As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 19, 2000March 7, 2003
                                                   Registration No. 333-333-________

================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                               -------------------

                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                              --------------------


                              PEOPLES BANCORP INC.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


                                      Ohio
         522110--------------------------------------------------------------
         (State or other jurisdiction (Primary Standard Industrial
      of incorporation or organization)


                                     522110
            --------------------------------------------------------
            (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)


                                   31-0987416
                      ------------------------------------
                      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


                                138 Putnam Street
                                  P.O. Box 738
                               Marietta, Ohio 45750-0738OH 45750
                                 (740) 373-3155
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                  of Registrant's principal executive offices)

                   Charles R. Hunsaker, Esq., General Counsel
                              Peoples Bancorp Inc.
                                138 Putnam Street
                                  P.O. Box 738
                              Marietta, Ohio 45750-073845750
                                 (740) 374-6109
            ---------------------------------------------------------
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

                           --------------------------

                                   Copies to:

   Charles S. DeRousie, Esq.                     and               Susan B. Zaunbrecher, Esq.
     Elizabeth Turrell Farrar, Esq.              Dinsmore & Shohl, LLPJoseph M. Ford
   Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP           1900 Chemed CenterBracewell & Patterson L.L.P.
   52 East Gay Street                            255 East Fifth Street111 Congress Ave., Suite 2300
   Columbus, Ohio 43215                          Cincinnati, OH 45202Austin, Texas 78701
   (614) 464-6400                              (513) 977-8171464-6339                                (512) 494-3606

       Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to
the public: As soon as practicable following the effective date of the
Registration Statement and upon the effective date of the merger of The Lower
Salem  Commercial  BankKentucky
Bancshares Incorporated with and into Peoples Bank,  National  Association,  the
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant, pursuant to the Agreement
and Plan of
Acquisition  and Merger described in the enclosed proxy statement/prospectus included
as Part I of this Registration Statement.

       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:[  ]

       If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering: [  ]

