publicly traded institutions that FinPro deemed comparable to Berkshire Bank, the specific terms of the offering of Berkshire Hills' common stock, the pro forma impact of the additional capital raised in the conversion, the conditions of securities markets in general and for thrift institution common stock in particular. FinPro's analysis provides an approximation of the pro forma market value of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank as converted based on the valuation methods applied and certain assumptions as to the pro forma earnings of Berkshire Hills after the conversion, including estimated expenses and an assumed after-tax rate of return on the net conversion proceeds as described under "Pro Forma Data," purchases by the employee stock ownership plan of an amount equal to 8% of the common stock issued in the conversion and purchases in the open market by the stock-based incentive plan of a number of shares equal to 4% of the common stock issued in the conversion at the $10.00 purchase price. See "Pro Forma Data" for additional information concerning these assumptions. The use of different assumptions may yield different results.
On the basis of the foregoing, FinPro has advised Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank that, in its opinion, as of March 2, 2000, the estimated pro forma market value of the common stock to be sold in connection with the conversion is within the valuation range of $61.5 million to $83.1 million with a midpoint of $72.3 million. After reviewing the methodology and the assumptions used by FinPro in the preparation of the appraisal, the Board of Directors established an estimated valuation range of $61.5 million to $83.1 million with a midpoint of $72.3 million. Assuming that the shares are sold at $10.00 per share in the conversion, the estimated number of shares sold would be between 6,145,500 and 8,314,500 with a midpoint of 7,230,000. The purchase price of $10.00 was determined after discussion among the Boards of Directors of Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills and Sandler O'Neill, taking into account, among other factors, the desire that the common stock be offered in a manner that will achieve the widest distribution of the stock, and the desired liquidity in the common stock after the conversion. Since the outcome of the offering relates in large measure to market conditions at the time of sale, it is not possible to determine the exact number of shares that will be issued by Berkshire Hills at this time. The estimated valuation range may be amended, with the approval of the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and any other applicable bank regulatory authority, if necessitated by developments following the date of the appraisal, such as changes in market conditions, the financial condition or operating results of Berkshire Bank, regulatory guidelines or national or local economic conditions. FinPro's appraisal report was filed as an exhibit to the registration statement that Berkshire Hills filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See "Where You Can Find More Information."
If, upon completion of the subscription offering, at least the minimum number of shares are subscribed for, FinPro, after taking into account factors similar to those involved in its prior appraisal, will determine its estimate of the pro forma market value of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank as converted, as of the close of the subscription offering. No shares will be sold unless FinPro confirms that, to the best of its knowledge and judgment, nothing of a material nature has occurred that would cause it to conclude that the actual total purchase price on an aggregate basis was materially incompatible with its estimate of the total pro forma market value of Berkshire Hills and
Berkshire Bank as converted at the time of the sale. If, however, the facts do not justify that statement, the offering may be canceled, a new estimated valuation range and price per share set and new subscription, direct community and syndicated community offerings held. Under those circumstances, subscribers would have the right to modify or rescind their subscriptions and to have their subscription funds returned promptly with interest and holds on funds authorized for withdrawal from deposit accounts would be released or reduced.
Depending upon market or financial conditions following the commencement of the subscription and direct community offerings, the total number of shares to be sold in the conversion may be increased or decreased without a resolicitation of subscribers, provided that the product of the total number of shares times the price per share is not below the minimum of the estimated valuation range or more than 15% above the maximum of the estimated valuation range. Based on a purchase price of $10.00 per share and FinPro's estimate of the pro forma market value of the common stock ranging from a minimum of $61.5 million to a maximum, as increased by 15%, of $95.6 million, the number of shares of common stock expected to be sold is between a minimum of 6,145,500 shares and a maximum, as adjusted by 15%, of 9,561,675 shares. The actual number of shares issued between this range will depend on a number of factors and shall be determined by Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills.
If market or financial conditions change so as to cause the aggregate purchase price of the shares to be below the minimum of the estimated valuation range or more than 15% above the maximum of the estimated valuation range, if the plan of conversion is not terminated by Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank after consultation with the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and any other applicable bank regulatory authority, purchasers will be resolicited, in which case they will need to reconfirm, rescind, or modify their subscriptions. Any change of more than 15% above the estimated valuation range must be approved by the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and any other applicable bank regulatory authority. If the number of shares issued in the conversion is increased to 15% above the maximum of the estimated valuation range to reflect changes in market or financial conditions, persons who subscribed for the maximum number of shares will not be given the opportunity to subscribe for an adjusted maximum number of shares. See "--Limitations on Purchases of Shares."
An increase in the number of shares to be issued in the conversion as a result of an increase in the estimated pro forma market value would decrease both a subscriber's ownership interest and Berkshire Hills' pro forma net earnings and stockholders' equity on a per share basis while increasing pro forma net earnings and stockholders' equity on an aggregate basis. A decrease in the number of shares to be issued in the conversion would increase both a subscriber's ownership interest and Berkshire Hills' pro forma net earnings and stockholders' equity on a per share basis while decreasing pro forma net earnings and stockholder's equity on an aggregate basis. For a presentation of the effects of such changes, see "Pro Forma Data."
The number of shares to be issued and outstanding as a result of the sale of common stock in the conversion will be increased by the number of shares contributed to Berkshire Hills Foundation, which is expected to be 8% of the common stock sold in the conversion. Assuming the sale of shares at the maximum of the estimated valuation range, Berkshire Hills will issue 665,160 shares of its common stock from authorized but unissued shares to Berkshire Hills Foundation immediately following the completion of the conversion. In that event, Berkshire Hills will have total shares of common stock outstanding of 8,979,660 shares. Of that amount, Berkshire Hills Foundation will own 7.4%. Funding Berkshire Hills Foundation with authorized but unissued shares will have the effect of diluting the ownership and voting interests of persons purchasing shares in the conversion by 7.4% since a greater number of shares will be outstanding upon completion of the conversion than would be if Berkshire Hills Foundation were not established. See "Pro Forma Data."
In formulating its appraisal, FinPro relied upon the truthfulness, accuracy and completeness of all documents Berkshire Bank furnished to it. FinPro also considered financial and other information from regulatory agencies, other financial institutions, and other public sources, as appropriate. While FinPro believes this information to be reliable, FinPro does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and did not independently verify the financial statements and other data provided by Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills or independently value the assets or liabilities of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank. The appraisal is not intended to be, and must not be interpreted as, a recommendation of any kind as to the advisability of purchasing shares of common stock. Moreover, because the appraisal must be based on many factors which change
periodically, there is no assurance that purchasers of shares in the conversion will be able to sell shares after the conversion at prices at or above the purchase price.
Copies of the appraisal report of FinPro including any amendments thereto, and the detailed memorandum of the appraiser setting forth the method and assumptions for such appraisal are available for inspection at the main office of Berkshire Bank and the other locations specified under "Where You Can Find More Information."
Limitations on Purchases of Shares
The plan of conversion provides for certain limitations to be placed upon the purchase of common stock in the conversion. Each subscriber must subscribe for a minimum of 25 shares. The plan of conversion provides for the following purchase limitations:
1. The maximum purchase in the subscription offering by any person or group of persons through a single deposit account or similarly titled deposit accounts is $250,000, which equals 25,000 shares;
2. No person, related persons or persons acting together may purchase more than $250,000, which equals 25,000 shares, in the direct community offering;
3. The employee stock ownership plan may purchase, in the aggregate, up to 8% of the shares of common stock issued in the conversion;
4. Directors, trustees, corporators and employees of Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Bancorp and Berkshire Hills and their associates may not purchase more than 30% of the total number of shares offered in the aggregate;
5. Persons purchasing shares of common stock in the syndicated community offering, together with associates of and persons acting in concert with such persons, may purchase up to $250,000 of common stock; and
6. The maximum number of shares of common stock which may be subscribed for or purchased in all categories of the conversion by any person, together with associates of and groups of persons acting in concert with such persons, except for the employee stock ownership plan, shall not exceed 1.0% of the shares of common stock offered for sale in the conversion.
For purposes of the plan of conversion, directors, trustees, corporators, officers and employees are not deemed to be associates or a group affiliated with each other or acting in concert solely by reason of their being directors, trustees, corporators, officers or employees of Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Bancorp or Berkshire Hills. Pro rata reductions within each subscription rights category will be made in accordance with the procedures outlined in the plan of conversion.
Subject to any required regulatory approval and the requirements of applicable laws and regulations, but without further approval of the corporators or subscribers for common stock, unless required by the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner or any applicable bank regulatory authority, both the individual amount permitted to be subscribed for and the overall maximum purchase limitation may be increased to up to a maximum of 5% of the common stock to be issued at the sole discretion of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank. If such amount is increased, subscribers for the maximum amount will be, and certain other large subscribers in the sole discretion of Berkshire Bank may be, given the opportunity to increase their subscriptions up to the then applicable limit. Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills do not intend to increase the maximum purchase limitation unless market conditions warrant that an increase in the maximum purchase limitation is necessary to sell a number of shares in excess of the minimum of the estimated valuation range.
If the amount of shares sold in the conversion exceeds the maximum of the estimated price range, those shares in excess of the maximum of the estimated price range will be allocated in the following order of priority:
1. to fill the employee stock ownership plan's subscription of 8% of the common stock issued in the conversion;
2. in the event there is an oversubscription by eligible account holders, to fill any unfulfilled subscriptions by eligible account holders, not including any shares sold in excess of the maximum of the estimated valuation range;
3. in the event there is an oversubscription by supplemental eligible account holders, to fill any unfulfilled subscriptions by supplemental eligible account holders, not including any shares sold in excess of the maximum of the estimated valuation range;
4. in the event there is an oversubscription by directors, trustees, officers and employees in the third priority of the subscription offering, to fill any unfulfilled subscriptions by such individuals, not including any shares sold in excess of the maximum of the estimated valuation range; and
5. to fill any unfulfilled subscriptions in the direct community offering, not including any shares sold in excess of the maximum of the estimated valuation range, with a preference given to natural persons residing in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
The plan of conversion defines "acting in concert" to include: (1) knowing participation in a joint activity or interdependent conscious parallel action towards a common goal whether or not pursuant to an express agreement; or (2) a combination or pooling of voting or other interests in the securities of an issuer for a common purpose under any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement, whether written or otherwise. In general, a person who acts in concert with another party shall also be deemed to be acting in concert with any person who is also acting in concert with that other party. Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank may presume that certain persons are acting in concert based upon, among other things, joint account relationships and the fact that persons have filed joint Schedules 13D with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to other companies.
The plan of conversion defines "associate," when used to indicate a relationship with any person, to mean: (1) any corporation or organization (other than Berkshire Bancorp, Berkshire Hills, Berkshire Bank or a majority- owned subsidiary of Berkshire Bancorp, Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank) of which a person is an officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 10% or more of any class of equity securities; (2) any trust or other estate in which a person has a substantial beneficial interest or as to which a person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (3) any relative or spouse of a person, or any relative of a spouse, who either has the same home as a person or who is a director, trustee or officer of Berkshire Bancorp, Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank or any of its parents or subsidiaries. The term "associate," however, does not include, for purposes of the stock purchase limitations in the conversion, any stock benefit plan of Berkshire Bank in which such person has a substantial beneficial interest or serves as a trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity, and, for purposes of determining the total shares that may be held by officers and directors of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank, does not include any tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan of Berkshire Bank. For example, a corporation of which a person serves as an officer would be an associate of a person and, therefore, all shares purchased by such corporation would be included with the number of shares which such person could purchase individually under the above limitations.
The plan of conversion defines "officer" to mean the Chairman of the Board, President, any officer of the level of Vice President or above, Clerk, Treasurer and any other person performing similar functions of Berkshire Bancorp, Berkshire Bank or Berkshire Hills.
Common stock purchased in the conversion will be freely transferable, except for shares purchased by directors, trustees and officers of Berkshire Bancorp, Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills and by NASD members. See "--Restrictions on Transferability by Directors and Officers and NASD Members."
Restrictions on Transferability by Directors and Officers and NASD Members
Shares of common stock purchased by directors, trustees, corporators and officers of Berkshire Bancorp, Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank, and their associates, either directly from Berkshire Hills or from an underwriter, may not be sold for a period of one year following the conversion, except upon the death or substantial disability of the director, trustee, corporator or officer, or unless approved by the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner. Any stock purchased after the conversion is free of this restriction. Accordingly, shares of common stock issued by Berkshire Hills to directors, trustees, corporators and officers of Berkshire Bancorp, Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank, and their associates, shall bear a legend giving appropriate notice of the restriction and, in addition, Berkshire Hills will give appropriate instructions to the transfer agent for Berkshire Hills' common stock with respect to the restriction on transfers. Any shares issued to directors, trustees, corporators and officers of Berkshire Bancorp, Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank, and their associates, as a stock dividend, stock split or otherwise with respect to restricted common stock shall also be restricted.
Purchases of outstanding shares of common stock of Berkshire Hills by directors, trustees, corporators and officers of Berkshire Bancorp, Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank, or any person who was an executive officer or director of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank after adoption of the plan of conversion, and their associates during the three-year period following the conversion may be made only through a broker or dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, except with the prior written approval of the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner. This restriction does not apply, however, to negotiated transactions involving more than 1% of Berkshire Hills' outstanding common stock or to the purchase of stock under the stock-based incentive plan.
Berkshire Hills has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for the registration of the common stock to be issued in the conversion. This registration does not cover the resale of the shares. Shares of common stock purchased by persons who are not affiliates of Berkshire Hills may be resold without registration. Shares purchased by an affiliate of Berkshire Hills will have resale restrictions under Rule 144 of the Securities Act, as amended. If Berkshire Hills meets the current public information requirements of Rule 144, each affiliate of Berkshire Hills who complies with the other conditions of Rule 144, including those that require the affiliate's sale to be aggregated with those of certain other persons, would be able to sell in the public market, without registration, a number of shares not to exceed, in any three-month period, the greater of 1% of the outstanding shares of Berkshire Hills or the average weekly volume of trading in the shares during the preceding four calendar weeks. Provisions may be made in the future by Berkshire Hills to permit affiliates to have their shares registered for sale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, under certain circumstances.
Under the guidelines of the National Association of Securities Dealers, members of that organization and their associates face certain restrictions on the transfer of securities purchased with subscription rights and to certain reporting requirements upon purchase of the securities.
Interpretation, Amendment and Termination
To the extent permitted by law, all interpretations of the plan of conversion by Berkshire Bancorp and Berkshire Bank will be final; however, such interpretations have no binding effect on the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and any other applicable bank regulatory authority. The plan of conversion provides that, if deemed necessary or desirable by the Board of Trustees of Berkshire Bancorp and the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank, the plan of conversion may be substantively amended by the Board of Trustees of Berkshire Bancorp and the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank as a result of comments from regulatory authorities or otherwise, without the further approval of Berkshire Bank's corporators unless required by the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner.
Completion of the conversion requires the sale of all shares of the common stock within 24 months following approval of the plan of conversion by Berkshire Bancorp's Board of Trustees and Berkshire Bank's Board of Directors. If this condition is not satisfied, the plan of conversion will be terminated and Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Bancorp will continue their business in their current forms of organization. The plan of conversion may be terminated by the Board of Trustees of Berkshire Bancorp and the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank at any time prior to the approval of the plan by the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and any time thereafter with the concurrence of the Commissioner.
RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITION OF BERKSHIRE HILLS
AND BERKSHIRE BANK
General
The plan of conversion provides for the conversion of Berkshire Bancorp's legal form of organization from a mutual holding company to a stock holding company and, in connection with the conversion, the adoption by Berkshire Bancorp's corporators of Amended and Restated Articles of Organization and Bylaws of Berkshire Bank. See "The Conversion--General." As described below and elsewhere in this prospectus, certain provisions in Berkshire Hills' Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and in its management compensation plans adopted in connection with the conversion, together with provisions of Delaware corporate law, may have anti-takeover effects. In addition, Berkshire Bank's Amended and Restated Articles of Organization and Bylaws and management compensation plans adopted in connection with the conversion may also have anti- takeover effects. Finally, regulatory restrictions may make it difficult for persons or companies to acquire control of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank.
Restrictions in Berkshire Hills' Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
General. The following discussion is a general summary of the material provisions of Berkshire Hills' Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and other statutory and regulatory provisions relating to stock ownership and transfers, the Board of Directors and business combinations, which might be deemed to have a potential anti-takeover effect. These provisions may have the effect of discouraging a future takeover attempt which is not approved by the Board of Directors but which individual stockholders may deem to be in their best interests. As a result, stockholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have an opportunity to do so. Such provisions will also render the removal of the current Board of Directors or management of Berkshire Hills more difficult. The following summary is general and reference should be made to the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. See "Where You Can Find More Information" as to how to obtain a copy of these documents.
Limitation on Voting Rights. The Certificate of Incorporation of Berkshire Hills provides that in no event shall any record owner of any outstanding common stock which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a person who beneficially owns in excess of 10% of the then outstanding shares of common stock be entitled or permitted to any vote in respect of the shares held in excess of such limit. Beneficial ownership is determined by Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and includes shares beneficially owned by that person or any of his affiliates, shares which that person or his affiliates have the right to acquire under any agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options or otherwise and shares as to which that person and his affiliates have sole or shared voting or investment power. Beneficial ownership does not include shares under a publicly solicited revocable proxy or shares that are not otherwise deemed to be beneficially owned by such person and his affiliates. No director or officer (or any affiliate thereof) of Berkshire Hills shall, solely by reason of any or all of such directors or officers acting in their capacities as such, be deemed to beneficially own any shares beneficially owned by any other director or officer (or affiliate thereof) nor will the employee stock ownership plan or any similar plan of Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank or any director with respect thereto (solely by reason of such director's capacity) be deemed to beneficially own any shares held under any such plan. The Certificate of Incorporation of Berkshire Hills further provides that the provisions limiting voting rights may only be amended upon the vote of the
holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote thereon after giving effect to the provision limiting voting rights.
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of Berkshire Hills is divided into three classes, each of which contains approximately one-third of the whole number of the members of the Board. Each class serves a staggered term, with approximately one-third of the total number of Directors being elected each year. Berkshire Hills' Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that the size of the Board shall be determined by a majority of the whole Board of Directors. The Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws provide that any vacancy occurring in the Board, including a vacancy created by an increase in the number of Directors or resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause, shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term only by a majority vote of the Directors then in office. The classified Board is intended to provide for continuity of the Board of Directors and to make it more difficult and time consuming for a stockholder group to fully use its voting power to gain control of the Board of Directors without the consent of the incumbent Board of Directors of Berkshire Hills. Directors may be removed by the stockholders only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote after giving effect to the voting limitation applicable to stockholders owning more than 10% of the outstanding shares.
In the absence of these provisions, the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares could remove any director or the entire Board, with or without cause and replace it with persons of such holders choice.
Director Qualifications. Berkshire Hills' Bylaws contain qualifications
for individuals to be eligible for election or appointment to the Board of
Directors. These qualifications include the requirement that an individual: (1)
not have been the subject of certain enumerated regulatory actions by a
financial regulatory agency within the last ten years; (2) not have been
convicted of or be currently charged in any crime involving dishonesty or breach
of trust which is punishable for a term exceeding one year; (3) be a resident
for at least one year of a county in which Berkshire Bank maintains a banking
office, or of a county contiguous to such county or have significant ties to
such communities; and (4) not be a director or officer of another state or
federally chartered financial institution that engages in business activities in
the same market area as Berkshire Hills or any of its subsidiaries.
Additionally, no person shall be eligible for election to the Board of Directors
if such person is the representative or nominee of a person or acting in concert
with a person who is ineligible for election to the Board of Directors. This
provision will limit the individuals that can be nominated for election or serve
on the Board of Directors.
Cumulative Voting, Special Meetings and Action by Written Consent. The Certificate of Incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting for any purpose. Moreover, special meetings of stockholders of Berkshire Hills may be called only by a resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board of Directors of Berkshire Hills. The Certificate of Incorporation also provides that any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of Berkshire Hills may be taken only at an annual or special meeting and prohibits stockholder action by written consent in lieu of a meeting.
Authorized Shares. The Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 26,000,000 shares of common stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The shares of common stock and preferred stock were authorized in an amount greater than that to be issued in the conversion to provide Berkshire Hills' Board of Directors with as much flexibility as possible to effect, among other transactions, financings, acquisitions, stock dividends, stock splits and employee stock options. However, these additional authorized shares may also be used by the Board of Directors consistent with its fiduciary duty to deter future attempts to gain control of Berkshire Hills. The Board of Directors also has sole authority to determine the terms of any one or more series of preferred stock, including voting rights, conversion rates, and liquidation preferences. As a result of the ability to fix voting rights for a series of preferred stock, the Board has the power to the extent consistent with its fiduciary duty to issue a series of preferred stock to persons friendly to management to attempt to block a post-tender offer merger or other transaction by which a third party seeks control, and thereby assist management to retain its position. Berkshire Hills' Board currently has no plans for the issuance of additional shares, other than the issuance of shares in the conversion, including shares contributed to Berkshire Hills Foundation, and the potential issuance of additional shares upon exercise of stock options.
Stockholder Vote Required to Approve Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders. The Certificate of Incorporation requires the approval of the holders of at least 80% of Berkshire Hills' outstanding shares of voting stock entitled to vote to approve certain "Business Combinations" with an "Interested Stockholder," and related transactions (subject to the limitations on voting). Under Delaware law, absent this provision, business combinations, including mergers, consolidations and sales of all or substantially all of the assets of a corporation must be approved by a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of Berkshire Hills and any other affected class of stock. Under Berkshire Hills' Certificate of Incorporation, the approval of at least 80% of the shares of capital stock entitled to vote is required for any business combination involving an Interested Stockholder (as defined below) except: (1) in cases where the proposed transaction has been approved by a majority of those members of Berkshire Hills' Board of Directors who are unaffiliated with the Interested Stockholder and were directors before the time when the Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder; or (2) if the proposed transaction meets certain conditions which are designed to afford the stockholders a fair price in consideration for their shares. Under each exception, the approval of only a majority of the outstanding shares of voting stock is sufficient. The term "Interested Stockholder" is defined to include, among others, any individual, a group acting in concert, corporation, partnership, association or other entity (other than Berkshire Hills or its subsidiary) who or which is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of voting stock of Berkshire Hills.
This provision of the Certificate of Incorporation applies to any "Business Combination," which is defined to include:
1. any merger or consolidation of Berkshire Hills or any of its subsidiaries with any Interested Stockholder or affiliate of an Interested Stockholder or any corporation which is, or after such merger or consolidation would be, an affiliate of an Interested Stockholder;
2. any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer, or other disposition to or with any Interested Stockholder or affiliate of assets of Berkshire Hills or its subsidiaries the value of which equals or exceeds 25% of the combined assets of Berkshire Hills and its subsidiaries;
3. the issuance or transfer to any Interested Stockholder or its affiliate by Berkshire Hills (or any subsidiary) of any securities of Berkshire Hills (or any subsidiary) in exchange for any cash, securities or other property the value of which equals or exceeds 25% of the fair market value of the common stock of Berkshire Hills;
4. the adoption of any plan for the liquidation or dissolution of Berkshire Hills proposed by or on behalf of any Interested Stockholder or affiliate thereof; and
5. any reclassification of securities, recapitalization, merger or consolidation of Berkshire Hills with any of its subsidiaries which has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of common stock or any class of equity or convertible securities of Berkshire Hills or subsidiary owned directly or indirectly, by an Interested Stockholder or affiliate thereof.
The directors and executive officers of Berkshire Bank are purchasing approximately 2.51% of the shares of the common stock to be sold in the conversion based on the maximum of the estimated valuation range. In addition, the employee stock ownership plan intends to purchase 8% of the common stock issued in connection with the conversion, including shares issued to Berkshire Hills Foundation. Additionally, if stockholders approve the proposed stock- based incentive plan, Berkshire Hills expects to acquire 4% of the common stock issued in connection with the conversion, including shares issued to Berkshire Hills Foundation, and expects to issue options to purchase up to 10% of the common stock issued in connection with the conversion, including shares issued to Berkshire Hills Foundation, to directors and executive officers. As a result, directors, executive officers and employees may control the voting of approximately 21.3% of Berkshire Hills' common stock on a diluted basis at the maximum of the estimated valuation range, thereby enabling them to prevent the approval of the transactions requiring the approval of at least 80% of Berkshire Hills' outstanding shares of voting stock described above.
Furthermore, the ability of directors, executive officers and employees to prevent the approval of transactions requiring the approval of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of voting stock of Berkshire Hills will be enhanced by the regulatory condition imposed on Berkshire Hills Foundation that any shares held by it must be voted in the same ratio as all other shares of Berkshire Hills common stock voted on each and every proposal considered by stockholders.
Evaluation of Offers. The Certificate of Incorporation of Berkshire Hills further provides that the Board of Directors of Berkshire Hills, when evaluating an offer, to (1) make a tender or exchange offer for any equity security of Berkshire Hills, (2) merge or consolidate Berkshire Hills with another corporation or entity or (3) purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the properties and assets of Berkshire Hills, may, in connection with the exercise of its judgment in determining what is in the best interest of Berkshire Hills and its stockholders, give consideration to all relevant factors, including those factors that directors of any subsidiary (including Berkshire Bank) may consider in evaluating any action that may result in a change or potential change of control of such subsidiary, and the social and economic effects of acceptance of such offer on: Berkshire Hills' present and future customers and employees and those of its subsidiaries (including Berkshire Bank); the communities in which Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank operate or are located; the ability of Berkshire Hills to fulfill its corporate objectives as a savings and loan holding company; and the ability of Berkshire Bank to fulfill the objectives of a stock savings bank under applicable statutes and regulations. By having these standards in the Certificate of Incorporation of Berkshire Hills, the Board of Directors may be in a stronger position to oppose such a transaction if the Board concludes that the transaction would not be in the best interest of Berkshire Hills, even if the price offered is significantly greater than the then market price of any equity security of Berkshire Hills.
Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. Amendments to Berkshire Hills' Certificate of Incorporation must be approved by a majority of its Board of Directors and also by a majority of the outstanding shares of its voting stock, provided, however, that an affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding voting stock entitled to vote (after giving effect to the provision limiting voting rights) is required to amend or repeal specific provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, including the provision limiting voting rights, the provisions relating to approval of certain business combinations, calling special meetings, the number and classification of directors, director and officer indemnification by Berkshire Hills and the provisions allowing for the amendment of Berkshire Hills' Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation.
Berkshire Hills' Bylaws may be amended by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, or by a vote of the holders of at least 80% (after giving effect to the provision limiting voting rights) of the total votes eligible to be voted at a duly constituted meeting of stockholders.
Advance Notice Provisions. The Bylaws of Berkshire Hills also require a stockholder who intends to nominate a candidate for election to the Board of Directors, or to raise new business at an annual stockholder meeting to give at least 90 days' advance notice to the Secretary of Berkshire Hills, provided Berkshire Hills gives at least 100 days' notice of the meeting. The notice provision requires a stockholder who desires to raise new business to provide information to Berkshire Hills concerning the nature of the new business, the stockholder and the stockholder's interest in the business matter. Similarly, a stockholder wishing to nominate any person for election as a director must provide Berkshire Hills with information concerning the nominee and the proposing stockholder.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Berkshire Hills' Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and Management Remuneration Adopted in Conversion
The provisions described above are intended to reduce Berkshire Hills' vulnerability to takeover attempts and other transactions which have not been negotiated with and approved by members of its Board of Directors. Additionally, provisions of the stock-based incentive plan may provide for accelerated benefits to participants if a change in control of Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank occurs or a tender or exchange offer for their stock is made. See "Management of Berkshire Bank--Benefits--Stock-Based Incentive Plan." Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank have also entered into agreements with key officers and intends to establish the Employee Severance Compensation Plan which will provide such officers and eligible employees with additional payments and benefits on the officer's
termination in connection with a change in control of Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank. See "Management of Berkshire Bank--Executive Compensation-- Employment Agreements," and "--Benefits--Employee Severance Compensation Plan." The foregoing provisions and limitations may make it more difficult for companies or persons to acquire control of Berkshire Hills. Additionally, the provisions could deter offers to acquire the outstanding shares of Berkshire Hills which might be viewed by stockholders to be in their best interests.
Berkshire Hills' Board of Directors believes that the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws are in the best interest of Berkshire Hills and its stockholders. An unsolicited non-negotiated takeover proposal can seriously disrupt the business and management of a corporation and cause it great expense. Accordingly, the Board of Directors believes it is in the best interests of Berkshire Hills and its stockholders to encourage potential acquirors to negotiate directly with management and that these provisions will encourage such negotiations and discourage non-negotiated takeover attempts.
Delaware Corporate Law
The State of Delaware has a statute designed to provide Delaware corporations with additional protection against hostile takeovers. The Delaware takeover statute is intended to discourage certain takeover practices by impeding the ability of a hostile acquiror to engage in certain transactions with the target company.
In general, the statute provides that a "Person" who owns 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a Delaware corporation (an "Interested Stockholder") may not consummate a merger or other business combination transaction with such corporation at any time during the three-year period following the date such "Person" became an Interested Stockholder. The term "business combination" is defined broadly to cover a wide range of corporate transactions including mergers, sales of assets, issuances of stock, transactions with subsidiaries and the receipt of disproportionate financial benefits.
The statute exempts the following transactions from the requirements of the statute:
1. any business combination if, before the date a person became an Interested Stockholder, the board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an Interested Stockholder;
2. any business combination involving a person who acquired at least 85% of the outstanding voting stock in the transaction in which he became an Interested Stockholder, excluding, for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding, shares owned by the corporation's directors who are also officers and specific employee stock plans;
3. any business combination with an Interested Stockholder that is approved by the board of directors and by a two-thirds vote of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the Interested Stockholder; and
4. certain business combinations that are proposed after the corporation had received other acquisition proposals and which are approved or not opposed by a majority of certain continuing members of the board of directors.
A corporation may exempt itself from the requirements of the statute by adopting an amendment to its certificate of incorporation or bylaws electing not to be governed by Section 203. Berkshire Hills' Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws do not currently contain such provision and, at the present time, the Board of Directors does not intend to propose any such amendment.
Restrictions in Berkshire Bank's Amended and Restated Articles of Organization and Bylaws
Although the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank is not aware of any effort that might be made to obtain control of Berkshire Bank after the conversion, the Board of Directors believes that it is appropriate to adopt provisions permitted by Massachusetts law to protect the interests of the converted bank and its stockholders from any hostile takeover. Such provisions may, indirectly, inhibit a change in control of Berkshire Hills, as Berkshire Bank's sole stockholder. See "Risk Factors--Anti-takeover provisions and statutory provisions could make takeover attempts more difficult to achieve and may decrease the market price of common stock."
Berkshire Bank's stock Articles of Organization will contain a provision whereby the acquisition of beneficial ownership of more than 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of any class of equity securities of Berkshire Bank by any person (i.e., any individual, corporation, group acting in concert, trust, partnership, joint stock company or similar organization), either directly or through an affiliate thereof, will be prohibited for a period of three years following the date of completion of the conversion without the prior written notice to Berkshire Bank and the prior written approval of the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner. If shares are acquired in violation of this provision, all shares beneficially owned by any person in excess of the 10% limit shall be considered "excess shares" and shall not be counted as shares entitled to vote and shall not be voted by any person or counted as voting shares in connection with any matters submitted to the stockholders for a vote. These limitations shall not apply to any transaction in which Berkshire Bank forms a holding company without a change in the respective beneficial ownership interests of its stockholders other than by the exercise of any dissenter or appraisal rights. If holders of revocable proxies for more than 10% of the shares of the common stock of Berkshire Hills seek, among other things, to elect one-third or more of Berkshire Hills' Board of Directors, to cause Berkshire Hills' stockholders to approve the acquisition or corporate reorganization of Berkshire Hills or to exert a continuing influence on a material aspect of the business operations of Berkshire Hills, which actions could indirectly result in a change in control of Berkshire Bank, the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank will be able to assert this provision of Berkshire Bank's stock Articles of Organization against such holders. Although the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank is not currently able to determine when and if it would assert this provision, the Board, in exercising its fiduciary duty, may assert this provision if it were deemed to be in the best interests of Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Hills and its stockholders. It is unclear, however, whether this provision, if asserted, would be successful against such persons in a proxy contest which could result in a change in control of Berkshire Bank indirectly through a change in control of Berkshire Hills. In addition, stockholders are not be permitted to cumulate their votes in the election of Directors.
Finally, the Amended and Restated Articles of Organization provides for the issuance of shares of preferred stock on such terms, including conversion and voting rights, as may be determined by Berkshire Bank's Board of Directors without stockholder approval. Although Berkshire Bank has no arrangements, understandings or plans at the present time for the issuance or use of undesignated preferred stock, the Board believes that the availability of such shares will provide Berkshire Bank with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other corporate needs which may arise. If a proposed merger, tender offer or other attempt to gain control of Berkshire Bank occurs of which management does not approve, the Board can authorize the issuance of one or more series of preferred stock with rights and preferences which could impede the completion of such a transaction. An effect of the possible issuance of such preferred stock, therefore, may be to deter a future takeover attempt. The Board does not intend to issue any preferred stock except on terms which the Board deems to be in the best interest of Berkshire Bank and its then existing stockholders.
Regulatory Restrictions
Massachusetts Conversion Regulations. Regulations issued by the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner provide that for a period of three years following the date of the completion of the conversion, no person, acting singly or together with associates in a group of persons acting in concert, shall directly or indirectly offer to acquire or acquire the beneficial ownership of more than ten percent (10%) of any class of any equity security of Berkshire Hills without the prior written notice to Berkshire Hills and the prior written approval of the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner. Where any person, directly or indirectly, acquires beneficial ownership of more than ten percent
(10%) of any class of any equity security of Berkshire Hills without the prior written approval of the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner, the securities beneficially owned by such person in excess of ten percent (10%) shall not be voted by any person or counted as voting shares in connection with any matter submitted to the stockholders for a vote, and shall not be counted as outstanding for purposes of determining the affirmative vote necessary to approve any matter submitted to the stockholders for a vote. The Massachusetts Banking Commissioner may take further action to enforce these regulatory restrictions.
Change in Bank Control Act. The acquisition of ten percent (10%) or more of the common stock outstanding may trigger the provisions of the Change in Bank Control Act. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has also adopted a regulation under the Change in Bank Control Act which generally requires persons who at any time intend to acquire control of a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-insured state-chartered non-member bank, including a savings bank such as Berkshire Bank, to provide at least 60 days' prior written notice and certain financial and other information to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
The 60-day notice period does not commence until the information is deemed to be substantially complete. Control for the purpose of this Act exists in situations in which the acquiring party has voting control of at least twenty- five percent (25%) of any class of Berkshire Bank's voting stock or the power to direct the management or policies of Berkshire Bank. However, under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regulations, control is presumed to exist where the acquiring party has voting control of at least ten percent (10%) of any class of Berkshire Bank's voting securities if: (1) Berkshire Bank has a class of voting securities which is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, or (2) the acquiring party would be the largest holder of a class of voting shares of Berkshire Bank. The statute and underlying regulations authorize the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to disapprove a proposed acquisition on certain specified grounds. In some circumstances, similar findings with the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner may be required under the Massachusetts Change in Bank Control Act.
Federal Reserve Board Regulations. If Berkshire Bank does not maintain its qualification as a qualified thrift lender, attempts to acquire control of Berkshire Bank will trigger the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board under the Change in Bank Control Act.
Massachusetts Banking Law. Massachusetts banking law also prohibits any "company," defined to include banking institutions as well as corporations, from directly or indirectly controlling the voting power of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the voting stock of two or more banking institutions without the prior approval of the Board of Bank Incorporation. Additionally, an out-of- state company which already directly or indirectly controls voting power of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the voting stock of two or more banking institutions may not also acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of more than five percent (5%) of the voting stock of a Massachusetts banking institution without the prior approval of the Board of Bank Incorporation. Finally, for a period of three years following completion of a conversion to stock form, no person may directly or indirectly offer to acquire or acquire beneficial ownership of more than ten percent (10%) of any class of equity security of a converting mutual savings bank without prior written approval of the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner.
Prior approval of the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner is also required before any action is taken that causes any stock banking institution to acquire all of the capital stock of any other stock banking institution. The Massachusetts Banking Commissioner will approve such a plan of acquisition, following approval by a majority vote of the boards of directors of the acquiror and the acquiree and a two-thirds approval of the stockholders of the acquiree, provided the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner finds that competition among banking institutions will not be unreasonably affected and that public convenience and advantage will be promoted. Any such company shall engage directly or indirectly only in such activities as are now or may hereafter be proper activities for bank holding companies under the Bank Holding Company Act.
DESCRIPTION OF BERKSHIRE HILLS STOCK
General
Berkshire Hills is authorized to issue 26,000,000 shares of common stock having a par value of $.01 per share and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock having a par value of $.01 per share. Berkshire Hills currently expects to issue up to 10,326,609 shares of common stock at the maximum of the estimated valuation range, as adjusted by 15% and including shares issued to Berkshire Hills Foundation. Berkshire Hills will not issue any shares of preferred stock in the conversion. Each share of Berkshire Hills' common stock will have the same relative rights as, and will be identical in all respects with, each other share of common stock. Upon payment of the purchase price for the common stock, as required by the plan of conversion, all stock will be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable.
The common stock of Berkshire Hills will represent nonwithdrawable capital, will not be an account of any type, and will not be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc. or any other government agency.
Common Stock
Dividends. Berkshire Hills can pay dividends out of statutory surplus or from certain net profits if, and when declared by its Board of Directors. The payment of dividends by Berkshire Hills is limited by law and applicable regulation. See "Dividend Policy" and "Regulation and Supervision." The holders of common stock of Berkshire Hills will be entitled to receive and share equally in any dividends declared by the Board of Directors of Berkshire Hills. If Berkshire Hills issues preferred stock, the holders of preferred stock may have a priority over the holders of the common stock with respect to dividends.
Voting Rights. After the conversion, the holders of common stock of Berkshire Hills will possess exclusive voting rights in Berkshire Hills. They will elect Berkshire Hills' Board of Directors and act on other matters as are required to be presented to them under Delaware law or as are otherwise presented to them by the Board of Directors. Except as discussed in "Restrictions on Acquisition of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank," each holder of common stock will be entitled to one vote per share and will not have any right to cumulate votes in the election of directors. If Berkshire Hills issues preferred stock, holders of Berkshire Hills preferred stock may also possess voting rights. Certain matters require a vote of 80% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote. See "Restrictions on Acquisition of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank."
As a subsidiary of a Massachusetts mutual holding company, corporate powers and control of Berkshire Bank are indirectly vested in the corporators of Berkshire Bancorp, who elect Berkshire Bancorp's trustees, and who, in turn, elect the directors of Berkshire Bank. Berkshire Bank's directors then appoint the officers of Berkshire Bank. After the conversion, voting rights will be vested exclusively in Berkshire Hills, which will own all of the outstanding capital stock of Berkshire Bank, and will be voted at the direction of Berkshire Hills' Board of Directors. Consequently, the holders of the common stock of Berkshire Hills will not have direct control of Berkshire Bank.
Liquidation. Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Berkshire Hills, the holders of its common stock would be entitled to receive all of the assets of Berkshire Hills available for distribution after payment or provision for payment of all its debts and liabilities. If Berkshire Hills issues preferred stock, the preferred stock holders may have a priority over the holders of the common stock upon liquidation or dissolution.
Indemnification and Limit on Liability. Berkshire Hills' Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions which limit the liability of and indemnify its directors, officers and employees. Such provisions provide that each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of Berkshire Hills shall be indemnified and held harmless by Berkshire Hills to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law against all expense, liability and loss reasonably incurred.
Under certain circumstances, the right to indemnification shall include the right to be paid by Berkshire Hills the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition. In addition, a director of Berkshire Hills shall not be personally liable to Berkshire Hills or its stockholders for monetary damages except for liability for any breach of the duty of loyalty, for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or knowing violation of the law, under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
Preemptive Rights; Redemption. Holders of the common stock of Berkshire Hills will not be entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares that may be issued. The common stock cannot be redeemed.
Preferred Stock
Berkshire Hills will not issue any preferred stock in the conversion and it has no current plans to issue any preferred stock after the conversion. Preferred stock may be issued with designations, powers, preferences and rights as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. The Board of Directors can, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with voting, dividend, liquidation and conversion rights that could dilute the voting strength of the holders of the common stock and may assist management in impeding an unfriendly takeover or attempted change in control.
Restrictions on Acquisition
Acquisitions of Berkshire Hills are restricted by provisions in its Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and by rules and regulations of various regulatory agencies. See ''Regulation and Supervision" and "Restrictions on Acquisition of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank."
DESCRIPTION OF BERKSHIRE BANK STOCK
General
If the stock holding company form of organization is not utilized in connection with the conversion, Berkshire Bank may offer shares of its common stock in connection with the conversion. The following is a discussion of its stock.
The Amended and Restated Articles of Organization of Berkshire Bank, to be effective upon the conversion, authorize the issuance of 10,000,000 shares of common stock, having a par value of $1.00 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, having a par value of $1.00 per share. The preferred stock may be issued in series and classes having such rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions as the Board of Directors may determine. Each share of common stock of Berkshire Bank will have the same relative rights as, and will be identical in all respects with, each other share of common stock. After the conversion, the Board of Directors will be authorized to approve the issuance of common stock up to the amount authorized by the Amended and Restated Articles of Organization without the approval of Berkshire Bank's stockholders. Assuming that the stock holding company form of organization is utilized, all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Berkshire Bank will be held by Berkshire Hills. Berkshire Bank stock will represent non-withdrawable capital, will not be an account of an insurable type and will not be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc.
Common Stock
Dividends. The holders of Berkshire Bank's common stock will be entitled to receive and to share equally in any dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank. See "Dividend Policy" for certain restrictions on the payment of dividends and "Federal and State Taxation of Income--Federal Income Taxation" for a discussion of the consequences of the payment of cash dividends from income appropriated to bad debt reserves.
Voting Rights. Immediately after the conversion, the holders of Berkshire Bank's common stock will possess exclusive voting rights in Berkshire Bank. Each holder of shares of common stock will be entitled to one vote for each share held. Stockholders are not be entitled to cumulate their votes for the election of directors. See "Restrictions on Acquisition of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank--Anti-Takeover Effects of Berkshire Hills' Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and Management Remuneration Adopted in Conversion."
Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of Berkshire Bank, the holders of common stock will be entitled to receive, after payment of all Berkshire Bank's debts and liabilities (including all deposit accounts and accrued interest thereon), and distribution of the balance in the special liquidation account to eligible and supplemental eligible account holders, all assets of Berkshire Bank available for distribution in cash or in kind. If additional preferred stock is issued after the conversion, the holders thereof may also have priority over the holders of common stock in the event of liquidation or dissolution.
Preemptive Rights; Redemption. Holders of Berkshire Bank's common stock will not be entitled to preemptive rights with respect to any shares of Berkshire Bank which may be issued. Upon receipt by Berkshire Bank of the full specified purchase price therefor, the common stock will be fully paid and nonassessable.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is ________________.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Berkshire Hills has registered the common stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and will not deregister its common stock for a period of at least three years following the conversion. As a result of registration, the proxy and tender offer rules, insider trading reporting and restrictions, annual and periodic reporting and other requirements of that statute will apply.
LEGAL AND TAX OPINIONS
The legality of the common stock has been passed upon for Berkshire Hills by Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP, Washington, D.C. The federal tax consequences of the conversion have been opined upon by Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts tax consequences of the conversion have been opined upon by Wolf & Company, P.C., Boston, Massachusetts. Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP and Wolf & Company, P.C. have consented to the references to their opinions in this prospectus. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for Sandler O'Neill by Silver, Freedman & Taff, L.L.P., Washington, D.C.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Berkshire Bancorp as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1999 included in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been audited by Wolf & Company, P.C., independent public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.
FinPro has consented to the summary in this prospectus of its report to Berkshire Bank setting forth its opinion as to the estimated pro forma market value of Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank, as converted, and its letter letter with respect to subscription rights, and to the use of its name and statements with respect to it appearing in this prospectus.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Berkshire Hills has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-_____) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the common stock offered in the conversion. This prospectus does not contain all the information contained in the registration statement, certain parts of which are omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. This information may be inspected at the public reference facilities maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549 and at its regional offices at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. Copies may be obtained at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The registration statement also is available through the Securities and Exchange Commission's World Wide Web site on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov.
Following the conversion, Berkshire Hills will file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which can be inspected and copied at the Securities Exchange Commission's Public Reference Room. Copies of these materials can also be obtained, upon payment of a copying fee, by writing to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Berkshire Bank has filed an application for approval of conversion with the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner and has provided copies of the conversion application to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. This prospectus omits certain information contained in that application. The conversion application may be examined at the Office of the Massachusetts Banking Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Banks, 1 South Station, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110. Copies of the conversion application may be examined at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's offices at 15 Braintree Hill Office Park, Suite 100, Braintree, Massachusetts 02184 and at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston's offices at 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02106.
Berkshire Hills has filed an application to become the holding company for Berkshire Bank with the Office of Thrift Supervision. This prospectus omits certain information contained in that application. The application may be inspected, without charge, at the offices of the Office of Thrift Supervision, 1700 G Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20552 and at the offices of the Regional Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision at the Northeast Regional Office of the Office of Thrift Supervision, 10 Exchange Place, 18th Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302.
A copy of the plan of conversion, Berkshire Hills' Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and Berkshire Bank's Amended and Restated Articles of Organization and Bylaws are available without charge from Berkshire Bank by contacting the conversion center at (___) ___-____.
A copy of FinPro's appraisal report is available for inspection at Berkshire Bank's administrative offices located at 24 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BERKSHIRE BANCORP
Page
----
Independent Auditors' Report.............................................. F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1999 and 1998.............. F-3
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31,
1999, 1998 and 1997.................................................. 30
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Retained Earnings for the Years
Ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997............................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997..................................... F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................ F-7
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* * *
All schedules are omitted as the required information either is not applicable or is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or related Notes.
Separate financial statements for Berkshire Hills have not been included in this prospectus because Berkshire Hills, which has engaged only in organizational activities to date, has no significant assets, contingent or other liabilities, revenues or expenses.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Audit Committee
Berkshire Bancorp
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Berkshire Bancorp and subsidiary as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in retained earnings and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1999. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Berkshire Bancorp and subsidiary as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1999 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
WOLF & COMPANY, P.C.
