RISK FACTORS
The purpose of the plan is to provide a simple and convenient method of investing cash dividends in additional shares of common stock. Nothing in this Prospectus represents a recommendation by the Corporation or anyone else that a person buy or sell the Corporation’s common stock. We urge you to read this Prospectus thoroughly before you make your investment decision regarding participation in the plan.
Before you invest in the Corporation’s common stock, you should be aware that an investment in our common stock involves a variety of risks, including those described below. You should carefully read and consider these risks factors, together with all the other information contained in this Prospectus, before you decide whether to purchase Codorus Valley Bancorp, Inc. common stock.
You will have a minimal influence on shareholder decisions.
Together, our directors and executive officers beneficially hold 227,135.783 shares, representing 5.40% of the total number of shares outstanding as of January 24, 2012. Further, this percentage of ownership could increase if our directors and officers participate in the Plan. Our directors and officers are able to significantly influence our management policies and decisions as well as issues that require a shareholder vote. If our directors and executive officers vote together, they could influence the outcome of certain corporate actions requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and the approval or non-approval of significant corporate transactions, such as the merger or sale of all of substantially all of our assets. Their interests may differ from the interests of other shareholders with respect to management issues.
Possible future sales of our common stock by our directors and executive officers could cause the market value of our common stock to decline.
Sales of additional shares of our stock, or the perception that shares may be sold by directors and executive officers of the Corporation, could negatively affect the market price of our stock.
Our issuance of additional shares of common stock could dilute or depress the value of your shares.
The Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock and up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The issuance of additional stock within these limits will not require prior shareholder approval. Sales of additional shares of stock, or the perception that shares may be sold, could negatively affect the market price of the Corporation’s stock. The issuance of additional shares could also dilute the percentage ownership interest and corresponding voting power of the prior shareholders.
Regulatory restrictions may affect our ability to pay dividends.
Our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders is also subject to and limited by certain legal and regulatory restrictions. Specifically, the Corporation is subject to restrictions on the payment of dividends to its shareholders pursuant to the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended (BCL). The BCL prohibits dividend payments if such payment would render the Corporation insolvent or result in negative net worth. In addition, the Corporation’s ability to pay dividends to its shareholder is dependent upon its ability to receive dividend payments from the Bank. Federal and state banking regulations restrict the amount of dividends, loans or advances that PeoplesBank may make to the Corporation. The amount of total dividends which may be paid at any date is generally limited to the retained earnings of PeoplesBank. Furthermore, dividend payments would be prohibited if the effect thereof would cause PeoplesBank’s capital to be reduced below applicable minimum capital requirements.
The Corporation and PeoplesBank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can result in certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if imposed, could have a material effect on the Corporation’s financial statements.
Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Corporation and PeoplesBank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of 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.
The trading market for our common stock is not active.
There is a limited public market for the Corporation’s common stock. We cannot assure you that a more liquid or active trading market will develop. In a less active market, you may not be able to sell your shares when you would like to sell them.
Anti-takeover provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws, certain provisions of Pennsylvania law and the Corporation’s Rights Agreement may discourage or prevent a takeover of our company and result in a lower market price for our common stock.
Our Articles of Incorporation and bylaws contain certain provisions that enhance the ability of our board of directors to deal with attempts to acquire control of our company. In addition, Pennsylvania law contains certain anti-takeover provisions that apply to us. Also, the Corporation’s Rights Agreement gives the board further power to resist an uninvited takeover. While these provisions may provide us with flexibility in managing our business, they could discourage or make a merger, tender offer or proxy contest more difficult, even though certain shareholders may wish to participate in the transaction. These provisions could also potentially adversely affect the market price of the common stock.
Our future success is dependent on our ability to compete effectively in the highly competitive banking industry.
We face substantial competition in all phases of our operations from a variety of different competitors. Our future growth and success will depend on our ability to compete effectively in this highly competitive environment. We compete for loans, deposits and other financial services in our geographic market with other commercial banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, brokerage and investment banking firms and various other non-bank competitors.
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Changes in the law and regulations may affect our ability to do business, our costs, and our profits.
We are subject to extensive state and federal supervision and regulation. These laws and regulations are intended to protect depositors, not shareholders. Any change in applicable laws or regulations may have a material effect on our business and prospects. We cannot predict the nature or the extent of the effect on our business or earnings that monetary policies, economic control, or new federal or state regulations may have in the future,
Changes in market interest rates may adversely affect our earnings and financial condition.