       If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(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: 
Calculation of Registration Fee ================================ ================== ======================= ======================= ================ Proposed maximum Proposed maximum Amount of Title of each class of Amount to be offering aggregate registration securities to be registered registered(1) price per unit offering price (2) fee - -------------------------------- ------------------ ----------------------- ----------------------- ---------------- Common Shares, without par value........... 100,000 N/A $1,983,520 $524 ================================ ================== ======================= ======================= ================ (1) Represents the estimated maximum number of common shares of the Registrant that the Registrant expects would be issuable to shareholders of The Lower Salem Commercial Bank pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Acquisition and Merger between the Registrant, Peoples Bank, National Association and The Lower Salem Commercial Bank. (2) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(f)(2) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act of 1933, based upon the book value of the common shares of The Lower Salem Commercial Bank, as of December 15, 2000, which was $70.84.
[ ] CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE ================================================================================ Proposed Maximum Title of Each Class Amount to be Proposed Maximum Aggregate Amount of of Securities Amount to be Offering Offering Registration to be Registered Registered(1) Price Per Unit Price(2) Fee - --------------------- ------------- ---------------- ---------- ------------ Common shares, without par value.... 609,348 N/A $1,458,294 $118 ===================== ============= ================ ========== ============ (1) Represents the estimated maximum number of common shares of the Registrant that the Registrant expects would be issuable to shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 29, 2002, by and between the Registrant and Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated. (2) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(f)(2) and (3) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act of 1933, by multiplying (i) $1,410.75, the book value of a common share of Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated on February 28, 2003 and (ii) the 11,832 common shares of Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated to be acquired by the Registrant in the merger, less cash in the aggregate amount of $15,233,700 estimated to be paid by the Registrant in the merger. --------------------------------------- The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine. ================================================================================ The information in this proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which includes this proxy statement/prospectus, 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. The Lower Salem Commercial Bank Main Street P.O. Box 36 Lower Salem, OH 45745-0036THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL 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 MARCH 7, 2003 Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated 900 Diederich Blvd. Russell, Kentucky 41169 ------------------------- Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders A special meeting of shareholders of The Lower Salem Commercial Bank, an Ohio bankingKentucky Bancshares Incorporated, a Kentucky corporation, will be held at ________________________________,the offices of Kentucky Bancshares, located at _________________________,900 Diederich Blvd., Russell, Kentucky 41169, on _________________,____________, 2003, at __________ [a.m./p.m.]9:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes: 1. To consider and vote on a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Acquisition and Merger dated as of October 24, 2000,November 29, 2002, by and between Kentucky Bancshares and Peoples Bancorp Inc., an Ohio bank holding company, Peoples Bank, National Association, a national banking association,as amended as of March 6, 2003, and Lower Salem, and ratify the related Plan of Merger dated November 27, 2000, between Peoples Bank and Lower Salem.as of March ___, 2003. Subject to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, and the related plan of merger, at the effective time of the merger, eachthe outstanding Lower Salem common share of Kentucky Bancshares will be converted into the right to receive cash, Peoples common shares, or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares, as calculated in accordance with the merger agreement, up to a maximumagreement. The merger consideration received by Kentucky Bancshares shareholders will have an approximate value of $85.72$2,575.00 per Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common share. 2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the special meeting or any adjournment.adjournment of the special meeting. The Board of Directors of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares unanimously recommends that you vote in favor of"for" the proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Acquisition and Merger and ratify the related Plan of Merger. Any shareholder of Kentucky Bancshares has the right to assert dissenters' rights under Sections 271B.13-010 to 271B.13-310 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes in connection with the merger. A copy of Sections 271B.13-010 to 271B.13-310 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes is attached as Appendix D to the enclosed proxy statement/prospectus. Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on __________, 200_2003 will be entitled to vote at the Lower Salem special meeting and any adjournment of the special meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, please complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and promptly return it in the accompanying envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the Lower Salem special meeting by delivering a later-datedlater dated executed proxy card or a written notice of revocation to Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares or by voting in person at the special meeting. Your attendance at the special meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute a revocation of your proxy. By Order of the Board of Directors, Lower Salem, OhioRussell, Kentucky ________, 200_ J. Daniel Johnson,2003 Sandra F. Tilton, Secretary - -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------- PEOPLES BANCORP INC. Prospectus THE LOWER SALEM COMMERCIAL BANK forKENTUCKY BANCSHARES INCORPORATED For up to Proxy Statement 100,000609,348 common shares of forFor Peoples Bancorp Inc. Special Meeting of Shareholders to be issued in connection Shareholders of with the merger of The Lower Salem Commercial Bank The Lower Salem Commercial Bank intoKentucky Bancshares Incorporated Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated to be held on ________, 200_2003 into Peoples Bank, National AssociationBancorp Inc. at _________ [a.m./p.m.]9:00 a.m. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------- The boards of directors of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and Peoples, as well as Peoples Bank, National Association, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Peoples have each unanimously approved the merger agreement among them. The boardsAgreement and Plan of directors of Lower SalemMerger and Peoples Bank have also adopted the related planPlan of merger between them.Merger. If the merger is completed, the shareholders of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares will receive cash, Peoples common shares or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares, as calculated in accordance with the merger agreement, up to a maximum value of $85.72 per Lower Salem common share. Peoples will pay a specified amount of cash, as set forth in the merger agreement, in lieu of issuing fractional shares.agreement. Following the merger, Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares will no longer exist as a separate entity. Peoples common shares are listed on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "PEBO." On October 24, 2000,November 29, 2002, the last trading day prior to the joint public announcement by Peoples Peoples Bank and Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares of the signing of theproposed merger, agreement, Peoples common shares which are listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol "PEBO," closed at $13.00$25.90 per share. On ____________, 200_,2003, the last trading day before the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Peoples common shares closed at $_________ per share. This document is a proxy statement for use by Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares in soliciting proxies for its special meeting of shareholders. It is also a prospectus for Peoples relating to the issuance of Peoples common shares in connection with the merger. It givesThis document provides detailed information about the merger and includes a copycopies of the merger agreementAgreement and Plan of Merger and the related planPlan of merger. Peoples and Lower SalemMerger. We urge you to read the entire document before deciding how to vote. You should carefully consider the risk factors relating to the merger, which are described beginning on page __. ThePeoples and Kentucky Bancshares cannot complete the merger cannot by completed unless the shareholders of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares vote to adopt the merger agreementAgreement and ratifyPlan of Merger and the related planPlan of merger.Merger. Your vote is very important. If you fail to vote, the effect will be a vote "against" adoption of the merger agreementAgreement and "against" ratificationPlan of Merger and the related planPlan of merger.Merger. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the Peoples common shares to be issued in connection with the merger or determined if this proxy statement/prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. This proxy statement/prospectus is dated _______, 200_2003, and is first being mailed to Lower Salem shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares on or about ________, 200_.2003. References to Additional Information ------------------------------------REFERENCES TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about Peoples from documents that Peoples has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, but has not included in or delivered with this proxy statement/prospectus. IfThis information is available to you callwithout charge upon your written or writeoral request. You can obtain documents related to Peoples you will be sent these documents, including exhibits specificallythat are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus without charge. You can contact Peoples at:by requesting them in writing or by telephone from: Peoples Bancorp Inc. 138 Putnam Street P.O. Box 738 Marietta, Ohio 45750-073845750 Attention: Charles R. Hunsaker, Esq., General Counsel (740) 374-6109 PleaseAny request for documents from Peoples no later thanshould be made by __________, 200_.2003 to ensure timely delivery of the documents prior to the special meeting. If you request any documents, Peoples will mail the documents to you by first class mail, or another equally prompt means, by the next business day after your request is received. See "Where You Can Find More Information About Peoples"Information" on page __ for more information about the documents referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus. Table of Contents -----------------TABLE OF CONTENTS Description Page - ----------- ---- Questions and Answers About the Merger.........................................1 Summary........................................................................3Merger......................................1 Summary.....................................................................4 Parties to the Merger......................................................3 Lower SalemMerger...................................................4 Kentucky Bancshares Special Meeting................................................4Meeting.....................................5 The Merger.................................................................5Merger..............................................................5 Reasons for the Merger.................................................5Merger..............................................5 Opinion of YoungAlex Sheshunoff & Associates, Inc.....................................6Co. Investment Banking, L.P............6 Exchange of Kentucky Bancshares Common Shares..............................................6Shares; Merger Consideration........................................6 Fractional Shares......................................................9Shares...................................................8 Exchange of Certificates...............................................9Certificates............................................8 Accounting Treatment...................................................9Treatment................................................8 Federal Income Tax Consequences........................................9Consequences.....................................8 Stockholder Voting Agreement........................................8 Interests of Persons in the Merger.....................................9Merger......................................9 Resale of Peoples Common Shares.......................................10Shares.....................................9 Regulatory Approvals..................................................10Approvals................................................9 The Merger Agreement and Related Plan of Merger...........................10Agreement....................................................9 Representations and Warranties; Covenants.............................10Covenants...........................9 Conditions; Effective Time............................................10Time.........................................10 Amendment and Termination.............................................11Termination..........................................10 Recommendation of the Board of Directors..............................11Directors...........................11 Rights of Dissenting Shareholders.........................................12 Selected Financial Data...................................................12Shareholders......................................11 Comparison of Rights of Holders of Peoples Common Shares and of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares Common Shares.................................................15Shares............11 Peoples Selected Financial Data............................................12 Risk Factors..................................................................15Factors...............................................................14 The Lower Salem Special Meeting...............................................16Meeting........................................................16 Matters to be Considered at the Lower Salem Special Meeting...............16Meeting........................16 Voting at the Lower Salem Special Meeting; Lower Salem Record Date........16Date.............................16 Principal Shareholders of Peoples.............................................17 Principal Shareholders of Lower Salem.........................................20Kentucky Bancshares..............................17 The Merger....................................................................21 Background................................................................21Merger.................................................................18 Background.............................................................18 Reasons for the Merger....................................................23Merger.................................................20 Opinion of YoungAlex Sheshunoff & Associates, Inc........................................24 Financial Analysis of Lower Salem......................................25 Contribution Analysis..................................................25 Comparison with Selected Merger Transactions...........................26 Dilution Analysis......................................................26 Discounted Cash Flow Analysis..........................................26 Effect on Outstanding Peoples Common Shares andCo. Investment Banking L.P................21 Exchange of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares Common Shares..............................................27 Effect on Outstanding Peoples Common Shares............................27Shares..........................24 Exchange of Lower Salem Common Shares..................................27Shares..........................................24 Merger Consideration...............................................25 Election Procedures................................................26 Allocation Procedure...............................................26 No Fractional Peoples Common Shares to Be Issued.......................31Issued...................27 Closing of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares Share Transfer Books; Exchange of Certificates Evidencing Lower Salem Common Shares...................................31Certificates...................................27 Rights of Holders of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares Share Certificates Prior to Surrender.32Surrender.........................................27 Lost Share Certificates................................................32 Accounting Treatment of the Merger........................................32Certificates................................................28 Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger.............................32Merger..........................28 Interests of Persons in the Merger........................................33Merger.....................................29 Resale of Peoples Common Shares Received in the Merger....................34Merger.................30 Regulatory Approvals......................................................35Approvals...................................................30 Existing Relationship between Peoples and Lower Salem.....................35Kentucky Bancshares..........31 The Merger Agreement and Related Plan of Merger...............................35Agreement.......................................................31 The Merger................................................................35Merger.............................................................31 Conversion of Shares......................................................36Shares...................................................32 Representations and Warranties............................................36Warranties.........................................32 Conduct of Business Pending the Merger....................................38Merger.................................34 Conditions to the Consummation of the Merger..............................43Merger...........................38 Effective Time of the Merger..............................................45Merger...........................................41 Amendment and Termination.................................................45Termination..............................................42 Costs and Expenses; Indemnification.......................................46Indemnification....................................43 Recommendation and Vote...................................................46Vote................................................43 Rights of Dissenting Shareholders.............................................47Shareholders..........................................44 Business of Peoples...........................................................48 General...................................................................48Peoples........................................................46 General................................................................46 Additional Information....................................................49Information.................................................47 Management of Peoples.........................................................50 Board of Directors........................................................50Peoples......................................................48 Directors and Executive Officers........................................................52 Additional Information....................................................53Officers.......................................48 Business of Lower Salem.......................................................53Kentucky Bancshares............................................50 Comparison of Rights of Holders of Peoples Common Shares and Holders of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares Common Shares.................................................53Shares.......................51 General................................................................51 Authorized Capital Stock..................................................54Stock...............................................52 Board of Directors........................................................54 Nominations...............................................................54 Mandatory Retirement and Qualifications...................................55Directors.....................................................52 Nominations............................................................52 Director Qualifications................................................53 Removal and Filling of Vacancies..........................................55Vacancies.......................................53 Voting Rights.............................................................56Rights..........................................................54 Payment of Dividends......................................................56 Assessment of Shares......................................................56Dividends...................................................54 Special Meetings of Shareholders..........................................57 Pre-emptive Rights........................................................57Shareholders.......................................54 Shareholder Action Without a Meeting...................................54 Pre-Emptive Rights.....................................................55 Mergers and Consolidations................................................57Consolidations.............................................55 Other Corporate Transactions..............................................58Transactions...........................................56 Amendment of Articles and Regulations.....................................58Articles..................................................56 Anti-Takeover Statutes....................................................59Statutes.................................................57 Director and Officer Liability and Indemnification........................60Indemnification.....................58 Legal Matters.................................................................63 Experts.......................................................................63Matters..............................................................60 Experts....................................................................60 Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information....................63Information.................61 Where You Can Find More Information About Peoples.............................64Information........................................61 SEC Filings...............................................................64Filings............................................................61 Registration Statement....................................................64 PeoplesStatement.................................................62 Documents Incorporated by Reference...............................64 ii List of AppendicesReference....................................62 LIST OF APPENDICES ------------------ Appendix A Agreement and Plan of Acquisition and Merger, dated as of October 24, 2000,November 29, 2002, between Peoples Bancorp Inc., The Lower Salem Commercial Bank and Peoples Bank, National Association......................A-1Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated as amended as of March 6, 2003............................................... A Appendix B Plan of Merger, dated November 27, 2000,as of March __, 2003, between Peoples Bank, National AssociationBancorp Inc. and The Lower Salem Commercial Bank.........B-1Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated......................... B Appendix C Opinion of YoungAlex Sheshunoff & Associates, Inc...............................C-1Co. Investment Banking, L.P.......... C Appendix D OhioSections 271B.13-010 to 271B.13-310 of the Kentucky Revised Code Section 1701.85................................D-1 iiiStatutes governing dissenters' rights of Kentucky Bancshares shareholders.. D Questions and Answers About the Merger --------------------------------------QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER Q. What will Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders receive for their Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares in the merger? A. When the merger is completed, Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders will receive cash, Peoples common shares, or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares, as calculated in accordance with the merger agreement, up to a maximumagreement. The merger consideration received by Kentucky Bancshares shareholders will have an approximate value of $85.72$2,575.00 per Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common share. Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders will have the opportunity to elect whether to receive cash, Peoples common shares or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares. The actual form of consideration,That election, however, may be adjusted under formulas set forth inthe terms of the merger agreement.agreement so that the amount of cash consideration paid by Peoples to Kentucky Bancshares shareholders constitutes approximately 50% of the total merger consideration. As a result, Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders cannot be sure of the exact combination of cash or Peoples common shares or cash and Peoples common sharesthat they will receive in the merger at the time that they vote their common shares. In addition, the market price of the Peoples common shares may change from day to day. As a result, Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders cannot be sure of the market value of the Peoples common shares that they will receive in the merger at the time they vote their common shares. The closing price of a Peoples common share on October 24, 2000,November 29, 2002, the last trading day before the announcement of the signing of the merger, agreement, was $13.00.$25.90. The closing price of a Peoples common share on __________, 200_,2003, the last trading day before the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, was $__________. Q. How do I make an election to receive cash, Peoples common shares or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares? A. Peoples will mail youcause an election form and other appropriate transmittal materials to be mailed to you within threefive business days after the closing of the merger. The election materials will permit you to electmake an election with respect to the form of consideration you desirewill receive for your Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares in the merger. You also may choose to make no election by indicating that choice on the election forms that you receive. The election materials will specify the manner in which they are to be completed, the agent to whom the materials are toforms should be returned and the deadline for submitting the materialsforms to the agent. The agent will count only those elections which are made in accordance with the instructions contained in the election materials and which are received by the indicated deadline. PeoplesThe election materials will mail the election materialsbe mailed only if the merger is closed following adoption of the merger agreement and ratification of the related plan of merger by the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders. Q. What happens if I make no election?election as to whether to receive cash, Peoples common shares or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares? A. PeoplesWe will convert all Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares with respect to which no election has been made in accordance with formulas specified in the merger agreement. Those formulas give priority to converting Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares with respect to which an election has been made in accordance with the election.specification. Q. What happens to my future Kentucky Bancshares dividends? A. Kentucky Bancshares paid a cash dividend of $30.00 per share on January 2, 2003. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Kentucky Bancshares may not declare or pay any other dividends prior to the consummation of the merger. Q. What will happen if the shareholders of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares do not adopt the merger agreement and ratify the related plan of merger? A. If the shareholders of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares do not adopt the merger agreement and ratify the related plan of merger, management and the board of directors will continue to operate Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares as before, and may consider other strategic alternatives. If, however, the merger agreement is terminated for reasons specified inBoard of Directors of Kentucky Bancshares elects to terminate the merger agreement including the failureas a result of the shareholders to adopt the merger agreement and ratify the related plan of merger,another acquisition proposal, then Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares will have to pay Peoples a termination fee in the amount of $100,000. $1,500,000. Q. What do I need to do now? A. After you have carefully read this document, please indicate on yourthe enclosed proxy card how you want to vote. Sign and date the proxy card and mail it in the enclosed prepaid return envelope marked "Proxy" as soon as possible, so that your Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares may be represented and voted at the Lower Salem special meeting. In order for us to complete the merger, to be completed, the holders of at least two-thirdsa majority of the issued and outstanding Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares must vote to adopt the merger agreement and to ratify the related plan of merger. The board of directors of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares unanimously recommends voting "for" the adoption of the merger agreement and ratify the related plan of mergermerger. Q. What happens if I do not send in my proxy card if I do not instruct my broker to vote my common shares, or if I abstain from voting? A. If you do not send in your proxy card if you do not instruct your broker to vote your common shares, or if you abstain from voting, it will have the same effect as a vote "against" adoption of the merger agreement and ratification of the related plan of merger. Q. If my broker holds my common shares in "street name," will my broker vote my common shares for me? A. Your broker cannot vote your common shares without specific instructions from you. Unless you follow the directions your broker provides to you regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your common shares, your common shares will not be voted. Q. Can I change my vote after I have mailed my signed proxy card? A. Yes. You can change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at the Lower Salem special meeting. Just send in a later-dated,later dated, signed proxy card or a written notice of revocation to J. Daniel Johnson,Sandra F. Tilton, the Secretary of Lower Salem,Kentucky Bancshares, before the special meeting or attend the special meeting and vote in person. Your attendance at the special meeting, alonein and of itself, will not revoke your proxy. If you have instructed your broker to vote your common shares, you must follow the directions received from your broker to change those instructions. Q. When do you expect to complete the merger? A. The targeted completion date of the merger is during the first quarter of 2001. All partiesWe are working toward completing the merger as quickly as possible. We anticipate completing the merger shortly after the special meeting is held, assuming that the Kentucky Bancshares shareholders adopt the merger agreement and the related plan of merger. Q. Should I send in my Kentucky Bancshares stock certificates now? A. No. After the merger is completed, you will receive written instructions from the exchange agent on how to exchange your Kentucky Bancshares stock certificates for the merger consideration. Please do not send in your stock certificates with your proxy. Q. If I do not favor the transaction, what are my rights? A. If you deliver a written objection to the merger prior to the special meeting, do not vote "for" adoption of the merger agreement and the related plan of merger at the special meeting and comply with the other prescribed statutory procedures, you will be entitled to the payment of cash equal to the fair value of your Kentucky Bancshares common shares, as determined in accordance with Sections 271B.13-010 to 271B.13-310 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, in lieu of the Peoples common shares or cash you would otherwise be entitled to receive in accordance with the merger agreement. Q. Where can I find more information about the filings Peoples makes with the SEC?Peoples? A. Peoples files reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy this information at the SEC's public reference facilities. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information about these facilities. This information is also available on the Internet site the SEC maintains at www.sec.gov.www.sec.gov, which may be accessed from Peoples' website at www.peoplesbancorp.com (each of these uniform resource locators (URLs) is an inactive textual reference only and is not intended to incorporate the website into this prospectus). You can also request copies of these documents from Peoples. Q. Who can answer any other questions I may have? A. If you have questions, you may contact Peoples and Lower Salemus at: Peoples Bancorp Inc. The Lower Salem Commercial BankKentucky Bancshares Incorporated 138 Putnam Street Main Street900 Diederich Blvd. P.O. Box 738 P.O. Box 36Russell, Kentucky 41169 Marietta, Ohio 45750-0738 Lower Salem, Ohio 45745-003645750 Attention: C. Ronald Christmas, President & CEO Attention: Charles R. Hunsaker Esq., Attention: Kenneth N. Koher,(606) 836-1510 General Counsel President and Chief (740) 374-6109 Executive Officer (740) 585-2387 Summary ------- SUMMARY This summary highlights selected information from this proxy statement/prospectus. It does not contain all of the information that you may consider important. We urge you to read carefully the entire document and the other documents referred to in this document to fully understand the proposed merger. We propose a merger between Kentucky Bancshares and Peoples. If the holders of at least two-thirdsa majority of the issued and outstanding Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares adopt the merger agreement and ratify the related plan of merger, and if all other conditions to the consummation of the merger are satisfied, Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares will merge with and into Peoples Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Peoples. Following the merger, Peoples Bank will continue its existence under the laws of the United StatesState of Ohio as the surviving entitycorporation of the merger. Parties to the Merger - --------------------- Peoples Bancorp Inc.merger, and Kentucky Bancshares' banking subsidiary, Kentucky Bank & Trust, will be merged with and into Peoples' banking subsidiary, Peoples Bank, National Association - (Peoples Bank). PARTIES TO THE MERGER Peoples Bancorp Inc. (See page __) 138 Putnam Street P.O. Box 738 Marietta, Ohio 45750-073845750 (740) 373-3155 Peoples was organized asis a bankfinancial holding company organized in 1980. On March 10, 2000,1980, with origins in the Mid-Ohio Valley dating back to 1902. Peoples' banking and thriftwholly-owned subsidiaries The Peoples Banking and Trust Company andinclude Peoples Bank, FSB, merged with Peoples' national banking subsidiary, The First NationalPeoples Investment Company, PEBO Capital Trust I and PEBO Capital Trust II. Peoples Bank of Southeastern Ohio. The resulting single banking subsidiary was renamed "Peoples Bank, National Association". This banking subsidiary currently operates under the trade name "Peoples Bank". On March 31, 2000, Peoples Bank'salso owns an insurance agency holding companysubsidiary and an asset management subsidiary. Peoples Bank'sInvestment Company also owns a capital management subsidiary. Peoples' principal operating subsidiary, Peoples Bank, is a full-service community bank that provides financial products and services through 45 financial service locations and 30 automated teller machines (ATMs) in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, as well as through banking by phone and internet-based banking. Peoples Bank provides an array of financial products and services that include traditional banking products, such as deposit accounts, lending products, credit and debit cards, corporate and personal trust services and safe deposit rental facilities. Peoples Bank also offers a full range of life, and health insurance agency merged into Peoples Bank's property and casualty insurance agency. The resulting insurance subsidiary was renamed "Peoplesproducts through Peoples Insurance Agency, Inc." This insurance subsidiary currently operates, and provides customer-tailored solutions for asset management needs through its Peoples Financial Advisors division. Brokerage services are offered through an unaffiliated registered broker/dealer located at Peoples Bank offices. At December 31, 2002, Peoples had 462 full-time equivalent employees, total assets of $1.4 billion, total loans of $850.9 million, total deposits of $955.9 million, and total stockholders' equity of $147.2 million. Peoples Bank held trust assets with an approximate market value of $500 million at December 31, 2002. Peoples common shares are traded on The Nasdaq National Market under the trade name "Peoples Insurance". The Lower Salem Commercial Banksymbol "PEBO." Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated (See page __) Main Street P.O. Box 36 Lower Salem, Ohio 45745-0036 (740) 585-2387 Lower Salem900 Diederich Blvd. Russell, Kentucky 41169 (606) 836-9000 Kentucky Bancshares, Inc. is a state banking corporation chartered under the lawsone-bank holding company organized in 1993. It holds 100% of the Stateoutstanding capital stock of Ohio with its mainKentucky Bank & Trust, a Kentucky-chartered banking association which was originally chartered in 1976 as the Greenup County Bank. Kentucky Bank & Trust is a full service community bank that offers a full range of financial products and only officeservices through five banking offices located at Main Street, State Route #821, Lower Salem, Ohio 45745. Lower Salem was initially chartered by the Statein Russell, South Shore, Greenup, Flatwoods and Ashland, Kentucky. The majority of OhioKentucky Bancshares's business is generated from customers whose businesses or residences are located in 1911Greenup and has been in continuous operation for 89 years.Boyd Counties, Kentucky. The principal services offered by Kentucky Bancshares include deposit accounts, lending products, credit and debit cards, internet banking, automated teller machines (ATMs), corporate and personal trust services and safe deposit rental facilities. Kentucky Bancshares' primary business involves the attraction of Lower Salem consists of attracting retail deposits from the general public and investing thosethe use of such deposits, together with borrowed funds, in one-to-four familyto originate loans secured by residential mortgageand commercial real estate and, to a lesser extent, consumer and commercial business loans. At December 31, 2002, Kentucky Bancshares had 41 full-time equivalent employees, total assets of $126.7 million, total loans of $77.6 million, total deposits of $98.7 million, and consumer loans primarily in Washington County, Ohio. Lower Salem also invests in U.S. Treasury Notes as well as state and municipal securities. Lower Salem's revenues are derived primarily from interest on loans, interest on investments and income service charges on deposit accounts. As a state-chartered bank, Lower Salemtotal stockholders' equity of $16.7 million. There is subject to regulation by the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). In October 1999, Lower Salem entered into an informal Memorandum of Understanding with the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions and the FDIC. This Memorandum required Lower Salem to make significant changes to its lending practices involving application processing and credit granting requirements, loan review and its loan loss reserves. On May 9, 2000, Lower Salem entered into a formal Written Agreement with the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions which required Lower Salem to make certain significant corporate decisions and take actions conducive to operating Lower Salem in a safe and sound manner. Lower Salem Special Meeting (See pageno established public trading market for Kentucky Bancshares' common stock. KENTUCKY BANCSHARES SPECIAL MEETING (SEE PAGE __) - ----------------------------------------- Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares will hold a special meeting of shareholders on ____________, _____________, 200_,2003, at ________ [a.m./p.m.]9:00 a.m., local time, at ____________________, ______________________________.the offices of Kentucky Bancshares, 900 Diederich Blvd., Russell, Kentucky 41169. Only the holders of record of the issued and outstanding Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares at the close of business on __________, 200_2003 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting and any adjournment of the special meeting. As of the record date, there were 28,00011,832 common shares issued and outstanding, each of which will be entitled to one vote on each matter properly submitted for vote to the shareholders at the Lower Salem special meeting. At the Lower Salem special meeting, Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares will ask you to consider and vote upon: o a proposal to adopt the merger agreement and ratify the related plan of merger;merger, and o the transaction of any other business that properly comes before the special meeting or any adjournment.adjournment of the special meeting. The affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirdsa majority of the issued and outstanding Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares, voting in person or by proxy, is required to adopt the merger agreement and ratify the related plan of merger. If you abstain from voting or fail to return your properly executed proxy card, the effect will be a vote "against" adoption of the merger agreement.agreement and the related plan of merger. As of November 30, 2000,February 14, 2003, the directors and executive officers of Lower Salem (8Kentucky Bancshares (12 persons) and their respective affiliates in the aggregate beneficially owned 4,635,10,895, or 16.6%,approximately 92.1% of the outstanding Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares. Pursuant to a Stockholder Voting Agreement dated November 29, 2002, each of the directors and executive officers of Kentucky Bancshares has agreed to vote his or her Kentucky Bancshares common shares "for" the adoption of the merger agreement and the related plan of merger at the special meeting. If you return your properly executed proxy card prior to the special meeting and do not revoke it prior to its use, the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares represented by that proxy card will be voted at the special meeting, or any adjournment of the special meeting. The Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares will be voted as specified on the proxy card or, in the absence of specific instructions to the contrary, will be voted "for" adoption of the merger agreement and ratification of the related plan of merger. If you return a proxy card which has been voted "against" adoption of the merger agreement and the related plan of merger, your proxy will not be used to vote to adjourn the special meeting so that Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares may solicit further support for adoption of the merger agreement. The Merger (See page __) ======================== Reasons foragreement and the Merger (See page __) - ------------------------------------related plan of merger. THE MERGER (SEE PAGE ____) REASONS FOR THE MERGER (SEE PAGE ___) The board of directors of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares believes that the merger with Peoples Bank, as the wholly-owned subsidiary of Peoples is fair and in the best interests of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and its shareholders. In reaching its determination to approve the merger agreement and the merger, to adopt the related plan of merger and to recommend the adoption of the merger agreement and ratification of the related plan of merger by the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders, the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares board of directors consulted with Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares management, legal consultantscounsel and industry and financial consultants, including the accounting firm of Dixon, Francis, DavisAlex Sheshunoff & Company of Granville, Ohio (formerly Robb, Dixon, Francis, Davis & Company), and the financial industry consulting firm of Young & Associates, Inc. of Kent, Ohio.Co. Investment Banking, L.P. The Lower Salem board of directors of Kentucky Bancshares considered the following material factors, among others, in making its decision to approve the merger agreement and the merger: o Lower Salem'sKentucky Bancshares' business, operations, earnings, prospects, financial condition and market for its common shares; o the business, operations, earnings, prospects and financial condition of Peoples, as determined from the business review conducted by bank management, Dixon, Francis and Young & Associates. Also considered werewell as the enhanced opportunities for operating efficiencies that could result from the merger and the enhanced opportunities for growth that the merger would make possible;merger; o the commitment of Peoples to maintain a banking facility in the Lower Salem community, and that the merger may provide the opportunity for continued employment to Lower Salem employees;employees of Kentucky Bancshares; o Peoples' record of successful acquisitions and their apparently s successful assimilation; o Peoples' small business lending capabilities; o Peoples' trust department; o the process conducted by Lower Salem with the assistance of Dixon, Francis and Young & Associates and advice of Lower Salem's legal counsel in soliciting offers, the resulting bids and the negotiated merger agreement;acquisitions; o alternatives to the merger, including remaining independent and growing internally or remaining independent for a period of time and then selling;selling, and the competitive problems and execution risks that Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares was likely to encounter as an independent bank; o the market prices at which Peoples common shares have been trading in recent periods and the substantially more liquid market available for Peoples common shares compared to the market for Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares; o the terms of the merger agreement; o the expectation that the merger will be a tax-free transaction to Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and generally will generally be a tax-free transaction to its shareholders proportionate to the consideration received in the form of Peoples common shares; o the apparent absence of any significant problems in obtaining regulatory approvals for the merger and the fact that the pro forma capital position of the combined companies would be well in excess of all applicable regulatory capital requirements; o Peoples' apparent ability to participate successfully in the existing consolidation environment;merger; and o the opinion of YoungAlex Sheshunoff & AssociatesCo. Investment Banking, L.P. that as of October 24, 2000, the value ofconsideration provided for in the transactionmerger agreement was fair to Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders from a financial point of view. o Peoples' interest in acquiring Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares is based on the opportunity to: o obtain a bankingprovide additional financial service centerlocations in Boyd and additional customer baseGreenup Counties in the northern part of Washington County, Ohio and its contiguous communities;Kentucky; o offer additional products and services to the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares customers; o provide another banking service location for Peoples Bank's customer base in both Washington County, Ohio and Noble County, Ohio; and o acquire and expand the deposit and funding base provided by Lower Salem.Kentucky Bancshares; and o The boards of directors of Peoples, Peoples Bankintegrate Kentucky Bancshares' trust and Lower Salem each believe that the operating results of Peoples will improve as a result of the merger thereby providing a benefit to shareholders. Opinion of Younginvestment relationships with Peoples' Financial Advisors unit. OPINION OF ALEX SHESHUNOFF & Associates, Inc. (See page __) - -------------------------------------------------- YoungCO. INVESTMENT BANKING, L.P. (SEE PAGE ___) On November 29, 2002, Alex Sheshunoff & Associates delivered a writtenCo. Investment Banking, L.P. rendered its oral opinion to the Lower Salem board of directors that, as of October 24, 2000,such date, the merger consideration was fair, to Lower Salem shareholders from a financial point of view.view, to the shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares. Alex Sheshunoff & Co. rendered its written fairness opinion as of March 3, 2003. The opinion is not a recommendation to any Lower Salem shareholder of Kentucky Bancshares as to how to vote. Lower Salem hasA complete copy of the opinion is included the complete opinion as Appendix C to this proxy statement/prospectus. Exchange of Common Shares (See page __) - --------------------------------------- o Value of Merger Consideration.EXCHANGE OF KENTUCKY BANCSHARES COMMON SHARES; MERGER CONSIDERATION (SEE PAGE ____) At the effective time of the merger, all Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares othat are owned by Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares as treasury shares o ownedor directly or indirectly by Peoples except for Lower Salem common shares held directly or indirectly by Peoples in a fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of a debt previously contracted, and o as to which the holder is entitled to payment as a result of a proper exercise of the holder's right to dissent to the merger, will be canceled and retired, and no PeoplesKentucky Bancshares common shares or other consideration will be delivered in exchange for those Lower Salem common shares. The consideration to be received in exchange for all otherEach remaining issued and outstanding Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common share, other than those as to which the holders have properly exercised dissenters' rights, will be converted into the right to receive, at the election of the holder and subject to the allocation and proration procedures set forth in the merger agreement and described elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus, either: o a cash amount equal to $2,575.00; or o the number of Peoples common shares equal to $2,575.00 divided by the average share price of Peoples common shares, or expressed as a fraction: $2,575.00 ------------------------------------------------- the average share price of Peoples' common shares The average share price of Peoples common shares will be converted into cash, Peoples common shares, or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares, as calculated in accordance with the merger agreement, up to a maximum value of $85.72 per Lower Salem common share. The merger agreement provides that the aggregate value of the merger consideration to be received in the merger, up to $85.72 per Lower Salem common share, is to be calculated by multiplying the market value of the Peoples common shares by an exchange ratio for the merger, calculated in one of the following two ways: o If the market value for the Peoples common shares is less than or equal to $14.625, then the exchange ratio for the merger will be the quotient of $33.80 divideddetermined by the market value for the Peoples common shares, plus 3.550. o If the market value for the Peoples common shares is greater than $14.625, then the exchange ratio will be the quotient of $85.72 divided by the market value for the Peoples common shares. The market value for the Peoples common shares will equal the average of the mean between thedaily closing high bid and low asked pricesprice of Peoples common shares, for the twenty consecutive trading days immediately preceding a valuation date, as reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market.National Market, for the thirty consecutive trading days ending at the close of business on the day which is five trading days prior to the consummation of the merger. The valuation datemerger agreement, however, imposes a $25.00 floor and a $33.00 ceiling on the average share price. Thus, if the average daily closing price of Peoples common shares is equal to or less than $25.00, then the average share price will be deemed to be $25.00. Similarly, if the latestaverage daily closing price of Peoples common shares is equal to or greater than $33.00, then the average share price will be deemed to be $33.00. The following table sets forth examples of the daynumber of Peoples common shares that a Kentucky Bancshares shareholder may receive depending on which the last required regulatory approval is obtained,average closing price of Peoples common shares during the day on which the last waiting period for all required regulatory approvals in connection with the merger have expired or the day on which the Lower Salem shareholders vote to adopt the merger agreement and ratify the related plan of merger. ELECTION PROCEDURE. Lower Salemrelevant thirty-trading-day period:
Number of Peoples common Assumed average share price Relevant exchange ratio shares received in exchange of Peoples common shares ($2,575.00 divided by assumed for each Kentucky Bancshares average share price) common share (1) - ----------------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------------- $25.00 103.00 103.00 $29.00 88.79 88.79 $33.00 78.03 78.03 - ----------------------------- (1) Peoples will not issue certificates or scrip representing fractional interests in Peoples common shares in the merger. If a Kentucky Bancshares shareholder is entitled to a fractional Peoples common share, the shareholder will receive cash in an amount equal to the fractional share interest multiplied by the average share price of Peoples common shares.
Kentucky Bancshares shareholders will have the opportunity to make an election as toelect whether they wish to receive cash, Peoples common shares, or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares, as consideration for their Lower Salem common shares. The Lower Salem shareholders also may choose to make no election with respect to the form of merger consideration. An election form and other appropriate transmittal materials will be mailed by Peoples within three business days after the closing of the merger to each Lower Salem shareholder of record on the effective date of the merger. The election materials will specify the manner in which they are to be completed, the agent to whom the materials are to be returned and the deadline for submitting the materials to the agent. Peoples will designate the agent who will receive the election materials. The deadline for receiving the election materials will be at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 10th business day following, but not including, the date of mailing of the election materials, or on some other date as to which the parties mutually agree. The agent will count only those elections which are made in accordance with the instructions contained in the election materials and which are received by the indicated deadline. The election materials will be mailed only if the merger is closed following adoption of the merger agreement and ratification of the related plan of merger by the Lower Salem shareholders. Lower Salem and Peoples make no recommendation as to whether Lower Salem shareholders should elect to receive cash, Peoples common shares, or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares. In addition, neither Lower Salem nor Peoples can guaranteeHowever, the ability of any Kentucky Bancshares shareholder to receive either all cash, all stock, or a particular percentage of cash or stock is subject to a requirement in the merger agreement that the electionaggregate cash consideration to be paid in exchange for Kentucky Bancshares common shares may not exceed 50% of any Lower Salem shareholderthe total merger consideration. In the event that the total cash elections made by Kentucky Bancshares shareholders are greater or less than the maximum aggregate cash consideration, appropriate allocations and prorations, as described in the merger agreement, will be fully honored. Rather,made to so that the total cash consideration paid by Peoples in the merger is as close as possible to the maximum aggregate cash consideration. The form of merger consideration ultimately received by a Lower Salemeach Kentucky Bancshares shareholder will depend upon the election, of the shareholder, the election of other Lower Salem shareholdersallocation and the allocationproration procedures described below. Accordingly, Lower Salem shareholders may not receive their requested form of merger consideration. ALLOCATION OF MERGER CONSIDERATION. Once the elections are received, the parties will allocate the merger consideration, according to the following formulas: o Under the merger agreement, at least 52% of the Lower Salem common shares must be converted into Peoples common shares. For this purpose, all dissenting Lower Salem shareholders will be treated as having made a cash election. The exact percentage may exceed 52% and will be calculated by subtracting from 100%, the percentage which is determined by dividing $33.80 by the value of the merger consideration to be receivedset forth in the merger. o If Lower Salem shareholders elect to convert more Lower Salem common shares into cash than is allowed under the merger agreement, all Lower Salem common shares with respect to which a cash election has been made will be converted into the right to receive both of the following: (1) An amount in cash, without interest, equal to the product, rounded to the nearest one cent, of (a) the cash consideration for the merger, and (b) a cash fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of Lower Salem common shares that must be converted into cash and the denominator of which will be the total number of Lower Salem common shares that Lower Salem shareholders actually elected to convert into cash; and (2) A number of Peoples common shares equal to the product, rounded to four decimal points, of (a) the stock consideration for the merger as determined by the exchange ratio for the merger, and (2) a number equal to one minus a cash fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of Lower Salem common shares that must be converted into cash and the denominator of which will be the total number of Lower Salem common shares that Lower Salem shareholders actually elected to convert into cash. In addition, all Lower Salem common shares with respect to which an election to convert into Peoples common shares has been made and all Lower Salem common shares with respect to which no election has been made will be converted into the right to receive Peoples common shares at a rate equal to the exchange ratio for the merger. o If Lower Salem shareholders elect to convert more Lower Salem common shares into Peoples common shares than is allowed under the merger agreement, all Lower Salem common shares with respect to which a stock election has been made will be converted into the right to receive both of the following: (1) A number of Peoples common shares equal to the product, rounded to four decimal places, of (1) the stock consideration for the merger as determined by the exchange ratio for the merger and (2) a stock fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of Lower Salem common shares that must be converted into Peoples common shares, and the denominator of which will be the total number of Lower Salem common shares that shareholders actually elected to convert into Peoples common shares; and (2) An amount in cash, without interest, equal to the product, rounded to the nearest one cent, of (1) the cash consideration for the merger and (2) a number equal to one minus a stock fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of Lower Salem common shares that must be converted into Peoples common shares, and the denominator of which will be the total number of Lower Salem common shares that shareholders actually elected to convert into Peoples common shares. In addition, all Lower Salem common shares with respect to which an election to convert into cash has been made and all Lower Salem common shares with respect to which no election has been made will be converted into the right to receive the cash consideration for those Lower Salem common shares. o If the number of Lower Salem common shares as to which a stock election has been made does not exceed the number required by the merger agreement and described elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. Accordingly, no guarantee can be given that the numberchoice of Lower Salem common shares as to which a cash election has been made does not exceed the number required by the merger agreement, then all cash election Lower Salem common sharesany Kentucky Bancshares shareholder will be converted into the right to receive cash and all stock election Lower Salem common shares will be converted into the right to receive Peoples common shares, at a rate equal to the exchange ratio. All no election Lower Salem common shares will be converted into the right to receive cash or Peoples common shares as determined by random selection. The agent selected by Peoples to account for all elections will conduct the random selection for no election Lower Salem common shares by drawing by lot or by any other process as the agent deems appropriate and equitable to appropriately allocate the Lower Salem common shares in accordance with the merger agreement. INFORMATION REGARDING THE MARKET PRICES OF COMMONhonored. FRACTIONAL SHARES OF PEOPLES AND LOWER SALEM. The Peoples common shares are listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market, under the symbol "PEBO". There is no established public or other trading market for the Lower Salem common shares. The following table sets forth the high and low bid prices on The Nasdaq Stock Market of the Peoples common shares on October 24, 2000, the last trading day prior to the joint public announcement by Peoples, Peoples Bank and Lower Salem of the signing of the merger agreement. The table also shows the implied value of the Lower Salem common shares calculated by assuming an exchange ratio for the merger of 6.1500. High Low Bid prices on October 24, 2000 for Peoples common shares................. $ 13.00 $ 13.00 Implied value of Lower Salem common shares $79.95 $79.95 OF COURSE, THE MARKET PRICE OF PEOPLES COMMON SHARES WILL FLUCTUATE PRIOR TO THE MERGER. PEOPLES AND LOWER SALEM ENCOURAGE YOU TO OBTAIN CURRENT MARKET QUOTATIONS FOR THE PEOPLES COMMON SHARES. Fractional Shares (See page ___) - --------------------------------(SEE PAGE ____) Peoples will not issue certificates or scrip representing fractional interests in Peoples common shares in the merger. In lieu of fractional shares,interests, Peoples will pay to each holder of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares who otherwise would be entitled to receive a fraction of a Peoples common share, an amount in cash rounded to the nearest cent, determined by multiplying the fractional share interest by the market valueaverage share price of the Peoples common shares. The market value for the Peoples common shares will equal the average of the mean between the closing high and low bid prices of Peoples common shares for the twenty consecutive tradingEXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES (SEE PAGE ____) No later than five business days immediately preceding a valuation date, as reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market. The valuation date will be the latest of the day on which the last waiting period for all required regulatory approvals in connection with the merger have expired, the day on which the last required regulatory approval is obtained or the day on which the Lower Salem shareholders vote to adopt the merger agreement and ratify the related plan of merger. Exchange of Certificates (See page __) - -------------------------------------- As soon as practicable afterfollowing the consummation of the merger, anPeoples Bank, as exchange agent selected by Peoples for the merger, will advise each Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholder of the merger by letter accompanied by a letter of transmittal accompanied byand election form and instructions for surrendering the certificate or certificates evidencing the shareholder's Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares to the exchange agent.Peoples Bank. Certificates for Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares should notNOT be sent to the exchange agentPeoples Bank until after receipt of the letter of transmittal and election form and should notNOT be returned to Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares with the enclosed proxy card. Accounting Treatment (See page __) - ---------------------------------- It is the intention of Peoples and Lower Salem that theACCOUNTING TREATMENT (SEE PAGE ____) The merger will be accounted for as a purchase for financial accounting and reporting purposes. Federal Income Tax Consequences (See page __) - ---------------------------------------------FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES (SEE PAGE ____) The consummation of the merger is conditioned upon Kentucky Bancshares' receipt of the opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, legal counsel to Peoples, to the effect thatthat: o the merger will constitutebe treated for federal income tax purposes as a tax-free reorganization underwithin the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Lower Salem shareholders will not recognizeCode; o no gain or loss upon the receipt ofwill be recognized by Kentucky Bancshares shareholders who exchange their Kentucky Bancshares common shares solely for Peoples common shares, in exchange for their Lower Salem common shares. Lower Salem shareholders will recognizeother than the gain however,or loss to the extent of any cash consideration received in exchange for their Lower Salem common shares. In addition, a gain will be recognized in respect of cash received upon the exercise of dissenters' rights by Lower Salem shareholders and by Lower Salem shareholders with respectas to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares.share interests, and the tax basis of the shareholders in their Kentucky Bancshares common shares will be carried over for tax purposes to the Peoples common shares received in exchange therefore; o Kentucky Bancshares shareholders who receive solely cash in exchange for their Kentucky Bancshares common shares will be treated as having received such payments as distributions in redemption of their Kentucky Bancshares common shares, subject to the provisions and limitations of Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code; and o gain will be recognized by shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares who receive both Peoples common shares and cash in exchange for their Kentucky Bancshares common shares, but not in excess of the amount of cash received. Neither the opinion of counsel nor the discussion of federal income tax consequences in this proxy statement/prospectus is binding upon either the Internal Revenue Service or the courts. You shouldService. We urge you to consult your own tax advisor for a full understanding ofconcerning the specific tax consequences of the merger. Interestsmerger to you. STOCKHOLDER VOTING AGREEMENT (SEE PAGE ___) In conjunction with the execution of Personsthe merger agreement, the directors and executive officers of Kentucky Bancshares entered into a Stockholder Voting Agreement, dated as of November 29, 2002, with Peoples. Pursuant to the Stockholder Voting Agreement, the directors and executive officers of Kentucky Bancshares have agreed to vote their Kentucky Bancshares common shares in favor of the Merger (See page __) - ------------------------------------------------adoption of the merger agreement at the special meeting. INTERESTS OF PERSONS IN THE MERGER (SEE PAGE ____) Peoples has agreed to indemnify each of the officers, directors and employees of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust to the full extent Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares or Kentucky Bank & Trust would have been required to indemnify that person under OhioKentucky law and the governing documents of Lower Salem.Kentucky Bancshares or Kentucky Bank & Trust. The merger agreement also provides for the continuation of director and officer liability insurance for the directors and officers of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares for a period of three years. Peoples has agreed to honor all employment agreements, retirement agreements, severance agreements and change in control agreements entered into prior to June 30, 2000, that Lower Salem hasIn conjunction with its former and current employees and directors, except to the extent that those agreements have been superseded or terminated at the effective timeexecution of the merger oragreement, C. Ronald Christmas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kentucky Bancshares, entered into an Employment Agreement with Peoples Bank, dated as of November 29, 2002, and an amendment to his existing employment agreement with Kentucky Bank & Trust dated as of July 12, 1991. These agreements provide, among other things, for Mr. Christmas to be employed by Peoples Bank for a term of eighteen months following the effective timemerger, and for Mr. Christmas to receive an aggregate of $550,000 in cash payments in connection with the merger. Prior to or upon the closing of the merger. J. Daniel Johnson currently has an Employment Security Agreementmerger, Kentucky Bancshares intends to redeem all of the Kentucky Bancshares common shares owned by Mr. Christmas for $2,575.00 per share. Prior to the merger, Sandra F. Tilton, Secretary of Kentucky Bancshares and Senior Vice President of Kentucky Bank & Trust, will receive $55,000 as payment of the retention benefit under her contract with Lower Salem which becomes operative upon a change in controlKentucky Bank & Trust. In addition, employees of Lower Salem. ResaleKentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust, excluding C. Ronald Christmas, Sandra Tilton and the directors, who do not continue as employees of Peoples Common Shares (See page __) - ---------------------------------------------or one of its subsidiaries may receive from Kentucky Bancshares, if announced for the employees and accrued by Kentucky Bancshares prior to the merger, a lump sum severance benefit described in Section 6.03 of the merger agreement. RESALE OF PEOPLES COMMON SHARES (SEE PAGE ____) The Peoples common shares to be issued upon consummation of the merger have been registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 and will be freely transferable, except for Peoples common shares received by personsany person who may be deemed to be affiliatesan affiliate of Lower Salem.Kentucky Bancshares. The term "affiliate" generally will generally include executive officers and directors of Lower Salem.Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust. Affiliates of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust may not sell their Peoples common shares, except underpursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 covering the Peoples common shares or in compliance with Rule 145 or another applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Regulatory Approvals (See page __) - ----------------------------------Act of 1933. REGULATORY APPROVALS (SEE PAGE ____) Consummation of the merger is subject to prior receipt by Peoples and Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares of all necessary regulatory approvals. The principal regulatory approvals required to be obtained are from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and from the Ohio DivisionFederal Reserve Bank of Financial Institutions.Cleveland under delegated authority from the Federal Reserve Board. An interagency bank merger application under the Bank Merger Act was filed with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency on November 28, 2000.or about December 20, 2003, relating to the proposed merger of Kentucky Bank & Trust into Peoples Bank immediately following the merger of Kentucky Bancshares into Peoples. Peoples received approval of the merger with Kentucky Bank & Trust from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency on February 5, 2003, which approval is conditioned upon the delivery of a signed copy of the merger agreement and other documents to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency prior to the closing. The required notice filing with the Ohio DivisionFederal Reserve Bank of Financial Institutions will beCleveland was made in accordance withon or about February 10, 2003, and Peoples received a letter from the Division's regulations priorFederal Reserve Bank of Cleveland on February 24, 2003 stating that the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland did not object to the consummation of the merger. The Merger Agreement and Related Planmerger without the filing of Merger (See pagea formal application. THE MERGER AGREEMENT (SEE PAGE __) ============================================================= Representations and Warranties; Covenants (See pageREPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; COVENANTS (SEE PAGE __) - ------------------------------------------------------- In the merger agreement, Lower Salem, PeoplesKentucky Bancshares and Peoples Bank each have made representations and warranties to each other. In addition, the parties each have made covenants, including covenants related to the conduct of business between the date of the merger agreement and the effective time of the merger. Conditions; Effective Time (See pagesCONDITIONS; EFFECTIVE TIME (SEE PAGES __ andAND __) - ------------------------------------------------ The consummation of the merger is subject to satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions. These include, among others: o adoption of the merger agreement and ratification of the related plan of merger by the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders; o absence of legal prohibitions against the merger; o material compliance by Peoples and Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares with their respective obligations under the merger agreement; o receipt of all required regulatory approvals and expiration of all applicable waiting periods; o receipt of all necessary consents and approvals from third parties; o the truth and correctness of the representations and warranties of Peoples Peoples Bank and Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares in all material respects; o the holders of less than 10% of the issued and outstanding Kentucky Bancshares common shares have exercised dissenters' rights in accordance with Kentucky law; and o notification by Peoples to The Nasdaq Stock Marketapproval of the number of Peoples common shares proposed to be issued in the merger.merger for listing on The Nasdaq National Market. Where the law permits, Peoples or Kentucky Bancshares could decide to complete the merger even though one or more conditions has not been satisfied. As soon as possible after the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions, Lower SalemPeoples and Kentucky Bancshares will execute and file a certificate of merger executed by Lower Salem and Peoples Bank with the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions, which will in turn file the certificate of merger with the Ohio Secretary of State on behalfand articles of Lower Salem onmerger with the dateKentucky Secretary of State. Peoples and Kentucky Bancshares presently anticipate that the merger becomes effective. The targeted completion datewill be completed during May of the merger is during the first quarter of 2001. Amendment and Termination (See page __) - ----------------------------------------2003. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION (SEE PAGE ____) Peoples and Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares may agree in writing to terminate the merger agreement at any time without completingprior to consummation of the merger, even after the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders have approved it. In addition, either Peoples or Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares may decide to terminate the merger agreement, at any time: o after March 31, 2001,June 30, 2003, if the merger has not been completed on or before that date for reasons other than the breach by the terminating party; o if the shareholders of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares do not approve the merger agreement and ratify the related plan of merger at the special meeting or any adjournment of the special meeting; o if a regulatory authority fails to approve the merger; o upon specified breaches of the merger agreement by the other party; and o if a representation and warranty of a material nature by the other party becomes untrue and is not cured within thirty days of notice of the breach. Lower Salem alsoKentucky Bancshares has an exclusive right to terminate the merger agreement if the percentageaverage daily closing price of Lower Salem common shares to be converted into Peoples common shares, as a resultreported on The Nasdaq National Market, for the thirty consecutive trading days ending at the close of business on the day which is five trading days prior to the consummation of the merger, is less than 52%.$21.00 per share. Similarly, Peoples has an exclusive right to terminate the merger agreement if the average daily closing price of Peoples common shares during the same thirty-trading-day period is greater than $35.00 per share. In the event that the board of directors of Lower Salem may determine, in good faith, based upon the advice of outside counsel, that termination of the merger agreement is required for it to comply with its fiduciary duties to the shareholders by reason of another acquisition proposal having been made. If the Lower Salem board of directorsKentucky Bancshares elects to terminate the merger agreement as a result of another acquisition proposal from a third party, then Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares must pay to Peoples a termination fee to Peoplesin the amount of $100,000. The $100,000$1,500,000. This termination fee also appliescould discourage other companies from trying to any termination by Lower Salem for any reason, other than as a result of a breach by Peoples ofacquire Kentucky Bancshares before the terms of the merger agreement or because the percentage of Lower Salem common shares to be converted into Peoples common shares as a result of the merger does not equal or exceed 52%.merger. Prior to the effective time of the merger, Lower Salem, PeoplesKentucky Bancshares and Peoples Bank may unanimously amend the merger agreement in writing, if their boards of directors each vote to approve the amendment. If the amendment is madeHowever, after the special meeting of Lower Salem shareholders to adopt the merger agreement, then the parties may amend the merger agreement only if it the amendment does not: o change the amount or kind of consideration received by the Lower Salem shareholders in the merger; o change the articles of Peoples Bank, as the surviving corporation in the merger, in a manner that requires shareholder approval; or o change any other terms and conditionsadoption of the merger agreement ifby the change would materiallyKentucky Bancshares shareholders at the special meeting, Peoples and adversely affectKentucky Bancshares may not make any amendment which by law requires further approval by the holders of Lower Salem or Peoples common shares. Recommendation of the Board of Directors (See page __) - ------------------------------------------------------Kentucky Bancshares shareholders unless that further approval is obtained. RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (SEE PAGE ___) The Lower Salem board of directors of Kentucky Bancshares believes that consummation of the proposed merger is in the best interest of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and its shareholders. Accordingly, the Lower Salem boardBoard of directorsDirectors of Kentucky Bancshares recommends that you vote "for" adoption of the merger agreement and ratification of the related plan of merger. Rights of Dissenting Shareholders (See page __) - -----------------------------------------------RIGHTS OF DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS (SEE PAGE ____) Any shareholder of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares has the right to dissent from the merger and demand to be paid in cash the fair value of the Shareholder's Kentucky Bancshares common shares upon complying in full with the provisions of Sections 271B.13-010 to 271B.13-310 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes. A copy of the provisions of Sections 271B.13-010 to 271B.13-310 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes are attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Appendix D. Failure to follow such provisions precisely may result in the loss of dissenters' rights. A Kentucky Bancshares shareholder who doesdesires to dissent from the merger must deliver a written objection to the merger to Kentucky Bancshares before the vote on the merger at the special meeting and must not vote the shareholder's common shares in favor of adoption of the merger agreement and ratification ofat the related plan of merger and who delivers a written demand for payment of the fair cash value of the shareholder's common shares in the manner provided by Section 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code willspecial meeting. Written objections should be entitled, if and when the merger is consummated and upon strict compliance with the procedures described in Section 1701.85,sent to receive the fair cash value of the shareholder's Lower Salem common shares. The amount of cash you will receive if you exercise your dissenters' rights may be equal to, more than, or less than the value of the Peoples common shares and/or cash you would otherwise receive in the merger. A copy of Section 1701.85 is attached as Appendix D to this document. If you wish to submit a written demand for payment of the fair cash value of your Lower Salem common shares, you must deliver such notice by _________, 200_ to The Lower Salem Commercial Bank, Main Street, P.O. Box 36, Lower Salem, Ohio 45745-0036,Kentucky Bancshares, 900 Diederich Blvd., Russell, Kentucky 41169, Attention: J. Daniel Johnson,Sandra F. Tilton, Secretary. Consummation of the merger is subject to the conditionscondition that the holders of less than 10% of the numberissued and outstanding Kentucky Bancshares common shares have exercised dissenters' rights in accordance with Kentucky law. COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF PEOPLES COMMON SHARES AND OF KENTUCKY BANCSHARES COMMON SHARES (SEE PAGE ____) Peoples is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Ohio, while Kentucky Bancshares is a corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The rights of Kentucky Bancshares shareholders have been governed by the Kentucky Business Corporation Act and the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Kentucky Bancshares. Upon the completion of the merger, each Kentucky Bancshares shareholder who receives Peoples common shares towill be issued ingoverned by the merger are subject to purchase as fractional Peoples common shares and that the holders of not more than 10% of the outstanding Lower Salem common shares have perfected dissenters' rights with respect to the merger. Selected Financial Data - ----------------------- Peoples is providing the following information to help you analyze the financial aspects of the merger. Peoples derived this information from audited financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 through 1999 and unaudited financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 and September 30, 1999. This information is only a summary, and you should read it in conjunction with Peoples' historical financial statements (and related notes) contained in the annual and quarterly reports and other documents that Peoples has filed with the SEC along with other information in this document. See "Where You Can Find More Information About Peoples" on page __. You should not rely on the nine-month information as being indicative of results expected for the entire year or for any future interim period.
PEOPLES SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (Dollars in Thousands, except Ratios and Per Share Data) 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- OPERATING DATA FOR THE YEAR ENDED: Total interest income $ 72,346 $ 63,645 $ 53,836 $ 47,397 $ 43,068 Total interest expense 34,258 30,497 25,216 21,966 20,777 Net interest income 38,088 33,148 28,620 25,431 22,291 Provision for loan losses 1,878 2,325 2,589 1,965 1,315 (Losses) gains on securities transactions (104) 418 (28) 48 24 Other income 7,633 6,820 5,966 5,130 4,457 Intangible amortization expense 2,639 2,093 1,138 625 210 Other expense 25,558 21,183 18,127 16,897 16,608 Net income $ 10,718 $ 10,045 $ 8,605 $ 7,651 $ 6,050 BALANCE SHEET DATA AT YEAR END: Total assets $ 1,075,450 $ 880,284 $ 758,158 $ 616,635 $ 543,430 Total intangibles 20,154 22,117 12,796 6,433 1,158 Investment securities 328,306 235,569 174,291 147,783 131,762 Net loans 649,569 558,408 513,214 415,540 372,800 Total deposits 728,207 714,168 611,107 504,692 429,077 Long-term borrowings 150,338 40,664 28,577 29,200 23,142 Stockholders' equity 72,874 86,014 78,818 56,193 51,474 Tangible assets (1) 1,055,296 858,167 745,362 610,202 542,272 Tangible equity (2) $ 52,720 $ 63,897 $ 66,022 $ 49,760 $ 50,316 SIGNIFICANT RATIOS Cash earnings to: (3) Average tangible assets (4) 1.30% 1.41% 1.42% 1.37% 1.17% Average tangible equity (4) 20.96 17.82 18.00 16.58 12.93 Net income to: Average total assets 1.09 1.20 1.29 1.29 1.15 Average stockholders' equity 13.27 12.21 14.33 14.43 12.33 Average stockholders' equity to average total assets 8.2 9.9 9.0 8.9 9.3 Average loans to average deposits 85.1 80.9 85.5 84.0 85.2 Risk-based capital 14.30 11.95 14.34 12.86 13.85 Dividend payout 31.8% 30.4% 30.5% 30.5% 32.2% PER SHARE DATA Cash earnings: (3) Basic $ 1.83 $ 1.65 $ 1.48 $ 1.29 $ 0.98 Diluted 1.79 1.60 1.44 1.28 0.97 Net income: Basic 1.57 1.44 1.37 1.23 0.96 Diluted 1.53 1.40 1.32 1.21 0.95 Cash dividends paid 0.50 0.44 0.41 0.36 0.31 Book value at end of period $ 11.06 $ 12.39 $ 11.33 $ 8.99 $ 8.28 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 6,846,071 6,975,989 6,303,782 6,239,589 6,318,334 Diluted 7,023,921 7,186,616 6,502,386 6,324,294 6,353,501 - --------------- (1) Total assets less goodwill and deposit-base intangibles. (2) Total stockholders' equity less goodwill and deposit-base intangibles. (3) Excludes after-tax amortization of goodwill and deposit-base intangibles. (4) Defined as cash earnings as a percentage of average total assets or average stockholders' equity minus average goodwill and deposit-base intangibles.
(Dollars in Thousands, except Ratios and Per Share Data) Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2000 September 30, 1999 ------------------ ------------------ (unaudited) (unaudited) OPERATING DATA FOR THE PERIOD ENDED: Total interest income $ 62,835 $ 52,711 Total interest expense 32,511 24,453 Net interest income 30,324 28,258 Provision for loan losses 1,722 1,431 Gains (losses) on securities transactions 10 (114) Other income 6,688 5,565 Intangible amortization expense 1,713 1,970 Other expense 21,493 20,626 ----------------- ---------------- Net income $ 8,444 $ 7,937 BALANCE SHEET DATA AT PERIOD END: Total assets $ 1,122,605 $ 1,044,097 Total intangibles 18,424 20,130 Investment securities 329,421 333,434 Net loans 713,122 620,748 Total deposits 754,675 714,027 Long-term borrowings 138,518 150,344 Stockholders' equity 77,064 75,203 Tangible assets (1) 1,104,181 1,023,967 ----------------- ---------------- Tangible equity (2) $ 58,640 $ 55,073 SIGNIFICANT RATIOS Cash earnings to: (3) Average tangible assets (4) 1.21% 1.32% Average tangible equity (4) 23.26% 20.04% Net income to: Average total assets 1.04% 1.10% Average stockholders' equity 15.33% 12.74% Average stockholders equity to average total assets 6.78% 8.67% Average loans to average deposits 93.46% 83.90% Risk-based capital 14.03% 14.86% Dividend payout 32.73% 32.28% PER SHARE DATA Cash earnings: (3) Basic $ 1.48 $ 1.35 Diluted $ 1.46 $ 1.32 Net income: Basic $ 1.29 $ 1.15 Diluted $ 1.28 $ 1.13 Cash dividends paid $ 0.42 $ 0.37 Book value at end of period $ 11.86 $ 12.37 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 6,532,434 6,872,698 Diluted 6,616,546 7,056,986 (1) Total assets less goodwill and deposit-base intangibles (2) Total stockholders' equity less deposit-base intangibles (3) Excludes after-tax amortization of goodwill and deposit-base intangibles (4) Defined as cash earnings as a percentage of average total assets or average stockholders' equity minus average goodwill and deposit-base intangibles.
Comparison of Rights of Holders of Peoples Common Shares and of Lower Salem Common Shares (See page __) - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- After the merger, Lower Salem shareholders may become shareholders of PeoplesOhio General Corporation Law and the articlesArticles of Incorporation and regulationsCode of Peoples will govern their rights as shareholders.Regulations of Peoples. Several differences exist between the articles and regulations of Lower SalemOhio General Corporation Law and the articlesKentucky Business Corporation Act, and regulationsbetween the Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations of Peoples and the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Kentucky Bancshares, which affect the rights of the shareholders of thosethe two entities.corporations. Examples of differences include provisions affecting the qualifications of directors, the electionmanner of nominating, electing and nomination ofremoving directors, indemnification of directors and officers,voting rights, payment of dividends, assessment of shares, approval of corporate transactions and pre-emptive rights. However, since Lower Salemapproval of amendments to the articles of incorporation. PEOPLES SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The selected financial data presented below as of or for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2002, have been derived from People's audited consolidated financial statements. This information should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Peoples are both Ohio corporations, Ohio law will continue to governAnalysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the rights of Lower Salem shareholders afterconsolidated financial statements and notes thereto incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus from People's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the merger.year ended December 31, 2002. See "Where You Can Find More Information" on page __ for more information about the documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus.
At or For the Year Ended December 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Dollars in Thousands, except Per Share Data) 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Operating Data For the year ended: Total interest income $ 82,968 $ 86,107 $ 85,129 $ 72,346 $ 63,645 Total interest expense 32,970 42,974 44,839 34,258 30,497 Net interest income 49,998 43,133 40,290 38,088 33,148 Provision for loan losses 4,067 2,659 2,322 1,878 2,325 Gains (losses) on securities transactions 216 29 10 (104) 418 Other income exclusive of securities transactions 15,020 10,621 8,900 7,478 6,806 Goodwill and other intangible asset amortization 646 2,347 2,284 2,639 2,093 Other expense 35,321 31,065 28,760 25,403 21,169 Net income $ 18,752 $ 12,335 $ 11,126 $ 10,718 $ 10,045 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Balance Sheet Data At year end: Total assets $ 1,394,361 $ 1,193,966 $ 1,135,834 $ 1,075,450 $ 880,284 Total intangible assets 30,738 17,010 17,848 20,154 22,117 Investment securities 412,100 330,364 330,521 328,306 235,569 Net loans 837,805 760,499 726,035 649,569 558,408 Total deposits 955,877 814,368 757,621 728,207 714,168 Long-term borrowings 203,829 192,448 138,511 150,338 40,664 Guaranteed preferred beneficial interest in junior subordinated debentures 29,090 29,056 29,021 28,986 - Stockholders' equity 147,183 93,854 83,194 72,874 86,014 Tangible assets (1) 1,363,623 1,176,956 1,117,986 1,055,296 858,167 Tangible equity (2) $ 116,445 $ 76,844 $ 65,346 $ 52,720 $ 63,897 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Significant Ratios Return on average assets 1.46 % 1.06 % 1.02 % 1.09 % 1.20 % Return on average stockholders' equity 17.69 13.60 14.92 13.27 12.21 Net interest margin (3) 4.37 4.11 4.08 4.35 4.47 Non-interest income leverage ratio (4) 42.73 34.53 31.32 29.92 32.20 Efficiency ratio (5) 52.95 56.53 57.14 54.11 50.38 Average stockholders' equity to average assets 8.23 7.80 6.84 8.20 9.90 Average loans to average deposits 92.63 92.93 94.37 85.12 80.88 Allowance for loan losses to total loans 1.54 1.60 1.48 1.56 1.67 Risk-based capital ratio 16.79 14.21 14.21 14.30 11.95 Dividend payout ratio 24.91 % 33.08 % 33.06 % 31.78 % 30.38 % - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1) Total assets less goodwill and other intangible assets. (2) Total stockholders' equity less goodwill and other intangible assets. (3) Fully-tax equivalent net interest income divided by average earning assets. (4) Non-interest income (less securities and asset disposal gains) as a percentage of non-interest expense (less intangible amortization). (5) Non-interest expense (less intangible amortization) as a percentage of fully-tax equivalent net interest income plus non-interest income.
At or For the Year Ended December 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Dollars in Thousands, except Per Share Data) 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Per Share Data(6) Net income per share - Basic $ 2.36 $ 1.56 $ 1.41 $ 1.29 $ 1.19 Net income per share - Diluted 2.30 1.54 1.39 1.26 1.16 Cash dividends paid 0.59 0.51 0.46 0.41 0.36 Book value at end of period 15.72 12.00 10.59 9.14 10.24 Tangible book value at end of period (7) $ 12.44 $ 9.82 $ 8.32 $ 6.61 $ 7.61 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 7,932,485 7,882,890 7,893,808 8,283,746 8,440,947 Diluted 8,150,087 8,003,593 7,986,194 8,498,944 8,695,806 Common shares outstanding at end of period: 9,361,871 7,822,014 7,852,502 7,971,156 8,401,177 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (6) Adjusted for all stock dividends and splits. (7) Tangible book value per share reflects capital calculated for banking regulatory requirements and excludes balance sheet impact of intangible assets acquired through purchase accounting for acquisitions.