/s/ Wolf & Company, P.C. ------------------------ Boston, Massachusetts March 10, 2000 |
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 1999 and 1998
ASSETS
1999 1998
--------- ---------
(In thousands)
Cash and due from banks $ 23,301 $ 19,554
Short-term investments 1,341 7,121
---------- ----------
Total cash and cash equivalents 24,642 26,675
Securities available for sale, at fair value 93,084 93,774
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost 17,014 23,780
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost 3,843 2,547
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $8,534
in 1999 and $7,589 in 1998 665,554 599,171
Foreclosed real estate 220 398
Banking premises and equipment, net 11,531 9,695
Accrued interest receivable 4,910 4,458
Savings Bank Life Insurance stock 2,043 2,043
Goodwill 6,809 7,358
Other assets 12,001 10,390
---------- ----------
$ 841,651 $ 780,289
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND RETAINED EARNINGS
Deposits $ 679,985 $ 646,500
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 58,928 29,590
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase 1,120 7,000
Mortgagors' escrow accounts 782 622
Net deferred tax liability 6,073 7,252
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 6,411 5,124
---------- ----------
Total liabilities 753,299 696,088
---------- ----------
Commitments and contingencies
Retained earnings 70,679 65,056
Accumulated other comprehensive income 17,673 19,145
---------- ----------
Total retained earnings 88,352 84,201
---------- ----------
$ 841,651 $ 780,289
========== ==========
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN RETAINED EARNINGS
Years Ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
Accumulated
Other Total
Retained Comprehensive Retained
Earnings Income Earnings
--------------- ------------------- --------------
(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 1996 $ 58,129 $ 10,584 $ 68,713
--------------
Comprehensive income:
Net income 2,503 - 2,503
Change in net unrealized gain on
securities available for sale, net
of reclassification adjustment and
tax effects - 4,101 4,101
--------------
Total comprehensive income 6,604
--------------- ---------------- --------------
Balance at December 31, 1997 60,632 14,685 75,317
--------------
Comprehensive income:
Net income 4,424 - 4,424
Change in net unrealized gain on
securities available for sale, net
of reclassification adjustment and
tax effects - 4,460 4,460
--------------
Total comprehensive income 8,884
--------------- ---------------- --------------
Balance at December 31, 1998 65,056 19,145 84,201
--------------
Comprehensive income:
Net income 5,623 - 5,623
Change in net unrealized gain on
securities available for sale, net
of reclassification adjustment and
tax effects - (1,472) (1,472)
--------------
Total comprehensive income 4,151
--------------- ---------------- --------------
Balance at December 31, 1999 $ 70,679 $ 17,673 $ 88,352
=============== ================ ==============
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years Ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
1999 1998 1997
-------------- -------------- --------------
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 5,623 $ 4,424 $ 2,503
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan losses 3,030 2,055 1,477
Net amortization of securities 400 158 11
Charitable contribution in the form of equity securities - - 2,457
Depreciation and amortization expense 1,860 1,735 1,737
Amortization of goodwill 549 259 286
Gain on sales and dispositions of securities, net (491) (425) (2,653)
Gain on sale of other real estate - (119) -
Losses (gains) on foreclosed real estate, net (18) (5) 477
Loss on sale of equipment 30 - -
Deferred tax provision (benefit) (319) (850) 320
Net change in loans held for sale (2,425) -- --
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accrued interest receivable and other assets (2,063) (2,732) (1,575)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 1,287 (283) 37
------------- ------------- -------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 7,463 4,217 5,077
------------- ------------- -------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Activity in available-for-sale securities:
Sales 1,191 5,319 12,279
Maturities 8,468 16,475 17,017
Principal payments 21,589 23,244 8,009
Purchases (32,749) (61,859) (18,163)
Activity in held-to-maturity securities:
Maturities 9,171 8,351 11,978
Principal payments 15,902 41,240 24,554
Purchases (18,357) (38,753) (38,102)
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock (1,296) - (38)
Loan originations, net of principal payments (67,139) (92,872) (34,718)
Additions to banking premises and equipment (3,744) (2,278) (2,827)
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed real estate 347 193 2,604
Proceeds from sale of other real estate - 119 -
Proceeds from sale of equipment 18 - -
Cash and cash equivalents received from acquisition
of three branch offices - 44,843 -
------------- ------------- -------------
Net cash used in investing activities (66,599) (55,978) (17,407)
------------- ------------- -------------
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(continued)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Concluded)
Years Ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
1999 1998 1997
-------------- -------------- --------------
(In thousands)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase in deposits 33,485 38,226 3,750
Net increase (decrease) in securities sold under
agreements to repurchase (5,880) 1,930 (1,270)
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances with
maturities in excess of three months 40,000 32,000 2,000
Repayments of Federal Home Loan Bank advances with
maturities in excess of three months (13,662) (9,290) (2,074)
Proceeds (repayments) of borrowings with maturities
of three months or less 3,000 - (778)
Net increase in mortgagors' escrow accounts 160 153 152
------------- ------------- -------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 57,103 63,019 1,780
------------- ------------- -------------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents (2,033) 11,258 (10,550)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 26,675 15,417 25,967
------------- ------------- -------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 24,642 $ 26,675 $ 15,417
============= ============= =============
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid on deposits $ 23,834 $ 22,553 $ 21,452
Interest paid on borrowed funds 2,797 1,581 720
Income taxes paid 2,080 2,929 1,680
Transfers from loans to foreclosed real estate 151 222 557
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years Ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of presentation and consolidation
Berkshire Bancorp is a mutual holding company formed in 1996. On May 1, 1997, Berkshire Bancorp's wholly-owned subsidiary, Berkshire County Savings Bank, merged with Great Barrington Savings Bank to form Berkshire Bank under a transaction accounted for by the pooling-of-interests method of accounting.
The consolidated financial statements includes the accounts of Berkshire Bancorp ("Corporation" or "Bancorp"), and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Berkshire Bank ("Bank") and the Bank's wholly-owned subsidiaries, North Street Securities Corporation (formerly GBSB Leasing Corporation), GBSB, Inc. and Woodland Realty, Inc. In addition, Greenland Development Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Forward Development Corporation held title to certain loans and were dissolved during 1999. North Street Securities Corporation and GBSB, Inc. hold title to certain investment securities. Woodland Realty, Inc. is presently inactive. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of estimates
In preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated balance sheet and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, deferred taxes and the pension liability.
Business and operating segments
The Corporation provides a variety of financial services to individuals and businesses through its offices in Berkshire County. Its primary deposit products are savings, checking accounts and term certificate accounts and its primary lending products are residential and commercial mortgage loans. In addition, trust services are offered to individuals and small businesses in the Berkshire County area.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Business and operating segments (concluded)
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments in annual and interim financial statements. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. Generally, financial information is required to be reported on the basis that it is used internally for evaluating segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources to segments. Management evaluates the Corporation's performance and allocates resources based on a single segment concept. Accordingly, there are no separately identified operating segments for which discrete financial information is available. The Corporation does not derive revenues from, or have assets located in, foreign countries, nor does it derive revenues from any single customer that represents 10% or more of the Corporation's total revenues.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the 1998 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 1999 presentation.
Cash and cash equivalents
For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash, balances due from banks and short-term investments, all of which mature within ninety days.
Short-term investments
Short-term investments mature within ninety days and are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.
Securities
Debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as "held to maturity" and reflected at amortized cost, less principal payments received. Securities classified as "available for sale" are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income.
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston ("FHLB") stock is reflected at cost. Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts ("SBLI") stock was recorded at fair value at acquisition as determined by an appraisal performed by independent investment consultants retained by SBLI.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Securities (concluded)
Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.
Loans
The Bank grants mortgage, commercial and consumer loans to customers. A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is represented by mortgage loans in Berkshire County. The ability of the Bank's debtors to honor their loans is dependent upon the local economy and the local real estate market.
Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off generally are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method.
Interest on loans is generally not accrued on loans which are ninety days or more past due and not well secured and in the process of collection.
All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged off is reversed against interest income. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.
Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value in the aggregate. Fair value is based on commitments on hand from investors or prevailing market prices. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Allowance for loan losses
The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management's periodic review of the collectibility of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower's ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.
A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that a creditor will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower's prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Substantially all of the Bank's loans which have been identified as impaired have been measured by the fair value of existing collateral.
Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Corporation does not separately identify individual consumer loans or residential mortgage loans for impairment disclosures.
Foreclosed assets
Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at the lower of the investment in the loan or fair value less estimated cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in net expenses from foreclosed assets.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Banking premises and equipment
Land is carried at cost. Buildings and improvements and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
It is general practice to charge the cost of maintenance and repairs to earnings when incurred; major expenditures for betterments are capitalized and depreciated.
Goodwill
Goodwill is associated with the Corporation's purchase of two branches from another financial institution in December 1985 and three branches in 1998. These costs are currently amortized against income on a straight-line basis over 15 years.
Transfers of financial assets
Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Corporation, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Corporation does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.
Income taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted accordingly through the provision for income taxes. The Bank's base amount of its federal income tax reserve for loan losses is a permanent difference for which there is no recognition of a deferred tax liability. However, the loan loss allowance maintained for financial reporting purposes is a temporary difference with allowable recognition of a related deferred tax asset, if it is deemed realizable.
Pension plan
The compensation cost of an employee's pension benefit is recognized on the net periodic pension cost method over the employee's approximate service period. The aggregate cost method is utilized for funding purposes.
Advertising costs
Advertising costs are charged to earnings when incurred.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Trust assets
Trust assets held in a fiduciary or agent capacity are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets because they are not assets of the Corporation.
Comprehensive income
Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available- for-sale securities, are reported as a separate component of retained earnings on the consolidated balance sheet, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.
The components of other comprehensive income, relative to securities available for sale, and related tax effects are as follows for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997:
1999 1998 1997
------------- ------------- ------------
(In thousands)
Change in net unrealized holding gains on
available-for-sale securities $ (1,841) $ 7,276 $ 8,919
Reclassification adjustment for gains
realized in income (491) (425) (2,653)
------------- ------------ ------------
Net change in unrealized gains (2,332) 6,851 6,266
Tax effect 860 (2,391) (2,165)
------------- ------------ ------------
Net-of-tax change $ (1,472) $ 4,460 $ 4,101
============= ============ ============
|
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (concluded)
Recent accounting pronouncement
In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," which, as amended by SFAS No. 137, is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. This Statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments and hedging activities, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure them at fair value. If certain conditions are met, an entity may elect to designate a derivative as follows: (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction, or (c) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of an unrecognized firm commitment, an available-for-sale security, a foreign currency denominated forecasted transaction, or a net investment in a foreign operation. The Statement generally provides for matching the timing of the recognition of the gain or loss on derivatives designated as hedging instruments with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the item being hedged. Depending on the type of hedge, such recognition will be in either net income or other comprehensive income. For a derivative not designated as a hedging instrument, changes in fair value will be recognized in net income in the period of change. Management is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this Statement on the consolidated financial statements, but does not anticipate that it will have a material impact.
2. SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
Short-term investments consist of the following at December 31, 1999 and 1998:
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
1999 1998
------------ -----------
(In thousands)
Federal funds sold $ 1,000 $ -
FHLB Overnight deposits 341 7,121
-------- ---------
$ 1,341 $ 7,121
======== =========
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BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
3. SECURITIES
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities, with gross unrealized gains and losses, follows:
December 31, 1999
----------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
------------ ------------- ------------- -------------
(In thousands)
Securities Available for Sale
-----------------------------
Debt securities:
U.S. Treasury obligations $ 3,049 $ - $ (26) $ 3,023
Federal agency obligations 7,937 - (249) 7,688
Other bonds and obligations 31,177 1 (544) 30,634
Mortgage-backed securities:
FHLMC/ FNMA/GNMA 547 2 (4) 545
REMIC's and CMO's 9,584 105 (101) 9,588
Asset-backed securities 3,253 2 (48) 3,207
------------ ------------- ------------- -------------
Total debt securities 55,547 110 (972) 54,685
Mutual funds 947 - (148) 799
Marketable equity securities 9,507 28,446 (353) 37,600
------------ ------------- ------------- -------------
Total securities
available for sale $ 66,001 $ 28,556 $ (1,473) $ 93,084
============ ============= ============= =============
Securities Held to Maturity
---------------------------
Debt securities:
Municipal bonds and obligations $ 6,720 $ - $ - $ 6,720
Mortgage-backed securities:
FHLMC/GNMA 1,140 2 (4) 1,138
REMIC's and CMO's 9,154 2 (92) 9,064
------------ ------------- ------------- -------------
Total securities
held to maturity $ 17,014 $ 4 $ (96) $ 16,922
============ ============= ============= =============
|
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SECURITIES (continued)
December 31, 1998
-------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost Gains Losses Value
------------ ----------- ----------- -------
(In thousands)
Securities Available for Sale
-----------------------------
Debt securities:
U.S. Treasury obligations $ 3,098 $ 15 $ - $ 3,113
Federal agency obligations 9,145 29 (1) 9,173
Other bonds and obligations 18,054 107 (88) 18,073
Mortgage-backed securities:
FHLMC/ FNMA/GNMA 406 10 - 416
REMIC's and CMO's 20,479 163 (33) 20,609
Asset-backed securities 2,639 8 (43) 2,604
------------ ------------ ----------- ---------
Total debt securities 53,821 332 (165) 53,988
Mutual funds 947 - (94) 853
Marketable equity securities 9,591 29,540 (198) 38,933
------------ ------------ ----------- ---------
Total securities
available for sale $ 64,359 $ 29,872 $ (457) $ 93,774
============ ============ =========== =========
Securities Held to Maturity
---------------------------
Debt securities:
Municipal bonds and obligations $ 6,997 $ - $ - $ 6,997
Mortgage-backed securities:
FHLMC/GNMA 124 1 - 125
REMIC's and CMO's 16,659 40 (65) 16,634
------------ ------------ ----------- ---------
Total securities held
to maturity $ 23,780 $ 41 $ (65) $ 23,756
============ ============ =========== =========
|
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SECURITIES (concluded)
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity at December 31, 1999 is as follows. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
Available for Sale Held to Maturity
----------------------------- ------------------------------
Amortized Fair Amortized Fair
Cost Value Cost Value
---------- ------------- ------------- -------------
(In thousands)
Within 1 year $ 9,761 $ 9,701 $ 5,888 $ 5,888
Over 1 year to 5 years 28,215 27,602 221 221
Over 5 years to 10 years 2,349 2,250 - -
Over 10 years 1,838 1,792 611 611
------------ ------------- ------------- -------------
Total bonds and obligations 42,163 41,345 6,720 6,720
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed
securities 13,384 13,340 10,294 10,202
------------ ------------- ------------- -------------
Total debt securities $ 55,547 $ 54,685 $ 17,014 $ 16,922
============ ============= ============= =============
|
At December 31, 1999 and 1998, the Corporation has pledged investment securities with an amortized cost of $5,396,000 and $11,505,000, respectively, and a fair value of $5,283,000 and $11,523,000, respectively, to a commercial bank, as collateral for repurchase agreements, and for its treasury, tax and loan account.
For the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale amounted to $1,191,000, $5,319,000 and $12,279,000, respectively. Gross realized gains amounted to $685,000, $511,000 and $216,000, respectively. Gross realized losses amounted to $194,000, $86,000 and $20,000, respectively.
During 1997, the Corporation established a private charitable foundation (the "Foundation") to provide grants to charitable organizations in Berkshire County. The Foundation, which is not a subsidiary of the Corporation, was funded on May 1, 1997 by a donation from the Bank of marketable equity securities with a cost basis and a fair value of $97,000 and $2,457,000, respectively, at the date of transfer. Such securities had been classified as available for sale and, accordingly, the transfer resulted in the Bank recognizing the unrealized appreciation of the securities of $2,360,000 in the consolidated statement of income.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
4. LOANS
A summary of the balances of loans follows at December 31, 1999 and 1998:
1999 1998
-------------- --------------
(In thousands)
One- to four-family mortgage loans $ 245,240 $ 220,612
Commercial mortgage loans 46,419 51,598
Multi-family mortgage loans 14,793 15,393
Construction loans 12,534 12,821
Home equity loans 33,168 31,628
Consumer loans 175,568 140,549
Commercial loans 146,196 134,115
-------------- --------------
Total loans 673,918 606,716
Allowance for loan losses (8,534) (7,589)
Net deferred loan costs 170 44
-------------- --------------
Loans, net $ 665,554 $ 599,171
============== ==============
|
At December 31, 1999, consumer loans include $2,425,000 of loans which were held for sale and sold in January, 2000.
An analysis of the allowance for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 follows:
1999 1998 1997
-------- -------- ---------
(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of year $ 7,589 $ 6,078 $ 6,303
Provision for loan losses 3,030 2,055 1,477
Loans charged-off (2,353) (812) (2,296)
Recoveries 268 268 594
--------- ---------- ---------
Balance at end of year $ 8,534 $ 7,589 $ 6,078
========= ========== =========
|
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
LOANS (concluded)
The following is a summary of information pertaining to impaired and non-accrual loans at December 31, 1999 and 1998:
1999 1998
------------- --------------
(In thousands)
Impaired loans with no valuation allowance $ 1,522 $ 938
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance 50 1,552
------------- --------------
Total impaired loans $ 1,572 $ 2,490
============= ==============
Valuation allowance allocated to impaired loans $ 14 $ 304
============= ==============
Non-accrual loans $ 2,841 $ 3,490
============= ==============
|
No additional funds are committed to be advanced in connection with impaired loans.
For the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, the average recorded investment in impaired loans amounted to $2,496,000, $3,015,000 and $3,840,000, respectively. The Corporation recognized $23,000, $218,000 and $256,000, respectively, of interest income on impaired loans, during the period that they were impaired, on the cash basis.
The Bank has sold loans in the secondary market and has retained the servicing responsibility and receives fees for the services provided. Mortgage loans sold and serviced for others amounted to $24,963,000 and $23,124,000 at December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. Consumer loans sold and serviced for others amounted to $38,359,000 and $10,239,000 at December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. Substantially all loans serviced for others were sold without recourse provisions and are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
5. BANKING PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of the cost and accumulated depreciation and amortization of banking premises and equipment and their estimated useful lives follows at December 31, 1999 and 1998:
Estimated
1999 1998 Useful Lives
-------------- -------------- -------------------
(In thousands)
Banking premises:
Land $ 1,558 $ 1,558
Buildings and improvements 15,138 12,996 5 - 50 years
Equipment 5,639 7,991 2 - 38 years
Construction in process 323 356
-------------- --------------
22,658 22,901
Accumulated depreciation and
amortization (11,127) (13,206)
-------------- --------------
$ 11,531 $ 9,695
============== ==============
|
Construction in process in 1999 includes a renovation project at the Bank's main office. Estimated costs to complete this project amount to approximately $296,000 at December 31, 1999.
Construction in process in 1998 included renovation projects at one branch office and the cost of land and buildings purchased for future use as office space. Estimated costs to complete these projects amounted to approximately $1,700,000 at December 31, 1998. During 1999 these projects were completed and costs were transferred to applicable categories.
Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 amount to $1,860,000, $1,735,000 and $1,737,000, respectively.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
6. DEPOSITS
A summary of deposit balances, by type, is as follows at December 31, 1999 and 1998:
1999 1998
-------- ---------
(In thousands)
Demand $ 69,034 $ 69,796
NOW 78,223 78,202
Regular 144,704 138,088
Money market 92,721 69,757
-------- ---------
Total non-certificate accounts 384,682 355,843
-------- ---------
Term certificates less than $100,000 212,538 215,214
Term certificates $100,000 or more 82,765 75,443
-------- ---------
Total certificate accounts 295,303 290,657
-------- ---------
Total deposits $679,985 $ 646,500
======== =========
|
A summary of certificate accounts by maturity is as follows at December 31, 1999 and 1998:
1999 1998
---------------------- ----------
Weighted
Average
Amount Rate Amount
--------- ---------- ----------
(Dollars in thousands)
Within 1 year $ 206,556 5.13% $207,080
Over 1 year to 3 years 70,006 5.78 63,837
Over 3 years 18,741 5.99 19,740
--------- --------
$ 295,303 5.34% $290,657
========= ========
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BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
7. FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK ADVANCES
A summary of outstanding advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, by maturity, is as follows at December 31, 1999 and 1998:
1999 1998
---------- --------
Maturity (In thousands)
--------
Within 1 year $ 26,352 $ 3,403
Over 1 to 2 years 2,310 2,253
Over 2 to 3 years 2,156 69
Over 3 to 5 years 1,482 5,153
Over 5 years 26,628 18,712
---------- ----------
$ 58,928 $ 29,590
========== ==========
|
Interest rates on the above advances range from 4.18% to 6.50% as of both December 31, 1999 and December 31, 1998.
The Bank maintains a line-of-credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston which carries interest at a rate that adjusts daily. Borrowings under the line are limited to 2% of the Bank's total assets. All borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston are secured by a blanket lien on certain qualified collateral, defined principally as 75% of the carrying value of certain first mortgage loans on owner-occupied residential property and 90% of the market value of U.S. Government and federal agency obligations owned by the Bank.
8. SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase ("repurchase agreements") are funds borrowed from customers on an overnight basis that are secured by the Bank's investment portfolio.
A summary of repurchase agreements is as follows at December 31, 1999 and 1998:
1999 1998
--------- ---------
(Dollars in thousands)
Repurchase agreements with customers $ 1,120 $ 7,000
========= =========
Interest rate 5.20% 4.75%
========= =========
Fair value of securities underlying the
agreements $ 1,930 $ 8,199
========= =========
|
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE (concluded)
The Bank also has a repurchase agreement line of credit with the Depositors Insurance Fund of up to $2,000,000 to be secured by securities or other assets of the Bank. As of December 31, 1999 and 1998, there were no outstanding borrowings against this agreement.
9. INCOME TAXES
Allocation of federal and state income taxes between current and deferred portions is as follows for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997:
1999 1998 1997
------- -------- ----------
(In thousands)
Current tax provision: $ 2,230 $ 2,842 $ 791
Federal (487) - -
Federal tax credit 571 776 581
State -------- --------- ----------
2,314 3,618 1,372
-------- --------- ----------
Deferred tax provision (benefit): (75) (727) 355
Federal 104 171 (35)
State -------- --------- ----------
29 (556) 320
-------- --------- ----------
Change in valuation reserve (348) (294) -
-------- --------- ----------
$ 1,995 $ 2,768 $ 1,692
======== ========= ==========
|
The reasons for the differences between the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective tax rate is summarized as follows for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997:
1999 1998 1997
----------- --------- ---------
Statutory tax rate 34.0% 34.0% 34.0%
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit 5.2 6.8 8.6
Dividends received deduction (2.9) (3.4) (4.7)
Non-taxable appreciation of securities donated (3.6) (2.2) (2.9)
Rehabilitation tax credit (6.4) - -
Other, net (0.1) 3.3 5.3
----------- --------- ---------
Effective tax rate 26.2% 38.5% 40.3%
=========== ========= =========
|
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
INCOME TAXES (continued)
The components of the net deferred tax liability are as follows at December 31, 1999 and 1998:
1999 1998
--------- --------
(In thousands)
Deferred tax liability:
Federal $ 10,246 $ 11,049
State 704 807
--------- ---------
10,950 11,856
--------- ---------
Deferred tax asset:
Federal (3,975) (3,895)
State (1,304) (1,459)
--------- ---------
(5,279) (5,354)
Valuation reserve 402 750
--------- ---------
(4,877) (4,604)
--------- ---------
Net deferred tax liability $ 6,073 $ 7,252
========= =========
|
The tax effects of each type of income and expense item that give rise to deferred taxes are as follows at December 31, 1999 and 1998:
1999 1998
--------- ---------
(In thousands)
Investments:
Net unrealized gain on securities
available for sale $ 9,410 $ 10,270
Other 546 332
Depreciation 308 136
Allowance for loan losses (3,032) (2,447)
Employee benefit plans (1,380) (1,339)
Charitable contribution carryover (196) (468)
Other 15 18
--------- ----------
5,671 6,502
Valuation reserve 402 750
--------- ----------
Net deferred tax liability $ 6,073 $ 7,252
========= ==========
|
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
INCOME TAXES (concluded)
A summary of the change in the net deferred tax liability is as follows for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997:
1999 1998 1997
--------- --------- ---------
(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of year $ 7,252 $ 5,711 $ 3,226
Deferred tax benefit 29 (556) 320
Deferred tax effects of net unrealized gains
on securities available for sale (860) 2,391 2,165
Utilization of valuation reserve (348) (294) -
--------- --------- ---------
Balance at end of year $ 6,073 $ 7,252 $ 5,711
========= ========= =========
|
A summary of the change in the valuation reserve application to the deferred tax assets is as follows for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997:
1999 1998 1997
--------- --------- ---------
(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of year $ 750 $ 1,044 $ 418
Benefits utilized by current year operations (348) (497) -
Increase in charitable contribution carryover - - 626
Change in future income assumptions - 203 -
------------ --------- ---------
Balance at end of year $ 402 $ 750 $ 1,044
============ ========= =========
|
The valuation reserve relates to a state net operating loss carryforward and a charitable contribution carryover. The net operating loss carryforward has been used in full at December 31, 1999. The charitable contribution carryover remains and expires in 2002.
The federal income tax reserve for loan losses at the Bank's base year is approximately $844,000. If any portion of the reserve is used for purposes other than to absorb the losses for which established, approximately 150% of the amount actually used (limited to the amount of the reserve) would be subject to taxation in the fiscal year in which used. As the Bank intends to use the reserve only to absorb loan losses, a deferred income tax liability of approximately $346,000 has not been provided.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In the normal course of business, there are outstanding commitments and contingencies which are not reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Loan commitments
The Corporation 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 include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
The Corporation's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument is represented by the contractual amount of these commitments. The Corporation uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments. A summary of financial instruments outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk is as follows at December 31, 1999 and 1998:
1999 1998
-------------- --------------
(In thousands)
Commitments to grant loans $ 25,153 $ 26,244
Unused funds on commercial lines-of-credit 49,103 43,668
Unadvanced funds on home equity and reddi-cash
lines of credit 36,429 35,070
Unadvanced funds on construction loans 4,732 5,826
Standby letters of credit 2,026 1,721
|
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. The commitments for lines of credit may expire without being drawn upon. Therefore, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Corporation evaluates each customer's credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. Funds disbursed for loans and home equity lines of credit are collateralized by real estate. Commercial lines of credit are generally secured by business assets and securities. Reddi-cash lines of credit are unsecured.
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. These letters of credit are primarily issued to support borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (concluded)
Operating lease commitments
Pursuant to the terms of noncancelable lease agreements in effect at December 31, 1999, pertaining to banking premises and equipment, future minimum rent commitments are as follows:
Years Ending
December 31, (In thousands)
-----------------
2000 $ 461
2001 416
2002 399
2003 392
2004 392
Thereafter 1,467
-------
$ 3,527
=======
|
The leases contain options to extend for periods from ten to thirty years. The cost of such rentals is not included above. Total rent expense for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 amounted to $448,000, $244,000 and $143,000, respectively.
Employment agreements
The Corporation has entered into employment agreements with certain senior executives that generally provide for a specified minimum annual compensation and the continuation of benefits currently received. The original terms of the agreements are for three years and automatically extend unless either party gives notice to the contrary. However, such agreements may be terminated for cause, as defined, without incurring any continuing obligations.
Other contingencies
Various legal claims also arise from time to time in the normal course of business which, in the opinion of management, will have no material effect on the Corporation's consolidated financial statements.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
11. MINIMUM REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
The Corporation (on a consolidated basis) and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Corporation's and the Bank's consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Corporation and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Corporation and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the following table) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes, as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, that the Corporation and the Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
MINIMUM REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS (continued)
As of December 31, 1999, the most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, an institution must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the following tables. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank's category. The Corporation's and Bank's actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 are also presented in the table.
December 31, 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum
To Be Well
Minimum Capitalized Under
Capital Prompt Corrective
Actual Requirement Action Provisions
---------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------
Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
------------- ----------- --------------- --------- ------------ -----------
(Dollars in Thousands)
Total capital to risk
weighted assets:
Corporation $ 84,652 12.90% $ 52,516 8.0% N/A N/A
Berkshire Bank 84,554 12.88 52,516 8.0 $ 64,645 10.0%
Tier 1 capital to risk
weighted assets:
Corporation 63,870 9.73 26,258 4.0 N/A N/A
Berkshire Bank 63,773 9.71 26,258 4.0 39,387 6.0
Tier 1 capital to average
assets:
Corporation 63,870 7.91 32,309 4.0 N/A N/A
Berkshire Bank 63,773 7.90 32,305 4.0 40,381 5.0
|
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
MINIMUM REGULATORY CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS (concluded)
December 31, 1998
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum
To Be Well
Minimum Capitalized Under
Capital Prompt Corrective
Actual Requirement Action Provisions
---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
------------- ------------ ---------------- ---------- ------------- -----------
(Dollars in Thousands)
Total capital to risk
weighted assets:
Corporation $ 78,449 13.04% $ 48,140 8.0% N/A N/A
Berkshire Bank 78,347 13.02 48,140 8.0 $ 60,175 10.0%
Tier 1 capital to risk
weighted assets:
Corporation 57,698 9.59 24,070 4.0 N/A N/A
Berkshire Bank 57,596 9.57 24,070 4.0 36,105 6.0
Tier 1 capital to average
assets:
Corporation 57,698 7.79 29,610 4.0 N/A N/A
Berkshire Bank 57,596 7.78 29,606 4.0 37,007 5.0
|
12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Defined benefit pension plan
The Corporation provides pension benefits for eligible employees through a defined benefit pension plan. Each employee reaching the age of 21 and having completed at least 1,000 hours of service in a twelve-month period, beginning with such employee's date of employment, automatically becomes a participant in the pension plan. Participants become fully vested when credited with three years of service.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (continued)
Defined benefit pension plan (continued)
Information pertaining to the activity in the plan is as follows:
Plan Years Ended October 31,
----------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
------------- ------------- ------------
(In thousands)
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 9,151 $ 7,897 $ 6,825
Actual return on plan assets 1,753 654 1,201
Employer contribution 348 916 493
Benefits paid (205) (316) (622)
------------- ------------- ------------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year 11,047 9,151 7,897
------------- ------------- ------------
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year 9,518 9,807 8,576
Service cost 519 611 560
Interest cost 642 711 643
Actuarial loss (gain) (982) (1,295) 650
Benefits paid (205) (316) (622)
------------- ------------- ------------
Benefit obligation at end of year 9,492 9,518 9,807
------------- ------------- ------------
Funded status 1,555 (367) (1,910)
Unrecognized net actuarial gain (4,286) (2,386) (1,116)
Unrecognized prior service cost 183 194 205
------------- ------------- ------------
Accrued pension cost $ (2,548) $ (2,559) $ $(2,821)
============= ============= ============
|
The components of net periodic pension cost are as follows for the plan year ended October 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997:
1999 1998 1997
------ ------ ------
(In thousands)
Service cost $ 519 $ 611 $ 560
Interest cost 642 711 643
Expected return on plan assets (732) (631) (545)
Amortization of prior service cost 11 11 11
Recognized net actuarial gain (104) (48) (52)
------ ------ ------
$ 336 $ 654 $ 617
====== ====== ======
|
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (continued)
Defined benefit pension plan (concluded)
Actuarial assumptions used in accounting were:
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
Discount rate on benefit obligations 6.75% 7.25% 7.50%
Rates of increase in compensation levels 4.50 5.00 5.00
Expected long-term rates of return on plan assets 8.00 8.00 8.00
|
Defined contribution pension plan
The Corporation has a qualified savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Each employee reaching the age of 21 and having completed at least 1,000 hours of service in a twelve-month period, beginning with such employee's date of employment, automatically becomes a participant in the 401(k) Plan. Employees may contribute up to 15% of their compensation subject to certain limits based on federal tax laws. The Corporation may choose to make matching contributions equal to 100% of the first 3% of an employee's compensation contributed to the 401(k) Plan. The Corporation made matching contributions which amounted to $209,000, $201,000 and $141,000, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997.
Supplemental employee retirement plan
The Corporation has nonqualified supplemental employee retirement plans for the benefit of certain senior executives. Benefits generally commence no earlier than age sixty and continue for the life of the senior executive. As of December 31, 1999 and 1998, the Corporation has an accrued expense payable in the amount of $817,000 and $665,000, respectively, representing the present value of future payments under the supplemental retirement plans. In some instances, the Corporation has entered into split-dollar life insurance agreements with senior executives to provide supplemental retirement benefits.
Incentive plan
The Corporation adopted an incentive plan ("the Plan") whereby all management and staff members are eligible to receive a bonus, tied to performance, of up to 10% of net operating income accrued for on a monthly basis. The structure of the Plan is to be reviewed on an annual basis by the Executive Committee. The Plan year end is October 31. Incentive compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 amounted to $1,132,000, $1,007,000 and $411,000, respectively.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (concluded)
Other benefits
The Corporation has in the past offered its retirees optional medical insurance coverage. All participating retirees are required to contribute in part to the cost of this coverage. The retiree medical plan was terminated on December 31, 1996. Any retiree participating in the plan at that time will continue to be covered for life, however, no new retirees can participate in this plan. At December 31, 1999 and 1998, the Corporation had an accrued liability in the amount of $626,000 and $663,000, respectively, for payment of future premiums under this plan.
13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the ordinary course of business, the Bank has granted loans to trustees and officers and their affiliates. Such loans which aggregate more than $60,000 on an individual basis, amounted to $3,909,000 and $3,956,000 at December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
14. BRANCH ACQUISITION
On May 1, 1998, the Bank entered into an agreement with another financial institution in Berkshire County to acquire three branch offices including loans receivable and deposit liabilities.
The Bank paid $7,463,000 as a premium in assuming the deposit liabilities and acquiring the assets, and received $44,843,000 in cash from the other financial institution. The premium paid is recorded as goodwill and is being amortized over a 15 year period. The cost of the assets acquired and value of liabilities assumed as of August 21, 1998 (the closing date) were as follows:
(In thousands)
Assets
------
Cash $ 44,843
Loans, net 16,833
Goodwill 7,463
Accrued interest receivable and other assets 643
--------
Total $ 69,782
========
Liabilities
-----------
Deposits $ 69,682
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 100
--------
Total $ 69,782
========
|
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
15. RESTRICTIONS ON DIVIDENDS, LOANS AND ADVANCES
Federal and state banking regulations place certain restrictions on dividends paid and loans or advances made by the Bank to the Corporation. The total amount of dividends which may be paid at any date is generally limited to the retained earnings of the Bank, and loans or advances are limited to 10% of the Bank's capital stock and surplus on a secured basis.
At December 31, 1999 and 1998, the Bank's retained earnings available for the payment of dividends was $47,393,000 and $41,765,000, respectively, and funds available for loans or advances amounted to $2,319,000 for both years.
In addition, dividends paid by the Bank to the Corporation would be prohibited if the effect thereof would cause the Bank's capital to be reduced below applicable minimum regulatory capital requirements.
16. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments," requires disclosure of estimated fair values of all financial instruments where it is practicable to estimate such values. 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 significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument. SFAS No. 107 excludes certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Corporation.
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Corporation in estimating fair value disclosures for financial instruments:
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (concluded)
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Corporation's financial instruments are as follows at December 31, 1999 and 1998:
1999 1998
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
Amount Value Amount Value
-------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
(In thousands)
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 24,642 $ 24,642 $ 26,675 $ 26,675
Securities available for sale 93,084 93,084 93,774 93,774
Securities held to maturity 17,014 16,922 23,780 23,756
Federal Home Loan Bank stock 3,843 3,843 2,547 2,547
Loans, net 665,554 644,276 599,171 611,297
Accrued interest receivable 4,910 4,910 4,458 4,458
Savings Bank Life Insurance stock 2,043 2,043 2,043 2,043
Financial liabilities:
Deposits 679,985 678,650 646,500 648,995
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 58,928 58,439 29,590 29,664
Securities sold under agreements
to repurchase 1,120 1,120 7,000 7,000
Mortgagors' escrow accounts 782 782 622 622
|
17. CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARENT COMPANY
Financial information pertaining only to Berkshire Bancorp is as follows:
December 31,
--------------------------------
1999 1998
-------------- --------------
(In thousands)
Assets
------
Cash and due from banks $ 16 $ 1
Securities available for sale, at fair value 80 100
Investment in Bank subsidiary 88,255 84,099
Other assets 1 2
-------------- --------------
Total assets $ 88,352 $ 84,202
============== ==============
Liabilities and Retained Earnings
---------------------------------
Accrued expenses $ - $ 1
Retained earnings 88,352 84,201
-------------- --------------
Total liabilities and retained earnings $ 88,352 $ 84,202
============== ==============
|
BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PARENT COMPANY (concluded)
Years Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
------------- -------------- -------------
(In thousands)
Income:
Interest on securities available for sale $ 3 $ 5 $ 5
------------- -------------- -------------
Operating expenses 9 11 -
------------- -------------- -------------
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in
undistributed income of Berkshire Bank (6) (6) 5
Applicable income tax provision (benefit) (1) (1) 2
------------- -------------- -------------
(5) (5) 3
Equity in undistributed income of Berkshire Bank 5,628 4,429 2,500
------------- -------------- -------------
Net income $ 5,623 $ 4,424 $ 2,503
============= ============== =============
|
Years Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
------------- -------------- -------------
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 5,623 $ 4,424 $ 2,503
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash used by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed income of Berkshire Bank (5,628) (4,429) (2,500)
Other - (2) 2
------------- -------------- -------------
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities (5) (7) 5
------------- -------------- -------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Maturities of securities available for sale 100 - -
Purchases of securities available for sale (80) - -
------------- -------------- -------------
Net cash provided by investing activities 20 - -
------------- -------------- -------------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 15 (7) 5
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 1 8 3
------------- -------------- -------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 16 $ 1 $ 8
============= ============== =============
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BERKSHIRE BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Concluded)
18. PLAN OF CONVERSION (UNAUDITED)
On October 22, 1999, the Board of Trustees of the Corporation approved a Plan of Conversion for Berkshire Bancorp (the "Plan"). The Plan provides for the conversion of the Corporation from mutual to stock form. The Plan is subject to the approval of the Corporation's corporators and various regulatory agencies.
As part of the Conversion, the Corporation will establish a liquidation account for the benefit of eligible and supplemental eligible account holders. The liquidation account will be reduced annually to the extent that such account holders have reduced their qualifying deposits as of each anniversary date.
Subsequent increases will not restore an account holder's interest in the liquidation account. In the event of a complete liquidation, each eligible and supplemental eligible account holder will be entitled to receive balances for accounts then held. Subsequent to the Conversion, the Corporation and the Bank may not declare or pay dividends on and the Corporation may not repurchase any of its shares of common stock if the effect thereof would cause stockholders' equity to be reduced below applicable regulatory capital maintenance requirements or if such declaration, payment or repurchase would otherwise violate regulatory requirements.
Conversion costs will be deferred and deducted from the proceeds of the shares sold. If the Conversion is not completed, all costs will be expensed. As of December 31, 1999, approximately $150,000 in offering costs have been deferred and is included in other assets.
19. SUBSEQUENT EVENT (UNAUDITED)
The Bank intends to expand the offering of insurance products to its customers through the establishment of an insurance agency. On February 24, 2000, Berkshire Bank entered into a Management and Service Agreement with third party vendors for consulting and management services with respect to insurance services. The agreement has an initial term of four years with a management fee in the amount of $325,000 and servicing fees based upon a percentage of gross commissions/revenue.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. Neither Berkshire Hills nor Berkshire Bank has authorized anyone to provide you with different information. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities offered by this prospectus to any person or in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making an offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation in those jurisdictions. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale hereunder shall under any circumstances imply that there has been no change in the affairs of Berkshire Hills or Berkshire Bank since any of the dates as of which information is furnished in this prospectus or since the date of this prospectus.
[Logo for Berkshire Hills]
(Proposed Holding Company for Berkshire Bank)
8,314,500 Shares of Common Stock
Prospectus
Sandler O'Neill & Partners, LP
________, 2000
DEALER PROSPECTUS DELIVERY OBLIGATION
Until ___________, 2000, all dealers that buy, sell or trade these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers' obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
SEC filing(1)................................................... $ 27,263
OTS filing fee.................................................. 2,000
Massachusetts filing fee........................................ 5,000
NASD filing fee(1).............................................. 10,827
Stock market listing fee(1)..................................... 42,500
Printing, postage and mailing................................... 500,000
Legal fees and expenses (including underwriter's
counsel).................................................... 500,000
Accounting fees and expenses.................................... 150,000
Appraisers' fees and expenses (including
business plan).............................................. 50,000
Marketing fees and selling commissions(1)....................... 1,279,000
Underwriter's expenses (excluding counsel's fees)............... 100,000
Conversion agent fees and expenses.............................. 45,000
Transfer agent fees and expenses................................ 20,000
Certificate printing............................................ 10,000
Telephone, temporary help and other equipment................... 25,000
Edgarization expenses........................................... 25,000
Miscellaneous................................................... 37,410
----------
TOTAL........................................................... $2,829,000
==========
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Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
In accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (being Chapter 1 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code), Articles 10 and 11 of the registrant's Certificate of Incorporation provide as follows:
TENTH:
A. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a Director or an Officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a Director, Officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an "indemnitee"), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a Director, Officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a Director, Officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section C hereof with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof)
initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
B. The right to indemnification conferred in Section A of this Article TENTH
shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in
defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter
an "advancement of expenses"); provided, however, that, if the Delaware General
Corporation Law requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee
in his or her capacity as a Director or Officer (and not in any other capacity
in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without
limitation, services to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon
delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an "undertaking"), by
or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall
ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no
further right to appeal (hereinafter a "final adjudication") that such
indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this
Section or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of
expenses conferred in Sections A and B of this Article TENTH shall be contract
rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a
Director, Officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the
indemnitee's heirs, executors and administrators.
C. If a claim under Section A or B of this Article TENTH is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be twenty days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expenses of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (i) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) in any suit by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article TENTH or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.
D. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article TENTH shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise.
E. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any Director, Officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or subsidiary or Affiliate or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law.
F. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article TENTH with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of Directors and Officers of the Corporation.
ELEVENTH:
A Director of this Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except for liability: (i) for any breach of the Director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or (iv) for any transaction from which the Director derived an improper personal benefit. If the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of Directors, then the liability of a Director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as so amended.
Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
The exhibits and financial statement schedules filed as a part of this registration statement are as follows:
(a) List of Exhibits (filed herewith unless otherwise noted)
1.1 Engagement Letters between Berkshire Bancorp, Berkshire Bank and Sandler
O'Neill & Partners, L.P.
1.2 Form of Agency Agreement between Berkshire Bank and Sandler O'Neill &
Partners, L.P.*
2.1 Plan of Conversion (including the Amended and Restated Articles of
Organization and Stock Bylaws of Berkshire Bank)
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
3.2 Bylaws of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
3.3 Amended and Restated Articles of Organization and Stock Bylaws of
Berkshire Bank (See Exhibit 2.1 hereto)
4.0 Draft Stock Certificate of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
5.0 Draft Opinion of Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP re: legality
8.0 Draft Opinion of Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP re: Federal Tax Matters
8.1 Draft Opinion of Wolf & Company, P.C. re: State Tax Matters
10.1 Draft ESOP Loan Commitment Letter and ESOP Loan Documents
10.2 Form of Employment Agreement between Berkshire Bank and certain executive
officers
10.3 Form of Employment Agreement between Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and
certain executive officers
10.4 Form of Berkshire Bank Employee Severance Compensation Plan
10.5 Form of Berkshire Bank Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
10.6 Form of Change in Control Agreement between Berkshire Bank and certain
executive officers
23.1 Consent of Wolf & Company, P.C.
23.2 Consent of Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP
23.3 Consent and Subscription Rights Opinion of FinPro, Inc.
24.1 Powers of Attorney
27.0 Financial Data Schedule
99.1 Appraisal Report of FinPro, Inc. (P)
99.2 Draft of Berkshire Hills Foundation Gift Instrument
---------------------
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*To be filed by amendment
(P) Filed pursuant to Rule 202 of Regulation S-T.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules have been omitted as not applicable or not required under the rules of Regulation S-X.
Item 17. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
CONFORMED
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Pittsfield, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on March 10, 2000.
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
By: /s/ James A. Cunningham, Jr.
----------------------------------------------
James A. Cunningham, Jr.
President, Chief Executive
Officer and Director
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name Title Date
---- ----- ----
/s/ James A. Cunningham, Jr. President, Chief Executive Officer March 10, 2000
---------------------------- and Director
James A. Cunningham, Jr. (principal executive officer)
/s/ Charles F. Plungis, Jr. Senior Vice President, Treasurer March 10, 2000
---------------------------- and Chief Financial Officer
Charles F. Plungis, Jr. (principal accounting
and financial officer)
/s/ Robert A. Wells Chairman of the Board March 10, 2000
----------------------------
Robert A. Wells
/s/ Thomas O. Andrews Director March 10, 2000
----------------------------
Thomas O. Andrews
/s/ Thomas R. Dawson Director March 10, 2000
----------------------------
Thomas R. Dawson
/s/ Henry D. Granger Director March 10, 2000
----------------------------
Henry D. Granger
/s/ A. Allen Gray Director March 10, 2000
----------------------------
A. Allen Gray
/s/ John Kittredge Director March 10, 2000
----------------------------
John Kittredge
/s/ Peter J. Lafayette Director March 10, 2000
----------------------------
Peter J. Lafayette
|
/s/ Edward G. McCormick Director March 10, 2000 ---------------------------- Edward G. McCormick /s/ Catherine B. Miller Director March 10, 2000 ---------------------------- Catherine B. Miller /s/ Michael G. Miller Director March 10, 2000 ---------------------------- Michael G. Miller /s/ Raymond B. Murray, III Director March 10, 2000 ---------------------------- Raymond B. Murray, III /s/ Louis J. Oggiani Director March 10, 2000 ---------------------------- Louis J. Oggiani /s/ Robert S. Raser Director March 10, 2000 ---------------------------- Robert S. Raser /s/ Corydon L. Thurston Director March 10, 2000 ---------------------------- Corydon L. Thurston /s/ Ann H. Trabulsi Director March 10, 2000 ------------------------------- Ann H. Trabulsi /s/ William E. Williams Director March 10, 2000 ------------------------------- William E. Williams /s/ Anne Everest Wojtkowski Director March 10, 2000 ------------------------------ Anne Everest Wojtkowski |
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
EXHIBITS
TO THE
FORM S-1
Registration Statement
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Exhibits (filed herewith unless otherwise noted)
1.1 Engagement Letters between Berkshire Bancorp, Berkshire Bank and Sandler
O'Neill & Partners, L.P.
1.2 Form of Agency Agreement between Berkshire Bank and Sandler O'Neill &
Partners, L.P.*
2.1 Plan of Conversion (including the Amended and Restated Articles of
Organization and Stock Bylaws of Berkshire Bank)
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
3.2 Bylaws of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
3.3 Amended and Restated Articles of Organization and Stock Bylaws of
Berkshire Bank (See Exhibit 2.1 hereto)
4.0 Draft Stock Certificate of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
5.0 Draft Opinion of Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP re: legality
8.0 Draft Opinion of Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP re: Federal Tax Matters
8.1 Draft Opinion of Wolf & Company, P.C. re: State Tax Matters
10.1 Draft ESOP Loan Commitment Letter and ESOP Loan Documents
10.2 Form of Employment Agreement between Berkshire Bank and certain executive
officers
10.3 Form of Employment Agreement between Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and
certain executive officers
10.4 Form of Berkshire Bank Employee Severance Compensation Plan
10.5 Form of Berkshire Bank Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
10.6 Form of Change in Control Agreement between Berkshire Bank and certain
executive officers
23.1 Consent of Wolf & Company, P.C.
23.2 Consent of Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP
23.3 Consent and Subscription Rights Opinion of FinPro, Inc.
24.1 Powers of Attorney
27.0 Financial Data Schedule
99.1 Appraisal Report of FinPro, Inc. (P)
99.2 Draft of Berkshire Hills Foundation Gift Instrument
_________________
|
*To be filed by amendment
(P) Filed pursuant to Rule 202 of Regulation S-T.
Exhibit 1.1
[LOGO OF SANDLER O'NEILL APPEARS HERE]
October 26, 1999
Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Berkshire Bank
24 North Street
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201
Dear Mr. Cunningham:
Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. ("Sandler O'Neill") is pleased to act as conversion agent to Berkshire Bank (the "Bank") in connection with the proposed reorganization of the Bank and its parent company, Berkshire Bancorp, Inc., M.H.C., from the mutual holding company form to stock holding company form (the "Conversion"). This letter is to confirm the terms and conditions of our engagement.
In our role as Conversion Agent, we anticipate that our services will include the services outlined below, each as may be necessary and as the Bank may reasonably request:
I. Consolidation of Accounts and Development of a Central File
II. Preparation of Order and/or Request Forms
III. Organization and Supervision of the Conversion Center
IV. Subscription Services
Each of these services is further described in Appendix A to this agreement.
Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
October 26, 1999
For its services hereunder, the Bank agrees to pay Sandler O'Neill a fee of $45,000. This fee is based upon a total number of unconsolidated accounts of approximately 80,000. No change in fees will occur as long as the variance in the number of accounts does not exceed 5%. In the event the actual number of accounts exceeds the number specified above by more than 5%, the fee will be proportionately increased.
The fee set forth above is based upon the requirements of current regulations and the Plan of Conversion as currently contemplated. Any unusual or additional items or duplication of service required as a result of a material change in the regulations or the Plan of Conversion or a material delay or other similar events may result in extra charges which will be covered in a separate agreement if and when they occur.
All fees under this agreement shall be payable in cash, as follows: (a) $10,000 payable upon execution of this agreement by the Bank, which shall be non-refundable; and (b) the balance upon the completion of the Conversion.
In addition, all taxes however designated, arising from or based upon this agreement or the payments made to Sandler O'Neill pursuant hereto, including, but not limited to, any applicable sales, use, excise and similar taxes, shall be paid by the Bank as the same become due, and the Bank shall, upon request by Sandler O'Neill, pay the same either to Sandler O'Neill or to the appropriate taxing authority at any time during, or after the termination of, this Agreement; provided, however, that the Bank shall not be responsible for the payment of any state, federal, or local franchise or income taxes based upon the net income of Sandler O'Neill.
Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
October 26, 1999
The Bank will provide Sandler O'Neill with such information as Sandler O'Neill may reasonably require to carry out its duties. The Bank recognizes and confirms that Sandler O'Neill (a) will use and rely on such information in performing the services contemplated by this agreement without having independently verified the same, and (b) does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information. The Bank will also inform Sandler O'Neill within a reasonable period of time of any changes in the Plan which require changes in Sandler O'Neill's services. If a substantial expense results from any such change, the parties shall negotiate an equitable adjustment in the fee.
Sandler O'Neill, as Conversion Agent hereunder, (a) shall have no duties or
obligations other than those specifically set forth herein; (b) will be regarded
as making no representations and having no responsibilities as to the validity,
sufficiency, value or genuineness of any order form or any stock certificates or
the shares represented thereby, and will not be required to and will make no
representations as to the validity, value or genuineness of the offer; (c) shall
not be liable to any person, firm or corporation including the Bank by reason of
any error of judgment or for any act done by it in good faith, or for any
mistake of law or fact in connection with this agreement and the performance
hereof unless caused by or arising out of its own bad faith or gross negligence;
(d) will not be obliged to take any legal action hereunder which might in its
judgment involve any expense or liability, unless it shall have been furnished
with reasonable indemnity satisfactory to it; and (e) may rely on and shall be
protected in acting in reliance upon any certificate, instrument, opinion,
notice, letter, telex, telegram, or other document or security delivered to it
and in good faith believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed by the
proper party or parties.
