CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 1 of 20 |
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 2)
FAIRMOUNT BANCORP, INC.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
305468100
(CUSIP Number)
Mr. Joseph Stilwell
111 Broadway, 12th Floor
New York, New York 10006
Telephone: (212) 269-1551
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
February 25, 2014
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.¨
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 2 of 20 |
| 1. | Names of Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only). |
|
| Stilwell Value Partners I, L.P. |
| 2. | Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) |
|
| (a) x |
|
| (b) |
| 3. | SEC Use Only |
| 4. | Source of Funds (See Instructions) WC, OO |
| 5. | Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)¨ |
| 6. | Citizenship or Place of Organization: Delaware |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With | |
7. Sole Voting Power: 0 |
8. Shared Voting Power: 28,048 |
9. Sole Dispositive Power: 0 |
10. Shared Dispositive Power: 28,048 |
| 11. | Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 28,048 |
| 12. | Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)¨ |
| 13. | Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11): 5.8% |
| 14. | Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) PN |
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 3 of 20 |
| 1. | Names of Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only). |
|
| Stilwell Activist Fund, L.P. |
| 2. | Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) |
|
| (a) x |
|
| (b) |
| 3. | SEC Use Only |
| 4. | Source of Funds (See Instructions) WC, OO |
| 5. | Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)¨ |
| 6. | Citizenship or Place of Organization: Delaware |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With | |
7. Sole Voting Power: 0 |
8. Shared Voting Power: 28,048 |
9. Sole Dispositive Power: 0 |
10. Shared Dispositive Power: 28,048 |
| 11. | Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 28,048 |
| 12. | Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)¨ |
| 13. | Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11): 5.8% |
| 14. | Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) PN |
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 4 of 20 |
| 1. | Names of Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only). |
|
| Stilwell Partners, L.P. |
| 2. | Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) |
|
| (a) x |
|
| (b) |
| 3. | SEC Use Only |
| 4. | Source of Funds (See Instructions) WC, OO |
| 5. | Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)¨ |
| 6. | Citizenship or Place of Organization: Delaware |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With | 7. Sole Voting Power: 0 |
8. Shared Voting Power: 28,048 |
9. Sole Dispositive Power: 0 |
10. Shared Dispositive Power: 28,048 |
| 11. | Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person:28,048 |
| 12. | Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)¨ |
| 13. | Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11): 5.8% |
| 14. | Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) PN |
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 5 of 20 |
| 1. | Names of Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only). |
|
| Stilwell Value LLC |
| 2. | Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) |
|
| (a) x |
|
| (b) |
| 3. | SEC Use Only |
| 4. | Source of Funds (See Instructions) n/a |
| 5. | Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)¨ |
| 6. | Citizenship or Place of Organization: Delaware |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With | |
7. Sole Voting Power: 0 |
8. Shared Voting Power: 28,048 |
9. Sole Dispositive Power: 0 |
10. Shared Dispositive Power: 28,048 |
| 11. | Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 28,048 |
| 12. | Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)¨ |
| 13. | Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11): 5.8% |
| 14. | Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) OO |
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 6 of 20 |
| 1. | Names of Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only). |
|
| Joseph Stilwell |
| 2. | Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) |
|
| (a) x |
|
| (b) |
| 3. | SEC Use Only |
| 4. | Source of Funds (See Instructions) n/a |
| 5. | Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)¨ |
| 6. | Citizenship or Place of Organization: United States |
Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With | |
7. Sole Voting Power: 0 |
8. Shared Voting Power: 28,048 |
9. Sole Dispositive Power: 0 |
10. Shared Dispositive Power: 28,048 |
| 11. | Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 28,048 |
| 12. | Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)¨ |
| 13. | Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11): 5.8% |
| 14. | Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions) IN |
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 7 of 20 |
Item 1. Security and Issuer
This is the second amendment (this "Second Amendment") to the original Schedule 13D, which was filed on September 21, 2012 (the "Original Schedule 13D"), and amended on May 10, 2013 (the "First Amendment"). This Second Amendment is being filed jointly by Stilwell Value Partners I, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Stilwell Value Partners I"); Stilwell Activist Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Stilwell Activist Fund"); Stilwell Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Stilwell Partners"); Stilwell Value LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Stilwell Value LLC"), and the general partner of Stilwell Value Partners I and Stilwell Activist Fund; and Joseph Stilwell, the managing member of and owner of more than 99% of the equity in Stilwell Value LLC, and the general partner of Stilwell Partners. The filers of this statement are collectively referred to herein as the “Group.”
This statement relates to the common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), of Fairmount Bancorp, Inc. (the “Issuer”). The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is 8216 Philadelphia Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21237. The amended joint filing agreement of the members of the Group is attached as Exhibit 2 to the First Amendment.