RISK FACTORS You should consider the following matters in deciding how to vote. You also should consider the other information included or incorporated by reference in this document. SINCE THE CONSIDERATION TO BE RECEIVED BY LOWER SALEM SHAREHOLDERS IN THE MERGER WILL VARY ACCORDING TO FORMULAS DESCRIBED IN THE MERGER AGREEMENT, AT THE TIME THE LOWER SALEM SHAREHOLDERS VOTE THEIR COMMON SHARES, THEY WILL NOT KNOW WHETHER THEY WILL RECEIVE CASH, PEOPLES COMMON SHARES, OR A COMBINATION OF CASH AND PEOPLES COMMON SHARES AS THE MERGER CONSIDERATION. oShareholders of Kentucky Bancshares will not know whether they will receive cash, Peoples common shares or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares, as the merger consideration, at the time they vote their common shares. The merger agreement provides that Lower Salem shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares may elect to receive cash, Peoples common shares, or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares, as calculated in accordance with the merger agreement, upagreement. The elections made by Kentucky Bancshares shareholders, however, will be subject to a maximum value of $85.72 per Lower Salem common share. The consideration ultimately received by a Lower Salem common shareholder will, however, depend upon the election of the shareholder, the election of other Lower Salem shareholders, andadjustment in accordance with the allocation and proration procedures describedset forth in the merger agreement. Accordingly, a Lower Salem shareholder of Kentucky Bancshares cannot be sure, at the time the shareholder votes on whether to adopt the merger agreement, and ratify the related plan of merger, of the form ofexact consideration that the shareholder will receive in exchange for the shareholder's Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares. SINCE THE MARKET PRICE OF PEOPLES' COMMON SHARES FLUCTUATES, LOWER SALEM SHAREHOLDERS CANNOT BE SURE OF THE MARKET VALUE OF THE PEOPLES COMMON SHARES THEY WILL RECEIVE IN THE MERGER. oShareholders of Kentucky Bancshares cannot be sure of the market value of the Peoples common shares they will receive in the merger. At the time the merger is completed, each Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common share will be converted into cash, Peoples common shares or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares. AfterIf you are allocated any Peoples common shares in exchange for your Kentucky Bancshares common shares, the completionnumber of Peoples common shares you will receive upon the consummation of the merger will be calculated by dividing $2,575.00 by the exchange ratio for converting the Lower Salem common shares intoaverage daily closing price of Peoples common shares, will not be adjusted inas reported on The Nasdaq National Market, for the eventthirty consecutive trading days ending at the close of any increase or decrease inbusiness on the priceday which is five trading days prior to the consummation of the Peoples common shares or the Lower Salem common shares. As a result,merger. Because the value of the Peoples common shares to be received by Lower Salem shareholdersfor each Kentucky Bancshares common share has been fixed at $2,575.00, higher closing prices for the Peoples common shares during the thirty-trading-day period will result in a reduction in the mergernumber of Peoples common shares you receive and, therefore, a reduction in the percentage of the total outstanding Peoples common shares you will receive. The market value of the Peoples common shares you receive may also be reduced below $2,575.00 for each Kentucky Bancshares common share by the time you actually receive the Peoples common shares. Due to the procedures for making your election and surrendering your Kentucky Bancshares certificates, you will not receive your Peoples common shares immediately upon closing. The market price of Peoples common shares may be substantially higher or lower before the date of the special meeting, during the thirty-trading-day period over which the exchange ratio will be determined and between the effective date of the merger and the time you receive your Peoples common shares. The market price of Peoples common shares is subject to change at all times based on the financial condition and operating results of Peoples, market conditions and other factors. If the average daily closing price of Peoples common shares over the thirty-trading-day period is higher than the market price of Peoples common shares on the date on which you receive your Peoples common shares, then the total market value of the Peoples common shares you actually receive in exchange for each of your Kentucky Bancshares common shares will be less than $2,575.00 on the date you receive your Peoples common shares. To the extent that the average daily closing price is higher than the market price of Peoples common shares on the date on which Peoples common shares are actually received, shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares who receive Peoples common shares will be adversely affected. If you are allocated any Peoples common shares in exchange for your Kentucky Bancshares common shares, the market value of the Peoples common shares atyou receive also may be reduced below $2,575.00 as a result of the time they vote$21.00 floor on the average share price used in calculating the exchange ratio in the merger agreement. If the average daily closing price of Peoples common shares over the thirty-trading-day period used in determining the average share price is less than $25.00, the number of Peoples common shares you will receive in exchange for your Kentucky Bancshares common shares will be less than the number of Peoples common shares you would have received if the actual average daily closing price was used to calculate the exchange ratio, and the total market value of the Peoples common shares you receive in exchange for each of your Kentucky Bancshares common shares will be less than $2,575.00. To the extent that the average daily closing price of Peoples common shares is less than $25.00, shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares who receive Peoples common shares will be adversely affected. The closing price of a Peoples common share on November 29, 2002, the last trading day before the announcement of the merger, was $25.90. The closing price of a Peoples common share on __________, 2003, the last trading day before the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, was $__________. We cannot assure you that Peoples and Kentucky Bancshares will successfully integrate their businesses. The merger will require integration of the management and operations of Peoples and Kentucky Bancshares, including the integration of the management and operations of Peoples Bank and Kentucky Bank & Trust. This involves a number of risks, including the possible loss of key management personnel and additional demands on management resulting from the increase in the consolidated size of Peoples and Peoples Bank after the merger. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF LOWER SALEM MAY HAVE INTERESTS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM OR IN ADDITION TO YOUR INTERESTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. oThe termination fee may discourage other companies from trying to acquire Kentucky Bancshares even if the other acquisition could offer higher immediate value to Kentucky Bancshares shareholders. Kentucky Bancshares has agreed to pay Peoples a termination fee of $1,500,000 in the event that the board of directors of Kentucky Bancshares elects to terminate the merger agreement as a result of another acquisition proposal with a third party. This could discourage other companies from trying to acquire Kentucky Bancshares. Other acquisitions might be superior to the merger for Kentucky Bancshares shareholders. In addition, if this termination fee were to be paid, Kentucky Bancshares would experience a negative impact on its financial condition and results of operations. Directors and executive officers of Kentucky Bancshares may have interests that are different from or in addition to your interests as a shareholder of Kentucky Bancshares. When considering the recommendations of the Lower Salem board of directors of Kentucky Bancshares, you should be aware that some members of the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares' board of directors and some executive officers of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares may have interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, your interests as shareholders. Some of these interests are described below.below: o After the merger, Peoples will indemnify each of the officers, directors and employees of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares from and against specific liabilities arising out of the fact that the individual is or was an officer, director or employee of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares at or prior to the effective time of the merger. The merger agreement also provides for the continuation of director and officer liability insurance for Lower Salem'sKentucky Bancshares's directors and officers for a period of three years. o PeoplesC. Ronald Christmas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kentucky Bancshares, has agreed to honor all employment agreements, retirement agreements, severance agreements and change in control agreements entered into prioran Employment Agreement, dated as of November 29, 2002, and an amendment to June 30, 2000, that Lower Salem hashis existing employment agreement with its formerKentucky Bank & Trust dated as of July 12, 1991. These agreements provide, among other things, for Mr. Christmas to be employed by Peoples Bank for a term of eighteen months following the merger, and current employees and directors, exceptfor Mr. Christmas to receive an aggregate of $550,000 in cash payments in connection with the extent that those agreements have been supersededmerger. o Prior to or terminated atupon the effective timeclosing of the merger, or following the effective timeKentucky Bancshares intends to redeem all of the merger. J. Daniel Johnson currently has an Employment Security Agreement with Lower Salem which becomes operative upon a change in controlKentucky Bancshares common shares owned by Mr. Christmas for $2,575.00 per share. o Prior to the merger, Sandra F. Tilton, Secretary of Lower Salem. o Section 6.03Kentucky Bancshares and Senior Vice President of Kentucky Bank & Trust, will receive $55,000 as payment of the merger agreement allows Lower Salem to pay designated severance benefits toretention benefit under her contract with Kentucky Bank & Trust. In addition, employees of Lower Salem who satisfy specified eligibility requirementsKentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust, excluding C. Ronald Christmas, Sandra F. Tilton and the directors, who do not continue as employees of Peoples or one of its subsidiaries may receive from Kentucky Bancshares, if the benefits are announced to the employees of Lower Salem and accrued by Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares prior to the effective timemerger, a lump sum severance benefit described in Section 6.03 of the merger. The Lower Salem Special Meeting -------------------------------merger agreement. THE SPECIAL MEETING This proxy statement/prospectus is furnished to the shareholders of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares in connection with the solicitation on behalf of the Kentucky Bancshares board of directors of Lower Salem of proxies for use at the Lower Salem special meeting to be held at _______________________, _____________________,the offices of Kentucky Bancshares, 900 Diederich Blvd., Russell, Kentucky 41169, on _____________________,________________, 2003, at _____________ [a.m./p.m.]9:00 a.m., local time, or any adjournment.adjournment of the special meeting. This proxy statement/prospectus and the accompanying form of proxy card were first mailed to Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders on or about ________, 200_. Matters to be Considered at the Lower Salem Special Meeting - -----------------------------------------------------------____________, 2003. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING At the Lower Salem special meeting, Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the adoption of the merger agreement and ratification of the related plan of merger. Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders also will consider and vote upon any other business whichthat properly comes before the Lower Salem special meeting. The Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares board of directors has unanimously approved the merger agreement and adopted the related plan of merger, and recommends that you vote "for" adoption of the merger agreement and ratification of the related plan of merger. Voting at the Lower Salem Special Meeting; Lower Salem Record Date - ------------------------------------------------------------------VOTING AT THE SPECIAL MEETING; RECORD DATE Only holders of record of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares at the close of business on _______, 200_2003, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Lower Salem special meeting. As of that date, there were 28,000 Lower Salem11,832 Kentucky Bancshares common shares issued and outstanding. Each Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common share entitles the holder to one vote on each matter to be submitted to the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders at the Lower Salem special meeting. A majority of the issued and outstanding Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares constitutes a quorum for the Lower Salem special meeting. Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares represented by signed proxy cards or voting instructions that are returned to Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares will be counted toward the quorum in all matters even though they are marked as "abstain" or "against" or they are not marked at all. Broker non-votes also will count towardBecause the establishmentaffirmative vote of the holders of at least a quorum. BECAUSE THE AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF THE HOLDERS OF AT LEAST TWO-THIRDS OF THE ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING LOWER SALEM COMMON SHARES IS REQUIRED TO ADOPT THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND RATIFY THE RELATED PLAN OF MERGER, THE EFFECT OF AN ABSTENTION OR BROKER NON-VOTE IS THE SAME AS A "NO" VOTE.majority of the issued and outstanding Kentucky Bancshares common shares is required to adopt the merger agreement and the related plan of merger, the effect of an abstention is the same as a vote "against" adoption of the merger agreement and the related plan of merger. If you properly sign and return the accompanying proxy card to Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares prior to the Lower Salem special meeting and do not revoke it, your proxy will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained on the proxy card. If you do not give any instructions, the persons designated as proxies in the accompanying proxy card will vote "for" adoption of the merger agreement and ratificationrelated plan of merger. The proxies of the Kentucky Bancshares board of directors may not vote Kentucky Bancshares common shares represented by your proxy card which have been voted "against" adoption of the merger agreement and the related plan of merger to adjourn the special meeting for the purpose of soliciting further support for adoption of the merger agreement and the related plan of merger. In that event, you will not have the right to dissent from the merger and demand payment of the "fair cash value" of your Lower Salem common shares. THE PROXIES OF THE LOWER SALEM BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY NOT VOTE LOWER SALEM COMMON SHARES REPRESENTED BY YOUR PROXY CARD WHICH HAVE BEEN VOTED "AGAINST" ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND RATIFICATION OF THE RELATED PLAN OF MERGER TO ADJOURN THE LOWER SALEM SPECIAL MEETING FOR THE PURPOSE OF SOLICITING FURTHER SUPPORT FOR ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND RATIFICATION OF THE RELATED PLAN OF MERGER. The Lower Salem board of directors of Kentucky Bancshares is not currently aware of any matters other than those referred to above which will come before the Lower Salem special meeting. If any other matter should be presented at the Lower Salem special meeting for action, the persons named in the accompanying proxy card will vote your common shares in their own discretion. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is actually voted at the Lower Salem special meeting by delivering written notice of revocation to the Secretary of Lower Salem, J. Daniel Johnson,Kentucky Bancshares, Sandra F. Tilton, by submitting a later-datedlater dated proxy, or by attending the Lower Salem special meeting and voting in person. YOUR ATTENDANCE AT THE LOWER SALEM SPECIAL MEETING WILL NOT, IN AND OF ITSELF, CONSTITUTE A REVOCATION OF YOUR PROXY. Lower SalemYour attendance at the special meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute a revocation of your proxy. Peoples and Kentucky Bancshares will pay their own costs in connection with the preparation of this proxy statement/prospectus. Peoples and Kentucky Bancshares will share equally the cost of preparing, printing and mailing the proxy materials to the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders. Proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone, mail or telegraph. Officers or employees of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares may assist with personal or telephone solicitation and will receive no additional compensation for doing so. Lower Salem will also reimburse brokerage houses and other nominees for their reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners of the Lower Salem common shares. PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS OF PEOPLESKENTUCKY BANCSHARES The following table provides information regarding the beneficial ownership of PeoplesKentucky Bancshares common shares as of November 30, 2000,February 28, 2003, for each of the current directors of Peoples, selectedKentucky Bancshares, each of the executive officers of Peoples,Kentucky Bancshares and all directors and executive officers of PeoplesKentucky Bancshares as a group and eachgroup. To the knowledge of Kentucky Bancshares, no other person known by Peoples to beneficially ownis the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding PeoplesKentucky Bancshares common shares. As of November 30, 2000,February 28, 2003, none of the directors or executive officers of Peoples, other than Carl Baker, Jr. (as described in footnote 4 to the following table),Kentucky Bancshares held Lower SalemPeoples common shares.
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1) --------------------------------------------- Peoples Common Shares which can beWhich Can Be Acquired upon PeoplesUpon Exercise of Options Common Shares Exercisable NameBeneficial Owner Presently Held Within 60 Days Total Percent of Class (2)Class(2) - --------------------- -------------- -------------- ----- --------------------------------------- Peoples Bank - Trustee 930,618E. Kendall Roy 2,463 (3) 0 930,618 14.3% 138 Putnam Street Marietta, Ohio 45750 Carl2,463 20.8% Thomas J. Wolf 2,266 (4) 0 2,266 19.1% Christopher K. Fannin 2,239 (5) 0 2,239 18.9% Gary R. Fannin 2,073 (6) 0 2,073 17.5% Richard W. Spears 580 0 580 4.9% John R. McGinnis 476 (7) 0 476 4.0% Harry M. Zachem 361 0 361 3.0% C. Ronald Christmas 336 0 336 2.8% Bert G. Baker Jr. 30,013 (4) 6,652 36,665 (5) David B. Baker (6) 16,389 (7) 21,244 37,633 (5) George W. Broughton 130,93949 (8) 12,680 143,619 2.2% Frank L. Christy 61,7830 49 (9) 1,163 62,946 (5) WilfordJeffrey D. Dimit 23,237Elswick 31 (10) 12,788 36,025 (5) Robert E. Evans (6) 125,7308 39 (9) Sandra F. Tilton 17 (11) 46,232 171,962 2.6% Larry E. Holdren (6) 12,656 (12) 23,059 35,715 (5) Rex E. Maiden 847 (13) 5,342 6,189 (5) Robert W. Price 544 -- 544 (5) Paul T. Theisen 17,809 (14) 12,788 30,597 (5) Thomas C. Vadakin 643 (15) 4,176 4,819 (5) Joseph H. Wesel 37,163 (16) 8,723 45,886 (5) All current executive officers and directors as a group (16 persons) 493,031 (17) 221,660 714,691 10.6% - ------------------------ (1) Unless otherwise noted, the beneficial owner has sole voting and investment power with respect to all of the Peoples common shares reflected in the table. All fractional Peoples commons shares have been rounded to the nearest whole Peoples common share. (2) The percent of class is based upon 6,489,204 Peoples common shares outstanding on November 30, 2000 and the number of Peoples common shares, if any, as to which the named person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of that date. (3) Includes 182,935 Peoples common shares, 574,578 Peoples common shares, 120,473 Peoples common shares and 52,632 Peoples common shares as to which the Investment and Trust Department of Peoples bank has shared investment and sole voting power, shared investment and voting power, sole investment and voting power, and sole investment and shared voting power, respectively. The officers and directors of Peoples Bank and Peoples disclaim beneficial ownership of these Peoples common shares by reason of their positions. Does not include 253,402 Peoples common shares held by the Investment and Trust Department in its capacity as Trustee under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. retirement Savings Plan with respect to which the Investment and Trust Department has neither voting nor investment power. (4) Includes 24,049 Peoples common shares held by Mr. Baker as trustee of the Jewell Baker Trust and 5,000 Peoples common shares owned by B&N Coal Company as to which Mr. Baker has the sole voting and investment power and claims beneficial ownership. Does not include 171 Peoples common shares credited to Mr. Baker's account under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries, as to which Mr. Baker has no voting or investment power. Does not include Peoples common shares which Mr. Baker may have the right to acquire as merger consideration in the merger upon conversion of the 1,240 Lower Salem common shares held by Mr. Baker as an individual or the 1,179 Lower Salem common shares held by Mr. Baker, as trustee of the Gilbert Baker Trust. (5) Reflects ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding Peoples common shares. (6) Executive officer of Peoples. (7) Includes 8,165 Peoples common shares held jointly by Mr. Baker and his wife as to which he exercises shared voting and investment power. Includes 8,224 Peoples common shares allocated to the account of Mr. Baker in the Peoples Bancorp. Inc. Retirement Savings Plan with respect to which Mr. Baker has the power to direct the voting and disposition. Does not include 399 Peoples common shares owned by his wife in an Individual Retirement Account as to which Peoples common shares Mr. Baker has no voting or investment power. (8) Includes 6,174 Peoples common shares held by Mr. Broughton as custodian for his children, as to which Mr. Broughton has sole voting and investment power and claims beneficial ownership. Includes 440 Peoples common shares held by Broughton Commercial Properties LLP, as to which Mr. Broughton has sole voting and investment power and claims beneficial ownership. Also includes 45,241 Peoples common shares in the George W. Broughton and Nancy R. Broughton Retained Annuity Trust U/A dated 12/23/99, as to which Mr. Broughton shares voting and investment power. Does not include 12,857 Peoples common shares held of record and beneficially owned by Mr. Broughton's wife, as to which he has no voting or investment power and disclaims beneficial ownership. Also does not include 2,069 Peoples common shares held in the Carl L. Broughton Trust for George. Peoples Bank is Trustee of this trust and exercises sole voting and investment power with respect to the Peoples common shares held in this trust and these Peoples common shares are included among the Peoples common shares shown as beneficially owned by Peoples Bank. Does not include 848 Peoples common shares credited to Mr. Broughton's account under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries, as to which Mr. Broughton has no voting or investment power.2 19 (9) Includes 5,215 Peoples common shares held in the Frank L. Christy Investment Account as to which he exercises shared voting and investment power. Also includes 56,348 Peoples common shares held in the Riverbank Restaurants Inc. Agency Account as to which Mr. Christy exercises shared voting and investment power. (10) Includes 15,120 Peoples common shares held jointly by Mr. Dimit and his wife as to which he exercises shared voting and investment power. Does not include 7,906 Peoples common shares credited to Mr. Dimit's account under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries, as to which Mr. Dimit has no voting or investment power. (11) Includes 26,269 Peoples common shares allocated to the account of Mr. Evans in the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Retirement Savings Plan with respect to which Mr. Evans has the power to direct the voting and disposition. Does not include 16,702 Peoples common shares held of record and owned beneficially by Mr. Evans' wife, nor 3,307 Peoples common shares held jointly by Mr. Evans' wife and son, Douglas B. Evans, as to which Peoples common shares Mr. Evans has no voting or investment power and disclaims beneficial ownership. Does not include 7,829 Peoples common shares credited to Mr. Evans' account under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries, as to which Mr. Evans has no voting or investment power. (12) Includes 10,733 Peoples common shares allocated to the account of Mr. Holdren in the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Retirement Plan with respect to which Mr. Holdren has the power to direct the voting and disposition. Also includes 1,923 Peoples common shares owned jointly by Mr. Holdren and his wife as to which he exercises shared voting and investment power. (13) Does not include 925 Peoples common shares credited to Mr. Maiden's account under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries, as to which Mr. Maiden has no voting or investment power. (14) Does not include 3,833 Peoples common shares credited to Mr. Theisen's account under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries, as to which Mr. Theisen has no voting or investment power. (15) Includes 6,238 Peoples common shares in the Thomas C. Vadakin Investment Account in Peoples Bank as to which Mr. Vadakin shares investment and voting power. (16) Does not include 11,854 Peoples common shares held of record and beneficially owned by Mr. Wesel's wife as to which he has no voting or investment power and disclaims beneficial ownership. Does not include 5,232 Peoples common shares credited to Mr. Wesel's account under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries, as to which Mr. Wesel has no voting or investment power. Also does not include 30,528 Peoples common shares in the Joseph and Lu Wesel Grandchildren's Trust as to which Peoples Bank has sole investment and voting power. Does not include 22,591 Peoples common shares held of record by the Marietta Ignition, Inc. Pension Plan as to which Mr. Wesel has no voting or investment power and disclaims beneficial ownership. Mr. Wesel serves as a member of the Administrative Committee for the Marietta Ignition, Inc. Pension Plan. Peoples Bank shares voting power with respect to the Peoples common shares held in the Mariette Ignition, Inc. Pension Plan with the Plan Administrator and said Peoples common shares are included among the Peoples common shares shown as beneficially owned by Peoples Bank. (17) Includes Peoples common shares held jointly by directors, officers and other persons. Also includes 69,852 Peoples commons shares allocated to the respective accounts of executive officers of Peoples in the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Retirement Savings Plan. See notes (4) and (7) through (16) above.
Principal Shareholders of Lower Salem ------------------------------------- The following table provides information regarding the beneficial ownership of Lower Salem common shares as of November 30, 2000, for each of the current directors of Lower Salem, each of the executive officers of Lower Salem, all directors and executive officers of Lower Salem as a group, and each person known by Lower Salem to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding Lower Salem common shares. As of November 30, 2000, none of the directors or executive officers of Lower Salem held Peoples common shares. Also as of that date, none of the directors or executive officers of Lower Salem had the right to acquire any additional Lower Salem common shares.
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1) --------------------------------------------- Lower Salem Common Name Shares Presently Held Percent of Class (2) - ---- --------------------- -------------------- Carl Baker, Individually and as Trustee of 2,419 8.6% Gilbert Baker Trust 41712 SR 821 Caldwell, OH 43724 Clyde Knoch Trust Account 2,400 8.6% RR1 Box 61 Whipple, OH 45788-9704 Fay L. Spies 2,227 8.0% RR2 Box 186 A Lower Salem, OH 45745-9727 Genevieve Schofield Trust 1,800 6.4% 2124 Sheringham Road Columbus, OH 43220-4360 Jewell Baker, Trustee of Jewell Baker Trust 1,401 5.0% 719 Cumberland Street Caldwell, OH 43724-1239 Kenneth N. Koher, President, Chief None N/A Executive Officer and a Director Coy J. Whetstone, Board Chairman 600 2.1% Clyde H. Knoch, Board Vice Chairman 2,400 8.6% Ralph F. Knowlton, Director 200 (3) Joan K. Lehr, Director 1,110 4.0% Maurice E. Ritchie, Director 125 (3) Lloyd E. Ullman, Director 150 (3) J. Daniel Johnson, Vice President and 50 (3) Chief Operating OfficerJeffrey Pennington 4 0 4 (9) All directors and executive 4,635 16.6% officers as a group (8(12 persons) 10,895 10 10,905 92.1% - ------------------------------------------------------- (1) Unless otherwise noted, the beneficial owner has sole voting and investment power with respect to all of the Lower Salem common shares reflected in the table. (2) The percent of class is based on 28,000 Lower Salemupon 11,832 common shares issued and outstanding on November 30, 2000.February 28, 2003, and the number of common shares as to which the named person or group has the right to acquire beneficial ownership upon the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days from February 28, 2003. (3) Includes 232 shares held by Mr. Roy's wife and an aggregate of 396 shares held by or for the benefit of Mr. Roy's children. (4) Includes 527 shares held by The Savannah Corp., an entity controlled by Mr. Wolf. (5) Includes 164 shares held by Kentucky Bancshares as trustee for the benefit of Mr. Fannin. (6) Includes 60 shares held by Mr. Fannin's mother (Mary Opal Fannin). (7) Includes 26 shares held in an IRA for Mr. McGinnis; 15 shares held by Mr. McGinnis and his wife; 8 shares held in trust for Mr. McGinnis' wife; and 8 shares held by Mr. McGinnis' wife and her mother. (8) Includes 44 shares held by Mr. Baker and his wife. (9) Reflects ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding Lower Salem common shares.. (10) Includes 12 shares held in an IRA for Mr. Elswick. (11) Includes 9 shares held in an IRA for Ms. Tilton.
THE MERGER This section of the proxy statement/prospectus contains a summary ofThe following description summarizes the material terms of the merger. The following description summarizes all of the material terms of the merger; however,However, not every provision of the merger agreement or the related plan of merger is addressed here, and the description is qualified by reference to the merger agreement and the related plan of merger.agreement. A copy of the merger agreement, as amended as of March 6, 2003, is attached to this document as Appendix AA. Peoples and a copy of the related plan of merger is attached as Appendix B. You are urgedKentucky Bancshares urge you to read the merger agreement and the related plan of merger in theirits entirety. Under the terms of the merger agreement, at the effective time of the merger, Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares will merge with and into Peoples Bank and the separate existence of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares will end. At that time, each issued and outstanding Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common share will be converted into cash, Peoples common shares, or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares, as calculated in accordance with the merger agreement, up to a maximum value of $85.72 per Lower Salem common share.agreement. All Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares that are owned by Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares as treasury shares or directly or indirectly by Peoples other than Lower Salem common shares held directly or indirectly by Peoples in a fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of a debt previously contracted and all Lower Salem common shares held by dissenting shareholders, will be canceled and retired, and no Peoples common shares or other consideration will be delivered in exchange for those Lower Salem common shares. For more information, see "The Merger - Effect on Outstanding Peoples Common Shares and Exchange"Exchange of Lower Salem Common Shares - Exchange of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares Common Shares" on page __. TheAs discussed further below, the consideration to be received by the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders in the merger was determined by arm's-length negotiations between the management and boards of directors of Peoples and Lower Salem.Kentucky Bancshares. Peoples has provided all information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus relating to Peoples and Peoples Bank. Lower SalemBank, and Kentucky Bancshares has provided all information relating to Lower Salem.Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust. The party providing the information is responsible for the accuracy of that information. Background - ---------- Members of Lower Salem's board of directors are aware of the extensive and expensive changes in the financial services industry. This ongoing industry transformation, including products and services, electronic data processing, widespread competition from within and outside the immediate market area, and satisfying the expectations of the changing face of Lower Salem's shareholders, prompted the Lower Salem board of directors to make strategic determinations and plan for the future of all Lower Salem's stakeholders.BACKGROUND The Lower Salem board of directors also has considered that the cost of doing business has significantly increased due to heightened regulatory demands, some of which have resulted in significant pre-tax expense provisions to the loan reserve account. The Lower Salem board has discussed these interests and concerns in connection with the trends in the financial services industry and the likely nature of the competition that would be faced by Lower Salem in the future. This competition not only includes local institutions and consolidation within the industry, but also the development of electronic delivery of banking services and the effects that those trends could have on Lower Salem's position in the markets it has traditionally served and would likely serve in the future. o During April and May 2000, the Lower Salem board of directors held strategic planning meetings with the assistance of the accounting firm of Dixon, Francis, Davis & Co. (formerly, Robb, Dixon, Francis, Davis & Co.) and the financial industry consulting firm of Young & Associates, Inc. Lower Salem's board of directors and management arrived at certain determinations with regard to the future prospects of growth in earnings, in assets and in share value -- including the likelihood of resuming dividends. The Lower Salem board of directors also discussed the changing complexity of shareholder needs and expectations. o During its May 31, 2000 regular meeting, the members of the Lower Salem board of directors discussed their responsibilities including how to maximize shareholder value and liquidity while striving to provide competitive banking services. The Lower Salem board of directors arrived at a unanimous consensus that it would be in the best interests of Lower Salem's shareholders to seek a merger partner. The board of directors unanimously passed a resolution to that effect. o Also during its May 31, 2000 meeting, the Lower Salem board of directors hired Dixon, Francis and Young & Associates to assist in the merger process. The Lower Salem board of directors authorized Dixon, Francis and Young & Associates to seek a merger partner using a managed process whereby selected banks would be invited to make offers including predetermined financial and non-financial issues of importance. A merger time schedule was then constructed. o During June 2000, the Lower Salem board of directors began to implement the structured merger process. Dixon, Francis and Young & Associates and Lower Salem management developed a bank merger prospectus package and invited approximately twenty-four financial services companies, including banks and savings associations, to submit confidentiality agreements and letters of interest addressing the selected financial and non-financial considerations. o During July 2000, the Lower Salem board of directors received five initial informal letters of interest from prospective merger partners, including Peoples. The Lower Salem board of directors, bank management, Dixon, Francis and Young & Associates evaluated the conditional offers. o During August 2000, the Lower Salem board of directors, with assistance from bank management, Dixon, Francis and Young & Associates, analyzed each offer and, considering that three of the five potential merger partners offered a combination of stock and cash; one offered preferred stock; and the fifth bidder offered cash only; determined that the four bidders offering stock would be invited to further evaluate the business of Lower Salem and submit a firm offer. o In September 2000, the Lower Salem board of directors received firm offers from three of the four invited potential merger partners. Further analysis was performed by Dixon, Francis and by Young & Associates. The board of directors then set aside the least attractive offer. The two remaining interested merger partners were then invited to submit their best and final offer. o Later in September 2000, the final offers, including the one from Peoples, were analyzed by the Lower Salem board of directors, bank management, Dixon, Francis and Young & Associates. After much discussion and consideration, the Lower Salem board of directors unanimously approved signing a letter of intent of merger with Peoples. o On October 4, 2000, the board of directors met to approve the retention of legal services from Dinsmore & Shohl LLP for the purpose of assisting in the development and negotiation of a definitive merger agreement by and among Peoples, Lower Salem and Peoples Bank, as the wholly-owned subsidiary of Peoples. o During October 2000, bank management, Dixon, Francis Young & Associates and Dinsmore & Shohl LLP developed and negotiated terms and conditions of the definitive merger agreement were determined through arm's-length negotiations between the management and boards of directors of Peoples and Kentucky Bancshares. The following is a brief summary of the negotiations between the management and boards of directors of Kentucky Bancshares and Peoples. In recent years, the board of directors of Kentucky Bancshares, along with the senior executive officers of Kentucky Bancshares, has periodically reviewed the strategic alternatives available to Kentucky Bancshares with a view toward maximizing value for the shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares. As a consequence of the board's periodic review of strategic alternatives, in early 2000 the board began to conclude that changing competitive and regulatory conditions might make it increasingly difficult in future years for Kentucky Bancshares to continue to achieve growth and maintain return on equity at levels that would be acceptable for its shareholders. In March 2000, Kentucky Bancshares engaged the investment banking and financial advisory firm of Alex Sheshunoff & Co. Investment Banking, L.P. ("Sheshunoff") to advise the Board regarding the strategic choices that might be available to Kentucky Bancshares, including a possible sale of Kentucky Bancshares, and on behalf of the board authorized Sheshunoff to contact representatives of selected financial institutions to evaluate their interest in engaging in a business combination transaction with Kentucky Bancshares. From April through May 2000, Sheshunoff contacted approximately 20 regional and super-regional financial institutions believed by it and Kentucky Bancshares' management to be potentially interested in and financially and otherwise capable of engaging in a business combination with Kentucky Bancshares. These institutions were selected based on their suitability in light of certain characteristics including their size and location. Sheshunoff subsequently delivered a package containing information about Kentucky Bancshares to one of these financial institutions, which then made a preliminary offer to acquire Kentucky Bancshares; however, Kentucky Bancshares rejected the offer as inadequate. In mid-2000, Sheshunoff contacted seven additional potential bidders, and re-contacted three of the potential bidders it had originally approached. Kentucky Bancshares received a preliminary indication of interest from one financial institution which indicated that the financial institution would consider making a proposal to Kentucky Bancshares with an aggregate value of less than $20 million, which Kentucky Bancshares rejected as inadequate. Kentucky Bancshares authorized Sheshunoff to continue to solicit proposals from other potential bidders, and during 2001 Sheshunoff conducted informal discussions with a number of the institutions it had previously contacted. However, no substantive proposals resulted from these contacts. In May 2002, Kentucky Bancshares received an unsolicited $20 million cash proposal from an investor group. Sheshunoff then contacted four financial institutions, three of which reviewed a package containing information about Kentucky Bancshares. Two of the institutions made preliminary proposals to acquire Kentucky Bancshares. One of the proposals was a verbal informal proposal, and the other was a written proposal from Peoples, which the Board determined to be the most attractive proposal it had received. During the period from September 2002 to late November 2002, Sheshunoff conducted a due diligence review of Peoples on behalf of Kentucky Bancshares from information obtained from discussions with Peoples and additional information that was publicly available, and Peoples Bankconducted a due diligence review of Kentucky Bancshares. On November 20, 2002, Sheshunoff received a draft of a proposed merger agreement from Peoples. Representatives of Sheshunoff and presentedof Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bancshares' legal counsel negotiated various provisions of the proposed merger agreement, and on November 27, 2002, Peoples delivered a recommendedrevised draft of the proposed merger agreement to Kentucky Bancshares. On November 29, 2002, at a meeting of the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares Board of Directors, with representatives of Sheshunoff participating [by telephone], senior management of Kentucky Bancshares reviewed for the Kentucky Bancshares Board the discussions and contacts with Peoples to date and the terms of the transaction negotiated with Peoples. Sheshunoff reviewed the results of its due diligence investigations of Peoples, and also reviewed the terms of the merger agreement negotiated with Peoples and related matters, including proposed employment arrangements for Mr. Christmas. At the meeting, among other thing, the Kentucky Bancshares Board discussed: (i) the market conditions now prevailing for the sale of community banks; (ii) the structure of the proposed Peoples transaction, including the form of the transaction, the form of the consideration, the provisions of the merger agreement that would allow the Kentucky Bancshares Board to terminate the agreement under certain limited circumstances, the $1,500,000 termination fee that would be payable by Kentucky Bancshares to Peoples in the event that the Kentucky Bancshares Board were to exercise its limited termination right, and the likely timing of the proposed transaction; (iii) the financial aspects of the proposed transaction with Peoples; and (iv) Peoples and its operations and financials generally, including People's stock price and volume historically, comparisons of its stock price to other comparable companies, the float and liquidity of Peoples' stock and its historical financial performance. At the November 29, 2002 meeting, in addition to reviewing the financial terms of the proposed transaction and other matters, Sheshunoff delivered to the Kentucky Bancshares board its oral opinion (which was subsequently confirmed in writing) to the effect that, as of that date, the merger consideration offered by Peoples was fair to Kentucky Bancshares shareholders from a financial point of view. See "Opinion of Alex Sheshunoff & Co. Investment Banking, L.P." on page __. Based upon the Kentucky Bancshares board's review and discussion of the definitive terms of the transaction, the opinion of Sheshunoff and other relevant factors (described below in "Reasons for the Merger"), the Kentucky Bancshares board of directors, for its consideration. oby unanimous vote of all directors, authorized Mr. Christmas, as Chief Executive Officer of Kentucky Bancshares, to execute and deliver the merger agreement on behalf of Kentucky Bancshares, in the form approved by the board of directors of Kentucky Bancshares, and with such further changes to the merger agreement as were approved by Mr. Christmas. On October 24, 2000, Lower Salem, PeoplesNovember 29, 2002, Kentucky Bancshares and Peoples Bank executed and delivered the merger agreement. Reasons for the Merger - -----------------------REASONS FOR THE MERGER The decision of the Peoples board of directors to approve the merger agreement, and adopt the related plan of merger and the decision of the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares board of directors to approve the merger agreement and adopt the related plan of merger and recommend that its shareholders adopt the merger agreement, and ratify the related plan of merger are the result of each board of directors' individual assessment of the opportunities to enhance shareholder value as a result of the merger. The board of directors of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares believes that the merger with Peoples is fair and in the best interest of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and its shareholders, and recommends that its shareholders vote "for" adoption of the merger agreement and ratification of the related plan of merger.agreement. In reaching its determination to approve the merger agreement and the merger and to recommend the adoption of the merger agreement by the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders, the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares board of directors consulted with Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares management, legal consultantscounsel and industry and financial consultants, including the accounting firm of Dixon, Francis, Davis & Company (formerly, Robb, Dixon, Francis, Davis & Co.) of Granville, Ohio, and the financial industry consulting firm of Young & Associates, Inc. of Kent, Ohio.Sheshunoff. The Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares board of directors considered the following material factors in its decision to approve the merger agreement and the merger:agreement: o Lower Salem'sKentucky Bancshares' business, operations, earnings, prospects, financial condition and market for its common shares; o the business, operations, earnings, prospects and financial condition of Peoples, as determined from the business review conducted by bank management, Dixon, Francis and Young & Associates. Also considered werewell as the enhanced opportunities for operating efficiencies that could result from the merger and the enhanced opportunities for growth the merger would make possible;merger; o the commitment of Peoples to maintain a banking facility in the Lower Salem community, and that the merger may provide the opportunity for continued employment to Lower Salem employees;employees of Kentucky Bancshares; o Peoples' record of successful acquisitions and their apparently successful assimilation; o Peoples' small business lending capabilities; o Peoples' trust department; o the process conducted by Lower Salem with the assistance of Dixon, Francis and Young & Associates and advice of Lower Salem's legal counsel in soliciting offers, the resulting bids and the negotiated merger agreement;acquisitions; o alternatives to the merger, including remaining independent and growing internally or remaining independent for a period of time and then selling;selling, and the competitive problems and execution risks that Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares was likely to encounter as an independent bank; o the market prices at which Peoples common shares have been trading in recent periods and the substantially more liquid market available for Peoples common shares compared to the market for Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares; o the terms of the merger agreement; o the expectation that the merger will be a tax-free transaction to Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and generally will generally be a tax-free transaction to its shareholders proportionate to the consideration received in the form of Peoples common shares; o the apparent absence of any significant problems in obtaining regulatory approvals for the merger and the fact that the pro forma capital position of the combined companies would be well in excess of all applicable regulatory capital requirements; o Peoples' apparent ability to participate successfully in the existing consolidation environment;merger; and o the opinion of Young & AssociatesSheshunoff that as of October 24, 2000, the value ofconsideration provided for in the transactionmerger agreement was fair to Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders from a financial point of view. Peoples' interest in acquiring Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares is based on the opportunity to: o obtain a bankingprovide additional financial service centerlocations in Boyd and additional customer baseGreenup Counties in the Northern part of Washington county, Ohio and it's contiguous communities;northern Kentucky; o offer additional products and services to the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares customers; o provide another banking service location for Peoples' customer base in both Washington County, Ohio and Noble County, Ohio; and o acquire and expand the deposit and funding base provided by Lower Salem.Kentucky Bancshares; and o integrate Kentucky Bancshares' trust and investment relationship with Peoples' Financial Advisors unit. OPINION OF ALEX SHESHUNOFF & CO. INVESTMENT BANKING, L.P. Kentucky Bancshares retained Alex Sheshunoff & Co. Investment Banking, L.P. to provide its opinion of the fairness, from a financial viewpoint, of the merger consideration to be received by the shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares in connection with the merger with Peoples. As part of its investment banking business, Sheshunoff is regularly engaged in the valuation of securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions and valuations for estate, corporate, and other purposes. The boardsboard of directors of Peoples, Peoples Bank and Lower Salem each believe that the operating results of Peoples will improveKentucky Bancshares retained Sheshunoff based upon its experience as a resultfinancial advisor in mergers and acquisitions of the merger thereby providing a benefit to shareholders. Opinion of Young & Associates, Inc. - ----------------------------------- Young & Associates, Inc. regularly evaluates financial institutions and their securities forits knowledge of financial institutions. No limitations were placed on Sheshunoff by Kentucky Bancshares with respect to the scope of its investigation, procedures followed by Sheshunoff in delivering its opinion, or otherwise. On November 29, 2002, Sheshunoff rendered its oral opinion that, as of such date, the merger consideration was fair, from a wide rangefinancial point of purposes, including but not limitedview, to mergersthe shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares. Sheshunoff rendered its written fairness opinion as of March 3, 2003. The full text of the fairness opinion, which sets forth, among other things, assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered, and acquisitions. Lower Salem selected Young & Associates as its financial advisor for this transactionlimitations on the basis of Young & Associates' experience, reputationreview undertaken, is attached as Appendix D to this proxy statement. You are urged to read Sheshunoff's fairness opinion carefully and qualifications in representing financial institutions in mergers and acquisitions. Young & Associates has rendered a writtenits entirety. The fairness opinion is addressed to the board of directors of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares, and does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder of Kentucky Bancshares as to how such shareholder should vote at the special meeting. In connection with the fairness opinion, Sheshunoff: o reviewed the merger agreement; o evaluated Kentucky Bancshares consolidated results based upon a review of its annual financial statements for the three-year period ending December 31, 2001 and the year-to-date period ending September 30, 2002; o reviewed Call Report information for the three years ended December 31, 2001 and the four most recent quarters ended September 30, 2002 for Kentucky Bancshares; o conducted conversations with executive management regarding recent and projected financial performance of Kentucky Bancshares; o compared Kentucky Bancshares' recent operating results with those of certain other banks in Kentucky that have recently been acquired; o compared Kentucky Bancshares' recent operating results with those of certain other banks located in the United States that have recently been acquired; o compared the pricing multiples for Kentucky Bancshares in the merger to those of certain other banks in Kentucky that have recently been acquired; o compared the pricing multiples for Kentucky Bancshares in the merger to those of certain other banks located in the United States that have recently been acquired; o analyzed the net present value of the after-tax cash flows Kentucky Bancshares could produce through the year 2006, based on assumptions provided by management; and o performed such other analyses as it deemed appropriate. In connection with its review, Sheshunoff relied upon and assumed the accuracy and completeness of all of the foregoing information provided to it or made publicly available. Sheshunoff did not assume any responsibility for independent verification of such information. Sheshunoff assumed that internal, confidential financial projections provided by Kentucky Bancshares were reasonably prepared reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the future financial performance of Kentucky Bancshares and did not independently verify the validity of such assumptions. Sheshunoff did not make any independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of Kentucky Bancshares nor was Sheshunoff furnished with any such appraisals. Sheshunoff did not examine any individual loan files of Kentucky Bancshares. Sheshunoff is not an expert in the evaluation of loan portfolios for the purposes of assessing the adequacy of the allowance for losses with respect thereto and has assumed that such allowance is, in the aggregate, adequate to cover such losses. With respect to Peoples, Sheshunoff did not conduct any independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets, liabilities or business prospects of Peoples, was not furnished with any evaluations or appraisals, and did not review any individual loan files of Peoples. Sheshunoff's opinion is necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to Sheshunoff as of March 3, 2003. In connection with delivering its opinion, Sheshunoff performed a variety of financial analyses. The preparation of an opinion involves various determinations as to the effect thatmost appropriate and relevant methods of financial analysis and the termsapplication of those methods to the particular circumstances. Consequently, the fairness opinion is not readily susceptible to partial analysis of summary description. Moreover, the evaluation of fairness, from a financial point of view, of the merger are fair from aconsideration is to some extent subjective, based on the experience and judgment of Sheshunoff, and not merely the result of mathematical analysis of financial perspective todata. Accordingly, notwithstanding the shareholders of Lower Salem. Young & Associates analyzed various public and non-public sources of information, including but not limited to: o Financial data of Lower Salem from December 31, 1995 through June 30, 2000 from published annual reports and internal bank reports; o Financial data regarding Peoples from publicly available regulatory reports from December 31, 1995 to June 30, 2000; o Discussions with senior management of Lower Salem with respect to its past and current financial performance, financial condition and future prospects; o Comparative financial data of selected peers for Lower Salem and Peoples from public sources; o Information from various sources regarding transactions similar in nature to that proposed in the merger; o The merger agreement; and o Such other financial studies, analyses and investigations and other information, as Young & Associates deemed appropriate to enable them to render their opinion. In Young & Associates' review, they also took into account an assessment of general economic, market and financial conditions and certain industry trends and related matters. Lower Salem, Peoples and Peoples Bank and their representatives determined the terms of the merger agreement after arm's-length negotiations between the parties. Young & Associates participated in the negotiations on behalf of Lower Salem. Young & Associates performed several analyses that are common within the banking industry and made certain assumptions that it believed to be reasonable about future performance. As with any projection of future outcomes, actual performance may vary. While the analyses used various analytical techniques and made use of comparative data, the analyses are not mathematical and involve complex considerations and judgments concerning the financial performance of the institutions. Young & Associatesseparate factors summarized below, Sheshunoff believes that youits analyses must consider allbe considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses together and that if you select portions of the factors considered by it, without considering all analyses you may haveand factors, could create an incomplete view of the analyses and theevaluation process underlying its opinion. The ranges of valuations resulting from any particular analysis described below should not be taken to be Sheshunoff's view of the Young & Associates opinion.actual value of Kentucky Bancshares. In performing its analyses, Sheshunoff made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, business, and economic conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of Kentucky Bancshares. The analyses performed by Sheshunoff are not necessarily indicative of actual values or future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by such analyses, nor are they appraisals. In addition, Sheshunoff's analyses should not be viewed as determinative of the opinion of the board of directors or the management of Kentucky Bancshares with respect to the value of Kentucky Bancshares. The following is a summary of the material financial analysis presentedanalyses performed by Young & Associates to Lower Salem's board of directorsSheshunoff in connection with rendering its opinion. Financial AnalysisThe following discussion contains financial information concerning Kentucky Bancshares as of Lower Salem - --------------------------------- Young & Associates analyzed the pastSeptember 30, 2002, and present earnings performancemarket information as of Lower Salem, compared it with peers,March 3, 2003. ANALYSIS OF SELECTED TRANSACTIONS. Sheshunoff performed an analysis of premiums paid in selected recently announced acquisitions of banking organizations in Kentucky and projected earnings ten years into the future based on assumptions developed through interviews with senior management of Lower Salem. The earnings of Lower Salem measured by return on average assets (ROA) have been lower than banks sharing similar characteristics from December 31, 1995 through June 30, 2000. During this period, Lower Salem's ROA averaged nearly 0.57 percent. Banks within the peer group, as reportedselected states and in the Uniform Bank Performance Report,United States with comparable characteristics to the merger. Two sets of comparable transactions were analyzed to ensure a thorough comparison. The first set of comparable transactions consisted of a group of transactions in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and West Virginia for which compares each individual bank's performancepricing data were available. These comparable transactions consisted of nine mergers and acquisitions of banks with allassets between $100 million and $300 million that were announced between January 1, 2001 and February 26, 2003 that were not mergers of equals. The analysis yielded multiples of the purchase prices in these transactions relative to: 1. Book value ranging from 1.2 times to 2.7 times with an average of 2.1 times and a median of 2.0 times (compared with the multiples implied in the merger of 1.8 times September 30, 2002 book value for Kentucky Bancshares); 2. Last twelve months earnings ranging from 16.5 times to 42.9 times with an average of 22.0 times and a median of 19.6 times (compared with the multiples implied in the merger of 15.4 times last twelve months earnings as of September 30, 2002 adjusted for a one-time expense for Kentucky Bancshares); 3. Total assets ranging between 14% and 22.7% with an average of 18.2% and a median of 17.1% (compared with the multiples implied in the merger of 24.0% of September 30, 2002 total assets for Kentucky Bancshares); and 4. Total deposits ranging from 15.9% to 28.1% with an average of 21.2% and a median of 20.3% (compared with the multiples implied in the merger of 31.7% of deposits as of September 30, 2002 for Kentucky Bancshares). The second set of comparable transactions consisted of a group of banks in the country. The average ROA during that same periodUnited States with profitability, asset size and characteristics similar to Kentucky Bancshares for which pricing data were available. These comparable transactions consisted of thosethirteen mergers and acquisitions of banks sharing similar characteristics to Lower Salem of size, structure and markets, was approximately 1.12 percent. The return on average equity (ROE) for Lower Salem trailed peer banks during that same period, reflecting approximately 5.94 percent for Lower Salem versus average peer ratio of 10.50 percent. Lower Salem's ROE has been negatively impacted due toin the lower level of income compared to peer performance. Lower Salem's earnings performance has been affected negatively by higher than average net losses, which result in above average provisions to the loan and lease loss reserve. Net interest margin has been above peer averages, which has contributed positively to the earnings. Additionally, non-interest expense has been near or better than the levels experienced by peer banks. Yield on earning assets is above peer averages indicating stronger earnings contribution from interest earned. However, interest cost to fund earning assets, has traditionally been more expensive for Lower Salem. Non-interest expense control, particularly through the control of personnel expense, has helped curb further pressure on ROA. Contribution Analysis - --------------------- Young & Associates reviewed the relative contributions of Lower Salem and Peoples using information available June 30, 2000, toUnited States with total assets total net loans, total deposits, total common equitybetween $100 million and total earnings. Earnings$300 million and returns on assets for the most recent quarter greater than 1.2% that were reviewed onannounced between January 1, 2002 and February 26, 2003. The analysis yielded multiples of the basispurchase prices in these transactions relative to: 1. Book value ranging from 1.1 times to 3.4 times with an average of 2.2 times and a median of 2.0 times (compared with the multiples implied in the merger of 1.8 times September 30, 2002 book value for Kentucky Bancshares); 2. Last twelve months earnings ranging from 7.6 times to 26.4 times with an average of 16.6 times and a median of 16.3 times (compared with the multiples implied in the merger of 15.4 times last twelve months earnings as of reported earningsSeptember 30, 2002 adjusted for Lower Salema one-time expense for Kentucky Bancshares; 3. Total assets ranging between 8.6% and Peoples through June 30, 2000. On a pro forma basis for the twelve months ended June 30, 2000, the following table shows the percentages contributed by Lower Salem and Peoples for each33.9% with an average of those factors considered: Lower Salem Peoples ----------- ------- Total Assets 2.33% 97.67% Total Gross Loans 2.87% 97.13% Total Deposits 2.62% 97.38% Common Equity 2.69% 97.31% Earnings LTM 2.09% 97.81% Comparison with Selected Merger Transactions - -------------------------------------------- At a maximum value of $85.72 per Lower Salem common share merger consideration to be paid by Peoples, the transaction is valued at 1.19 times the adjusted (less merger related expenses) common equity of Lower Salem and 400 times Lower Salem's twelve months earnings through June 30, 2000. Understanding that earnings have been severely impacted by credit quality over the past twelve to eighteen months, a review of historical earnings was conducted to determine the multiple times earnings. Using year-end earnings for 1998, the multiple of earnings would be 18.46 times. Young & Associates selected 29 transactions that were announced during the first half of 2000 from the top 100 transactions published by the American Banker on August 2, 2000. The database was reduced to show only those transactions under $15 million in total deal price. All but five transactions within this sample involved acquired banks with $100 million or less in total assets. The median price to book value multiples of the acquired banks and median price to the trailing twelve-month earnings multiples of the acquired banks were calculated. The median price of the sample was 1.78 times book value. The lowest recorded multiple of book value reported was 0.6 times and the highest was 3.57 times. The median price to last twelve months' earnings was 16.79 with a low of 9.97 times21.7% and a highmedian of 75.65 times. The maximum value of this transaction as a multiple of book value is below20.0% (compared with the median but well above the low; however, based on the trailing twelve months' earnings, the maximum value of this transaction is substantially above the transactions selectedmultiples implied in the sample. Even when looking at earnings prior to the impact of the aforementioned higher than average net losses, the earnings multiple remains above the sample median. Young & Associates believes that the multiple of book value is fair based on the current financial condition of Lower Salem. The proposed transaction fairly values the common shares of Lower Salem and is within acceptable ranges to Lower Salem and its shareholders. No bank in the sample of selected transactions, however, is identical to Lower Salem and no transaction is identical to the merger. Dilution Analysis - ----------------- Young & Associates reviewed the pro forma financial effect of the merger of Lower Salem24.0% of September 30, 2002 total assets for Kentucky Bancshares); and Peoples Bank. On4. Total deposits ranging from 9.4% to 41.8% with an average of 25.5% and a median of 22.4% (compared with the basis of financial projections provided by Lower Salem, Young & Associates compared pro forma equivalent per share calculations with respect to earnings, cash dividends, book value and tangible book value to the stand-alone per share projections for Lower Salem. In the opinion of Young & Associates, the accretion and/or dilution analysis demonstrated, among other things, thatmultiples implied in the merger would result in: o Significant accretion to earnings per shareof 31.7% of deposits as of September 30, 2002 for Lower Salem's shareholders once the transaction is completed, with continued accretion in following years; o Significantly higher cash dividends per share for Lower Salem's shareholders, assuming Peoples maintains its current dividend policy; and o Accretion to book value per share and tangible book value per share for Lower Salem's shareholders over the period of analysis. Discounted Cash Flow Analysis - ----------------------------- Young & Associates performed a 10-yearKentucky Bancshares). DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS. Using discounted cash flow analysis, Sheshunoff estimated the present value of the future after-tax cash flow streams that Kentucky Bancshares could produce through the year 2006, under various circumstances, assuming that it performed in accordance with regard to Lower Salem on a stand-alone basis. Utilizing a discountthe earnings/return projections provided by management. Sheshunoff estimated the terminal value for Kentucky Bancshares at the end of 2006 by capitalizing the final period projected earnings by the quotient of (i) the assumed annual growth rate ranging from 14.0 percent to 16.0 percent,of the analysis resulted inearnings of Kentucky Bancshares plus one and (ii) the difference between a range of presentrequired rates of return and the assumed annual growth rate of earnings in (i) above. Sheshunoff discounted the annual cash flow streams (defined as all earnings in excess of that required to maintain a tangible equity to asset ratio of 8.0%) and the terminal values between $1.953 millionusing discount rates ranging from 12% to $2.479 million for Lower Salem on a stand-alone basis. As indicated above, this analysis14%. The range of discount rates was based on estimates reviewed by Lower Salem's senior management and is not necessarily indicative of actual values or actual future results and does not purportchosen to reflect different assumptions regarding the prices at which any securities may trade atrequired rates of return of Kentucky Bancshares and the present or any time ininherent risk surrounding the future.underlying cash flow projections. This discounted cash flow analysis indicated a range of values per diluted share of $2,265.05 to $2,429.30, compared to the value per diluted share of the merger consideration to Kentucky Bancshares shareholders of $2.522.88 as of November 2, 2002. The discounted cash flow analysis was utilized because itused by Sheshunoff is a widelywidely-used valuation methodology that relies on numerous assumptions, including asset and earnings growth rates, terminal values and discount rates. The analysis does not purport to be indicative of the actual or expected values of Kentucky Bancshares common stock. COMPARABLE COMPANY ANALYSIS. Sheshunoff compared selected stock market results of Peoples to the publicly available corresponding data of other composites that Sheshunoff deemed to be relevant, including SNL Securities, L.P.'s (i) index of all publicly traded banks, (ii) the SNL index of banks in the Midwestern Region of the U.S. (as defined by SNL Financial, L.C.), and (iii) the S&P 500. People's common stock price has performed better than the selected indices for the period from January 1, 2002 through February 26, 2003. No company or transaction used valuation methodology; however, it must be stressed thatin the comparable company and comparable transaction analyses is identical to Kentucky Bancshares, Peoples, or the merger. Accordingly, an analysis of the results of the methodology are highly dependent uponforegoing necessarily involves complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of Kentucky Bancshares and Peoples and other factors that could affect the numerous assumptions, including earnings growth rates, dividend payout rates and terminal values. The analysis by Young & Associates was performed independently and without limitations imposed by anypublic trading value of the parties involvedcompanies to which they are being compared. Mathematical analysis (such as determining the average or median) is not in itself a meaningful method of using comparable transaction data or comparable company data. Pursuant to an engagement letter dated March 31, 2000 between Kentucky Bancshares and Sheshunoff, Kentucky Bancshares agreed to pay Sheshunoff a transaction fee of 1.00 percent of the merger consideration to be received by Kentucky Bancshares as a result of the merger if the merger consideration was less than $33 million or 1.10 percent of the merger consideration if the merger consideration was equal to or greater than $33 million. In addition, Sheshunoff will be reimbursed for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Kentucky Bancshares also agreed to indemnify and hold harmless Sheshunoff and its officers and employees against certain liabilities in connection with its services under the engagement letter, except for liabilities resulting from the negligence, violation of law or regulation or bad faith of Sheshunoff or any matter for which Sheshunoff may have strict liability. The fairness opinion is directed only to the question of whether the merger consideration is fair from a financial perspective and does not constitute a recommendation to any Kentucky Bancshares shareholder to vote in favor of the merger. In conducting its analyses, Young & Associates used information from publicly available financial data resources, financial data from internal bank records of Lower Salem, andBased on the representationsresults of the parties contained in the merger agreement. That information was assumed to be reliable and no attempt was made to verify the information independently. It was further assumedvarious analyses described above, Sheshunoff concluded that the merger willconsideration to be completed as planned and that no other conditions will be imposed which might workreceived by Kentucky Bancshares shareholders pursuant to the detrimentmerger is fair from a financial point of either shareholder group. Lower Salem will pay Young & Associates a fee of approximately $59,000, plus reasonable out-of pocket expenses, for providing assistance during the negotiations and for the issuance of Young & Associates' opinion of the fairness to the shareholders of Lower Salem. EFFECT ON OUTSTANDING PEOPLESview. EXCHANGE OF KENTUCKY BANCSHARES COMMON SHARES AND EXCHANGE OF LOWER SALEM COMMON SHARES ======================================================================= Effect on Outstanding Peoples Common Shares - ------------------------------------------- Each issued and outstanding Peoples common share will continue to be one Peoples common share after consummation of the merger. Exchange of Lower Salem Common Shares - ------------------------------------- VALUE OF MERGER CONSIDERATION. At the effective time of the merger, all Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares othat are owned by Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares as treasury shares o ownedor directly or indirectly by Peoples except for Lower Salem common shares held directly or indirectly by Peoples in a fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of a debt previously contracted, and o as to which the holder is entitled to payment as a result of a proper exercise of the holder's right to dissent to the merger, will be canceled and retired, and no PeoplesKentucky Bancshares common shares or other consideration will be delivered in exchange for those Lower Salem common shares. The consideration to be received in exchange for all otherEach remaining issued and outstanding Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common share, other than those as to which the holders have properly exercised dissenters' rights, will be converted into the right to receive, at the election of the holder and subject to the allocation and proration procedures set forth in the merger agreement and described below, either: o a cash amount equal to $2,575.00; or o the number of Peoples common shares equal to $2,575.00 divided by the average share price, as defined below, of Peoples common shares, or as expressed as a fraction: $2,575.00 -------------------------------------------------------- the average share price of Peoples common shares The average share price of Peoples common shares will be converted into cash, Peoples common shares, or a combinationdetermined by the average daily closing price of cash and Peoples common shares, as calculated in accordance withreported on The Nasdaq National Market, for the thirty consecutive trading days ending at the close of business on the day which is five trading days prior to the consummation of the merger. The merger agreement, however, imposes a $25.00 floor and a $33.00 ceiling on the average share price. Thus, if the average daily closing price of Peoples common shares is equal to or less than $25.00, then the average share price will be deemed to be $25.00. Similarly, if the average daily closing price of Peoples common shares is equal to or greater than $33.00, then the average share price will be deemed to be $33.00. Peoples may decide to terminate the merger account if the average daily closing price is greater than $35.00, and Kentucky Bancshares may decide to terminate the merger agreement upif the average daily closing price is less than $21.00. The form of the merger consideration ultimately received by each Kentucky Bancshares shareholder will depend upon the election, allocation and proration procedures set forth in the merger agreement and described below, and the choices of other Kentucky Bancshares shareholders. Accordingly, no guarantee can be given that the choice of any Kentucky Bancshares shareholder will be honored. In addition, because the tax consequences of receiving cash in the merger will differ from the tax consequences of receiving Peoples common shares in the merger, Kentucky Bancshares shareholders are urged to a maximum valueread carefully the information set forth below under "Federal Income Tax Consequences of $85.72 per Lower Salem common share.the Merger" on page ____. MERGER CONSIDERATION The merger agreement provides that each holder of Kentucky Bancshares common shares will be entitled to receive for each Kentucky Bancshares common share either $2,575.00 in cash or a number of Peoples common shares determined by the aggregate valueexchange ratio described above. The following table sets forth examples of the number of Peoples common shares that a Kentucky Bancshares shareholder may receive depending on the average closing price of Peoples common shares during the relevant thirty-trading-day period:
Number of Peoples common Relevant exchange ratio shares received in exchange Assumed average share price ($2,575.00 divided by assumed for each Kentucky Bancshares of Peoples common shares average share price) common share (1) - ----------------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------------- $25.00 103.00 103.00 $29.00 88.79 88.79 $33.00 78.03 78.03 - ----------------------------- (1) Peoples will not issue certificates or scrip representing fractional interests in Peoples common shares in the merger. If a Kentucky Bancshares shareholder is entitled to a fractional Peoples common share, the shareholder will receive cash in an amount equal to the fractional share interest multiplied by the average share price of Peoples common shares.
Assuming a $25.00 average daily closing price of Peoples common shares during the thirty-trading-day period ending on the date which is five days prior to the consummation of the merger, considerationPeoples will exchange a total of approximately 609,348 Peoples common shares and pay approximately $15,233,700 in cash. On November 29, 2002, the last trading day prior to the joint public announcement by Peoples and Kentucky Bancshares of the proposed merger, Peoples common shares closed at $25.90 per share. On ____________, 2003, the last trading day before the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Peoples common shares closed at $_________ per share. Shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares are urged to obtain current market prices for Peoples common shares in connection with voting at the special meeting and making an election decision. For a discussion of the risks associated with the fluctuation in Peoples common shares, see "Risk Factors - Shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares cannot be received in the merger, up to $85.72 per Lower Salem common share, is to be calculated by multiplyingsure of the market value of the Peoples common shares by an exchange ratio forthey will receive in the merger, calculated in one of the following two ways: o If the market value for the Peoples common shares is less than or equal to $14.625, then the exchange ratio for the merger will be the quotient of $33.80 divided by the market value for the Peoples common shares, plus 3.550. For example, if the market value for the Peoples common shares is $13.25 per share, then the exchange ratio for the merger would be 6.1009, calculated as follows: ($33.80/$13.25) + 3.550 = 6.1009. Accordingly, the maximum aggregate value of the merger consideration would be $80.84, calculated as follows: $13.25 x 6.1009 = $80.84. o If the market value for the Peoples common shares is greater than $14.625, then the exchange ratio will be the quotient of $85.72 divided by the market value for the Peoples common shares. For example, if the market value for the Peoples common shares is $15.00 per share, then the exchange ratio would be 5.7147, calculated as follows: $85.72/$15.00 = 5.7147. Accordingly, the maximum aggregate value of the merger consideration would be $85.72, calculated as follows: $15.00 x 5.7147 = $85.72. The market value for the Peoples common shares will equal the average of the mean between the closing high bid and low asked prices of Peoples common shares for the twenty consecutive trading days immediately preceding a valuation date, as reportedmerger" on The Nasdaq Stock Market. The valuation date will be the latest of the day on which the last required regulatory approval is obtained, the day on which the last waiting period for all required regulatory approvals in connection with the merger have expired or the day on which the Lower Salem shareholders vote to adopt the merger agreement and ratify the related plan of merger.page ____. ELECTION PROCEDURE. Lower SalemPROCEDURES Kentucky Bancshares shareholders will have the opportunity to make an election as to whether they wish to receive cash, Peoples common shares or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares, as consideration for their Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares. The Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders also may choose to make no election with respect to the form of merger consideration. An election form and other appropriate transmittal materials will be mailed by Peoples within threefive business days after the closing of the merger to each Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholder of record on the effective date of the merger. The election materials will specify the manner in which they are to be completed, the agent to whom the materialsforms should be returned and the deadline for submitting the materialsforms to the agent. Peoples will designate the agent who will receive the election materials. The deadline for receiving the election materials will be at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 10th20th business day following, but not including, the date of mailing of the election materials, or on somesuch other date as to which the partiesPeoples and Kentucky Bancshares mutually agree. The agent will count only those elections which are made in accordance with the instructions contained in the election materials and which are received by the indicated deadline. The election materials will be mailed only if the merger is closed following adoption of the merger agreement and ratification of the related plan of merger by the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders. LOWER SALEM AND PEOPLES MAKE NO RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER LOWER SALEM SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD ELECT TO RECEIVE CASH, PEOPLES COMMON SHARES, OR A COMBINATION OF CASH AND PEOPLES COMMON SHARES. IN ADDITION, NEITHER LOWER SALEM NOR PEOPLES CAN GUARANTEE THAT THE ELECTION OF ANY LOWER SALEM SHAREHOLDER WILL BE FULLY HONORED. RATHER, THE FORM OF MERGER CONSIDERATION ULTIMATELY RECEIVED BY A LOWER SALEM SHAREHOLDER WILL DEPEND UPON THE ELECTION OF THE SHAREHOLDER, THE ELECTION OF OTHER LOWER SALEM SHAREHOLDERS, AND THE ALLOCATION PROCEDURES DESCRIBED BELOW. ACCORDINGLY, LOWER SALEM SHAREHOLDERS MAY NOT RECEIVE THEIR REQUESTED FORM OF MERGER CONSIDERATION. ALLOCATION OF MERGER CONSIDERATION. Once the elections are received, the parties will allocate the merger consideration, accordingKentucky Bancshares shareholders who have a particular preference as to the following formulas: o Under the merger agreement, at least 52%form of the Lower Salem common shares must be converted into Peoples common shares. For this purpose, all dissenting Lower Salem shareholders will be treated as having made a cash election. The exact percentage may exceed 52% and will be calculated by subtracting from 100%, the percentage which is determined by dividing $33.80 by the value of the merger consideration to be received for their Kentucky Bancshares common shares are encouraged to make an election because shares as to which an election has been made will be given priority in allocating the merger consideration over shares as to which no election has been made. Neither Peoples nor the Kentucky Bancshares board of directors makes any recommendation as to whether Kentucky Bancshares shareholders should elect to receive cash, Peoples common shares, or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares in the merger. For example, ifKentucky Bancshares shareholders should not return their certificates representing their Kentucky Bancshares common shares with the valueenclosed proxy card, and certificates should not be forwarded to the designated agent until you have received the letter of transmittal and election form. ALLOCATION PROCEDURE The ability of any Kentucky Bancshares shareholder to receive either cash, Peoples common shares, or a specified combination of cash and Peoples common shares is subject to a requirement in the merger agreement that the aggregate cash consideration to be paid by Peoples in exchange for Kentucky Bancshares common shares may not exceed 50% of the total merger consideration. Assuming 11,832 Kentucky Bancshares common shares are outstanding as of the effective date of the merger, the aggregate cash consideration equals $80.84, basedmay not exceed $15,233,700. If the total cash elections made by Kentucky Bancshares shareholders are greater or less than the maximum aggregate cash consideration, the elections will be allocated as follows so that the total cash consideration paid by Peoples is as close as possible to the maximum aggregate cash consideration: If the total amount of cash elected is greater than the maximum aggregate cash consideration to be paid by Peoples, then: o those Kentucky Bancshares shareholders who have elected to receive cash will receive cash on a market valuepro rata basis in order to make the total cash consideration paid by Peoples equal to the maximum cash consideration required to be paid by Peoples under the merger agreement; o the remainder of the Kentucky Bancshares common shares for which cash was elected will be exchanged for Peoples common shares; and o the remainder of the Kentucky Bancshares common shares, including shares for which Peoples common shares of $13.25, then the percentage of Lower Salem common shares to be converted into Peoples common shares would be calculated, as follows: $33.80 / $80.84 = 41.81%. 100% - 41.81% = 58.19% As a result, 41.81% of the Lower Salem common shares would be converted into cashwas elected and 58.19% of the Lower Salem common shares would be converted into Peoples common shares. As of November 30, 2000, Lower Salem had 28,000 common shares issued and outstanding. Based on that number and assuming application of the foregoing percentages, 11,707 Lower Salem common shares would be converted into cash and 16,293 Lower Salem common shares would be converted into Peoples common shares. Similarly, if the value of the merger consideration equals the maximum value of $85.72, based on a market value for the Peoples common shares of $15.00, then the percentage of Lower Salem common shares to be converted into Peoples common shares would be calculated, as follows: $33.80 / $85.72 = 39.43% 100% - 39.43% = 60.57% As a result, 39.43% of the Lower Salem common shares would be converted into cash and 60.57% of the Lower Salem common shares would be converted into Peoples common shares. Based on 28,000 Lower Salem common shares issued and outstanding on November 30, 2000, 11,040 Lower Salem common shares would be converted into cash and 16,960 Lower Salem common shares would be converted into Peoples common shares. o If Lower Salem shareholders elect to convert more Lower Salem common shares into cash than is allowed under the merger agreement, all Lower Salem common shares with respect to which a cashtimely election has beenwas not made, will be converted intoexchanged for Peoples common shares. If the righttotal amount of cash elected is less than the maximum aggregate cash consideration to be paid by Peoples, then: o those Kentucky Bancshares shareholders who have elected to receive both of the following: (1) An amount in cash, without interest, equal to the product, rounded to the nearest one cent, of (a) the cash consideration for the merger, and (b) a cash fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of Lower SalemPeoples common shares that must be converted into cash and the denominator of which will bereceive Peoples common shares on a pro rata basis in order to make the total number of Lower Salem common shares that Lower Salem shareholders actually elected to convert into cash; and (2) A numberconsideration paid by Peoples in the form of Peoples common shares equal to the product, roundedtotal consideration required to four decimal points,be paid by Peoples in the form of (a) the stock consideration for the merger as determined by the exchange ratio for the merger, and (2) a number equal to one minus a cash fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of Lower Salem common shares that must be converted into cash and the denominator of which will be the total number of Lower Salem common shares that Lower Salem shareholders actually elected to convert into cash. In addition, all Lower Salem common shares with respect to which an election to convert into Peoples common shares has been made and all Lower Salemunder the merger agreement; o the remainder of the consideration to be paid for the Kentucky Bancshares common shares with respect tofor which no election has been made will be converted into the right to receive Peoples common shares at a rate equal towas elected will be exchanged for cash; and o the exchange ratio forremainder of the merger. o If Lower Salem shareholders elect to convert more Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares, into Peoples commonincluding shares than is allowed under the merger agreement, all Lower Salem commonfor which cash was elected and shares with respect to which a stocktimely election has beenwas not made, will be converted into the right to receive both of the following: (1) A number of Peoples common shares equal to the product, rounded to four decimal places, of (1) the stock considerationexchanged for the merger as determined by the exchange ratio for the merger and (2) a stock fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of Lower Salem common shares that must be converted into Peoples common shares, and the denominator of which will be the total number of Lower Salem common shares that shareholders actually elected to convert into Peoples common shares; and (2) An amount in cash, without interest, equal to the product, rounded to the nearest one cent, of (1) the cash consideration for the merger and (2) a number equal to one minus a stock fraction, the numerator of which will be the number of Lower Salem common shares that must be converted into Peoples common shares, and the denominator of which will be the total number of Lower Salem common shares that shareholders actually elected to convert into Peoples common shares. In addition, all Lower Salem common shares with respect to which an election to convert into cash has been made and all Lower Salem common shares with respect to which no election has been made will be converted into the right to receive the cash consideration for those Lower Salem common shares. o If the number of Lower Salem common shares as to which a stock election has been made does not exceed the number required by the merger agreement and the number of Lower Salem common shares as to which a cash election has been made does not exceed the number required by the merger agreement, then all cash election Lower Salem common shares will be converted into the right to receive cash and all stock election Lower Salem common shares will be converted into the right to receive Peoples common shares, at a rate equal to the exchange ratio. All no election Lower Salem common shares will be converted into the right to receive cash or Peoples common shares as determined by random selection. The agent selected by Peoples to account for all elections will conduct the random Selection for no election Lower Salem common shares by drawing by lot or by any other process as the agent deems appropriate and equitable to appropriately allocate the Lower Salem common shares in accordance with the merger agreement. EXAMPLES OF MERGER CONSIDERATION. The following tables set forth examples of how 100 Lower Salem common shares will be converted and the merger consideration that the Lower Salem shareholder will receive based upon various election results. Share numbers are rounded down to the nearest whole share for demonstration purposes. Upon actual conversion in the merger, Peoples will issue cash in lieu of fractional share interests. Cash amounts are rounded to the nearest cent. The following table assumes the following values: o the value of the merger consideration is $80.84 per Lower Salem common share, based on a market value for the Peoples common shares of $13.25; o the exchange ratio for the merger is 6.1009; o there are a total of 28,000 issued and outstanding Lower Salem common shares at the effective time of the merger; and o 41.81%, or 11,707, of the Lower Salem common shares must be converted into cash and 58.19% or 16,293 of the Lower Salem common shares must be converted into Peoples common shares.
If Lower Salem Common Shareholder If Lower Salem Common Shareholder Election Results of All Elects Elects Lower Salem Common Shareholders 100% Stock Consideration 100% Cash Consideration ------------------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------- Peoples Common Peoples Common Percent Percent Cash to be Shares to be Cash to be Shares to be Elect Stock Elect Cash Received Received Received Received ----------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- -------- 75% 25% $1,812.00 473 $8,084.00 None 58.19% 41.81% None 610 $8,084.00 None 50% 50% None 610 $6,760.00 99 41.81% 58.19% None 610 $5,809.00 171 25% 75% None 610 $4,507.00 269
The following table assumes the following values: o the value of the merger consideration is the maximum value of $85.72 per Lower Salem common share, based on a market value for the Peoples common shares of $15.00; o the exchange ratio for the merger is 5.7147; o there are a total of 28,000 issued and outstanding Lower Salem common shares at the effective time of the merger; and o 39.43%, or 11,040, of the Lower Salem common shares must be converted into cash and 60.57% or 16,960 of the Lower Salem common shares must be converted into Peoples common shares.
If Lower Salem Common Shareholder If Lower Salem Common Shareholder Election Results of All Elects Elects Lower Salem Common Shareholders 100% Stock Consideration 100% Cash Consideration ------------------------------- ------------------------ ----------------------- Peoples Common Peoples Common Percent Percent Cash to be Shares to be Cash to be Shares to be Elect Stock Elect Cash Received Received Received Received ----------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- -------- 75% 25% $1,649.00 461 $8,572.00 None 60.57% 39.43% None 571 $8,572.00 None 50% 50% None 571 $6,760.00 120 39.43% 60.57% None 571 $5,580.00 199 25% 75% None 571 $4,506.00 271
