CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPPORATION S-4
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2007
Registration
Statement No.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
|
|
|
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
|
6021
|
|
23-2951943 |
|
|
|
|
|
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
|
|
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
|
|
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
90-92 Main Street
Wellsboro, Pennsylvania 16901
(570) 724-3411
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including
Area Code, of Registrants Principal Executive Offices)
CRAIG G. LITCHFIELD
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Citizens & Northern Corporation
90-92 Main Street
Wellsboro, Pennsylvania 16901
(570) 724-3411
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone
Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
|
|
|
Charles J. Ferry, Esquire
Carl D. Lundblad, Esquire
Rhoads & Sinon LLP
One South Market Square, 12th Floor
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17108-1146
(717) 233-5731
|
|
Charles C. Cohen, Esquire
Michael D. Winterhalter, Esquire
Cohen & Grigsby
11 Stanwix Street, 15th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1319
(412) 297-4900 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this
registration statement is declared effective.
If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation
of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box. o
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. o
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 statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposed |
|
|
Proposed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
maximum |
|
|
maximum |
|
|
Amount of |
|
|
|
|
|
Amount to be |
|
|
offering price |
|
|
aggregate |
|
|
registration |
|
|
Title of each class of securities to be registered |
|
|
registered (1) |
|
|
per share |
|
|
offering price |
|
|
fee (2) |
|
|
Common
Stock, $1.00 par value |
|
|
|
637,658 |
|
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
$ |
1,533.67 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Represents the estimated maximum number of shares of Citizens & Northern common stock, $1.00
par value per share, to be issued to shareholders of Citizens Bancorp, Inc. in connection with
the merger. In accordance with Rule 416, this registration statement also registers such
additional number of shares of the Registrants common stock as may be issuable as a result of
a stock dividend, stock split, split-up, recapitalization or other similar event. |
|
(2) |
|
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule
457(f)(1) and Rule 457(c) on the basis of the average of the bid and asked prices of the
common stock of Citizens Bancorp, Inc. on February 9, 2007 of
$27.91 and 1,016,824 shares of
Citizens common stock to be exchanged or cancelled in the merger, reduced, pursuant to Rule
457(f)(3) by the amount of cash ($14,046,183) to be paid by the Registrant for such common
stock. |
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, as amended, or until this registration statement shall
become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said
Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may
not issue these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission is effective. This proxy statement/prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities
and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is
not permitted.
SUBJECT
TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 12, 2007
CITIZENS BANCORP, INC.
10 North Main Street
Coudersport, PA 16915
MERGER PROPOSED YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT
Dear Shareholder:
We cordially invite you to attend a special meeting of shareholders of Citizens Bancorp, Inc.
to be held at 2:30 p.m., local time on Monday, _________ ___, 2007 at the main office of Citizens
Trust Company, 10 North Main Street, Coudersport, Pennsylvania. At the special meeting, we will
ask you to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt an agreement and plan of merger
pursuant to which Citizens Bancorp, Inc. will merge with and into Citizens & Northern Corporation.
If the merger is approved, you may elect to receive, for each share of Citizens common stock
you own, either 1.297 shares of Citizens & Northern common stock or $28.57 in cash. You may elect
to receive all cash, all Citizens & Northern common stock or a combination of cash and Citizens &
Northern common stock, subject to the limitations described in the next paragraph.
In general, elections will be limited by the requirement that 50% of the outstanding shares of
Citizens common stock be exchanged for Citizens & Northern common stock and 50% of the outstanding
shares of Citizens common stock be exchanged for cash. Therefore, the actual allocation of cash
and common stock you receive will depend on the elections of other Citizens shareholders and may be
different from what you elect. The federal income tax consequences to you will depend upon the
value and form of the consideration you receive in exchange for your shares of Citizens common
stock. You will receive a separate mailing that will contain instructions for making your
election.
Citizens & Northern common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol
CZNC. On February 9, 2007, the closing
price of Citizens & Northern common stock was $22.30 per
share, making the value of 1.297 shares on that date $28.92. Trades in Citizens common stock are
quoted in the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol CZPY.
As of February 9, 2007, the last reported
sales price for Citizens common stock was for $27.75 per share
for a trade that occurred on February 7, 2007. These prices will fluctuate between
now and the closing of the merger. We urge you to obtain current market quotations for Citizens &
Northern and Citizens common stock.
We cannot complete the merger unless the shareholders of Citizens approve it. Approval of the
merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast at the
special meeting.
The Citizens board of directors unanimously approved the merger agreement and recommends that
you vote FOR the merger. We invite all shareholders of Citizens to attend the special meeting in
person. However, whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, please take the time to
vote by completing and mailing the enclosed proxy card to ensure that your shares will be voted.
The attached notice of special meeting and this document provide you with detailed information
about the proposed transaction. We encourage you to read the entire document carefully. Please
give particular attention to the discussion beginning on page 14 for risk factors relating to the
transaction which you should consider.
You
should retain this document to assist you in making your election to receive cash,
Citizens & Northern common stock or a combination of cash and Citizens & Northern common stock for
your shares of Citizens common stock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sincerely,
Charles H. Updegraff, Jr.
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the shares
of Citizens & Northern Corporation to be issued under this document or passed upon the adequacy or
accuracy of this document. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The shares
of Citizens & Northern common stock offered by this document are not savings accounts, deposits or
other obligations of any bank or non-bank subsidiary of any of the parties and are not insured by
the FDIC or any other governmental agency.
This document is dated _________ ___, 2007, and first mailed to shareholders on or about
______, 2007.
HOW TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION
This document incorporates important business and financial information about Citizens &
Northern that is not included in or delivered with this document. You can obtain free copies of
this information through the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov or by requesting them in writing or
by calling:
Jessica Brown, Secretary
Citizens & Northern Corporation
90-92 Main Street
Wellsboro, PA 16901
(570) 724-3411
Citizens has historically provided its shareholders with quarterly and annual financial
reports. To obtain free copies of recent quarterly summary data and annual reports, please write
or call:
Nancy S. Lent, Asstistant Secretary
Citizens Bancorp, Inc.
10 North Main Street
Coudersport, PA 16915
(814) 274-1929
To obtain timely delivery of requested documents, you should request the information no later
than _____, 2007.
See Where You Can Find More Information at page 76 and Incorporation of Certain Information
by Reference at page 76.
CITIZENS BANCORP, INC.
10 North Main Street
Coudersport, PA 16915
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of shareholders of Citizens Bancorp, Inc. will
be held at the main office of Citizens Trust Company, 10 North Main Street, Coudersport,
Pennsylvania on ____, 2007 at 2:30 p.m., local time, for the following purposes:
1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of December 21, 2006, by and between Citizens Bancorp, Inc. and Citizens &
Northern Corporation, which provides, among other things, for the acquisition of Citizens by
Citizens & Northern through the merger of Citizens with and into Citizens & Northern and the
conversion of each share of Citizens common stock outstanding immediately prior to the
merger into either $28.57 in cash or 1.297 shares of Citizens & Northern common stock, upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement, as more fully
described in the accompanying document.
2. To consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the meeting if more time is needed to
solicit proxies.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
The board of directors has fixed the close of business on _____, 2007 as the record
date for determining the shareholders of Citizens entitled to notice of and to vote at the special
meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.
The board of directors of Citizens unanimously recommends that you vote FOR approval of the
merger agreement and related transactions.
Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you plan to
attend the special meeting, the board of directors of Citizens urges you to complete and sign the
enclosed proxy card and mail it promptly in the accompanying postage-prepaid envelope. Prior to
the Citizens special meeting, you may revoke any proxy that you deliver by delivering a written
notice to the Corporate Secretary of Citizens stating that you have revoked the proxy or by
delivering a later dated proxy. Shareholders of record of Citizens common stock who attend the
Citizens meeting may vote in person, even if they have previously delivered a signed proxy. If you
are a shareholder whose shares are registered in street name, you will need additional
documentation from your broker in order to vote in person at the special meeting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
George M. Raup, Secretary
|
|
|
Coudersport, PA
___, 2007
Table of Contents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
|
41 |
|
i
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
|
54 |
|
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
|
73 |
|
ii
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
|
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
74 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annexes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annex A Agreement and Plan of Merger |
|
|
A-1 |
|
Exhibit 1 Form of Bank Plan of Merger |
|
|
A1-1 |
|
Exhibit 2 Form of Affiliates Letter |
|
|
A2-1 |
|
Exhibit 3 Form of Tax Opinion |
|
|
A3-1 |
|
Exhibit 4 Form of Opinion of Citizens & Northern Counsel |
|
|
A4-1 |
|
Exhibit 5 Form of Opinion of Citizens Counsel |
|
|
A5-1 |
|
Exhibit 6 Index Group |
|
|
A6-1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annex B Fairness Opinion of Ryan Beck & Co., Inc. |
|
|
B-1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annex C Statutory Provisions Relating to Rights of Dissenting Shareholders |
|
|
C-1 |
|
EX-5 |
EX-8.1 |
EX-23.1 |
EX-23.2 |
EX-99.2 |
iii
Questions and Answers About the Transaction
|
|
|
Q: |
|
What am I being asked to vote on? |
|
|
|
A: |
|
You are being asked to vote on the merger agreement between Citizens Bancorp, Inc. and Citizens
& Northern Corporation, providing for the merger of Citizens with and into Citizens & Northern. |
|
|
|
Q: |
|
Why are Citizens and Citizens & Northern proposing to merge? |
|
|
|
A: |
|
The board of directors of each of Citizens and Citizens & Northern believes that a combination
of the two companies is in the best interests of its respective company. From Citizens
perspective, Citizens board of directors believes that the transaction presents a more favorable
opportunity for Citizens to maximize value for its shareholders than Citizens continuing to operate
on a stand-alone basis. See The Transaction Reasons for the Transaction: Citizens Board of
Directors beginning on page 26 and The Transaction Reasons for the Transaction: Citizens &
Northerns Board of Directors beginning on page 39. |
|
|
|
Q: |
|
How does the Citizens board of directors recommend I vote on the proposal? |
|
|
|
A: |
|
The Citizens board of directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the proposal to
approve the merger agreement. |
|
|
|
Q: |
|
What will I receive in the transaction? |
|
|
|
A: |
|
If the merger agreement is approved and the merger is subsequently
completed, you may elect to receive, for each share of Citizens common
stock that you own, either 1.297 shares of Citizens & Northern common
stock or $28.57 in cash. You may elect to receive all cash, all
Citizens & Northern common stock, or a combination of cash and
Citizens & Northern common stock for your shares of Citizens common
stock, subject to allocation procedures designed to ensure 50% of the
total outstanding shares of Citizens common stock is converted into
the right to receive Citizens & Northern common stock and 50% is
converted into the right to receive cash. |
|
|
|
Q: |
|
What are the tax consequences of the transaction to me? |
|
|
|
A: |
|
For United States federal income tax purposes, you will recognize income and/or gain equal to
the lesser of: (1) the amount of cash you receive (including cash received for fractional shares);
or (2) the amount of gain you realize. The amount of gain you realize
equals the amount of cash you receive plus the fair market value of any Citizens & Northern
common stock you receive less your adjusted basis in the shares of Citizens common stock that you
surrender in the exchange. Your income or gain per share may vary if you acquired your Citizens
common stock in more than one transaction. |
- 1 -
|
|
|
|
|
No gain or loss will be recognized on the Citizens & Northern common stock that you receive.
Your basis and holding periods in the Citizens & Northern common stock may vary per share depending
upon if you acquired your Citizens common stock in more than one transaction. Due to the potential
varying tax recognition, basis and holding period consequences which will be governed by your
individual consequences, we urge you to consult with your tax advisor to fully understand the tax
consequences to you. Additionally, the generalizations set forth above may not apply to all
Citizens shareholders. |
|
|
|
A: |
|
After you have carefully read this document, indicate on your proxy card how you want your shares to be voted, then sign,
date and mail it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope as soon as possible so that your shares may be represented and voted
at the Citizens special meeting. If you are a record owner of shares of Citizens common stock on the record date for the
special meeting, you may attend Citizens special meeting in person and vote, whether or not you have signed and mailed
your proxy card. |
|
|
|
|
|
If you sign and send in your proxy card and do not indicate how you want to vote, your proxy card will be counted as a vote
in favor of the merger agreement. |
|
|
|
Q; |
|
If my shares are held in street name by my broker, will my broker vote my shares for me? |
|
|
|
A: |
|
Maybe. Your broker will vote your shares only if you
provide instructions on how to vote. You should follow the
directions provided by your broker. |
|
|
|
Q: |
|
Can I change my vote after I have mailed my signed proxy card? |
|
|
|
A: |
|
Yes. There are three ways for you to revoke your proxy and change your vote. First, you may send to the Secretary of
Citizens a later-dated, signed proxy card before the Citizens special meeting. Second, you may attend Citizens special
meeting in person and vote. Third, you may revoke any proxy by written notice to the Secretary of Citizens prior to
Citizens special meeting. If you have instructed a broker to vote your shares, you must follow directions received from
your broker to change your vote. |
|
|
|
Q: |
|
Do I have dissenters rights of appraisal in connection with the merger? |
|
|
|
A: |
|
Yes. Under Pennsylvania law, Citizens shareholders have the right to dissent from the merger and receive a payment in cash
for the value of their shares of Citizens common stock, as determined by an appraisal process. This value may be less than
the value of
the consideration you would receive in the merger if you do not dissent. To perfect your
dissenters rights, you must precisely follow the required statutory procedures. See The
Transaction-Rights of Dissenting Shareholders at page 44 and the information attached at
Annex C. |
- 2 -
Q. |
|
Should I send in my stock certificates now? |
|
A. |
|
No. You should not send in your stock certificates at this time. Approximately two weeks
after the date of this document, you will receive a form of election on which you will
indicate the form of merger consideration you wish to receive for your Citizens common stock.
Please retain this document in connection with making your election to receive cash,
Citizens & Northern common stock, or a combination of cash and Citizens & Northern common
stock for your shares of Citizens common stock. You will have until the election date,
which is two business days before the closing of the transaction, to return the completed and
signed form of election, together with the certificates that represent your shares of Citizens
common stock. |
|
Q. |
|
When do you expect to complete the transaction? |
|
A. |
|
We are working towards completing the transaction as quickly as possible and currently expect
that the merger will be completed during the second quarter of 2007. In addition to the
approval of Citizens shareholders, we must also obtain certain bank regulatory approvals. We
expect to receive all necessary approvals no later than April 15, 2007. |
|
Q. |
|
Why havent you included financial information about Citizens in this document? |
|
A. |
|
As a Citizens shareholder, Citizens distributes annual and summary unaudited quarterly
financial information to you. In considering the proposed merger, Citizens believes you need
information concerning Citizens & Northern more than information concerning Citizens. Due to
the size of Citizens & Northern relative to the size of Citizens, financial information about
Citizens is not required to be provided in this document by any applicable law or regulation.
However, if you would like to review copies of Citizens most recent quarterly and annual
reports to shareholders, you may obtain them from Citizens. See Where You Can Find More
Information on page 76. |
|
Q. |
|
Whom should I call with questions or to obtain additional copies of this document? |
|
A. |
|
You should call either of the following: |
|
|
|
Citizens & Northern Corporation
|
|
Citizens Bancorp, Inc. |
90-92 Main Street
|
|
10 North Main Street |
Wellsboro, PA 16901
|
|
Coudersport, PA 16915 |
Attn: Jessica Brown, Secretary
|
|
Attn: Nancy S. Lent, Assistant Secretary |
Phone No.: (570) 724-3411
|
|
Phone No.: (814) 274-1929 |
- 3 -
Summary
This summary highlights selected information from this document. It does not contain all of
the information that may be important to you. We urge you to carefully read this entire document,
its annexes and the other documents to which this document refers for a more complete understanding
of the transaction. In addition, we incorporate by reference important business and financial
information about Citizens & Northern into this document. You may obtain the information
incorporated by reference in this document without charge by following the instructions in the
section entitled Where You Can Find More Information on page 76. Each item in this summary
includes a page reference directing you to a more complete description of that item.
The Special Meeting
Citizens Special Meeting to be Held __, 2007 (page 20)
A special meeting of Citizens shareholders will be held on ___, 2007 at the main
office of Citizens Trust Company, 10 North Main Street, Coudersport, Pennsylvania 2:30 p.m. local
time.
Matters to be Considered at the Special Meeting (page 20)
At the special meeting, you will consider and vote on a proposal to adopt and approve the
merger agreement, a proposal to adjourn the meeting to solicit additional proxies if there are not
sufficient votes to approve the merger agreement and such other matters as may properly come before
the special meeting.
Record Date Set at __, 2007; One Vote per Share of Citizens Common Stock (page 20)
You are entitled to vote at the special meeting if you were the record owner of shares of
Citizens common stock as of the close of business on ___, 2007, the record date
established for the special meeting. You are entitled to one vote for each share of Citizens
common stock you owned of record on the record date. If you were the record owner of shares of
Citizens common stock on the record date, you may vote those shares either by attending the special
meeting and voting your shares, or by completing the enclosed proxy card and mailing it to Citizens
in the enclosed envelope.
On ___, 2007, a total of 1,016,824 votes were eligible to be cast at the Citizens
special meeting.
Majority of Votes Cast at the Special Meeting Required to Approve Merger (page 20)
Approval of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the
votes cast by Citizens shareholders at the special meeting. A majority of the issued and
outstanding Citizens shares must be present in person or by proxy for any vote to be valid.
The Citizens directors and executive officers have agreed to vote all of their shares of
Citizens common stock for approval of the merger agreement. As of the record date, Citizens
directors and
- 4 -
executive officers beneficially owned and are entitled to vote approximately 15.76% of the shares
entitled to vote at the special meeting. In addition, as of the record date, the trust department
of Citizens Trust Company held 133,250 shares of Citizens common stock as fiduciary for certain
trusts, estates and agency accounts that beneficially own the shares. Citizens Trust Company has
voting power as to 47,416 of these shares, and, subject to the provisions of governing instruments
and/or in accordance with applicable provisions of fiduciary law, we anticipate that these shares
will be voted in favor of the transaction.
In addition, on the record date, Citizens & Northern held 33,542 shares of Citizens common
stock through one of its subsidiaries and the chief executive officer of Citizens & Northern
beneficially owned 103 shares of Citizens common stock. Other than these shares, which together
comprise approximately 3.3% of the shares entitled to vote at the special meeting, neither Citizens
& Northern, nor, to the best of its knowledge, any of its directors or executive officers and its
affiliates beneficially owned any shares of Citizens common stock.
The Merger
The merger agreement provides for the merger of Citizens with and into Citizens & Northern,
with Citizens & Northern as the surviving corporation. The merger agreement is attached as Annex A
to this document. We encourage you to read the entire merger agreement, including the exhibits
attached to the merger agreement, because it is the principal legal document that governs the
transaction.
Citizens Shareholders Will Receive 1.297 Shares of Citizens & Northern Common Stock or $28.57 in
Cash for Each Share of Citizens Common Stock (see page 40)
Subject to the restrictions described below, you may elect to receive in exchange for each of
your shares of Citizens common stock, either:
|
|
|
$28.57 in cash; or |
|
|
|
|
1.297 shares of Citizens & Northern common stock. |
You may choose to exchange all of your shares for cash, or all of your shares for Citizens &
Northern common stock, or some of your shares for cash and the rest of your shares for Citizens &
Northern common stock, subject to the limitations described below. You will receive an election
form approximately two weeks after the date of this document in order to make this election. You
should retain this document in connection with making your election to receive cash, Citizens &
Northern common stock or a combination of cash and Citizens & Northern common stock for your shares
of Citizens common stock. You will have until the date specified in the election form, which will
be approximately two business days before the closing of the transaction, to make your election and
return your election form. If you do not return a properly completed election form by the election
deadline, you will be deemed to have elected to receive either cash or Citizens & Northern common
stock for your Citizens shares, depending on the elections of other Citizens shareholders.
Complete information on the election procedure can be found in the section entitled The
Transaction Election and Exchange Procedure on
page 41.
- 5 -
You should note that, in general, if and to the extent that you receive cash, the value of the
consideration you will receive is fixed at $28.57 per share of Citizens common stock. However, if
you receive Citizens & Northern common stock as consideration, or a combination of Citizens &
Northern common stock and cash, the value of the stock consideration will fluctuate and, on the
closing date, may be higher or lower than $28.57 per share of Citizens common stock.
Additionally, 50% of the total outstanding shares of Citizens common stock will be converted
to the right to receive the cash consideration and 50% of the total outstanding shares of Citizens
common stock will be converted to the right to receive Citizens & Northern stock. In the event
that the holders of the outstanding shares of Citizens common stock elect to receive cash or stock
that would exceed these limitations, the number of shares that you elect to exchange for cash or
stock, as appropriate, will be adjusted through an allocation formula to satisfy the above
limitations. Thus, you may not receive exactly the form of consideration that you elect and you
may receive a pro rata amount of cash and Citizens & Northern common stock even if you elect to
receive all cash or all stock. See The Transaction Election and Exchange Procedure and The
Transaction Allocation of Citizens & Northern Common
Stock and Cash on pages 41 and 43,
respectively.
Citizens shareholders who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a whole share of
Citizens & Northern common stock will instead receive a cash payment equal to the product of such
fraction multiplied by the average closing sale price for a share of Citizens & Northern common
stock for the twenty (20) trading days ending on and including the third trading day prior to the
completion of the merger.
The
Citizens Board Unanimously Recommends Approval of the Merger (see
page 27)
The Citizens board of directors believes that the merger transaction with Citizens & Northern
is in the best interests of Citizens and its shareholders and unanimously recommends that you vote
FOR the proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement. In unanimously approving the merger
agreement, Citizens board considered, among other things, the earnings and financial conditions of
Citizens and Citizens & Northern, the financial and other terms of the merger and the business and
prospects of each of Citizens & Northern and Citizens.
Citizens Financial Advisor Says Merger Consideration is Fair From a Financial Point of View to
Citizens Shareholders (see page
27)
In deciding to approve the transaction, the Citizens board of directors considered among other
factors, the opinion of its financial advisor, Ryan Beck & Co., Inc., that the merger consideration
was fair from a financial point of view, as of the date of the opinion, to the Citizens
shareholders.
The full text of Ryan Becks opinion dated as of the date of this document, which sets forth
the assumptions made, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the reviews
undertaken, is attached as Annex B to this document. We encourage you to read this opinion in its
entirety.
For its financial advisory services, Citizens paid Ryan Beck a fee of $20,000 upon execution
of the engagement agreement. Citizens also agreed to pay Ryan Beck an advisory fee in an amount
equal
- 6 -
to 1.25% of the aggregate transaction value. Based upon the closing price of Citizens & Northerns
common stock on the day immediately prior to the public announcement of the proposed transaction,
Ryan Becks fee would be approximately $360,000, $75,000 of which was paid upon execution of the
merger agreement, with the balance, less the initial $20,000 retainer fee, due upon completion of
the merger. Citizens has also agreed to reimburse Ryan Beck for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in connection with its engagement and to indemnify Ryan Beck and its affiliates and their
respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, and controlling persons against
certain expenses and liabilities including liabilities under securities laws.
Operations
and Management Following the Transaction (see page 55)
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Citizens will merge with and into Citizens & Northern
and Citizens will cease to exist as a separate entity. Additionally, Citizens bank subsidiary,
Citizens Trust Company, will merge into Citizens & Northerns bank subsidiary, with Citizens &
Northern Bank as the surviving banking institution. Charles H. Updegraff, Jr., Chairman, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens, will be added as a director of Citizens & Northern and
Citizens & Northern Bank and shall be appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of Citizens & Northern Bank. Additionally, for a period of two years following the
effective date of the merger, Citizens & Northern has agreed to operate the former business of
Citizens Trust Company as a separate division of Citizens & Northern Bank under the name Citizens
Trust Company, a division of Citizens & Northern Bank and to appoint the current directors of
Citizens Trust Company to a regional advisory board for such division, subject to Citizens &
Northerns policies concerning advisory board membership.
Certain Conditions Must be Satisfied Before the Transaction is Completed (see page 50)
The completion of the transaction depends upon satisfaction or waiver of a number of
conditions, including the following:
|
|
|
the approval of the merger agreement by Citizens shareholders; |
|
|
|
|
the accuracy of the representations and warranties made in the merger agreement; |
|
|
|
|
the performance of obligations by Citizens & Northern and Citizens under the merger
agreement; |
|
|
|
|
the receipt of required governmental approvals (including from banking and federal
and state securities regulators) and the expiration or termination of all applicable
statutory waiting periods relating to the transaction; |
|
|
|
|
the absence of any injunction or other order by any court or other governmental
entity which would prohibit or prevent the transaction; and |
|
|
|
|
receipt by Citizens & Northern and Citizens of a tax opinion of Rhoads & Sinon LLP,
counsel to Citizens & Northern, based on facts, assumptions and representations set
forth in the opinion, to the effect that the transaction constitutes a tax-free
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. |
The
Merger Agreement Can Be Amended or Terminated (see page 53)
The parties can mutually agree to terminate the merger agreement at any time prior to
completing the transaction. In addition, either party acting alone can terminate the merger
agreement
- 7 -
in certain specified circumstances, including the failure to complete the transaction by
August 31, 2007, unless the terminating partys breach is the reason the transaction has not been
completed.
We Must Obtain Regulatory Approvals to Complete the Transaction (see page 51)
The transaction cannot be completed until required approvals are received from banking
regulators. Citizens & Northern has filed applications to obtain approval from the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Department of
Banking. Although we believe regulatory approvals will be received in a timely manner, we cannot
be certain when or if Citizens & Northern will obtain them.
Citizens Executive Officers and Directors Have Additional Interests in the Transaction (see page
56)
When considering the recommendation of the Citizens board to approve the transaction, Citizens
shareholders should be aware that some directors and executive officers of Citizens have interests
in the transaction in addition to their interest as shareholders. These interests include, among
others, provisions in the merger agreement regarding the appointment of Charles H. Updegraff, Jr.,
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens, as a director of Citizens & Northern
and Citizens & Northern Bank and as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of
Citizens & Northern Bank, as well as the creation, composition and compensation of a Citizens Trust
Company advisory board of Citizens & Northern Bank to be comprised of all Citizens Trust Company
directors, subject to Citizens & Northerns policies concerning advisory board membership.
Also, following the merger, Citizens & Northern has agreed to provide directors and officers
insurance for the directors and officers of Citizens and has agreed to provide indemnification to
directors and officers of Citizens for claims occurring before the effective time of the merger.
Citizens board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them in approving and
recommending the merger.
Citizens Shareholders Have Dissenters Rights of Appraisal (see page 44)
Citizens shareholders are entitled to assert certain rights of dissenting shareholders under
Pennsylvania law. These dissenters rights may give you the opportunity to receive the fair value
of your shares of Citizens common stock in cash instead of having each of your shares converted in
the merger into the merger consideration of 1.297 shares of Citizens & Northern common stock or
$28.57 in cash. In order to perfect your dissenters rights, you must strictly follow specific
procedures under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law. If you do not follow the procedures
set forth in the
statutory provisions of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, you may lose your dissenters
rights with respect to the merger. Please refer to pages 44 through 46 for more information. You
should also read carefully Annex C to this document, which is a copy of the relevant statutory
provisions of Pennsylvania law related to dissenters rights.
The Rights of Citizens & Northern Shareholders and Citizens Shareholders are Different (see page
71)
Pennsylvania law and Citizens & Northerns articles of incorporation and bylaws currently
govern the rights of Citizens & Northern shareholders. Pennsylvania law and Citizens articles of
incorporation and bylaws currently govern the rights of Citizens shareholders. These rights are
not identical. When the merger is completed, Citizens shareholders who receive shares of Citizens
& Northern common stock in the merger will become Citizens & Northern shareholders and have the
rights of Citizens & Northern shareholders.
- 8 -
Important
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Transaction (see page 59)
We have structured the transaction to be treated as a reorganization for U.S. federal income
tax purposes. The following summary reflects the conclusions reached by Rhoads & Sinon LLP, legal
counsel to Citizens & Northern, in its opinion and assumes that you hold your Citizens common stock
as a capital asset. Generally, you will recognize income or gain equal to the amount of cash you
receive (including cash in lieu of a fractional share of Citizens & Northern common stock) or the
amount of gain you realize, whichever is less. The amount of gain you realize equals the amount of
cash you receive plus the fair market value of Citizens & Northern common stock you receive minus
your adjusted tax basis in the shares of Citizens common stock that you surrender in the exchange.
You will not recognize any income or gain on the receipt of Citizens & Northern common stock. You
will not recognize any loss on the receipt of Citizens & Northern common stock and will only
recognize loss on the receipt of cash if you elect and receive only cash in exchange for your
shares of Citizens common stock.
This tax treatment may not apply to everyone. Tax matters are complicated and the tax
consequences of this transaction to you will depend upon your individual circumstances. We urge
you to contact your tax advisor to understand fully the transactions tax consequences to you.
Rhoads & Sinon LLP, legal counsel to Citizens & Northern, has delivered a legal opinion to
Citizens & Northern which reflects the legal conclusions contained in this document relating solely
to the tax consequences of the transaction. Rhoads & Sinon will reconfirm its legal opinion and
deliver it to Citizens & Northern and to Citizens immediately before the closing of the
transaction. This opinion, however, will not bind the IRS, which could take a different view.
Citizens
& Northern Will Account for the Transaction as a Purchase (see page 59)
Citizens & Northern expects to account for the transaction using the purchase method of
accounting. Under this method of accounting, all of the assets and liabilities of Citizens will be
recorded on Citizens & Northerns consolidated balance sheet at estimated fair value as of the
effective date of the merger. The amount by which the purchase price paid by Citizens & Northern
exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired by Citizens & Northern through the transaction
will be recorded as goodwill.
The Companies
Citizens Bancorp, Inc. (see page 68)
Citizens Bancorp, Inc. is a Pennsylvania corporation and a registered bank
holding company based in Coudersport, Potter County, Pennsylvania. At September 30, 2006, Citizens
had total consolidated assets of $142.6 million, deposits of $99.9 million and shareholders equity
of $18.2 million. Citizens and its wholly owned bank subsidiary, Citizens Trust Company, engage in
full service commercial and consumer banking businesses through three branch offices located in
Cameron, McKean and Potter Counties, Pennsylvania.
- 9 -
The principal executive offices of Citizens are located at:
Citizens Bancorp, Inc.
10 North Main Street
Coudersport, PA 16915
(814) 274-9150
Citizens & Northern Corporation (see page 63)
Citizens & Northern Corporation is a Pennsylvania corporation that is a registered bank
holding company based in Wellsboro, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Its wholly-owned banking
subsidiaries are Citizens & Northern Bank, a Pennsylvania chartered bank, and First State Bank, a
New York state chartered bank. At September 30, 2006, Citizens & Northern and its subsidiaries had
total consolidated assets of $1.1 billion, deposits of
$756.4 million and shareholders equity of
$129.7 million.
The principal executive offices of Citizens & Northern are located at:
Citizens & Northern Corporation
90-92 Main Street
Wellsboro, PA 16901
(570) 724-3411
Market Price and Dividend Information
Citizens common stock trades over the counter and trading is very limited in volume.
Quotations for Citizens common stock appear on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol CZPY.
As of January 31, 2007, there were 1,016,824 shares of Citizens common stock outstanding, which
were held by approximately 228 holders of record. The number of shareholders does not reflect the
number of individuals or institutional investors holding stock in nominee name through banks,
brokerage firms and others.
Citizens & Northern common stock is listed and trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the
symbol CZNC. As of January 31, 2007, there were
8,300,059 shares of Citizens & Northern common
stock outstanding, which were held by approximately 2,418 holders of record, and outstanding
options that were exercisable on that date (or within 60 days of
that date) for 201,088
additional shares of Citizens & Northern common stock.
The following table shows, for the indicated periods, the high and low sales prices per share
for Citizens common stock, as reported on the OTC Bulletin Board, and Citizens & Northern common
- 10 -
stock, as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and dividends declared per share of Citizens and
Citizens & Northern common stock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Citizens Common Stock |
|
Citizens & Northern Common Stock |
|
|
Price |
|
Dividend |
|
Price |
|
Dividend |
|
|
High |
|
Low |
|
Declared |
|
High |
|
Low |
|
Declared |
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
$ |
21.50 |
|
|
$ |
21.00 |
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
$ |
32.25 |
|
|
$ |
26.50 |
|
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
Second Quarter |
|
$ |
22.00 |
|
|
$ |
21.00 |
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
$ |
33.85 |
|
|
$ |
25.80 |
|
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
Third Quarter |
|
$ |
21.75 |
|
|
$ |
21.00 |
|
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
$ |
37.51 |
|
|
$ |
25.22 |
|
|
$ |
0.23 |
|
Fourth Quarter |
|
$ |
21.50 |
|
|
$ |
21.00 |
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
$ |
29.46 |
|
|
$ |
24.49 |
|
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
$ |
21.25 |
|
|
$ |
21.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
$ |
29.93 |
|
|
$ |
23.76 |
|
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
Second Quarter |
|
$ |
21.75 |
|
|
$ |
20.81 |
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
$ |
25.72 |
|
|
$ |
20.11 |
|
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
Third Quarter |
|
$ |
21.52 |
|
|
$ |
20.28 |
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
$ |
24.12 |
|
|
$ |
19.80 |
|
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
Fourth Quarter |
|
$ |
27.75 |
|
|
$ |
20.10 |
|
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
|
$ |
22.77 |
|
|
$ |
21.29 |
|
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
First Quarter |
|
$ |
27.85 |
|
|
$ |
27.50 |
|
|
$ |
0.22 |
|
|
$ |
22.80 |
|
|
$ |
21.61 |
|
|
|
|
|
(through February 9) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The last trade in Citizens common stock reported on the OTC Bulletin board before
announcement of the proposed merger occurred on December 20, 2006. On that date and on February 9,
2007, the most recent date on which a trade in Citizens common stock is reported on the OTC
Bulletin board prior to filing this document, the high, low and closing sales prices for Citizens
common stock were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 20, 2006 |
|
February 7, 2007 |
|
|
High |
|
Low |
|
Closing |
|
High |
|
Low |
|
Closing |
Citizens Common Stock |
|
$ |
20.45 |
|
|
$ |
20.25 |
|
|
$ |
20.45 |
|
|
$ |
27.75 |
|
|
$ |
27.56 |
|
|
$ |
27.75 |
On December 20, 2006, the last full trading day before the public announcement of execution of
the merger agreement, and on February 9, 2007, the latest practicable trading day before the
filing of this document, the high, low and closing sales prices for Citizens & Northern shares were
as follows.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 20, 2006 |
|
February 9, 2007 |
|
|
High |
|
Low |
|
Closing |
|
High |
|
Low |
|
Closing |
Citizen & Northern Common Stock |
|
$ |
22.17 |
|
|
$ |
21.85 |
|
|
$ |
21.85 |
|
|
$ |
22.47 |
|
|
$ |
22.28 |
|
|
$ |
22.30 |
The market prices of Citizens common stock and Citizens & Northern common stock are
subject to fluctuation. As a result, we urge you to obtain current market quotations for Citizens
and Citizens & Northern shares.
Market Value of Securities
The following table sets forth the market value per share of Citizens & Northern common stock,
the market value per share of Citizens common stock and the equivalent market value per share of
Citizens common stock on December 20, 2006 (the last business day preceding public announcement of
the merger) and February 9, 2007 (the latest practicable trading day before filing this document).
The equivalent market value per share for stock elections is based upon the exchange ratio of 1.297
shares of Citizens & Northern common stock multiplied by the closing sales price for Citizens
- 11 -
&
Northern common stock on the date specified. The equivalent market value per share of Citizens
common stock for cash elections is the fixed cash consideration of $28.57 per share. See The
Transaction What You Will Receive.
The historical market values per share of Citizens & Northern common stock and Citizens common
stock and the historical market value of Citizens & Northern common stock used to determine the
equivalent market value per share of Citizens common stock are the per share closing sales prices
on December 20, 2006 and February 9, 2007 respectively, as reported on the OTC Bulletin board, with
respect to Citizens common stock, and the Nasdaq Capital Market with respect to Citizens & Northern
common stock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Citizens |
|
|
Citizens & |
|
|
|
|
|
Equivalent |
|
Equivalent |
|
|
Northern |
|
|
|
|
|
Market Value |
|
Market Value |
|
|
Historical |
|
Historical
(1) |
|
For Stock Election (2) |
|
For Cash Election |
December 20, 2006 |
|
$ |
21.85 |
|
|
$ |
20.45 |
|
|
$ |
28.34 |
|
|
$ |
28.57 |
|
February 9, 2007 |
|
$ |
22.30 |
|
|
$ |
27.75 |
|
|
$ |
28.92 |
|
|
$ |
28.57 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
There were no trades in Citizens common stock reported on the
OTC Bulletin Board for February 9, 2007. The price shown for that
date is the closing sales price on February 7, 2007, the latest
practicable trading day before filing this document on which trades
in Citizens common stock are reported. |
(2) |
|
The equivalent market value for a stock election was calculated based on the
exchange ratio of 1.297. |
Selected Historical Financial Data
The following financial information is to aid you in understanding the financial aspects of
the transaction. We derived this information from Citizens & Northerns audited and unaudited
financial statements and from information contained in Citizens & Northerns Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
This information is only a summary and you should read it in conjunction with Citizens & Northerns
historical financial statements and the related notes contained in the annual and quarterly reports
and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated by reference
into this document. See Where You Can Find More Information on page 76. You should not rely on
the historical information as being indicative of results expected for any future interim period.
- 12 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of or for the Nine Months |
|
As of or for the Year Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended September 30 |
|
December 31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
2003 |
|
2002 |
|
2001 |
INCOME STATEMENT (In Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income |
|
$ |
47,999 |
|
|
$ |
45,172 |
|
|
$ |
61,108 |
|
|
$ |
57,922 |
|
|
$ |
55,223 |
|
|
$ |
57,285 |
|
|
$ |
54,661 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
22,677 |
|
|
|
18,538 |
|
|
|
25,687 |
|
|
|
22,606 |
|
|
|
23,537 |
|
|
|
26,315 |
|
|
|
28,356 |
|
Net interest income |
|
|
25,322 |
|
|
|
26,634 |
|
|
|
35,421 |
|
|
|
35,316 |
|
|
|
31,686 |
|
|
|
30,970 |
|
|
|
26,305 |
|
Provision for loan losses |
|
|
491 |
|
|
|
1,125 |
|
|
|
2,026 |
|
|
|
1,400 |
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
940 |
|
|
|
600 |
|
Net interest income after
provision for loan losses |
|
|
24,831 |
|
|
|
25,509 |
|
|
|
33,395 |
|
|
|
33,916 |
|
|
|
30,586 |
|
|
|
30,030 |
|
|
|
25,705 |
|
Noninterest income excluding
securities gains and gains from
sale of credit card loans |
|
|
5,925 |
|
|
|
5,741 |
|
|
|
7,636 |
|
|
|
6,922 |
|
|
|
6,595 |
|
|
|
6,624 |
|
|
|
6,120 |
|
Securities gains |
|
|
4,250 |
|
|
|
2,388 |
|
|
|
1,802 |
|
|
|
2,877 |
|
|
|
4,799 |
|
|
|
2,888 |
|
|
|
1,920 |
|
Gain from sale of credit card loans |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,906 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noninterest expense |
|
|
23,459 |
|
|
|
21,604 |
|
|
|
28,962 |
|
|
|
26,001 |
|
|
|
22,114 |
|
|
|
20,849 |
|
|
|
18,671 |
|
Income before income tax provision |
|
|
11,547 |
|
|
|
12,034 |
|
|
|
15,777 |
|
|
|
17,714 |
|
|
|
19,866 |
|
|
|
18,693 |
|
|
|
15,074 |
|
Income tax provision |
|
|
2,255 |
|
|
|
2,154 |
|
|
|
2,793 |
|
|
|
2,851 |
|
|
|
3,609 |
|
|
|
3,734 |
|
|
|
3,022 |
|
Net income |
|
$ |
9,292 |
|
|
$ |
9,880 |
|
|
$ |
12,984 |
|
|
$ |
14,863 |
|
|
$ |
16,257 |
|
|
$ |
14,959 |
|
|
$ |
12,052 |
|
PER
COMMON SHARE: (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share |
|
$ |
1.11 |
|
|
$ |
1.18 |
|
|
$ |
1.55 |
|
|
$ |
1.78 |
|
|
$ |
1.95 |
|
|
$ |
1.79 |
|
|
$ |
1.44 |
|
Diluted earnings per share |
|
$ |
1.11 |
|
|
$ |
1.17 |
|
|
$ |
1.54 |
|
|
$ |
1.77 |
|
|
$ |
1.94 |
|
|
$ |
1.79 |
|
|
$ |
1.44 |
|
Cash dividends declared per share |
|
$ |
0.72 |
|
|
$ |
0.69 |
|
|
$ |
0.93 |
|
|
$ |
0.89 |
|
|
$ |
0.85 |
|
|
$ |
0.77 |
|
|
$ |
0.71 |
|
Stock dividend |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
1 |
% |
|
|
1 |
% |
|
|
1 |
% |
|
|
1 |
% |
|
|
1 |
% |
Book value at period-end |
|
$ |
15.65 |
|
|
$ |
15.68 |
|
|
$ |
15.74 |
|
|
$ |
15.76 |
|
|
$ |
15.03 |
|
|
$ |
13.90 |
|
|
$ |
12.02 |
|
Tangible book value at period-end |
|
$ |
15.25 |
|
|
$ |
15.26 |
|
|
$ |
15.33 |
|
|
$ |
15.76 |
|
|
$ |
15.03 |
|
|
$ |
13.90 |
|
|
$ |
12.02 |
|
Weighted average common shares
outstanding basic |
|
|
8,355,173 |
|
|
|
8,371,387 |
|
|
|
8,375,062 |
|
|
|
8,349,994 |
|
|
|
8,334,882 |
|
|
|
8,334,380 |
|
|
|
8,349,229 |
|
Weighted average common shares
outstanding diluted |
|
|
8,382,610 |
|
|
|
8,435,889 |
|
|
|
8,433,847 |
|
|
|
8,398,520 |
|
|
|
8,383,597 |
|
|
|
8,356,268 |
|
|
|
8,371,117 |
|
END OF PERIOD BALANCES (In
Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities available for sale |
|
$ |
368,481 |
|
|
$ |
449,059 |
|
|
$ |
427,298 |
|
|
$ |
475,085 |
|
|
$ |
483,032 |
|
|
$ |
512,175 |
|
|
$ |
433,969 |
|
Securities held to maturity |
|
|
417 |
|
|
|
424 |
|
|
|
422 |
|
|
|
433 |
|
|
|
560 |
|
|
|
707 |
|
|
|
1,448 |
|
Gross loans (2) |
|
|
676,443 |
|
|
|
645,289 |
|
|
|
653,299 |
|
|
|
579,613 |
|
|
|
524,897 |
|
|
|
451,145 |
|
|
|
379,228 |
|
Allowance for loan losses |
|
|
8,095 |
|
|
|
7,643 |
|
|
|
8,361 |
|
|
|
6,787 |
|
|
|
6,097 |
|
|
|
5,789 |
|
|
|
5,265 |
|
Total assets |
|
|
1,125,287 |
|
|
|
1,183,599 |
|
|
|
1,162,954 |
|
|
|
1,123,002 |
|
|
|
1,066,901 |
|
|
|
1,018,768 |
|
|
|
866,999 |
|
Deposits |
|
|
756,372 |
|
|
|
753,008 |
|
|
|
757,065 |
|
|
|
676,545 |
|
|
|
658,065 |
|
|
|
640,304 |
|
|
|
576,274 |
|
Borrowings |
|
|
231,949 |
|
|
|
288,304 |
|
|
|
266,939 |
|
|
|
305,005 |
|
|
|
272,953 |
|
|
|
251,849 |
|
|
|
183,648 |
|
Stockholders equity |
|
|
129,731 |
|
|
|
131,468 |
|
|
|
131,968 |
|
|
|
131,585 |
|
|
|
125,343 |
|
|
|
115,837 |
|
|
|
100,187 |
|
AVERAGE BALANCES (In Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets |
|
|
1,137,545 |
|
|
|
1,136,432 |
|
|
|
1,144,619 |
|
|
|
1,114,041 |
|
|
|
1,034,720 |
|
|
|
943,001 |
|
|
|
805,229 |
|
Earning assets |
|
|
1,057,437 |
|
|
|
1,057,625 |
|
|
|
1,065,189 |
|
|
|
1,036,535 |
|
|
|
959,556 |
|
|
|
881,434 |
|
|
|
759,007 |
|
Gross loans (2) |
|
|
657,447 |
|
|
|
607,981 |
|
|
|
618,344 |
|
|
|
551,352 |
|
|
|
485,150 |
|
|
|
410,670 |
|
|
|
346,353 |
|
Deposits |
|
|
752,575 |
|
|
|
687,363 |
|
|
|
702,404 |
|
|
|
669,307 |
|
|
|
651,026 |
|
|
|
613,392 |
|
|
|
544,579 |
|
Stockholders equity |
|
|
131,095 |
|
|
|
132,356 |
|
|
|
132,465 |
|
|
|
128,374 |
|
|
|
122,271 |
|
|
|
107,595 |
|
|
|
96,021 |
|
KEY RATIOS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return on average assets |
|
|
1.09 |
% |
|
|
1.16 |
% |
|
|
1.13 |
% |
|
|
1.33 |
% |
|
|
1.57 |
% |
|
|
1.59 |
% |
|
|
1.50 |
% |
Return on average equity |
|
|
9.45 |
% |
|
|
9.95 |
% |
|
|
9.80 |
% |
|
|
11.58 |
% |
|
|
13.30 |
% |
|
|
13.90 |
% |
|
|
12.55 |
% |
Average equity to average assets |
|
|
11.52 |
% |
|
|
11.65 |
% |
|
|
11.57 |
% |
|
|
11.52 |
% |
|
|
11.82 |
% |
|
|
11.41 |
% |
|
|
11.92 |
% |
Net interest margin (3) |
|
|
3.44 |
% |
|
|
3.67 |
% |
|
|
3.62 |
% |
|
|
3.78 |
% |
|
|
3.70 |
% |
|
|
3.85 |
% |
|
|
3.80 |
% |
Efficiency |
|
|
75.08 |
% |
|
|
66.73 |
% |
|
|
67.26 |
% |
|
|
61.56 |
% |
|
|
57.77 |
% |
|
|
55.46 |
% |
|
|
57.58 |
% |
Cash dividends as a % of diluted
earnings per share |
|
|
64.86 |
% |
|
|
58.97 |
% |
|
|
60.39 |
% |
|
|
50.28 |
% |
|
|
43.81 |
% |
|
|
43.02 |
% |
|
|
49.31 |
% |
Tier 1 leverage |
|
|
11.21 |
% |
|
|
10.71 |
% |
|
|
10.62 |
% |
|
|
10.69 |
% |
|
|
10.80 |
% |
|
|
10.53 |
% |
|
|
11.18 |
% |
Tier 1 risk-based capital |
|
|
16.47 |
% |
|
|
16.29 |
% |
|
|
16.52 |
% |
|
|
17.17 |
% |
|
|
18.67 |
% |
|
|
18.41 |
% |
|
|
21.01 |
% |
Total risk-based capital |
|
|
17.91 |
% |
|
|
17.86 |
% |
|
|
18.19 |
% |
|
|
18.89 |
% |
|
|
20.61 |
% |
|
|
20.09 |
% |
|
|
22.94 |
% |
|
|
|
Notes to Citizens & Northern Selected Financial Data |
|
(1) |
|
All share and per share data has been restated to give retroactive effect to stock dividends
and splits. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes loans held for sale. |
|
(3) |
|
Rates of return on tax-exempt securities and loans are calculated on a fully-taxable
equivalent basis. |
- 13 -
Risk Factors
An investment in Citizens & Northern common stock in connection with the merger transaction
involves certain risks, including, among others, the risks described below. In addition to the
other information contained in this document, you should carefully consider the following risk
factors in deciding whether to vote for approval of the merger agreement.
Risk Factors Related to the Transaction
If the transaction is not completed, Citizens will have incurred substantial expenses without
realizing the expected benefits.
Citizens has incurred substantial expenses in connection with the transaction. The completion
of the transaction depends on the satisfaction of specified conditions and the receipt of
regulatory approvals. We cannot guarantee that these conditions will be met. If the transaction
is not completed, these expenses could have a material adverse impact on the financial condition of
Citizens because they would not have realized the expected benefits.
Although you will receive fixed value in terms of any cash consideration that you receive in the
transaction, you will not know for sure the value of the Citizens & Northern common stock that you
may receive at the time you vote on the merger or at the time you elect to receive cash or stock
and you may receive Citizens & Northern common stock valued at less than $28.57 per share of
Citizens common stock.
You will not know the value of the Citizens & Northern common stock you will receive in the
transaction at the time you vote or at the time you make an election as to the form of
consideration. We currently expect that the transaction will close during the second quarter of
2007. You will be required to make your election to receive cash or shares of Citizens & Northern
common stock prior to the closing. The actual value of the stock consideration received will be
less than $28.57 per share of common stock exchanged in the transaction if the closing price of
Citizens & Northern common stock on the closing date is less than $22.03.
You may not receive the form of consideration that you elect for your shares of Citizens common
stock.
The merger agreement requires that 50% of the total outstanding shares of Citizens common
stock be converted into the right to receive the cash consideration and 50% of the total
outstanding shares of Citizens common stock be converted into the right to receive Citizens &
Northern common stock. In the event there is an over-election of the stock consideration, each
Citizens shareholder who elects to receive Citizens & Northern common stock will receive some cash
in addition to shares of Citizens & Northern common stock. Similarly, if there is an over-election
of the cash consideration, each Citizens shareholder who elects to receive cash will receive some
shares of Citizens & Northern common stock in addition to cash. Thus, you may not receive exactly
the form of consideration that you request and you may receive a combination of cash and shares of
Citizens & Northern common stock even if you request all cash or all stock.