Item 2. Identity and Background
(a)-(c) This statement is filed by Joseph Stilwell with respect to the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Joseph Stilwell, including shares of Common Stock held in the names of Stilwell Value Partners I, Stilwell Activist Fund and Stilwell Partners, in Joseph Stilwell’s capacities as the managing member and 99% owner of Stilwell Value LLC, which is the general partner of Stilwell Value Partners I and Stilwell Activist Fund, and the general partner of Stilwell Partners.
The business address of Stilwell Value Partners I, Stilwell Activist Fund, Stilwell Partners, Stilwell Value LLC, and Joseph Stilwell is 111 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, New York 10006.
The principal employment of Joseph Stilwell is investment management. Stilwell Value Partners I, Stilwell Activist Fund and Stilwell Partners are private investment partnerships engaged in the purchase and sale of securities for their own accounts. Stilwell Value LLC is in the business of serving as the general partner of Stilwell Value Partners I, Stilwell Activist Fund and related partnerships.
(d) During the past five years, no member of the Group has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).
(e) During the past five years, no member of the Group has been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and, as a result of such proceeding, was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, Federal or State securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
(f) Joseph Stilwell is a citizen of the United States.
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 8 of 20 |
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration
Since the filing of the First Amendment, Stilwell Activist Fund has expended a total of $35,650 to acquire 1,700 shares of Common Stock. Such funds were provided from Stilwell Activist Fund's working capital and may, from time to time, be provided in part by margin account loans from subsidiaries of Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC extended in the ordinary course of business.
All purchases of shares of Common Stock made by the Group using funds borrowed from Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, if any, were made in margin transactions on their usual terms and conditions. All or part of the shares of Common Stock owned by members of the Group may from time to time be pledged with one or more banking institutions or brokerage firms as collateral for loans made by such entities to members of the Group. Such loans generally bear interest at a rate based on the broker’s call rate from time to time in effect. Such indebtedness, if any, may be refinanced with other banks or broker-dealers.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction
We are filing this Second Amendment to announce that, with the passage of time, we now believe the Issuer should be sold to maximize shareholder value. We believe the Issuer's return on equity is inadequate and unlikely to adequately improve for the foreseeable future.
Our purpose in acquiring shares of Common Stock of the Issuer is to profit from the appreciation in the market price of the shares of Common Stock through asserting shareholder rights. We do not believe the value of the Issuer’s assets is reflected in the current market price of the Issuer’s Common Stock.
We still hope to work with management and the board of directors. However, we intend to seek board representation at next year's annual shareholder meeting if the Issuer has not announced its sale.
Since 2000, affiliates of the Group have filed Schedule 13Ds to report greater than five percent positions in 49 other publicly traded companies. For simplicity, these affiliates are referred to as the “Group”, “we”, “us”, or “our.” In each instance, our purpose has been to profit from the appreciation in the market price of the shares we held by asserting shareholder rights. In each situation, we believed that the values of the companies’ assets were not adequately reflected in the market prices of their shares. The filings are described below.
On May 1, 2000, we filed a Schedule 13D to report a position in Security of Pennsylvania Financial Corp. ("SPN"). We scheduled a meeting with senior management to discuss ways to maximize the value of SPN's assets. On June 2, 2000, prior to the scheduled meeting, SPN and Northeast Pennsylvania Financial Corp. announced SPN's acquisition. We then sold our shares on the open market.
On July 7, 2000, we filed a Schedule 13D to report a position in Cameron Financial Corporation ("Cameron"). We exercised our shareholder rights by, among other things, requesting that Cameron management hire an investment banker, demanding Cameron's list of shareholders, meeting with Cameron's management, demanding that Cameron invite our representatives to join the board, writing to other Cameron shareholders to express our dismay with management's inability to maximize shareholder value and publishing that letter in the local press. On October 6, 2000, Cameron announced its sale to Dickinson Financial Corp., and we sold our shares on the open market.
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 9 of 20 |
On January 4, 2001, following the announcement by Community Financial Corp. ("CFIC") of the sale of two of its four subsidiary banks and its intention to sell one or more of its remaining subsidiaries, we filed a Schedule 13D to report our position. We reported that we acquired CFIC stock for investment purposes. On January 25, 2001, CFIC announced the sale of one of its remaining subsidiaries. We then announced our intention to run an alternate slate of directors at the 2001 annual meeting if CFIC did not sell the remaining subsidiary by then. On March 27, 2001, we wrote to CFIC confirming that CFIC had agreed to meet with one of our proposed nominees to the board. On March 30, 2001, before our meeting took place, CFIC announced its merger with First Financial Corporation, and we sold our shares on the open market.