The Corporation’s earnings and cash flows are largely dependent upon its net interest income, which is subject to interest rate risk due to fluctuations in market interest rates. We are unable to predict changes in market interest rates, which are affected by many factors beyond our control, including inflation, unemployment, money supply, and domestic and international events, among others. We attempt to manage interest rate risk, in part, by controlling the mix of interest rate sensitive assets and interest rate sensitive liabilities. However, interest rate risk management is not an exact science. A rapid increase or decrease in market interest rates could adversely affect our financial performance.
The Corporation is subject to credit risk.
The Corporation is subject to credit risk if loan customers do not repay their loans according to the terms of their loans, and the collateral securing the payment of loans is insufficient to assure repayment. The Corporation may experience significant credit losses, which could have a material adverse effect on its operating results. In an economic downturn or recession, our credit risk could increase. Management makes various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of its borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans.
The Corporation’s allowance for possible loan losses may be insufficient.
Management makes significant estimates in determining the allowance for loan losses. Management considers a variety of factors in establishing this estimate, such as current economic conditions, diversification of the loan portfolio, delinquency statistics, results of internal loan reviews, financial and managerial strength of borrowers, adequacy of collateral, if collateral dependent, or the present value of future cash flows and other relevant factors. Estimates related to the value of collateral also have a significant impact on whether or not management continues to accrue income on delinquent loans and on the amounts at which foreclosed real estate is recorded on the statement of financial condition. In addition, bank regulatory agencies periodically review the Corporation’s allowance for loan losses and may require an increase in the provision for loan losses or the recognition of further loan charge-offs, based on judgments different from management. Any increases in the allowance for loan losses will result in a decrease in net income and capital, and may have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
Changes in real estate values may adversely impact our loans that are secured by real estate.
A significant portion of our loan portfolio consists of residential and commercial mortgages secured by real estate. These properties are concentrated in south-central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. Real estate values and real estate markets generally are affected by, among other things, changes in national, regional or local economic conditions, fluctuations in interest rates and the availability of loans to potential purchasers, changes in the tax laws and other governmental statutes, regulations and policies, and acts of nature. If real estate prices continue to decline, particularly in our market areas, the value of the real estate collateral securing the Corporation’s loans will be further reduced. This reduction in the value of the collateral may increase the number of non-performing loans and continue to have a material negative impact on our financial performance.
A prolonged economic downturn, especially one affecting our market areas, could reduce our customer base, our level of deposits and demand for financial products, such as loans.
We are in uncertain economic times, including uncertainty with respect to financial markets that have been volatile as a result of sub-prime mortgage fraud, a European sovereign debt crisis, a weak housing market and a relatively high level of unemployment, among other factors. Our success significantly depends upon growth in population, income levels, deposits and housing starts in the markets that we serve. If the communities in which we operate do not grow, or if prevailing economic conditions locally or nationally are unfavorable, our business growth plans may not be achieved. A prolonged economic downturn would likely contribute to the deterioration of the credit quality of our loan portfolio and reduce our level of customer deposits, which in turn would hurt our business.
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If the current economic downturn in the economy as a whole, or in our market areas, continues for a prolonged period, borrowers may be less likely to repay their loans. Moreover, the value of real estate or other collateral that may secure our loans could be adversely affected. Unlike many larger institutions, we are not able to spread the risks of unfavorable local economic conditions across a large number of diversified economies and geographic locations. A prolonged economic downturn could, therefore, result in losses that could materially and adversely affect our business.
Unavailability of capital when needed or availability at less than favorable terms.
Shareholders’ equity, or capital, enables the Corporation to maintain asset growth, take advantage of strategic opportunities and absorb losses. Therefore, access to capital, at a reasonable cost, is a critical success factor to the Corporation’s prosperity.
Common stock
You do not have control or authority to direct the price or time at which common stock is purchased or sold for plan accounts. Therefore, you bear the market risk associated with fluctuations in the price of common stock. The plan administrator will allocate shares purchased to 3 decimal places; thus, there will likely always be a partial share in your plan account. This practice allows maximum investment of your dividends.
EXPLANATION OF THE DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT
AND STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
An explanation of the Plan follows. The Plan is contained in a written Plan instrument, a copy of which is maintained at the offices of the Corporation, as well as at the offices of the Plan Administrator identified in Answer Number 3 below. In the event of any inconsistency between that Plan instrument and this explanation, the Plan instrument will control. The Plan does not represent a change in our dividend policy, which will continue to depend upon earnings, financial and regulatory requirements and other factors, and which will be determined by our Board of Directors from time to time. Shareholders who do not wish to participate in this plan will continue to receive cash dividends when and as declared. We cannot provide any assurance whether, or at what rate, we will continue to pay dividends.