- 14 -
If the Citizens board does not terminate the merger agreement if the twenty-day average of the
closing sales prices for Citizens & Northern common stock at closing is below $17.62, the value of
the stock consideration you receive could be less than $22.85 per share.
If the transaction closes at a time when the twenty-day average of the closing sales prices
for Citizens & Northern common stock is below $17.62, the consideration received by Citizens
shareholders who receive Citizens & Northern common stock in exchange for their shares of Citizens
common stock would be less than $22.85 per share of Citizens common stock. Citizens has the
option, but is not required, to terminate the merger agreement if the twenty-day average of the
Citizens & Northern common stock is below $17.62 and the decline in price of Citizens & Northern
common stock since November 10, 2006 is at least 20% more than the change during this same period
in an index based on the stock prices of 20 other bank and thrift holding companies. Citizens
cannot predict now whether or not the Citizens board of directors would exercise its right to
terminate the merger agreement if the above conditions are met. The merger agreement does not
provide for a resolicitation of Citizens shareholders in the event the above conditions are met and
the Citizens board, nevertheless, chooses to complete the transaction. The Citizens board of
directors has made no decision as to whether it would exercise its right to terminate the merger
agreement if the above conditions are satisfied. In considering whether to exercise its right to
terminate the merger agreement, the Citizens board would take into account all relevant facts and
circumstances that exist at such time and would consult with its financial advisors and legal
counsel.
You will have less influence as a shareholder of Citizens & Northern than as a shareholder of
Citizens.
As a Citizens shareholder, you currently have the right to vote in the election of the board
of directors of Citizens and on other matters affecting Citizens. The amount of Citizens &
Northern common stock and/or cash you will receive for your shares of Citizens common stock will
result in the transfer of control of Citizens to the shareholders of Citizens & Northern. If you
receive Citizens & Northern common stock for some or all of your shares of Citizens common stock,
your percentage ownership of Citizens & Northern will be significantly less than your percentage
ownership of Citizens. Because of this, you will have less influence on the management and
policies of Citizens & Northern than you now have on the management and policies of Citizens.
Citizens & Northern may fail to realize all of the anticipated benefits of the transaction.
The success of the transaction will depend, in part, on Citizens & Northerns ability to
realize the anticipated benefits and cost savings from integrating the business of Citizens with
the business of Citizens & Northern. If Citizens & Northern is not able to achieve these
objectives, the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the transaction may not be realized fully,
or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected.
Citizens and Citizens & Northern have operated and, until the completion of the merger, will
continue to operate, independently. It is possible that the integration process could result in
the loss of key employees, the disruption of the ongoing businesses of Citizens & Northern and/or
Citizens, or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies. The occurrence of
any of the foregoing
could adversely affect Citizens & Northerns ability to maintain relationships with the respective
clients, customers, depositories and employees of Citizens & Northern and Citizens and its ability
to achieve the anticipated benefits of the merger. Integration efforts between Citizens & Northern
and Citizens may, to some extent, also divert management attention and resources. These
integration
- 15 -
matters could have an adverse effect on each of Citizens and Citizens & Northern during the
transition period.
The merger agreement limits Citizens ability to pursue alternatives to the merger transaction with
Citizens & Northern and requires Citizens to pay a termination fee under certain circumstances.
The merger agreement contains no shop provisions that, subject to certain exceptions, limit
Citizens ability to discuss, facilitate or commit to competing third-party proposals to acquire
all or a significant part of Citizens. Additionally, if the merger would fail to occur in certain
circumstances that relate to a possible combination of Citizens with another acquiror, Citizens
could be obligated to pay Citizens & Northern $900,000 as a termination fee. See The
Transaction-Termination Fee beginning on page 54. These provisions may discourage a potential
competing acquiror that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant part of Citizens
from considering or proposing an acquisition of Citizens even if it were prepared to pay
consideration with a higher per share market price than that proposed in the merger, or might
result in a potential competing acquiror proposing to pay a lower per share price to acquire
Citizens than it might otherwise have proposed to pay.
Citizens directors have financial interests in the transaction that are different from, or in
addition to, the interests of shareholders of Citizens.
Executive officers of Citizens negotiated the terms of the merger agreement with their
counterparts at Citizens & Northern, and the Citizens board of directors unanimously approved the
merger agreement and recommended that Citizens shareholders vote to approve the merger agreement.
In considering these facts and the other information contained in this document, you should be
aware that the Citizens directors have financial interests in the transaction that are different
from, or in addition to, the interests of Citizens shareholders. For example, upon completion of
the transaction, Charles H. Updegraff, Jr., currently the Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Citizens, will be added as a director of Citizens & Northern and Citizens & Northern
Bank and appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Citizens & Northern
Bank. Additionally, Citizens &Northern Bank will create an advisory board for the newly created
Citizens Trust Company division of Citizens & Northern Bank, comprised of the current directors of
Citizens Trust Company who qualify for membership on such a board pursuant to Citizens & Northerns
policies concerning advisory boards. Mr. Updegraff and the directors of Citizens Trust Company who
continue to serve on the advisory board will be entitled to certain compensation for their services
in such capacities. These and other interests of the Citizens directors may create potential
conflicts of interest and cause some of these persons to view the proposed transaction differently
than you may view it as a shareholder. Please see The Transaction Interests of Management and
Others in the Transaction beginning on page 56 for information about these financial interests.
Risk Factors Related to Citizens & Northerns Business
Changes in interest rates may have an adverse effect on Citizens & Northerns profitability.
Citizens & Northerns business is affected by fiscal and monetary policies of the federal
government, including those of the Federal Reserve board, which regulates the national money supply
in order to manage recessionary and inflationary pressures. Among the techniques available to the
Federal Reserve board are engaging in open market transactions of U.S. Government securities,
changing the discount rate and changing reserve requirements against bank deposits. The use of
these techniques may also affect interest rates charged on loans and paid on deposits.
- 16 -
Net interest income is the most significant component of Citizens & Northerns net
income, accounting for approximately 75.7% of total revenues in 2005 and 71.6% of total revenues in
2006. The narrowing of interest rate spreads (the difference between interest rates earned on
loans and investments and interest rates paid on deposits and borrowings), could adversely affect
Citizens & Northerns earnings and financial condition. Among other things, regional and local
economic conditions as well as fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government, including
those of the Federal Reserve board, may affect prevailing interest rates. Citizens & Northern
cannot predict or control changes in interest rates.
When short-term interest rates fall, Citizens & Northern generally expects improvements in net
interest income. However, a rising interest rate environment would adversely impact Citizens &
Northerns net interest income. In addition, increasing short-term rates tend to have a
detrimental impact on mortgage loan origination volumes and related mortgage-banking income.
Changes in economic conditions and the composition of the loan portfolios of Citizens & Northerns
subsidiary banks could lead to higher loan charge-offs or an increase in their allowance for loan
losses and may reduce Citizens & Northerns income.
Changes in national and regional economic conditions could impact the loan portfolios of
Citizens & Northerns subsidiary banks. For example, an increase in unemployment, a decrease in
real estate values or increases in interest rates, as well as other factors, could weaken the
economies of the communities Citizens & Northern serves. Weakness in the market areas served by
Citizens & Northern could depress its earnings and consequently its financial condition because:
|
|
|
customers may not want or need Citizens & Northerns products or services; |
|
|
|
|
borrowers may not be able to repay their loans; |
|
|
|
|
the value of the collateral securing Citizens & Northerns loans to borrowers may
decline; and |
|
|
|
|
the quality of Citizens & Northerns loan portfolio may decline. |
Any of the later three scenarios could require Citizens & Northern to charge-off a higher
percentage of its loans and/or increase its provision for loan and lease losses, which would reduce
its income.
In addition, the amount of Citizens & Northerns provision for loan losses and the percentage
of loans it is required to charge-off may be impacted by the overall risk composition of the loan
portfolio. While Citizens & Northern believes that its allowance for loan losses as of September
30, 2006 is sufficient to cover losses inherent in the loan portfolio on that date, Citizens & Northern
cannot assure you that it will not be required in the future to increase its loan-loss provision or
charge-off a higher percentage of loans due to changes in the risk characteristics of the loan
portfolio resulting from the merger, which would thereby reduce its net income.
The competition Citizens & Northern faces is increasing and may reduce Citizens & Northerns
customer base and negatively impact Citizens & Northerns results of operations.
There is significant competition among commercial banks and credit unions in the market areas
served by Citizens & Northern. In addition, as a result of the deregulation of the financial
industry, Citizens & Northern also competes with other providers of financial services such as
savings and loan
- 17 -
associations, consumer finance companies, securities firms, insurance companies,
commercial finance
and leasing companies, the mutual funds industry, full service brokerage firms and discount
brokerage firms, some of which are subject to less extensive regulations than Citizens & Northern
is with respect to the products and services they provide. Some of Citizens & Northerns
competitors have greater resources than Citizens & Northern has, and as such, may have higher
lending limits and may offer other services not offered by Citizens & Northern.
Citizens & Northern also experiences competition from a variety of institutions outside its
market areas. Some of these institutions conduct business primarily over the internet and may thus
be able to realize certain cost savings and offer products and services at more favorable rates and
with greater convenience to the customer.
Competition may adversely affect the interest rates Citizens & Northern pays on deposits and
charges on loans, thereby potentially adversely affecting Citizens & Northerns profitability.
Citizens & Northerns profitability depends upon its continued ability to successfully compete in
the market areas it serves while achieving its investment objectives.
A Caution About Forward-Looking Information
This document and the documents incorporated by reference into this document contain
statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking
statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of
Citizens & Northern and its subsidiaries, or the combined businesses of Citizens & Northern and
Citizens. When we use words such as believes, expects, anticipates or similar expressions,
we are making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are also statements that are
not statements of historical fact. These forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated
by these forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities:
|
|
|
regulatory approvals and clearances and other prerequisites or conditions to the
merger may not be obtained, or may be received outside of expected time frames; |
|
|
|
|
competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions may
increase significantly; |
|
|
|
|
revenues may be lower than expected; |
|
|
|
|
changes in the interest rate environment may reduce interest margins; |
|
|
|
|
general economic conditions, either nationally or regionally, may be less
favorable than expected, resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in credit
quality and/or a reduced demand for credit; |
|
|
|
|
legislative or regulatory changes, including changes in accounting standards, may
adversely affect the ability of the combined company to conduct its current and
future operations; |
|
|
|
|
costs or difficulties related to the integration of the businesses of Citizens &
Northern and Citizens may be greater than expected; |
|
|
|
|
expected cost savings associated with the merger may not be fully realized or
realized within the expected time frames;
|
- 18 -
|
|
|
deposit attrition, customer loss, or revenue loss following the merger may be
greater than expected; |
|
|
|
|
competitors may have greater financial resources and develop products that enable
such competitors to compete more successfully than Citizens & Northern; and |
|
|
|
|
adverse changes may occur in the securities markets or with respect to inflation. |
This list is not exhaustive. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are
made. Citizens & Northern and Citizens do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to
reflect future circumstances or events. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties occurs or
if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements could
differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statement.
Further information on other factors that could affect the financial results of Citizens &
Northern after the merger is included in this document under Risk Factors beginning on page 14
and in Citizens & Northerns Securities and Exchange Commission filings incorporated by reference
in this document.
- 19 -
The Special Meeting
Date, Time and Place
Citizens will hold a special meeting of shareholders on ___, 2007 at 2:30 p.m., local
time, at the main office of Citizens Trust Company, 10 North Main Street, Coudersport,
Pennsylvania.
Matters to be Considered at the Special Meeting
At the special meeting, Citizens shareholders will consider and vote upon proposals to:
|
|
|
approve and adopt the merger agreement; |
|
|
|
|
adjourn the meeting if more time is needed to solicit proxies; and |
|
|
|
|
transact any other business that may properly be brought before the meeting. |
Recommendation of Citizens Board of Directors
The Citizens board of directors unanimously approved the merger agreement and the related
transactions and recommends a vote FOR approval and adoption of the merger agreement.
Shareholders Entitled to Vote
You are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Citizens special meeting if you were a holder
of record of Citizens common stock at the close of business on ___, 2007, the record date
established by the Citizens board of directors for the special meeting. As of the record date,
there were 1,016,824 shares of Citizens common stock issued and outstanding, held by approximately
228 holders of record. Each share entitles the holder to one vote. Shareholders may vote either
in person or by proxy.
Quorum
To have a quorum at the Citizens special meeting, the holders of at least a majority of the
issued and outstanding shares of Citizens common stock entitled to vote must be present either in
person or by properly executed proxy. Citizens intends to count the following shares as present at
the special meeting for the purpose of determining a quorum:
|
|
|
shares of Citizens common stock present in person at the special meeting but not
voting or abstaining on any matter; |
|
|
|
|
shares of Citizens common stock represented by proxy on which the shareholder has
abstained on any matter; and |
|
|
|
|
shares of Citizens common stock represented by proxies from a broker that are
voted on any issue other than a procedural motion. |
Required Vote; Voting Agreements
Under the Citizens articles of incorporation, shareholder approval and adoption of the merger
agreement requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast at the special
meeting. Approval of the adjournment proposal also requires the affirmative vote of the holders of
a majority of
- 20 -
the votes cast at the special meeting. At any subsequent reconvening of the special
meeting, all proxies obtained before the adjournment or postponement will be voted in the same
manner as they
would have been voted at the original convening of the special meeting. However, any proxies which
have been properly revoked or withdrawn will not be voted.
The directors and executive officers of Citizens have agreed to vote all shares of Citizens
common stock that they own or over which they exercise voting control for approval and adoption of
the merger agreement. As of ___, 2007, the record date for the special meeting, Citizens
directors and executive officers and their affiliates had the right to vote an aggregate of 160,243
shares of Citizens common stock. This number amounts to approximately 15.76% of the voting power
of all outstanding shares on that date. In addition, as of the record date, the trust department
of Citizens Trust Company held 133,250 shares of Citizens common stock as fiduciary for certain
trusts, estates and agency accounts that beneficially own the shares. Citizens Trust Company has
voting power as to 47,416 of these shares and, subject to the provisions of governing instruments
and/or in accordance with applicable provisions of fiduciary law, we anticipate that these shares will be voted in favor
of the merger proposal and any proposal to adjourn the meeting if more time is needed to submit
proxies.
In addition, on the record date, Citizens & Northern held 33,542 shares of Citizens common
stock through one its subsidiaries and the chief executive officer of Citizens & Northern
beneficially owned 103 shares of Citizens common stock. Other than these shares, which together
comprise approximately 3.3% of the shares entitled to vote at the special meeting, neither Citizens
& Northern, nor, to the best of its knowledge any of its directors or executive officers and its
affiliates, beneficially owned any shares of Citizens common stock.
Voting by Proxy
All shares of Citizens common stock represented by properly executed proxy cards will be voted
in accordance with the instructions indicated on those proxy cards, unless those proxies have been
previously revoked. If you return a signed proxy card but fail to indicate how you want to vote,
your shares of Citizens common stock will be voted FOR approval and adoption of the merger
agreement and in favor of the adjournment proposal.
You should not mail your common stock certificates with your proxy cards. You will
receive separate instructions on how to make your election and exchange your shares. See The
Transaction-Election and Exchange Procedures beginning on page 41.
Abstentions
A properly executed proxy card marked abstain will not be voted on the approval and adoption
of the merger agreement but will count toward determining whether a quorum is present. Because
approval and adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of a majority of all
votes cast at the special meeting, a vote to abstain will not affect the vote on the merger
agreement.
Broker-Held Shares
Brokers who hold shares of Citizens common stock in street name for the beneficial owners of
those shares cannot vote those shares without specific instructions from the beneficial owners.
Therefore, if you are the beneficial owner of shares of Citizens common stock held by a broker in
- 21 -
street name, you should sign, date and return your proxy card to the broker in the envelope
provided by the broker. If a broker indicates on the proxy card that it does not have
discretionary authority as to shares of common stock to vote on a particular matter, those shares
of common stock will be considered as present but shall not be voted with respect to that matter.
Because approval and adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of a majority
of all votes cast at the special meeting, if your shares are held in street name and you fail to
instruct your broker how to vote, such failure will not affect the vote on the merger agreement.
Changing your Vote
If you give the proxy we are soliciting, you may revoke it at any time before it is exercised:
|
|
|
by giving written notice to Citizens Bancorp, Inc., 10 North Main Street, Coudersport, PA 16915, Attention: George Raup, Secretary |
|
|
|
|
by signing and returning a later-dated proxy, or |
|
|
|
|
by voting in person at the special meeting. |
A shareholder whose shares are held in street name should follow the instructions of his or
her broker regarding revocation of proxies. You should note that your presence at the Citizens
special meeting without voting in person will not revoke an otherwise valid proxy.
Adjournment
In the event that there are not sufficient votes to constitute a quorum or approve the
adoption of the merger agreement at the time of the special meeting, the merger agreement would not
be able to be approved unless the meeting could be adjourned to a later date in order to permit
further solicitation of proxies. Approval for the adjournment proposal requires the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast at the special meeting by shareholders entitled
to vote. No proxy voted against the proposal to approve the merger agreement will be voted in
favor of any such adjournment or postponement.
Solicitation Of Proxies
Citizens will bear its own cost of solicitation of proxies. Citizens & Northern has agreed to
bear the expense of any proxy solicitor engaged by Citizens at Citizens & Northerns request. In
addition to solicitation by mail, Citizens directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies
personally or by telephone, facsimile transmission or otherwise. These directors, officers and
employees will not be additionally compensated for their solicitation efforts but may be reimbursed
for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with these efforts. Citizens will reimburse
brokerage firms, fiduciaries, nominees and others for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners of shares of common stock held in their names.
Dissenters Rights
Citizens shareholders have a right to dissent from the merger transaction and to obtain
payment in cash of the fair value of their Citizens shares by complying with the applicable
requirements of the
Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, a copy of which is included as Annex C
to this document. See The Transaction Rights of
Dissenting Shareholders beginning at page 44.
- 22 -
The Transaction
The following information describes the material terms of the proposed transaction. This
description, however, is not a complete statement of all provisions of the merger agreement and
related documents. A copy of the merger agreement, including its exhibits, is attached to this
document as Annex A to provide information regarding the terms of the proposed transaction. We
qualify this discussion in its entirety by reference to the merger agreement, which we incorporate
by reference in this document. Except for the merger agreements status as the contractual
document between the parties with respect to the transaction described in it, it is not intended to
provide factual information about the parties. The representation and warranties contained in the
merger agreement were made only for purposes of such agreement and as of specific dates, were
solely for the benefit of the parties to that agreement, and may be subject to limitations agreed to by the contracting
parties, including being qualified by disclosure schedules exchanged by Citizens and Citizens &
Northern. Accordingly, they should not be relied on by investors as statements of factual
information. We urge you to read the full text of the merger agreement carefully.
General
The merger agreement provides for the acquisition of Citizens by Citizens & Northern through
the merger of Citizens with and into Citizens & Northern with Citizens & Northern continuing as the
surviving corporation. In addition, Citizens Trust Company will merge into Citizens & Northern
Bank with Citizens & Northern Bank surviving. When the merger is completed, the boards of directors of
Citizens & Northern and Citizens & Northern Bank will each be increased to include Charles H.
Updegraff, Jr., currently the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens, and Mr.
Updegraff will be appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Citizens &
Northern Bank.
In the transaction, each share of Citizens common stock will be converted into the right to
receive $28.57 in cash or 1.297 shares of Citizens & Northern common stock. You will receive a
cash payment for any fractional shares due. The merger consideration is fixed and is not subject
to adjustment other than to prevent dilution in the event of a stock split, stock dividend or
similar transaction with respect to Citizens & Northern common stock; provided, however, that there
will be no adjustment for the 1% stock dividend declared by Citizens & Northern in December 2006.
We expect to complete the merger during the second quarter of 2007.
Background of the Merger
From time to time over the last several years, the Citizens management and board of directors
have considered various strategic alternatives as part of their primary mission to provide quality
financial services to the community and enhance shareholder value. While not adopting a strategy
to sell the bank, the board recognized that an opportunity to affiliate with the right partner
would be one possible option toward accomplishing this mission.
- 23 -
In the course of deliberations, the board recognized as an important concern that the banks
ability to grow both deposits and loans was becoming increasingly difficult and limited by the slow
growth of the local economy. The board also recognized that the corporation was over capitalized
and that this was depressing the corporations return on equity. This trend, together with the
increasing costs associated with compliance, led the board during a meeting on September 25, 2006, to consider
various options, including the possibility of a strategic alliance with a larger, but still
relatively local community bank.
With the prior approval of the board, on October 5, 2006, Charles H. Updegraff, Jr., Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens, met with representatives of Cohen & Grigsby,
P.C., Citizens legal counsel, and Ryan Beck & Co., Inc., an investment banking firm. Mr.
Updegraff reviewed with those present his views of the current state of banking for a small rural
bank with offices located in low growth areas. The discussion also included reviewing the banks
earnings history, potential merger partners, excess capital and expectations of large shareholders.
The meeting concluded with the understanding that Ryan Beck would assist the Citizens board in the
review of its strategic options.
On October 6, 2006, Mr. Updegraff met with Craig G. Litchfield, Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Citizens & Northern, to explore the possibility of an acquisition transaction
with Citizens. Messrs. Updegraff and Litchfield have been acquainted
for years and had informally discussed such possibility on prior
occasions. At the October 6 meeting, Mr. Litchfield and Mr. Updegraff discussed in general terms Citizens & Northerns
community banking philosophy and the possible benefits to both parties from a combination,
including revenue enhancements and cost savings. In contemplation of possible additional
discussions, Mr. Updegraff and Mr. Litchfield executed a confidentiality agreement during the
meeting.
At a Citizens board meeting on October 23, 2006, representatives of Ryan Beck presented an
analysis of Citizens financial data and operating ratios, current merger and acquisition trends
and a financial analysis of a possible transaction with Citizens & Northern and other potential
partners. The board inquired specifically of Mr. Updegraff and Ryan Beck why Citizens & Northern
may present a good potential fit for Citizens. Mr. Updegraff and representatives of Ryan Beck
responded that there were no overlapping bank offices, the Citizens market was a logical extension
to the west of Citizens & Northerns present market and that potential cost savings associated with
the transaction could make the acquisition accretive to Citizens & Northern shareholders in a short
period of time. At the meeting, Ryan Beck and Cohen & Grigsby discussed with the board three options: stay
independent, pursue a negotiated transaction with Citizens & Northern or pursue a controlled
auction with multiple parties. Upon completion of a thorough discussion of the alternatives, a
motion was made authorizing management to execute an engagement letter with Ryan Beck.
On November 8, 2006, following a meeting of the executive committee of the Citizens & Northern
board, Citizens & Northern presented a non-binding indication of interest letter to Citizens,
which, among other things, proposed merger consideration equal to $29.15 for each Citizens share,
composed of a maximum of 50% Citizens & Northern common stock and 50% cash, subject to satisfactory
completion of due diligence and execution of a definitive acquisition agreement. The letter also
confirmed Citizens & Northerns willingness to appoint Mr. Updegraff as Chief Operating Officer of
Citizens & Northern Bank and to appoint one Citizens director to the Citizens & Northern and
Citizens & Northern Bank board of directors upon the effective date of the acquisition.
At a meeting of the Citizens board on November 13, 2006, Mr. Updegraff, together with
representatives of Ryan Beck and Cohen & Grigsby, P.C., reviewed the indication of interest letter
in detail and responded to questions from the board. Representatives of Ryan Beck also reviewed
various
- 24 -
other alternatives available to Citizens, including engaging in a broad based share
repurchase program, buying back only the shares of stock held by certain large shareholders and
pursuing other strategies while remaining independent. The board reviewed the advantages and
disadvantages of each alternative, including a detailed financial analysis of how each transaction
would affect the company. Ryan Beck then reviewed a transaction analysis if Citizens & Northern
were to acquire Citizens per the terms of the non-binding indication of interest letter. Ryan Beck
noted that the purchase price would
be 45% higher than the current trading price of the Citizens common stock and that Citizens
shareholders could expect a significant increase in earnings per share and dividends per share at
the proposed exchange ratio. The board also reviewed information
demonstrating that the proposed price relative to earnings per
share and book value was in line with current multiples for selected
comparable merger transactions. The board also
reviewed financial and stock market data for Citizens &
Northern. After due consideration of Citizens circumstances,
the indicated purchase price and other factors, the board authorized Mr.
Updegraff to commence negotiation of a definitive acquisition agreement containing the terms set
forth in the indication of interest letter and to execute an Exclusivity Agreement with Citizens &
Northern which would prohibit Citizens from negotiating an acquisition with any party other than
Citizens & Northern until December 31, 2006.
Thereafter, Citizens & Northern submitted its due diligence request list to Citizens and
instructed its counsel, Rhoads & Sinon LLP, to prepare a draft of the definitive acquisition
agreement. Citizens & Northerns counsel provided the first draft of the definitive acquisition
agreement and related ancillary documents to Citizens counsel Cohen & Grigsby, and Ryan Beck on
November 28, 2006 and during the weekend of December 2, 2006, Citizens & Northern conducted a due
diligence review of Citizens. Arms length negotiations over many
aspects of the proposed acquisition agreement took place over the
next several weeks.
Mr. Updegraff
informed Mr. Litchfield in a telephone discussion on December 7, 2006, that it
had come to his attention that Time Warner intended to close a call center located in Coudersport,
Pennsylvania, which would result in the approximate loss of 500 jobs in the Coudersport community,
which is the principal place of business of Citizens. Thereafter, Mr. Updegraff and Mr.
Litchfield, together with representatives of their respective investment banking firms, discussed
the impact of the Time Warner decision on Citizens and whether a downward adjustment in the price
and exchange ratio for the merger was appropriate.
On December 13, 2006, Mr. Litchfield proposed to Mr. Updegraff a reduction in the merger
consideration from $29.15 per share to $28.57 per share to account for an expected downturn in the
local economy as a result of the Time Warner layoffs. This revised price and exchange ratio was
reflected in the next draft of the definitive acquisition agreement.
The Citizens board met on December 18, 2006, in a regular meeting attended by representatives
of Ryan Beck and Cohen & Grigsby to review the terms and
conditions of the proposed final draft of the definitive acquisition
agreement, including the reduction in price as a result of the pending Time Warner layoffs in the
Coudersport area. Legal counsel reviewed with the board all of the
major aspects of the proposed agreement,
including:
|
|
|
the terms of the proposed exchange ratio of stock and cash; |
|
|
|
|
conditions to closing the transaction; |
|
|
|
|
rights of the parties to terminate the acquisition agreement under certain
circumstances; |
|
|
|
|
the conditions under which Citizens would be required to pay Citizens & Northern a
termination fee in the event that the transaction did not close under certain
circumstances; |
- 25 -
|
|
|
the terms of severance for employees who might not continue employment with Citizens
& Northern following the transaction; and |
|
|
|
|
the terms of the voting agreements required from Citizens directors and affiliates. |
Legal counsel also reviewed with the Citizens board its fiduciary duties under Pennsylvania
law. Ryan Beck presented to the Citizens board a transaction
overview, analysis of selected acquisition transactions, discounted cash flow analysis, pro forma merger analysis and the proposed
terms of the transaction. The board discussed the proposed terms, including the financial and non-
financial aspects of the transaction. The Citizens board discussed the rationale for the reduced
purchase price and discussed the possible benefits and risks of remaining independent or pursuing
additional prospective partners. After due consideration of the
advice and information furnished by its legal and financial advisors,
as well as the local economy and the operating
challenges potentially facing Citizens, the board tentatively agreed to proceed with the revised offer from
Citizens & Northern. Since the Citizens & Northern board was meeting to review and approve the
transaction on December 21, the Citizens board agreed to convene a special meeting with the boards
legal and financial advisors on Thursday, December 21, 2006,
with a view to giving final approval at that time.
The Citizens & Northern board of directors met on December 21, 2006, at which time counsel to
Citizens & Northern reviewed the terms of the definitive agreement and related documents with the
board. After due consideration of the acquisition agreement and consultation with its advisors,
the Citizens & Northern board voted unanimously to approve the definitive agreement and authorized
Mr. Litchfield to execute the agreement and related documents on behalf of Citizens & Northern.
Also
on December 21, the Citizens board met to take final action on the definitive agreement.
Representatives of Cohen & Grigsby reviewed the terms and conditions of the agreement. A
representative of Ryan Beck reviewed the financial terms of the transaction and delivered an oral
opinion that the consideration, as of December 21, was fair to the Citizens shareholders from a
financial point of view. After further discussion and following consideration of the reports of
its advisors, the Citizens board of directors unanimously approved the agreement.
The parties executed the definitive agreement and related documents following the Citizens
board meeting on December 21, 2006 and issued a joint press release publicly announcing the
transaction after the close of the financial markets on December 21, 2006.
Reasons for the Transaction: Citizens Board of Directors
In the course of reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement, the Citizens board of
directors reviewed the financial results of Citizens and assessed its future opportunities and
challenges. The board also consulted with Ryan Beck & Co. and its legal counsel.
After careful consideration, the board of directors of Citizens believes the merger is fair
to, and in the best interests of Citizens and its shareholders. In reaching these conclusions, the
Citizens board of directors considered a number of factors, including the following:
|
|
|
the challenges facing a small rural bank and the board of directors belief that
remaining independent does not address these challenges in the long term; |
|
|
|
|
the absence of operational or financial restructuring
alternatives, such as share repurchases, that
would overcome the challenges facing Citizens as a small rural bank; |
- 26 -
|
|
|
the belief that the challenges facing Citizens can be more effectively managed as
part of a larger, more geographically and functionally diverse institution; |
|
|
|
|
the cost savings synergies that may be achieved from the merger; |
|
|
|
|
historical information concerning Citizens and Citizens & Northerns respective
businesses, financial performance and condition, operations, management and
competitive position, including the results of operations for each company; |
|
|
|
|
current securities trading market conditions and historical information with respect to
Citizens common stock and Citizens & Northern common stock; |
|
|
|
|
the value and amount of consideration to be paid to Citizens shareholders pursuant to the merger; |
|
|
|
|
a review of comparable merger transactions; |
|
|
|
|
the belief that the terms of the merger agreement, including the parties
representations, warranties and covenants, and the conditions to their respective
obligations, are reasonable; |
|
|
|
|
detailed financial analysis and pro forma and other information with respect to
Citizens and Citizens & Northern presented to the board of directors; |
|
|
|
|
the significantly greater liquidity of Citizens & Northern common stock; |
|
|
|
|
the opinion of Ryan Beck that the merger consideration was fair, as of such date,
from a financial point of view, to Citizens shareholders, and the procedures and
methods used by Ryan Beck to reach that opinion; and |
|
|
|
|
the impact of the merger on Citizens customers, community and employees. |
The list of factors considered by the Citizens board of directors is not exhaustive, but we
have highlighted the important factors considered. Individual directors may have given different
weights to these factors in reaching their decision; however, the Citizens board of directors did
not assign specific weights or priority to any one factor.
Recommendation of the Citizens Board of Directors
The Citizens board of directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement, and believes
that the proposed merger transaction is in the best interests of Citizens and its shareholders.
Accordingly, the Citizens board of directors unanimously recommends that Citizens shareholders vote
FOR approval of the merger agreement.
Opinion of Citizens Financial Advisor
Ryan Beck acted as financial advisor to Citizens in connection with its potential acquisition
by Citizens & Northern pursuant to the merger agreement. Ryan Beck, as a customary part of its
business, is continually engaged in the valuation of financial institutions in connection with
mergers, acquisitions and other securities-related transactions. Citizens selected Ryan Beck as
its financial advisor based on Ryan Becks qualifications, expertise and reputation as a nationally
recognized specialist in the financial services industry with extensive experience in advising
banks and thrifts.
On December 21, 2006, the Citizens board held a meeting to evaluate the proposed merger with
Citizens & Northern. In its capacity as Citizens financial advisor, Ryan Beck participated in the
negotiations with respect to the pricing and other terms and conditions of the Merger, but the
decision
- 27 -
as to whether to accept the Citizens & Northern proposal and the pricing of the Merger was
made by the board of directors of Citizens. At the December 21 meeting, Ryan Beck rendered an oral
opinion to the Citizens board (the written opinion was delivered separately and dated as of
December 21, 2006) and reconfirmed the opinion in writing as of the date of this document, (a copy
of which is attached as Annex B), that based on and subject to the assumptions, factors, and
limitations as set forth in the attached opinion and as described below, the consideration offered
to Citizens shareholders was fair as of the respective dates from a financial point of view. No
limitations were imposed by the Citizens board of directors upon Ryan Beck with respect to the
investigations made or procedures followed by it in arriving at its opinion.
The full text of Ryan Becks opinion, which sets forth assumptions made and matters
considered, is attached as Annex B to this document. Shareholders of Citizens are urged to read
the attached Ryan Beck opinion in its entirety. The Ryan Beck opinion is directed only to the
financial fairness of the consideration offered to Citizens shareholders and does not constitute a
recommendation to any shareholder as to how such shareholder should vote at the special meeting.
Ryan Beck has not considered, nor is it expressing any opinion herein with respect to, the price at
which Citizens & Northern common stock will trade following consummation of the merger. The
summary of the Ryan Beck opinion set forth in this document is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the full text of the Ryan Beck opinion. In rendering its opinion, Ryan Beck does not
admit that it is an expert within the meaning of the term expert as used within the Securities
Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or that its opinion constitutes a report
or valuation within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
Material and Information Considered with Respect to the Proposed Merger. In connection with
its opinion, Ryan Beck reviewed the following information:
|
|
|
the merger agreement and related documents; |
|
|
|
|
Citizens & Northerns annual reports on Form 10-K, including audited financial
statements, for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003; |
|
|
|
|
Citizens & Northerns quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended September
30, 2006, June 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006; |
|
|
|
|
Citizens annual reports for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003; |
|
|
|
|
Citizens quarterly call reports for the periods ended September 30, 2006, June 30, 2006
and March 31, 2006; |
|
|
|
|
certain other public and non-public information, primarily financial in nature, related
to the respective businesses, earnings, assets and prospects of Citizens and Citizens &
Northern provided to Ryan Beck by management of the respective companies or obtained by
Ryan Beck from other sources; |
|
|
|
|
the publicly available financial data of commercial banking organizations which Ryan
Beck deemed generally comparable to Citizens and Citizens & Northern; |
|
|
|
|
the historical stock prices and trading volumes of Citizens and Citizens & Northerns
common stock; and |
|
|
|
|
the terms of acquisitions of banking organizations which Ryan Beck deemed generally
comparable in whole or in part to Citizens. |
Additionally, Ryan Beck:
- 28 -
|
|
|
conducted or reviewed such other studies, analyses, inquiries and examinations as it
deemed appropriate; |
|
|
|
|
analyzed the impact of the merger on Citizens & Northern; |
|
|
|
|
considered the future prospects of Citizens in the event it remained independent; and |
|
|
|
|
participated in meetings and telephone conferences with certain members of Citizens and
Citizens & Northerns senior management to discuss Citizens and Citizens & Northerns past
and current business operations, regulatory standing, financial condition, strategic plan
and future prospects, including any potential operating efficiencies and synergies that may
arise from the merger. |
In connection with its review, Ryan Beck relied upon and assumed, without independent
verification, the accuracy and completeness of the financial and other information regarding
Citizens and Citizens & Northern that was publicly available or provided to Ryan Beck by Citizens and
Citizens & Northern. Ryan Beck is not an expert in the evaluation of loan portfolios or the
allowance for loan losses. Therefore, Ryan Beck has not assumed any responsibility for making an
independent evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses set forth in the
consolidated balance sheets of Citizens and Citizens & Northern as of September 30, 2006, and Ryan
Beck has assumed such allowances were adequate and complied fully with applicable law, regulatory
policy, sound banking practice and policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission as of the
date of such financial statements. Ryan Beck discussed certain operating forecasts and financial
projections (and the assumptions and bases therefore) with the management of Citizens and Citizens
& Northern. Ryan Beck assumed that such forecasts and projections reflected the best currently
available estimates and judgments of management. Ryan Beck was not retained to nor did it make any
independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of Citizens or Citizens & Northern
nor did Ryan Beck review any loan files of Citizens or Citizens & Northern. Ryan Beck also assumed
that the merger in all respects is, and will be, undertaken and consummated in compliance with all
laws and regulations that are applicable to Citizens and Citizens & Northern.
The preparation of a fairness opinion for a transaction such as the merger involves various
determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the
application of those methods to the particular circumstances. Therefore, Ryan Becks opinion is
not readily conducive to summary description. In arriving at its opinion, Ryan Beck performed a
variety of financial analyses. Ryan Beck believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole
and that the consideration of portions of such analyses and the factors considered therein, or any one method of
analysis, without considering all factors and analyses, could create an incomplete view of the
analyses and the process underlying Ryan Becks opinion. No one method of analysis was assigned a
greater significance than any other.
The forecasts and projections utilized in the analysis were based on information provided by
Citizens and Citizens & Northern management. Citizens and Citizens & Northern do not publicly
disclose internal management projections of the type discussed with Ryan Beck in connection with
the review of the merger. Such projections were not prepared with a view towards public
disclosure. The public disclosure of such projections could be misleading since the projections
were based on numerous variables and assumptions which are inherently uncertain, including without
limitation, factors related to general economic and competitive conditions. Accordingly, actual
results could vary significantly from those set forth in such projections.
- 29 -
In its analyses, Ryan Beck made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance,
general business and economic conditions, and other matters, many of which are beyond the control
of Citizens or Citizens & Northern. Any estimates contained in Ryan Becks analyses are not
necessarily indicative of future results or values, which may be significantly more or less
favorable than such estimates. Estimates of values of companies do not purport to be appraisals
nor do they necessarily reflect the prices at which companies or their securities may actually be
sold.
Ryan Becks opinion was based solely upon the information available to it and the economic,
market and other circumstances as they existed as of the date of the opinion. Events occurring
after such date could materially affect the assumptions and conclusions contained in Ryan Becks opinion.
Ryan Beck has not undertaken to reaffirm or revise its opinion or otherwise comment upon any
events occurring after the date of its reconfirmed opinion. Ryan Beck did not and does not express any
opinion as to the price or range of prices at which Citizens & Northerns common stock might trade
subsequent to the merger.
The following is a brief summary of the analyses and procedures performed by Ryan Beck in the
course of arriving at its opinion. The summary does not purport to be a complete description, but
is a brief summary of the material analyses and procedures performed by Ryan Beck in the course of
arriving at its opinion.
Analysis of Selected Publicly Traded Companies. Ryan Beck compared Citizens financial data
as of September 30, 2006, to a peer group of 25 banking organizations in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New
York with assets between $100 million and $350 million, tangible equity as a percentage of tangible
assets greater than 8.00% and for which last twelve month earnings per share, public trading and
pricing information was available. Ryan Beck deemed this group to be generally comparable to
Citizens.
The results of the comparisons are reflected in the following table. The financial data and
ratios shown in the table are as of or for the twelve months ended September 30, 2006 for Citizens
and as of the most recent twelve month period available for the peer group companies. The market
valuation multiples are based on market prices as of December 20, 2006.
- 30 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Citizens |
|
Peer |
|
Peer |
|
|
Bancorp, Inc. (1) |
|
Average (1) |
|
Median (1) |
Capitalization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets (000s) |
|
$ |
142,663 |
|
|
$ |
210,556 |
|
|
$ |
212,695 |
|
Total Deposits (000s) |
|
|
98,802 |
|
|
|
171,985 |
|
|
|
166,885 |
|
Total Shareholders Equity (000s) |
|
|
18,240 |
|
|
|
22,898 |
|
|
|
21,380 |
|
Total Equity / Assets |
|
|
12.79 |
% |
|
|
11.00 |
% |
|
|
9.88 |
% |
Tangible Equity / Tangible Assets |
|
|
12.79 |
|
|
|
10.86 |
|
|
|
9.70 |
|
Leverage Ratio |
|
|
12.88 |
|
|
|
11.69 |
|
|
|
10.57 |
|
Tier I Capital / Risk-Adjusted Assets |
|
|
27.64 |
|
|
|
18.05 |
|
|
|
16.78 |
|
Total Capital / Risk-Adjusted Assets |
|
|
28.50 |
|
|
|
19.21 |
|
|
|
17.65 |
|
Total Borrowings / Total Assets |
|
|
17.56 |
|
|
|
5.57 |
|
|
|
4.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset Quality |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Performing Loans / Loans |
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
0.91 |
|
|
|
0.69 |
|
Non-Performing Loans + 90 Days Past Due / Loans |
|
|
0.09 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
1.18 |
|
Loan Loss Reserves / NPLs |
|
|
1,132.08 |
|
|
|
186.37 |
|
|
|
92.29 |
|
Loan Loss Reserves / NPLs + 90 Days Past Due |
|
|
1,132.08 |
|
|
|
775.53 |
|
|
|
115.12 |
|
Loan Loss Reserves / Loans |
|
|
0.98 |
|
|
|
1.17 |
|
|
|
1.13 |
|
Non-Performing Assets / Assets |
|
|
0.12 |
|
|
|
0.71 |
|
|
|
0.48 |
|
Non-Performing Assets + 90 Days Past Due / Assets |
|
|
0.12 |
|
|
|
0.80 |
|
|
|
0.82 |
|
Non-Performing Assets / Equity |
|
|
0.96 |
|
|
|
7.29 |
|
|
|
4.95 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loan & Deposit Composition |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Loans / Total Assets |
|
|
42.93 |
|
|
|
67.78 |
|
|
|
69.75 |
|
Total Loans / Deposits |
|
|
61.99 |
|
|
|
82.98 |
|
|
|
85.19 |
|
1-4 Family Loans / Total Loans |
|
|
57.21 |
|
|
|
44.22 |
|
|
|
48.69 |
|
5+ Family Loans / Total Loans |
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
2.14 |
|
|
|
0.93 |
|
Construction & Developmental Loans / Total Loans |
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
3.26 |
|
|
|
2.81 |
|
Other Real Estate Loans / Total Loans |
|
|
12.06 |
|
|
|
24.94 |
|
|
|
23.84 |
|
Real Estate Loans/Total Loans |
|
|
69.54 |
|
|
|
74.57 |
|
|
|
79.62 |
|
Consumer Loans / Total Loans |
|
|
7.19 |
|
|
|
8.04 |
|
|
|
4.24 |
|
Commercial Loans / Total Loans |
|
|
16.74 |
|
|
|
14.73 |
|
|
|
11.39 |
|
Non-Interest Bearing Deposits/Total Deposits |
|
|
11.99 |
|
|
|
15.97 |
|
|
|
13.59 |
|
Transaction Accounts/Total Deposits |
|
|
54.91 |
|
|
|
53.35 |
|
|
|
53.62 |
|
Total CDs/Total Deposits |
|
|
45.09 |
|
|
|
46.65 |
|
|
|
46.38 |
|
Time Deposits > $100,000 / Total Deposits |
|
|
8.16 |
|
|
|
15.37 |
|
|
|
13.28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return on Average Assets |
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
0.96 |
|
|
|
0.99 |
|
Return on Average Equity |
|
|
8.21 |
|
|
|
8.95 |
|
|
|
9.83 |
|
Net Interest Margin |
|
|
2.87 |
|
|
|
4.09 |
|
|
|
3.94 |
|
Yield / Cost Spread |
|
|
2.31 |
|
|
|
3.81 |
|
|
|
3.77 |
|
Yield on Interest Earning Assets |
|
|
5.83 |
|
|
|
6.59 |
|
|
|
6.41 |
|
Cost of Interest Bearing Liabilities |
|
|
3.52 |
|
|
|
2.78 |
|
|
|
2.69 |
|
Non Interest Income / Average Assets |
|
|
1.08 |
|
|
|
0.63 |
|
|
|
0.67 |
|
Non Interest Expense/Avg Assets |
|
|
2.43 |
|
|
|
2.97 |
|
|
|
3.01 |
|
Efficiency Ratio |
|
|
64.31 |
|
|
|
66.03 |
|
|
|
65.34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Growth Rates |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset Growth |
|
|
(2.63 |
) |
|
|
5.00 |
|
|
|
3.97 |
|
Loan Growth Rate |
|
|
2.14 |
|
|
|
6.13 |
|
|
|
4.72 |
|
Deposit Growth Rate |
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
4.30 |
|
|
|
3.53 |
|
Revenue Growth Rate |
|
|
(0.29 |
) |
|
|
6.76 |
|
|
|
5.48 |
|
EPS Growth Rate |
|
|
2.16 |
|
|
|
17.22 |
|
|
|
1.47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market Statistics |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Price at December 20, 2006 |
|
$ |
20.45 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price / LTM EPS |
|
|
14.40 |
x |
|
|
20.16 |
x |
|
|
16.30 |
x |
Price / Book Value |
|
|
113.99 |
% |
|
|
149.39 |
% |
|
|
145.98 |
% |
Price / Tangible Book Value |
|
|
113.99 |
|
|
|
151.80 |
|
|
|
146.58 |
|
Market Capitalization ($M) |
|
$ |
20.79 |
|
|
$ |
34.37 |
|
|
$ |
31.21 |
|
Dividend Yield |
|
|
4.30 |
% |
|
|
2.08 |
% |
|
|
2.35 |
% |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
As of or for the most recent twelve-month period available for the peer
group. Citizens data is as of September 30, 2006. |
- 31 -
Ryan Beck noted that Citizens had total loans as a percentage of deposits of 61.99%,
lower than the peer median of 85.19%. Ryan Beck also noted that 69.54% of Citizens loan portfolio
is real estate oriented, lower than the peer group median of 79.62%. Approximately 57.21% of
Citizens loans are 1-4 family loans, higher than the peer group median of 48.69%. Citizens
portfolio of construction & development loans at 0.10% was lower than the peer median of 2.81%.
Citizens commercial loans at 16.74% of total loans were higher than the peer group median of
11.39%. Citizens transaction account deposits equaled 54.91% of total deposits, slightly higher
than the peer group median of 53.62%, but Citizens non-interest bearing demand deposits were only
11.99% of total deposits, lower than the peer group median of 13.59%. Citizens jumbo deposits, or
time deposits with balances greater than $100,000, represented 8.16% of total deposits, lower than
the peer median of 13.28%.
Citizens return on average assets of 1.02% was slightly higher than the peer group median of
0.99%, but Citizens return on average equity of 8.21% was lower than the peer group median of
9.83%. Contributing to Citizens performance was its net interest margin of 2.87%, which was
significantly lower than the peer group median of 3.94%. Citizens efficiency ratio of 64.31% was
slightly lower than the peer group median of 65.34%. Ryan Beck also noted that Citizens
non-interest income as a percentage of average assets at 1.08% was significantly higher than the
peer group median of 0.67%.
Additionally, Ryan Beck noted that Citizens had non-performing loans as a percentage of total
loans of 0.09%, which was significantly lower than the peer median of 0.69%. At 0.98%, Citizens
maintained a level of loan loss reserves as a percentage of total loans below the peer median of
1.13%. Citizens capital ratios were significantly higher than the peer group medians as evidenced
by its tangible equity to tangible assets ratio of 12.79% compared to 9.70% for the peer group.
Citizens asset, loan and deposit growth rates over the past twelve months of -2.63%, 2.14% and
0.04%, respectively, were lower than the peer median growth rates of 3.97%, 4.72% and 3.53%,
respectively. Over the same period, Citizens revenue decreased 0.29% and earnings per share
increased by 2.16%, while peer median revenue and earnings per share increased by 5.48% and 1.47%,
respectively.
Based on its December 20, 2006 stock price, Citizens stock traded at 14.40 times last twelve
months earnings per share, below the peer group median of 16.30 times. Citizens price-to-book and
price-to-tangible book value ratio of 113.99% was lower than the respective peer group medians of
145.98% and 146.58%. Citizens dividend yield of 4.30% was significantly higher than the peer
group median of 2.35%.
Ryan Beck also compared Citizens & Northerns financial data as of September 30, 2006, to a
nationwide peer group of 32 banking organizations with assets between $750 million and $2.5
billion, and with latest twelve months return on average assets greater than between 0.75% and
1.00%, and tangible equity as a percentage of tangible assets greater than 8.00% for which public
trading and pricing information was available. Ryan Beck deemed this group to be generally
comparable to Citizens & Northern.
The results of the comparisons are reflected in the following table. The financial data and
ratios shown in the table are as of or for the twelve months ended September 30, 2006 for Citizens
& Northern and as of the most recent twelve month period available for the peer group companies.
The market valuation multiples are based on market prices as of December 20, 2006.