On February 23, 2001, we filed a Schedule 13D to report a position in Montgomery Financial Corporation ("Montgomery"). On April 20, 2001, we met with Montgomery's management, and suggested that they maximize shareholder value by selling the institution. We also informed management that we would run an alternate slate of directors at the 2001 annual meeting unless Montgomery were sold. Eleven days after we filed our Schedule 13D, however, Montgomery's board amended its bylaws to make it more difficult for us to run an alternate slate by limiting the pool of potential nominees to local persons with a banking relation and shortening the deadline to nominate an alternate slate. We located qualified nominees under the restrictive bylaw provisions and noticed our slate within the deadline. On June 5, 2001, Montgomery announced that it had hired a banker to explore a sale. On July 24, 2001, Montgomery announced its merger with Union Community Bancorp.
On June 14, 2001, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in HCB Bancshares, Inc. ("HCBB"). On September 4, 2001, we reported that we had entered into a standstill agreement with HCBB, under which HCBB agreed to: (a) add a director selected by us, (b) consider conducting a Dutch tender auction, (c) institute annual financial targets, and (d) retain an investment banker to explore alternatives if it did not achieve the financial targets. On October 22, 2001, our nominee, John G. Rich, Esq., was named to the board. On January 31, 2002, HCBB announced a modified Dutch tender auction to repurchase 20% of its shares. Although HCBB's outstanding share count decreased by 33% between the filing of our original Schedule 13D and August 2003, HCBB did not achieve the financial target. On August 12, 2003, HCBB announced it had hired a banker to assist in exploring alternatives for maximizing shareholder value, including a sale. On January 14, 2004, HCBB announced its sale to Rock Bancshares Inc. and we sold our shares on the open market.
On December 15, 2000, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Oregon Trail Financial Corp. ("OTFC"). In January 2001, we met with the management of OTFC to discuss our concerns that management was not maximizing shareholder value, and we proposed that OTFC voluntarily place our nominees on the board. OTFC rejected our proposal, and we announced our intention to solicit proxies to elect a board nominee. We demanded OTFC's shareholder list, but it refused. We sued OTFC in Baker County, Oregon, and the court ruled in our favor and sanctioned it. We also sued two OTFC directors alleging that one had violated OTFC's residency requirement and that the other had committed perjury. Both suits were dismissed pre-trial but we filed an appeal in one suit and were permitted to re-file the other suit in state court. On August 16, 2001, we started soliciting proxies to elect Kevin D. Padrick, Esq. to the board. We argued in our proxy materials that OTFC should have repurchased its shares at prices below book value. OTFC announced the hiring of an investment banker. Then, the day after the 9/11 attacks, OTFC sued us in Portland, Oregon and moved to invalidate our proxies; the court denied the motion and the election proceeded.
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 10 of 20 |
On October 12, 2001, OTFC's shareholders elected our candidate by a 2-1 margin. In the five months after the filing of our first proxy statement (i.e., from August 1, 2001 through December 31, 2001), OTFC repurchased approximately 15% of its shares. On March 12, 2002, we entered into a standstill agreement with OTFC. OTFC agreed to: (a) achieve annual targets for return on equity, (b) reduce their current capital ratio, (c) obtain advice from an investment banker regarding annual 10% stock repurchases, (d) re-elect our director to the board, (e) reimburse a portion of our expenses, and (f) withdraw their lawsuit. On February 24, 2003, OTFC and FirstBank NW Corp. announced their merger, and we sold substantially all of our shares on the open market.
On November 25, 2002, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in American Physicians Capital, Inc. ("ACAP"). The Schedule 13D disclosed that on January 18, 2002, Michigan's insurance department had approved our request to solicit proxies to elect two directors to ACAP's board. On January 29, 2002, we noticed our intention to nominate two directors at the 2002 annual meeting. On February 20, 2002, we entered into a three-year standstill agreement with ACAP, providing for ACAP to add our nominee to its board. ACAP also agreed to consider using a portion of its excess capital to repurchase ACAP's shares in each of the fiscal years 2002 and 2003 so that its outstanding share count would decrease by 15% for each of those years. In its 2002 fiscal year, ACAP repurchased 15% of its outstanding shares; these repurchases were highly accretive to per-share book value. On November 6, 2003, ACAP announced a reserve charge and that it would explore options to maximize shareholder value. It also announced that it would exit the healthcare and workers' compensation insurance businesses. ACAP then announced that it had retained Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P., to assist the board. On December 2, 2003, ACAP announced the early retirement of its President and CEO. On December 23, 2003, ACAP named R. Kevin Clinton its new President and CEO. On June 24, 2004, ACAP announced that it had decided that the best means to maximize shareholder value would be to shed non-core businesses and focus on its core business line in its core markets. We increased our holdings in ACAP, and we announced that we intended to seek additional board representation. On November 10, 2004, ACAP invited Mr. Stilwell to sit on the board, and we entered into a new standstill agreement. This agreement was terminated in November 2007, with our nominees remaining on ACAP's board. On May 8, 2008, our nominees were re-elected to three-year terms expiring in 2011. On passage of federal healthcare legislation in 2010, ACAP became concerned about the fundamentals of its business and promptly acted to assess its strategic alternatives. On October 22, 2010, ACAP was acquired by The Doctors Company.