The Bank agrees to indemnify and hold Sandler O'Neill and its affiliates and their respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons (Sandler O'Neill and each such person being an "Indemnified Party") harmless from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities, joint or several, to which such Indemnified Party may become subject under applicable federal or state law, or otherwise, related to or arising out of the engagement of Sandler O'Neill pursuant to, and the performance by Sandler O'Neill of the services contemplated by this
Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
October 26, 1999
letter, and will reimburse any Indemnified Party for all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) as they are incurred, including expenses incurred in connection with the investigation of, preparation for or defense of any pending or threatened claim or any action or proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party. The Bank will not be liable under the foregoing indemnification provision to the extent that any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense is found in a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from Sandler O'Neill's bad faith or gross negligence.
The following addresses shall be sufficient for written notices to each other:
If to you: Berkshire Bank
24 North Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Attention: Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
If to us: Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P.
747 Middle Neck Road
Great Neck, New York 11024
|
Attention: Mr. Mark B. Cohen
The Agreement and appendix hereto constitute the entire Agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and can be altered only by written consent signed by the parties. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of New York.
Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
October 26, 1999
Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth our agreement by signing and returning to Sandler O'Neill the duplicate copy of this letter enclosed herewith.
Very truly yours,
Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P.
By: Sandler O'Neill & Partners Corp.,
the sole general partner
By: /s/ Mark B. Cohen
________________________________
Mark B. Cohen
Vice President
|
Accepted and agreed to as of
the date first above written:
Berkshire Bank
By: /s/ James A. Cunningham, Jr.
____________________________________
Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
cc: Lawrence M. F. Spaccasi, Esq.
Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette, L.L.P.
I. Consolidation of Accounts
1. Consolidate files in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
2. Accounts from various files are all linked together. The resulting
central file can then be maintained on a regular basis.
3. Our EDP format will be provided to your data processing people.
II. Proxy/Order Form/Request Card Preparation
1. Subscription Rights calculation.
2. Any combination of request cards and stock order forms for ordering
stock.
3. Target group identification for subscription offering.
III. Organization and Supervision of Conversion Center
1. Advising on and supervising the physical organization of the Conversion
Center, including materials requirements.
2. Assist in the training of all Bank personnel who will be staffing the
conversion center.
3. Establish reporting procedures.
4. On-site supervision of the Conversion Center during the
solicitation/offering period.
IV. Subscription Services
1. Produce list of depositors by state (Blue Sky report).
2. Production of subscription rights and research books.
3. Stock order form processing.
4. Acknowledgment letter to confirm receipt of stock order.
5. Daily reports and analysis.
6. Proration calculation and share allocation in the event of an
oversubscription.
7. Produce charter shareholder list.
8. Interface with Transfer Agent for Stock Certificate issuance.
9. Refund and interest calculations.
10.Confirmation letter to confirm purchase of stock.
11.Notification of full/partial rejection of orders.
12.Production of 1099/Debit tape.
[LOGO OF SANDLER O'NEILL APPEARS HERE]
October 26, 1999
Berkshire Bancorp, Inc.
24 North Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Berkshire Bank
24 North Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Attention: Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
-------------------------------------
|
Dear Mr. Cunningham:
Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. ("Sandler O'Neill") is pleased to act as an independent financial advisor to Berkshire Bancorp, Inc., M.H.C. (the "Company") and its subsidiary, Berkshire Bank (the "Bank"), in connection with the Company's proposed reorganization from mutual holding company form to stock form (the "Conversion"), including the offer and sale of certain shares of the common stock of the proposed new stock holding company for the Bank (the "Holding Company") to the Bank's eligible account holders in a Subscription Offering, to members of the Bank's community in a Direct Community Offering and, under certain circumstances, to the general public in a Syndicated Community Offering (collectively, the "Offerings"). For purposes of this letter, the term "Actual Purchase Price" shall mean the price at which the shares of the Holding Company's common stock are sold in the Conversion. This letter is to confirm the terms and conditions of our engagement.
Sandler O'Neill will act as a consultant and advisor to the Company, the Bank and the Holding Company and will work with the Bank's management, counsel, accountants and other advisors in connection with the Conversion and the Offerings. We anticipate that our services will include the following, each as may be necessary and as the Bank may reasonably request:
1. Consulting as to the securities marketing implications of any aspect of the Plan of Conversion or related corporate documents;
2. Reviewing with the Board of Directors the independent appraiser's appraisal of the common stock, particularly with regard to aspects of the appraisal involving the methodology employed;
Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
October 26, 1999
3. Reviewing all offering documents, including the Prospectus, stock order forms and related offering materials (it being understood that preparation and filing of such documents will be the responsibility of the Company, the Bank and the Holding Company and their counsel);
4. Assisting in the design and implementation of a marketing strategy for the Offerings;
5. Assisting in obtaining all requisite regulatory approvals;
6. Assisting Bank management in scheduling and preparing for meetings with potential investors and broker-dealers; and
7. Providing such other general advice and assistance as may be requested to promote the successful completion of the Conversion.
If any shares of the Holding Company's common stock remain available after the expiration of the Subscription Offering and the Direct Community Offering, at the request of the Bank and subject to the continued satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the second paragraph under the caption "Definitive Agreement" below, Sandler O'Neill will seek to form a syndicate of registered dealers to assist in the sale of such common stock in a Syndicated Community Offering on a best efforts basis, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in a selected dealers agreement. Sandler O'Neill will endeavor to limit the aggregate fees to be paid by the Bank under any such selected dealers agreement to an amount competitive with gross underwriting discounts charged at such time for underwritings of comparable amounts of stock sold at a comparable price per share in a similar market environment, which shall not exceed 6% of the aggregate Actual Purchase Price of the shares sold under such agreements. Sandler O'Neill will endeavor to distribute the common stock among dealers in a fashion which best meets the distribution objectives of the Bank and the requirements of the Plan of Conversion, which may result in limiting the allocation of stock to certain selected dealers. It is understood that in no event shall Sandler O'Neill be obligated to act as a selected dealer or to take or purchase any shares of the Holding Company's common stock.
If the Conversion is consummated, the Bank agrees to pay Sandler O'Neill for its services hereunder the fees set forth below:
Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
October 26, 1999
1. a fee of one and one-half percent (1.50%) of the aggregate Actual
Purchase Price of the shares of common stock sold in the Subscription
Offering, excluding in each case shares purchased by (i) any employee
benefit plan of the Holding Company or the Bank established for the
benefit of their respective directors, officers and employees, and
(ii) any Charitable Foundation formed by the Bank or the Holding
Company, and (iii) any director, officer or employee of the Holding
Company or the Bank or members of their immediate families; and
2. with respect to any shares of the Holding Company's common stock sold by an NASD member firm under any selected dealers agreement in the Syndicated Community Offering, (a) the sales commission payable to the selected dealer under such agreement, (b) any sponsoring dealer's fees, and (c) a management fee to Sandler O'Neill of one and one-half percent (1.50%).
If (i) Sandler O'Neill's engagement hereunder is terminated for any of the reasons provided for under the second paragraph of the section of this letter captioned "Definitive Agreement," or (ii) the Conversion is terminated by the Bank, no fees shall be payable by the Bank to Sandler O'Neill hereunder; however, the Bank shall reimburse Sandler O'Neill for its reasonable out-of- pocket expenses incurred in connection with its engagement hereunder.
All fees payable to Sandler O'Neill hereunder shall be payable in cash at the time of the closing of the Conversion. In recognition of the long lead times involved in the conversion process, the Bank agrees to make advance payments to Sandler O'Neill in the aggregate amount of $50,000, $25,000 of which shall be payable upon execution of this letter and the remaining $25,000 of which shall be payable upon commencement of the Subscription Offering, which shall be credited against any fees or reimbursement of expenses payable hereunder.
In addition to any fees that may be payable to Sandler O'Neill hereunder and the expenses to be borne by the Bank pursuant to the following paragraph, the Bank agrees to reimburse Sandler O'Neill, upon request made from time to time, for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with its engagement hereunder, regardless of whether the Conversion is consummated, including, without limitation, legal fees, advertising, promotional, syndication, and travel expenses, up to an aggregate maximum amount of $200,000 (inclusive of those expenses reimbursed to Sandler O'Neill pursuant to the terms of the separate engagement letter of even date between Sandler O'Neill and the Bank regarding Sandler O'Neill's services as Conversion Agent for the Bank);
Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
October 26, 1999
As is customary, the Bank will bear all other expenses incurred in
connection with the Conversion and the Offerings, including, without limitation,
(i) the cost of obtaining all securities and bank regulatory approvals,
including any required NASD filing fees; (ii) the cost of printing and
distributing the offering materials; (iii) the costs of blue sky qualification
(including fees and expenses of blue sky counsel) of the shares in the various
states; (iv) listing fees; and (v) all fees and disbursements of the Bank's and
the Holding Company's counsel, accountants, conversion agent and other advisors.
In the event Sandler O'Neill incurs any such fees and expenses on behalf of the
Company, the Bank or the Holding Company, the Bank will reimburse Sandler
O'Neill for such fees and expenses whether or not the Conversion is consummated;
Sandler O'Neill's obligation to perform the services contemplated by this letter shall be subject to the satisfactory completion of such investigation and inquiries relating to the Company, the Bank and the Holding Company, and their respective directors, officers, agents and employees, as Sandler O'Neill and its counsel in their sole discretion may deem appropriate under the circumstances. In this regard, the Bank agrees that, at its expense, it will make available to Sandler O'Neill all information which Sandler O'Neill requests, and will allow Sandler O'Neill the opportunity to discuss with the Bank's and the Holding Company's management the financial condition, business and operations of the Bank and the Holding Company. The Bank and the Holding Company acknowledge that Sandler O'Neill will rely upon the accuracy and completeness of all information received from the Bank and the Holding Company and their directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents, independent accountants and counsel.
The Bank agrees that if Sandler O'Neill's counsel does not serve as counsel with respect to blue sky matters in connection with the Offerings, the Bank will cause the counsel performing such services to prepare a Blue Sky Memorandum related to the Offerings including Sandler O'Neill's participation therein and shall furnish Sandler O'Neill a copy thereof addressed to Sandler O'Neill or upon which such counsel shall state Sandler O'Neill may rely.
Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
October 26, 1999
Other than disclosure to other firms made part of any syndicate of selected dealers or as required by law or regulation, Sandler O'Neill agrees that it will not disclose any Confidential Information relating to the Bank obtained in connection with its engagement hereunder (whether or not the Conversion is consummated). As used in this paragraph, the term "Confidential Information" shall not include information which (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by Sandler O'Neill, (ii) was available to Sandler O'Neill on a non-confidential basis prior to its disclosure to Sandler O'Neill by the Bank, or (iii) becomes available to Sandler O'Neill on a non-confidential basis from a person other than the Bank who is not otherwise known to Sandler O'Neill to be bound not to disclose such information pursuant to a contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation.
Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
October 26, 1999
contribute to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in the proportion that its financial interest in the Conversion bears to that of Sandler O'Neill.
Sandler O'Neill and the Company and the Bank agree that (a) except as set forth in clause (b), the foregoing represents the general intention of the Company, the Bank and Sandler O'Neill with respect to the services to be provided by Sandler O'Neill in connection with the Offerings, which will serve as a basis for Sandler O'Neill commencing activities, and (b) the only legal and binding obligations of the Company, the Bank, the Holding Company and Sandler O'Neill with respect to the subject matter hereof shall be (1) the Company's and the Bank's obligation to reimburse costs and expenses pursuant to the section captioned "Costs and Expenses," (2) those set forth under the captions "Confidentiality" and "Indemnification," and (3) as set forth in a duly negotiated and executed definitive Agency Agreement to be entered into prior to the commencement of the Subscription Offering relating to the services of Sandler O'Neill in connection with the Offerings. Such Agency Agreement shall be in form and content satisfactory to Sandler O'Neill, the Bank and the Holding Company and their respective counsel and shall contain standard indemnification provisions consistent herewith.
Sandler O'Neill's execution of such Agency Agreement shall also be subject to (i) Sandler O'Neill's satisfaction with its investigation of the Company's and the Bank's business, financial condition and results of operations, (ii) preparation of offering materials that are satisfactory to Sandler O'Neill and its counsel, (iii) compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements to the reasonable satisfaction of Sandler O'Neill's counsel, (iv) agreement that the price established by the independent appraiser is reasonable and (v) market conditions at the time of the proposed offering. Sandler O'Neill may terminate this agreement if such Agency Agreement is not entered into prior to December 31, 2000.
If the Board of Directors of the Bank, for any reason, elects not to proceed with the formation of the Holding Company but determines to proceed with the Conversion and substitute the common stock of the Bank for the common stock of the Holding Company, all of the provisions of this letter relating to the common stock of the Holding Company will be deemed to pertain to the common stock of the Bank on the same terms and conditions that such provisions pertain to the common stock of the Holding Company and all of the references in this letter to the Holding Company shall be deemed to refer to the Bank or shall have no effect, as the context of the reference requires.
Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
October 26, 1999
Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth our agreement by signing and returning to Sandler O'Neill the duplicate copy of this letter enclosed herewith.
Very truly yours,
Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P.
By: Sandler O'Neill & Partners Corp.,
the sole general partner
By: /s/ Mark B. Cohen
----------------------------------
Mark B. Cohen
Vice President
|
Accepted and agreed to as of
the date first above written:
Berkshire Bancorp, Inc.
By: /s/ James A. Cunningham, Jr.
-------------------------------------
Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
President
|
Berkshire Bank
By: /s/ James A. Cunningham, Jr.
-------------------------------------
Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
cc: Lawrence M. F. Spaccasi, Esq.
Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette L.L.P.
EXHIBIT 2.1
PLAN OF CONVERSION
FOR
BERKSHIRE BANCORP
AND
BERKSHIRE BANK
1. INTRODUCTION.
Berkshire Bank (the "Bank"), headquartered in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is a Massachusetts-chartered stock savings bank which operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Bancorp (the "Mutual Holding Company"), a Massachusetts- chartered mutual holding company. The Bank organized the Mutual Holding Company in 1996.
This Plan of Conversion (the "Plan") provides for the combination, by merger or otherwise, of the Mutual Holding Company with and into the Bank (pursuant to which the Mutual Holding Company will cease to exist) and the simultaneous organization of a stock holding company (the "Holding Company") to issue Conversion Stock in the offerings, as provided herein, and the issuance by the Bank of its Common Stock to the Holding Company in exchange for up to fifty percent (50%) of the net proceeds received by the Holding Company from the sale of Conversion Stock in the offerings. The Boards of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank have carefully considered the alternatives available with respect to their corporate structures and have determined that a conversion of the Mutual Holding Company to stock form, as described in this Plan (the "Conversion"), is in the best interests of the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank, as well as in the best interests of the Bank's depositors and the communities served by the Bank. The Conversion will result in the Bank being wholly-owned by a stock holding company, which is a more common ownership structure for financial institutions than the mutual holding company structure. The Conversion also will enable the Bank to expand its franchise, compete more effectively with commercial banks and other financial institutions for new business opportunities and to increase its equity capital base and access the capital markets when needed. The Conversion will also provide the Bank with equity capital which will enable it to increase its reserves and net worth to support future lending and operational growth, including branching activities and acquisitions of other financial institutions or financial services companies, and to increase its ability to render services to the communities it serves.
The Boards of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank currently contemplate that all of the stock of the Bank shall be held by the Holding Company, which will be organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, and that the Holding Company will issue and sell its stock pursuant to this Plan. The use of the Holding Company, would provide greater organizational and operating flexibility. Shares of common stock of the Bank will be sold to the Holding Company and the Holding Company will offer the Conversion Stock upon the terms and conditions set forth herein in a Subscription Offering to the Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, any Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan established by the Bank or Holding Company and Directors, Trustees, Officers and employees of
the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank, in the respective priorities set forth in this Plan. Any shares of conversion stock not subscribed for by the foregoing classes of persons will be offered for sale to certain members of the public either directly by the Bank or the Holding Company through a Direct Community Offering or a Syndicated Community Offering or through an underwritten firm commitment public offering or through a combination thereof. In addition to the foregoing, the Bank and the Holding Company intend to provide employment or severance agreements to certain management employees and certain other benefits to the Directors, Officers and employees of the Bank as will be described in the Prospectus for the Conversion Stock.
In furtherance of the Bank's commitment to its community, this Plan provides for the establishment of a charitable foundation as part of the Conversion. The charitable foundation is intended to complement the Bank's existing community reinvestment activities in a manner that will allow the Bank's local communities to share in the growth and profitability of the Holding Company and the Bank over the long term. Consistent with the Bank's goal, the Holding Company intends to donate to the charitable foundation immediately following the Conversion a number of shares of its authorized but unissued common stock in an amount up to 8% of the common stock sold in the Conversion.
For these reasons, the Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank, on October 22, 1999, unanimously adopted this Plan.
The terms of deposit accounts of the Bank's depositors will not be affected by the Conversion provided for in this Plan. Each deposit account holder in the Bank, prior to the Conversion, shall receive, after the Conversion, without payment, a withdrawable account or accounts in the Bank equal in withdrawable amount to the withdrawable value of such account holder's account or accounts in the Bank prior to conversion. All deposit accounts in the Bank following the Conversion will continue to be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC") and the Depositors Insurance Fund of the Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc. (the "DIF"). The stock to be issued in the Conversion, however, will not be insured by the FDIC, the DIF or any other insurer. The Bank, upon combination with the Mutual Holding Company, will succeed to all of the presently existing rights, interests, duties and obligations of the Mutual Holding Company to the extent provided by law, including, but not limited to, all of its rights to and interests in its assets and properties, both real and personal.
This Plan, which has been adopted by the unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank, must also be approved at a special meeting of the corporators of the Mutual Holding Company called to consider the Plan by the affirmative vote of (1) a majority of the total votes of the corporators, and (2) a majority of Independent Corporators who shall constitute not less than sixty percent (60%) of all Corporators eligible to vote. Subsequent to the submission of this Plan to the Corporators for their consideration, the Plan must be approved by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Banks (the "Commissioner") and any other banking or bank regulatory authority, if required.
2. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Plan, the following terms have the meanings indicated below:
of the Mutual Holding Company, the Holding Company, the Bank, or any of its parents or subsidiaries.
3. PROCEDURE FOR CONVERSION.
After adoption of the Plan by the Board of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank, the Plan will be submitted, together with all other requisite material in an application for conversion (the "Application") to the Commissioner for approval. A copy of the Application will also be submitted to the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC, if required. The Mutual Holding Company must also apply to the Internal Revenue Service for a tax ruling or receive an opinion from counsel which provides that the Conversion would not result in a taxable reorganization of the Mutual Holding Company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and with respect to the federal tax consequences of the Conversion.
Following a determination by the Commissioner that the Application is complete, the Mutual Holding Company will publish a public announcement of its Application in newspapers having general circulation in each community in which an office of the Mutual Holding Company or Bank
is located, or in such other locations as may be satisfactory to the Commissioner. Three such announcements shall be published, the first being as close to the date of the determination of the completion of the application as may be practical, the second during the next week, and the final notice during the third week. Such notice shall also be posted in each office of the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank for at least 21 days.
The Commissioner will review the Application. If the Commissioner finds
that the (1) formation of a stock holding company will be fair and not
prejudicial to the depositors of the Bank; (2) that the public interest will be
served by the proposed conversion of the Mutual Holding Company to stock form;
(3) that the approval will not result in any unsafe or unsound business
practices; (4) that the financial and management resources of the converting
Mutual Holding Company are satisfactory; and (5) that the competence, character
and banking experience of the converting Mutual Holding Company and the Bank,
including their record of compliance with applicable laws and regulations, are
satisfactory, he shall approve the Plan.
After approval of the Conversion by the Commissioner, the Plan and the establishment of the Foundation will be submitted to the Corporators at the Special Meeting called to consider each such matter. Notice to all Corporators of the Special Meeting must be in a form previously approved by the Commissioner and include other requisite material and must be given not less than seven (7) days prior to the date of the meeting. The Plan must be approved by: (1) a majority of the total votes of the Corporators and (2) a majority of the Independent Corporators who shall constitute not less than sixty percent (60%) of all Corporators entitled to vote. The establishment of the Foundation is subject to the same approval requirements, unless a lesser amount is permitted by the Commissioner. If the establishment of the Foundation is not approved as provided herein, the Bank and the Mutual Holding Company may proceed with the consummation of the Conversion without the Foundation subject to applicable regulatory approval.
The Bank shall approve the Plan in accordance with its Bylaws.
If the Corporators approve the Plan, and the Commissioner authorizes the sale of Conversion Stock pursuant to this Plan, Conversion Stock will be sold as provided herein. The Conversion Stock to be issued pursuant to this Plan will be offered in a Subscription Offering to Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and any Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan and as set forth in Section 5 of this Plan after such Corporator approval or, if permitted by the Commissioner, after approval of the Application, provided that any such offer and sale of Conversion Stock shall be conditioned upon the approval of the Plan by Corporators at the Special Meeting. If feasible, any Conversion Stock remaining after purchases of Conversion Stock in the Subscription Offering will then be offered to the general public through a Direct Community Offering as provided in Section 6 of this Plan. The sale of all Conversion Stock ordered in the Subscription Offering may be consummated simultaneously on the date the Direct Community Offering is completed, or, if there is no Direct Community Offering, as soon as practicable following expiration of the Subscription Offering. If feasible, any shares of Conversion Stock remaining unsold after completion of the Subscription Offering and the Direct Community Offering will be sold in a Syndicated Community Offering as set forth in Section 6 (which may commence following
or simultaneously with the Direct Community Offering). If for any reason a Syndicated Community Offering of all unsubscribed Conversion Stock cannot be effected, the Mutual Holding Company will use its best efforts to obtain other purchasers, subject to the approval of the Commissioner.
The Mutual Holding Company shall convert into a stock institution and shall simultaneously combine or merge with and into the Bank, with the Bank being the surviving entity, pursuant to the MHC Combination. As a result of the MHC Combination, the shares of the Bank's common stock currently held by the Mutual Holding Company shall be extinguished and Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders will be granted interests in the liquidation account to be established by the Bank pursuant to Section 13 hereof.
The Boards of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank intend to take all necessary steps to form the Holding Company, including the filing of any necessary applications to the appropriate regulatory authorities which will govern the activities of the Holding Company. The Bank will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Holding Company. The initial Directors of the Holding Company shall also be Directors of the Bank. The Holding Company will make timely applications for any requisite regulatory approvals, including an application to register as a bank or savings and loan holding company, and the filing of a registration statement to register the sale of the Conversion Stock with the SEC .
The Board of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank also intend to take all necessary steps to establish the charitable foundation and to fund such charitable foundation in the manner set forth in Section 3A hereof.
Upon the issuance of the Conversion Stock, the Holding Company will purchase from the Bank all of the stock of the Bank to be issued by the Bank in the Conversion in exchange for up to fifty percent (50%) of the Conversion proceeds.
The Board of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank may determine for any reason at any time prior to the issuance of the Conversion Stock not to utilize a holding company form of organization in the Conversion. If the Board of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank determine not to complete the Conversion utilizing a holding company form of organization, the stock of the Bank will be issued and sold in accordance with the Plan. In such case, the Holding Company's registration statement will be withdrawn from the SEC and the Bank will take steps necessary to complete the Conversion, including filing any necessary documents with the Commissioner and any other required bank regulatory authority. In such event, any subscriptions or orders received for Conversion Stock of the Holding Company shall be deemed to be subscriptions or orders for Conversion Stock of the Bank, and the Bank shall take such steps as permitted or required by the Commissioner or any other banking or regulatory authority.
3A. ESTABLISHMENT AND FUNDING OF CHARITABLE FOUNDATION.
As part of the Conversion, the Mutual Holding Company, the Holding Company and the Bank intend to establish a charitable foundation that will qualify as an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Foundation"), and to donate to the Foundation from authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, an amount up to 8% of the number of shares of Conversion Stock sold in the Conversion. The Foundation is being formed in connection with the Conversion in order to complement the Bank's existing community reinvestment activities and to share with the Bank's local community a part of the Bank's financial success as a locally headquartered, community minded, financial services institution. The funding of the Foundation with Common Stock accomplishes this goal as it enables the community to share in the growth and profitability of the Holding Company and the Bank over the long- term.
The Foundation will be dedicated to the promotion of charitable purposes including community development, grants or donations to support housing assistance, not-for-profit community groups and other types of organizations or civic minded projects. The Foundation will annually distribute total grants to assist charitable organizations or to fund projects within its local community of not less than 5% of the average fair value of Foundation assets each year, less certain expenses. In order to serve the purposes for which it was formed and maintain its Section 501(c)(3) qualification, the Foundation may sell, on an annual basis, a limited portion of the Common Stock contributed to it by the Holding Company.
The board of directors of the Foundation will be comprised of individuals who are Officers and/or Directors of the Holding Company or the Bank. The board of directors of the Foundation will be responsible for establishing the polices of the Foundation with respect to grants or donations, consistent with the stated purposes of the Foundation.
4. NUMBER OF SHARES AND PURCHASE PRICE OF CONVERSION STOCK.
The total number of shares of Conversion Stock which will be offered for sale in the Conversion will be determined by the Board of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Boards of Directors of the Bank and the Holding Company immediately prior to the commencement of the Subscription Offering; provided, that such Boards may elect to increase or decrease the number of shares of Conversion Stock to be offered for sale in the Conversion depending upon market and financial conditions, with the approval of the Commissioner and, if required, any other applicable bank regulatory authority. In particular, the total number of shares may be increased by up to 15% of the number of shares offered in the Conversion if the Estimated Price Range is increased subsequent to the commencement of the Subscription and Direct Community Offerings to reflect changes in market and financial conditions and the Aggregate Purchase Price is not more than 15% above the maximum of the Estimated Price Range.
An Independent Appraiser shall be engaged by the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank to provide them with an independent valuation of the estimated pro forma market value of the Conversion Stock as required by the Conversion Regulations. The valuation will be made by a
written report to the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank, contain the factors upon which the valuation was made and conform to procedures adopted by the Commissioner and any other applicable bank regulatory authority. The Board of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank shall thoroughly review and analyze the methodology and fairness of the independent appraisal. The valuation shall establish an Estimated Price Range for the Conversion Stock. The maximum of the Estimated Price Range shall be no more than 15% above the estimated pro forma market value of the Conversion Stock and the minimum of the Estimated Price Range shall be no more than 15% below the estimated pro forma market value of the Conversion Stock. The number of shares of Conversion Stock to be issued and the Purchase Price may be increased or decreased by the Bank and the Mutual Holding Company. In the event that the Aggregate Purchase Price of the Conversion Stock is below the minimum of the Estimated Price Range, or materially above the maximum of the Estimated Price Range, resolicitation of purchasers may be required, provided that up to a 15% increase above the maximum of the Estimated Price Range will not be deemed material so as to require a resolicitation and will not require the approval of the Commissioner or any other bank regulatory agency. Any such resolicitation shall be effected in such manner and within such time as the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank shall establish, and with, if required, the approval of the Commissioner and any other bank regulatory authority.
All Shares to be sold in the Conversion shall be sold at a uniform price per share. The Independent Appraiser shall evaluate the pro forma market value of the Conversion Stock, which value shall be included in the Prospectus (as described in Section 8 of this Plan) filed with the Commissioner. The Independent Appraiser shall also present at the close of the Subscription Offering a valuation of the pro forma market value of the Conversion Stock. The Aggregate Purchase Price of the Conversion Stock to be sold by the Holding Company shall be adjusted to reflect any required changes in the pro forma market value of the Bank and the Mutual Holding Company. If, as a result of such adjustment, the Aggregate Purchase Price is more than 15% above the maximum of the Estimated Price Range, the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank shall obtain an amendment to the Commissioner's approval. If appropriate, the Commissioner will condition his approval by requiring a resolicitation of subscribers.
The price per share for each share of Conversion Stock when multiplied by the number of shares of Conversion Stock shall be equivalent to the pro forma market value of the Conversion Stock to be offered for sale in the Conversion in accordance with the valuation furnished by the Independent Appraiser.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no sale of Conversion Stock may be consummated unless, prior to such consummation, the Independent Appraiser confirms to the Mutual Holding Company, the Bank and the Commissioner that, to the best knowledge of the Independent Appraiser, nothing of a material nature has occurred which, taking into account all relevant factors, would cause the Independent Appraiser to conclude that the aggregate value of the Conversion Stock at the Aggregate Purchase Price is incompatible with its estimate of the aggregate consolidated pro forma market value of the Conversion Stock. If such confirmation is not received, the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank may cancel the Subscription and Direct Community Offerings and/or the Syndicated Community Offering, extend the Conversion, establish a new Estimated Price Range, extend, reopen
or hold new Subscription and Direct Community Offerings and/or Syndicated Community Offering or take such other action as the Commission may permit.
The Conversion Stock shall be fully paid and nonassessable.
5. SUBSCRIPTION OFFERING AND SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS OF ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT HOLDERS, SUPPLEMENTAL ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT HOLDERS, TAX-QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE STOCK BENEFIT PLAN AND DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES, CORPORATORS, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.
A. CATEGORY NO. 1: ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT HOLDERS
(a) Each Eligible Account Holder shall receive, as first priority and without payment, non-transferable Subscription Rights to purchase shares of Conversion Stock in the amount equal to the greater of: (1) $250,000 worth of Conversion Stock offered in the Conversion, but which may be increased to 5% of the Conversion Stock offered or decreased to 0.10% of the Conversion Stock offered; (2) one-tenth of one percent (0.10%) of the total offering of Conversion Stock; or (3) fifteen times the product (rounded down to the next whole number) obtained by multiplying the total number of Conversion Stock to be issued by a fraction of which the numerator is the amount of the Qualifying Deposit of the Eligible Account Holder, and the denominator is the total amount of Qualifying Deposits of all Eligible Account Holders.
(b) In the event that subscriptions for Conversion Stock are received from Eligible Account Holders upon exercise of subscription rights pursuant to paragraph (a) in excess of the number of Shares offered for sale in the Conversion, the Conversion Stock available for purchase will be allocated among the subscribing Eligible Account Holders so as to permit each subscribing Eligible Account Holder, to the extent possible, to purchase a number of Shares sufficient to make his total allocation of Conversion Stock equal to the lesser of 100 Shares or the number of Shares subscribed for by such Eligible Account Holder. Any Shares remaining after such allocation will be allocated among the subscribing Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions remain unsatisfied in the proportion which the amount of each Eligible Account Holder's Qualifying Deposit bears to the total amount of the Qualifying Deposits of all Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions remain unsatisfied. If the amount so allocated exceeds the amount subscribed for by any one or more Eligible Account Holders, the excess shall be reallocated on the same principle (one or more times as necessary) among those Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions are still not fully satisfied until all available Shares have been allocated or all subscriptions are satisfied.
(c) Non-transferable subscription rights held by Eligible Account Holders who are also Directors, Trustees, Corporators or Officers of the Mutual Holding Company or the Bank and their Associates, will be subordinated to those of other Eligible Account Holders to the extent they are attributable to increased deposits during the one-year period preceding the Eligibility Record Date.
B. CATEGORY NO. 2: SUPPLEMENTAL ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT HOLDERS
(a) Each Supplemental Eligible Account Holder shall receive, as second priority and without payment, nontransferable Subscription Rights to purchase shares of Conversion Stock equal to the amount equal to the greater of: (1) $250,000 worth of Conversion Stock offered in the Conversion, but which may be increased to 5% of the Conversion Stock offered or decreased to 0.10% of the Conversion Stock offered; (2) one-tenth of one percent (0.10%) of the total offering of Conversion Stock; or (3) fifteen times the product (rounded down to the next whole number) obtained by multiplying the total number of Conversion Stock to be issued by a fraction of which the numerator is the amount of the Qualifying Deposit of the Supplemental Eligible Account Holder, and the denominator is the total amount of Qualifying Deposits of all Supplemental Eligible Account Holders.
(b) In the event that subscriptions for Conversion Stock are received from Supplemental Eligible Account Holders upon exercise of subscription rights pursuant to paragraph (a) in excess of the number of Shares offered for sale in the Conversion, the Conversion Stock available for purchase will be allocated among the subscribing Supplemental Eligible Account Holders so as to permit each subscribing Supplemental Eligible Account Holder, to the extent possible, to purchase a number of Shares sufficient to make his total allocation of Conversion Stock equal to the lesser of 100 Shares or the number of Shares subscribed for by such Supplemental Eligible Account Holder. Any Shares remaining after such allocation will be allocated among the subscribing Supplemental Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions remain unsatisfied in the proportion which the amount of each Supplemental Eligible Account Holder's Qualified Deposit bears to the total of the Qualifying Deposits of all Supplemental Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions remain unsatisfied. If the amount so allocated exceeds the amount subscribed for by any one or more Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, the excess shall be reallocated (one or more times as necessary) among those Supplemental Eligible Account Holders whose subscriptions are still not fully satisfied on the same principle until all available Shares have been allocated or all subscriptions satisfied.
(c) Subscription rights received pursuant to Section 5B shall be subordinated to all rights received by Eligible Account Holders to purchase Conversion Stock.
(d) Subscription rights received by an Eligible Account Holder pursuant to
Section 5A shall be applied in partial satisfaction of the subscription rights
to be received as a Supplemental Eligible Account Holder pursuant to this
Section 5B.
C. CATEGORY NO. 3: TAX-QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE STOCK BENEFIT PLAN
The Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan shall receive, without payment, as a third priority, after the satisfaction of the subscriptions of Eligible Account Holders, non-transferable subscription rights to purchase up to 8% of the shares of Common Stock issued in the Conversion. If, after the satisfaction of subscriptions of Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, a sufficient number of shares are not available to fill the subscriptions by such
plan, the subscription by such plan shall be filled to the maximum extent possible; provided, however, that in the event of an increase in the total number of shares issued due to an increase in the Estimated Price Range of up to 15%, the additional Shares may be sold to the Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan subject to the provisions of Section 7. If all the Conversion Stock offered for sale in the Conversion is purchased by Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, then the Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan may purchase shares in the open market following consummation of the Conversion or directly from the Holding Company through authorized but unissued shares with Commissioner approval.
A Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan shall not be deemed to be an Associate or Affiliate of, or a Person Acting in Concert with, any Director, Trustee or Officer of the Mutual Holding Company, the Holding Company or the Bank. Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, the Bank may make scheduled discretionary contributions to a Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan; provided, that such contributions do not cause the Bank to fail to meet its regulatory capital requirements.
D. CATEGORY NO. 4: DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
Directors, Trustees, Officers and employees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank shall be entitled to purchase up to thirty percent (30%) of the total offering of shares of stock, but only to the extent that shares are available after satisfying the subscriptions of Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and the Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan. The shares shall be allocated among Directors, Trustees, Officers and employees on an equitable basis such as by giving weight to the period of service, compensation and position of the individual, subject to the five percent (5%) limitation on the amount of shares which may be purchased by any Person, together with any Associate or group of persons Acting in Concert. However, Directors, Trustees and Officers of Mutual Holding Company and the Bank shall not be deemed to be Associates or Persons Acting in Concert solely as a result of their board membership, status or employment.
6. DIRECT COMMUNITY OFFERING, SYNDICATED COMMUNITY OFFERING AND PUBLIC OFFERING.
Conversion Stock which remains unsubscribed after the exercise of subscription rights in the Subscription Offering pursuant to Section 5 shall be offered for sale to the general public through a Direct Community Offering, with preference given to natural persons residing in the Bank's Local Community. The Direct Community Offering, if any, may commence simultaneously with the Subscription Offering, subject to the approval of the Commissioner, or may commence during or after the commencement of the Subscription Offering, as the Boards of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Boards of Directors of the Bank and the Holding Company so determine. The right to subscribe for shares of Conversion Stock in the Direct Community Offering is subject to the right of the Mutual Holding Company, the Bank and Holding Company to accept or reject such subscriptions in whole or in part. Conversion Stock being sold in the Direct Community Offering will be offered and sold in a manner that will achieve the widest distribution of the
Conversion Stock. Purchases by Persons and their Associates in this phase of the offering are limited to $250,000 of Conversion Stock subject to the maximum purchase limitation specified in Section 7(a) and the minimum purchase limitation specified in Section 7(b) and exclusive of an increase in the total number of shares issued due to an increase in the Estimated Price Range of up to 15%; provided, however, that the amount permitted to be purchased in the Direct Community Offering may be increased to 5% of the total offering of shares or decreased to less than $250,000 without the further approval of the Corporators or resolicitation of subscribers, unless required by the Commissioner and/or any other banking or regulatory agency. If the maximum purchase limit is so increased, orders accepted in the Direct Community Offering shall be filled up to a maximum of 2% of the total offering and thereafter remaining shares shall be allocated on an equal number of shares basis per order until all orders have been filled.
If any Conversion Stock remains unsold after the close of the Subscription and Direct Community Offerings, the Mutual Holding Company, the Holding Company and the Bank may use the services of a syndicate of registered broker-dealers to sell such unsold shares on a best efforts basis in a Syndicated Community Offering. The syndicate of registered broker-dealers may be managed by one of the syndicate members who will act as agent of the Mutual Holding Company, the Holding Company and the Bank to assist the Mutual Holding Company, the Holding Company and the Bank in the sale of the Conversion Stock. Neither the syndicate manager nor any other syndicate member shall have any obligation to take or purchase any of the shares of Conversion Stock in the Syndicated Community Offering. Purchases by Persons and their Associates in this phase of the offering are limited to $250,000 of Conversion Stock subject to the maximum purchase limitation specified in Section 7(a) and the minimum purchase limitation specified in Section 7(b) and exclusive of an increase in the total number of shares issued due to an increase in the Estimated Price Range of up to 15%; provided, however, that the amount permitted to be purchased in the Syndicated Community Offering may be increased to 5% of the total offering of shares or decreased to less than $250,000 without the further approval of the Corporators or resolicitation of subscribers, unless required by the Commissioner and/or any other banking or regulatory agency. If the maximum purchase limit is so increased, orders accepted in the Syndicated Community Offering shall be filled up to a maximum of 2% of the total offering and thereafter remaining shares shall be allocated on an equal number of shares basis per order until all orders have been filled.
Any shares of Conversion Stock not sold in the Subscription Offering, the Direct Community Offering or the Syndicated Community Offering may be offered for sale through an underwritten firm commitment public offering. Any such public offering shall be conducted in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
If for any reason a Syndicated Community Offering or an underwritten firm commitment public offering of shares of Conversion Stock not sold in the Subscription and Direct Community Offerings can not be effected, or in the event that any insignificant residue of shares of Conversion Stock is not sold in the Subscription and Direct Community Offerings or in the Syndicated Community Offering or an underwritten firm commitment public offering, other purchase arrangements will be made for the sale of unsubscribed shares, if possible. Such other purchase arrangements will be subject to the approval of the Commissioner.
7. LIMITATIONS ON PURCHASES.
In addition to the maximum amount of Conversion Stock that may be subscribed for as set forth in Section 5, the following limitations shall apply to all purchases of shares of Conversion Stock:
(a) The maximum number of shares of Conversion Stock which may be subscribed for or purchased in all categories in the Conversion by any Person, together with any Associate or group of Persons Acting in Concert, shall not exceed 1% of the Conversion Stock offered (the "Maximum Overall Purchase Limitation"), except for the Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan which may subscribe for up to 8% of the Common Stock issued in the Conversion. The Maximum Overall Purchase Limitation may be increased consistent with the Conversion Regulations in the sole discretion of the Holding Company, the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank subject to any required regulatory approval.
(b) A minimum of 25 Shares must be purchased by each person purchasing Conversion Stock to the extent Shares are available, provided, however, that such minimum number of Shares will be reduced if the price per Share times such minimum number of Shares exceeds $500.
(c) The maximum number of Shares which may be purchased, in their individual capacity, in the Conversion by Directors, Trustees, Corporators, Officers, employees and their Associates, of the Mutual Holding Company, the Bank and the Holding Company, in the aggregate shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the total number of Shares. Each Director, Trustee, Corporator, Officer and employee will be subject to the same purchase limitations as other Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders.
(d) For purposes of this Section 7, the Directors, Trustees, Corporators, Officers and employees of the Mutual Holding Company, the Bank and the Holding Company shall not be deemed to be Associates or a group affiliated with each other or otherwise Acting in Concert solely as a result of their being Directors, Trustees, Corporators, Officers and employees of the Mutual Holding Company, the Bank or the Holding Company.
(e) Depending upon market or financial conditions, the Board of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Boards of Directors of the Bank and the Holding Company, with the approval of the Commissioner and, if required, any other applicable bank regulatory authority, and without further approval of the Corporators, unless such further approval is required by the Commissioner and/or any other applicable bank regulatory authority, may increase or decrease the purchase limitations in this Plan, provided that the maximum purchase limitations may not be increased in the Conversion to a percentage in excess of 5% of the Conversion Stock offered for sale. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Maximum Overall Purchase Limitation may be increased up to 9.99% provided that orders for Conversion Stock exceeding 5% of the shares being offered shall not exceed, in the aggregate, 10% of the total offering. If the Bank, the Mutual Holding Company or the Holding Company, as the case may be, increases the maximum purchase limitations, the Bank, the Mutual Holding Company or the Holding Company, as the case may be, is only required to
resolicit Persons who subscribed for the maximum purchase amount and may, in the sole discretion of the Bank, the Mutual Holding Company or the Holding Company, as the case may be, resolicit certain other large subscribers. Requests to purchase additional shares of the Conversion Stock in the event that the purchase limitation is so increased will be granted by the Boards of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Boards of Directors of the Bank and the Holding Company in their sole discretion.
If the number of shares of Conversion Stock otherwise allocable pursuant to Sections 5 and 6, to any Person or that Person's Associates would be in excess of the maximum number of shares permitted as set forth above, the number of shares of Conversion Stock allocated to each such Person shall be reduced to the lowest limitation applicable to that Person, and then the number of shares allocated to each group consisting of a Person and that Person's Associates shall be reduced so that the aggregate allocation to that Person and his or her Associates complies with the above maximums, and such maximum number of shares shall be reallocated among that Person and his or her Associates as they may agree, or in the absence of an aggregate, in proportion to the shares subscribed by each (after first applying the maximums applicable to each Person, separately).
In the event the Conversion Stock sold is in excess of the maximum of the Estimated Price Range, (the "Adjusted Maximum") such shares will be allocated in the following order of priority: (i) to fill the Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan subscription to the Adjusted Maximum; (ii) in the event that there is an oversubscription at the Eligible Account Holder level, to fill unfulfilled subscriptions of Eligible Account Holders exclusive of the Adjusted Maximum in accordance with Section 5A; (iii) in the event there is an oversubscription at the Supplemental Eligible Account Holder level, to fill unfulfilled subscriptions of Supplemental Eligible Account Holders exclusive of the Adjusted Maximum in accordance with Section 5B; (iv) in the event that there is an oversubscription at the Directors, Trustees, Corporators, Officers and Employees level, to fill unfulfilled subscriptions of Other Members exclusive of the Adjusted Maximum in accordance with Section 5D; and (v) to fill unfulfilled Subscriptions in the Direct Community Offering exclusive of the Adjusted Maximum in accordance with Section 6.
Each Person purchasing Conversion Stock shall be deemed to confirm that such purchase does not conflict with the above purchase limitations contained in this Plan.
8. MANNER OF EXERCISING SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS; ORDER FORMS.
(a) Promptly after the Commissioner has declared the Prospectus referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section 8 effective, Order Forms approved by the Commissioner for the exercise of the subscription rights provided for in this Plan will be sent to all Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, the Tax-Qualified Employee Benefit Plans and Directors, Trustees, Corporators, Officers and employees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank, and Corporators at their last known address appearing in the records of the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank.
(b) Each Order Form will be preceded or accompanied by a Prospectus which must be approved by the Commissioner. Such Prospectus shall describe the Mutual Holding Company, the Bank, the Holding Company and the Conversion Stock being offered and will contain all the information required by the Commissioner and all applicable laws and regulations as necessary to enable the recipients of the Order Forms to make informed investment decisions regarding the purchase of Conversion Stock.
(c) The Order Forms will contain or will be accompanied by, among other things, the following:
(i) An explanation of the rights and privileges granted under this Plan to each class of persons granted subscription rights pursuant to Section 5 of this Plan with respect to the purchase of Conversion Stock including the maximum and minimum number of Shares that may be purchased;
(ii) A specified time by which Order Forms must be received by the Bank
for purposes of exercising the subscription rights of Eligible Account Holders,
Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit
Plans, Directors, Trustees, Corporators, Officers and employees of the Mutual
Holding Company and the Bank, and Corporators under this Plan, as provided in
Section 10 of this Plan;
(iii) A statement that the Aggregate Purchase Price at which the Conversion Stock will ultimately be purchased in the Conversion has not been determined as of the date of mailing of the Order Form, but that such price will be within the range of prices which will be stated in the Order Form;
(iv) The amount which must be returned with the Order Form to subscribe for Conversion Stock. Such amount will be equal to the Purchase Price multiplied by the number of Shares subscribed for in accordance with the terms of this Plan;
(v) Instructions concerning how to indicate on such Order Form the extent to which the recipient elects to exercise subscription rights under this Plan, the name or names in which the Shares subscribed for are to be registered, the address to which certificates representing such Shares are to be sent and the alternative methods of payment for Conversion Stock which will be permitted;
(vi) Specifically designated blank spaces for indicating the number of Shares of Conversion Stock which each person wishes to purchase and for dating and signing the Order Form;
(vii) An acknowledgment that the recipient of the Order Form has received, prior to signing the Order Form, the Prospectus referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section 8;
(viii) A statement that the subscription rights provided for in this Plan are non-transferable, will be void after the specified time referred to in paragraph (c)(ii) above and can be exercised only by delivery of the Order Form, properly completed and executed, to the Bank, together with the full
required payment (in the manner specified in Section 9 of this Plan) for the number of Shares subscribed for prior to such specified time;
(ix) A certification to be executed by the recipient of the Order Form to the effect that, as to any Shares which the recipient elects to purchase, such recipient is purchasing such Shares for his own account only and has no present agreement or understanding regarding any subsequent sale or transfer of such Shares;
(x) A statement to the effect that the executed Order Form, once received by the Bank, may not be modified or amended by the subscriber without the consent of the Bank; and
(xi) An explanation of the manner of required payment and a statement that payment may be made by withdrawal from a certificate of deposit without penalty.
Notwithstanding the above, the Bank and the Holding Company reserve the right in their sole discretion to accept or reject orders received on photocopied or facsimilied Order Forms.
9. PAYMENT FOR CONVERSION STOCK.
(a) Full payment for all Shares subscribed for must be received by the Bank, together with properly completed and executed Order Forms therefor, prior to the expiration time, which will be specified on the Order Forms, unless such date is extended by the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank; provided, however, that if the Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan subscribes for Conversion Stock during the Subscription Offering, such plan will not be required to pay for shares at the time they subscribe but may pay for such Shares of Conversion Stock subscribed for by such plan at the Actual Purchase Price upon consummation of the Conversion, provided that there is in force from time of its subscription until the consummation of the Conversion, a loan commitment to lend to the Tax- Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan, at such time, the aggregated purchase price of the Shares for which it subscribed.
(b) If it is determined that the Aggregate Purchase Price should be greater than the amount stated in the Order Forms, upon compliance with such requirements as may be imposed by the Commissioner (which may include resolicitation of votes for approval of the Plan by Corporators) each Person who subscribed for Shares will be permitted to withdraw their subscription and have their payment for Shares returned to them in whole or in part, with interest, or to make payment to the Bank of the additional amount necessary to pay for the Shares subscribed for by him at the Purchase Price in the manner and within the time prescribed by the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank.
(c) If the Aggregate Purchase Price is outside the range of prices established by the Independent Appraiser referred to in Section 4 of this Plan and set forth in the Prospectus referred to in Section 8 of this Plan, the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank will apply for an amendment to the Commissioner's approval of this Plan and comply with such requirements as the Commissioner may then establish.
(d) Payment for Shares ordered for purchase by Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders will be permitted to be made in any of the following manners:
(i) In cash, if delivered in person;
(ii) By check, bank draft or money order, provided that checks will only be accepted subject to collection; and
(iii) By appropriate authorization of withdrawal from the subscriber's deposit account at the Bank. The Order Forms will contain appropriate means by which authorization of such withdrawals may be made. For purposes of determining the withdrawable balance of such accounts, such withdrawals will be deemed to have been made upon receipt of appropriate authorization therefor, but interest at the rates applicable to the accounts from which the withdrawals have been deemed to have been made will be paid by the Bank on the amounts deemed to have been withdrawn until the date on which the Conversion is consummated, at which date the authorized withdrawal will actually be made. Interest will be paid by the Bank on payments for Conversion Stock received in the Subscription Offering in cash or by check, bank draft, money order or negotiable order of withdrawal, at not less than the rate per annum being paid by the Bank on its passbook accounts at the time the Subscription Offering commences, from the date payment is received until consummation or termination of the Conversion. The Bank shall be entitled to invest all amounts paid for subscriptions in the Subscription Offering for its own account until completion or termination of the Conversion.