- 32 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Citizens & |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Northern |
|
Peer |
|
Peer |
|
|
Corporation (1) |
|
Average (1) |
|
Median (1) |
Capitalization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets (000s) |
|
$ |
1,125,287 |
|
|
$ |
1,233,777 |
|
|
$ |
1,086,486 |
|
Total Deposits (000s) |
|
|
756,372 |
|
|
|
959,277 |
|
|
|
853,279 |
|
Total Shareholders Equity (000s) |
|
|
129,731 |
|
|
|
131,346 |
|
|
|
112,241 |
|
Total Equity / Assets |
|
|
11.53 |
% |
|
|
10.55 |
% |
|
|
9.99 |
% |
Tangible Equity / Tangible Assets |
|
|
11.27 |
|
|
|
9.59 |
|
|
|
9.33 |
|
Leverage Ratio |
|
|
11.00 |
|
|
|
10.38 |
|
|
|
9.86 |
|
Tier I Capital / Risk-Adjusted Assets |
|
|
16.49 |
|
|
|
13.63 |
|
|
|
12.51 |
|
Total Capital / Risk-Adjusted Assets |
|
|
17.94 |
|
|
|
14.98 |
|
|
|
14.29 |
|
Total Borrowings / Total Assets |
|
|
20.61 |
|
|
|
10.24 |
|
|
|
7.83 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset Quality |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Performing Loans / Loans |
|
|
1.33 |
|
|
|
0.38 |
|
|
|
0.29 |
|
Non-Performing Loans + 90 Days Past Due / Loans |
|
|
1.53 |
|
|
|
0.52 |
|
|
|
0.37 |
|
Loan Loss Reserves / NPLs |
|
|
89.69 |
|
|
|
307.58 |
|
|
|
239.47 |
|
Loan Loss Reserves / NPLs + 90 Days Past Due |
|
|
78.17 |
|
|
|
969.30 |
|
|
|
361.25 |
|
Loan Loss Reserves / Loans |
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.32 |
|
|
|
1.19 |
|
Non-Performing Assets / Assets |
|
|
0.83 |
|
|
|
0.32 |
|
|
|
0.25 |
|
Non-Performing Assets + 90 Days Past Due / Assets |
|
|
0.94 |
|
|
|
0.41 |
|
|
|
0.31 |
|
Non-Performing Assets / Equity |
|
|
7.17 |
|
|
|
2.94 |
|
|
|
2.53 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loan & Deposit Composition |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Loans / Total Assets |
|
|
60.11 |
|
|
|
68.34 |
|
|
|
67.29 |
|
Total Loans / Deposits |
|
|
89.43 |
|
|
|
87.99 |
|
|
|
88.75 |
|
1-4 Family Loans / Total Loans |
|
|
54.39 |
|
|
|
28.92 |
|
|
|
28.31 |
|
5+ Family Loans / Total Loans |
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
3.19 |
|
|
|
1.12 |
|
Construction & Developmental Loans / Total Loans |
|
|
1.36 |
|
|
|
13.24 |
|
|
|
12.83 |
|
Other Real Estate Loans / Total Loans |
|
|
26.86 |
|
|
|
32.29 |
|
|
|
29.44 |
|
Real Estate Loans/Total Loans |
|
|
83.64 |
|
|
|
77.66 |
|
|
|
79.15 |
|
Consumer Loans / Total Loans |
|
|
4.78 |
|
|
|
6.50 |
|
|
|
4.85 |
|
Commercial Loans / Total Loans |
|
|
5.97 |
|
|
|
12.60 |
|
|
|
11.44 |
|
Non-Interest Bearing Deposits/Total Deposits |
|
|
13.69 |
|
|
|
16.31 |
|
|
|
14.84 |
|
Transaction Accounts/Total Deposits |
|
|
54.73 |
|
|
|
53.79 |
|
|
|
53.07 |
|
Total CDs/Total Deposits |
|
|
45.27 |
|
|
|
46.21 |
|
|
|
46.93 |
|
Time Deposits > $100,000 / Total Deposits |
|
|
12.29 |
|
|
|
24.04 |
|
|
|
18.39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Return on Average Assets |
|
|
1.08 |
|
|
|
1.03 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
Return on Average Equity |
|
|
9.48 |
|
|
|
10.19 |
|
|
|
9.82 |
|
Net Interest Margin |
|
|
3.40 |
|
|
|
4.00 |
|
|
|
3.99 |
|
Yield / Cost Spread |
|
|
2.75 |
|
|
|
3.56 |
|
|
|
3.69 |
|
Yield on Interest Earning Assets |
|
|
6.03 |
|
|
|
6.76 |
|
|
|
6.65 |
|
Cost of Interest Bearing Liabilities |
|
|
3.28 |
|
|
|
3.23 |
|
|
|
3.20 |
|
Non Interest Income / Average Assets |
|
|
0.68 |
|
|
|
0.92 |
|
|
|
0.91 |
|
Non Interest Expense/Avg Assets |
|
|
2.68 |
|
|
|
2.95 |
|
|
|
3.02 |
|
Efficiency Ratio |
|
|
68.74 |
|
|
|
62.00 |
|
|
|
63.89 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Growth Rates |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset Growth |
|
|
(4.93 |
) |
|
|
9.00 |
|
|
|
6.56 |
|
Loan Growth Rate |
|
|
4.83 |
|
|
|
13.17 |
|
|
|
12.82 |
|
Deposit Growth Rate |
|
|
0.45 |
|
|
|
9.01 |
|
|
|
6.53 |
|
Revenue Growth Rate |
|
|
(3.47 |
) |
|
|
9.32 |
|
|
|
5.40 |
|
EPS Growth Rate |
|
|
(9.64 |
) |
|
|
7.68 |
|
|
|
5.84 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market Statistics |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Price at December 20, 2006 |
|
$ |
22.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price / LTM EPS |
|
|
14.71 |
x |
|
|
18.66 |
x |
|
|
17.68 |
x |
Price / Book Value |
|
|
139.68 |
% |
|
|
171.47 |
% |
|
|
168.49 |
% |
Price / Tangible Book Value |
|
|
143.31 |
|
|
|
190.46 |
|
|
|
180.03 |
|
Market Capitalization ($M) |
|
$ |
181.18 |
|
|
$ |
226.76 |
|
|
$ |
195.49 |
|
Dividend Yield |
|
|
4.35 |
% |
|
|
2.03 |
% |
|
|
1.83 |
% |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
As of or for the most recent twelve-month period available for the peer
group. Citizens & Northern data is as of September 30, 2006. |
- 33 -
Ryan Beck noted that Citizens & Northern had total loans as a percentage of deposits of
89.43%, slightly higher than the peer median of 88.75%. Ryan Beck also noted that 83.64% of
Citizens & Northerns loan portfolio is real estate oriented, higher than the peer group median of
79.15%. Approximately 26.86% of Citizens & Northerns loans are commercial real estate loans,
significantly lower than the peer group median of 29.44%. Citizens & Northerns portfolio of
construction & development loans at 1.36% was significantly lower than the peer median of 12.83%.
At 5.97% of total loans, Citizens & Northerns commercial loans were lower than the peer median of
11.44%. Citizens & Northerns transaction account deposits equaled 54.73% of total deposits,
slightly higher than the peer group median of 53.07%, while Citizens & Northerns non-interest
bearing demand deposits were 13.69% of total deposits, versus the peer group median of 14.84%.
Citizens & Northerns jumbo deposits, or time deposits with balances greater than $100,000,
represented 12.29% of total deposits, less than the peer median of 18.39%.
Citizens & Northerns return on average assets of 1.08% was slightly higher than the peer
group median of 1.05%, but Citizens & Northerns return on average equity of 9.48% was slightly
lower than the peer group median of 9.82%. Citizens & Northerns net interest margin of 3.40% was
lower than the peer group median of 3.99%, and Citizens & Northerns efficiency ratio of 68.74% was
higher than the peer group median of 63.89%. Ryan Beck also noted that Citizens & Northerns
non-interest income as a percentage of average assets at 0.68% was lower than the peer group median
of 0.91%.
Additionally, Ryan Beck noted that Citizens & Northern had non-performing loans as a
percentage of total loans of 1.33%, which was significantly higher than the peer median of 0.29%.
At 1.20%, Citizens & Northern maintained a level of loan loss reserves as a percentage of total
loans similar to the peer median of 1.19%. Citizens & Northerns capital ratios were significantly
higher than the peer group medians as evidenced by its tangible equity to tangible assets ratio of
11.27%, compared to a median of 9.33% for the peer group. Citizens & Northerns asset, loan and
deposit growth rates over the past twelve months of -4.93%, 4.83% and 0.45%, respectively, were
lower than the peer median growth rates of 6.56%, 12.82% and 6.53%, respectively. Over the same
period, Citizens & Northerns revenue and earnings per share decreased by 3.47% and 9.64%,
respectively, while peer median revenue and earnings per share increased by 5.40% and 5.84%,
respectively.
Based on its December 20, 2006 stock price, Citizens & Northerns stock traded at 14.71 times
last twelve months earnings per share, below the peer group median of 17.68 times. Citizens &
Northerns price-to-book and price-to-tangible book value ratios of 139.68% and 143.31%,
respectively, were both lower than the respective peer group medians of 168.49% and 180.03%.
Citizens & Northerns dividend yield of 4.35% was significantly higher than the peer group median
of 1.83%.
Analysis of Selected Transactions. Ryan Beck compared the financial terms of the Merger with
those of a group of 20 bank acquisitions announced since January 1, 2004, for which pricing data
pertaining to the transactions was publicly available. The group included selected transactions
located outside of metropolitan areas in which the seller was a commercial bank or thrift; seller
had assets greater than $50 million and less than $250 million; seller had ROAA between 0.75% and
1.25%; and seller had tangible equity as a percentage of tangible assets greater than 9.00%.
- 34 -
The following table compares selected ratios of Citizens with the average and median ratios of
the sellers in the above peer group of announced transactions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Group |
|
Peer Group |
|
|
Citizens |
|
Average |
|
Median |
|
|
|
Total Assets (000s) |
|
$ |
142,663 |
|
|
$ |
124,189 |
|
|
$ |
122,458 |
|
Tangible Equity / Tangible
Assets |
|
|
12.79 |
% |
|
|
11.57 |
% |
|
|
11.39 |
% |
YTD Return on Average Assets |
|
|
0.99 |
% |
|
|
0.96 |
% |
|
|
0.93 |
% |
YTD Return on Average Equity |
|
|
7.58 |
% |
|
|
8.47 |
% |
|
|
8.54 |
% |
Non-Performing Assets / Assets |
|
|
0.12 |
% |
|
|
0.54 |
% |
|
|
0.32 |
% |
Efficiency Ratio |
|
|
68.23 |
% |
|
|
66.03 |
% |
|
|
66.37 |
% |
Ryan Beck noted that Citizens tangible equity as a percentage of tangible assets of
12.79% was significantly higher than the peer group median of 11.39%. Ryan Beck also noted that
Citizens return on average assets of 0.99% was higher than the peer group median 0.93%, but
Citizens return on average equity of 7.58% was lower than the peer median of 8.54% due to
Citizenshigher capital levels. Citizens non-performing assets as a percentage of assets of 0.12%
compared favorably to the peer median ratio of 0.32% while Citizens efficiency ratio of 68.23% was
higher than the peer median of 66.37%.
The median pricing ratios for the comparable transactions are illustrated in the following
table:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price / |
|
Core |
|
|
Price / |
|
Price / Tangible |
|
LTM |
|
Deposit |
|
|
Book Value |
|
Book Value |
|
Earnings |
|
Premium |
|
|
|
Peer Group Median |
|
|
156.08 |
% |
|
|
161.85 |
% |
|
|
19.18x |
|
|
|
12.77 |
% |
The imputed value of Citizens based upon the median ratios of the comparable transactions
can be seen in the table below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price / |
|
|
|
|
|
Core |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price / |
|
Tangible |
|
Price / LTM |
|
Deposit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Book Value |
|
Book Value |
|
Earnings |
|
Premium |
|
Average |
|
Median |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
28.00 |
|
|
$ |
29.04 |
|
|
$ |
27.24 |
|
|
$ |
29.44 |
|
|
$ |
28.43 |
|
|
$ |
28.52 |
|
The median pricing ratios for the comparable transactions adjusted for the change in the
Nasdaq Bank Index between the date of announcement of the transaction and the date of the analysis
are illustrated in the following table:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price / |
|
Core |
|
|
Price / |
|
Price / Tangible |
|
LTM |
|
Deposit |
|
|
Book Value |
|
Book Value |
|
Earnings |
|
Premium |
|
|
|
Peer Group Median |
|
|
172.06 |
% |
|
|
174.81 |
% |
|
|
20.67x |
|
|
|
13.84 |
% |
- 35 -
The imputed value of Citizens based upon the adjusted median ratios of the comparable
transactions can be seen in the table below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price / |
|
|
|
|
|
Core |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price / |
|
Tangible |
|
Price / LTM |
|
Deposit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Book Value |
|
Book Value |
|
Earnings |
|
Premium |
|
Average |
|
Median |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
30.87 |
|
|
$ |
31.36 |
|
|
$ |
29.34 |
|
|
$ |
30.41 |
|
|
$ |
30.49 |
|
|
$ |
30.64 |
|
Based on the Citizens & Northern stock closing price on December 20, 2006 and a 50%
stock, 50% cash mix, the merger consideration had an indicated blended value on that date of $28.45
per share.
Assuming a transaction value of $28.45 per share based on the terms of the merger, Ryan Beck
calculated the transaction value as a multiple of Citizens September 30, 2006 stated book value
per share ($17.94), tangible book value per share ($17.94), and tangible book premium over core
deposits as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Price to stated book value |
|
|
158.62 |
% |
Price to tangible book value |
|
|
158.62 |
% |
Multiple of last-twelve-months earnings per share |
|
|
20.04 |
x |
Tangible book premium over core deposits |
|
|
11.67 |
% |
Ryan Beck noted that the value of the consideration being offered to Citizens
shareholders of $28.45 per share was slightly lower than the median imputed value of the comparable
transactions prior to the market adjustment of $28.52 and lower than the median imputed value of
the comparable transactions after the market adjustment of $30.64. As noted in the Background of
the Merger section, one of the largest employers in Coudersport had recently announced the
elimination of 500 local jobs. The news caused Citizens & Northern to lower its price from the
offer of $29.15 that had been agreed to prior to the local economic news.
No company used as a comparison in the above analyses is identical to Citizens, Citizens &
Northern or the combined resulting company, and no other transaction is identical to the merger.
Accordingly, an analysis of the results of the foregoing is not mathematical; rather it involves
complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operating
characteristics of the companies involved, market areas in which the companies operate and other
factors that could affect the trading values of the securities of the company or companies to which
they are being compared.
Discounted Dividend Analysis. Using a discounted dividend analysis, Ryan Beck estimated the
present value of the future dividend stream that Citizens could produce in perpetuity. As a basis
for performing this analysis, Ryan Beck utilized 2007 to 2011 earnings per share estimates for
Citizens which were based on information provided by Citizens management. These projections are
based upon various factors and assumptions, many of which are beyond the control of Citizens.
These projections are, by their nature, forward-looking and may differ materially from the actual
future values or actual future results for the reasons discussed above. Actual future values or
results may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by such projections. In
producing a range of per share Citizens
- 36 -
values, Ryan Beck utilized the following assumptions: discount rates ranging from 11.00% to 13.00%,
terminal price/earnings multiples ranging from 15x to 17x (which, when applied to terminal year
estimated earnings, produces a value which approximates the net present value of the dividends in
perpetuity, given certain assumptions regarding growth rates and discount rates) and earnings that
include estimated savings in Citizens non-interest expense equal to Citizens & Northern
managements estimates of 5.25% in the first year following the merger with 21.00% thereafter. The
discounted dividend analysis produced the range of net present values per share of Citizens common
stock illustrated in the chart below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount Rates |
|
|
|
|
|
|
11% |
|
12% |
|
13% |
Terminal Year Multiple of Earnings |
|
|
15x |
|
|
$ |
26.93 |
|
|
$ |
26.08 |
|
|
$ |
25.28 |
|
|
|
|
16x |
|
|
$ |
27.85 |
|
|
$ |
26.96 |
|
|
$ |
26.11 |
|
|
|
|
17x |
|
|
$ |
28.77 |
|
|
$ |
27.83 |
|
|
$ |
26.94 |
|
Ryan Beck noted that the estimated transaction value of $28.45 per share was above the
midpoint of the estimated values derived from the discounted dividend analysis.
These analyses do not purport to be indicative of actual values or expected values or an
appraisal range of the shares of Citizens common stock. The discounted dividend analysis is a
widely used valuation methodology, but Ryan Beck noted that it relies on numerous assumptions,
including expense savings levels, dividend payout rates, terminal values and discount rates, the
future values of which may be significantly more or less than such assumptions. Any variation from
these assumptions would likely produce different results.
Financial Impact Analysis: In order to measure the impact of the merger on the combined
companys operating results and financial position after the merger, Ryan Beck analyzed the pro
forma effects of the merger for 2007. In performing this analysis, Ryan Beck utilized a pro forma
summary balance sheet and income statement for Citizens & Northern. For its analysis, Ryan Beck
used Citizens & Northern managements estimates of earnings for Citizens & Northern in 2006, 2007
and 2008, and a 5.00% projected growth rate to estimate 2009 through 2011 earnings for Citizens &
Northern. For Citizens projected earnings, Ryan Beck used Citizens managements estimates for
2006, 2007 and 2008, and used a projected growth rate of 3.00% to estimate 2009 to 2011 earnings
for Citizens. In its analysis, Ryan Beck utilized Citizens & Northerns after-tax cost savings
assumptions of approximately 5.25% of Citizens non-interest expense base for 2007 and 21.0% for
2008 through 2011. No assumptions were made regarding revenue enhancements following the
completion of the transaction and no assumptions were made regarding mark-to-market purchase
accounting adjustments.
This analysis indicated that the merger would be slightly accretive to Citizens & Northerns
earnings in 2007 by approximately 0.01% and would be accretive to Citizens & Northerns 2008
estimated earnings per share by approximately 2.05%, before the effect of any stock repurchases.
Ryan Beck also estimated that the transaction would be 2.78% accretive to Citizens & Northerns
stated book value per share and would be 5.83% dilutive to Citizens & Northerns tangible book
value per share. The transaction analysis indicated that, at closing, Citizens & Northerns
tangible equity to tangible assets would be 10.43%, lower than the 11.42% projected in our analysis
before the merger.
- 37 -
Contribution Analysis: As a means to gauge the impact of Citizens and Citizens & Northerns
potential financial impact on the combined organization, Ryan Beck prepared a contribution analysis
which compared the relative contributions each entity would make toward total assets, loans,
deposits, common equity, tangible common equity and earnings. Ryan Beck analyzed the contribution
of the last-twelve-months net income as well as the 2007 and 2008 projected net income for each
company as estimated by their respective management teams. For this analysis, Ryan Beck assumed a 100% stock
transaction and an exchange ratio of 1.297 shares of Citizens & Northern stock for Citizens stock
and estimated that Citizens shareholders would own 13.83% of the combined company on a pro forma
basis. This figure is above the relative contributions of Citizens for total assets at 11.25%,
total loans at 8.30%, total deposits at 11.55% and total tangible equity at 12.61%. The estimated
Citizens stock ownership exceeds Citizens projected 2007 net income contribution of 12.05%
without accounting for synergies and 12.91% after accounting for synergies. The estimated
Citizens stock ownership also exceeds Citizens projected 2008 net income contribution of 10.84%
without accounting for synergies. Citizens estimated stock ownership is slightly below Citizens
projected 2008 net income contribution of 13.85% after accounting for synergies.
In connection with Ryan Becks updated opinion dated as of the date of this document and
contained in Annex B, Ryan Beck reviewed this document and confirmed the appropriateness of its
reliance on the analyses used to render its December 21, 2006 written opinion by performing
procedures to update certain of such analyses and by reviewing the assumptions and conclusions upon
which the December 21, 2006 opinion was based.
Citizens paid Ryan Beck a non-refundable retainer fee of $20,000 upon execution of the
engagement letter. Citizens also has agreed to pay Ryan Beck a transaction fee in connection with
the transaction in the amount equal to 1.25% of the aggregate transaction value payable. Based on
the average per share closing price of Citizens & Northerns common stock immediately prior to the
public announcement of the transaction, Ryan Becks fee would be approximately $360,000, $75,000 of
which was paid upon execution of the merger agreement, with the balance, less the initial $20,000
retainer fee, due upon completion of the merger. Citizens has also agreed to reimburse certain of
Ryan Becks reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with its engagement and to
indemnify Ryan Beck and its affiliates and their respective partners, directors, officers,
employees, agents, and controlling persons against certain expenses and liabilities, including
liabilities under securities laws.
Prior to this transaction, Ryan Beck did not have an investment banking relationship with
Citizens or Citizens & Northern. Ryan Beck expects to solicit investment banking business from
Citizens & Northern in the future.
Ryan Beck acts as a market maker in the common stock of Citizens & Northern. Ryan Beck is not
a market maker in the common stock of Citizens. In the ordinary course of its business as a broker
dealer, however, Ryan Beck may actively trade securities of Citizens or Citizens & Northern for its
own account and the account of its customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold long or short
positions in such securities.
- 38 -
Reasons For The Transaction: Citizens & Northerns Board of Directors
Citizens & Northerns acquisition strategy consists of identifying financial institutions with
business philosophies similar to those of Citizens & Northern, which operate in markets that are
geographically compatible with Citizens & Northern s operations and which can be acquired at an
acceptable cost.
In connection with its approval of the transaction with Citizens, the Citizens & Northern
board of directors reviewed the terms of the proposed reorganization agreement and its potential
impact on Citizens & Northern. In reaching its decision to approve the reorganization agreement,
Citizens & Northerns board of directors, with the assistance of management and Citizens &
Northerns advisors, considered the following factors:
|
|
|
its observation that the acquisition of Citizens represents an attractive
opportunity for Citizens & Northern to expand the geographic market area currently
served by Citizens & Northern Bank, into the contiguous markets of Cameron, McKean
and Potter Counties; |
|
|
|
|
its familiarity with Citizens management team and employees, particularly its
President, Charles H. Updegraff, Jr., who have the leadership and talent to ensure
the continuation of Citizens & Northerns tradition of strong performance community
offices; |
|
|
|
|
Citizens customer service-oriented emphasis with local decision-making ability
and a clear focus on the community, which are consistent with Citizens & Northerns
business approach; |
|
|
|
|
its understanding of the business, operations, financial condition, earnings and
prospects of each of Citizens & Northern and Citizens; |
|
|
|
|
its understanding of the historical and current pro forma financial performance
and condition, business operations, capital levels and asset quality of Citizens; |
|
|
|
|
a review of comparable transactions, including a comparison of the price being
paid in the transaction with the prices paid in other comparable financial
institution acquisitions, expressed as, among other things, multiples of book value
and earnings; |
|
|
|
|
its understanding that the transaction should be accretive to Citizens &
Northerns earnings within a year; |
|
|
|
|
perceived opportunities to increase the combined companys commercial lending,
and to reduce the combined companys operating expenses, following the transaction; |
|
|
|
|
the structure of the merger consideration and the financial and other terms of
the transaction, including the fixed stock and fixed cash components; |
|
|
|
|
its understanding of the likelihood that the regulatory approvals needed to
complete the transaction would be obtained; and |
|
|
|
|
its review of the terms of the merger agreement with Citizens & Northerns legal
advisors. |
-39-
This discussion of factors considered by Citizens & Northerns board of directors is not
intended to be exhaustive, but includes all material factors considered. In approving the merger
agreement and related transactions, Citizens & Northerns board did not specifically identify any
one factor or group of factors as being more significant than any other factor in the decision
making process. Rather, Citizens & Northerns board of directors based its decision on the
totality of information presented to it. In addition, individual members of the Citizens & Northern board may
have given differing weight or priority to different factors.
Citizens & Northerns board of directors also considered potential risks associated with the
transaction, including (1) the challenges of integrating Citizens businesses, operations and
workforce with those of Citizens & Northern, (2) the conversion of Citizens systems into Citizens
& Northerns systems, (3) the need to obtain Citizens shareholder approval and regulatory approval
in order to complete the transaction, (4) the risks associated with achieving anticipated cost savings,
potential revenue enhancements and other potential financial benefits as well as with maintaining
reorganization, integration and restructuring expenses at anticipated levels, and (5) the risk that
the final purchase price allocation based on the fair value of acquired assets at acquisition date
and related adjustments to yield and/or amortization schedules of acquired assets and liabilities
may be materially different than those assumed.
The foregoing discussion contains a number of forward-looking statements that reflect the
current views of Citizens & Northern with respect to future events that may have an effect on its
future financial performance. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties.
Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in the
forward-looking statements. Cautionary statements that identify important factors that could cause
or contribute to differences in results and outcomes include those discussed under the section
entitled A Caution About Forward-Looking Information on page 18 of this document. For more
information on the factors that could affect actual results, see Risk Factors beginning on page
14.
What you will Receive
If the merger is completed, each share of Citizens common stock that you hold at the time of
the merger will automatically be converted into the right to receive cash or shares of Citizens &
Northern common stock. You will be mailed a form of election approximately two weeks after the date
of this document in order to make your election. Subject to the restrictions described below, you
may elect to receive, in exchange for each of your shares of Citizens common stock, either:
|
|
|
$28.57 in cash; or |
|
|
|
|
1.297 shares of Citizens & Northern common stock. |
You may choose to exchange all of your shares for cash, or all of your shares for Citizens &
Northern common stock, or some of your shares for cash and the rest of your shares for Citizens &
Northern common stock.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, 50% of the total outstanding shares of Citizens
common stock will be exchanged for cash and 50% of the total outstanding shares of Citizens common
stock will be exchanged for Citizens & Northern common stock. In the event that the holders of the
outstanding shares of Citizens common stock elect to receive cash or stock that would exceed these
-40-
limitations, the number of shares that you elected to exchange for cash or stock, as
appropriate, will be adjusted through an allocation formula described below.
If you do not make a valid election, you will be deemed to have made no election. No election
shares will be converted into stock consideration, cash consideration or a mix of stock and cash
consideration, depending on the elections of other Citizens shareholders.
You may receive significantly more or less cash or more or fewer shares of Citizens common
stock than you elect. For more information about the allocation rules and the potential effects of
the allocation procedures described above see the sections entitled The Transaction Election
and Exchange Procedures and The Transaction Allocation of Citizens & Northern Common Stock and
Cash, on pages 41 and 42, respectively.
Election and Exchange Procedures
Subject to the allocation process described in the next section, each Citizens shareholder may
elect to receive with respect to his or her shares of Citizens common stock, all Citizens &
Northern common stock, all cash or a combination of Citizens & Northern common stock and cash.
Stock Election Shares. Citizens shareholders who validly elect to receive Citizens & Northern
common stock for some or all of their shares will receive the per share stock consideration for
that portion of the shareholders shares of Citizens common stock equal to the shareholders stock
election, subject to the allocation process described below. In our discussion below, we refer to
shares with respect to which shareholders have made stock elections as stock election shares.
Cash Election Shares. Citizens shareholders who validly elect to receive cash for some or all
of their shares will receive $28.57 in cash per share for that portion of the shareholders shares
of Citizens common stock equal to the shareholders cash election, subject to the allocation
process described below. In our discussion below, we refer to shares with respect to which
Citizens shareholders have made cash elections as cash election shares.
No-Election Shares. Shares held by Citizens shareholders (i) who indicate that they have no
preference as to whether they receive Citizens & Northern common stock or cash, (ii) who do not
make a valid election, or (iii) who fail to properly perfect dissenters rights, will be deemed to
be no election shares. See Allocation of Citizens & Northern Common Stock and Cash below.
Accordingly, there is no assurance that a Citizens shareholder will receive the form of
consideration that the shareholder elects with respect to any or all of his or her shares of
Citizens common stock. If the elections of Citizens shareholders would exceed the specified
limits, then the procedures for allocating Citizens & Northern common stock and cash to be received
by Citizens shareholders will be followed by Citizens & Northerns exchange agent. See Allocation
of Citizens & Northern Common Stock and Cash below.
Election Form. Approximately two weeks following the date of this document, Citizens &
Northerns exchange agent will mail an election form to you along with instructions on electing to
-41-
receive Citizens & Northern common stock or cash or a combination of stock and cash for your
Citizens stock. The deadline for making your election will be 5:00 p.m. on the day that is two
business days prior to closing of the merger. You must carefully follow the instructions from
Citizens & Northerns exchange agent. Your election will be
properly made only if, by the deadline date, you have submitted to Citizens & Northerns exchange agent at its designated office,
a properly completed and signed election form. If your election is not properly made, your shares
of Citizens stock will be treated as no election shares. Neither Citizens & Northern nor its
exchange agent will be under any obligation to notify any person of any defects in an election
form.
No later than five (5) days after the effective date of the merger, Citizens & Northerns
exchange agent will mail to you, a letter of transmittal with instructions for submitting your
Citizens stock certificate in exchange for Citizens & Northern common stock or the cash
consideration of $28.57 per share. At that time, you will need to carefully review the
instructions, complete the materials enclosed with the instructions and return the materials along
with your Citizens stock certificate(s). Whether you will receive Citizens & Northern common stock
or cash will depend on the election of other Citizens shareholders. (See Allocation of Citizens & Northern Common Stock and
Cash, below.) Upon surrender of your Citizens stock certificate(s) to Citizens & Northerns
exchange agent together with a properly completed letter of transmittal, Citizens & Northerns
exchange agent will mail to you a certificate representing shares of Citizens & Northern common
stock or a check (or a combination of stock certificate and check) for the merger consideration.
No interest will be paid on any cash payment.
Certificates representing shares of Citizens & Northern common stock will be dated the
effective date of the merger and will entitle the holders to dividends, distributions and all other
rights and privileges of a Citizens & Northern shareholder from the effective date. Until the
certificates representing Citizens common stock are surrendered for exchange after completion of
the merger, holders of such certificates will not receive the cash or stock consideration or
dividends or distributions on the Citizens & Northern common stock into which such shares have been
converted. When the certificates are surrendered to the exchange agent, any unpaid dividends or
other distributions will be paid without interest. Citizens & Northern has the right to withhold
dividends or any other distributions on its shares until the Citizens stock certificates are
surrendered for exchange.
Until surrendered, each Citizens stock certificate, following the effective date of the
merger, is evidence solely of the right to receive the merger consideration. In no event will
either Citizens & Northern or Citizens be liable to any former Citizens shareholder for any amount
paid in good faith to a public official or agency pursuant to any applicable abandoned property,
escheat or similar law.
Citizens & Northern will not issue any fractions of a share of common stock. Rather, Citizens
& Northern will pay cash for any fractional share interest any Citizens shareholder would otherwise
be entitled to receive in the merger. For each fractional share that would otherwise be issued,
Citizens & Northern will pay by check an amount equal to the fractional share interest to which the
holder would otherwise be entitled multiplied by the average closing sales price for Citizens &
Northern common stock for the twenty (20) trading days ending on the third business day prior to
the closing. Shares of Citizens common stock issued and held by Citizens as treasury shares as of
the effective date of the merger, if any, will be canceled.
-42-
Allocation of Citizens & Northern Common Stock and Cash
Notwithstanding the election of Citizens shareholders to receive cash, Citizens & Northern
common stock or a combination of stock and cash in the merger, (i) the number of shares of Citizens
common stock that will be exchanged for Citizens & Northern
common stock will be equal to 50% of the total number of shares of Citizens common stock issued and outstanding on the effective date of
the merger, and (ii) the number of shares of Citizens common stock that will be exchanged for
$28.57 in cash per share will be equal to 50% of the total number of shares of Citizens common
stock issued and outstanding on the effective date of the merger.
Over-election of the Stock Consideration. If the aggregate number of stock election shares is
more than 50% of the total number of shares of Citizens common stock issued and outstanding on the
effective date of the merger, then:
|
|
|
all cash election shares (other than dissenting shares) and no election shares
will be converted into the right to receive $28.57 cash per share; |
|
|
|
|
Citizens & Northerns exchange agent will convert on a pro rata basis a
sufficient number of stock election shares into cash election shares such that the
number of election shares shall equal 50% of the total number of shares of Citizens
common stock issued and outstanding on the effective date; |
|
|
|
|
all shares converted into cash election shares through the pro rata process
described above will be converted into the right to receive $28.57 cash per share;
and |
|
|
|
|
the remaining stock election shares will be converted into shares of Citizens &
Northern common stock. |
Over-election of the Cash Consideration. If the aggregate number of cash election shares,
including the number of any dissenting shares, plus the aggregate number of shares with respect to
which cash is paid in lieu of fractional shares, is more than 50% of the total number of shares of
Citizens common stock issued and outstanding on the effective date of the merger, then:
|
|
|
all stock election shares and no election shares will be converted into shares of
Citizens & Northern common stock; |
|
|
|
|
Citizens & Northerns exchange agent will convert on a pro rata basis a
sufficient number of cash election shares (other than dissenting shares), into stock
election shares such that the number of cash election shares, plus the aggregate
number of shares with respect to which cash is paid in lieu of fractional shares,
shall equal 50% of the total number of shares of Citizens common stock issued and
outstanding on the effective date of the merger; and |
|
|
|
|
the remaining cash election shares will be converted into the right to receive
$28.57 in cash per share. |
-43-
Effective Date
The merger transaction will take effect when all conditions, including obtaining shareholder
and regulatory approval, have been satisfied or waived, or as soon as practicable thereafter as
Citizens & Northern and Citizens may mutually select. Regulatory approval cannot be waived. We
presently
expect closing on the transaction to occur during the second quarter of 2007. See The
Transaction- Conditions to the Merger and The Transaction Regulatory Approvals, beginning on
pages 50 and 51, respectively.
Rights of Dissenting Shareholders
Citizens shareholders have the right to dissent from the merger and, if the merger is
completed, to receive payment in cash for the fair value of all of his, her or its shares,
determined by an appraisal process in accordance with the procedures under Subchapter D of Chapter
15 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988.
The discussion below describes the steps that you must take if you want to exercise your
dissenters rights. You must take each step in the indicated order and in strict compliance with
Pennsylvania law in order to maintain your dissenters rights. If you fail to follow these steps,
you will lose your dissenters rights and you will receive the same consideration for each of your
shares of Citizens common stock as the Citizens shareholders who do not exercise dissenters rights.
Therefore, if you are contemplating exercising your dissenters rights, we urge you to read
carefully the applicable provisions of Pennsylvania law, which are included within Annex C to this
document. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of Annex C.
In the following discussion of dissenters rights, the term fair value means the value of a
share of Citizens common stock immediately before the day of the effective date of the merger,
taking into account all relevant factors, but excluding any appreciation or depreciation in
anticipation of the merger.
Timing of Notice Requirement. Before the effective date of the transaction, send any written
notice or demand required in order to exercise your dissenters rights to Charles H. Updegraff, Jr.,
President, Citizens Bancorp, Inc., 10 North Main Street, Coudersport, PA 16915. After the
effective date of the merger, send any correspondence to Jessica Brown, Secretary, Citizens &
Northern Corporation, 90-92 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901.
Notice of Intention to Dissent. If you wish to dissent from the merger, you must do the
following:
|
|
|
prior to the vote on the merger agreement by Citizens shareholders at the special
meeting, file a written notice of your intention to demand payment of the fair value
of your shares of Citizens common stock if the merger with Citizens & Northern is
completed; |
|
|
|
|
make no change in your beneficial ownership of Citizens common stock after you
give notice of your intention to demand fair value of your shares of Citizens common
stock; and |
|
|
|
|
not vote in favor of the merger agreement at the special meeting. |
-44-
Simply providing a proxy against or voting against the proposed merger at the special meeting
of shareholders will not constitute notice of your intention to dissent.
Notice to Demand Payment. If the merger is approved by the required vote of Citizens shareholders,
Citizens & Northern will mail a notice to all those shareholders who gave notice of their intention
to demand payment of the fair value of their shares and who did not vote for approval of the merger
agreement. The notice will state where and when you must deliver a
written demand for payment and where you must deposit your certificates for Citizens common stock in order to obtain payment. The
notice will include a form for demanding payment and a copy of the relevant provisions of
Pennsylvania law. The time set for receipt of the demand for payment and deposit of stock
certificates will be not less than 30 days from the date of mailing of the notice.
Failure to Comply With Required Steps to Dissent. You must take each step in the indicated order
and in strict compliance with Pennsylvania law in order to maintain your dissenters rights. If you
fail to follow these steps, you will lose the right to dissent and you will receive the same merger
consideration as those Citizens shareholders who do not dissent.
Payment of Fair Value of Shares. Promptly after the effective date of the merger, or upon timely
receipt of demand for payment if the closing of the merger has already taken place, Citizens &
Northern will send dissenting shareholders, who have deposited their stock certificates, the amount
that
Citizens & Northern estimates to be the fair value of the Citizens common stock. The remittance or
notice will be accompanied by:
|
|
|
a closing balance sheet and statement of income of Citizens for the fiscal year
ending not more than 16 months before the date of remittance or notice, together
with the latest available interim financial statements; |
|
|
|
|
a statement of Citizens & Northerns estimate of the fair value of Citizens
common stock; and |
|
|
|
|
a notice of the right of the dissenting shareholder to demand supplemental
payment, accompanied by a copy of the relevant provisions of Pennsylvania law. |
Estimate by Dissenting Shareholder of Fair Value of Shares. If a dissenting shareholder believes
that the amount stated or remitted by Citizens & Northern is less than the fair value of the
Citizens common stock, the dissenting shareholder must send its estimate of the fair value (deemed
a demand for the deficiency) of the Citizens common stock to Citizens & Northern within 30 days
after Citizens & Northern mails its remittance. If the dissenting shareholder does not file its
estimate of fair value within 30 days after the mailing by Citizens & Northern of its remittance,
the dissenting shareholder will be entitled to no more than the amount remitted by Citizens &
Northern.
Valuation Proceedings. If any demands for payment remain unsettled within 60 days after the latest
to occur of:
|
|
|
the effective date of the merger; |
|
|
|
|
timely receipt by Citizens & Northern of any demands for payment; or |
-45-
|
|
|
timely receipt by Citizens & Northern of any estimates by dissenters of the fair
value, |
then Citizens & Northern may file an application, in the Court of Common Pleas of Potter County,
requesting that the court determine the fair value of the Citizens common stock. If this happens,
all
dissenting shareholders, no matter where they reside, whose demands have not been settled, will
become parties to the proceeding. In addition, a copy of the application will be delivered to each
dissenting shareholder.
If Citizens & Northern were to fail to file the application, then any dissenting shareholder,
on behalf of all dissenting shareholders who have made a demand and who have not settled their
claim against Citizens & Northern, may file an application in the name of Citizens & Northern at
any time within the 30 day period after the expiration of the 60 day period and request that the
Potter County Court of Common Pleas determine the fair value of the shares. The fair value
determined by the Potter County Court of Common Pleas may, but need not, equal the dissenting
shareholders estimates of fair value. If no dissenter files an application, then each dissenting
shareholder entitled to do so shall be paid no more than Citizens & Northerns estimate of the fair
value of the Citizens common stock, and may bring an action to recover any amount not previously
remitted, plus interest at a rate the Potter County Court of Common Pleas finds fair and equitable.
Cost and Expenses. The costs and expenses of any valuation proceedings performed by the Potter
County Court of Common Pleas, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of any appraiser
appointed by such court to recommend a decision on the issue of fair value, will be determined by
such court and assessed against Citizens & Northern, except that any part of the costs and expenses
may be apportioned and assessed by such court against any or all of the dissenting shareholders who
are parties and whose action in demanding supplemental payment is dilatory, obdurate, arbitrary,
vexatious or in bad faith, in the opinion of such court.
Any Citizens shareholder wishing to exercise dissenters rights is urged to consult legal
counsel before attempting to exercise such rights. Failure to comply strictly with all of the
procedures set forth in the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law may result in the loss of
statutory dissenters rights.
Representations and Warranties
The merger agreement contains customary representations and warranties
relating to, among other things:
|
|
|
organization of Citizens & Northern, Citizens and their respective subsidiaries; |
|
|
|
|
capital structures of Citizens & Northern and Citizens; |
|
|
|
|
due authorization, execution, delivery, performance and enforceability of the
merger agreement; |
|
|
|
|
consents or approvals of regulatory authorities or third parties necessary to
complete the merger; |
|
|
|
|
consistency of financial statements with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States; |
-46-
|
|
|
absence of material adverse changes, since September 30, 2006, in the assets,
financial condition, results of operations, or prospects of Citizens and Citizens &
Northern; |
|
|
|
|
filing of tax returns and payment of taxes; |
|
|
|
|
absence of undisclosed material pending or threatened litigation; |
|
|
|
|
compliance with applicable laws and regulations; |
|
|
|
|
retirement and other employee plans and matters relating to the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; |
|
|
|
|
quality of title to assets and properties; |
|
|
|
|
maintenance of adequate insurance; |
|
|
|
|
absence of undisclosed brokers or finders fees; |
|
|
|
|
absence of material environmental violations, actions or liabilities; |
|
|
|
|
accuracy of information supplied by Citizens & Northern and Citizens for
inclusion in the registration statement, filed under the Securities Act of 1933, in
connection with the issuance of Citizens & Northern common stock in the merger, this
document, and all applications filed with regulatory authorities for approval of the
merger; |
|
|
|
|
documents filed by Citizens & Northern with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the accuracy of information contained therein; and |
|
|
|
|
validity and binding nature of loans reflected as assets in the financial
statements of Citizens. |
Conduct of Business Pending the Merger Transaction
In the merger agreement, we each agreed to use our reasonable good faith efforts to preserve
our business organizations intact, to maintain good relationships with employees, and to preserve
the goodwill of customers and others with whom we do business.
In addition, Citizens agreed to conduct its business and to engage in transactions only in the
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, except as otherwise required or
permitted by the merger agreement or consented to by Citizens & Northern. Citizens also agreed in
the merger agreement that it will not, without the written consent of Citizens & Northern:
|
|
|
change its articles of incorporation or bylaws; |
|
|
|
|
change the number of authorized or issued shares of its capital stock; repurchase
any shares of its capital stock; redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of its
capital stock; or issue or grant options or similar rights with respect to its
capital stock or any securities convertible into its capital stock; |
|
|
|
|
declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution in respect of its
capital stock except as otherwise specifically set forth in the merger agreement
(See The Transaction-Dividends on page 49); |
|
|
|
|
grant any severance or termination pay, except in accordance with policies or
agreements in effect on December 21, 2006; or enter into or amend any employment,
consulting, severance, change-in-control or termination contract or arrangement; |
-47-
|
|
|
increase the compensation of, grant any job promotions to or pay any bonus except
for discretionary bonuses not to exceed $50,000 in the aggregate and merit salary
increases for calendar year 2007 not to exceed, in the aggregate, 3.5% of existing
base salaries; |
|
|
|
|
sell or lease all or any substantial portion of the assets or business of
Citizens, enter into any acquisition, purchase and assumption transaction or any
similar transaction; |
|
|
|
|
dispose of or encumber any assets or incur any debt having a book or market value
(whichever is greater) in excess of $100,000, unless permitted by the merger
agreement; |
|
|
|
|
take any action that would result in any condition to closing not being
satisfied, except as may be required by applicable law; |
|
|
|
|
waive, release, grant or transfer any rights of material value, or modify or
change in any material respect any existing material agreement to which Citizens is
a party, other than in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past
practice; |
|
|
|
|
change any accounting methods, principles or practices, except as may be
required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States; |
|
|
|
|
implement any new employee benefit or welfare plan, or amend any plans, except as
required by law; |
|
|
|
|
enter into, renew, extend or modify any transaction with any affiliate of
Citizens, other than deposit and loan transactions in the ordinary course of
business and which comply with applicable laws and regulations; |
|
|
|
|
enter into any interest rate swap, floor or cap or similar arrangement; |
|
|
|
|
take any action that would give rise to a right of payment to any person under
any contract to which Citizens or any Citizens subsidiary is a party; |
|
|
|
|
purchase any security for its investment portfolio not rated A or higher by
either Standard & Poors Corporation or Moodys Investor Services, Inc; |
|
|
|
|
make any new loan or credit facility commitment to any borrower in excess of
$1,000,000 in the aggregate, or compromise, extend, renew or modify any such loan or
commitment outstanding in excess of $1,000,000; |
|
|
|
|
except as already disclosed to Citizens & Northern, make any capital expenditure
of $100,000 or more or undertake or enter into any lease, contract or other
commitment, involving a payment by Citizens of more than $100,000 annually; or |
|
|
|
|
agree to do any of the foregoing. |
Citizens also agreed in the merger agreement, among other things:
|
|
|
to permit Citizens & Northern, if Citizens & Northern elects to do so at its own
expense, to cause a phase I environmental audit to be performed at any physical
site owned or occupied by Citizens; |
|
|
|
|
to submit the merger agreement to its shareholders for approval at a meeting to
be held as soon as practicable, with an approval recommendation by its board of
directors; |
|
|
|
|
to approve the bank plan of merger as the sole shareholder of Citizens Trust
Company; and |
|
|
|
|
to modify or change its accrual and reserve policies and practices as may be
necessary to conform the accounting reserve practices and methods of Citizens to
those of Citizens & Northern. |
-48-
We jointly agreed, among other things:
|
|
|
to prepare all applications, registration statements and other documents
necessary to obtain all required regulatory approvals; |
|
|
|
|
subject to the terms of the merger agreement, to take all actions necessary to
complete the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; |
|
|
|
|
to maintain adequate insurance; |
|
|
|
|
to maintain accurate books and records; |
|
|
|
|
to file all tax returns and pay all taxes when due; |
|
|
|
|
to deliver to each other monthly and quarterly financial statements; |
|
|
|
|
to deliver to each other all documents that may be filed with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or with banking or regulatory authorities; and |
|
|
|
|
to agree upon the form and substance of any press release or public disclosure
related to the proposed merger. |
No Solicitation of Other Transactions
Citizens has agreed that it will not, and will not allow others under its control to, directly
or indirectly:
|
|
|
initiate, solicit, encourage or take any other action to facilitate, any
inquiries relating to, or the making of any acquisition proposal by a third party
that relates to a merger, consolidation or acquisition of Citizens, acquisition of
all or substantially all of the assets of Citizens or acquisition of ownership or
voting power over 20% or more of the outstanding common stock of Citizens or any of
its subsidiaries; |
|
|
|
|
enter into or maintain or continue discussions or negotiate with a third party
regarding any acquisition proposal or inquiry described above; or |
|
|
|
|
agree to or endorse any acquisition proposal or inquiry described above; |
provided that the Citizens board is not prohibited from responding to and engaging in any
discussions or negotiations or providing any information relating to an unsolicited proposal that
is on terms that the Citizens board concludes (after consultation with its financial advisors and
outside legal counsel) are more favorable to its shareholders from a financial point of view than
the proposed merger with
Citizens & Northern, if it has determined in its good faith judgment, after consultation with its
legal counsel, that failure to do so would violate the Citizens directors fiduciary duties.
Citizens has also agreed to notify Citizens & Northern promptly if any acquisition proposal or
inquiry described above is received by Citizens from any third party.
For a discussion of circumstances under which certain actions relating to a possible change in
control involving Citizens could result in Citizens being required to pay to Citizens & Northern a
termination fee of $900,000, see The Transaction Termination Fee, beginning on page 54.
-49-
Dividends
The merger agreement generally prohibits Citizens from paying any cash dividend or making any
other distribution with respect to its capital stock, other than a regular quarterly dividend not
to exceed $.22 per share. You may not receive two dividends either from Citizens or from Citizens
and Citizens & Northern in any quarter, but nothing will prevent you from receiving one dividend
from Citizens or Citizens & Northern in any one quarter. We will cooperate with each other to
coordinate quarterly dividend payment dates and record dates.
Citizens & Northern expects that after completion of the merger, subject to approval and
declaration by its board, it will continue to declare regular quarterly cash dividends on the
shares of its common stock consistent with past practices.
Conditions to the Merger
Our obligations to complete the transaction are subject to various conditions, which include,
among other customary provisions for transactions of this type, the following:
|
|
|
the merger agreement shall have been duly approved by the Citizens shareholders; |
|
|
|
|
all necessary governmental approvals for the merger transaction shall have been
obtained, and all waiting periods required by law or imposed by any governmental
authority with respect to the merger shall have expired, and no such approval or
consent shall have imposed any condition or requirement which Citizens & Northern
determines would cause a material adverse effect as to Citizens & Northern or
otherwise reduce the contemplated benefits of the transaction to Citizens &
Northern. See The Transaction Regulatory Approvals, at page 51; |
|
|
|
|
there shall not be any order, decree, or injunction in effect preventing the
completion of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; |
|
|
|
|
we shall each have received the opinion of Rhoads & Sinon LLP that, among other
things, the merger will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 and any gain realized in the merger will be recognized only to the extent of
cash or other property (other than Citizens & Northern common stock) received,
including cash received in lieu of fractional share interests. See The Transaction
Material Federal Income Tax Consequences, at page 59; and |
|
|
|
|
no materially adverse change shall have occurred in the assets, business,
financial condition or results of operation of Citizens or Citizens & Northern. |
In addition to the foregoing, our obligations to complete the transaction are each conditioned
on:
|
|
|
the accuracy in all material respects, as of December 21, 2006, and as of the
effective date of the merger, of the representations and warranties
of the other party, except as to any representation or warranty that specifically relates to an
earlier date and except as otherwise contemplated by the merger agreement; and |
-50-
|
|
|
the other partys performance in all material respects of all covenants and
obligations required to be performed by it at or prior to the effective date of the
merger. |
Except for the requirements of Citizens shareholder approval, regulatory approvals and the
absence of any order, decree, or injunction preventing the transactions contemplated by the merger
agreement, we each may waive each of the conditions described above in the manner and to the extent
described in The Transaction Amendment; Waiver, at
page 53.
Subsidiary Bank Merger
As contemplated by the merger agreement, Citizens & Northern Bank and Citizens Trust Company
have entered into a bank plan of merger. The bank plan of merger provides that, subject to receipt
of all necessary regulatory approvals and the completion of the merger of Citizens into Citizens &
Northern, Citizens Trust Company will merge into Citizens & Northern Bank, with Citizens & Northern
Bank as the surviving institution. All shares of Citizens Trust
Company will be canceled and will cease to exist and no consideration will be paid for these shares. Citizens & Northern
and Citizens expect to complete the bank merger concurrently with the completion of the
transaction.
Regulatory Approvals
Completion of the merger and reorganization transactions is subject to the prior receipt of
all consents or approvals of, and the provision of all notices to federal and state authorities
required to complete the acquisition of Citizens by Citizens & Northern, and the expiration of all
applicable waiting periods.
Citizens & Northern and Citizens have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to obtain
all regulatory approvals required to complete the transaction. These approvals include approval
from the board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve Board), the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking. The
transaction cannot proceed in the absence of these required regulatory approvals.