On June 30, 2003, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in FPIC Insurance Group, Inc. ("FPIC"). On August 12, 2003, Florida's insurance department approved our request to hold more than 5% of FPIC's shares, to solicit proxies to hold board seats, and to exercise shareholder rights. On November 10, 2003, FPIC invited our nominee, John G. Rich, Esq., to join the board and we signed a confidentiality agreement. On June 7, 2004, we disclosed that because FPIC's management had taken steps to increase shareholder value and because its market price increased and reflected fair value in our estimation, we sold our shares on the open market, decreasing our holdings below five percent. Our nominee was invited to remain on the board after we sold our stake.
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 11 of 20 |
On March 29, 2004, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Community Bancshares, Inc. ("COMB"). We disclosed our intention to meet with COMB's management and evaluate management's progress in resolving its regulatory issues, lawsuits, problem loans, and non-performing assets, and that we would likely support management if it effectively addressed COMB's challenges. On November 21, 2005, we amended our Schedule 13D and stated that although we believed that COMB's management had made good progress, COMB's return on equity would likely remain below average for the foreseeable future, and it should therefore be sold. On November 21, 2005, we also stated that if COMB did not announce a sale before our deadline to solicit proxies for the next annual meeting, we would solicit proxies to elect our own slate. On January 6, 2006, we disclosed the names of our three board nominees. On May 1, 2006, COMB announced its sale to The Banc Corporation, and we sold our shares on the open market.
On June 20, 2005, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Prudential Bancorp, Inc. of Pennsylvania ("PBIP"). Most of PBIP's shares are held by the Prudential Mutual Holding Company (the "MHC"), which is controlled by PBIP's board. The MHC controls most corporate decisions coming up for a shareholder vote, such as the election of directors. But regulations promulgated by the FDIC previously barred the MHC from voting on PBIP's management stock benefit plans, and PBIP's IPO prospectus indicated that the MHC would not vote on the plans. We announced in August 2005 that we would solicit proxies to oppose adoption of the plans as a referendum to place Mr. Stilwell on the board. PBIP decided not to put the plans up for a vote at the 2006 annual meeting.
In December 2005, we solicited proxies to withhold votes on the election of directors as a referendum to place Mr. Stilwell on the board. At the 2006 annual meeting, 71% of PBIP's voting public shares were withheld from voting on management's nominees.
On April 6, 2006, PBIP announced that just after we had filed our Schedule 13D, it had secretly solicited a letter from an FDIC staffer (which it concealed from the public) that the MHC would be allowed to vote in favor of the plans. PBIP also announced a special meeting to vote on the plans. We alerted the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Fed") about this announcement, and PBIP was directed to seek Fed approval before adopting the plans. On April 19, 2006, PBIP postponed the special meeting. The Fed subsequently followed the FDIC's position in September 2006. In December 2006, we solicited proxies to withhold votes on the election of PBIP's directors at the 2007 annual meeting. At the meeting, 75% of PBIP's voting public shares were withheld. Also during the annual meeting, PBIP's President and Chief Executive Officer, in response to a question posed by Mr. Stilwell, was unable to state the meaning of per share return on equity. On March 7, 2007, we disclosed that we were publicizing the results of PBIP's elections and its directors' unwillingness to hold a democratic vote on the stock plans by placing billboard advertisements throughout Philadelphia.
In December 2007, we filed proxy materials for the solicitation of proxies to withhold votes on the election of PBIP's directors at the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders. At the February 4, 2008 annual meeting, an average of 77% of PBIP's voting public shares withheld their votes. Excluding shares held in PBIP's ESOP, an average of 88% of the voting public shares withheld their votes in this election.
On October 4, 2006, we sued PBIP, the MHC, and the directors of PBIP and the MHC in federal court in Philadelphia seeking an order to prevent the MHC from voting in favor of the plans. On August 15, 2007, the court dismissed some claims, but sustained our cause of action against the MHC as majority shareholder of PBIP for breach of fiduciary duties. Discovery proceeded and all the directors were deposed. Both sides moved for summary judgment, but the court ordered the case to trial which was scheduled for June 2008. On May 22, 2008, we voluntarily discontinued the lawsuit after determining that it would be more effective and appropriate to pursue the directors on a personal basis in a derivative action. On June 11, 2008, we filed a notice to appeal certain portions of the lower court's August 15, 2007 order dismissing portions of the lawsuit.