Purpose
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1.
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What is the purpose of the Plan?
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The purpose of the Plan is to provide holders of the Corporation’s common stock with a convenient and economical method of investing cash dividends payable upon their common stock and voluntary cash payments in additional shares of common stock. To the extent that the additional shares are purchased directly from the Corporation under the Plan, the Corporation will receive additional funds for its general corporate purposes.
Advantages
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2.
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What are the advantages of the Plan?
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Participation in the Plan offers a number of advantages:
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The Plan enables the shareholders to acquire additional shares of common stock without the payment of brokerage commissions.
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The Plan provides shareholders of the Corporation with the opportunity to reinvest their dividends automatically in additional shares of common stock. The Plan also provides shareholders with the opportunity to make additional voluntary cash payments, within specified limits, to purchase additional shares of common stock without the payment of any service charges or brokerage commissions.
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Participants may deposit their physically held common stock certificate(s), at no cost, with the Plan Administrator.
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Participants’ funds will be fully utilized through the crediting of fractional shares of stock to their accounts under the Plan. Because the shares of stock held under the Plan are held in “book entry” form, participants avoid cumbersome safekeeping and record keeping costs through the free custodial and reporting services furnished under the Plan.
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Participants will receive periodic statements of the transactions for their accounts under the Plan.
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Administration
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3.
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Who administers the Plan for participants?
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Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. administers the Plan as agent for the participants (the “Plan Administrator”). In such capacity, the Plan Administrator will send periodic statements of account to participants and perform other administrative duties relating to the Plan. Shares purchased for a participant under the Plan will be held by the Plan Administrator and registered in its name or the name of its nominee.
Any notices, questions or other communications relating to the Plan should include the participant's account number and should be addressed to one of the following:
Plan Requests should be mailed to:
Wells Fargo Shareowner Services
P.O. Box 64856
St. Paul, MN 55164-0856
Certified/Overnight Mail:
Effective June 1, 2012:
Wells Fargo Shareowner Services Wells Fargo Shareowner Services
161 North Concord Exchange 1110 Centre Pointe Curve
South St. Paul, MN 55075-1139 Mendota Heights, MN 55120
Written Requests to:
Wells Fargo Shareowner Services
P.O. Box 64854
St. Paul, MN 55164-0854
General Information:
Fax: 1-651-450-4085
Tel: 1-800-468-9716
Tel: 1-651-450-4064 (outside the United States)
An automated voice response system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Customer Service Representatives are available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
Internet:
www.shareowneronline.com
Participation
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4.
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Who is eligible to participate in the Plan?
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Generally, holders of common stock of the Corporation will be eligible to participate in the Plan. However, the Corporation may refuse to offer the Plan to various shareholders of the Corporation for any reason, including for the reason that the state in which the shareholder resides may require registration, qualification or exemption of the common stock to be issued under the Plan, or registration or qualification of the Corporation or any of its officers or
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employees as a broker, dealer, salesman or agent. Also, persons, other than the Bank or the Bank’s Trust Department, who beneficially own four percent (4%) or more of the Corporation’s common stock are prohibited from enrolling in the Plan. Participants, other than the Bank or the Bank’s Trust Department, who become beneficial owners of four percent (4%) or more of the Corporation’s common stock will be terminated from further participation in the Plan.
Subject to the limitations in the paragraph immediately above and without limiting the generality of this statement, participants in the Plan may make voluntary cash payments of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per payment or more than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) per quarter. See Number 14 below.
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5.
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How does an eligible shareholder become a participant in the Plan?
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Any eligible shareholder may join the Plan at any time by completing and signing the authorization form included with this Prospectus and returning it to the Plan Administrator. Additional authorization forms may be obtained at any time from the Plan Administrator. A properly completed authorization form must be received before a dividend record date in order for the dividends payable on that date to be reinvested in the Corporation’s common stock under the Plan.
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6.
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Must a shareholder authorize dividend reinvestment on a minimum number of shares?
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No. There is no minimum number of shares required for participation in the Plan. However, a shareholder may participate in the Plan only with respect to all of his or her shares of the Corporation’s common stock.; that is, a shareholder may not participate in the Plan with respect to fewer than all of his or her shares of common stock.