Federal Reserve Board. The merger of two bank holding companies requires the prior approval
of the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank Holding Company Act, or receipt from the Federal
Reserve Board of a waiver of this approval. Under the Bank Holding Company Act, the Federal
Reserve Board generally may not approve any proposed transaction:
|
|
|
that would result in a monopoly or that would further a combination or
conspiracy to monopolize banking in the United States; or |
|
|
|
|
that could substantially lessen competition in any section of the country,
that would tend to create a monopoly in any section of the country, or that
would be in restraint of trade, unless the Federal Reserve Board finds that
the public interest in meeting the convenience and needs of the communities
served outweighs the anti-competitive effects of the proposed transaction. |
The Federal Reserve Board is also required to consider the financial and managerial resources
and future prospects of Citizens & Northern, Citizens and their subsidiary banks and the
convenience
-51-
and needs of the communities to be served. Under the Community Reinvestment Act of
1977, the Federal Reserve Board also must take into account the record of performance of Citizens &
Northern and Citizens in meeting the credit needs of their communities, including low and
moderate-income neighborhoods. In addition, the Federal Reserve Board must take into account the
effectiveness of Citizens & Northern and Citizens in combating money laundering activities.
Applicable regulations require publication of notice of an application for approval of the
merger and an opportunity for the public to comment on the application in writing and to request a
hearing. Any transaction approved by the Federal Reserve Board generally may not be completed
until 30 days after such approval, during which time the U.S. Department of Justice may challenge
such
transaction on antitrust grounds and seek divestiture of certain assets and liabilities. With
the approval of the Federal Reserve Board and the U.S. Department of Justice, the waiting period
may be reduced to 15 days.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Citizens & Northern must file an application with the
FDIC to approve the merger of Citizens Trust Company into Citizens & Northern Bank pursuant to the
Bank Merger Act. In evaluating an application under the Bank Merger Act, the FDIC will review the
bank merger according to standards and criteria substantially similar to those considered by the
Federal Reserve Board as described above.
Pennsylvania Department of Banking. The transaction also is subject to the prior approval of
the Pennsylvania Department of Banking under Section 115 of the Pennsylvania Banking Code, and the
bank merger is subject to approval of the Department under Chapter 16 of the Banking Code. In
determining whether to approve the transaction, including the bank merger, the Pennsylvania
Department of Banking will consider, among other things, whether the purposes and probable effects
of the transaction would be consistent with the purposes of the Pennsylvania Banking Code and
whether the transaction would be prejudicial to the interests of the depositors, creditors,
beneficiaries of fiduciary accounts or shareholders of the institutions involved.
Applications. Citizens & Northern and Citizens have filed the necessary applications with the
Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking, requesting approval of
the transaction, including the bank merger. The applications describe the terms of the
transaction, the parties involved, and the activities to be conducted by the combined companies as
a result of the transaction, and contain certain related financial and managerial information.
Copies of the applications will be provided to the U.S. Department of Justice and other
governmental agencies.
We are not aware of any material governmental approvals or actions that are required to
complete the merger, except as described above. If any other approval or action is required, we
will use our best efforts to obtain such approval or action.
-52-
Amendment; Waiver
Subject to applicable law, at any time prior to completion of the transaction, we may:
|
|
|
amend the merger agreement, except that after approval by Citizens shareholders
at the special meeting, the consideration you will receive in the merger cannot be
decreased; |
|
|
|
|
extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of
the other party required in the merger agreement; |
|
|
|
|
waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other party
contained in the merger agreement; and |
|
|
|
|
waive compliance by the other party with any of the agreements or conditions
contained in the merger agreement, except for the requirements of Citizens
shareholder approval, regulatory approvals and the absence of any order, decree, or
injunction preventing the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. |
Termination
The merger agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the effective date of the merger
by our mutual consent. The merger agreement may also be terminated by either party if:
|
|
|
the other party, in any material respect, breaches any representation, warranty,
covenant or other obligation contained in the merger agreement, and the breach
remains uncured 30 days after written notice of the breach is given to the breaching
party; |
|
|
|
|
the closing of the merger does not occur by August 31, 2007, unless this is due
to the failure of the party seeking to terminate the merger agreement to perform or
observe any agreements required to be performed by it before closing; |
|
|
|
|
any regulatory authority whose approval or consent is required for completion of
the merger issues a definitive written denial of the approval or consent and the
time period for appeals or requests for reconsideration has expired; or |
|
|
|
|
Citizens shareholders do not approve the merger agreement at the special meeting
or such meeting is cancelled by Citizens. |
Citizens & Northern may terminate the merger agreement if Citizens enters into a term sheet,
letter of intent or agreement to merge with someone else or if Citizens withdraws, changes or
modifies its recommendation to its shareholders to approve the merger agreement. However, Citizens
may terminate the merger agreement if it enters into a term sheet, letter of intent or agreement to
merge after its board of directors determines, after consultation with its legal counsel, that
failure to do so would breach the fiduciary duty of the Citizens directors.
In addition, the merger agreement contains a provision under which Citizens may terminate the
merger agreement if the twenty day average of the closing sales prices for Citizens & Northern
common stock immediately prior to completion of the merger is less than $17.62 and the decline in
the price of Citizens & Northern common stock is at least 20% more than the decline during the
period beginning November 10, 2006 in a peer group index. For the list and weighting of the peer
group index, see Exhibit 6 to the merger agreement, which is attached to this document as Annex A.
If any peer group company declares or effects a stock split or similar capital transaction
during the measurement period, the prices of that companys common stock will be appropriately
adjusted in determining the average per share closing sale price of the peer group common stocks.
-53-
The Citizens board of directors has made no decision as to whether it would exercise its right
to terminate the merger agreement if the termination provision relating to the price of Citizens &
Northern common stock is triggered. In considering whether to exercise its right to terminate the
merger agreement, Citizens board of directors would, consistent with its fiduciary duties, take
into account all relevant facts and circumstances that exist at the time and would consult with its
financial advisors and legal counsel.
The fairness opinion received by Citizens from Ryan Beck is dated as of the date of this
document, and is based on conditions in effect on that date. Accordingly, the fairness opinion
does not address the possibilities presented if the termination provision relating to the price of
Citizens & Northern common stock is triggered, including the possibility that Citizens board of
directors might elect to continue with the merger even if Citizens has the ability to terminate the
merger agreement under that provision. See The Transaction Opinion of Citizens Financial
Advisor, beginning at page 27.
Approval of the merger agreement by Citizens shareholders will confer on the Citizens board of
directors the power to complete the merger even if the price-related termination provision is
triggered, without any further action by or re-solicitation of the votes of Citizens shareholders.
Termination Fee
Citizens has agreed to pay a fee of $900,000 to Citizens & Northern if the merger agreement is
terminated after the occurrence of any of the following events:
|
|
|
Citizens enters into a written agreement or understanding to merge or
consolidate, to have 20% or more of its ownership or voting power acquired in
the future, or to have all or substantially all of its assets or liabilities
acquired; or |
|
|
|
|
Citizens authorizes, recommends or publicly proposes, or announces an
intention to authorize, any of the foregoing transactions; or |
|
|
|
|
Citizens shareholders fail to approve the merger or the special meeting
is canceled after: |
|
§ |
|
the Citizens board of directors has withdrawn or modified its
recommendation to shareholders to approve the merger agreement; or |
|
|
§ |
|
another group or person has announced an offer or proposal to
acquire 20% or more of the outstanding common stock of Citizens or to merge
or consolidate with Citizens or to acquire all or substantially all of
Citizens assets and within 12 months thereafter enters into an agreement
with the group or person for such a transaction. |
Expenses
Citizens & Northern and Citizens will each pay its respective costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including fees and expenses
of financial consultants, accountants and legal counsel.
Nasdaq Listing
Citizens obligation to complete the merger is subject to the condition that the common stock
of Citizens & Northern continues to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
-54-
Management and Operations After the Transaction
Board of Directors
In the merger agreement Citizens & Northern agreed that upon completion of the merger, Charles
H. Updegraff, Jr., currently Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens, will be
appointed to the board of directors of Citizens & Northern and of Citizens & Northern Bank. Mr.
Updegraff will also be appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Citizens &
Northern Bank.
Citizens Trust Company Division and Advisory Board
Citizens & Northern has agreed that, for a period of two years after the merger of Citizens
Trust Company into Citizens & Northern Bank, it will operate the former business of Citizens Trust
Company as a division of Citizens & Northern Bank under the name Citizens Trust Company, a
division of Citizens & Northern Bank. In addition, Citizens & Northern Bank will establish a
Citizens Trust Company Advisory board which will consist of the members of the Citizens board of
directors immediately prior to the effective date, subject to qualification pursuant to Citizens &
Northerns policies regarding advisory board membership. The Citizens Trust Company Advisory board
will be initially established for a term of two years from the effective date of the transaction.
Advisory board members will be compensated for their service in accordance with Citizens &
Northerns compensation policy for advisory board fees, which presently provides for fees of $150
per meeting attended.
Employment; Retention Bonuses Severance
Following the transaction, Citizens & Northern is not obligated to continue the employment of
any Citizens employee with the exception of Mr. Updegraff, who has an existing employment agreement
with Citizens. Citizens & Northern has expressly agreed to honor the terms of Mr. Updegraffs
employment agreement. As a result of the transaction, some Citizens positions, primarily back
office, support, processing and other operational activities and services, may be eliminated. Each
Citizens employee who is involuntarily terminated in connection with the merger within one year
following the effective date of the merger, other than an employee who is terminated for cause,
or who voluntarily terminates his or her employment after being offered a position that is not a
position of substantially similar job description or responsibility, will be eligible to receive
severance payments
equal to one weeks pay for each full year of continuous service, with a minimum severance benefit
of 4 weeks pay and a maximum of 26 weeks pay. Severance shall not be available to any employee
who has an existing employment agreement, who has accepted an offer
from Citizens & Northern of noncomparable employment, or who has been designated to receive a retention bonus from Citizens &
Northern.
Certain employees, as determined jointly by Citizens and Citizens & Northern, of Citizens or
Citizens Trust Company, will be entitled to receive a retention bonus if they remain employed
until the effective date of the merger, or in certain cases, after the effective date until the
date of the systems conversion, provided such employee is not terminated for cause. No individual
may receive a retention bonus of more than $7,500 and retention bonuses cannot exceed $25,000 in
the aggregate.
-55-
Employee Benefits
The merger agreement provides that each Citizens employee who becomes an employee of Citizens
& Northern or any Citizens & Northern subsidiary at the effective date of the merger is entitled to
full credit for each year of service with Citizens for purposes of determining eligibility for
participation and vesting, but not for benefit accrual, in the Citizens & Northern or Citizens &
Northern subsidiarys employee benefit plans, programs and policies. Citizens and Citizens Trust
Company employees shall not be eligible to participate in the Citizens & Northern Bank Pension Plan
until January 1, 2008 provided they have the requisite service on that date (which includes
credited service with Citizens or Citizens Trust Company), subject to the provisions of the Citizens &
Northern Bank Pension Plan in effect as of January 1, 2008. After the effective date of the
merger, Citizens & Northern may, at its discretion, maintain, discontinue, amend or freeze any
Citizens or Citizens & Northern benefit plan, subject to the plans provisions and applicable law.
Interests of Management and Others in the Transaction
Share Ownership
As of ___, 2007, the record date for the special meeting of Citizens shareholders,
the directors and executive officers of Citizens may be deemed to be the beneficial owners of
160,243 shares, representing 15.76% of the outstanding shares of Citizens common stock. See
Information About Citizens Security Ownership by Certain Beneficial Owners and Management of
Citizens, beginning on page _.
Indemnification and Insurance
Citizens & Northern has agreed to indemnify the directors and officers of Citizens against all
costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages
or liabilities arising out of actions or omissions occurring prior to the mergers effective date,
including the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement prior to, at or after the mergers
effective date, to the fullest extent permitted under the Citizens articles of incorporation,
bylaws, and applicable law, but not if such indemnification is prohibited by applicable law.
Citizens & Northern has also agreed that for six years after the mergers effective date,
Citizens & Northern will, at its expense, maintain directors and officers liability insurance for
the former directors and officers of Citizens with respect to matters occurring at or prior to the
mergers effective date. The insurance coverage is to be at least equal to the coverage currently
maintained by Citizens and is to contain terms and conditions that are no less favorable to the
beneficiaries. Citizens & Northern is not obligated to make annual premium payments that exceed
(for the portion related to Citizens directors and officers) 200% of the initial annual premiums
for Citizens policy maintained prior to the merger. If the annual premium payments exceed this
amount, Citizens & Northern will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the most advantageous
policy available up to this maximum amount.
-56-
Board Positions and Compensation
Upon completion of the merger, Charles H. Updegraff, Jr. will be appointed as a director of
Citizens & Northern and Citizens & Northern Bank. As an employee, Mr. Updegraff shall not be
entitled to receive board fees for his service as a director.
In addition, following the merger, Citizens & Northern has agreed that the current directors
of Citizens who otherwise meet the requirements of Citizens & Northerns policies concerning
advisory board membership, shall constitute a newly established Citizens Trust Company Advisory
Board, to be maintained for at least 2 years. Advisory board members shall be entitled to receive
compensation for such service in accordance with Citizens & Northerns compensation policy for
advisory and divisional boards, which presently provides for fees of $150 per meeting attended.
Assumption of Updegraff Employment Agreement
Citizens & Northern expressly agreed to assume, as of the effective date of the merger, the
existing employment agreement between Citizens and Charles H. Updegraff, Jr., the Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens, and will appoint Mr. Updegraff as the Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Citizens & Northern Bank. Mr. Updegraffs employment
agreement, as amended by an addendum between Citizens, Mr. Updegraff and Citizens & Northern,
provides:
|
|
|
for a current term expiring on December 31, 2009; |
|
|
|
|
for automatic renewals on December 31 of each year to December 31 of the third
calendar year thereafter, subject to the right of each party to terminate the
automatic renewal and thereby fix the expiration of the term; |
|
|
|
|
for early termination upon dismissal by resolution of a majority of the board of
directors, the death or disability of Mr. Updegraff; |
|
|
|
|
for a base salary at an annual rate equal to his current base salary rate
($187,100), subject to increase or decrease from to time at such intervals and by
the same percentages as may be authorized by the board of directors generally with
respect to base salary increases or decreases for executive officers; |
|
|
|
|
for participation in certain benefit and incentive programs adopted by the board
of directors, including, without limitation, all employer-sponsored group health,
life and disability insurance plans and such annual bonus plans, stock option and
restricted stock plans as may be adopted by the board of directors; |
|
|
|
|
that if Mr. Updegraff is terminated by the board of directors without proper
cause, or if Mr. Updegraff resigns his employment upon a material reduction of his
authority or responsibilities or a substantial modification of his working
conditions following a merger or consolidation of Citizens & Northern, he will
continue to receive his salary and benefits for the remainder of the current term;
and |
|
|
|
|
that if Mr. Updegraff is terminated due to disability, he will be entitled to a
monthly disability income benefit in an amount equal to the monthly disability
income benefit allowed by the group disability income insurance policy maintained by
the Company for its executives, life insurance benefits (unless and until Mr.
Updegraff accepts other employment) and health insurance premiums (unless and until
Mr. Updegraff accepts other employment). |
-57-
Voting Agreements
General
As a condition to Citizens & Northern entering into the merger agreement, each of the
directors and executive officers of Citizens entered into an agreement with Citizens & Northern,
dated as of December 21, 2006, pursuant to which each director agreed to vote all shares of
Citizens common stock which they own or over which they exercise voting control in favor of the merger agreement.
As of the record date of , 2007, the directors and executive officers of Citizens
owned or exercised voting control over 160,243 shares of Citizens common stock, representing
approximately 15.76% of the shares of Citizens common stock outstanding on that date. A form of
voting agreement, which is also called an affiliate letter, is Exhibit 1 to the merger agreement,
which is attached to this document as Annex A.
Effect of Voting Agreements
The voting agreements, together with Citizens agreement not to initiate, solicit or respond
to inquiries relating to an acquisition transaction, may have the effect of discouraging persons
from making a proposal for an acquisition transaction involving Citizens.
Terms of Voting Agreements
The following is a brief summary of the material provisions of the voting agreements.
Each director and executive officer of Citizens agreed, among other things, that at the
special meeting, he will:
|
|
|
appear at such meeting or otherwise cause all shares of Citizens common stock he
owns to be counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum; and |
|
|
|
|
vote (or cause to be voted), in person or by proxy, all shares of Citizens common
stock he owns or as to which he has, directly or indirectly, the right to direct the
voting in favor of adoption and approval of the merger agreement and the merger
transaction and against the approval or adoption of any other acquisition
transaction with a party other than Citizens & Northern. |
Each director and executive officer also agreed not to, directly or indirectly, transfer or
dispose of any of the shares of Citizens common stock he owns prior to the special meeting.
The voting agreements will remain in effect until the earlier of the effective time of the
transaction or the termination of the merger agreement in accordance with its terms.
Each director and executive officer also agreed to certain restrictions on the offer, sale,
transfer or disposition of shares of Citizens & Northern common stock acquired in the transaction,
which restrictions are intended to ensure compliance with applicable federal securities laws.
-58-
Accounting Treatment
Citizens & Northern will account for the merger under the purchase method of accounting.
Citizens & Northern will record, at fair value, the acquired tangible and identifiable intangible
assets and assumed liabilities of Citizens. To the extent that the total purchase price exceeds
the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, Citizens & Northern will record the
excess as goodwill.
Under generally accepted accounting principles, goodwill is not amortized, but is assessed annually
for impairment with any resulting impairment losses included in net income. Citizens & Northern
will include in its results of operations the results of Citizens operations only after completion
of the merger.
Material Federal Income Tax Consequences
In the opinion of Rhoads & Sinon LLP, Citizens & Northerns legal counsel, the following
discussion addresses the material United States federal income tax consequences of the merger to a
Citizens shareholder who holds shares of Citizens common stock as a capital asset. This discussion
is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which is referred to in this document
as the Code, Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code, judicial authorities, published
positions of the Internal Revenue Service and other applicable authorities, all as in effect on the
date of this discussion and all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect)
and to differing interpretations. This discussion does not address all aspects of United States
federal income taxation that may be relevant to Citizens shareholders in light of their particular
circumstances and does not address aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be
applicable to Citizens shareholders subject to special treatment under the Code (including banks,
tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities, traders in securities that
elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting, investors in pass-through entities, Citizens
shareholders who hold their shares of Citizens common stock as part of a hedge, straddle or
conversion transaction, Citizens shareholders who acquired their shares as compensation, and
Citizens shareholders who are not United States persons as defined in section 7701(a)(30) of the
Code). In addition, this discussion does not address any aspect of state, local or foreign
taxation. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not
sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax aspects set forth below.
Citizens shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the particular
United States federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of the merger to them.
The closing of the merger is conditioned upon the receipt by Citizens & Northern and Citizens
of the updated opinion of Rhoads & Sinon LLP, counsel to Citizens & Northern, dated as of the
effective date of the merger, substantially to the effect that, on the basis of facts,
representations and assumptions set forth or referred to in that opinion (including factual
representations contained in certificates of officers of Citizens and Citizens & Northern) which
are consistent with the state of facts existing as of the effective date of the merger:
-59-
|
|
|
the merger constitutes a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code; and |
|
|
|
|
any gain realized in the merger will be recognized as capital gain or ordinary
income only to the extent of cash or other property (other than Citizens & Northern
common stock) received in the merger, including cash received in lieu of fractional
share interests. |
The tax opinions to be delivered in connection with the merger are not binding on the IRS or the
courts, and neither Citizens nor Citizens & Northern intends to request a ruling from the IRS with
respect to the United States federal income tax consequences of the merger. Consequently, no
assurance can be given that the IRS will not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position
contrary to any of those set forth below. In addition, if any of the facts, representations or
assumptions
upon which the opinion is based is inconsistent with the actual facts, the United States federal
income tax consequences of the merger could be adversely affected.
Assuming that the merger will be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the Code, the discussion below reflects the conclusions of Rhoads & Sinon LLP, in its
opinion as to the material United States federal income tax consequences of the merger to Citizens
shareholders.
A shareholder generally will recognize gain as capital gain or ordinary income (but not loss,
unless consideration received constitutes entirely cash) in an amount equal to the lesser of (1)
the amount of gain realized (i.e., the excess of the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market
value of the Citizens & Northern common stock received pursuant to the merger over such shareholders
adjusted tax basis in the shares of Citizens common stock surrendered) and (2) the amount of cash
received pursuant to the merger. For this purpose, gain or loss must be calculated separately for
each identifiable block of shares surrendered in the exchange, and loss realized on one block of
shares may not be used to offset gain realized on another block of shares. Any recognized gain
generally will be long-term capital gain if the Citizens shareholders holding period with respect
to the Citizens common stock surrendered is more than one year. If, however, the cash received has
the effect of the distribution of a dividend, the cash received will be treated as a dividend to
the extent of the Citizens shareholders ratable share of accumulated earnings and profits as
calculated for United States federal income tax purposes. See Possible treatment of cash as a
dividend, below.
The aggregate tax basis of Citizens & Northern common stock received by a Citizens shareholder
pursuant to the transaction will be equal to the aggregate adjusted tax basis of the shares of
Citizens common stock surrendered for Citizens & Northern common stock, reduced by the amount of
cash received by the Citizens shareholder pursuant to the merger, and increased by the amount of
gain (including any portion of the gain that is treated as a dividend as described below), if any,
recognized by the Citizens shareholder on the exchange. The holding period of the Citizens &
Northern common stock will include the holding period of the shares of Citizens common stock
surrendered. If a Citizens shareholder has differing basis or holding periods in respect of his or
her shares of Citizens common stock, such shareholder should consult his or her tax advisor prior
to the exchange with
regard to identifying the basis or holding periods of the particular shares of Citizens & Northern
common stock received in the exchange.
-60-
Possible treatment of cash as a dividend. In general, the determination of whether the gain
recognized in the exchange will be treated as capital gain or has the effect of a distribution of a
dividend depends upon whether and to what extent the exchange reduces the Citizens shareholders
deemed percentage stock ownership of Citizens & Northern. For purposes of this determination,
Citizens shareholders will be treated as if they first exchanged all of their shares of Citizens
common stock solely for Citizens & Northern common stock and then Citizens & Northern immediately
redeemed (the deemed redemption) a portion of the Citizens & Northern common stock in exchange
for the cash actually received. The gain recognized in the exchange followed by a deemed
redemption will be treated as capital gain if (1) the deemed redemption is substantially
disproportionate with respect to the Citizens shareholder (and the shareholder actually or
constructively owns after the deemed redemption less than 50% of voting power of the outstanding
Citizens & Northern common stock) or (2) the deemed redemption is not essentially equivalent to a
dividend. Gain recognized will also be capital gain to the extent the recognized gain exceeds the
shareholders ratable share of Citizens accumulated earnings and profits.
The deemed redemption generally will be substantially disproportionate with respect to a
Citizens shareholder if the percentage described in (2) below is less than 80% of the percentage
described in (1) below. Whether the deemed redemption is not essentially equivalent to a
dividend with respect to a Citizens shareholder will depend upon the shareholders particular
circumstances. In order for the deemed redemption to be not essentially equivalent to a
dividend, the deemed
redemption must generally result in a meaningful reduction in the shareholders deemed percentage
stock ownership of Citizens & Northern. In general, the determination requires a comparison of (1)
the percentage of the outstanding stock of Citizens & Northern that the shareholder is deemed
actually and constructively to have owned immediately before the deemed redemption and (2) the
percentage of the outstanding stock of Citizens & Northern that is actually and constructively
owned by the shareholder immediately after the deemed redemption. In applying the above tests, a Citizens shareholder may,
under the constructive ownership rules, be deemed to own stock that is owned by other persons and
certain entities in addition to the stock actually owned by the shareholder. As these rules are
complex and dependent upon a Citizens shareholders specific circumstances, each shareholder that
may be subject to these rules should consult his or her tax advisor. The IRS has ruled that a
minority shareholder in a publicly held corporation whose relative stock interest is minimal and
who exercises no control with respect to corporate affairs is considered to have a meaningful
reduction if the shareholder has a relatively minor reduction in such shareholders percentage
stock ownership under the above analysis.
Cash received in lieu of a fractional share. Cash received by a Citizens shareholder in lieu
of a fractional share of Citizens & Northern common stock generally will be treated as received in
redemption of the fractional share, and gain generally will be recognized based on the difference
between the amount of cash received in lieu of the fractional share and the portion of the
shareholders aggregate adjusted tax basis of the shares of Citizens common stock surrendered that
is allocable to the fractional share. The gain generally will be long-term capital gain if the
holding period for the shares of Citizens common stock is more than one year.
Backup Withholding. To the extent that a Citizens shareholder receives cash in exchange for
surrendering shares of Citizens common stock, the shareholder may be subject to backup withholding
at a rate of 28% if the shareholder is a non-corporate United States person and (1) fails to
provide an
-61-
accurate taxpayer identification number; (2) is notified by the IRS that it has failed
to report all interest or dividends required to be shown on its federal income tax returns, or (3)
in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements. Amounts
withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or credit against a
shareholders United States federal income tax liability provided that the shareholder furnishes
the required information to the IRS.
The foregoing discussion is not intended to be a complete analysis or description of all
potential United States federal income tax consequences of the merger transaction. In addition,
this discussion does not address tax consequences that may vary with, or are contingent on, a
Citizens shareholders individual circumstances. It also does not address any federal estate tax
or state, local or foreign tax consequences of the merger. Tax matters are very complicated, and
the tax consequences of the transaction to a Citizens shareholder will depend upon the facts of his
or her particular situation. Accordingly, we strongly urge you to consult with a tax advisor to
determine the particular tax consequences to you of the transaction, as well as to any later sale
of shares of Citizens & Northern common stock received by you in the merger.
Resale of Citizens & Northern Common Stock
You may freely transfer the Citizens & Northern common stock issued in the merger transaction
under the Securities Act, unless you are deemed to be:
|
|
|
an affiliate of Citizens for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act; or |
|
|
|
|
an affiliate of Citizens & Northern for purposes of Rule 144 under the
Securities Act. |
Affiliates will include persons (generally executive officers, directors and 10% or more
shareholders) who control, are controlled by, or are under common control with (1) Citizens &
Northern or Citizens at the time of the Citizens special meeting, or (2) Citizens & Northern, at or
after the effective date of the merger.
Rules 144 and 145 will restrict the sale of shares of Citizens & Northern common stock
received in the merger by affiliates and certain of their family members and related interests.
Citizens Affiliates. Generally, during the year following the effective date of the merger,
those persons who are affiliates of Citizens at the time of the Citizens special meeting, provided
they are not affiliates of Citizens & Northern at or following the mergers effective date, may
publicly resell any shares of Citizens & Northern common stock received by them in the merger,
subject to certain limitations and requirements. These include the amount of Citizens & Northern
common stock that may be sold by them in any three-month period, the manner of sale, and the
adequacy of current public information about Citizens & Northern.
After the one-year period, these affiliates may resell their shares without the restrictions,
so long as there is adequate current public information with respect to Citizens & Northern as
required by Rule 144.
Citizens & Northern Affiliates. Persons who are affiliates of Citizens & Northern after the
effective date of the merger may publicly resell the shares of Citizens & Northern common stock
received by them in the merger subject to the same limitations and requirements as apply to
Citizens affiliates in the first year and subject to certain filing requirements specified in Rule
144.
-62-
The ability of affiliates to resell shares of Citizens & Northern common stock received
in the merger under Rule 144 or Rule 145, as summarized herein, generally will be subject to
Citizens & Northerns having satisfied its public reporting requirements under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 for specified periods prior to the time of sale.
Affiliates also would be permitted to resell shares of Citizens & Northern common stock
received in the merger pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or
another available exemption from the Securities Act registration requirements.
This document does not cover any resales of shares of Citizens & Northern common stock
received by persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of Citizens & Northern or Citizens.
Each Citizens director, as an affiliate of Citizens, has agreed with Citizens & Northern not
to transfer any shares of Citizens & Northern common stock received in the merger except in
compliance with the Securities Act. See The Transaction-Voting Agreements at page 57.
Material Contracts
There have been no material contracts or other transactions between Citizens and Citizens &
Northern since signing the merger agreement, nor have there been any material contracts, arrangements, relationships or transactions between Citizens and Citizens & Northern during the
past five years, other than in connection with the merger agreement and as described in this
document.
Information about Citizens & Northern
General
Citizens & Northern Corporation is the registered bank holding company of Citizens & Northern
Bank and First State Bank. Citizens & Northern Bank is a Pennsylvania bank and trust company
operating 21 community bank offices throughout Tioga, Bradford, Sullivan and Lycoming Counties in
Pennsylvania. First State Bank is a New York State chartered bank and trust company providing
services through offices in Canisteo and South Hornell, New York.
Citizens & Northerns principal office is located in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. Its largest
subsidiary is Citizens & Northern Bank. Citizens & Northerns other wholly-owned subsidiaries are
Canisteo Valley Corporation, Citizens & Northern Investment Corporation and Bucktail Life Insurance
Company. Citizens & Northern Investment Corporation was formed in 1999 to engage in investment
activities. Bucktail reinsures credit and mortgage life and accident and health insurance on
behalf of Citizens & Northern Bank. Canisteo Valley Corporation is the intermediate holding company
of First State Bank.
-63-
Citizens & Northern and First State Bank provide an extensive range of banking services,
including deposit and loan products for personal and commercial customers. Citizens & Northern
Bank also maintains a trust division that provides a wide range of financial services, such as
401(k) plans, retirement planning, estate planning, estate settlements and asset management. In
January 2000, Citizens & Northern Bank formed a subsidiary, C&N Financial Services Corporation,
which provides insurance products and mutual funds, annuities, educational savings accounts and
other investment products.
At September 30, 2006, Citizens & Northern Bank had total assets of approximately $1.1
billion, total deposits of $720.4 million, net loans outstanding of $646.8 million and 334
full-time equivalent employees. At September 30, 2006, First State Bank had total assets of $44.6
million, total deposits of $36.9 million, net loans outstanding of $21.5 million and 20 full-time
equivalent employees.
At September 30, 2006, Citizens & Northern and its subsidiaries had total consolidated assets
of approximately $1.1 billion and total shareholders equity of approximately $130 million. For
the nine months ended September 30, 2006, Citizens & Northern s return on average assets
(annualized) was 1.09% and return on average common shareholders equity (annualized) was 9.45%.
As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission, this document
incorporates important business and financial information about Citizens & Northern that is not
included in or delivered with this document. See Where You Can Find More Information at page 76
and Incorporation by Reference at page 76.
Indemnification
The bylaws of Citizens & Northern provide for indemnification of its directors, officers,
employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, provided that the person seeking indemnification acted in good faith, in a manner he
or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of Citizens & Northern, and without willful
misconduct or recklessness. Citizens & Northern has purchased insurance to indemnify its
directors, officers, employees and agents under certain circumstances.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors, officers or persons controlling Citizens & Northern pursuant to the foregoing
provisions of Citizens & Northerns bylaws, Citizens & Northern has been informed that, in the
opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and is therefore unenforceable.
-64-
Description of Citizens & Northern Capital Stock
Authorized Capital Stock
Citizens & Northerns current authorized stock consists of 20,000,000 shares of common stock,
$1.00 par value per share. As of January 31, 2007, 8,300,059 shares of Citizens & Northern common
stock were outstanding.
Common Stock
Shareholder Liability. Under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, shareholders
generally are not personally liable for a corporations acts or debts.
Dividends; Liquidation; Dissolution. Holders of shares of Citizens & Northern common
stock are entitled to share ratably in dividends on shares of common stock if, as and when
authorized and declared by the Citizens & Northern board of directors out of funds legally
available for dividends. Holders of Citizens & Northern common stock are also entitled to share
ratably in the assets of Citizens & Northern legally available for distribution to its shareholders
in the event of its liquidation, dissolution or winding-up after payment of, or adequate provision
for, all known debts and liabilities of Citizens & Northern. Accordingly, Citizens & Northerns
right and the right of Citizens & Northerns creditors and shareholders, to participate in any
distribution of the assets or earnings of the subsidiary is necessarily subject to the principal
claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that Citizens & Northerns claims in
its capacity as a creditor may be recognized.
Voting Rights. Each outstanding share of Citizens & Northern common stock entitles
the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the election
of directors. Unless a larger vote is required by law, the Citizens & Northern articles of
incorporation or the Citizens & Northern bylaws, when a quorum is present at a meeting of
shareholders, a majority of the votes properly cast upon any question other than the election of
directors shall decide the question. A plurality of the votes properly cast for the election of a
person to serve as a director shall elect such person. Except as otherwise required by law, the
holders of Citizens & Northern common stock possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative
voting in the election of directors.
The Citizens & Northern board is classified into three categories with each category as nearly
equal in number as possible. This means, in general, that one-third of the members of the Citizens
& Northern board are subject to reelection at each annual meeting of shareholders.
Preemptive Rights; Redemption. Holders of Citizens & Northern common stock have no
conversion, sinking fund or redemption rights or preemptive rights to subscribe for any of Citizens
& Northern class of stock.
Registrar And Transfer Agent
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company is the transfer agent and registrar for the Citizens &
Northern common stock. Citizens & Northern Bank will be the exchange agent for the merger, working
with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
-65-
Anti-Takeover Provisions
Citizens & Northerns articles of incorporation and bylaws contain certain provisions that may
have the effect of deterring or discouraging an attempt to take control of Citizens & Northern.
Among other things, these provisions:
|
|
|
divide Citizens & Northerns board of directors into three classes serving
staggered three-year terms; |
|
|
|
|
do not permit shareholders actions without a meeting; |
|
|
|
|
eliminate cumulative voting in the election of directors; |
|
|
|
|
require advance notice of nominations for the election of directors and the
presentation of shareholder proposals at meetings of shareholders; |
|
|
|
|
permit Citizens & Northerns board of directors to consider the effects on
Citizens & Northerns employees, customers, depositors and communities it serves
when determining whether to oppose any tender offer for Citizens & Northern
outstanding common stock; |
|
|
|
|
require the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the votes that all shareholders
are entitled to cast to approve any merger, consolidation or dissolution unless such
action is approved in advance by the affirmative vote of 66 2/3% of the Citizens &
Northern board of directors; |
|
|
|
|
require that mergers and other similar transactions with a person or entity
holding more than 5% of Citizens & Northerns stock, be approved by the affirmative
vote of at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast by the remaining shareholders,
unless the transaction is approved, in advance, by at least 66 2/3% of the Citizens
& Northern directors elected prior to the time any such person became the owner of
more than 10% of Citizens & Northern common stock or elected by the remaining
shareholders; |
|
|
|
|
require that, following the acquisition by any person or group of 30% of Citizens
& Northern common stock, the remaining shareholders shall have the right to receive
payment for their shares, in cash, from such person or group, in an amount equal to
the fair value of the shares, including an increment representing a proportion of
any value payable for control, unless such acquisition was approved in advance by
66-2/3% or more of the board of directors; |
|
|
|
|
require an affirmative vote of at least 75% of the votes that all shareholders
are entitled to cast in order for the shareholders to repeal or amend Citizens &
Northerns bylaws; and |
|
|
|
|
require the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least 75% of the
votes entitled to be cast to approve the repeal or amendment of certain provisions
of Citizens & Northerns articles of incorporation. |
The Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended, also contains certain
provisions applicable to Citizens & Northern that may have the effect of deferring or discouraging
an attempt to take control of Citizens & Northern. These provisions, among other things:
|
|
|
require that, following any acquisition by any person or group of 20% of a public
corporations voting power, the remaining shareholders have the right to receive |
|
|
|
|
payment for their shares, in cash, from such person or group in an amount equal
to the fair value of the shares, including an increment representing a proportion
of any value |
-66-
|
|
|
payable for control of the corporation (Subchapter 25E of the Business
Corporation Law); |
|
|
|
|
prohibit for five years, subject to certain exceptions, a business combination
(which includes a merger or consolidation of the corporation or a sale, lease or
exchange of assets) with a person or group beneficially owning 20% or more of a
public corporations voting power (Subchapter 25F of the Business Corporation Law); |
|
|
|
|
prevent a person or group acquiring different levels of voting power (20%, 33%
and 50%) from voting any shares over the applicable threshold, unless disinterested
shareholders approve such voting rights (Subchapter 25G of the Business Corporation
Law); |
|
|
|
|
require any person or group that publicly announces that it may acquire control
of a corporation, or that acquires or publicly discloses an intent to acquire 20% or
more of the voting power of a corporation, to disgorge to the corporation any
profits that it receives from sales of the corporations equity securities purchased
over the prior 18 months (Subchapter 25H of the Business Corporation Law); |
|
|
|
|
expand the factors and groups (including shareholders) which a corporations
board of directors can consider in determining whether an action is in the best
interests of the corporation; |
|
|
|
|
provide that a corporations board of directors need not consider the interests
of any particular group as dominant or controlling; |
|
|
|
|
provide that a corporations directors, in order to satisfy the presumption that
they have acted in the best interests of the corporation, need not satisfy any
greater obligation or higher burden of proof with respect to actions relating to an
acquisition or potential acquisition of control; |
|
|
|
|
provide that actions relating to acquisitions of control that are approved by a
majority of disinterested directors are presumed to satisfy the directors
fiduciary duty, unless it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that the
directors did not assent to such action in good faith after reasonable
investigation; and |
|
|
|
|
provide that the fiduciary duty of a corporations directors is solely to the
corporation and may be enforced by the corporation or by a shareholder in a
derivative action, but not by a shareholder directly. |
The Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law also explicitly provides that the fiduciary duty of
directors does not require them to:
|
|
|
redeem any rights under, or to modify or render inapplicable, any shareholder
rights plan; |
|
|
|
|
render inapplicable, or make determinations under, provisions of the Pennsylvania
Business Corporation Law relating to control transactions, business combinations,
control-share acquisitions or disgorgement by certain controlling shareholders
following attempts to acquire control; or |
|
|
|
|
act as the board of directors, a committee of the board or an individual
director, solely because of the effect the action might have on an acquisition or
potential acquisition of control of the corporation or the consideration that might
be offered or paid to shareholders in such an acquisition. |
-67-
One effect of these provisions may be to make it more difficult for a shareholder to
successfully challenge the actions of Citizens & Northerns board of directors in a potential
change in control context. Pennsylvania case law appears to provide that the fiduciary duty
standard under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law grants directors the statutory authority
to reject or refuse to consider any potential or proposed acquisition of the corporation.
New Citizens & Northern Director
If the transaction is completed, Charles H. Updegraff, Jr. will serve as a Class I director of
Citizens & Northern with a term of office through Citizens & Northerns 2009 annual meeting of
shareholders.
The following table provides information, as of December 31, 2006, about Mr. Updegraff.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director of Citizens and |
|
Principal Occupation for the |
Name and Age |
|
Citizen Trust Company Since |
|
Past Five Years |
Charles H. Updegraff, Jr.,
|
|
|
1980 |
|
|
Chairman, President & CEO, |
54
|
|
|
|
|
|
Citizens Bancorp, Inc. and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Citizens Trust Company |
In 2006, Mr. Updegraff, as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, received
total compensation of $211,938 for all services rendered to Citizens and Citizens Trust Company,
which includes base salary, bonus, matching contributions to Citizens 401(k) plan, the value of
restricted stock awards and the imputed taxable income with respect to its group life insurance
coverage in excess of $50,000.
Mr. Updegraff is party to an employment agreement with Citizens that provides for his
employment as President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens. Citizens & Northern has expressly
agreed to assume the obligations of Citizens under such agreement, with the exception that Mr.
Updegraffs title shall be Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Citizens &
Northern Bank. See -Interests of Management and Others in the Transaction Assumption of
Updegraff Employment Agreement at page 57.
Information about Citizens
Business
Citizens Bancorp, Inc. was established in 1990 as a Pennsylvania business corporation and
registered as a bank holding company. Citizens Trust Company is Citizens sole wholly-owned
subsidiary. Citizens principal executive office is located at Citizens Trust Company, 10 North
Main Street, Coudersport, Pennsylvania 16915. Citizens functions primarily as the holder of all
of the outstanding common stock of Citizens Trust Company.
Citizens Trust Company is a Pennsylvania banking institution that was chartered in 1903.
Citizens Trust Company has three offices located in Coudersport, Port Allegany and Emporium,
-68-
Pennsylvania. Citizens Trust Company has thirty-one full time employees and five part time
employees. Citizens Trust Company engages in a full service commercial and consumer business.
Citizens is registered as a bank holding company and is subject to supervision and regulation
by the board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956.
As a bank holding company, Citizens activities and those of its bank subsidiary are limited to
the business of banking and activities closely related or incidental to banking. As a Pennsylvania
bank holding company, for purpose of the Pennsylvania Banking Code, Citizens is also subject to
regulation and examination by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking.
Citizens Trust Company is a Pennsylvania chartered bank. Its deposits are insured up to the
applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. It is subject to regulation and
examination by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and, to a much lesser extent, the Federal
Reserve board. It is also subject to requirements and restrictions under federal and state law,
including requirements to maintain reserves against deposits, restrictions on the types and amounts
of loans that the bank may grant and the interest that the bank may charge on those loans, and
limitations on the types of investments that the bank may make and the types of services that the
bank may offer.
At September 30, 2006, Citizens had total consolidated assets of approximately $142.7 million
and total shareholders equity of approximately $18.2 million. For the nine months ended September
30, 2006, Citizens return on average assets (annualized) was 0.99% and return on average common
shareholders equity (annualized) was 7.90%.
Security Ownership by Certain Beneficial Owners and Management of Citizens
As of January 31, 2007, a total of 1,016,824 shares of Citizens common stock were issued and
outstanding.
The following table sets forth, as of January 31, 2007 the name and address of each person who
owns of record or who is known by Citizens board of directors to be the beneficial owner of more
than 5 percent of Citizens outstanding common stock, the number of shares beneficially owned by
such person and the percentage of Citizens outstanding common stock so owned.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount and Nature of |
|
|
Name & Address |
|
Beneficial Ownership |
|
Percent of Class(1) |
Charles H. Updegraff, Jr. |
|
|
74,289 |
(4) |
|
|
7.28 |
% |
28 Prosser Hollow Road |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coudersport, PA 16915 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CEDE & Co (2) |
|
|
335,586 |
|
|
|
32.86 |
% |
PO Box 863 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bowling Green Station |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York, NY 10274 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Couporem and Company(3) |
|
|
133,520 |
|
|
|
13.13 |
% |
10 North Main Street |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coudersport, PA 16915 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Calculated based on 1,016,824 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. |
|
(2) |
|
CEDE & Co. is the record holder of the shares indicated in its capacity as nominee for various
beneficial owners. |
|
(3) |
|
Couporem and Company is the record holder of the shares as nominee for the Trust Department of
Citizens Trust Company, which holds the shares as fiduciary for certain trusts, estates and agency
accounts that beneficially own the shares. To the knowledge of Citizens, no beneficial owner of
shares of Citizens common stock held by the partnership owns more than 5% of such shares. The
number of shares reported as being beneficially owned by Couporem and Company includes the shares
that are reported as beneficially owned by the executive officers in this table and in the
following table through the Citizens 401(k) Plan. |
|
(4) |
|
Includes 70,996 shares held directly, 300 restricted shares held directly, 2,536 shares held
in the Companys 401(k) Plan and 457 shares held by Kimberly S. Regg-Updegraff, Mr. Updegraffs
spouse. Mr. Updegraff disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by his spouse. Does not
include the 132,982 shares held by Couporem and Company, of which Mr. Updegraff is one of three
partners. |
-69-
The following table sets forth, as of January 31, 2007, information with respect to the
shares of Citizens common stock beneficially owned by each director of Citizens, the Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Citizens, the Chief Financial Officer of Citizens, Citizens three most
highly compensated executive officers (other than the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Financial Officer), and the directors and executive officers of Citizens as a group:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount and nature of beneficial |
|
|
Name |
|
ownership |
|
Percent of Class(1) |
Charles H. Updegraff, Jr.
(Director and Chief Executive
Officer) |
|
|
74,289 |
(2) |
|
|
7.31 |
% |
P. Gregory Buchanan (Director) |
|
|
289 |
(3) |
|
|
* |
|
Joseph F. Costa (Director) |
|
|
17,000 |
|
|
|
1.67 |
% |
Harold L. Howard (Director) |
|
|
12,735 |
(4) |
|
|
1.25 |
% |
Mary C. Lewis (Director) |
|
|
106 |
|
|
|
* |
|
H. Donald Sestina (Director) |
|
|
1,793 |
(5) |
|
|
* |
|
Robert C. Smith (Director) |
|
|
1,497 |
(6) |
|
|
* |
|
Edwin H. Corey (Chief
Financial Officer) |
|
|
31,422 |
(7) |
|
|
3.09 |
% |
George M. Raup (Vice
President of Operations) |
|
|
7,225 |
(8) |
|
|
* |
|
Stan R. Dunsmore (Vice
President and Chief Lending
Officer) |
|
|
9,163 |
(9) |
|
|
* |
|
Justin F. Krellner (Vice
President and Trust Officer) |
|
|
4,724 |
(10) |
|
|
* |
|
All directors and executive
officers as a group (11 persons) |
|
|
160,243 |
|
|
|
15.76 |
% |
|
|
|
* |
|
Indicates ownership of less than 1%. |
|
(1) |
|
Calculated based on 1,016,824 shares of common stock outstanding. |
|
(2) |
|
Includes 70,996 shares held directly, 300 restricted shares held directly, 2,536 shares held
in the Companys 401(k) Plan and 457 shares held by Kimberly S. Regg-Updegraff, Mr. Updegraffs
spouse. Mr. Updegraff disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by his spouse. Does not
include the 132,982 shares held of record by Couporem and Company, of which Mr. Updegraff is one of
three partners. |
|
(3) |
|
Includes 183 shares held jointly with his spouse, and 106 shares held in his individual
capacity. |
|
(4) |
|
Includes 106 shares held in his individual capacity and 12,629 shares held jointly with his
children. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes 106 shares held in his individual capacity and 1,687 shares held jointly with
his spouse. |
|
(6) |
|
Includes 106 shares held in his individual capacity and 1,391 held jointly with his spouse. |
|
(7) |
|
Includes 181 shares held in his individual capacity, 90 restricted shares held directly, 6,251
shares held in Citizens 401(k) Plan, and 24,900 shares held by the Mary Ann Corey Trust. Does not
include the 132,982 shares held of record by Couporem and Company, of which Mr. Corey is one of
three partners. |
|
(8) |
|
Includes 285 shares held in his individual capacity, 90 restricted shares held directly, 3,657
shares held in Citizens 401(k) Plan and 3,193 shares held by the Raup Family Trust, of which Mr.
Raup is a trustee. |
|
(9) |
|
Includes 181 shares held in his individual capacity, 90 restricted shares held directly, 657
shares held jointly with his spouse and 8,235 shares held in Citizens 401(k) Plan. |
|
(10) |
|
Includes 45 shares held in his individual capacity, 90 restricted shares held directly, 234
shares held jointly with his spouse and 4,355 shares held in Citizens 401(k) Plan. Does not
include the 132,982 shares held of record by Couporem and Company, of which Mr. Krellner is one of
three partners. |
-70-
Comparison of Shareholders Rights
Upon completion of the transaction, the shareholders of Citizens will become shareholders of
Citizens & Northern. There are certain differences in the rights of shareholders of these two
companies. The rights of Citizens shareholders are presently governed by Pennsylvania law, the
Citizens articles of incorporation and the Citizens bylaws. As shareholders of Citizens & Northern
following the merger, the rights of former Citizens shareholders will be governed by Pennsylvania
law, the Citizens & Northern articles of incorporation and the Citizens & Northern bylaws. The
following discussion summarizes material differences between the rights of holders of Citizens
common stock and of Citizens & Northern common stock. This summary is not complete and we qualify
it in its entirety by reference to the Citizens articles of incorporation, the Citizens bylaws, the
Citizens & Northern articles of incorporation and the Citizens & Northern bylaws and the relevant
provisions of Pennsylvania law. You can obtain copies of the governing corporate instruments of
Citizens & Northern and Citizens, without charge, by following the instructions listed under Where
You Can Find More Information on page 76.
Special Meetings of Shareholders.
Citizens & Northern. Special meetings of Citizens & Northern shareholders may be called at
any time by its board of directors or by three or more shareholders owning in the aggregate an
amount not less than 20% its outstanding common stock.
Citizens. A special meeting of Citizens shareholders may be called at any time by its board
of directors or by shareholders entitled to cast at least 20% of the votes which all shareholders
are entitled to cast at the particular meeting.
Number of Directors.
Citizens & Northern. The Citizens & Northern articles of incorporation authorize no fewer
than five and no more than twenty-five persons to serve on its board of directors. Within these
limits, the number of directors, which is presently set at thirteen, is determined by resolution of
the board of directors or by the shareholders at the annual meeting. Vacancies may be filled by the
affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office. At times other than to fix the number
of directors to be elected at the annual meeting, the board of directors may increase the size of
the board, but only by one if the number of directors last elected by the shareholders was fifteen
or less; or by up to two if the number of directors last elected by shareholders was sixteen or
more, except that with the approval of at least 75% of the members of the entire board of
directors a larger increase in the number of directors may
be made. This provision of the Citizens & Northern articles of incorporation may be altered,
amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of (i) 66 2/3% of the Citizens & Northern board of
directors together with a majority vote of the outstanding shares of Citizens & Northern entitled
to vote or (ii) the vote of 75% of the outstanding shares of Citizens & Northern entitled to vote.
Citizens. The Citizens bylaws authorize no fewer than five and no more than twenty-five
persons to serve on its board of directors. Citizens presently has seven directors. The number of
directors may be increased or decreased by resolution of the board of directors. Vacancies and
newly
-71-
created directorships resulting from any such increase may be filled by a majority of the
directors then in office.