No Fractional Peoples Common Shares to Be Issued - ------------------------------------------------cash. NO FRACTIONAL PEOPLES COMMON SHARES TO BE ISSUED Peoples will not issue certificates or scrip orrepresenting fractional interests in Peoples common shares in the merger. In lieu of fractional interests, Peoples will pay the cash value of the fractionfractional share interest to each holder of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares who otherwise would have been entitled to a fraction of a Peoples common share, upon surrender of the holder's certificates representing Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares. The shareholder will receive an amount of cash rounded to the nearest cent, determined by multiplying the fractional share interest by the market valueaverage share price of the Peoples common shares. The market value for the Peoples common shares will equal the average of the mean between the closing high bid and low asked prices of Peoples common shares for the twenty consecutive trading days immediately preceding a valuation date, as reported on The Nasdaq Stock Market. The valuation date will be the latest of the day on which the last required regulatory approval for the merger is obtained, the day on which the last waiting period for all required regulatory approvals in connection with the merger have expired or the day on which the Lower Salem shareholders vote to adopt the merger agreement and ratify the related plan of merger. Closing of Lower Salem Share Transfer Books; Exchange of Certificates Evidencing Lower Salem Common Shares - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lower SalemCLOSING OF KENTUCKY BANCSHARES SHARE TRANSFER BOOKS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES Kentucky Bancshares will close its share transfer books in respect of the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares at the effective time of the merger. As soon as practicable afterNo later than five business days following the effective timeconsummation of the merger, Peoples Bank, as exchange agent for the merger, will advise each Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholder will be advised of the effectiveness of the merger by letter accompanied by a letter of transmittal and election form and instructions for use to surrendersurrendering the certificate or certificates representing Lower Salemevidencing the shareholder's Kentucky Bancshares common shares to an exchange agent designated by Peoples.Peoples Bank. The letter of transmittal and election form will be used to exchange Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares certificates for cash and/or Peoples common shares, including cash in lieu of any fractional share interest, and to elect the form of merger consideration you wish to receive.interest. If any certificate representing Peoples common shares is to be issued in a name other than that in which the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares certificate surrendered for exchange is registered, the certificate so surrendered must be properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer, and the person requesting the exchange must pay to Peoples or its designated exchange agent any applicable transfer or other taxes required by reason of the issuance of the Peoples certificate. YouCertificates for Kentucky Bancshares common shares should not forward certificates for Lower Salem common sharesbe sent to Peoples or to its designated exchange agentBank until after receipt of the letter of transmittal and election form. You alsoform and should not return the certificatesbe returned to Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares with the enclosed proxy card. Rights of Holders of Lower Salem Share Certificates Prior to Surrender - ----------------------------------------------------------------------RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF KENTUCKY BANCSHARES SHARE CERTIFICATES PRIOR TO SURRENDER Upon surrender to Peoples' designatedPeoples Bank, as exchange agent, of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares certificates and a properly completed letter of transmittal and election form, the holder of the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares certificates will be entitled to receive cash and/or certificates representing Peoples common shares, in exchange for the Lower Salem certificates, and cash in lieu of any resulting fractional share interest, to which the holder is entitled.entitled under the merger agreement. Unless and until the shareholder surrenders the Lower Salem certificatesKentucky Bancshares certificate(s) together with a properly completed letter of transmittal and election form, no dividend payable to holders of record of Peoples common shares as of any time after the effective time of the merger will be paid to that holder. Upon surrender of the holder's outstanding Lower Salem certificatesKentucky Bancshares certificate(s) to Peoples' designated exchange agent,Peoples Bank, together with a properly completed letter of transmittal and election form, the former Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholder will receive the dividends, without interest, that have become payable as of that time with respect to any Peoples common shares to be issued upon surrender and conversion. Lost Share Certificates - -----------------------LOST SHARE CERTIFICATES Any Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholder who has lost or misplaced a certificate for any of the holder's Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares should immediately call J. Daniel Johnson,Sandra F. Tilton, Secretary of Lower Salem,Kentucky Bancshares, at (740) 585-2387(606) 836-9000 for information regarding the procedures to be followed in order to obtain Peoples common shares in exchange your Lower Salemfor the holder's Kentucky Bancshares common shares. ACCOUNTING TREATMENT OF THE MERGER ================================== The merger will be accounted for as a purchase for financial accounting and reporting purposes. Under this method of accounting, Peoples' purchase price will include the cash paid in the merger, the fair value of the Peoples common shares issued in the merger and all direct acquisition costs. The purchase price will be allocated to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets and assumed liabilities of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares based upon their estimated fair values at the effective time of the merger in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted accounting principles.in the United States. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired will be recorded as goodwill. Indefinite-lived assets, including goodwill, will be tested for impairment annually and on an interim basis if events or changes in circumstances between annual tests indicate that the assets might be impaired. Finite-lived intangible assets will be amortized over their useful life using a periodmethod of up to 20 years for financial accounting purposes. The reported income of Peoples will includeamortization that reflects the operations of Lower Salem afterpattern in which the effective timeeconomic benefits of the merger.intangible assets are consumed. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER ============================================= Peoples and Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares will receive an opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, legal counsel to Peoples, dated as of the closing date of the merger to the effect thatthat: o the merger will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code and Peoples, Peoples Bank and Lower Salem eachCode; o no gain or loss will be partiesrecognized by Kentucky Bancshares shareholders who exchange their Kentucky Bancshares common shares solely for Peoples common shares, other than the gain or loss to that reorganization withinbe recognized as to cash received in lieu of fractional share interests, and the meaningtax basis of the shareholders in their Kentucky Bancshares common shares will be carried over for tax purposes to the Peoples common shares received in exchange therefore; o Kentucky Bancshares shareholders who receive solely cash in exchange for their Kentucky Bancshares common shares will be treated as having received such payments as distributions in redemption of their Kentucky Bancshares common shares, subject to the provisions and limitations of Section 368(b)302 of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, for federal income tax purposes:Code; and o none of Peoples, Peoples Bank or Lower Salemgain will recognize any gain or loss as a result of the merger; obe recognized by shareholders of Lower Salem,Kentucky Bancshares who receive solelyboth Peoples common shares and cash in exchange for their Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares, in the merger, will not recognize any gain or loss, except to the extent that those shareholders receive cash in lieu of a fractional share; o shareholders of Lower Salem receiving cash in the merger, other than in lieu of fractional Peoples common shares, in exchange for their Lower Salem common shares will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the fair market value of the merger consideration received by the shareholders minus their respective tax bases in the Lower Salem common shares exchanged, but not in excess of the amount of cash received by the shareholders; o payment of cash to a Lower Salem shareholder in lieu of fractional Peoples common shares should be treated as having been received by the shareholder as a distribution subject to Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code; o the tax basis of Peoples common shares received by shareholders of Lower Salem will be the same as the tax basis of the Lower Salem common shares surrendered in exchange, decreased by the amount of cash received and increased by the amount of gain, if any, recognized in the exchange; and o the holding period of the Peoples common shares received in the merger will include the holding period of Lower Salem common shares surrendered in exchange, provided the Lower Salem common shares were held as capital assets at the effective time of the merger.received. Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP will base its opinion on facts representations and assumptionsrepresentations set forth in the opinion, the merger agreement and will rely upon representations contained in certificates of officers of Peoples Peoples Bank and Lower Salem,Kentucky Bancshares, which will not have been independently investigated or verified. THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION DOES NOT ADDRESS THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER TO LOWER SALEM SHAREHOLDERS WHO PERFECT DISSENTERS' RIGHTS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE "RIGHTS OF DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS" ON PAGEThe foregoing discussion does not address the tax consequences of the merger to Kentucky Bancshares shareholders who perfect dissenters' rights. For more information, see "Rights of Dissenting Shareholders" on page __. THIS DISCUSSION DOES NOT ADDRESS THE STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX ASPECTS OF THE MERGER OR THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER TO SHAREHOLDERS WHO MAY BE SUBJECT TO SPECIAL RULES, INCLUDING, FOR EXAMPLE, FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS. THIS DISCUSSION IS BASED ON CURRENTLY EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, EXISTING AND PROPOSED TREASURY REGULATIONS UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND CURRENT ADMINISTRATIVE RULINGS AND COURT DECISIONS. THE OPINION OF COUNSEL DESCRIBED ABOVE IS NOT BINDING UPON THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, AND THE PARTIES WILL NOT SEEK OR OBTAIN ANY RULINGS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. WE CAN PROVIDE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE WILL AGREE WITH THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER DESCRIBED ABOVE. ALL OF THE FOREGOING IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND ANY CHANGE COULD AFFECT THE CONTINUING VALIDITY OF THIS DISCUSSION. THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO A LOWER SALEM SHAREHOLDER WHO ACQUIRED LOWER SALEM COMMON SHARES UPON EXERCISE OF AN EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION OR OTHERWISE AS COMPENSATION. WE URGE YOU TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR CONCERNING THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER TO YOU, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND OTHER TAX LAWS AND ANY PROPOSED CHANGES IN THOSE TAX LAWS.This discussion does not address the state, local or foreign tax aspects of the merger or the tax consequences of the merger to shareholders who may be subject to special rules, including, for example, foreign shareholders. This discussion is based on currently existing provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, existing and proposed treasury regulations under the Internal Revenue Code and current administrative rulings and court decisions. The opinion of counsel described above is not binding upon the Internal Revenue Service, and the parties will not seek or obtain any rulings of the Internal Revenue Service. We can provide no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will agree with the tax consequences of the merger described above. All of the foregoing is subject to change and any change could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. The foregoing discussion may not be applicable to a Kentucky Bancshares shareholder who acquired Kentucky Bancshares common shares upon exercise of an employee stock option or otherwise as compensation. We urge you to consult your own tax advisor concerning the specific tax consequences of the merger to you, including the applicability and effect of federal, state, local and other tax laws and any proposed changes in those tax laws. INTERESTS OF PERSONS IN THE MERGER ================================== Peoples has agreed to indemnify each of the officers, directors and employees of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust to the full extent Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares or Kentucky Bank & Trust would have been required to indemnify that person under OhioKentucky law and the governing documents of Lower Salem.Kentucky Bancshares or Kentucky Bank & Trust. Any determination required to be made with respect to whether an indemnified person's conduct complies with the standards of OhioKentucky law and Lower Salem'sKentucky Bancshares' or Kentucky Bank & Trust's governing documents will be made by the court in which the action is brought or by independent counsel selected by Peoples and reasonably acceptable to the indemnified person. The merger agreement also provides for the continuation of director and officer liability insurance for the directors and officers of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares for a period of three years. For more information, see "The Merger Agreement and Related Plan of Merger - Costs and Expenses; Indemnification" on page __ and "Comparison of Rights of Holders of Peoples Common Shares and Holders of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares Common Shares - Director and Officer Liability and Indemnification" on page __. Lower Salem has obtained written agreements from allIn conjunction with the execution of the merger agreement, each of the directors of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares entered into a Stockholder Voting Agreement, dated as of November 29, 2002, with Peoples pursuant to which each director has agreed, among other things, to vote their Lower Salemhis or her Kentucky Bancshares common shares in favor of adoptingadoption of the merger agreement.agreement at the special meeting. Prior to or upon the closing of the merger, Kentucky Bancshares intends to redeem all of the Kentucky Bancshares common shares owned by Mr. Christmas for $2,575.00 per share. Also in conjunction with the execution of the merger agreement, C. Ronald Christmas entered into an Employment Agreement with Peoples Bank dated as of November 29, 2002, and an amendment to his existing employment agreement with Kentucky Bank & Trust dated as of July 12, 1991. Under the terms of the Employment Agreement and amendment: o Mr. Christmas will be employed by Peoples Bank for a term of eighteen months following the merger, at an annual base salary of $125,000; o Mr. Christmas will receive an aggregate of $550,000 in cash payments in connection with the merger; o Mr. Christmas and his wife will be entitled to receive comprehensive health; and dental insurance until each of them reaches age 65; o Mr. Christmas has agreed for a period of three years following the effective time of the merger, not to compete, directly or indirectly, with Peoples Bank in the States of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia, be employed by any competitor of Peoples Bank, be employed by, solicit or do business with any customer or potential customer of Peoples Bank, or solicit, interfere with or endeavor to entice away any employee of Peoples Bank. The obligation of Peoples to consummate the merger is subject to the condition that Mr. Christmas' employment agreement with Peoples Bank and his employment agreement with Kentucky Bank & Trust continue to be in effect as of the closing date. The merger agreement requires the termination or amendment, to the satisfaction of Peoples, of each employment, consulting, severance, retention and change in control agreement to which Kentucky Bancshares or Kentucky Bank & Trust is party, except for the Employment Agreement between C. Ronald Christmas and Kentucky Bank Trust dated as of July 12, 1991, as amended. Existing employees of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust may have the opportunity to continue as employees of Peoples or one of its subsidiaries on an at will"at will" basis. Peoples also has agreed to honor all employment agreements, retirement agreements, severance agreements and change in control agreements entered into by Lower Salem prior to June 30, 2000, that Lower Salem has with its former and current employees and directors, except to the extent that those agreements have been superseded or terminated at the effective time of the merger or following the effective time of the merger. Lower Salem entered into an Employment Security Agreement with J. Daniel Johnson as of June 28, 2000, which becomes operative upon a change in control of Lower Salem. The term of the agreement will continue for 24 months after the change in control date, during which period Mr. Johnson is to remain employed in his then-present capacity, with no diminution in his responsibilities or duties, and receive an annual base salary at least equal to his base salary on the change in control date and employee benefits at least equal to those he was receiving or entitled to immediately prior to the change in control date. Mr. Johnson will receive no benefits under the employment security agreement if his employment is terminated due to his death, permanent disability or voluntary resignation or by Lower Salem for cause. The employment security agreement provides that if within 24 months following the date of a change in control of Lower Salem, (a) Mr. Johnson's employment is terminated without cause; or (b) Mr. Johnson resigns from his employment following the assignment of duties inconsistent with his position, duties, responsibility and status with Lower Salem at the change in control date without his written consent, a reduction in his compensation, benefits or perquisites or the failure to increase the same commensurate with other executives of Lower Salem of comparable status, or a forced relocation or excessive increase in his travel demands, then Mr. Johnson is entitled to receive the greater of one year's compensation (defined in the agreement as base salary at the time of the breach or termination plus the pro rata amount of any bonuses, incentive compensation and any other compensation paid to Mr. Johnson during the 18-month period immediately preceding the date of termination) or compensation for the remaining term of the employment security agreement, either in the form of periodic payments or in a lump sum at his election. Mr. Johnson is also entitled to receive the same or equivalent insurance as he was covered by prior to the breach or termination, together with all further insurance benefits or service credits and retirement benefits that would otherwise have accrued had he remained employed through the term of the employment security agreement. In the event that any of the payments described above result in Mr. Johnson being subject to the excise tax imposed by Sections 280G or 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, the employment security agreement provides for an additional payment to Mr. Johnson in the amount necessary for him to retain the same amount that he would have retained had the excise tax not applied. Employees continuing as employees of Peoples or one of its subsidiaries will continue to participate in Lower Salem'sKentucky Bancshares' compensation and benefit plans in effect at the time of the merger, unless and until Peoples determines that those employees will participate in employee benefit plans of Peoples and that it will terminate some or all of the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares compensation and benefit plans will be terminated or merge themmerged into employee benefit plans of Peoples.Peoples, except that the Kentucky Bank & Trust Money Purchase Pension Plan and the Kentucky Bank & Trust 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan will be terminated prior to the effective time of the merger. Peoples has agreed to use its commercially reasonable best efforts to cause Kentucky Bancshares compensation and benefit plans to either be terminated or merged into comparable benefit plans of Peoples as expeditiously as possible following the effective time of the merger. Pursuant to the merger agreement, Peoples will credit Lower Salem employees of Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust with years of service with Lower Salem,Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust, and their respective predecessors, for purposes of eligibility and vesting, thoughbut not for benefit accrual purposes, in the employee benefit plans of Peoples. Peoples also will not subject those employees to any exclusion or penalty for pre-existing conditions that Lower Salem'sKentucky Bancshares's compensation and benefit plans covered immediately prior to the merger, or to any waiting period for coverage. If Peoples adopts a new plan or program for its employees or executives, then Peoples will give similarly-situated employees and executives of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares the same past service credits that Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares would have credited them with. EmployeesPrior to the merger, Sandra F. Tilton, Senior Vice President of Lower Salem, satisfying specified eligibility criteria,Kentucky Bank & Trust, will receive $55,000 as payment of the retention benefit under her contract with Kentucky Bank & Trust. In addition, employees of Kentucky Bancshares, excluding C. Ronald Christmas, Sandra Tilton and the directors, who do not continue as employees of Peoples or one of its subsidiaries may receive from Lower Salem,Kentucky Bancshares, if announced by Lower Salemto the employees and accrued by Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares prior to the merger, a lump sum severance benefits,benefit described in Section 6.03 of the merger agreement. RESALE OF PEOPLES COMMON SHARES RECEIVED IN THE MERGER ====================================================== The Peoples common shares that Peoples will issue in the merger have been registered under the Securities Act and will be freely transferable, except for Peoples common shares received by persons, including directors and executive officers of Lower Salem,Kentucky Bancshares, who may be deemed to be "affiliates" of Lower Salem,Kentucky Bancshares, as that term is useddefined in Rule 145 under the Securities Act. Affiliates of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares may not sell their Peoples common shares acquired in the merger, except under an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or in compliance with Rule 145 or another applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Under Rule 145, an affiliate may resell Peoples common shares received in the merger as long as Peoples complies with specific reporting requirements and the affiliate complies with the volume and manner of sale requirements. IF YOU ARE OR MIGHT BE DEEMED AN AFFILIATE OF LOWER SALEM, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR LEGAL ADVISORS PRIOR TO MAKING ANY OFFER OR SALE OF PEOPLES COMMON SHARES RECEIVED IN THE MERGER.requirements of Rule 144. Peoples has received an executed agreement in the form of Exhibit A to the merger agreement from each person identified by Kentucky Bancshares as an affiliate of Kentucky Bancshares under Rule 145. Persons who might be deemed affiliates of Kentucky Bancshares should consult with their legal advisors prior to making any offer or sale of Peoples common shares received in the merger. REGULATORY APPROVALS ==================== Consummation of the merger is subject to prior receipt by Peoples and Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares of all necessary regulatory approvals. The principal regulatory approvals that that mustrequired to be obtained are from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and from the Ohio DivisionFederal Reserve Bank of Financial Institutions.Cleveland under delegated authority from the Federal Reserve Board. An interagency bank merger application under the Bank Merger Act was filed with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency on November 28, 2000.or about December 20, 2003, which application relates to the proposed merger of Kentucky Bank & Trust into Peoples Bank immediately following the merger of Kentucky Bancshares into Peoples. Peoples received approval of the proposed merger with Kentucky Bank & Trust from the Office of the Comptroller of Currency on February 5, 2003, which approval is conditioned upon the delivery of a signed copy of the merger agreement and other documents prior to the closing. The required notice filing with the Ohio DivisionFederal Reserve Bank of Financial Institutions will beCleveland was made in accordance withon or about February 10, 2003, and Peoples received a letter from the Division's regulations priorFederal Reserve Bank of Cleveland on February 24, 2003 stating that the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland did not object to the consummation of the merger.merger without the filing of a formal application. Peoples will file a notification form for listing of additional shares with The Nasdaq Stock Market to notify Nasdaq as to the common shares that PeoplesPeople will issue in the merger. The approval of an application means only that the regulatory criteria for approval have been satisfied or waived. It does not mean that the approving authority has determined that the consideration to be received by Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders is fair. Regulatory approval does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of the merger. The merger will not be completed before all requisite regulatory approvals are received, all applicable waiting periods have expired and any conditions imposed in the regulatory approvals have been complied with. There can be no guarantee that all approvals will be obtained or that those approvals will not impose conditions which would have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets or financial condition of Peoples and the Peoplesits subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or otherwise materially impair the economic value to Peoples of Lower Salem.acquiring Kentucky Bancshares. If any regulatory approval or any other statute, rule or order, imposes this type of condition, as determined by Peoples, the merger agreement permits Peoples or Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares to abandon the merger. There is no assurance when, or if, all necessary regulatory approvals will be obtained. If the merger is not completed by March 31, 2001,June 30, 2003, either Peoples or Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares may terminate the merger agreement. For more information, see "The Merger Agreement and Related Plan of Merger - Amendment and Termination" on page __. EXISTING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PEOPLES AND LOWER SALEM =====================================================KENTUCKY BANCSHARES Except in connection with the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares has not conducted business with, nor has it had any material business relationship with, Peoples prior to the transactions described in the merger agreement. As of November 30, 2000,February 28, 2003, neither Peoples nor any of its affiliates other than Carl Baker, Jr., owned any Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares. As of November 30, 2000, Carl Baker, Jr. owned 1,240 Lower Salem common shares as an individual and held 1,179 Lower Salem common shares as trustee of the Gilbert Baker Trust. Peoples Bank serves as a correspondent bank for Lower Salem. THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND RELATED PLAN OFTHE MERGER =============================================== The Merger - ---------- The merger agreement and related plan of merger provideprovides that, subject to the adoption of the merger agreement and ratification of the related plan of merger by the shareholders of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and the satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions to the merger, Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares will merge with and into Peoples Bank, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Peoples. Following completion of the merger, Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares will no longer exist as a separate corporation.corporation, and Kentucky Bank & Trust will be merged with and into Peoples Bank. The merger agreement provides for Peoples and Kentucky Bancshares to implement the merger by filing a certificate of merger with the Ohio Secretary of State and articles of merger with the Kentucky Secretary of State, consistent with the applicable provisions of the merger agreement. The material provisions of the merger agreement and related plan of merger are briefly summarized below. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the merger agreement, and related planas amended as of mergerMarch 6, 2003, which areis reprinted as AppendicesAppendix A and B to this proxy statement/prospectus and incorporated in this proxy statement/prospectus by this reference. Peoples and Lower SalemWe urge you to read the merger agreement and related plan of merger in theirits entirety for a more complete description of the merger. Conversion of Shares - --------------------CONVERSION OF SHARES At the effective time of the merger, each Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common share outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be converted into cash, Peoples common shares, or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares, as calculated in accordance with the merger agreement, up to a maximum value of $85.72 per Lower Salem common share. Lower Salemagreement. Kentucky Bancshares shareholders will have the opportunity to elect, subject to adjustment under the merger agreement, whether they wish to receive cash, Peoples common shares or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares. All Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares that are owned by Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares as treasury shares will be canceled and retired, and no Peoples common shares or other consideration will be delivered in exchange for those Lower Salem common shares. For more information, see "The Merger - Effect on Outstanding Peoples Common Shares and Exchange of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares Common Shares" on page __. Representations and Warranties - ------------------------------REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES In the merger agreement, Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares has made representations and warranties concerning the following items: o due organization, good standing and authority to carry on the business of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and to enter into and perform the merger agreement;Kentucky Bank & Trust; o capital structure of Lower Salem;Kentucky Bancshares; o status of Kentucky Bank & Trust; o corporate power and authority to enter into the merger agreement and to consummate the merger; o enforceability of the merger agreement; o complete and accurate financial statements and reports of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares, and absence of undisclosed liabilities; o absence of any material adverse change to Lower Salem;Kentucky Bancshares or Kentucky Bank & Trust; o loans and loan documentation; o allowance for loan losses; o regulatory reports and records filed by Lower Salem;Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust; o taxes of Lower Salem;Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust; o property of Lower Salem;Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust; o legal proceedings involving Lower Salem;Kentucky Bancshares or Kentucky Bank & Trust; o absence of regulatory proceedings involving Lower Salem;Kentucky Bancshares or Kentucky Bank & Trust; o absence of conflicts of the merger agreement with applicable laws, governmental orders,material contracts licenses or permits and corporate documents of Lower Salem;documents; o commissions, finder's fees or similar payments payable only to Dixon, Francis and YoungAlex Sheshunoff & Associates;Co. Investment Banking, L.P.; o employment agreements and compliance with employment laws and absence of collective bargaining agreements and union representation; o employee benefit plans and compliance with provisions of applicable laws, including, among others, the Internal Revenue Code, the Securities Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; o compliance with laws; o accuracy and completeness of information supplied by Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares for inclusion in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part and in the proxy statement mailed to Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders; o insurance; o required governmental proceedingsand third-party consents in connection with the merger; o material contracts and absence of defaults; o environmental matters; o compliance with takeover laws; o risk management instruments; o complete and accurate books and records; o repurchase agreements; o good and marketable title to investment securities held by Lower Salem;Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust; o accuracy of representations and warranties.warranties; o compliance with fiduciary responsibilities by Kentucky Bank & Trust; o compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act; and o ownership of Peoples common shares. Peoples has made representations and warranties concerning the following items: o Peoples' due organization, good standing and authority to carry on business and to enter into and perform the merger agreement;its business; o corporate power and authority to enter into the merger agreement and to consummate the merger; o capitalization of Peoples and due authorization and issuance of Peoples common shares in the merger;Peoples; o enforceability of the merger agreement; o absence of conflicts of the merger agreement with applicable laws, governmental orders,material contracts licenses or permits and corporate documents of Peoples;documents; o financial statements and reports; o absence of any material adverse change as to Peoples;compliance with takeover laws; o reports and records filed by Peoples with the SEC; o no commissions, finder's fees or similar payments;payments payable only to RBC Dain Rausher Inc.; o required governmental proceedingsand third-party consents in connection with the merger; o accuracy and completeness of information supplied by Peoples and its subsidiaries in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part; o deposit insurance of Peoples Bank; o complete and accurate financial statements and reports, and absence of undisclosed liabilities; o accuracyabsence of representations and warranties. Peoples Bank has made representations and warranties concerning the following items:material litigation; o its due organization, good standing and authorityregulatory approvals to carry on business and to enter into and perform the merger agreement, as well as its status as a wholly owned subsidiary of Peoples; o corporate power and authority to enter into the merger agreement and to consummate the merger; o enforceability of the merger agreement; o required governmental proceedingsbe obtained in connection with the merger; o deposit insurance; and o accuracy of representationscompliance with the Community Reinvestment Act. Peoples and warranties. Peoples, Peoples Bank and Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares believe that the representations and warranties contained in the merger agreement are customary in transactions similar in nature to the merger. For more information, see Articles Three and Four of the merger agreement, which is attached as Appendix A to this document. Conduct of Business Pending the Merger - --------------------------------------proxy statement/prospectus. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING THE MERGER The merger agreement requires Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares to conduct its business and the business of Kentucky Bank & Trust in the ordinary and usual course consistent with past practice. Under this covenant, the merger agreement specifically prohibits Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares from: o taking any action which would be inconsistent with any representation or warranty of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares in the merger agreement; and o engaging in any lending activities other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice. The merger agreement also requires Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares to send to Peoples a copy of all loan presentations made to the board of directors or loan committee of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares at the same time that those presentations are transmitted to the board of directors or loan committee, and all other proposals for each loan to an officer or director of Kentucky Bancshares or Kentucky Bank & Trust, each secured loan in excess of $10,000,$200,000 and each unsecured loan in excess of $2,500. Lower Salem$100,000. Kentucky Bancshares also is required to consult with Peoples prior to hiring any full-time officer, other than replacement employees for positions then existing, and prior to purchasing any investment securities. The merger agreement prohibits Lower Salem from takingprovides that neither Kentucky Bancshares nor Kentucky Bank & Trust may take any of the following actions without the prior written consent of Peoples: o selling, transferring, mortgaging, pledging, encumbering or subjecting to any lien, any of the assets of Lower Salem,Kentucky Bancshares or Kentucky Bank & Trust, except in the ordinary course of business for full and fair consideration. This prohibition is reinforced in the plan of merger;consideration; o making any capital expenditure or capital additionsaddition or improvementsimprovement which, in the aggregate, exceed $5,000;individually, exceeds $15,000; o becoming bound by, entering into, or performing any material contract commitment or transactioncommitment which is other than in the ordinary course of its business or which would cause or result in Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares being unable to perform its obligations under the merger agreement; o declaring, paying or setting aside for payment any dividends or making any distributions on its capital shares. This prohibition is reinforced inshares, other than the planpayment of merger;a cash dividend of $30.00 per share on January 2, 2003; o purchasing, redeeming, retiring or otherwise acquiring any of its capital shares;shares (other than the redemption of the Kentucky Bancshares shares owned by Mr. Christmas); o issuing or granting any option or right to acquire any of its capital shares or any voting debt, or effecting any split, recapitalization, combination, exchange of shares, readjustment or other share reclassification; o amending its governing documents; o merging or consolidating with any other person or otherwise reorganizing, except for the merger; o acquiring all or any portion of the assets, business, deposits or properties of any other entity, except by way of foreclosures or acquisitions of control in a bona fide fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of debts previously contracted in good faith, in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;practice; o entering into, establishing, adopting or amending any pension, retirement, stock option, stock purchase, savings, profit sharing, deferred compensation, consulting, bonus, group insurance or other employee benefit, incentive or welfare contract, plan or arrangement, or any trust agreement or similar arrangement related to the plan or arrangement, in respect of any director, officer or employee of Kentucky Bancshares or taking any action to accelerate the vesting or exercisability of stock options, restricted stock or other compensation or benefits payable under those plans or arrangements. Lower Salem,Kentucky Bank & Trust. Kentucky Bancshares, however, may: o take any of these actions in order to satisfy either applicable law or previously disclosed contractual obligations existing as of October 24, 2000November 29, 2002, or regular annual renewals of insurance contracts; o take any of these actions to cause the exercise or cancellation of all stock options to acquire common shares of Kentucky Bancshares in accordance with the merger agreement; o terminate or amend specified employment and severance agreements with officers and employees of Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust; and o terminate its defined contribution retirement plan at any time before the effective time ofKentucky Bank & Trust Money Purchase Pension Plan and the Kentucky Bank & Trust 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan in accordance with the merger with benefit distributions deferred until the Internal Revenue Service issues a favorable determination with respect to the terminating plan's tax-qualified status upon termination. In this event, Lower Salem and Peoples will cooperate in good faith to apply for approval and to agree upon associated plan termination amendments that will, among other things, provide for the application of all assets of a terminating plan for its participants, and allow plan participants not only to receive lump-sum distributions of their benefits, but also to transfer those benefits to the Peoples Retirement Savings Plan maintained for its employees and employees of its subsidiaries;agreement; o paying any general wage or salary increase or bonus, other than normal pay increases consistent with past practices, or entering into or amending or renewing any employment, consulting, severance or similar agreements or arrangements with any officer, director or employee, except, in each case, for changes required by law orthe merger agreement. The merger agreement, however, permits: o the advance payment to satisfy previously disclosed contractual obligations existing asSandra Tilton of October 24, 2000;the retention benefit under her contract with Kentucky Bank & Trust, in the amount of $55,000, and o the payment of employee bonuses not exceeding an aggregate of $45,000, in the discretion of the Kentucky Bancshares board of directors; o entering into or terminating any contract, other than a loan contract, requiring the payment or receipt of $5,000$15,000 or more or amending or modifying in any material respect any of its existing material contracts; o incurring any indebtedness for money borrowed or incurring any material obligation or liability other than in the ordinary course of business; o implementing or adopting any change in its accounting principles, practices or methods, other than as required by generally accepted accounting principles; o waiving or canceling any right of material value or material debts, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices; o taking any action, except as required by law, that would result in: o any of its representations and warranties in the merger agreement being or becoming untrue in any material respect at or prior to the effective time of the merger;merger, o any of the conditions to the merger not being satisfied;satisfied, or o a violation of any provision of the merger agreement except as required by law or regulation;agreement; o causing any material adverse change in the amount or general composition of deposit liabilities; o making any material investment, except in the ordinary course of business; or o entering into any agreement to do any of the foregoing. The merger agreement also requires Lower Salem:Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust to: o to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain its propertytheir properties and facilities in their present condition and working order, ordinary wear and tear excepted; o to perform all of its obligations under all agreements relating to or affecting their properties, rights and business,businesses, except where nonperformance would not have a material adverse effect;effect on Kentucky Bancshares or Kentucky Bank & Trust; o to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve itstheir respective business organizationorganizations intact, retain present key employees and maintain the respective relationships of customers, suppliers and others having business relationships with it;them; o to not take any action or omit to take any action which would terminate or enable any employee of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares or Kentucky Bank & Trust to terminate his or her employment or employment agreement without cause and thereafter to receive compensation; o to maintain insurance coverage with reputable insurers, which in respect of amounts, premiums, types and risks insured, were maintained by them as of JuneSeptember 30, 20002002, and upon the renewal or termination of that insurance, use commercially reasonable best efforts to renew or replace that insurance coverage with reputable insurers which in respect of the amounts, premiums, types and risks insured that were maintained by them as of JuneSeptember 30, 2000;2002; o to provide reasonable access by Peoples to information of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and to provide Peoples with copies of all monthly and other interim financial statements produced in the ordinary course of business, as they become available, until the effective time of the merger;Kentucky Bank & Trust; o to timely file all tax returns and pay any tax shown on those tax returns as due; o to not implement or adopt any material change in its interest rate risk management and other risk management policies, procedures or practices; o to notify Peoples in writing if Lower Salem becomes aware of any fact, condition or occurrence that, o would cause or constitute a breach of any representation, warranty or covenant in the merger agreement; o would make the satisfaction of the conditions in the agreement unlikely or impossible; o would result in a material adverse effect with respect to Lower Salem; or o would be required to be set forth in an amendment to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC in connection with this merger or in a supplement to this proxy statement/prospectus; o to cause its board of directors to recommend the adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement to the shareholders of Lower Salem, subject to the board's fiduciary obligations under Ohio law; o to call a meeting of its shareholders to consider and vote upon the adoption of the merger agreement, to use its best efforts to effect the adoption of the merger agreement and to prepare appropriate proxy solicitation materials in respect of the meeting; o to not solicit, initiate or encourage any proposals, offers or inquiries related to theany acquisition, of 20% or more of the outstanding Lower Salem common shares or 20% or more of the assets or deposits of Lower Salem or any merger, tender or exchange offer, consolidation or business combination involving Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares or Kentucky Bank & Trust, and to notify Peoples of any suchacquisition proposal, offer or inquiry;inquiry received by Kentucky Bancshares or Kentucky Bank & Trust; o to furnish to Peoples all information required for inclusion in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filedreports, proxy statements or other communications by Kentucky Bancshares to its shareholders generally, and all press releases relating to any transactions; o cooperate with the SEC in connection with this merger; o to deliver to Peoples a list of those persons whom Lower Salem believes are affiliates of Lower Salem within the meaning of Rule 145 under the Securities Act and to cause those affiliates to execute an agreement which restricts the resale of securities held by those affiliates in violation of the securities laws; o to take all necessary steps to exempt, or to cause the continued exemption of, the merger agreement from the requirements of any takeover law and from any provisions under Lower Salem's governing documents, as applicable, and to assist in any challenge by Peoples to the validity or applicability of any takeover law; o to take any actions reasonably requested by Peoples to assist Peoples in securingwith obtaining all required regulatory approvals tonecessary in connection with the proposed merger of Kentucky Bank & Trust with and into Peoples Bank immediately following the merger of Kentucky Bancshares with and to take all required corporate actions as are necessary or desirable to implement the merger;into Peoples; o following shareholder adoption of the merger agreement at the request of Peoples, to promptly,promptly: o establish and take reserves and accruals to conform Lower Salem'sKentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank's loan, accrual and reserve policies to thePeoples Bank's policies, of Peoples Bank; o establish and take accruals, reserves and charges in order to implement the foregoingsuch policies in respect of excess facilities and equipment capacity, severance costs, litigation matters, write-off or write down of various assets and other appropriate accounting adjustments;adjustments, and o recognize for financial accounting purposes expenses of the merger and restructuring charges related to or to be incurred in connection with the merger, to the extent permitted by law and consistent with generally accepted accounting policiesGAAP and with the fiduciary duties of the officers and directors of Lower Salem;Kentucky Bancshares; o terminate each employment, consulting, severance, retention and change in control agreement, except for the Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, as amended, between C. Ronald Christmas and Kentucky Bank & Trust; and o to deliver to Peoples, at Peoples' expense, a title insurance commitment or leasehold owner's title insurance policy, as appropriate, in an amount equal toterminate the carrying cost ofKentucky Bank & Trust Money Purchase Pension Plan and the premises or leasehold interest to be insured, with respect to each parcel of Lower Salem real property as to which Peoples may request.Kentucky Bank & Trust 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan. The merger agreement also requires Peoples to: o furnish to take the following actions following execution of the merger agreement: o to furnish Lower Salem promptly after they become available,Kentucky Bancshares all reports, proxy statements or other communications by Peoples to its shareholders generally, and all press releases relating to any transactions;transaction; o to file a notification form for listing of additional sharesapplication with The Nasdaq Stock Market covering the Peoples common shares that Peoplesit will issue in the merger, and to use its best efforts to maintain the designation of the Peoples common shares as Nasdaq national market securities; o to take all necessary steps to exempt, or to cause the continued exemption of, the merger agreement from the requirements of any takeover law and from any provisions under Peoples' governing documents, as applicable, and to assist in any challenge by Lower Salem to the validity or applicability of any takeover law; o to notify Lower Salem in writing if Peoples becomes aware of any fact, condition or occurrence that would cause or constitute a breach of any representation, warranty or covenant in the merger agreement or would make the satisfaction of the conditions in the agreement unlikely or impossible; and o to indemnify the officers, directors and employees of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust, provide directors' and officers' liability insurance up to prescribed limits and provide specified employee benefits, as described below. Finally, the merger agreement requires each of Peoples Peoples Bank and Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares to: o use their reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all necessary actions and to execute all additional documents, agreements and instruments required to consummate the merger; o use their reasonable best efforts to take or to cause to be taken all further actions and to execute all additional documents, agreements and instruments which may be necessary to satisfy applicable Ohio and federal law, so thatall of the conditions of the merger can be consummated; o use their reasonable best efforts to satisfy all conditions to the merger agreement and to cause the merger to be completed, including makingcomply with all governmental applications and obtaining all governmental consents required to consummate the merger;applicable legal requirements; o maintain the confidentiality of information obtained in connection with the merger and to use confidential information only for purposes related to the consummation of the merger; o not make any press release or other public announcement concerning the merger without the consent of the other parties to the merger agreement, except as otherwise required by law; o take specifiedall necessary steps for preparingto exempt the merger agreement and filingthe merger from the requirements of any takeover law and any provisions in their respective governing documents, and to assist in any challenge to the validity or applicability to the merger of any takeover law; and o notify the other party in writing if it becomes aware of any fact, condition or occurrence that would: o cause or constitute a Registration Statementbreach of any representation, warranty or covenant in the merger agreement, o make the satisfaction of the conditions in the merger agreement unlikely or impossible, o have a material adverse effect on the company providing the notification, either individually or taken with other facts, conditions or occurrences, or o in the case of Kentucky Bancshares, be required to be set forth in an amendment to the registration statement on Form S-4 withor a supplement to this proxy statement/prospectus. Existing employees of Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust may have the SECopportunity to continue as employees of Peoples or one of its subsidiaries on an "at will" basis. Employees continuing as employees of Peoples or one of its subsidiaries will continue to participate in connection withKentucky Bancshares' compensation and benefit plans in effect at the time of the merger, unless and to obtain any necessary state securities law approvalsuntil Peoples determines that those employees will participate in employee benefit plans of Peoples and that some or all of the merger;Kentucky Bancshares compensation and o cooperate with each otherbenefit plans will be terminated or merged into employee benefit plans of Peoples, except that the Kentucky Bank & Trust Money Purchase Pension Plan and the Kentucky Bank & Trust 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan will be terminated prior to the effective time of the merger. Peoples has agreed to use theirits commercially reasonable best efforts to prepare all documentation,cause Kentucky Bancshares compensation and benefit plans to timely effect all filings and to obtain all permits, consents approvals and authorizationseither be terminated or merged into comparable benefit plans of all third parties and governmental authorities necessary to consummatePeoples as expeditiously as possible following the effective time of the merger. ConditionsPursuant to the Consummationmerger agreement, Peoples will credit employees of Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust with years of service with Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust, and their respective predecessors, for purposes of eligibility and vesting, but not for benefit accrual purposes, in the employee benefit plans of Peoples. Peoples also will not subject those employees to any exclusion or penalty for pre-existing conditions that Kentucky Bancshares's compensation and benefit plans covered immediately prior to the merger, or to any waiting period for coverage. If Peoples adopts a new plan or program for its employees or executives, then Peoples will give similarly-situated employees and executives of Kentucky Bancshares the same past service credits that Kentucky Bancshares would have credited them with. Employees of Kentucky Bancshares, excluding C. Ronald Christmas, Sandra Tilton and the directors, who do not continue as employees of Peoples or one of its subsidiaries may receive from Kentucky Bancshares, if announced to the employees and accrued by Kentucky Bancshares prior to the merger, a lump sum severance benefit described in Section 6.03 of the Merger - --------------------------------------------merger agreement. CONDITIONS TO THE CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER The obligation of each of Peoples Peoples Bank and Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares to consummate the merger is subject to a number of conditions, including the following: o the adoption of the merger agreement by the requisite vote of Lower Salem shareholders;the shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares; o all necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained in connection with the merger and all statutory waiting periods have expired; o no regulatory approvalsapproval or any statute, rule or order containcontains any conditions, restrictions or requirements which Peoples reasonably determines would, either before or after the effective time of the merger, have a material adverse effect on Peoples and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or prevent Peoples from realizing the economic benefits of the merger and related transactions; o no court or other governmental or regulatory authority has enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced, threatened, commenced a proceeding with respect to, or entered, any statute, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction or other order prohibiting or delaying consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; o the Form S-4 Registration Statement has become effective and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued or no proceedings for that purpose initiated or threatened by the SEC; o all permits and other authorizations required under state securities laws to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and issue the common shares of Peoples to be issued in the merger have been receivedreceived; and no order restrainingo the ability of Peoples to issue Peoples common shares has beento be issued and no proceedings for that purposein the merger have been initiated or threatened; and o the merger agreement has been signed and delivered by each of the parties.approved for listing with Nasdaq. The obligation of Peoples to cause Peoples Bank to consummate the merger is also subject to a number of additional conditions, including the following: o the undertaking of Lower Salem for the benefit of C.J. Whetstone, the Chairman of Lower Salem, with respect to salary, and supplemental medical insurance has been terminated; o the representations and warranties of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares contained in the merger agreement are true and correct in all material respects as of the closing of the merger, or in the case of representations and warranties made as of a specified date earlier than the closing date of the merger, on and as of that date, and Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares has delivered a certificate to Peoples to that effect; o Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares has performed in all material respects all obligations required by Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares under the merger agreement, and Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares has delivered a certificate to Peoples to that effect; o Peoples has received the opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP stating that the merger constitutes a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code; o Peoples has received the opinion of DinsmoreBracewell & Shohl, LLP,Patterson, L.L.P., legal counsel to Lower Salem,Kentucky Bancshares, stating that: o Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares is a banking corporation duly organizedvalidly existing and in good standing under the laws of the StateCommonwealth of Ohio,Kentucky, o Kentucky Bank is a banking organization duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, o Kentucky Bancshares is a registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act, o the merger agreement was duly approved by the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares board of directors and duly adopted by the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders, o the merger agreement was duly executed by Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and, with stated exceptions, constitutes the binding obligation of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and is enforceable in accordance with its terms against Lower Salem,Kentucky Bancshares, o the execution and delivery of the merger agreement by Kentucky Bancshares does not and will not conflict with Kentucky Bancshares' governing documents, o Kentucky Bancshares has full corporate power and authority to perform its obligations under the merger agreement, and Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust have full corporate power and authority to own their properties and carry on their businesses as presently conducted, o upon the filing of the certificate of merger with the Ohio Secretary of State and articles of Ohio,merger with the Kentucky Secretary of State, the merger will become effective;effective, o less than 10%legal counsel for Kentucky Bancshares knows of no pending or threatened actions, suits or proceedings that would prevent the consummation of the Peoplesmerger and the related transactions, and o the Kentucky Bancshares common shares to beand the issued by Peoples in the merger are subject to purchase as fractional share interests;and outstanding shares of capital stock of Kentucky Bank & Trust have been duly authorized and validly issued; o the holders of not more than 10% of the issued and outstanding Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares have perfectedexercised dissenters' rights in accordance with respect to the merger;Kentucky Business Corporation Act; and o Peoples has received a statement issued by Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares pursuant to Section 1.897-2(h) of the regulations issued under the Internal Revenue Code certifying that the Lower Salem commonKentucky Bancshares shares are not aan U.S. real property interest;interest. o Kentucky Bancshares has received the consent and approval of each person whose consent or approval is required in connection with the merger under the terms of any loan agreement or other material agreement of Kentucky Bancshares or Kentucky Bank & Trust, except for consents and approvals that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect; o the stockholders' equity of Kentucky Bancshares as of the month-end immediately preceding the month in which the merger is completed, excluding merger-related charges and certain accounting adjustments, is not less than $17,425,000; and o Eachthe aggregate of the directors of Lower Salem has delivered an agreementall expenses, including legal and accounting fees and fees payable to vote as shareholders in favor of adoptingAlex Sheshunoff & Co. Investment Banking, L.P., incurred by Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust relating to the merger agreement atand the special meeting of Lower Salem shareholders or any adjournmentmerger is not greater than $500,000 as of the special meeting.date of the closing of the merger. The obligation of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares to consummate the merger is also subject to a number of additional conditions, including the following: o the representations and warranties of Peoples contained in the merger agreement are true and correct in all material respects as of the closing of the merger, or in the case of representations and warranties made as of a specified date earlier than the closing date of the merger, on and as of that date, and Peoples has delivered a certificate to Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares to that effect; o Peoples has performed in all material respects all obligations required by Peoples under the merger agreement, and Peoples has delivered a certificate to Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares to that effect; o Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares has received the opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, legal counsel to Peoples, stating thatthat: o the merger constitutes a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, ando no gain or loss will be recognized by shareholders of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares who receive sole Peoples common shares in exchange for Lower Salemtheir Kentucky Bancshares common shares;shares, other than the gain or loss to be recognized as to cash received in lieu of fractional Peoples common share interests, o Lower Salemshareholders of Kentucky Bancshares who receive solely cash in exchange for their Kentucky Bancshares common shares will be treated as having received those payments as distributions in redemption of their Kentucky Bancshares common shares, subject to the provisions and limitations of Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code, and o gain will be recognized by shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares who receive both Peoples common shares and cash in exchange for their Kentucky Bancshares common shares, but not in excess of the amount of cash received; o Kentucky Bancshares has received the opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, legal counsel to Peoples, stating that: o Peoples is a corporation validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio, o Peoples is a registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act, o the merger agreement was duly approved by the Peoples board of directors, o the execution and delivery of the merger agreement by Peoples does not and will not conflict with Peoples' governing documents, o the merger agreement was duly executed by Peoples and, with stated exceptions, constitutes the binding obligation of Peoples and is enforceable in accordance with its terms against Peoples, o Peoples has full corporate power and authority to perform its obligations under the merger agreement, o the common shares of Peoples to be issued as consideration in the merger, when issued, will be duly authorized, fully paid and non-assessable, and o upon the filing of the certificate of merger with the Ohio Secretary of State and articles of Ohio,merger with the Kentucky Secretary of State, the merger will become effective; and o Lower SalemPeoples has received a fairness opinion from Young & Associates, dated asthe consent and approval of each person whose consent or approval is required in connection with the datemerger under the terms of the proxy statement/prospectus, statingany loan agreement or other material agreement of Peoples, except for consents and approvals that the consideration to be issuedwould not, individually or in the merger is fair to the shareholders of Lower Salem fromaggregate, have a financial point of view.material adverse effect. Where the law permits, Peoples or Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares could decide to complete the merger even though one or more conditions washas not been satisfied. By law, neither Peoples nor Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares can waive (1) the condition of adoption of the merger agreement by Lower Salem'sKentucky Bancshares' shareholders or (2) any court order or law having the effect of making illegal or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the merger. Whether either party would waive any of the conditions would be waived would depend upon the facts and circumstances as determined by the reasonable business judgment of the board of directors of Peoples or Lower Salem. Effective Time of the Merger - ---------------------------- As soon as possible after theKentucky Bancshares. EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER Upon satisfaction or waiver of all conditions tounder the merger Lower Salemagreement, Peoples and Kentucky Bancshares will filecause a certificate of merger executed by Lower Salem and Peoples Bank with the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions, which will in turn file the certificate of mergerto be filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on behalfand articles of Lower Salemmerger to be filed with the Kentucky Secretary of State. The merger will become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the effective date that the certificate of merger and articles of merger are filed, or at a time after the merger. The targeted completion datefiling that Peoples and Kentucky Bancshares agree to in writing and state in the certificate of the merger is during the first quarterand articles of 2001.merger. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will take place on a day designated by Peoples which is not (1)not: o earlier than the third business day after the last of the conditions described in the merger agreement has been satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement, or (2)o later than the last business day of the month in which that third business day occurs. However, the date chosen by Peoples may not fallbe after March 31, 2001June 30, 2003, or after the date or dates on which any regulatory authority approval or extension expires. Peoples and Lower Salem mayKentucky Bancshares are also free to agree to close the transactions on a different date. AmendmentAMENDMENT AND TERMINATION Peoples and Termination - ------------------------- Upon mutual consent of Peoples, Peoples Bank and Lower Salem,Kentucky Bancshares may amend the merger agreement may be amended at any time before or after the Lower Salem special meeting. However, after approval of the matters to be considered at the special meeting, there can be no amendment which by law requires further approval by the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders, unless that further approval is obtained. Peoples and Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares may agree in writing to terminate the merger agreement and related plan of merger at any time before completion of the merger, even ifafter the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders have adopted it. Either Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares or Peoples may decide to terminate the merger agreement and related plan of merger if: o the merger ishas not been completed by March 31, 2001,June 30, 2003, unless the failure to complete the merger arises out of or results from the breach of the merger agreement by the party seeking to terminate; o the shareholders of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares fail to adopt the merger agreement and ratify the related plan of merger by the requisite vote at the special meeting or any adjournment of the special meeting of shareholders;meeting; or o a governmental authority fails to approve the merger. Peoples may decide to terminate the merger agreement and related plan of merger if: o Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares breaches any representation and warranty in the merger agreement and does not cure the breach within 30 days following receipt of written notice of the breach or cannot cure the breach within that time, except that the breach, individually or in the aggregate, must have or be reasonably likely to have a materially adverse effect;effect on Kentucky Bancshares or Kentucky Bank & Trust; o Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares fails to comply in any material respect with any covenant or agreement in the merger agreement within 30 days following receipt by Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares of written notice of the breach, or cannot cure the breach during that time. Lower Salemtime; or o the daily closing price of Peoples common shares, as reported on The Nasdaq National Market, for the thirty consecutive trading days ending at the close of business on the day which is five trading days prior to the consummation of the merger, is greater than $35.00 per share. Kentucky Bancshares may decide to terminate the merger agreement and related plan of merger if: o Peoples breaches any representation and warranty in the merger agreement and does not cure the breach within 30 days following receipt of written notice of the breach, or cannot cure the breach within that time, except that the breach, individually or in the aggregate, must have or be reasonably likely to have a materially adverse effect;effect on Peoples and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; o Peoples fails to comply in any material respect with any covenant or agreement in the merger agreement within 30 days following receipt by Peoples of written notice of the breach, or cannot cure the breach during that time; o Lower Salemthe Kentucky Bancshares board of directors determines, based on advice of its counsel, that termination is required in order for itsthe board of directors to comply with its fiduciary duties to shareholders by reason of another acquisition proposal having been made;made, except that Kentucky Bancshares must not have otherwise breached its obligations to not solicit or initiate or knowingly encourage the acquisition proposal and to notify Peoples of any proposal; and o the percentagedaily closing price of stock consideration inPeoples common shares, as reported on The Nasdaq National Market, for the thirty consecutive trading days ending at the close of business on the day which is five trading days prior to the consummation of the merger, is less than 52%.$21.00 per share. In the event of termination, the merger agreement will become void except that provisions regarding acquisition proposals of Lower Salem,Kentucky Bancshares, confidentiality, press releases, payment of fees and expenses and the effect of the termination of the merger agreement will survive termination. The parties also will remain liable for willful breach of the representations, warranties and covenants in the merger agreement. If Lower Salem terminatesIn addition, under specific circumstances, Kentucky Bancshares may be required to pay a fee to Peoples if the merger agreement foris terminated. Kentucky Bancshares has agreed not to solicit or encourage the submission of any reason other than (1) becauseacquisition proposal by a third party. In the event that the board of a material breachdirectors of representations, warranties, or covenants by Peoples or (2) because the percentage of stock considerationKentucky Bancshares elects to be received interminate the merger is less than 52%,agreement as a result of another acquisition proposal, then Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares must pay a termination fee to Peoples in the amount of $100,000. Costs and Expenses; Indemnification - -----------------------------------$1,500,000. COSTS AND EXPENSES; INDEMNIFICATION Whether or not the merger is consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement will be paid by the party incurring those costs and expenses, except that Peoples and Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares will share equally all expenses incurred in connection with filing, printing and mailing this proxy statement/prospectus, equally and Peoples will pay all fees due to regulatory authorities and the SEC in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Peoples has agreed to indemnify the present officers, directors and employees of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust to the full extent that Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust would have been required to indemnify that person under OhioKentucky law and the governing documents of Lower Salem.Kentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust. In addition, for a period of three years after the effective time of the merger, Peoples willhas agreed to use its commercially reasonable best efforts to provide director'sdirectors' and officer'sofficers' liability insurance on terms no less favorable than those in effect as of October 24, 2000,November 29, 2002, to indemnify the present and former officers and directors of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust with respect to claims against those persons arising from facts or events which occurred prior to the effective time of the merger. However, Peoples will not be required to pay more than 10%150% of the current amount spent by PeoplesKentucky Bancshares as of November 29, 2002 in order to maintain or procure directors' or officers' liabilitythat insurance, coverage, butand if that limit is met, Peoples must use its commercially reasonable best efforts to maintain or obtain as much comparable insurance as can be obtained up to the 10%150% limit. The officers and directors of Lower Salem may be required to make application and provide customary representations and warranties to Peoples' insurance carrier for the purpose of obtaining insurance. Recommendation and Vote - -----------------------RECOMMENDATION AND VOTE The board of directors of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares believes that the consummation of the proposed merger is in the best interest of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and its shareholders. The affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirdsa majority of the issued and outstanding Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares is required for the merger agreement to be adopted and the related plan of merger ratified. THE LOWER SALEM BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" THE ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT AND RATIFICATION OF THE RELATED PLAN OF MERGER. RIGHTS OF DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS =================================to be adopted. The Kentucky Bancshares Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote "for" the adoption of the merger agreement and related plan of merger. Rights of Dissenting Shareholders --------------------------------- The following is a description of the steps you must take to perfect dissenters' rights with respect to the merger. The description is not intended to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Section 1701.85Sections 271B.13-010 to 271B.13-310 of the OhioKentucky Revised Code, aStatutes. A copy of whichSections 271B.13-010 to 271B.13-310 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes is includedattached as Appendix DC to this proxy statement/prospectus. You should consult with your own counsel if you have questions with respect to your rights under the statute. "Dissenters' rights" isare your right to dissent from the merger and to have the "fair cash value" of your Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares determined by a court and paid in cash. The "fair cash value" of a Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shareshares is the amount that a willing seller who is under no compulsion to sell would be willing to accept and that a willing buyer who is under no compulsion to purchase would be willing to pay. Fair cash value is determined as of the day prior toshares immediately before the day on which the voteconsummation of the Lower Salem shareholders to adopt the merger agreement and ratify the related plan of merger is taken.merger. When determining fair cash value, any appreciation or depreciation in market value resulting from the proposed merger is excluded. In no event canexcluded, unless exclusion would be inequitable. Any Kentucky Bancshares shareholder who desires to dissent from the merger must: o before the special meeting, deliver to Kentucky Bancshares a written notice of the shareholder's intent to demand payment for the fair cash value of a Lower Salem common share exceed the amount specified in the demand of the particular shareholder discussed in numbered paragraph 3 below. To perfect your dissenters' rights, you must satisfy each of the following conditions: 1. YOU MUST BE A SHAREHOLDER OF LOWER SALEM ON THE RECORD DATE. To be entitled to dissenters' rights, you must be the record holder of the dissenting shares on __________, 200_. If you have a beneficial interest in Lower Salemshareholders' Kentucky Bancshares common shares held of record inif the name of any other person for which you desire to perfect dissenters' rights, you must causemerger is effectuated; and o not vote the shareholder of record to timely and properly act to perfect those rights. 2. YOU MUST NOT VOTE IN FAVOR OF ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT. Only a shareholder whose Lower Salemshareholder's Kentucky Bancshares common shares are not voted in favor of"for" adoption of the merger agreement is entitled, ifagreement; however, the failure to vote "against" the merger is completed, to be paid the fair cash value of the Lower Salem common shares held of record by the shareholder on _________, 200_. If you vote for adoption of the merger agreement, your vote will not constitute a waiver of yourthe shareholder's dissenters' rights. 3. YOU MUST SERVE A WRITTEN DEMAND. On or beforeIf the tenth daymerger agreement is adopted by the required vote of the Kentucky Bancshares shareholders at the special meeting, then Peoples, as the surviving corporation, must deliver a written dissenter's notice no later than ten days after the date of the Lower Salem special meeting you must serveto each shareholder who properly submitted a written notice of intent to demand for payment and who did not vote "for" adoption of the fair cash value of your common shares to Lower Salem. Your written demand mustmerger agreement. The dissenters' notice must: o state your name, address, the number of common shares as to which you seek relief and the amount claimed by you as the fair cash value of the common shares. 4. YOU MUST DELIVER YOUR SHARE CERTIFICATES FOR LEGENDING, IF REQUESTED BY LOWER SALEM. If requested by Lower Salem, you must submit your share certificates for dissenting shares to Lower Salem within fifteen days after Lower Salem sends its request. Lower Salem will then endorse the share certificates with a legend that demand for fair cash value has been made. 5. YOU MUST FILE A PETITION IN COURT, IF YOU AND LOWER SALEM CANNOT AGREE ON THE FAIR CASH VALUE OF YOUR DISSENTING SHARES. If Lower Salem and any dissenting shareholder cannot agree on the fair cash value of the dissenting shares, either Lower Salem orwhere the shareholder must within three months after servicesend a payment demand and where and when to deliver the shareholder's Kentucky Bancshares share certificates; o supply a form for the shareholder to demand payment that includes the date of the writtenfirst public announcement of the terms of the merger and requires the shareholder to certify whether or not the shareholder acquired beneficial ownership of the Kentucky Bancshares common shares before that date; o set a date by which Peoples must receive the shareholders' payment demand, which date may not be fewer than thirty days nor more than sixty days after the dissenters' notice is delivered; and o include a copy of Sections 271B.13-010 to 271B.13-310 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes. A shareholder who is sent a dissenters' notice must demand payment, certify whether the shareholder acquired beneficial ownership of the Kentucky Bancshares common shares before the date of the first announcement of the merger and deliver the shareholder's Kentucky Bancshares share certificate(s) in accordance with the terms of the dissenters' notice delivered by Peoples. Any shareholder failing to demand payment by the shareholder, file or join in a petitiondate specified in the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, Ohio, for a determinationdissenters' notice, or failing to deliver the shareholder's Kentucky Bancshares share certificate(s) to the place and by the date specified in the dissenters' notice, will lose the shareholders' dissenters' rights and will be bound by the terms of the fair cash value of the dissenting shares. You must mail or deliver any written demand for payment to Lower Salem Commercial Bank, Main Street, P.O. Box 36, Lower Salem, Ohio 45745-0036, Attention: J. Daniel Johnson, Secretary. Because you must deliver the written demand within the ten-day period following the Lower Salem special meeting, if you use the mails, you might wish to consider using certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to confirm that you have made a timely delivery. If you dissent from the merger, your right to be paid the fair cash value of your Lower Salem common shares will terminate: o if, for any reason, the merger is not completed; o if you fail to serve a timely and appropriate written demand upon Lower Salem; o if you do not, upon request of Lower Salem, make timely and appropriate surrender of the share certificates evidencing your dissenting shares for endorsement of a legend that you have made a demand for the fair cash value of your common shares; o if you withdraw your demand with the consent of the Lower Salem board of directors; o if you and Lower Salem do not agree upon the fair cash value per share of your Lower Salem common shares and you have not timely filed or joined in an appropriate petition in the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, Ohio; or o if you otherwise fail to comply with the requirements of Section 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code. A dissenting shareholder of Lower Salem who receives payment for shares in cash will recognize capital gain or loss, if the shares were held as a capital asset atmerger. At the effective time of the merger, equalor upon receipt of a payment demand, Peoples is required to pay the amount that it estimates to be the fair value of the shares, plus accrued interest, to each shareholder who complied with the requirements described above. The payment must be accompanied by Kentucky Bancshares' financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002, a statement of Peoples' estimate of the fair value of the Kentucky Bancshares common shares, an explanation of how interest was calculated and a statement of the dissenting shareholder's right to demand payment if dissatisfied with the payment. However, Peoples may elect to withhold payment from any dissenting shareholder who became the beneficial owner of the Kentucky Bancshares common shares after the date of the first announcement of the merger on December 2, 2002, in which case Peoples must send an offer to pay the fair value of the Kentucky Bancshares common shares, together with a statement of Peoples' estimate of the fair value of the Kentucky Bancshares common shares, an explanation of how the interest was calculated and a statement of the dissenting shareholders' right to demand payment if dissatisfied with the offer. A dissenting shareholder may notify Peoples in writing of the dissenting shareholder's own estimate of the fair value of the shares and the amount of interest due, and demand payment of the dissenting shareholder's estimate, less any payment already received, or in the case of a dissenting shareholder to whom Peoples has withheld payment, reject People's offer and demand payment of the dissenting shareholder's estimate of the fair value of the shares and interest due, if: o the dissenting shareholder believes that the amount paid or offered by Peoples is less than the fair value of the Kentucky Bancshares common shares or that the interest due is incorrectly calculated; o Peoples fails to make payment within sixty days after the date set for demanding payment in the dissenters' notice delivered by Peoples; or o if the merger does not occur and Peoples fails to return the Kentucky Bancshares share certificate(s) which were delivered by the dissenting shareholder within sixty days after the date set in the dissenters' notice delivered by Peoples. A dissenting shareholder waives the right to demand payment if the dissenting shareholder fails to notify Peoples in writing within thirty days after Peoples made or offered payment for the dissenting shareholder's Kentucky Bancshares common shares. If a dissenting shareholder's demand for payment remains unsettled, Peoples must commence a proceeding within sixty days after receiving the dissenting shareholder's payment demand in the Circuit Court of Greenup County, Kentucky, and petition the court to determine the fair value of the Kentucky Bancshares common shares and accrued interest. If Peoples fails to commence the proceeding within this sixty-day period, Peoples must pay each dissenting shareholder whose demand remains unsettled the amount the dissenting shareholder demanded. Peoples also must make all dissenting shareholders whose demands remain unsettled parties to the difference betweenproceeding. Each dissenting shareholder will be entitled to judgment for the cash receivedamount, if any, for which the court finds the fair value of the Kentucky Bancshares common shares, plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by Peoples, or the fair value plus accrued interest of any Kentucky Bancshares common shares for which Peoples offered to pay its estimate of the fair value of the shares. All costs of the court proceedings will be assessed against Peoples, except the court may assess the costs against all or some of the dissenting shareholders, in amounts the court finds equitable, to the extent the court finds the dissenting shareholders acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith in demanding payment. The court may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts for the holder's basisrespective parties in the shares, providedamount the payment is not essentially equivalent to a dividend within the meaning of Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code. A sale of shares pursuant to an exercise of dissenters' rights will not constitute a "dividend" if, as a result of the exercise, the shareholder owns no common shares ofcourt finds equitable, o against Peoples either actually or constructively within the meaning of Section 318 of the Internal Revenue Code. If you are notand in favor of any or all dissenting shareholders, if the court finds that Peoples did not substantially comply with the requirements of Sections 271B.13-200 to 271B.13-310 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, or o against either Peoples or a dissenting shareholder, in favor of any other party, if a court finds the party against whom the fees and expenses are assessed acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith. If the court finds that the services of counsel for any dissenting shareholder was of substantial benefit to other dissenting shareholders similarly situated and that the fees for those services should not be assessed against Peoples, the court may award to these counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded the dissenting shareholders who were benefited. It is a condition to Peoples' obligation to consummate the merger but do not wish to exercise dissenters' rights, you may, in the alternative, attempt to sell your Lower Salem common shares in the open market at the then current market price. Peoples may decide to cause Peoples Bank not to complete the merger if 10% or more of the Peoples common shares to be issued in the merger are subject to purchase as fractional share interests. Peoples may also decide to cause Peoples Bank not to complete the merger ifthat the holders of moreless than 10% of the issued and outstanding Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares common shares perfecthave exercised dissenters' rights with respectrights. See "The Merger-Conditions to the merger. BUSINESS OF PEOPLES =================== General -------Merger." Peoples was organized ashas reserved the right to waive this condition at any time. Business of Peoples ------------------- GENERAL Peoples is a bankfinancial holding company organized in 1980. On March 10, 2000,1980, with origins in the Mid-Ohio valley dating back to 1902. Peoples' banking and thriftwholly-owned subsidiaries The Peoples Banking and Trust Company andinclude Peoples Bank, FSB, merged withNational Association, Peoples Investment Company, PEBO Capital Trust I and PEBO Capital Trust II. Peoples Bank also owns an insurance agency subsidiary and an asset management subsidiary. Peoples Investment Company also owns a capital management subsidiary. Peoples' national banking subsidiary,principal executive office is located at 138 Putnam Street, Marietta, Ohio 45750, and its telephone number is (740) 373-3155. Peoples common shares are traded on The FirstNasdaq National Bank of Southeastern Ohio. The resulting single banking subsidiary was renamed "Peoples Bank, National Association". This banking subsidiary currently operatesMarket under the trade name "Peoples Bank". On Marchsymbol "PEBO." At December 31, 2000,2002, Peoples Bank's insurance agency holding companyhad 462 full-time equivalent employees, total assets of $1.4 billion, total loans of $850.9 million, total deposits of $955.9 million, and Peoples Bank's life and health insurance agency merged into Peoples Bank's property and casualty insurance agency. The resulting insurance subsidiary was renamed "Peoples Insurance Agency, Inc." This insurance subsidiary currently operates under the trade name "Peoples Insurance".total stockholders' equity of $147.2 million. Peoples Bank held trust assets with an approximate market value of $500 million at December 31, 2002. SERVICES OFFERED Peoples' principal operating subsidiary, Peoples Bank, is a full-service community bank that provides an array of financial products and services to its customers, including: o checkingincluding a variety of interest-bearing and non-interest bearing demand deposit accounts; o NOWsavings and Super NOW accounts; o money market deposit accounts; o savings accounts; o time certificates of deposit; o commercial, installment and commercial and residential real estate mortgage loans; oloans (commercial and residential); credit and debit cards; o lease financing and corporate and personal trust services; and o safe deposit rental facilities. Peoples Bank also sells travelers checks, money orders and cashier's checks. Services are provided through ordinary walk-in offices,Peoples' 45 financial service locations and 30 automated teller machines called "ATMs," automobile drive-in facilities called "Motor Banks,"(ATMs) in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, as well as through banking by phone and internet-based banking. In addition, Peoples Bank Peoples Bank also offers a full linerange of investmentlife, property and casualty insurance products through Raymond JamesPeoples Insurance Agency, Inc., and provides customer-tailored solutions for asset management needs through its Peoples Financial Services, member NASD/SIPC,Advisors division. Brokerage services are offered through an unaffiliated registered broker dealer.broker/dealer located at Peoples Bank offices. CUSTOMERS AND MARKETS Peoples has expanded from its roots in Washington County, Ohio, where it maintains nine financial service locations, to a market area that encompasses 17 counties in southeastern Ohio and neighboring areas of Kentucky and West Virginia, focusing on non-major urban areas. The primary market area possesses a diverse economic base, with no single dominant industry or employer. Principal industries in the market area include health care, education and other social services; plastics and petrochemical manufacturing; oil, gas and coal production; and tourism, education and other service-related industries. Consequently, Peoples is not dependent upon any single industry segment for its business opportunities, and Peoples' management believes that its market area is largely insulated from some of the fluctuations of national economic cycles as a result of the diverse economic base. Peoples Bank originates various types of loans, including commercial and commercial real estate loans, residential real estate loans, home equity lines of credit, real estate construction loans and consumer loans, including loans to individuals, credit card loans and indirect loans. In general, Peoples Bank retains mostthe majority of itsloans it originates; however, Peoples Bank has originated and sold a limited number of fixed rate mortgage loans and, therefore,into the secondary market activity has been minimal.market. Loans are spread over a broad range of industrial classifications. ManagementPeoples' management believes that Peoples Bankit has no significant concentrations of loans to borrowers engaged in the same or similar industries. Peoples Bank also hasindustries and no loans to foreign entities. The lending market areas served are primarily concentrated in southeastern Ohio, and neighboring areas ofnortheastern Kentucky and northwestern West Virginia. In addition, loan production offices and a full-service banking office in Licking and Fairfield Counties in central Ohio provide opportunities to serve customers in that economic region. Peoples Bank's service area has a diverse economic structure. Principal industries in the area include metals, plastics and petrochemical manufacturing; oil, gas and coal production; and related support industries. In addition, tourism, education and other service-related industries are important and growing industries. Consequently,COMPETITION Peoples Bank is not dependent upon any one industry segmentexperiences significant competition in attracting depositors and borrowers. Competition in lending activities comes principally from other commercial banks, savings associations, insurance companies, governmental agencies, credit unions, brokerage firms and pension funds. The primary factors in competing for loans are interest rate and overall lending services. Competition for deposits comes from other commercial banks, savings associations, money market and mutual funds, credit unions, insurance companies and brokerage firms. The primary factors in competing for deposits are interest rates paid on deposits, account liquidity, convenience of office location and overall financial condition. Peoples believes that its business opportunities.size provides flexibility, which enables Peoples Insurance offers a complete lineBank to offer an array of life and health, property and casualty insurancebanking products and services. At September 30, 2000, Peoples operated 38 sales officesPeoples' financial condition also contributes to a favorable competitive position in the statesmarkets Peoples serves. Peoples primarily focuses on non-major metropolitan markets in which to provide products and services. Peoples' management believes that Peoples has developed a niche and a certain level of Ohio, West Virginiaexpertise in serving these communities. Peoples historically has operated under a "needs-based" selling approach that management believes has proven successful in serving the financial needs of many customers. Peoples' management anticipates in future periods, Peoples will continue to increase its investment in sales training and Kentucky,education to assist in the development of Peoples' associates and had 383 full-time equivalent employees, including 27 full-time equivalent employees attheir identification of customer service opportunities. It is not Peoples' strategy to compete solely on the parent company level. The principal executive officebasis of Peoples is located at 138 Putnam Street, Marietta, Ohio 45750,price. Peoples' management believes a focus on customer relationships and its telephone number is (740) 373-3155. Peoples maintains an Internet site at www.peoplesbancorp.com.incentives that promote customers continued use of Peoples' financial products and services will lead to enhanced revenue opportunities. Peoples' management believes the integration of traditional financial products with non-traditional financial products, such as insurance and investment products, will lead to enhanced revenues through complementary product offerings. SUPERVISION AND REGULATION Peoples is subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board.Board under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. As a national bank, Peoples Bank is supervised and regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. In addition, as insurer of its deposits, the FDICFederal Deposit Insurance Corporation has regulatory authority over Peoples Bank. The Ohio Department of Insurance also has regulatory authority over Peoples Insurance. Additional Information - ----------------------ADDITIONAL INFORMATION For additional information concerning Peoples, see "Where You Can Find More Information about Peoples"Information" on page __. MANAGEMENT OF PEOPLES ===================== Board of Directors - ------------------ The following table gives information concerning the individuals who are and will remain the members of the board of directorsManagement of Peoples as of November 30, 2000. Unless the table indicates otherwise, each person has held his or her principal occupation for more than five years.--------------------- DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table lists the executive officers and directors of Peoples. Name Age Positions - ---------------- ----- ----------------- Robert E. Evans 62 President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Peoples Term Name Age Principal Occupations Continuously Since Expires In - ---- --- --------------------- ------------------ ---------- Carl Baker, Jr. 37 President and CEO, B & N Coal, Inc., a 2000 2003 mining, reclamation construction concern in Southeastern Ohio; Co-Owner of Sharon Stone Company, a limestone and slag producer in Noble and Washington Counties, Ohio; Owner of Dexter Hardwoods, Inc., a hardwood sawmill located in Noble County, Ohio George W. Broughton 42 President, GWB Sales, Inc., Marietta, 1994 2003 Ohio, a business development company, September 1999 to present; Director and Executive Vice President/Sales and Marketing, Broughton Foods Co., a processor and distributor of dairy products December 1981 to August 1999; Director of SBR, Inc., maker of replacement windows and owner of "Woodcraft" catalog and stores (1) Frank L. Christy 52 President/Owner of Christy & Associates, 1999 2002 Marietta, OH, business development company located in Marietta, Ohio Wilford D. Dimit 65 President of First Settlement, Inc., 1993 2003 Marietta, Ohio, a retail clothing store, shore store and restaurant Robert E. Evans 59 President and Chief Executive Officer of 1980 2001 Peoples and of Peoples Bank; Chairman of the Board of Northwest Territory Life Insurance Company (1) Rex E. Maiden 64 Chairman of the Board of Maiden & 1996 2002 Jenkins Construction Co., Nelsonville, Ohio, highway and bridge contractor and contractor of commercial, industrial and educational buildings; Treasurer and Director of Sunday Creek Coal Co., Nelsonville, Ohio, holding company for land and minerals (coal and oil); President and Chairman of the Board of Nelsonville Consulting and Construction Co., Nelsonville, Ohio, design consulting firm; Chairman of the Board, Black Top Contracting, Nelsonville, Ohio, paving contractor; Chairman of the Board, B T Materials, Nelsonville, Ohio, sand and gravel mining operation and ready-mix concrete plant (1) Robert W. Price 37 President of Smith Concrete, Marietta, 2000 2001 Ohio, since 1992; President of Chesterhill Stone Company, McConnelsville, Ohio, since August 1994; President of Price Inland Terminal Company, Belpre, Ohio, since August 1994 Paul T. Theisen 69 Of counsel with firm of Theisen, Brock, 1980 2001 Frye, Erb & Leeper Co., L.P.A., Attorneys at Law, Marietta, Ohio (1) Thomas C. Vadakin 69 Director, The Airolite Company, 1989 2002 Marietta, Ohio, a manufacturer of ventilating louvers. 100% Owner of Conclude, Inc., an Ohio corporation, as of now, a dormant corporation (1) Joseph H. Wesel 71 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 1980 2002 Marietta Automotive Warehouse, Inc., Marietta, Ohio, an automotive parts wholesaler;Peoples Bank John (Jack) W. Conlon 57 Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Peoples and Peoples Bank David B. Baker 55 Executive Vice President of Auto Paints Works Inc., Marietta, Ohio,Peoples Mark F. Bradley 33 Chief Integration Officer and a wholesaler/retailerDirector of auto paintPeoples and body shop supplies;President, Chief Operating Officer and a Director of Peoples Bank Larry E. Holdren 55 Executive Vice President of W.D.A., Inc., Marietta, Ohio, a real estate holding company; Director, Marietta Ignition, Inc., a wholesaler/retailer of automotive parts and industrial supplies; Chairman of the Board of the Company since 1991 (1) - -------------------- (1) Mr. Broughton, Mr. Evans, Mr. Maiden, Mr. Theisen, Mr. Vadakin and Mr. Wesel are also directorsPeoples Carol A. Schneeberger 46 Executive Vice President/Operations of Peoples Bank.and Peoples Bank Joseph S. Yazombek 48 Executive Vice President/Lending of Peoples and Executive Vice President/Chief Lending Officer of Peoples Bank Carl Baker, Jr. 40 Director George W. Broughton 45 Director Frank L. Christy 55 Director Wilford D. Dimit 67 Director Rex E. Maiden 67 Director Robert W. Price 39 Director Paul T. Theisen 71 Director Thomas C. Vadakin and Paul T. Theisen are brothers-in-law. 70 Director Joseph H. Wesel 73 Director