Purchases
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7.
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How are shares of common stock acquired under the Plan?
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Cash dividends payable upon the Corporation’s common stock held by persons participating in the Plan will be paid to the Plan Administrator. The dividends paid to the Plan Administrator will not include any applicable taxes withheld by the Corporation. The Plan Administrator will pool these cash dividends together with all voluntary cash payments received and, with respect to shares to be purchased on the open market, will transfer them to an independent purchasing agent (the “Plan Purchasing Agent”), which will be a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and may be a bank, trust company, brokerage firm, or other independent fiduciary, as selected by the Plan Administrator. The Plan Purchasing Agent will use the funds to purchase shares of the Corporation’s common stock on the open market for the Plan accounts of the participants. Alternatively, the Plan Administrator will acquire shares directly from the Corporation or pursuant to certain negotiated transactions. A combination of the foregoing methods may be used as the Corporation directs. In any event, each participant’s account will be credited with a pro rata share of such purchased shares. Shares purchased from the Corporation will be authorized but unissued shares of its common stock.
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8.
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When will shares of common stock be purchased under the Plan?
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Purchases of shares of common stock will be made as soon as reasonably possible after the applicable investment date, but not more than thirty (30) days after such date.
Voluntary cash payments will be accepted for investment, and will be invested only in connection with a dividend payment date. Because participants will not be credited with interest on their voluntary cash payments prior to investment and because the Plan Administrator is prohibited from holding voluntary cash payments for extended periods of time prior to investing them, participants are strongly encouraged to submit their voluntary cash payments as near as possible to the applicable dividend payment date. For investment of a voluntary cash payment to occur on a particular investment date, the voluntary cash payment must be received by the Plan Administrator no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the corresponding dividend payment date, allowing adequate time for the checks or other drafts to clear prior to the corresponding dividend payment date. Historically, the Corporation has declared regular, quarterly cash dividends to shareholders of record as of the fourth Tuesday of each of January, April, July and October and has paid the dividends two weeks after the respective record date.
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Purchases of common stock in the open market or in negotiated transactions may occur over one or more trading days.
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9.
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What will be the price of stock purchased under the Plan?
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For purchases of shares of common stock on the open market or in negotiated transactions, the purchase price will be the pro rata share of the prices actually paid for the shares (excluding brokerage commissions, if any) at the time such purchases are made. For shares of common stock purchased by the Plan Administrator directly from the Corporation, the purchase price will be the fair market value of the stock as of the applicable investment date. The common stock is currently listed in the Global Market of the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (“NASDAQ”). As long as the common stock is listed in the NASDAQ Global Market, the fair market value shall be the average of the highest and lowest trading prices per share for the Stock on the applicable date or, if no trade occurred in the Global Market on that date, the average of the highest and lowest trading prices per share for the stock on the next day on which the stock was traded on the Global Market System. During the time that the Corporation's common stock is not listed or traded on an established stock exchange or in the NASDAQ National Market System, or quoted by NASDAQ, the fair market value of the stock will be the average of the lowest bid and asked quoted prices per share of the common stock on the applicable investment date, as reported by one or more brokerage firms selected by the Plan Administrator, which then make a market in the Corporation’s common stock. If there are no such bid and asked quotations on that date, the quoted per share price (or average quoted per share prices, if several) reported on the applicable investment date, whether bid or asked, will be used.
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10.
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How many shares will be purchased for participants?
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The number of shares that will be purchased for each participant will depend upon the amount of cash dividends to be reinvested for the participant, the amount of any voluntary cash payments and the fair market value and/or actual trading price of the shares purchased. Each participant’s account will be credited with the whole and fractional shares (calculated to three (3) decimal places) equal to the pro rata amount invested for the respective participant, divided by the applicable purchase price per share. The applicable purchase price per share will be the total amount of dividends invested divided by the total shares purchased.
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11.
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Will dividends on shares in participants’ accounts be used to purchase shares?
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Yes. Dividends subsequently paid on shares that have been purchased under the Plan will also be used to purchase the Corporation’s common stock, thereby compounding each participant’s investment. Fractional shares held under the Plan for a participant’s account will receive dividends in the same way as a whole share, but in proportion to the size of the fractional share.
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12.
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Are there any expenses to participants in connection with purchases under the Plan?
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The Corporation will pay all costs of administration of the Plan. The Corporation will also pay all brokerage fees incurred pursuant to purchases of common stock made under the Plan.
Voluntary
Cash
Payments
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13.