Composition of Board.
Citizens & Northern. The Citizens & Northern articles provide that its board of directors be
divided into three classes. Each class is to be as nearly equal in number as possible. The term of
office of each class of Citizens & Northerns directors is three years.
Citizens. The Citizens bylaws provide that the board of directors be classified into three
classes, each class to be elected for a term of three years. The number of directors in each class
may be fixed by the board of directors.
Qualification of Directors.
Citizens & Northern. The bylaws of Citizens & Northern provide that no person who attains the
age of 68 years prior to the date of a regular annual meeting of shareholders shall be eligible to
be nominated to be elected as a member of the board of directors at such meeting.
Citizens. The Citizens bylaws provide that no person who is an employee of Citizens, except
the chairman of the board or president, shall be eligible to serve as a director after retiring as
an employee. Additionally, no person over the age of 72 as of the date of the annual meeting of
shareholders shall be eligible to stand for election to the board of directors.
Shareholder Nominations of Directors.
Citizens & Northern. The Citizens & Northern articles of incorporation provide that its
shareholders must submit nominations for directors in writing not less than 14 days or more than 50
days prior to any meeting for the election of directors (unless less than 21 days notice of the
meeting is given to shareholders, in which case such nominations must be submitted with 7 days
following the mailing of the notice to shareholders). Shareholders submitting nominations must
also supply certain information regarding the identity and background of the proposed nominee.
Citizens. Neither the Citizens bylaws nor the Citizens articles of incorporation provide for
the nomination of directors by shareholders.
Election of Directors.
Citizens & Northern. The Citizens & Northern articles of incorporation eliminate cumulative
voting rights for the election of directors.
Citizens. Shareholders of Citizens have the right to cumulate their votes in the election of
directors, entitling shareholders to multiply the number of votes to which the shareholder may be
-72-
entitled to vote by the number of directors to be elected and to cast the whole number of votes for
one candidate or distribute then among two or more candidates.
Shareholder Vote Required for Certain Fundamental Transactions.
Citizens & Northern. The affirmative vote of Citizens & Northern shareholders entitled to
cast 75% of the votes that all shareholders are entitled to cast is required to approve:
|
|
|
any merger or consolidation of Citizens & Northern with or into
any other corporation; |
|
|
|
|
any share exchange in which a corporation, person, or entity
acquires the issued or outstanding shares of common stock of
Citizens & Northern pursuant to a vote of shareholders; |
|
|
|
|
any lease exchange or other transfer of all, or substantially all,
of the assets of Citizens & Northern to any other corporation,
person, or entity; or |
|
|
|
|
any transaction similar to, or having similar effect as, any of
the foregoing transactions. |
The foregoing voting requirements, however, do not apply to any transaction that is approved by 66
2/3% of the directors in advance at a meeting of the board of directors duly held for such specific
purpose.
Citizens. Citizens articles of incorporation do not contain any super majority voting
requirements in order to approve any merger, consolidation, share exchange, asset sale or other
similar transaction. Accordingly, the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast, in person
or by proxy, of a meeting of shareholders is sufficient to approve such a transaction.
Control Share Transactions.
Citizens & Northern. The Citizens & Northern articles of incorporation require that if any
person or group acquires 30% or more of the voting control of Citizens & Northern, the remaining
shareholders may demand from such person or group the fair value of their shares, including an
increment representing a proportion of any control premium, unless such acquisition is approved in
advance by 66 2/3% or more of the board of directors.
Citizens. Neither the Citizens articles of incorporation nor its bylaws contain any provision
restricting or otherwise relating to any control share transaction.
Amendment of Articles of Incorporation.
Citizens & Northern. Under Pennsylvania law, any amendment to the Citizens & Northern
articles of incorporation requires the approval of a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders
entitled to vote. However, certain provisions of the Citizens & Northern articles, including those
concerning the number and classification of directors, approval of certain transactions and
amendment of the bylaws, may not be amended unless approved by either the affirmative vote of
shareholders
-73-
entitled to cast 75% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon or the affirmative vote
of 66 2/3% of the directors and a majority of the votes that all shareholders are entitled to case.
Citizens. Under Pennsylvania law, any amendment to the Citizens articles of incorporation
requires the approval of a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders entitled to vote.
Amendment of Bylaws.
Citizens & Northern. The Citizens & Northern bylaws may be amended either by its board of
directors or by the affirmative vote of 75% of the votes that all shareholders are entitled to
cast, except that the by-laws may not be amended to increase the directors exposure to liability
or decrease the
indemnification available for its directors, officers and others except by the affirmative vote of
75% of the entire board of directors or by the affirmative vote of shareholders of common stock
entitled to cast 75% of the votes that all shareholders are entitled to cast.
Citizens. The Citizens bylaws may be amended by majority vote of the shareholders or, with
respect to matters not expressly committed to shareholders, majority of the board of directors.
Anti-takeover Provisions
Citizens & Northern. Citizens & Northern is subject to all of the provisions of the
Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988 that are applicable to a corporation that has a class
of equity securities registered under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, unless the
corporation opts out of such provisions in its articles of incorporation. The relevant
provisions are contained in Subchapters 25E-J of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988.
Citizens & Northern has not opted out of any of these provisions. In addition, certain provisions
of the Citizens & Northern articles of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of deterring or
discouraging, among other things, a nonnegotiated tender or exchange offer for Citizens & Northern
stock, a proxy contest for control of Citizens & Northern, the assumption of control of Citizens &
Northern by a holder of a large block of Citizens & Northern stock and the removal of Citizens &
Northern management. See Description of Citizens & Northern Capital Stock Anti-Takeover
Provisions on page 66.
Citizens. Citizens is not subject to the provisions of Subchapters 25E-J of the Pennsylvania
Business Corporation Law of 1988.
Other Matters
As of the date of this document, the Citizens board knows of no matters that will be presented
for consideration at the Citizens meeting other than as described in this document. If any other
matters shall properly come before the meeting and be voted upon, your properly executed proxy card
will be
deemed to confer discretionary authority on the individuals named as proxies therein to vote the
shares represented by such proxies as to any such matters in accordance with their own judgment.
-74-
No person is authorized to give any information or make any representation other than those
contained or incorporated by reference in this document, and, if given or made, such information or
representation should not be relied upon as having been authorized by Citizens & Northern or
Citizens.
This does not constitute an offer to exchange or sell, or a solicitation of an offer to
exchange or purchase, the Citizens & Northern common stock offered by this document, nor does it
constitute the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is
not authorized or to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.
The information contained in this document speaks as of the date hereof unless otherwise
specifically indicated. The delivery of this document shall not, under any circumstances, create
any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of Citizens & Northern or Citizens
since the date of this document or that the information in this document or in the documents
incorporated by reference in this document is correct at any time subsequent to that date.
Legal Matters
Rhoads & Sinon LLP will deliver to Citizens & Northern and Citizens an opinion regarding the
validity of the Citizens & Northern common stock to be issued in the transaction, as well as
certain federal income tax consequences of the transaction.
Experts
The consolidated financial statements of Citizens & Northern for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 2005 and managements assessment of the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005 of Citizens & Northern have been
audited by Parente Randolph LLC, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in
their reports included in Citizens & Northerns annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2005 and incorporated into this document by reference in reliance upon such reports
given upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Shareholder Proposals
Because Citizens & Northern and Citizens anticipate that the transaction will be completed
during the second quarter of 2007, Citizens does not intend to hold a 2007 annual meeting of
Citizens shareholders. In the event the transaction is not completed and such a meeting is held, to
be eligible for inclusion in Citizens proxy statement related to such a meeting, shareholder
proposals must be received by Citizens within a reasonable time after Citizens publicly announces
the date of the meeting and within a reasonable time before Citizens mails its proxy statement to
shareholders.
-75-
Where You Can Find More Information
Citizens
& Northern filed a registration statement on Form S-4 on
February 12, 2007 to
register with the Securities and Exchange Commission its shares of common stock to be issued to
Citizens shareholders in the merger transaction. This document is part of that registration
statement and constitutes a prospectus of Citizens & Northern in addition to being a proxy
statement of Citizens for the special meeting. As permitted by SEC rules, this document does not
contain all of the information you can find in the registration statement or the exhibits to the
registration statement.
Citizens & Northern files annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any reports,
statements or other information filed by Citizens & Northern at the Securities and Exchange
Commissions public reference room at the following location:
Public Reference Room
100 F Street, N.E.
Room 1580
Washington, DC 20549
Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information
on the operation of the public reference room. Securities and Exchange Commission filings by
Citizens & Northern are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services
and at the web site maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov.
Incorporation by Reference
The Securities and Exchange Commission allows Citizens & Northern to incorporate by
reference information into this document, which means that we can disclose important information
to you by referring you to other information that has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this document,
except for any information superseded by information contained in subsequent incorporated filings
or by information in this document.
This document incorporates by reference the Citizens & Northern documents set forth below that
Citizens & Northern previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents
contain important information about Citizens & Northern. You should read this document together
with the information incorporated by reference.
Documents filed by Citizens & Northern (SEC File No. 000-16084):
|
|
|
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005; |
|
|
|
|
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2006, June
30, 2006 and September 30, 2006; |
-76-
|
|
|
Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC January 13, 2006, April 12,
2006, May 19, 2006, June 22, 2006, July 12, 2006, August 25, 2006, October 12,
2006, December 21, 2006 and January 12, 2007; and |
|
|
|
|
The description of the Citizens & Northern common stock set forth in Citizens
& Northerns Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and any amendments
or reports filed under the Exchange Act for the purpose of updating such
description. |
Citizens & Northern is also incorporating by reference additional documents that it files with
the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act from the date of this document and adjournment of the Citizens special meeting. Any
statement contained in a document that is incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified
or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement contained in this document (or in any
other document that is subsequently filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference) modifies or
is contrary to that previous statement.
These documents may be obtained as explained above; see Where You Can Find More Information
at page 76, or you may request a free copy of any or all of these documents, including exhibits
that are specifically incorporated by reference into these documents, by writing to or calling
Citizens & Northern at the following address or telephone number:
Citizens & Northern Corporation
90-92 Main Street
Wellsboro, PA 16901
Attention: Mark A. Hughes, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Phone No.: (570) 724-3411
If you would like to request documents, please do so by
, 2007 to receive the
documents before the Citizens special meeting.
All information contained or incorporated by reference in this document relating to Citizens &
Northern and its subsidiaries has been supplied by Citizens & Northern. Citizens supplied all of
the information contained or referenced in this document relating to Citizens.
-77-
ANNEX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
between
CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION
and
CITIZENS BANCORP, INC.
December 21, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
BACKGROUND |
|
|
A-1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
AGREEMENT |
|
|
A-1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE I THE MERGERS |
|
|
A-1 |
|
Section 1.01 Definitions |
|
|
A-1 |
|
Section 1.02 The Merger |
|
|
A-7 |
|
Section 1.03 The Bank Merger |
|
|
A-13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE II REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CITIZENS |
|
|
A-13 |
|
Section 2.01 Organization |
|
|
A-13 |
|
Section 2.02 Capitalization |
|
|
A-14 |
|
Section 2.03 Authority; No Violation |
|
|
A-14 |
|
Section 2.04 Consents |
|
|
A-15 |
|
Section 2.05 Financial Statements |
|
|
A-15 |
|
Section 2.06 Taxes |
|
|
A-15 |
|
Section 2.07 No Material Adverse Effect |
|
|
A-16 |
|
Section 2.08 Contracts |
|
|
A-16 |
|
Section 2.09 Ownership of Property; Insurance Coverage |
|
|
A-16 |
|
Section 2.10 Legal Proceedings |
|
|
A-17 |
|
Section 2.11 Compliance With Applicable Law |
|
|
A-17 |
|
Section 2.12 ERISA |
|
|
A-17 |
|
Section 2.13 Brokers, Finders and Financial Advisors; Fairness Opinion |
|
|
A-18 |
|
Section 2.14 Environmental Matters |
|
|
A-18 |
|
Section 2.15 Allowance for Losses |
|
|
A-18 |
|
Section 2.16 Information to be Supplied |
|
|
A-19 |
|
Section 2.17 Related Party Transactions |
|
|
A-19 |
|
Section 2.18 Schedule of Termination Benefits |
|
|
A-19 |
|
Section 2.19 Loans |
|
|
A-19 |
|
Section 2.20 Takeover Laws |
|
|
A-19 |
|
Section 2.21 Labor and Employment Matters |
|
|
A-20 |
|
Section 2.22 CRA, Anti-Money Laundering
and Customer Information Security |
|
|
A-20 |
|
Section 2.23 Non-Registration Under the Exchange Act and
the Securities Act |
|
|
A-20 |
|
Section 2.24 Regulatory Capital |
|
|
A-20 |
|
Section 2.25 Quality of Representations |
|
|
A-20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF C&N |
|
|
A-20 |
|
Section 3.01 Organization |
|
|
A-20 |
|
Section 3.02 Capital Structure |
|
|
A-21 |
|
Section 3.03 Authority; No Violation |
|
|
A-21 |
|
Section 3.04 Consents |
|
|
A-22 |
|
Section 3.05 Financial Statements |
|
|
A-22 |
|
Section 3.06 Taxes |
|
|
A-22 |
|
Section 3.07 No Material Adverse Effect |
|
|
A-23 |
|
Section 3.08 Ownership of Property; Insurance Coverage |
|
|
A-23 |
|
Section 3.09 Legal Proceedings |
|
|
A-23 |
|
Section 3.10 Compliance With Applicable Law |
|
|
A-23 |
|
Section 3.11 ERISA |
|
|
A-23 |
|
Section 3.12 Brokers, Finders and Financial Advisors |
|
|
A-24 |
|
Section 3.13 Environmental Matters |
|
|
A-24 |
|
Section 3.14 Allowance for Losses |
|
|
A-24 |
|
Section 3.15 Information to be Supplied |
|
|
A-24 |
|
Section 3.16 Related Party Transactions |
|
|
A-24 |
|
Section 3.17 Loans |
|
|
A-24 |
|
-A-i-
|
|
|
|
|
Section 3.18 CRA, Anti-Money Laundering
and Customer Information Security |
|
|
A-25 |
|
Section 3.19 Securities Documents |
|
|
A-25 |
|
Section 3.20 Regulatory Capital |
|
|
A-25 |
|
Section 3.21 Financing |
|
|
A-25 |
|
Section 3.22 Tax Matters |
|
|
A-25 |
|
Section 3.23 Quality of Representations |
|
|
A-25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE IV COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES |
|
|
A-25 |
|
Section 4.01 Conduct of Citizens Business |
|
|
A-25 |
|
Section 4.02 Access; Confidentiality |
|
|
A-27 |
|
Section 4.03 Regulatory Matters and Consents |
|
|
A-28 |
|
Section 4.04 Taking of Necessary Action |
|
|
A-28 |
|
Section 4.05 Certain Agreements |
|
|
A-28 |
|
Section 4.06 No Other Bids and Related Matters |
|
|
A-29 |
|
Section 4.07 Duty to Advise; Duty to Update Disclosure Schedule |
|
|
A-30 |
|
Section 4.08 Conduct of C&Ns Business |
|
|
A-30 |
|
Section 4.09 Current Information |
|
|
A-30 |
|
Section 4.10 Undertakings by C&N and Citizens |
|
|
A-30 |
|
Section 4.11 Employee Benefits and Termination Benefits |
|
|
A-33 |
|
Section 4.12 Citizens Division; Advisory Board |
|
|
A-34 |
|
Section 4.13 Affiliate Letter |
|
|
A-34 |
|
Section 4.14 Nasdaq Listing |
|
|
A-34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE V CONDITIONS |
|
|
A-34 |
|
Section 5.01 Conditions to Citizens Obligations under this Agreement |
|
|
A-34 |
|
Section 5.02 Conditions to C&Ns Obligations under this Agreement |
|
|
A-35 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VI TERMINATION, WAIVER AND AMENDMENT |
|
|
A-36 |
|
Section 6.01 Termination |
|
|
A-36 |
|
Section 6.02 Effect of Termination |
|
|
A-38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS |
|
|
A-38 |
|
Section 7.01 Expenses and Other Fees |
|
|
A-38 |
|
Section 7.02 Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties |
|
|
A-39 |
|
Section 7.03 Amendment, Extension and Waiver |
|
|
A-39 |
|
Section 7.04 Entire Agreement |
|
|
A-39 |
|
Section 7.05 No Assignment |
|
|
A-39 |
|
Section 7.06 Notices |
|
|
A-39 |
|
Section 7.07 Captions |
|
|
A-40 |
|
Section 7.08 Counterparts |
|
|
A-40 |
|
Section 7.09 Severability |
|
|
A-40 |
|
Section 7.10 Governing Law |
|
|
A-40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXHIBITS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit 1 Form of Bank Plan of Merger |
|
|
|
|
Exhibit 2 Form of Affiliate Letter |
|
|
|
|
Exhibit 3 Form of Tax Opinion |
|
|
|
|
Exhibit 4 Form of Opinion of C&N Counsel |
|
|
|
|
Exhibit 5 Form of Opinion of Citizens Counsel |
|
|
|
|
Exhibit 6 Index Group |
|
|
|
|
-A-ii-
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of December 21, 2006, is made by and between
CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION (C&N), a Pennsylvania corporation having its principal place of
business in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, and CITIZENS BANCORP, INC. (Citizens), a Pennsylvania
corporation having its principal place of business in Coudersport, Pennsylvania.
BACKGROUND
1. C&N and Citizens desire for Citizens to merge with and into C&N, with C&N surviving such
merger, in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the plan of merger set
forth herein.
2. The respective Boards of Directors of C&N and Citizens have each approved this Agreement
(as hereinafter defined) and the Merger (as hereinafter defined) in accordance with their
respective articles of incorporation and bylaws and the provisions of the Pennsylvania Business
Corporation Law of 1988, as amended (the BCL) and determined that the Merger is advisable.
3. Simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the directors and
executive officers of Citizens are executing and delivering to C&N a Letter Agreement in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit 2.
4. It is the intention of the parties to this Agreement that the Merger provided for herein be
treated as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
5. Concurrently with the Merger, the Parties desire to merge Citizens Trust Company (CTC), a
Pennsylvania bank and trust company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens, with and into Citizens
& Northern Bank (C&N Bank), a Pennsylvania bank and trust company and wholly-owned subsidiary of
C&N, with C&N Bank surviving such merger in accordance with the Bank Plan of Merger (as hereinafter
defined).
3. C&N and Citizens desire to provide the terms and conditions governing the transactions
contemplated herein.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants, agreements,
representations and warranties herein contained, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound,
do hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGERS
Section 1.01 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have
the indicated meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural
forms of the terms defined):
Acquisition Proposal shall have the meaning given to that
term in Section 4.06 of this Agreement.
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other
Person who directly, or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common
control with, such Person and, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, includes any executive officer or director of such Person.
A-1
Agreement means this Agreement and Plan of Merger,
together with the exhibits referenced herein, and any amendment or
supplement hereto.
Applications means the applications for regulatory
approval which are required in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby.
Articles of Merger means the articles of merger to be
executed by C&N and Citizens and to be filed in the PDS in accordance
with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Average Closing Price means the average of the C&N Market
Prices for each of the twenty (20) trading days during the
Determination Period (as defined in Section 6.01(d)(iii)).
BHC Act means the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as
amended.
Bank Merger means the merger of CTC with and into C&N
Bank, with C&N Bank surviving the merger, as contemplated by Section
1.03 of this Agreement.
Bank Plan of Merger means the plan of merger to be
entered into between CTC and C&N Bank pursuant to this Agreement,
providing for the merger of CTC with and into C&N Bank, with C&N Bank
surviving such merger, substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit 1.
BCL shall have the meaning given to that term in the
Background section of this Agreement.
Business Day means any day on which banks are not
required or authorized to close in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
C&N shall have the meaning given to that term in the
introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
C&N Bank shall have the meaning given to that term in the
Background section of this Agreement.
C&N Common Stock shall have the meaning given to that
term in Section 3.02(a) of this Agreement.
C&N Disclosure Schedule means a disclosure schedule
delivered by C&N to Citizens pursuant to this Agreement.
C&N Financials means (i) the annual audited consolidated
financial statements of C&N as of December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 and
for each of the years then ended, including the notes thereto, and any
audited consolidated financial statements, including the notes
thereto, for any subsequent calendar year, and (ii) the unaudited
interim consolidated financial statements, including the notes
thereto, of C&N as of each calendar quarter thereafter, in each case
under (i) or (ii) as included in Securities Documents filed by C&N.
C&N Market Price means, as of any date, the closing sale
price for a share of C&N Common Stock, as reported on the Nasdaq
Capital Market.
C&N Regulatory Reports means the reports and accompanying
schedules of C&N or C&N Bank, as the case may be, filed with any
Regulatory Authority for each applicable period from December 31, 2005
through the Closing Date.
C&N Subsidiaries means the Subsidiaries of C&N, including
C&N Bank.
A-2
Cash Consideration shall have the meaning given to that
term in Section 1.02(e)(iii)(B)
Cash Election means an election to receive the Cash
Consideration with respect to all of a holders shares of Citizens
Common Stock.
Cash Election Shares means, subject to the allocation
rules set forth in Section 1.02(h), shares of Citizens Common Stock
that are to be converted into the right to receive the Cash
Consideration.
Citizens shall have the meaning given to that term in the
introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Citizens Certificates shall have the meaning given to
that term in Section 1.02(f).
Citizens Common Stock means the common stock of Citizens
described in Section 2.02(a).
Citizens Disclosure Schedule means a disclosure schedule
delivered by Citizens to C&N pursuant to this Agreement.
Citizens ERISA Affiliate shall have the meaning given to
that term in Section 2.12.
Citizens Financials means (i) the annual audited
financial statements of Citizens as of December 31, 2005, 2004 and
2003, and for each of the years then ended, including the notes
thereto, and any audited financial statements, including the notes
thereto, for any subsequent calendar year, and (ii) the unaudited
interim financial statements, including the notes thereof, of Citizens
as of each calendar quarter thereafter.
Citizens Regulatory Reports means the reports, and
accompanying schedules, of Citizens or CTC, as the case may be, filed
with any Regulatory Authority for each applicable period from December
31, 2005 through the Closing Date.
Closing Date means the date designated as the Closing
Date by the Parties which shall be not later than twenty (20) days
after the last condition precedent (other than the delivery of
certificates or other instruments or documents to be delivered at
closing) pursuant to this Agreement has been fulfilled or waived
(including the expiration of any applicable waiting period), or such
other date upon which C&N and Citizens shall agree.
CRA means the Community Reinvestment Act.
CTC shall have the meaning given to that term in the
Background section of this Agreement.
Disclosure Schedule means the C&N Disclosure Schedule
and/or the Citizens Disclosure Schedule, as the context shall require.
Dissenting Citizens Shares shall have the meaning given
to that term in Section 1.02(e)(v).
Effective Date means the date specified in the Articles
of Merger which may be the same as the Closing Date.
Effective Time means the time specified in the Articles
of Merger for the effectiveness of the Merger, or, if no time is
specified, the time of filing the Articles of Merger.
A-3
Election means a Cash Election, Stock Election and/or
Mixed Election, as the context shall require.
Election Deadline means a date to be established by C&N
as the date by which holders of Citizens Common Stock must submit to
the Exchange Agent an Election Form in order to make a timely
Election.
Election Form means a form to be delivered to holders of
Citizens Common Stock by the Exchange Agent pursuant to Section
1.02(f) by which holders of Citizens Common Stock may make an Election
with respect to the Merger Consideration.
Environmental Law means any Law relating to (i) the
protection, preservation or restoration of the environment (including,
without limitation, air, water vapor, surface water, groundwater,
drinking water supply, surface soil, subsurface soil, plant and animal
life or any other natural resource), and/or (ii) the use, storage,
recycling, treatment, generation, transportation, processing,
handling, labeling, production, release or disposal of any substance
presently listed, defined, designated or classified as hazardous,
toxic, radioactive or dangerous, whether by type or by quantity,
including any material containing any such substance as a component.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated from time to
time thereunder.
Exchange Agent shall have the meaning given that term in
Section 1.02(i)(i).
Exchange Fund shall have the meaning given that term in
Section 1.02(i)(ii).
FDIA means the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended.
FDIC means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
FLSA means the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
Federal Reserve Board means the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles as in
effect at the relevant date.
IRC means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
IRS means the Internal Revenue Service.
Knowledge of C&N means the actual knowledge of any
executive officer or director of C&N or C&N Bank.
Knowledge of Citizens means the actual knowledge of any
executive officer or director of Citizens or CTC.
Labor and Employment Law means any Law relating to (i)
employment discrimination or affirmative action, (ii) labor relations,
(iii) employee compensation or benefits, (iv) safety and health, (v)
wrongful or retaliatory discharge, and/or (vi) any other aspect of
the employment relationship. Such laws shall include, but not be
limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities
Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act,
A-4
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Occupational Safety
and Health Act,
the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Fair Credit Collection Act, the
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, Executive Order
11246, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Equal Pay Act, the
National Labor Relations Act, the Older Worker Benefit Protection Act,
the Rehabilitation Act, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment
Assistance Act, as well as any and all state fair employment practices
laws, any and all state labor relations laws, any and all state wage
and hour laws, any and all state wage payment and collection laws, any
and all state statutes regarding wrongful or retaliatory discharge, and
federal and state common law regarding employment discrimination or
affirmative action, labor relations, employee compensation or benefits,
safety and health and/or wrongful or retaliatory discharge and/or
related tort claims.
Law shall mean any law (including common law),
constitution statute, treaty, regulation, rule, ordinance, opinion,
ruling, order, injunction, writ, decree or award of any national,
federal, state, local or other government or political subdivision or
any agency, authority, bureau, commission, department or
instrumentality thereof, or of any court, tribunal or arbitrator, or
any agreement with any Regulatory Authority.
Letter Agreement has the meaning given that term in
Section 4.13 of this Agreement.
Material Adverse Effect shall mean, with respect to any
Party or a referenced Subsidiary of a Party, any effect that is
material and adverse to its assets, financial condition or results of
operations on a consolidated basis; provided, however, that Material
Adverse Effect shall not be deemed to include: (a) any change in the
value of the respective investment and loan portfolios of a Party
resulting from a change in interest rates generally; (b) any change
occurring after the date hereof in any Law or in GAAP applicable to
financial institutions generally; (c) reasonable expenses (plus
reasonable legal fees, costs and expenses relating to any litigation
arising as a result of the Merger) incurred in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; (d) actions or
omissions of a Party (or any of its Subsidiaries) that are
specifically contemplated hereby or are taken with the prior informed
written consent of the other Party in contemplation of the
transactions contemplated hereby; (e) any effect with respect to a
Party hereto caused, in whole or in substantial part, by the other
Party; (f) any effect relating to the announcement of this Agreement;
and (g) changes in economic conditions affecting financial
institutions generally, except to the extent such changes
disproportionately affect a Party.
Merger means the merger of Citizens with and into C&N,
with C&N surviving such Merger, as contemplated by this Agreement.
Merger Consideration means the Cash Consideration, or the
Stock Consideration, as applicable.
Mixed Election shall have the meaning given to that term
in Section 1.02(f)(iii).
Nasdaq Capital Market means the Capital Market tier of
the Nasdaq Stock Market, operated by Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
No Election Shares shall have the meaning given to that
term in Section 1.02(f).
Party means C&N, or Citizens, as the context shall
require.
PDB means the Department of Banking of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
PDS means the Department of State of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
A-5
Person means any individual, corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, limited liability partnership, joint
venture, association, trust or group (as that term is defined in
Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act).
Prospectus/Proxy Statement means the prospectus/proxy
statement, together with any supplements thereto, to be included in
the Registration Statement and transmitted to holders of Citizens
Common Stock in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
Reallocated Cash Shares shall have the meaning given to
that term in Section 1.02(h)(i)(B).
Reallocated Stock Shares shall have the meaning given to
that term in Section 1.02(h)(ii)(B).
Registration Statement means the registration statement
on Form S-4, including any pre-effective or post-effective amendments
or supplements thereto, as filed with the SEC under the Securities Act
with respect to the C&N Common Stock to be issued in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Regulatory Agreement shall have the meaning given to that
term in Sections 2.11(b) and 3.09(b).
Regulatory Authority means any banking agency or
department of any federal or state government, including without
limitation the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC, the PDB or the
respective staffs thereof.
Rights means any subscription, option, warrant, call,
commitment, agreement or other rights, convertible securities or other
capital stock equivalents which obligate an entity to issue its
securities, of any character, relating to the purchase, sale or
issuance or voting of, or right to receive dividends or other
distributions on any security of an entity or any other securities
representing the right to vote, purchase or otherwise receive any shares of any security of an entity.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated from time to time
thereunder.
Securities Documents means all registration statements,
schedules, statements, forms, reports, proxy materials, and other
documents required to be filed under the Securities Laws.
Securities Laws means the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations promulgated from time to time
thereunder.
Stock Consideration shall have the meaning given that
term in Section 1.02(e)(iii)(A).
Stock Election means an election to receive the Stock
Consideration with respect to all of a holders shares of Citizens
Common Stock.
Stock Election Shares means, subject to the allocation
rules set forth in Section 1.02(h), shares of Citizens Common Stock to
be converted into the right to receive the Stock Consideration.
A-6
Subsidiary means any corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, business trust, other association or joint venture,
50% or more of the capital stock or equity interests of which is
owned, either directly or indirectly, by another entity, except any
association the stock of which is held in the ordinary course of the
lending activities of a bank.
Surviving Corporation shall have the meaning given that
term in Section 1.02(b)(i) of this Agreement.
Section 1.02 The Merger.
(a) Closing. The closing will take place at the offices of Rhoads & Sinon LLP,
counsel to C&N, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on the Closing Date or at such other place, and at
such time, as are agreed to by the Parties; provided, in any case, that all conditions to closing
set forth in Article V (other than the delivery of certificates, opinions and other instruments and
documents to be delivered at the closing) have been satisfied or waived at or prior to the Closing
Date. On the Closing Date, C&N and Citizens shall cause the Articles of Merger to be duly executed
and filed with the PDS.
(b) The Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the
Effective Time: Citizens shall merge with and into C&N; the separate existence of Citizens shall
cease; C&N shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger (C&N, as the surviving corporation in
the Merger, is sometimes referred to herein as the Surviving Corporation); and all of the
property (real, personal and mixed), rights, powers and duties and obligations of Citizens shall be
taken and deemed to be transferred to and vested in C&N, as the Surviving Corporation in the
Merger, without further act or deed; all debts, liabilities and duties of each of Citizens and C&N
shall thereafter be the responsibility of C&N, all in accordance with the applicable Laws.
(c) C&Ns Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. At and after the Effective Time, the
articles of incorporation and the bylaws of C&N, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time, shall automatically be and remain the articles of incorporation and bylaws of C&N, as the
Surviving Corporation in the Merger, until thereafter altered, amended or repealed.
(d) Board of Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation.
(i) At the Effective Time, the board of directors of C&N, as the
Surviving Corporation, shall consist of each person holding such
office of C&N immediately prior to the Effective Time. C&N shall take
all actions necessary to cause Charles H. Updegraff, Jr. (the
Citizens Designee) to become a member of the board of directors of
the Surviving Corporation immediately after the Effective Time, as a
Class I Director with a term of office through C&Ns 2009 annual
meeting of shareholders. The Citizens Designee shall thereafter hold
office for the term to which he is appointed and until his successor
is elected and qualified or otherwise in accordance with applicable
law and the articles of incorporation and bylaws of C&N. C&N agrees
to re-nominate the Citizens Designee for at least one full three-year
term after the expiration of his initial term, provided the Citizens
Designee continues to meet the eligibility requirements for directors
of C&N imposed by any Regulatory Authority and C&Ns bylaws and absent
a finding by a court of competent jurisdiction of a breach of such
persons fiduciary duty to C&N,
(ii) The officers of C&N duly elected and holding office
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to be the
officers of C&N as the Surviving Corporation immediately after the
Effective Time.
(iii) On the effective date of the Bank Merger, the board of
directors of C&N Bank, as the surviving institution in the Bank
Merger, shall consist of (A) those persons holding such office of C&N
Bank immediately prior to such Effective Date and (B) the Citizens
Designee. C&N shall cause the Citizens Designee to be appointed as a
director of C&N Bank effective as of the Effective Date of the Bank
Merger and, provided such person continues to be employed by C&N Bank
and continues to satisfy the requirements of C&N Banks bylaws and
absent finding by a court of competent jurisdiction of a breach
A-7
of such directors fiduciary duty to C&N Bank, to be nominated and
recommended by the board of directors of C&N to serve no less than two
(2) successive one (1) year terms as a director of C&N Bank and to
hold office for the term to which he is appointed and until his
successor has been duly elected and qualified or otherwise in
accordance with applicable law and the articles of incorporation and
bylaws of C&N Bank.
(iv) On the effective date of the Bank Merger, the officers of
C&N Bank duly elected and holding office immediately prior to such
effective date shall continue to
be the officers of C&N Bank as the surviving institution in the Bank
Merger and Charles H. Updegraff, Jr. shall be appointed as an
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of C&N Bank,
pursuant to an Addendum to Employment Agreement executed concurrently
with this Agreement and effective as of the Effective Date.
(e) Effect on Shares. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any
action on the part of C&N, Citizens or the holders of any of the following securities, the
following shall occur:
(i) Outstanding C&N Common Stock. Each share of C&N Common Stock
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall
continue to be issued and outstanding as an identical share of C&N
Common Stock, except that shares of C&N Common Stock owned by Citizens
(other than shares held in trust, managed, custodial or nominee
accounts and the like that in any such case are beneficially owned by
third parties and shares acquired in respect of debts previously
contracted) shall become treasury stock of C&N.
(ii) Cancellation of Certain Common Stock. Each share of
Citizens Common Stock that is owned by C&N, by Citizens as treasury shares, or by any of their respective Subsidiaries (other than shares
that are held in trust, managed, custodial or nominee accounts and the
like and that are beneficially owned by third parties and other than shares acquired in respect of debts previously contracted) shall be
canceled and cease to be issued and outstanding, and no consideration
shall be delivered therefor.
(iii) Conversion of Citizens Common Stock. Each share of
Citizens Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time (other than shares canceled pursuant to Section
1.02(e)(ii) and Dissenting Citizens Shares) shall be converted into
the right to receive, at the election of the holder thereof either:
(A) 1.297 shares of C&N Common Stock, subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 1.02(j) below (the Stock Consideration), or (B)
$28.57 in cash (the Cash Consideration). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, and giving effect to Section 1.02(e)(ii) hereof, (1) the
number of shares of Citizens Common Stock to be converted into the
right to receive the Stock Consideration on the Effective Date shall
be equal to fifty percent (50%) of the total number of shares of
Citizens Common Stock issued and outstanding on the Effective Date and
(2) the number of shares of Citizens Common Stock to be converted into
the right to receive the Cash Consideration on the Effective Date
shall be equal to fifty percent (50%) of the total number of shares of
Citizens Common Stock issued and outstanding on the Effective Date,
minus (x) the number of Dissenting Citizens Shares, if any, and (y)
the aggregate number of shares with respect to which cash is paid in
lieu of fractional shares pursuant to Section 1.02(e)(iv).
(iv) Cash in Lieu of Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, no fraction of a whole share of C&N Common
Stock and no scrip or certificate therefore shall be issued in
connection with the Merger. Any former Citizens shareholder who would
otherwise be entitled to receive a fraction of a share of C&N Common
Stock shall receive, in lieu thereof, cash in an amount equal to such
fraction multiplied by the Average Closing Price.
A-8
(v) Dissenting Citizens Shares. The outstanding shares of
Citizens Common Stock, the holders of which have timely filed written
notices of an intention to demand appraisal for their shares
(Dissenting Citizens Shares) pursuant to Subchapter D of Chapter 15
of the BCL and have not effectively withdrawn or lost their
dissenters rights under the BCL, shall not be converted into or
represent a right to receive the Merger Consideration under this
Agreement, and the holders thereof shall be entitled only to such
rights as are granted by Subchapter D of Chapter 15 of the BCL. If
any such holder of Citizens Common Stock shall have failed to perfect
or shall have withdrawn or lost such right, the Dissenting Citizens
Shares held by such holder shall thereupon be treated as No Election
Shares.
(f) Election Procedures. C&N shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail an Election Form
to holders of Citizens Common Stock not more than fifty (50) Business Days and not less than twenty
(20) Business Days prior to the Election Deadline. Each Election Form shall permit the holder (or
in the case of nominee record holders, the beneficial owner through proper instructions and
documentation):
(i) To elect to receive the Stock Consideration with respect to
all of their shares of Citizens Common Stock (the Stock Election
Shares); or
(ii) To elect to receive the Cash Consideration with respect to
all of their shares of Citizens Common Stock (the Cash Election
Shares); or
(iii) To elect to receive the Stock Consideration with respect
to a specified number of their shares of Citizens Common Stock and
the Cash Consideration with respect to their remaining shares of
Citizens Common Stock (a Mixed Election). With respect to each
holder of Citizens Common Stock who makes a Mixed Election, their shares of Citizens Common Stock to be converted into the right to
receive the Stock Consideration shall be treated as Stock Election
Shares and their shares of Citizens Common Stock to be converted into
the right to receive the Cash Consideration shall be treated as Cash
Election Shares, in each case subject to the allocation rules set
forth in Section 1.02(h) of this Agreement.
The Exchange Agent shall use reasonable efforts to make the Election Form available to all
persons who become holders of Citizens Common Stock during the period between the record date for
the mailing of the Election Form and the Election Deadline. If a holder of Citizens Common Stock:
(i) does not submit a properly completed Election Form before the Election Deadline; (ii) revokes
an Election Form prior to the Election Deadline and does not resubmit a properly completed Election
Form prior to the Election Deadline; or (iii) fails to perfect his, her or its dissenters rights
pursuant to Section 1.02(e)(v) of this Agreement, the shares of Citizens Common Stock held by such
holder shall be deemed No Election Shares. Nominee record holders who hold Citizens Common Stock
on behalf of multiple beneficial owners shall be required to indicate how many of the shares held
by them are Stock Election Shares, Cash Election Shares and No Election Shares. For purposes of
Section 1.02(h), any Dissenting Citizens Shares shall be deemed to be Cash Election Shares,
provided that Dissenting Citizens Shares shall not under any circumstance be converted into
Reallocated Stock Shares.
(g) Effective Election. Any Election shall be properly made only if the Exchange
Agent shall have actually received a properly completed Election Form by the Election Deadline.
Any Election Form may be revoked or changed by the person submitting such Election Form to the
Exchange Agent by written notice to the Exchange Agent only if such written notice is actually
received by the Exchange Agent at or prior to the Election Deadline. The Exchange Agent shall have
reasonable discretion to (i) determine whether any Election, modification or revocation is
received, (ii) determine whether any Election, modification or revocation has been properly made,
and (iii) disregard immaterial defects in any Election Form. Good faith determinations made by the
Exchange Agent regarding such matters shall be binding and conclusive. Neither C&N, Citizens nor
the Exchange Agent shall be under any obligation to notify any person of any defect in an Election
Form.
(h) Allocation. All Elections shall be subject to the following allocation rules.
The Exchange Agent shall effect the allocation of the aggregate Merger Consideration among the
holders of Citizens Common Stock in accordance with their respective Election Forms, but subject to
the following allocation rules:
A-9
(i) Aggregate Stock Consideration Overelected. If the
number of Stock Election Shares exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the
total number of shares of Citizens Common Stock issued and outstanding
on the Effective Date, then:
(A) All Cash Election Shares (subject to Section
1.02(e)(v) with respect to Dissenting Citizens Shares) and No
Election Shares shall be converted into the right to receive
the Cash Consideration.
(B) The Exchange Agent shall convert, on a pro rata basis
described in subsection 1.02(h)(iii) below, a sufficient number
of Stock Election Shares into Cash Election Shares
(Reallocated Cash Shares) such that the number of Stock
Election Shares, excluding the Reallocated Cash Shares, shall
equal fifty percent (50%) of the total number of shares of
Citizens Common Stock issued and outstanding on the Effective
Date, and the Reallocated Cash Shares will be converted into
the right to receive the Cash Consideration; and
(C) The Stock Election Shares which are not Reallocated
Cash Shares shall be converted into the right to receive the
Stock Consideration.
(ii) Aggregate Cash Consideration Overelected. If the
number of Cash Election Shares, (including for these purposes the
number of any Dissenting Citizens Shares), plus the aggregate number of shares with respect to which cash is paid in lieu of fractional shares
pursuant to Section 1.02(e)(iv), exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the
total number of shares of Citizens Common Stock issued and outstanding
on the Effective Date, then:
(A) All Stock Election Shares and No Election Shares shall
be converted into the right to receive the Stock Consideration.
(B) The Exchange Agent shall convert, on a pro rata basis
described in subsection 1.02(h)(iii) below, a sufficient number
of Cash Election Shares (excluding Dissenting Citizens Shares)
into Stock Election Shares (Reallocated Stock Shares) such
that the number of Cash Election Shares, excluding the
Reallocated Stock Shares, plus the aggregate number of shares
with respect to which cash is paid in lieu of fractional shares, shall equal fifty percent (50%) of the total number of shares of Citizens Common Stock issued and outstanding on the
Effective Date, and the Reallocated Stock Shares will be
converted into the right to receive the Stock Consideration;
and
(C) The Cash Election Shares (subject to Section
1.02(e)(v) with respect to Dissenting Citizens Shares) which
are not Reallocated Common Stock Shares shall be converted into
the right to receive the Cash Consideration.
(iii) Pro Rata Reallocations. If the Exchange Agent is
required pursuant to subsection 1.02(h)(i)(B) to convert some Stock
Election Shares into Reallocated Cash Shares, each holder of Stock
Election Shares shall be allocated a pro rata portion of the total
Reallocated Cash Shares in accordance with the number of Stock
Election Shares held by such holder. If the Exchange Agent is
required pursuant to subsection 1.02(h)(ii)(B) to convert some Cash
Election Shares into Reallocated Stock Shares, each holder of Cash
Election Shares shall be allocated a pro rata portion of the total
Reallocated Stock Shares in accordance with the number of Cash
Election Shares held by such holder.
(iv) Exchange Agent Discretion. In order to ensure that
the limits specified with respect to the aggregate Merger
Consideration are not exceeded, the parties hereby agree that the
Exchange Agent, in applying the allocation rules set forth in Section
1.02(h) of this Agreement, shall have reasonable discretion to round
calculations or otherwise
A-10
adjust the results thereof in order to accomplish such purpose, and
each good faith determination made by the Exchange Agent regarding
such matters shall be binding and conclusive.
(i) Surrender and Exchange of Citizens Stock Certificates.
(i) Exchange Agent. Prior to the Effective Time, C&N shall
appoint C&N Bank, as the exchange and paying agent (the Exchange
Agent) for the payment and exchange of the Merger Consideration.
(ii) Exchange Fund. Three (3) days prior to the Effective Time,
C&N shall deposit with the Exchange Agent, in trust for the benefit of
holders of shares of Citizens Common Stock, sufficient cash and
certificates representing shares of C&N Common Stock to make all
payments and deliveries to shareholders of Citizens pursuant to
Section 1.02(e)(iii) and (iv). Any cash and certificates for C&N
Common Stock deposited with the Exchange Agent shall hereinafter be
referred to as the Exchange Fund.
(iii) Exchange Procedures. As soon as reasonably practicable
after the Effective Time (and in any case no later than five (5) days
thereafter), C&N shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each record
holder of a certificate representing shares of Citizens Common Stock
(a Citizens Certificate) a letter of transmittal which shall specify
that delivery of the Citizens Certificates shall be effected, and risk
of loss and title to the Citizens Certificates shall pass, only upon
delivery of the Citizens Certificates to the Exchange Agent, and which
letter shall be in customary form and have such other provisions as
C&N may reasonably specify and instructions for effecting the
surrender of such Citizens Certificates in exchange for the Merger
Consideration. Upon surrender of a Citizens Certificate to the
Exchange Agent together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed
and completed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such
other documents as may reasonably be required by the Exchange Agent,
the holder of such Citizens Certificate shall be entitled to receive
in exchange therefor (A) a certificate representing, in the aggregate,
the whole number of shares of C&N Common Stock that such holder has
the right to receive pursuant to Section 1.02(e) (iii) and/or (B) a
check in the amount equal to the aggregate amount of cash that such
holder has the right to receive pursuant to Sections 1.02(e)(iii) and
(iv). No interest will be paid or will accrue on any cash payment
pursuant to Sections 1.02(e)(iii) and (iv). In the event of a
transfer of ownership of Citizens Common Stock which is not registered
in the transfer records of Citizens, a certificate representing, in
the aggregate, the proper number of shares of C&N Common Stock
pursuant to Section 1.02(e)(iii) and/or a check in the proper amount
pursuant to Sections 1.02(e)(iii) and (iv) may be issued with respect
to such Citizens Common Stock, as the case may be, to such a
transferee if the Citizens Certificate formerly representing such shares of Citizens Common Stock is presented to the Exchange Agent,
accompanied by all documents required to evidence and effect such
transfer and to evidence that any applicable stock transfer taxes have
been paid.
(iv) Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No
dividends or other distributions declared or made with respect to shares of C&N Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time
shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Citizens Certificate
with respect to the shares of C&N Common Stock that such Citizens
Certificate holder would be entitled to receive upon surrender of such
Citizens Certificate until such holder shall surrender such Citizens
Certificate in accordance with Section 1.02(i)(iii). Subject to the
effect of applicable laws, following surrender of any such Citizens
Certificate, there shall be paid to such holder of shares of C&N
Common Stock issuable in exchange therefor, without interest, (a)
promptly after the time of such surrender, the amount of dividends or
other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time
theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares of C&N Common Stock
A-11
and (b) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or
other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time but
prior to such surrender and a payment date subsequent to such
surrender payable with respect to such whole shares of C&N Common
Stock.
(v) No Further Ownership Rights. All shares of C&N Common Stock
issued and cash paid upon conversion of shares of Citizens Common
Stock in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be deemed
to have been issued or paid in full satisfaction of all rights
pertaining to the shares of Citizens Common Stock.
(vi) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange
Fund which remains undistributed to the holders of Citizens
Certificates for twelve (12) months after the Effective Date shall be
delivered to C&N or otherwise on the instructions of C&N and any
holders of the Citizens Certificates who have not previously complied
with this Section 1.02(i) shall thereafter look only to C&N for the
Merger Consideration with respect to the shares of Citizens Common
Stock formerly represented thereby to which such holders are entitled
pursuant to Section 1.02(e)(iii), any cash in lieu of fractional shares of C&N Common Stock to which such holders are entitled pursuant
to Section 1.02(e)(iv) and any dividends or distributions with respect
to shares of C&N Common Stock to which such holders are entitled
pursuant to Section 1.02(i)(iv).
(vii) No Liability. None of C&N, Citizens, any of their
respective Affiliates or the Exchange Agent shall be liable to any
Person in respect of any Merger Consideration from the Exchange Fund
delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned
property, escheat or similar Law.
(viii) Investment of the Exchange Fund. The Exchange Agent shall
invest any cash included in the Exchange Fund as reasonably directed
by C&N; provided that such investments shall be in obligations of or
guaranteed by the United States of America and backed by the full
faith and credit of the United States of America or in commercial
paper obligations rated P-1 and A-1 or better by Moodys Investors
Service, Inc. and Standard & Poors Corporation, respectively, and
further provided, however, that no holder of shares of Citizens Common
Stock shall suffer or incur any loss in connection with any such
investment of the Exchange Fund. Any interest and other income
resulting from such investments shall be payable to C&N.
(ix) Lost Certificates. If any Citizens Certificate shall have
been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of
that fact by the Person claiming such Citizens Certificate to be lost,
stolen or destroyed and, if required by C&N the posting by such Person
of a bond in such reasonable amount as C&N may direct as indemnity
against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such
Citizens Certificate, the Exchange Agent will deliver in exchange for
such lost, stolen, or destroyed Citizens Certificate the applicable
Merger Consideration with respect to the shares of Citizens Common
Stock formerly represented thereby, any cash in lieu of fractional shares of C&N Common Stock to which the holders thereof are entitled
pursuant to Section 1.02(e)(iv), and any dividends or other
distributions on shares of C&N Common Stock to which the holders
thereof are entitled pursuant to Section 1.02(i)(iv).
(x) Withholding Rights C&N shall be entitled to deduct and
withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this
Agreement to any holder of shares of Citizens Common Stock such
amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the
making of such payment under the IRC and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder, or any provisions of tax Law. To the extent
that amounts are so withheld by C&N, such withheld amounts shall be
treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the
holder of the shares of Citizens Common Stock in respect of which such
deduction and withholding was made by C&N.
A-12
(xi) Stock Transfer Books. At the close of business on the
Effective Date, the stock transfer books of Citizens with respect to
Citizens Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the Effective
Time shall be closed and, thereafter, there shall be no further
registration of transfers on the records of Citizens of shares of
Citizens Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the Effective
Time. From and after the Effective Time, the holders of Citizens
Certificates shall cease to have any rights with respect to such shares of Citizens Common Stock, formerly represented thereby, except
as otherwise provided herein or by Law. On or after the Effective
Time, any Citizens Certificates presented to the Exchange Agent or C&N
for any reason shall be exchanged for the applicable Merger
Consideration with respect to the shares of Citizens Common Stock,
formerly represented thereby, any cash in lieu of fractional shares of
C&N Common Stock to which the holders thereof are entitled pursuant to
Section 1.02(e)(iv), and any dividends or other distributions on shares of C&N Common Stock to which the holders thereof are entitled
pursuant to Section 1.02(i)(iv).