(e) Wire transfers as payment for Shares ordered for purchase will not be permitted or accepted as proper payment.
(f) Orders for Conversion Stock submitted by subscribers which aggregate $50,000 or more must be paid by official bank or certified check, a check issued by a NASD-registered Broker-Dealer or by withdrawal authorization from a deposit account of the Bank.
(g) Payments for the purchase of Conversion Stock in the Subscription Offering will be permitted through authorization of withdrawals from certificate accounts at the Bank without early withdrawal penalties. If the remaining balances of the certificate accounts after such withdrawals are less than the minimum qualifying balances under applicable regulations, the certificates evidencing the accounts will be canceled upon consummation of the Conversion, and the remaining balances will thereafter earn interest at the rate provided for in the certificates in the event of cancellation.
(h) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Bank and the Mutual Holding Company shall have the right, in their sole discretion, to permit institutional investors to submit contractually irrevocable orders in the Direct Community Offering and to thereafter submit payment for the Conversion Stock for which they are subscribing in the Direct Community Offering at any time prior
to 48 hours before the completion of the Conversion, unless such 48 hour period is waived by the Bank and the Mutual Holding Company, in their sole discretion.
10. EXPIRATION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS; UNDELIVERED, DEFECTIVE OR LATE ORDER FORMS; INSUFFICIENT PAYMENT.
(a) All subscription rights provided for in this Plan, including, without limitation the subscription rights of all Persons whose Order Forms are returned by the United States Post Office as undeliverable, will expire on a specified date as described in the Prospectus which shall be not less than twenty (20) days nor more than forty-five (45) days following the date on which Order Forms are first mailed to Eligible Account Holders, provided that the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank shall have the power to extend such expiration time subject to the approval of the Commissioner.
(b) In those cases in which the Bank is unable to locate particular persons granted subscription rights under this Plan, and cases in which Order Forms: (1) are returned as undeliverable by the United States Post Office; (2) are not received back by the Bank or are received by the Bank after the expiration date specified thereon; (3) are defectively filled out or executed; or (4) are not accompanied by the full required payment for the Conversion Stock subscribed for (including cases in which Deposit Accounts from which withdrawals are authorized are insufficient to cover the amount of the required payment), the subscription rights of the person to whom such subscription rights have been granted will lapse as though such person failed to return the completed Order Form within the time period specified thereon.
(c) The Mutual Holding Company and the Bank may, but will not be obligated to, waive any irregularity on any Order Form or require the submission of corrected Order Forms or the remittance of full payment for Shares subscribed for by such date as it may specify, and all interpretations by the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank of terms and conditions of this Plan and of the Order Forms will be final.
11. PERSONS IN NONQUALIFIED STATES OR IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
Subject to the following sentence, the Holding Company will make reasonable efforts to comply with the securities laws of all states of the United States in which Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders entitled to subscribe for Conversion Stock pursuant to this Plan reside. However, no such Person will be offered any subscription rights or sold any Conversion Stock under this Plan who resides in a foreign country or who resides in a state of the United States with respect to which both of the following apply: (a) less than 100 persons eligible to subscribe for Shares under the Plan reside in such state, and (b) the granting of subscription rights or the offer or sale of Common Stock to such persons would require the Holding Company or its employees under the securities laws of such state to register as a broker, dealer or agent or to register or otherwise qualify the Common Stock for sale in such state and such registration or qualification would be impracticable for reasons of cost or otherwise. No payments will be made in lieu of the granting of subscription rights to such persons.
12. VOTING RIGHTS AFTER CONVERSION.
Following Conversion, voting rights with respect to the Bank will be held and exercised exclusively by the holders of the stock of the Bank; the Holding Company shall own all of the issued and outstanding stock of the Bank.
13. ESTABLISHMENT OF A LIQUIDATION ACCOUNT.
(a) The Bank will, at the time of Conversion, establish a "Liquidation Account" in an amount equal to the net worth of the Bank set forth in its latest statement of financial condition contained in its final Prospectus. The function of the Liquidation Account is to establish a priority on liquidation and, except as provided for in this Section 13, shall not operate to restrict the use or application of any of the net worth accounts of the Bank.
(b) The Liquidation Account shall be maintained by the Bank for the benefit of Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders who continue to maintain deposit accounts at the Bank. Each Eligible Account Holder and Supplemental Eligible Account Holder will have a separate inchoate interest in the Liquidation Account in relation to each deposit account making up a Qualifying Deposit. Such inchoate interests are referred to herein as "Subaccount Balances." For deposit accounts in existence on the Eligibility Record Date and the Supplemental Eligibility Record Date, separate Subaccount Balances shall be determined on the basis of the Qualifying Deposits in such deposit accounts on each such date.
(c) Each initial Subaccount Balance in the Liquidation Account held by an Eligible Account Holder and/or Supplemental Eligible Account Holder shall be an amount determined by multiplying the amount in the Liquidation Account by a fraction the numerator of which is the amount of Qualifying Deposits in such deposit account on the Eligibility Record Date and/or Supplemental Eligibility Record Date and the denominator of which is the total amount of all Qualifying Deposits of Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Account Holders on the corresponding record date. For deposit accounts in existence at both dates, separate Subaccounts shall be determined on the basis of the Qualifying Deposits in such deposit accounts on such record dates.
(d) Each initial Subaccount Balance in the Liquidation Account shall never be increased, but will be subject to downward adjustment as follows. If the balance in the deposit account to which a Subaccount Balance relates, at the close of business on any annual fiscal year closing date of the Bank subsequent to the corresponding record date, is less than either (a) the lesser of the deposit balance in such account at the close of business on any other annual fiscal year closing date subsequent to the Eligibility Record Date or Supplemental Eligibility Record Date, or (b) the amount of the Qualifying Deposit as of the Eligibility Record Date or Supplemental Eligible Record Date, then the Subaccount Balance for such deposit account shall be adjusted by reducing such Subaccount Balance in an amount proportionate to the reduction in such account balance. In the event of such downward adjustment, the Subaccount Balance shall not be subsequently increased, notwithstanding
any increase in the deposit balance of the related deposit account. If any account is closed, its related Subaccount Balance shall be reduced to zero upon such closing.
(e) In event of a complete liquidation of the converted Bank (and only in such event), each Eligible Account Holder and Supplemental Eligible Account Holder shall receive from the Liquidation Account a liquidation distribution in the amount of the then current adjusted Subaccount Balances for deposit accounts then held, before any liquidation distribution may be made to any holders of the conversion stock of the converted Bank. No merger, consolidation, purchase of bulk assets with assumption of deposit accounts and other liabilities, or similar transactions, in deposit accounts and other liabilities, which the converted Bank is not the surviving institution, will be deemed to be a complete liquidation for this purpose, and, in any such transaction, the Liquidation Account shall be assumed by the surviving institution.
14. TRANSFER OF DEPOSIT ACCOUNT.
Each deposit account in the Bank at the time of the Conversion will constitute, without payment or further action by the account holder, a withdrawable deposit account in the Bank after the Conversion equivalent in withdrawable amount to the withdrawable value, and subject to the same terms and conditions (except as to voting and liquidation rights) as such deposit account in the Bank at the time of the Conversion.
15. RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER OF CONVERSION STOCK OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES AND CORPORATORS.
(a) All Conversion Stock purchased by Officers, Directors, Trustees and Corporators and their Associates of the Mutual Holding Company, the Holding Company and the Bank either directly from the Holding Company (by subscription or otherwise) or from an underwriter of such Shares will be subject to the restriction that no such Shares shall be sold for a period of one year following the date of purchase of such Shares, except in the event of death or substantial disability (as determined by the Commissioner) or upon the written approval of the Commissioner.
(b) With respect to all Conversion Stock subject to restriction on subsequent disposition pursuant to the above paragraph, each of the following provisions shall apply:
(i) Each certificate representing such Shares shall bear the following legend prominently stamped on its face giving notice of such restriction on transfer;
The shares represented by this certificate may not be sold by the registered holder hereof for a period of not less than one year from the date of issuance hereof, except in the event of the death of the registered holder or substantial disability (as determined by the Commissioner) of the Officer, Director, Trustee, or Corporator to whom such Shares were initially sold under the terms of this Plan or upon the written approval of the Commissioner.
(ii) Instructions will be given to the transfer agent for the Holding Company, not to recognize or effect any transfer of any certificates representing such Shares, or any change of record ownership thereof in violation of such restriction on transfer; and
(iii) Any stock of the Holding Company issued in respect of a stock dividend, stock split or otherwise in respect of ownership of outstanding Shares subject to restrictions on transfer hereunder will be subject to the same restrictions as are applicable to such Conversion Stock.
16. RESTRICTION ON STOCK PURCHASES BY OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES AND CORPORATORS.
For a three-year period following the Conversion, no purchases may be made by Officers, Directors, Trustees and Corporators and their Associates of the Mutual Holding Company, the Holding Company and the Bank without the prior approval of the Commission, except through a broker-dealer registered with the SEC. This restriction does not apply, however, to (a) negotiated transactions involving more than one percent (1%) of the outstanding Common Stock or (b) the purchase of Common Stock pursuant to a tax-qualified or non-tax-qualified employee stock benefit plan even if the stock attributable to individual Officers, Directors, Trustees and Corporators of the Mutual Holding Company, the Holding Company or of the Bank.
17. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
This Plan may be substantively amended by the Board of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank in their sole discretion as a result of comments from regulatory authorities or otherwise at any time prior to approval of the Plan by the Commissioner, and at any time thereafter with the concurrence of the Commissioner and, if required, any other applicable bank regulatory authority. Any amendments made subsequent to the approval of the Corporators may be made without their further approval unless required by the Commissioner and/or any other applicable bank regulatory authority. This Plan may be terminated by the Board of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank at any time prior to the approval of the Plan by the Commissioner and any time thereafter with the concurrence of the Commissioner.
By adoption of this Plan, the Corporators authorize the Boards of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank to amend or terminate the Plan under the circumstances set forth in this Section.
18. TIME PERIOD FOR COMPLETION OF CONVERSION.
The Conversion shall be completed within 24 months from the date this Plan is approved by the Boards of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank.
19. EXPENSES OF CONVERSION.
The expenses incurred in connection with the Conversion shall be reasonable.
20. REGISTRATION UNDER SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
The Holding Company shall register its Common Stock under the Massachusetts General Laws and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, concurrently with or promptly following the Conversion, provided that either or both such registrations are required under applicable law. The Holding Company will not deregister such securities for a period of at least three years.
21. MARKET FOR CONVERSION STOCK.
The Bank and Holding Company shall use their best efforts to (i) encourage and assist a market maker to establish and maintain a market for the Common Stock, and (ii) list or quote the Shares on a national or regional securities exchange or on the Nasdaq quotation system.
22. CONVERSION STOCK NOT INSURED.
The Conversion Stock will not be covered by deposit insurance.
23. NO LOANS TO PURCHASE STOCK.
The Mutual Holding Company and the Bank shall not loan funds or otherwise extend credit to any Person to purchase Conversion Stock in connection with the Conversion. The Holding Company will not offer or sell Conversion Stock to any Person whose purchase would be financed by funds loaned, directly or indirectly, to the Person by the Mutual Holding Company or the Bank.
24. RESTRICTIONS ON ACQUISITION.
Current Massachusetts regulations provide that for a period of three years following completion of the Conversion, no Person, or group of Persons Acting In Concert, shall directly, or indirectly, offer to acquire or actually acquire the beneficial ownership of more than ten percent (10%) of any class of equity security of the Holding Company without prior written notice to the Holding Company and the prior approval of the Commissioner. However, approval is not required for purchases directly from the Holding Company or the underwriters or selling group acting on its behalf with a view towards public resale, or for purchases not exceeding one percent (1%) per annum of the shares outstanding, or for the acquisition of securities by one or more Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plan of the Bank, provided that the plan or plans do not have beneficial ownership in the aggregate of more than twenty-five (25%) of any class of equity security of the Holding Company. Civil penalties may be imposed by the Commissioner for willful violation or assistance of any violation. Where any person directly or indirectly, acquires beneficial ownership of more than ten percent (10%) of any class of equity security of the Holding Company within such
three-year period without the prior approval of the Commissioner, stock of the Holding Company beneficially owned by such person in excess of ten percent (10%) shall not be counted as shares entitled to vote and shall not be voted by any person or counted as voting shares in connection with any matter submitted to the stockholders for a vote.
25. STOCK ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION AND BYLAWS.
As part of the Conversion, Amended and Restated Stock Articles of Organization and Bylaws in the forms attached to this Plan will be adopted by the Bank. By approving the Plan, the Corporators will thereby approve the Amended and Restated Stock Articles of Organization and Bylaws of the Bank. Prior to completion of the Conversion, the proposed Amended and Restated Stock Articles of Organization and Bylaws of the Bank may be amended in accordance with the provisions and limitations for amending the Plan under Section 17 herein. The effective date of the adoption of the Amended and Restated Stock Articles of Organization and Bylaws of the Bank shall be the date of filing of the Amended and Restated Stock Articles of Organization and such other documents as required by the Conversion Regulations with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including any required certificate of authority as issued by the Commissioner, which shall be the date of consummation of the Conversion.
26. CONDITIONS TO CONVERSION.
The Conversion pursuant to this Plan is expressly conditioned upon the following:
(a) Prior receipt by the Mutual Holding Company or the Bank of either rulings of the Internal Revenue Service and the Massachusetts taxing authorities, or opinions of counsel or independent auditors, substantially to the effect that the Conversion will not result in any adverse federal or state tax consequences to Eligible Account Holders or to the Bank and the Holding Company before or after the Conversion;
(b) The sale of all of the Conversion Stock offered in the Conversion pursuant to this Plan; and
(c) The completion of the Conversion within the time period specified in
Section 3 of this Plan.
27. INTERPRETATION
All interpretations of this Plan and application of its provisions to particular circumstances by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank shall be final, subject to the authority of the Commissioner and any other applicable bank regulatory authority.
ANNEX A
PLAN OF MERGER
Plan of Merger, dated as of _______________ between Berkshire Bancorp (the "Mutual Holding Company"), a Massachusetts-chartered mutual holding company, and Berkshire Bank (the "Bank" or the "Surviving Corporation"), a Massachusetts- chartered savings bank.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank have adopted a Plan of
Conversion (the "Plan" or "Plan of Conversion") for the Mutual Holding Company
and the Bank pursuant to which the Bank organized Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
(the "Company"), and upon consummation of the following transactions, or in any
other manner consistent with the Plan and applicable regulations, will become a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company: (1) the Mutual Holding Company, which
currently owns 100% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Bank, will
convert from mutual form to a Massachusetts interim stock savings bank and
simultaneously merge into the Bank, with the Bank being the surviving entity;
(2) the outstanding shares of Bank common stock will be canceled; (3) the offer
and sale of shares of the Company's common stock; and (4) the issuance to the
Company of the newly authorized shares of the Bank's common stock in exchange
for up to fifty percent (50%) of the proceeds received from the sale of the
Company's common stock; and
WHEREAS, the Mutual Holding Company, which owns one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding common stock of the Bank, One Dollar ($1.00) par value per share ("Bank Common Stock"), will convert to a Massachusetts-chartered interim stock savings bank pursuant to the Plan of Conversion and merge with and into the Bank pursuant to this Plan of Merger (the "Mutual Holding Company Merger"), pursuant to which, among other things, all interests of the corporators in the Mutual Holding Company and all shares of Bank Common Stock held by the Mutual Holding Company will be canceled; and
WHEREAS, the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank (the "Constituent Corporations") desire to provide for the terms and conditions of the Mutual Holding Company Merger.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank hereby agree as follows:
1. Effective Date. The Mutual Holding Company Merger shall become effective on the date specified in the articles of merger filed with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth (the "Effective Date").
2. The Mutual Holding Company Merger and Effect Thereof. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and the prior approval of the Massachusetts Division of Banks and any other required bank or regulatory authority, as defined in the Plan of Conversion, and the expiration of all applicable waiting periods, the Mutual Holding Company shall convert from the mutual form to a Massachusetts interim stock savings bank and simultaneously merge with and into the Bank, which shall be the Surviving Corporation. Upon consummation of the Mutual Holding Company Merger, the Surviving Corporation shall be considered the same business and corporate entity as each of the Constituent Corporations and thereupon and thereafter all the property, rights, powers and franchises of each of the Constituent Corporations shall vest in the Surviving Corporation and the Surviving Corporation shall be subject to and be deemed to have assumed all of the debts, liabilities, obligations and duties of each of the Constituent Corporations and shall have succeeded to all of each of their relationships, fiduciary or otherwise, as fully and to the same extent as if such property, rights, privileges, powers, franchises, debts, obligations, duties and relationships had been originally acquired, incurred or entered into by the Surviving Corporation. In addition, any reference to either of the Constituent Corporations in any contract, will or document, whether executed or taking effect before or after the Effective Date, shall be considered a reference to the Surviving Corporation if not inconsistent with the other provisions of the contract, will or document; and any pending action or other judicial proceeding to which either of the Constituent Corporations is a party shall not be deemed to have abated or to have been discontinued by reason of the Mutual Holding Company Merger, but may be prosecuted to final judgment, order or decree in the same manner as if the Mutual Holding Company Merger had not occurred or the Surviving Corporation may be substituted as a party to such action or proceeding, and any judgment, order or decree may be rendered for or against it that might have been rendered for or against either of the Constituent Corporations if the Mutual Holding Company Merger had not occurred.
3. Cancellation of Bank Common Stock held by the Mutual Holding Company and Member Interests; Liquidation Account. On the Effective Date: (i) each share of Bank Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date and held by the Mutual Holding Company shall, by virtue of the Mutual Holding Company Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be canceled; (ii) the interests in the Mutual Holding Company of any person, firm or entity who or which qualified as a corporator of the Mutual Holding Company in accordance with its Amended and Restated Articles of Organization and Bylaws and the laws of Massachusetts prior to the Mutual Holding Company's conversion from mutual to stock form (the "Corporators") shall, by virtue of the Mutual Holding Company Merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be canceled; and (iii) the Bank shall establish a liquidation account on behalf of each eligible and supplemental account holder of the Bank, as defined in the Plan of Conversion, in accordance with Section 13 of the Plan of Conversion.
4. Dissenting Shares. No Corporator of the Mutual Holding Company and, subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, no holder of shares of Bank Common Stock shall have any dissenter or appraisal rights in connection with the Mutual Holding Company Merger.
5. Name of Surviving Corporation. The name of the Surviving Corporation shall be "Berkshire Bank."
6. Directors of the Surviving Corporation. Upon and after the Effective Date, until changed in accordance with the Amended and Restated Articles of Organization and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation and applicable law, the directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be the directors of the Bank immediately prior to the Effective Date. Each such director shall serve the remainder of his existing term and until a successor is elected and qualified. The address of each such director is c/o 24 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201.
7. Officers of the Surviving Corporation. Upon and after the Effective Date, until changed in accordance with the Amended and Restated Articles of Organization and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation and applicable law, the officers of the Bank immediately prior to the Effective Date shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation.
8. Offices. Upon the Effective Date, all offices of the Bank shall be offices of the Surviving Corporation. As of the Effective Date, the home office of the Surviving Corporation shall remain at 24 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts and the location of the other deposit-taking offices of the Surviving Corporation shall remain at the location they existed immediately prior to the Effective Date, except for the addition of deposit-taking offices authorized or the deletion of deposit-taking offices closed subsequent to the date hereof and the Effective Date.
9. Articles of Organization and Bylaws. On and after the Effective Date, the Articles of Organization of the Bank as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date shall be replaced with the Amended and Restated Articles of Organization of the Surviving Corporation.
On and after the Effective Date, the Bylaws of the Bank as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until amended in accordance with the terms thereof and applicable law.
10. Stockholder and Corporator Approvals. The affirmative votes of the holders of the Bank Common Stock set forth in Section 3 of the Plan of Conversion and the Corporators set forth in Section 3 of the Plan of Conversion shall be required to approve the Plan of Conversion, of which this Plan of Merger is a part, on behalf of the Bank and the Mutual Holding Company, respectively.
11. Abandonment of Plan. This Plan of Merger may be abandoned by either the Mutual Holding Company or the Bank at any time before the Effective Date in the manner set forth in Section 17 of the Plan of Conversion.
12. Amendments. This Plan of Merger may be amended in the manner set forth in Section 17 of the Plan of Conversion by a subsequent writing signed by the parties hereto upon the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank.
13. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding on the successors of the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank.
14. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank have caused this Plan of Merger to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
BERKSHIRE BANCORP
Attest:
____________________________ By: _____________________________ John A. Davidson James A. Cunningham, Jr. Clerk President |
BERKSHIRE BANK
Attest:
____________________________ By: _____________________________
John Kittredge James A. Cunningham, Jr.
Clerk President and Chief Executive
Officer
|
EXHIBIT I
AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION
OF
BERKSHIRE COUNTY SAVINGS BANK
WHEREAS, a Charter was granted in the year 1846 to incorporate Berkshire County Savings Bank (hereinafter, the "Original Bank") as a Massachusetts savings bank; and
WHEREAS, the Original Bank, in accordance with chapter 167H of the Massachusetts General Laws and all other applicable law, has voted to reorganize into a mutual holding company by establishing a subsidiary banking institution as a stock savings bank (hereinafter referred to as the "Bank"), and transferring to the Bank all or the substantial part of its assets and liabilities, including all of its deposit liabilities; and
WHEREAS, the Original Bank, in accordance with said Chapter 167H, has voted to establish the Bank as a stock form savings bank organized under Massachusetts law;
NOW, THEREFORE, the Articles of Organization ("Charter") of the Bank shall read as follows:
consideration for the issuance of the shares shall be paid in full before their issuance and shall not be less than the par value per share. The consideration for the shares shall be cash, tangible or intangible property, labor, services or expenses, or any combination of the foregoing, but no share shall be issued unless the cash, so far as due, or the property, labor, services or expenses for which it was authorized to be issued, has or have been actually received or incurred by, or conveyed or rendered to, the Bank, or is in its possession as surplus. Neither promissory notes nor future services shall constitute payment or part payment for the issuance of shares of the Bank. The value of such property, labor, services or expenses, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Bank, shall be conclusive. Shares of capital stock issued in accordance with the foregoing shall be fully paid and not assessable. In the case of a stock dividend, that part of the surplus of the Bank which is transferred to stated capital upon the issuance of stock as a stock dividend shall be deemed to be the consideration for their issuance.
The minimum amount of capital and surplus with which the Bank shall commence business shall be not less than that required to satisfy capital or reserve requirements of any applicable state or federal law.
A description of the different classes and series of the Bank's capital stock and a statement of the designations, and the relative rights, preferences and limitations of the shares of each class and series of capital stock are as follows:
Whenever there shall have been paid, or declared and set aside for payment, to the holders of the outstanding shares of any class of stock having preference over the common stock as to the payment of dividends, the full amount of dividends and of sinking fund, retirement fund or other retirement payments, if any, to which such holders are respectively entitled in preference to the common stock, then dividends may be paid on the common stock and on any class or series of stock entitled to participate therewith as to dividends, out of any assets legally available for the payment of dividends; but only when and as declared by the Board of Directors.
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Bank, after there shall have been paid to or set aside for the holders of any class having preferences over the common stock in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the full preferential amounts of which they are respectively entitled, the holders of the common stock, and of any class or series of stock entitled to participate therewith, in whole or in part, as to distribution of assets, shall be entitled, after payment or provision for payment of all debts and liabilities of the Bank, to receive the remaining assets of the Bank available for distribution, in cash or in kind, in proportion to their holdings.
(a) The distinctive serial designation and the number of shares constituting such series;
(b) The dividend rates or the amount of dividends to be paid on the shares of such series, whether dividends shall be cumulative and, if so, from which date or dates, the payment date or dates for dividends, and the participating or other special rights, if any, with respect to dividends;
(c) The voting powers, full or limited, if any, of shares of such series;
(d) Whether the shares of such series shall be redeemable and, if so, the price or prices at which, and the terms and conditions on which, such shares may be redeemed;
(e) The amount or amounts payable upon the shares of such series in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Bank;
(f) Whether the shares of such series shall be entitled to the benefit of a sinking or retirement fund to be applied to the purchase or redemption of such shares, and if so entitled, the amount of such fund and the manner of its application, including the price or prices at which such shares may be redeemed or purchased through the application of such fund;
(g) Whether the shares of such series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock of the Bank, and if so convertible or exchangeable, the conversion price or prices or the rate or rates of exchange, and the adjustments thereof, if any, at which such conversion or exchange may be made, and any other terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange;
(h) The price or other consideration for which the shares of such series shall be issued; and
(i) Whether the shares of such series which are redeemed or converted shall have the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock and whether such shares may be reissued as shares of the same or any other series of stock.
Unless otherwise provided by law, any such vote shall become effective when the Bank files with the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts a certificate of establishment of one or more series of preferred stock signed by the President or any Vice President and by the Clerk, Assistant Clerk, Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Bank, setting forth a copy of the vote of the Board of Directors establishing and designating the series and fixing and determining the relative rights and preferences thereof, the date of adoption of such vote and a certification that such vote was duly adopted by the Board of Directors and the stockholders, if required by this Charter.
Each share of each series of preferred stock shall have the same relative rights as and be identical in all respects with all the other shares of the same series.
In the event shares are acquired in violation of this Article 13, all shares beneficially owned by any person in excess of ten percent (10%) shall be considered "excess shares" and shall not be counted as shares entitled to vote, shall not be voted by any person or counted as voting shares in connection with any matters submitted to the stockholders for a vote, and shall not be counted as outstanding for purposes of determining the affirmative vote necessary to approve any matter submitted to the stockholders for a vote.
For purposes of this ARTICLE 13, the following definitions apply:
1. The term "person" includes an individual, a group acting in concert, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or similar company, a syndicate or any other group formed for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of the equity securities of the Bank.
2. The term "offer" includes every offer to buy or otherwise acquire, solicitation of an offer to sell, tender offer for, or request or invitation for tenders of, a security or interest in a security for value.
3. The term "acquire" includes every type of acquisition, whether effected by purchase, exchange, operation of law or otherwise.
4. The term "acting in concert" means (a) knowing participation in a joint activity or conscious parallel action towards a common goal whether or not pursuant to an express agreement, or (b) a combination or pooling of voting or other interests in the securities of an issuer for a common purpose pursuant to any contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangements, whether written or otherwise.
5. The term "conversion" means (i) the conversion of the Mutual Holding Company to stock form and the combination of the Mutual Holding Company with and into the Bank pursuant to the MHC Combination, pursuant to which the Mutual Holding Company will cease to exist and each share of the Bank's common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time thereof shall automatically be canceled, (ii) the issuance of Conversion Stock by the Holding Company in the offering in the Plan of Conversion, and (iii) the issuance to the Holding Company of the Bank's common stock to be outstanding upon consummation of the Conversion in exchange for a portion of the net proceeds received by the Holding Company from the sale of the Conversion Stock, all of which shall be in accordance with the Conversion Regulations, Massachusetts law and regulations and the Plan of Conversion.
A. None of the following Business Combinations shall be consummated without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least eighty percent (80%) of the shares entitled to vote thereon ("Voting Stock"):
1. any merger or consolidation of the Bank with or into (a) any Interested Shareholder or (b) any other corporation or entity (whether or not itself an Interested Shareholder) which is, or after each merger or consolidation would be, an Affiliate of an Interested Shareholder;
2. any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) to or with any Interested Shareholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Shareholder of assets of the Bank having an aggregate Fair Market Value of $100,000 or more;
3. the issuance or transfer by the Bank (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of any securities of the Bank to any Interested Shareholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Shareholder in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate Fair Market Value of $100,000 or more, other than the issuance of securities upon the conversion of any class or series of stock or securities convertible into stock of the Bank which were not acquired by such Interested Shareholder or such Affiliate from the Bank;
4. the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Bank proposed by or on behalf of an Interested Shareholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Shareholder; or
5. any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or any recapitalization of the Bank, or any merger or consolidation of the Bank or any other transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Shareholder) which in any such case (a) has the effect, directly or indirectly of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class or series of stock of the Bank which is directly or indirectly beneficially owned by any Interested Shareholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Shareholder or (b) would have the effect of increasing such proportionate share upon conversion of any class or series of stock or securities convertible into stock of the Bank.
B. The provisions of paragraph A hereof shall not be applicable to any Business Combination in respect of which the conditions specified in either of the following subparagraphs 1 and 2 are met. Any such Business Combination shall require the affirmative vote of only the holders of a majority of the Voting Stock.
1. Such Business Combination shall have been approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors, or
2. All of the following conditions relating to minimum price and consideration for stock shall have been met:
(i) the highest per share price (including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers' fees) paid in order to acquire any shares of such common stock
beneficially owned by the Interested Shareholder which were acquired beneficially by such Interested Shareholder within the two-year period immediately prior to the Announcement Date or in the transaction in which it became an Interested Shareholder, whichever is higher; or
(ii) the Fair Market Value per share of such common stock on the Announcement Date or the Determination Date, whichever is higher; or
(i) the highest per share price (including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers' fees) paid in order to acquire any shares of such class or series of Voting Stock beneficially owned by the Interested Shareholder which were acquired beneficially by such Interested Shareholder within the two-year period immediately prior to the Announcement Date or in the transaction in which it became an Interested Shareholder, whichever is higher;
(ii) the highest preferential amount per share to which the holders of shares of such class or series of Voting Stock are entitled in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Bank; or
(iii) the Fair Market Value per share of such class or series of Voting Stock on the Announcement date or the determination Date, whichever is higher; and
(i) except as approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors, there shall have been no failure to declare and pay at regular dates therefor the full amount of any
dividends (whether or not cumulative), payable on any class or series having a preference over the common stock of the Bank as to dividends, or upon liquidation;
(ii) there shall have been no reduction in the annual rate of dividends paid on the common stock of the Bank (except as necessary to reflect any division of the common stock) except as approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors; and there shall have been an increase in such annual rate of dividends as necessary to prevent any such reduction in the event of any reclassification (including any reverse stock split), recapitalization, reorganization or any similar transaction which has the effect of reducing the number of outstanding shares of the common stock, unless the failure so to increase such annual rate was approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors;
(iii) an Interested Shareholder shall not have become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Voting Stock except as part of the transaction in which it became an Interested Shareholder; and
(iv) after an Interested Shareholder has become an Interested Shareholder, such Interested Shareholder shall not have received the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a shareholder), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance or tax credits or other tax advantages provided by the Bank, whether in anticipation of or in connection with such Business Combination or otherwise; and
C. For the purpose of this ARTICLE 14:
1. The term "Business Combination" shall mean any transaction that is referred to in any one or more subsections 1 through 5 of paragraph A hereof.
2. A "person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other entity.
3. "Interested Shareholder" shall mean any person (other than the Bank) who or which:
(a) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than ten percent (10%) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of Voting Stock;
(b) is an Affiliate of the Bank and at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of ten percent (10%) or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of Voting Stock; or
(c) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded to the beneficial ownership of any shares of Voting Stock that were at any time within the two- year period immediately prior to the date in question beneficially owned by any Interested Shareholder, if such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
4. A person shall be a "Beneficial Owner" of any Voting Stock:
(a) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly;
(b) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has (i) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii) the right to vote or direct the vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; or
(c) which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any shares of Voting Stock.
5. For the purposes of determining whether a person is an Interested Shareholder pursuant subparagraph 3 of this paragraph C, the number of shares of Voting Stock deemed to be outstanding shall include shares deemed owned through application of subparagraph 4 of this paragraph C.
6. "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
7. "Subsidiary" means any corporation more than fifty percent (50%) of whose outstanding stock having ordinary voting power in the election of directors is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Bank or by a Subsidiary thereof or by the Bank and one or more Subsidiaries thereof; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Interested Shareholder set forth in subparagraph 3 of this paragraph C, the term "Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Bank.
8. "Disinterested Director" means any member of the Board of Directors of the Bank who is unaffiliated with, and not a nominee of, the Interested Shareholder and was a member of the Board prior to the time that the Interested Shareholder became an Interested Shareholder, and any successor of a Disinterested Director who is unaffiliated with, and not a nominee of, the Interested Shareholder and who is recommended to succeed a Disinterested Director by a majority of Disinterested Directors then on the Board of Directors.
9. "Fair Market Value" means:
(a) in the case of stock, the highest closing sale price during the 30-day period immediately preceding the date in question of a share of such stock on the Composite Tape for New York Stock Exchange Listed Stocks, or, if such stock is not quoted on the Composite Tape on the New York Stock Exchange, or, if such stock is not listed on such Exchange, on the principal United States securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on which such stock is listed, or, if such stock is not listed on any such exchange, on the principal United States securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on which such stock is listed, or, if such stock is not listed on any such exchange, of a share of such stock. Such price shall be the higher of (1) the closing sales price or bid quotation with respect to a share of such stock during the 30-day period preceding the date in question on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System or any system then in use, or if no such quotations are available, the fair market value on the date in question of a share of such stock as determined by a majority of the Disinterested Directors in good faith; and (2) in the case of stock of any class or series which is not traded on any United States registered securities exchange nor in the over-the-counter market or in the case of property other than cash or stock, the fair market value of such property on the date in question as determined by a majority of the Disinterested Directors in good faith.
10. In the event of any Business Combination in which the Bank
survives, the phrase "any consideration other than cash" as used in subparagraph
2.a. of paragraph B hereof shall include the shares of common stock and/or the
shares of any class or series of outstanding Voting Stock other than common
stock of the Bank retained by the holders of such shares.
11. "Announcement Date" means the date of first public announcement of the proposed Business Combination.
12. "Consummation Date" means the date of consummation of a Business Combination.
13. "Determination Date" means the date on which the Interested Shareholder became an Interested Shareholder.
D. A majority of the Disinterested Directors of the Bank shall have the
power and duty to determine, on the basis of information known to them after
reasonable inquiry, all facts necessary to determine compliance with this
ARTICLE 14, including, without limitation, (i) whether a person is an Interested
Shareholder, (ii) the number of shares of Voting Stock beneficially owned by a
person, (iii) whether a person is an Affiliate or Associate of another person,
(iv) whether the requirements of paragraph B hereof have been met with respect
to any Business Combination, and (v) whether the assets which are the subject of
any Business Combination have, or the consideration to be received for the
issuance or transfer of securities by the Bank or any subsidiary in any
Business Combination has, an aggregate Fair Market Value of $100,000 or
more. The good faith determination of a majority of the Disinterested Directors
on such matters shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes of this
ARTICLE 14.
E. Nothing contained in this ARTICLE 14 shall be construed to relieve any Interested Shareholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.
F. This ARTICLE 14 may be amended only by the vote of holders of two- thirds of the Voting Stock, unless the amendment is approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors, in which event it may be amended by the vote of holders of a majority of the Voting Stock.
EXHIBIT II
BYLAWS
OF
BERKSHIRE BANK
The name of this Bank shall be "Berkshire Bank". The main office of the Bank is and shall be located in the City of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, or such other location as the Board of Directors may designate, subject to change as authorized by law. Branches and depots heretofore or hereafter established shall be located and operated in accordance with applicable law. The Bank shall have and may exercise all the powers, privileges and authority, express, implied and incidental, now or hereafter conferred by applicable law.
unless successfully challenged at or prior to its exercise, and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger.
minutes of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a Director who voted in favor of such action.
or officer of any holding company for any bank or thrift institution which is not the mutual holding company which owns the majority of the outstanding capital stock of the Bank, or as a trustee, director or officer of any other bank or thrift institution which is not a subsidiary of the mutual holding company which owns the majority of the outstanding capital stock of the Bank.
Any Vice President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
Any Vice Treasurer and any Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.
It shall be the duty of each stockholder to notify the Bank of his current post office address.
If no record date is fixed and the transfer books are not closed, (a) the record date for determining stockholders having the right to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, and (b) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors acts with respect thereto.
determination shall be made by a majority vote of a committee of three disinterested Directors chosen at a regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors to make such determination; provided, however, that if there are fewer than three disinterested Directors, the determination shall be made by a committee consisting of three disinterested Trustees of the mutual holding company which owns a majority of the outstanding common stock of the Bank, chosen at a regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors to make such a determination; and if there are fewer than three disinterested Trustees, the determination shall be made by a committee of three disinterested corporators of the mutual holding company which owns a majority of the outstanding common stock of the Bank, chosen at a regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors to make such a determination.
(a) "Officer" means any person who serves or has served as a Director or officer of the Bank;
(b) "non-Officer Employee" means any person who serves or has served as an employee of the Bank but who is not an Officer;
(c) "Proceeding" means any action, suit or proceeding, civil or criminal, brought or threatened in or before any court, tribunal, administrative or legislative body or agency; and
(d) "Expenses" means any liability fixed by a judgment, order, decree or award in a Proceeding, any amount actually and reasonably paid in settlement of a Proceeding and any professional fees and other disbursements reasonably incurred in a Proceeding.
Board of Directors deems to be appropriate. Nothing in this Article VI shall limit any lawful rights to indemnification existing independently of this Article.
The Bank in its discretion shall be at liberty to refuse to receive any deposits and may require, on such notice as may be required by applicable law, any depositor or his representative to withdraw the whole or any part of the amount standing to the credit of his account, except that on a systematic savings account which has been accepted, the designated monthly deposit may not be refused nor may such an account or any other term account be ordered to be withdrawn during the term of the applicable account agreement. In case of neglect or refusal to withdraw, no part of said account shall be entitled to receive any subsequent interest.
Where a depositor becomes indebted to the Bank under any circumstances, the Bank shall have the right at its option and subject to applicable law, to set off against such indebtedness an amount equal to such indebtedness by deducting such amount from the deposits of the depositor.
regulation or requirement established by or limitations imposed by the Bank, shall be valid or binding upon the Bank.
The Bank may collect any fees for services authorized by the Executive Committee by making charges against a depositor's account. Any depositor may file with the Treasurer a permanent order, requesting payment of interest as it is credited, except for interest on deposits in accounts in which the interest declared thereon may not be withdrawn pursuant to the terms of the applicable account. Payment of interest pursuant to a permanent interest order by check payable to such depositor or to such person as he may name in such order, as evidenced by the return of such check shall be a discharge to the Bank for the amount paid.
Deposits standing in the name of a deceased depositor or a minor shall be paid in accordance with law; and payments may be made to the surviving husband, wife or next of kin of a deceased depositor or to either parent of a minor, to the extent authorized by applicable law.
Unless otherwise provided by law or the Board of Directors, in the event of a breach of condition of any mortgage held by the Bank, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, any Assistant Vice President, the Treasurer, any Vice Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, any Mortgage Officer, any Loan Officer and any Real Estate Officer are authorized and empowered severally, in the name and on behalf of the Bank, whenever authorized by the Executive Committee or by the Board of Directors by general or specific vote, to make entry for the purpose of taking possession of the mortgaged property or of foreclosing such mortgage and to perform any and all acts necessary or proper to consummate such foreclosure and effect the due execution of any power of sale contained in such mortgage, including the execution, acknowledgment and delivery of all deeds and instruments of conveyance to the purchaser and the execution of all affidavits and certificates required by law or deemed necessary by any of such officers.
No contract or transaction between the Bank and one or more of its Directors or officers, or between the Bank and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization of which one or more of its Directors, officers, partners, or members are members of the Board of Directors or officers of the Bank, or in which one or more of the Bank's Directors or officers have a financial or other interest, shall be void or voidable solely by reason thereof, or solely because the Director
or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Bank or a committee thereof which authorized the contract or transaction; if:
(1) Any duality of interest or possible conflict of interest on the part of any Director or officer of the Bank is disclosed to the other members of the Board or committee at a meeting at which a matter involving such duality or conflict of interest is considered or acted upon; and
(2) Any Director having a duality of interest or possible conflict of interest on any matter refrains from voting on the matter. The minutes shall reflect that a disclosure was made and the abstention from voting.
The foregoing requirements shall not be construed as preventing a Director from briefly stating his or her position in the matter, nor from answering pertinent questions of other members of the Board or committee.
Each Director and officer shall be advised of the foregoing upon the acceptance of his or her office and shall answer an annual questionnaire that requests the disclosure of such duality of interest or possible conflict of interest.
EXHIBIT 3.1
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
A. The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is twenty-seven million (27,000,000) consisting of:
1. One million (1,000,000) shares of Preferred Stock, par value one cent ($.01) per share (the "Preferred Stock"); and
2. Twenty-six million (26,000,000) shares of Common Stock, par value one cent ($.01) per share (the "Common Stock").
B. The Board of Directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, to provide for the issuance of the shares of Preferred Stock in series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware (such certificate being hereinafter referred to as a "Preferred Stock Designation"), to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences, and rights of the shares of each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Stock, without a vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any Preferred Stock Designation.
C. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, in no event shall any record owner of any outstanding Common Stock which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a person who, as of any record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote on any matter, beneficially owns in excess of 10% of the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock (the
"Limit"), be entitled, or permitted to any vote in respect
of the shares held in excess of the Limit. The number of
votes which may be cast by any record owner by virtue of the
provisions hereof in respect of Common Stock beneficially
owned by such person beneficially owning shares in excess of
the Limit shall be a number equal to the total number of
votes which a single record owner of all Common Stock
beneficially owned by such person would be entitled to cast,
(subject to the provisions of this Article FOURTH)
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of shares of such class or series which are both
beneficially owned by such person and owned of record by
such record owner and the denominator of which is the total
number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such
person owning shares in excess of the Limit.
2. The following definitions shall apply to this Section C of this Article FOURTH:
a. "Affiliate" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as in effect on the date of filing of this Certificate of Incorporation.
b. "Beneficial ownership" shall be determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or any successor rule or statutory provision), or, if said Rule 13d-3 shall be rescinded and there shall be no successor rule or provision thereto, pursuant to said Rule 13d-3 as in effect on the date of filing of this Certificate of Incorporation; provided, however, that a person shall, in any event, also be deemed the "beneficial owner" of any Common Stock:
(1) which such person or any of its affiliates beneficially owns, directly or indirectly; or
(2) which such person or any of its affiliates has:
(i) the right to acquire (whether such right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage
of time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement
or understanding (but shall not be deemed to be
the beneficial owner of any voting shares solely
by reason of an agreement, contract, or other
arrangement with this Corporation to effect any
transaction which is
described in any one or more of clauses 1 through 5 of Section A of Article EIGHTH of this Certificate of Incorporation ("Article EIGHTH")), or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants, or options or otherwise, or (ii) sole or shared voting or investment power with respect thereto pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise (but shall not be deemed to be the beneficial owner of any voting shares solely by reason of a revocable proxy granted for a particular meeting of stockholders, pursuant to a public solicitation of proxies for such meeting, with respect to shares of which neither such person nor any such Affiliate is otherwise deemed the beneficial owner); or
(3) which are beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by any other person with which such
first mentioned person or any of its Affiliates
acts as a partnership, limited partnership,
syndicate or other group pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing
of any shares of capital stock of this
Corporation; and provided further, however, that:
(1) no Director or Officer of this Corporation (or
any Affiliate of any such Director or Officer)
shall, solely by reason of any or all of such
Directors or Officers acting in their capacities
as such, be deemed, for any purposes hereof, to
beneficially own any Common Stock beneficially
owned by any other such Director or Officer (or
any Affiliate thereof); and (2) neither any
employee stock ownership or similar plan of this
Corporation or any subsidiary of this Corporation,
nor any trustee with respect thereto or any
Affiliate of such trustee (solely by reason of
such capacity of such trustee), shall be deemed,
for any purposes hereof, to beneficially own any
Common Stock held under any such plan. For
purposes only of computing the percentage of
beneficial ownership of Common Stock of a person,
the outstanding Common Stock shall include shares
deemed owned by such person through application of
this subsection but shall not include any other
Common Stock which may be issuable by this
Corporation pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise. For all other purposes, the outstanding Common Stock shall include only Common Stock then outstanding and shall not include any Common Stock which may be issuable by this Corporation pursuant to any agreement, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.
c. The "limit" shall mean 10% of the then-outstanding shares of Common Stock.
d. A "person" shall include an individual, a firm, a group acting in concert, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint venture, a pool, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or similar company, a syndicate or any other group formed for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities or any other entity.
3. The Board of Directors shall have the power to construe and
apply the provisions of this section and to make all
determinations necessary or desirable to implement such
provisions, including but not limited to matters with
respect to: (i) the number of shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned by any person; (ii) whether a person is
an affiliate of another; (iii) whether a person has an
agreement, arrangement, or understanding with another as to
the matters referred to in the definition of beneficial
ownership; (iv) the application of any other definition or
operative provision of the section to the given facts; or
(v) any other matter relating to the applicability or effect
of this section.
4. The Board of Directors shall have the right to demand that any person who is reasonably believed to beneficially own Common Stock in excess of the Limit (or holds of record Common Stock beneficially owned by any person in excess of the Limit) supply the Corporation with complete information as to: (i) the record owner(s) of all shares beneficially owned by such person who is reasonably believed to own shares in excess of the Limit; and (ii) any other factual matter relating to the applicability or effect of this section as may reasonably be requested of such person.
5. Except as otherwise provided by law or expressly provided in this Section C, the presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of
record of shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitling the holders thereof to cast a majority of the votes (after giving effect, if required, to the provisions of this Section C) entitled to be cast by the holders of shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders, and every reference in this Certificate of Incorporation to a majority or other proportion of capital stock (or the holders thereof) for purposes of determining any quorum requirement or any requirement for stockholder consent or approval shall be deemed to refer to such majority or other proportion of the votes (or the holders thereof) then entitled to be cast in respect of such capital stock.
6. Any constructions, applications, or determinations made by the Board of Directors pursuant to this section in good faith and on the basis of such information and assistance as was then reasonably available for such purpose shall be conclusive and binding upon the Corporation and its stockholders.
7. In the event any provision (or portion thereof) of this
Section C shall be found to be invalid, prohibited or
unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions (or
portions thereof) of this Section shall remain in full force
and effect, and shall be construed as if such invalid,
prohibited or unenforceable provision had been stricken
herefrom or otherwise rendered inapplicable, it being the
intent of this Corporation and its stockholders that each
such remaining provision (or portion thereof) of this
Section C remain, to the fullest extent permitted by law,
applicable and enforceable as to all stockholders, including
stockholders owning an amount of stock over the Limit,
notwithstanding any such finding.
A. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon them by statute or by this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation, the Directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation.
B. The Directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.
C. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.
D. Special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board or as otherwise provided in the Bylaws. The term "Whole Board" shall mean the total number of authorized directorships (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board for adoption).
A. The number of Directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board. The Directors shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as reasonably possible, with the term of office of the first class to expire at the first annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the second class to expire at the annual meeting of stockholders one year thereafter and the term of office of the third class to expire at the annual meeting of stockholders two years thereafter with each Director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders following such initial classification and election, Directors elected to succeed those Directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election with each Director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
B. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock outstanding, the newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause may be filled only by a majority vote of the Directors then in office, though less than a quorum, and Directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which they have been chosen expires. No decrease in the number of Directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director.
C. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of Directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation.
D. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, any Director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation
entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors (after giving effect to the provisions of Article FOURTH of this Certificate of Incorporation ("Article FOURTH")), voting together as a single class.
A. In addition to any affirmative vote required by law or this Certificate of Incorporation, and except as otherwise expressly provided in this Article EIGHTH:
1. any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with: (i) any Interested Stockholder (as hereinafter defined); or (ii) any other corporation (whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder) which is, or after such merger or consolidation would be, an Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) of an Interested Stockholder; or
2. any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) to or with any Interested Stockholder, or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder, of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as hereinafter defined) equaling or exceeding 25% or more of the combined assets of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries; or
3. the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of any securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in exchange for cash, securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as hereinafter defined) equaling or exceeding 25% of the combined Fair Market Value of the outstanding common stock of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, except for any
issuance or transfer pursuant to an employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any Subsidiary thereof; or
4. the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation proposed by or on behalf of an Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder; or
5. any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any other transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder;
shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in the election of Directors (the "Voting Stock") (after giving effect to the provisions of Article FOURTH), voting together as a single class. Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that a lesser percentage may be specified, by law or by any other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation or any Preferred Stock Designation in any agreement with any national securities exchange or otherwise.
The term "Business Combination" as used in this Article EIGHTH shall mean any transaction which is referred to in any one or more of paragraphs 1 through 5 of Section A of this Article EIGHTH.