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Who will be eligible to make voluntary cash payments?
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All holders of common stock who elect to have dividends reinvested and who are eligible to participate in accordance with the provisions of this Plan may also elect to make voluntary cash payments.
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14.
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What are the limitations on voluntary cash payments?
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Participants are strongly encouraged to submit any voluntary cash payments as near as possible to the applicable dividend payment date (See Number 8 above). Voluntary cash payments received too early or too late will be returned to participants.
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Voluntary cash payments may not be less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per payment or total more than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) per quarter.
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15.
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How does the voluntary cash payment option work?
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A voluntary cash payment may be made by enclosing a check with the executed Authorization Form (for new participants) or by forwarding a check to the Plan Administrator using the transaction request form that will accompany each statement of account. Checks should be made payable to “Wells Fargo Shareowner Services” and should include the participant’s name, address, account number and the Corporation’s name. Additional payment forms may be obtained from the Plan Administrator.
Any voluntary cash payment received by the Plan Administrator within the period described in Numbers 8 and 14 above will be applied to the purchase of shares of common stock on the following investment date at a price determined in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. No interest will be paid on voluntary cash payments held by the Plan Administrator prior to the respective investment date.
Any optional cash payment will be returned upon request provided Wells Fargo Shareholder Services receives the request on or before the second business day prior to the date on which it is to be invested.
The Plan’s custodial service permits the participant to deposit all physically held certificate(s) in their possession with the Bank for safekeeping. Deposited shares represented by Common Stock certificates will be converted to book-entry and transferred in the name of the Wells Fargo, or its nominee name as agent for the participants in the Plan, and will be credited to the Participant’s Plan account. Thereafter, the shares will be treated in the same manner as shares purchased through the Plan. Because you bear the risk of loss when sending stock certificates through the mail, we suggest that you send them registered insured for at least 2% of the current market value.
Please do not endorse certificates
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Optional Mail Loss Insurance.
Please be advised that choosing registered, express or certified mail alone will not protect you should your certificates become lost or stolen.
As the Plan Administrator, we can provide low-cost loss insurance for certificates being returned for conversion to book-entry form. Mail loss insurance covers the cost of the replacement surety bond only. Replacement transaction fees may also apply. To take advantage of the optional mail loss insurance, simply include your $10.00 check, made payable to WFSS Surety Program, along with your certificates and instructions.
To qualify for this service you must choose to use an accountable mail delivery service such as Federal Express, United Parcel Service, DHL, Express Mail, Purolator, TNT or United States Postal Service Registered Mail. Any one shipping package may not contain certificates exceeding a total value of $100,000.
The value of certificate shares is based on the closing market price of the common stock on the trading day prior to the documented mail date. Claims related to lost certificates under this service must be made within 60 days of the documented delivery service mail date. This is specific coverage for the purpose of converting shares to book-entry form and the surety is not intended to cover certificates being tendered for certificate breakdown or exchange for other certificates.
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16.
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May participants have cash contributions to the Plan withdrawn from a checking or savings account?
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An automatic cash investment service is available for participants. The service is a convenient, no-cost method through which participants may make voluntary cash contributions to the Plan by having money automatically withdrawn from a designated United States checking or savings account each quarter and invested in the participant’s account.
Through the Plan’s automatic deduction feature, participants may elect to invest additional funds in the Corporation’s common stock through optional cash payments, processed through electronic funds transfer and withdrawn automatically from a participant’s predesignated bank account. To invest additional funds by automatic deduction, participants must first complete and sign an Automatic Deduction Form and return the form to Wells
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Fargo Bank, N.A. Automatic Deduction Forms are available upon request from the Plan Administrator. Once the automatic quarterly deduction option is initiated, funds will be drawn from the participant’s designated United States bank account on or about five business days preceding the dividend payment date of each quarter and will be invested in common stock, beginning on the investment date.
If any optional cash contribution, including payments by check or automatic withdrawal, is returned for any reason, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. will remove from the participant’s account any shares purchased upon prior credit of such funds, and will sell these shares. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. may sell other shares in the account to recover a returned funds fee for each optional cash contribution returned unpaid for any reason and may sell additional shares as necessary, to cover any market loss incurred by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Forms will be processed and will become effective as promptly as practicable. Participants may change the designated account for automatic deduction or discontinue this feature by written instruction to the Plan Administrator. To be effective with respect to a particular investment date, your change or termination request must be received by Wells Fargo at least 15 business days prior to the investment date.