(j) Anti-Dilution Provisions. If C&N shall, at any time before the Effective Date,
(A) declare a dividend in shares of C&N Common Stock payable to shareholders of record before the
Effective Date, (B) combine the outstanding shares of C&N Common Stock into a smaller number of
shares, (C) subdivide or split the outstanding shares of C&N Common Stock, or (D) reclassify the
shares of C&N Common Stock, then, in any such event, the number of shares of C&N Common Stock to be
delivered to Citizens shareholders who are entitled to receive shares of C&N Common Stock in
exchange for shares of Citizens Common Stock shall be adjusted so that each Citizens shareholder
shall be entitled to receive such number of shares of C&N Common Stock as such shareholder would
have been entitled to receive if the Effective Date
had occurred immediately prior to the happening of such event; provided, however, that
notwithstanding the foregoing, the shares of C&N Common Stock to be delivered to Citizens
shareholders who are entitled to receive shares of C&N Common Stock in exchange for shares of
Citizens Common Stock shall not be adjusted to reflect the 1% stock dividend declared by C&N in
December, 2006, with a payment date in January, 2007. In addition, in the event that, prior to the
Effective Date, C&N enters into an agreement pursuant to which shares of C&N Common Stock would be
converted into shares or other securities or obligations of another corporation, proper provision
shall be made in such agreement so that each Citizens shareholder entitled to receive shares of C&N
Common Stock in the Merger shall be entitled to receive such number of shares or other securities
or amount of obligations of such other corporation as such shareholder would be entitled to receive
if the Effective Date had occurred immediately prior to the happening of such event.
Section 1.03 The Bank Merger. C&N and Citizens shall use their best efforts to
cause CTC to merge with and into C&N Bank on the Effective Date, concurrently with, or as soon as
practicable after the Merger, with C&N Bank surviving such merger. Concurrently with, or as soon
as reasonably practicable after, the execution and delivery of this Agreement, C&N shall cause C&N
Bank, and Citizens shall cause CTC, to execute and deliver the Bank Plan of Merger.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CITIZENS
Citizens hereby represents and warrants to C&N that, except as specifically set forth in the
Citizens Disclosure Schedule delivered to C&N by Citizens on the date hereof:
Section 2.01 Organization.
(a) Citizens is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Citizens is a bank holding company duly registered under
the BHC Act. Citizens has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business and
operations as now being conducted and to own and operate the properties and assets now owned and
being operated by it. Citizens is qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign corporation in
each jurisdiction in which it is required to be so qualified or licensed as the result of the
ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its business, except where the failure to be so
qualified or licensed would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Citizens.
(b) CTC is a Pennsylvania bank and trust company duly organized and validly existing under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. CTC has the corporate power and authority to carry on
its business and operations as now being conducted and to own and operate the properties and assets
now owned and being operating by it. CTC is qualified
A-13
or licensed to do business in each jurisdiction in which it is required to be so qualified or
licensed as a result of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its a business,
except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
CTC.
(c) There are no Citizens Subsidiaries other than CTC.
(d) The deposits of CTC are insured by the FDIC to the extent provided in the FDIA.
(e) The respective minute books of Citizens and CTC accurately record, in all material
respects, all material corporate actions of its shareholders and board of directors (including
committees) through the date hereof.
(f) Prior to the date of this Agreement, Citizens has delivered to C&N true and correct copies
of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of Citizens and CTC, each as in effect on the date
hereof.
Section 2.02 Capitalization.
(a) The authorized capital stock of Citizens consists exclusively of (i) 3,000,000 shares of
common stock, no par value (Citizens Common Stock), of which 4,273 shares have been issued and
are held by Citizens as treasury stock and 1,016,824 shares are outstanding, validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessble, and (ii) 100,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value, of which, at the
date of this Agreement, no shares are issued or outstanding. No shares of Citizens Common Stock
were issued in violation of any preemptive rights. Except as set forth in the Citizens Disclosure
Schedule, Citizens has no Rights authorized, issued or outstanding, other than the Letter
Agreements.
(b) The authorized capital stock of CTC consists of 500,000 shares of common stock, $1.25 par
value per share, of which 305,060 shares are outstanding, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable. All such shares are owned by Citizens free and clear of any lien, security
interests, pledges, charges and restrictions of any kind or nature. No shares of CTC common stock
were issued in violation of any preemptive rights. CTC has no Rights authorized, issued or
outstanding.
(c) Except as set forth in the Citizens Disclosure Schedule, CTC owns no equity interest,
directly or indirectly, in any other Person except for equity interests held in the investment
portfolios of CTC, equity interests held by CTC in a fiduciary capacity, and equity interests held
in connection with the commercial loan activities of CTC. There are no Rights outstanding and held
by Citizens or CTC with respect to any equity of any other Person.
(d) To the Knowledge of Citizens, except as disclosed in Citizens Disclosure Schedule 2.02, no
person or group (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), is the beneficial
owner (as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of
Citizens Common Stock.
Section 2.03 Authority; No Violation.
(a) Subject to (i) approval by the shareholders of Citizens of this Agreement and (ii)
receipt of the required approvals from Regulatory Authorities described in Section 3.04 hereof and
compliance with such approvals, Citizens has full corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and to complete the transactions contemplated hereby. CTC has full
corporate power and authority to execute and deliver the Bank Plan of Merger and to complete the
Bank Merger, subject to receipt of all necessary approvals of Regulatory Authorities described in
Section 3.04 hereof and compliance with such approvals. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement by Citizens and the completion by Citizens of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby have been unanimously and duly and validly approved by the board of directors of Citizens,
at a meeting duly called and held, and, except for approval by the shareholders of Citizens, no
other corporate proceedings on the part of Citizens are necessary to complete the transactions
contemplated hereby (other than the Bank Merger). This Agreement has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by Citizens and, subject to (i) approval of the shareholders of Citizens of
this Agreement and (ii) receipt of the required approvals from Regulatory Authorities described in
Section 3.04 hereof and compliance with such required approvals, constitutes the valid and binding
obligation of Citizens, enforceable against Citizens in accordance with its terms, subject further
to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar Laws affecting creditors rights generally and
subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity. The Bank Plan of Merger, upon its
execution and delivery by CTC, will constitute the valid and binding obligation of CTC, enforceable
against CTC in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable conservatorship or receivership
provisions of the FDIA, or insolvency and similar Laws affecting creditors rights generally and
subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.
A-14
(b) None of (A) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Citizens, (B) the execution
and delivery of the Bank Plan of Merger by CTC, (C) subject to receipt of approvals from the
Regulatory Authorities referred to in Section 3.04 hereof and Citizens and C&Ns compliance with
any conditions contained therein, the completion of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (D)
compliance by Citizens or CTC with any of the terms or provisions hereof or of the Bank Plan of
Merger, will (i) conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of the articles of
incorporation or association or bylaws of Citizens or CTC; (ii) violate any Law applicable to
Citizens or CTC or any of its respective properties or assets; or (iii) violate, conflict with,
result in a breach of any provisions of, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or
lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, result in the termination of, accelerate
the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration or the creation of
any lien, security interest, charge or other encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of
Citizens or CTC under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement, commitment or other instrument or obligation
to which Citizens or CTC is a party, or by which they or any of their respective properties or
assets may be bound or affected, except for such violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults under
clause (ii) or (iii) hereof which, either individually or in the aggregate, will not have a
Material Adverse Effect on Citizens or Citizens or CTCs ability to consummate the transactions
contemplated herein.
Section 2.04 Consents. Except for the consents, approvals, filings and
registrations from or with the Regulatory Authorities referred to in Section 3.04 hereof and
compliance with any conditions contained therein, and the approval of this Agreement by the
shareholders of Citizens under the BCL, Citizens articles of incorporation and bylaws, and the
approval of the Bank Plan of Merger by Citizens as the sole shareholder of CTC and by the board of
directors of CTC, no consents or approvals of, or filings or registrations with, any public body or
authority are necessary, and no consents or approvals of any third parties are necessary, or will
be, in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the completion by Citizens
and CTC of the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Bank Plan of Merger. As of the date
hereof, to the Knowledge of Citizens, there is no reasonable basis to expect that (i) any required
consents or approvals will not be received or will be received with conditions, limitations or
restrictions unacceptable to it or which would adversely impact Citizens
ability to complete the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that (ii) any public body or
authority, the consent or approval of which is not required or any filing with which is not
required, will object to the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 2.05 Financial Statements.
(a) Except as disclosed in Citizens Disclosure Schedule 2.05, Citizens has previously
delivered to C&N the Citizens Regulatory Reports filed through November 30, 2006 and will deliver
to C&N the Citizens Regulatory Reports for any dates or periods after November 30, 2006 through the
Closing Date as soon as they are available. The Citizens Regulatory Reports, as amended (provided
such amendments have been filed with the appropriate Regulatory Authority) have been prepared in
all material respects in accordance with applicable regulatory accounting principles and practices,
including, but not limited to, all applicable rules, regulations and pronouncements of applicable
Regulatory Authorities, throughout the periods covered by such statements, and fairly present in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position, results of operations and changes in
shareholders equity of Citizens or CTC, as the case may be, as of and for the periods ended on the
dates thereof, in accordance with applicable regulatory accounting principles, including, but not
limited to, all applicable rules, regulations and pronouncements of applicable Regulatory
Authorities, applied on a consistent basis.
(b) Citizens has previously delivered to C&N the Citizens Financials through November 30, 2006
and will deliver to C&N the Citizens Financials for any dates or periods thereafter through the
Closing Date as soon as they are available. The Citizens Financials have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered by such
statements, except as noted therein, and fairly present the financial position, results of
operations and cash flows of Citizens as of and for the periods ended on the dates thereof, in
accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis, except as noted therein.
(c) At the date of the most recent balance sheet included in the Citizens Financials or the
Citizens Regulatory Reports, neither Citizens nor CTC had any liabilities, obligations or loss
contingencies of any nature (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) of a type required
to be reflected in such Citizens Financials or Citizens Regulatory Reports or in the footnotes
thereto which are not fully reflected or reserved against therein or fully disclosed in a footnote
thereto, subject, in the case of any unaudited statements, to normal, recurring audit adjustments
and the absence of footnotes.
Section 2.06 Taxes. Citizens and CTC are members of the same affiliated group
within the meaning of IRC Section 1504(a) of which Citizens is a common parent. Citizens has duly
filed, all federal, state and local tax returns and all tax filings required to be filed by or with
respect to Citizens and CTC (all such returns being accurate and correct in all material respects)
A-15
and has duly paid or made, provisions and related balance sheet accruals (if required) for the
payment of all federal, state and local taxes which have been incurred by or are due or claimed to
be due from Citizens or CTC by any taxing authority or pursuant to any tax sharing agreement or
arrangement (written or oral) other than taxes which (x) (i) are not delinquent or (ii) are being
contested in good faith and (y) (i) are adequately reserved for, (ii) have not resulted in
the imposition of any lien and (iii) if adversely determined would not be reasonably expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect as to Citizens or CTC.
Section 2.07 No Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in Citizens Disclosure
Schedule 2.07, neither Citizens nor CTC has suffered any Material Adverse Effect since September
30, 2006.
Section 2.08 Contracts.
(a) Except for this Agreement, as set forth in its respective articles of incorporation or
bylaws, or as disclosed on the Citizens Disclosure Schedules, neither Citizens nor CTC is a party
to or subject to: (i) any agreement, contract, arrangement, commitment or understanding (whether
written or oral) that is a material contract within the meaning of Item 601(b)(10) of the SECs
Regulation S-K; (ii) any real estate lease; (iii) any employment, consulting, severance,
change-in-control, termination or similar contract or arrangement with any past or present
officer, director, employee, or independent contractor except for oral at will arrangements; (iv)
any plan, arrangement or contract providing for bonuses, pensions, options, restricted stock,
deferred compensation, retirement payments, profit sharing or similar arrangements for or with any
past or present officers, directors, employees or independent contractors of Citizens or CTC; (v)
any collective bargaining agreement with any labor union relating to employees of Citizens or CTC;
(vi) any agreement which by its terms limits the payment of dividends by Citizens or CTC; (vii) any
instrument evidencing or related to indebtedness for borrowed money whether directly or indirectly,
by way of purchase money obligation, conditional sale, lease purchase, guaranty or otherwise, in
respect of which Citizens or CTC is an obligor to any person, which instrument evidences or relates
to
indebtedness for borrowed money other than deposits, repurchase agreements, bankers acceptances and
treasury tax and loan accounts established in the ordinary course of business and transactions in
federal funds, or which contains financial covenants or other restrictions (other than those
relating to the payment of principal and interest when due) which would become applicable on or
after the Closing Date to C&N or C&N Bank; (viii) any contract limiting the freedom of Citizens or
CTC to engage in any type of banking or bank-related or other business permissible under Law; (ix)
any contract relating to the acquisition of any business that has not been fully performed,
including where contingent compensation remains to be paid; or (x) any contract or agreement
pursuant to which Citizens or CTC is obligated to make payments in excess of $100,000 on an annual
basis that cannot be terminated by Citizens or CTC without financial penalty upon 90 days or less
notice (collectively, the Material Contracts).
(b) Except as disclosed in the Citizens Disclosure Schedules, neither Citizens nor CTC leases
any real property.
(c) Neither Citizens nor CTC is in default in any material respect under any Material
Contract, and there has not occurred any event that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice
or both, would constitute such a default.
(d) True and correct copies of all Material Contracts have been provided to C&N on or before
the date hereof and are in full force and effect and neither Citizens nor, to the Knowledge of
Citizens, any other party to any such Material Contract has breached any provision of, or is in
default in any respect under any term of, any such Material Contract. Except as described in this
Agreement or as set forth in the Citizens Disclosure Schedule, (i) no party to any Material
Contract will have the right to terminate any or all of the provisions of any such Material
Contract as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) other than at-will
employees, none of the employees (including officers) of Citizens or CTC, possess the right to
terminate their employment as a result of the execution of this Agreement, (iii) no Material
Contract contains provisions which permit an employee or independent contractor to terminate it
without cause and continue to accrue future benefits thereunder, and (iv) no such Material Contract
(x) provides for acceleration in the vesting of benefits or payments due thereunder upon the
occurrence of a change in ownership or control of Citizens or CTC absent the occurrence of a
subsequent event; (y) provides for benefits which may cause the disallowance of a federal income
tax deduction under IRC Section 280G; or (z) requires Citizens or CTC to provide a benefit in the
form of Citizens Common Stock or determined by reference to the value of Citizens Common Stock.
Section 2.09 Ownership of Property; Insurance Coverage.
(a) Each of Citizens and CTC has, or will have as to property acquired after the date hereof,
good and, as to real property, marketable title to all assets and properties owned by Citizens or
CTC in the conduct of its business,
A-16
whether such assets and properties are real or personal, tangible or intangible, including assets
and property reflected in the balance sheets contained in the Citizens Regulatory Reports and in
the Citizens Financials or acquired subsequent thereto (except to the extent that such assets and
properties have been disposed of in the ordinary course of business since the date of such balance
sheets), subject to no encumbrances, liens, mortgages, security interests or pledges, except (i)
statutory liens for amounts not yet delinquent or which are being contested in good faith (ii)
liens securing obligations reflected in the Citizens Regulatory Reports or Citizens Financials,
(iii) liens that do not have a Material Adverse Effect on Citizens or CTC, or (iv) items permitted
under Article IV. The real property leases to which Citizens or CTC are a party constitute
operating leases for both tax and financial accounting purposes and the lease expense and minimum
rental commitments with respect to such leases and lease commitments are as disclosed in the notes
to the Citizens Financials.
(b) With respect to all agreements pursuant to which Citizens or CTC has purchased securities
subject to an agreement to resell, if any, Citizens or CTC, as the case may be, has a valid,
perfected first lien or security interest in the securities or other collateral securing the
repurchase agreement.
(c) Citizens and CTC currently maintain insurance considered by Citizens to be reasonable for
its operations and similar in scope and coverage to that maintained by other businesses similarly
engaged. Neither Citizens nor CTC has received notice from any insurance carrier that (i) such
insurance will be cancelled or that coverage thereunder will be reduced or eliminated, or (ii)
premium costs with respect to such policies of insurance will be materially increased. Except as
disclosed on Citizens Disclosure Schedule 2.09, there are presently no material claims pending
under such policies of insurance and no notices have been given by Citizens or CTC under such
policies during the past two years. All such insurance is valid and enforceable and in full force
and effect, and within the last three years Citizens and CTC have received each type of insurance
coverage for which any of them has applied and during such periods have not been denied
indemnification for any material claims submitted under any of their insurance policies.
Section 2.10 Legal Proceedings. Except as disclosed on Citizens Disclosure Schedule
2.10, neither Citizens nor CTC is a party to any, and there are no pending or, to the Knowledge of
Citizens, threatened, legal, administrative, arbitration or other proceedings, claims (whether
asserted or unasserted), actions or governmental investigations or inquiries of any nature (i)
against Citizens or CTC, (ii) to which Citizens or CTCs assets are or may be subject, (iii)
challenging the validity or propriety of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or
(iv) which could adversely affect the ability of Citizens or CTC to perform under this Agreement.
Section 2.11 Compliance With Applicable Law.
(a) Each of Citizens and CTC holds all licenses, franchises, permits and authorizations
necessary for the lawful conduct of its businesses under, and, are in compliance in all material
respects with, all applicable Laws, other than where such failure to hold or such noncompliance
will neither result in a limitation in any material respect on the conduct of their businesses nor
otherwise have a Material Adverse Effect on Citizens.
(b) Except as disclosed on Citizens Disclosure Schedule 2.11, (i) each of Citizens and CTC is
in substantial compliance with all of the Laws which each Regulatory Authority applicable to it
enforces; (ii) no Regulatory Authority has threatened to revoke any license, franchise, permit or
governmental authorization which is material to Citizens or CTC, or required or threatened to
require Citizens or CTC to enter into a cease and desist order, consent order, memorandum of
understanding, or written agreement with it; and (iii) no Regulatory Authority has restricted or
limited the operations of Citizens or CTC, including, without limitation, any restriction on the
payment of dividends (any such memorandum, agreement or order described in this sentence is
hereinafter referred to as a Regulatory Agreement). Except as disclosed on Citizens Disclosure
Schedule 2.11, neither Citizens nor CTC has consented to or entered into any Regulatory Agreement.
CTC received a rating of at least Satisfactory in connection with its last CRA examination.
Section 2.12 ERISA. Citizens has previously delivered to C&N true and complete
copies of all employee pension benefit plans within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(2), including
profit sharing plans, employee stock ownership plans, stock purchase plans, deferred compensation
and supplemental income plans, supplemental executive retirement plans, employment agreements,
annual executive and administrative incentive plans or long term incentive plans, severance plans,
policies and agreements, group insurance plans, and all other employee welfare benefit plans within
the meaning of ERISA Section 3(1) (including vacation pay, sick leave, short-term disability,
long-term disability, and medical plans) and all other employee benefit plans, policies, agreements
and arrangements, all of which are set forth in the Citizens Disclosure Schedule, sponsored or
contributed to for the benefit of the employees or former employees (including retired employees)
and any beneficiaries thereof or directors or former directors of Citizens or any entity (a
Citizens ERISA Affiliate) that, together with Citizens, is treated as a single employer under IRC
Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o), together with (i) the most recent actuarial (if any) and
financial reports relating to those plans which constitute qualified plans under IRC Section
401(a), (ii)
A-17
the most recent annual reports relating to such plans filed with any government agency, and (iii)
all rulings and determination letters which pertain to any such plans. Neither Citizens or any
Citizens ERISA Affiliate, nor any pension plan maintained or previously maintained by Citizens or
any Citizens ERISA Affiliate, has incurred, directly or indirectly, within the past six (6) years
any liability under Title IV of ERISA (including to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation) or to
the IRS with respect to any pension plan qualified under IRC Section 401(a) except liabilities to
the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation pursuant to ERISA Section 4007, all of which have been
fully paid, nor has any reportable event under ERISA Section 4043 occurred with respect to any such
pension plan. With respect to each of such plans that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, the present
value of the accrued benefits under such plan, based upon the actuarial assumptions used for
funding purposes in the plans most recent actuarial report did not, as of its latest valuation
date, exceed the then current value of the assets of such plan allocable to such accrued benefits.
Neither Citizens nor any Citizens ERISA Affiliate has incurred is subject to any liability under
ERISA Section 4201 for a complete or partial withdrawal from a multiemployer plan. All employee
benefit plans, as defined in ERISA Section 3(3), of Citizens or any Citizens ERISA Affiliate
comply and within the past six (6) years have complied in all material respects with (i) relevant
provisions of ERISA and (ii) in the case of plans intended to qualify for favorable income tax
treatment, provisions of the IRC relevant to such treatment. No prohibited transaction (which
shall mean any transaction prohibited by ERISA Section 406 and not exempt under ERISA Section 408
or any transaction prohibited under IRC Section 4975) has occurred within the past six (6) years
with respect to any employee benefit plan maintained by Citizens or any Citizens ERISA Affiliate
which would result in the imposition, directly or indirectly, of an excise tax under IRC Section
4975 or other penalty under ERISA or the IRC. Citizens provides continuation coverage under group
health plans for separating employees and qualified beneficiaries in accordance with the
provisions of IRC Section 4980B(f). Such group health plans are in material compliance with
Section 1862(b)(1) of the Social Security Act.
Section 2.13 Brokers, Finders and Financial Advisors; Fairness Opinion. Except for
Citizens engagement of Ryan Beck & Co. (RB) in connection with transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, neither Citizens nor CTC nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or
agents, has employed any broker, finder or financial advisor in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or in connection with any transaction other
than the Merger, or, except for its commitments disclosed in the Citizens Disclosure Schedule,
incurred any liability or commitment for any fees or commissions to any such person in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or in connection with any transaction other
than the Merger, which has not been reflected in the Citizens Financials. The Citizens Disclosure
Schedule contains as an exhibit the engagement letter between Citizens and RB. RB has provided
Citizens with its opinion to the effect that, as of the date of approval of this Agreement by the
board of directors of Citizens, the Merger Consideration is fair to shareholders of Citizens from a
financial point of view.
Section 2.14 Environmental Matters.
(a) To the Knowledge of Citizens, neither Citizens nor CTC, nor any properties now or formerly
owned or operated by Citizens or CTC or on which Citizens or CTC holds or held a mortgage or other
security interest or has foreclosed or taken a deed in lieu of foreclosure, has been or is in
violation of or liable under any Environmental Law. There are no actions, suits or proceedings, or
demands, claims, notices or investigations (including without limitation notices, demand letters or
requests for information from any environmental agency) instituted or pending, or to the Knowledge
of Citizens, threatened, relating to the liability of any property owned or operated by Citizens or
CTC under any Environmental Law.
(b) To the Knowledge of Citizens, no property, now or formerly owned or operated by Citizens
or CTC or on which Citizens or CTC holds or held a mortgage or other security interest or has
foreclosed or taken a deed in lieu of foreclosure, has been listed or proposed for listing on the
National Priority List under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability
Act of 1980, as amended (CERCLA), on the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and
Liabilities Information System, or any similar state list, or which is the subject of federal,
state or local enforcement actions or other investigations which may lead to claims against
Citizens or CTC for response costs, remedial work, investigation, damage to natural resources or
for personal injury or property damage claims, including, but not limited to, claims under CERCLA.
(c) To the Knowledge of Citizens, there has been no release nor is there the threat of release
of any substance described in clause (ii) of the definition of Environmental Law set forth in
Section 1.01 hereof on, at or from any property, now or formerly owned or operated by Citizens or
CTC or on which Citizens or CTC holds or held a mortgage or other security interest or has
foreclosed or taken a deed in lieu of foreclosure, or any property adjacent to or in the immediate
vicinity of any such properties.
Section 2.15 Allowance for Losses. The allowance for loan and lease losses shown on
Citizens consolidated statement of financial condition contained in the most recent Citizens
Financials and included in the most recent Citizens
A-18
Regulatory Report was, and for periods ending after the date of this Agreement, will be, adequate
as of the date thereof and in accordance with GAAP and all other applicable regulatory
requirements.
Section 2.16 Information to be Supplied. The information to be supplied by Citizens
for inclusion in the Registration Statement (including the Prospectus/Proxy Statement) will not, at
the time the Registration Statement is declared effective pursuant to the Securities Act and as of
the date the Prospectus/Proxy Statement is mailed to shareholders of Citizens and up to and
including the date of the meeting of shareholders of Citizens to which such Prospectus/Proxy
Statement relates, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. The information supplied,
or to be supplied, by Citizens for inclusion in the Applications will, at the time such documents
are filed with any Regulatory Authority and up to and including the date of the attainment of any
required regulatory approvals or consents, be accurate in all material respects.
Section 2.17 Related Party Transactions. Neither Citizens nor CTC is a party to any
transaction (including any loan or other credit accommodation, but excluding deposits in the
ordinary course of business) with any Affiliate of Citizens or CTC, except transactions (a) made
in the ordinary course of business, (b) made on substantially the same terms, including interest
rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other
Persons, (c) do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other risks or
unfavorable features, and are reflected in the Citizens Financials to the extent required to be so
reflected and, (d) to the extent required by GAAP, disclosed in the footnotes of the Citizens
Financials. No loan or credit accommodation currently being extended to any Affiliate of Citizens
or CTC is presently in default or, during the three year period prior to the date of this
Agreement, has been in default or has been restructured, modified or extended. Neither Citizens or
CTC has been notified that principal and interest with respect to any such loan or other credit
accommodation will not be paid when due or that the loan grade classification accorded such loan or
credit accommodation by Citizens or CTC is inappropriate.
Section 2.18 Schedule of Termination Benefits. The Citizens Disclosure Schedule
2.18 includes a true and correct schedule of the maximum amount of termination benefits and related
payments which currently are or would be payable as a result of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement to the individuals identified thereon, under any and all written agreements,
supplemental executive retirement plans, deferred bonus plans, deferred compensation plans, salary
continuation plans, or any other pension benefit or welfare benefit plan maintained by Citizens or
CTC for the benefit of executive officers or directors of Citizens or CTC (the Benefits
Schedule), assuming that the Closing Date would occur on December 31, 2006 and that the employment
of such individuals already has or will terminate immediately thereafter. No other individuals are
entitled to benefits under any such plans. Except as set forth in Citizens Disclosure Schedule
2.18, as of the date of this Agreement, no director or executive officer of Citizens or CTC had
deferred any compensation accrued by Citizens or CTC.
Section 2.19 Loans.
(a) Except as disclosed on Citizens Disclosure Schedule 2.19, each loan reflected as an asset
in the Citizens Financials (i) is evidenced by notes, agreements or other evidences of indebtedness
which are true, genuine and correct, (ii) to the extent secured, has been secured by valid liens
and security interests which have been perfected, and (ii) is the legal, valid and binding
obligation of the obligor named therein, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance and other laws of general applicability relating to
or affecting creditors rights and to general equity principles, in each case other than loans as
to which the failure to satisfy the foregoing standards, individually or in the aggregate, would
not have a Material Adverse Effect on Citizens.
(b) The Citizens Disclosure Schedule includes a list of (i) all outstanding commercial loans,
commercial loan commitments and commercial letters of credit, of CTC in excess of $500,000, (ii)
all loans of CTC classified by CTC or any Regulatory Authority as Special Mention, Substandard,
Doubtful or Loss, or other classifications of similar import (iii) all commercial and mortgage
loans of CTC classified as non-accrual, and (iv) all commercial loans of CTC classified as in
substance foreclosed.
Section 2.20 Takeover Laws. Citizens has taken all action required to be taken by
it in order to exempt this Agreement, the Bank Plan of Merger and the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby from, and this Agreement, the Bank Plan of Merger and the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby are exempt from, the requirements of any moratorium, control
share, fair price, affiliate transaction, business combination, or other antitakeover
provisions in the articles of incorporation and bylaws of Citizens, and CTC, or any applicable
anti-takeover Laws of any jurisdiction including, without limitation, of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
A-19
Section 2.21 Labor and Employment Matters. To the Knowledge of Citizens, neither
Citizens nor CTC, nor any facilities owned or operated by Citizens or CTC has been or is in
violation in any material respect of or is liable under any Labor and Employment Law. There are no
legal, administrative, arbitration or other proceedings, demands, claims, notices, audits or
investigations (including without limitation notices, demand letters or requests for information
from any federal, state or local commission, agency or board) instituted or pending, or to the
Knowledge of Citizens threatened, relating to the liability of Citizens or CTC under any Labor and
Employment Law.
Section 2.22 CRA, Anti-Money Laundering and Customer Information Security. Except as
disclosed on Citizens Disclosure Schedule 2.22, Citizens is not aware of, has not been advised of,
and has no reason to believe, that any facts or circumstances exist which would cause CTC (a) to be
deemed not to be in satisfactory compliance in any respect with the CRA, and the regulations
promulgated thereunder, or to be assigned a rating for CRA purposes by Regulatory Authorities of
lower than satisfactory, or (b) to be deemed to be operating in violation in any respect of the
USA PATRIOT Act, the Bank Secrecy Act and any regulations or rules promulgated under either of the
foregoing statutes, any order issued with respect to anti-money laundering by the U.S. Department
of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control, or any other applicable anti-money laundering
statute, rule or regulation, or (c) to be deemed not to be in satisfactory compliance in any
material respect with the applicable privacy of customer information requirements contained in any
federal and state privacy laws and regulations, including, without limitation, in Title V of the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 and regulations promulgated thereunder, as well as the provisions of
the information security program adopted by Citizens pursuant to 12 C.F.R. Part 364. Furthermore,
the board of directors of CTC has adopted and implemented an anti-money laundering program that
contains customer identification certification procedures that has not been deemed ineffective in
any material respect by any Regulatory Authority and that meets the requirements in all material
respects of Section 353 of the USA PATRIOT Act and the regulations thereunder.
Section 2.23 Non-Registration Under the Exchange Act and the Securities Act. The
outstanding shares of Citizens Common Stock were issued without registration under the Securities
Act in reliance upon the exemption therefrom
provided by Section 3(a)(12) thereof. Citizens Common Stock is not registered nor required to be
registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and Citizens is not subject to the periodic
reporting requirements imposed by Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Section 2.24 Regulatory Capital. Citizens and CTC each meet all applicable
regulatory capital requirements, and CTC is deemed well capitalized under such regulatory
requirements.
Section 2.25 Quality of Representations. The representations made by Citizens in
this Agreement are true, correct and complete in all material respects, and do not omit statements
necessary to make them not misleading under all facts and circumstances.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF C&N
C&N hereby represents and warrants to Citizens that, except as set forth in the C&N Disclosure
Schedule delivered by C&N to Citizens on or prior to the date hereof:
Section 3.01 Organization.
(a) C&N is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. C&N is duly registered as a bank holding company under the
BHC Act. C&N has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business and operations as now
being conducted and to own and operate the properties and assets now owned and being operated by
it. Each C&N Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws
of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and each possesses full corporate power and authority to
carry on its respective business and to own, lease and operate its properties as presently
conducted. Neither C&N nor any C&N Subsidiary is required by the conduct of its business or the
ownership or leasing of its assets to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in any
jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, except where the failure to be so
qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect on C&N.
(b) C&N Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of C&N, is a Pennsylvania chartered bank and trust
company, duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
C&N Bank has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business and operations as now being
conducted and to own and operate the
A-20
properties and assets now owned and being operated by it. C&N Bank and each other C&N Subsidiary
is qualified or licensed to do business in each jurisdiction in which it is required to be so
qualified or licensed as a result of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its
business, except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed would not have a Material Adverse
Effect on C&N.
(c) The deposits of C&N Bank are insured by the FDIC to the extent provided in the FDIA.
(d) The respective minute books of C&N and C&N Bank accurately record in all material respects
all material corporate action of their respective shareholders and boards of directors (including
committees) through the date of this Agreement.
(e) Prior to the execution of this Agreement, C&N has delivered to Citizens true and correct
copies of the articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or similar constituent documents) of C&N
and C&N Bank, respectively, as in effect on the date hereof.
Section 3.02 Capital Structure.
(a) The authorized capital stock of C&N consists of 20,000,000 shares of common stock, par
value $1.00 per share (C&N Common Stock), of which, at the date of this Agreement, 263,098 shares
were issued and held by C&N as treasury stock and 8,209,284 shares are outstanding, validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable. No shares of C&N Common Stock were issued in violation of any
preemptive rights. As of the date of this Agreement, C&N has no Rights authorized, issued or
outstanding, other than options to acquire shares of C&N Common Stock authorized under C&Ns
employee benefit plans, stock option plans, recognition and retention plans, deferred compensation
plans and dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan and similar plans disclosed in C&Ns
Securities Documents.
(b) To the Knowledge of C&N, as of the date of this Agreement, no person or group (as that
term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) is the beneficial owner (as defined in
Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of C&N Common Stock.
(c) C&N owns all of the capital stock of C&N Bank, free and clear of any lien, security
interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances, agreements and restrictions of any kind or nature and
either C&N or C&N Bank owns all of its shares of capital stock of each other C&N Subsidiary free
and clear of all liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances, agreements and
restrictions of any kind or nature. Except for the C&N Subsidiaries, or as set forth in the C&N
Disclosure Schedule, C&N does not possess, directly or indirectly, any material equity interest in
any association, except for equity interests held in the investment portfolios of C&N Subsidiaries,
equity interests held by C&N Subsidiaries in a fiduciary capacity, and equity interests held in
connection with the commercial loan activities of C&N Subsidiaries.
Section 3.03 Authority; No Violation.
(a) C&N has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, subject to receipt of the required approvals of
Regulatory Authorities described in Section 3.04 hereof and compliance with such approvals. C&N
Bank has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver the Bank Plan of Merger and to
consummate the Bank Plan of Merger subject to receipt of all necessary approvals of Regulatory
Authorities described in Section 3.04 hereof and compliance with such approvals. The approval of
C&Ns Shareholders is not required in connection with this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby (including the listing of shares of C&N Common Stock comprising the Stock
Consideration). The execution and delivery of this Agreement by C&N and the completion by C&N of
the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly approved by the board of directors
of C&N, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of C&N are necessary to complete the
transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered
by C&N and, subject to receipt of the required approvals of Regulatory Authorities described in
Section 3.04 hereof constitutes the valid and binding obligation of C&N, enforceable against C&N in
accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting
creditors rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.
The Bank Plan of Merger, upon its execution and delivery by C&N Bank, will constitute the valid and
binding obligation of C&N Bank, enforceable against C&N Bank in accordance with its terms, subject
to applicable conservatorship and receivership provisions of the FDIA, or insolvency and similar
laws affecting creditors rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles
of equity.
(b) None of (A) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by C&N, (B) the execution and
delivery of the Bank Plan of Merger by C&N Bank, (C) subject to receipt of approvals from the
Regulatory Authorities referred to in
A-21
Section 3.04 hereof and Citizens and C&Ns compliance with any conditions contained therein, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (D) compliance by C&N or C&N Bank with
any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement or of the Bank Plan of Merger will (i) conflict
with or result in a breach of any provision of the articles of incorporation or bylaws of C&N or
any C&N Subsidiary; (ii) violate any Law applicable to C&N or any C&N Subsidiary or any of their
respective properties or assets; or (iii) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of any
provisions of, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both,
would constitute a default), under, result in the termination of, accelerate the performance
required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration or the creation of any lien,
security interest, charge or other encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of C&N or any
C&N Subsidiary under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other investment or obligation to which C&N
is a party, or by which they or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound or
affected, except for such violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults under clause (ii) or (iii)
hereof which, either individually or in the aggregate, will not have a Material Adverse Effect on
C&N or C&Ns or C&N Banks ability to consummate the transactions contemplated herein.
Section 3.04 Consents. Except for consents, approvals, filings and registrations
from or with the Federal Reserve Board, the PDB, the FDIC, the SEC, and state blue sky
authorities, and compliance with any conditions contained therein, and the approval of the Bank
Plan of Merger by C&N as sole shareholder of C&N Bank, and by C&N Bank board of directors, no
consents or approvals of, or filings or registrations with, any public body or authority are
necessary, and no consents or approvals of any third parties are necessary, or will be, in
connection with (a) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by C&N or the Bank Plan of Merger
by C&N Bank, and (b) the completion by C&N of the transactions contemplated hereby or by C&N Bank
of the Bank Merger. To the Knowledge of C&N, there is no reasonable basis to expect that (i) any
required consents or approvals will not be received or will be received with conditions,
limitations or restrictions unacceptable to it or which would adversely impact C&Ns or C&N Banks
ability to complete the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that (ii) any public body or
authority, the consent or approval of which is not required or any filing with which is not
required, will object to the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 3.05 Financial Statements.
(a) C&N has made the C&N Regulatory Reports through November 30, 2006 available to Citizens
for inspection and will make the C&N Regulatory Reports for any dates or periods after November 30,
2006 through the Closing Date available to Citizens for inspection as soon as they are available.
The C&N Regulatory Reports have been prepared in all material respects in accordance with
applicable regulatory accounting principles and practices, including, but not limited to, all
applicable rules, regulations and pronouncements of Regulatory Authorities, throughout the periods
covered by such statements, and fairly present in all material respects, the financial position,
results of operations, and changes in shareholders equity of C&N or respective C&N Subsidiary, as
the case may be, as of and for the periods ended on the dates thereof, in accordance with
applicable regulatory accounting principles, including, but not limited to, all applicable rules,
regulations and pronouncements of Regulatory Authorities, applied on a consistent basis.
(b) C&N has previously delivered to Citizens the C&N Financials through November 30, 2006 and
will deliver to Citizens the C&N Financials for any dates or periods thereafter through the Closing
Date as soon as they are available. The C&N Financials have been prepared in accordance with GAAP
applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered by the C&N Financials, except as noted
therein and fairly present the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash
flows of C&N as of and for the periods ending on the dates thereof, in accordance with GAAP applied
on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered by the C&N Financials, except as noted
therein.
(c) At the date of the most recent balance sheet included in the C&N Financials or C&N
Regulatory Reports, neither C&N nor any of the C&N Subsidiaries had any liabilities, obligations or
loss contingencies of any nature (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) of a type
required to be reflected in such C&N Financials or C&N Regulatory Reports or in the footnotes
thereto which are not fully reflected or reserved against therein or fully disclosed in a footnote
thereto, subject, in the case of any unaudited statements, to normal recurring audit adjustments
and the absence of footnotes.
Section 3.06 Taxes. C&N and the C&N Subsidiaries are members of the same affiliated
group within the meaning of IRC Section 1504(a). C&N has duly filed all federal, state and local
tax returns required to be filed by or with respect to C&N and all C&N Subsidiaries (all such
returns being accurate and correct in all material respects) and has duly paid or made provisions
and related balance sheet accruals (if required) for the payment of all federal, state and local
taxes which have been incurred by or are due or claimed to be due from C&N and any C&N Subsidiary
by any taxing authority or pursuant to any tax sharing agreement or arrangement (written or oral)
other than taxes which (i) are not delinquent or (ii) are being contested in
A-22
good faith and (y)(i) are adequately reserved for, (ii) have not resulted in the imposition
of any lien and (iii) if adversely determined would not be reasonably expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect as to C&N or any C&N Subsidiary.
Section 3.07 No Material Adverse Effect. Neither C&N nor any C&N Subsidiary has
suffered any Material Adverse Effect since September 30, 2006.
Section 3.08 Ownership of Property; Insurance Coverage.
(a) C&N and each C&N Subsidiary has, or will have as to property acquired after the date
hereof, good and, as to real property, marketable title to all assets and properties owned by C&N
or such C&N Subsidiary in the conduct of its business, whether such assets and properties are real
or personal, tangible or intangible, including assets and property reflected in the balance sheets
contained in the C&N Regulatory Reports and in the C&N Financials or acquired subsequent thereto
(except to the extent that such assets and properties have been disposed of in the ordinary course
of business since the date of such balance sheets), subject to no encumbrances, liens, mortgages,
security interests or pledges, except (i) those items that secure liabilities for borrowed money
and that are described in the C&N Disclosure Schedule, (ii) statutory liens for amounts not yet
delinquent or which are being contested in good faith, (iii) pledges to secure deposits and other
liens incurred in the ordinary course of its banking business, (iv) such imperfections of title,
easements and encumbrances, if any, as are not material in character, amount or extent and (v) as
reflected on the consolidated statement of financial condition of C&N as of September 30, 2006
included in C&Ns Securities Documents. C&N or any C&N Subsidiary, as lessee, has the right under
valid and subsisting leases of real and personal properties used by it in the conduct of its
business to occupy or use all such properties as presently occupied and used by each of them.
(b) C&N and the C&N Subsidiaries currently maintain insurance considered by C&N to be
reasonable for its operations and similar in scope and coverage to that maintained by other
businesses similarly engaged. Neither C&N nor any C&N Subsidiary has received notice from any
insurance carrier that (i) such insurance will be cancelled or that coverage thereunder will be
reduced or eliminated, or (ii) premium costs with respect to such policies of insurance will be
materially increased. All such insurance is in full force and effect.
Section 3.09 Legal Proceedings. Neither C&N nor any C&N Subsidiary is a party to
any, and there are no pending or, to the Knowledge of C&N, threatened, legal, administrative,
arbitration or other proceedings, claims (whether asserted or unasserted), actions or governmental
investigations or inquiries of any nature (i) against C&N or any C&N Subsidiary, (ii) to which
C&Ns or any C&N Subsidiarys assets are or may be subject, (iii) challenging the validity or
propriety of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (iv) which could adversely
affect the ability of C&N or any C&N Subsidiary to perform under this Agreement, except for any
proceedings, claims, actions, investigations or inquiries referred to in clauses (i) or (ii) which,
individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect on C&N.
Section 3.10 Compliance With Applicable Law.
(a) C&N and the C&N Subsidiaries hold all licenses, franchises, permits and authorizations
necessary for the lawful conduct of their businesses under, and have complied in all material
respects with, applicable laws, statutes, orders, rules or regulations of any federal, state or
local governmental authority relating to them, other than where such failure to hold or such
noncompliance will neither result in a limitation in any material respect on the conduct of their
businesses nor otherwise have a Material Adverse Effect on C&N.
(b) Except as disclosed on C&N Disclosure Schedule 3.10, (i) C&N and each C&N Subsidiary is in
substantial compliance with all of the statutes, regulations or ordinances which each Regulatory
Authority applicable to them enforces; (ii) no Regulatory Authority has threatened to revoke any
license, franchise, permit or governmental authorization which is material to C&N or any C&N
Subsidiary or required or threatened to require C&N or any C&N Subsidiary to enter into a cease and
desist order, memorandum of understanding or written agreement with it and (iii) no Regulatory
Authority has restricted or limited the operations of C&N or any C&N Subsidiary, including without
limitation any restriction on the payment of dividends (any such memorandum, order or agreement
described in this sentence is hereinafter referred to as a Regulatory Agreement). Except as
disclosed on C&N Disclosure Schedule 3.10, neither C&N nor any C&N Subsidiary has consented to or
entered into any Regulatory Agreement. C&N Bank received a rating of at least Satisfactory in
connection with its last CRA examination.
Section 3.11 ERISA. To the Knowledge of C&N, neither C&N, any C&N Subsidiary, nor
any pension plan maintained or previously maintained by C&N or any C&N Subsidiary, has incurred,
directly or indirectly, within the past six (6) years any liability under Title IV of ERISA
(including to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation) or to the IRS with
A-23
respect to any pension plan qualified under IRC Section 401(a) except liabilities to the Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation pursuant to ERISA Section 4007, all of which have been fully paid,
nor, to the Knowledge of C&N, has any reportable event under ERISA Section 4043 occurred with
respect to any such pension plan. With respect to each of such plans that is subject to Title IV
of ERISA, to the Knowledge of C&N, the present value of the accrued benefits under such plan, based
upon the actuarial assumptions used for funding purposes in the plans most recent actuarial report
did not, as of its latest valuation date, exceed the then current value of the assets of such plan
allocable to such accrued benefits. To the Knowledge of C&N, neither C&N nor any C&N Subsidiary
has incurred or is subject to any liability under ERISA Section 4201 for a complete or partial
withdrawal from a multiemployer plan. To the Knowledge of C&N, all employee benefit plans, as
defined in ERISA Section 3(3), of C&N comply and within the past six (6) years have complied in all
material respects with (i) relevant provisions of ERISA and (ii) in the case of plans intended to
qualify for favorable income tax treatment, provisions of the IRC relevant to such treatment. To
the Knowledge of C&N, no prohibited transaction (which shall mean any transaction prohibited by
ERISA Section 406 and not exempt under ERISA Section 408 or any transaction prohibited under IRC
Section 4975) has occurred within the past six (6) years with respect to any employee benefit plan
maintained by C&N or any C&N Subsidiary which would result in the imposition, directly or
indirectly, of an excise tax under IRC Section 4975 or other penalty under ERISA or the IRC.
Section 3.12 Brokers, Finders and Financial Advisors; Fairness Opinion. Except for
C&Ns engagement of Sandler ONeill & Partners, L.P. (Sandler) in connection with transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, neither C&N nor any C&N Subsidiary nor any of their respective
officers, directors, employees or agents, has employed any broker, finder or financial advisor in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or incurred any liability or
commitment for any fees or commissions to any such person in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 3.13 Environmental Matters. To the Knowledge of C&N, neither C&N, any C&N
Subsidiary, nor any property owned or operated by C&N or any C&N Subsidiary, has been or is in
violation of or liable under any Environmental Law, except for such violations or liabilities that,
individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no actions,
suits or proceedings, or demands, claims or notices, including without limitation notices, demand
letters or requests for information from any Regulatory Authority, instituted or pending, or to the
Knowledge of C&N, threatened, or
any investigation pending, relating to the liability of C&N or any C&N Subsidiary with respect to
any property owned or operated by C&N or any C&N Subsidiary under any Environmental Law, except as
to any such actions or other matters which would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.14 Allowance for Losses. The allowance for loan and lease losses shown on
C&Ns consolidated statement of financial condition contained in the most recent C&N Financials and
included in the most recent C&N Regulatory Report was, and for periods ending after the date of
this Agreement, will be, established in accordance with GAAP and all other applicable regulatory
requirements.
Section 3.15 Information to be Supplied. The information to be supplied by C&N for
inclusion in the Registration Statement (including the Prospectus/Proxy Statement) and/or any
information C&N filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act which is incorporated by reference into
the Registration Statement (including the Prospectus/Proxy Statement) will not, at the time the
Registration Statement is declared effective pursuant to the Securities Act and as of the date the
Prospectus/Proxy Statement is mailed to shareholders of Citizens and up to and including the date
of the meeting of shareholders of Citizens to which such Prospectus/Proxy Statement relates,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein not misleading. The information supplied, or to be supplied,
by C&N for inclusion in the Applications will, at the time such documents are filed with any
Regulatory Authority and up to and including the date(s) of the attainment of any required
regulatory approvals or consents, be accurate in all material respects.
Section 3.16 Related Party Transactions. Neither C&N nor any C&N Subsidiary is a
party to any transaction (including any loan or other credit accommodation, but excluding deposits
in the ordinary course of business) with any Affiliate of C&N or any C&N Subsidiary, except
transactions (a) made in the ordinary course of business, (b) made on substantially the same
terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with other Persons, and (c) to the extent required by GAAP, disclosed in the footnotes
of the C&N Financials. No loan or credit accommodation currently being extended to any Affiliate
of C&N or any C&N Subsidiary is presently in default.
Section 3.17 Loans. Each loan reflected as an asset in the C&N Financials (i) is
evidenced in all respects in accordance with customary lending standards in the ordinary course of
business, (ii) to the extent secured, has been secured by valid liens and security interests which
have been perfected, and (iii) is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the obligor named
therein, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
conveyance and
A-24
other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors rights and to general
equity principles, in each case other than loans as to which the failure to satisfy the foregoing
standards, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on C&N.
Section 3.18 CRA, Anti-Money Laundering and Customer Information Security. C&N is
not aware of, has not been advised of, and has no reason to believe, that any facts or
circumstances exist which would cause C&N Bank (a) to be deemed not to be in satisfactory
compliance in any respect with the CRA, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, or to be
assigned a rating for CRA purposes by federal or state bank regulators of lower than
satisfactory, or (b) to be deemed to be operating in violation in any respect of the USA PATRIOT
Act, the Bank Secrecy Act and any regulations or rules promulgated under either of the foregoing
statutes, any order issued with respect to anti-money laundering by the U.S. Department of the
Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control, or any other applicable anti-money laundering statute,
rule or regulation, or (c) to be deemed not to be in satisfactory compliance in any material
respect with the applicable privacy of customer information requirements contained in any federal
and state privacy laws and regulations, including, without limitation, in Title V of the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 and regulations promulgated thereunder, as well as the provisions of
the information security program adopted by C&N Bank pursuant to 12 C.F.R. Part 364. Furthermore,
the board of directors of C&N Bank has adopted and implemented an anti-money laundering program
that contains adequate and appropriate customer identification certification procedures that has
not been deemed ineffective in any material respect by any Regulatory Authority and that meets the
requirements in all material respects of Section 353 of the USA PATRIOT Act and the regulations
thereunder.
Section 3.19 Securities Documents. The Securities Documents filed or to be filed by
C&N under the Exchange Act at any time since December 31, 2005 complied or will comply, at the time
filed with the SEC, in all material respects, with the Exchange Act and all applicable rules and
regulations of the SEC.
Section 3.20 Regulatory Capital. C&N and C&N Bank each meet all applicable
regulatory capital requirements, and C&N Bank is deemed well capitalized under such regulatory
requirements.
Section 3.21 Financing. At the Effective Date, C&N will have available cash
sufficient to pay the amounts required to be paid to Citizens shareholders pursuant to this
Agreement and shares available and reserved to pay the Stock Consideration, upon consummation of
the Merger.
Section 3.22 Tax Matters. At the date hereof, C&N does not have any reason to
believe that any conditions exist that might prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying as a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the IRC.