B. The provisions of Section A of this Article EIGHTH shall not be applicable to any particular Business Combination, and such Business Combination shall require only the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote after giving effect to the provisions of Article FOURTH, or such vote (if any), as is required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, if, in the case of any Business Combination that does not involve any cash or other consideration being received by the stockholders of the Corporation solely in their capacity as stockholders of the Corporation, the condition specified in the following paragraph 1 is met or, in the case of any other Business Combination, all of the conditions specified in either of the following paragraphs 1 or 2 are met:
1. The Business Combination shall have been approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined).
2. All of the following conditions shall have been met:
a. The aggregate amount of the cash and the Fair Market Value as of the date of the consummation of the Business Combination of consideration other than cash to be received per share by the holders of Common Stock in such Business Combination shall at least be equal to the higher of the following:
(1) (if applicable) the Highest Per Share Price (as hereinafter defined), including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers' fees, paid by the Interested Stockholder or any of its Affiliates for any shares of Common Stock acquired by it: (i) within the two-year period immediately prior to the first public announcement of the proposal of the Business Combination (the "Announcement Date"); or (ii) in the transaction in which it became an Interested Stockholder, whichever is higher; or
(2) the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on the Announcement Date or on the date on which the Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder (such latter date is referred to in this Article EIGHTH as the "Determination Date"), whichever is higher.
b. The aggregate amount of the cash and the Fair Market Value as of the date of the consummation of the Business Combination of consideration other than cash to be received per share by holders of shares of any class of outstanding Voting Stock other than Common Stock shall be at least equal to the highest of the following (it being intended that the requirements of this subparagraph (b) shall be required to be met with respect to every such class of outstanding Voting Stock, whether or not the Interested Stockholder has previously acquired any shares of a particular class of Voting Stock):
(1) (if applicable) the Highest Per Share Price (as hereinafter defined), including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers' fees, paid by the Interested Stockholder for any shares
of such class of Voting Stock acquired by it: (i) within the two-year period immediately prior to the Announcement Date; or (ii) in the transaction in which it became an Interested Stockholder, whichever is higher; or
(2) (if applicable) the highest preferential amount per share to which the holders of shares of such class of Voting Stock are entitled in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation; or
(3) the Fair Market Value per share of such class of Voting Stock on the Announcement Date or on the Determination Date, whichever is higher.
c. The consideration to be received by holders of a particular class of outstanding Voting Stock (including Common Stock) shall be in cash or in the same form as the Interested Stockholder has previously paid for shares of such class of Voting Stock. If the Interested Stockholder has paid for shares of any class of Voting Stock with varying forms of consideration, the form of consideration to be received per share by holders of shares of such class of Voting Stock shall be either cash or the form used to acquire the largest number of shares of such class of Voting Stock previously acquired by the Interested Stockholder. The price determined in accordance with subparagraph B.2 of this Article EIGHTH shall be subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares or similar event.
d. After such Interested Stockholder has become an Interested Stockholder and prior to the consummation of such Business Combination: (1) except as approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined), there shall have been no failure to declare and pay at the regular date therefor any full quarterly dividends (whether or not cumulative) on any outstanding stock having preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or liquidation; (2) there shall have been: (i) no reduction in the annual rate of dividends paid on the Common Stock (except as
necessary to reflect any subdivision of the Common Stock), except as approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors; and (ii) an increase in such annual rate of dividends as necessary to reflect any reclassification (including any reverse stock split), recapitalization, reorganization or any similar transaction which has the effect of reducing the number of outstanding shares of the Common Stock, unless the failure to so increase such annual rate is approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors, and (3) neither such Interested Stockholder or any of its Affiliates shall have become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of Voting Stock except as part of the transaction which results in such Interested Stockholder becoming an Interested Stockholder.
e. After such Interested Stockholder has become an Interested Stockholder, such Interested Stockholder shall not have received the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance or any tax credits or other tax advantages provided, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, whether in anticipation of or in connection with such Business Combination or otherwise.
f. A proxy or information statement describing the proposed Business Combination and complying with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (or any subsequent provisions replacing such Act, and the rules or regulations thereunder) shall be mailed to stockholders of the Corporation at least 30 days prior to the consummation of such Business Combination (whether or not such proxy or information statement is required to be mailed pursuant to such Act or subsequent provisions).
C. For the purposes of this Article EIGHTH:
1. A "Person" shall include an individual, a firm, a group acting in concert, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint venture, a pool, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization or similar company, a syndicate or any other group formed for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities or any other entity.
2. "Interested Stockholder" shall mean any person (other than the Corporation or any Holding Company or Subsidiary thereof) who or which:
a. is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 10% of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock; or
b. is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock; or
c. is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded to any shares of Voting Stock which were at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question beneficially owned by any Interested Stockholder, if such assignment or succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
3. For purposes of this Article EIGHTH, "beneficial ownership" shall be determined in the manner provided in Article FOURTH hereof.
4. "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on the date of filing of this Certificate of Incorporation.
5. "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which a majority of any class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of Interested Stockholder set forth in Paragraph 2 of this Section C, the term "Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of which a majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.
6. "Disinterested Director" means any member of the Board of Directors who is unaffiliated with the Interested Stockholder and was a member of the Board of Directors prior to the time that the Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder, and any Director who is thereafter chosen to fill any vacancy of the Board of Directors or who is elected and who, in either event, is unaffiliated with the Interested Stockholder and in connection with his or her initial
assumption of office is recommended for appointment or election by a majority of Disinterested Directors then on the Board of Directors.
7. "Fair Market Value" means:
a. in the case of stock, the highest closing sales price of the stock during the 30-day period immediately preceding the date in question of a share of such stock on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System or any system then in use, or, if such stock is admitted to trading on a principal United States securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Fair Market Value shall be the highest sale price reported during the 30-day period preceding the date in question, or, if no such quotations are available, the Fair Market Value on the date in question of a share of such stock as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith, in each case with respect to any class of stock, appropriately adjusted for any dividend or distribution in shares of such stock or any stock split or reclassification of outstanding shares of such stock into a greater number of shares of such stock or any combination or reclassification of outstanding shares of such stock into a smaller number of shares of such stock; and
b. in the case of property other than cash or stock, the Fair Market Value of such property on the date in question as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith.
8. Reference to "Highest Per Share Price" shall in each case with respect to any class of stock reflect an appropriate adjustment for any dividend or distribution in shares of such stock or any stock split or reclassification of outstanding shares of such stock into a greater number of shares of such stock or any combination or reclassification of outstanding shares of such stock into a smaller number of shares of such stock.
9. In the event of any Business Combination in which the Corporation survives, the phrase "consideration other than cash to be received" as used in Subparagraphs (a) and (b) of Paragraph 2 of Section B of this Article EIGHTH shall include the shares of Common Stock and/or the shares of any other class of outstanding Voting Stock retained by the holders of such shares.
D. A majority of the Disinterested Directors of the Corporation
shall have the power and duty to determine for the purposes of this Article
EIGHTH, on the basis of information known to them after reasonable inquiry:
(a) whether a person is an Interested Stockholder; (b) the number of shares
of Voting Stock beneficially owned by any person; (c) whether a person is
an Affiliate or Associate of another; and (d) whether the assets which are
the subject of any Business Combination have, or the consideration to be
received for the issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation or
any Subsidiary in any Business Combination has an aggregate Fair Market
Value equaling or exceeding 25% of the combined Fair Market Value of the
Common Stock of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries. A majority of the
Disinterested Directors shall have the further power to interpret all of
the terms and provisions of this Article EIGHTH.
E. Nothing contained in this Article EIGHTH shall be construed to relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.
F. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the Voting Stock required by law, this Certificate of Incorporation or any Preferred Stock Designation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the Voting Stock (after giving effect to the provisions of Article FOURTH), voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal this Article EIGHTH.
A. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a Director or an Officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a Director, Officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an "indemnitee"), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a Director, Officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a Director, Officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section C hereof with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
B. The right to indemnification conferred in Section A of this Article TENTH shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an "advancement of expenses"); provided, however, that, if the Delaware General Corporation Law requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a Director or Officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, services to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an "undertaking"), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a "final adjudication") that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in Sections A and B of this Article TENTH shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a Director, Officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee's heirs, executors and administrators.
C. If a claim under Section A or B of this Article TENTH is not paid in full by the Corporation within sixty days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable
period shall be twenty days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expenses of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (i) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) in any suit by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article TENTH or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.
D. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article TENTH shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise.
E. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any Director, Officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or subsidiary or Affiliate or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law.
F. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article TENTH with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of Directors and Officers of the Corporation.
Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a Director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
Name Mailing Address
---- ---------------
Joseph P. Daly Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP
5101 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20016
|
I, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the incorporator, for the purpose of forming a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware, do make, file and record this Certificate of Incorporation and do certify that the facts herein stated are true, and accordingly, have hereto set my hand this 10/th/ day of January, 2000.
/s/ Joseph P. Daly ------------------------------- Joseph P. Daly Incorporator |
EXHIBIT 3.2
BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I - STOCKHOLDERS
An annual meeting of the stockholders, for the election of Directors to succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall each year fix, which date shall be within thirteen (13) months subsequent to the later of the date of incorporation or the last annual meeting of stockholders.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of Directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies on the Board of Directors (hereinafter the "Whole Board").
Written notice of the place, date, and time of all meetings of the stockholders shall be given, not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date on which the meeting is to be held, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law (meaning, here and hereinafter, as required from time to time by the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation).
When a meeting is adjourned to another place, date or time, written notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the place, date and time thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however, that if the date of any adjourned meeting is more than thirty (30) days after the date for which the meeting was originally noticed, or if a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, written notice of the place, date, and time of the adjourned meeting shall be given in conformity herewith. At any adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting.
At any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of a majority of all of the shares of the stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or by proxy (after giving effect to the provisions of Article IV of the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation), shall constitute a quorum for all
purposes, unless or except to the extent that the presence of a larger number may be required by law. Where a separate vote by a class or classes is required, a majority of the shares of such class or classes present in person or represented by proxy (after giving effect to the provisions of Article IV of the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation) shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter.
If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, the chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, may adjourn the meeting to another place, date, or time.
If a notice of any adjourned special meeting of stockholders is sent to all stockholders entitled to vote thereat, stating that it will be held with those present in person or by proxy constituting a quorum, then except as otherwise required by law, those present in person or by proxy at such adjourned meeting shall constitute a quorum, and all matters shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast at such meeting.
Such person as the Board of Directors may have designated or, in his or her absence of such a person, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or, in his or her absence, such person as may be chosen by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, shall call to order any meeting of the stockholders and act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of the Secretary of the Corporation, the secretary of the meeting shall be such person as the chairman of the meeting appoints.
(a) The chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedures at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of discussion as seem to him or her in order. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting.
(b) At any annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting: (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is entitled to vote with respect thereto and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 6(b). For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the business must relate to a proper subject matter for stockholder action and the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be delivered or mailed to and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days prior to the date of the annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that less than one hundred (100) days' notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be received not later than the close of
business on the 10th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. A stockholder's notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting; (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation's books, of the stockholder proposing such business; (iii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation's capital stock that are beneficially owned by such stockholder; and (iv) any material interest of such stockholder in such business. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be brought before or conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(b). The Officer of the Corporation or other person presiding over the annual meeting shall, if the facts so warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(b) and, if he or she should so determine, shall so declare to the meeting and any such business so determined to be not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
At any special meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors.
(c) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures
and meet the qualifications set forth in these Bylaws shall be eligible for
election as Directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of
Directors of the Corporation may be made at a meeting of stockholders at which
directors are to be elected only: (i) by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors; or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation entitled to vote for
the election of Directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures
set forth in this Section 6(c). Such nominations, other than those made by or
at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made by timely notice in
writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's
notice shall be delivered or mailed to and received at the principal executive
offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days prior to the date of
the meeting; provided, however, that in the event that less than one hundred
(100) days' notice or prior disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or
made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received
not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which
such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was
made. Such stockholder's notice shall set forth: (i) as to each person whom
such stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a Director,
all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in
solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in
each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (including such person's written consent to being named in the proxy
statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and (ii) as to
the stockholder giving the notice (x) the name and address, as they appear on
the Corporation's books, of such stockholder and (y) the class and number of
shares of the Corporation's capital stock that are beneficially owned by such
stockholder. At the request of the Board of Directors, any person nominated by
the Board of Directors for election as a Director shall furnish to the Secretary
of the Corporation that information required to be set forth in a stockholder's
notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. No person shall be eligible
for election as a Director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 6(c). The Officer of the
Corporation or other person presiding at the meeting shall, if the facts so warrant, determine that a nomination was not made in accordance with such provisions and, if he or she shall so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded. No nomination shall be made or voted upon if the nominee is ineligible for election to the Board of Directors under these Bylaws.
(d) No person shall be eligible for election or appointment to the Board of Directors: (i) if such person has, within the previous 10 years, been the subject of supervisory action by a financial regulatory agency that resulted in a cease and desist order or an agreement or other written statement subject to public disclosure under 12 U.S.C. 1818(u), or any successor provision; (ii) if such person has been convicted of a crime involving dishonesty or breach of trust which is punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year under state or federal law; (iii) if such person is currently charged in any information, indictment, or other complaint with the commission of or participation in such a crime; and (iv) except for persons serving as members of the initial Board of Directors unless such person has been, for a period of at least one year immediately prior to his or her nomination or appointment, a resident of a county in which the Corporation or its subsidiaries maintains a banking office or of a county contiguous to any such county. No person shall be eligible for election or appointment to the Board of Directors if such person is the nominee or representative of a company, as that term is defined in Section 10 of the Home Owners' Loan Act or any successor provision, of which any director, partner, trustee or shareholder controlling more than 10% of any class of voting stock would not be eligible for election or appointment to the Board of Directors under this Section 6. No person may serve on the Board of Directors and at the same time be a director or other officer of another co- operative bank, credit union, savings bank, state or federally-chartered savings and loan association, trust company, bank holding company or national banking association that engages in business activities in the same market area as the Corporation or its subsidiaries. No person shall be eligible for election to the Board of Directors if such person is the nominee or representative of a person or group, or of a group acting in concert (as defined in 12 C.F.R Section 574 4(d)), that includes a person who is ineligible for election to the Board of Directors under this Section 6. The Board of Directors shall have the power to construe and apply the provisions of this Section 6 and to make all determinations necessary or desirable to implement such provisions, including but not limited to determinations as to whether a person is a nominee or representative of a person, a company or a group, whether a person or company is included in a group, and whether a person is the nominee or representative of a group acting in concert.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bylaws, in no event shall any person, group or company that would not be eligible for election to the Board of Directors or to have his or its representative or nominee eligible for election to the Board of Directors under Section 6 of this Article I be entitled or permitted to vote his or its shares with respect to any amendment, modification or repeal of Section 6 of this Article I.
At any meeting of the stockholders, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting. Any facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to this paragraph may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.
All voting, including on the election of Directors but excepting where otherwise required by law or by the governing documents of the Corporation, may be made by a voice vote; provided, however, that upon demand therefor by a stockholder entitled to vote or his or her proxy, a stock vote shall be taken. Every stock vote shall be taken by ballot, each of which shall state the name of the stockholder or proxy voting and such other information as may be required under the procedures established for the meeting. The Corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability.
All elections shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast, and except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, all other matters shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast.
A complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders, arranged in alphabetical order for each class of stock and showing the address of each such stockholder and the number of shares registered in his or her name, shall be open to the examination of any such stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held.
The stock list shall also be kept at the place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and shall be open to the examination of any such stockholder who is present. This list shall presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and the number of shares held by each of them.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock of the Corporation, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.
ARTICLE II - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be under the direction of its Board of Directors. The number of Directors who shall constitute the Whole Board shall be such number as the Board of Directors shall from time to time have designated, except that in the absence of such designation shall be eighteen (18). The Board of Directors shall annually elect a Chairman of the Board from among its members who shall, when present, preside at its meetings.
No person shall be qualified to continue to serve as a Director after the annual meeting immediately following his or her seventy-second birthday; provided, however, that any Director serving on the date these Bylaws are adopted may not be re-elected following his or her seventy-second birthday but shall be qualified to serve as a Director until the expiration of the last term he or she is elected to serve prior to his or her seventy-second birthday.
The Directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock, shall be divided, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three classes, with the term of office of the first class to expire at the first annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the second class to expire at the annual meeting of stockholders one year thereafter and the term of office of the third class to expire at the annual meeting of stockholders two years thereafter, with each Director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders, Directors elected to succeed those Directors whose terms then expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election, with each Director to hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock, and unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause may be filled only by a majority vote of the Directors then in office, though less than a quorum, and Directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which they have been elected expires and until such Director's successor shall have
been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director.
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such place or places, on such date or dates, and at such time or times as shall have been established by the Board of Directors and publicized among all Directors. A notice of each regular meeting shall not be required.
Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by one-third (1/3) of the Directors then in office (rounded up to the nearest whole number), or by the Chairman of the Board or the President or, in the event that the Chairman of the Board or the President are incapacitated or otherwise unable to call such meeting, by the Secretary, and shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as they, or he or she, shall fix. Notice of the place, date, and time of each such special meeting shall be given each Director by whom it is not waived by mailing written notice not less than five (5) days before the meeting or by telegraphing or telexing or by facsimile transmission of the same not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.
At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the Whole Board shall constitute a quorum for all purposes. If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting to another place, date, or time, without further notice or waiver thereof.
Members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
At any meeting of the Board of Directors, business shall be transacted in such order and manner as the Board may from time to time determine, and all matters shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the Directors present, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law. Action may be taken by the Board of Directors without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors may, except as otherwise required by law, exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the unqualified power:
(1) To declare dividends from time to time in accordance with law;
(2) To purchase or otherwise acquire any property, rights or privileges on such terms as it shall determine;
(3) To authorize the creation, making and issuance, in such form as it may determine, of written obligations of every kind, negotiable or non-negotiable, secured or unsecured, and to do all things necessary in connection therewith;
(4) To remove any Officer of the Corporation with or without cause, and from time to time to devolve the powers and duties of any Officer upon any other person for the time being;
(5) To confer upon any Officer of the Corporation the power to appoint, remove and suspend subordinate Officers, employees and agents;
(6) To adopt from time to time such stock, option, stock purchase, bonus or other compensation plans for Directors, Officers, employees and agents of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as it may determine;
(7) To adopt from time to time such insurance, retirement, and other benefit plans for Directors, Officers, employees and agents of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as it may determine;
(8) To adopt from time to time regulations, not inconsistent with these Bylaws, for the management of the Corporation's business and affairs; and
(9) To fix the Compensation of officers and employees of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as it may determine.
Directors, as such, may receive, pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors, fixed fees and other compensation for their services as Directors, including, without limitation, their services as members of committees of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE III - COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors, by a vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, may from time to time designate committees of the Board, with such lawfully delegable powers and duties as it thereby confers, to serve at the pleasure of the Board and shall, for these committees and any others provided for herein, elect a Director or Directors to serve as the member or members, designating, if it desires, other Directors as alternate members who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any committee so designated may exercise the power and authority of the Board of Directors to declare a dividend, to authorize the issuance of stock or to adopt a certificate of ownership and merger pursuant to Section 253 of the Delaware General Corporation Law if the resolution which designates the committee or a supplemental resolution of the Board of Directors shall so provide. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee and any alternate member in his or her place, the member or members of the committee present at the meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or she or they constitute a quorum, may by unanimous vote appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of the absent or disqualified member.
Each committee may determine the procedural rules for meeting and conducting its business and shall act in accordance therewith, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law. Adequate provision shall be made for notice to members of all meetings. The quorum requirements for each such committee shall be a majority of the members of such committee unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the Board of Directors which such quorum determined by a majority of the Board may be one- third of such members and all matters considered by such committees shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present. Action may be taken by any committee without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of such committee.
The Board of Directors shall appoint a Nominating Committee of the Board, consisting of not less than three (3) members of the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee shall have authority: (a) to review any nominations for election to the Board of Directors made by a stockholder of the Corporation pursuant to Section 6(c)(ii) of Article I of these Bylaws in order to determine compliance with such Bylaw; and (b) to recommend to the Whole Board nominees for election to the Board of Directors to replace those Directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting of stockholders next ensuing.
ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS
(a) The Board of Directors as soon as may be practicable after the annual meeting of stockholders shall choose a Chairman of the Board, a President and Chief Executive Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer and from time to time may choose such other officers as it may deem proper. The Chairman of the Board shall be chosen from among the Directors. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.
(b) The term of office of the Chairman of the Board and of all Officers shall be until the next annual election of Officers and until their respective successors are chosen but any Officer may be removed from office at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the authorized number of Directors then constituting the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.
(c) All Officers chosen by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer shall have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective Offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article IV. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board of Directors or by any committee thereof.
The Chairman of the Board shall perform such duties designated to him or her by the Board of Directors and which are delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors by resolution of the Board of Directors.
The President and Chief Executive Officer, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation. The President and Chief Executive Officer shall have general responsibility for the management and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all duties and have all powers which are commonly incident to the office of President and Chief Executive Officer or which are delegated to him or her by the Board of Directors. Subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, the President and Chief Executive Officer shall have power to sign all stock certificates, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation which are authorized and shall have general supervision of all of the other Officers (other than the Chairman of the Board), employees and agents of the Corporation.
The Vice President or Vice Presidents shall perform the duties of the President in his absence or during his inability to act. In addition, the Vice Presidents shall perform the duties and exercise the powers usually incident to their respective offices and/or such other duties and powers as may
be properly assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President. A Vice President or Vice Presidents may be designated as Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President.
The Secretary or Assistant Secretary shall issue notices of meetings, shall keep their minutes, shall have charge of the seal and the corporate books, shall perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as are usually incident to such office and/or such other duties and powers as are properly assigned thereto by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President. Subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Secretary shall have the power to sign all stock certificates.
The Treasurer shall be the Comptroller of the Corporation and shall have the responsibility for maintaining the financial records of the Corporation. He or she shall make such disbursements of the funds of the Corporation as are authorized and shall render from time to time an account of all such transactions and of the financial condition of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall also perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. Subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall have the power to sign all stock certificates.
The Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries and such other Officers who shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President and the Chief Executive Officer .
Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the President or any Officer of the Corporation authorized by the President shall have power to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at any meeting of stockholders of or with respect to any action of stockholders of any other corporation in which this Corporation may hold securities and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which this Corporation may possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other corporation.
ARTICLE V - STOCK
Each stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, the Chairman of the Board or the President, and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or any Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, certifying the number of shares owned by him or her. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be by facsimile.
Transfers of stock shall be made only upon the transfer books of the Corporation kept at an office of the Corporation or by transfer agents designated to transfer shares of the stock of the Corporation. Except where a certificate is issued in accordance with Section 4 of Article V of these Bylaws, an outstanding certificate for the number of shares involved shall be surrendered for cancellation before a new certificate is issued therefor.
In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders, or to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of any meeting of stockholders, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the time for such other action as hereinbefore described; provided, however, that if no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the next day preceding the day on which the meeting is held, and, for determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment or rights or to exercise any rights of change, conversion or exchange of stock or for any other purpose, the record date shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts a resolution relating thereto.
A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
In the event of the loss, theft or destruction of any certificate of stock, another may be issued in its place pursuant to such regulations as the Board of Directors may establish concerning proof
of such loss, theft or destruction and concerning the giving of a satisfactory bond or bonds of indemnity.
The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of certificates of stock shall be governed by such other regulations as the Board of Directors may establish.
ARTICLE VI - NOTICES
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein or required by law, all notices required to be given to any stockholder, Director, Officer, employee or agent shall be in writing and may in every instance be effectively given by hand delivery to the recipient thereof, by depositing such notice in the mails, postage paid, or by sending such notice by prepaid telegram or mailgram or other courier. Any such notice shall be addressed to such stockholder, Director, Officer, employee or agent at his or her last known address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation. The time when such notice is received, if hand delivered, or dispatched, if delivered through the mails or by telegram or mailgram or other courier, shall be the time of the giving of the notice.
A written waiver of any notice, signed by a stockholder, Director, Officer, employee or agent, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to the notice required to be given to such stockholder, Director, Officer, employee or agent. Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in such a waiver. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
ARTICLE VII - MISCELLANEOUS
In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these Bylaws, facsimile signatures of any officer or officers of the Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.
The Board of Directors may provide a suitable seal, containing the name of the Corporation, which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary. If and when so directed by the Board of Directors
or a committee thereof, duplicates of the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Secretary or an assistant to the Treasurer.
Each Director, each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors, and each Officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its Officers or employees, or committees of the Board of Directors so designated, or by any other person as to matters which such Director or committee member reasonably believes are within such other person's professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as fixed by the Board of Directors.
In applying any provision of these Bylaws which requires that an act be done or not be done a specified number of days prior to an event or that an act be done during a period of a specified number of days prior to an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded, and the day of the event shall be included.
ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS
The Board of Directors may amend, alter or repeal these Bylaws at any meeting of the Board, provided notice of the proposed change was given not less than two (2) days prior to the meeting. The stockholders shall also have power to amend, alter or repeal these Bylaws at any meeting of stockholders provided notice of the proposed change was given in the notice of the meeting; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any other provisions of the Bylaws or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the voting stock required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, any Preferred Stock Designation or these Bylaws, the affirmative votes of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal any provisions of these Bylaws.
The above Bylaws are effective as of January 10, 2000, the date of incorporation of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
EXHIBIT 4.0
COMMON STOCK
PAR VALUE $.01 COMMON STOCK
SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
CUSIP
BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
THIS CERTIFIES THAT
S P E C I M E N
is the owner of:
FULLY PAID AND NONASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK $.01 PAR VALUE PER SHARE OF
BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
The shares represented by this certificate are transferable only on the stock transfer books of the Corporation by the holder of record hereof, or by his duly authorized attorney or legal representative, upon the surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This certificate and the shares represented hereby are issued and shall be held subject to all the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation and any amendments thereto (copies of which are on file with the Transfer Agent), to all of which provisions the holder by acceptance hereof, assents.
This certificate is not valid unless countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar. The shares represented by this Certificate are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. has caused this certificate to be executed by the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers and has caused a facsimile of its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed.
Dated: [SEAL] President Secretary
BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
The shares represented by this certificate are subject to a limitation contained in the Certificate of Incorporation to the effect that in no event shall any record owner of any outstanding common stock which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a person who beneficially owns in excess of 10% of the outstanding shares of common stock (the "Limit") be entitled or permitted to any vote in respect of shares held in excess of the Limit.
The Board of Directors of the Corporation is authorized by resolution(s), from time to time adopted, to provide for the issuance of serial preferred stock in series and to fix and state the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional, or other special rights of the shares of each such series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof. The Corporation will furnish to any shareholder upon request and without charge a full description of each class of stock and any series thereof.
The shares represented by this certificate may not be cumulatively voted on any matter. The affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting stock of the Corporation, voting together as a single class, shall be required to approve certain business combinations and other transactions, pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation or to amend certain provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM - as tenants in common UNIF GIFTS MIN ACT_______ custodian_______
(Cust) (Minor)
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
____________________
(State)
JT TEN - as joint tenants with right
of survivorship and not as
tenants in common
|
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
For value received, __________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
DATED ________________________ ____________________________________________
NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT
MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN
UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY
PARTICULAR WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT
OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.
|
SIGNATURE GUARANTEED: ____________________________________________________
THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE
GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS
AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH
MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15
EXHIBIT 5.0
__________________, 2000
Board of Directors
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
24 North Street
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201
Re: The issuance of up to 10,326,609 shares of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. Common Stock
Lady and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion concerning certain matters of Delaware law in connection with the conversion of Berkshire Bancorp, a Massachusetts- chartered mutual holding company that owns all of the outstanding common stock of Berkshire Bank, a Massachusetts-chartered stock savings bank (the "Bank"), into the stock form of organization (the "Conversion"), and the related subscription offering, direct community offering and syndicated community offering (the "Offerings") by Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation and the proposed holding company for the Bank, of up to 8,314,500 shares of its common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock") (9,561,675 shares if the estimated valuation range is increased up to 15% to reflect changes in market and financial conditions following commencement of the Offerings) and the issuance of 665,160 shares of Common Stock to Berkshire Hills Foundation (the "Foundation"), a privately-owned charitable foundation formed by the Company (764,934 shares if the estimated valuation range is increased up to 15% to reflect changes in market and financial conditions following commencement of the Offerings), pursuant to a gift instrument.
We understand that the Company will contribute funds to a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company (the "Subsidiary") which Subsidiary will lend funds to
the trust for the Bank's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP") which the
ESOP trust will use to purchase shares of Common Stock for which the ESOP trust
subscribes pursuant to the Offerings. For purposes of rendering the opinion set
forth in paragraph 2 below, we assume that: (a) the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Board") has duly authorized the capital contribution to the
Subsidiary for the purpose of making the loan to the ESOP trust (the "Loan");
(b) the Board of Directors of the Subsidiary has duly authorized the Loan to the
ESOP trust; (c) the ESOP serves a valid corporate purpose for the Company; (d)
the Loan will be made at an interest rate and on other terms that are fair to
the Subsidiary; (e) the terms of the Loan will be set forth in customary
Board of Directors
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
___________________,2000
and appropriate documents including, without limitation, a promissory note representing the indebtedness of the ESOP trust to the Subsidiary as a result of the Loan; and (f) the closing for the Loan and for the sale of Common Stock to the ESOP trust will be held after the closing for the sale of the other shares of Common Stock sold in the Offerings and the receipt by the Company of the proceeds thereof and the contribution by the Company to the Subsidiary of funds sufficient to make the Loan.
In connection with your request for our opinion, you have provided to us and we have reviewed the Company's certificate of incorporation filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on January 10, 2000 (the "Certificate of Incorporation"); the Company's Bylaws; the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, as initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2000 (the "Registration Statement"); a consent of the sole incorporator of the Company; the Plan of Conversion; the gift instrument whereby shares will be granted to the Foundation; the ESOP trust agreement and the ESOP Loan agreement; resolutions of the Board concerning the organization of the Company, the Offerings and designation of a pricing committee of the Board (the "Pricing Committee"), and the form of stock certificate approved by the Board to represent shares of Common Stock. We have also been furnished a certificate of the Delaware Secretary of State certifying the Company's good standing as a Delaware corporation. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning given them in the Certificate of Incorporation.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and limited in all respects to matters of Delaware law, it is our opinion that:
1. The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing in good standing as a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware.
2. Upon the due adoption by the Pricing Committee of a resolution fixing the number of shares and the total price of the Common Stock to be sold in the Offerings, the Common Stock to be issued in the Offerings (including the shares to be issued to the ESOP trust) and the shares to be granted to the Foundation will be duly authorized and, when such shares are sold and paid for or granted, in the case of the Foundation, in accordance with the terms set forth in the prospectus which is included in the Registration Statement and such resolution of the Pricing Committee or, in the case of the Foundation, in accordance with the gift instrument and certificates representing such shares in the form provided to us are duly and properly issued, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
The following provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation may not be given effect by a court applying Delaware law, but in our opinion the failure to give effect to such provisions will not affect the duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable status of the Common Stock:
Board of Directors
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
____________________,2000
1. (a) Subsections C.3 and C.6 of Article FOURTH and Section D of Article EIGHTH, which grant the Board the authority to construe and apply the provisions of those Articles, subsection C.4 of Article FOURTH, to the extent that subsection obligates any person to provide to the Board the information such subsection authorizes the Board to demand, and the provision of Subsection C.7 of Article EIGHTH empowering the Board to determine the Fair Market Value of property offered or paid for the Company's stock by an Interested Stockholder, in each case to the extent, if any, that a court applying Delaware law were to impose equitable limitations upon such authority; and
(b) Article NINTH, which authorizes the Board to consider the effect of any offer to acquire the Company on constituencies other than stockholders in evaluating any such offer.
We assume no obligation to advise you of any events that occur subsequent to the date of this opinion.
Very truly yours,
MULDOON, MURPHY & FAUCETTE LLP
EXHIBIT 8.0
FORM OF FEDERAL TAX OPINION
__________, 2000
Boards of Trustees and Directors
Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Bancorp
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
24 North Street
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201
Dear Board Members:
You have requested our opinion regarding certain federal income tax consequences of the conversion of Berkshire Bancorp (the "Mutual Holding Company") and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Berkshire Bank (the "Bank"), from the mutual holding company structure to the stock holding company form, as effectuated pursuant to the integrated transactions described below. Our opinion is based upon the existing provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and regulations thereunder (the "Treasury Regulations"), and upon current Internal Revenue Service published rulings and existing court decisions, any of which could be changed at any time. Any such changes may be retroactive and could significantly modify the statements and opinions expressed herein. Similarly, any change in the facts and assumptions stated below, upon which this opinion is based, could modify the conclusions. This opinion is as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of any change in any matter considered herein after the date hereof. Since our opinion is rendered in advance of the closing of the transactions described below, we have assumed that the transactions will be consummated in accordance with such description, as well as all of the information and representations referred to herein. Any changes in the transaction could cause us to modify our opinion.
We, of course, opine only as to the matters we expressly set forth, and no opinions should be inferred as to any other matters or as to the tax treatment of the transactions that we do not specifically address. We express no opinion as to other federal laws and regulations, or as to laws and regulations of other jurisdictions, or as to factual or legal matters other than as set forth herein.
We express no opinion on the state or local income tax consequences of the transactions described herein. We understand that Wolf & Company, P.C. will address such matters in a separate letter.
Boards of Trustees and Directors
Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Bancorp
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
_____, 2000
We have made such other investigations as we have deemed relevant or necessary for the purpose of this opinion. In our examination, we have assumed the authenticity of original documents, the accuracy of copies and the genuineness of signatures. We have further examined and have relied upon the accuracy of the factual matters set forth in the Plan of Conversion (the "Plan") and the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed by Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Application for Conversion (the "Application") filed with the Massachusetts Division of Banks (the "Division").
The Mutual Holding Company, a Massachusetts-chartered mutual holding company, and the Bank, a Massachusetts-chartered stock savings bank, were created in a reorganization of a Massachusetts-chartered mutual savings bank, at that time named Berkshire County Savings Bank (the "Mutual Bank"), in 1996 (the "MHC Reorganization"). In the MHC Reorganization, the Mutual Bank organized the Mutual Holding Company and the Mutual Holding Company organized the Bank. In connection with the reorganization, the Bank issued shares of its common stock ("Bank Common Stock") to the Mutual Holding Company. The Mutual Bank then merged with and into the Bank under a plan of reorganization in which all of the Mutual Bank's equity interests were exchanged for liquidation interests in the Mutual Holding Company. No other shares of Bank Common Stock were issued in connection with the MHC Reorganization. The Mutual Holding Company will own 100% of the outstanding Bank Common Stock immediately prior to the Conversion.
Subsequently, on October 22, 1999, the Mutual Holding Company adopted the Plan, providing for the conversion of the Mutual Holding Company into the capital stock form of organization.
The Board of Trustees of the Mutual Holding Company and the Board of Directors of the Bank believe that the reorganization of the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank in the stock holding company form of organization pursuant to the Plan is in the best interests of the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank, as well as in the best interests of the Bank's depositors. Accordingly, the following transactions will occur in the Conversion (as defined in the Plan) pursuant to the Plan:
1. The Bank will incorporate the Company, a Delaware corporation, for the purpose of holding all of the capital stock of the Bank and in order to facilitate the Conversion.
Boards of Trustees and Directors
Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Bancorp
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
_____, 2000
2. Subscription rights ("Subscription Rights") to purchase shares of the common stock of the Company ("Company Common Stock") will be issued without payment therefor to Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plans (as such persons are defined in the Plan). In addition, Subscription Rights will be issued to directors, trustees, officers and employees of the Bank in a fourth priority category who do not otherwise qualify as Eligible or Supplemental Eligible Account Holders.
3. Upon the effective date (the "Effective Date") of the Conversion, the Mutual Holding Company will convert (the "Interim Conversion") into an interim Massachusetts-chartered stock savings bank (the "Interim"), and the Interim will simultaneously merge with and into the Bank pursuant to a plan of merger, with the Bank being the surviving institution (the "MHC Merger"). As a result of the MHC Merger, (a) the shares of Bank Common Stock currently held by the Mutual Holding Company will be extinguished, and (b) the Eligible and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders will be granted interests in a liquidation account (the "Liquidation Account") to be established by the Bank pursuant to the Plan.
4. Upon the Effective Date, the Company will sell shares of Company Common Stock in a subscription offering (the "Subscription Offering") in order of priority to Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, Tax-Qualified Employee Stock Benefit Plans and directors, trustees, officers and employees of the Bank. Any shares of Company Common Stock remaining unsold after the Subscription Offering will be sold to the public through a Community Offering (as defined in the Plan), a Syndicated Community Offering (as defined in the Plan), and/or Public Offering (as defined in the Plan) as determined by the Boards of Trustees and Directors of the Mutual Holding Company, the Company and the Bank in their sole discretion. Collectively, the Subscription Offering, the Community Offering, the Syndicated Community Offering and the Public Offering are referred to herein as the Offerings.
5. The Company will contribute to the Bank 50% of the net proceeds received by the Company in the Offerings (the "Contributed Offering Proceeds") in exchange for 100% of the Bank Common Stock.
The Liquidation Account will be established by the Bank for the benefit of the Eligible and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders who maintain Deposit Accounts (as defined in the Plan) in the Bank after the Conversion. The Liquidation Account balance will initially be an amount equal to 100% of the Bank's net worth as reflected in its latest statement of financial condition contained in the final prospectus utilized in the Conversion. Each Eligible and Supplemental Eligible Account Holder will have an undivided interest in the Liquidation Account balance (referred to as a
Boards of Trustees and Directors
Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Bancorp
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
_____, 2000
"subaccount balance"). The proportionate interest of an Eligible or Supplemental Eligible Account Holder in the Liquidation Account will never increase, but will, however, decrease to reflect subsequent withdrawals from the Deposit Account of such Eligible or Supplemental Eligible Account Holders. In the sole event of a complete liquidation of the Bank after the Conversion, each Eligible or Supplemental Eligible Account Holder will be entitled to receive a liquidation distribution from the Liquidation Account in the amount of their then current interest before any liquidation distribution may be made with respect to the capital stock of the Bank.
Each Deposit Account in the Bank at the time of the consummation of the Conversion will become a Deposit Account in the Bank equivalent in withdrawable amount to the withdrawal value (as adjusted to give effect to any withdrawal made for the purchase of Company Common Stock purchased in the Offerings) and subject to the same terms and conditions (except as to liquidation rights) as such Deposit Account in the Bank immediately preceding consummation of the Conversion.
You have made the following representations to us with regard to the Conversion. We have not independently investigated these representations, but, we are relying on them as an integral part of our opinion.
a. The merger of Interim into the Bank in the MHC Merger will be effected pursuant to applicable state and/or federal banking laws.
b. The aggregate fair market value of the interest in the Liquidation Account and the Subscription Rights received by each Eligible or Supplemental Eligible Account Holder pursuant to the MHC Merger will be approximately equal to the fair market value of the equity interest in the Mutual Holding Company surrendered by the Eligible or Supplemental Eligible Account Holder in exchange therefor.
c. To the best of the knowledge of the management of the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank, there is no plan or intention on the part of the Eligible or Supplemental Eligible Account Holders to withdraw from their Deposit Accounts subsequent to the Conversion such that the withdrawals would reduce their aggregate interests in the Liquidation Account to an amount having a value at the Effective Date of less than fifty percent of the value of the aggregate interests which the Eligible and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders of the Mutual Holding Company will have in the residual equity of the Mutual Holding Company immediately prior to the Conversion.
Boards of Trustees and Directors
Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Bancorp
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
_____, 2000
d. The Bank has no plan or intention to reacquire any of the interests in the Liquidation Account issued in the MHC Merger.
e. The liabilities of the Mutual Holding Company assumed by the Bank in the MHC Merger and the liabilities to which the transferred assets of the Mutual Holding Company are subject were incurred by the Mutual Holding Company in the ordinary course of its business.
f. The Company, the Bank, the Mutual Holding Company, the Interim and the Eligible and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders will pay their respective expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the Conversion, except that the Company, the Bank, and the Mutual Holding Company may pay fees to brokers and investment bankers for assisting Eligible and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and other eligible subscribers in completing and/or submitting Order Forms (as defined in the Plan). The expenses for brokers and investment bankers to assist Eligible and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and other eligible subscribers are solely and directly related to the Conversion and will be paid by the Company, the Bank, and the Mutual Holding Company directly to the brokers and investment bankers.
g. There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing (i) between the Mutual Holding Company and the Bank, or (ii) between the Company and the Bank that was issued, acquired, or will be settled at a discount in the Conversion.
h. None of the Company, the Bank, the Mutual Holding Company or the
Interim is an investment company as defined in Sections 368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and
(iv) of the Code.
i. Neither the Mutual Holding Company nor the Bank are under the
jurisdiction of a court in a Title 11 or similar case within the meaning of
Section 368(a)(3)(A) of the Code.
j. The fair market value of the assets of the Mutual Holding Company transferred to the Bank in the MHC Merger will equal or exceed the sum of the liabilities assumed by the Bank plus the amount of liabilities, if any, to which the transferred assets are subject.
k. The total adjusted basis of the assets of the Mutual Holding Company transferred to the Bank in the MHC Merger will equal or exceed the sum of the liabilities assumed by the Bank, plus the amount of liabilities, if any, to which the transferred assets are subject.
l. The Bank has no plan or intention to issue additional shares of its stock that would result in the Company owning less than all of the outstanding stock of the Bank.
Boards of Trustees and Directors
Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Bancorp
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
_____, 2000
m. The Company has no plan or intention to liquidate the Bank; to merge the Bank with or into another corporation; to sell or otherwise dispose of the stock of the Bank except for transfers of stock to corporations controlled by the Company; or to cause the Bank to sell or otherwise dispose of any of its assets, except for dispositions made in the ordinary course of business or transfers of assets to a corporation controlled by the Bank.
n. The Company does not own, nor has it owned during any period of its existence, any shares of stock of the Bank.
o. On the Effective Date, the fair market value of the assets of the Bank will exceed the sum of its liabilities, plus the amount of liabilities, if any, to which the assets are subject.
Based on the foregoing description of the Conversion, and subject to the qualifications and limitations set forth in this letter, we are of the opinion that, if the Conversion were to be consummated as described above as of the date hereof, then:
1. The Interim Conversion will constitute a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code. (Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code.)
2. Neither the Mutual Holding Company nor the Interim will recognize any gain or loss as a result of the Interim Conversion. (Section 354(a) of the Code.) The Mutual Holding Company and the Interim will each be "a party to a reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.
3. The assets of the Mutual Holding Company will have the same basis in the hands of the Interim as in the hands of the Mutual Holding Company immediately prior to the Interim Conversion. (Section 362(b) of the Code.)
4. The holding period of the assets of the Mutual Holding Company to be received by the Interim will include the period during which the assets were held by the Mutual Holding Company prior to the Interim Conversion. (Section 1223(2) of the Code.)
5. No gain or loss will be recognized by the Eligible or Supplemental Eligible Account Holders as a result of the Interim Conversion. (Section 354(a) of the Code.)
Boards of Trustees and Directors
Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Bancorp
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
_____, 2000
6. The MHC Merger will constitute a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code. (Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code.)
7. The exchange, as a result of the Interim Conversion and the MHC Merger, of the equity interests of the Eligible and the Supplemental Eligible Account Holders in the Mutual Holding Company for interests in the Liquidation Account established by the Bank in the MHC Merger will satisfy the continuity of interest requirement of Section 1.368-1(b) of the Treasury Regulations (cf. Rev. Rul. 69-3, 1969-1 C.B. 103, and Rev. Rul. 69-646, 1969-2 C.B. 54).
8. Neither the Mutual Holding Company nor the Interim will recognize any gain or loss as a result of the MHC Merger or on the transfer of the Interim's assets to the Bank in exchange for an interest in the Liquidation Account established in the Bank for the benefit of the Eligible and the Supplemental Eligible Account Holders who remain depositors of the Bank. (Section 361 of the Code.)
9. No gain or loss will be recognized by the Bank as a result of the MHC Merger or upon the receipt of the assets of the Interim in the MHC Merger in exchange for the transfer to the Eligible and the Supplemental Eligible Account Holders of an interest in the Liquidation Account. (Section 1032(a) of the Code.)
10. The basis of the assets of the Interim to be received by the Bank will be the same as the basis of such assets in the hands of the Interim immediately prior to the transfer. (Section 362(b) of the Code.)
11. The holding period of the assets of the Interim to be received by the Bank will include the holding period of those assets in the hands of the Mutual Holding Company and the Interim. (Section 1223(2) of the Code.)
12. The Eligible and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders will recognize no gain or loss as a result of the MHC Merger or upon the receipt of Deposit Accounts and interests in the Liquidation Account in the Bank in exchange for their Deposit Accounts in the Bank and liquidation interests in the Mutual Holding Company. (Section 354(a) of the Code.)
13. The Company will recognize no gain or loss upon the receipt of cash in the Offerings in exchange for shares of Company Common Stock. (Section 1032 of the Code.)
Boards of Trustees and Directors
Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Bancorp
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
_____, 2000
14. The Company will recognize no gain or loss upon the transfer of the Contributed Offering Proceeds to the Bank in exchange for common stock of the Bank. (Section 351(a) of the Code.)
15. The Bank will recognize no gain or loss upon the receipt of the Contributed Offering Proceeds from the Company in exchange for common stock of the Bank. (Section 1032 of the Code.)
16. No gain or loss will be recognized by the Company, or by the Eligible or Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and other persons described in the Plan who will receive Subscription Rights, as a result of the distribution to the Eligible and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and such other persons of Subscription Rights relating to Company Common Stock. Eligible and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and other recipients of Subscription Rights will not recognize gain or loss as a result of the exercise of such Subscription Rights to purchase shares of Company Common Stock, provided that the amount to be paid for the Company Common Stock is equal to the fair market value of the Company Common Stock. The basis of the Company Common Stock to the Company's stockholders will be the purchase price thereof plus the basis, if any, of the Subscription Rights (which, as described below, we have assumed is zero).
We note that you have received an opinion of FinPro, Inc. which concludes that the Subscription Rights have no value. Under past rulings of the Internal Revenue Service, gain may be recognized by a recipient of Subscription Rights to the extent of the fair market value of the Subscription Rights received. The opinion of FinPro, Inc. has no binding effect on the Internal Revenue Service. We express no opinion on the fair market value of the Subscription Rights and, insofar as our opinion in paragraph 16 relates to the federal income tax consequences of the distribution of Subscription Rights, we are relying upon the opinion of FinPro, Inc. regarding the valuation of the subscription rights.
We hereby consent to the filing of the opinion as an exhibit to the Application filed with the Division and to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-l as filed with the SEC. We also consent to the references to our firm in the Prospectus contained in the Application and S-l under the captions "The Conversion--Tax Effects" and "Legal Opinions."
Very truly yours,
MULDOON, MURPHY & FAUCETTE LLP
EXHIBIT 8.1
March 8, 2000
Board of Trustees
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
24 North Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Board of Directors
Berkshire Bancorp
24 North Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter constitutes our opinion as to certain state income tax consequences of the proposed conversion of Berkshire Bancorp, the mutual holding company (MHC) of Berkshire Bank (the "Bank"), into Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. a stock holding company followed by the acquisition of the Bank's capital stock by Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (the "Holding Company"), a Delaware corporation, pursuant to the plan of conversion (the "Conversion").
The opinions contained herein are based solely on the FACTS and REPRESENTATIONS stated herein. All Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and Massachusetts General Laws ("MGL") as in effect as of the date of this opinion. If any of the FACTS and REPRESENTATIONS is not correct or complete, it is imperative that we be informed in writing as this could have a material adverse effect on our opinion.
Berkshire Bancorp is a Massachusetts chartered mutual holding company and has no stock or stockholders. Berkshire Bank is a stock savings bank all the stock of which is owned by Berkshire Bancorp. The proprietary interest in the reserves and undivided profits of the Bank belong to the deposit account holders of the Bank, hereinafter sometimes referred to as "depositors". A depositor of the Bank has a right to share, pro rata, with respect to the withdrawal value of his respective deposit account in any liquidation proceeds distributed in the event the Bank is ever liquidated. In addition, a depositor of the Bank is entitled to interest on his account balance as fixed and paid by the Bank.
Holding Company is a Delaware corporation recently organized by the Bank for the purpose of acquiring all of the capital stock of the Bank to be issued in the Conversion. Holding Company will have authorized capital stock consisting of 26 million shares of common stock ("Common Stock") and 1 million shares of preferred stock. Only Common Stock will be issued in connection with the Conversion. Holding Company will acquire the stock of the Bank in exchange for the greater of that portion of the net proceeds of the Offerings sufficient to increase the Bank's tangible capital to 10% of its total adjusted assets or 50% of the net proceeds from the Offerings.