Provided below is certain biographical information regarding our executive officers and directors. References to positions held with Peoples Bank include positions held with The First National Bank of Southeastern Ohio, Peoples Bank FSB or The Peoples Banking and Trust Company, each of which merged in March 2002 to form Peoples Bank. Robert E. Evans has served Peoples as President, Chief Executive Officers - ------------------ The following list provides the namesOfficer and agesa Director since 1980. Mr. Evans has also served Peoples Bank as Chief Executive Officer since 1987, as Chairman of the executive officersBoard since 1999 and as President from 1987 until July 2002. John (Jack) W. Conlon has served Peoples as Chief Financial Officer since April 1991 and Treasurer since April 1999. Mr. Conlon has also served Peoples Bank as Chief Financial Officer since 1991 and Treasurer since 1985. Mr. Conlon previously served as Controller of Peoples as of November 30, 2000, the positions presently held by those individuals and their individual business experience during the past five years. The board of directors may remove any of the executive officers at any time. DAVIDBank from 1982 until 1991. David B. BAKER (54). Mr. Baker became Executive Vice President of Peoples in February 1999. In February 2000, Mr. Baker was appointed President of Peoples Bank's Investment and Insurance Services,Services. Mr. Baker previously served as Peoples reorganized its sales management structure to enhance financial product and service delivery. Prior thereto, he was President of Peoples Bank's Investment and Business Division, sincebeginning January 1998, and was President of the Investment and Trust Division of Peoples Bank, a position he held since 1991.between 1991 and 1998. Mr. Baker has held various positions in the Investment and Trust Division for Peoples Bank since 1974. JOHN W. CONLON (55). Mr. Conlon has beenMark F. Bradley became Chief FinancialIntegration Officer of Peoples since April 1991. He became Treasurerin January 2001, and was elected a Director of Peoples in April 1999. He has also beenJanuary 2003. Mr. Bradley was appointed President, Chief FinancialOperating Officer and Treasurera Director of Peoples Bank for more than five years. ROBERT E. EVANS (60).in July 2002. Previously, Mr. Evans is President and Chief Executive OfficerBradley held the positions of Controller of Peoples from January 1997 to May 2001 and Controller of Peoples Bank from March 1997 to May 2001. Mr. Bradley was also Manager of Accounting and hasExternal Reporting for Peoples and Peoples Bank from February 1995 to January 1997. Prior to February 1995, Mr. Bradley served as a staff accountant for Peoples beginning in those capacities since 1980. Mr. Evans also has been a director of Peoples since 1980. LARRY1991. Larry E. HOLDREN (53). Mr. Holdren became Executive Vice President of Peoples in AprilFebruary 1999. HeMr. Holdren has also been President of the Retail and Banking Division forof Peoples Bank since January 1998. Prior thereto, he wasBetween 1982 and 1998, Mr. Holdren served as Executive Vice PresidentPresident/Director of Human Resources for Peoples Bank since 1987. CAROLBank. Carol A. SCHNEEBERGER (44). Ms. Schneeberger became Executive Vice President/Operations of Peoples in April 1999. Prior thereto, she wasSince February 2000, Ms. Schneeberger has also been Executive Vice President/Operations of Peoples sinceBank. Ms. Schneeberger served as Vice President/Operations of Peoples from October 1988.1988 until April 1999. Prior thereto, sheMs. Schneeberger was Auditor of Peoples from August 1987 to October 1988 and Auditor of Peoples Bank from January 1986 to October 1988. JOSEPHJoseph S. YAZOMBEK (46). Mr. Yazombek was appointed Executive Vice President/Chief Lending Officer of Peoples in FebruaryApril 2000. Mr. Yazombek has also held the position of Executive Vice President and President/Chief Lending Officer of Peoples Bank since October 1998. He was anMr. Yazombek served as Executive Vice President of Peoples Bank's Consumer and Mortgage Lending areas from May 1996 to October 1998, where he also directly managed Peoples Bank's collectionscollection efforts. Mr. Yazombek joined Peoples Bank in 1983 and served as a real estate lender until May 1996. MARK F. BRADLEY (31). Mr. Bradley became Controller of Peoples in April 1998. Prior thereto, he was Manager of Accounting and External Reporting for Peoples from February 1995 to January 1997. HeCarl Baker, Jr. has been Controller for Peoples Bank since March 1997. He was Manager of Accounting and External Reporting for Peoples Bank from February 1995 to January 1997. Prior to February 1995, Mr. Bradley served as a staff accountantDirector of Peoples beginningsince 2000. For more than five years, Mr. Baker has been President and Chief Executive Officer of B & N Coal, Inc., a mining, reclamation and construction concern in 1991. Additional Information - ---------------------- For additional information concerning the directorsSoutheastern Ohio; co-owner of Sharon Stone Company, a limestone and executive officersslag producer in Noble and Washington Counties, Ohio; and owner of Dexter Hardwoods, Inc., a hardwood sawmill located in Noble County, Ohio. Mr. Baker has been a partner in Belpre Sand & Gravel Company, a sand and gravel operation located in Little Hocking, Washington County, Ohio, since December 2001. George W. Broughton has served as a Director of Peoples see "Where You Can Find More Information about Peoples" on page ___. BUSINESS OF LOWER SALEM ======================= Lower Salemsince 1994. Since September 1999, Mr. Broughton has been President of GWB Sales, Inc., Marietta, Ohio, an ice cream, frozen food and coffee service distributor; President of Broughton Commercial Properties, LLC, a commercial properties rental company; Chairman of Broughton Foundation and Broughton Park; and President and Controller of George Broughton Family LLC, an asset management company. Mr. Broughton also serves as a Director of Peoples Bank. Frank L. Christy has served as a Director of Peoples since 1999. For more than five years, Mr. Christy has been President and owner of Christy & Associates, Inc., a business development company located in Marietta, Ohio. Wilford D. Dimit has served as a Director of Peoples since 1993. For more than five years, Mr. Dimit has been President of First Settlement, Inc., Marietta, Ohio, a retail clothing store, shoe store and restaurant. Mr. Dimit also serves as a Director of Peoples Bank. Rex E. Maiden has served as a Director of Peoples since 1996. For more than five years, Mr. Maiden has been Chairman of the Board of Maiden & Jenkins Construction Co., Nelsonville, Ohio, a contractor for bridges and highways, and commercial, industrial and educational buildings; Treasurer and Director of Sunday Creek Coal Co., Nelsonville, Ohio, a holding company for land and minerals (coal and oil); President and Chairman of the Board of Nelsonville Consulting and Construction Co., Nelsonville, Ohio, a design consulting firm; Chairman of the Board of Black Top Contracting, Nelsonville, Ohio, a paving contractor; and Chairman of the Board of B T Materials, Nelsonville, Ohio, a sand and gravel mining operation and ready-mix concrete plant. Mr. Maiden also serves as a Director of Peoples Bank. Robert W. Price has served as a Director of Peoples since 2000. For more than five years, Mr. Price has been President of each of Smith Concrete Company, a ready-mix concrete company; Chesterhill Stone Company, a sand, limestone and gravel company; and Price Inland Terminal Company, an off-river terminal service providing offloading and dry bulk storage of raw material. Paul T. Theisen has served as a Director of Peoples since 1980. For more than 40 years, Mr. Theisen, Attorney at Law, was a litigator and is currently active as a mediator and arbitrator. Mr. Theisen has been Of Counsel to the law firm of Theisen Brock, LPA in Marietta, Ohio since January 1998. Mr. Theisen also serves as a Director of Peoples Bank. Mr. Theisen is the brother-in-law of Thomas C. Vadakin. Thomas C. Vadakin has served as a Director of Peoples since 1989. Mr. Vadakin served as a Director of The Airolite Company, Marietta, Ohio, a manufacturer of ventilation louvers, from 1994 to 2002. Mr. Vadakin also serves as a Director of Peoples Bank. Mr. Vadakin is the brother-in-law of Paul T. Theisen. Joseph H. Wesel has served as Chairman of the Board of Peoples since 1991 and as a Director since 1980. Mr. Wesel is President of W.D.A., Inc., Marietta, Ohio, a real estate holding company. Mr. Wesel also serves as a Director of Peoples Bank. Business of Kentucky Bancshares ------------------------------- GENERAL Kentucky Bancshares is a stateone-bank holding company organized in 1993. It holds 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Kentucky Bank & Trust, a Kentucky-chartered banking association which was originally chartered in 1976 as the Greenup County Bank. The principal executive offices of Kentucky Bancshares are located at 900 Diederich Blvd., Russell, Kentucky 41169, and its telephone number is (606) 836-9000. There is no established public trading market for Kentucky Bancshares' common stock. At December 31, 2002, Kentucky Bancshares had 41 full-time equivalent employees, total assets of $126.7 million, total loans of $77.6 million, total deposits of $98.7 million, and total stockholders' equity of $16.7 million. SERVICES OFFERED Kentucky Bank & Trust offers a full range of products and services at five banking offices located in Russell, South Shore, Greenup, Flatwoods and Ashland, Kentucky. The principal services offered by Kentucky Bank & Trust include deposit accounts, lending products, credit and debit cards, internet banking, automated teller machines (ATMs), corporate and personal trust services and safe deposit rental facilities. Kentucky Bank & Trust's primary business involves the attraction of deposits from the general public and the use of such deposits, together with borrowed funds, to originate loans secured by residential and commercial real estate and, to a lesser extent, consumer and commercial business loans. Kentucky Bank & Trust's deposit accounts are insured by the FDIC up to the maximum amount allowed by law. At December 31, 2002, commercial and consumer loans accounted for approximately 6% and 26%, respectively, of Kentucky Bank & Trust's loan portfolio, and loans on commercial and residential real estate accounted for the remaining 33% and 35%, respectively, of the loan portfolio. At December 31, 2002, Kentucky Bank & Trust had participation loans of approximately $26.4 million, of which approximately $18.8 million had been sold to area participating banks. MARKET AREA Kentucky Bancshares' primary market area includes Greenup and Boyd Counties in Kentucky. This primary market area is an industrial river community. Historically, the regional economy has been based on coal, oil and railroad industries, and dependent upon a small number of large employers. Providers of medical services have also had a significant presence in the primary market area. The economy of Kentucky Bancshares' primary market area is in a period of transition from a primarily industrial based economy to a service and retail based economy. In the past five years, Kentucky Bancshares' primary market area has experienced significant increases in the retail and service sectors, which have substantially offset the impact of the loss of jobs and consolidations in the heavy industry sector. COMPETITION The banking business is highly competitive, and Kentucky Bancshares' profitability depends primarily on its ability to compete in its markets. Kentucky Bancshares competes with other commercial banks, savings banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, financial companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, brokers and investment banking firms, governmental organizations and non-financial entities. Many of Kentucky Bancshares' competitors have greater financial strength, marketing capability and name recognition than Kentucky Bancshares does, and many operate on a statewide, regional or nationwide basis. Many of these competitors have legal loan limits substantially in excess of those applicable to Kentucky Bancshares. SUPERVISION AND REGULATION Kentucky Bancshares is subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. As a state-chartered commercial bank, Kentucky Bank & Trust is subject to extensive regulation by the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions and the FDIC. Kentucky Bank & Trust files reports with the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions and the FDIC concerning its activities and financial condition, in addition to obtaining regulatory approvals prior to entering into certain transactions such as mergers with or acquisitions of other financial institutions. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS Kentucky Bancshares from time to time is a party to or otherwise involved in legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. Management does not believe that there is any pending or threatened proceeding against Kentucky Bancshares that, if determined adversely, would have a material adverse effect on Kentucky Bancshares' business, financial condition or results of operations. OTHER MATTERS During Kentucky Bancshares' two most recent fiscal years and all subsequent interim periods, no independent accountant who was engaged as the principal accountant to audit Kentucky Bancshares' financial statements has resigned or been dismissed. Comparison of Rights of Holders of Peoples Common Shares and Holders of Kentucky Bancshares Common Shares GENERAL Peoples is a corporation charteredorganized under the laws of the State of Ohio, with its main and only office located at Main Street, State Route #821, Lower Salem, Ohio 45745. Lower Salem was initially charteredwhile Kentucky Bancshares is a corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The rights of Kentucky Bancshares shareholders have been governed by the State of Ohio in 1911 and has been in continuous operation for 89 years. The principal business of Lower Salem consists of attracting retail deposits from the general public and investing those funds in one-to-four family residential mortgage loans and consumer loans primarily in Washington County, Ohio. Lower Salem also invests in U.S. Treasury Notes as well as state and municipal securities. Lower Salem's revenues are derived primarily from interest on loans, interest on investments and income service charges on deposit accounts. As a state-chartered bank, Lower Salem is subject to regulation by the Ohio Division of Financial InstitutionsKentucky Business Corporation Act and the FDIC. In October 1999, Lower Salem entered into an informal MemorandumArticles of Understanding with the Ohio DivisionIncorporation and Bylaws of Financial Institutions and the FDIC. This Memorandum required Lower Salem to make significant changes to its lending practices involving application processing and credit granting requirements, loan review and its loan loss reserves. On May 9, 2000, Lower Salem entered into a formal Written Agreement with the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions which required Lower Salem to make certain significant corporate decisions and take actions conducive to operating Lower Salem in a safe and sound manner. COMPARISON OF RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF PEOPLES COMMON SHARES AND HOLDERS OF LOWER SALEM COMMON SHARES ======================================================== As a resultKentucky Bancshares. Upon completion of the merger, holders of Lower Salemeach Kentucky Bancshares shareholder who receives Peoples common shares maywill become holdersa shareholder of Peoples common shares. Following the merger, the Peoples articles and, regulationsaccordingly, will govern the rights of those shareholders. Peoples is incorporated in Ohio, so the Ohio general corporation law will continue to govern the rights of former Lower Salem shareholders after the merger. Lower Salem is an Ohio banking corporation that isbe governed by the Ohio banking lawsGeneral Corporation Law and the Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulation of Peoples. The following is a summary of the differences, as well as certain important similarities, between Ohio and Kentucky corporate law, and between the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Kentucky Bancshares and the Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations of Peoples. This summary is not intended to be a complete statement of the extent not inconsistent with the Ohio banking laws, the Ohio general corporation law. Differences exist betweendifferences affecting the rights of holders of Peoples common shares andKentucky Bancshares' shareholders, but rather describes the more significant differences affecting the rights of holderssuch shareholders and certain important similarities. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Articles of Lower Salem common shares. The significant differences are addressed below. Authorized Capital Stock - ------------------------Incorporation and Code of Regulations of Peoples, the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Kentucky Bancshares and applicable laws and regulations. AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK As of February 28, 2003, Peoples' authorized capital shares consiststock consisted of 12,000,000 Peoples common shares, of which 6,489,2049,589,543 were outstanding on November 30, 2000.outstanding. An additional 592,401585,556 Peoples common shares arewere subject to options outstanding as of November 30, 2000. TheFebruary 28, 2003. At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 10, 2003, the shareholders of Peoples will consider and vote upon an amendment to Peoples' Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized common shares to 24,000,000. Peoples common shares are listedtraded on The Nasdaq StockNational Market under the symbol "PEBO". Lower Salem's"PEBO." Kentucky Bancshares' authorized capital shares consiststock consists of 28,00015,000 common shares, all of which 11,832 common shares were outstanding on February 28, 2003. An additional [12] Kentucky Bancshares common shares were subject to options outstanding as of November 30, 2000. BoardFebruary 28, 2003, which options will be exercised or cancelled prior to the merger in accordance with the terms of Directors - ------------------the merger agreement. BOARD OF DIRECTORS The regulationsCode of Regulations of Peoples provideprovides for a classified board of directors consisting of twelve directors, divided into three classes and elected for three yearthree-year terms. The number of directors may be fixed or changed at a meeting of the shareholders upon the approval of a majority of the voting power of Peoples, unless the proposal is affirmatively voted against by three members of the Peoples board of directors. In thatdirectors, in which case the holders ofproposal must be approved by 75% of the voting power of Peoples would haveentitled to vote in favor of the proposal to change thethereon. The number of directors. Thedirectors may also be fixed or changed by the Peoples board of directors also may fix or change the number of directors by the affirmative vote of a majority of the authorized number of directors. In any event,directors; however, the Peoples board of directors may not increase the number of directors to more than fifteen or reduce the number to fewer than nine. The authorized number of directors is currently fixed at ten. Classification of directors makes it more difficult for shareholders to change the composition of the board of directors. Generally, two annual meetings, instead of one, are required to change the composition of more than one-half of the board of directors. Should a shareholder attempt to force a proxy contest, a tender or exchange offer or other extraordinary corporate transaction, this classification and extra time period would allow the board sufficient time to review the proposal as well asand any available alternatives in order to act in what it believes to be the best interests of the shareholders. The classification provisions, however, also may discourage a third party from startinginitiating a proxy contest,context, making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of Peoples. As a result, Peoples may miss an opportunity to enter into a transaction that could be beneficial to Peoples orand its shareholders. The regulationsBylaws of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares provide for a board of directors consisting of at leastnot less than five directors and nonor more than nine directors. The shareholders determineten directors, with the exact number of directors at the time of election ofto be determined by the directors each year. In the absence of a determination by the shareholders, the number of directors remains consistent with the prior year.from time to time. The current number of members of the Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares board of directors is 7.currently consists of 10 directors. All directors hold office for a period of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified.qualified, or until removed in accordance with the Bylaws. NOMINATIONS The shareholders may authorize a majorityCode of the boardRegulations of directors to increase the number of directors by appointing up to two additional members to the board in any one year, subject at all times to the maximum limit of nine directors. Nominations - ----------- The Peoples regulations provideprovides that a shareholder wishing to make a nominationnominations for election to the Peoples boardBoard of directorsDirectors must make the nominationbe made in writing and delivermust be delivered or mail the nominationmailed to the Secretary of Peoples not less than fourteen days, nor more than fifty days, prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the electionpurpose of electing directors. In any case,However, if Peoples givesprovides less than twenty-one days' notice of the meeting to the shareholders, then the shareholdernomination must deliverbe delivered or mail the nominationmailed to the Secretary of Peoples not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which Peoples mailed the notice of the meeting. The notification must contain the following information to the extent known by the notifying shareholder: o the name, age, business address and residence address of each proposed nominee; o the principal occupation or employment of each proposed nominee; o the total number of Peoples common shares beneficially owned by each proposed nominee and the notifying shareholder; and o any other information required to be disclosed with respect to a nominee for election as a director of Peoples in proxy solicitations pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. AIn addition, a written consent of the proposed nominee to serve, if elected, must accompany the notification. Peoples may disregard nominations which the chairman of the meeting determines are not made in accordance with the Peoples regulations.Code of Regulations. Neither the Lower Salem articlesArticles of Incorporation nor the Lower Salem regulationsBylaws of Kentucky Bancshares provide for a nomination procedure similar to that described for Peoples. Mandatory Retirement and Qualifications NoDIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS The Peoples Code of Regulations provides that no person will be eligible to be elected as a Peoples director unless he or she is a shareholder of Peoples and, except for a person elected as an initial director of the corporation, o is in the position of chief executive officer or active leadership within his or her business or professional interest which must be located within the geographic area in which Peoples or any of its subsidiaries operate or do business; or o serves as an executive officer of Peoples or one of its subsidiaries. A director will not be eligible for nomination and re-election as a director of Peoples following the fifth anniversary of the termination of thatsuch person's qualifying executive or leadership position. TheThis five-year limitation, however, is not applicableinapplicable to a person who retires as chairmanChairman of the boardBoard or chief executive officerChief Executive Officer of Peoples. When a person's eligibility to serve as a director of Peoples terminates, thesuch person must submit his or her resignation as a director effective at the pleasure of the boardBoard and may not be nominated and re-elected as a Peoples director. NeitherThere are no similar provisions in either the Lower Salem articles nor the Lower Salem regulations provide for a retirement provision similar to that described for Peoples. The Lower Salem regulations, however, provide that the directorsArticles of Lower Salem must satisfy the qualification requirementsIncorporation or Bylaws of Ohio Revised Code Section 1105.02 governing Ohio banking corporations. That section states, that of the directors on the board of directors of an Ohio bank, o a majority of the directors must be outside directors, except that, if 80% or more of any class of the bank's voting shares are owned by a company, a majority of the directors may be officers or directors of one or more affiliates of the bank; and o a majority of the directors must be residents of Ohio or live within 100 miles of Ohio. In addition to the above listed requirements, Ohio Revised Code Section 1105.02 prohibits any person who has been convicted of, or who has pled guilty to, a felony involving dishonesty or breach of trust from serving as a director of an Ohio bank. Removal and Filling of Vacancies - --------------------------------Kentucky Bancshares. REMOVAL AND FILLING OF VACANCIES A director or directors of Peoples may be removed from office, only for cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of Peoples entitling them to elect directors in place of those to be removed. The Peoples shareholders may vote to elect a new director at the time of removal for the unexpired term of eachthe director removed. If the shareholders fail to elect a new director at that time, then a vacancy will exist on the board. The Peoples board of directors, acting by a majority vote of the directors then in office, though less than a majority of the whole authorized number of directors, may fill any vacancy in the board of directors for the unexpired term. A vacancy exists if the shareholders increase the authorized number of directors, but fail at the time of the increase to elect the additional directors provided for, or if the shareholders fail, at any time, to elect the whole authorized number of directors. The Lower Salem articlesA director of Kentucky Bancshares may be removed by the shareholders with or without cause only at a meeting called for the purpose of removing the director, and regulations do not include provisions limiting the meeting notice must state that one of the purposes of the meeting is removal of directors. As a result, Ohio statutory law exclusively governs the removal ofdirector. If a director fromis elected by a voting group of the boardKentucky Bancshares shareholders, however, only the shareholders of Lower Salem. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 1105.10 governing Ohio banking corporations, eitherthat voting group may vote to remove the director. In addition, no director may be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director's removal. The Bylaws of Kentucky Bancshares provide that, if any vacancy occurs on the board of directors, of Lower Salem or the Ohio superintendent of financial institutions may removeboard is required to fill the vacancy. If the directors remaining in office constitute less than a director, if the director has filed for relief or is a debtor in a case filed under Title XIquorum of the United States Code or if a court has determined thatboard of directors, the director is incompetent. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 1105.10, the shareholders of Lower Salem alsovacancy may remove all the directors or any individual director from office, without assigning any cause,be filled by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power entitling them to elect directors remaining in place of those to be removed. The shareholders may elect a new director at the same meeting at which a director is removed for the unexpired term of each director removed. Failure of the shareholders to elect a director to fill the unexpired term of any director removed is deemed to create a vacancy in the board. Under the Lower Salem regulations and Section 1105.10, the remaining directors of Lower Salem, though less than a majority of the whole authorized number of directors, may, by the vote of a majority of their number, fill any vacancy in the board for the unexpired term. A vacancy exists if the shareholders increase the authorized number of directors but fail at the meeting at which the increase is authorized, or an adjournment of the meeting, to elect the additional directors provided for, or if the shareholders fail at any time to elect the whole authorized number of directors. The office of a member of the board of directors also becomes vacant if the director dies or resigns. A resignation takes effect immediately unless the director specifies another time. Voting Rights - -------------office. VOTING RIGHTS Each Peoples common share entitles the holder of that sharethereof to one vote for the election of directors and for all other matters submitted to the shareholders of Peoples for their consideration. Peoples'Peoples shareholders are not entitled to exercise cumulative voting in the election of directors. HoldersEach Kentucky Bancshares common share entitles the holder thereof to one vote on each matter voted on at a shareholders' meeting. Shares that are entitled to vote as a voting group may take action on a matter only if a quorum of Lower Salem commonthose shares have identicalexists with respect to that matter, and a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter by the voting rights. Paymentgroup constitutes a quorum of Dividends - --------------------the voting group on that matter. If a quorum exists, action on any matter by a voting group, other than the election of directors, will be approved if the votes cast within the voting group in favor of the action exceed the votes cast in opposition to the action, unless a greater number of votes is required by law. Kentucky Bancshares shareholders are entitled to exercise cumulative voting in the election of directors. PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS Peoples can pay dividends on its outstanding common shares in accordance with the terms of the Ohio general corporation law.General Corporation Law. The Ohio general corporation lawGeneral Corporation Law generally provides that PeoplesPeoples' board of directors may declare and pay dividends to its shareholders, provided that the dividend does not exceed the combination of the surplus of Peoples, which is defined generally as the excess of Peoples' assets plus stated capital over its liabilities, and is not in violation of the rights of the holders of shares of any other class. In addition, Peoplesno dividend may not pay any dividendbe paid when Peoples is insolvent or there is reasonable ground to believe that by payment of the dividend Peoples would be rendered insolvent. The ability of Peoples to obtain funds for the payment ofKentucky Bancshares can pay dividends if, as and for other cash requirements largely depends on the amount of dividends whichwhen declared by its subsidiaries may declare. In addition, the Federal Reserve Board expects Peoples to serve as a source of strength to its subsidiary banks which may require it to retain capital for further investments in its subsidiary banks rather than for dividends for its shareholders. Lower Salem is currently restricted from the payment of any and all dividends without the prior approval of regulatory authorities. In addition, under the terms of the merger agreement, Lower Salem has agreed not to declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividends or make any distributions on its capital shares issued and outstanding without the prior approval of Peoples. Assessment of Shares - -------------------- Under the Ohio general corporation law, a corporation may assess a shareholder for the debts of the corporation only to the extent that the shareholder has not fully paid for his or her shares. The shareholders of Peoples are protected from assessment by these provisions of Ohio law. By contrast, under Ohio Revised Code Section 1121.52, the board of directors, subject to compliance with limitations which are imposed by law. Under the Kentucky Business Corporation Act, no distribution or dividend may be made if, after giving effect to the dividend, the corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of an Ohio bank may assessbusiness, or the corporation's total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be necessary, if the corporation were to be dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to rights of the shareholders receiving the distribution. SPECIAL MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS The Code of the bank for specified impairments to the bank's capital. As an Ohio bank, the shareholdersRegulations of Lower Salem are subject to these assessment provisions. Special Meetings of Shareholders - -------------------------------- The Peoples regulations containcontains a provision pursuant to which special meetings of shareholders may only be called by the chairman of the board, the president or, in the case of the president's absence, death or disability, the vice president authorized to exercise the authority of the president, the secretary, the directors by action in a meeting, or a majority of the directors acting without a meeting or the holders of at least a majority of all shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting. The Lower Salem regulations contain a provision pursuant to whichBylaws of Kentucky Bancshares provide that special meetings of the shareholders may be called by the chief executive officer or the board of directors, and a special meeting is required to be called by the chief executive committee,officer at the chairmandemand of the board, the president or, upon written request filed with the secretary of the board, the holders of recordat least one-third of not less than one-fourthall votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at the proposed special meeting if the requisite number of shareholders sign, date and deliver to the secretary one or more written demands describing the purpose or purposes for which the special meeting is to be held. SHAREHOLDER ACTION WITHOUT A MEETING The Code of Regulations of Peoples provides that any action permitted to be taken by the shareholders at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by all of the outstanding common sharesshareholders entitled to votevote. The Articles of Incorporation of Kentucky Bancshares provide that any action required or permitted to be taken at a shareholders' meeting, except for the meeting. Pre-emptive Rights - ------------------ Shareholderselection of directors, may be taken without a meeting if shareholders representing at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting consent to such action in writing in compliance with the Kentucky Business Corporation Act. The election of directors may be effected without a meeting only if shareholders representing 100% of the votes entitled to be cast consent in writing. PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS Neither the shareholders of Peoples do notnor the shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares have pre-emptive rights. Lower Salem shareholders do have pre-emptive rights. A preemptive right allows a shareholder to maintain a proportionate share of ownership by purchasing shares of any new share issuance. The purpose of the right is to protect shareholders from dilution of value and control when new shares are issued. Mergers and Consolidations - --------------------------MERGERS AND CONSOLIDATIONS Under the Ohio general corporate law,General Corporation Law, the directors of each Ohio corporation in a merger or consolidation must approve a merger agreement. Thethe agreement of merger or consolidation. The agreement also must be adopted by the shareholders of an Ohio corporation, if that corporation does not survive the merger, by the vote of at least two-thirds of the corporation's voting power, or a different proportion, but not less than a majority, as provided in the articles of the corporation. The agreement of merger or consolidation also must be approved by the shareholders and directors of any foreign corporation in the merger, as required by the laws of the state of its incorporation. The Articles of Incorporation of Peoples articles provide that a majority of the voting power of Peoples may adopt aan agreement of merger agreement,or consolidation, unless the proposal is voted against by three membersmember of the board of directors, in which case the merger agreement must be adopted by 75% of the voting power of Peoples. Under the Ohio general corporatecorporation law, in the case of a merger, the shareholders of athe surviving Ohio corporation also must adopt the merger agreement by a similar vote as that described in the preceding paragraph, if one or more of the following conditions exist: o the articles or regulations of the surviving corporation then in effect require that the agreement be adopted by the shareholders or by the holders of a particular class of shares of that corporation; o the agreement conflicts with the articles or regulations of the surviving corporation then in effect, or changes the articles or regulations, or authorizes any action that, if it were being made or authorized apart from the merger, would otherwise require adoption by the shareholders or by the holders of a particular class of shares of that corporation; o the merger involves the issuance or transfer by the surviving corporation to the shareholders of the other constituent corporation or corporations of a number of shares of the surviving corporation as will entitle the holders of the shares immediately after the consummation of the merger to exercise one-sixth or more of the voting power of the corporation in the election of directors; or o the merger agreement of merger makes a change in the directors of the surviving corporation as otherwise would require action by the shareholders or the holders of a particular class of that corporation. Under Ohio banking law,the Kentucky Business Corporation Act, a state bank may consolidate or merge with another state bank, a bank doing business under authority grantedplan of merger must be approved by the bank regulatory authority of another state, a national bank, savings bank or savings association, only with the approval of, o the directors of both constituent corporations; oeach corporation party to the merger and approved by each voting group of shareholders entitled to vote separately on the plan by a majority of each constituent state bank,all the votes entitled to be cast on the plan by the affirmative vote or written consent of the holders of two-thirds of thethat voting power of the state bank, or another proportion as provided bygroup, unless the articles of incorporation or the bank which cannot be less thanboard of directors require a majority; ogreater vote. Action by the shareholders of the other constituent bank, savings banksurviving corporation on a plan of merger shall not be required if: o the articles of incorporation of the surviving corporation will not differ, except for certain enumerated amendments, from its articles before the merger; o each shareholder of the surviving corporation whose shares were outstanding immediately before the effective date of the merger will hold the same number of shares, with identical designations, preferences, limitations, and relative rights, immediately after; o the number of voting shares outstanding immediately after the merger, plus the number of voting shares issuable as a result of the merger, either by the conversion of securities issued pursuant to the merger or savings association as requiredthe exercise of rights and warrants issued pursuant to the merger, will not exceed by any applicable state or federal law;more than 20% the total number of voting shares of the surviving corporation outstanding immediately before the merger; and o any appropriate regulatory authorities, including, where the resulting corporation will benumber of participating shares outstanding immediately after the merger, plus the number of participating shares issuable as a national bank, the Officeresult of the Comptrollermerger (either by the conversion of securities issued pursuant to the Currency.merger or the exercise of rights and warrants issued pursuant to the merger) will not exceed by more than 20% the total number of participating shares outstanding immediately before the merger. The Lower Salem articlesArticles of Incorporation of Kentucky Bancshares do not alter the two-thirdsimpose any special voting requirements forwith respect to the approval of a merger or consolidation. Other Corporate Transactions - ----------------------------plan of merger. OTHER CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS Subject to specifiedcertain exceptions, the approval of two-thirds of the voting power of an Ohio corporation, or a different proportion, but not less than a majority, as provided in the articles of the corporation, is required by the Ohio general corporate lawGeneral Corporation Law for an Ohio corporation to take any of the following actions: o the consummation of combinations and majority share acquisitions involving the transfer or issuance of asuch number of shares thatas would entitle the holders of those sharesthereof to exercise at least one-sixth of the voting power of the corporation in the election of directors immediately after the consummation of the transaction; o the disposition of all or substantially all of the corporation's assets other than in the regular course of business; and o voluntary dissolutions. The Articles of Incorporation of Peoples articles provide that a majority of the voting power of Peoples may approve the foregoingtransactions listed transactionsabove, except where three members of the board of directors of Peoples have voted against the proposal, in which case 75% of the voting power of Peoples must approve the proposal. Under the Kentucky Business Corporation Act, the approval of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast, or a greater vote as provided in the articles or by the board of directors, is required for a Kentucky corporation to take either of the following actions: o the disposition of all or substantially all of the corporation's assets other than in the regular course of business; and o voluntary dissolutions. The articlesArticles of Lower SalemIncorporation of Kentucky Bancshares do not alter anythe foregoing voting rights required to approve any actions, as may be applicablerequirements. AMENDMENT OF ARTICLES Under the Ohio General Corporation Law, an amendment to the bank under Ohio banking and corporate laws. Amendmentarticles must be adopted by the affirmative vote of Articles and Regulations - ------------------------------------- Under Ohio corporate and banking laws, the holders of shares entitling them to exercise two-thirds of the voting power of the corporation on the proposal, or bank is required to adopt an amendment toa different proportion, but not less than a majority, as provided in the articles of the corporation or bank, unless the articles provide for a different proportion which cannot be less than a majority.corporation. The Articles of Incorporation of Peoples articles provide that a majority of the voting power of Peoples may approve a proposal to amend the Peoples articles,Articles of Incorporation, unless three members of the board of directors vote against the proposed amendment, in which case 75% of the voting power of Peoples must approve the amendment. The Lower Salem articles do not alterUnder the two-thirds voting requirement for amending its articles. Under Ohio corporate and banking laws,Kentucky Business Corporation Act, an amendment to the regulationsarticles of the corporation or bank mayincorporation generally must be adoptedrecommended by the holdersboard of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the voting power ofshareholder votes entitled to be cast on the corporation or bank or by an action in writing, without a meeting, by the holders of two-thirds of the voting power of the corporation or bank,matter, unless the corporation's articles or regulations provide forof incorporation require a different proportion which cannot be less than a majority.greater vote. The Peoples articles provide that a majorityArticles of the voting powerIncorporation of Peoples may approve a proposal to amend the Peoples regulations, unless three members of the board of directors vote against the proposed amendment, in which case 75% of the voting power of Peoples must approve the amendment. The Lower Salem articlesKentucky Bancshares do not alterimpose any specific voting requirements for the two-thirds voting requirement for amending its regulations.approval of an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation. ANTI-TAKEOVER STATUTES ====================== Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act - ----------------------------------OHIO CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT Section 1701.831 of the Ohio Revised Code or the "Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act" provides that notice and informational filings and special shareholder meetings and voting procedures must occur prior to consummation of a proposed "control share acquisition," which is defined as any acquisition of shares of an "issuing public corporation" that would entitle the acquirer, directly or indirectly, alone or with others, to exercise or direct the voting power of the issuing public corporation in the election of directors within any of the following ranges: o one-fifth or more but less than one-third of the voting power; o one-third or more but less than a majority of the voting power; or o a majority or more of the voting power. An "issuing public corporation" is an Ohio corporation with fifty or more shareholders that has its principal place of business, principal executive offices, or substantial assets within the State of Ohio, and as to which no valid close corporation agreement exists. Assuming compliance with the notice and informational filing requirements prescribed by the Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act, the proposed control share acquisition may take place only if, at a duly convened special meeting of shareholders at which at least a majority of the voting power in the election of directors is represented in person or by proxy, the acquisition is approved by both: o a majority of the voting power of the corporation in the election of directors represented in person or by proxy at the meeting, and o a majority of the voting power represented at the meeting exercised by shareholders, excluding: o the acquiring shareholder, o officers of the corporation elected or appointed by the directors of the corporation; o employees of the corporation who are also directors of the corporation,employees and officers, and o persons who acquire specified amounts of shares after the first public disclosure of the proposed control share acquisition. The Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act does not apply to a corporation whose articles or regulations so provide. The Ohio Control Share Acquisition Act applies to both Peoples and Lower SalemPeople because neither corporationit has not taken any action to opt out of the act. Ohio Merger Moratorium Statute - ------------------------------Act. OHIO MERGER MORATORIUM STATUTE Chapter 1704 of the Ohio Revised Code or the "Ohio Merger Moratorium Statute" prohibits certain business combinations and transactions between an "issuing public corporation" and a beneficial owner of shares representing 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation in the election of directors, an(an "interested shareholder,"shareholder") for at least three years after the interested shareholder becomes such, unless the board of directors of the issuing public corporation approves either (1) the transaction or (2) the acquisition of the corporation's shares that resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder, in each case before the interested shareholder became such. For three years after a person becomes an interested shareholder, the following transactions between the corporation and the interested shareholder or persons related to thesuch shareholder are prohibited: o athe sale or acquisition of anany interest in assets, meeting thresholds specified in the statute, o mergers and similar transactions, o a voluntary dissolution, o the issuance or transfer of shares or any rights to acquire shares having a fair market value at least equal toin excess of 5% of the aggregate fair market value of the corporation's outstanding shares, o a transaction that increases the interested shareholder's proportionate ownership of the corporation, and o any other benefit that is not shared proportionately by all shareholders. After the three-year period, transactions between the corporation and the interested shareholder are permitted if: o the transaction is approved by the holders of shares with at least two-thirds66 2/3% of the voting power of the corporation in the election of directors, or(or a different proportion specified in the corporation's articles,articles), including at least a majority of disinterestedthe outstanding shares after excluding shares controlled by the interested shareholder, or o the business combination results in shareholders, other than the interested shareholder, receiving a "fair market value"price" for their shares determined by the method described in the statute.Section 1704.03(A)(4). A corporation may elect not to be covered by the Ohio Merger Moratorium Statute by the adoption of an appropriate amendment to its articles. The Ohio Merger Moratorium Statute applies to both Lower Salem and Peoples because neitherit has not taken any action to opt out of the Statute. Director and Officer Liability and Indemnification - --------------------------------------------------DIRECTOR AND OFFICER LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION The regulationsCode of Regulations of Peoples provideprovides that Peoples will indemnify its directors or officers against expenses, including, without limitation, attorneys' fees, filing fees, court reporter's fees and transcript costs, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement by reason of the fact that they are or were directors, officers, employees or agents of Peoples or, at the request of Peoples, were serving another entity in a similar capacity, if the directors or officers acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Peoples. With regard to criminal matters, directors and officers will be similarly indemnified by Peoples if the directors or officers had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. Directors or officers claiming indemnification will be presumed to have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Peoples and, with respect to any criminal matter, to have had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. Peoples will not indemnify any officer or director of Peoples who was a party to any completed action or suit instituted by or in the right of Peoples for any matter asserted in an action as to which the officer or director has been adjudged to be liable for acting with reckless disregard for the interests of People or misconduct, other than negligence, in the performance of his or her duty to Peoples. However, should the court in which the action was brought determine that the officer or director is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity, Peoples must indemnify the officer or director to the extent permitted by the court. Peoples will make any indemnification not precluded by Peoples' regulations only upon a determination that the director or officer has met the applicable standard of conduct. That determination may be made only: o by a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested directors, o if a quorum, as described above, is not obtainable or if a majority of a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, in a written opinion by independent legal counsel, o by the shareholders, or o by the court, if any, in which the action was brought. Peoples will pay expenses incurred in defending any action, suit or proceeding in advance upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay that amount if the director or officer is not entitled to that indemnification. Peoples' regulations stateCode of Regulations states that the indemnification provided by the regulations is not exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification may be entitled. Additionally, the Peoples regulations provideCode of Regulations provides that Peoples may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of Peoples, or who is or was serving another entity at the request of Peoples, against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in that capacity whether or not Peoples would have the obligation or power to indemnify him or her under the Peoples regulations.Code of Regulations. Ohio has codified the directors' common law duty of care and, in part, their common law duty of loyalty. Under Ohio corporate law, a director must perform his or her duties as a director, including his or her duties as a member of any committee of the directors upon which he or she serves, in good faith, in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. Under Ohio law, a director is not liable for monetary damages unless it is proved by clear and convincing evidence that his or her action or failure to act was undertaken with deliberate intent to cause injury to the corporation or with reckless disregard for the best interests of the corporation. This higher standard of proof must be met in any action brought against a director for breach of his or her duties, including any action involving or affectingaffecting: o a change or potential change in control of the corporation, o a termination or potential termination of a director's service to the corporation as a director, or o a director's service in any other position or relationship with the corporation. The higher standard of proof, however, does not affect the liability of directors for unlawful loans, dividends or distributions under Section 1701.95 of the Ohio Revised Code. Consistent with Ohio law, the Articles of Incorporation of Peoples articles provide that members of the Peoples board of directors, when evaluating any offer of another party to (a) make a tender or exchange offer for any shares of Peoples, (b) merge or consolidate Peoples with another corporation or (c) purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the properties and assets of Peoples, in connection with the exercise of their judgment in determining what they reasonably believe to be in the best interest of Peoples, must consider the interests of Peoples' shareholders and, in their discretion, may consider any of the following: o the interests of Peoples' employees, suppliers, creditors and customers; o the economy of Ohio and the nation; o community and societal considerations; and o the long-term as well as the short-term interests of Peoples and its shareholders, including the possibility that those interests may be best served by the continued independence of Peoples. The Lower Salem regulations do not address the indemnification rightsPursuant to provisions of the bank's directors and officers. Accordingly, those rights are governed exclusively byKentucky Business Corporation Act, the Ohio banking and general corporate laws. Ohio Revised Code Section 1105.11, governing Ohio banking corporations, providesArticles of Incorporation of Kentucky Bancshares provide that anya director of Kentucky Bancshares will not be personally liable to Kentucky Bancshares or any of its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of such person's duties as a bank who knowingly violatesdirector, except that this provision will not eliminate or knowingly permitslimit the liability of a director for any of the officers, agentsfollowing: o any transaction in which the director's personal financial interest is in conflict with the financial interests of Kentucky Bancshares or employeesits shareholders; o acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or are known to the director to be in violation of law; o any vote for or assent to an unlawful distribution to shareholders as prohibited under Section 271B.8-330 of the bankKentucky Revised Statutes; or o any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. These provisions will continue to violateapply with respect to any provisionbreach of duties by a director of Kentucky Bancshares after the director ceases to be a director and will inure to the personal benefit of the Ohio banking laws will be liable personallydirector's heirs, executors and individually for all damagesadministrators. The Articles of Incorporation of Kentucky Bancshares provide that, to the bank, its shareholdersfullest extent permitted by, and in accordance with, the Kentucky Business Corporation Act, Kentucky Bancshares shall indemnify each director or any other person sustains in consequence of the violation. Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.13, governing Ohio corporations generally, permits a corporation to indemnify its directors, officers, employees and agentsofficer against reasonable expenses including attorney's fees,(including reasonable attorneys' fees), judgments, taxes, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred by the indemnifieddirector or officer in connection with defending any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal, to which the director or officer is, or is threatened to be made, a party in specified civil and criminal proceedings. The indemnified party must have acted in good faith and in a mannerbecause he or she reasonably believedis or was a director or officer of Kentucky Bancshares, or is or was serving at the request of Kentucky Bancshares as a director, officer, partner, employee or agent of another domestic or foreign corporation, partnership joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans. The Articles of Incorporation also require Kentucky Bancshares to pay and reimburse reasonable expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by a director or officer who is a party to a proceeding, in advance of final disposition of the proceeding, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by, and in accordance with, the Kentucky Business Corporation Act. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by the Articles of Incorporation of Kentucky Bancshares are not exclusive of any other rights to which any director or officer may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, action of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, and these rights will continue as to a person who ceases to be ina director or not opposedofficer of Kentucky Bancshares and will inure to the best interestsbenefit of the corporationperson's heirs, executors and administrators. No repeal or modification of the Kentucky Bancshares Articles of Incorporation is permitted that would adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer under the indemnification and advancement provisions with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the indemnified party must have had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. An Ohio corporation is also required to make indemnification, if the party to be indemnified has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding. An Ohio corporation may not indemnify any officer, director, employee or agent pursuant to Ohio law, in an action brought by or in the right of the corporation, if (1) the officer, director, employee or agent is found liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her duties to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action is brought determines that the person is entitled to indemnification, or (2) the only liability asserted against the officer, director, employee or agent is for the making of unlawful loans, dividends or distributions of the corporation's assets under Section 1701.95 of the Ohio Revised Code. Pursuant to Ohio law, any indemnification, unless ordered by a court, must be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case, upon a determination that indemnification of the indemnified party is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct required for indemnification. That determination must be made: o by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors of the indemnifying corporation who were not and are not parties to or threatened with the action; o if the quorum described above is not obtainable or if a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, in a written opinion by independent legal counsel other than an attorney, or a firm having associated with it an attorney, who has been retained by or who has performed services for the corporation or any person to be indemnified within the past five years; o by the shareholders; or o by the court of common pleas or the court in which the action is brought. Ohio law requires a corporation, with specified exceptions, to pay the expenses of a director as they are incurred, in advance of the final disposition of the action, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director in which the director agrees to do both of the following: o repay the amount if it is proved by clear and convincing evidence in a court of competent jurisdiction that the action or failure to act involved an act or omission undertaken with deliberate intent to cause injuryoccurring prior to the corporation or was undertaken with reckless disregard for the best intereststime of the corporation; and o reasonably cooperate with the corporation concerning the action, suit,repeal or proceeding. Ohio law further allows a corporation to purchase liability insurance for any director, officer, employee or agent and states that the indemnification provided for by Ohio law is not exclusive of other forms of indemnification that the corporation may provide.modification. Peoples has agreed to indemnify each of the present officers, directors and employees of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust to the full extent that Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares and Kentucky Bank & Trust would have been required to indemnify that person under OhioKentucky law and the governing documents of Lower Salem. Any determination required to be made with respect to whether an indemnified person's conduct complies with the standards of Ohio lawKentucky Bancshares and Lower Salem's governing documents will be made by the court in which the action is brought or by independent counsel selected by Peoples and reasonably acceptable to the indemnified person.Kentucky Bank & Trust. The merger agreement also provides for the continuation of director and officer liability insurance for the directors and officers of Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares for a period of three years.years after the merger. For more information, see "The Merger Agreement and Related Plan of Merger - Costs and Expenses; Indemnification" on page __. LEGAL MATTERS =============___. Legal Matters ------------- The federal income tax consequences of the merger, along with other legal matters in connection with the merger and the issuance of cash, Peoples common shares, or a combination of cash and Peoples common shares to former Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders, will be passed upon for Peoples by Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP. EXPERTS =======Experts ------- The consolidated financial statements of Peoples as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and for each of the three years ended December 31, 2002, incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus from Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999,2002, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon incorporated by reference herein. Those consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus by reference in reliance upon Ernst & Young LLP'ssuch report given upon the authority of that firm as an expertexperts in accounting and auditing. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION ==========================================================Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This document contains forward-looking statements about the merger and about Peoples' financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. This includes information relating to: o benefits, revenues and earnings estimated to result from the merger; and o estimated costs of integrating Lower Salem.Kentucky Bancshares. It also includes statements using words like "believes," "expects," "intends," "anticipates" or "estimates" or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements because of various factors and possible events, including those discussed under "Risk Factors" above and the following: o income, interest and non-interest income following the merger is lower than expected; o the costs of providing compensation and benefits to Peoples' employees increase; o competition increases in the banking industry or Peoples' markets; o costs or difficulties related to the integration of Lower Salem'sKentucky Bancshares' business or other acquired businesses are greater than expected; o there are adverse changes in general economic conditions or in competitive forces; o technological changes are more difficult or expensive to implement than anticipated; o there are adverse changes in the securities markets; and o Peoples suffers the loss of key personnel. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ significantly from those predicted in these forward-looking statements. You should not place undue weight on these statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this document or, in the case of any document incorporated by reference, the date of that document. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Peoples or Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares or any person acting on behalf of Peoples or Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares are qualified by the cautionary statements in this section. Peoples and Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares have no obligation to revise these forward-looking statements. WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PEOPLES =================================================Where You Can Find More Information ----------------------------------- SEC Filings - -----------FILINGS Peoples files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Peoples' SEC filings are available tounder the publicSecurities Exchange Act of 1934. You may read and copy this information at the Internet site maintained byPublic Reference Section of the SEC at www.sec.gov and at the Internet site maintained by Peoples at www.peoplesbancorp.com.Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also read and copy any documentobtain copies of filed documents by Peoples withmail from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at the SEC's public reference rooms located at:Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W. New York Regional Office Chicago Regional Office Room 1024 7 World Trade Center 500 West Madison Street, Judiciary Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549, Suite 1300 Suite 1400 New York, New York 10048 Chicago, Illinois 60661at prescribed rates. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. You may also obtain copies ofroom. Peoples' SEC filings by mailare also available to the public on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov, which may be accessed from Peoples' website at www.peoplesbancorp.com (each of these uniform resource locators (URLs) is an inactive textual reference only and is not intended to incorporate the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Registration Statement - ----------------------website into this prospectus). REGISTRATION STATEMENT Peoples has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 to register the Peoples common shares to be issued to Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares shareholders in the merger. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits and schedules, contains additional relevant information about Peoples and Lower Salem.Kentucky Bancshares. This proxy statement/prospectus is part of that registration statement. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow Peoples to omit somecertain information included in the registration statement from this document. Peoples Documents Incorporated by Reference - ------------------------------------------- The SEC allows Peoples to "incorporate by reference" information into this proxy statement/prospectus. This means that Peoples can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed as an appendix to this proxy statement/prospectus or to documents filed separately withregistration statement may be inspected and copied at the SEC. The information incorporated bySEC's public reference is considered to be a part of this proxy statement/prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly in this proxy statement/prospectus.facilities described above. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about Peoples from documents that Peoples has filed with the Securities Exchange Commission, but has not included in or delivered with this proxy statement/prospectus. The following documents filed with the SEC by Peoples (SEC File No. 1-13006) are incorporated by reference the Peoples SEC documents described below. All of these documents were or will be filed under SEC File No. 0-16772.in this proxy statement/prospectus: o Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999;2002; o Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2000, June 30, 2000 and September 30, 2000; oPeoples' Current Reports on Form 8-K dated December 5, 2000, November 13, 2000, October 23, 2000, October 11, 2000, September 5, 2000, July 26, 2000, July 14, 2000, June 29, 2000, May 4, 2000, April 17, 2000, Aprilfiled with the SEC on January 6, 2000, March 29, 2000, February 15, 2000, February 7, 2000, February 3, 2000, January 20, 2000, January 18, 2000 and2003, January 14, 2000;2003, January 21, 2003, February 13, 2003 (as amended February 14, 2003), and February 20, 2003; o ThePeoples' Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 10, 2003; and o the description of the Peoples common shares contained in Peoples'Peoples Registration Statement on Form 8-B,8-A filed with the SEC on July 20, 1993; and o All1993 (File No. 0-16772), including any amendments or reports and definitive proxy or information statementsfiled for the purpose of updating that description. Peoples also incorporates by reference additional documents filed by Peoples pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this proxy statement/prospectus and before completionprior to final adjournment of the merger and the exchange of Lower Salem common shares for Peoples common shares. Peoples will provide, without charge, copies of any reportspecial meeting. Any statement contained in this proxy statement/prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus excluding exhibits other than thoseshall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that are specificallya statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Copies of documents incorporated in this proxy statement/prospectus. You may obtain a copy of any document incorporatedprospectus by reference may be obtained upon oral or written request without charge by writing or callingcontacting Charles R. Hunsaker, Esq., General Counsel of Peoples, at:at the following address and telephone number: Peoples Bancorp Inc. 138 Putnam Street P.O. Box 738 Marietta, Ohio 45750-073845750 (740) 373-3155 IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST DOCUMENTS, PLEASE DO SO BY _____________, 200_ TO ASSURE THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE THEM BEFORE THE SPECIAL MEETING.Any request for documents should be made by ____________, 2003 to ensure timely delivery of the documents prior to the special meeting. If you request any incorporated documents, Peoples will mail themthe documents to you by first class mail, or another equally prompt means, within oneby the next business day after Peoples receives your request.request is received. Peoples and Lower SalemKentucky Bancshares have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about the merger or the corporations party to the merger that differs from, or adds to, the information in this proxy statement/prospectus or in the reports that are publicly filed with the SEC. Therefore, if anyone does give you different or additional information, you should not rely on it. This proxy statement/prospectus is dated _____________, 200_. The information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus speaks only as of that date, unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies. You should not assume that the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than that date, and neither the mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus to you nor the issuance to you of Peoples common shares will create any implication to the contrary. Appendix A AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF ACQUISITION AND MERGER dated as of October 24, 2000November 29, 2002 by and between PEOPLES BANCORP INC. and THE LOWER SALEM COMMERCIAL BANK and PEOPLES BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONKENTUCKY BANCSHARES INCORPORATED TABLE OF CONTENTS ----------------- PAGEPage ARTICLE ONE -- THE MERGER..................................................1MERGER.....................................................2 1.01. Merger; Surviving Corporation...............................1Corporation...................................2 1.02. Effective Time..............................................1Time..................................................2 1.03. Effects of the Merger.......................................2Merger...........................................2 ARTICLE TWO -- CONVERSION OF SHARES; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES..............2CERTIFICATES.................3 2.01. Effect on Outstanding LSCB Shares...........................2Conversion of KBI Shares........................................3 2.02. Fractional Shares...........................................2Election and Exchange Procedures................................4 2.03. Elections...................................................3KBI Shareholders' Dissenter's Rights............................9 2.04. Allocations of Merger Consideration.........................3Anti-Dilution Provisions........................................9 2.05. Peoples Shares.................................................10 ARTICLE THREE -- REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF LSCB......................4KBI.......................10 3.01. Representations and Warranties of LSCB......................4KBI..........................10 ARTICLE FOUR -- REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PEOPLES..................14PEOPLES....................27 4.01. Representations and Warranties of Acquiror.................14 4.02. Representations and Warranties of Peoples Bank.............16Peoples......................27 ARTICLE FIVE -- FURTHER COVENANTS OF LSCB..................................17KBI.....................................31 5.01. Operation of Business......................................17Business..........................................31 5.02. Notification...............................................20Notification...................................................35 5.03. Shareholder Approval.......................................20Approval...........................................35 5.04. Acquisition Proposals......................................20Proposals..........................................36 5.05. Delivery of Information....................................21Information........................................36 5.06. Affiliates Compliance with the Securities Act..............21Act..................36 5.07. Takeover Laws..............................................21Laws..................................................37 5.08. Cooperation In Merger......................................21in Bank Merger.....................................37 5.09. Accounting Policies........................................21Policies............................................37 5.10. Title Insurance............................................21Termination of Employment Agreements...........................37 5.11. Termination of Plans...........................................37 ARTICLE SIX -- FURTHER COVENANTS OF PEOPLES...............................22PEOPLES..................................38 6.01. Current Information........................................22Access to Information..........................................38 6.02. Opportunity of Employment; Employee Benefits...............22Benefits...................38 6.03. Severance Benefit..........................................22Benefit..............................................39 6.04. NASDAQ Listing.............................................23Nasdaq Listing.................................................39 6.05. Takeover Laws..............................................23Laws..................................................39 6.06. Notification...............................................23 6.07Notification...................................................39 6.07. Officers' and Directors' Indemnification...................23Indemnification.......................40 ARTICLE SEVEN -- FURTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES.........................24PARTIES..........................41 7.01. Necessary Further Action...................................24KBI Stock Options..............................................41 7.02. Cooperative Action.........................................24Action.............................................41 7.03. Satisfaction of Conditions.................................24Conditions.....................................41 7.04. Accounting and Tax Treatment...............................24Confidentiality................................................41 7.05. Press Releases.............................................25Releases.................................................42 7.06. Registration Statement.....................................25Statements........................................42 7.07. Regulatory Applications....................................26Applications........................................43 7.08. Supplemental Assurances....................................26Assurances........................................44 ARTICLE EIGHT -- CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES.....26PARTIES......44 8.01. Conditions to the Obligations of Acquiror..................26Peoples.......................44 8.02. Conditions to the Obligations of Target....................27KBI...........................47 8.03. Mutual Conditions..........................................28Conditions..............................................48 ARTICLE NINE CLOSING....................................................29-- CLOSING......................................................49 9.01. Closing....................................................29Closing........................................................49 9.02. Closing Transactions Required of Acquiror..................29Peoples.......................50 9.03. Closing Transactions Required of Target....................29KBI...........................50 ARTICLE TEN -- NON-SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS..................................................30COVENANTS.....51 10.01. Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants..30Covenants......51 ARTICLE ELEVEN TERMINATION................................................30-- TERMINATION................................................51 11.01. Termination................................................30Termination....................................................51 11.02. Effect of Termination......................................31Termination..........................................53 ARTICLE TWELVE MISCELLANEOUS..............................................32-- MISCELLANEOUS..............................................53 12.01. Notices....................................................32Notices........................................................53 12.02. Counterparts...............................................32Counterparts...................................................54 12.03. Entire Agreement...........................................33Agreement...............................................54 12.04. Successors and Assigns.....................................33Assigns.........................................54 12.05. Captions...................................................33Captions.......................................................55 12.06. Governing Law..............................................33Law..................................................55 12.07. Payment of Fees and Expenses...............................33Expenses...................................55 12.08. Amendment..................................................33Amendment......................................................55 12.09. Waiver.....................................................33Waiver.........................................................55 12.10. Disclosure Schedules.......................................33Schedules...........................................55 12.11. No Third-Party Rights......................................34Rights..........................................56 12.12. Waiver of Jury Trial.......................................34Trial...........................................56 12.13. Severability...............................................34 A-iiSeverability...................................................56 GLOSSARY OF DEFINED TERMS The following terms, when used in this Agreement, have the meanings ascribed to them in the corresponding Sections of this Agreement listed below: "Agreement" -- Preamble "Acquisition Proposal" -- Section 5.04 "Aggregate Cash Consideration" -- Section 2.01(c) "Average Share Price" -- Section 2.02(b) "BHC Act" -- Section 3.01(a) "CERCLA" -- Section 3.01(y) "Cash Election Shares" -- Section 2.02(b) "Christmas Employment Agreement" -- Section 5.10 "Closing Date" -- Section 9.01 "Closing" -- Section 9.01 "Closing Shareholders' Equity" -- Section 8.01(h) "Code" -- Preamble "Compensation and Benefit Plans" -- Section 3.01(s) "Constituent Corporations" -- Preamble "Consultants" -- Section 3.01(s) "Costs" -- Section 6.07(a) "CRA" -- Section 3.01(hh) "Directors" -- Section 3.01(s) "DOL" -- Section 3.01(s) "Election Deadline" -- Section 2.02(c) "Election Form" -- Section 2.02(b) "Effective Time" -- Section 1.02 "Employees" -- Section 3.01(s) "Environmental Law" -- Section 3.01(y) "ERISA" -- Section 3.01(s) "ERISA Affiliate" -- Section 3.01(s) "ERISA Affiliate Plan" -- Section 3.01(s) "Exchange Act" -- Section 3.01(s) "Exchange Agent" -- Section 2.02(a) "Exchange Ratio" -- Section 2.01(b) "FDIC" -- Section 2.02(f) "Federal Reserve" -- Section 3.01(k) "GAAP" -- Section 3.01(f) "Governmental Authority" -- Section 3.01(p) "Hazardous Substances" -- Section 3.01(y) "Indemnified Party" -- Section 6.07(a) "Insurance Amount" -- Section 6.07(b) "IRS" -- Section 3.01(l) "KBCA" -- Section 1.01 "KBI" -- Preamble "KBI Balance Sheet Date" -- Section 3.01(f) "KBI Certificates" -- Section 2.02 "KBI Disclosure Schedule" -- Preamble "KBI Dissenting Share" -- Section 2.03 "KBI Financial Statements" -- Section 3.01(f) "KBI Meeting" -- Section 5.03(b) "KBI Proxy Statement" -- Section 5.03(b) "KBI Real Properties" -- Section 3.01(m) "KBI Shares" -- Preamble "KBI Shareholders' Adoption" -- Section 11.01(b) "KBI Stock Option Plan" -- Section 3.01(b) "KBI Stock Options" -- Section 3.01(b) "KBI Voting Debt" -- Section 3.01(b) "KDFI" -- Section 3.01(k) "Kentucky Bank"... -- Preamble "Kentucky Bank 401(k) Plan" -- Section 5.01(b)(x) "Kentucky Bank Pension Plan" -- Section 5.01(b)(x) "Kentucky Bank Real Estate Collateral" -- Section 3.01(y) "Loan Assets" -- Section 3.01(i) "Loan Documentation" -- Section 3.01(i) "material adverse effect" -- Section 3.01(a) "material" -- Section 3.01(a) "Merger Shares" -- Section 2.01(b) "Merger" -- Preamble "No-Election Shares" -- Section 2.02(b) "Officers" -- Section 3.01(s) "OGCL" -- Section 1.01 "OTS" -- Section 3.01(k) "PBGC" -- Section 3.01(s) "PCBs" -- Section 3.01(y) "Pension Plan" -- Section 3.01(s) "Peoples" -- Preamble "Peoples Bank" -- Preamble "Peoples Disclosure Schedule" -- Preamble "Peoples Financial Statements" -- Section 4.01(l) "Peoples Shares" -- Preamble "Peoples Stock Option Plans" -- Section 4.01(c) "Per Share Cash Consideration" -- Section 2.01(a) "Per Share Stock Consideration" -- Section 2.01(a) "Proxy Statement/Prospectus" -- Section 7.06(a) "Reallocated Cash Shares" -- Section 2.02(d) "Reallocated Stock Shares" -- Section 2.02(d) "Registration Statement" -- Section 7.06(a) "Regulatory Authorities" -- Section 3.01(o) "Rule 145 Affiliates" -- Section 5.06(a) "S-3" -- Section 7.06(b) "SEC" -- Section 3.01(c) "Securities Act" -- Section 3.01(u) "Stock Election Shares" -- Section 2.02(b) "Subsidiary" -- Section 3.01(c) "Surviving Corporation" -- Section 1.01 "Takeover Laws" -- Section 3.01(z) "Tax" -- Section 3.01(l) "Tax Returns" -- Section 3.01(l) "Updated KBI Disclosure Schedule" -- Section 5.02 "VSSP" -- Section 8.01(d) AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF ACQUISITION AND MERGER -------------------------------------------- THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF ACQUISITION AND MERGER ("Agreement"(the "Agreement"), dated as of October 24, 2000,November 29, 2002, is made and entered into by and between Peoples Bancorp Inc., a bank holding company organized under the laws of the State ofan Ohio corporation ("Peoples"), Peoples Bank, National Association,and Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated, a national banking association organized under the laws of the United StatesKentucky corporation ("Peoples Bank") and Lower Salem Commercial Bank, a banking corporation organized under the laws of the State of Ohio ("LSCB"KBI") (Peoples Peoples Bank and LSCBKBI are sometimes hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Constituent Corporations"). W I T N E S S E T H: WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of LSCB, Peoples BankKBI and Peoples have each determined that it is in the best interests of their respective corporations and shareholders for LSCBKBI to merge with and into Peoples Bank (the "Merger"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in and pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and a related Plan of Merger by and between Peoples Bank and LSCB to be signed at a future date ("Merger Agreement"), substantially in the form attached hereto and marked Exhibit A;Agreement; and WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of LSCB, Peoples,KBI and Peoples Bank have each approved this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; and WHEREAS, immediately after the Merger, Kentucky Bank & Trust, a Kentucky banking corporation wholly owned by KBI ("Kentucky Bank"), will merge with and into Peoples Bank, National Association, a national banking association wholly owned by Peoples ("Peoples Bank"); and WHEREAS, as a result of the Merger, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, LSCBKBI will cease to have a separate corporate existence, and shareholders of LSCBKBI will receive from Peoples in exchange for eachtheir common share, $10.00shares, no par value, of LSCBKBI (the "LSCB"KBI Shares"), (A)(a) a certain amount of cash, or (B)(b) a certain number of common shares, without par value, of Peoples ("Peoples Shares"), or (C)(c) a combination of cash and Peoples Shares, as calculated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and WHEREAS, it is the intention of the Constituent CorporationsKBI and Peoples that the Merger contemplated by this Agreement be accounted for as a purchase; and WHEREAS, for Federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger contemplated by this Agreement qualify as a tax-free reorganization"reorganization" under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); and WHEREAS, KBI has provided to Peoples a schedule disclosing additional information about KBI (the "KBI Disclosure Schedule"), and Peoples has provided to KBI a schedule disclosing additional information about Peoples (the "Peoples Disclosure Schedule"); NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the respective representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and conditions hereinafter set forth, LSCB, Peoples BankKBI and Peoples, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows: ARTICLE ONE THE MERGER 1.01. Merger;1.01.....Merger; Surviving Corporation - ----- ----------------------------- Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, and the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.02 of this Agreement)1.02), LSCBKBI shall merge with and into Peoples Bank in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Ohio (the "OGCL") and the laws of the United StatesKentucky Business Corporation Act (the "National Bank Act""KBCA"). Peoples Bank shall be the continuing and surviving banking associationcorporation in the Merger, shall continue to exist under the laws of the United States,State of Ohio, and shall be the only one of Peoples Bank and LSCBthe Constituent Corporations to continue its separate corporate existence after the Effective Time. 1.02.As used in this Agreement, the term "Surviving Corporation" refers to Peoples at and after the Effective Time. As a result of the Merger, the outstanding shares of capital stock and the treasury shares of the Constituent Corporations shall be converted in the manner provided in Article Two. 1.02.....Effective Time - ----- -------------- The Merger shall become effective uponat 5:00 p.m. on the date providedthat a certificate of merger is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Ohio and articles of merger are filed with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, unless a later time is agreed to in writing by Peoples and KBI and so specified in the Merger Agreement.certificate of merger and articles of merger. The date and time at which the Merger shall become effective is referred to in this Agreement as the "Effective Time." 1.03. Effects1.03.....Effects of the Merger - ----- ---------------------At the Effective Time: (a) the articles of Peoples in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the articles of the Surviving Corporation; (b) the regulations of Peoples in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the regulations of the Surviving Corporation; and (c) the authorized number of directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be the authorized number of directors of Peoples immediately prior to the Effective Time. At the Effective Time, each individual who is serving as a director of Peoples immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to be a director of the Surviving Corporation and each such individual shall serve as a director of the Surviving Corporation for the balance of the term for which such individual was elected a director of Peoples. Each director of the Surviving Corporation shall serve as such until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified in the manner provided in the articles and regulations of the Surviving Corporation or as otherwise provided by law or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal in the manner provided in the articles and regulations of the Surviving Corporation or as otherwise provided by law; (d) each individual who is an officer of Peoples immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to be an officer of the Surviving Corporation with each such individual to hold the same office in the Surviving Corporation, in accordance with the regulations thereof, as he held in Peoples immediately prior to the Effective Time; and (e) the Merger Agreement shall determinehave the effects ofprescribed in the Merger.OGCL and the KBCA. ARTICLE TWO CONVERSION OF SHARES; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES 2.01. Effect on Outstanding LSCB2.01.....Conversion of KBI Shares - ----- --------------------------------- (a) ByAt the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger automatically and without any action on the part of the holder thereof,thereof: (a) CONVERSION OF SHARES. Subject to Sections 2.02, 2.03 and 2.04, each LSCBKBI Share issued and outstanding atas of the Effective Time (other than (A)KBI Shares to be canceled or converted to treasury shares of the holder of which (the "Dissenting Stockholder") pursuant to any applicable law providing for dissenters' or appraisal rights is entitled to receive paymentSurviving Corporation in accordance with the provisions of any such law, such holder to have only the rights providedSection 2.02(d) and KBI Dissenting Shares, as defined in any such law (the "Dissenters' Shares"), (B) shares held directly or indirectly by Peoples (other than shares held in a fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of a debt previously contracted), and (C) shares held as treasury stock of LSCB (collectively, the "Excluded Shares")Section 2.03) shall become and be converted into the right to receive, at the election of the holder thereof (subject tothereof: (i) the provisions of this Article), the right to receive cash ("Cash Consideration"), a number of Peoples Shares ("which is equal to the Exchange Ratio as defined in Section 2.01(b) (the "Per Share Stock Consideration"), or (ii) a combination of both, the value of which (the "Merger Consideration") shall be determined, up to a maximum value of $85.72 (the "Maximum Value") by multiplying the Peoples Market Value, as defined below, by an Exchange Ratio, which shall be determined as follows: (1) If the Peoples Market Value is less than orcash amount equal to $14.625, then the quotient of $33.80$2,575.00 (the "Cash Portion") divided by the Peoples Market Value, plus 3.5500, or, (2) if the Peoples Market Value is greater than $14.625, then the quotient Maximum Value divided by the Peoples Market Value."Per Share Cash Consideration. (b) EXCHANGE RATIO. (i) If between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, the outstanding Peoples Shares shall have been changed into a different number of shares or into a different class, by reason of any stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination or exchange of shares (each, a "Stock Adjustment"), theThe Exchange Ratio shall be adjusted correspondinglyequal to $2,575.00 divided by the extent appropriate to reflectAverage Share Price (as defined in Section 2.01(b)(ii) below) or, expressed as a fraction: $2,575.00 ----------------------- the Stock Adjustment.Average Share Price (ii) As used herein, "Peoples Market Value"For purposes of this Agreement, the "Average Share Price" shall bemean the average of the mean between thedaily closing high bid and low asked pricesprice per share of Peoples Shares, as reported on the NASDAQ StockThe Nasdaq National Market, (the "NASDAQ"), for the 2030 consecutive trading days immediately precedingending at the close of business on the day (the "Valuation Date") which is five trading days prior to the dayEffective Time; provided, however, that (A) in the event that the Average Share Price, as calculated pursuant to this Section 2.01(b)(ii), is equal to or greater than $33.00, then the latestAverage Share Price shall be deemed to be $33.00 for the purpose of (A)calculating the dayExchange Ratio pursuant to Section 2.01(b)(i) (such that the Exchange Ratio would equal 78.0303 and the aggregate number of expirationPeoples Shares issued to KBI shareholders would not be less than 461,627) and (B) in the event that the Average Share Price, as calculated pursuant to this Section 2.01(b)(ii), is equal to or less than $25.00, then the Average Share Price shall be deemed to be $25.00 for the purpose of calculating the Exchange Ratio pursuant to Section 2.01(b)(i) (such that the Exchange Ratio would be 103.0000 and the aggregate number of Peoples Shares issued to KBI shareholders would not be greater than 609,348). (iii) The Exchange Ratio shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 2.04. (c) AGGREGATE CASH CONSIDERATION. For purposes of this Agreement, the "Aggregate Cash Consideration" shall mean 50% of the last waiting period with respect tonumber of KBI Shares (excluding any of the required regulatory approvals as contemplated in Section 7.06, hereof, (B) the day on which the last of the required regulatory approvals as contemplated in Section 7.07 hereof, is obtainedKBI Shares owned by KBI (including treasury shares) or (C) the day on which the last of the required stockholder approvals have been received. As ofPeoples) outstanding at the Effective Time each Excluded Sharemultiplied by $2,575.00. (d) CANCELLATION OF TREASURY SHARES; KBI SHARES OWNED BY PEOPLES. All KBI Shares held by KBI as treasury shares shall be canceled and retired and cease to exist, and no exchange or payment shall be made with respect thereto. (b) As of the Effective Time, all LSCB Shares other than Excluded Shares shall no longer be outstanding and shall be automatically canceled and retired and shall cease to exist and each holderno Peoples Shares or other consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor. All KBI Shares, if any, that are beneficially owned by Peoples shall become treasury shares of a certificate formerly representing any such LSCB Shares shall ceasethe Surviving Corporation. 