UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D. C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 April 21, 1998 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) CENIT BANCORP, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 0-20378 54-1592546 (State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification Number) 225 West Olney Road 23510 Norfolk, Virginia (Zip Code) (Address of principal executive office) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (757) 446-6600 Item 5 - Other Events On April 21, 1998, the Registrant issued a news release announcing withdrawal of a shareholder proposal. The press release is attached as EXHIBIT 99.1. Item 7 - Financial statements and exhibits. The exhibit listed in the Exhibit Index is filed herewith as part of this Current Report on Form 8-K. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. CENIT BANCORP, INC. DATE: April 22, 1998 /S/ Michael S. Ives Michael S. Ives President and Chief Executive Officer DATE: April 22, 1998 /S/ John O. Guthrie John O. Guthrie Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer -1- EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT PAGE - ------- ---------------------- ---- 99.1 News Release dated April 21, 1998 3 -2- EXHIBIT 99.1 NEWS RELEASE CENIT Bancorp, Inc. 225 West Olney Road Norfolk, Virginia 23510-1586 (757) 446-6600 April 21, 1998 Contact: Michael S. Ives President and CEO (757) 446-6600 CENIT Bancorp, Inc., (NASDAQ: CNIT) and Mid-Atlantic Investors jointly announced that Mid-Atlantic had agreed to withdraw a shareholder proposal to pursue an immediate sale of the Company from consideration at the CENIT annual meeting. Mid-Atlantic agreed to withdraw the proposal after reviewing the statement of the position of CENIT's Board of Directors and management regarding their approach and plans to maximize shareholder value CENIT planned to include in its proxy statement and after meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of CENIT to clarify certain issues. Commenting on CENIT's approach, Michael S. Ives, President and Chief Executive Officer of CENIT said: "CENIT has held annual management and board retreats, as well as other meetings, where it has regularly consulted with its independent investment advisors in order to assess the immediate and long- term valuations of the Company and all strategic options available to the Company from time to time. The Board of Directors has never foreclosed consideration of any strategic option, including possible mergers, acquisitions or other business combinations." With respect to CENIT's plans for the future, Mr. Ives said that "CENIT's current business plan focuses on continued superior growth and stockholder returns. The Board of Directors will continue to consult with independent investment advisors, and will not foreclose any strategic option, including a sale or merger of the Company -- at the right time and price." Jerry Shearer, Managing Partner of Mid-Atlantic, stated that "Mr. Ives and I had a very candid discussion about the best ways to maximize shareholder value. Based on those discussions and CENIT's stated position, Mid-Atlantic does not believe that pursuit of the shareholder proposal is necessary at this time." # -3-