In order to provide organizational and economic strength to the Bank, the Board of Directors has adopted a plan of conversion, as amended, (the "Plan of Conversion") whereby the Berkshire Bancorp will convert itself into an interim Massachusetts chartered stock savings bank and merge with and into Berkshire Bank. In connection with the merger, shares of Berkshire Bank common stock previously held by Berkshire Bancorp will be cancelled. Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. will then contribute 50% of the net offering proceeds to Berkshire Bank in exchange for its common stock. In connection with the Conversion, the Holding Company will issue shares of its $0.01 par value Common Stock in Subscription and Direct Community Offerings. It is anticipated that all such shares of Common Stock not subscribed for in the Subscription and Direct Community Offerings will be offered to the general public in a Syndicated Community Offering.
The aggregate sales price of the Common Stock issued in the Conversion will be based on an independent appraiser's valuation of the estimated pro forma value of the Common Stock of the Converted Bank. The Conversion and sale of the Common Stock will be accomplished pursuant to the rules and regulations and will be subject to the approval of the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Division of Banks.
In accordance with the Plan of Conversion, rights to subscribe for the purchase of Common Stock have been granted under the Plan of Conversion to the following persons in the following order of priority: (1) depositors whose accounts in the Bank totaled $50 or more on September 30, 1998 ("Eligible Account Holders"); (2) depositors whose accounts in the Bank totaled $50 or more on September 30, 1999 ("Supplemental Eligible Account Holders"); (3) the Employee Plans, including the ESOP; and (4) trustees, directors, officers, and employees who do not otherwise qualify as Eligible Account Holders or Supplemental Eligible Account Holders. All subscriptions received will be subject to the availability of Common Stock after satisfaction of all subscriptions of all persons having prior rights in the Subscription Offering and to the maximum and minimum purchase limitations set forth in the Plan of Conversion.
Berkshire Bank has received an opinion from Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP, Washington, D.C., that addresses the material federal income tax consequences of the conversion. The opinion, which relies upon standard factual representations given by Berkshire Bank, concludes, as follows:
1. The conversion of Berkshire Bancorp to a Massachusetts-chartered interim savings bank will constitute a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code.
2. The merger of the interim savings bank and Berkshire Bank will constitute a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code.
3. Berkshire Bancorp will not recognize any gain or loss on the transfer of its assets to Berkshire Bank as a consequence of the merger of the interim savings bank and Berkshire Bank in exchange for an interest in a liquidation account established in Berkshire Bank for the benefit of eligible and supplemental eligible account holders who hold a liquidation interest in Berkshire Bancorp and who remain depositors of Berkshire Bank.
4. No gain or loss will be recognized by Berkshire Bank upon the receipt of the assets of Berkshire Bancorp as a consequence of the merger of the interim savings bank and Berkshire Bank in exchange for the transfer to the eligible and supplemental eligible account holders who hold a liquidation interest in Berkshire Bancorp of an interest in the liquidation account.
5. The basis of the assets of Berkshire Bancorp to be received by Berkshire Bank as a consequence of the merger of the interim savings bank and Berkshire Bank will be the same as the basis of such assets in the hands of Berkshire Bancorp immediately prior to the transfer.
6. The holding period of the assets of Berkshire Bancorp to be received by Berkshire Bank in connection with the merger of the interim savings bank and Berkshire Bank will include the holding period of those assets in the hands of Berkshire Bancorp.
7. An eligible or supplemental eligible account holder will recognize no gain or loss upon the receipt of an interest in the liquidation account in Berkshire Bank in exchange for the eligible and supplemental eligible account holder's liquidation interest in Berkshire Bancorp.
8. Berkshire Hills will recognize no gain or loss upon the receipt of cash in exchange for shares of common stock of Berkshire Hills issued in the conversion offering.
9. Berkshire Hills will recognize no gain or loss upon the transfer of a portion of the net offering proceeds to Berkshire Bank in exchange for common stock of Berkshire Bank.
10. Berkshire Bank will recognize no gain or loss upon the receipt of a portion of the net offering proceeds from Berkshire Hills in exchange for common stock of Berkshire Bank.
11. Assuming that the subscription rights have no value, no gain or loss will be recognized by Berkshire Hills or by eligible or supplemental eligible account holders or other persons described in the plan of conversion who will receive subscription rights as a result of the distribution of subscription rights to purchase shares of common stock. Additionally, eligible or supplemental eligible account holders or other persons shall not recognize gain or loss upon the exercise of subscription rights to purchase shares of common stock, provided that the amount to be paid for the common stock is equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of purchase.
Financial Institution Excise Tax
Bank is a Massachusetts stock savings bank subject to the Massachusetts
Financial Institution excise tax under MGL chapter 63, sections 1, 2, 2A, and
7. Holding Company will be a Delaware chartered corporation subject to
Massachusetts excise tax under MGL chapter 63, section 39 or the excise imposed
under MGL chapter 63, section 38B(b) if Holding Company is classified as a
security corporation pursuant to that section. ESOP Loan Subsidiary will be a
Massachusetts domestic corporation subject to the Massachusetts Financial
Institution excise tax under MGL chapter 63, sections 1, 2, 2A and 7 whose
purpose is to loan money to the ESOP to enable the ESOP to purchase stock.
The Massachusetts Financial Institution excise tax provides that banks and certain corporations are taxed on net income as defined in MGL chapter 63, section 1, which provides that net income is equal to "gross income other than ninety-five percent of dividends received in any taxable year beginning on or after January first, nineteen hundred and ninety-nine from or on account of the ownership of any class of stock if the financial institution owns fifteen percent or more of the voting stock of the institution paying the dividend, less the deductions, but not the credits allowable under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended and in effect for the taxable year. For taxable years beginning on or after January first, nineteen hundred and ninety- nine, the provisions of section 291 of said Code shall not apply; and the provisions of section 171(a)(2) and 265 of said Code shall only apply to the extent that the income to which the deductions relate is excludable from gross income. Deductions with respect to the following items, however, shall not be allowed except as otherwise provided:
(a) dividends received, except as otherwise provided;
(b) losses sustained in other taxable years; or
(c) taxes on or measured by income, franchise taxes measured by net income, franchise taxes for the privilege of doing business and capital stock taxes imposed by any state."
Pursuant MGL chapter 63, section 1 for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1995 gross income "is defined under the provisions of the federal Internal Revenue Code, as amended and in effect for the taxable year, plus the interest from bonds, notes and evidences of indebtedness of any state, including the Commonwealth". Accordingly, a transaction that is non-taxable for federal income tax purposes because it qualities as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the federal Internal Revenue Code would also be non-taxable for Massachusetts Financial Institution excise tax purposes by reason of the fact that the federal treatment is controlling for Massachusetts purposes.
Although there is no case law nor regulations, announcements, or letter rulings issued by the Department of Revenue ("DOR") since the adoption of the revised definition of gross income, the DOR has issued numerous letter rulings regarding reorganizations under pre-1995 law. In several letter rulings, the DOR has ruled that no gain or loss should be recognized on transactions which qualify as reorganizations under Code section 368(a)./1/ Other letter rulings have held no Massachusetts gross income or loss resulted from the conversion of a mutual savings or cooperative bank to a stock savings or cooperative bank./2/
The letter rulings relating to the conversion from mutual to stock form of doing
business specifically address the issue of whether the issuance of stock, under
Section 1032 of the Code, creates income to the issuer. In all of the rulings,
the DOR stated that no gain or loss should be recognized on the receipt of money
in exchange for shares of common stock./3/
Accordingly, no gain should be recognized by either Holding Company upon issuance of its shares to the public or by Bank upon issuance of its shares to Holding Company.
While the above rulings apply to pre-1995 tax law, the statutory definition of gross income under pre-1995 tax law was very broad to include gross income from all sources. Accordingly, the conclusions reached by these rulings would provide weight to our conclusion that a non-taxable transaction for federal income tax purposes would also be non-taxable for Massachusetts Financial Institution excise tax purposes.
Corporate Excise Tax
It is the intent of management of Holding Company to obtain classification as a Massachusetts Security Corporation under Massachusetts Chapter 63, Section 38B(b) for Massachusetts excise tax purposes. One of the requirements for obtaining classification as a Massachusetts Security Corporation is that the company be engaged "exclusively in buying. selling, dealing in, or holding securities its own behalf and not as a broker."/4/
/2/ Massachusetts Letter Rulings 84-11, 83-61 and 83-53.
/3/ Ibid.
/4/ MGL Chapter 63, Section 38(B).
Holding Company has been authorized to loan money to the ESOP plan to be used for the purchase of Holding Company stock. The lending of money is an impermissible activity for Massachusetts Security Corporations/5/ and would result in disqualification as a Massachusetts Security Corporation. Such disqualification could result in additional income taxes being incurred by Holding Company.
Management has represented to us that if it becomes necessary for the Holding Company to loan money to the ESOP plan, the Holding Company will create a newly formed subsidiary, ESOP Loan Subsidiary. ESOP Loan Subsidiary will then loan the money to the ESOP plan.
Massachusetts Letter Rulings 88-13 and 91-3 addressed the issues of whether bank holding companies and other corporations, respectively, were allowed to own wholly-owned subsidiaries and what their permissible activities would be. In both rulings, and particularly in the case of bank holding companies, corporations were given fairly broad powers to manage the investment in their wholly-owned subsidiaries provided they did not actually conduct a trade or business themselves.
Provided ESOP Loan Subsidiary is created in such a manner that the business of ESOP Loan Subsidiary can be managed by ESOP Loan Subsidiary and is not managed by Holding Company, the formation of ESOP Loan Subsidiary followed by the lending of money from ESOP Loan Subsidiary, to the ESOP plan should not violate the requirements necessary to obtain and retain Massachusetts Security Corporation classification status for Holding Company.
Accordingly, based upon the facts and representations stated herein, it is the opinion of Wolf and Company, P.C. regarding the Massachusetts income tax effect of the planned reorganization that:
1.) Provided that the conversion of Berkshire Bancorp to a Massachusetts-chartered interim savings bank constitutes a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code and provided the merger of the interim savings bank and Berkshire Bank constitutes a tax-free reorganization with the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, the Conversion will also qualify as a tax-free reorganization for Massachusetts excise tax purposes (Massachusetts Letter Rulings 84-11, 83-53 and 83-61).
2.) No gain or loss shall be recognized by the Converted Bank or the Holding Company on the receipt by the Converted Bank of money from the Holding Company in exchange for shares of the Converted Bank's capital stock, or by the Holding Company upon the receipt of money from the sale of its Common Stock (Massachusetts Letter Ruling 87-11, Section 1032(a) of the Code).
3.) The basis of the assets of the Bank in the hands of the Converted Bank shall be the same as the basis of such assets in the hands of the Bank immediately prior to the Conversion (Massachusetts Letter Ruling 84- 11, Section 362(b) of the Code).
4.) The holding period of the assets of the Bank in the hands of the Converted Bank shall include the period during which the Bank held the assets (Section 1223(2) of the Code and Massachusetts Letter Ruling 84-11).
5.) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Eligible Account Holders and the Supplemental Eligible Account Holders of the Bank on the constructive issuance to them of withdrawable deposit accounts in the Converted Bank plus interests in the liquidation account of the Converted Bank in exchange for their deposit accounts in the Bank or to the other depositors on the issuance to them of withdrawable deposit accounts (Massachusetts Letter Ruling 84-11 and Section 354(a) of the Code).
6.) Provided that the amount to be paid for such stock pursuant to the subscription rights is equal to the fair market value of the stock, no gain or loss will be recognized by Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders upon the distribution to them of the nontransferable subscription rights to purchase shares of stock in the Holding Company (Section 356(a) and Massachusetts Letter Ruling 84-11). Gain realized, if any, by the Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders on the distribution to them of nontransferable subscription rights to purchase shares of Common Stock will be recognized but only in an amount not in excess of the fair market value of such subscription rights (Section 356(a) and Massachusetts Letter Ruling 84-11). Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders will not realize any taxable income as a result of the exercise by them of the nontransferable subscription rights (Massachusetts Letter Ruling 84-11).
7.) The basis of the deposit accounts in the Converted Bank to be received by the Eligible Account Holders, Supplemental Eligible Account Holders and other depositors of the Bank will be the same as the basis of their deposit accounts in the Bank surrendered in exchange therefor (Section 358(a)(1) of the Code and Massachusetts Letter Rulings 84-11 and 83-61). The basis of the interests in the liquidation account of the Converted Bank to be received by the Eligible Account Holders of the Bank shall be zero (Massachusetts Letter Rulings 84-11 and 83-61). The basis of the Holding Company Common Stock to its stockholders will be the purchase price thereof plus the fair market values, if any, of nontransferable subscription rights (Section 1012 of the Code and Massachusetts Letter Rulings 84-11 and 83-61). Accordingly, assuming the nontransferable subscription rights have no value, the basis of the Common Stock to the Eligible Account
Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders will be the amount paid therefor. The holding period of the Common Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of subscription rights shall commence on the date on which the right to acquire such stock was exercised (Section 1223(6) of the Code and Massachusetts Letter Ruling 84-11 and 83-61).
8.) Under MGL Chapter 63, Sections 1, 2 and 7, the Bank and the Converted Bank will be treated as the same savings bank and as if the Conversion had not occurred (Massachusetts Letter Ruling 84-11). Accordingly:
a.) the part of the current taxable year of the Bank before the Conversion and the part of the current taxable year of the Converted Bank after the Conversion will constitute a single taxable year of the Converted Bank;
b.) the Converted Bank will succeed to and take into account the net operating income of the Bank as of the date of the Conversion; and
c.) for the current taxable year, the Converted Bank may claim as a credit any estimated tax under MGL Chapter 63, Section 2 paid by the Bank prior to the Conversion.
9.) The lending of money from ESOP Loan Subsidiary to the ESOP plan will
not prevent Holding Company from qualifying as a Massachusetts
Security Corporation provided that Holding Company does not conduct
any other activities deemed impermissible under MGL Chapter 63,
Section 38B, and the various regulations, announcements and letter
rulings issued by the Department of Revenue.
Our opinion under paragraph (6) above is predicated on the representation that no person shall receive any payment, whether in money or property, in lieu of the issuance of subscription rights. Our opinion under paragraphs (6) and (7) above assumes that the subscription rights to purchase shares of Common Stock received by Eligible Account Holders, and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders have a fair market value of zero. We understand that you have received an opinion of FinPro, Inc. that the subscription rights do not have any value. We express no view regarding the valuation of the subscription rights.
If the subscription rights are subsequently found to have a fair market value, income may be recognized by various recipients of the subscription rights (in certain cases, whether or not the rights are exercised) and Holding Company and/or the Converted Bank may be taxable on the distribution of the subscription rights.
Our opinion assumes that the Conversion qualifies under Code Section 368(a) as a tax free reorganization. We understand that the federal tax opinion is being rendered by Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette, Attorneys at Law. We express no view regarding whether the Conversion qualifies as a tax free reorganization under the Code.
THE OPINIONS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE RENDERED ONLY WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC MATTERS DISCUSSED HEREIN AND WE EXPRESS NO OPINION WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER LEGAL, FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL TAX ASPECT OF THESE TRANSACTION. THIS OPINION IS NOT BINDING UPON ANY TAX AUTHORITY INCLUDING THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE OR ANY COURT AND NO ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN THAT A POSITION CONTRARY TO THAT EXPRESSED HEREIN WILL NOT BE ASSERTED BY A TAX AUTHORITY.
IN RENDERING OUR OPINIONS WE ARE RELYING UPON THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS AND THE REGULATIONS, JUDICIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INTERPRETATIONS THEREOF, ALL AS OF THE DATE OF THIS LETTER.
HOWEVER, ALL OF THE FOREGOING AUTHORITIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR MODIFICATION WHICH CAN BE RETROACTIVE IN EFFECT AND, THEREFORE, COULD ALSO AFFECT OUR OPINIONS. WE UNDERTAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY TO UPDATE OUR OPINION FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT CHANGE OR MODIFICATION.
Very truly yours,
Wolf and Company, P.C.
EXHIBIT 10.1
[ESOP SUBSIDIARY LETTERHEAD]
________ ____, 200_
James A. Cunningham, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Berkshire Bank
24 North Street
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201
Dear Mr. Cunningham:
This letter confirms [ESOP Subsidiary]'s commitment to fund a leveraged ESOP in an amount up to $________. The commitment is subject to the following terms and conditions:
a. [the Prime Rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on the date of the loan transaction].
a. Quarterly, semi-annual or annual 360 or 365 day basis.
Mr. James A. Cunningham, Jr.
_______________, 200_
If the terms and conditions are agreeable to you, please indicate your acceptance by signing the enclosed copy and returning it to my attention.
Sincerely,
Accepted on Behalf of
Berkshire Bank
By: ________________________________________ Date: _____________________
James A. Cunningham, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
FORM OF
BERKSHIRE BANK
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP TRUST
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
[ESOP Subsidiary]
24 North Street
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201
___________, 2000
Gentlemen:
The undersigned, ___________________ ("Trustee"), not individually but solely as Trustee under the Berkshire Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust (the "Trust") effective _________________, 2000 (the "Borrower"), applies to you for your commitment, subject to all of the terms and conditions hereof and on the basis of the representations hereinafter set forth, to make a loan available to the Borrower as hereinafter set forth. [ESOP Subsidiary] is hereinafter referred to as the "Lender". The term "Bank" as used herein refers to the sponsoring employer of the Berkshire Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP").
SECTION ONE. THE TERM LOAN.
The Loan is intended to be an "exempt loan" as described in Section 4975(d)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), as defined in
Section 54.4975-7(b) of the Treasury Regulations (the "Regulations"), as
described in Section 408(b)(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended ("ERISA") and as described in Department of Labor Regulations
Section 2550.408b-3 (collectively, the "Exempt Loan Rules").
Without regard to the principal amount of the Note stated on its face, the actual principal amount at any time outstanding and owed by the Borrower on account of the Note shall be the amount of the disbursement of the Loan made by the Lender under Section 1.1 hereof less all payments of principal actually received by the Lender. The amount of such disbursement made by the Lender and any repayments of principal thereof shall be recorded by the Lender on its books or records or, at its option, endorsed on the reverse side of the Note by the Lender and the unpaid principal balance at any time so recorded or endorsed by the Lender shall be prima facie evidence in any court or other proceedings brought to enforce the Note of the principal amount remaining unpaid thereon.
Except as set forth in the next succeeding sentence and to the extent permitted by applicable law, including, without limitation, the Exempt Loan Rules, the principal amount of the Loan and any interest thereon shall be payable solely from contributions (other than contributions of employer securities) made to the Trust in accordance with the ESOP, and cash dividends received on the Shares, to enable the Borrower to pay its obligations under the Loan and from earnings attributable to the Shares and the investment of such contributions and dividends.
The Lender acknowledges and agrees that it shall have no other recourse against the Borrower for repayment of the Loan and that it shall have no recourse against assets of the ESOP included in the Trust other than pursuant to Sections 3 and 8 hereof.
SECTION TWO. INTEREST AND FEES.
SECTION THREE. COLLATERAL.
SECTION FOUR. PAYMENTS.
SECTION FIVE. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lender as follows:
5.1 The Trust is a duly organized, validly existing employee stock ownership trust.
5.2 The proceeds of the disbursement of the Loan shall be applied in their entirety to the payment of the purchase price for the Pledged Shares.
5.3 The Borrower has full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to make the borrowings hereunder provided for, to issue the Note in evidence thereof and to perform each and all of the matters and things herein and therein provided for and this Agreement does not, and the Note when issued will not, nor will the performance or observance by the Borrower of any of the matters or things herein or therein provided, contravene any provision of law or the Trust or any other covenant or agreement affecting the Trust or any of its assets. As of the date of the disbursement of the Loan, the Pledged Shares will be fully paid and non-assessable and the Pledged Shares will be owned by the Borrower free and clear of all liens, charges and encumbrances whatsoever, except for any lien of Lender provided for herein.
5.4 Except as disclosed to the Lender in writing, there is no litigation or governmental proceeding pending, nor to the knowledge of the Borrower threatened, against the ESOP and Trust.
5.5 The ESOP and Trust have no material liabilities, whether absolute or contingent, except for those heretofore disclosed to the Lender.
SECTION SIX. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE LENDER
The Lender represents and warrants that:
6.1 The Lender is a corporation duly organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Lender has full power and authority and legal right to make and perform this Agreement.
6.2 The execution, delivery and performance by the Lender of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action by the Lender and is not and will not violate any provisions of law applicable to the Lender, any rules, regulations or orders applicable to the Lender or any judgments or decrees binding upon the Lender. This Agreement is a valid and legally binding obligation of the Lender enforceable against the Lender in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting credits' rights generally and the general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
6.3 No authorizations, approvals or consents of, and no filings or registrations with, any governmental regulatory authority or agency are required for the execution, delivery or performance by the Lender of this Agreement, or any transaction contemplated hereby, or for the validity or enforceability against the Lender hereof except as have already been received or accomplished.
6.4 The execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) any of the provisions of the Lender's Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, (ii) any provision of any agreement, instrument, order, arbitration award, judgment or decree to which the Lender is a party or by which it is or its assets are bound, and (iii) any statute, rule or regulation of any federal, state or local government or agency applicable to the Lender, except in any such case (i), (ii), (iii) above, for any such conflicts, violations, defaults which either individually or in the aggregate do not have a material adverse effect on the business properties of the Lender and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
6.5 To its best knowledge, the Bank has taken such actions as are required by applicable law to be taken to establish the ESOP and the Trust.
6.6 To its best knowledge, there is no action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending, or threatened against or affecting the ESOP before any court or governmental department, agency or instrumentality.
6.7 The Loan will be an "exempt loan" as that term is defined under
Section 54.4975-7(b)(1)(iii) of the Regulations, provided the ESOP Committee
determines that the interest rate is not more than reasonable; and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are "prohibited transactions" within
the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406(a) of ERISA, and are
subject to exemption pursuant to Section 4975(d)(3) of the Code and Section 408
of ERISA.
6.8 Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Shares are not subject to any restriction on transfer under applicable Federal securities law and may be freely traded on [Stock Exchange].
6.9 Determination Letter. The Bank shall apply for a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service that the Plan and the Trust, taken together, qualify as an employee stock ownership plan for purposes of Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code and the rules and regulations thereunder.
SECTION SEVEN. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.
The obligation of the Lender to make the Loan shall be subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
7.1 The Lender shall have received executed originals of this Agreement and the Note duly signed and properly completed.
7.2 The Lender shall have received either (i) the certificate evidencing all the Pledged Shares together with duly executed blank stock power therefore or (ii) if such Pledged Shares are not yet available, a duly executed agreement to pledge such stock in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (in which event such certificate and stock power will be delivered within six (6) days of the date of the Lender makes the Loan).
7.3 The Lender shall have received copies (executed or certified, as may be appropriate) of all legal documents or proceedings taken in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Note.
SECTION EIGHT. COVENANTS.
Borrower covenants and agrees that so long as any amount remains unpaid on the Note or the Commitment is outstanding, except to the extent compliance in any case or cases is waived in writing by the Lender:
(a) The Borrower will maintain a system of accounting for the ESOP and the Trust in accordance with sound accounting practice and will, from time to time, furnish to the Lender and its duly authorized representatives, such information and data with respect to the financial condition of the ESOP and the Trust as the Lender may reasonably request.
(b) Without any request the Borrower will furnish to the Lender promptly after knowledge thereof shall have come to the attention of the Borrower, written notice of the occurrence of any Default hereunder or of any threatened or pending litigation or governmental proceeding against the Plan or the Trust.
SECTION NINE. DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.
(a) As of the date when due, the Borrower fails to make payment of principal and/or interest with respect to the Note or any other amounts payable under this Agreement within five (5) business days of the date when due;
(b) As of the date proven false, the Borrower makes any representation, warranty or statement herein or in connection with the making of the Loan which proves to be incorrect in any material respect;
(c) As of the date the Borrower fails to perform or observe any term,
covenant or agreement (other than those referred to in subparts (a) and
(b), inclusive, of this Section 9.1) contained in this Agreement and such
failure continues unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice to the
Borrower by the Lender or any other holder of the Note;
(d) As of the date of termination of the ESOP if such termination is prior to the expiration of the term of this Agreement.
3(14) or a "disqualified person" within the meaning of Section 4975(e)(2) of the Code, a transfer of Trust assets upon default shall be made only if, and to the extent of, the Borrower's failure to meet the loan's payment schedule.
SECTION TEN. MISCELLANEOUS.
accrue on such principal from the stated due date thereof to and including the next succeeding Business Day on which the same is payable.
All provisions in this Agreement shall be construed so as to maintain (i)
the ESOP as a qualified leveraged employee stock ownership plan under Sections
401(a) and 4975(e)(7) of the Code, (ii) the Trust as exempt from taxation under
Section 501(a) of the Code, and (iii) the Loan as an "exempt loan" under the
Exempt Loan Rules.
[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]
Upon your acceptance hereof in the manner hereinafter set forth, this Agreement shall constitute a contract between us for the uses and purposes hereinabove set forth.
Dated as of this _____ day of ___________________, 2000.
[TRUSTEE], and its successors in trust, as Trustee under that certain Berkshire Bank Employee Stock Ownership Trust effective _____________, 200__, by and between the undersigned and Berkshire Bank
By________________________________________
Accepted and agreed to at Pittsfield, Massachusetts as of the date last above written.
By________________________________________ James A. Cunningham, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT A
PROMISSORY NOTE
Amount sufficient to satisfy the Loan Amount ________________, 2000 Pittsfield, Massachusetts
For VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, [TRUSTEE] not individually but solely as Trustee under that certain Berkshire Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust effective _________________, 200__, by and between the undersigned ("Borrower") and Berkshire Bank promises to pay to the order of [ESOP SUBSIDIARY], (the "Lender") at its office at 24 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all loan amounts or advances under the loan made to the Borrower under Section 1.1 of the Loan and Security Agreement hereinafter referred to in ______________ (___) consecutive annual equal installments consisting of both principal and interest amortized over a ______ (____) year period in an amount sufficient to repay all borrowed amounts plus interest, payable quarterly on the last business day of ______________, 200___ and continuing on the last business day of each and every __________________ thereafter, except that the final installment not sooner paid shall be due on _______________, 20___, the final maturity hereof.
The Borrower promises to pay interest (computed annually) at said office on the balance of principal from time to time remaining outstanding and unpaid hereon at the rate per annum equal at all times to the Interest Rate as defined in Section 12.1 of the Loan and Security Agreement (as defined below) on the last business day of each and every ____________, commencing ___________,200___, and in each year thereafter and on the final maturity date of this Note. On demand, the Borrower promises to pay interest on any overdue principal hereof (whether by lapse of time, acceleration, or otherwise) until paid at the stated rate.
This Note is issued under the terms and provisions of that certain Berkshire Bank Employee Stock Ownership Trust Loan and Security Agreement bearing even date herewith by and between the Borrower and the Lender (the "Loan and Security Agreement") and this Note and the holder hereof are entitled to all the benefits and security provided for by or referred to in such Loan and Security Agreement.
This Note may be declared due prior to its express maturity and voluntary prepayments may be made hereon, all in the events, on the terms and in the manner as provided in such Loan and Security Agreement.
Recourse for the payment of this Note has been limited by the provisions of the Loan and Security Agreement and this Note is expressly made subject to such provisions. This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard to principles of conflicts of laws. The Borrower hereby waives presentment for payment and demand.
Upon the occurrence of a Default as such term is defined in the Loan and Security Agreement at the option of the Lender, all amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lender under the terms of this Note may immediately become due and payable by the Borrower to the Lender pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.3 of the Loan and Security Agreement, and the Lender shall have all of the rights, powers, and remedies available under the terms of this Note, any of the other documents evidencing and securing this Loan and all applicable laws. The Borrower and all endorsers, guarantors, and other parties who may now or in the future be primarily or secondarily liable for the payment of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note hereby severally waive presentment, protest and demand, notice of protest, notice of demand and of dishonor and non-payment of this Note and expressly agree that this Note any payment hereunder may be extended from time to time without in any way affecting the liability of the Borrower, guarantors and endorsers.
[TRUSTEE] and its successors in trust, as Trustee under that certain Berkshire Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust effective __________200__, by and between the undersigned and Berkshire Bank
By:____________________________________
EXHIBIT B
SECURITY AGREEMENT
INSTRUMENTS OR NEGOTIABLE DOCUMENTS TO BE DEPOSITED
For new value contemporaneously given by [ESOP Subsidiary] ("Lender") to the undersigned ("Borrower"), the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and subject to the terms and provisions of the Loan and Security Agreement described below, the Borrower does hereby grant a security interest to said Lender in the instruments or negotiable documents hereafter described ("Collateral"), in all of which Collateral the Borrower warrants that the Borrower has good, valid and effective rights to the ownership and possession thereof and to the grant of the security interest hereby made:
All Shares of the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation, acquired with the proceeds of the Loan Amount.
Borrower agrees, upon request, to deliver said collateral to said Lender as soon as practicable after Borrower's receipt of one or more certificates therefore.
Said security interest secures the payment of all indebtedness and liabilities as undertaken in the Loan and Security Agreement to which this is a part, now existing or hereafter arising, and the Lender has all the rights with respect to said Collateral and said security interest as more fully set forth in the form of secured note or notes executed and delivered by the undersigned to said Lender prior hereto or contemporaneously herewith.
This agreement, including matters of interpretation and construction, and the rights of the Lender and the duties and obligations of the debt hereunder are to be determined in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, particularly the Uniform Commercial Code, except where preempted by federal law.
Dated at Pittsfield, Massachusetts the __ day of ___________, 2000.
[TRUSTEE], and its successors in trust, as
Trustee under that certain Berkshire Bank
Employee Stock Ownership Trust effective
____________, 200___, by and between the
undersigned and Berkshire Bank
By:_________________________________
EXHIBIT 10.2
FORM OF
BERKSHIRE BANK
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made effective as of [date] (the "Effective Time") by and between Berkshire Bank (the "Bank"), with its principal offices at 24 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, 01202, and [name] ("Executive"). Any reference to the "Holding Company" herein shall mean Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. or any successor to Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc.
WHEREAS, the Bank believes that the assurance of Executive's employment by the Bank for the term of this Agreement and the benefit of his business experience are of material importance; and
WHEREAS, Executive desires to serve in the employ of the Bank on a full- time basis for the term of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:
1. POSITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(a) During the term of this Agreement Executive agrees to serve as
[position(s)] of the Bank. Executive shall render administrative and management
services to the Bank such as are customarily performed by persons in a similar
executive capacity. During the term of this Agreement, Executive also agrees to
serve, if elected, as director of the Bank and in such capacity will carry out
such duties and responsibilities reasonably appropriate to that office.
(b) During the term of Executive's employment under this Agreement, except for periods of absence occasioned by illness, vacation, and other reasonable leaves of absence, Executive shall devote substantially all his business time, attention, skill, and efforts to the faithful performance of his duties under this Agreement, including activities and services related to the organization, operation and management of the Bank, as well as participation in community, professional and civic organizations; provided, however, that, with the approval of the Board of Directors of the Bank (the "Board of Directors"), as evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors, from time to time, Executive may serve, or continue to serve, on the boards of directors of, and hold any other offices or positions in, companies or organizations, which, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, will not present any conflict of interest with the Bank or materially affect the performance of Executive's duties pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, either Executive or the Bank may
terminate Executive's employment with the Bank at any time during the term of this Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
2. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT
Executive's employment under this Agreement shall be deemed to have commenced as of the Effective Time and shall continue for a period of thirty-six (36) full calendar months from the Effective Time. Commencing on the date of execution of this Agreement, the term of this Agreement shall extend for one day each day until such time as the Board of Directors or Executive elects not to extend the term of the Agreement by giving written notice to the other party in accordance with provisions of Section 8 of this Agreement, in which case the term of this Agreement shall become fixed and shall end on the third anniversary of the date of such written notice.
3. COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REIMBURSEMENT
(a) Base Salary. The Bank shall pay Executive an annual salary of not less than $[amount] ("Base Salary"). Executive's Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Bank. Whenever used in this Agreement, Base Salary shall include any amounts of compensation deferred by Executive under any tax-qualified retirement or welfare benefit plan or any other deferred compensation arrangement maintained by the Bank. During the term of this Agreement, the Board of Directors or a committee appointed by a Board of Directors shall review Executive's Base Salary at least annually and the Board of Directors or the committee may increase Executive's Base Salary at any time. Any increase in Executive's Base Salary shall become a term of this Agreement and shall be the new "Base Salary" for purposes of this Agreement.
(b) Incentive Compensation. In addition to his Base Salary, Executive shall be entitled to participate in and shall receive payments under any incentive compensation bonus program sponsored by the Bank. Executive's incentive compensation shall be determined by the Board of Directors or a committee appointed by the Board of Directors at a level appropriate for executive officers.
(c) Supplemental Pension and Life Insurance. The Bank shall continue to provide to Executive, without cost, the supplemental pension and life insurance arrangements in place at the Effective Time. The supplemental pension and life insurance arrangements shall be governed by the terms of the specific agreements in effect at the Effective Time.
(d) Club Dues. In addition to any other compensation provided for under this Agreement, the Bank shall pay Executive an amount sufficient, on an after-tax basis, to maintain his membership at [club].
(e) Automobile and Cellular Phone. The Bank shall provide Executive with, and Executive shall have the primary use of, an automobile owned or leased by the Holding Company or the Bank and the Holding Company or the Bank shall pay (or reimburse Executive) for all expenses of insurance,
registration, operation and maintenance of the automobile. Executive shall comply with reasonable reporting and expense limitations on the use of such automobile, as the Board of Directors may establish from time to time, and the Holding Company or the Bank shall annually include on Executive's Form W-2 any amount attributable to Executive's personal use of such automobile. The Holding Company or the Bank shall also provide Executive with a cellular phone and shall pay (or reimburse Executive) for all reasonable expenses related to the business use of such phone.
(f) Vacation; Holidays; Sick Time. Executive shall be entitled to vacation in accordance with the standard vacation policies of the Bank for senior executive officers, but in no event less than four (4) weeks vacation during each year of employment. Executive shall take vacation at a time mutually agreed upon by the Bank and Executive. Executive shall receive his Base Salary and other benefits during periods of vacation. Executive shall also be entitled to paid legal holidays in accordance with the policies of the Bank. Executive shall also be entitled to sick leave in accordance with the policies of the Bank for senior executive officers, but in no event less than the number of days of sick leave per year to which Executive was entitled at the Effective Time.
(g) Other Employee Benefits. In addition to any other compensation or benefits provided for under this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to continue to participate in any employee benefit plans, arrangements and perquisites of the Bank in which he participates or is eligible to participate at the Effective Time. Executive shall also be entitled to participate in any employee benefits or perquisites the Bank offers to full-time employees or executive management in the future. The Bank will not, without Executive's prior written consent, make any changes in such plans, arrangements or perquisites which would adversely affect Executive's rights or benefits thereunder without separately providing for an arrangement that ensures Executive receives or will receive the economic value that Executive would otherwise lose as result of such adverse affect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, Executive shall be entitled to participate in or receive benefits under all plans relating to stock options, restricted stock awards, stock purchases, pension, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, supplemental retirement, group life insurance, medical and other health and welfare coverage that are made available by the Bank at the Effective Time or at any time in the future during the term of this Agreement, subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plans and arrangements. Nothing paid to Executive under any such plans or arrangements will be deemed to be in lieu of other compensation to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement.
4. PAYMENTS TO EXECUTIVE UPON AN EVENT OF TERMINATION.
(a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination (as herein below) during
Executive's term of employment under this Agreement, the provisions of this
Section 4 shall apply. As used in this Agreement, an "Event of Termination"
shall mean and include any one or more of the following: (i) the termination of
Executive's full-time employment under this Agreement by the Bank for any reason
other than a termination governed by Section 7 of this Agreement; or (ii)
Executive's resignation from his employment with the Bank upon, any (A) failure
to elect or re-elect or to appoint or re-appoint Executive to his positions sets
forth in Section 1 of this Agreement, unless
Executive consents to such event, (B) material change in Executive's functions, duties, or responsibilities with the Bank or its subsidiaries, which change would cause Executive's position(s) to become one of lesser responsibility, importance, or scope, unless Executive consents to such event, (C) relocation of Executive's principal place of employment by more than 25 miles from its location at the Effective Time, unless Executive consents to such event, (D) material reduction in the benefits and perquisites provided to Executive from those being provided as of the Effective Time of this Agreement, unless Executive consents to such event, (E) liquidation or dissolution of the Holding Company or the Bank, or (F) breach of this Agreement by the Bank or the Holding Company. Upon the occurrence of any event described in clauses (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) or (F), above, Executive shall have the right to terminate his employment under this Agreement by resignation upon not less than sixty (60) days prior written notice given within six full calendar months after the applicable event giving rise to Executive's right to elect to terminate his employment.
(b) Upon Executive's termination from employment in accordance with paragraph
(a) of this Section 4, on the Date of Termination, as defined in Section 8 of
the Agreement, the Bank shall be obligated to pay Executive, or, in the event of
his death following the Date of Termination, his beneficiary or beneficiaries,
or his estate, as the case may be, an amount equal to the sum of: (i) the Base
Salary and incentive compensation that would have been paid to Executive for the
remaining term of this Agreement had the Event of Termination not occurred
(based on Executive's then current Base Salary and most recently paid or accrued
bonus at the time of the Event of Termination); plus (ii) the value, as
calculated by a recognized firm customarily performing such valuation, of any
stock options which as of the Date of Termination, that have been granted to
Executive but are not exercisable by Executive and the value of any restricted
stock awards which have been granted to Executive, but in which Executive does
not have a non-forfeitable or fully-vested interest as of the Date of
Termination; plus (iii) the value of all employee benefits that would have been
provided to Executive for the remaining term of the this Agreement had an Event
of Termination not occurred, based on the most recent level of contribution,
accrual or other participation by or on behalf of Executive. At the election of
Executive, which election is to be made prior to the Date of Termination, such
payments shall be made in a lump sum. In the event that no election is made,
payment to Executive will be made on a monthly basis in approximately equal
installments during the remaining unexpired term of the Agreement. Such payments
shall not be reduced in the event Executive obtains other employment following
termination of employment.
(c) In addition to the payments provided for in paragraph (b) of this Section 4, upon Executive's termination of employment in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section 4, to the extent that the Holding Company or the Bank continues to offer any life, medical, health, disability or dental insurance plan or arrangement in which Executive participates in on the last day of his employment (each being a "Welfare Plan"), Executive and his covered dependents shall continue participating in such Welfare Plans, subject to the same premium contributions on the part of Executive as were required immediately prior to the Event of Termination until the earlier of (i) his death (ii) his employment by another employer other than one of which he is the majority owner or (iii) the end of the remaining term of this Agreement. If the Holding Company or the Bank does
not offer the Welfare Plans at any time after the Event of Termination, then the Bank shall provide Executive with a payment equal to the actuarial value of the provision of such benefits for the period which runs until the earlier of (i) his death (ii) his employment by another employer other than one of which he is the majority owner or (iii) the end of the remaining term of this Agreement.
5. CHANGE IN CONTROL
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall mean an event
of a nature that: (i) would be required to be reported in response to Item 1(a)
of the current report on Form 8-K, as in effect on the date hereof, pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act");
or (ii) results in a Change in Control of the Bank or the Holding Company within
the meaning of the Bank Change in Control Act and the Rules and Regulations
promulgated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") at 12 C.F.R.
(S) 303.4(a) with respect to the Bank and the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System ("FRB") at 12 C.F.R. (S) 225.41(b) with respect to the Holding
Company, as in effect on the date hereof; or (iii) results in a transaction
requiring prior FRB approval under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the
regulations promulgated thereunder by the FRB at 12 C.F.R. (S) 225.11, as in
effect on the date hereof except for the Holding Company's acquisition of the
Bank; or (iv) without limitation such a Change in Control shall be deemed to
have occurred at such time as (A) any "person" (as the term is used in Sections
13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Bank or the Holding Company representing 20% or more of the
Bank's or the Holding Company's outstanding securities except for any securities
of the Bank purchased by the Holding Company in connection with the conversion
of the Bank to the stock form and any securities purchased by any tax-qualified
employee benefit plan of the Bank; or (B) individuals who constitute the Board
of Directors on the date hereof (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a
director subsequent to the date hereof whose election was approved by a vote of
at least three-quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, or
whose nomination for election by the Holding Company's stockholders was approved
by the same Nominating Committee serving under an Incumbent Board, shall be, for
purposes of this clause (B), considered as though he were a member of the
Incumbent Board; or (C) a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of
all or substantially all the assets of the Bank or the Holding Company or
similar transaction occurs in which the Bank or Holding Company is not the
resulting entity; or (D) solicitations of shareholders of the Holding Company,
by someone other than the current management of the Holding Company, seeking
stockholder approval of a plan of reorganization, merger or consolidation of the
Holding Company or Bank or similar transaction with one or more corporations as
a result of which the outstanding shares of the class of securities then subject
to the plan or transaction are exchanged for or converted into cash or property
or securities not issued by the Bank or the Holding Company shall be
distributed; or (E) a tender offer is made for 20% or more of the voting
securities of the Bank or the Holding Company.
(b) If any of the events described in paragraph (a) of this Section 5, constituting a Change in Control, have occurred or the Board of Directors determines that a Change in Control has occurred,
Executive shall be entitled to the benefits provided in paragraphs (c), (d),
(e), (f) and (g) of this Section 5 upon his termination of employment on or
after the date the Change in Control occurs at any time during the term of this
Agreement due to (1) Executive's dismissal or (2) Executive's resignation
following any demotion, loss of title, office or significant authority or
responsibility, reduction in annual compensation or benefits or relocation of
his principals place of employment by more than 25 miles from its location
immediately prior to the Change in Control, unless such termination is because
of his death or Termination for Cause; provided, however, that such payments
shall be reduced by any payment made under Section 4 of this Agreement.
(c) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control followed by Executive's termination of employment, as provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 5, the Bank shall pay Executive, or in the event of his subsequent death, his beneficiary or beneficiaries, or his estate, as the case may be, as severance pay or liquidated damages, or both, a sum equal to the greater of: 1) the payments due for the remaining term of the Agreement or 2) three (3) times Executive's average annual compensation for the five (5) preceding taxable years or such lesser number of years in the event that Executive shall have been employed by the Bank for less than five (5) years. In determining Executive's average annual compensation, annual compensation shall include Base Salary and any other taxable income, including but not limited to amounts related to the granting, vesting or exercise of restricted stock or stock option awards, commissions, bonuses (whether paid or accrued for the applicable period), pension and profit sharing plan contributions or benefits (whether or not taxable), severance payments, retirement benefits, director or committee fees and fringe benefits paid or to be paid to Executive or paid for Executive's benefit during any such year. At the election of Executive, which election is to be made prior to or within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination on or following a Change in Control, such payment may be made in a lump sum (without discount for early payment) on or immediately following the Date of Termination (which may be the date a Change in Control occurs) or paid in equal monthly installments during the sixty (60) months following Executive's termination. In the event that no election is made, payment to Executive will be made on a monthly basis during the sixty (60) months following Executive's termination.
(d) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, Executive will be entitled to receive benefits due him under or contributed by the Bank on his behalf pursuant to any retirement, incentive, profit sharing or other retirement, bonus, performance, disability or other employee benefit plan maintained by the Bank on Executive's behalf to the extent such benefits are not otherwise paid to Executive under a separate provision of this Agreement.
(e) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control and Executive's termination of employment in connection therewith, the Bank will cause to be continued life, medical and disability coverage substantially identical to the coverage maintained by the Bank for Executive and any of his dependents covered under such plans prior to the Change in Control. Such coverage and payments shall cease upon the expiration of thirty-six (36) full calendar months following the Date of Termination. In the event Executive's participation in any such plan or program is barred by reason of his not being an employee, the Bank shall arrange to provide Executive and his dependents with benefits substantially similar as those of which Executive and his dependents would otherwise have
been entitled to receive under such plans and programs from which their continued participation is barred or provide their economic equivalent.
(f) The use or provision of any membership, license, automobile use, or other perquisites shall be continued during the remaining term of the Agreement on the same financial terms and obligations as were in place immediately prior to the Change In Control. To the extent that any item referred to in this paragraph will at the end of the term of this Agreement, no longer be available to Executive, Executive will have the option to purchase all rights then held by the Bank to such item for a price equal to the then fair market value of the item.
(g) In the event that Executive is receiving monthly payments pursuant to
Section 5(c) hereof, on an annual basis, thereafter, between the dates of
January 1 and January 31 of each year, Executive shall elect whether the balance
of the amount payable under the Agreement at that time shall be paid in a lump
sum or on a pro rata basis pursuant to such section. Such election shall be
irrevocable for the year for which such election is made.
6. CHANGE OF CONTROL RELATED PROVISIONS.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 5, in no event shall the aggregate payments or benefits to be made or afforded to Executive under said paragraphs (the "Termination Benefits") constitute an "excess parachute payment" under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor thereto, and in order to avoid such a result, Termination Benefits will be reduced, if necessary, to an amount (the "Non-Triggering Amount"), the value of which is one dollar ($1.00) less than an amount equal to three (3) times Executive's "base amount", as determined in accordance with said Section 280G. The allocation of the reduction required hereby among the Termination Benefits provided by Section 5 shall be determined by Executive.
7. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.
The term "Termination for Cause" shall mean termination because of Executive's personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, any breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of any law, rule, regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses), final cease and desist order or material breach of any provision of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to him a Notice of Termination which shall include a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-fourths of the members of the Board of Directors at a meeting of the Board of Directors called and held for that purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive and an opportunity for him, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board of Directors), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board of Directors, Executive was guilty of conduct justifying Termination for Cause and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. Executive shall not have the right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after Termination for Cause. During the period beginning on the date of the Notice of Termination for Cause pursuant to Section 8 hereof through the Date of Termination, stock
options granted to Executive under any stock option plan shall not be exercisable nor shall any unvested awards granted to Executive under any stock benefit plan of the Bank, vest. At the Date of Termination, such stock options and any such unvested awards shall become null and void and shall not be exercisable by or delivered to Executive at any time subsequent to such Termination for Cause.
8. NOTICE.
(a) Any purported termination by the Bank or by Executive shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a written notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive's employment under the provision so indicated.
(b) "Date of Termination" shall mean the date specified in the Notice of Termination (which, in the case of a Termination for Cause, shall not be less than thirty (30) days from the date such Notice of Termination is given).
(c) If, within thirty (30) days after any Notice of Termination is given, the
party receiving such Notice of Termination notifies the other party that a
dispute exists concerning the termination, except upon the occurrence of a
Change in Control and voluntary termination by Executive in which case the Date
of Termination shall be the date specified in the Notice, the Date of
Termination shall be the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either
by mutual written agreement of the parties, by a binding arbitration award, or
by a final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction (the
time for appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal having been perfected)
and provided further that the Date of Termination shall be extended by a notice
of dispute only if such notice is given in good faith and the party giving such
notice pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable diligence.
Notwithstanding the pendency of any such dispute, the Bank will continue to pay
Executive his full compensation in effect when the notice giving rise to the
dispute was given (including, but not limited to, Base Salary) and continue him
as a participant in all compensation, benefit and insurance plans in which he
was participating when the notice of dispute was given, until the dispute is
finally resolved in accordance with this Agreement. Amounts paid under this
Section are in addition to all other amounts due under this Agreement and shall
not be offset against or reduce any other amounts due under this Agreement.
9. POST-TERMINATION OBLIGATIONS.
All payments and benefits to Executive under this Agreement shall be subject to Executive's compliance with this Section 9 for one (1) full year after the earlier of the expiration of this Agreement or termination of Executive's employment with the Bank. Executive shall, upon reasonable notice, furnish such information and assistance to the Bank as may reasonably be required by the Bank in connection with any litigation in which it or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is, or may become, a party.
10. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-DISCLOSURE.
(a) Upon any termination of Executive's employment hereunder pursuant to
Section 4 hereof, Executive agrees not to compete with the Bank for a period of
one (1) year following such termination in any city, town or county in which
Executive's normal business office is located and the Bank has an office or has
filed an application for regulatory approval to establish an office, determined
as of the effective date of such termination, except as agreed to pursuant to a
resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors. Executive agrees that during
such period and within said cities, towns and counties, Executive shall not work
for or advise, consult or otherwise serve with, directly or indirectly, any
entity whose business materially competes with the depository, lending or other
business activities of the Bank. The parties hereto, recognizing that
irreparable injury will result to the Bank, its business and property in the
event of Executive's breach of this Subsection 10(a) agree that in the event of
any such breach by Executive, the Bank will be entitled, in addition to any
other remedies and damages available, to an injunction to restrain the violation
hereof by Executive, Executive's partners, agents, servants, employees and all
persons acting for or under the direction of Executive. Executive represents and
admits that in the event of the termination of his employment pursuant to
Section 7 of this Agreement, Executive's experience and capabilities are such
that Executive can obtain employment in a business engaged in other lines and/or
of a different nature than the Bank, and that the enforcement of a remedy by way
of injunction will not prevent Executive from earning a livelihood. Nothing
herein will be construed as prohibiting the Holding Company or its subsidiaries
from pursuing any other remedies available to the Bank for such breach or
threatened breach, including the recovery of damages from Executive.