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 12 of 20 |
We entered into a settlement agreement and an expense agreement with PBIP in November 2008 under which we agreed to support PBIP's stock benefit plans, drop our litigation and withdraw our shareholder demand, and generally support management, and, in exchange, PBIP agreed, subject to certain conditions, to repurchase up to 3 million of its shares (including shares previously purchased), reimburse a portion of our expenses, and either adopt a second step conversion or add our nominee who meets certain qualification requirements to its board if the repurchases were not completed by a specified time.
On March 5, 2010, we reported that our ownership in PBIP had dropped below 5 percent as a result of open market sales and sales of common stock to PBIP.
On January 19, 2006, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in SCPIE Holdings Inc. ("SKP"). We announced we would run our slate of directors at the 2006 annual meeting and demanded SKP's shareholder list. SKP initially refused to timely produce the list, but did so after we sued it in Delaware Chancery Court. We engaged in a proxy contest at the 2006 annual meeting, but SKP's directors were elected. On December 14, 2006, SKP agreed to place Mr. Stilwell on the board. On October 16, 2007, Mr. Stilwell resigned from SKP's board after it approved a sale of SKP that Mr. Stilwell believed was an inferior offer. We solicited shareholder proxies in opposition to the proposed sale; however, the sale was approved.
On July 27, 2006, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Roma Financial Corp. ("ROMA"). Prior to its acquisition by Investors Bancorp, Inc., in December 2013, nearly 70% of ROMA's shares were held by a mutual holding company (like PBIP, WMPN and NECB) controlled by ROMA's board. In April 2007, we engaged in a proxy solicitation at ROMA's first annual meeting, urging shareholders to withhold their vote from management's slate. ROMA did not put their stock benefit plans up for a vote at that meeting. We then met with ROMA management. In the four months after ROMA became eligible to repurchase its shares, it promptly announced and substantially completed repurchases of 15% of its publicly held shares, which were accretive to shareholder value. In our judgment, management came to understand the importance of proper capital allocation. Based on ROMA management's prompt implementation of shareholder-friendly capital allocation plans, we supported management's adoption of stock benefit plans at the 2008 shareholder meeting, and we sold our shares in the open market.
On November 5, 2007, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Northeast Community Bancorp, Inc. ("NECB"). A majority of NECB's shares are held by a mutual holding company (like PBIP and WMPN) controlled by NECB's board. We presented a model stock benefit plan to management that we would support based on a vesting schedule that more closely aligns management's interests to shareholder returns. NECB’s management responded to the proposal with a form letter. On July 1, 2010, we delivered a written demand to NECB demanding to inspect its shareholder list. On July 22, 2010, NECB announced its first ever share repurchase plan. NECB, however, refused to supply us with the shareholder list. Therefore, on July 23, 2010, we sued NECB in federal court in New York seeking an order compelling compliance. On August 31, 2010, NECB produced the list of shareholders to us and we dismissed the lawsuit. We have written to shareholders expressing our belief that NECB’s directors have not properly overseen management. On October 3, 2011, we sent a letter to NECB's board of directors demanding that NECB expand the board with disinterested directors to consider a second step conversion. On November 2, 2011, we filed a lawsuit in New York state court against NECB, the mutual holding company and their boards of directors, personally and derivatively, for breach of fiduciary duty arising out of failure to fairly consider a second step conversion. On November 16, 2011, we sent a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission arguing that Part II, Item 1 of NECB's Form 10-Q, filed on November 14, 2011, is misleading in regards to our lawsuit. On October 21, 2013, the court denied NECB's motion to dismiss our lawsuit and the case will proceed.
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 13 of 20 |
On May 23, 2008, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in William Penn Bancorp, Inc. ("WMPN"). A majority of WMPN's shares are held by a mutual holding company (like PBIP and NECB) controlled by WMPN's board. We hope to work with management in maximizing shareholder value. We provided a PowerPoint presentation to management regarding our views on capital allocation.
On May 30, 2008, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Malvern Federal Bancorp, Inc. ("MLVF"). When we announced our reporting position, a majority of MLVF's shares were held by a mutual holding company (like PBIP, WMPN and NECB) controlled by MLVF's board. On October 26, 2010, we demanded that MLVF pursue a derivative action against its directors for breach of their fiduciary duties. MLVF failed to pursue the action and, on June 3, 2011, we sued MLVF's directors demanding that the court, among other things, order the directors to properly consider pursuing a second step conversion. On November 9, 2011, The Honorable Judge Howard F. Riley, Jr., overruled the director defendants' preliminary objections to the derivative lawsuit. On January 17, 2012, MLVF announced its intention to undertake a second step conversion and we withdrew the lawsuit. The conversion and stock offering were completed on October 11, 2012, and our shares were converted into shares of Malvern Bancorp, Inc. On September 5, 2013, we notified MLVF of our intention to nominate John P. O'Grady for election as a director at its 2014 annual meeting, but we later reached an agreement with MLVF for Mr. O'Grady to join its board of directors.