Reports to Participants
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17.
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What reports will participants in the Plan receive?
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Each participant will receive periodic statements of account showing the following: the amount of dividends invested for the participant; the amount of voluntary cash payments made by the participant; any taxes withheld; the net amount invested; the amount of brokerage fees paid on behalf of the participant; the number of shares of stock purchased; the price per share; and the total number of shares accumulated for the participant under the Plan. These statements will serve as a record of the transactions for the participant under the Plan and should be retained for income tax purposes. Each participant will also receive the same communications sent to all other persons holding common stock of the Corporation, as well as Internal Revenue Service information for reporting dividend income received.
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18.
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How will a participant’s shares be voted at meetings of shareholders?
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For each meeting of the Corporation's shareholders, each participant will receive proxy materials that will enable him or her to direct the Plan Administrator, as record holder, to vote whole shares and fractional interests credited to his or her Plan account. Shares held by the Plan Administrator for the account of a participant who does not properly return a proxy will not be voted. Participants will vote shares registered in their own names directly or by proxy, as they have done in the past.
Federal Income Tax Information
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19.
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What are the federal income tax consequences of participating in the Plan?
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For federal income tax purposes, a participant in the Plan will be treated as having received on the dividend payment date the full amount of dividends allocable to the participant, regardless of whether the dividends are actually paid in cash, withheld for the payment of taxes or invested in additional shares of common stock pursuant to the Plan. Additionally, the participant will be deemed to have received taxable income in the amount of commissions and other brokerage expenses paid in purchasing shares on the participant’s behalf. The per share tax basis of shares acquired for a participant under the Plan will be the price per share reported on the periodic statement of account supplied to each participant after each applicable investment date and will include the amount of brokerage commissions paid on behalf of the participant.
Compliance with Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008
Effective January 1, 2012, the Plan qualified as a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) under the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.1012-1(e)(6)(i), which enables participants to use the “average basis method” when determining the tax basis of any shares sold.
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This Plan assumes that each participant will use the first-in, first-out “FIFO” method when determining the tax basis of any shares sold. Participants may designate their preference for a different method of determining the tax basis of shares by identifying this preference in writing to the Plan Administrator. Participants may designate their preference for “specific identification” cost basis at any time or, effective January 1, 2012, may designate their preference for the “average basis method” effective for sales occurring after the election. Federal tax regulations require the FIFO tax lot selection method after the average cost basis election has been made.
The holding period for shares acquired pursuant to the Plan will begin on the day after the date the shares are acquired for a participant’s account. In the case of any participant as to whom federal income tax withholding on dividends is required, and in the case of a foreign participant whose taxable income under the Plan is subject to federal income tax withholding, dividends will be reinvested net of the amount of tax withheld under applicable law.
A participant will not realize any taxable income upon receipt of certificates for whole shares credited to the participant's account, either upon the participant’s withdrawal of those shares from the Plan or upon termination of participation in the Plan. A participant who sells or exchanges shares previously received from the Plan or who directs the Plan Administrator to sell his or her Plan shares may, however, recognize gain or loss. A participant also will recognize gain or loss upon the receipt of a cash payment for a fractional share credited to the participant’s account upon termination of participation in the Plan. The amount of gain or loss in either case will be the difference between the amount the participant receives for the Plan shares or fractional share and the participant's tax basis in such shares or fractional share.
Participants who purchase common stock under the Plan with voluntary cash payments should not be required to recognize income in connection with the purchases, aside from the commissions and other brokerage expenses paid on behalf of the participant which amounts will be taxable. The tax basis of shares purchased under these circumstances will be equal to the purchase price, adjusted for the amount of commission expenses paid on behalf of participants. The holding period for the shares commences on the day after the shares are acquired.
The foregoing summary is based upon an interpretation of current federal income tax laws and assumes that dividends paid by the Corporation will be from its earnings and profits. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES, INCLUDING STATE TAX CONSEQUENCES, WHICH MAY RESULT FROM PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN AND ANY SUBSEQUENT DISPOSAL OF SHARES ACQUIRED PURSUANT TO THE PLAN.
Withdrawal of Shares from Plan Accounts
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20.
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How may a participant withdraw shares purchased under the Plan?
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A participant may withdraw all or a portion of the whole shares of common stock credited to his or her account by notifying the Plan Administrator in writing to that effect and by specifying in the notice the number of shares to be withdrawn. Certificates for whole shares of common stock so withdrawn from the Plan will be registered in the name of the participant and mailed to the participant’s address of record. No certificates for fractional shares will be issued under any circumstance. Any notice of withdrawal received from a participant after a dividend record date will not be effective until the participant’s dividends paid on that date have been reinvested and the shares credited to the participant’s account.