(b) Executive recognizes and acknowledges that the knowledge of the business activities and plans for business activities of the Bank as it may exist from time to time, is a valuable, special and unique asset of the business of the Bank. Executive will not, during or after the term of his employment, disclose any knowledge of the past, present, planned or considered business activities of the Bank to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever unless expressly authorized by the Board of Directors or required by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may disclose any knowledge of banking, financial and/or economic principles, concepts or ideas which are not solely and exclusively derived from the business plans and activities of the Bank. In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Executive of the provisions of this Section 10, the Bank will be entitled to an injunction restraining Executive from disclosing, in whole or in part, the knowledge of the past, present, planned or considered business activities of the Bank or from rendering any services to any person, firm, corporation, other entity to whom such knowledge, in whole or in part, has been disclosed or is threatened to be disclosed. Nothing herein will be construed as prohibiting the Bank from pursuing any other remedies available to the Bank for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages from Executive.
11. DEATH AND DISABILITY
(a) Death. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, in the event of Executive's death during the term of this Agreement,
the Bank shall immediately pay his estate any salary and bonus accrued but
unpaid as of the date of his death, and, for a period of six months after
Executive's death, the Bank shall continue to provide medical insurance benefits
existing on the date of his death and shall pay Executive's designated
beneficiary all compensation that would otherwise be payable to him pursuant to
Section 3 of this Agreement. This provision shall not negate any rights
Executive or his beneficiaries may have to death benefits under any employee
benefit plan of the Bank.
(b) Disability.
(i) Disability. If during the term of Executive's employment Executive begins to receive disability benefits under the long-term disability insurance policy maintained by the Bank (the "Disability Policy"), then the Bank's obligation to pay Executive his Base Salary shall, as of the date such benefits first become payable under the Disability Policy on account of the his disability, be reduced to equal the difference between Executive's Base Salary and amounts received under all long-term disability policies, to the extent that such salary payments do not result in a reduction in disability payments.
(ii) Incapacity. If as a result of Disability Executive is determined by a physician chosen by the Bank and reasonably acceptable to Executive or Executive's personal representatives not to be capable of fulfilling Executive's responsibilities as an officer of the Bank or the Holding Company ("Incapacity Determination"), (1) Executive shall continue to be covered by the Bank's medical insurance and life insurance policies until the third anniversary of the Incapacity Determination, and (2) the Bank's obligation to provide Executive with other employment related fringe benefits hereunder shall cease as of the date of such Incapacity Determination ("Incapacity Determination Date"). Prior to the Incapacity Determination Date, the Bank shall continue to pay Executive his annual salary in usual installments and Executive shall continue to receive all other employment related fringe benefits due to Executive in accordance with this Employment Agreement. The Bank's obligation to provide Executive with the benefits described in Section 3(c) shall not be affected by an Incapacity Determination unless the terms of the separate arrangements governing such benefits so provide.
(iii) Termination of Employment by Reason of Incapacity. At any time from and after the Incapacity Determination date, the Board, in its discretion, may elect to terminate Executive's employment by reason of such incapacity. Any such termination as a result of incapacity shall be considered to be an Event of Termination in accordance with Section 4 of this Agreement.
12. SOURCE OF PAYMENTS.
(a) All payments provided in this Agreement shall be timely paid in cash or check from the general funds of the Bank subject to Section 12(b). The Holding Company, however, unconditionally guarantees payment and provision of all amounts and benefits due hereunder to Executive and, if such amounts and benefits due from the Bank are not timely paid or provided by the Bank, such amounts and benefits shall be paid or provided by the Holding Company.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, to the extent that payments and benefits, as provided by this Agreement, are paid to or received by Executive under the Employment Agreement dated [date], between Executive and the Holding Company, such compensation payments and benefits paid by the Holding Company will be subtracted from any amount due simultaneously to Executive under similar provisions of this Agreement. Payments pursuant to this Agreement and the Holding Company Agreement shall be allocated in proportion to the level of activity and the time expended on such activities by Executive as determined by the Holding Company and the Bank.
13. EFFECT ON PRIOR AGREEMENTS AND EXISTING BENEFITS PLANS.
This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior employment agreement between the Bank or any predecessor of the Bank and Executive, except that this Agreement shall not affect or operate to reduce any benefit or compensation inuring to Executive of a kind elsewhere provided. No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted to mean that Executive is subject to receiving fewer benefits than those available to him without reference to this Agreement.
14. NO ATTACHMENT.
(a) Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation, or to execution, attachment, levy, or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to affect any such action shall be null, void, and of no effect.
(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, Executive and the Bank and their respective successors and assigns.
15. MODIFICATION AND WAIVER.
(a) This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.
(b) No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been waived, nor shall there
be any estoppel against the enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, except by written instrument of the party charged with such waiver or estoppel. No such written waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver unless specifically stated therein, and each such waiver shall operate only as to the specific term or condition waived and shall not constitute a waiver of such term or condition for the future as to any act other than that specifically waived.
16. SEVERABILITY.
If, for any reason, any provision of this Agreement, or any part of any provision, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any part of such provision not held so invalid, and each such other provision and part thereof shall to the full extent consistent with law continue in full force and effect.
17. HEADINGS FOR REFERENCE ONLY.
The headings of sections and paragraphs herein are included solely for convenience of reference and shall not control the meaning or interpretation of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
18. GOVERNING LAW.
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regards to principles of conflicts of law of this state.
19. ARBITRATION.
Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted before a panel of three arbitrators sitting in a location selected by Executive within fifty (50) miles from the location of the Bank, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction; provided, however, that Executive shall be entitled to seek specific performance of his right to be paid until the Date of Termination during the pendency of any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.
In the event any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with Executive's termination is resolved in favor of Executive, whether by judgment, arbitration or settlement, Executive shall be entitled to the payment of all back-pay, including salary, bonuses and any other cash compensation, fringe benefits and any compensation and benefits due Executive under this Agreement.
20. PAYMENT OF LEGAL FEES.
All reasonable legal fees paid or incurred by Executive pursuant to any dispute or question of interpretation relating to this Agreement shall be paid or reimbursed by the Bank, if Executive is successful pursuant to a legal judgment, arbitration or settlement.
21. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) The Bank shall provide Executive (including his heirs, executors and administrators) with coverage under a standard directors' and officers' liability insurance policy at its expense and shall indemnify Executive (and his heirs, executors and administrators) to the fullest extent permitted under federal law against all expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred by him in connection with or arising out of any action, suit or proceeding in which he may be involved by reason of his having been a director or officer of the Bank (whether or not he continues to be a director or officer at the time of incurring such expenses or liabilities), such expenses and liabilities to include, but not be limited to, judgments, court costs and attorneys' fees and the cost of reasonable settlements.
(b) Any payments made to Executive pursuant to this Section are subject to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k) and 12 C.F.R. Part 359 and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.
22. SUCCESSOR TO THE HOLDING COMPANY.
The Bank shall require any successor or assignee, whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or substantially all the business or assets of the Bank or the Holding Company, expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the Bank's obligations under this Agreement, in the same manner and to the same extent that the Bank would be required to perform if no such succession or assignment had taken place.
SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Berkshire Bank has caused this Agreement to be executed and its seal to be affixed hereunto by its duly authorized officer and its directors, and Executive has signed this Agreement, on [date].
ATTEST: BERKSHIRE BANK _______________________________ By: _________________________ Corporate Secretary For the Entire Board of Directors |
[SEAL]
WITNESS: EXECUTIVE
_______________________________ By: _________________________
Corporate Secretary
EXHIBIT 10.3
FORM OF
BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made effective as of [date] (the
"Effective Time") by and between Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (the "Holding
Company"), a corporation organized under the laws of Delaware, with its
principal offices at 24 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, 01202, and
[name] ("Executive"). Any reference to the "Bank" herein shall mean Berkshire
Bank or any successor to Berkshire.
WHEREAS, the Holding Company believes that the assurance of Executive's employment by the Holding Company for the term of this Agreement and the benefit of his business experience are of material importance; and
WHEREAS, Executive desires to serve in the employ of the Holding Company on a full-time basis for the term of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:
1. POSITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
(a) During the term of this Agreement Executive agrees to serve as
[position(s)] of the Holding Company. Executive shall render administrative and
management services to the Holding Company such as are customarily performed by
persons in a similar executive capacity. During the term of this Agreement,
Executive also agrees to serve, if elected, as an officer and/or director of any
subsidiary of the Holding Company and in such capacity will carry out such
duties and responsibilities reasonably appropriate to that office.
(b) During the term of Executive's employment under this Agreement, except for periods of absence occasioned by illness, vacation, and other reasonable leaves of absence, Executive shall devote substantially all his business time, attention, skill, and efforts to the faithful performance of his duties under this Agreement, including activities and services related to the organization, operation and management of the Holding Company and its subsidiaries, as well as participation in community, professional and civic organizations; provided, however, that, with the approval of the Board of Directors of the Holding Company (the "Board of Directors"), as evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors, from time to time, Executive may serve, or continue to serve, on the boards of directors of, and hold any other offices or positions in, companies or organizations, which, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, will not present any conflict of interest with the Holding Company or its subsidiaries, or materially affect the performance of Executive's duties pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding anything herein contained to the contrary, either Executive or the Holding Company may terminate Executive's employment with the Holding Company at any time during the term of this Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
2. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT
Executive's employment under this Agreement shall be deemed to have commenced as of the Effective Time and shall continue for a period of thirty-six (36) full calendar months from the Effective Time. Commencing on the date of execution of this Agreement, the term of this Agreement shall extend for one day each day until such time as the Board of Directors or Executive elects not to extend the term of the Agreement by giving written notice to the other party in accordance with provisions of Section 8 of this Agreement, in which case the term of this Agreement shall become fixed and shall end on the third anniversary of the date of such written notice.
3. COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REIMBURSEMENT
(a) Base Salary. The Holding Company shall pay Executive an annual salary of not less than $[amount] ("Base Salary"). Executive's Base Salary shall be payable in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Holding Company. Whenever used in this Agreement, Base Salary shall include any amounts of compensation deferred by Executive under any tax-qualified retirement or welfare benefit plan or any other deferred compensation arrangement maintained by the Holding Company or the Bank. During the term of this Agreement, the Board of Directors or a committee appointed by a Board of Directors shall review Executive's Base Salary at least annually and the Board of Directors or the committee may increase Executive's Base Salary at any time. Any increase in Executive's Base Salary shall become a term of this Agreement and shall be the new "Base Salary" for purposes of this Agreement.
(b) Incentive Compensation. In addition to his Base Salary, Executive shall be entitled to participate in and shall receive payments under any incentive compensation bonus program sponsored by the Holding Company or the Bank. Executive's incentive compensation shall be determined by the Board of Directors or a committee appointed by the Board of Directors at a level appropriate for executive officers.
(c) Supplemental Pension and Life Insurance. The Holding Company or the Bank shall continue to provide to Executive, without cost, the supplemental pension and life insurance arrangements in place at the Effective Time. The supplemental pension and life insurance arrangements shall be governed by the terms of the specific agreements in effect at the Effective Time.
(d) Club Dues. In addition to any other compensation provided for under this Agreement, the Holding Company or the Bank shall pay Executive an amount sufficient, on an after-tax basis, to maintain his membership at [club].
(e) Automobile and Cellular Phone. The Holding Company or the Bank shall provide Executive with, and Executive shall have the primary use of, an automobile owned or leased by the Holding Company or the Bank and the Holding Company or the Bank shall pay (or reimburse Executive) for all expenses of insurance, registration, operation and maintenance of the automobile. Executive shall comply with reasonable reporting and expense limitations on the use of such automobile, as the Board of Directors may establish from time to time, and the Holding Company or the Bank shall annually include on Executive's Form W-2 any amount attributable to Executive's personal use of such automobile. The Holding Company or the Bank shall also provide Executive with a cellular phone and shall pay (or reimburse Executive) for all reasonable expenses related to the business use of such phone.
(f) Vacation; Holidays; Sick Time. Executive shall be entitled to vacation in accordance with the standard vacation policies of the Holding Company or the Bank for senior executive officers, but in no event less than four (4) weeks vacation during each year of employment. Executive shall take vacation at a time mutually agreed upon by the Holding Company or the Bank and Executive. Executive shall receive his Base Salary and other benefits during periods of vacation. Executive shall also be entitled to paid legal holidays in accordance with the policies of the Holding Company or the Bank. Executive shall also be entitled to sick leave in accordance with the policies of the Holding Company or the Bank for senior executive officers, but in no event less than the number of days of sick leave per year to which Executive was entitled at the Effective Time.
(g) Other Employee Benefits. In addition to any other compensation or benefits provided for under this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to continue to participate in any employee benefit plans, arrangements and perquisites of the Holding Company or the Bank in which he participates or is eligible to participate at the Effective Time. Executive shall also be entitled to participate in any employee benefits or perquisites the Holding Company or the Bank offers to full-time employees or executive management in the future. The Holding Company or the Bank will not, without Executive's prior written consent, make any changes in such plans, arrangements or perquisites which would adversely affect Executive's rights or benefits thereunder without separately providing for an arrangement that ensures Executive receives or will receive the economic value that Executive would otherwise lose as result of such adverse affect. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, Executive shall be entitled to participate in or receive benefits under all plans relating to stock options, restricted stock awards, stock purchases, pension, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, supplemental retirement, group life insurance, medical and other health and welfare coverage that are made available by the Holding Company or the Bank at the Effective Time or at any time in the future during the term of this Agreement, subject to and on a basis consistent with the terms, conditions and overall administration of such plans and arrangements. Nothing paid to Executive under any such plans or arrangements will be deemed to be in lieu of other compensation to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement.
4. PAYMENTS TO EXECUTIVE UPON AN EVENT OF TERMINATION.
(a) Upon the occurrence of an Event of Termination (as herein below) during
Executive's term of employment under this Agreement, the provisions of this
Section 4 shall apply. As used in this Agreement, an "Event of Termination"
shall mean and include any one or more of the following: (i) the termination of
Executive's full-time employment under this Agreement by the Holding Company for
any reason other than a termination governed by Section 7 of this Agreement; or
(ii) Executive's resignation from his employment with the Holding Company upon,
any (A) failure to elect or re-elect or to appoint or re-appoint Executive to
his positions sets forth in Section 1 of this Agreement, unless Executive
consents to such event, (B) material change in Executive's functions, duties, or
responsibilities with the Holding Company or its subsidiaries, which change
would cause Executive's position(s) to become one of lesser responsibility,
importance, or scope, unless Executive consents to such event, (C) relocation of
Executive's principal place of employment by more than 25 miles from its
location at the Effective Time, unless Executive consents to such event, (D)
material reduction in the benefits and perquisites provided to Executive from
those being provided as of the Effective Time of this Agreement, unless
Executive consents to such event, (E) liquidation or dissolution of the Holding
Company or the Bank, or (F) breach of this Agreement by the Holding Company.
Upon the occurrence of any event described in clauses (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) or
(F), above, Executive shall have the right to terminate his employment under
this Agreement by resignation upon not less than sixty (60) days prior written
notice given within six full calendar months after the applicable event giving
rise to Executive's right to elect to terminate his employment.
(b) Upon Executive's termination from employment in accordance with paragraph
(a) of this Section 4, on the Date of Termination, as defined in Section 8 of
the Agreement, the Holding Company shall be obligated to pay Executive, or, in
the event of his death following the Date of Termination, his beneficiary or
beneficiaries, or his estate, as the case may be, an amount equal to the sum of:
(i) the Base Salary and incentive compensation that would have been paid to
Executive for the remaining term of this Agreement had the Event of Termination
not occurred (based on Executive's then current Base Salary and most recently
paid or accrued bonus at the time of the Event of Termination); plus (ii) the
value, as calculated by a recognized firm customarily performing such valuation,
of any stock options which as of the Date of Termination, that have been granted
to Executive but are not exercisable by Executive and the value of any
restricted stock awards which have been granted to Executive, but in which
Executive does not have a non-forfeitable or fully-vested interest as of the
Date of Termination; plus (iii) the value of all employee benefits that would
have been provided to Executive for the remaining term of the this Agreement had
an Event of Termination not occurred, based on the most recent level of
contribution, accrual or other participation by or on behalf of Executive. At
the election of Executive, which election is to be made prior to the Date of
Termination, such payments shall be made in a lump sum. In the event that no
election is made, payment to Executive will be made on a monthly basis in
approximately equal installments during the remaining unexpired term of the
Agreement. Such payments shall not be reduced in the event Executive obtains
other employment following termination of employment.
(c) In addition to the payments provided for in paragraph (b) of this Section 4, upon Executive's termination of employment in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section 4, to the extent that the Holding Company or the Bank continues to offer any life, medical, health, disability or dental insurance plan or arrangement in which Executive participates in on the last day of his employment (each being a "Welfare Plan"), Executive and his covered dependents shall continue participating in such Welfare Plans, subject to the same premium contributions on the part of Executive as were required immediately prior to the Event of Termination until the earlier of (i) his death (ii) his employment by another employer other than one of which he is the majority owner or (iii) the end of the remaining term of this Agreement. If the Holding Company or Bank does not offer the Welfare Plans at any time after the Event of Termination, then the Holding Company shall provide Executive with a payment equal to the actuarial value of the provision of such benefits for the period which runs until the earlier of (i) his death (ii) his employment by another employer other than one of which he is the majority owner or (iii) the end of the remaining term of this Agreement.
5. CHANGE IN CONTROL
(a) For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall mean an event
of a nature that: (i) would be required to be reported in response to Item 1(a)
of the current report on Form 8-K, as in effect on the date hereof, pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act");
or (ii) results in a Change in Control of the Bank or the Holding Company within
the meaning of the Bank Change in Control Act and the Rules and Regulations
promulgated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") at 12 C.F.R.
(S) 303.4(a) with respect to the Bank and the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System ("FRB") at 12 C.F.R. (S) 225.41(b) with respect to the Holding
Company, as in effect on the date hereof; or (iii) results in a transaction
requiring prior FRB approval under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the
regulations promulgated thereunder by the FRB at 12 C.F.R. (S) 225.11, as in
effect on the date hereof except for the Holding Company's acquisition of the
Bank; or (iv) without limitation such a Change in Control shall be deemed to
have occurred at such time as (A) any "person" (as the term is used in Sections
13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Bank or the Holding Company representing 20% or more of the
Bank's or the Holding Company's outstanding securities except for any securities
of the Bank purchased by the Holding Company in connection with the conversion
of the Bank to the stock form and any securities purchased by any tax-qualified
employee benefit plan of the Bank; or (B) individuals who constitute the Board
of Directors on the date hereof (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a
director subsequent to the date hereof whose election was approved by a vote of
at least three-quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, or
whose nomination for election by the Holding Company's stockholders was approved
by the same Nominating Committee serving under an Incumbent Board, shall be, for
purposes of this clause (B), considered as though he were a member of the
Incumbent Board; or (C) a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of
all or substantially all the assets of the Bank or the Holding Company or
similar transaction occurs in which the Bank or Holding Company is not the
resulting entity; or (D) solicitations of shareholders of the Holding Company,
by someone other than the current management of the
Holding Company, seeking stockholder approval of a plan of reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Holding Company or Bank or similar transaction with one or more corporations as a result of which the outstanding shares of the class of securities then subject to the plan or transaction are exchanged for or converted into cash or property or securities not issued by the Bank or the Holding Company shall be distributed; or (E) a tender offer is made for 20% or more of the voting securities of the Bank or the Holding Company.
(b) If any of the events described in paragraph (a) of this Section 5,
constituting a Change in Control, have occurred or the Board of Directors
determines that a Change in Control has occurred, Executive shall be entitled to
the benefits provided in paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) of this Section 5
upon his termination of employment on or after the date the Change in Control
occurs at any time during the term of this Agreement due to (1) Executive's
dismissal or (2) Executive's resignation following any demotion, loss of title,
office or significant authority or responsibility, reduction in annual
compensation or benefits or relocation of his principals place of employment by
more than 25 miles from its location immediately prior to the Change in Control,
unless such termination is because of his death or Termination for Cause;
provided, however, that such payments shall be reduced by any payment made under
Section 4 of this Agreement.
(c) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control followed by Executive's termination of employment, as provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 5, the Holding Company shall pay Executive, or in the event of his subsequent death, his beneficiary or beneficiaries, or his estate, as the case may be, as severance pay or liquidated damages, or both, a sum equal to the greater of: 1) the payments due for the remaining term of the Agreement or 2) three (3) times Executive's average annual compensation for the five (5) preceding taxable years or such lesser number of years in the event that Executive shall have been employed by the Holding Company or the Bank for less than five (5) years. In determining Executive's average annual compensation, annual compensation shall include Base Salary and any other taxable income, including but not limited to amounts related to the granting, vesting or exercise of restricted stock or stock option awards, commissions, bonuses (whether paid or accrued for the applicable period), pension and profit sharing plan contributions or benefits (whether or not taxable), severance payments, retirement benefits, director or committee fees and fringe benefits paid or to be paid to Executive or paid for Executive's benefit during any such year. At the election of Executive, which election is to be made prior to or within thirty (30) days of the Date of Termination on or following a Change in Control, such payment may be made in a lump sum (without discount for early payment) on or immediately following the Date of Termination (which may be the date a Change in Control occurs) or paid in equal monthly installments during the sixty (60) months following Executive's termination. In the event that no election is made, payment to Executive will be made on a monthly basis during the sixty (60) months following Executive's termination.
(d) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, Executive will be entitled to receive benefits due him under or contributed by the Bank or the Holding Company on his behalf pursuant to any retirement, incentive, profit sharing or other retirement, bonus, performance, disability or other employee benefit plan maintained by the Holding Company or the Bank on Executive's behalf to the
extent such benefits are not otherwise paid to Executive under a separate provision of this Agreement.
(e) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control and Executive's termination of employment in connection therewith, the Holding Company will cause to be continued life, medical and disability coverage substantially identical to the coverage maintained by the Holding Company or the Bank for Executive and any of his dependents covered under such plans prior to the Change in Control. Such coverage and payments shall cease upon the expiration of thirty-six (36) full calendar months following the Date of Termination. In the event Executive's participation in any such plan or program is barred, the Holding Company shall arrange to provide Executive and his dependents with benefits substantially similar as those of which Executive and his dependents would otherwise have been entitled to receive under such plans and programs from which their continued participation is barred or provide their economic equivalent.
(f) The use or provision of any membership, license, automobile use, or other perquisites shall be continued during the remaining term of the Agreement on the same financial terms and obligations as were in place immediately prior to the Change In Control. To the extent that any item referred to in this paragraph will at the end of the term of this Agreement, no longer be available to Executive, Executive will have the option to purchase all rights then held by the Holding Company or the Bank to such item for a price equal to the then fair market value of the item.
(g) In the event that Executive is receiving monthly payments pursuant to
Section 5(c) hereof, on an annual basis, thereafter, between the dates of
January 1 and January 31 of each year, Executive shall elect whether the balance
of the amount payable under the Agreement at that time shall be paid in a lump
sum or on a pro rata basis pursuant to such section. Such election shall be
irrevocable for the year for which such election is made.
6. CHANGE OF CONTROL RELATED PROVISIONS.
(a) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement, for any taxable year in which Executive shall be liable for the payment of an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto), with respect to any payment in the nature of the compensation made by the Holding Company or its subsidiaries to (or for the benefit of) Executive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, the Holding Company (or an successor thereto) shall pay to Executive an amount determined under the following formula:
An amount equal to: (E x P) + X
WHERE:
E x P
X = -----------------------------------------
1 - [(FI x (1 - SLI)) + SLI + E + M + PO]
E = the rate at which the excise tax is assessed under Section 4999
of the Code;
P = the amount with respect to which such excise tax is assessed,
determined without regard to this Section 6;
FI = the highest marginal rate of federal income, employment, and
other taxes (other than taxes imposed under Section 4999 of the
Code) applicable to Executive for the taxable year in question
(including any effective increase in Executive's tax rate
attributable to the disallowance of any deduction);
SLI = the sum of the highest marginal rates of income and payroll tax
applicable to Executive under applicable state and local laws for
the taxable year in question (including any effective increase in
Executive's tax rate attributable to the disallowance of any
deduction);
M = highest marginal rate of Medicare tax; and
PO = adjustment for phase out of or loss of deduction, personal
exemption or other similar items.
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With respect to any payment in the nature of compensation that is made to (or
for the benefit of) Executive under the terms of this Section or otherwise and
on which an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code may or will be assessed,
the payment determined under this Section 6 shall be made to Executive on the
earliest of (i) the date the Holding Company is required to withhold such tax,
(ii) the date the tax is required to be paid by Executive, or (iii) at the time
of the Change in Control. It is the intention of the parties that the Holding
Company provide Executive with a full tax gross-up under the provisions of this
Section 6, so that on a net after-tax basis, the result to Executive shall be
the same as if the excise tax under Section 4999 (or any successor provisions)
of the Code had not been imposed. The payment may be adjusted, as appropriate,
if alternative minimum tax rules under the Code are applicable to Executive.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is (i) initially determined by the Holding Company's tax advisors that no excise tax under Section 4999 is due with respect to any payment or benefit described in the first paragraph of Section 6(a) and, thereafter, it is determined in a final judicial determination or a final administrative settlement that the Section 4999 excise tax is due with respect to such payments or benefits or (ii) subsequently determined in a final judicial determination or a final administrative settlement to which Executive is a party that the excise tax under Section 4999 is due or that the excess parachute payment as defined in Section 4999 of the Code is more than the amount determined as "P", above (such revised determination under (i) or (ii) above being thereafter referred to as the "Determinative Excess Parachute Payment"), then the tax advisors of the Holding Company (or any successor thereto) shall determine the amount (the "Adjustment Amount"), the Holding Company (or its successor) must pay to Executive, in order to put Executive in the same position as Executive would have been if the amount determined as "P" above had been equal to the
Determinative Excess Parachute Payment. In determining the Adjustment Amount, the tax advisors shall take into account any and all taxes (including any penalties of any nature and interest) paid or payable by Executive in connection with such final judicial determination or final administrative settlement. As soon as practicable after the Adjustment Amount has been so determined, the Holding Company shall pay the Adjustment Amount to Executive.
(c) The Holding Company (or its successor) shall indemnify and hold Executive harmless from any and all losses, costs and expenses (including without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees, reasonable accountant's fees, interest, fines and penalties of any kind) which Executive incurs as a result of any administrative or judicial review of Executive's liability under Section 4999 of the Code by the Internal Revenue Service or any comparable state agency through and including a final judicial determination or final administrative settlement of any dispute arising out of Executive's liability for the Section 4999 excise tax or otherwise relating to the classification for purposes of Section 280G of the Code of any payment or benefit in the nature of compensation made or provided to Executive by the Holding Company or any successor thereto. Executive shall promptly notify the Holding Company in writing whenever Executive receives notice of the commencement of any judicial or administrative proceeding, formal or informal, in which the federal tax treatment under Section 4999 of the Code of any amount paid or payable under this Supplemental Agreement is being reviewed or is in dispute (including a notice of audit or other inquiry concerning the reporting of Executive's liability under Section 4999). The Holding Company (or its successor) may assume control at its expense over all legal and accounting matters pertaining to such federal or state tax treatment (except to the extent necessary or appropriate for Executive to resolve any such proceeding with respect to any matter unrelated to amounts paid or payable pursuant to this contract) and Executive shall cooperate fully with the Holding Company in any such proceeding. Executive shall not enter into any compromise or settlement or otherwise prejudice any rights the Holding Company (or its successor) may have in connection therewith without prior consent to the Holding Company (or its successor). In the event that the Holding Company (or any successor thereto) elects not to assume control over such matters, the Holding Company (or any successor thereto) shall promptly reimburse Executive for all expenses related thereto as and when incurred upon presentation of appropriate documentation relating thereto.
7. TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.
The term "Termination for Cause" shall mean termination because of Executive's personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, any breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties, willful violation of any law, rule, regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses), final cease and desist order or material breach of any provision of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to him a Notice of Termination which shall include a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-fourths of the members of the Board of Directors at a meeting of the Board of Directors called and held for that purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive and an opportunity for him, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board of Directors), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board of
Directors, Executive was guilty of conduct justifying Termination for Cause and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. Executive shall not have the right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after Termination for Cause. During the period beginning on the date of the Notice of Termination for Cause pursuant to Section 8 hereof through the Date of Termination, stock options granted to Executive under any stock option plan shall not be exercisable nor shall any unvested awards granted to Executive under any stock benefit plan of the Bank, the Holding Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, vest. At the Date of Termination, such stock options and any such unvested awards shall become null and void and shall not be exercisable by or delivered to Executive at any time subsequent to such Termination for Cause.
8. NOTICE.
(a) Any purported termination by the Holding Company or by Executive shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a written notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive's employment under the provision so indicated.
(b) "Date of Termination" shall mean the date specified in the Notice of Termination (which, in the case of a Termination for Cause, shall not be less than thirty (30) days from the date such Notice of Termination is given).
(c) If, within thirty (30) days after any Notice of Termination is given, the party receiving such Notice of Termination notifies the other party that a dispute exists concerning the termination, except upon the occurrence of a Change in Control and voluntary termination by Executive in which case the Date of Termination shall be the date specified in the Notice, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either by mutual written agreement of the parties, by a binding arbitration award, or by a final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction (the time for appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal having been perfected) and provided further that the Date of Termination shall be extended by a notice of dispute only if such notice is given in good faith and the party giving such notice pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable diligence. Notwithstanding the pendency of any such dispute, the Holding Company will continue to pay Executive his full compensation in effect when the notice giving rise to the dispute was given (including, but not limited to, Base Salary) and continue him as a participant in all compensation, benefit and insurance plans in which he was participating when the notice of dispute was given, until the dispute is finally resolved in accordance with this Agreement. Amounts paid under this Section are in addition to all other amounts due under this Agreement and shall not be offset against or reduce any other amounts due under this Agreement.
9. POST-TERMINATION OBLIGATIONS.
All payments and benefits to Executive under this Agreement shall be subject to Executive's compliance with this Section 9 for one (1) full year after the earlier of the expiration of this Agreement or termination of Executive's employment with the Holding Company. Executive shall, upon reasonable notice, furnish such information and assistance to the Holding Company as may reasonably be required by the Holding Company in connection with any litigation in which it or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates is, or may become, a party.
10. NON-COMPETITION AND NON-DISCLOSURE.
(a) Upon any termination of Executive's employment hereunder pursuant to
Section 4 hereof, Executive agrees not to compete with the Holding Company or
its subsidiaries for a period of one (1) year following such termination in any
city, town or county in which Executive's normal business office is located and
the Holding Company or any of its subsidiaries has an office or has filed an
application for regulatory approval to establish an office, determined as of the
effective date of such termination, except as agreed to pursuant to a resolution
duly adopted by the Board of Directors. Executive agrees that during such period
and within said cities, towns and counties, Executive shall not work for or
advise, consult or otherwise serve with, directly or indirectly, any entity
whose business materially competes with the depository, lending or other
business activities of the Holding Company or its subsidiaries. The parties
hereto, recognizing that irreparable injury will result to the Holding Company
or its subsidiaries, its business and property in the event of Executive's
breach of this Subsection 10(a) agree that in the event of any such breach by
Executive, the Holding Company or its subsidiaries, will be entitled, in
addition to any other remedies and damages available, to an injunction to
restrain the violation hereof by Executive, Executive's partners, agents,
servants, employees and all persons acting for or under the direction of
Executive. Executive represents and admits that in the event of the termination
of his employment pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement, Executive's
experience and capabilities are such that Executive can obtain employment in a
business engaged in other lines and/or of a different nature than the Holding
Company or its subsidiaries, and that the enforcement of a remedy by way of
injunction will not prevent Executive from earning a livelihood. Nothing herein
will be construed as prohibiting the Holding Company or its subsidiaries from
pursuing any other remedies available to the Holding Company or its subsidiaries
for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages from
Executive.
(b) Executive recognizes and acknowledges that the knowledge of the business activities and plans for business activities of the Holding Company and its subsidiaries as it may exist from time to time, is a valuable, special and unique asset of the business of the Holding Company and its subsidiaries. Executive will not, during or after the term of his employment, disclose any knowledge of the past, present, planned or considered business activities of the Holding Company and subsidiaries thereof to any person, firm, corporation, or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever unless expressly authorized by the Board of Directors or required by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may disclose any knowledge of banking, financial and/or
economic principles, concepts or ideas which are not solely and exclusively
derived from the business plans and activities of the Holding Company. In the
event of a breach or threatened breach by Executive of the provisions of this
Section 10, the Holding Company will be entitled to an injunction restraining
Executive from disclosing, in whole or in part, the knowledge of the past,
present, planned or considered business activities of the Holding Company or its
subsidiaries or from rendering any services to any person, firm, corporation,
other entity to whom such knowledge, in whole or in part, has been disclosed or
is threatened to be disclosed. Nothing herein will be construed as prohibiting
the Holding Company from pursuing any other remedies available to the Holding
Company for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages
from Executive.
11. DEATH AND DISABILITY
(a) Death. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event of Executive's death during the term of this Agreement, the Holding Company shall immediately pay his estate any salary and bonus accrued but unpaid as of the date of his death, and, for a period of six months after Executive's death, the Holding Company shall continue to provide medical insurance benefits existing on the date of his death and shall pay Executive's designated beneficiary all compensation that would otherwise be payable to him pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement. This provision shall not negate any rights Executive or his beneficiaries may have to death benefits under any employee benefit plan of the Holding Company or the Bank.
(b) Disability
(i) Disability. If during the term of Executive's employment Executive begins to receive disability benefits under the long-term disability insurance policy maintained by the Bank (the "Disability Policy"), then the Bank's obligation to pay Executive his Base Salary shall, as of the date such benefits first become payable under the Disability Policy on account of the his disability, be reduced to equal the difference between Executive's Base Salary and amounts received under all long-term disability policies, to the extent that such salary payments do not result in a reduction in disability payments.
(ii) Incapacity. If as a result of Disability Executive is determined by a physician chosen by the Bank and reasonably acceptable to Executive or Executive's personal representatives not to be capable of fulfilling Executive's responsibilities as an officer of the Bank or the Holding Company ("Incapacity Determination"), (1) Executive shall continue to be covered by the Bank's medical insurance and life insurance policies until the third anniversary of the Incapacity Determination, and (2) the Bank's obligation to provide Executive with other employment related fringe benefits hereunder shall cease as of the date of such Incapacity Determination ("Incapacity Determination Date"). Prior to the Incapacity Determination Date, the Bank shall continue to pay Executive his annual salary in usual installments and Executive shall continue to receive all other employment related fringe benefits due to Executive in accordance with this Employment Agreement. The Bank's obligation to provide Executive with the benefits described in Section 3(c) shall not be
affected by an Incapacity Determination unless the terms of the separate arrangements governing such benefits so provide.
(iii) Termination of Employment by Reason of Incapacity. At any time from and after the Incapacity Determination date, the Board, in its discretion, may elect to terminate Executive's employment by reason of such incapacity. Any such termination as a result of incapacity shall be considered to be an Event of Termination in accordance with Section 4 of this Agreement.
12. SOURCE OF PAYMENTS.
(a) All payments provided in this Agreement shall be timely paid in cash or check from the general funds of the Holding Company or the subject to Section 12(b).
(b) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, to the extent that payments and benefits, as provided by this Agreement, are paid to or received by Executive under the Employment Agreement dated [date], between Executive and the Bank, such compensation payments and benefits paid by the Bank will be subtracted from any amount due simultaneously to Executive under similar provisions of this Agreement. Payments pursuant to this Agreement and the Bank Agreement shall be allocated in proportion to the level of activity and the time expended on such activities by Executive as determined by the Holding Company and the Bank.
13. EFFECT ON PRIOR AGREEMENTS AND EXISTING BENEFITS PLANS.
This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior employment agreement between the Holding Company or any predecessor of the Holding Company and Executive, except that this Agreement shall not affect or operate to reduce any benefit or compensation inuring to Executive of a kind elsewhere provided. No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted to mean that Executive is subject to receiving fewer benefits than those available to him without reference to this Agreement.
14. NO ATTACHMENT.
(a) Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation, or to execution, attachment, levy, or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to affect any such action shall be null, void, and of no effect.
(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, Executive and the Holding Company and their respective successors and assigns.
15. MODIFICATION AND WAIVER.
(a) This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.
(b) No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been waived, nor shall there be any estoppel against the enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, except by written instrument of the party charged with such waiver or estoppel. No such written waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver unless specifically stated therein, and each such waiver shall operate only as to the specific term or condition waived and shall not constitute a waiver of such term or condition for the future as to any act other than that specifically waived.
16. SEVERABILITY.
If, for any reason, any provision of this Agreement, or any part of any provision, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any part of such provision not held so invalid, and each such other provision and part thereof shall to the full extent consistent with law continue in full force and effect.
17. HEADINGS FOR REFERENCE ONLY.
The headings of sections and paragraphs herein are included solely for convenience of reference and shall not control the meaning or interpretation of any of the provisions of this Agreement.
18. GOVERNING LAW.
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the [state] without regards to principles of conflicts of law of this state.
19. ARBITRATION.
Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted before a panel of three arbitrators sitting in a location selected by Executive within fifty (50) miles from the location of the Holding Company, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction; provided, however, that Executive shall be entitled to seek specific performance of his right to be paid until the Date of Termination during the pendency of any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.
In the event any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with Executive's termination is resolved in favor of Executive, whether by judgment, arbitration or settlement, Executive shall be entitled to the payment of all back-pay, including salary, bonuses and any other cash compensation, fringe benefits and any compensation and benefits due Executive under this Agreement.
20. PAYMENT OF LEGAL FEES.
All reasonable legal fees paid or incurred by Executive pursuant to any dispute or question of interpretation relating to this Agreement shall be paid or reimbursed by the Holding Company, if Executive is successful pursuant to a legal judgment, arbitration or settlement.
21. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) The Holding Company shall provide Executive (including his heirs, executors
and administrators) with coverage under a standard directors' and officers'
liability insurance policy at its expense and shall indemnify Executive (and his
heirs, executors and administrators) to the fullest extent permitted under
[state] law against all expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred by him in
connection with or arising out of any action, suit or proceeding in which he may
be involved by reason of his having been a director or officer of the Holding
Company (whether or not he continues to be a director or officer at the time of
incurring such expenses or liabilities), such expenses and liabilities to
include, but not be limited to, judgments, court costs and attorneys' fees and
the cost of reasonable settlements.
(b) Any payments made to Executive pursuant to this Section are subject to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C. Section 1828(k) and 12 C.F.R. Part 359 and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.
22. SUCCESSOR TO THE HOLDING COMPANY.
The Holding Company shall require any successor or assignee, whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or substantially all the business or assets of the Bank or the Holding Company, expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the Holding Company's obligations under this Agreement, in the same manner and to the same extent that the Holding Company would be required to perform if no such succession or assignment had taken place.
SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. has caused this Agreement to be executed and its seal to be affixed hereunto by its duly authorized officer and its directors, and Executive has signed this Agreement, on [date].
ATTEST: BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
________________________ By: ___________________________________
Corporate Secretary For the Entire Board of Directors
[SEAL]
WITNESS: EXECUTIVE
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________________________ By: ___________________________________
Corporate Secretary
EXHIBIT 10.4
BERKSHIRE BANK
EMPLOYEE SEVERANCE COMPENSATION PLAN
PLAN PURPOSE
The purpose of the Berkshire Bank Employee Severance Compensation Plan is to assure for Berkshire Bank (the "Bank") the services of Employees of the Bank in the event of a Change in Control (capitalized terms are defined in section 2.1) of ___________________ (the "Holding Company") or the Bank. The benefits contemplated by the Plan recognize the value to the Bank of the services and contributions of the Employees of the Bank and the effect upon the Bank resulting from the uncertainties of continued employment, reduced Employee benefits, management changes and relocations that may arise in the event of a Change in Control of the Bank or the Holding Company. The Bank's and the Holding Company's Boards of Directors believe that it is in the best interests of the Bank and the Holding Company to provide long term and key Employees of the Bank with such benefits in order to defray the costs and changes in Employee status that could follow a Change in Control. The Board of Directors believes that the Plan will also aid the Bank in attracting and retaining highly qualified individuals who are essential to its success and the Plan's assurance of fair treatment of the Bank's Employees will reduce the distractions and other adverse effects on Employees' performance in the event of a Change in Control.
ARTICLE I
ESTABLISHMENT OF PLAN
As of the Effective Date of the Plan as defined herein, the Bank hereby establishes an employee severance compensation plan to be known as "Berkshire Bank Employee Severance Compensation Plan." The purposes of the Plan are as set forth above.
The benefits provided by this Plan shall be available to all Employees of the Bank, who, at or after the Effective Date, meet the eligibility requirements of Article III, except for those executive officers who have entered into, or who enter into in the future, and continue to be subject to an employment or change in control agreement with the Employer.
This Plan establishes and vests in each Participant a contractual right to the benefits to which each Participant is entitled hereunder, enforceable by the Participant against the Employer, Bank, or both.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
Whenever used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below.
(a) "Annual Compensation" of a Participant means and includes all wages, salary, bonus, and cash compensation, if any, paid (including accrued amounts) by an Employer as consideration for the Participant's service during the 12 months ended the date as of which Annual Compensation is to be determined, which are or would be includable in the gross income of the Participant receiving the same for federal income tax purposes.
(b) "Bank" means Berkshire Bank or any successor as provided for in Article VII hereof.
(c) "Change in Control" shall mean an event of a nature that: (i) would be required to be reported in response to Item 1(a) of the current report on Form 8-K, as in effect on the date hereof, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"); or (ii) results in a Change in Control of the Bank or the Holding Company within the meaning of the Change in Bank Control Act and the Rules and Regulations promulgated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") at 12 C.F.R. (S) 303.4(a) with respect to the Bank and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System ("FRB") at 12 C.F.R. (S) 225.41(b) with respect to the Holding Company, as in effect on the date hereof; or (iii) results in a transaction requiring prior FRB approval under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the FRB at 12 C.F.R. (S) 225.11, as in effect on the date hereof except for the Holding Company's acquisition of the Bank; or (iv) without limitation such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (A) any "person" (as the term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Bank or the Holding Company representing 20% or more of the Bank's or the Holding Company's outstanding securities except for any securities of the Bank purchased by the Holding Company in connection with the conversion of the Bank to the stock form and any securities purchased by any tax qualified employee benefit plan of the Bank; or (B) individuals who constitute the Board of Directors on the date hereof (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election was approved by a vote of at least three-quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, or whose nomination for election by the Holding Company's stockholders was approved by the same Nominating Committee serving under an Incumbent Board, shall be, for purposes of this clause (B), considered as though he were a member of the Incumbent Board; or (C) a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Bank or the Holding Company or similar transaction occurs in which the Bank or Holding Company is not the resulting entity; or (D) solicitations of shareholders of the Holding Company, by someone other than the current management of the Holding Company, seeking stockholder approval of a plan or reorganization, merger of
consolidation of the Holding Company or Bank or similar transaction with one or more corporations as a result of which the outstanding shares of the class of securities then subject to the plan or transaction are exchanged for or converted into cash or property or securities not issued by the Bank or the Holding Company shall be distributed; or (E) a tender offer is made for 20% or more of the voting securities of the Bank or the Holding Company.
(d) "Conversion Date" means the date the Holding Company first issues common stock pursuant to its initial public offering and Berkshire Bancorp's mutual-to-stock conversion.
(e) "Disability" means the permanent and total inability by reason of mental or physical infirmity, or both, of an employee to perform the work customarily assigned to him. Additionally, a medical doctor selected or approved by the Board of Directors must advise the Board that it is either not possible to determine if or when such Disability will terminate or that it appears probable that such Disability will be permanent during the remainder of said employees lifetime.
(f) "Effective Date" means the date the Plan is approved by the Board of Directors of the Bank, or such other date as the Board shall designate in its resolution approving the Plan.
(g) "Employee" means any Employee of the Bank or any subsidiary thereof who has completed at least one year of service with the Bank, or any subsidiary thereof, provided, however, that any Employee who is covered or hereinafter becomes covered by an employment contract or change in control agreement with the Employer shall not be considered to be an Employee for purposes of this Plan.
(h) "Expiration Date" means a date ten (10) years from the Effective Date
unless earlier terminated pursuant to Section 8.2 or extended pursuant to
Section 8.1.
(i) "Employer" means the Bank or a subsidiary of the Bank or a parent of the Bank which has adopted the Plan pursuant to Article VI hereof.
(j) "Just Cause" shall mean termination because of Participant's personal dishonesty, incompetence, willful misconduct, any breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure or unjustified neglect to perform stated duties, conviction of or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to any crime or offense punishable as a felony or to any crime or offense involving moral turpitude, or violation of any final cease-and desist order. In determining incompetence, the acts or omissions shall be measured against standards generally prevailing in the savings institutions industry.
(k) "Leave of Absence" and "LOA" mean (i) the taking of an authorized or approved leave of absence under the provisions of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act ("FMLA"), (ii) any state law providing qualitatively similar benefits as the FMLA, or (iii) a leave of absence authorized under the policies of the Bank. "Leave of Absence" and "LOA" are defined in this paragraph for the exclusive purposes of this Plan.
(l) "Payment" means the payment of severance compensation as provided in Article IV hereof.
(m) "Participant" means an Employee who meets the eligibility requirements of Article III.
(n) "Plan" means Berkshire Bank Employee Severance Compensation Plan.
(o) "Year of Service" means each consecutive 12 month period, beginning with an Employee's date of hire and running without a termination of employment in which an Employee is credited with at least one hour of service in each of the 12 calendar months in such period. The taking of an LOA shall not eliminate a period of time from being a Year of Service if such period of time otherwise qualifies as such. Further if a particular 12 month period of time would not otherwise qualify under the Plan as a Year of Service because one hour of service is not credited during each month of such period due to the taking of a LOA, then such period of time shall be deemed to be a Year of Service for all other sections of this Plan.
The laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall be the controlling law in all matters relating to the Plan to the extent not preempted by Federal law.
If a provision of this Plan shall be held illegal or invalid, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
ARTICLE III
ELIGIBILITY
For purposes of this Plan, the term "Participant" shall include:
(a) Without regard to Years of Service, all Employees who were employed by the Employer as of the Conversion Date; and
(b) All Employees employed after the Conversion Date who have completed at least One Year of Service with the Employer at the time of any termination pursuant to Section 4.2 herein.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, persons who have entered into and continue to be covered by an employment contract or change in control agreement with the Employer shall not be entitled to participate in this Plan.
A Participant shall cease to be a Participant in the Plan when the Participant ceases to be an Employee of an Employer, unless such Participant is entitled to a Payment as provided in the Plan. A Participant entitled to receipt of a Payment shall remain a Participant in this Plan until the full amount of such Payment has been paid to the Participant.
ARTICLE IV
PAYMENTS
A Participant shall be entitled to receive from its respective Employer a Payment in the amount provided in Section 4.3 if there has been a Change in Control of the Bank or the Holding Company and if, within twenty-four (24) months thereafter, the Participant's employment by an Employer shall terminate for any reason specified in Section 4.2, whether the termination is voluntary or involuntary. A Participant shall not be entitled to a Payment if termination occurs by reason of death, voluntary retirement, voluntary termination other than for reasons specified in Section 4.2, Disability, or for Just Cause.
Following a Change in Control, a Participant shall be entitled to a Payment if employment by an Employer is terminated, voluntarily or involuntarily, for any one or more of the following reasons:
(a) The Employer reduces the Participant's base salary or rate of compensation as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control.
(b) The Employer materially changes Participant's function, duties or responsibilities which would cause Participant's position to be one of lesser responsibility, importance or scope with the Employer than immediately prior to the change in control.
(c) The Employer requires the Participant to change the location of the Participant's job or office, so that such Participant will be based at a location more than thirty (30) miles from the location of the Participant's job or office immediately prior to the Change in Control provided that such new location is not closer to Participant's home.
(d) The Employer materially reduces the benefits and perquisites available to the Participant immediately prior to the Change in Control, provided, however, that a material
reduction in benefits and perquisites generally provided to all Employees of the Bank on a nondiscriminatory basis would not trigger a payment pursuant to this Plan.
(e) A successor to the Bank fails or refuses to assume the Bank's obligations under this Plan, as required by Article VII.
(f) The Bank or any successor to the Bank breaches any other provisions of this Plan.
(g) The Employer terminates the employment of a Participant at or after a Change in Control other than for Just Cause.
(a) Each Participant entitled to a Payment under this Plan shall receive from the Association, a lump sum cash payment equal to 1/12th of his Annual Compensation for each year of service up to a maximum of 199% of such Annual Compensation.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) above, if a Payment to a Participant who is a "Disqualified Individual" shall be in an amount which includes an "Excess Parachute Payment," the Payment hereunder to that Participant shall be reduced to the maximum amount which does not include an Excess Parachute Payment. The terms "Disqualified Individual" and "Excess Parachute Payment" shall have the same meanings as under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor provision thereto.