On November 7, 2008, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Kingsway Financial Services Inc. ("KFS"). We requested a meeting with its CEO and chairman to discuss ways to maximize shareholder value and minimize both operational and balance sheet risks, but the CEO was unresponsive. We then requisitioned a special shareholder meeting to remove the CEO and chairman from the KFS board and replace them with our two nominees. On January 7, 2009, we entered into a settlement agreement with KFS whereby, among other things, the CEO resigned from the KFS board and KFS expanded its board from nine to ten seats and appointed our nominees to fill the two vacant seats on the board. By April 23, 2009, the board was reconstituted with just three of the original ten legacy directors remaining. Also, Joseph Stilwell was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of one of our nominees, Larry G. Swets, Jr., and our other nominee, Spencer L. Schneider, was elected chairman of the board. In addition, the CEO and CFO were fired for incompetence and insubordination. By November 3, 2009, all of the legacy directors had resigned from the board. On May 27, 2010, Mr. Stilwell and Mr. Schneider were re-elected to the board. On June 1, 2010, Mr. Swets was appointed CEO. During the time the Group has had board representation, KFS has sold non-core assets, repurchased public debt at a discount to face value, sold a credit-sensitive asset, disposed of its subsidiary Lincoln General, substantially reduced its expenses, and reduced other balance sheet and operations risks.
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 14 of 20 |
On December 29, 2008, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in First Savings Financial Group, Inc. ("FSFG"). We met with management in New York. FSFG announced a stock repurchase plan and began repurchasing its shares. In December 2009, we reported that our beneficial ownership in the outstanding FSFG common stock had fallen below 5 percent.
On March 12, 2009, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Alliance Bancorp, Inc. of Pennsylvania ("ALLB"). When we announced our reporting position, a majority of ALLB's shares were held by a mutual holding company (like PBIP, WMPN and NECB) controlled by ALLB's board. However, on August 11, 2010, ALLB announced its intention to undertake a second step offering, selling all shares to the public. The plan of conversion and reorganization was approved by depositors at a special meeting held December 29, 2010. We strongly supported ALLB’s action. Following completion of the conversion of Alliance Bank from the mutual holding company structure to the stock holding company structure, we increased our stake with the belief that shareholders and ALLB will do well if management focuses on profitability.
On September 24, 2010, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in FedFirst Financial Corporation ("FFCO"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On October 8, 2010, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Wayne Savings Bancshares, Inc. ("WAYN"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On October 18, 2010, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Standard Financial Corp. ("STND"). On March 19, 2013, we disclosed that we sold shares on the open market, decreasing our holdings below 5 percent.
On January 3, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Home Federal Bancorp, Inc. of Louisiana ("HFBL"). On February 7, 2013, we disclosed that we sold shares on the open market, decreasing our holdings below 5 percent.
On February 7, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Wolverine Bancorp, Inc. ("WBKC"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On February 28, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in SP Bancorp, Inc. ("SPBC"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On March 28, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Eureka Financial Corp. ("EKFC"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On April 1, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Harvard Illinois Bancorp, Inc. ("HARI"). On February 7, 2012, we stated our intention to nominate a director at HARI's 2012 annual meeting of stockholders and also disclosed the names of our nominee and alternate nominee. On March 2, 2012, we sent a letter to HARI's stockholders expressing our belief that HARI should seek a stronger community bank as a merger partner. We mailed our proxy materials to HARI's stockholders in April 2012 seeking election of our nominee. On May 25, 2012, we reported that our nominee was not elected to the HARI board of directors and that we intended to run a board nominee at the HARI annual stockholders meeting in 2013. We mailed our proxy materials to HARI's stockholders on April 3, 2013 seeking election of our nominee. On June 4, 2013, we reported that our nominee was not elected to the HARI board of directors and that we intended to run a board nominee at the HARI annual stockholders meeting in 2014. On March 3, 2014, we stated our intention to nominate an individual for election as a director at HARI's 2014 annual meeting of stockholders and also disclosed the names of our nominee and alternate nominees.
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 15 of 20 |
On April 11, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Fraternity Community Bancorp, Inc. ("FRTR"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On April 18, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Sunshine Financial, Inc. ("SSNF"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On July 5, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc. ("JXSB"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On July 11, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Naugatuck Valley Financial Corporation ("NVSL"). On February 13, 2014, we reported our intention to seek board representation.