2.02.....Election and Exchange Procedures (a) EXCHANGE AGENT. Peoples will designate Peoples Bank to have any rights with respect thereto, exceptact as agent (the "Exchange Agent") for purposes of conducting the right to receiveelection procedure and the Merger Consideration. Afterexchange procedure as described in this Section 2.02. (b) ELECTION PROCEDURE. No later than five business days following the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the stock transfer books of LSCB. 2.02. Fractional Shares - ----- ----------------- Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, no fraction of a whole share of Peoples Shares and no certificates or scrip therefore will be issued in the Merger; instead, Peoples shall paycause the Exchange Agent to each holder of LSCB Shares who would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share an amount in cash, rounded to the nearest cent, determined by multiplying such fraction by the Peoples Market Value. 2.03. Elections - ----- --------- (a) Subject to the allocation procedures set forth in this Article, each holder of LSCB Shares will be entitled, with respect to the Merger Consideration to be received for each LSCB Share held by such holder, to (A) elect to receive the Stock Consideration (a "Stock Election") with respect to such holder's LSCB Shares ("Stock Election Shares"), (B) elect to receive the Cash Consideration (a "Cash Election") with respect to such holder's LSCB Shares ("Cash Election Shares"), (C)mail or make no election (a "No-Election") with respect to such holder's LSCB Shares ("No-Election Shares"), or (D) elect to make a Stock Election with respect to some of such holder's LSCB Shares and a Cash Election with respect to the remaining LSCB Shares held by such holder (a "Split Election"). Any Dissenting Shares shall be deemed to be No-Election Shares. (b) An election form and other appropriate transmittal materials (the "Letter of Transmittal and Election Form") will be mailed within three business days after the Closingavailable to each holder of record of LSCB Shares as ofa certificate or certificates which immediately prior to the Effective Time permittingrepresented issued and outstanding KBI Shares (i) a notice and letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected and risk of loss and title to the certificates theretofore representing KBI Shares shall pass only upon proper delivery of such certificates to the Exchange Agent) advising such holder of the effectiveness of the Merger and the procedure for surrendering to the Exchange Agent such certificate or certificates in exchange for the consideration set forth in Section 2.01(a) deliverable pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) an election form in such form as Peoples and KMI shall mutually agree ("Election Form"). 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 make a (A) Stockelect to receive Peoples Shares with respect to all such holders KBI Shares, (ii) to elect to receive cash with respect to all such holder's KBI Shares, (iii) to elect to receive cash with respect to some of such holder's KBI Shares and to receive Peoples Shares with respect to such holder's other KBI Shares, or (iv) to indicate that such holder makes no such election with respect to such holder's KBI Shares ("No-Election Shares"). Any KBI Shares with respect to which the holder has elected to receive cash are hereinafter referred to as "Cash Election (B) CashShares," and any KBI Shares with respect to which the holder has elected to receive Peoples Shares are hereinafter referred to as "Stock Election (C) No-Election or (D) Split Election. Holders who hold in a variety of capacities may make a separate election in each capacity.Shares." Any election shall have been properly made only if a bank or trust company designated by Peoples (the "Exchange Agent") shall have actually received a properly completed Letter of Transmittal and Election Form by the Election Deadline, described below. A Letter of Transmittal and Election Form will be properly completed only if accompanied by certificates representing all LSCB Shares converted thereby. Any LSCBKBI Shares with respect to which the holder thereof shall not, as of the Election Deadline (as defined in Section 2.02(c) below), have made such an election by submission to the Exchange Agent of an effective, properly completed Letter of Transmittal and Election Form shall be deemed to be No-Election Shares. Any KBI Dissenting Shares shall be deemed to be Cash Election Shares, and with respect to such shares the holders thereof shall in no event be classified as Reallocated Stock Shares (as defined in Section 2.02(d)(ii)(B) below). (c) ELECTION DEADLINE; REVOCATION OR MODIFICATION OF ELECTION. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Election Deadline" shall mean 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 20th day following but not including the date of mailing of the Election Form, or such other date as Peoples and KBI shall mutually agree upon. Any election to receive cash, Peoples Shares or a combination of cash and Peoples Shares shall have been 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 notice is actually received by the Exchange Agent at or prior to the Election Deadline. The Exchange Agent shall have reasonable discretion to determine when any election, modification or revocation is received and whether any such election, modification or revocation has been properly made. (c)(d) ALLOCATION OF PEOPLES SHARES AND CASH. The Exchange Agent shall effect the allocation among holders of KBI Shares of rights to receive cash, Peoples Shares, or a combination of cash and Peoples Shares in accordance with the Election Deadline shall be 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, onForms as follows: (i) If the 10th business day following but not includingnumber of Cash Election Shares multiplied by the date of mailingPer Share Cash Consideration is less than the Aggregate Cash Consideration, then: (A) each of the Letter of Transmittal andCash Election Form or such other date as Peoples and LSCB shall mutually agree upon. 2.04. Allocations of Merger Consideration - ----- ----------------------------------- (a) As provided below, the percentage of the LSCB Shares which(subject to Section 2.03 with respect to KBI Dissenting Shares) will be converted into the right to receive the StockPer Share Cash Consideration, shall be that percentage determined by subtracting from 100%(B) the percentage determined in Subsection (b) of this Section 2.04, but in no event less than 52%. The Exchange Agent shall effectuate the allocations of the Merger Consideration described belowwill select first from among the holders of LSCBNo-Election Shares within five business days afterand then, if necessary, will allocate among the holders of Stock Election Deadline. (b) IfShares (by the aggregatemethod of allocation described in Section 2.02(e)(i) below), a sufficient number of Stock Election Shares ("Reallocated Cash Shares") such that the product of (1) the sum of the number of Cash Election Shares, exceedsplus the number of LSCBNo-Election Shares equal toand Reallocated Cash Shares, multiplied by (2) the percentage, as determined by dividingPer Share Cash Consideration equals the Aggregate Cash Portion by the Merger Consideration, and each of the LSCBReallocated Cash (C) the No-Election Shares outstanding at the Effective Time (excluding such shares which are to be canceled and retired in accordance with Subsection (b) of Section 2.01) (the "Cash Election Number"), all Stock Election Shares and all No-Electionwhich are not Reallocated Cash Shares outstanding at the Effective Time shallwill be converted into the right to receive the Per Share Stock Consideration. (ii) If the number of Cash Election Shares multiplied by the Per Share Cash Consideration is greater than the Aggregate Cash Consideration, then: (A) each of the Stock Election Shares and all No-Election Shares will be converted into the right to receive the Per Share Stock Consideration, and(B) the Exchange Agent will allocate among the holders of Cash Election Shares (by the method of allocation described in Section 2.02(e)(ii) below), a sufficient number of Cash Election Shares (excluding any KBI Dissenting Shares) ("Reallocated Stock Shares") such that the product of (1) the number of remaining Cash Election Shares (including KBI Dissenting Shares) multiplied by (2) the Per Share Cash Consideration equals the Aggregate Cash Consideration, and each of the Reallocated Stock Shares shall be converted into the right to receive the Per Share Stock Consideration, and the Cash Consideration in the following manner:(C) each Cash Election Share shall be converted into the right to receive (A) an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the product, rounded to the nearest 1 cent ($.01), of (1) the Cash Consideration and (2) a fraction (the "Cash Fraction"), the numerator of which shall be the Cash Election Number and the denominator of which shall be the total number of Cash Election Shares and (B) a number of Peoples Shares equal(subject to the product, roundedSection 2.03 with respect to four decimal places, of (1) the Stock Consideration and (2) a number equal to one minus the Cash Fraction. (c) If the aggregate number of Stock Election Shares exceeds the number of LSCB Shares equal to the percentage determined in Subsection (a) of this Section 2.04 of the LSCB Shares outstanding at the Effective Time (excluding such sharesKBI Dissenting Shares) which are to be canceled and retired in accordance with Subsection (b) of Section 2.01) (the "Stock Election Number"), all Cash Electionnot Reallocated Stock Shares and all No-Election Shares shallwill be converted into the right to receive the Per Share Cash Consideration. (iii) If the number of Cash Election Shares (including KBI Dissenting Shares) multiplied by the Per Share Cash Consideration is equal to the Aggregate Cash Consideration, then subparagraphs (d)(i) and (ii) above shall not apply and all No-Election Shares and all Stock Election Shares shallwill be converted into the right to receive the Stock Consideration and the Cash Consideration in the following manner: each Stock Election Share shall be converted into the right to receive (A) a number of Peoples Shares equal to the product, rounded to four decimal places, of (1) the Stock Consideration and (2) a fraction (the "Stock Fraction"), the numerator of which shall be the Stock Election Number and the denominator of which shall be the total number of Stock Election Shares, and (B) an amount of cash, without interest, equal to the product, rounded to the nearest 1 (cent), of (1) the Cash Consideration and (2) a number equal to one minus the Stock Fraction. (d)Shares. (e) PRO RATA ALLOCATION. (i) In the event that the Exchange Agent is required pursuant to Section 2.02(d)(i)(B) to designate from among all Stock Election Shares the Reallocated Cash Shares to receive cash, each holder of Stock Election Shares shall be allocated a pro rata portion (based on each holder's Stock Election Shares relative to all Stock Election Shares) of the remainder of the total Reallocated Cash Shares less the number of No-Election Shares which are Reallocated Cash Shares. (ii) In the event the Exchange Agent is required pursuant to Section 2.02(d)(ii)(B) to designate from among all holders of Cash Election Shares does not exceed the Cash Election Number andReallocated Stock Shares to receive the numberPer Share Stock Consideration, each holder of Stock Election Shares does not exceed the Stock Election Number, all Cash Election Shares shall be allocated a pro rata portion (based on each holder's Cash Election Shares relative to all Cash Election Shares) of the total Reallocated Stock Shares (rounded up to the next whole share). (f) DEPOSIT WITH EXCHANGE AGENT. At the Effective Time, Peoples shall issue to the Exchange Agent the number of Peoples Shares issuable and the amount of cash payable in the Merger, which shall be held by the Exchange Agent in trust for the holders of KBI Shares and the cash invested only in deposit accounts of a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insured institution, direct obligations of the U.S. Government or obligations issued or guaranteed by an agency thereof which carry the full faith and credit of the United States). No later than ten days after the Election Deadline, the Exchange agent shall distribute Peoples Shares and cash as provided herein. The Exchange Agent shall not be entitled to vote or exercise any rights of ownership with respect to the Peoples Shares held by it from time to time hereunder, except that it shall receive and hold all dividends or other distributions paid or distributed with respect to such shares for the account of the persons entitled thereto. (g) SURRENDER OF KBI CERTIFICATES. After the completion of the foregoing allocation, each holder of an outstanding certificate or certificates which prior thereto represented shares of KBI Shares ("KBI Certificate"), who surrenders such KBI Certificate to the Exchange Agent will, upon acceptance thereof by the Exchange Agent, be entitled to a certificate representing the full number of Peoples Shares or the amount of cash into which the aggregate number of KBI Shares previously represented by such KBI Certificate surrendered shall have been converted pursuant to this Agreement and, if such holder's KBI Shares have been converted into Peoples Shares, any other distribution theretofore paid with respect to Peoples Shares issuable in the Merger, in each case without interest. The Exchange Agent shall accept such KBI Certificates upon compliance with such reasonable terms and conditions as the Exchange Agent may impose to effect an orderly exchange thereof in accordance with normal exchange practices. Each KBI Certificate that is not surrendered to the Exchange Agent in accordance with the procedures provided for herein shall, except as otherwise herein provided, until duly surrendered to the Exchange Agent be deemed to evidence ownership of the number of Peoples Shares or the right to receive the amount of cash into which such KBI Shares shall have been converted. After the Effective Time, there shall be no further transfer on the records of KBI of KBI Certificates representing KBI Shares and, if such KBI Certificates are presented to KBI for transfer, they shall be canceled against delivery of certificates for Peoples Shares or cash as hereinabove provided. (h) LOST CERTIFICATES. If there shall be delivered to the Exchange Agent by any person who is unable to produce any KBI Certificate for KBI Shares for surrender to the Exchange Agent in accordance with this Section 2.02: (i) Evidence to the satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that such KBI Certificate has been lost, wrongfully taken, or destroyed; (ii) Such security or indemnity as may be requested by the Surviving Corporation to save it harmless (which may include the requirement to obtain a third party bond or surety); and (iii) Evidence to the satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that such person was the owner of the KBI Shares theretofore represented by each such KBI Certificate claimed by him to be lost, wrongfully taken or destroyed and that he is the person who would be entitled to present such KBI Certificate for exchange pursuant to this Agreement; then the Exchange Agent, in the absence of actual notice to it that any KBI Shares theretofore represented by any such KBI Certificate have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, shall deliver to such person the Peoples Shares (and cash in lieu of fractional Peoples Share interests) that such person would have been entitled to receive upon surrender of each such lost, wrongfully taken or destroyed KBI Certificate. (i) NO FURTHER OWNERSHIP RIGHTS IN KBI SHARES. All cash and Peoples Shares issued upon conversion of KBI Shares in accordance with the terms hereof (including any cash paid pursuant to Section 2.02(g) or 2.02(j)) shall be deemed to have been issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such KBI Shares, subject, however, to the Surviving Corporation's obligation to pay any dividends or make any other distributions with a record date prior to the Effective Time which may have been declared or made by KBI on such KBI Shares in accordance with the terms of this Agreement on or prior to the Effective Time and which remain unpaid at the Effective Time. (j) NO FRACTIONAL PEOPLES SHARES. (i) No certificates or scrip representing fractional Peoples Shares shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange of KBI Certificates evidencing KBI Shares, and such fractional Peoples Share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any rights of a shareholder of the Surviving Corporation. (ii) Each holder of KBI Shares who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional Peoples Share shall receive from the Exchange Agent an amount of cash equal to the product obtained by multiplying (a) the fractional Peoples Share interest to which such holder (after taking into account all KBI Shares held at the Effective Time by such holder) would otherwise be entitled by (b) the Average Share Price. No interest shall be payable with respect to such cash payment. (k) TERMINATION OF EXCHANGE FUND. Any portion of the Peoples Shares and cash delivered to the Exchange Agent by Peoples pursuant to Section 2.02(f) which remains undistributed to the shareholders of KBI for six months after the Effective Time shall be delivered to the Surviving Corporation, upon demand, and any shareholders of KBI who have not theretofore complied with this Article Two shall thereafter look only to the Surviving Corporation for payment of the Per Share Stock Consideration, the Per Share Cash Consideration, any cash in lieu of fractional Peoples Share interest and any dividends or distributions with respect to Peoples Shares, in each case without interest. (l) NO LIABILITY. None of Peoples, KBI, the Exchange Agent or the Surviving Corporation shall be liable to any former holder of KBI Shares for any payment of the Per Share Stock Consideration, the Per Share Cash Consideration, any cash in lieu of fractional Peoples Share interest and any dividends or distributions with respect to Peoples Shares delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law. (m) WAIVER. The Surviving Corporation may from time to time, in the case of one or more persons, waive one or more of the rights provided to it in this Article Two to withhold certain payments, deliveries and distributions; and no such waiver shall constitute a waiver of its rights thereafter to withhold any such payment, delivery or distribution in the case of any person. 2.03.....KBI Shareholders' Dissenter's Rights Anything contained in this Agreement or elsewhere to the contrary notwithstanding, if any holder of an outstanding KBI Share shall properly exercise dissenters' rights with respect thereto in accordance with Chapter 271B.13 of the KBCA (a "KBI Dissenting Share"), then: (a) Each such KBI Dissenting Share shall nevertheless be deemed to be canceled and extinguished at the Effective Time as provided elsewhere in this Agreement; (b) Each person perfecting such dissenter's rights shall thereafter have only such rights (and shall have such obligations) as are provided in Chapter 271B.13 of the KBCA, and the Surviving Corporation shall not be required to deliver any Peoples Shares or cash payments to such person in substitution for each such KBI Dissenting Share in accordance with this Agreement; provided, however, that if any such person shall have failed to perfect or shall withdraw or lose such person's rights under Chapter 271B.13 of the KBCA, each such person's KBI Dissenting Shares shall thereupon be deemed to have been converted as of the Effective Time into the right to receive the Per Share Cash Consideration, all Stock ElectionConsideration. No holder of KBI Dissenting Shares shall be converted into the rightentitled to receive the Stock Consideration,submit a letter of transmittal, and the No-Electionany letter of transmittal submitted by a holder of KBI Dissenting Shares shall be converted into eitherinvalid. 2.04.....Anti-Dilution Provisions The Exchange Ratio and the right to receive thePer Share Stock Consideration shall be subject to appropriate adjustments in the event that, subsequent to the date of this Agreement but prior to the Effective Time, the outstanding Peoples Shares shall have been increased, decreased, changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities through reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or other like changes in Peoples' capitalization; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall require any adjustment to the Exchange Ratio or the CashPer Share Stock Consideration as determineda result of the issuance of additional Peoples Shares for consideration. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to permit any action which may be proscribed by random selection sothis Agreement. 2.05.....Peoples Shares All Peoples Shares, if any, that are owned directly by KBI shall become treasury shares of the result provided for in Section 2.04(a) is achieved. (e) The random selection processSurviving Corporation. Each other Peoples Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to be usedissued and outstanding and unaffected by the Exchange Agent pursuantMerger. Each Peoples Share held by Peoples in treasury shall continue to Section 2.04(d) will consistbe a treasury share of drawing by lot or such other process as the Exchange Agent deems equitable and necessary to effect the allocations described in this Section 2.04.Surviving Corporation. ARTICLE THREE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF LSCB 3.01. RepresentationsKBI 3.01.....Representations and Warranties of LSCB - ----- --------------------------------------KBI KBI hereby represents and warrants to Peoples that: (a) CORPORATE STATUS. LSCBCorporate Status. (i) KBI is an Ohio bankinga Kentucky corporation and a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHC Act"); is duly organized, and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Ohio,the Commonwealth of Kentucky; and has the full corporate power and authority to own its property, to carry on its business as presently conducted, and to enter into and, subject to the required adoption of thethis Agreement by the LCSBKBI shareholders and the obtaining of appropriate regulatory approvals of Governmental Authorities and Regulatory Authorities, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Copies of the articles of incorporation and regulations of LSCB and all amendments thereto have been delivered to Peoples by LSCB. LSCBKBI is not qualified to do business in any other jurisdiction or required to be so qualified to do business in any other jurisdiction except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on KBI. Copies of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of KBI and all amendments thereto have been delivered to Peoples by KBI in Section 3.01(a) of the KBI Disclosure Schedule. (ii) Kentucky Bank & Trust ("Kentucky Bank") is the only Subsidiary (as that term is defined in Section 3.01 (c)) of KBI. Kentucky Bank is a Kentucky state- chartered Bank; is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky; and has full corporate power and authority to own its property, and to carry on its business as presently conducted. Kentucky Bank is not qualified to do business in any other jurisdiction or required to be qualified to do business in any other jurisdiction except where the failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on LSCB.Kentucky Bank. Copies of the governing instruments of Kentucky Bank and all amendments thereto have been delivered to Peoples in Section 3.01(a) of the KBI Disclosure Schedule. (iii) As used in this Agreement, (A) any reference to any event, change or effect being "material" with respect to any entity means an event, change or effect which is material in relation to the financial condition, (financialproperties, assets, liabilities, businesses or otherwise),results of operations of such entity and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and (B) the term "material adverse effect" means, with respect to an entity, a material adverse effect on the financial condition, properties, assets, liabilities, businesses or results of operations of such entity and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or on the ability of such entity to perform without material delay its obligations under this Agreement or consummate the Merger and the other material transactions contemplated by this Agreement. (b) CAPITALIZATION OF LSCBKBI. (i) The authorized capital of LSCBKBI consists solely of 28,00015,000 common shares, no par value of $10.00, allper share, of which are LSCB Shares, of which 28,000 LSCB11,832 KBI Shares are issued and outstanding and no LSCB500 KBI Shares are held in treasury by LSCB.KBI. All outstanding LSCBKBI Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and were not issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any person. All LSCBKBI Shares issued have been issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws. As of the date of this Agreement, 12 KBI Shares were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding stock options (the "KBI Stock Options") granted under the Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated 1993 Stock Option Plan (the "KBI Stock Option Plan"). KBI has furnished to Peoples a true, complete and correct copy of the KBI Stock Option Plan and a list of all participants therein which identifies the number of KBI Shares subject to KBI Stock Options held by each participant, the exercise price or prices of such KBI Stock Options and the dates each KBI Stock Option was granted, becomes exercisable and expires. (ii) As of the date of this Agreement, except for this Agreement and the KBI Stock Options, there are no options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments or agreements of any character to which LSCBKBI is a party or by which it is bound obligating LSCBKBI to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, any additional LSCBKBI Shares or obligating LSCBKBI to grant, extend or enter into any such option, warrant, call, right, commitment or agreement. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of LSCBKBI to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any LSCB Shares.KBI Shares except for such obligations arising under the KBI Stock Option Agreement. (iii) Except as disclosed in Section 3.01(b) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, since December 31, 1999, LSCB2001, KBI has not (A) issued or permitted to be issued any LSCBKBI Shares, or securities exercisable for or convertible into LSCB Shares;KBI Shares, other than upon exercise of the KBI Stock Options granted prior to the date hereof under the KBI Stock Option Plan; (B) repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired, directly or indirectly through Kentucky Bank or otherwise, any LSCBKBI Shares; or (C) declared, set aside, made or paid to the shareholders of LSCBKBI dividends or other distributions on the outstanding LSCBKBI Shares, other than regular quarterly cash dividends on the LSCBKBI Shares at a rate not in excess of the regular quarterly cash dividends most recently declared by LSCBKBI prior to the date of this Agreement. (iv) No bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of KBI having the right to vote on any matters on which KBI shareholders may vote ("KBI Voting Debt") are issued or outstanding. (c) SUBSIDIARY. Kentucky Bank is the only Subsidiary of KBI. KBI owns of record and beneficially all of the issued and outstanding equity securities of Kentucky Bank. There are no options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments or agreements of any character to which KBI or Kentucky Bank is a party or by which either of them is bound obligating Kentucky Bank to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional equity securities of Kentucky Bank (other than to KBI) or obligating KBI or Kentucky Bank to grant, extend or enter into any such option, warrant, call, right, commitment or agreement. There are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements relating to KBI's rights to vote or to dispose of the equity securities of Kentucky Bank which it owns. All of the equity securities of Kentucky Bank held by KBI are fully paid and non-assessable (except as provided under applicable state banking law) and are owned by KBI free and clear of any charge, mortgage, pledge, security interest, hypothecation, restriction, claim, option, lien, encumbrance or interest of any persons whatsoever. Except as disclosed in Section 3.01(c) of the KBI Disclosure Schedule, KBI does not own beneficially, directly or indirectly, any equity securities or similar interests of any person, or any interest in a partnership or joint venture of any kind, other than Kentucky Bank. For purposes of this Agreement, "Subsidiary" has the meaning ascribed to it in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). (d) CORPORATE PROCEEDINGS. All corporate proceedings of LSCBKBI necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, in each case by LSCBKBI, have been duly and validly taken, except for the adoption of this Agreement by the holders of at least a minimum of two-thirdsmajority of the outstanding LSCBKBI Shares entitled to vote thereon (which is the only required shareholder vote thereon). (d)The Board of Directors of KBI has recommended adoption of this Agreement by the shareholders of KBI and directed that this Agreement be submitted to the shareholders of KBI for their approval. This Agreement has been validly executed and delivered by duly authorized officers of KBI. The Board of Directors of KBI has received the written opinion of Alex Sheshunoff & Co. to the effect that as of the date hereof, the consideration to be received by the holders of KBI Shares in the Merger is fair to the holders of KBI Shares from a financial point of view. (e) AUTHORIZED AND EFFECTIVE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of LSCB,KBI, enforceable against LSCBKBI in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and by an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. LSCBKBI has the absolute and unrestricted right, power, authority and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject to the required adoption of this Agreement by the LSCBKBI shareholders, the obtaining of appropriate regulatory approvals by Regulatory Authorities and Governmental Authorities and the expiration of applicable regulatory waiting periods, to perform its obligations under this Agreement. (e)(f) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF LSCB. LSCBKBI. KBI has furnished to Peoples accurate and complete copies of consolidated financial statements based upon publicly available information of LSCB from periodicKBI consisting of (i) consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2001 and annual filings with regulatory authorities,2000, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for the two years ended December 31, 2001, including accompanying notes and the report thereon of Smith, Goolsby, Artis & Reams, P.S.C. and (ii) the unaudited Juneconsolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 20002002 (the "Balance"KBI Balance Sheet Date"), Balance Sheetthe related unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three and Income Statementnine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, of LSCBchanges in shareholders' equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, and of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 (collectively, all of such consolidated financial statements are referred to as well as an unaudited Internal General Ledger statement dated June 30, 2000, (the "LSCBthe "KBI Financial Statements"). The LSCBKBI Financial Statements represent,were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent basis and present fairly, and accurately in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of LSCBKBI at the dates, and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods, stated therein; subject, in the case of the interim statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments which are not expected to be, individually or in the aggregate, materially adverse to LSCB. (f)KBI and the absence of full footnotes. (g) ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Except as disclosed in Section 3.01(f)3.01(g) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, LSCB has noneither KBI nor Kentucky Bank had any debt, obligation, guarantee or liability at the KBI Balance Sheet Date, whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, that would be required to be reflected on and reserved against in the LSCBKBI Financial Statements or in the notes thereto except for debts, obligations, guarantees or liabilities which, individually or in the aggregate, do not exceed $10,000. Except as disclosed in Section 3.01(f)3.01(g) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, all debts, liabilities, guarantees and obligations of LSCBKBI and Kentucky Bank incurred since June 30, 2000,the KBI Balance Sheet Date have been incurred in the ordinary course of business and are usual and normal in amount both individually and in the aggregate. Except as disclosed in Section 3.01(f)3.01(g) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, LSCBneither KBI nor Kentucky Bank is not in material default or breach of any material agreement to which LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank is a party. (g)(h) ABSENCE OF CHANGES. Except as set forth in Section 3.01(g)3.01(h) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, since June 30, 2000: (A)the KBI Balance Sheet Date: (i) there has not been any material adverse change in the business, operations, assets or financial condition of LSCBKBI and Kentucky Bank taken as a whole, and, to the knowledge of LSCB,KBI, no fact or condition exists which LSCBKBI believes will cause such a material adverse change in the future; and (B) LSCB(ii) KBI has not taken or permitted any of the actions described in Section 5.01(b) of this Agreement. (h)(i) LOAN DOCUMENTATION. To the knowledge of LSCB,KBI, the documentation ("Loan Documentation") governing or relating to the loan and credit-related assets ("Loan Assets") representing the loan portfolio of LSCBKentucky Bank is legally sufficient for the purposes intended thereby and creates enforceable rights of LSCBKentucky Bank in accordance with the terms of such Loan Documentation, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and by an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Except as set forth in Section 3.01(i) of the KBI Disclosure Schedule, no debtor under any of the Loan Documentation has asserted any claim or defense with respect to the subject matter thereof. Except as set forth in Section 3.01(i) of the KBI Disclosure Schedule, Kentucky Bank is not a party to a loan, including any loan guaranty, with any director, executive officer or five percent (5%) shareholder of KBI or Kentucky Bank, or any person, corporation or enterprise controlling, controlled by or under common control with either KBI or Kentucky Bank. All loans and extensions of credit that have been made by LSCBKentucky Bank and that are subject either to Sections 22(g) or 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, or to 12 C.F.R. Part 215 (Regulation O), comply therewith. (i)(j) ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES. Except as set forth in Section 3.01(i)3.01(j) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, there is no loan which was made by LSCBKentucky Bank and which is reflected as an asset of LSCBKentucky Bank on the LSCBKBI Financial Statements that (A)(i) is 90 days or more delinquent, or (B)(ii) has been classified by examiners (regulatory or internal) as "Substandard","Substandard," "Doubtful" or "Loss."Loss," or (iii) is a loan in any bankruptcy proceeding. The allowance for loan losses reflected on the LSCBKBI Financial Statements has been determined fairly and accuratelyin accordance with GAAP and in accordance with all rules and regulations applicable to LSCBKBI and Kentucky Bank and is adequate in all material respects. LSCBKBI has considered all potential losses known to LSCBKBI to the best of its knowledge in establishing the current allowance for loan losses for Kentucky Bank, other than such losses that if incurred would not have a material adverse effect on LSCB. (j)either KBI or Kentucky Bank. (k) REPORTS AND RECORDS. The LSCB Shares are issued in accordance with OGCL. LSCB hasKBI and Kentucky Bank have filed all reports and maintained all records required to be filed or maintained by itthem under the rules and regulations of the Ohio DivisionBoard of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve"), the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions ("ODFI"(the "KDFI"), and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"),FDIC, except for such reports and records the failure to file or maintain would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on LSCB.KBI or Kentucky Bank. All such documents and reports complied in all material respects with applicable requirements of law and rules and regulations in effect at the time such documents and reports were filed and contained in all material respects the information required to be stated therein. None of such documents or reports, when filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. (k)(l) TAXES. Except as set forth in Section 3.01(k)3.01(l) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, LSCB hasKBI and Kentucky Bank have timely filed all returns, statements, reports and forms (including elections, declarations, disclosures, schedules, estimates and information returns) (collectively, the "Tax Returns") with respect to all federal, state, local and foreign income, gross income, gross receipts, gains, premium, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupancy, license, lease, environmental, customs, duties, property, windfall profits and all other taxes (including any interest, penalties or additions to tax with respect thereto, individually, a "Tax" and, collectively, "Taxes") required to be filed with the appropriate tax authority through the date of this Agreement. Such Tax Returns are and will be true, correct and complete in all material respects. LSCB hasKBI and Kentucky Bank have paid and discharged all Taxes due from them, other than such Taxes that are adequately reserved as shown on the LSCBKBI Financial Statements or have arisen in the ordinary course of business since the LSCBKBI Balance Sheet Date. NeitherExcept as set forth in Section 3.01(l) of the KBI Disclosure Schedule, neither the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") nor any other taxing agency or authority, domestic or foreign, has asserted, is now asserting or, to the knowledge of LSCB,KBI, is threatening to assert against LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank any deficiency or claim for additional Taxes. There are no unexpired waivers by LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank of any statute of limitations with respect to Taxes. The accruals and reserves for Taxes reflected in the LSCBKBI Financial Statements are adequate for the periods covered. LSCB hasKBI and Kentucky Bank have withheld or collected and paid over to the appropriate governmental authoritiesGovernmental Authorities or isare properly holding for such payment all Taxes required by law to be withheld or collected. There are no liens for Taxes upon the assets of LSCB,KBI or Kentucky Bank, other than liens for current Taxes not yet due and payable. LSCBNeither KBI nor Kentucky Bank has not agreed to make, andor is not required to make, any adjustment under Section 481(a) of the Code. Except as set forth in Section 3.01(k)3.01(l) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, or as may be caused by any agreement entered into by Peoples, LSCBneither KBI nor Kentucky Bank is not a party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or plan that has resulted, or could result, individually or in the aggregate, in the payment of "excess parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code. LSCBNeither KBI nor Kentucky Bank has neverever been a member of an affiliated group of corporations, within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code.Code, other than an affiliated group of which KBI is or was the common parent corporation. No Tax is required to be withheld pursuant to Section 1445 of the Code as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. (l)(m) PROPERTY AND TITLE. Section 3.01(l)3.01(m) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule lists and describes all real property, and any leasehold interest in real property, owned or held by LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank and used in the businessesbusiness of LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank (collectively, the "LSCB"KBI Real Properties"). The LSCBKBI Real Properties constitute all of the real property and interests in real property used in the businesses of LSCB.KBI and Kentucky Bank. Copies of all leases of real property to which LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank is a party have been provided to Peoples in Section 3.01(l)3.01(m) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule. Such leasehold interests have not been assigned or subleased. All LSCBKBI Real Properties which are owned by LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank are free and clear of all mortgages, liens, securityKBI interests, defects, encumbrances, easements, restrictions, reservations, conditions, covenants, agreements, encroachments, rights of way and zoning laws, except (A)(i) those set forth in the LSCBKBI Financial Statements or Section 3.01(l)3.01(m) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule; (B)(ii) easements, restrictions, reservations, conditions, covenants, rights of way, zoning laws and other defects and irregularities in title and encumbrances which do not materially impair the use thereof for the purposes for which they are held; and (C)(iii) the lien of current taxes not yet due and payable. LSCB owns,KBI and isKentucky Bank own, and are in rightful possession of, and hashave good title to, all of the other assets indicated in the LSCBKBI Financial Statements as being owned by LSCB,KBI or Kentucky Bank, free and clear of any charge, mortgage, pledge, securityKBI interest, hypothecation, restriction, claim, option, lien, encumbrance or interest of any persons whatsoever except those described in the LSCBKBI Financial Statements or Section 3.01(l)3.01(m) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule and except for those assets disposed of in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices. All of the assets of LSCBKBI and Kentucky Bank are in good operating condition, except for normal maintenance and routine repairs, and are adequate to continue to conduct the businessbusinesses of LSCBKBI and Kentucky Bank as such business isbusinesses are presently being conducted. (m)(n) LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. Except as set forth in Section 3.01(m)3.01(n) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, there are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or investigations pending or, to the knowledge of LSCB,KBI and Kentucky Bank, threatened in any court, before any governmental agency or instrumentality or in any arbitration proceeding (A)(i) against KBI or Kentucky Bank which would have a material adverse effect on KBI; or (ii) against or by LSCB;KBI or (B) against or by LSCBKentucky Bank which would prevent the consummation of this Agreement or of any of the transactions contemplated hereby or declare the same to be unlawful or cause the rescission thereof. (n)(o) REGULATORY MATTERS. Except as disclosed in Section 3.01(n)3.01(o) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, neither LSCB nornone of KBI, Kentucky Bank and the respective properties of LSCB are partiesKBI and Kentucky Bank is a party to or subject to any order, judgment, decree, agreement, memorandum of understanding or similar arrangement with, or a commitment letter or similar submission to, or extraordinary supervisory letter from, any court or federal or state governmental agency or authority, including any such agency or authority charged with the supervision or regulation of financial institutions (or their holding companies or affiliates)companies) or issuers of securities or engaged in the insurance of deposit (including, without limitation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve, the SEC,KDFI, the ODFISEC and the FDIC,FDIC) or the supervision or regulation of LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank (collectively, the "Regulatory Authorities");. Neither KBI nor Kentucky Bank has LSCB been advised by any Regulatory Authority that such Regulatory Authority is contemplating issuing or requesting (or is considering the appropriateness of issuing or requesting) any such order, judgment, decree, agreement, memorandum of understanding, commitment letter, supervisory letter or similar submission. (o)(p) NO CONFLICT. Subject to the required adoption of this Agreement by the shareholders of LSCB,KBI, receipt of the required regulatory approvals of Regulatory Authorities and Governmental Authorities, expiration of applicable regulatory waiting periods, and any required filings under federal and state securities laws, LSCB'sthe execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, by KBI do not and will not (A)(i) conflict with, or result in a violation of, or result in the breach of or a default (or which with notice or lapse of time would result in a default) under, any provision of: (1)(A) any federal, state or local law, regulation, ordinance, order, rule or administrative ruling of any administrative agency or commission or other federal, state or local governmental authority or instrumentality (each, a "Governmental Authority") applicable to LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank or any of its properties, (2)their respective properties; (B) the articles of incorporation or regulationsbylaws of LSCB, (3)KBI, or the governing documents of Kentucky Bank; (C) any material agreement, indenture or instrument to which LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank is a party or by which it or its properties or assets may be bound,bound; or (4)(D) any order, judgment, writ, injunction or decree of any court, arbitration panel or any Governmental Authority applicable to LSCBKBI or its governing documents; (B)Kentucky Bank; (ii) result in the creation or acceleration of any securityKBI interest, mortgage, option, claim, lien, charge or encumbrance upon or interest in any property of LSCB;KBI or (C)Kentucky Bank; or (iii) violate the terms or conditions of, or result in the cancellation, modification, revocation or suspension of, any material license, approval, certificate, permit or authorization held by LSCB. (p)KBI or Kentucky Bank. (q) BROKERS, FINDERS AND OTHERS. Except for the feefees paid or payable to Dixon, Francis, DavisAlex Sheshunoff & Company and Young & Associates, Inc.Co., there are no fees or commissions of any sort whatsoever claimed by, or payable by LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank to, any broker, finder, intermediary, attorney, accountant or any other similar person in connection with effecting this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, except for ordinary and customary legal and accounting fees. (q)(r) EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS. Except as disclosed in Section 3.01(q)3.01(r) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, LSCBneither KBI nor Kentucky Bank is not a party to any employment, change in control, severance, retention or consulting agreement not terminable at will. LSCBNeither KBI nor Kentucky Bank is not a party to, bound by or negotiating, any collective bargaining agreement, nor are any of itstheir respective employees represented by any labor union or similar organization. LSCB isKBI and Kentucky Bank are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws respecting employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, and LSCBneither KBI nor Kentucky Bank has not engaged in any unfair labor practice. (r)(s) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. (i) Section 3.01(r)3.01(s)(i) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of all bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, pension (including, without limitation, Pension Plans defined below), retirement, profit-sharing, thrift, savings, retiree medical benefit plans or practices, employee stock ownership, stock bonus, stock purchase, restricted stock, stock option, severance, welfare (including, without limitation, "welfare plans" within the meaning of Section 3 (1)3(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")), fringe benefit plans, employment or severance agreements and all similar practices, policies and arrangements maintained or contributed to (currently or within the last six years) by (A) LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank and in which any employee or former employee (the "Employees"), consultant or former consultant (the "Consultants"), officer or former officer (the "Officers"), or director or former director (the "Directors") of LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank participates or to which any such Employees, Consultants, Officers or Directors either participate or are a partyparties or (B) any ERISA Affiliate (as defined below)(collectively, (collectively, the "Compensation and Benefit Plans"). LSCBNeither KBI nor Kentucky Bank has noany commitment to create any additional Compensation and Benefit Plan or to modify or change any existing Compensation and Benefit Plan, except as otherwise contemplated by Section 6.03 of this Agreement. (ii) Each Compensation and Benefit Plan has been operated and administered in all material respects in accordance with its terms and with applicable law, including, but not limited to, ERISA, the Code, the Securities Act (as defined in Section 3.01(t)3.01(u)), the Securities Exchange Act (as defined in Section 4.01(i)of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, or any regulations or rules promulgated thereunder, and all filings, disclosures and notices required by ERISA, the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and any other applicable law have been timely made. Each Compensation and Benefit Plan which is an "employee pension benefit plan" within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA (a "Pension Plan") and which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter (including a determination that the related trust under such Compensation and Benefit Plan is exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code) from the IRS, and LSCBKBI is not aware of any circumstances likely to result in revocation of any such favorable determination letter. There is no material pending or, to the knowledge of LSCB,KBI, threatened legal action, suit or claim relating to the Compensation and Benefit Plans other than routine claims for benefits thereunder. LSCBNeither KBI nor Kentucky Bank has not engaged in a transaction, or omitted to take any action, with respect to any Compensation and Benefit Plan that would reasonably be expected to subject LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank to a tax or penalty imposed by either Section 4975 of the Code or Section 502 of ERISA, assuming for purposes of Section 4975 of the Code that the taxable period of any such transaction expired as of the date hereof. (iii)No liability (other than for payment of premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") which have been made or will be made on a timely basis) under Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurred by KBI or Kentucky Bank with respect to any ongoing, frozen or terminated "single-employer plan," within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, currently or formerly maintained by it,any of them, or any single-employer plan of any entity (an "ERISA Affiliate Plan") which is considered one employer with LSCBKBI under Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA or Section 414(b), (c) or (m) of the Code (an "ERISA Affiliate"). LSCBNone of KBI, Kentucky Bank or any ERISA Affiliate has not contributed, noror has it been obligated to contribute, to a multi-employermultiemployer plan under Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA (as defined in ERISA Sections 3(37)(A) and 4001(a)(3)) at any time since September 26, 1980. No notice of a "reportable event", within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA, for which the 30-day reporting requirement has not been waived, has been required to be filed for any Compensation and Benefit Plan or by any ERISA Affiliate Plan within the 12-month period ending on the date hereof, and no such notice will be required to be filed as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The PBGC has not instituted proceedings to terminate any Pension Plan or ERISA Affiliate Plan and, to LSCB'sKBI's knowledge, no condition exists that presents a material risk that such proceedings will be instituted. There is no pending investigation or enforcement action by the PBGC, the Department of Labor (the "DOL"), the IRS or any other Governmental Authority with respect to any Compensation and Benefit Plan. Under each Pension Plan and ERISA Affiliate Plan, as of the date of the most recent actuarial valuation performed prior to the date of this Agreement, the actuarially determined present value of all "benefit liabilities", within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA (as determined on the basis of the actuarial assumptions contained in such actuarial valuation of such Pension Plan or ERISA Affiliate Plan), did not exceed the then current value of the assets of such Pension Plan or ERISA Affiliate Plan and since such date there has been neither an adverse change in the financial condition of such Pension Plan or ERISA Affiliate Plan nor any amendment or other change to such Pension Plan or ERISA Affiliate Plan that would increase the amount of benefits thereunder which reasonably could be expected to change such result. (iv) All contributions required to be made under the terms of any Compensation and Benefit Plan or ERISA Affiliate Plan or any employee benefit arrangements under any collective bargaining agreement to which LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank is a party have been timely made or have been reflected on the LSCBKBI Financial Statements. Neither any Pension Plan nor any ERISA Affiliate Plan has an "accumulated funding deficiency" (whether or not waived) within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA and all required payments to the PBGC with respect to each Pension Plan or ERISA Affiliate Plan have been made on or before their due dates. Neither LSCBNone of KBI, Kentucky Bank or any ERISA Affiliate (A)(x) has provided, or would reasonably be expected to be required to provide, securityKBI to any Pension Plan or to any ERISA Affiliate Plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code, and (B)(y) has taken any action, or omitted to take any action, that has resulted, or would reasonably be expected to result, in the imposition of a lien under Section 412(n) of the Code or pursuant to ERISA. (v) Except as disclosed in Section 3.01(r)3.01(s)(v) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, LSCBneither KBI nor Kentucky Bank has no obligationany obligations to provide retiree health and life insurance or other retiree death benefits under any Compensation and Benefit Plan, other than benefits mandated by Section 4980B of the Code. Except as disclosed in Section 3.01(r)3.01(s)(v) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, there has been no communication to Employees by LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank that would reasonably be expected to promise or guarantee such Employees retiree health or life insurance or other retiree death benefits on a permanent basis. (vi) LSCB doesKBI and Kentucky Bank do not maintain any Compensation and Benefit Plans covering foreign Employees. (vii) With respect to each Compensation and Benefit Plan, if applicable, KBI has provided or made available to Peoples, true and complete copies of existing: (A) Compensation and Benefit Plan documents and amendments thereto; (B) trust instruments and insurance contracts; (C) two most recent Forms 5500 filed with the IRS; (D) most recent actuarial report and financial statement; (E) most recent summary plan description; (F) forms filed with the PBGC within the past year (other than for premium payments); (G) most recent determination letter issued by the IRS; (H) any Form 5310, Form 5310A, Form 5300 or Form 5330 filed within the past year with the IRS; and (I) most recent nondiscrimination tests performed under ERISA and the Code (including but not limited to Code Section 401(k) and 401(m) tests). (viii) Except as disclosed on Section 3.01(r)(vii)3.01(s)(viii) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement would not, directly or indirectly (including, without limitation, as a result of any termination of employment prior to or following the Effective Time), reasonably be expected to (A) entitle any Employee, Consultant or Director to any payment (including severance pay or similar compensation) or any increase in compensation, (B) result in the vesting or acceleration of any benefits under any Compensation and Benefit Plan, or (C) result in any material increase in benefits payable under any Compensation and Benefit Plan. (viii)(ix) Except as disclosed on Section 3.01(r)(viii)3.01(s)(ix) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, LSCBneither KBI nor Kentucky Bank maintains noany compensation plans, programs or arrangements the payments under which would not reasonably be expected to be deductible as a result of the limitations under Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. (ix)(x) Except as disclosed on Section 3.01(r)(ix)3.01(s)(x) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, as a result, directly or indirectly, of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, as a result of any termination of employment prior to or following the Effective Time), none of Peoples, LSCBKBI or Peoples Bank,the Surviving Corporation, or any of their respective Subsidiaries will be obligated to make a payment that would be characterized as an "excess parachute payment" to an individual who is a "disqualified individual" (as such terms are defined in Section 280G of the Code) of LSCBKBI on a consolidated basis, without regard to whether such payment is reasonable compensation for personal services performed or to be performed in the future. (s)(t) COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. To its knowledge, LSCB has:EACH OF KBI AND KENTUCKY BANK: (i) has been in compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders or decrees applicable thereto or to the employees conducting such business, including, without limitation, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, as amended, the Fair Housing Act, as amended, the Federal Community Reinvestment Act, as amended, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, as amended, and all other applicable fair lending laws and other laws relating to discriminatory business practices, except for failures to be in compliance which, individually or in the aggregate, have not had or would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on LSCB;KBI or Kentucky Bank; (ii) has all permits, licenses, authorizations, orders and approvals of, and has made all filings, applications and registrations with, all Governmental Authorities that are required in order to permit it to own or lease its properties and to conduct its business as presently conducted, except where the failure to obtain any of the foregoing or to make any such filing, application or registration has not had or would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on LSCB;KBI or Kentucky Bank; all such permits, licenses, certificates of authority, orders and approvals are in full force and effect and to LSCB'sKBI's knowledge, no suspension or cancellation of any of them is threatened; and (iii)has received no notification or communication from any Governmental Authority (A) asserting that LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank is not in compliance with any of the statutes, regulations or ordinances which such Governmental Authority enforces or (B) threatening to revoke any license, franchise, permit or governmental authorization (nor, to LSCB'sKBI's knowledge, do any reasonable grounds for any of the foregoing exist), which has not been resolved to the satisfaction of the Governmental Authority which sent such notification or communication. (t) LSCB(u) KBI INFORMATION. None of the information relating to LSCBsupplied or to be containedsupplied by KBI and Kentucky Bank for inclusion in (A)(i) the Registration Statement (as that term is defined in Section 7.067.06(a) below) will, at the time the Registration Statement is filed with the SEC and at the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (ii) the S-3 (as defined in Section 7.06(b) below) will, at the time each amendment or supplement to the S-3 that contains information concerning KBI and (B)Kentucky Bank is filed with the LSCBSEC and at the time the S-3 becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain, as to information concerning KBI and Kentucky Bank, any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (iii) the KBI Proxy Statement (as that term is defined in Section 5.03(b) below), as of the date such LSCBKBI Proxy Statement is mailed to shareholders of LSCBKBI and up to and including the date of the meeting of KBI's shareholders to which such LSCBKBI Proxy Statement relates, will contain, as to information other than that provided by or pertaining to Peoples, any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, provided that, in each case, information as of a later date shall be deemed to modify information as of an earlier date. All information about LSCB included in the Registration Statement and the LSCB Proxy Statement will be deemed to have been supplied by LSCB. (u)(v) INSURANCE. (i) Section 3.01(u)3.01(v) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule sets forth all of the insurance policies, binders or bonds maintained by LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank and a description of all material claims filed by LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank against the insurers of LSCB SubsidiariesKBI and Kentucky Bank since June 30, 2000. LSCB isDecember 31, 1999. KBI and Kentucky Bank are insured with reputable insurers against such risks and in such amounts as the management of LSCBKBI reasonably has determined to be prudent in accordance with industry practices. All such insurance policies are in full force and effect; LSCB isKBI and Kentucky Bank are not in material default thereunder; and all claims thereunder have been filed in due and timely fashion. (ii) The deposits of LSCBKentucky Bank are insured up to applicable limits by the FDIC in accordance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, and LSCBKentucky Bank has paid all assessments and filed all reports required by the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. (v)(w) GOVERNMENTAL AND THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS. No consent, approval, authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any court, Governmental Authority or any other third party is required to be made or obtained by LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by LSCBKBI of this Agreement or the consummation by LSCBKBI of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for (A) filings of applications and notices, as applicable, with and the approval of certain federal and state banking authorities, (B) filings with the SEC and state securities authorities, and (C) the filing of the appropriatea certificate of merger with the Ohio Secretary of State pursuant toand the OGCL.filing of articles of merger with the Kentucky Secretary of State, and (D) the adoption of this Agreement by the KBI shareholders. As of the date hereof, LSCBKBI is not aware of any reason why the approvals set forth in Section 7.07 will not be received without the imposition of a condition, restriction or requirement of the type described in Section 7.07. (w)(x) CONTRACTS. Section 3.01(w)3.01(x) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list, identifying by dates, subject matter and parties, of all contracts, agreements and instruments to which LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank is a party or by which itany of them is bound, and which involve the payment by or to LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank of more than $5,000$20,000 in connection with the purchase of property or goods or the performance of services andor which are not in the ordinary course business.of their respective businesses. True, complete and correct copies of all such contracts, agreements and instruments have been delivered to Peoples. LSCBNeither KBI nor Kentucky Bank, nor any other party thereto, is not in default under any such contract, agreement, commitment, arrangement or other instrument to which it is a party, by which its respective assets, business or operations may be bound or affected in any way, or under which it or its respective assets, business or operations receive benefits, 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. (x)(y) ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as otherwise disclosed in Section 3.01(x)3.01(y) of the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, (A) LSCB isSchedule: (i) KBI and hasKentucky Bank are and have been at all times in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws (as that term is defined in this Section 3.01(x)3.01(y)), and, to LSCB'sthe knowledge itof KBI, neither KBI nor Kentucky Bank has not engaged in any activity in violation of any applicable Environmental Law; (B)(1)(ii)(A) no investigations, inquiries, orders, hearings, actions or other proceedings by or before any court or Governmental Authority are pending or, to the knowledge of LSCB,KBI, threatened in connection with any of LSCB'sKBI's or Kentucky Bank's activities orand any LSCBKBI Real Properties or improvements thereon, and (2)(B) to the knowledge of LSCB,KBI, no investigations, inquiries, orders, hearings, actions or other proceedings by or before any court or Governmental Authority are pending or threatened in connection with any real properties in respect of which LSCBKentucky Bank has foreclosed or holds a mortgage or mortgages (hereinafter referred to as the "LSCB"Kentucky Bank Real Estate Collateral"); (C)(iii) to the knowledge of KBI, no claims at any time have been made or threatened by any third party against LSCB,KBI or Kentucky Bank, or with respect to the LSCBKBI Real Properties or improvements thereon, or to the knowledge of LSCB, the LSCBKentucky Bank Real Estate Collateral or improvements thereon, relating to damage, contribution, cost recovery, compensation, loss, injunctive relief, remediation or injury resulting from any Hazardous Substance (as that term is defined in this Section 3.01(x)3.01(y)) which have not been resolved to the satisfaction of the involved parties and which have had or are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on LSCB; (D)KBI or Kentucky Bank; (iv) to the knowledge of KBI, no Hazardous Substances have been integrated into the LSCBKBI Real Properties or improvements thereon or toany component thereof, or the knowledge of LSCB, the LSCBKentucky Bank Real Estate Collateral or improvements thereon or any component thereof in such manner or quantity as may reasonably be expected to or in fact would pose a threat to human health or the value of the real property and improvements; (E)(v) to LSCB'sthe knowledge of KBI, no portion of the LSCBKBI Real Properties or improvements thereon, or the LSCBKentucky Bank Real Estate Collateral or improvements thereon is located within 500 feet of (1)(A) a release of Hazardous Substance which has been reported or is required to be reported under any Environmental Law or (2)(B) the location of any site used, in the past or presently, for the disposal of any Hazardous Substances; and (F) LSCB(vi) neither KBI nor Kentucky Bank has no knowledge, based upon commercially reasonable inquiry, that (1)(A) any of the LSCBKBI Real Properties or improvements thereon, or the LSCBKentucky Bank Real Estate Collateral or improvements thereon has been used for the storage or disposal of Hazardous Substances or has been contaminated by Hazardous Substances, (2)(B) any of itsthe business operations of KBI or Kentucky Bank have contaminated lands, waters or other property of others with Hazardous Substances, except routine, office-generated solid waste, or (3)(C) any of the LSCBKBI Real Properties or improvements thereon, or the LSCBKentucky Bank Real Estate Collateral or improvements thereon have in the past or presently contain underground storage tanks, friable asbestos materials or PCB-containing equipment. For purposes of this Agreement, (A)(i) "Environmental Law" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended ("CERCLA"), 42 U.S.C.ss.9601 et seq.,; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 42 U.S.C.ss.6901 et seq.,of 1976, as amended; the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C.ss.1802 et seq.,as amended; the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C.ss.2601 et seq.,as amended; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C.ss.1251 et seq.,as amended; the CleanSafe Drinking Water Act, 33 U.S.C. ss.1321 et seq.,as amended; the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C.ss.7401 et seq.,as amended; the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended; the Hazardous & Solid Waste Amendments Act of 1984, as amended; the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, as amended; the regulations promulgated thereunder, and any other federal, state, county, municipal, local or other statute, law, ordinance or regulation which may relate to or deal with human health or the environment, as of the date of this Agreement, and (B)(ii) "Hazardous Substances" means, at any time: (1)(a) any "hazardous substance" as defined inss.101(14)in ss.101(14) of CERCLA or regulations promulgated thereunder; (2)(b) any "solid waste," "hazardous waste," or "infectious waste," as such terms are defined in any other Environmental Law as of the date of this Agreement; and (3)(c) friable asbestos, urea-formaldehyde, polychlorinated biphenyls ("PCBs"), nuclear fuel or material, chemical waste, radioactive material, explosives, known carcinogens, petroleum products and by-products, and other dangerous, toxic or hazardous pollutants, contaminants, chemical,chemicals, materials or substances listed or identified in, or regulated by, any Environmental Law. (y)(z) TAKEOVER LAWS. To its best ability, the Board of LSCBKBI has taken all action required to be taken by it in order to exempt this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby from, and this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are exempt from, the requirements of any "moratorium", "control share", "fair price", "affiliate transaction", "business combination" or other anti-takeover laws or regulations of any state (collectively, "Takeover Laws") applicable to it, including, without limitation, those of the StateCommonwealth of Ohio. (z)Kentucky. (aa) RISK MANAGEMENT INSTRUMENTS. All material interest rate swaps, caps, floors, option agreements, mortgage backed securities, futures and forward contracts and other similar risk management arrangements, whether entered into for LSCB'sKBI's own account, or for the account of oneKentucky Bank or more of its respective customers (all of which are listed on the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule), orwere entered into (A)(i) in accordance with prudent business practices and all applicable laws, rules, regulations and regulatory policies and (B)(ii) with counter-parties believed to be financially responsible at the time; and each of them constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of LSCB,KBI or Kentucky Bank, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and is in full force and effect. LSCB is not,Neither KBI nor Kentucky Bank, nor to LSCB'sKBI's knowledge is any other party thereto, is in breach of any of its obligations under any such agreement or arrangement. (aa)(bb) BOOKS AND RECORDS. The books and records of LSCBKBI and Kentucky Bank have been fully, properly and accurately maintained and have been maintained in accordance with sound business practices. Such books and records fairly reflect the substance of events and transactions included therein. (bb)(cc) REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. With respect to any agreement pursuant to which LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank has purchased securities subject to an agreement to repurchase, LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank, as the case may be, has a valid, perfected first lien or securityKBI interest in or evidence of ownership in book entry form of the government securities or other collateral securing the repurchase agreement, and the value of such collateral equals or exceeds the amount of the debt secured thereby. (cc)(dd) DISCLOSURE. No representation or warranty by LSCBKBI contained in this Agreement and no statement contained in any certificate or other document (including the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule) furnished by LSCBKBI to Peoples pursuant to this Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein and therein not misleading, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made. (dd) LSCB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE. For purposes of this Section and other reference thereto, the phrase "LSCB Disclosure Schedule" is a schedule, as further described, part of which has been provided by LSCB in connection with the due diligence and pre-acquisition inspection and the entirety of which is provided simultaneously with the signing of, and shall become a schedule to, this Agreement. (ee) INVESTMENT SECURITIES. LSCBEach of KBI and Kentucky Bank has good and marketable title to all securities held by it (except securities sold under repurchase agreement or held in any fiduciary or agency capacity), free and clear of any charge, mortgage, pledge, securityKBI interest, hypothecation, restriction, claim, option, lien, encumbrance or interest of any person or persons whatsoever, except to the extent such securities are pledged in the ordinary course of business consistent with prudent banking practice to secure obligations of LSCB.KBI or Kentucky Bank. Such securities are valued on the books of LSCB accordingKBI in accordance with GAAP. (ff) FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES. During the applicable statute of limitations period, (i) Kentucky Bank has properly administered all accounts (if any) for which it acts as a fiduciary or agent, including, but not limited to, market value, fairlyaccounts for which it serves as a trustee, agent, custodian, personal representative, guardian, conservator or investor advisor, in accordance with the terms of the governing documents and applicable state and federal law and regulation and common law, and (ii) to the knowledge of KBI, neither Kentucky Bank nor any Director, Officer or Employee of Kentucky Bank acting on behalf of such Kentucky Bank has committed any breach of trust with respect to any such fiduciary or agency account, and the accountings of each such fiduciary or agency account are true and correct and accurately determined.reflect the assets of such fiduciary or agency account. To the knowledge of KBI, there is no investigation or inquiry by any regulatory Authority pending or threatened against or affecting Kentucky Bank relating to the compliance by such Kentucky Bank with sound fiduciary principles and applicable regulations. (gg) CRA COMPLIANCE. Neither KBI nor Kentucky Bank has received any notice of non-compliance with the applicable provisions of the Federal Community Reinvestment Act, as amended ("CRA"), and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and Kentucky Bank received a CRA rating of satisfactory or better in its most recent examination. KBI knows of no fact or circumstance or set of facts or circumstances which would cause KBI or Kentucky Bank to receive any notice of non-compliance with such provisions or cause the CRA rating of KBI or Kentucky Bank to fall below satisfactory. (hh) OWNERSHIP OF PEOPLES SHARES. As of the date hereof, except as otherwise disclosed in Section 3.01(hh) of the KBI Disclosure Schedule, neither KBI nor, to the knowledge of KBI, any of its affiliates or associates (as such terms are defined under the Exchange Act), beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or is a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of, any Peoples Shares. ARTICLE FOUR REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PEOPLES 4.01. Representations4.01.....Representations and Warranties of Peoples - ----- ----------------------------------------- Peoples hereby warrants and represents to LSCBKBI that: (a) CORPORATE STATUS. Peoples is an Ohio corporation and a bank holding company registered under the BHC Act; is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio; and has the full corporate power and authority to own its property, to carry on its business as presently conducted and to enter into and, subject to the obtaining of appropriate approvals of Governmental Authorities and Regulatory Authorities, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. (b) CORPORATE PROCEEDINGS. All corporate proceedings of Peoples necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in each case by Peoples, have been duly and validly taken. This Agreement has been validly executed and delivered by duly authorized officers of Peoples. (c) CAPITALIZATION OF PEOPLES. (i) As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized capital stock of Peoples consists only of 12,000,000 common shares, without par value, of which 6,666,8597,921,327 shares are issued 6,527,092 shares areand outstanding 139,767and 58,898 shares are held in treasury by Peoples; with 592,264 shares subject to options previously granted and 909,523 subject to grants of future grants of options.Peoples. The outstanding Peoples Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and were not issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any person. As of the date of this Agreement, 594,310 Peoples Shares were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding stock options granted under Peoples' stock option plans (the "Peoples Stock Option Plans") and 454,763 Peoples Shares were available for future grants of stock options under the Peoples Stock Option Plans. As of the date of this Agreement, except for the Merger Shares issuable pursuant to this Agreement and as disclosed in Section 4.01(c) of the schedule disclosing additional information about Peoples which shall be provided to LSCB on or before twenty-one (21) days from the date of this Agreement, in connection with due diligence by LSCB and shall be considered a schedule to this Agreement (the "Peoples Disclosure Schedule"),Schedule, Peoples has no other commitment or obligation to issue, deliver or sell any Peoples Shares. (ii) The Peoples Shares to be issued in exchange for LSCBKBI Shares in the Merger, when issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and subject to no preemptive rights. (d) AUTHORIZED AND EFFECTIVE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Peoples, enforceable against Peoples in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' right generally, by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and by an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Peoples has the absolute and unrestricted right, power, authority and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject to the satisfaction of the requirements referred to in Section 4.01(j),4.01(i) and the expiration of applicable regulatory waiting periods, and required filings under federal and state securities laws, to perform its obligations under this Agreement. (e) NO CONFLICT. Subject to the satisfaction of the requirements referred to in Section 4.01(i) and the expiration of applicable regulatory waiting periods, and required filings under federal and state securities laws, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, by Peoples do not and will not (A)(i) conflict with, or result in a violation of, or result in the breach of or a default (or which with notice or lapse of time would result in a default) under, any provision of: (1)(A) any federal, state or local law, regulation, ordinance, order, rule or administrative ruling of any Governmental Authority applicable to Peoples or any of its properties; (2)(B) the Amended Articles of Incorporationarticles or Regulationsregulations of Peoples; (3)(C) any material agreement, indenture or instrument to which Peoples is a party or by which it or its properties or assets may be bound; or (4)(D) any order, judgment, writ, injunction or decree of any court, arbitration panel or any Governmental Authority applicable to Peoples; (B)(ii) result in the creation or acceleration of any security interest, mortgage, option, claim, lien, charge or encumbrance upon or interest in any property of Peoples; or (C)(iii) violate the terms or conditions of, or result in the cancellation, modification, revocation or suspension of, any material license, approval, certificate, permit or authorization held by Peoples. (f) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PEOPLES.TAKEOVER LAWS. Peoples has furnishedtaken all action required to LSCB copies of consolidated financial statements of Peoples consisting of consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 1999 and 1998be taken by it in order to exempt this Agreement and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders' equitytransactions contemplated hereby from, and cash flows for the three years ended December 31, 1999, including accompanying notesthis Agreement and the report thereon of Ernst and Young L.L.P.transactions contemplated hereby are exempt from, the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999. Peoples has also provided information relatedrequirements of any Takeover Laws applicable to obtaining other periodic financial reports submitted to the SEC. These reports of Peoples were prepared in conformity with GAAP.Peoples. (g) ABSENCE OF CHANGES. Since December 31, 1999: (A) the businesses of Peoples and its subsidiaries have been conducted only in the ordinary course consistent with past practice; (B) there has been no material adverse change in the assets, liabilities, business or operations of Peoples and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; and (C) there has been no damage, destruction, loss or event (whether or not insured against) which in the aggregate has had or might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business or operations of Peoples and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. (h) REPORTS AND RECORDS.SEC FILINGS. The Peoples Shares are registered with the SEC pursuant to Section 12(g)12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").Act. Peoples has filed all reports and proxy materials required to be filed by it with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, except for any reports or proxy materials the failure to file which would not have a material adverse effect upon Peoples and its subsidiariesSubsidiaries taken as a whole. All such filings, at the time of filing, complied in all material respects as to form and included all exhibits required to be filed under the applicable rules of the SEC. None of such documents, when filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. (i)(h) BROKERS, FINDERS AND OTHERS. ThereExcept for fees paid or payable to RBC Dain Rausher Inc., there are no fees or commissions of any sort whatsoever claimed by, or payable by Peoples to, any broker, finder, intermediary, attorney, accountant or any other similar person in connection with effecting this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. (j)hereby, except for ordinary and customary legal and accounting fees. (i) GOVERNMENTAL AND THIRD-PARTY PROCEEDINGS. No consent, approval, authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any court, Governmental Authority or any other third party is required to be made or obtained by Peoples in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by Peoples of this Agreement or the consummation by Peoples of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for (A) filings of applications or notices, as applicable, with and the approval of certain federal and state banking authorities, (B) filings with the SEC and state securities authorities, (C) the filing of the appropriatea certificate of merger with the Ohio Secretary of State pursuant toand the OGCLfiling of articles of merger with the Kentucky Secretary of State and (D)(E) receipt of the approvals set forth in Section 7.07.7.09. As of the date hereof, Peoples is not aware of any reason why the approvals set forth in Section 7.07 will not be received without the imposition of a condition, restriction or requirement of the type described in Section 7.07. (k)(j) PEOPLES INFORMATION. None of the information relating to Peoples and its Subsidiaries to be contained in the Registration Statement will, at the time the Registration Statement is filed with the SEC and at the time it becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, provided that, in each case, information as of a later date shall be deemed to modify information as of an earlier date. (l) DISCLOSURE. No representation or warranty byAll information about Peoples contained in this Agreement, and no statement contained in any certificate or other document (including the Peoples Disclosure Schedule) furnished by Peoples to LSCB pursuant to this Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein and therein not misleading,its Subsidiaries included in the light of the circumstances under which they were made. 4.02. Representations and Warranties of Peoples Bank - ----- ---------------------------------------------- Peoples Bank hereby warrants and representsRegistration Statement will be deemed to LSCB that: (a) CORPORATE STATUS. Peoples Bank is a national banking association located in Marietta, Ohio and organized under the laws of the United States, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Peoples and is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing; to carry on its business as presently conducted and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. (b) CORPORATE PROCEEDINGS. All corporate proceedings of Peoples Bank necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, by Peoples Bank have been duly and validly taken. This Agreement has been validly executed and deliveredsupplied by duly authorized officers of Peoples. (c) AUTHORIZED AND EFFECTIVE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Peoples Bank, enforceable against Peoples in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance and other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' right generally, by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and by an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Peoples has the absolute and unrestricted right, power, authority and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject to the expiration of applicable regulatory waiting periods, and required filings under federal and state securities laws, to perform its obligations under this Agreement. (d) GOVERNMENTAL PROCEEDINGS. No consent, approval, authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any court, Governmental Authority or any other third party is required to be made or obtained by Peoples Bank in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by Peoples of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement or the consummation by Peoples Bank of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for (A) filings of applications or notices, as applicable, with and the approval of certain federal banking authorities, (B) filings with the SEC and state securities authorities, (C) the filing of the appropriate certificate of merger with the Secretary of State pursuant to the OGCL and (D) receipt of the approvals set forth in Section 7.07. As of the date hereof, Peoples Bank is not aware of any reason why the approvals set forth in Section 7.07 will not be received without the imposition of a condition, restriction or requirement of the type described in Section 7.07. (e)(k) DEPOSIT INSURANCE. The deposits of Peoples Bank are insured by the FDIC in accordance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Peoples Bank has paid all assessments and filed all reports required by the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. (f) DISCLOSURE. No representation(l) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF PEOPLES. Peoples has made available to KBI accurate and complete copies of consolidated financial statements of Peoples consisting of (i) consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for the two years ended December 31, 2001, including accompanying notes and the report thereon of Ernst & Young LLP and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2002, the related unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, of changes in shareholders' equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, and of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 (collectively, all of such consolidated financial statements are referred to as the "Peoples Financial Statements"). The Peoples Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis and present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of Peoples at the dates, and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods, stated therein; subject, in the case of the interim statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments which are not expected to be, individually or warranty byin the aggregate, materially adverse to Peoples Bank containedand the absence of full footnotes. (m) LITIGATION. There is no material private or governmental suit, claim, action, investigation or proceeding pending, nor to People's knowledge threatened, against Peoples or its Subsidiaries or against any of their directors, officers or employees relating to the performance of their duties in this Agreement, andsuch capacities or against or affecting any properties of Peoples or its Subsidiaries. There are no statement containedjudgments, decrees, stipulations or orders against Peoples enjoining it or any of its directors, officers or employees in respect of, or the effect of which is to prohibit, any business practice or the acquisition of any property or the conduct of business in any certificatearea of Peoples or its Subsidiaries. To the knowledge of Peoples, neither Peoples nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any pending or, to the knowledge of any of its officers, threatened legal, administrative or other document (includingclaim, action, suit, investigation, arbitration or proceeding challenging the validity or propriety of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. (n) UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Except as set forth in Section 4.01(n) of the Peoples Disclosure Schedule) furnishedSchedule, neither Peoples nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations, either accrued or contingent, that are material to it and that have not been: (a) reflected or disclosed in the Peoples Financial Statements or (b) incurred subsequent to December 31, 2001 in the ordinary course of business. Peoples knows of no basis for the assertion against it of any liability, obligation or claim (including, without limitation, that of any Governmental Entity) that is likely to result in or cause a material adverse change in the business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations of Peoples that is not fairly reflected in the Peoples Financial Statements or otherwise disclosed in this Agreement. (o) REGULATORY APPROVALS. To the knowledge of Peoples, except as described in Section 4.01(o) of the Peoples Disclosure Schedule, Peoples has no reason to believe that all required approvals from any Governmental Entity of any application to consummate the transactions contemplated by Peoples to LSCB pursuant to this Agreement contains any untrue statementwould not be received without the imposition of a material factmaterially burdensome condition in connection with the approval of any such application. (p) COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT. People's bank subsidiary received a rating of "satisfactory" or omitsbetter in its most recent examination or interim review with respect to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein and therein not misleading, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made.Community Reinvestment Act. ARTICLE FIVE FURTHER COVENANTS OF LSCB 5.01. OperationKBI 5.01.....Operation of Business - ----- --------------------- LSCBKBI covenants with Peoples that throughout the period from the date of this Agreement to and including the Closing: (a) CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. LSCB'sKBI's business, and the business of Kentucky Bank, will be conducted only in the ordinary and usual course consistent with past practice. Without the written consent of Peoples, LSCBKBI shall not, (A)and shall cause Kentucky Bank not to, (i) take any action which would be inconsistent with any representation or warranty of LSCBKBI set forth hereinin this Agreement or which would cause a breach of any such representation or warranty if made at or immediately following such action; or (B)(ii) engage in any lending activities other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice. LSCBTo the extent permitted under applicable law or regulation, KBI shall send to Peoples via facsimile transmission a copy of all loan presentations made to the Board of Directors and/or the loan committee of LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank at the same time as such presentations are transmitted to such Board and/or loan committee and all other proposals for each loan to an Officer or Director of KBI or Kentucky Bank, each secured loan in excess of $10,000,$200,000, and each unsecured loan in excess of $2,500. LSCB$100,000. KBI and Kentucky Bank shall consult with Peoples prior to (1)(x) hiring any full-time officer, other than replacement employees for positions then existing and (2)(y) purchasing any investment securities. (b) CHANGES IN BUSINESS AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE. Except with the consent of Peoples or as provided for by this Agreement, LSCBor as otherwise approved expressly in writing by Peoples (which approval will not:not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), KBI will not, and will cause Kentucky Bank not to: (i) sell, transfer, mortgage, pledge or subject to any lien or otherwise encumber any of the assets of LSCB,KBI or Kentucky Bank, tangible or intangible, except in the ordinary course of business for full and fair consideration actually received; (ii) make any capital expenditure or capital additions or improvementsbetterments which in the aggregate,individually exceed $5,000;$15,000; (iii) become bound by, enter into, or perform any material contract, commitment or transaction which is other than in the ordinary course of its business or which would cause or result in its being unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement; (iv) declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividends or make any distributions on its capital shares issued and outstanding.outstanding, except: (A) payment of KBI's regular quarterly cash dividend on or about January 1, 2003 in the amount of $15 per share, and (B) payment of KBI's regular quarterly cash dividend on or about April 1, 2003 in the amount of $15 per share; (v) purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire any of its capital shares; (vi) issue or grant any option or right to acquire any of its capital shares or any Voting Debt or effect, directly or indirectly, any stockshare split, recapitalization, combination, exchange of shares, readjustment or other reclassification; (vii) amend its articles of association,incorporation, constitution, articles of incorporation, constitution,association, bylaws, regulations by-laws or other governing documents; (viii) merge or consolidate with any other person or otherwise reorganize except for the Merger; (ix) acquire (other than by way of foreclosures or acquisitions of control in a bona fide fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of debts previously contracted in good faith, in each case in the ordinary and usual course of business consistent with past practice) all or any portion of, the assets, business, deposits or properties of any other entity; (x) enter into, establish, adopt or amend any pension, retirement, stock option, stock purchase, savings, profit sharing,profit-sharing, deferred compensation, consulting, bonus, group insurance or other employee benefit, incentive or welfare contract, plan or arrangement, or any trust agreement (or similar arrangement) related thereto, in respect of any Director, Officer or Employee of LSCB,KBI or take any action to accelerate the vesting or exercisability of stock options, restricted stock or other compensation or benefits payable thereunder;Kentucky Bank; provided, however, that LSCBKBI may (A) take such actions in order to satisfy either applicable law or contractual obligations existing as of the date hereof and disclosed in the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule or regular annual renewals of insurance contracts; (B) take such actions to cause the exercise or cancellation of all KBI Stock Options in accordance with Section 7.01 of this Agreement; (C) terminate or amend each employment, consulting, severance, retention and (B)change in control agreement listed on Section 3.01(r) of the KBI Disclosure Schedule in accordance with Section 5.10 of this Agreement; and (D) terminate its defined contribution retirement plan at any time before the Effective Time,Kentucky Bank & Trust Money Purchase Pension Plan (the "Kentucky Bank Pension Plan") and the Kentucky Bank & Trust 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the "Kentucky Bank 401(k) Plan") in accordance with benefit distributions deferred until the IRS issues a favorable determination with respect to the terminating plan's tax-qualified status upon termination and with LSCB and Peoples to cooperate in good faith to apply for such approval and to agree upon associated plan termination amendments that shall, among other things, provideSection 5.11 of this Agreement; (xi) except for the applicationadvance payment to Sandra Tilton of all assetsthe retention benefit under her contract with Kentucky Bank in the amount of a terminating plan for its participants,$55,000, and allow plan participantsthe payment of employee bonuses not only to receive lump-sum distributionsexceeding $45,000 in the aggregate which may be allocated at the discretion of their benefits but also to transfer those benefits to the Peoples Retirement Savings Plan maintained for employeesKBI's Board of Peoples and its Subsidiaries; (xi)Directors, make or pay any general wage or salary increase or bonus, other than normal pay increases consistent with past practices, or enter into or amend or renew any employment, consulting, severance, retention, change in control or similar agreements or arrangements with any Officer, Director or Employee, except, in each case, for changes which are required by applicable lawthis Agreement or as otherwise agreed to satisfy contractual obligations existing as of the date hereof and disclosed in the LSCB Disclosure Schedule;writing by Peoples; (xii) enter into or terminate any contract, other than a loan contract, requiring the payment or receipt of $5,000$15,000 or more in any 12-month period or amend or modify in any material respect any of its existing material contracts; (xiii) incur any indebtedness for money borrowed or incur any material obligation or liability other than in the ordinary course of business; (xiv) implement or adopt any change in its accounting principles, practices or methods, other than as may be required by GAAP; (xv) waive or cancel any right of material value or material debts, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices; (xvi) take any action that would result in (A) any of its representations or warranties contained in this Agreement being or becoming untrue in any material respect at any time at or prior to the Effective Time, (B) any of the conditions to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement asMerger set forth in Article Eight not being satisfied or (C) a violation of any provision of this Agreement except, in each case, as may be required by applicable law or regulation; (xvii) cause any material adverse change in the amount or general composition of deposit liabilities; (xviii) make any material investment (except in the ordinary course of business); or (xix) enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing. (c) MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY. LSCBKBI and Kentucky Bank will use itstheir commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and keep itstheir respective properties and facilities in their present condition and working order, ordinary wear and tear excepted. (d) PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS. LSCBKBI and Kentucky Bank will perform all of itstheir obligations under all agreements relating to or affecting itstheir respective properties, rights and business,businesses, except where nonperformance would not have a material adverse effect on LSCB.KBI or Kentucky Bank. (e) MAINTENANCE OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATION. LSCBKBI will, and will cause Kentucky Bank to, use itstheir commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve itstheir respective business organizations intact; to retain present key employees;Employees; and to maintain the respective relationships of customers, suppliers and others having business relationships with LSCB. LSCBthem. KBI will not, and will cause Kentucky Bank not to, take any action or omit to take any action which would terminate or enable any Employee of LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank to terminate his employment or employment agreement without cause and continue thereafter to receive compensation. (f) INSURANCE. LSCBInsurance. KBI and Kentucky Bank will maintain insurance coverage with reputable insurers, which in respect of amounts, premiums, types and risks insured, were maintained by them at the KBI Balance Sheet Date, and upon the renewal or termination of such insurance, LSCBKBI and Kentucky Bank will use commercially reasonable best efforts to renew or replace such insurance coverage with reputable insurers, which in respect of the amounts, premiums, types and risks insured wereor maintained by them at the Balance Sheet Date. (g) ACCESS TO INFORMATION. LSCBAccess to Information. KBI will, and will cause Kentucky Bank to, take all action necessary to (A)(i) afford the officers and designated representatives of Peoples full access during normal business hours upon reasonable notice to all of LSCB'sKBI's and Kentucky Bank's respective properties and, to the extent KBI or Kentucky Bank has or may provide such access, to the Kentucky Bank Real Estate Collateral (including for purposes of inspection and investigation for soil and groundwater tests), books, records, tax returnsTax Returns and reports, financial statements, contracts and commitments, and any work papers relating to any of the foregoing; (B)(ii) furnish to Peoples any and all such documents, copies of documents, and information (1)(A) concerning compliance and/or noncompliance with Environmental Laws and with respect to the past, present or suspected future presence of Hazardous Substances on the LSCBKBI Real Properties and the LSCBKentucky Bank Real Estate Collateral, including but not limited to environmental audit and Phase I reports, and (2)(B) concerning LSCB'sKBI's and Kentucky Bank's affairs as Peoples may reasonably request; (C)(iii) afford full access to Peoples to LSCB'sKBI's and Kentucky Bank's Officers, Directors, Employees and agents in order that Peoples may have full opportunity to make such investigation as it shall desire to make of the business and affairs of LSCB;KBI and (D)Kentucky Bank; and (iv) authorize People'sPeoples's representatives to inquire of government agencies, and inspect the files of those agencies, with respect to the environment conditions on and about the LSCBKBI Real Properties and the LSCBKentucky Bank Real Estate Collateral. During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, LSCBKBI shall promptly furnish Peoples with copies of all monthly and other interim financial statements produced in the ordinary course of business as the same shall become available. (h) PAYMENT OF TAXES. LSCBPayment of Taxes. KBI shall, and shall cause Kentucky Bank to, timely file all Tax Returns required to be filed on or before the Closing Date, and pay any Tax shown on such Tax Returns to be due. (i) RISK MANAGEMENT.Risk Management. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, LSCBneither KBI nor Kentucky Bank shall not (A)(i) implement or adopt any material change in its interest rate risk management and other risk management policies, procedures or practices; (B)(ii) fail to follow its existing policies or practices with respect to managing its exposure to interest rate and other risks; or (C)(iii) fail to use commercially reasonable means to avoid any material increase in its aggregate exposure to interest rate risk. 5.02. Notification - ----- ------------5.02.....Notification Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, LSCBKBI will promptly notify Peoples in writing if LSCBKBI becomes aware of any fact or condition that (A)(a) causes or constitutes a breach of any of itsKBI's representations and warranties or (B)(b) would (except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement) cause or constitute a breach of any such representation or warranty had such representation or warranty been made as of the time of occurrence or discovery of such fact or condition. Should any such fact or condition require any change in the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule, LSCBKBI will promptly deliver to Peoples a supplement to the LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule specifying such change ("Updated LSCBKBI Disclosure Schedule").; provided, however, that no disclosure of such change in the Updated KBI Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to constitute a cure of any breach of any representation or warranty made by KBI pursuant to this Agreement unless consented to in writing by Peoples. During the same period, LSCBKBI will promptly notify Peoples of (1)(i) the occurrence of any breach of any of itsKBI's covenants contained in this Agreement, (2)(ii) the occurrence of any event that may make the satisfaction of the conditions in this Agreement impossible or unlikely or (3)(iii) the occurrence of any event that is reasonably likely, individually or taken with all other facts, events or circumstancecircumstances known to it,KBI, to result in a material adverse effect with respect to it.KBI. In addition, if at any time prior to the Effective Time, any event or circumstancescircumstance relating to LSCBKBI or any of its Officers or Directors should be discovered which should be set forth in an amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the LSCBKBI Proxy Statement, LSCBKBI shall promptly inform Peoples. 5.03. Shareholder5.03.....Shareholder Approval - ----- -------------------- LSCBKBI covenants that: (a) The Board of Directors of LSCBKBI will recommend the adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the transactions contemplated hereby to the shareholders of LSCB,KBI, subject to that Board's fiduciary obligations under OhioKentucky law, as determined in good faith after consultation with and based upon adviseadvice of independent legal counsel. (b) LSCBKBI will call a meeting of its shareholders (the "LSCB"KBI Meeting") to be held as soon as reasonably practicable after the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, for the purpose of adopting this Agreement and approving the transactions contemplated hereby and will, subject to the provisions of Sections 5.03(a) and 5.04, use its best efforts to effect such adoption and approval. LSCBKBI will prepare appropriate proxy solicitation materials in respect of the LSCBKBI Meeting which materials will include a proxy statement of LSCB (the "LSCB("KBI Proxy Statement") and which will be a part of the Registration Statement to be submitted by Peoples to the SEC pursuant to Section 7.06 of this Agreement. 5.04. Acquisition. 5.04.....Acquisition Proposals - ----- --------------------- From and after the date hereof, LSCBKBI will not, directly or indirectly, through any of its Officers, Directors, Employees, agents or advisors, (A)(i) solicit or initiate or knowingly encourage, including by means of furnishing information, any proposals, offers or inquiries from any person relating to any acquisition or purchase of 20%10% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities of, or 20%10% or more of the assets or deposits of, LSCB,KBI or Kentucky Bank, or any merger, tender or exchange offer, consolidation or business combination involving, LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank (an "Acquisition Proposal") or (B)(ii) unless the Board of directors of LSCB determineKBI determines in good faith that such action is required for themthat Board to fulfill theirthe Board's fiduciary duties and obligations to the LSCBKBI shareholders under OhioKentucky law as advised by counsel to LSCBKBI and LSCBKBI gives prior notice to Peoples of such action (in which event LSCBKBI may furnish information), engage in negotiations with or disclose any nonpublic information relating to LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank or afford access to the LSCBKBI Real Properties, or the books or records of LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank to any person that may be considering or has made an Acquisition Proposal. LSCBKBI shall promptly (within 24 hours) notify Peoples, orally and in writing, if any such proposal, offer, inquiry or contact is made and shall, in any such notice, indicate the identity and terms and conditions of any proposal or offer, or any such inquiry or contact. LSCBKBI shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated any activities, discussions or negotiations conducted prior to the date of this Agreement with any parties other than Peoples with respect to any Acquisition Proposal and shall use its reasonable best efforts to enforce any confidentiality or similar agreement relating to an Acquisition Proposal. 5.05. Delivery5.05.....Delivery of Information - ----- ----------------------- LSCB will promptlyKBI shall furnish to Peoples promptly after such documents are available: (i) all information requestedreports, proxy statements or other communications by Peoples regarding LSCB's assets, properties, business, affairs, operations, condition (financial or otherwise), prospectsKBI to its shareholders generally; and corporate organization as shall be required by the rules and regulations under the Securities Act or by the SEC for inclusion in the Registration Statement described in Section 7.06 and shall otherwise reasonably assist Peoples in the preparation and filing of such Registration Statement. 5.06. Affiliates(ii) all press releases relating to any transactions. 5.06.....Affiliates Compliance with the Securities Act - ----- --------------------------------------------- (a) Within thirty (30) daysIn the KBI Disclosure Schedule and no later than the 15th day prior to the mailing of the date of this Agreement, LSCB willKBI Proxy Statement, KBI shall deliver to Peoples a schedule of all persons whom LSCBKBI reasonably believes are, or are likely to be, as of the date of the LSCBKBI Meeting, deemed to be "affiliates" of LSCBKBI as that term is used in Rule 145 under the Securities Act and/or Accounting Series Releases 130 and 135, as amended, of the SEC (the "Rule 145 Affiliates"). Thereafter and until the Effective Time, LSCBKBI shall identify to Peoples each additional person whom itKBI reasonably believes to have thereafter become a Rule 145 Affiliate. (b) LSCBKBI shall use its diligent efforts to cause each person who is identified as a Rule 145 Affiliate pursuant to clause (a)Section 5.06(a) above (who has not executed and delivered the same concurrently with the execution of this Agreement) to execute and deliver to Peoples on or before the date of mailing of the LSCBKBI Proxy Statement, a written agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit CA attached hereto. 5.07. Takeover5.07.....Takeover Laws - ----- ------------- LSCBKBI shall take all necessary steps to (A)(a) exempt (or cause the continued exemption of) this Agreement and the Merger from the requirements of any Takeover Law and from any provisions under its articles of incorporation and regulations,bylaws, as applicable, by action of the Board of Directors of LSCBKBI or otherwise, and (B)(b) assist in any challenge by Peoples to the validity, or applicability to the Merger, of any Takeover Law. 5.08. Cooperation In5.08.....Cooperation in Bank Merger - ----- --------------------- LSCBKBI will cooperate with Peoples and take all actions reasonably requested by Peoples to assist Peoples in securing all required regulatory approvals to merge LSCBKentucky Bank with and into Peoples Bank and to take such corporate actions as are necessary or desirable to implement such merger, provided such actions shall be conditioned upon consummation of the Merger. 5.09. Accounting5.09.....Accounting Policies - ----- ------------------- After the shareholders of LSCBKBI have approved the Merger and after receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, on or before the Effective Time and at the request of Peoples, LSCBKBI shall promptly establish and take such reserves and accruals to conform LSCB'sKBI's and/or Kentucky Bank's loan, accrual and reserve policies to Peoples Bank's policies; LSCBKBI shall promptly establish and take such accruals, reserves and charges in order to implement such policies in respect of excess facilities and equipment capacity, severance costs, litigation matters, write-off or write down of various assets and other appropriate accounting adjustments; and LSCBKBI shall promptly recognize for financial accounting purposes such expenses of the Merger and restructuring charges related to or to be incurred in connection with the Merger, to the extent permitted by law and consistent with GAAP and with the fiduciary duties of the officersOfficers and directorsDirectors of LSCB. 5.10. Title Insurance - ----- --------------- ForKBI. 5.10.....Termination of Employment Agreements Except for the Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of July 12, 1991, between C. Ronald Christmas and Kentucky Bank, as amended by the First Amendment dated as of November 1, 1993, the Second Amendment dated as of May 11, 1995, and the Third Amendment dated as of the date hereof (the "Christmas Employment Agreement"), each parcelemployment, consulting, severance, retention and change in control agreement listed on Section 3.01(r) of LSCB Real Property asthe KBI Disclosure Schedule shall be terminated or amended prior to which Peoples may specifically request, LSCBClosing in a manner satisfactory to Peoples. 5.11.....Termination of Plans KBI shall delivercause the Kentucky Bank 401(k) Plan and the Kentucky Bank Pension Plan to Peoples,be terminated prior to the Effective Time with benefit distributions deferred until the IRS issues a favorable determination with respect to such plan's tax-qualified status upon termination, and KBI and Peoples shall paycooperate in good faith to apply for such approval and to agree upon associated plan termination amendments that shall, among other things, provide for the application of all assets of a title insurance commitment (ALTA 1966 form orterminating plan for its equivalent) for a fee owner's title insurance policy or leasehold owner's title insurance policy, as appropriate, each in an amount equalparticipants, and allow plan participants not only to receive lump-sum distributions of their benefits but also to roll over those benefits to the carrying costpension and 401(k) plans maintained for employees of the premises or leasehold interest to be insured (including all improvements thereon), on the books of LSCB. Each title insurance commitment shall show that marketable fee simple title to the owned premises or that valid leasehold title to the leased premises, as appropriate, is in the name of LSCB,Peoples and that it is free and clear of any liens and encumbrances except taxes and assessments not delinquent and utility and other easements that do not interfere with the use of the property for the business being conducted thereon. Each such commitment shall provide that such fee owner's policy committed for therein shall be an ALTA 1970 form, revised in 1994, and each leasehold-owner's policy shall be an ALTA 1975 form, or other form acceptable to Peoples.its Subsidiaries; ARTICLE SIX FURTHER COVENANTS OF PEOPLES 6.01. Current6.01.....Access to Information - ----- ------------------- Peoples shall furnish to LSCBKBI promptly after such documents are available: (A)(i) all reports, proxy statements or other communications by Peoples to its shareholders generally; and (B)(ii) all press releases relating to any transactions. 6.02. Opportunity6.02.....Opportunity of Employment; Employee Benefits - ----- -------------------------------------------- The existing Employees of LSCB mayKBI and Kentucky Bank shall have the opportunity to continue as employees of Peoples or one of its Subsidiaries, at the Effective Time; subject, however, to the right of Peoples and its Subsidiaries to terminate any such employees "at will". Peoples agrees to honor all employment agreements, retirement agreements, severance agreements and change in control agreements entered into prior to June 30, 2000, that LSCB has with its former and current Employees and Directors, which are disclosed in Section 6.02 of the LSCB Disclosure Schedule, except to the extent any such agreements shall have been superseded or terminated at the Effective Time or following the Effective Time and provision for recordation of any related expense of such succession or termination is recognized by LSCB prior to the Effective Time.will." It is understood and agreed that except as provided in the second sentence of this Section 6.02, nothing in this Section 6.02 or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract of employment or be construed to give said Employeesemployees any rights other than as employees at will under applicable law and said Employeesemployees shall not be deemed to be third-party beneficiaries of this provision. FromExcept for the Kentucky Bank 401(k) Plan and afterthe Kentucky Bank Pension Plan, which plans shall be terminated prior to the Effective Time LSCB'spursuant to Section 5.11, Peoples shall exert its commercially reasonable best efforts to cause the KBI Compensation and Benefit Plans in effect at the Effective Time to either be terminated or merged into comparable benefit plans of Peoples as expeditiously as possible following the Effective Time. The Employees continuing as employees with Peoples or one of its Subsidiaries,KBI and Kentucky Bank shall continue to participate in the LSCBKBI Compensation and Benefit Plans in effect at the Effective Time unless and until Peoples, in its sole discretion, shall determine that LSCB'sthe Employees of KBI and Kentucky Bank shall, subject to applicable eligibility requirements, participate in employee benefit plans of Peoples and that all or some of the LSCBKBI Compensation and Benefit Plans shall be terminated or merged into certain employee benefit plans of Peoples. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each LSCBKBI Employee and Kentucky Bank Employee who becomes an employee of Peoples following the Effective Time (excluding C. Ronald Christmas) shall be entitled to participate thereafter in every Peoples benefit plan generally made available to other similarly-situated employees of Peoples and such continuing employees shall be credited with years of service with LSCB,KBI and/or Kentucky Bank and, to the extent credit would have been given by KBI or Kentucky Bank for years of service with a predecessor (including any business organization acquired by KBI or Kentucky Bank), years of service with a predecessor of KBI or Kentucky Bank, for purposes of eligibility and vesting (but not for benefit accrual purposes) in the employee benefit plans of Peoples, and shall not be subject to any exclusion or penalty for pre-existing conditions that were covered under LSCB'sthe KBI Compensation and Benefit Plans immediately prior to the Effective Time, or to any waiting period relating to such coverage. If, after the Effective Time, Peoples adopts a new plan or program for its employees or executives, then to the extent its employees or executives receive past service credits for any reason, Peoples shall credit similarly-situated Employeesemployees and executives of LSCBKBI and Kentucky Bank with equivalent credit for service with LSCB,KBI, Kentucky Bank or their respective predecessors, to the extent that years of service credit would have been given by LSCB.KBI or the appropriate Kentucky Bank for years of service with a predecessor of KBI or Kentucky Bank. The foregoing covenants shall survive the Merger. 6.03. Severance6.03.....Severance Benefit - ----- ----------------- On or before the Effective Time, Employees (but not(excluding C. Ronald Christmas, Sandra Tilton and the Directors) of LSCBKBI who do not continue as employees of Peoples or one of its Subsidiaries at the Effective Time may receive from LSCB,KBI, if announced to the employeesEmployees of LSCBKBI and accrued by LSCBKBI prior to the Effective Time, a severance benefit equal to (A) one (1) full month's salary or part time compensation equal to the average of the last three (3) months of employment service; plus (B) one (1) full month's salary or part time compensation equal to the average of the last three (3) months of employment, up to a maximum aggregate of six (6) months, for each three (3) years, on a pro-rata basis, of employment service with LSCBKBI on or before December 31, 2000.2001. For eligibility purposes, employees of LSCBKBI must be continuously in the employ of LSCBKBI from June 30, 2000,2002, to the Effective Time and have had a minimum of one (1) full year of employment service on December 31, 2000,2001, and must not be a party or beneficiary of any change in control or other similar employment agreement with LSCBKBI executed on or before June 30, 2000.2002. Payment shall be in lump sum, subject to usual and customary withholding, as soon as practical after the Effective Time. 6.04. NASDAQ6.04.....Nasdaq Listing - ----- -------------- Peoples shall file a notification form for listing of additional sharesapplication with NASDAQNasdaq for the Peoples Shares to be issued to the former holders of LSCBKBI Shares in the Merger at the time prescribed by applicable rules and regulations of NASDAQ.Nasdaq. In addition, Peoples will use its best efforts to maintain the designation of the Peoples Shares as NASDAQ national market securities. 6.05. Takeoverits listing on Nasdaq. 6.05.....Takeover Laws - ----- ------------- Peoples shall take all necessary steps to (A)(a) exempt (or cause the continued exemption of) this Agreement and the Merger Agreement from the requirements of any Takeover Law and from any provisions under its Amended Articles of Incorporationarticles and Regulations,regulations, as applicable, by action of the Board of Directors of Peoples or otherwise, and (B)(b) assist in any challenge by LSCBKBI to the validity, or applicability to the Merger, of any Takeover Law. 6.06. Notification - ----- ------------6.06.....Notification Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, Peoples will promptly notify LSCBKBI in writing if Peoples becomes aware of any fact or condition that (A)(a) causes or constitutes a breach of any of itsPeoples's representations and warranties or (B)(b) would (except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement) cause or constitute a breach of any such representation or warranty had such representation or warranty been made as of the time of occurrence or discovery of such fact or condition. Should any such fact or condition require any change in the Peoples Disclosure Schedule, Peoples will promptly deliver to LSCB a supplement to the Peoples Disclosure Schedule specifying such change ("Updated Peoples Disclosure Schedule"). During the same period, Peoples will promptly notify LSCBKBI of (1)(i) the occurrence of any breach of any of itsPeoples's covenants contained in this Agreement, or (2)(ii) the occurrence of any event that may make the satisfaction of the conditions in this Agreement impossible or unlikely. 6.07. Officers'unlikely or (iii) the occurrence of any event that is reasonably likely, individually or taken with all other facts, events or circumstances known to Peoples, to result in a material adverse effect with respect to Peoples. 6.07.....Officers' and Directors' Indemnification - ----- ---------------------------------------- (a) Following the Effective Time, Peoples shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the present Directors, Officers and Employees of LSCBKBI and Kentucky Bank (each, an "Indemnified Party") against costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages or liabilities (collectively, "Costs") incurred in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of actions or omissions occurring on or prior to the Effective Time (including, without limitation, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) to the fullest extent that LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank is required to indemnify (and advance expenses to) an Indemnified Party under the laws of the jurisdiction of formation or formationincorporation of KBI or Kentucky Bank, and the articles of incorporation and regulationsbylaws of LSCB,KBI or the governing documents of Kentucky Bank, in each case to the extent applicable to the particular Indemnified Party, as in effect on the date hereof; provided that any determination required to be made with respect to whether an Indemnified Party's conduct complies with the standards set forth under the laws of the jurisdiction of formation or formation,incorporation, the articles of incorporation and regulationsbylaws of LSCB,KBI or the governing documents of Kentucky Bank, as appropriate, shall be made by the court in which the claim, action, suit or proceeding was brought or by independent counsel (which shall not be counsel that provides material services to Peoples) selected by Peoples and reasonably acceptable to such Indemnified Party. (b) For a period of three (3) years from the Effective Time, Peoples shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to provide that portion of directors' and officers' liability insurance that serves to reimburse the present and former Officers and Directors of KBI and Kentucky Bank (determined as of the Effective Time) with respect to claims against such DirectorsOfficers and OfficersDirectors arising from facts or events which occurred before the Effective Time, on terms no less favorable than those in effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that Peoples may substitute therefor policies providing at least comparable coverage containing terms and conditions no less favorable than those in effect on the date hereof; provided, however that in no event shall Peoples be required to expend more than 10% (ten percent)150 percent of the current amount expended by PeoplesKBI (the "Insurance Amount") to maintain or procure such directors' and officers' liability insurance coverage; provided, further that if Peoples is unable to maintain or obtain the insurance called for by this Section 6.07(b), Peoples shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain as much comparable insurance as is available for the Insurance Amount; and provided, further, that Officers and Directors of LSCBKBI or Kentucky Bank may be required to make application and provide customary representations and warranties to Peoples'Peoples's insurance carrier for the purpose of obtaining such insurance. (c) Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under Section 6.07(a), upon learning of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation described above, shall promptly notify Peoples thereof; provided that the failure so to notify shall not affect the obligations of Peoples under Section 6.07(a) unless and to the extent that Peoples is actually prejudiced as a result of such failure.Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under Section 6.07(a), upon learning of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation described above, shall promptly notify Peoples thereof; provided that the failure so to notify shall not affect the obligations of Peoples under Section 6.07(a) unless and to the extent that Peoples is actually prejudiced as a result of such failure. (d) If Peoples or any of its successors or assigns shall consolidate with or merge into any other entity and shall not be the continuing or surviving entity of such consolidation or merger or shall transfer all or substantially all of its assets to any entity, then and in each case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of Peoples shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section 6.07. ARTICLE SEVEN FURTHER OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES 7.01. Necessary Further Action - ----- ------------------------ Each7.01.....KBI Stock Options Prior to the Effective Time of LSCB, Peoples,the Merger, KBI shall take all such actions as may be necessary to cause each unexpired and Peoples Bank agrees to use its reasonable best efforts in good faith to take, or causeunexercised KBI Stock Option to be taken, all necessary actions and execute all additional documents, agreements and instruments required to consummate the transactions contemplated in this Agreement. 7.02. Cooperativecanceled. 7.02.....Cooperative Action - ----- ------------------ Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each of LSCB, Peoples,KBI and Peoples Bank agrees to use its reasonable best efforts in good faith to take, or cause to be taken, all further actions and execute all additional documents, agreements and instruments which may be reasonably required, in the opinion of counsel for LSCBKBI and counsel for Peoples, to satisfy all legal requirements of the State of Ohio, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the United States, so that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby will become effective as promptly as practicable. 7.03. Satisfaction7.03.....Satisfaction of Conditions - ----- --------------------------Each of Peoples Peoples Bank, and LSCBKBI shall each use its reasonable best efforts in good faith to satisfy all of the conditions to this Agreement and to cause the consummation of the transactions described in this Agreement, including making all governmental applications, notices and filings with Governmental Authorities and Regulatory Authorities and taking all steps to secure promptly all government consents, rulings and approvals of Governmental Authorities and Regulatory Authorities which are necessary for the performance by each party of each of its obligations under this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. 7.04. Confidentiality - ----- ---------------7.04.....Confidentiality Each of LSCB, Peoples,KBI and Peoples Bank agrees that it will not, and will cause itsit Subsidiaries and representatives not to, use any confidential information obtained pursuant to this Agreement (as well as any other information obtained prior to the date hereof in connection with the entering into of this Agreement) for any purpose unrelated to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Subject to the requirements of law, each party will keep confidential, and will cause its representatives to keep confidential, all information and documents obtained pursuant to this Agreement (as well as any other information obtained prior to the date hereof in connection with the entering into of this Agreement) unless such information (A) was already known to such party, (B) becomes available to such party from other sources not known by such party to be bound by a confidentiality obligation, (C) is disclosed with the prior written approval of the party to which such information pertains, or (D) is or becomes readily ascertainable from published information or trade sources. In the event that this Agreement is terminated or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall otherwise fail to be consummated, each party shall promptly cause all copies of documents or extracts thereof containing information and data as to another party hereto, to be returned to the party which furnished the same. 7.05. Press7.05.....Press Releases - ----- -------------- None ofNeither Peoples Peoples Bank, or LSCBnor KBI shall make any press release or other public announcement concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the consent of the other party hereto as to the form and contents of such press release or public announcement, except to the extent that such press release or public announcement may be required by law or NASDAQNasdaq rules to be made before such consent can be obtained. 7.06. Registration Statement - ----- ----------------------7.06.....Registration Statements (a) Peoples agrees to prepare pursuant to all applicable laws, rules and regulations a registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by Peoples with the SEC in connection with the issuance of Peoples Shares in the Merger (including the LSCBKBI Proxy Statement constituting a part thereof and all related documents). LSCBKBI agrees at its sole expense for development of informationto cooperate, and data required of LSCB,to cause Kentucky Bank to cooperate, with Peoples, its counsel and its accountants, in the preparation of the Registration Statement and the LSCBKBI Proxy Statement, including but not limited to the preparation of LSCB Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP, if necessary,Statement; and provided that LSCB hasKBI and Kentucky Bank have cooperated as required above, Peoples agrees to file the Registration Statement, which will include the LSCBKBI Proxy Statement and a prospectus in respect of the Peoples Shares to be issued in the Merger (together, the "Proxy/"Proxy Statement/Prospectus") with the SEC as promptly as reasonably practicable. Each of LSCBKBI and Peoples agrees to use all reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement including the Proxy/Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as reasonably practicable after the filing thereof. Peoples also agrees to use all reasonable efforts to obtain, prior to the effective date of the Registration Statement, all necessary state securities law or "Blue Sky" permits and approvals required to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. LSCBKBI agrees to promptly furnish to Peoples all information concerning LSCBKBI, Kentucky Bank and the Officers, Directors and shareholders of LSCBKBI and Kentucky Bank as may be reasonably requested in connection with the foregoing. (b) On November 15, 2002, Peoples filed a registration statement on Form S-3 (the "S-3") with the SEC in connection with the proposed offering and sale of up to 1,380,000 Peoples Shares. KBI agrees to promptly furnish to Peoples all information concerning KBI, Kentucky Bank and the Officers, Directors and shareholders of KBI and Kentucky Bank as may be reasonably requested by Peoples for inclusion in an amendment or supplement to the S-3 to be filed with the SEC. (c) Each of LSCBKBI and Peoples agrees, as to itself and its Subsidiaries, that none of the information supplied or to be supplied by it for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (A)(i) the Registration Statement will, at the time the Registration Statement and each amendment or supplement thereto, if any, is filed with the SEC and at the time the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (ii) the S-3 will, at the time each amendment or supplement to the S-3 is filed with the SEC and at the time the S-3 becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (B)(iii) the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto will, atas of the date such KBI Proxy Statement is mailed to shareholders of KBI and up to and including the date of mailingthe meeting of KBI's shareholders to the LSCB shareholders and at the time of the LSCB Meeting,which such KBI Proxy Statement relates, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein in light of the circumstances under where they were made not misleading. (d) Each of LSCBKBI and Peoples further agrees, if it shall become aware prior to the Effective Time of any information furnished by it that would cause any of the statements in the Registration Statement, the S-3 and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or to omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not false or misleading, to promptly inform the other party thereof and to take the necessary steps to correct the Registration Statement, the S-3 and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. (c)(e) Peoples agrees to advise LSCB, promptly after Peoples 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 Peoples Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of 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.Peoples agrees to advise LSCB,KBI, promptly after Peoples 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 Peoples Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of 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. 7.07. Regulatory7.07.....Regulatory Applications - ----- ----------------------- Peoples Peoples Bank, and LSCBits Subsidiaries shall cooperate and use their respective reasonable best efforts to prepare all documentation, to timely effect all filings and to obtain all permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of all third parties and Governmental and Regulatory Authorities necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of Peoples, Peoples Bank, and LSCBKBI shall have the right to review in advance, and to the extent practicable, each will consult with and cooperate with Peoples in the other,preparation of all material written information submitted to any third party or any Governmental or Regulatory Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in each case subject to applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, with respect to, and KBI shall be provided such written information in advance so as to reasonably exercise its right to review the same in advance, all material written information submitted to any third party or any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.advance. In exercising the foregoing right, each of the parties heretoKBI agrees to act reasonably and as promptly as practicable. Each party hereto agrees that it will consult with the other party hereto with respect to the obtaining of all material permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of all third parties and Governmental and Regulatory Authorities necessary or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each party will keep the other apprised of the status of material matters relating to completion of the transactions contemplated hereby. Each party agrees, upon request, to furnish the other party with all information concerning itself, its Subsidiaries, directors, officers and shareholders and such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable in connection with any filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of such other party or of its Subsidiaries to any third party or Governmental or Regulatory Authority. 7.08. Supplemental7.08.....Supplemental Assurances - ----- ----------------------- (a) On the date the Registration Statement becomes effective and on the Closing Date, LSCBKBI shall deliver to Peoples a certificate signed by its principal executive officer and its principal financial officer to the effect that, to such officers' knowledge, that the information contained in the Registration Statement relating to the business, and financial condition and affairs of LSCB,KBI and Kentucky Bank, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made. (b) On the date the Registration Statement becomes effective and on the Closing Date, Peoples shall deliver to LSCBKBI a certificate signed by its chief executive officer and its chief financial officer to the effect that, to such officer'sofficers' knowledge, that the Registration Statement (other than the information contained therein relating to the business, and financial condition and affairs of LSCB)KBI and Kentucky Bank) does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made. ARTICLE EIGHT CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES 8.01. Conditions8.01.....Conditions to the Obligations of Peoples - ----- ---------------------------------------- The obligations of Peoples under this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction, or written waiver by Peoples prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions precedent: (a) At or before the Effective Time, a certain undertaking by LSCB for the benefit of C.J. Whetstone, Chairman of the Board of LSCB, evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors of LSCB at a duly constituted meeting held January 26, 2000, regarding salary and supplemental medical insurance shall be terminated without cost or expense to, or other consideration by, LSCB. (b) The representations and warranties of LSCBKBI set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though such representations and warranties were also made as of the Closing Date, except (A)(i) that those representations and warranties thatwhich by their terms speak as of a specific date shall be true and correct as of such date and (B)(ii) where the failure to be so true and correct would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on LSCB;KBI or Kentucky Bank; and Peoples shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of LSCBKBI by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of LSCBKBI to such effect. (c) LSCB(b) KBI shall have performed in all material respects all of its covenants and obligations under this Agreement to be performed by it on or prior to the Closing Date, including those relating to the Closing, and Peoples shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of LSCBKBI by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of LSCBKBI to such effect. (d) In(c) Holders of KBI Shares who exercise dissenters' rights in accordance with the aggregate, an amountrequirements of lessSection 271B.13 of the KBCA shall not hold more than ten percent (10%) of the number of Peoplesissued and outstanding KBI Shares immediately prior to be issued in the Merger shall be (A) subject to purchase as fractional Peoples Share interests; and (B) LSCB Dissenting Shares in connection with the Merger contemplated by this Agreement. (e)Effective Time. (d) Peoples shall have received the written opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour &and Pease LLP ("VSSP"), dated the Closing Date, to the effect that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth in such opinion, the Merger constitutes a tax-free reorganization underwithin the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code. In rendering its opinion, counsel to Peoples will require and rely upon representations contained in letters from Peoples and LSCB. (f)KBI. (e) Peoples shall have received the written opinion of DinsmoreBracewell & Shohl, LLP,Patterson, L.L.P., counsel to LSCB,KBI, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that, on the basis of the facts, representations and assumptions set forth in the opinion, (A) LSCBopinion: (i) KBI is a banking corporation duly organizedvalidly existing and in good standing under the laws of the StateCommonwealth of Ohio, (B)Kentucky; (ii) Kentucky Bank is a banking corporation, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky; (iii) KBI is a registered bank holding company under the BHCA; (iv) this Agreement has been duly approved by the Board of Directors of LSCBKBI and duly adopted by the shareholders of LSCB, (C)KBI and no further corporate proceedings are required to authorize the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (v) this Agreement has been duly executed by LSCBKBI and constitutes a binding obligation on LSCBKBI enforceable in accordance with its terms against LSCB,KBI, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium, and other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, by general equitable principles, regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing,dealing; (vi) the execution and (D) thatdelivery of this Agreement did not, and the consummation of the Merger will not, conflict with any provision of the articles of incorporation, bylaws or other governing documents of KBI or Kentucky Bank; (vii) KBI has the full corporate power and authority to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (viii) KBI and Kentucky Bank have the full corporate power and authority to own their respective properties and to carry on their respective businesses as presently conducted; (ix) upon the filing of thea certificate of merger with the Ohio Secretary of State and the filing of articles of merger with the Kentucky Secretary of State, the Merger shall become effective. (g)effective in accordance with the terms thereof; (x) such counsel knows of no pending or threatened actions, suits, proceedings, claims or investigations which would prevent the consummation of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or declare the same to be unlawful or cause the rescission thereof; and (xi) the KBI Shares and the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Kentucky Bank have been duly authorized and validly issued, and there are no options, commitments or other agreements under which any person can cause KBI Shares or shares of capital stock of Kentucky Bank to be issued. (f) Peoples shall have received a copy of a statement, issued by LSCBKBI pursuant to Section 1.897-2(h) of the regulations issued under the Code, certifying that the LSCBKBI Shares are not aan U.S. real property interest and dated not more than thirty days prior to the Closing Date. (h) Peoples(g) KBI shall have received fromobtained the consent or approval of each person (other than Governmental and Regulatory Authorities) whose consent or approval shall be required in order to permit the succession by the Surviving Corporation pursuant to the Merger to any obligation, right or interest of KBI or Kentucky Bank under any loan or credit agreement, note, mortgage, indenture, lease, license or other agreement or instrument, except those for which failure to obtain such consents and approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect, after the Effective Time, on the Surviving Corporation. (h) The Shareholders' Equity of KBI as of the Directorsmonth-end preceding the month in which the Closing occurs (the "Closing Shareholders' Equity") shall not be less than $17,425,000; provided, however, that merger-related charges (including the amount of LSCB an executed Shareholder Agreement, the form of which isall payments to C. Ronald Christmas set forth on Section 8.01(h) of the KBI Disclosure Schedule) and FAS 115 adjustments shall be removed to determine the Closing Shareholders' Equity for purposes of this Section 8.01(h). (i) The aggregate of all expenses, including, without limitation, legal and accounting fees and fees payable to Alex Sheshunoff & Co., incurred by KBI and Kentucky Bank relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, shall not be greater than $500,000 as Exhibit B hereto. 8.02. Conditionsof the Closing Date. (j) The Employment Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between C. Ronald Christmas and Peoples Bank, National Association, shall continue to be in effect as of the Closing Date. (k) The Christmas Employment Agreement shall continue to be in effect as of the Closing Date. 8.02....Conditions to the Obligations of LSCB - ----- -------------------------------------KBI The obligations of LSCBKBI under this Agreement shall be subject to satisfaction, or written waiver by LSCBKBI prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions precedent: (a) The representations and warranties of Peoples and Peoples Bank set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though such representations and warranties were also made as of the Closing Date, except (A)(i) that representations and warranties thatwhich by their terms speak as of a specific date shall be true and correct as of such date and (B)(ii) where the failure to be so true and correct would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Peoples and its subsidiariesSubsidiaries taken as a whole; and LSCBKBI shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of Peoples by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer to such effect. (b) Peoples shall have performed in all material respects all of its covenants and obligations under this Agreement to be performed by it on or prior to the Closing Date, including those related to the Closing, and LSCBKBI shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of Peoples by the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer to such effect. (c) LSCBKBI shall have received a letter from YoungAlex Sheshunoff & Associates, Inc.Co., dated as of the date of the LSCBKBI Proxy Statement, to the effect that, in its opinion as of such date, the consideration to be received by the LSCBKBI shareholders in the Merger is fair to the shareholders of LSCBKBI from a financial point of view. (d) LSCBKBI shall have received the written opinion of VSSP, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that, on the basis of facts representations and assumptionsrepresentations set forth in such opinion, (i) the Merger constitutes a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) of the Code, and (ii) no gain or loss will be recognized by shareholders of LSCBKBI who exchange their KBI Shares solely for Peoples Shares, other than the gain or loss to be recognized as to cash received in lieu of fractional Peoples Share interests, and the tax basis of such shareholders in their KBI Shares will be carried over for tax purposes to the Peoples Shares received in exchange therefor, (iii) shareholders of KBI who receive Peoples Sharessolely cash in exchange for LSCB Shares.their KBI Shares will be treated as having received such payments as distributions in redemption of their KBI Shares, subject to the provisions and limitations of Section 302 of the Code, and (iv) gain will be recognized by shareholders of KBI who receive both Peoples Shares and cash in exchange for their KBI Shares, but not in excess of the amount of cash received. In rendering its opinion, VSSPcounsel to Peoples will require and rely upon representations contained in letters from LSCBKBI and Peoples. (e) LSCBKBI shall have received the written opinion of VSSP, counsel to Peoples, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that, on the basis of the facts, representations and assumptions set forth in the opinion, (A)(i) Peoples is a corporation validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Ohio; (B)(ii) Peoples is a registered bank holding company under the BHCA; (iii) this Agreement has been duly approved by the Board of Directors of Peoples and no further corporate proceedings of Peoples are required to authorize the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) this Agreement has been duly executed by Peoples and constitutes the binding obligation of Peoples, enforceable in accordance with its terms against Peoples, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, by general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and by an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (C)(v) the execution and delivery of this Agreement did not, and the consummation of the Merger will not, conflict with any provision of the articles or regulations of Peoples; (vi) Peoples has the full corporate power and authority to perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (vii) the Peoples Shares to be issued in theas Merger Shares, when issued, shall be duly authorized, fully paid and non-assessable; and (D)(viii) upon the filing of the appropriatea certificate of merger with the Ohio Secretary of State and the filing of articles of merger with the Kentucky Secretary of State, the Merger shall become effective. 8.03. Mutualeffective in accordance with the terms thereof. (f) Peoples shall have obtained the consent or approval of each person (other than Governmental and Regulatory Authorities) whose consent or approval shall be required in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby under any loan or credit agreement, note, mortgage, indenture, lease, license or other agreement or instrument, except those for which failure to obtain such consents and approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect, after the Effective Time, on the Surviving Corporation. 8.03.....Mutual Conditions - ----- ----------------- The obligations of LSCBKBI and Peoples under this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction, or written waiver by Peoples and LSCBKBI prior to the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions precedent: (a) The shareholders of LSCBKBI shall have duly adopted this Agreement by the required vote. (b) All regulatory approvals of Governmental Authorities and Regulatory Authorities required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained and shall remain in full force and effect and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof shall have expired and no such approvals or statute, rule or order shall contain any conditions, restrictions or requirements which Peoples reasonably determines would either before or after the Effective Time (A)(i) have a material adverse effect on Peoples and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole after giving effect to the consummation of the Merger; or (B)(ii) prevent Peoples from realizing the major portion of the economic benefits of the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement thatthereby which Peoples currently anticipates obtaining. (c) No temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Merger shall be in effect. No Governmental or Regulatory Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced, threatened, commenced a proceeding with respect to or entered any statute, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) prohibiting or delaying consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. (d) The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act and no stop-order or similar restraining order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or, to the knowledge of the parties, threatened by the SEC. (e) Peoples shall have received all state securities and "Blue Sky""blue sky" permits and other authorizations and approvals necessary to consummate the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby and no order restraining the ability of Peoples to issue Peoples Shares pursuant to the Merger shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by any state securities administrator. (f) The Peoples Shares to be issued in the Merger shall have been approved for listing on NASDAQNasdaq subject to official notice of issuance. (g) The Merger Agreement shall have been signed and delivered to each of the parties. ARTICLE NINE CLOSING 9.01. Closing - ----- -------9.01.....Closing The closing (the "Closing") of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be held at the offices of Peoples, 138 Putnam Street, Marietta, Ohio, commencing at 10:00 A.M.a.m., local time, on (A)(a) the date designated by Peoples, which date shall not be earlier than the third business day to occur after the last of the conditions set forth in Article Eight shall have been satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (excluding conditions that, by their terms, cannot be satisfied until the Closing Date) or later than the last business day of the month in which such third business day occurs; provided, no such election shall cause the Closing to occur on a date after that specified in Section 11.01(b)(i) of this Agreement or after the date or dates on which any Governmental or Regulatory Authority approval or any extension thereof expires, or (B)(b) such other date to which the parties agree in writing. The date of the Closing is sometimes herein called the "Closing Date." 9.02. Closing9.02.....Closing Transactions Required of Peoples - ----- ---------------------------------------- At the Closing, Peoples shall cause all of the following to be delivered to LSCB:KBI: (a) A certificate of merger duly executed by Peoples in accordance with ss.1701.81Section 1701.81 of the OGCL and in appropriate form for filing with the Ohio Secretary of State. (b) Articles of merger duly executed by Peoples in accordance with Section 271B.11-050 of the KBCA and in appropriate form for filing with the Kentucky Secretary of State. (c) The certificates of Peoples contemplated by Section 8.02(a) and (b) of this Agreement. (c)(d) Copies of resolutions adopted by the directors of Peoples, approving and adopting this Agreement and authorizing the consummation of the transactions described herein, accompanied by a certificate of the secretary or assistant secretary of Peoples, dated as of the Closing Date, and certifying (A)(i) the date and manner of adoption of each such resolution; and (B)(ii) that each such resolution is in full force and effect, without amendment or repeal, as of the Closing Date. (d) The opinions of counsel to Peoples contemplated by Sections 8.02(d)8.02(c) and 8.02(e)8.02(d) of this Agreement. 9.03. Closing9.03.....Closing Transactions Required of LSCB - ----- -------------------------------------KBI At the Closing, LSCBKBI shall cause all of the following to be delivered to Peoples: (a) A certificate of merger duly executed by LSCBKBI in accordance with ss.1701.81Section 1701.81 of the OGCL and in appropriate form for filing with the Ohio Secretary of State. (b) A certificate of merger duly executed by KBI in accordance with Section 271B.11-050 of the KBCA and in appropriate form for filing with the Kentucky Secretary of State. (c) The certificates of LSCBKBI contemplated by Sections 8.01(c)8.01(a) and (d)(b) of this Agreement. (c)(d) Copies of all resolutions adopted by the directors and the shareholders of LSCBKBI approving and adopting this Agreement and authorizing the consummation of the transactions described herein, accompanied by a certificate of the secretary or the assistant secretary of LSCB,KBI, dated as of the Closing Date, and certifying (A)(i) the date and manner of the adoption of each such resolution; and (B)(ii) that each such resolution is in full force and effect, without amendment or repeal, as of the Closing Date. (d)(e) The opinion of counsel to LSCBKBI contemplated by Section 8.01(f)8.01(e) of this Agreement. (e)(f) The agreements referred to in Section 5.06 from each Rule 145 Affiliate. ARTICLE TEN NON-SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS 10.01. Non-Survival10.01.....Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants - ------ --------------------------------------------------------- The representations, warranties and covenants of Peoples Peoples Bank, and LSCBKBI set forth in this Agreement, or in any document delivered pursuant to the terms hereof or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall not survive the Closing and the consummation of the transactions referred to herein, other than covenants which by their terms are to survive or be performed after the Effective Time (including, without limitation, those set forth in Sections 6.02, 6.03, 6.07, 7.04, this Article Ten and Article Twelve); except that no such representations, warranties or covenants shall be deemed to be terminated or extinguished so as to deprive Peoples (or any director, officer or controlling person thereof) of any defense in law or equity which otherwise would be available against the claims of any person, including, without limitation, any shareholder or former shareholder of LSCB.either KBI or Peoples. ARTICLE ELEVEN TERMINATION 11.01. Termination - ------ -----------11.01....Termination This Agreement may be terminated, and the Merger may be abandoned, at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether prior to or after this Agreement has been approvedadopted by the shareholders of LSCB:KBI: (a) By mutual written agreement of LSCBKBI and Peoples duly authorized by action taken by or on behalf of their respective Boards of Directors; (b) By either LSCBKBI or Peoples upon written notification to the non-terminating party by the terminating party: (i) at any time after March 31, 2001,June 30, 2003, if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or prior to such date and such failure to consummate the Merger is not caused by a breach of this Agreement by the terminating party; (ii) if the approvalshareholders of KBI shall not have adopted this Agreement by the shareholders of LSCB ("LSCB(the "KBI Shareholders' Approval"Adoption") shall not be obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the requisite vote upon a vote held at a meeting of such shareholders,KBI Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, called therefore;thereof; or (iii) the approval of any Governmental or Regulatory Authority required for consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been denied by final non-appealable action of such Governmental or Regulatory Authority. (c) By LSCBPeoples by providing written notice to KBI: (i) if prior to the Closing Date, any representation and warranty of KBI shall have become untrue such that the condition set forth at Section 8.01(a) would not be satisfied and which breach has not been cured within 30 days following receipt by KBI of written notice of breach or is incapable of being cured during such time period; (ii) if KBI shall have failed to comply in any material respect with any covenant or agreement on the part of KBI contained in this Agreement required to be complied with prior to the date of such termination, which failure to comply shall not have been cured within 30 days following receipt by KBI of written notice of such failure to comply or is incapable of being cured during such time period; or (iii) If the Average Share Price is greater than $35.00. (d) By KBI by providing written notice to Peoples: (i) if prior to the Closing Date, any representation and warranty of Peoples shall have become untrue such that the condition set forth at Section 8.02(a) would not be satisfied and which breach has not been cured within 30 days following receipt by Peoples of written notice of breach or is incapable of being cured during such time period; (ii) if Peoples shall have failed to comply in any material respect with any covenant or agreement on the part of Peoples contained in this Agreement required to be complied with prior to the date of such termination, which failure to comply shall not have been cured within 30 days following receipt by Peoples of written notice of such failure to comply or is incapable of being cured during such time period; (iii) if the percentage of Stock Consideration, as determined in Section 2.04 of this Agreement, is less than 52%; (iv) if the Board of Directors of LSCBKBI determines in good faith, based upon advice from outsideindependent counsel, that termination of this Agreement is required for the Board of Directors of LSCBKBI to comply with its fiduciary duties to shareholders imposed by law by reason of an Acquisition Proposal having been made and provided LSCBKBI complied with its obligations under Section 5.04 and provided further that LSCB'sKBI's ability to terminate pursuant to this subsection (c)(iv)(d)(iii) is conditioned upon the prior payment by LSCBKBI to Peoples of any amounts owed by LSCBKBI to Peoples pursuant to Section 11.02(b); (d) By Peoples by providing written notice to LSCB: (i) if prior toor (iv) If the Closing Date, any representation and warrantyAverage Share Price is less than $21.00. 11.02.....Effect of LSCB shall have become untrue such that the condition set forth at Section 8.01(b) would not be satisfied and which breach has not been cured within 30 days following receipt by LSCB of written notice of breach or is incapable of being cured during such time period; (ii) if LSCB shall have failed to comply in any material respect with any covenant or agreement on the part of LSCB contained in this Agreement required to be complied with prior to the date of such termination, which failure to comply shall not have been cured within 30 days following receipt by LSCB of written notice of such failure to comply or is incapable of being cured during such time period. 11.02. Effect of Termination - ------ ---------------------Termination. (a) If this Agreement is validly terminated by either LSCBKBI or Peoples pursuant to Section 11.01, this Agreement will forthwith become null and void and there will be no liability or obligation on the part of either LSCBKBI or Peoples, except (A)(i) that the provisions of Sections 5.04, 7.04, 7.05 and 12.07 and this Section 11.02 will continue to apply following any such termination, (B)(ii) that nothing contained herein shall relieve any party hereto from liability for willful breach of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement and (C)(iii) as provided in paragraph (b) below. (b) If this Agreement is terminated for any reason, other than as a result of a valid termination by LSCB in accordance with the provisions of Subsections (i), (ii) or KBI pursuant to Section 11.01(d)(iii) of Section 11.01(c),above, then LSCBKBI shall pay promptly (and in any event within five (5) business days after such termination) to Peoples a termination fee in the amount of $100,000,$1,500,000, payable in cash, in addition to any other remedy available to Peoples at law or in equity. ARTICLE TWELVE MISCELLANEOUS 12.01. Notices - ------ -------12.01.....Notices All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered by hand or by express service, telecopied (withtelecopy or telefacsimile, upon confirmation of receipt)receipt, (b) on the first business day following the date of dispatch if delivered by a recognized next-day courier service, or (c) on the third business day following the date of mailing if sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested,requested. All notices thereunder shall be delivered to the following addresses: If to LSCB,KBI, to: Kenneth N. Koher, President & CEO Lower Salem Commercial Bank Main Street PO Box 36 Lower Salem, OH 45745-0036 FAX No.: 740-585-2068Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated _________________________________ _________________________________ Attention: _____________________ Facsimile Number: ______________ with a copy to: Susan B. Zaunbrecher, Attorney At Law DinsmoreJoseph M. Ford Bracewell & Shohl, LLP 1900 Chemed Center 255 East Fifth Street Cincinnati, OH 45202Patterson, L.L.P. 111 Congress Avenue, Suite 2300 Austin, Texas 78701 Facsimile Number: (512) 479-3906 Email address: Jford@bracepatt.com If to Peoples, or to Peoples Bank, to: John W. Conlon, Chief Financial Officer Peoples Bancorp Inc. 138 Putnam Street P. O. Box 738 Marietta, OH 45750-0738 Fax No.: 740-376-7277Ohio 45750 Attention: Charles R. Hunsaker, Esq., General Counsel Facsimile Number: (740) 376-7277 with a copy to: Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP 52 East Gay Street P.O. Box 1008 Columbus, OH 43216-1008 Attention: Charles R. Hunsaker, General Counsel Peoples Bancorp Inc. 138 Putnam Street P. O. Box 738 Marietta, OH 45750-0738 Fax No.: 740-376-7277S. DeRousie, Esq. Facsimile Number: (614) 719-4687 Any party to this Agreement may, by notice given in accordance with this section,Section 12.01, designate a new address for notices, requests, demands and other communications to such party. 12.02. Counterparts - ------ ------------12.02....Counterparts This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be a duplicate original, but all of which taken together shall be deemed to constitute a single instrument. 12.03. Entire12.03....Entire Agreement - ------ ---------------- This Agreement (including each exhibit and schedule provided pursuant hereto) represents the entire agreement between the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes any and all prior and contemporaneous agreements between the parties hereto in connection with the subject matter of this Agreement. 12.04. Successors12.04....Successors and Assigns - ------ ---------------------- This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns (including successive, as well as immediate, successors and assigns) of the parties hereto. This Agreement may not be assigned by anyeither party hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties. 12.05. Captions - ------ --------party. 12.05....Captions The captions contained in this Agreement are included only for convenience of reference and do not define, limit, explain or modify this Agreement or its interpretation, construction or meaning and are in no way to be construed as part of this Agreement. 12.06. Governing12.06....Governing Law - ------ ------------- This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Ohio, without giving effect to principles of conflicts or choice of laws (except to the extent that mandatory provisions of Federal law are applicable). 12.07. Payment12.07....Payment of Fees and Expenses - ------ ---------------------------- Except as otherwise agreed in writing, each party hereto shall pay all costs and expenses, including legal and accounting fees, and all expenses relating to its performance of, and compliance with, its undertakings herein, except as provided in Section 11.02(b) of this Agreement and that printing and mailing expenses shall be shared equally between LSCBKBI and Peoples. All fees to be paid to Governmental and Regulatory Authorities and the SEC in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be borne by Peoples. 12.08. Amendment - ------ ---------12.08....Amendment From time to time and at any time prior to the Effective Time, this Agreement may be amended only by an agreement in writing executed in the same manner as this Agreement, after authorization of such action by the Boards of Directors of the Constituent Corporations; except that after the LSCBKBI Meeting, this Agreement may not be amended if it would violate the OGCL, the KBCA or the federal securities laws. 12.09. Waiver - ------ ------12.09....Waiver The rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement are cumulative and not alternative. Neither the failure nor any delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, power or privilege, and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege will preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. 12.10. Disclosure12.10....Disclosure Schedules - ------ -------------------- In the event of any inconsistency between the statements in the body of this Agreement and those in the respectiveKBI Disclosure SchedulesSchedule or the Peoples Disclosure Schedule (other than an exception expressly set forth as such in the Disclosure Schedulestherein with respect to a specifically identified representation or warranty), the statements in the body of this Agreement will control. 12.11. No12.11....No Third-Party Rights - ------ --------------------- Except as specifically set forth herein, nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any person other than the parties to this Agreement any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement. This Agreement and all of its provisions and conditions are for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties to this Agreement and their successors and assigns. 12.12. Waiver12.12....Waiver of Jury Trial - ------ -------------------- Each of the parties hereto irrevocably waives any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. 12.13. Severability - ------ ------------12.13....Severability If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect. Any provision of this Agreement held invalid or unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in full force and effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement and Plan of Acquisition and Merger has been executed on behalf of Peoples Peoples Bank,Bancorp Inc. and LSCBKentucky Bancshares Incorporated to be effective as of the date set forth in the first paragraph above. ATTEST: PEOPLES BANCORP INC. /s/ C. R. HUNSAKERRUTH I. OTTO By: /s/ ROBERT E. EVANS - --------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------- Ruth I. Otto Printed Name: Robert E. Evans Title: President and Chief Executive Officer ATTEST: PEOPLES BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONKENTUCKY BANCSHARES INCORPORATED /s/ C.R. HUNSAKERSANDRA F. TILTON By:/s/ JOHN W. CONLON /s/ C. RONALD CHRISTMAS - --------------------------- --------------------------------------- John W. Conlon Chief Financial Officer ATTEST: LOWER SALEM COMMERCIAL BANK /s/ RALPH KNOWLTON By:/s/ KENNETH N. KOHER - --------------------------- --------------------------------------- Kenneth N. Koher--------------------- ------------------------------------- Sandra F. Tilton Printed Name: C. Ronald Christmas Title: President and Chief Executive Officer EXHIBITS AND DISCLOSURE SCHEDULEEXHIBIT A TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF ACQUISITION AND MERGER DATED AS OF OCTOBER 24, 2000, BY AND BETWEEN PEOPLES BANCORP INC.____________, 200__ Peoples Bancorp Incorporated 138 Putnam Street Marietta, Ohio 45750 Attention: Gentlemen: I have been advised that, as of the date hereof, I may be deemed to be an "affiliate" of Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated, a Kentucky corporation ("KBI"), PEOPLES BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AND THE LOWER SALEM COMMERCIAL BANK 1. Exhibit A -as the term "affiliate" is (i) defined for purposes of paragraphs (c) and (d) of Rule 145 of the Rules and Regulations (the "Rules and Regulations") of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and/or (ii) used in and for purposes of Accounting Series, Releases 130 and 135, as amended, of the Commission. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 27, 2000,____, 2002 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and between KBI and Peoples Bancorp Inc., an Ohio corporation ("Peoples"), KBI will be merged (the "Merger") with and into Peoples and the name of the surviving corporation will be Peoples Bancorp Inc., an Ohio corporation (the "Surviving Corporation"). As used herein, "KBI Common Shares" means the Common Shares, no par value, of KBI and "Surviving Corporation Common Shares" means the Common Shares, without par value, of the Surviving Corporation. I represent, warrant and covenant to the Surviving Corporation that in the event I receive any Surviving Corporation Common Shares as a result of the Merger: A. I shall not make any sale, transfer or other disposition of any Surviving Corporation Common Shares (including any securities which may be paid as a dividend or otherwise distributed thereon or received pursuant to the exercise of stock options) acquired by me in the Merger in violation of the 1933 Act or the Rules and Regulations. B. I have carefully read this letter and the Agreement and discussed their requirements and other applicable limitations upon my ability to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of Surviving Corporation Common Shares (including any securities which may be paid as a dividend or otherwise distributed thereon or received pursuant to the exercise of stock options) to the extent I felt necessary, with my counsel or counsel for KBI. C. I have been advised that the issuance of Surviving Corporation Common Shares to me pursuant to the Merger has been or will be registered with the Commission under the 1933 Act on a Registration Statement on Form S-4. However, I have also been advised that, because at the time the Merger will be submitted for a vote of the shareholders of KBI, I may be deemed to be an affiliate of KBI, the distribution by me of any Surviving Corporation Common Shares acquired by me in the Merger will not be registered under the 1933 Act and that I may not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Surviving Corporation Common Shares (including any securities which may be paid as a dividend or otherwise distributed thereon or received pursuant to the exercise of stock options) acquired by me in the Merger unless (i) such sale, transfer or other disposition has been registered under the 1933 Act, (ii) such sale, transfer or other disposition is made in conformity with the volume and other limitations of Rule 145 promulgated by the Commission under the 1933 Act, or (iii) in the opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Surviving Corporation, such sale, transfer or other disposition is otherwise exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. D. I understand that the Surviving Corporation is under no obligation to register under the 1933 Act the sale, transfer or other disposition by me or on my behalf of any Surviving Corporation Common Shares acquired by me in the Merger or to take any other action necessary in order to make an exemption from such registration available. E. I also understand that stop transfer instructions will be given to the Surviving Corporation's transfer agent with respect to Surviving Corporation Common Shares (including any securities which may be paid as a dividend or otherwise distributed thereon or received pursuant to the exercise of stock options) and that there will be placed on the certificates for the Surviving Corporation Common Shares acquired by me in the Merger, or any substitutions therefor, a legend stating in substance: "The common shares represented by this certificate were issued in a transaction to which Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 applies. The common shares represented by this certificate may only be transferred in accordance with the terms of an agreement dated November ____, 2002 between the registered holder hereof and the issuer of the certificate, a copy of which agreement will be mailed to the holder hereof without charge within five days after receipt of written request therefor." F. I also understand that unless the transfer by me of my Surviving Corporation Common Shares has been registered under the 1933 Act or is a sale made in conformity with the provisions of Rule 145, the Surviving Corporation reserves the right to put the following legend on the certificates issued to my transferee: "The common shares represented by this certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and were acquired from a person who received such common shares in a transaction to which Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 applies. The common shares may not be sold, pledged or otherwise transferred except in accordance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933." It is understood and agreed that the legends set forth in paragraphs E and F above shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificates without such legends if the undersigned shall have delivered to the Surviving Corporation a copy of a letter from the staff of the Commission, or an opinion of counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Surviving Corporation, to the effect that such legends are not required for purposes of the 1933 Act. I further represent to and covenant with KBI and the Surviving Corporation that I will not, within the 30 days prior to the Effective Time (as defined in the Agreement), sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any KBI Common Shares and that I will not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Surviving Corporation Common Shares (whether or not acquired by me in the Merger) until after such time as results covering at least 30 days of post-Merger combined operations of KBI and Peoples have been published by the Surviving Corporation, in the form of a quarterly earnings report, an effective registration statement filed with the Commission, a report to the Commission on Form 10-K, 10-Q or 8-K, or any other public filing or announcement which includes the combined results of operations. Furthermore, I understand that KBI and the Surviving Corporation will give stop transfer instructions to their respective transfer agents in order to prevent the breach of the representations, warranties and covenants made by me in this paragraph. Very truly yours, Printed Name: ---------------------------------------- Accepted this _____ day of ____________, 200__ By: ---------------------------------------------- Printed Name: ------------------------------------ Title: ------------------------------------------- Exhibits and Disclosure Schedules to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 29, 2002, by and between Peoples Bank, National AssociationBancorp Inc. and The Lower Salem Commercial Bank (included in the proxy statement/prospectus as Appendix B) 2.Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated 1. Exhibit BA - Form of Affiliate Letter Restricting Resale of Securities 2. Representations and Warranties Disclosure Schedule of Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated. 3. Exhibit C - FormUpdated Representations and Warranties Disclosure Schedule of Shareholder AgreementKentucky Bancshares Incorporated. 4. Representations and Warranties Disclosure Schedule of The Lower Salem Commercial Bank The above-described Exhibits and Schedule are not being filed herewith. Peoples Bancorp Inc. agrees to furnish supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission a copy of any omitted Exhibit or Schedule upon request. APPENDIX B ----------AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER PursuantAmendment No. 1, dated as of March 6, 2003, to the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated as of November 29, 2002, by and between Peoples Bancorp Inc. ("Peoples") and Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated ("KBI"). WHEREAS, Peoples and KBI desire to make certain amendments to the Merger Agreement as more fully set forth herein and permitted by Section 12.08 of the Merger Agreement; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Peoples and KBI agree as follows: 1. Section 2.02(e)(ii) of the Merger Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the same in its entirety and substituting therefor the following: In the event the Exchange Agent is required pursuant to Section 2.02(d)(ii)(B) to designate from among all holders of Cash Election Shares the Reallocated Stock Shares to receive the Per Share Stock Consideration, each holder of Cash Election Shares shall be allocated a certainpro rata portion (based on each holder's Cash Election Shares relative to all Cash Election Shares) of the total Reallocated Stock Shares. 2. All references to "the Agreement" in the Merger Agreement shall mean the Merger Agreement as amended by this Amendment No. 1. 3. Except as expressly amended by this Amendment No. 1, the Acquisition Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms. 4. This Amendment No. 1 may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be a duplicate original, and all of which taken together shall be considered one and the same instrument. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Peoples and KBI have caused this Amendment No. 1 to be executed by their duly authorized officers to be effective as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof. ATTEST: KENTUCKY BANCSHARES INCORPORATED /s/ JEFFREY D. ELSWICK By:/s/ SANDRA F. TILTON - ------------------------ ------------------------------------- Jeffrey D. Elswick Sandra F. Tilton Secretary/Treasurer ATTEST: PEOPLES BANCORP INC. /s/ ANNE GILLILAND By:/s/ ROBERT E. EVANS - ------------------------ ------------------------------------- Anne Gilliland Robert E. Evans President and Chief Executive Officer Appendix B PLAN OF MERGER -------------- THIS PLAN OF MERGER (this "Plan"), dated as of March ___, 2003, is entered into by and between Peoples Bancorp Inc., an Ohio corporation ("Peoples") and Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated, a Kentucky corporation ("KBI"). WHEREAS, Peoples and KBI have entered into an Agreement and Plan and Agreement of Acquisition and Merger, dated October 24, 2000, byas of November 29, 2002 (the "Agreement"), pursuant to which KBI will merge with and among PEOPLES BANCORP INC.into Peoples (the "Merger"); and WHEREAS, Peoples and KBI desire to merge on the terms and conditions herein provided; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows: Section 1. The Merger Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and this Plan, at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 2 below), a bank holding company organizedKBI shall merge with and into Peoples in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Ohio General Corporation Law (the "OGCL") and the Kentucky Business Corporation Act (the "KBCA"). Peoples shall be the continuing and surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation") in the Merger, shall continue to exist under the laws of the State of Ohio locatedand shall continue to operate under the name "Peoples Bancorp Inc." Upon consummation of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of KBI shall cease. Section 2. Effective Time The Merger shall become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the date that a certificate of merger is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Ohio and articles of merger are filed with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, unless a later time is agreed to in writing by Peoples and KBI and so specified in the citycertificate of Marietta, countymerger and articles of Washington, statemerger. Section 3. Effects of Ohio; PEOPLES BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONthe Merger At the Effective Time: (a) The articles of incorporation of Peoples in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation; (b) The code of regulations of Peoples in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the code of regulations of the Surviving Corporation; (c) the authorized number of directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be the authorized number of directors of Peoples immediately prior to the Effective Time. At the Effective Time, each individual who is serving as a director of Peoples immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to be a director of the Surviving Corporation and each such individual shall serve as a director of the Surviving Corporation for the balance of the term for which such individual was elected a director of Peoples. Each director of the Surviving Corporation shall serve as such until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified in the manner provided in the articles and regulations of the Surviving Corporation or as otherwise provided by law or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal in the manner provided in the articles and regulations of the Surviving Corporation or as otherwise provided by law; (d) each individual who is an officer of Peoples immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to be an officer of the Surviving Corporation with each such individual to hold the same office in the Surviving Corporation, in accordance with the regulations thereof, as he held in Peoples immediately prior to the Effective Time; and (e) the Merger shall have the effects prescribed in the OGCL and the KBCA. Section 4. Effect on Common Shares of KBI At the Effective Time, subject to the allocation and proration procedures and the other terms and conditions of the Agreement: (a) each common share, no par value, of KBI ("PEOPLES BANK"KBI Shares") issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time (other than KBI Shares to be canceled or converted to treasury shares of the Surviving Corporation in accordance with the Agreement and KBI Shares with respect to which the holder thereof has properly exercised dissenters' rights in accordance with Chapter 271B.13 of the KBCA) shall be converted into the right to receive, at the election of the holder thereof: (i) the number of common shares, no par value, of Peoples ("Peoples Shares") which is equal to $2,575.00 divided by the Average Share Price (as defined in Section 2.02(b)(ii) of the Agreement), or (ii) a banking association organized undercash amount equal to $2,575.00; and (b) all KBI Shares held by KBI as treasury shares shall be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no Peoples Shares shall be delivered in exchange therefor. Section 5. Effect on Common Shares of Peoples All Peoples Shares, if any, that are owned directly by KBI shall become treasury shares of the Surviving Corporation. Each other Peoples Share issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall continue to be issued and outstanding and unaffected by the Merger. Each Peoples Share held by Peoples in treasury shall continue to be a treasury share of the Surviving Corporation. Section 6. Amendment From time to time and at any time prior to the Effective Time, this Plan may be amended only by an agreement in writing executed in the same manner as this Plan, after authorization of such action by the Boards of Directors of Peoples and KBI; except that after approval of this Plan by the shareholders of KBI, this Plan may not be amended if it would violate the OGCL, the KBCA or the federal securities laws. Section 7. Assignment; Termination This Plan may not be assigned by either party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party. This Plan shall terminate upon the termination of the Agreement in accordance with its terms. Section 8. Counterparts This Plan may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be a duplicate original, but all of which taken together shall be deemed to constitute a single instrument. Section 9. Governing Law This Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the United States, located in the city of Marietta, county of Washington, in the state of Ohio; and LOWER SALEM COMMERCIAL BANK ("LSCB"), a banking corporation organized under the laws of the stateState of Ohio, being located at Lower Salem, countywithout giving effect to principles of Washington,conflicts or choice of laws (except to the extent that mandatory provisions of Federal law are applicable). Section 10. Captions The captions contained in the statethis Plan are included only for convenience of Ohio ("Acquisition Agreement"). Thisreference and do not define, limit, explain or modify this Plan or its interpretation, construction or meaning and are in no way to be construed as part of this Plan. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Plan of Merger ("Merger Agreement"), made between PEOPLES BANK, with capital, ashas been executed on behalf of September 30, 2000, of $100,000, divided into 10,000 shares of common stock, each of $10.00 par value, surplus of $59,315,000,Peoples Bancorp Inc. and undivided profits, including capital reserves, of $40,463,000; and LSCB, with a capital, as of September 30, 2000, of $280,000, divided into 28,000 shares of common stock, each of $10.00 par value, surplus of $500,000, and undivided profits, including capital reserves, of $1,445,000; (each a "Constituent Bank"). Each Constituent Bank, acting pursuant to a resolution of its board of directors, adopted by the vote of a majority of its directors, pursuant to the authority given by and in accordance with the provisions of the 12 USC ss.215a, witnessed as follows: SECTION 1. LSCB shall be merged with and into PEOPLES BANK under the charter of the latter (the "Merger"). SECTION 2. The name of the receiving association (the "Association") shall be PEOPLES BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. SECTION 3. The business of the Association shall be that of a national banking association, which business shall be conducted at its main office,Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated to be located at Marietta, Ohio, and at its legally established branches. SECTION 4. The amount of capital stock of the Association shall be $100,000, divided into 10,000 shares of common stock, each of $10.00 par value, and at the time the Merger shall become effective (the "Effective Time"), the Association shall have a surplus of $60,095,000 and undivided profits, including capital reserves, which, when combined with the capital and surplus, will be equal to the combined capital structures of the Constituent Banks as stated in the preamble of this Agreement, adjusted however, for normal earnings and expenses and purchase accounting adjustments between September 30, 2000, and the effective time of the merger. SECTION 5. All assets as they exist at the Effective Time shall pass to and vest in the Association without any conveyance or other transfer. The Association shall be responsible for all of the liabilities of every kind and description, including liabilities arising from the operation of a trust department, of each of the Constituent Banks existing as of the Effective Time. A committee of six, three to be appointed by the board of directors of each Constituent Bank at the time of the Merger, shall have satisfied themselves, that the statement of condition of each Constituent Bank as of September 30, 2000, fairly presents its financial condition, and since such date there has been no material adverse changeset forth in the financial condition or business of either Constituent Bank. SECTION 6. LSCB shall contribute to the Association acceptable assets having a book value, over and above its liability to its creditors, of at least $2,225,000, and having an estimated Fair Value (Fair value is based upon Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments)over and above its liability to its creditors, of at least $2,359,000, or 2.2% of the estimated Fair Value of excess acceptable assets over and above liabilities to creditors, to the Association, adjusted, however, for normal earnings and expenses between September 30, 2000, and the Effective Time, for allowances of cash payments, if any, permitted under this agreement. The difference between the book value and the estimated Fair Value of the assets to be contributed is comprised entirely of the difference between the book value and the estimated Fair Value of loans. At the Effective Time, Peoples Bank shall have on hand acceptable assets having book value of at least $99,878,000 over and above its liabilities to its creditors, and having a Fair Value, over and above its liability to its creditors, of at least $101,752,000, or 97.8% of the estimated Fair Value of excess acceptable assets, over and above its liabilities to its creditors, of the Association, adjusted, however, for normal earnings and expenses between September 30, 2000, and the Effective Time, and for allowances of cash payments, if any, permitted under this agreement. The difference between the book value and the estimated Fair Value of the assets to be contributed is comprised entirely of the difference between the book value and the estimated Fair Value of loans. SECTION 7. LSCB shall not declare or pay any dividend to its shareholders between the date of the agreement and the Effective Time, nor dispose of any of its assets in any other manner, except in the normal course of business and for adequate value and as provided in the Acquisition Agreement. SECTION 8. The present board of directors of Peoples Bank shall continue to serve as the board of directors of the Association until the next annual meeting or until such time as their successors have been elected and have qualified. SECTION 9. At the Effective Time, the By-Laws and the Articles of Association of Peoples Bank, National Association shall be those of the Association. SECTION 10. This Agreement may be terminated, subject to the Acquisition Agreement, by the unilateral action of the board of directors of either Constituent Bank prior to the approval of the shareholders of LSCB, or by the mutual consent of the board of both Constituent Banks after such shareholder group has taken affirmative action. Since time is of the essence, if for any reason the transaction shall not have been consummated by March 31, 2000, this Merger Agreement shall terminate automatically as of that date, unless extended in a writing approved by mutual action of the boards of directors of each Constituent Bank dated prior March 31, 2000. SECTION 11. This Plan of Merger shall be ratified and confirmed by the affirmative vote of shareholders of LSCB owning at least two-thirds of its capital stock outstanding, at a meeting to be held on the call of the directors. The Effective Time shall be as specified in a merger approval to be issued by the Comptroller of the Currency of the United States. WITNESS, the signatures offirst paragraph above. ATTEST: PEOPLES BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, and LOWER SALEM COMMERCIAL BANK this 27th day of November, 2000, each set by its president and tested to by its cashier or Secretary, pursuant to a resolution of its board of directors, acting by a majority. PEOPLES BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Attest: /s/ KAREN L. MILLS /s/ ROBERT E. EVANSBANCORP INC. By: - --------------------------------- --------------------------------- Karen L. Mills, Secretary-------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- Printed Name: Robert E. Evans Title: President and Chief Executive Officer ATTEST: KENTUCKY BANCSHARES INCORPORATED By: - -------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Printed Name: C. Ronald Christmas Title: President and Chief Executive Officer Appendix C [Letterhead of Alex Sheshunoff & CEO THE LOWER SALEM COMMERCIAL BANK Attest: /s/ J. DANIEL JOHNSON /s/ KENNETH N. KOHER - --------------------------------- ---------------------------------- J. Daniel Johnson, Secretary Kenneth N. Koher, President & CEO STATE OF OHIO ) ) ss: COUNTY OF WASHINGTON ) On this 27th day of November, 2000, before me, a notary public for this state and county, personally came Robert E. Evans, President & CEO; and Karen L. Mills, Secretary, both of PEOPLES BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, and each in his/her capacity acknowledged this instrument to be the act and deed of the Association. WITNESS my official seal and signature this day and year. /s/ ROXIE A. NEVILLE ---------------------------------------- Notary (Seal of Notary) [Roxie A. Neville, Notary Public In and For The State of Ohio My Commission Expires February 26, 2002] STATE OF OHIO ) ) ss: COUNTY OF WASHINGTON ) On this 27th day of November, 2000, before me, a notary public for this state and county, personally came Kenneth N. Koher, President & CEO; and J. Daniel Johnson, Secretary, both of Lower Salem Commercial Bank, and each in his/her capacity acknowledged this instrument to be the act and deed of the Corporation. WITNESS my official seal and signature this day and year. /s/ ELIZABETH A. SCHOTT ---------------------------------------- Notary (Seal of Notary) [Elizabeth A. Schott My Commission Expires: Sept 7- 2004 Notary Public State of Ohio Rec. in Washington County] APPENDIX C ---------- October 24, 2000Co. Investment Banking, L.P.] March 3, 2003 Board of Directors The Lower Salem Commercial Bank Main Street Lower Salem, Ohio 45745-0036 Attention: Mr. Kenneth N. Koher President and CEOKentucky Bancshares, Inc. 900 Diederich Blvd. Russell, Kentucky 41169 Members of the Board: You have requested that we update our oral opinion given to you on November 29, 2002 as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of the considerationoutstanding shares of common stock of Kentucky Bancshares, Inc. ("KBI") of the Merger Consideration, as defined below, in the proposed merger between KBI and Peoples Bancorp, Inc., Marietta, Ohio (the "Corporation"). Pursuant to be received by the shareholders of The Lower Salem Commercial Bank ("LSCB" or the "Company") pursuant to thean Agreement and Plan of Merger dated October 24, 2000November 29, 2002 (the "Agreement""Merger Agreement"), bythe Corporation has agreed to exchange cash and between the Company, Peoples Bancorp Inc. ("Peoples"shares of its common stock equal to $30,467,400 (the "Merger Consideration"), and Peoples Bank, National Association ("Peoples Bank"). At the Effective Time, for each outstanding share of KBI common stock, subject to possible adjustment as defineddetermined in the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, LSCB shall mergeKBI will be merged with and into Peoples Bankthe Corporation (the "Merger""Merger). Alex Sheshunoff & Co. Investment Banking, LP ("Sheshunoff") and each issued and outstanding common share ("LSCB Common Share") held by LSCB's shareholders, as definedis regularly engaged in Article Two, Sec. 2.01(a)the valuation of the Agreement, shall be converted into the right to receive cash ("Cash Consideration"), a number of Peoples common shares ("Stock Consideration"), or a combination of both, the value of which (the "Merger Consideration") shall be determined, up to a maximum value of $85.72 (the "Maximum Value"), by multiplying the Peoples Market Value, as definedsecurities in Article Two, Sec. 2.01 of the Agreement, by an exchange ratio, which shall be determined as follows: (1) If the Peoples Market Value is less than or equal to $14.625, then the quotient of $33.80 (the "Cash Portion") divided by the Peoples Market Value, plus 3.5500, or, (2) if the Peoples Market Value is greater than $14.625, then the quotient of the Maximum Value divided by the Peoples Market Value. Young & Associates, Inc. regularly evaluates financial institutions and their securities for a wide range of purposes, including but not limited to,connection with mergers and acquisitions, private placements, and in valuationvaluations for estate, corporate and other purposes. In arriving atconnection with our opinion, Young & Associates, Inc. analyzed various public and non-public sourceswe, among other things: 1. Reviewed the Merger Agreement; 2. Evaluated KBI's consolidated results based upon a review of information, including but not limited to (i)its annual financial data of The Lower Salem Commercial Bank fromstatements for the three-year period ending December 31, 1995 through June2001 and of the year-to-date ended September 30, 2000 from published annual reports and internal bank reports; (ii) financial data regarding Peoples and Peoples Bank from publicly available regulatory reports from2002; 3. Reviewed Call Report information for the three-year period ending December 31, 1995 to June2001 and for the period ending September 30, 2000; (iii) discussions2002 for KBI; 4. Conducted conversations with seniorexecutive management of the Company with respect to its pastregarding recent and current financial performance, financial condition and future prospects; (iv) comparative financial data of selected peers for LSCB and Peoples Bank from public sources; (v) information from various sources regarding transactions similar in nature to that proposed in the Merger; (vi) the Agreement; and (vii) such other financial studies, analyses and investigations and other information as we deemed appropriate to enable us to render our opinion. In our review, we have also taken into account an assessment of general economic, market and financial conditions and certain industry trends and related matters. Young & Associates, Inc. performed several analyses that are common within the banking industry and made certain assumptions that it believes to be reasonable about future performance. As with any projection of future outcomes, actual performance may vary. While the analyses used various analytical techniques and made use of comparative data, the analyses are not mathematical and involve complex considerations and judgments concerning theprojected financial performance of KBI; 5. Compared KBI's recent operating results with those of certain other banks in the institutionsUnited States that are a partyhave recently been acquired; 6. Compared KBI's recent operating results with those of certain other banks located in Kentucky and selected surrounding states that have recently been acquired; 7. Compared the pricing multiples for KBI in the Merger to this transaction. In our reviewthose of certain other banks in the United States that have recently been acquired; 8. Compared the pricing multiples for KBI in the Merger to those of certain other banks located in Kentucky and selected surrounding states that have recently been acquired; 9. Analyzed the net present value of the after-tax cash flows KBI could produce through the year 2006, based on assumptions provided by management; 10. Performed an affordability analysis based on the projections of earnings for the combined entity subsequent to the Merger; 11. Reviewed the historical stock price data and in arriving at our opinion, we havetrading volume of the Corporation's common stock and the lack of any active market for the common stock of KBI; and 12. Performed such other analyses as it deemed appropriate. We assumed and relied upon, without independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all the financial information publicly available or provided to us by KBI for the Companypurposes of this opinion. In addition, where appropriate, we relied upon publicly available information that we believe to be reliable, accurate, and have not attempted to verifycomplete; however, we cannot guarantee the reliability, accuracy, or completeness of any of such publicly available information. We have assumed (i) that the financial projections which were prepared with respect to the results of operations likely to be achieved by the Company have been prepared on a basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgmentsdid not make an independent evaluation of the Company's management as to future financial performanceassets or liabilities of KBI or the Corporation, nor were we furnished with any such appraisals. We are not experts in the evaluation of loan portfolios for the purposes of assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan and resultslease losses and (ii)assumed that such forecasts and estimates will be realizedallowances for each of the companies are, in the amounts and in the time periods currently estimated by management. We have also assumed, without independent verification, that the aggregate, reserves for possible loan losses for the Company and Peoples Bank are adequate to cover such losses. We did not makeassumed that all required regulatory approvals will be received in a timely fashion and without any conditions or obtain any independent evaluationsrequirements that could adversely affect the Merger or appraisals of any assets or liabilities of the Company, Peoples or any of its subsidiaries nor did we verify any ofCorporation's operations following the Company's, Peoples Bank's or Peoples' books or records or review any individual loan credit files.Merger. Our opinion is necessarily based uponon economic, market, economic and other conditions as they existin effect on, and can be evaluatedthe information made available to us as of, the date ofhereof. Events occurring after the date hereof could materially affect the assumptions used in preparing this letter. It was furthered assumed thatopinion. Our opinion is limited to the fairness of the Merger will be completed as planned and that no other conditions will be imposed which might workConsideration, from a financial point of view, to the detrimentholders of KBI common stock. Moreover, this letter and the opinion expressed herein do not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to any approval of the Company, PeoplesMerger or their respective shareholders. This opinionthe Merger Agreement. It is being furnishedunderstood that this letter is for the use and benefitinformation of the Board of Directors of the CompanyKBI and ismay not a recommendation to shareholders.be used for any other purpose without our prior written consent. Based upon and subject toon the foregoing and such other matters we have deemed relevant, it is our opinion, that as of the date hereof, that the considerationMerger Consideration to be received by holders of the LSCB Common SharesKBI stockholders pursuant to the AgreementMerger is fair, to such holders from a financial point of view. Very truly yours, /s/ YOUNGCHARLES I. MILLER Charles I. Miller ALEX SHESHUNOFF & ASSOCIATES, INC. ------------------------ Young & Associates, Inc.CO. INVESTMENT BANKING, LP APPENDIXAppendix D ---------- Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.85 Dissenting Shareholder's DemandKENTUCKY REVISED STATUTES TITLE XXIII. PRIVATE CORPORATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS SUBTITLE 13. DISSENTERS' RIGHTS 271B.13-010 Definitions for Fair Cash Valuesubtitle. As used in this subtitle: (1) "Corporation" means the issuer of Shares ------------------------------------------------------------- (A)the shares held by a dissenter, except that in the case of a merger where the issuing corporation is not the surviving corporation, then, after consummation of the merger, "corporation" shall mean the surviving corporation. (2) "Dissenter" means a shareholder who is entitled to dissent from corporate action under KRS 271B.13-020 and who exercises that right when and in the manner required by KRS 271B.13-200 to 271B.13-280. (3) "Fair value," with respect to a dissenter's shares, means the value of the shares immediately before the effectuation of the corporate action to which the dissenter objects, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the corporate action unless exclusion would be inequitable. In any transaction subject to the requirements of KRS 271B.12-210 or exempted by KRS 271B.12-220(2), "fair value" shall be at least an amount required to be paid under KRS 271B.12-220(2) in order to be exempt from the requirements of KRS 271B.12-210. (4) "Interest" means interest from the effective date of the corporate action until the date of payment, at the average rate currently paid by the corporation on its principal bank loans or, if none, at a rate that is fair and equitable under all the circumstances. (5) "Record shareholder" means the person in whose name shares are registered in the records of a corporation or the beneficial owner of shares to the extent of the rights granted by a nominee certificate on file with a corporation. (6) "Beneficial shareholder" means the person who is a beneficial owner of shares held in a voting trust or by a nominee as the record shareholder. (7) "Shareholder" means the record shareholder or the beneficial shareholder. 271B.13-020 Right to dissent. (1) A shareholder shall be entitled to dissent from, and obtain payment of the fair value of his shares in the event of, any of the following corporate actions: (a) Consummation of a domesticplan of merger to which the corporation is a party: 1. If shareholder approval is required for the merger by KRS 271B.11-030 or the articles of incorporation and the shareholder is entitled to reliefvote on the merger; or 2. If the corporation is a subsidiary that is merged with its parent under KRS 271B.11-040; (b) Consummation of a plan of share exchange to which the corporation is a party as the corporation whose shares will be acquired, if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the plan; (c) Consummation of a dissentingsale or exchange of all, or substantially all, of the property of the corporation other than in the usual and regular course of business, if the shareholder is entitled to vote on the sale or exchange, including a sale in dissolution, but not including a sale pursuant to court order or a sale for cash pursuant to a plan by which all or substantially all of the net proceeds of the sale will be distributed to the shareholders within one (1) year after the date of sale; (d) An amendment of the articles of incorporation that materially and adversely affects rights in respect of the proposals described in sections 1701.74, 1701.76, and 1701.84 of the Revised Code, only in compliance with this section. (2) If the proposal must be submitted to the shareholders of the corporation involved, the dissenting shareholder shall be a record holderdissenter's shares because it: 1. Alters or abolishes a preferential right of the shares to a distribution or in dissolution; 2. Creates, alters, or abolishes a right in respect of redemption, including a provision respecting a sinking fund for the redemption or repurchase, of the corporation as to which he seeks relief asshares; 3. Excludes or limits the right of the date fixed forshares to vote on any matter other than a limitation by dilution through issuance of shares or other securities with similar voting rights; or 4. Reduces the determinationnumber of shareholders entitledshares owned by the shareholder to noticea fraction of a meeting ofshare if the shareholders at which the proposalfractional share so created is to be submitted,acquired for cash under KRS 271B.6-040; (e) Any transaction subject to the requirements of KRS 271B.12-210 or exempted by KRS 271B.12-220(2); or (f) Any corporate action taken pursuant to a shareholder vote to the extent the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors provides that voting or nonvoting shareholders are entitled to dissent and suchobtain payment for their shares. (2) A shareholder entitled to dissent and obtain payment for his shares under this chapter shall not have been votedchallenge the corporate action creating his entitlement unless the action is unlawful or fraudulent with respect to the shareholder or the corporation. 271B.13-030 Dissent by nominees and beneficial owners. (1) A record shareholder may assert dissenters' rights as to fewer than all the shares registered in favorhis name only if he shall dissent with respect to all shares beneficially owned by any one (1) person and notify the corporation in writing of the proposal. Not later than ten days after the datename and address of each person on which the vote on the proposal was taken at the meetingwhose behalf he asserts dissenters' rights. The rights of the shareholders, the dissenting shareholdera partial dissenter under this subsection shall deliver to the corporation a written demand for payment to him of the fair cash value ofbe determined as if the shares as to which he seeks relief,dissents and his other shares were registered in the names of different shareholders. (2) A beneficial shareholder may assert dissenters' rights as to shares held on his behalf only if: (a) He submits to the corporation the record shareholder's written consent to the dissent not later than the time the beneficial shareholder asserts dissenters' rights; and (b) He does so with respect to all shares of which demand shallhe is the beneficial shareholder or over which he has power to direct the vote. 271B.13-200 Notice of dissenters' rights. (1) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under KRS 271B.13-020 is submitted to a vote at a shareholders' meeting, the meeting notice must state his address, the number and class of such shares,that shareholders are or may be entitled to assert dissenters' rights under this subtitle and the amount claimed by him as the fair cash valuecorporation shall undertake to provide a copy of the shares. (3) The dissentingthis subtitle to any shareholder entitled to reliefvote at the shareholders' meeting upon request of that shareholder. (2) If corporate action creating dissenters' rights under division (C)KRS 271B.13-020 is taken without a vote of section 1701.84shareholders, the corporation shall notify in writing all shareholders entitled to assert dissenters' rights that the action was taken and send them the dissenters' notice described in KRS 271B.13-220. 271B.13-210 Notice of intent to demand payment. (1) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under KRS 271B.13-020 is submitted to a vote at a shareholders' meeting, a shareholder who wishes to assert dissenters' rights: (a) Shall deliver to the corporation before the vote is taken written notice of his intent to demand payment for his shares if the proposed action is effectuated; and (b) Shall not vote his shares in favor of the Revised Code inproposed action. (2) A shareholder who does not satisfy the caserequirements of a merger pursuant tosubsection (1) of this section 1701.80 of the Revised Code and a dissenting shareholdershall not be entitled to reliefpayment for his shares under division (E)this chapter. 271B.13-220 Dissenters' notice. (1) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters' rights under KRS 271B.13-020 is authorized at a shareholders' meeting, the corporation shall deliver a written dissenters' notice to all shareholders who satisfied the requirements of section 1701.84 of the Revised Code in the case of a merger pursuant to section 1701.801 of the Revised CodeKRS 271B.13-210. (2) The dissenters' notice shall be a record holdersent no later than ten (10) days after the date the proposed corporate action was authorized by the shareholders, or, if no shareholder authorization was obtained, by the board of directors, and shall: (a) State where the payment demand must be sent and where and when certificates for certificated shares must be deposited; (b) Inform holders of uncertificated shares to what extent transfer of the shares will be restricted after the payment demand is received; (c) Supply a form for demanding payment that includes the date of the corporation asfirst announcement to which he seeks relief asnews media or to shareholders of the terms of the proposed corporate action and requires that the person asserting dissenters' rights certify whether or not he acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before that date; (d) Set a date onby which the agreement of merger was adopted bycorporation must receive the directors of that corporation. Within twentypayment demand, which date may not be fewer than thirty (30), nor more than sixty (60) days after he has been sentthe date the notice provided in subsection (1) of this section 1701.80 or 1701.801is delivered; and (e) Be accompanied by a copy of this subtitle. 271B.13-230 Duty to demand payment. (1) A shareholder who is sent a dissenters' notice described in KRS 271B.13-220 shall demand payment, certify whether he acquired beneficial ownership of the Revised Code,shares before the dissentingdate required to be set forth in the dissenters' notice pursuant to subsection (2)(c) of KRS 271B.13-220, and deposit his certificates in accordance with the terms of the notice. (2) The shareholder who demands payment and deposits his share certificates under subsection (1) of this section shall deliverretain all other rights of a shareholder until these rights are canceled or modified by the taking of the proposed corporate action. (3) A shareholder who does not demand payment or deposit his share certificates where required, each by the date set in the dissenters' notice, shall not be entitled to payment for his shares under this subtitle. 271B.13-240 Share restrictions. (1) The corporation may restrict the transfer of uncertificated shares from the date the demand for their payment is received until the proposed corporate action is taken or the restrictions released under KRS 271B.13-260. (2) The person for whom dissenters' rights are asserted as to uncertificated shares shall retain all other rights of a shareholder until these rights are canceled or modified by the taking of the proposed corporate action. 271B.13-250 Payment. (1) Except as provided in KRS 271B.13-270, as soon as the proposed corporate action is taken, or upon receipt of a payment demand, the corporation a written demand forshall pay each dissenter who complied with KRS 271B.13-230 the amount the corporation estimates to be the fair value of his shares, plus accrued interest. (2) The payment withshall be accompanied by: (a) The corporation's balance sheet as of the same information as that provided for in division (A)(2) of this section. (4) In the caseend of a merger or consolidation, a demand served onfiscal year ending not more than sixteen (16) months before the constituent corporation involved constitutes service on the surviving or the new entity, whether the demand is served before, on, or after the effective date of payment, an income statement for that year, a statement of changes in shareholders' equity for that year, and the merger or consolidation. (5)latest available interim financial statements, if any; (b) A statement of the corporation's estimate of the fair value of the shares; (c) An explanation of how the interest was calculated; and (d) A statement of the dissenter's right to demand payment under KRS 271B.13-280. 271B.13-260 Failure to take action. (1) If the corporation sendsdoes not take the proposed action within sixty (60) days after the date set for demanding payment and depositing share certificates, the corporation shall return the deposited certificates and release the transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares. (2) If after returning deposited certificates and releasing transfer restrictions, the corporation takes the proposed action, it shall send a new dissenters' notice under KRS 271B.13-220 and repeat the payment demand procedure. 271B.13-270 After-acquired shares. (1) A corporation may elect to withhold payment required by KRS 271B.13-250 from a dissenter unless he was the dissenting shareholder, at the address specified in his demand, a request for the certificates representingbeneficial owner of the shares as to which he seeks relief,before the dissenting shareholder, within fifteen days fromdate set forth in the dissenters' notice as the date of the sendingfirst announcement to news media or to shareholders of such request, shall deliver tothe terms of the proposed corporate action. (2) To the extent the corporation elects to withhold payment under subsection (1) of this section, after taking the certificates requested soproposed corporate action, it shall estimate the fair value of the shares, plus accrued interest, and shall pay this amount to each dissenter who agrees to accept it in full satisfaction of his demand. The corporation shall send with its offer a statement of its estimate of the fair value of the shares, an explanation of how the interest was calculated, and a statement of the dissenter's right to demand payment under KRS 271B.13-280. 271B.13-280 Procedure if shareholder dissatisfied with payment or offer. (1) A dissenter may notify the corporation in writing of his own estimate of the fair value of his shares and amount of interest due, and demand payment of his estimate (less any payment under KRS 271B.13-250), or reject the corporation's offer under KRS 271B.13-270 and demand payment of the fair value of his shares and interest due, if: (a) The dissenter believes that the corporation may forthwith endorse on them a legend to the effect that demand foramount paid under KRS 271B.13-250 or offered under KRS 271B.13-270 is less than the fair cash value of suchhis shares has been made.or that the interest due is incorrectly calculated; (b) The corporation promptly shall return such endorsed certificatesfails to the dissenting shareholder. A dissenting shareholder's failure to deliver such certificates terminates his rights as a dissenting shareholder, at the option of the corporation, exercised by written notice sent to the dissenting shareholdermake payment under KRS 271B.13-250 within twentysixty (60) days after the lapsedate set for demanding payment; or (c) The corporation, having failed to take the proposed action, does not return the deposited certificates or release the transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares within sixty (60) days after the date set for demanding payment. (2) A dissenter waives his right to demand payment under this section unless he shall notify the corporation of his demand in writing under subsection (1) of this section within thirty (30) days after the fifteen-day period, unless a courtcorporation made or offered payment for good cause shown otherwise directs.his shares. 271B.13-300 Court action. (1) If shares represented by a certificate on which such a legend has been endorsed are transferred, each new certificate issued for them shall bear a similar legend, together with the name of the original dissenting holder of such shares. Upon receiving a demand for payment from a dissenting shareholder who is the record holder of uncertificated securities,under KRS 271B.13-280 remains unsettled, the corporation shall make an appropriate notation ofcommence a proceeding within sixty (60) days after receiving the payment demand for payment in its shareholder records. If uncertificated shares for which payment has been demanded areand petition the court to be transferred, any new certificate issued fordetermine the shares shall bear the legend required for certificated securities as provided in this paragraph. A transfereefair value of the shares so endorsed, or of uncertificated securities where such notation has been made, acquires only such rightsand accrued interest. If the corporation does not commence the proceeding within the sixty (60) day period, it shall pay each dissenter whose demand remains unsettled the amount demanded. (2) The corporation shall commence the proceeding in the corporation as the original dissenting holder of such shares had immediately after the service of a demand for paymentCircuit Court of the fair cash value of the shares. A request undercounty where a corporation's principal office (or, if none in this paragraph bystate, its registered office) is located. If the corporation is not an admission bya foreign corporation without a registered office in this state, it shall commence the corporation that the shareholder is entitled to relief under this section. (B) Unless the corporation and the dissenting shareholder have come to an agreement on the fair cash value per share of the shares as to which the dissenting shareholder seeks relief, the dissenting shareholder or the corporation, whichproceeding in case of a merger or consolidation may be the surviving or new entity, within three months after the service of the demand by the dissenting shareholder, may file a complaint in the court of common pleas of the county in whichthis state where the principalregistered office of the domestic corporation that issued themerged with or whose shares is located or was located when the proposal was adoptedwere acquired by the shareholdersforeign corporation was located. (3) The corporation shall make all dissenters (whether or not residents of the corporation, or, if the proposal was not required to be submittedthis state) whose demands remain unsettled parties to the shareholders, was approved by the directors. Other dissenting shareholders, within that three-month period, may joinproceeding as plaintiffs or mayin an action against their shares and all parties shall be joined as defendants in any such proceeding, and any two or more such proceedings may be consolidated. The complaint shall contain a brief statement of the facts, including the vote and the facts entitling the dissenting shareholder to the relief demanded. No answer to such a complaint is required. Upon the filing of such a complaint, the court, on motion of the petitioner, shall enter an order fixing a date for a hearing on the complaint and requiring thatserved with a copy of the complaint and a noticepetition. Nonresidents may be served by registered or certified mail or by publication as provided by law. (4) The jurisdiction of the filing and of the date for hearing be given to the respondent or defendant in the mannercourt in which summonsthe proceeding is required tocommenced under subsection (2) of this section shall be served or substituted service is required to be made in other cases. On the day fixed for the hearing on the complaint or any adjournment of it, the court shall determine from the complaintplenary and from such evidence as is submitted by either party whether the dissenting shareholder is entitled to be paid the fair cash value of any shares and, if so, the number and class of such shares. If the court finds that the dissenting shareholder is so entitled, theexclusive. The court may appoint one (1) or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence and to recommend a decision on the amountquestion of the fair cash value. The appraisers have such power and authority as is specifiedthe powers described in the order appointing them, or in any amendment to it. The dissenters shall be entitled to the same discovery rights as parties in other civil proceedings. (5) Each dissenter made a party to the proceeding shall be entitled to judgment: (a) For the amount, if any, by which the court finds the fair value of their appointment.his shares, plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by the corporation; or (b) For the fair value, plus accrued interest, of his after-acquired shares for which the corporation elected to withhold payment under KRS 271B.13-270. 271B.13-310 Court costs and counsel fees. (1) The court thereuponin an appraisal proceeding commenced under KRS 271B.13-300 shall make a finding as to the fair cash value of a share and shall render judgment against the corporation for the payment of it, with interest at such rate and from such date as the court considers equitable. Thedetermine all costs of the proceeding, including the reasonable compensation to theand expenses of appraisers to be fixedappointed by the court. The court shall be assessed or apportioned asassess the costs against the corporation, except that the court considers equitable. The proceeding is a special proceeding and final ordersmay assess costs against all or some of the dissenters, in it may be vacated, modified, or reversed on appeal pursuant toamounts the Rules of Appellate Procedure and,court finds equitable, to the extent the court finds the dissenters acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in conflict with those rules, Chapter 2505good faith in demanding payment under KRS 271B.13-280. (2) The court may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts for the Revised Code. If, duringrespective parties, in amounts the pendencycourt finds equitable: (a) Against the corporation and in favor of any proceeding instituted underor all dissenters, if the court finds the corporation did not substantially comply with the requirements of KRS 271B.13-200 to 271B.13-280; or (b) 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 arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith with respect to the rights provided by this section, a suit or proceeding is or has been institutedsubtitle. (3) If the court finds that the services of counsel for any dissenter were of substantial benefit to enjoin or otherwiseother dissenters similarly situated, and that the fees for those services should not be assessed against the corporation, the court may award to prevent the carryingthese counsel reasonable fees to be paid out of the action as to whichamounts awarded the shareholder has dissented, the proceeding instituted under this section shall be stayed until the final determination of the other suit or proceeding. Unless any provision in division (D) of this section is applicable, the fair cash value of the shares that is agreed upon by the parties or fixed under this section shall be paid within thirty days after the date of final determination of such value under this division, the effective date of the amendment to the articles, or the consummation of the other action involved, whichever occurs last. Upon the occurrence of the last such event, payment shall be made immediately to a holder of uncertificated securities entitled to such payment. In the case of holders of shares represented by certificates, payment shall be made only upon and simultaneously with the surrender to the corporation of the certificates representing the shares for which the payment is made. (C) If the proposal was required to be submitted to the shareholders of the corporation, fair cash value as to those shareholders shall be determined as of the day prior to the day on which the vote by the shareholders was taken and, in the case of a merger pursuant to section 1701.80 or 1701.801 of the Revised Code, fair cash value as to shareholders of a constituent subsidiary corporation shall be determined as of the day before the adoption of the agreement of merger by the directors of the particular subsidiary corporation. The fair cash value of a share for the purposes of this section is the amount that a willing sellerdissenters who is under no compulsion to sell would be willing to accept and that a willing buyer who is under no compulsion to purchase would be willing to pay, but in no event shall the fair cash value of a share exceed the amount specified in the demand of the particular shareholder. In computing such fair cash value, any appreciation or depreciation in market value resulting from the proposal submitted to the directors or to the shareholders shall be excluded. (D)(1) The right and obligation of a dissenting shareholder to receive such fair cash value and to sell such shares as to which he seeks relief, and the right and obligation of the corporation to purchase such shares and to pay the fair cash value of them terminates if any of the following applies: (a) The dissenting shareholder has not complied with this section, unless the corporation by its directors waives such failure; (b) The corporation abandons the action involved or is finally enjoined or prevented from carrying it out, or the shareholders rescind their adoption of the action involved; (c) The dissenting shareholder withdraws his demand, with the consent of the corporation by its directors; (d) The corporation and the dissenting shareholder have not come to an agreement as to the fair cash value per share, and neither the shareholder nor the corporation has filed or joined in a complaint under division (B) of this section within the period provided in that division. (2) For purposes of division (D)(1) of this section, if the merger or consolidation has become effective and the surviving or new entity is not a corporation, action required to be taken by the directors of the corporation shall be taken by the general partners of a surviving or new partnership or the comparable representatives of any other surviving or new entity. (E) From the time of the dissenting shareholder's giving of the demand until either the termination of the rights and obligations arising from it or the purchase of the shares by the corporation, all other rights accruing from such shares, including voting and dividend or distribution rights, are suspended. If during the suspension, any dividend or distribution is paid in money upon shares of such class or any dividend, distribution, or interest is paid in money upon any securities issued in extinguishment of or in substitution for such shares, an amount equal to the dividend, distribution, or interest which, except for the suspension, would have been payable upon such shares or securities, shall be paid to the holder of record as a credit upon the fair cash value of the shares. If the right to receive fair cash value is terminated other than by the purchase of the shares by the corporation, all rights of the holder shall be restored and all distributions which, except for the suspension, would have been made shall be made to the holder of record of the shares at the time of termination.were benefited. Part II ------- Information not required in prospectus -------------------------------------- Item 20. Indemnification20....Indemnification of Directors and Officers. - -------- ------------------------------------------ Division (E) of Section 1701.13 of the Ohio Revised Code governs indemnification by an Ohioa corporation and provides as follows: (E)(1) A corporation may indemnify or agree to 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, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he 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, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent of another corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, a limited liability company, or a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorney's fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. (2) A corporation may indemnify or agree to indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, by reason of the fact that he 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, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent of another corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, a limited liability company, or a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorney's fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any of the following: (a) Any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person is adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation unless, and only to the extent that, the court of common pleas or the court in which such action or suit was brought determines, upon application, that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the court of common pleas or such other court shall deem proper; (b) Any action or suit in which the only liability asserted against a director is pursuant to section 1701.95 of the Revised Code. (3) To the extent that a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in division (E)(1) or (2) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses, including attorney's fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding. (4) Any indemnification under division (E)(1) or (2) of this section, unless ordered by a court, shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case, upon a determination that indemnification of the director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in division (E)(1) or (2) of this section. Such determination shall be made as follows: (a) By a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors of the indemnifying corporation who were not and are not parties to or threatened with the action, suit, or proceeding referred to in division (E)(1) or (2) of this section; (b) If the quorum described in division (E)(4)(a) of this section is not obtainable or if a majority vote of a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, in a written opinion by independent legal counsel other than an attorney, or a firm having associated with it an attorney, who has been retained by or who has performed services for the corporation or any person to be indemnified within the past five years; (c) By the shareholders; (d) By the court of common pleas or the court in which thesuch action, suit, or proceeding referred to in division (E)(1) or (2) of this section was brought. Any determination made by the disinterested directors under division (E)(4)(a) or by independent legal counsel under division (E)(4)(b) of this section shall be promptly communicated to the person who threatened or brought the action or suit by or in the right of the corporation under division (E)(2) of this section, and, within ten days after receipt of such notification, such person shall have the right to petition the court of common pleas or the court in which such action or suit was brought to review the reasonableness of such determination. (5)(a) Unless at the time of a director's act or omission that is the subject of an action, suit, or proceeding referred to in division (E)(1) or (2) of this section, the articles or the regulations of a corporation state, by specific reference to this division, that the provisions of this division do not apply to the corporation and unless the only liability asserted against a director in an action, suit, or proceeding referred to in division (E)(1) or (2) of this section is pursuant to section 1701.95 of the Revised Code, expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred by a director in defending the action, suit, or proceeding shall be paid by the corporation as they are incurred, in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director in which he agrees to do both of the following: (i) Repay such amount if it is proved by clear and convincing evidence in a court of competent jurisdiction that his action or failure to act involved an act or omission undertaken with deliberate intent to cause injury to the corporation or undertaken with reckless disregard for the best interests of the corporation; (ii) Reasonably cooperate with the corporation concerning the action, suit, or proceeding. (b) Expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred by a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent in defending any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in division (E)(1) or (2) of this section, may be paid by the corporation as they are incurred, in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit, or proceeding, as authorized by the directors in the specific case, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent to repay such amount, if it ultimately is determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. (6) The indemnification authorized by this section shall not be exclusive of, and shall be in addition to, any other rights granted to those seeking indemnification under the articles, the regulations, any agreement, a vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in their official capacities and as to action in another capacity while holding their offices or positions, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person. (7) A corporation may purchase and maintain insurance or furnish similar protection, including, but not limited to, trust funds, letters of credit, or self-insurance, on behalf of or for 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, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent of another corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, a limited liability company, or a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under this section. Insurance may be purchased from or maintained with a person in which the corporation has a financial interest. (8) The authority of a corporation to indemnify persons pursuant to division (E)(1) or (2) of this section does not limit the payment of expenses as they are incurred, indemnification, insurance, or other protection that may be provided pursuant to divisions (E)(5),(6), and (7) of this section. Divisions (E)(1) and (2) of this section do not create any obligation to repay or return payments made by the corporation pursuant to division (E)(5),(6), or (7). (9) As used in division (E) of this section, "corporation" includes all constituent entities in a consolidation or merger and the new or surviving corporation, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, trustee, member, manager, or agent of such a constituent entity, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent entity as a director, trustee, officer, employee, member, manager, or agent of another corporation, domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit, a limited liability company, or a partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the new or surviving corporation as he would if he had served the new or surviving corporation in the same capacity. Article FIVE of theRegistrant's Code of Regulations of Peoples Bancorp Inc. governs indemnification by Peoples Bancorp Inc.Registrant and provides as follows: SectionSECTION 5.01. Mandatory Indemnification.MANDATORY INDEMNIFICATION. The corporation shall ---------------------------------------- indemnify any officer or director of the corporation 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 (including, without limitation, any action threatened or instituted by or in the right of the corporation), by reason of the fact that he 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, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation (domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit), partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees, filing fees, court reporters' fees and transcript costs), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. A person claiming indemnification under this Section 5.01 shall be presumed, in respect of any act or omission giving rise to such claim for indemnification, to have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal matter, to have had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, and the termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, rebut such presumption. Section 5.02. Court-Approved Indemnification.COURT-APPROVED INDEMNIFICATION. Anything ---------------------------------------------- contained in the Regulations or elsewhere to the contrary notwithstanding: (A) the corporation shall not indemnify any officer or director of the corporation who was a party to any completed action or suit instituted by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he 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, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation (domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit), partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, in respect of any claim, issue or matter asserted in such action or suit as to which he shall have been adjudged to be liable for acting with reckless disregard for the best interests of the corporation or misconduct (other than negligence) in the performance of his duty to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, Ohio or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite such adjudication of liability, and in view of all the circumstances of the case, he is fairly and reasonably entitled to such indemnity as such Court of Common Pleas or such other court shall deem proper; and (B) the corporation shall promptly make any such unpaid indemnification as is determined by a court to be proper as contemplated by this Section 5.02. SectionSECTION 5.03. Indemnification for Expenses.INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES. Anything contained ------------------------------------------- in the Regulations or elsewhere to the contrary notwithstanding, to the extent that an officer or director of the corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section 5.01, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be promptly indemnified by the corporation against expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees, filing fees, court reporters' fees and transcript costs) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith. SectionSECTION 5.04. Determination Required.DETERMINATION REQUIRED. Any indemnification ---------------------------------------- required under Section 5.01 and not precluded under Section 5.02 shall be made by the corporation only upon a determination that such indemnification of the officer or director is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 5.01. Such determination may be made only (A) by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors of the corporation who were not and are not parties to, or threatened with, any such action, suit or proceeding, or (B) if such a quorum is not obtainable or if a majority of a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, in a written opinion by independent legal counsel other than an attorney, or a firm having associated with it an attorney, who has been retained by or who has performed services for the corporation, or any person to be indemnified, within the past five years, or (C) by the shareholders, or (D) by the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, Ohio or (if the corporation is a party thereto) the court in which such action, suit or proceeding was brought, if any; any such determination may be made by a court under division (D) of this Section 5.04 at any time [including, without limitation, any time before, during or after the time when any such determination may be requested of, be under consideration by or have been denied or disregarded by the disinterested directors under division (A) or by independent legal counsel under division (B) or by the shareholders under division (C) of this Section 5.04]; and no failure for any reason to make any such determination, and no decision for any reason to deny any such determination, by the disinterested directors under division (A) or by independent legal counsel under division (B) or by the shareholders under division (C) of this Section 5.04 shall be evidence in rebuttal of the presumption recited in Section 5.01. Any determination made by the disinterested directors under division (A) or by independent legal counsel under division (B) of this Section 5.04 to make indemnification in respect of any claim, issue or matter asserted in an action or suit threatened or brought by or in the right of the corporation shall be promptly communicated to the person who threatened or brought such action or suit, and within ten (10) days after receipt of such notification such person shall have the right to petition the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, Ohio or the court in which such action or suit was brought, if any, to review the reasonableness of such determination. SectionSECTION 5.05. Advances for Expenses.ADVANCES FOR EXPENSES. Expenses (including, --------------------------------------- without limitation, attorneys' fees, filing fees, court reporters' fees and transcript costs) incurred in defending any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section 5.01 shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding to or on behalf of the officer or director promptly as such expenses are incurred by him, but only if such officer or director shall first agree, in writing, to repay all amounts so paid in respect of any claim, issue or other matter asserted in such action, suit or proceeding in defense of which he shall not have been successful on the merits or otherwise: (A) if it shall ultimately be determined as provided in Section 5.04 that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as provided under Section 5.01; or (B) if, in respect of any claim, issue or other matter asserted by or in the right of the corporation in such action or suit, he shall have been adjudged to be liable for acting with reckless disregard for the best interests of the corporation or misconduct (other than negligence) in the performance of his duty to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, Ohio or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite such adjudication of liability, and in view of all the circumstances, he is fairly and reasonably entitled to all or part of such indemnification. SectionSECTION 5.06. Article Five Not Exclusive.ARTICLE FIVE NOT EXCLUSIVE. The indemnification ----------------------------------------- provided by this Article Five shall not be exclusive of, and shall be in addition to, any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification may be entitled under the Articles or the Regulations or any agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be an officer or director of the corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person. SectionSECTION 5.07. Insurance.INSURANCE. The corporation may purchase and -------------------------- maintain insurance or furnish similar protection, including but not limited to trust funds, letters of credit, or self-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, trustee, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation (domestic or foreign, nonprofit or for profit), partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the obligation or the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this Article Five. Insurance may be purchased from or maintained with a person in which the corporation has a financial interest. SectionSECTION 5.08. Certain Definitions.CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this ----------------------------------- Article Five, and as examples and not by way of limitation: (A) A person claiming indemnification under this Article Five shall be deemed to have been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section 5.01, or in defense of any claim, issue or other matter therein, if such action, suit or proceeding shall be terminated as to such person, with or without prejudice, without the entry of a judgment or order against him, without a conviction of him, without the imposition of a fine upon him and without his payment or agreement to pay any amount in settlement thereof (whether or not any such termination is based upon a judicial or other determination of the lack of merit of the claims made against him or otherwise results in a vindication of him); and (B) References to an "other enterprise" shall include employee benefit plans; references to a "fine" shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to "serving at the request of the corporation" shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the corporation" within the meaning of that term as used in this Article Five. SectionSECTION 5.09. Venue.VENUE. Any action, suit or proceeding to ---------------------- determine a claim for indemnification under this Article Five may be maintained by the person claiming such indemnification, or by the corporation, in the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, Ohio. The corporation and (by claiming such indemnification) each such person consent to the exercise of jurisdiction over its or his person by the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, Ohio in any such action, suit or proceeding. TheIn addition, the Registrant has purchased $10 million of insurance coverage under a policy whichthat insures its directors and officers against certain liabilities which might be incurred by them in such capacities.capacity. The Registrant also maintains fiduciary and lending liability coverage up to a $7 million limit. Item 21. Exhibits21....Exhibits and financial statement schedules - -------- ------------------------------------------Financial Statement Schedules (a) Exhibits. - -------------------- 2(a) Agreement and Plan of Acquisition and Merger (excluding exhibits and schedules), dated as of October 24, 2000, by and between Peoples Bancorp Inc. ("Peoples"), Peoples Bank, National Association and The Lower Salem Commercial Bank (included in the proxy statement/prospectus as Appendix A) 2(b) Plan of Merger, dated November 27, 2000, between Peoples Bank, National Association and The Lower Salem Commercial Bank (included in the proxy statement/prospectus as Appendix B) 3(a)(1) Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on May 3, 1993 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Peoples' Registration Statement on Form 8-B, filed on July 20, 1993 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples' Form 8-B")) 3(a)(2) Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on April 22, 1994 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a)(2) to Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 (File No. 0-16772) (the "1997 Form 10-K")) 3(a)(3) Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on April 9, 1996 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a)(3) to Peoples' 1997 Form 10-K) 3(a)(4) Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples, reflecting amendments through April 9, 1996 (for SEC reporting compliance purposes only - not filed with Ohio Secretary of State) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a)(4) to Peoples' 1997 Form 10-K) 3(b) Regulations of Peoples (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Peoples' Form 8-B) 4(a) Agreement to furnish instruments and agreements defining rights of holders of long-term debt (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples' 1999 Form 10-K")) 4(b) Indenture, dated as of April 20, 1999, between Peoples and Wilmington Trust Company, as Debenture Trustee, relating to Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-81251), filed on June 22, 1999 by Peoples and PEBO Capital Trust I ("Peoples' 1999 Form S-4")) 4(c) Form of Certificate of Series B 8.62% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture of Peoples (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Peoples' 1999 Form S-4) 4(d) Form of Certificate of Series A 8.62% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture of Peoples (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Peoples' 1999 Form S-4) 4(e) Certificate of Trust of PEBO Capital Trust I (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Peoples' 1999 Form S-4) 4(f) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of PEBO Capital Trust I, dated as of April 20, 1999 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Peoples' 1999 Form S-4) 4(g) Form of Common Security of PEBO Capital Trust I (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the 1999 Form S-4) 4(h) Form of Series B 8.62% Capital Security Certificate of PEBO Capital Trust I (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Peoples' 1999 Form S-4) 4(i) Series B Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement, dated as of September 23, 1999, between Peoples and Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee, relating to Series B 8.62% Capital Securities (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(i) to Peoples' 1999 Form 10-K) 5 Opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, counsel to Peoples, as to the legality of the securities being issued *8 Opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, counsel to Peoples, as to tax matters 10(a) Deferred Compensation Agreement dated November 16, 1976 between Robert E. Evans and The Peoples Banking and Trust Company, as amended March 13, 1979 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 6(g) to Registration Statement No. 2-68524 on Form S-14 of Peoples Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Peoples' predecessor) 10(b)(1) Peoples Bancorp Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries (Amended and Restated effective January 2, 1998) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(a) of Peoples' Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed on December 31, 1997 (Registration No. 333-43629)) 10(b)(2) Amendment No. 1 to Peoples Bancorp Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries, effective January 2, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(b) of Peoples' Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8, filed on September 4, 1998 (Registration No. 333-43629)) 10(c) Summary of the Performance Compensation Plan for Peoples Bancorp Inc., effective for calendar year beginning January 1, 1997 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(f) of Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 0-16772)) 10(d) Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of Peoples' Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed August 25, 1993 (Registration No. 33-67878)) 10(e) Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with grant of non-qualified stock options under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(g) of Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples 1995 Form 10-K")) 10(f) Form of Stock Option Agreement dated May 20, 1993, used in connection with the grant of incentive stock options under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(h) of Peoples' 1995 Form 10-K) 10(g) Form of Stock Option Agreement dated November 10, 1994, used in connection with the grant of incentive stock options under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(i) of Peoples' 1995 Form 10-K) 10(h) Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of Peoples' Form S-8, filed on May 24, 1995 (Registration No. 33-59569)) 10(i) Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with the grant of non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors of Peoples under the Peoples Bancorp. Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(k) of Peoples' 1995 Form 10-K) 10(j) Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with the grant of non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors of Peoples' subsidiaries under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(l) of Peoples' 1995 Form 10-K) 10(k) Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with the grant of incentive stock options under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(m) of Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples' 1998 Form 10-K")) 10(l) Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 of Peoples' Form S-8, filed on September 4, 1998 (Registration No. 333-62935)) 10(m) Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with the grant of non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors of Peoples under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(o) of Peoples' 1998 Form 10-K) 10(n) Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with the grant of non-qualified stock options to consultants/advisors of Peoples under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(p) of Peoples' 1998 Form 10-K) 10(o) Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with the grant of incentive stock options under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(o) of Peoples' 1999 Form 10-K) 10(p) Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 20, 1999, among Peoples Bancorp Inc., PEBO Capital Trust I and Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the 1999 Form S-4) 21 Subsidiaries of Peoples 23(a) Consent of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP with respect to its opinion relating to the legality of the securities being issued (included in Exhibit 5) *23(b) Consent of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP with respect to its tax opinion (included in Exhibit 8) 23(c) Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (with respect to Peoples) 23(d) Consent of Young & Associates, Inc., financial advisors to The Lower Salem Commercial Bank 23(e) Consent of Dixon, Francis, Davis & Company 24 Powers of Attorney of Directors and Executive Officers of Peoples authorizing the signing of their names to this Registration Statement and any and all amendments to this Registration Statement and other documents submitted in connection herewith 99(a) Form of Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders of The Lower Salem Commercial Bank (set forth immediately following the cover page of this Registration Statement) 99(b) Form of Proxy to be used in connection with Special Meeting of Shareholders of The Lower Salem Commercial Bank *To
Exhibit Number Description Exhibit Location - ---------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of Filed herewith. November 29, 2002, by and between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated as amended as of March 6, 2003 (excluding schedules) (included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix A). 2.2 Plan of Merger, dated as of March __, 2003, Filed herewith. by and between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated (included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix B). 3.1 Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit Bancorp Inc. (as filed with the Ohio 3(a) to the Registrant's Registration Secretary of State on May 3, 1993). Statement on Form 8-B filed July 20, 1993 (File No. 0-16772). 3.2 Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit Articles of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (as filed 3(a)(2) to the Registrant's Annual Report on with the Ohio Secretary of State on April 22, Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 1994). 1997 (File No. 0-16772) (the "1997 Form 10-K"). 3.3 Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit Articles of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (as filed 3(a)(3) to the Registrant's 1997 Form 10-K. with the Ohio Secretary of State on April 9, 1996). 3.4 Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit Bancorp Inc. (reflecting amendments through 3(a)(4) to the Registrant's 1997 Form 10-K. April 9, 1996) [For SEC reporting compliance purposes only - not filed with Ohio Secretary of State]. 3.5 Regulations of Peoples Bancorp Inc. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed July 20, 1993 (File No. 0-16772). 4.1 Indenture, dated as of April 20, 1999, Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Wilmington 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form Trust Company, as Debenture Trustee, relating S-4 (Registration No. 333-81251) filed on to Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest June 22, 1999 by the Registrant and PEBO Debentures. Capital Trust I (the "1999 Form S-4"). 4.2 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit PEBO Capital Trust I, dated as of April 20, 4.5 to the 1999 Form S-4. 1999. 4.3 Series B Capital Securities Guarantee Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit Agreement, dated as of September 23, 1999, 4(i) to the Registrant's Annual Report on between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Wilmington Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee, relating 31, 1999 (File No. 0-16772). to Series B 8.62% Capital Securities. 4.4 Indenture, dated as of April 10, 2002, Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Wilmington 4.1 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to quarterly period ended September 30, 2002 Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debt (File No. 0-16772) (the "September 30, 2002 Securities. Form 10-Q"). 4.5 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit PEBO Capital Trust II, dated as of April 10, 4.2 to the September 30, 2002 Form 10-Q. 2002. 4.6 Guarantee Agreement, dated as of April 10, Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2002, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and 4.3 to the September 30, 2002 Form 10-Q. Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee, relating to Floating Rate MMCapSSM Capital Securities. 5.1 Opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease Filed herewith. LLP, as to the legality of the securities being issued. 8.1 Opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease To be filed by amendment. LLP, as to tax matters. 10.1 Stockholder Voting Agreement, dated as of Filed herewith. November 29, 2002, by and among Peoples Bancorp Inc. and the individual directors of Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated. 10.2 Deferred Compensation Agreement dated Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit November 16, 1976, between Robert E. Evans 6(g) to the Registrant's Registration and The Peoples Banking and Trust Company, as Statement No. 2-68524 on Form S-14 of amended March 13, 1979.* Peoples Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation, Peoples predecessor. 10.3 Peoples Bancorp Inc. Deferred Compensation Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. 10(a) to the Registrant's Registration and Subsidiaries (Amended and Restated Statement on Form S-8 filed December 31, Effective January 2, 1998).* 1997 (Registration No. 333-43629). 10.4 Amendment No. 1 to Peoples Bancorp Inc. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of 10(b) to the Registrant's Post-Effective Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 filed September effective January 2, 1998.* 4, 1998 (Registration No. 333-43629). 10.5 Summary of the Performance Compensation Plan Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit for Peoples Bancorp Inc. effective for 10(c) to the Registrant's Annual Report on calendar years beginning on or after January Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 1, 2002.* 31, 2002 (File No. 0-16772) (the "2002 Form 10-K"). 10.6 Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1993 Stock Option Plan.* 4 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed August 25, 1993 (Registration No. 33-67878). 10.7 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit connection with grant of non-qualified stock 10(g) to the Registrant's Annual Report on options under Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan.* 31, 1995 (File No. 0-16772) (the "1995 Form 10-K"). 10.8 Form of Stock Option Agreement dated May 20, Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1993, used in connection with grant of 10(h) to the Registrant's 1995 Form 10-K. incentive stock options under Peoples Bancorp. Inc. Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan.* 10.9 Form of Stock Option Agreement dated November Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10, 1994, used in connection with grant of 10(i) to the Registrant's 1995 Form 10-K. incentive stock options under Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan.* 10.10 Peoples Bancorp inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan.* Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Registrant's Form S-8 filed May 24, 1995 (Registration Statement No. 33-59569). 10.11 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit connection with grant of non-qualified stock 10(k) to the Registrant's 1995 Form 10-K. options to non-employee directors of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan.* 10.12 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit connection with grant of non-qualified stock 10(l) to the Registrant's 1995 Form 10-K. options to non-employee directors of Peoples' subsidiaries under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan.* 10.13 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit connection with grant of incentive stock 10(m) to the Registrant's Annual Report on options under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December Option Plan.* 31, 1998 (File No. 0-16772) (the "1998 Form 10-K). 10.14 Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan.* Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Registrant's Form S-8 filed September 4, 1998 (Registration Statement No. 333-62935). 10.15 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit connection with grant of non-qualified stock 10(o) to the Registrant's 1998 Form 10-K. options to non-employee directors of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan.* 10.16 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit connection with grant of non-qualified stock 10(p) to the Registrant's 1998 Form 10-K. options to consultants/advisors of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan.* 10.17 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit connection with grant of incentive stock 10(o) to the Registrant's Annual Report on options under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December Option Plan.* 31, 1999 (File No. 0-16772). 10.18 Registration Rights Agreement, dated April Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 20, 1999, among Peoples Bancorp Inc., PEBO 4.11 to the 1999 Form S-4. Capital Trust I and Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. 10.19 Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan.* Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Registrant's Form S-8 filed April 15, 2002 (Registration Statement No. 333-86246). 10.20 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(r) connection with grant of non-qualified stock to the Registrant's 2002 Form 10-K. options to directors of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan.* 10.21 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(s) connection with grant of non-qualified stock to the Registrant's 2002 Form 10-K. options to subsidiary directors of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan.* 10.22 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(t) connection with grant of non-qualified stock to the Registrant's 2002 Form 10-K. options to employees of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan.* 10.23 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(u) connection with grant of incentive stock to the Registrant's 2002 Form 10-K. options under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan.* 10.24 Loan Agreement dated as of June 13, 2002, by Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit and between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and First 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Tennessee Bank National Association. Form 8-K filed December 13, 2002 (File No. 0-16772). 10.25 Promissory note executed by Peoples Bancorp Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit Inc., as Maker in the principal amount of 10.2 to Peoples' Current Report on Form 8-K $17,000,000 dated June 13, 2002. filed December 13, 2002 (File No. 0-16772). 10.26 Commercial Pledge Agreement dated as of June Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 13, 2002, by and between Peoples Bancorp Inc. 10.2 to Peoples' Current Report on Form 8-K and First Tennessee Bank National Association. filed December 13, 2002 (File No. 0-16772). 12.1 Statements re Computation of Ratios. Filed herewith. 21.1 Subsidiaries of Peoples Bancorp Inc. Filed herewith. 23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent Filed herewith. auditors. 23.2 Consent of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease Filed herewith. LLP with respect to its opinion relating to the legality of the securities being issued (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1). 23.3 Consent of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease To be filed by amendment. LLP with respect to its tax opinion (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 8.1). 23.4 Consent of Alex Sheshunoff & Co. Investment Filed herewith. Banking, L.P., financial advisors to Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated. 24.1 Powers of Attorney of Directors and Executive Filed herewith. Officers of Peoples Bancorp Inc. authorizing the signing of their names to this Registration Statement and any and all amendments to this Registration Statement and other documents submitted in connection herewith. 99.1 Form of Fairness Opinion by Alex Sheshunoff & Filed herewith. Co. Investment Banking, L.P. (included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix C). 99.2 Form of Notice of Special Meeting of Filed herewith. Shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated (set forth immediately following the cover page of this Registration Statement). 99.3 Form of Proxy to be used in connection with Filed herewith. Special Meeting of Shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated. 99.4 Form of Letter to be sent to shareholders of To be filed by amendment. Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated. - -------------------------------------------------------------------- *Management Compensation Plan
(b) Financial Statement Schedules. - ----------------------------------------- All supporting schedules have been omitted because they are not 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement; (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement; (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. (B) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to 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 to deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, to cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information. (D) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1) That, prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through 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), the issuer undertakes that 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 paragraph (1) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Act and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the Registration Statement and will not be used until such 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)(E) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. (E)(F) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1) Toundertakes to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the 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 the documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement through the date of responding to the request. (2) To(G) 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. SignaturesSIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Marietta, State of Ohio, on the 18th day of December, 2000.March 7, 2003. PEOPLES BANCORP INC. By:/s/ /s/ ROBERT E. EVANS ------------------------------------- Robert E. Evans President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated belowand on the 18th day of December, 2000. Namedates indicated. Signature Title Date - --------- ----- ---- ----- /s/ ROBERT E. EVANS President and Chief Executive Officer/March 7, 2003 - ---------------------------------------------------------- Officer and Director (Principal Robert E. Evans Director - --------------------------------Executive Officer) * Carl Baker, Jr. Director March 7, 2003 - -------------------------- Carl Baker, Jr. * Mark F. Bradley Director March 7, 2003 - ---------------------------------------------------------- Mark F. Bradley * George W. Broughton Director March 7, 2003 - ---------------------------------------------------------- George W. Broughton * Frank L. Christy Director *March 7, 2003 - ---------------------------------------------------------- Frank L. Christy * Wilford D. Dimit Director *March 7, 2003 - ---------------------------------------------------------- Wilford D. Dimit * Rex E. Maiden Director *March 7, 2003 - ---------------------------------------------------------- Rex E. Maiden * Robert W. Price Director *March 7, 2003 - ---------------------------------------------------------- Robert W. Price * Paul T. Theisen Director *March 7, 2003 - ---------------------------------------------------------- Paul T. Theisen * Thomas C. Vadakin Director *March 7, 2003 - ---------------------------------------------------------- Thomas C. Vadakin * Joseph H. Wesel Chairman of the Board/Board and Director March 7, 2003 - -------------------------- Joseph H. Wesel * John W. Conlon Chief Financial Officer and March 7, 2003 - -------------------------- Treasurer - --------------------------------(Principal Accounting John W. Conlon (Principal Accounting Officer) * Gary L. Kriechbaum Controller March 7, 2003 - -------------------------------- Mark F. Bradley Controller *By:/s/-------------------------- Gary L. Kriechbaum * By Robert E. Evans pursuant to Powers of Attorney executed by the directors and executive officers listed above, which Powers of Attorney are filed herewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission. /s/ ROBERT E. EVANS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Robert E. Evans Attorney-in-FactTitle: President and Chief Executive Officer and Director Exhibit Index ------------- Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit - ------- ----------------------- 2(a) Agreement and Plan of Acquisition and Merger (excluding exhibits and schedules), dated as of October 24, 2000, by and between Peoples Bancorp Inc. ("Peoples"), Peoples Bank, National Association and The Lower Salem Commercial Bank (included in the proxy statement/prospectus as Appendix A) 2(b) Plan of Merger, dated November 27, 2000, between Peoples Bank, National Association and The Lower Salem Commercial Bank (included in the proxy statement/prospectus as Appendix B) 3(a)(1) Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on May 3, 1993 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Peoples' Registration Statement on Form 8-B, filed on July 20, 1993 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples' Form 8-B")) 3(a)(2) Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on April 22, 1994 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a)(2) to Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 (File No. 0-16772) (the "1997 Form 10-K")) 3(a)(3) Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples as filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on April 9, 1996 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a)(3) to Peoples' 1997 Form 10-K) 3(a)(4) Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples, reflecting amendments through April 9, 1996 (for SEC reporting compliance purposes only - not filed with Ohio Secretary of State) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(a)(4) to Peoples' 1997 Form 10-K) 3(b) Regulations of Peoples (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to Peoples' Form 8-B) 4(a) Agreement to furnish instruments and agreements defining rights of holders of long-term debt (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples' 1999 Form 10-K")) 4(b) Indenture, dated as of April 20, 1999, between Peoples and Wilmington Trust Company, as Debenture Trustee, relating to Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-81251), filed on June 22, 1999 by Peoples and PEBO Capital Trust I ("Peoples' 1999 Form S-4")) 4(c) Form of Certificate of Series B 8.62% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture of Peoples (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Peoples' 1999 Form S-4) 4(d) Form of Certificate of Series A 8.62% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debenture of Peoples (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Peoples' 1999 Form S-4) 4(e) Certificate of Trust of PEBO Capital Trust I (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Peoples' 1999 Form S-4) 4(f) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of PEBO Capital Trust I, dated as of April 20, 1999 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Peoples' 1999 Form S-4) 4(g) Form of Common Security of PEBO Capital Trust I (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the 1999 Form S-4) 4(h) Form of Series B 8.62% Capital Security Certificate of PEBO Capital Trust I (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Peoples' 1999 Form S-4) 4(i) Series B Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement, dated as of September 23, 1999, between Peoples and Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee, relating to Series B 8.62% Capital Securities (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(i) to Peoples' 1999 Form 10-K) 5 Opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, counsel to Peoples, as to the legality of the securities being issued *8 Opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, counsel to Peoples, as to tax matters 10(a) Deferred Compensation Agreement dated November 16, 1976 between Robert E. Evans and The Peoples Banking and Trust Company, as amended March 13, 1979 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 6(g) to Registration Statement No. 2-68524 on Form S-14 of Peoples Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Peoples' predecessor) 10(b)(1) Peoples Bancorp Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries (Amended and Restated effective January 2, 1998) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(a) of Peoples' Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed on December 31, 1997 (Registration No. 333-43629)) 10(b)(2) Amendment No. 1 to Peoples Bancorp Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries, effective January 2, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(b) of Peoples' Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8, filed on September 4, 1998 (Registration No. 333-43629)) 10(c) Summary of the Performance Compensation Plan for Peoples Bancorp Inc., effective for calendar year beginning January 1, 1997 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(f) of Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 (File No. 0-16772)) 10(d) Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of Peoples' Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed August 25, 1993 (Registration No. 33-67878)) 10(e) Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with grant of non-qualified stock options under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(g) of Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples 1995 Form 10-K")) 10(f) Form of Stock Option Agreement dated May 20, 1993, used in connection with the grant of incentive stock options under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(h) of Peoples' 1995 Form 10-K) 10(g) Form of Stock Option Agreement dated November 10, 1994, used in connection with the grant of incentive stock options under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(i) of Peoples' 1995 Form 10-K) 10(h) Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of Peoples' Form S-8, filed on May 24, 1995 (Registration No. 33-59569)) 10(i) Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with the grant of non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors of Peoples under the Peoples Bancorp. Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(k) of Peoples' 1995 Form 10-K) 10(j) Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with the grant of non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors of Peoples' subsidiaries under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(l) of Peoples' 1995 Form 10-K) 10(k) Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with the grant of incentive stock options under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(m) of Peoples' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 (File No. 0-16772) ("Peoples' 1998 Form 10-K")) 10(l) Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 of Peoples' Form S-8, filed on September 4, 1998 (Registration No. 333-62935)) 10(m) Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with the grant of non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors of Peoples under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(o) of Peoples' 1998 Form 10-K) 10(n) Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with the grant of non-qualified stock options to consultants/advisors of Peoples under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(p) of Peoples' 1998 Form 10-K) 10(o) Form of Stock Option Agreement used in connection with the grant of incentive stock options under the Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(o) of Peoples' 1999 Form 10-K) 10(p) Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 20, 1999, among Peoples Bancorp Inc., PEBO Capital Trust I and Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the 1999 Form S-4) 21 Subsidiaries of Peoples 23(a) Consent of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP with respect to its opinion relating to the legality of the securities being issued (included in Exhibit 5) *23(b) Consent of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP with respect to its tax opinion (included in Exhibit 8) 23(c) Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (with respect to Peoples) 23(d) Consent of Young & Associates, Inc., financial advisors to The Lower Salem Commercial Bank 23(e) Consent of Dixon, Francis, Davis & Company 24 Powers of Attorney of Directors and Executive Officers of Peoples authorizing the signing of their names to this Registration Statement and any and all amendments to this Registration Statement and other documents submitted in connection herewith 99(a) Form of Notice of Special Meeting of Shareholders of The Lower Salem Commercial Bank (set forth immediately following the cover page of this Registration Statement) 99(b) Form of Proxy to be used in connection with Special Meeting of Shareholders of The Lower Salem Commercial Bank *ToEXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number Description Exhibit Location - ---------------- ----------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- 2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of Filed herewith. November 29, 2002, by and between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated as amended as of March 6, 2003 (excluding schedules) (included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix A). 2.2 Plan of Merger, dated as of March __, 2003, Filed herewith. by and between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated (included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix B). 3.1 Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit Bancorp Inc. (as filed with the Ohio 3(a) to the Registrant's Registration Secretary of State on May 3, 1993). Statement on Form 8-B filed July 20, 1993 (File No. 0-16772). 3.2 Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit Articles of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (as filed 3(a)(2) to the Registrant's Annual Report on with the Ohio Secretary of State on April 22, Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 1994). 1997 (File No. 0-16772) (the "1997 Form 10-K"). 3.3 Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit Articles of Peoples Bancorp Inc. (as filed 3(a)(3) to the Registrant's 1997 Form 10-K. with the Ohio Secretary of State on April 9, 1996). 3.4 Amended Articles of Incorporation of Peoples Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit Bancorp Inc. (reflecting amendments through 3(a)(4) to the Registrant's 1997 Form 10-K. April 9, 1996) [For SEC reporting compliance purposes only - not filed with Ohio Secretary of State]. 3.5 Regulations of Peoples Bancorp Inc. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed July 20, 1993 (File No. 0-16772). 4.1 Indenture, dated as of April 20, 1999, Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Wilmington 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form Trust Company, as Debenture Trustee, relating S-4 (Registration No. 333-81251) filed on to Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest June 22, 1999 by the Registrant and PEBO Debentures. Capital Trust I (the "1999 Form S-4"). 4.2 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit PEBO Capital Trust I, dated as of April 20, 4.5 to the 1999 Form S-4. 1999. 4.3 Series B Capital Securities Guarantee Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit Agreement, dated as of September 23, 1999, 4(i) to the Registrant's Annual Report on between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Wilmington Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee, relating 31, 1999 (File No. 0-16772). to Series B 8.62% Capital Securities. 4.4 Indenture, dated as of April 10, 2002, Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Wilmington 4.1 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to quarterly period ended September 30, 2002 Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debt (File No. 0-16772) (the "September 30, 2002 Securities. Form 10-Q"). 4.5 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit PEBO Capital Trust II, dated as of April 10, 4.2 to the September 30, 2002 Form 10-Q. 2002. 4.6 Guarantee Agreement, dated as of April 10, Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2002, between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and 4.3 to the September 30, 2002 Form 10-Q. Wilmington Trust Company, as Guarantee Trustee, relating to Floating Rate MMCapSSM Capital Securities. 5.1 Opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease Filed herewith. LLP, as to the legality of the securities being issued. 8.1 Opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease To be filed by amendment. LLP, as to tax matters. 10.1 Stockholder Voting Agreement, dated as of Filed herewith. November 29, 2002, by and among Peoples Bancorp Inc. and the individual directors of Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated. 10.2 Deferred Compensation Agreement dated Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit November 16, 1976, between Robert E. Evans 6(g) to the Registrant's Registration and The Peoples Banking and Trust Company, as Statement No. 2-68524 on Form S-14 of amended March 13, 1979.* Peoples Bancorp Inc., a Delaware corporation, Peoples predecessor. 10.3 Peoples Bancorp Inc. Deferred Compensation Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit Plan for Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc. 10(a) to the Registrant's Registration and Subsidiaries (Amended and Restated Statement on Form S-8 filed December 31, Effective January 2, 1998).* 1997 (Registration No. 333-43629). 10.4 Amendment No. 1 to Peoples Bancorp Inc. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of 10(b) to the Registrant's Post-Effective Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 filed September effective January 2, 1998.* 4, 1998 (Registration No. 333-43629). 10.5 Summary of the Performance Compensation Plan Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit for Peoples Bancorp Inc. effective for 10(c) to the Registrant's Annual Report on calendar years beginning on or after January Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 1, 2002.* 31, 2002 (File No. 0-16772) (the "2002 Form 10-K"). 10.6 Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1993 Stock Option Plan.* 4 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed August 25, 1993 (Registration No. 33-67878). 10.7 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit connection with grant of non-qualified stock 10(g) to the Registrant's Annual Report on options under Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan.* 31, 1995 (File No. 0-16772) (the "1995 Form 10-K"). 10.8 Form of Stock Option Agreement dated May 20, Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1993, used in connection with grant of 10(h) to the Registrant's 1995 Form 10-K. incentive stock options under Peoples Bancorp. Inc. Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan.* 10.9 Form of Stock Option Agreement dated November Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10, 1994, used in connection with grant of 10(i) to the Registrant's 1995 Form 10-K. incentive stock options under Peoples Bancorp Inc. Amended and Restated 1993 Stock Option Plan.* 10.10 Peoples Bancorp inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan.* Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Registrant's Form S-8 filed May 24, 1995 (Registration Statement No. 33-59569). 10.11 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit connection with grant of non-qualified stock 10(k) to the Registrant's 1995 Form 10-K. options to non-employee directors of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan.* 10.12 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit connection with grant of non-qualified stock 10(l) to the Registrant's 1995 Form 10-K. options to non-employee directors of Peoples' subsidiaries under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan.* 10.13 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit connection with grant of incentive stock 10(m) to the Registrant's Annual Report on options under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1995 Stock Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December Option Plan.* 31, 1998 (File No. 0-16772) (the "1998 Form 10-K). 10.14 Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan.* Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Registrant's Form S-8 filed September 4, 1998 (Registration Statement No. 333-62935). 10.15 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit connection with grant of non-qualified stock 10(o) to the Registrant's 1998 Form 10-K. options to non-employee directors of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan.* 10.16 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit connection with grant of non-qualified stock 10(p) to the Registrant's 1998 Form 10-K. options to consultants/advisors of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Option Plan.* 10.17 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit connection with grant of incentive stock 10(o) to the Registrant's Annual Report on options under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 1998 Stock Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December Option Plan.* 31, 1999 (File No. 0-16772). 10.18 Registration Rights Agreement, dated April Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 20, 1999, among Peoples Bancorp Inc., PEBO 4.11 to the 1999 Form S-4. Capital Trust I and Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P. 10.19 Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan.* Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Registrant's Form S-8 filed April 15, 2002 (Registration Statement No. 333-86246). 10.20 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(r) connection with grant of non-qualified stock to the Registrant's 2002 Form 10-K. options to directors of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan.* 10.21 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(s) connection with grant of non-qualified stock to the Registrant's 2002 Form 10-K. options to subsidiary directors of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan.* 10.22 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(t) connection with grant of non-qualified stock to the Registrant's 2002 Form 10-K. options to employees of Peoples under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan.* 10.23 Form of Stock Option Agreement used in Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(u) connection with grant of incentive stock to the Registrant's 2002 Form 10-K. options under Peoples Bancorp Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan.* 10.24 Loan Agreement dated as of June 13, 2002, by Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit and between Peoples Bancorp Inc. and First 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Tennessee Bank National Association. Form 8-K filed December 13, 2002 (File No. 0-16772). 10.25 Promissory note executed by Peoples Bancorp Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit Inc., as Maker in the principal amount of 10.2 to Peoples' Current Report on Form 8-K $17,000,000 dated June 13, 2002. filed December 13, 2002 (File No. 0-16772). 10.26 Commercial Pledge Agreement dated as of June Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 13, 2002, by and between Peoples Bancorp Inc. 10.2 to Peoples' Current Report on Form 8-K and First Tennessee Bank National Association. filed December 13, 2002 (File No. 0-16772). 12.1 Statements re Computation of Ratios. Filed herewith. 21.1 Subsidiaries of Peoples Bancorp Inc. Filed herewith. 23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent Filed herewith. auditors. 23.2 Consent of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease Filed herewith. LLP with respect to its opinion relating to the legality of the securities being issued (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1). 23.3 Consent of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease To be filed by amendment. LLP with respect to its tax opinion (included in opinion filed as Exhibit 8.1). 23.4 Consent of Alex Sheshunoff & Co. Investment Filed herewith. Banking, L.P., financial advisors to Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated. 24.1 Powers of Attorney of Directors and Executive Filed herewith. Officers of Peoples Bancorp Inc. authorizing the signing of their names to this Registration Statement and any and all amendments to this Registration Statement and other documents submitted in connection herewith. 99.1 Form of Fairness Opinion by Alex Sheshunoff & Filed herewith. Co. Investment Banking, L.P. (included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix C). 99.2 Form of Notice of Special Meeting of Filed herewith. Shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated (set forth immediately following the cover page of this Registration Statement). 99.3 Form of Proxy to be used in connection with Filed herewith. Special Meeting of Shareholders of Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated. 99.4 Form of Letter to be sent to shareholders of To be filed by amendment. Kentucky Bancshares Incorporated. - -------------------------------------------------------------------- *Management Compensation Plan