The Participant shall not be required to mitigate damages on the amount of a Payment by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of such Payment be reduced by any compensation earned by the Participant as a result of employment after termination of employment hereunder.
The Payment to which a Participant is entitled shall be paid to the Participant by the Employer or the successor to the Employer, in cash and in full, not later than twenty (20) business days after the termination of the Participant's employment. If any Participant should die after termination of the employment but before all amounts have been paid, such unpaid amounts shall be paid to the Participant's named beneficiary, if living, otherwise to the personal representative on behalf of or for the benefit of the Participant's estate.
ARTICLE V
OTHER RIGHTS AND BENEFITS NOT AFFECTED
Neither the provisions of this Plan nor the Payment provided for hereunder shall reduce any amounts otherwise payable, or in any way diminish the Participant's rights as an Employee
of an Employer, whether existing now or hereafter, under any benefit, incentive, retirement, stock option, stock bonus, stock ownership or any employment agreement or other plan or arrangement.
This Plan does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on the Participant or the Participant's Employer any obligation to retain the Participant as an Employee, to change the status of the Participant's employment, or to change the Employer's policies regarding termination of employment.
ARTICLE VI
PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS
6.1 Upon approval by the Board of Directors of the Bank, this Plan may be adopted by any Subsidiary or Parent of the Bank. Upon such adoption, the Subsidiary or Parent shall become an Employer hereunder and the provisions of the Plan shall be fully applicable to the Employees of that Subsidiary or Parent. The term "Subsidiary" means any corporation in which the Bank, directly or indirectly, holds a majority of the voting power of its outstanding shares of capital stock. The term "Parent" means any corporation which holds a majority of the voting power of the Bank's outstanding shares of capital stock.
ARTICLE VII
SUCCESSOR TO THE BANK
7.1 The Bank shall require any successor or assignee, whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or substantially all the business or assets of the Bank, expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the Bank's obligations under this plan, in the same manner and to the same extent that the Bank would be required to perform if no such succession or assignment had taken place.
ARTICLE VIII
DURATION, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
If a Change in Control has not occurred, this Plan shall expire as of the Expiration Date, unless sooner terminated as provided in Section 8.2, or unless extended for an additional period or periods by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the Bank.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control occurs this Plan shall continue in full force and effect, and shall not terminate or expire until such date as all Participants who become entitled to Payments hereunder shall have received such Payments in full.
The Plan may be terminated or amended in any respect by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors of the Bank, unless a Change in Control has previously occurred. If a Change in Control occurs, the Plan no longer shall be subject to amendment, change, substitution, deletion, revocation or termination in any respect whatsoever.
The form of any proper amendment or termination of the Plan shall be a written instrument signed by a duly authorized officer or officers of the Bank, certifying that the amendment or termination has been approved by the Board of Directors. A proper amendment of the Plan automatically shall effect a corresponding amendment to each Participant's rights hereunder. A proper termination of the Plan automatically shall effect a termination of all Participants' rights and benefits hereunder.
(a) Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this Plan shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation, or to execution, attachment, levy, or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to affect such action shall be null, void, and of no effect.
(b) This Plan shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, Employee and the Bank and their respective successors and assigns.
ARTICLE IX
LEGAL FEES AND EXPENSES
9.1 All reasonable legal fees and other expenses paid or incurred by a party hereto pursuant to any dispute or question of interpretation relating to this Plan shall be paid or reimbursed by the prevailing party in any legal judgment, arbitration or settlement.
ARTICLE X
REQUIRED PROVISIONS
10.1 The Bank may terminate the Employee's employment at any time, but any termination by the Bank, other than Termination for Cause, shall not prejudice Employee's right to compensation or other benefits under this Agreement. Employee shall not have the right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after termination for Just Cause as defined in Section 2.1 hereinabove.
10.2 If the Employee is suspended and/or temporarily prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs by a notice served under
Section 8(e)(3) or 8(g)(1) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. (S)1818(e)(3) or (g)(1), the Bank's
obligations under this contract shall be suspended as of the date of service,
unless stayed by appropriate proceedings. If the charges in the notice are
dismissed, the Bank may in its discretion (i) pay the Employee all or part of
the compensation withheld while their contract obligations were suspended and
(ii) reinstate (in whole or in part) any of the obligations which were
suspended.
10.3 If the Employee is removed and/or permanently prohibited from
participating in the conduct of the Bank's affairs by an order issued under
Section 8(e)(4) or 8(g)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C.
(S)1818(e)(4) or (g)(1), all obligations of the Bank under this contract shall
terminate as of the effective date of the order, but vested rights of the
contracting parties shall not be affected.
10.4 If the Bank is in default as defined in Section 3(x)(1) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. (S)1813(x)(1), all obligations of the Bank under this contract shall terminate as of the date of default, but this paragraph shall not affect any vested rights of the contracting parties.
ARTICLE XI
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
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Having been adopted by its Board of Directors, this Plan is executed by its duly authorized officers this ___ day of _______________________,2000.
Attest: BERKSHIRE BANK
_____________________ By: _________________________________
For the Entire Board of Directors
|
Having been adopted by its Board of Directors, this Plan is executed by its duly authorized officers this ___ day of ________________________, 2000.
Attest: [HOLDING COMPANY]
________________________ By: _________________________________ For the Entire Board of Directors
Exhibit 10.5
FORM OF
BERKSHIRE BANK
SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN
Form of Berkshire Bank Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
Table of Contents
Article I - Introduction.......................... 1 Article II - Definitions.......................... 2 Article III - Eligibility and Participation....... 5 Article IV - Benefits............................. 6 Article V - Accounts.............................. 8 Article VI - Supplemental Benefit Payments........ 9 Article VII - Claims Procedures................... 10 Article VIII - Amendment and Termination.......... 12 Article IX - General Provisions................... 13 |
Article I Introduction
(a) The purpose of the Berkshire Bank Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the "Plan") is to assist Berkshire Bank (the "Bank") and its affiliates in retaining the services of key employees until their retirement, to induce such employees to use their best efforts to enhance the business of the Bank and its affiliates, and to provide certain supplemental retirement benefits to such employees.
(b) The Plan, in relevant part, is intended to constitute an unfunded "excess benefit plan" as defined in Section 3(36) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. The Plan is specifically designed to provide certain key employees with retirement benefits that would have been provided under various tax-qualified retirement plans sponsored by the Bank but for the applicable limitations placed on benefits and contributions under such plans by various provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Article II Definitions
(a) "Affiliate" means any corporation, trade or business, which, at the time of
reference, is together with the Bank, a member of a controlled group of
corporations, a group of trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated)
under common control, or an affiliated service group, as described in Sections
414(b), 414(c), and 414(m) of the Code, respectively, or any other organization
treated as a single employer with the Bank under Section 414(o) of the Code.
(b) "Applicable Limitations" means one or more of the following, as applicable:
(i) the maximum limitation on annual benefits payable by a tax-qualified defined benefit plan under Section 415(b) of the Code;
(ii) the maximum limitations on annual additions to a tax-qualified defined contribution plan under Section 415(c) of the Code;
(iii) the maximum limitation on the annual amount of compensation that may, under Section 401(a)(17) of the Code, be taken into account in determining contributions to and benefits under tax-qualified plans; and
(iv) the maximum limitations, under Sections 401(k), 401(m), or 402(g) of the Code, on pre-tax contributions that may be made to a qualified defined contribution plan.
(c) "Bank" means Berkshire Bank, and its successors.
(d) "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Bank.
(e) "Change in Control" means, with respect to the Bank or the Company, an event
of a nature that: (i) would be required to be reported in response to Item 1(a)
of the current report on Form 8-K, as in effect on the date hereof, pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act");
or (ii) results in a Change in Control of the Bank or the Holding Company within
the meaning of the Change in Bank Control Act and the Rules and Regulations
promulgated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") at 12 C.F.R.
(S) 303.4(a) with respect to the Bank and the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System ("FRB") at 12 C.F.R. (S) 225.41(b) with respect to the Holding
Company, as in effect on the date hereof; or (iii) results in a transaction
requiring prior FRB approval under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the
regulations promulgated thereunder by the FRB at 12 C.F.R. (S) 225.11, as in effect on the date hereof except for the Holding Company's acquisition of the Bank; or (iv) without limitation such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (A) any "person" (as the term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Bank or the Holding Company representing 20% or more of the Bank's or the Holding Company's outstanding securities except for any securities of the Bank purchased by the Holding Company in connection with the conversion of the Bank to the stock form and any securities purchased by any tax qualified employee benefit plan of the Bank; or (B) individuals who constitute the Board of Directors on the date hereof (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election was approved by a vote of at least three-quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, or whose nomination for election by the Holding Company's stockholders was approved by the same Nominating Committee serving under an Incumbent Board, shall be, for purposes of this clause (B), considered as though he were a member of the Incumbent Board; or (C) a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Bank or the Holding Company or similar transaction occurs in which the Bank or Holding Company is not the resulting entity; or (D) solicitations of shareholders of the Holding Company, by someone other than the current management of the Holding Company, seeking stockholder approval of a plan or reorganization, merger of consolidation of the Holding Company or Bank or similar transaction with one or more corporations as a result of which the outstanding shares of the class of securities then subject to the plan or transaction are exchanged for or converted into cash or property or securities not issued by the Bank or the Holding Company shall be distributed; or (E) a tender offer is made for 20% or more of the voting securities of the Bank or the Holding Company.
(f) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(g) "Committee" means the person(s) designated by the Board of Directors, pursuant to Section 9.02 of the Plan, to administer the Plan.
(h) "Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company.
(i) "Company" means Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and its successors.
(j) "Eligible Individual" means any Employee of the Bank or an Affiliate who participates in the ESOP or the Savings Plan, as the case may be, and whom the Board of Directors determines is one of a "select group of management or highly compensated employees," as such phrase is used for purposes of Sections 101, 201, and 301 of ERISA.
(k) "Employee" means any person employed by the Bank or an Affiliate.
(l) "Employer" means the Bank or Affiliate that employs the Employee.
(m) "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
(n) "ESOP" means the Berkshire Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan, as amended from time to time.
(o) "ESOP Acquisition Loan" means a loan or other extension of credit incurred by the trustee of the ESOP in connection with the purchase of Common Stock on behalf of the ESOP.
(p) "ESOP Valuation Date" means any day as of which the investment experience of the trust fund of the ESOP is determined and individuals' accounts under the ESOP are adjusted accordingly.
(q) "Effective Date" means [January 1, 2000].
(r) "Participant" means an Eligible Employee who is entitled to benefits under the Plan.
(s) "Plan" means this Berkshire Bank Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan.
(t) "Retirement" means termination of employment at any time following the satisfaction the requirements for early or normal retirement under either the ESOP or the Savings Plan, as appropriate.
(u) "Savings Plan" means the Berkshire Bank 401(k) Plan in the SBERA Trust, and as amended from time to time.
(v) "Supplemental ESOP Account" means an account established by an Employer, pursuant to Section 5.01 of the Plan, with respect to a Participant's Supplemental ESOP Benefit.
(w) "Supplemental ESOP Benefit" means the benefit credited to a Participant pursuant to Section 4.01 of the Plan.
(x) "Supplemental Savings Benefit" means the benefit credited to a Participant pursuant to Section 4.03 of the Plan.
(y) "Supplemental Savings Account" means an account established by an Employer, pursuant to Section 5.03 of the Plan, with respect to a Participant Supplement Savings Benefit.
(z) "Supplemental Stock Ownership Account" means an account established by an Employer, pursuant to Section 5.02 of the Plan, with respect to a Participant's Supplemental Stock Ownership Benefit.
(aa) "Supplemental Stock Ownership Benefit" means the benefit credited to a Participant pursuant to Section 4.02 of the Plan.
Article III Eligibility and Participation
(a) Each Eligible Employee may participate in the Plan. An Eligible Employee shall become a Participant in the Plan upon designation as such by the Board of Directors. An Eligible Employee whom the Board of Directors designates as a Participant in the Plan shall commence participation as of the date established by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall establish an Eligible Employee's date of participation at the same time it designates the Eligible Employee as a Participant in the Plan.
(b) The Board of Directors may, at any time, designate an Eligible Employee as a Participant for any or all supplemental benefits provided for under Article IV of the Plan.
Article IV Benefits
As of the last day of each plan year of the ESOP, the Employer shall credit the Participant's Supplemental ESOP Account with a Supplemental ESOP Benefit equal to the excess of (a) over (b), where:
(a) Equals the annual contributions made by the Employer and/or the number of shares of Common Stock released for allocation in connection with the repayment of an ESOP Acquisition Loan that would otherwise be allocated to the accounts of the Participant under the ESOP for the applicable plan year if the provisions of the ESOP were administered without regard to and of the Applicable Limitations; and
(b) Equals the annual contributions made by the Employer and for the number of shares of common stock released for allocation in connection with the repayment of an ESOP Acquisition Loan that are actually allocated to the accounts of the Participant under the provisions of the ESOP for that particular plan year after giving effect to any reduction of such allocation required by the limitations imposed by any of the Applicable Limitations.
(a) Upon a Change in Control, the Employer shall credit to the Participant's Supplemental Stock Ownership Account a Supplemental Stock Ownership Benefit equal to (i) less (ii), the result of which is multiplied by (iii), where:
(i) Equals the total number of shares of Common Stock acquired with the proceeds of all ESOP Acquisition Loans (together with any dividends, cash proceeds, or other medium related to such ESOP Acquisition Loans) that would have been allocated or credited for the benefit of the Participant under the ESOP and/or this Plan, as the case may be, had the Participant continued in the employ of the Employer through the first ESOP Valuation Date following the last scheduled payment of principal and interest on all ESOP Acquisition Loans outstanding at the time of the Change in Control; and
(ii) Equals the total number of shares of Common Stock acquired with the proceeds of all ESOP Acquisition Loans (together with any dividends, cash proceeds, or other medium related to such ESOP acquisition Loans) and allocated for the benefit of the Participant under the ESOP and this Plan as of the first ESOP Valuation Date following the Change in Control; and
(iii) Equals the fair market value of Common Stock immediately preceding the Change in Control.
(b) For purposes of clause: (i) of subsection (a) of this Section 4.02, the total number of shares of Common Stock shall be determined by multiplying the sum of (i) and (ii) by (iii), where:
(i) equals the average of the total shares of Common Stock acquired with the proceeds of an ESOP Acquisition Loan and allocated for the benefit of the Participant under the ESOP as of three most recent ESOP Valuation Dates preceding the Participant's Retirement (or lesser number if the Participant has not participated in the ESOP for three full years);
(ii) equals the average number of shares of Common Stock credited to the Participant's Supplemental ESOP Account for the three most recent plan years of the ESOP (such that the three recent plan years coincide with the three most recent ESOP Valuation Dates referred to in (i) above); and
(iii) equals the total number of scheduled annual payments remaining on the ESOP Acquisition Loans as of the Change in Control.
A Participant's Supplemental Savings Benefit under the Plan shall be equal to the excess of (a) over (b), where:
(a) is the sum of the matching contributions and other contributions of the Employer that would otherwise be allocated to an account of the Participant under the Savings Plan for a particular year if the provisions of the Savings Plan were administered without regard to any of the Applicable Limitations; and
(b) is the sum of the matching contributions and other contributions of the Employer that are actually allocated on account of the Participant under the provisions of the Savings Plan for that particular year after giving effect to any reduction of such allocation required by any of the Applicable Limitations.
Article V Accounts
For each Participant who is credited with a benefit pursuant to Section 4.01 of
the Plan, the Employer shall establish, as a memorandum account on its books, a
Supplemental ESOP Account. Each year, the Committee shall credit to the
Participant's Supplemental ESOP Account the amount of benefits determined under
Section 4.01 of the Plan for that year. The Committee shall credit the account
with an amount equal to the appropriate number of shares of Common Stock or
other medium of contribution that would have otherwise been made to the
Participant's accounts under the ESOP but for the limitations imposed by the
Code. Shares of Common Stock shall be valued under this Plan in the same manner
as under the ESOP. Cash contributions credited to a Participant's Supplemental
ESOP Account shall be credited annually with interest at a rate equal to the
combined weighted return provided to the Participant's non-stock accounts under
the ESOP.
The Employer shall establish, as a memorandum account on its books, a Supplemental Stock Ownership Account. Upon a Change in Control, the Committee shall credit to the Participant's Supplemental Stock Ownership Account the amount of benefits determined under Section 4.02 of the Plan. The Committee shall credit the account with an amount equal to the appropriate number of shares of Common Stock or other medium of contribution that would have otherwise been made to the Participant's accounts under the ESOP but for the Participant's Retirement. Shares of Common Stock shall be valued under this Plan in the same manner as under the ESOP. Cash contributions credited to a Participant's Supplemental Stock Ownership Account shall be credited annually with interest at a rate equal to the combined weighted return provided to the Participant's non- stock accounts under the ESOP.
The Employer shall establish a memorandum account, the "Supplemental Savings Account" for each Participant on its books, and each year the Committee will credit the amount of contributions determined under Section 4.03 of the Plan. Contributions credited to a Participant's Supplemental Savings Account shall be credited monthly with interest at a rate equal to the combined weighted return provided to the Participant's matching contribution and/or other Employer contribution account(s) under the Savings Plan.
Article VI Supplemental Benefit Payments
(a) A Participant's Supplemental ESOP Benefit shall be paid to the Participant or in the event of the Participant's death, to his beneficiary in the same form, time and medium (i.e., cash and/or shares of Common Stock) as his benefits are paid under the ESOP.
(b) A Participant shall have a non-forfeitable right to the Supplemental ESOP Benefit credited to him under this Plan in the same percentage as he has to benefits allocated to him under the ESOP at the time the benefits become distributable to him under the ESOP.
(a) A Participant's Supplemental Stock Ownership Benefit shall be paid to the Participant or in the event of the Participant's death, to his beneficiary in the same form, time and medium (i.e., cash and/or shares of Common Stock) as his benefits are paid under the ESOP.
(b) A Participant shall always have a fully non-forfeitable right to the Supplemental Stock Ownership Benefit credited to him under this Plan.
(a) A Participant's Supplemental Savings Benefit shall be paid to the Participant or in the event of the Participant's death, to his beneficiary in the same form, and at the same time as his benefits are paid under the Savings Plan.
(b) A Participant shall have a non-forfeitable right to his Supplemental Savings Benefit under this Plan in the same percentage as he has to his accrued benefits under the Savings Plan at the time the benefits become distributable to him under the Savings Plan.
Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article VI, a Participant may, with prior written consent of the Committee and upon such terms and conditions as the Committee may impose, request that the Supplemental ESOP Benefit and/or the Supplemental Stock Ownership Benefit and/or the Supplemental Savings Benefit to which he is entitled be paid commencing at a different time, over a different period, in a different form, or to different persons, than the benefit to which he or his beneficiary may be entitled under the ESOP or the Savings Plan.
Article VII Claims Procedures
For purposes of handling claims with respect to this Plan, the "Claims Reviewer" shall be the Committee, unless the Committee designates another person or group of persons as Claims Reviewer.
(a) An initial claim for benefits under the Plan must be made by the Participant or his or her beneficiary or beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of this Section 7.02.
(b) Not later than ninety (90) days after receipt of such a claim, the Claims Reviewer will render a written decision on the claim to the claimant, unless special circumstances require the extension of such 90-day period. If such extension is necessary, the Claims Reviewer shall provide the Participant or the Participant's beneficiary or beneficiaries with written notification of such extension before the expiration of the initial 90-day period. Such notice shall specify the reason or reasons for the extension and the date by which a final decision can be expected. In no event shall such extension exceed a period of ninety (90) days from the end of the initial 90-day period.
(c) In the event the Claims Reviewer denies the claim of a Participant or any beneficiary in whole or in part, the Claims Reviewer's written notification shall specify, in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, the reason for the denial; a reference to the Plan or other document or form that is the basis for the denial; a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim; an explanation as to why such information or material is necessary; and an explanation of the applicable claims procedure.
(d) Should the claim be denied in whole or in part and should the claimant be
dissatisfied with the Claims Reviewer's disposition of the claimant's claim,
the claimant may have a full and fair review of the claim by the Committee
upon written request submitted by the claimant or the claimant's duly
authorized representative and received by the Committee within sixty (60)
days after the claimant receives written notification that the claimant's
claim has been denied. In connection with such review, the claimant or the
claimant's duly authorized representative shall be entitled to review
pertinent documents and submit the claimant's views as to the issues, in
writing. The Committee shall act to deny or accept the claim within sixty
(60) days after receipt of the claimant's written request for review unless
special circumstances require the extension of such 60-day period. If such
extension is necessary, the Committee shall provide the claimant with
written notification of such extension before the expiration of such initial
60-day period. In all events, the Committee shall act to deny or accept the
claim within 120 days of the receipt of the claimant's written request for
review. The action of the Committee shall be in the form of a written
notice to the claimant and its contents shall include all of the
requirements for action on the original claim.
(e) In no event may a claimant commence legal action for benefits the claimant believes are due the claimant until the claimant has exhausted all of the remedies and procedures afforded the claimant by this Article VII.
Article VIII Amendment and Termination
The Bank may from time to time and at any time amend the Plan; provided, however, that such amendment may not adversely affect the rights of any Participant or beneficiary with respect to any benefit under the Plan to which the Participant or beneficiary may have previously become entitled prior to the effective date of such amendment without the consent of the Participant or beneficiary. The Committee shall be authorized to make minor or administrative changes to the Plan, as well as amendments required by applicable federal or state law (or authorized or made desirable by such statutes); provided, however, that such amendments must subsequently be ratified by the Board of Directors.
The Bank may at any time terminate the Plan; provided, however, that such termination may not adversely affect the rights of any Participant or beneficiary with respect to any benefit under the Plan to which the Participant or beneficiary may have previously become entitled prior to the effective date of such termination without the consent of the Participant or beneficiary. Any amounts credited to the supplemental accounts of any Participant shall remain subject to the provisions of the Plan and no distribution of benefits shall be accelerated because of termination of the Plan.
Article IX General Provisions
The right of a Participant or any beneficiary to receive a distribution under this Plan shall be an unsecured claim against the general assets of the Bank or its Affiliates and neither a Participant nor his designated beneficiary or beneficiaries shall have any rights in or against any amount credited to any account under this Plan or any other assets of the Bank or an Affiliate. The Plan at all times shall be considered entirely unfunded both for tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of ERISA. Any funds invested hereunder shall continue for all purposes to be part of the general assets of the Bank or an Affiliate and available to its general creditors in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency. Accounts under this Plan and any benefits which may be payable pursuant to this Plan are not subject in any manner to anticipation, sale, alienation, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment, or garnishment by creditors of a Participant or a Participant's beneficiary. The Plan constitute a mere promise by the Bank or Affiliate to make benefit payments in the future. No interest or right to receive a benefit may be taken, either voluntarily or involuntarily, for the satisfaction of the debts of, or other obligations or claims against, such Participant or beneficiary, including claims for alimony, support, separate maintenance and claims in bankruptcy proceedings.
(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Committee designated by the Board of Directors.
(b) The Committee shall have the authority, duty and power to interpret and construe the provisions of the Plan as it deems appropriate. The Committee shall have the duty and responsibility of maintaining records, making the requisite calculations and disbursing the payments hereunder. In addition, the Committee shall have the authority and power to delegate any of its administrative duties to employees of the Bank or Affiliate, as they may deem appropriate. The Committee shall be entitled to rely on all tables, valuations, certificates, opinions, data and reports furnished by any actuary, accountant, controller, counsel or other person employed or retained by the Bank with respect to the Plan. The interpretations, determination, regulations and calculations of the Committee shall be final and binding on all persons and parties concerned.
Expenses of administration of the Plan shall be paid by the Bank or an Affiliate.
The Committee shall furnish individual annual statements of accrued benefits to each Participant, or current beneficiary, in such form as determined by the Committee or as required by law.
(a) The sole rights of a Participant or beneficiary under this Plan shall be to have this Plan administered according to its provisions, to receive whatever benefits he or she may be entitled to hereunder.
(b) Nothing in the Plan shall be interpreted as a guaranty that any funds in any trust which may be established in connection with the Plan or assets of the Bank or an Affiliate will be sufficient to pay any benefit hereunder.
(c) The adoption and maintenance of this Plan shall not be construed as creating any contract of employment or service between the Bank or an Affiliate and any Participant or other individual. The Plan shall not affect the right of the Bank or an Affiliate to deal with any Participants in employment or service respects, including their hiring, discharge, compensation, and conditions of employment or other service.
The Committee may from time to time establish rules and procedures which it determines to be necessary for the proper administration of the Plan and the benefits payable to a Participant or beneficiary in the event that such Participant or beneficiary is declared incompetent and a conservator or other person legally charged with that Participant's or beneficiary's care is appointed. Except as otherwise provided herein, when the Committee determines that such Participant or beneficiary is unable to manage his or her financial affairs, the Committee may pay such Participant's or beneficiary's benefits to such conservator, person legally charged with such Participant's or beneficiary's care, or institution then contributing toward or providing for the care and maintenance of such Participant or beneficiary. Any such payment shall constitute a complete discharge of any liability of the Bank or an Affiliate and the Plan for such Participant or beneficiary.
The Plan may be continued after a sale of assets of the Bank, or a merger or consolidation of the Bank into or with another corporation or entity only if and to the extent that the transferee, purchaser or successor entity agrees to continue the Plan. Additionally, upon a merger, consolidation or other change in control any amounts credited to Participant's deferral accounts shall be placed in a grantor trust to the extent not already in such a trust. In the event that the Plan is not continued by the transferee, purchaser or successor entity, then the Plan shall be terminated subject to the provisions of Section 8.02 of the Plan. Any legal fees incurred by a Participant in determining benefits to which such Participant is entitled under the Plan following a sale, merger, or consolidation of the Bank or an Affiliate of which the Participant is an Employee or, if applicable, a member of the Board of Directors, shall be paid by the resulting or succeeding entity.
Each Participant shall keep the Bank informed of his or her current address and the current address of his or her designated beneficiary or beneficiaries. The Bank shall not be obligated to search for any person. If such person is not located within three (3) years after the date on which payment of the Participant's benefits payable under this Plan may first be made, payment may be made as though the Participant or his or her beneficiary had died at the end of such three-year period.
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, neither the Bank nor any individual acting as an employee or agent of the Bank shall be liable to any Participant, former Participant, beneficiary, or any other person for any claim, loss, liability or expense incurred in connection with the Plan, unless attributable to fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the Bank or any such employee or agent of the Bank.
All questions pertaining to the construction, validity and effect of the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the United States and to the extent not preempted by such laws, by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Having been adopted by its Board of Directors on the ______________ 2000, this Plan is executed by its duly authorized officer this ___ day of________________, 2000.
BERKSHIRE BANK
Attest:
________________________ By:______________________________
EXHIBIT 10.6
FORM OF
BERKSHIRE BANK
THREE YEAR CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT
This AGREEMENT is made effective as of____________, 2000, by and among Berkshire Bank (the "Institution"), a state chartered savings institution, with its principal administrative office at 24 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201, _________________ ("Executive"), and Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (the "Holding Company"), a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware which is the stock holding company of the Institution.
WHEREAS, the Institution recognizes the substantial contribution Executive has made to the Institution and wishes to protect Executive's position therewith for the period provided in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Executive has agreed to serve in the employ of the Institution.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the contribution and responsibilities of Executive, and upon the other terms and conditions hereinafter provided, the parties hereto agree as follows:
The period of this Agreement shall be deemed to have commenced as of the date first above written and shall continue for a period of thirty-six (36) full calendar months thereafter. Commencing on the first anniversary date of this Agreement, and continuing on each anniversary thereafter, the term of this Agreement may be extended for an additional year such that the remaining term of this Agreement may be three years, unless Executive or the Board elects not to extend the term of the Agreement by giving written notice to the other party in accordance with Section 4 of this Agreement, in which case the term of this Agreement.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Institution or the Holding Company (as herein defined) followed at any time during the term of this Agreement by the termination of Executive's employment, other than for Cause, as defined in Section 2(c) of this Agreement, the provisions of Section 3 of this Agreement shall apply. Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, Executive shall have the right to elect to voluntarily terminate his employment at any time during the term of this Agreement following any demotion, loss of title, office or significant authority, material reduction in his annual compensation or benefits, or relocation of his principal place of employment by more than ____ miles from its location immediately prior to the Change in Control; provided, however, the Executive may consent in
writing to any such demotion, loss, reduction or relocation. The effect of any written consent of the Executive under this Section 2 (a) shall be strictly limited to the terms specified in such written consent.
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" of the Institution or Holding Company shall mean an event of a nature that: (i) would be required to be reported in response to Item 1 of the current report on Form 8-K, as in effect on the date hereof, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"); or (ii) results in a Change in Control of the Institution or the Holding Company within the meaning of the Change in Bank Control Act and the Rules and Regulations promulgated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") at 12 C.F.R. (S) 303.4(a), with respect to the Institution, and the Rules and Regulations promulgated by the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") (or its predecessor agency), with respect to the Holding Company, as in effect on the date of this Agreement; or (iii) without limitation such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as (A) any "person" (as the term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of voting securities of the Institution or the Holding Company representing 20% or more of the Institution's or the Holding Company's outstanding voting securities or right to acquire such securities except for any voting securities of the Institution purchased by the Holding Company and any voting securities purchased by any employee benefit plan of the Institution or the Holding Company, or (B) individuals who constitute the Board on the date hereof (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election was approved by a vote of at least three-quarters of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, or whose nomination for election by the Holding Company's stockholders was approved by the same Nominating Committee serving under an Incumbent Board, shall be, for purposes of this clause (B), considered as though he were a member of the Incumbent Board, or (C) a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Institution or the Holding Company or similar transaction occurs in which the Institution or Holding Company is not the resulting entity, or (D) a proxy statement has been distributed soliciting proxies from stockholders of the Holding Company, by someone other than the current management of the Holding Company, seeking stockholder approval of a plan of reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Holding Company or Institution or similar transaction with one or more corporations as a result of which the outstanding shares of the class of securities then subject to such plan or transaction are exchanged for or converted into cash or property or securities not issued by the Institution or the Holding Company, or (E) a tender offer is made for 20% or more of the voting securities of the Stock Institution or Holding Company then outstanding.
(c) Executive shall not have the right to receive termination benefits pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement upon Termination for Cause. The term "Termination for Cause" shall mean termination because of: 1) Executive's personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties,
willful violation of any law, rule, regulation (other than traffic violations or similar offenses), final cease and desist order or material breach of any provision of this Agreement which results in a material loss to the Institution or the Holding Company, or 2) Executive's conviction of a crime or act involving moral turpitude or a final judgement rendered against Executive based upon actions of Executive which involve moral turpitude. For the purposes of this Section, no act, or the failure to act, on Executive's part shall be "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the action or omission was in the best interests of the Bank or its affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be deemed to have been Terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to him a Notice of Termination which shall include a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the members of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for that purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive and an opportunity for him, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board, Executive was guilty of conduct justifying Termination for Cause and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. Executive shall not have the right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after Termination for Cause. During the period beginning on the date of the Notice of Termination for Cause pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement through the Date of Termination, stock options granted to Executive under any stock option plan shall not be exercisable nor shall any unvested stock awards granted to Executive under any stock-based incentive plan of the Institution, the Holding Company or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof vest. At the Date of Termination, such stock options and such unvested stock awards shall become null and void and shall not be exercisable by or delivered to Executive at any time subsequent to such Date of Termination for Cause.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, followed at any time during the term of this Agreement by the voluntary or involuntary termination of Executive's employment, other than for Termination for Cause, the Institution shall be obligated to pay Executive, or in the event of his subsequent death, his beneficiary or beneficiaries, or his estate, as the case may be, a sum equal to three (3) times Executive's average annual compensation for the five most recent taxable years that Executive has been employed by the Institution or such lesser number of years in the event that Executive shall have been employed by the Institution for less than five years. Such annual compensation shall include base salary, commissions, bonuses, any other cash compensation, contributions or accruals on behalf of Executive to any pension and profit sharing plan, benefits received or to be received under any stock-based benefit plan, severance payments, director or committee fees and fringe benefits paid or to be paid to the Executive during such years. At the election of Executive which election is to be made prior to a Change in Control, such payment shall be made in a lump sum or on an annual basis in approximately equal installments over a three (3) year period.
(b) Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Institution or the Holding Company followed at any time during the term of this Agreement by Executive's voluntary or
involuntary termination of employment, other than for Termination for Cause, the Institution shall cause to be continued life, medical and disability coverage substantially identical to the coverage maintained by the Institution or Holding Company for Executive prior to his severance, except to the extent such coverage may be changed in its application to all Institution or Holding Company employees on a nondiscriminatory basis. Such coverage and payments shall cease upon the expiration of thirty-six (36) full calendar months from the Date of Termination.
(c) Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs of this Section 3, in the event that:
(i) the aggregate payments or benefits to be made or afforded to Executive, which are deemed to be parachute payments as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or any successor thereof (the "Termination Benefits"), would be deemed to include an "excess parachute payment" under Section 280G of the Code; and
(ii) if such Termination Benefits were reduced to an amount (the "Non-
Triggering Amount"), the value of which is one dollar ($1.00)
less than an amount equal to three (3) times Executive's "base
amount," as determined in accordance with said Section 280G and
the Non-Triggering Amount less the product of the marginal rate
of any applicable state and federal income tax and the Non-
Triggering Amount would be greater than the aggregate value of
the Termination Benefits (without such reduction) minus (i) the
amount of tax required to be paid by the Executive thereon by
Section 4999 of the Code and further minus (ii) the product of
the Termination Benefits and the marginal rate of any applicable
state and federal income tax,
then the Termination Benefits shall be reduced to the Non-Triggering Amount. The allocation of the reduction required hereby among the Termination Benefits shall be determined by the Executive.
(a) Any purported termination by the Institution or by Executive in connection with a Change in Control shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a written notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive's employment under the provision so indicated.
(b) "Date of Termination" shall mean the date specified in the Notice of Termination (which, in the instance of Termination for Cause, shall not be less than thirty (30) days from the
date such Notice of Termination is given); provided, however, that if a dispute regarding the Executive's termination exists, the "Date of Termination" shall be determined in accordance with Section 4(c) of this Agreement.
(c) If, within thirty (30) days after any Notice of Termination is given, the party receiving such Notice of Termination notifies the other party that a dispute exists concerning the termination, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the dispute is finally determined, either by mutual written agreement of the parties, by a binding arbitration award, or by a final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction (the time for appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal having been perfected) and provided further that the Date of Termination shall be extended by a notice of dispute only if such notice is given in good faith and the party giving such notice pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable diligence. Notwithstanding the pendency of any such dispute in connection with a Change in Control, in the event that the Executive is terminated for reasons other than Termination for Cause, the Institution will continue to pay Executive the payments and benefits due under this Agreement in effect when the notice giving rise to the dispute was given (including, but not limited to his annual salary) until the earlier of: (1) the resolution of the dispute in accordance with this Agreement; or (2) the expiration of the remaining term of this Agreement as determined as of the Date of Termination.
It is intended by the parties hereto that all payments provided in this Agreement shall be paid in cash or check from the general funds of the Institution. Further, the Holding Company guarantees such payment and provision of all amounts and benefits due hereunder to Executive and, if such amounts and benefits due from the Institution are not timely paid or provided by the Institution, such amounts and benefits shall be paid or provided by the Holding Company.
This Agreement contains the entire understanding between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement between the Institution and Executive, except that this Agreement shall not affect or operate to reduce any benefit or compensation inuring to Executive of a kind elsewhere provided. No provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted to mean that Executive is subject to receiving fewer benefits than those available to him without reference to this Agreement.
Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon Executive the right to continue in the employ of Institution or shall impose on the Institution any obligation to employ or retain Executive in its employ for any period.
(a) Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under this Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation, sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation, or to execution, attachment, levy, or similar process or assignment by operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to affect any such action shall be null, void, and of no effect.
(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, Executive, the Institution and their respective successors and assigns.
(a) This Agreement may not be modified or amended except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.
(b) No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been waived, nor shall there be any estoppel against the enforcement of any provision of this Agreement, except by written instrument of the party charged with such waiver or estoppel. No such written waiver shall be deemed a continuing waiver unless specifically stated therein, and each such waiver shall operate only as to the specific term or condition waived and shall not constitute a waiver of such term or condition for the future or as to any act other than that specifically waived.
Any payments made to Executive pursuant to this Agreement, or otherwise, are subject to and conditioned upon compliance with 12 U.S.C. (S)1828(k) and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, including 12 C.F.R. Part 359.
If, for any reason, any provision of this Agreement, or any part of any provision, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any part of such provision not held so invalid, and each such other provision and part thereof shall to the full extent consistent with law continue in full force and effect.
The headings of sections and paragraphs herein are included solely for convenience of reference and shall not control the meaning or interpretation of any of the provisions of this Agreement. In addition, references to the masculine shall apply equally to the feminine.
The validity, interpretation, performance, and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this
Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted before a panel
of three arbitrators sitting in a location selected by Executive within fifty
(50) miles from the location of the Institution's main office, in accordance
with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment
may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction;
provided, however, that Executive shall be entitled to seek specific performance
of his right to be paid until the Date of Termination during the pendency of any
dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.
All reasonable costs and legal fees paid or incurred by Executive pursuant to any dispute or question of interpretation relating to this Agreement shall be paid or reimbursed by the Institution (which payments are guaranteed by the Holding Company pursuant to Section 5 hereof) if Executive is successful pursuant to a legal judgment, arbitration or settlement.
The Institution shall provide Executive (including his heirs, executors and administrators) with coverage under a standard directors' and officers' liability insurance policy at its expense and shall indemnify Executive (and his heirs, executors and administrators) to the fullest extent permitted under Massachusetts and federal law against all expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred by him in connection with or arising out of any action, suit or proceeding in which he may be involved by reason of his having been a director or officer of the Institution (whether or not he continues to be a director or officer at the time of incurring such expenses or liabilities), such expenses and liabilities to include, but not be limited to, judgments, court costs and attorneys' fees and the cost of reasonable settlements.
The Institution shall require any successor or assignee, whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or substantially all the business or assets of the Institution, expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the Institution's obligations under this Agreement, in the same manner and to the same extent that the Institution would be required to perform if no such succession or assignment had taken place.
SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized officers, and Executive has signed this Agreement, on the day of , 2000.
ATTEST: BERKSHIRE BANK
SEAL
ATTEST: BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
(Guarantor)
SEAL
WITNESS: EXECUTIVE
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
We consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 and Prospectus of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (proposed holding company for Berkshire Bank) of our report dated March 10, 2000, on the consolidated balance sheets of Berkshire Bancorp (mutual holding company of Berkshire Bank) as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in retained earnings and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1999 and to the use of our name and the statements with respect to us, as appearing under the headings "Experts," "Massachusetts Taxation," "Tax Effects" and "Legal and Tax Opinions" in the Prospectus.
We also consent to the inclusion of our State Tax Opinion as an exhibit to the Registraton Statement and the references to summary of such opinion in the Registration Statement.
Wolf & Company, P.C.
/s/ Wolf & Company, P.C. Boston, Massachusetts March 10, 2000 |
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT
We hereby consent to the references to this firm and our opinions in the
Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed by Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., and
all amendments thereto, and in the Form H-(e)1-S for Berkshire Hills Bancorp,
Inc., and all amendments thereto, relating to the conversion of Berkshire
Bancorp, a Massachusetts-chartered mutual holding company, from the mutual to
stock form of organization, the concurrent issuance of Berkshire Bank's
outstanding capital stock to Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., a holding company
formed for such purpose, and the offering of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.'s
common stock. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in
the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
MULDOON, MURPHY & FAUCETTE LLP
/s/ Muldoon, Murphy & Faucette LLP
Dated this 10th day of
March, 2000
|
Exhibit 23.3
[LETTERHEAD OF FINPRO, INC]
Boards of Trustees and Directors
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
Berkshire Bancorp
24 North Street
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201
Dear Board Members:
We hereby consent to the use of our firm's name, FinPro, Inc., in the Application for Conversion of Berkshire Bancorp, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and any amendments thereto, and in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 and any amendments thereto filed by Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. We also hereby consent to the use of our firm's name and the inclusion of, summary of, and references to our Appraisal Report and our opinion concerning subscription rights in such filings including the Prospectus of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
Very Truly Yours,
/s/ FinPro, Inc.
----------------
FinPro, Inc.
Liberty Corner, New Jersey
March 10, 2000
|
[LETTERHEAD OF FINPRO, INC.]
March 10, 2000
Boards of Trustees and Directors
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
Berkshire Bancorp
24 North Street
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201
Dear Board Members:
All capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this letter have the meanings given such terms in the Plan of Conversion adopted by the Board of Trustees of Berkshire Bancorp (the "MHC") and the Board of Directors of Berkshire Bank (the "Bank"). Pursuant to the Plan, the MHC will convert to stock form, and all of the Bank's stock will be issued to Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware-chartered stock holding company. Simultaneously, the Company will issue shares of common stock. After the conversion, the MHC will cease to exist.
We understand that in accordance with the Plan of Conversion, Subscription
Rights to purchase shares of the Common Stock in the Company are to be issued to
(i) Eligible Account Holders, (ii) Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, (iii)
the ESOP, and (iv) directors, trustees, officers and employees of the Bank and
the MHC who do not otherwise qualify as Eligible or Supplemental Eligible
Account Holders. Based solely on our observation that the Subscription Rights
will be available to such recipients without cost, will be legally non-
transferable and of short duration, and will afford such parties the right only
to purchase shares of Common Stock at the same price as will be paid by members
of the general public in the Direct Community Offering, if any, but without
undertaking any independent investigation of state or federal law or the
position of the Internal Revenue Service with respect to this issue, we are of
the opinion that:
(1) the Subscription Rights will have no ascertainable market value; and
(2) the price at which the Subscription Rights are excercisable will not be more or less than the pro forma market value of the shares upon issuance.
Changes in the local and national economy, the legislative and regulatory environment, the stock market, interest rates, and other external forces (such as natural disasters or significant world events) may occur from time to time, often with great unpredictability and may materially impact the value of thrift stocks as a whole or the Company's value alone. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that persons who subscribe to shares of Common Stock in the Conversion will thereafter be able to buy or sell such shares at the same price paid in the Subscription Offering.
Very Truly Yours,
/s/ FinPro, Inc. ---------------- FinPro, Inc. |
EXHIBIT 24.1
CONFORMED
POWERS OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENT, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints James A. Cunningham, Jr. and Charles F. Plungis, Jr., and each of them, as the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for them and in their name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any or all amendments to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 by Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and all other applicable regulatory agencies, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done as fully to all intents and purposes as they might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or their substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the foregoing Powers of Attorney prepared in conjunction with the Registration Statement have been duly signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
NAME DATE
---- ----
/s/ James A. Cunningham, Jr. March 10, 2000
-----------------------------
James A. Cunningham, Jr
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(principal executive officer)
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
/s/ Charles F. Plungis, Jr. March 10, 2000
---------------------------
Charles F. Plungis, Jr.
Senior Vice President, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer
(principal accounting and financial officer)
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
/s/ Robert A. Wells March 10, 2000
---------------------------
Robert A. Wells
Chairman of the Board
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
|
/s/ Thomas O. Andrews March 10, 2000 ------------------------------- Thomas O. Andrews Director Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. /s/ Thomas R. Dawson March 10, 2000 -------------------------------- Thomas R. Dawson Director Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. /s/ Henry D. Granger March 10, 2000 ---------------------------------- Henry D. Granger Director Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. /s/ A. Allen Gray March 10, 2000 -------------------------------------- A. Allen Gray Director Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. /s/ John Kittredge March 10, 2000 -------------------------------------- John Kittredge Director Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. /s/ Peter J. Lafayette March 10, 2000 -------------------------------------- Peter J. Lafayette Director Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. /s/ Edward G. McCormick March 10, 2000 ----------------------------- Edward G. McCormick Director Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. |
/s/ Catherine B. Miller March 10, 2000 ----------------------------------- Catherine B. Miller Director Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. /s/ Michael G. Miller March 10, 2000 ----------------------------------- Michael G. Miller Director Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. /s/ Raymond B. Murray, III March 10, 2000 ------------------------------ Raymond B. Murray, III Director Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. /s/ Louis J. Oggiani March 10, 2000 ------------------------------------- Louis J. Oggiani Director Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. /s/ Robert S. Raser March 10, 2000 ------------------------------------- Robert S. Raser Director Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. /s/ Corydon L. Thurston March 10, 2000 -------------------------------- Corydon L. Thurston Director Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. /s/ Ann H. Trabulsi March 10, 2000 ------------------------------------ Ann H. Trabulsi Director Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. |
/s/ William E. Williams March 10, 2000 --------------------------------- William E. Williams Director Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. /s/ Anne Everest Wojtkowski March 10, 2000 ----------------------------- Anne Everest Wojtkowski Director Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. |
| ARTICLE 9 |
| This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the financial statements of Berkshire Bancorp at and for the year ended December 31, 1999 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements. |
| RESTATED: |
| CIK: 0001108134 |
| NAME: BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC. |
| MULTIPLIER: 1,000 |
| CURRENCY: U.S. DOLLARS |
| PERIOD TYPE | YEAR |
| FISCAL YEAR END | DEC 31 1999 |
| PERIOD START | JAN 01 1999 |
| PERIOD END | DEC 31 1999 |
| EXCHANGE RATE | 1 |
| CASH | 23,301 |
| INT BEARING DEPOSITS | 341 |
| FED FUNDS SOLD | 1,000 |
| TRADING ASSETS | 0 |
| INVESTMENTS HELD FOR SALE | 93,084 |
| INVESTMENTS CARRYING | 17,014 |
| INVESTMENTS MARKET | 16,922 |
| LOANS | 674,088 |
| ALLOWANCE | 8,534 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | 841,651 |
| DEPOSITS | 680,767 |
| SHORT TERM | 27,472 |
| LIABILITIES OTHER | 6,411 |
| LONG TERM | 32,576 |
| PREFERRED MANDATORY | 0 |
| PREFERRED | 0 |
| COMMON | 0 |
| OTHER SE | 88,352 |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | 841,651 |
| INTEREST LOAN | 52,522 |
| INTEREST INVEST | 5,946 |
| INTEREST OTHER | 0 |
| INTEREST TOTAL | 58,468 |
| INTEREST DEPOSIT | 23,848 |
| INTEREST EXPENSE | 26,922 |
| INTEREST INCOME NET | 31,546 |
| LOAN LOSSES | 3,030 |
| SECURITIES GAINS | 491 |
| EXPENSE OTHER | 25,196 |
| INCOME PRETAX | 7,618 |
| INCOME PRE EXTRAORDINARY | 5,623 |
| EXTRAORDINARY | 0 |
| CHANGES | 0 |
| NET INCOME | 5,623 |
| EPS BASIC | 0 |
| EPS DILUTED | 0 |
| YIELD ACTUAL | 4.13 |
| LOANS NON | 2,841 |
| LOANS PAST | 0 |
| LOANS TROUBLED | 0 |
| LOANS PROBLEM | 0 |
| ALLOWANCE OPEN | 7,589 |
| CHARGE OFFS | 2,353 |
| RECOVERIES | 268 |
| ALLOWANCE CLOSE | 8,534 |
| ALLOWANCE DOMESTIC | 8,534 |
| ALLOWANCE FOREIGN | 0 |
| ALLOWANCE UNALLOCATED | 0 |
Exhibit 99.2
GIFT INSTRUMENT
CHARITABLE GIFT TO BERKSHIRE HILLS FOUNDATION
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., 24 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts (the "Company"), desires to make a gift of its common stock, par value $.01 per share to the C (the "Foundation"), a nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. The purpose of the donation is to establish a bond between the Company and the communities in which it and its affiliates maintain a banking office to enable the communities to share in the potential growth and success of the Company and its affiliates over the long term. To that end, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. now gives, transfers, and delivers to the Foundation _________ shares of its common stock, par value $.01 per share, or total consideration of $0.01 per share, or $_________, subject to the following conditions:
1. The Foundation shall use the donation solely for charitable purposes, including community development, in the communities in which Berkshire Bank, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, maintains a banking office, in accordance with the provisions of the Foundation's Certificate of Incorporation; and
2. Consistent with the Company's intent to form a long-term bond between the Company and the community, the amount of Common Stock that may be sold by the Foundation in any one year shall not exceed 5% of the market value of the assets held by the Foundation, except that this restriction shall not prohibit the board of directors of the Foundation from selling a greater amount of Common Stock in any one year if the board of directors of the Foundation determines that the failure to sell a greater amount of the Common Stock held by the Foundation would: (a) result in a long-term reduction of the value of the Foundation's assets relative to their then current value that would jeopardize the Foundation's capacity to carry out its charitable purposes; or (b) otherwise jeopardize the Foundation's tax-exempt status.
Dated:__________________, 2000 Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
By: ______________________________
James A. Cunningham, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
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