On August 24, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Colonial Financial Services, Inc. ("COBK"). On December 18, 2013, we reached an agreement with COBK to have a director of our choice appointed to its board of directors. We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On September 12, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in First Financial Northwest, Inc. ("FFNW"). On January 11, 2012, a representative of the Group became a member of FFNW's Board. On February 15, 2012, our representative resigned and we announced our intention to run a contested election at FFNW's 2012 annual meeting of shareholders. We mailed our proxy materials to FFNW's shareholders in April 2012 seeking election of our nominee. At FFNW's 2012 annual meeting of shareholders held on May 24, 2012, our nominee beat Victor Karpiak, the Chairman and President, by a substantial percentage. FFNW attempted to invalidate our votes and we sued to enforce our rights. In accordance with the settlement we reached with FFNW in December 2012, our nominee, Kevin Padrick, was appointed to FFNW's board on March 14, 2013, and Victor Karpiak resigned as Chairman.
On September 23, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Poage Bankshares, Inc. ("PBSK"). On February 24, 2014, we stated our intention to nominate an individual for election as a director at PBSK's 2014 annual meeting of stockholders and also disclosed the names of our nominee and alternate nominee.
On September 29, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in United Insurance Holdings Corp. ("UIHC"). On December 17, 2012, we disclosed that we sold shares on the open market, decreasing our holdings below five percent.
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 16 of 20 |
On October 7, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Provident Financial Holdings, Inc. (“PROV”). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On October 24, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in ASB Bancorp, Inc. ("ASBB"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On November 21, 2011, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Sound Financial, Inc. ("SNFL"). On August 22, 2012, Sound Financial Bancorp, Inc. ("SFBC") announced completion of its second step conversion and our shares of SNFL were converted into shares of SFBC. We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On January 19, 2012, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in West End Indiana Bancshares, Inc. ("WEIN"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On March 5, 2012, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in IF Bancorp, Inc. ("IROQ"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On May 7, 2012, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Anchor Bancorp ("ANCB"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On July 23, 2012, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Georgetown Bancorp, Inc. ("GTWN"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On October 22, 2012, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Hamilton Bancorp, Inc. ("HBK"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On November 23, 2012, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Polonia Bancorp, Inc. ("PBCP"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On November 29, 2012, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in TF Financial Corporation ("THRD"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On January 22, 2013, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in United Community Bancorp ("UCBA"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On February 25, 2013, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in HopFed Bancorp, Inc. ("HFBC"). We mailed our proxy materials to HFBC's stockholders on April 5, 2013 seeking election of our nominee as a director at HFBC's 2013 annual meeting of stockholders on May 15, 2013. Our nominee, Robert Bolton, beat HFBC's nominee by a two to one margin.
On April 8, 2013, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Jefferson Bancshares, Inc. ("JFBI"). Our shareholder proposal at JFBI's 2013 annual shareholder meeting was defeated. We met with management and the board of directors of JFBI and let them know we would seek board representation at JFBI's 2014 annual shareholder meeting if JFBI did not announce its sale. JFBI announced its sale on January 23, 2014. On March 3, 2014, we disclosed that we sold shares on the open market, decreasing our holdings below 5 percent.
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 17 of 20 |
On May 20, 2013, we filed a Schedule 13D with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation reporting a position in United-American Savings Bank ("UASB"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
On October 28, 2013, we filed a Schedule 13D reporting a position in Delanco Bancorp, Inc. ("DLNO"). We hope to work with management and the board to maximize shareholder value.
Members of the Group may seek to make additional purchases or sales of shares of Common Stock. Except as described in this filing, no member of the Group has any plans or proposals which relate to, or could result in, any of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) through (j), inclusive, of Item 4 of Schedule 13D. Members of the Group may, at any time and from time to time, review or reconsider their positions and formulate plans or proposals with respect thereto.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer
The percentages used in this filing are calculated based on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, 484,839, reported as the number of outstanding shares as of February 13, 2014, in the Issuer's Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2014. All purchases of shares of Common Stock reported herein were made in open-market transactions.
| (A) | Stilwell Value Partners I |
��
| (a) | Aggregate number of shares beneficially owned: 28,048 |
Percentage: 5.8%
| (b) | 1. Sole power to vote or to direct vote: 0 |
2. Shared power to vote or to direct vote: 28,048
3. Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 0
4. Shared power to dispose or to direct disposition: 28,048
| (c) | Stilwell Value Partners I has not purchased or sold any shares of Common Stock in the past 60 days. |
(d) Because he is the managing member and 99% owner of Stilwell Value LLC, which is the general partner of Stilwell Value Partners I, Joseph Stilwell has the power to direct the affairs of Stilwell Value Partners I, including the voting and disposition of shares of Common Stock held in the name of Stilwell Value Partners I. Therefore, Joseph Stilwell is deemed to share voting and disposition power with Stilwell Value Partners I with regard to those shares of Common Stock.