Section 3.23 Quality of Representations. The representations made by C&N in this
Agreement are true, correct and complete in all material respects and do not omit statements
necessary to make the representations not misleading under the circumstances.
ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES
Section 4.01 Conduct of Citizens Business.
(a) From the date of this Agreement to the Closing Date, Citizens will, and will cause CTC to,
conduct its business and engage in transactions, including extensions of credit, only in the
ordinary course and consistent with past practice and policies, except as otherwise required or
permitted by this Agreement or with the written consent of C&N. Citizens will use its reasonable
good faith efforts, and will cause CTC to use its reasonable good faith efforts, to (i) preserve
its business organizations intact, (ii) maintain good relationships with employees, and (iii)
preserve for itself the good will of customers of Citizens and CTC and others with whom business
relationships exist. From the date hereof to the Closing Date, except as otherwise consented to or
approved by C&N in writing or as permitted or required by this Agreement, Citizens will not and
Citizens will not permit CTC to:
(i) amend or change any provision of its articles of
incorporation or bylaws;
(ii) change the number of authorized or issued shares of its
capital stock or issue or grant any Right or split, combine or
reclassify any shares of capital stock, or declare, set aside or pay
any dividend or other distribution in respect of capital stock,
A-25
except that Citizens may pay a regular quarterly cash dividend to
shareholders in an amount not to exceed $0.22 per share (the
Quarterly Per Share Dividend Amount) in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice. Nothing contained in this
Section 4.01(a)(ii) or in any other section of this Agreement shall be
construed to permit Citizens shareholders to receive two dividends
either from Citizens or from Citizens and C&N in any quarter or to
deny or prohibit them from receiving one dividend from Citizens or C&N
in any quarter. Citizens shall cooperate with C&N to coordinate
dividend payment dates and record dates in the quarter in which the
Closing Date is anticipated to occur to achieve such results;
(iii) grant any severance or termination pay (other than pursuant
to written policies or written agreements of Citizens or CTC in effect
on the date hereof and provided to C&N prior to the date hereof, or as
provided for by this Agreement) to, or enter into any new or amend any
existing employment agreement with, increase the compensation of,
grant job promotions to or pay any bonus to, any employee, officer,
director, independent contractor, agent or other person associated
with Citizens or CTC, except for discretionary bonuses not to exceed
$50,000 in the aggregate and merit salary increases to employees of
Citizens or CTC for calendar year 2007 not to exceed, in the
aggregate, 3.5% of existing base salaries;
(iv) merge or consolidate Citizens or CTC with any other Person,
or sell or lease all or any substantial portion of the assets or
business of Citizens or CTC; make any acquisition of all or any
substantial portion of the business or assets of any other Person,
firm, association, corporation or business organization other than in
connection with the collection of any loan or credit arrangement
between Citizens or CTC and any other person; enter into a purchase
and assumption transaction with respect to deposits and liabilities;
permit the revocation or surrender by CTC of its certificate of
authority to maintain, or file an application for the relocation of,
any existing branch office or, file an application for a certificate
of authority to establish a new branch office;
(v) sell or otherwise dispose of the capital stock of CTC, or
sell or otherwise dispose of any asset of Citizens or CTC other than
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
subject any asset of Citizens or CTC to a lien, pledge, security
interest or other encumbrance (other than in connection with deposits,
repurchase agreements, bankers acceptances, treasury tax and loan
accounts established in the ordinary course of business and
transactions in federal funds and the satisfaction of legal
requirements in the exercise of trust powers) other than in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; or incur
any indebtedness for borrowed money (or guarantee any indebtedness for
borrowed money), except in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice;
(vi) take any action which would result in any of the
representations and warranties of Citizens set forth in this Agreement
becoming untrue as of any date after the date hereof or in any of the
conditions set forth in Article V hereof not being satisfied, except
in each case as may be required by applicable Law;
(vii) change any method, practice or principle of accounting,
except as may be required from time to time by changes in GAAP
becoming effective after the date of this Agreement (without regard to
any optional early adoption date) or by any Regulatory Authority
responsible for regulating Citizens or CTC;
(viii) waive, release, grant or transfer any rights of value or
modify or change in any material respect any existing Material
Contract other than in the ordinary course of business, consistent
with past practice;
(ix) implement any pension, retirement, profit sharing, bonus,
welfare benefit or similar plan or arrangement which was not in effect
on the date of this Agreement or, except as may be necessary to comply
with applicable Law or GAAP taking effect after the date of this
Agreement but prior to the Closing Date, and with not
A-26
less than thirty (30) days prior written notice thereof to C&N, if
practicable, amend any existing plan or arrangement;
(x) purchase any security for its investment portfolio not rated
A or higher by either Standard & Poors Corporation or Moodys
Investor Services, Inc. or otherwise alter, in any material respect,
the mix, maturity, credit or interest rate risk profile of its
portfolio of investment securities or its portfolio of mortgage-backed
securities;
(xi) make any new loan or other credit facility commitment
(including without limitation, lines of credit and letters of credit)
to any borrower or group of affiliated borrowers in excess of
$1,000,000 in the aggregate, or increase, compromise, extend, renew or
modify any existing loan or commitment outstanding in excess of
$1,000,000, except for any commitment disclosed on the Citizens
Disclosure Schedule;
(xii) except as set forth on the Citizens Disclosure Schedule or
except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, enter into, renew, extend or modify any transaction with any
Affiliate;
(xiii) enter into any interest rate swap or similar commitment,
agreement or arrangement;
(xiv) except for the execution of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, take any action
that would give rise to a right of any party to accelerate any payment
obligation or to receive any termination fee or penalty under any
contract to which Citizens or CTC is a party; or
(xv) agree to do any of the foregoing.
(b) For purposes of this Section 4.01, it shall not be considered in the ordinary course of
business for Citizens or CTC to do any of the following: (i) make any capital expenditure of
$100,000 or more not disclosed on the Citizens Disclosure Schedule, without the prior written
consent of C&N; (ii) make any sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other
disposition of any assets having a book or market value, whichever is greater, in the aggregate in
excess of $100,000, other than pledges of assets to secure government deposits, to exercise trust
powers, sales of assets received in satisfaction of debts previously contracted in the normal
course of business, the making of loans not in excess of $500,000 per loan, or transactions in the
investment securities portfolio by Citizens or repurchase agreements; or (iii) undertake or enter
any lease, contract or other commitment for its account that, if in existence on the date hereof,
would be a Material Contract (other than in the normal course of providing credit to customers as
part of its banking business).
Section 4.02 Access; Confidentiality.
(a) From the date of this Agreement through the Closing Date, Citizens shall afford to and
shall cause CTC to afford to C&N and its authorized agents and representatives, such access to its
properties, assets, books and records and personnel, at reasonable hours and after reasonable
notice and subject to applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, as C&N may
reasonably request; and the officers of Citizens will furnish any person making such investigation
on behalf of C&N with such financial and operating data and other information with respect to the
businesses, properties, assets, books and records and personnel as the person making such
investigation shall from time to time reasonably request.
(b) Citizens and C&N each agree to conduct such investigation and discussions hereunder in a
manner so as not to interfere unreasonably with normal operations and customer and employee
relationships of the other party.
(c) In addition to the access permitted by subparagraph (a) above, from the date of this
Agreement through the Closing Date, Citizens shall discuss with C&N regarding matters relating to
problem loans, loan restructurings and loan work-outs, investments, derivatives, and other
asset/liability activities of Citizens and CTC, provided that nothing contained in this
subparagraph shall be construed to grant C&N any decision-making authority with respect to such
matters.
(d) If the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not be consummated, Citizens and
C&N will continue to comply with the terms of the confidentiality agreement dated October 4, 2006.
A-27
Section 4.03 Regulatory Matters and Consents.
(a) C&N shall prepare a Prospectus/Proxy Statement to be mailed to shareholders of Citizens in
connection with the meeting of shareholders of Citizens to consider and approve the transactions
contemplated hereby, and to be filed by C&N with the SEC in the Registration Statement, which
Prospectus/Proxy Statement shall conform to all applicable legal requirements. Citizens shall use
its best efforts to prepare and furnish such information relating to it and its directors,
officers, and shareholders, and obtain and furnish customary opinions, consents and letters from
its financial advisor and independent registered public accounting firm, as may be required in
connection with the Registration Statement and Prospectus/Proxy Statement. C&N shall, following
the preparation thereof, and in no event later than February 28, 2007, file the Registration
Statement with the SEC and Citizens and C&N shall use all reasonable efforts to have the
Registration Statement declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after
such filing. C&N will advise Citizens, promptly after C&N receives notice thereof, of the time
when the Registration Statement has become effective or any supplement or amendment has been filed,
of the issuance of any stop order or the suspension of the qualification of the shares of capital
stock issuable pursuant to the Registration Statement, or the initiation or threat of any
proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the SEC for the amendment or supplement of
the Registration Statement or for additional information. C&N shall use its best efforts to
obtain, prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement, all necessary state securities
laws or Blue Sky permits and approvals required to carry out the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement. C&N will provide Citizens with as many copies of such Registration Statement and
all amendments thereto promptly upon the filing thereof as Citizens may reasonably request.
(b) C&N will prepare all Applications to Regulatory Authorities and make all filings for, and
use its reasonable best efforts to obtain as promptly as practicable after the date hereof, all
necessary permits, consents, approvals, waivers and authorizations of all Regulatory Authorities
necessary or advisable to complete the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) Citizens will furnish C&N with all information concerning Citizens as may be reasonably
necessary or advisable in connection with the Registration Statement and any Application or filing
made by or on behalf of C&N to any Regulatory Authority in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Bank Plan of Merger.
(d) Citizens shall have the right to review in advance, and to the extent practicable will
consult with C&N on, all information which appears in any filing made with or written materials
submitted to the SEC, any Regulatory Authority or any third party in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Bank Plan of Merger. In exercising the
foregoing right, Citizens shall act reasonably and as promptly as practicable. The parties hereto
agree that they will consult with each other with respect to the obtaining of all permits,
consents, approvals and authorizations of the SEC, Regulatory Authorities and third parties
necessary or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Bank
Plan of Merger and each party will keep the other apprised of the status of matters relating to
completion of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
(e) Each party will promptly furnish the other party with copies of all written communications
to, or received by it or any Subsidiary from, any Regulatory Authority in respect of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 4.04 Taking of Necessary Action. C&N and Citizens shall each use its
reasonable best efforts, and each of them shall cause its Subsidiaries to use their reasonable best
efforts, to take or cause to be taken all action necessary or desirable on its part using its best
efforts so as to permit completion of the Merger and the Bank Merger, as soon as practicable after
the date hereof, including, without limitation, (A) obtaining the consent or approval of each
individual, partnership, corporation, association or other business or professional entity whose
consent or approval is required for consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including
assignment of leases without any change in terms), provided that Citizens shall not agree to make
any payments or modifications to agreements in connection therewith without the prior written
consent of C&N, and (B) requesting the delivery of appropriate opinions, consents and letters from
its counsel and independent auditors. No party hereto shall take, or cause, or to the best of its
ability permit to be taken, any action that would reasonably be expected to substantially impair
the prospects of completing the Merger and the Bank Merger pursuant to this Agreement and the Bank
Plan of Merger; provided that nothing herein contained shall preclude C&N or Citizens or from
exercising its rights under this Agreement.
Section 4.05 Certain Agreements.
(a) (i) In the event of any threatened or actual claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation, whether civil, criminal or administrative, and whether brought by, or in the name of
Citizens or CTC or any of their respective
A-28
successors or assigns, in which any person who is now, or has been at any time prior to the date of
this Agreement, or who becomes prior to the Effective Time, a director or officer of Citizens or
CTC or other person designated by Citizens board of directors as an indemnified representative
in accordance with Citizens by-laws (the Indemnified Parties) is, or is threatened to be, made a
party to a suit based in whole or in part on, or arising in whole or in part out of, or pertaining
to (i) the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or other representative of Citizens
or CTC or (ii) this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, whether in any case
asserted or arising before or after the Effective Time, the Parties hereto agree to cooperate and
defend against and respond thereto to the extent permitted or required by applicable law and the
articles of incorporation and by-laws of Citizens. From and after the Effective Time, C&N shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless all Indemnified Parties against (i) all losses, claims,
damages, costs, expenses, liabilities or judgments or amounts that are paid in settlement (with the
approval of C&N which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) of or in connection with any
claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation based in whole or in part on or arising in whole
or in part out of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or other representative
of Citizens or CTC, whether pertaining to any matter existing or occurring at or prior to the
Effective Time and whether asserted or claimed prior to, or at or after, the Effective Time
(Indemnified Liabilities) and (ii) all Indemnified Liabilities based in whole or in part on, or
arising in whole or in part out of, or pertaining to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby, in either case to the same extent as such Indemnified Party may be indemnified
by Citizens or CTC as of the date hereof under the articles of incorporation and by-laws of
Citizens, including the right to advancement of expenses, provided, however, that any such
Indemnified Party shall not be indemnified by C&N and/or C&N Bank if such indemnification is
prohibited by applicable Law.
(b) C&N shall maintain Citizens or CTCs existing directors and officers liability
insurance policy (or a policy providing comparable coverage amounts on terms generally no less
favorable, including C&Ns existing policy if it meets the foregoing standard) covering those
persons who are currently covered by such insurance for a period of six years after the Effective
Date; provided, however, that in no event shall C&N be obligated to expend, in order to maintain or
provide insurance coverage pursuant to this Section 4.05(b), any amount per annum in excess of 200%
of the amount of the annual premiums paid as of the date hereof by Citizens for such insurance (the
Maximum Amount). If the amount of the annual premiums necessary to maintain or procure such
insurance coverage exceeds the Maximum Amount, C&N shall use all reasonable efforts to maintain the
most advantageous policies of directors and officers insurance obtainable for an annual premium
equal to the Maximum Amount.
(c) In the event that C&N or any of its respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with
or merges into any other person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity
of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its properties and
assets to any Person, then, and in each such case the successors and assigns of such entity shall
assume the obligations set forth in this Section 4.05.
(d) The Indemnified Parties are intended third party beneficiaries of the provisions of this
Section 4.05.
Section 4.06 No Other Bids and Related Matters. Citizens shall not, nor shall it
authorize or permit any of its officers, directors or employees or any investment banker, financial
advisor, attorney, accountant or other representative retained by it to:
(a) Initiate, solicit, encourage (including by way of furnishing information), or take any
other action to facilitate, any inquiries or the making of any proposal which constitutes an
Acquisition Proposal (as hereinafter defined);
(b) Enter into or maintain or continue discussions or negotiate with any person in furtherance
of an Acquisition Proposal; or
(c) Agree to or endorse any Acquisition Proposal.
Citizens shall notify C&N as promptly as practicable, in reasonable detail, as to any inquiries and
proposals which it or any of its representatives or agents may receive.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, provisions of this Section 4.06, Citizens may, and may permit its
officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives to respond to and engage in any
discussions or negotiations with or provide any information to any Person in response to a Superior
Proposal (as hereinafter defined) if and only to the extent that (x) Citizens board of directors
concludes in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors,
that failure to do so would constitute a breach of its fiduciary duties to Citizens shareholders
under applicable Law, (y) prior to providing any information or data to any Person in connection
with a Superior Proposal by any such Person, Citizens Board of Directors receives from such Person
an executed confidentiality agreement, the terms of which shall be no less favorable to
A-29
Citizens than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement between Citizens and C&N, a copy of
which executed confidentiality agreement shall have been provided to C&N for informational
purposes, and (z) at least 48 hours prior to providing any information or data to any Person or
entering into any discussions or negotiations with any such Person, Citizens notifies C&N in
writing of the name of such Person and the material terms of any such Superior Proposal.
As used herein, the term Acquisition Proposal means a bona fide proposal (including a written or
verbal communication) involving a Person other than C&N or an Affiliate of C&N for: (A) a merger,
consolidation or acquisition of all or substantially all the assets or liabilities of Citizens,
CTC, or any other business combination involving Citizens or CTC; or (B) a transaction involving
the transfer of beneficial ownership (with the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of any
class or series of equity securities of Citizens or CTC and as a result of such transaction, such
Person would beneficially own 20% or more of the then outstanding shares or units of such class or
series. As used herein, the term Superior Proposal means, with respect to Citizens, any bona
fide, unsolicited written Acquisition Proposal made by a Person other than C&N which is on terms
which the board of directors of Citizens in good faith concludes (after consultation with its
financial advisors and outside counsel), taking into account, among other things, all break-up
fees, expense reimbursement provisions and conditions to consummation and all legal, financial,
regulatory and other aspects of the proposal and the person making the proposal, (A) is more
favorable to its shareholders from a financial point of view than the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, and (B) is such that the failure to pursue such Acquisition Proposal would or could
reasonably be expected to constitute a breach of its fiduciary duties.
Section 4.07 Duty to Advise; Duty to Update Disclosure Schedule. Each party shall
promptly advise the other party of any change or event having a Material Adverse Effect on it or
which it believes would cause or constitute a material breach of any of its representations,
warranties or covenants set forth herein. Each party shall update its respective Disclosure
Schedule as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of an event or fact which, if such event
or fact had occurred prior to the date of this Agreement, would have been disclosed in such
Disclosure Schedule. The delivery of such updated Disclosure Schedule shall not relieve a party
from any breach or violation of this Agreement and shall not have any effect for the purposes of
determining the satisfaction of the condition set forth in Sections 5.01(c) and 5.02(c) hereof, as
applicable; provided, however, that any noncompliance with the foregoing provision shall not
constitute failure of a condition or give rise to any right of termination unless the underlying
change or event shall independently constitute such a failure or give rise to such a right.
Section 4.08 Conduct of C&Ns Business. From the date of this Agreement to the
Closing Date, C&N will use its reasonable good faith efforts to (i) preserve its and each C&N
Subsidiarys business organizations intact, (ii) maintain good relationships with employees, and
(iii) preserve for itself the goodwill of customers of C&N and C&N Subsidiaries and others with
whom business relationships exist.
Section 4.09 Current Information.
(a) During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Date, each party shall,
upon the request of the other party, cause one or more of its designated representatives to confer
on a monthly or more frequent basis with representatives of the other party regarding its financial
condition, operations and business and matters relating to the completion of the transactions
contemplated hereby. Within fifteen (15) days after the end of each month, Citizens will deliver to
C&N a consolidating and consolidated balance sheet and a consolidating and consolidated statement
of operations, without related notes, for such month for Citizens.
(b) During the period commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending on the Effective
Date, Citizens within fifteen (15) days after the end of each calendar month, shall provide to C&N,
in such electronic format as C&N reasonably requests, investment, loan, deposit and borrowing
information, in account and deposit level detail.
Section 4.10 Undertakings by C&N and Citizens.
(a) From and after the date of this Agreement, Citizens shall:
(i) Recommendation of Board. Through its board of
directors, unanimously recommend that Citizens shareholders approve
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; provided that
Citizens may withdraw, modify or qualify or take any action or make
any other statement inconsistent with such recommendation in
connection with a Superior Proposal (as defined in Section 4.06) if
the board of directors of Citizens determines in good faith, after
consultation with its financial advisors and
A-30
outside legal counsel, that the failure to take such action would or
could reasonably be expected to constitute a breach of its fiduciary
duties;
(ii) Phase I Environmental Audit. Permit C&N, if C&N
elects to do so, at its own expense, to cause a phase I environmental
audit to be performed within sixty (60) days after the date of this
Agreement at any physical location owned or occupied by Citizens on
the date hereof;
(iii) Approval of Bank Plan of Merger. Take all action
necessary and appropriate to approve the Bank Plan of Merger as sole
shareholder of CTC and cause the execution and delivery of, the Bank
Plan of Merger by CTC;
(iv) Proxy Solicitor. If C&N requests and agrees to bear
the expense thereof, retain a proxy solicitor in connection with the
solicitation of Citizens shareholder approval of this Agreement;
(v) Outside Service Bureau Contracts. If requested to do
so by C&N, use its reasonable best efforts to obtain an extension or
early termination of any contract with an outside service bureau or
other vendor of services to Citizens, on terms and conditions mutually
acceptable to Citizens and C&N, but nothing in this Section 4.11(a)(v)
shall be construed as obligating Citizens to terminate any contract or
arrangement;
(vi) List of Problem Loans. Within fifteen (15) days of
the end of each month, provide C&N with a written list of (i) all
loans of CTC classified by CTC or any Regulatory Authority as Special
Mention, Substandard, Doubtful, Loss, or any other
classification of similar import (ii) all commercial and mortgage
loans of CTC classified as non-accrual, and (iii) all commercial
loans of CTC classified as in substance foreclosed.
(vii) Committee Meetings. Permit a representative of
C&N, who is reasonably acceptable to Citizens, to attend all
management committee meetings of Citizens and CTC, including, without
limitation, any loan, asset/liability, investment or risk management
committees;
(viii) Reserves and Merger-Related Costs. Before the
Effective Time, establish such additional accruals and reserves as may
be necessary to conform the accounting reserve practices and methods
(including credit loss practices and methods) of Citizens to those of
C&N (as such practices and methods are to be applied to Citizens from
and after the Closing Date) and C&Ns plans with respect to the
conduct of the business of Citizens following the Merger and otherwise
to reflect merger-related expenses and costs incurred by Citizens;
provided, however, that Citizens shall not be required to take such
action (A) unless such action is not inconsistent with GAAP and would
not result in a violation of applicable banking laws and regulations
or of the rules and regulations of the SEC; (B) more than five (5)
days prior to the Effective Date; and (C) unless C&N agrees in writing
that all conditions to closing set forth in Section 5.02 have been
satisfied or waived (except for the expiration of any applicable
waiting periods). No accrual or reserve made by Citizens pursuant to
this subsection, or any litigation or regulatory proceeding arising
out of any such accrual or reserve, shall constitute or be deemed to
be a breach or violation of any representation, warranty, covenant,
condition or other provision of this Agreement or to constitute a
termination event within the meaning of Section 6.01(h) hereof;
(ix) Shareholders Meeting. Take all action necessary to
properly call and convene a meeting of its shareholders as soon as
reasonably practicable to consider and vote upon this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby (provided, however, that Citizens
shall have no obligation to call or hold the shareholders meeting if
this Agreement is terminated prior thereto);
A-31
(x) Personnel Information. Except as otherwise
restricted by law, deliver to C&N, if not done so heretofore,
schedule(s) of all employees including pertinent information
concerning each such employee as reasonably requested by C&N and
sorted as reasonably requested by C&N; such schedule(s) shall be
updated as necessary to reflect in a timely manner any deletions or
additions; and make available for inspection and copying by C&N all
personnel records (other than medical-related records);
(xi) Personnel Additions and Terminations. Advise and
consult with C&N regarding the hiring or termination of any employee,
provided that Citizens shall have the right to replace customer
contact employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice and further provided that non-customer contact job
vacancies that occur prior to the Effective Date through attrition may
be filled by new employees hired if Citizens provides C&N with prior
written notice of its intention to fill the position, providing such
details as C&N reasonably may request, provided that C&N does not
object in writing within three (3) Business Days after receipt of
Citizens notice, and C&N hereby agrees that it will not raise any
unreasonable objection;
(xii) Employment Policies. Deliver to C&N all personnel
policy manuals, memoranda and postings, and all employee handbooks or
other communications with employees regarding personnel policies and
practices and furnish additional information as reasonably requested
by C&N with respect to such policies and practices and any others not
covered by any such written materials;
(xiii) WARN Notices. Assist C&N as reasonably requested
by it in connection with C&N providing notices to affected employees
under the Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or
complying with any other Labor and Employment Law; and
(xiv) Employment Law Claims. Inform C&N promptly upon
receiving notice of any legal, administrative, arbitration or other
proceedings, demands, notices, audits or investigations (by any
federal, state or local commission, agency or board) relating to the
alleged liability of Citizens or CTC under any Labor and Employment
Law.
(xv) Updated Fairness Opinion. Use its reasonable best
efforts to obtain an updated written opinion from RB to the effect
that the Merger Consideration to be received by shareholders of
Citizens pursuant to this Agreement is fair, from a financial point of
view, to such shareholders, dated no more than ten (10) days prior to
the date of mailing of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement to the
shareholders of Citizens, for inclusion in such Prospectus/Proxy
Statement.
(b) From and after the date of this Agreement, C&N and Citizens shall each:
(i) Identification of Citizens Affiliates. Cooperate
with the other and use its best efforts to identify those persons who
may be deemed to be Affiliates of Citizens;
(ii) Public Announcements. Cooperate and cause its
respective officers, directors, employees and agents to cooperate in
good faith, consistent with their respective legal obligations, in the
preparation and distribution of, and agree upon the form and substance
of, any press release related to this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, and any other public disclosures related thereto,
including without limitation communications to Citizens shareholders,
Citizens internal announcements and customer disclosures, but nothing
contained herein shall prohibit either party from making any
disclosure which its counsel deems necessary under applicable law;
(iii) Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain, and cause
their respective Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance in such amounts
as are reasonable to cover such risks as are customary in relation to
the character and location of its properties and the nature of its
business;
A-32
(iv) Maintenance of Books and Records. Maintain, and
cause their respective Subsidiaries to maintain, books of account and
records in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with
those principles used in preparing the financial statements heretofore
delivered;
(v) Delivery of Securities Documents. Deliver to the
other, copies of all Securities Documents simultaneously with the
filing thereof; and
(vi) Taxes. File all federal, state, and local tax
returns required to be filed by them or their respective Subsidiaries
on or before the date such returns are due (including any extensions)
and pay all taxes shown to be due on such returns on or before the
date such payment is due and provide or properly accrue for taxes not
yet due and payable.
Section 4.11 Employee Benefits and Termination Benefits.
(a) Employee Benefits. Except as set forth in this Section 4.11(a) and as provided in
Section 4.11(b), as of the Effective Time, each employee of Citizens or CTC who becomes an employee
of C&N or of any C&N Subsidiary shall be entitled to full credit for each year of service with
Citizens or CTC for purposes of determining eligibility for participation and vesting, but not
benefit accrual, in C&Ns, or as appropriate, in the C&N Subsidiarys, employee benefit plans,
programs and policies. C&N shall use the original date of hire by Citizens or CTC in making these
determinations. Notwithstanding the above, Citizens employees shall be eligible to participate in
the Citizens & Northern Bank Pension Plan commencing January 1, 2008, provided that they have the
requisite service (which includes credited service with Citizens), subject to the provisions of the
Citizens & Northern Pension Plan in effect as of January 1, 2008. After the Effective Time, C&N
may maintain, discontinue, amend, freeze, convert to, or merge any C&N or C&N Subsidiary plan or
any Citizens benefit plan, subject to the plans provisions and applicable Law, and subject further
to the requirement that employees of Citizens or CTC shall not be treated differently in any
material respect than similarly situated employees of C&N or a C&N Subsidiary, except as
specifically referenced herein.
(b) Severance Policy. C&N agrees to cause C&N Bank to provide a lump sum severance
payment, as set forth below, to any full-time, active employee of Citizens or CTC whose employment
is terminated hereafter in connection with the Merger up to twelve (12) months following the
Effective Date, because (i) such employees position is eliminated, or (ii) such employee is not
offered or retained in comparable employment (i.e., a position of generally similar job description
or responsibilities with Citizens or CTC) with C&N Bank or any C&N Subsidiary, excluding any
employee (i) who has an existing employment or consulting agreement with Citizens or CTC, (ii) who
has accepted an offer from C&N of noncomparable employment, (iii) who has been designated to
receive a retention bonus in accordance with Section 4.11(d), or (iv) whose employment is
terminated for Cause (as defined below), provided such employee executes such documentation as C&N
may reasonably require, including C&Ns customary form of release. The severance pay to be
provided by C&N Bank under this subsection shall equal one (1) weeks pay for each full year of
continuous service (determined based on the date of the employees commencement of employment with
Citizens) with a minimum severance benefit of four (4) weeks pay and a maximum severance benefit
of twenty-six (26) weeks pay. For purposes of this Section 4.11(b), Cause shall mean
termination because of the employees personal dishonesty, misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty
involving personal profit, intentional failure to perform stated duties or willful violation of any
Law (other than traffic violations or similar offenses). The benefits provided to terminated
Citizens employees under this subsection are the only severance benefits payable by C&N or C&N Bank
to such employees (excluding severance benefits provided under existing employment or consulting
agreements or as otherwise required by Law). The benefits payable to employees under this
subsection or otherwise shall in any event be in lieu of any termination benefits to which such
employees would otherwise be entitled under C&Ns or C&N Banks severance policies or programs then
in effect.
(c) Intention regarding Future Employment. C&N shall use its reasonable best efforts
to inform the employees of Citizens at least forty-five (45) days prior to the Effective Date of
the likelihood of such employees having continued employment with C&N Bank following the Effective
Date.
(d) Retention Bonuses. Each employee of Citizens or CTC jointly designated in writing
by mutual agreement of C&N and Citizens shall be entitled to receive a retention bonus from
Citizens, CTC, C&N or a C&N Subsidiary, as the case may be, in an amount to be mutually agreed upon
in writing by C&N and Citizens, which amount shall not exceed $7,500 per employee or $25,000 in the
aggregate for all employees, in the event that such employee remains an employee of Citizens or
CTC, or C&N or a C&N Subsidiary, as applicable, until the Effective Date (or in certain cases, a
date, after the Effective Date, that the systems conversion occurs) provided that such employee is
not terminated for Cause prior to the Effective Date or thereafter, if applicable. Except as
otherwise agreed to by C&N, retention bonuses shall not be payable
A-33
to any Citizens or CTC employee who is a party to an employment or other agreement that provides
severance benefits or payments in the event of a termination of employment following a change in
control of Citizens or CTC.
Section 4.12 Citizens Division; Advisory Board.
(a) For a period of at least two (2) years after the Effective Date, C&N shall operate the
former business of CTC as the Citizens Division of Citizens & Northern Bank, subject to such
consolidations and/or closures of branch offices of C&N and CTC as deemed desirable by C&N (the
Citizens Division) under the name Citizens Trust Company, a division of Citizens & Northern
Bank or similar designation authorized by the PDB (and to which the FDIC has no objection).
(b) On the Effective Date, C&N Bank shall establish the Citizens Advisory Board (the
Citizens Advisory Board), which shall consist of all non-employee members of the CTC board of
directors immediately before the Effective Date, but excluding the Citizens Designee. The Citizens
Advisory Board shall be maintained for a term of at least two (2) years after the Effective Date.
Each member of the Citizens Advisory Board shall be paid for his or her services in accordance with
C&Ns standard compensation policy for advisory or divisional board members and shall be subject to
C&Ns policies concerning advisory board membership, including mandatory retirement provisions.
Section 4.13 Affiliate Letter. Citizens shall deliver to C&N, concurrently with the
execution of this Agreement, the Letter Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 2 (the Letter
Agreement), executed by each director and each executive officer of Citizens.
Section 4.14 Nasdaq Listing. C&N shall use its reasonable best efforts to list,
prior to the Effective Date, on the Nasdaq Capital Market, the shares of C&N Common Stock to be
issued in connection with the Merger.
ARTICLE V
CONDITIONS
Section 5.01 Conditions to Citizens Obligations under this Agreement. The
obligations of Citizens hereunder shall be subject to satisfaction at or prior to the Closing Date
of each of the following conditions, unless waived by Citizens pursuant to Section 7.03 hereof:
(a) Corporate Proceedings. All action required to be taken by, or on the part of, C&N
and C&N Bank to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Bank
Plan of Merger, respectively, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Bank Plan of Merger, shall have been duly and validly taken by C&N and C&N Bank;
and Citizens shall have received certified copies of the resolutions evidencing such
authorizations;
(b) Covenants. The obligations and covenants of C&N required by this Agreement to be
performed by C&N at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been duly performed and complied with
in all respects, except where the failure to perform or comply with any obligation or covenant
would not, either individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect with
respect to C&N or C&Ns ability to perform its obligations hereunder;
(c) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of C&N set
forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct, as of the date of this Agreement, and as of the
Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date, except as to any representation or
warranty (i) which specifically relates to an earlier date or (ii) where the breach of the
representation or warranty would not, either individually or in the aggregate, constitute a
Material Adverse Effect with respect to C&N;
(d) Shareholder Approval. The shareholders of Citizens and CTC, respectively, shall
have approved the Merger, the Bank Merger, this Agreement and the Bank Plan of Merger in accordance
with their respective articles of incorporation, bylaws and applicable Law; provided, however, that
the failure of this condition shall not excuse Citizens from any obligation it otherwise would have
to pay to C&N the fee specified in Section 7.01(c) under the terms thereof.
(e) Approvals of Regulatory Authorities. C&N shall have received all required
approvals of Regulatory Authorities of the Merger and the Bank Merger and delivered copies thereof
to Citizens; and all notice and waiting periods required thereunder shall have expired or been
terminated;
A-34
(f) No Injunction. There shall not be in effect any order, decree or injunction of a
court or agency of competent jurisdiction which enjoins or prohibits consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby;
(g) No Material Adverse Effect. There shall not have occurred any Material Adverse
Effect with respect to C&N;
(h) Officers Certificate. C&N shall have delivered to Citizens a certificate and
such other documents, dated the Closing Date and signed, without personal liability, by its
chairman or president, to the effect that the conditions set forth in subsections (a) through (f)
of this Section 5.01 have been satisfied, to the best knowledge of the officer executing the same;
(i) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall be effective under the
Securities Act and no proceedings shall be pending or threatened by the SEC to suspend the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement; and all required approvals by state securities or
blue sky authorities with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, shall have
been obtained and neither the Registration Statement nor any such approval by state securities or
blue sky authorities shall be subject to a stop order or threatened stop order by the SEC or any
such authority;
(j) Listing of Shares. The shares of C&N Common Stock comprising the Stock
Consideration shall have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
(k) Tax Opinion. Citizens shall have received an opinion of Rhoads & Sinon LLP
substantially to the effect set forth on Exhibit 3 attached hereto;
(l) Opinion of Counsel for C&N. Citizens shall have received an opinion dated the
Closing Date from Rhoads & Sinon LLP, counsel to C&N, in substantially the form of Exhibit 4
hereto.
Section 5.02 Conditions to C&Ns Obligations under this Agreement. The obligations
of C&N hereunder shall be subject to satisfaction at or prior to the Closing Date of each of the
following conditions, unless waived by C&N pursuant to Section 7.03 hereof:
(a) Corporate Proceedings. All action required to be taken by, or on the part of,
Citizens and CTC to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
Bank Plan of Merger, respectively, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Bank Plan of Merger, shall have been duly and validly taken by Citizens and CTC
and C&N shall have received certified copies of the resolutions evidencing such authorizations;
(b) Covenants. The obligations and covenants of Citizens, required by this Agreement
to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been duly performed and complied
with in all respects, except where the failure to perform or comply with any obligation or covenant
would not, either individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect with
respect to Citizens or on Citizens ability to perform its obligations hereunder;
(c) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Citizens
set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement, and as of
the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date, except as to any representation or
warranty (i) which specifically relates to an earlier date or (ii) where the breach of the
representation or warranty would not, either individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material
Adverse Effect with respect to Citizens;
(d) Approvals of Regulatory Authorities. C&N and Citizens shall have received all
required approvals or consents of Regulatory Authorities for the Merger and the Bank Merger; all
notice and waiting periods required thereunder shall have expired or been terminated; and, no such
approval or consent shall have imposed any condition or requirement which the C&N board of
directors reasonably determines would, following the Effective Time, be expected to cause a
Material Adverse Effect as to C&N;
(e) No Injunction. There shall not be in effect any order, decree or injunction of a
court or agency of competent jurisdiction which enjoins or prohibits consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby;
(f) No Material Adverse Effect. There shall not have occurred any Material Adverse
Effect with respect to Citizens;
A-35
(g) Officers Certificate. Citizens shall have delivered to C&N a certificate and
such other documents, dated the Closing Date and signed, without personal liability, by its
chairman of the board or president, to the effect that the conditions set forth in subsections (a)
through (f) of this Section 5.02 have been satisfied, to the best knowledge of the officer
executing the same;
(h) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall be effective under the
Securities Act and no proceedings shall be pending or threatened by the SEC to suspend the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement; and all required approvals by state securities or
blue sky authorities with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, shall have
been obtained and neither the Registration Statement nor any such approval by state securities or
blue sky authorities shall be subject to a stop order or threatened stop order by the SEC or any
such authority;
(i) Tax Opinion. C&N shall have received an opinion of Rhoads & Sinon LLP
substantially to the effect set forth on Exhibit 3 attached hereto;
(j) Opinion of Counsel for Citizens. C&N shall have received an opinion dated the
Closing Date from Cohen & Grigsby, P.C., counsel to Citizens, substantially to the effect of that
set forth on Exhibit 5 attached hereto;
(k) Phase I Environmental Audit Results. The results of any phase I environmental
audit conducted pursuant to Section 4.11(a)(ii) with respect to owned or occupied bank premises
shall be reasonably satisfactory to C&N; provided, however, that (i) any such environmental audit
must be initiated within 30 days of the date of this Agreement, (ii) C&N must elect to terminate
this Agreement or waive its right to terminate the Agreement under this Section 5.02(k) within 15
days of receiving the results of all such environmental audits and (iii) C&N may not terminate this
Agreement under this Section 5.02(k) unless the results of such audits result in a Material Adverse
Effect on C&N; and
(l) Fairness Opinion. C&N shall have received an opinion from its financial advisor,
Sandler ONeill & Partners, L.P., as of the date of this Agreement that the Merger Consideration is
fair to shareholders of C&N from a financial point of view.
ARTICLE VI
TERMINATION, WAIVER AND AMENDMENT
Section 6.01 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated on or at any time prior
to the Closing Date:
(a) By the mutual written consent of the Parties hereto;
(b) By C&N or Citizens:
(i) if the Closing Date shall not have occurred on or before
August 31, 2007; or
(ii) if either Party has received a final unappealable
administrative order from a Regulatory Authority whose approval or
consent is required that such approval or consent will not be granted;
unless in the case of both Section 6.01(b)(i) and 6.01(b)(ii) hereof
the failure of such occurrence shall be proximately contributed to by
the Party seeking to terminate this Agreement to perform or observe in
any material respect its agreements set forth herein required to be
performed or observed by such Party on or before the Closing Date.
(c) By Citizens or C&N if Citizens shareholders fail to approve this Agreement at the meeting
of Citizens shareholders called for that purpose or such meeting is cancelled by Citizens;
(d) By Citizens, no later than 5:00 p.m. prevailing time on the Business Day immediately
preceding the Closing Date, following a determination that both:
(i) the Average Closing Price is less than $17.62; and
(ii) the C&N Ratio is less than the Index Ratio by more than 20%.
A-36
For purposes of this Section 6.01(d), the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Determination Date means the Business Day which is three (3) Business Days immediately prior
to the Closing Date.
Determination Period means the twenty (20) trading days ending on the Determination Date.
Starting Date Price shall mean the market value of a share of C&N Common Stock on the
Starting Date, which by agreement of the parties hereto is determined to be $22.03.
C&N Ratio shall mean the quotient (multiplied by 100 to express such quotient as a
percentage) obtained by dividing the Average Closing Price by the Starting Date Price.
Index Ratio shall mean the quotient (multiplied by 100 to express such quotient as a
percentage) obtained by dividing the Determination Period Index Price by the Starting Date Index
Price.
Index Group shall mean the 20 bank or thrift holding companies listed on Exhibit 6 hereto,
the common stocks of all of which shall be publicly traded; provided, however, that there shall not
have been, since the Starting Date and before the Determination Date, any public announcement of a
proposal for such company to be acquired or for such company to acquire another company or
companies in transactions with a value exceeding 25% of the acquirers market capitalization, in
which case the company or companies shall be excluded form the Index Group. In the event that any
such company or companies are removed from the Index Group, the respective weightings of the
companies remaining in the Index Group shall be adjusted for purposes of determining the Index
Price and the Starting Date Index Price shall be redetermined with respect to the reconstituted
Index Group.
Index Price shall mean the weighted average (which weights have been determined based upon
relative market capitalization as of the Starting Date) of the closing sales prices per share of
the companies comprising the Index Group.
Starting Date shall mean November 10, 2006.
Starting Date Index Price shall mean the Index Price on the Starting Date, which by
agreement of the parties hereto is determined to be $38.72.
Determination Period Index Price shall mean the average of the Index Prices for each of the
days in the Determination Period.
(iv) If any company within the Index Group or C&N effects a stock
dividend, reclassification, recapitalization, split-up, combination,
exchange of shares or similar transaction between the Starting Date
and the Determination Date, the prices for the common stock of such
company or C&N shall be appropriately adjusted for purposes of this
Section 6.01(d).
(e) By C&N if Citizens or CTC enters into any letter of intent, agreement or similar type
agreement with a view to being acquired by, or effecting a business combination with, any other
Person; or any agreement to merge, consolidate, to combine or to sell a material portion of its
assets or to be acquired in any other manner by any other Person or to acquire a material amount of
assets or a material equity position in any other Person, whether financial or otherwise.
(f) By Citizens prior to the Citizens shareholder meeting in circumstances where the board of
directors of Citizens failed to publicly recommend that the shareholders vote in favor of this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby or shall have withdrawn, modified or amended
such recommendation to the extent permitted by Section 4.10(a)(i) or in order to enter concurrently
into any agreement to engage in any transaction described in (e) above that is a Superior Proposal
and with respect to which Citizens has followed the procedures set forth in Section 4.06.
(g) By C&N at any time prior to the Closing Date if (i) Citizens shall have breached the
provisions of Section 4.06 of this Agreement in any respect materially adverse to C&N, (ii) the
board of directors of Citizens shall have failed to recommend and endorse this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, or withdrawn or modified its approval or recommendation of this
Agreement and the Merger, or (iii) the board of directors of Citizens shall have failed to call,
give notice of, convene or hold a meeting of shareholders to approve the Merger prior to June 30,
2007.
A-37
(h) At any time at or prior to the Effective Date, by Citizens in writing if C&N has, or by
C&N in writing if Citizens has, in any material respect, breached (i) any material covenant or
undertaking contained herein or (ii) any representation or warranty contained herein, which in the
case of a breach referred to in subclause (i) or (ii) above by C&N would have a Material Adverse
Effect on C&N or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and in case of a
breach referred to in subclause (i) or (ii) above by Citizens would have a Material Adverse Effect
on Citizens or its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, in any case if such
breach has not been substantially cured by the earlier of thirty (30) days after the date on which
written notice of such breach is given to the party committing such breach or the Effective Date,
but not if on such date such breach no longer causes such a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 6.02 Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
Section 6.01 hereof, this Agreement shall forthwith become void (other than Section 4.02(d),
Section 4.11(b)(ii) and Section 7.01 hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect), and
there shall be no further liability hereunder on the part of C&N or Citizens to the other, except
for any liability arising out of any uncured willful breach of any covenant or other agreement
contained in this Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.01 Expenses and Other Fees.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 7.01(b) and (c), each party hereto shall bear and pay all
costs and expenses incurred by it in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby,
including fees and expenses of its own financial consultants, accountants and counsel.
(b) If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 6.01(h) upon the willful or
intentional breach of a Party hereto, such Party shall be liable to the other for out-of-pocket
costs and expenses, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of lawyers,
accountants and investment bankers, incurred by such other Party in connection with the entering
into of this Agreement and the carrying out of any and all acts contemplated hereunder
(Expenses); provided, however, that the maximum amount that either Party shall be liable to the
other Party for Expenses pursuant to this Section 7.01(b) shall be $250,000. The payment of
Expenses shall not constitute an exclusive remedy, but is in addition to any other rights or
remedies available to the parties hereto at law.
(c) Citizens shall immediately pay C&N a fee of nine hundred thousand dollars ($900,000) in
immediately available funds if:
(i) This Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 6.01(g) and
Citizens authorizes, recommends or publicly proposes, or publicly
announces an intention to authorize, recommend or propose, an
agreement, letter of intent, or memorandum of understanding with a
Person other than C&N or an Affiliate of C&N pursuant to which such
Person or any Affiliate of such Person would:
(A) Merge or consolidate, or enter into any similar transaction
with Citizens or CTC;
(B) Acquire all or substantially all of the assets or
liabilities of Citizens or CTC; or
(C) Acquire beneficial ownership of securities representing, or
the rights to acquire beneficial ownership of or to vote securities
representing, 20% or more of the then outstanding shares of Citizens
Common Stock ; or
(ii) This Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 6.01(c)
and:
(A) At or prior to the meeting of Citizens shareholders,
the Citizens board of directors shall have withdrawn or
modified its recommendation that Citizens shareholders approve
the Merger and adopt this Agreement; or
A-38
(B) There has been an announcement by a Person other than
C&N or an Affiliate of C&N, of an offer or proposal to acquire
20% or more of the Citizens Common Stock then outstanding, or
to acquire, merge, or consolidate with Citizens, or to purchase
all or substantially all of Citizens assets and, within twelve
(12) months of such announcement Citizens enters into an
agreement with such Person, or any Affiliate of such Person,
for such Person or Affiliate to acquire, merge, or consolidate
with Citizens or to purchase all or substantially all of
Citizens assets.
(iii) This Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 6.01(e) or
Section 6.01(f);
(iv) This Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 6.01(g) and
within twelve (12) months of such termination, Citizens enters into an
agreement to engage in or there has otherwise occurred a transaction
of the type described in clause (ii)(B) above.
Section 7.02 Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations,
warranties and, except to the extent specifically provided otherwise herein, agreements and
covenants, other than those covenants that by their terms are to be performed after the Effective
Time, including without limitation the covenants set forth in Sections 1.02(e), 1.02(j), 4.05, and
4.12 which will survive the Merger, shall terminate at the Effective Time.
Section 7.03 Amendment, Extension and Waiver. Subject to applicable Law, at any
time prior to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the parties may
(a) amend this Agreement, (b) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or
other acts of either party hereto, (c) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties
contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto, or (d) waive compliance with any of
the agreements or conditions contained in Articles IV and V hereof or otherwise provided that any
amendment, extension or waiver granted or executed after shareholders of Citizens have approved
this Agreement shall not modify either the amount or the form of the consideration to be provided
hereby to holders of Citizens Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger or otherwise materially
adversely affect the shareholders of Citizens without the approval of the shareholders who would be
so affected. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing authorized by
the respective Boards of Directors and signed, by duly authorized officers, on behalf of the
parties hereto. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any extension or waiver shall be
valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by a duly authorized officer on behalf
of such party, but such waiver or failure to insist on strict compliance with such obligation,
covenant, agreement or condition shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any
subsequent or other failure.
Section 7.04 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including the documents and other
writings referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto, contains the entire agreement and
understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter. This Agreement supersedes all
prior arrangements and understandings between the parties, both written or oral, with respect to
its subject matter. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties
hereto and their respective successors; provided, however, that nothing in this
Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any party, other than the parties
hereto and their respective successors, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities other than
pursuant to Sections 1.02(e), 1.02(j), 4.05, 4.11 and 4.12.
Section 7.05 No Assignment. Neither party hereto may assign any of its rights or
obligations hereunder to any other person, without the prior written consent of the other party
hereto.
Section 7.06 Notices. All notices or other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, mailed by prepaid registered or
certified mail (return receipt requested), or sent by telecopy, addressed as follows:
(a) If to C&N, to:
Citizens & Northern Corporation
90-92 Main Street
Wellsboro, Pennsylvania 16901
Attention: Craig G. Litchfield, Chairman, President & CEO
Facsimile No.: (570) 723-8097
A-39
with a copy to:
Rhoads & Sinon LLP
One South Market Square, 12th Floor
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17108-1146
Attention: Charles J. Ferry, Esquire
Carl D. Lundblad, Esquire
Facsimile No.: (717) 231-6669
(b) If to Citizens, to:
Citizens Bancorp, Inc
10 North Main Street
Coudersport, Pennsylvania 16915
Attention: Charles H. Updegraff, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO
Facsimile No.: (814) 274-0401
with copies to:
Cohen & Grigsby, P.C.
11 Stanwix Street, 15th Floor
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
Attention: Charles C. Cohen, Esquire
Facsimile No.: 412-209-0672
Section 7.07 Captions. The captions contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and are not part of this Agreement.
Section 7.08 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such
counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement.
Section 7.09 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance shall be invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the
remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provisions to other persons or
circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted
by law.
Section 7.10 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the domestic internal law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, excluding its
conflicts of law principles.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their duly
authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
|
|
|
|
|
|
CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Craig G. Litchfield
|
|
|
|
Craig G. Litchfield, Chairman, President and CEO |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CITIZENS BANCORP, INC.
|
|
|
By: |
/s/
Charles H. Updegraff, Jr.
|
|
|
|
Charles H. Updegraff, Jr., Chairman,
President and CEO |
|
|
|
|
|
|
A-40
Exhibit 1
FORM OF BANK PLAN OF MERGER
BANK PLAN OF MERGER
THIS BANK PLAN OF MERGER (Plan of Merger) dated as of December 21, 2006, is by and between
CITIZENS & NORTHERN BANK, a Pennsylvania bank and trust company (C&N Bank), and CITIZENS TRUST
COMPANY, a Pennsylvania bank and trust company (CTC).
BACKGROUND
1. C&N Bank is a Pennsylvania bank and trust company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens
& Northern Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (C&N). The authorized capital stock of C&N
Bank consists of 550,000 shares of common stock, par value $5.00 per share (C&N Bank Common
Stock), of which at the date hereof 526,052 shares are issued and outstanding.
2. CTC is a Pennsylvania bank and trust company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Citizens
Bancorp, Inc. (Citizens). The authorized capital stock of CTC consists of 500,000 shares of
common stock, par value $1.25 per share (CTC Common Stock), of which at the date hereof 305,060
shares are issued and outstanding.