Dividends on shares withdrawn from a participant’s account will continue to be reinvested unless the participant otherwise notifies the Plan Administrator in writing. A participant who withdraws all of the whole and fractional shares from his or her account will be treated as having terminated participation in the Plan.
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21.
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May a participant elect to have the withdrawn shares sold?
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Yes. A participant may request in writing to the Plan Administrator or by telephoning, if the participant has previously authorized automated privileges, the Plan Administrator to sell the shares being withdrawn from the Plan account. Participants should specify in their notice of withdrawal the number of shares to be sold. The Plan Administrator will direct the Plan Purchasing Agent to execute a sale order for the shares and provide for the sale of shares within thirty (30) days of receipt of the notice. Further, the Plan Administrator will deliver to the participant a
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check for the proceeds of the sale, less any brokerage commissions and applicable withholding taxes incurred in connection with the sale. If a participant submits a request to sell all or part of the participant’s Plan shares and the participant requests net proceeds to be automatically deposited to a bank checking or saving account, the participant must provide a voided blank check for a checking account or blank savings deposit slip for a savings account. If the participant is unable to provide a voided check or deposit slip, the written request must have the participant’s signature(s) medallion guaranteed by an eligible financial institution for direct deposit. Requests for automatic deposit of sale proceeds that do not provide the required documentation will be ignored and a check for the net proceeds will be issued. A request for shares to be sold must be signed by all persons in whose names the account appears. Selling participants should be aware that the share price of the Corporation’s common stock may fall or rise during the period between a request for sale, its receipt by the Plan Administrator, and the ultimate sale in the open market. You should evaluate these possibilities while deciding whether and when to sell any shares through the Plan. The price risk will be borne solely by you.
Termination of Participation
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22.
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How does a participant terminate participation in the Plan?
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A participant may terminate his or her participation in the Plan at any time by sending written notice in a form satisfactory to the Plan Administrator. A participant can terminate participation in the Plan at any time. Upon termination of participation in the Plan, unless the participant has submitted a request on a Plan transaction request form that some or all of the Plan shares be sold, the Plan administrator will issue to the participant a physical certificate for the full Plan shares in the participant’s account. If the request to terminate participation in the Plan is received on or after a dividend record date, but before the dividend payment date, the termination will be processed as soon as practicable, and a separate dividend check will be mailed to the participant. Future dividends will be paid in cash, unless the participant rejoins the Plan. A written request for termination should be signed by authorized signers as it appears on their account statement. To be effective with respect to a particular investment date, a change or termination request must be received by Wells Fargo at least 15 business days prior to the investment. If the participant prefers, Wells Fargo will sell all the full Plan shares and deliver the proceeds, less any brokerage commissions and service fees. In every case, the participant’s interest in a fractional share will be settled in cash at the current market value. If the participant requests to transfer all shares in the Plan account between a dividend record date and payable date, a transfer request will be processed; however, the Plan account will not be terminated. The participant may request additional dividend reinvestment shares, which will require the participant to submit a written request to transfer the additional shares. A check representing any uninvested dividends and voluntary cash payments held by the Plan Administrator for the participant under the Plan and a check in lieu of the issuance of any fractional share based on the then current net price or market value per share of the Corporation’s common stock will be issued.
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23.
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May a participant request shares to be sold?
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Yes. A participant who is terminating participation in the Plan may request in writing that all of the shares in his or her account, both whole and fractional, be sold. The request must be signed by each person in whose name the Plan account appears. If such a sale is requested, the Plan Administrator will direct the Plan Purchasing Agent to proceed in the same manner as set forth in paragraph 21.
Certificates for Shares
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24.
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Will certificates be issued for shares purchased under the Plan?
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Generally not. Certificates for shares purchased for a participant's account under the Plan will not be issued unless the participant:
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i.
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requests in writing that the Plan Administrator issue a certificate;
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ii.
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withdraws shares from his or her Plan account; or
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iii.
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terminates his or her participation in the Plan and does not request that shares be sold on his or her behalf,
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25.
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In whose name will shares be registered when certificates are issued to participants?
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Certificates will be issued in the name or names that appear on the participant’s account under the Plan. If a participant requests a certificate to be registered in a name other than that shown on the account, the request must be signed by all persons in whose names the account appears, with signatures Medallion guaranteed and accompanied by such other documentation as the Plan Administrator may require.