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 18 of 20 |
| (B) | Stilwell Activist Fund |
| (a) | Aggregate number of shares beneficially owned: 28,048 |
Percentage: 5.8%
| (b) | 1. Sole power to vote or to direct vote: 0 |
2. Shared power to vote or to direct vote: 28,048
3. Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 0
4. Shared power to dispose or to direct disposition: 28,048
| (c) | Within the past 60 days, Stilwell Activist Fund purchased shares of Common Stock as follows: |
Date | Number of Shares Purchased | Price Per Share | Total Purchase Price |
| | | | | | |
02/12/14 | 700 | | $20.79 | $ | 14,550 | |
02/21/14 | 1,000 | | $21.10 | $ | 21,100 | |
| | | | | | |
(d) Because he is the managing member and 99% owner of Stilwell Value LLC, which is the general partner of Stilwell Activist Fund, Joseph Stilwell has the power to direct the affairs of Stilwell Activist Fund, including the voting and disposition of shares of Common Stock held in the name of Stilwell Activist Fund. Therefore, Joseph Stilwell is deemed to share voting and disposition power with Stilwell Activist Fund with regard to those shares of Common Stock.
| (a) | Aggregate number of shares beneficially owned: 28,048 |
Percentage: 5.8%
| (b) | 1. Sole power to vote or to direct vote: 0 |
2. Shared power to vote or to direct vote: 28,048
3. Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 0
4. Shared power to dispose or to direct disposition: 28,048
| (c) | Stilwell Partners has not purchased or sold any shares of Common Stock in the past 60 days. |
(d) Because he is the general partner of Stilwell Partners, Joseph Stilwell has the power to direct the affairs of Stilwell Partners, including the voting and disposition of shares of Common Stock held in the name of Stilwell Partners. Therefore, Joseph Stilwell is deemed to share voting and disposition power with Stilwell Partners with regard to those shares of Common Stock.
| (a) | Aggregate number of shares beneficially owned: 28,048 |
Percentage: 5.8%
| (b) | 1. Sole power to vote or to direct vote: 0 |
2. Shared power to vote or to direct vote: 28,048
3. Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 0
4. Shared power to dispose or to direct disposition: 28,048
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 19 of 20 |
| (c) | Stilwell Value LLC has made no purchases of shares of Common Stock. |
(d) Because he is the managing member and 99% owner of Stilwell Value LLC, Joseph Stilwell has the power to direct the affairs of Stilwell Value LLC. Stilwell Value LLC is the general partner of Stilwell Value Partners I and Stilwell Activist Fund. Therefore, Stilwell Value LLC may be deemed to share with Joseph Stilwell voting and disposition power with regard to the shares of Common Stock held by Stilwell Value Partners I and Stilwell Activist Fund.
| (a) | Aggregate number of shares beneficially owned: 28,048 |
Percentage: 5.8%
| (b) | 1. Sole power to vote or to direct vote: 0 |
2. Shared power to vote or to direct vote: 28,048
3. Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition: 0
4. Shared power to dispose or to direct disposition: 28,048
| (c) | Joseph Stilwell has made no purchases of shares of Common Stock. |
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer
Other than the Amended Joint Filing Agreement filed as Exhibit 2 to the First Amendment, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships among the persons named in Item 2 hereof and between such persons and any person with respect to any securities of the Issuer, including but not limited to transfer or voting of any of the securities, finders’ fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, divisions of profits or losses, or the giving or withholding of proxies, except for sharing of profits. Stilwell Value LLC, in its capacity as general partner of Stilwell Value Partners I and Stilwell Activist Fund, and Joseph Stilwell, in his capacity as the general partner of Stilwell Partners, and managing member and 99% owner of Stilwell Value LLC, are entitled to an allocation of a portion of profits.
See Items 1 and 2 above regarding disclosure of the relationships between members of the Group, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits
Exhibit No. | Description |
1 | Joint Filing Agreement, dated September 21, 2012, filed with the Original Schedule 13D |
2 | Amended Joint Filing Agreement, dated May 10, 2013, filed with the First Amendment |
CUSIP No. 305468100 | SCHEDULE 13D | Page 20 of 20 |
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of our knowledge and belief, we certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Date: March 4, 2014
| STILWELL VALUE PARTNERS I, L.P. |
| | | |
| By: | STILWELL VALUE LLC |
| | General Partner |
| | |
| | /s/ Joseph Stilwell |
| | By: | Joseph Stilwell |
| | | Managing Member |
| |
| STILWELL ACTIVIST FUND, L.P. |
| | | |
| By: | STILWELL VALUE LLC |
| | General Partner |
| | |
| | /s/ Joseph Stilwell |
| | By: | Joseph Stilwell |
| | | Managing Member |
| |
| STILWELL PARTNERS, L.P. |
| |
| /s/ Joseph Stilwell |
| By: | Joseph Stilwell |
| | General Partner |
| |
| STILWELL VALUE LLC |
| |
| /s/ Joseph Stilwell |
| By: | Joseph Stilwell |
| | Managing Member |
| |
| JOSEPH STILWELL |
| |
| /s/ Joseph Stilwell |
| Joseph Stilwell |