3. The respective Boards of Directors of C&N Bank and CTC deem the merger of CTC with and into
C&N Bank, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth or referred to herein, to be desirable and
in the best interests of the respective corporations and their respective stockholders.
4. The respective Boards of Directors of C&N Bank and CTC have adopted resolutions approving
this Plan of Merger. The respective Boards of Directors of C&N and Citizens have adopted
resolutions approving an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December ___, 2006 (the
Agreement), between C&N and Citizens, pursuant to which this Bank Plan of Merger is being
executed by C&N Bank and CTC.
AGREEMENT
In consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained,
C&N Bank and CTC, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree:
ARTICLE I
MERGER; BUSINESS
1.1 Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan of Merger and in accordance with the
applicable laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on the Effective Date (as that
term is defined in Article V hereof): CTC shall merge with and into C&N Bank; the separate
existence of CTC shall cease; and C&N Bank shall be the surviving bank under the name and title
Citizens & Northern Bank (such transaction referred to herein as the Bank Merger and C&N Bank,
as the surviving bank in the Merger, referred to herein as the Surviving Bank).
1.2 Business. The business of the Surviving Bank shall be conducted at the main office of C&N
Bank, and shall be located at 90-92 Main Street, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania 16901, and its legally
established branches, which shall include the main office and all of the branch offices of CTC.
ARTICLE II
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS
On and after the Effective Date of the Merger, the articles of incorporation and by-laws of
C&N Bank shall continue to be the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Bank.
A1-1
ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
3.1 Board of Directors. On and after the Effective Date of the Merger, the Board of Directors
of C&N Bank as the Surviving Bank in the Merger shall consist of those persons who were the
directors of C&N Bank immediately prior to the Effective Date and Charles H. Updegraff, Jr. Each
such director shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified or otherwise in
accordance with the articles of incorporation and by-laws of the Surviving Bank. The names and
addresses of the directors are:
|
|
|
Name |
|
Residence Address |
Dennis F. Beardslee
|
|
155 Chestnut Street, Troy, PA 16947 |
R. Robert DeCamp
|
|
53 Central Avenue, Wellsboro, PA 16901 |
Jan E. Fisher
|
|
101 Greenbrair Drive, Wellsboro, PA 16901 |
R. Bruce Haner
|
|
204 Warren Street, Sayre, PA 18840 |
Susan E. Hartley
|
|
1293 Hoffman Hollow Road, Lowman, NY 14861 |
Karl W. Kroeck
|
|
R.R. #1, Box 990, Knoxville, PA 16928 |
Leo F. Lambert
|
|
P.O. Box 345, 213 Academy Terrace, Dushore, PA 18614 |
Edward L. Learn
|
|
111 Legion Heights Road, Elkland, PA 16920 |
Craig G. Litchfield
|
|
33 West Avenue, Wellsboro, PA 16901 |
Edward H. Owlett, III
|
|
894 Dean Hill Road, Wellsboro, PA 16901 |
Leonard Simpson
|
|
3 Cherry Street Drawer W, Laporte, PA 18626 |
James E. Towner
|
|
1116 Oakmont Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411 |
Ann Tyler
|
|
278 Bluebird Lane, Cogan Station, PA 17728 |
Charles H. Updegraff, Jr.
|
|
28 Prosser Hollow Road, Coudersport, PA 16915 |
3.2 Officers. On and after the Effective Date of the Merger, the officers of C&N Bank duly
elected and holding office immediately prior to such Effective Date and Charles H. Updegraff, Jr.,
as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, shall be the officers of C&N Bank, as the
Surviving Bank in the Merger.
ARTICLE IV
CONVERSION OF SHARES
4.1 Stock of C&N Bank. Each share of C&N Bank Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Date shall, on and after the Effective Date, continue to be issued and
outstanding as a share of common stock of the Surviving Bank.
4.2 Stock of CTC. Each share of CTC Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Date shall, on the Effective Date, be canceled and no cash, stock or other property
shall be delivered in exchange therefore.
ARTICLE V
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE MERGER
The Merger shall be effective on the date on which articles of merger executed by CTC and C&N
Bank are filed with and endorsed by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking, unless a later date is
specified in such articles of merger (the Effective Date).
ARTICLE VI
EFFECT OF THE MERGER
On the Effective Date: The separate existence of CTC shall cease; the principal and branch
offices of CTC shall become authorized branch offices of the Surviving Bank; and all of the
property (real, personal and mixed), rights, powers, duties and obligations of C&N Bank and CTC
shall be taken and deemed to be transferred to and vested in the Surviving Bank, without further
act or deed, as provided by applicable laws and regulations.
A1-2
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
The obligations of C&N Bank and CTC to effect the Merger shall be subject to (i) the approval
of this Plan of Merger by Citizens and C&N in their capacities as the sole shareholder of CTC and
C&N Bank, respectively, (ii) receipt of the required approval of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking, and any other applicable regulatory authority,
(iii) receipt of any necessary approval to operate the main office of CTC and the branch offices of
CTC as offices of the Surviving Bank, and (iv) the completion of the transactions contemplated by
the Agreement on or before the Effective Date.
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION
This Plan of Merger shall terminate upon any termination of the Agreement in accordance with
its terms; provided, however, that any such termination of this Plan of Merger shall not relieve
any party hereto from liability on account of a breach by such party of any of the terms hereof or
thereof.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT
Subject to applicable law, this Plan of Merger may be amended, by action of the respective
Boards of Directors of the parties hereto, at any time prior to consummation of the Merger, but
only by an instrument in writing signed by duly authorized officers on behalf of the parties
hereto.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Extensions; Waivers. Each party, by a written instrument signed by a duly authorized
officer, may extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the
other party hereto and may waive compliance with any of the obligations of the other party
contained in this Plan of Merger.
10.2 Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted under this Plan of
Merger shall be given, and shall be effective, in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement.
10.3 Captions. The headings of the several Articles herein are inserted for convenience of
reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of,
this Plan of Merger.
10.4 Counterparts. For the convenience of the parties hereto, this Plan of Merger may be
executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed the original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
10.5 Governing Law. This Plan of Merger shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without regard to the conflict of laws principles
thereof.
A1-3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party has caused this Plan of Merger to be executed on its behalf and
its corporate seal to be affixed hereto by its duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year
first written above.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ATTEST: |
|
|
|
CITIZENS & NORTHERN BANK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jessica
R. Brown
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Craig G. Litchfield |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig G. Litchfield, Chairman, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President & CEO |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(SEAL) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ATTEST: |
|
|
|
CITIZENS TRUST COMPANY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
George Raup
|
|
|
|
By: |
|
/s/ Charles H. Updegraff, Jr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles H. Updegraff, Jr., Chairman, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
President & CEO |
|
|
(SEAL) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A1-4
Exhibit 2
FORM OF AFFILIATE LETTER
December ___, 2006
Citizens & Northern Corporation
90-92 Main Street
Wellsboro, PA 16901
Gentlemen:
Citizens & Northern Corporation (C&N) and Citizens Bancorp, Inc. (Citizens) desire to
enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December ___, 2006 (Agreement), pursuant to
which, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, (a) Citizens will merge with and into
C&N with C&N surviving the merger and (b) shareholders of Citizens will receive common stock of C&N
and/or cash in exchange for common stock of Citizens outstanding on the closing date (the
foregoing, collectively, referred to herein as the Merger).
C&N has required, as a condition to its execution and delivery to Citizens of the Agreement,
that the undersigned, being a director and/or executive officer of Citizens, execute and deliver to
C&N this Letter Agreement.
The undersigned, in order to induce C&N to execute the Agreement, hereby irrevocably:
(a) Agrees to be present (in person or by proxy) at all meetings of shareholders of Citizens
called to vote for approval of the Agreement and the Merger so that all shares of common stock of
Citizens then owned by the undersigned or over which the undersigned exercises voting control
(collectively, Shares) will be counted for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum at
such meetings, and agrees to vote or cause to be voted all such Shares (i) in favor of approval and
adoption of the Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (including any amendments or
modifications of the terms thereof approved by the Board of Directors of Citizens) and (ii) against
approval or adoption of any other merger, business combination, recapitalization, asset sale,
partial liquidation or similar transaction involving Citizens and any other person other than C&N
or an affiliate of C&N;
(b) Agrees not to vote or execute any written consent to rescind or amend in any manner any
prior vote or written consent, as a shareholder of Citizens, to approve or adopt the Agreement;
(c) Except as required by law, agrees that the undersigned will not, and will not permit any
company, trust or other entity controlled (as defined for purposes of Rule 144 under the Securities
Act) by the undersigned to, contract to sell, sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any of the
Shares or any interest therein or any voting rights with respect thereto, other than subsequent to
the shareholder meeting of Citizens held in connection with the vote on the Agreement or a gift
where the donee has agreed in writing to abide by the terms of this Letter Agreement in a form
reasonably satisfactory to C&N;
(d) Agrees not to offer, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of common stock of
C&N received in the Merger, except (i) at such time as a registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act) covering sales of such C&N common stock is
effective and a prospectus is made available under the Securities Act, (ii) within the limits, and
in accordance with the applicable provisions of, Rule 145(d) under the Securities Act, or (iii) in
a transaction which, in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to C&N or as described in a no-action
or interpretive letter from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued to the
undersigned or Citizens for such purpose, is not required to be registered under the Securities
Act; and acknowledges and agrees that C&N is under no obligation to register the sale, transfer or
other disposition of C&N common stock by the undersigned or on behalf of the undersigned, or to
take any other action necessary to make an exemption from registration available;
A2-1
(e) Agrees that neither Citizens nor C&N shall be bound by any attempted sale of any shares of
Citizens common stock or C&N common stock, respectively, and C&Ns transfer agent shall be given an
appropriate stop transfer order and shall not be required to register any such attempted sale,
unless the sale has been effected in compliance with the terms of this Letter Agreement; and
further agrees that the certificate representing shares of C&N common stock owned by the
undersigned may be endorsed with a restrictive legend consistent with the terms of this Letter
Agreement;
(f) Agrees to use reasonable efforts to cause the provisions of subparagraph (e) hereof to be
observed with respect to shares of C&N common stock received in the Merger owned by (i) his or her
spouse, (ii) any of his or her relatives or relatives of his or her spouse occupying his or her
home, (iii) any trust or estate in which he or she, his or her spouse, or any such relative owns a
10% beneficial interest or of which any of them serves as trustee, executor or in any similar
capacity, and (iv) any corporation or other organization in which the undersigned, any affiliate of
the undersigned, his or her spouse, or any such relative owns 10% of any class of equity securities
or of the equity interest; and
(g) Represents that the undersigned has the capacity to enter into this Letter Agreement and
that it is a valid and binding obligation enforceable against the undersigned in accordance with
its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting creditors rights and general
equitable principles.
It is understood and agreed that the provisions of subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this Letter
Agreement relate solely to the capacity of the undersigned as a shareholder or other beneficial
owner of shares of Citizens common stock and is not in any way intended to affect the exercise by
the undersigned of the undersigneds responsibilities and fiduciary duties as a director or officer
of Citizens. It is further understood and agreed that such subparagraphs of this Letter Agreement
are not in any way intended to affect the exercise by the undersigned of any fiduciary
responsibility which the undersigned may have in respect of any shares of Citizens common stock
held or controlled by the undersigned as of the date hereof.
The obligations set forth herein shall terminate concurrently with any termination of the
Agreement.
This Letter Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to constitute an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
Letter Agreement.
This Letter Agreement shall inure to the benefit of C&N, and shall be binding on the
undersigned and his or her executors, personal representatives, administrators, heirs, legatees,
guardians and other personal representatives. This Agreement shall survive the death or incapacity
of the undersigned.
The undersigned agrees that, in the event of his or her breach of this Letter Agreement, C&N
shall be entitled to such remedies and relief against the undersigned as are available at law or in
equity. The undersigned acknowledges that there is not an adequate remedy at law to compensate C&N
for a violation of this Letter Agreement, and irrevocably waives, to the extent permitted by law,
any defense that he or she might have based on the adequacy of a remedy at law which might be
asserted as a bar to specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable relief. The
undersigned agrees to the granting of injunctive relief without the posting of any bond and further
agrees that, if any bond shall be required, such bond shall be in a nominal amount.
A2-2
Please confirm, intending to be legally bound, that the foregoing correctly states the
understanding between the undersigned and C&N by signing and returning to C&N a counterpart hereof.
Accepted as of this day of
December, 2006:
CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Craig G. Litchfield, Chairman, President |
|
|
|
|
& CEO |
|
|
A2-3
EXHIBIT 3
FORM OF TAX OPINION
C&N and Citizens shall each have received an opinion of Rhoads & Sinon LLP substantially to
the effect that, under the provisions of the IRC:
(1) The Merger will be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
IRC;
(2) C&N and Citizens will each be a party to the reorganization within the meaning of Section
368(b) of the IRC;
(3) No gain or loss will be recognized by C&N or Citizens as a result of the Merger (except
for amounts resulting from any required change in accounting methods or any income or deferred gain
recognized under the relevant consolidated return regulations);
(4) Citizens shareholders who receive only C&N common stock for their shares of Citizens stock
will not recognize any gain or loss with respect to shares of C&N stock received (except with
respect to cash received in lieu of a fractional interest in C&N common stock and any dividends
paid out in advance of the Merger);
(5) Each Citizens shareholder who receives C&N common stock and cash (other than cash in lieu
of a fractional share interest in C&N common stock) in exchange for the shareholders shares of
Citizens common stock will recognize the gain, if any, realized by the shareholder, in an amount
not in excess of the amount of cash received, but will not recognize any loss on the exchange;
(6) Each Citizens shareholders aggregate tax basis in any shares of C&N common stock received
in the transaction (including fractional shares deemed received and redeemed) will be the same as
the aggregate tax basis of the shares of Citizens common stock the Citizens shareholder surrendered
in exchange therefor, decreased by the amount of any cash received by the shareholder and increased
by the amount of income or gain recognized by the shareholder in the exchange; and
(7) Each Citizens shareholders holding period in any shares of C&N common stock received in
the transaction (including any fractional shares deemed received and redeemed) will, in each
instance, include the period during which the shares of Citizens common stock surrendered in
exchange therefor were held.
In rendering such opinion, Rhoads & Sinon LLP will be entitled to receive and rely upon
customary certificates and representations of officers of C&N and Citizens. Additionally, in
rendering such opinion, the following disclaimer will be added to the opinion:
To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the Treasury
Department and the IRS, we inform you that any federal tax advice
contained in this communication (including attachments) is not
intended or written to be used and cannot be used for the purpose of
avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed under the Internal
Revenue Code. Additionally, if the advice provided herein is used
to promote, market or recommend to another person any transaction or
matter addressed herein, then all such taxpayers, other than the
recipient hereto, that review this information, should seek advice
based upon that taxpayers circumstances from an independent tax
advisor with respect to any federal tax or transaction matter
discussed herein.
A3-1
EXHIBIT 4
FORM OF OPINION OF CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION COUNSEL
Citizens shall have received from counsel to C&N an opinion, dated as of the Closing Date,
substantially to the effect that, subject to customary exceptions and qualifications:
1. C&N is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
2. C&N has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to
conduct its business as described in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement.
3. C&N Bank is a validly existing commercial bank organized under the laws of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, duly authorized to conduct its business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and
own its property as described in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement.
4. The deposit accounts of C&N Bank are insured by the FDIC in accordance with the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act.
5. The shares of common stock of C&N being issued to the shareholders of Citizens upon the
consummation of the Merger are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
6. Each of C&N and C&N Bank has full corporate power to carry out the transactions
contemplated in the Agreement and the Bank Plan of Merger, respectively. The execution and
delivery of the Agreement and the Bank Plan of Merger and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated thereunder have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
the part of C&N and C&N Bank, as the case may be, and the Agreement and the Bank Plan of Merger
constitute valid and legally binding obligations of C&N and C&N Bank, respectively, enforceable in
accordance with their respective terms (except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws relating to or affecting the
enforcement of creditors rights generally or the rights of creditors of federally insured
financial institutions or their holding companies, and subject to principles of equity, regardless
of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, and except to the
extent, if any, that any provisions regarding indemnification for losses arising under the
Securities Laws may be unenforceable as against public policy).
7. To our knowledge, all authorizations and approvals required to be received from the federal
and state banking and holding company regulators for C&N and C&N Bank in order for each of C&N and
C&N Bank to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Agreement have been received and to our
knowledge no action has been taken, or is pending or threatened, to revoke any such authorization
or approval.
8. Based upon advice received from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the registration
statement for the issuance of the common stock of C&N to the shareholders of Citizens is effective
under the Securities Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness has been issued under the
Securities Act or proceedings therefore initiated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or, to
our knowledge, any state securities commissions or administrators.
9. Subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Agreement, neither the
transactions contemplated in the Agreement and the Bank Plan of Merger, nor compliance by C&N or
C&N Bank with any of the respective provisions thereof, will (i) conflict with or result in a
breach or default under the articles of incorporation or bylaws of C&N or C&N Bank, or (ii) violate
in any material respect any order, writ, injunction, or decree known to such counsel, or the
Pennsylvania Banking Code, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the Bank Merger Act, the Bank Holding
Company Act and the regulations promulgated under such acts, or any other federal or state statute,
rule or regulation applicable to C&N or C&N Bank which, in the experience of such counsel, is
typically applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Agreement.
A4-1
EXHIBIT 5
FORM OF OPINIONS OF CITIZENS BANCORP, INC. COUNSEL
C&N shall have received from counsel to Citizens an opinion, dated as of the Closing Date,
substantially to the effect that, subject to customary exceptions and qualifications:
1. Citizens is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
2. Citizens has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to
conduct its business as described in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement.
3. CTC is a validly existing commercial bank organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, duly authorized to conduct its business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and own
its property as described in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement.
4. Each of Citizens and CTC has full corporate power to carry out the transactions
contemplated in the Agreement and the Bank Plan of Merger, respectively. The execution and
delivery of the Agreement and the Bank Plan of Merger and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated thereunder have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on
the part of Citizens and CTC, as the case may be (including approval of its shareholders), and the
Agreement and the Bank Plan of Merger constitute valid and legally binding obligations of Citizens
and CTC, respectively, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (except as the
enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or
similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally or the rights
of creditors of federally insured financial institutions or their holding companies, and subject to
principles of equity, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law, and except to the extent, if any, that any provisions regarding indemnification
for losses arising under the Securities Laws may be unenforceable as against public policy).
5. Assuming the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Agreement, neither the
transactions contemplated in the Agreement and the Bank Plan of Merger, nor compliance by Citizens
or CTC with any of the respective provisions thereof, will conflict with or result in a breach or
default under the articles of incorporation or bylaws of Citizens or CTC or any Law which, in the
experience of such counsel, is typically applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the
Agreement. The foregoing opinion does not extend to authorizations or approvals required to be
received from Regulatory Authorities in connection with the transactions contemplated by the
Agreement.
A5-1
EXHIBIT 6
Index Group
|
|
|
|
|
Company |
|
% Weighting |
ACNB Corp., Gettysburg, PA |
|
|
2.73 |
% |
Alliance Financial Corp., Syracuse, NY |
|
|
3.63 |
% |
AmeriServ Financial Inc., Johnstown, PA |
|
|
2.54 |
% |
Arrow Financial Corp., Glens Falls, NY |
|
|
6.55 |
% |
Bryn Mawr Bank Corp., Bryn Mawr, PA |
|
|
4.77 |
% |
Canandaigua National Corp., Canandaigua, NY |
|
|
3.84 |
% |
CNB Financial Corp., Clearfield, PA |
|
|
3.01 |
% |
Financial Institutions Inc., Warsaw, NY |
|
|
6.23 |
% |
First Chester County Corp., West Chester, PA |
|
|
2.75 |
% |
First National Community Bncp, Dunmore, PA |
|
|
8.65 |
% |
Franklin Financial Services, Chambersburg, PA |
|
|
2.54 |
% |
Leesport Financial Corp., Wyomissing, PA |
|
|
3.04 |
% |
Omega Financial Corp., State College, PA |
|
|
9.79 |
% |
Orrstown Financial Services, Shippensburg, PA |
|
|
5.52 |
% |
Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp, Harrisburg, PA |
|
|
3.83 |
% |
Royal Bancshares of PA, Narberth, PA |
|
|
6.80 |
% |
Smithtown Bancorp Inc., Hauppauge, NY |
|
|
6.04 |
% |
Suffolk Bancorp, Riverhead, NY |
|
|
8.50 |
% |
Univest Corp. of Pennsylvania, Souderton, PA |
|
|
9.24 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
100.00 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
A6-1
ANNEX B
FAIRNESS OPINION OF RYAN BECK & CO., INC.
December 21, 2006
The Board of Directors
Citizens Bancorp, Inc.
10 North Main Street
Coudersport, PA 16915
Members of the Board:
You have requested our opinion that the consideration offered pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of
Merger dated as of December 21, 2006 (the Agreement), by and among Citizens & Northern
Corporation (C&N) and Citizens Bancorp, Inc. (Citizens), is fair to the holders of Citizens
common stock (the Citizens Common Stock) from a financial point of view. Under the terms of the
agreement (the Merger), Citizens will be merge with and into C&N and shareholders of Citizens
will have the right to elect to receive, for each share of Citizens common stock they own (1) 1.297
shares of C&N common stock, or (2) $28.57 in cash, or (3) a mixed election of stock and cash,
subject to pro-ration if either cash or stock is oversubscribed, based on an election process prior
to closing. The Agreement further provides that, in the aggregate, 50% of the Citizens shares will
be exchanged for C&N common stock, with the remainder exchanged for cash. The foregoing summary of
the Merger is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Agreement.
Ryan Beck & Co. (Ryan Beck) as a customary part of its investment banking business is engaged in
the valuation of financial institutions and their securities in connection with mergers and
acquisitions and other corporate transactions. In conducting our investigation and analysis of the
Merger, we have spoken with members of senior management of both Citizens and C&N to discuss their
operations, historical financial statements, strategic plans and future prospects. We have
reviewed and analyzed material prepared in connection with the Merger, including but not limited to
the following: (i) the Agreement and related documents; (ii) C&Ns Annual Reports, including
audited financial statements, on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003;
(iii) C&Ns quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended September 30, 2006, June 30, 2006
and March 31, 2006; (iv) Citizens annual reports to shareholders, including audited financial
statements, for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003; (v) Citizens call reports for
the periods ended September 30, 2006, June 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006; (vi) certain other public
and non-public information, primarily financial in nature, related to the respective businesses,
earnings, assets and prospects of Citizens and C&N provided to Ryan Beck by management of the
respective companies or obtained by Ryan Beck from other sources; (vii) the publicly available
financial data of banking organizations which Ryan Beck deemed generally comparable to Citizens and
C&N; (viii) the historical stock prices and trading volumes of Citizens and C&Ns common stock;
and (ix) the terms of acquisitions of banking organizations which Ryan Beck deemed generally
comparable in whole or in part to Citizens. Additionally, we conducted or reviewed such other
studies, analyses, inquiries and examinations as we deemed appropriate; analyzed the impact of the
Merger on C&N; considered the future prospects of Citizens in the event it remained independent;
and participated in meetings and telephone conferences with certain members of Citizens and C&Ns
senior
B-1
management to discuss Citizens and C&Ns past and current business operations, regulatory
standing, financial condition, strategic plan and future prospects, including any potential
operating efficiencies and synergies that may arise from the Merger.
In connection with its review, Ryan Beck relied upon and assumed, without independent verification,
the accuracy and completeness of the financial and other information regarding Citizens and C&N
that was publicly available or provided to Ryan Beck by Citizens and C&N. Ryan Beck is not an
expert in the evaluation of loan portfolios or the allowance for loan losses. Therefore, Ryan Beck
has not assumed any responsibility for making an independent evaluation of the adequacy of the
allowance for loan losses set forth in the consolidated balance sheets of Citizens or C&N as of
September 30, 2006, and Ryan Beck assumed such allowances were adequate and complied fully with
applicable law, regulatory policy, sound banking practice and policies of the Securities and
Exchange Commission as of the date of such financial statements. Ryan Beck discussed certain
operating forecasts and financial projections (and the assumptions and bases therefore) with the
management of Citizens and C&N. Ryan Beck assumed that such forecasts and projections reflected
the best currently available estimates and judgments of management. Ryan Beck was not retained to
nor did it make any independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of Citizens or
C&N nor did Ryan Beck review any loan files of Citizens or C&N. Ryan Beck also assumed that the
Merger in all respects is, and will be, undertaken and consummated in compliance with all laws and
regulations that are applicable to Citizens and C&N.
In conducting our analysis and arriving at our opinion as expressed herein, we have considered such
financial and other factors as we have deemed appropriate in the circumstances. Our opinion is
necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions and projections as they exist and can be
evaluated on the date hereof.
We have been retained by the Board of Directors of Citizens as an independent contractor to
determine whether the consideration offered to Citizens shareholders in the Merger as provided and
described in the Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view, as of this date. Ryan Beck
will receive a fee for its services, a substantial portion of which is due upon consummation of the
Merger.
Prior to this transaction, Ryan Beck did not have an investment banking relationship with Citizens
or C&N. Ryan Beck may solicit investment banking business from C&N in the future. Ryan Beck acts
as a market maker in the common stock of C&N. Ryan Beck does not act as a market maker in the
common stock of Citizens. In the ordinary course of its business as a broker dealer, however, Ryan
Beck may actively trade equity or other securities of Citizens or C&N for its own account and the
accounts of its customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold long or short positions in such
securities.
Our opinion is directed to the Board of Directors of Citizens and does not constitute a
recommendation to any shareholder of Citizens as to how such shareholder should vote at any
shareholder meeting held in connection with the Merger. Our opinion is not to be quoted or
referred to, in whole or in part, in a registration statement, prospectus, proxy statement or in
any other document, nor shall this opinion be used for any other purpose, without our prior written
consent.
B-2
Based upon and subject to the foregoing it is our opinion that, as of this date, the consideration
offered to Citizens shareholders in the Merger, as provided and described in the Agreement, is fair
to the holders of Citizens Common Stock from a financial point of view.
Very truly yours,
Ryan Beck & Co., Inc.
B-3
ANNEX C
SUBCHAPTER D OF CHAPTER 15 AND SECTION 1930
OF THE PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS CORPORATION LAW
OF 1988 (15 Pa. C.S. §§1571-1580, 1930) AS AMENDED,
RELATING TO DISSENTERS RIGHTS
§ 1930. Dissenters rights
(a) General rule.If any shareholder of a domestic business corporation that becomes a party
to a merger or consolidation pursuant to a plan of merger or consolidation objects to the plan of
merger or consolidation and complies with the provisions of Subchapter D of Chapter 15 (relating to
dissenters rights), the shareholder shall be entitled to the rights and remedies of dissenting
shareholders therein provided, if any. See also section 1906(c) (relating to dissenters right upon
special treatment).
(b) Plans adopted by directors only.Except as otherwise provided pursuant to section 1571(c)
(relating to grant of optional dissenters rights), Subchapter D of Chapter 15 shall not apply to
any of the shares of a corporation that is a party to a merger or consolidation pursuant to section
1924(b)(1)(i) or (4) (relating to adoption by board of directors).
(c) Cross references.See sections 1571(b) (relating to exceptions) and 1904 (relating to de
facto transaction doctrine abolished).
§ 1571. Application and effect of subchapter
(a) General rule.Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) any shareholder (as defined
in Section 1572 (relating to definitions)) of a business corporation shall have the right to
dissent from, and to obtain payment of the fair value of his shares in the event of, any corporate
action, or to otherwise obtain fair value for his shares, where this part expressly provides that a
shareholder shall have the rights and remedies provided in this subchapter. See:
Section 1906(c) (relating to dissenters rights upon special treatment).
Section 1930 (relating to dissenters rights).
Section 1931(d) (relating to dissenters rights in share exchanges).
Section 1932(c) (relating to dissenters rights in asset transfers).
Section 1952(d) (relating to dissenters rights in division).
Section 1962(c) (relating to dissenters rights in conversion).
Section 2104(b) (relating to procedure).
Section 2324 (relating to corporation option where a restriction on transfer of a security is held invalid).
Section 2325(b) (relating to minimum vote requirement).
Section 2704(c) (relating to dissenters rights upon election).
Section 2705(d) (relating to dissenters rights upon renewal of election).
Section 2904(b) (relating to procedure)
Section 2907(a) (relating to proceedings to terminate breach of qualifying conditions).
Section 7104(b)(3) (relating to procedure).
(b) Exceptions.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), the holders of the shares of any class or
series of shares shall not have the right to dissent and obtain payment of the fair market value of
the shares under this subchapter if, on the record date fixed to determine the shareholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting at which a plan specified in any of section 1930,
1931(d), 1932(c) or 1952(d) is to be voted on or on the date of the first public announcement that
such a plan has been approved by the shareholders by consent without a meeting, the shares are
either:
(i) listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a national market system
security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., or
(ii) held of record by more than 2,000 persons.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to and dissenters rights shall be available without regard
to the exception provided in that paragraph in the case of:
(i) (Repealed.)
C-1
(ii) Shares of any preferred or special class unless the articles, the plan or the terms of
the transaction entitle all shareholders of the class or series to vote thereon and require for the
adoption of the plan or the effectuation of the transaction the affirmative vote of a majority of
the votes cast by all shareholders of the class or series.
(iii) Shares entitled to dissenters rights under section 1906(c) (relating to dissenters
rights upon special treatment).
(3) The shareholders of a corporation that acquires by purchase, lease, exchange or other
disposition all or substantially all of the shares, property or assets of another corporation by
the issuance of shares, obligations or otherwise, with or without assuming the liabilities of the
other corporation and with or without the intervention of another corporation or other person,
shall not be entitled to the rights and remedies of dissenting shareholders provided in this
subchapter regardless of the fact, if it be the case, that the acquisition was accomplished by the
issuance of voting shares of the corporation to be outstanding immediately after the acquisition
sufficient to elect a majority or more of the directors of the corporation.
(c) Grant of optional dissenters rights.The bylaws or a resolution of the board of directors
may direct that all or a part of the shareholders shall have dissenters rights in connection with
any corporate action or other transaction that would otherwise not entitle such shareholders to
dissenters rights.
(d) Notice of dissenters rights.Unless otherwise provided by statute, if a proposed
corporate action that would give rise to dissenters rights under this subpart is submitted to a
vote at a meeting of shareholders, there shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of
meeting:
(1) a statement of the proposed action and a statement that the shareholders have a right to
dissent and obtain payment of the fair value of their shares by complying with the terms of this
subchapter; and
(2) a copy of this subchapter.
(e) Other statutes.The procedures of this subchapter shall also be applicable to any
transaction described in any statute other than this part that makes reference to this subchapter
for the purpose of granting dissenters rights.
(f) Certain provisions of articles ineffective.This subchapter may not be relaxed by any
provision of the articles.
(g) Computation of Beneficial Ownership. For purposes of subsection (b)(1)(ii), shares that
are held beneficially as joint tenants, tenants by the entireties, tenants in common or in trust
for two or more persons, as fiduciaries or otherwise, shall be deemed to be held beneficially by
one person.
(h) Cross references.See sections 1105 (relating to restriction on equitable relief), 1904
(relating to de facto transaction doctrine abolished), 1763(c) (relating to determination of
shareholders of record) and 2512 (relating to dissenters rights procedure).
§ 1572. Definitions
The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to
them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
Corporation. The issuer of the shares held or owned by the dissenter before the corporate
action or the successor by merger, consolidation, division, conversion or otherwise of that issuer.
A plan of division may designate which one or more of the resulting corporations is the successor
corporation for the purposes of this subchapter. The designated successor corporation or
corporations in a division shall have sole responsibility for payments to dissenters and other
liabilities under this subchapter except as otherwise provided in the plan of division.
Dissenter. A shareholder who is entitled to and does assert dissenters rights under this
subchapter and who has performed every act required up to the time involved for the assertion of
those rights.
Fair value. The fair value of shares immediately before the effectuation of the corporate
action to which the dissenter objects, taking into account all relevant factors, but excluding any
appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the corporate action.
Interest. Interest from the effective date of the corporate action until the date of
payment at such rate as is fair and equitable under all the circumstances, taking into account all
relevant factors, including the average rate currently paid by the corporation on its principal
bank loans.
C-2
Shareholder. A shareholder as defined in section 1103 (relating to definitions) or an
ultimate beneficial owner of shares, including, without limitation, a holder of depository
receipts, where the beneficial interest owned includes an interest in the assets of the corporation
upon dissolution.
§ 1573. Record and beneficial holders and owners
(a) Record holders of shares.A record holder of shares of a business corporation may assert
dissenters rights as to fewer than all of the shares registered in his name only if he dissents
with respect to all the shares of the same class or series beneficially owned by any one person and
discloses the name and address of the person or persons on whose behalf he dissents. In that
event, his rights shall be determined as if the shares as to which he has dissented and his other
shares were registered in the names of different shareholders.
(b) Beneficial owners of shares.A beneficial owner of shares of a business corporation who
is not the record holder may assert dissenters rights with respect to shares held on his behalf and
shall be treated as a dissenting shareholder under the terms of this subchapter if he submits to
the corporation not later than the time of the assertion of dissenters rights a written consent of
the record holder. A beneficial owner may not dissent with respect to some but less than all
shares of the same class or series owned by the owner, whether or not the shares so owned by him
are registered in his name.
§ 1574. Notice of intention to dissent
If the proposed corporate action is submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders of a
business corporation, any person who wishes to dissent and obtain payment of the fair value of his
shares must file with the corporation, prior to the vote, a written notice of intention to demand
that he be paid the fair value for his shares if the proposed action is effectuated, must effect no
change in the beneficial ownership of his shares from the date of such filing continuously through
the effective date of the proposed action and must refrain from voting his shares in approval of
such action. A dissenter who fails in any respect shall not acquire any right to payment of the
fair value of his shares under this subchapter. Neither a proxy nor a vote against the proposed
corporate action shall constitute the written notice required by this section.
§ 1575. Notice to demand payment
(a) General rule.If the proposed corporate action is approved by the required vote at a
meeting of shareholders of a business corporation, the corporation shall mail a further notice to
all dissenters who gave due notice of intention to demand payment of the fair value of their shares
and who refrained from voting in favor of the proposed action. If the proposed corporate action is
to be taken without a vote of shareholders, the corporation shall send to all shareholders who are
entitled to dissent and demand payment of the fair value of their shares a notice of the adoption
of the plan or other corporate action. In either case, the notice shall:
(1) State where and when a demand for payment must be sent and certificates for certificated
shares must be deposited in order to obtain payment.
(2) Inform holders of uncertificated shares to what extent transfer of shares will be
restricted from the time that demand for payment is received.
(3) Supply a form for demanding payment that includes a request for certification of the date
on which the shareholder, or the person on whose behalf the shareholder dissents, acquired
beneficial ownership of the shares.
(4) Be accompanied by a copy of this subchapter.
(b) Time for receipt of demand for payment.The time set for receipt of the demand and
deposit of certificated shares shall be not less than 30 days from the mailing of the notice.
§ 1576. Failure to comply with notice to demand payment, etc.
(a) Effect of failure of shareholder to act.A shareholder who fails to timely demand
payment, or fails (in the case of certificated shares) to timely deposit certificates, as required
by a notice pursuant to section 1575 (relating to notice to demand payment) shall not have any
right under this subchapter to receive payment of the fair value of his shares.
(b) Restriction on uncertificated shares.If the shares are not represented by certificates,
the business corporation may restrict their transfer from the time of receipt of demand for payment
until effectuation of the proposed corporate action or the release of restrictions under the terms
of section 1577(a) (relating to failure to effectuate corporate action).
(c) Rights retained by shareholders.The dissenter shall retain all other rights of a
shareholder until those rights are modified by effectuation of the proposed corporate action.
C-3
§ 1577. Release of restrictions or payment for shares
(a) Failure to effectuate corporate action.Within 60 days after the date set for demanding
payment and depositing certificates, if the business corporation has not effectuated the proposed
corporate action, it shall return any certificates that have been deposited and release
uncertificated shares from any transfer restrictions imposed by reason of the demand for payment.
(b) Renewal of notice to demand payment.When uncertificated shares have been released from
transfer restrictions and deposited certificates have been returned, the corporation may at any
later time send a new notice conforming to the requirements of section 1575 (relating to notice to
demand payment), with like effect.
(c) Payment of fair value of shares.Promptly after effectuation of the proposed corporate
action, or upon timely receipt of demand for payment if the corporate action has already been
effectuated, the corporation shall either remit to dissenters who have made demand and (if their
shares are certificated) have deposited their certificates the amount that the corporation
estimates to be the fair value of the shares, or give written notice that no remittance under this
section will be made. The remittance or notice shall be accompanied by:
(1) The closing balance sheet and statement of income of the issuer of the shares held or
owned by the dissenter for a fiscal year ending not more than 16 months before the date of
remittance or notice together with the latest available interim financial statements.
(2) A statement of the corporations estimate of the fair value of the shares.
(3) A notice of the right of the dissenter to demand payment or supplemental payment, as the
case may be, accompanied by a copy of this subchapter.
(d) Failure to make payment.If the corporation does not remit the amount of its estimate of
the fair value of the shares as provided by subsection (c), it shall return any certificates that
have been deposited and release uncertificated shares from any transfer restrictions imposed by
reason of the demand for payment. The corporation may make a notation on any such certificate or
on the records of the corporation relating to any such uncertificated shares that such demand has
been made. If shares with respect to which notation has been so made shall be transferred, each
new certificate issued therefore or the records relating to any transferred uncertificated shares
shall bear a similar notation, together with the name of the original dissenting holder or owner of
such shares. A transferee of such shares shall not acquire by such transfer any rights in the
corporation other than those that the original dissenter had after making demand for payment of
their fair value.
§ 1578. Estimate by dissenter of fair value of shares
(a) General rule.If the business corporation gives notice of its estimate of the fair value
of the shares, without remitting such amount, or remits payment of its estimate of the fair value
of a dissenters shares as permitted by section 1577(c) (relating to payment of fair value of
shares) and the dissenter believes that the amount stated or remitted is less than the fair value
of his shares, he may send to the corporation his own estimate of the fair value of the shares,
which shall be deemed a demand for payment of the amount or the deficiency.
(b) Effect of failure to file estimate.Where the dissenter does not file his own estimate
under subsection (a) within 30 days after the mailing by the corporation of its remittance or
notice, the dissenter shall be entitled to no more than the amount stated in the notice or remitted
to him by the corporation.
§ 1579. Valuation proceedings generally
(a) General rule.Within 60 days after the latest of:
(1) effectuation of the proposed corporate action;
(2) timely receipt of any demands for payment under section 1575 (relating to
notice to demand payment); or
(3) timely receipt of any estimates pursuant to section 1578 (relating to
estimate by dissenter of fair value of shares);
if any demands for payment remain unsettled, the business corporation may file in court an
application for relief requesting that the fair value of the shares be determined by the
court.
C-4
(b) Mandatory joinder of dissenters.All dissenters, wherever residing, whose demands have
not been settled shall be made parties to the proceeding as in an action against their shares. A
copy of the application shall be served on each such dissenter. If a dissenter is a nonresident,
the copy may be served on him in the manner provided or prescribed by
or pursuant to 42 Pa. C.S. Ch. 53 (relating to bases of jurisdiction and interstate and international
procedure).
(c) Jurisdiction of the court.The jurisdiction of the court shall be plenary and exclusive.
The court may appoint an appraiser to receive evidence and recommend a decision on the issue of
fair value. The appraiser shall have such power and authority as may be specified in the order of
appointment or in any amendment thereof.
(d) Measure of recovery.Each dissenter who is made a party shall be entitled to recover the
amount by which the fair value of his shares is found to exceed the amount, if any, previously
remitted, plus interest.
(e) Effect of corporations failure to file applications.If the corporation fails to file an
application as provided in subsection (a), any dissenter who made a demand and who has not already
settled his claim against the corporation may do so in the name of the corporation at any time
within 30 days after the expiration of the 60-day period. If a dissenter does not file an
application within the 30-day period, each dissenter entitled to file an application shall be paid
the corporations estimate of the fair value of the shares and no more, and may bring an action to
recover any amount not previously remitted.
§ 1580. Costs and expenses of valuation proceedings
(a) General rule.The costs and expenses of any proceeding under section 1579 (relating to
valuation proceedings generally), including the reasonable compensation and expenses of the
appraiser appointed by the court, shall be determined by the court and assessed against the
business corporation except that any part of the costs and expenses may be apportioned and assessed
as the court deems appropriate against all or some of the dissenters who are parties and whose
action in demanding supplemental payment under section 1578 (relating to estimate by dissenter of
fair value of shares) the court finds to be dilatory, obdurate, arbitrary, vexatious or in bad
faith.
(b) Assessment of counsel fees and expert fees where lack of good faith appears.Fees and
expenses of counsel and of experts for the respective parties may be assessed as the court deems
appropriate against the corporation and in favor of any or all dissenters if the corporation failed
to comply substantially with the requirements of this subchapter and may be assessed against either
the corporation or a dissenter, in favor of any other party, if the court finds that the party
against whom the fees and expenses are assessed acted in bad faith or in a dilatory, obdurate,
arbitrary or vexatious manner in respect to the rights provided by this subchapter.
(c) Award of fees for benefits to other dissenters.If the court finds that the services of
counsel for any dissenter were of substantial benefit to other dissenters similarly situated and
should not be assessed against the corporation, it may award to those counsel reasonable fees to be
paid out of the amounts awarded to the dissenters who were benefited.
C-5
PART II: INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Subchapter D of Chapter 17 of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended,
provides that a business corporation has the power under certain circumstances to indemnify its
directors, officers, employees and agents against certain expenses incurred by them in connection
with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding and provides for mandatory
indemnification under certain circumstances when the indemnified person has been successful in
defense of a claim.
Article VIII of the Registrants By-Laws provides as follows:
Section 8.1. INDEMNIFICATION. The Corporation shall indemnify any person who
was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or
completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or
investigative by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer,
employee, or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses (including
attorneys fees), amounts paid in settlement, judgments, and fines actually and
reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit, or
proceeding; provided, however, that no indemnification shall be made in any case
where the act or failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is
determined by a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness.
Section 8.2. ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES. Expenses (including attorneys fees)
incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding shall be paid
by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, or
proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer,
employee, or agent to repay such amount if it shall be ultimately determined that he
is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article
VIII.
Section 8.3. NONEXCLUSIVITY. The indemnification provided by this Article
VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other right to which persons seeking
indemnification may be entitled under any agreement, vote of shareholders or
disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to actions in such persons official
capacity and as to their actions in another capacity while holding office, and shall
continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent
and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such
person.
Section 8.4. INSURANCE. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance
on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director,
officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, or
other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by
such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such persons status as such,
whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against
such liability under the provisions of this Article VIII.
Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statements.
(a) The following exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement or incorporated
herein by reference:
|
|
|
Exhibit No. |
|
Description |
2.1
|
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between Citizens & Northern Corporation and
Citizens Bancorp, Inc. dated as of December 21, 2006 (Included as part of Annex A in the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in this Registration Statement). |
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
Articles of Incorporation of Citizens & Northern Corporation, as amended (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to registrants Form S-8 Registration Statement filed November
3, 2006). |
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
Bylaws of Citizens & Northern Corporation, as amended (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 25, 2004). |
|
|
|
5.1
|
|
Opinion of Rhoads & Sinon LLP as to the validity of securities. |
|
|
|
8.1
|
|
Opinion of Rhoads & Sinon LLP as to certain tax matters. |
|
|
|
10.1
|
|
Change in Control Agreement dated July 21, 2005 between the Corporation and Harold F.
Hoose, III (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the registrants Form 10-K
on March 3, 2006) |
|
|
|
10.2
|
|
Form of Stock Option and Restricted Stock Agreements dated January 3, 2005 between the
Corporation and certain officers pursuant to the Citizens & Northern Corporation Stock
Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed with the registrants Form
10-K on March 3, 2006) |
|
|
|
Exhibit No. |
|
Description |
10.3
|
|
Form of Stock Option and Restricted Stock Agreements dated January 3, 2005 between the
Corporation and the Directors pursuant to the Citizens & Northern Corporation Independent
Directors Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 filed with the
registrants Form 10-K on March 3, 2006) |
|
|
|
10.4
|
|
Form of Indemnification Agreements dated May 2004 between the Corporation and the Directors
and certain officers (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the registrants
Form 10-K on March 14, 2005) |
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
Change in Control Agreement dated December 31, 2003 between the Corporation and Thomas L.
Rudy, Jr. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed with the registrants Form 10-K on
March 14, 2005) |
|
|
|
10.6
|
|
Change in Control Agreement dated December 31, 2003 between the Corporation and Craig G.
Litchfield (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the registrants Form 10-K
on March 10, 2004) |
|
|
|
10.7
|
|
Change in Control Agreement dated December 31, 2003 between the Corporation and Mark A.
Hughes (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed with the registrants Form 10-K on
March 10, 2004) |
|
|
|
10.8
|
|
Change in Control Agreement dated December 31, 2003 between the Corporation and Deborah E.
Scott (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 filed with the registrants Form 10-K on
March 10, 2004) |
|
|
|
10.9
|
|
Second Amendment to Citizens & Northern Corporation Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.5 filed with the registrants Form 10-K on March 10, 2004) |
|
|
|
10.10
|
|
First Amendment to Citizens & Northern Corporation Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.6 filed with the registrants Form 10-K on March 10, 2004) |
|
|
|
10.11
|
|
Citizens & Northern Corporation Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.7 filed with the registrants Form 10-K on March 10, 2004) |
|
|
|
10.12
|
|
Citizens & Northern Corporation Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit A to the registrants proxy statement dated March 19, 2001 for the
annual meeting of stockholders held on April 17, 2001) |
|
|
|
Exhibit No. |
|
Description |
10.13
|
|
Amendment #1 to Citizens & Northern Bank Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(b) filed with the registrants Form 10-K on March
19, 2001) |
|
|
|
10.14
|
|
Amendment #2 to Citizens & Northern Bank supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(a) filed with the registrants Form 10-K on March
19, 2001) |
|
|
|
10.15
|
|
Citizens & Northern Bank Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed with the
registrants Form 10-K on March 19, 2001) |
|
|
|
21
|
|
Subsidiaries of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21 to registrants
Form 10-K filed March 3, 2006 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005). |
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consent of Parente Randolph, LLC |
|
|
|
23.2
|
|
Consent of Ryan Beck & Co., Inc. |
|
|
|
23.3
|
|
Consents of Rhoads & Sinon LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 and 8.1). |
|
|
|
24.1
|
|
Power of Attorney (contained on signature pages to this Registration Statement). |
|
|
|
99.1
|
|
Opinion of Ryan Beck & Co., Inc. as to the fairness of the transaction (attached as Annex
B to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in this Registration Statement). |
|
|
|
99.2
|
|
Form of Proxy Card. |
|
(b) |
|
Financial Statement Schedules. |
None required.
Item 22. Undertakings.
|
(a) |
|
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; and |
|
|
(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. |
Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the information to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed
by registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that
are incorporated by reference 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. |
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrants annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by
reference in the registration statement 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.
(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes as follows:
|
(1) |
|
That prior to any public reoffering of the securities
registered hereunder through the use of a prospectus which is a part of this
registration statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an
underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), such reoffering prospectus will
contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with
respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition
to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form. |
|
|
(2) |
|
That every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant to the
immediately preceding paragraph, or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements
of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is used in |
|
|
|
connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed
as a part of an amendment is effective, and that, for purposes 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. |
(d) 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
provisions described under Item 20 above, 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.
(e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for information that
is incorporated by reference into the Proxy Statement/Prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11 or
13 of this Form S-4, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the
incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes
information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration
statement through the date of responding to the request.
(f) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-effective
amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved
therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became
effective.
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 Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, on this 12th day of February, 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION
(Registrant)
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Craig G. Litchfield
|
|
|
|
Craig G. Litchfield, Chairman, |
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby
constitutes and appoints Craig G. Litchfield, Mark D. Hughes and Charles J. Ferry, and each of
them, such persons true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for such person and in such persons name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each 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 such person might
or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that any said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, or either of them or any substitute of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Capacity |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Craig G. Litchfield
Craig G. Litchfield
|
|
Chairman, President, Chief Executive
Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
February 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Mark A. Hughes
Mark A. Hughes
|
|
Treasurer (Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
February 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Dennis f. Beardslee
Dennis F. Beardslee
|
|
Director
|
|
February 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ R. Robert DeCamp
R. Robert DeCamp
|
|
Director
|
|
February 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jan E. Fisher
Jan E. Fisher
|
|
Director
|
|
February 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ R. Bruce Haner
R. Bruce Haner
|
|
Director
|
|
February 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Capacity |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Susan E. Hartley
Susan E. Hartley
|
|
Director
|
|
February 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Karl W. Kroeck
Karl W. Kroeck
|
|
Director
|
|
February 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Leo F. Lambert
Leo F. Lambert
|
|
Director
|
|
February 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Edward L. Learn
Edward L. Learn
|
|
Director
|
|
February 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Edward H. Owlett, III
Edward H. Owlett, III
|
|
Director
|
|
February 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Leonard Simpson
Leonard Simpson
|
|
Director
|
|
February 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ James E. Towner
James E. Towner
|
|
Director
|
|
February 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Ann M. Tyler
Ann M. Tyler
|
|
Director
|
|
February 12, 2007 |
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
Exhibit No. |
|
Description |
5.1
|
|
Opinion of Rhoads & Sinon LLP as to the validity of securities. |
|
|
|
8.1
|
|
Opinion of Rhoads & Sinon LLP as to certain tax matters. |
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consent of Parente Randolph, LLC |
|
|
|
23.2
|
|
Consent of Ryan Beck & Co., Inc. |
|
|
|
99.2
|
|
Form of Proxy Card |