Filed Pursuant to Rule 425 of the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filer: Dime Bancorp, Inc.
Subject Company: Dime Bancorp, Inc.
Dime Bancorp, Inc. Exchange Act File Number: 001-13094
[Dime Logo]
DIME BANCORP, INC.
Dear Fellow Stockholder:
I want to send this personal message to you to accompany the enclosed
report of our financial results for 1999. As you will see, 1999 was an excellent
year for Dime. Operating earnings per share increased 15% from 1998 and
important measures of performance such as operating returns on assets and
stockholders' equity set new records. More importantly, in 1999 we maintained
our strong earnings momentum as we continued our transformation to become more
commercial bank-like.
In 1999:
o Dime recorded four consecutive quarters of higher operating
earnings per share (reported earnings adjusted for the effects of
certain non-recurring or unusual items), extending a streak that
began in the second quarter of 1996.
o On an operating earnings basis, our return on average
stockholders' equity was 16.74% and our return on average assets
was 1.11%.
Also in 1999, and reflecting our long-term strategy to become more
commercial bank-like:
o Dime's consumer, commercial real estate and business banking loan
portfolios increased by more than $3 billion, or 83%, compared
with year-end 1998. This growth, coupled with an 8% reduction in
our residential loan portfolio, resulted in these non-residential
loans representing 46% of loans outstanding at year-end 1999, up
from 30% at the end of 1998.
o Core deposits (demand, money market and savings) grew $778
million, or 11%, and at year-end 1999, they represented 54% of
total deposits, up from 51% at the end of 1998.
o Net interest income grew 10% to $578 million from $527 million in
1998, while the net interest margin increased 23 basis points, to
2.91%, despite rising interest rates.
o Non-interest income totaled $568 million, up from $525 million in
the prior year, as increases in fee income more than offset a
reduction in net gains on sales activities.
This is a strong record of achievement - one that was accomplished
despite a challenging economic environment for financial institutions, including
a sharp reduction in the demand for residential mortgage credit.
It is equally important to consider our 1999 performance as part of our
ongoing transformation. The following table evidences our progress over the past
three years:
1996 1999 Change
---- ---- ------
(at or for the year ended)
Net Income $104 million $240 million Up 130%
Return on Average Assets 0.52% 1.09% Up 110%
Return on Average Equity 10.36% 16.46% Up 49%
Earnings Per Share $0.96 $ 2.13 Up 122%
Book Value Per Share $9.76 $13.67 Up 40%
I am also pleased to report that throughout this period, Dime has also
held true to its mission statement goal of being active in its communities, and
we were recently awarded our fifth consecutive rating of "outstanding" for
compliance with the federal Community Reinvestment Act. Dime is one of only five
institutions in the nation to have earned five such ratings stretching over a
decade. This is truly a remarkable achievement and one that underscores the role
that Dime plays in the fabric of the communities we serve.
Given this demonstrated record of financial performance, strength of
franchise and brand, and positive momentum, we would have expected that Dime
stockholders would have been rewarded with an increased valuation. However, and
to the contrary, we all have been deeply disappointed by the unsatisfactory
performance of our stock. It is small comfort that the performance of our stock,
in large measure, reflects trends in the overall market, but let me assure you
that Dime's focus has always been and will continue to be managing the business
in the best interests of our stockholders. Nonetheless, it is particularly
frustrating to see a record of consistently improving fundamentals and
profitability go unrecognized by the market in terms of improved returns to our
stockholders.
Finally, let me comment on the developments of the past several weeks.
On March 5, 2000, North Fork Bancorporation began an unsolicited and hostile
offer for Dime. As you know from the materials that we have distributed to you,
your Board, after careful consideration, unanimously rejected that offer because
it believes that the offer is being made for the wrong price, by the wrong
company, at the wrong time and is unlikely to succeed. North Fork's hostile
actions, which include multiple lawsuits and distorted disclosure, have not
changed your Board's belief, but, in fact, reinforced it. In sum, the Board has
concluded that North Fork's offer is inadequate and not in the best interests of
Dime and you, its stockholders. Accordingly, your Board of Directors has
unanimously recommended that you reject North Fork's offer by not tendering your
shares. The Board's reasons are discussed in more detail in the
solicitation/recommendation statement we mailed to stockholders on March 20,
2000. I urge you to read that document carefully.
In closing, I want to assure you that, as fellow stockholders, your
Board of Directors, management, and staff, are committed to enhancing
stockholder value and we will leave no stone unturned in pursuing this goal.
With your continued support, I am confident that we will be able to deliver
significantly improved returns.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Lawrence J. Toal
March 29, 2000
Investors are urged to read Dime and Hudson's proxy
statement/prospectus, and any amendments or supplements when they become
available, as well as any solicitation/recommendation statement that may be
filed by Dime, because they contain important information. Each of these
documents has been or will be filed with the SEC and investors may obtain a free
copy of them at the SEC's Internet web site at www.sec.gov. These documents may
also be obtained for free from Dime by directing such request to: Dime Bancorp,
Inc., Investor Relations Dept., 589 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, telephone:
(212) 326-6170, or Innisfree M&A Incorporated at (888) 750-5834.
Dime, its directors and executive officer and certain other persons may
be deemed "participants" in any solicitation of proxies from Dime stockholders.
Information regarding the participants in any solicitation is contained in a
statement on Schedule 14A filed by Dime with the SEC on March 22, 2000.
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