Other Information
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26.
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May a participant pledge shares held under the Plan or transfer rights under the Plan?
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No. Shares credited to a participant’s account under the Plan may not be pledged or assigned, nor may any rights or interests under the Plan be transferred, pledged or assigned, and any purported pledge, assignment or transfer shall be void. A participant who wishes to pledge or assign his or her shares held under the Plan must withdraw those shares from the Plan.
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27.
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What happens if a participant sells or transfers all of the shares of common stock registered in his or her name?
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A participant who no longer has shares of the Corporation’s common stock will no longer participate in the Plan. A participant may continue to participate in the Plan as long as the Plan Administrator holds at least one whole share for the participant's account under the Plan.
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28.
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What happens if the Corporation declares a stock dividend or a stock split?
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If the Corporation declares a stock dividend or effects a stock split, any shares resulting from the stock dividend or stock split with respect to common stock in a participant’s account will be adjusted to give effect to the split. In such event, the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan shall likewise be adjusted. The Corporation has paid stock splits at various times in the past.
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29.
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May the Plan be modified or terminated?
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Yes. The Corporation reserves the right to suspend, modify or terminate the Plan at any time. Participants will receive notice of any suspension, termination or material modification of the Plan. The Corporation also reserves the right to terminate, at its sole discretion, any shareholder’s participation in the Plan at any time. The Corporation or Plan Administrator may adopt rules and regulations from time to time to facilitate the administration of the Plan.
At the direction of the Corporation, the Plan Administrator can terminate your participation in the Plan if the participant does not own at least one full share in the participant’s name or held through the Plan.
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30.
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What are the liabilities of the Corporation or the Plan Administrator under the Plan?
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In administering the Plan, neither the Corporation, the Plan Administrator nor the Plan Purchasing Agent is liable for any good faith act or omission to act, including but not limited to any claim of liability (i) arising out of the failure to terminate a participant’s account upon such participant’s death prior to receipt of a notice in writing of such death, (ii) with respect to the prices or times at which shares are purchased or sold, or (iii) as to the value of the shares acquired for participants.
Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, as the Plan Administrator, is authorized to choose a broker/dealer, including an affiliated broker/dealer, at its sole discretion to facilitate purchases and sales of
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common stock by Plan Participants. The Plan Administrator will furnish the name of the registered broker/dealer, including any affiliated broker/dealer, utilized in share transactions within a reasonable time upon written request from the Participant.
The Plan Administrator is acting solely as agent of the Corporation and owes no duties, fiduciary or otherwise, to any other person by reason of this Plan, and no implied duties, fiduciary or otherwise, shall be read into this Plan.
The Plan Administrator undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are expressly set forth herein, to be performed by it, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Plan against the Plan Administrator or the Corporation.
In the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on its part, the Plan Administrator, whether acting directly or through agents or attorneys shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted or for any error of judgment made by it in the performance of its duties hereunder. In no event shall the Plan Administrator be liable for special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profit), even if the Plan Administrator has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
The Plan Administrator shall: (i) not be required to and shall make no representations and have no responsibilities as to the validity, accuracy, value or genuineness of any signatures or endorsements, other than its own; and (ii) not be obligated to take any legal action hereunder that might, in its judgment, involve any expense or liability, unless it has been furnished with reasonable indemnity.
The Plan Administrator shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Plan arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fires; floods; wars; civil or military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities; computer (hardware or software) or communications services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority or governmental actions; it being understood that the Plan Administrator shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
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Transaction or Plan Service Fees
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Certificate Deposit
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Corporation paid
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Certificate Issuance
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Corporation paid
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Investment Fees
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via optional cash investment
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Corporation paid
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via automatic withdrawal
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Corporation paid
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via dividend reinvestment
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Corporation paid
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purchase commission
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Corporation paid
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Sale Fees
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Effective April 2, 2012
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Service fee
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$5.00 per transaction
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$15.00 per transaction
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Sale commission
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$0.08 per share
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$0.12 per share
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Direct Deposit of Net Sale Proceeds
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N/A
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$5.00 per transaction
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Fee for Returned Checks or
Rejected Automatic Bank Withdrawals
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$25.00 per item
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$35 per item
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Prior Year Duplicate Statements
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$15.00 per year
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$20 per year
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These fees may change from time to time or the Corporation may incur additional fees for various reasons.
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