SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. ___)
Filed by the registrant |_|
Filed by party other than the registrant |X|
Check the appropriate box:
|X| Preliminary proxy statement |_| Confidential, for Use of the
|_| Definitive proxy statement Commission Only (as permitted by
|_| Definitive additional materials Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
|_| Soliciting material pursuant to
Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
NSS BANCORP, INC.
(NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
BASSWOOD FINANCIAL PARTNERS, L.P.
(NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING PROXY STATEMENT)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
|X| No fee required.
|_| Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)4 and 0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
|_| Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
|_| Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
(2) Form Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
PRELIMINARY COPY - SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 13, 1998
BASSWOOD FINANCIAL PARTNERS, L.P.
52 Forest Avenue
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
[DATE], 1998
Dear Fellow NSS Shareholder:
The past few years have seen the stock market perform far above most
people's expectations. In the midst of this environment, the value of NSS stock
has also risen. However, we should not rely on the current exuberance of the
market to continue forever. As owners (together with our affiliates) of
approximately 9.97% of the outstanding common shares of NSS, we are deeply
concerned about the performance of management and the future value of NSS stock
in the uncharted years leading up to the year 2000 and beyond.
We believe that NSS shareholders are in a position to take advantage of the
spectacular merger activity in the banking industry over the past several years.
Now is the time to act! This is an excellent opportunity for NSS to actively
explore the possibilities of achieving the sale of the company in order to
maximize shareholder value. There is no assurance that we will continue to
experience the rapid pace of merger activity we have seen in recent years. Nor
is there any assurance that the value of NSS stock will remain at or exceed its
current level if the opportunity to merge is missed.
For these reasons, we are asking for your support for the election of three
independent director nominees for the NSS board at the May 27th Annual Meeting.
We also are soliciting in favor of a shareholder proposal, which we understand
will be included in NSS's proxy materials for the Annual Meeting, that, if
adopted, would request management to take the necessary steps to achieve the
sale of the company on terms most favorable to shareholders. We believe that NSS
shareholders have an opportunity now to maximize, as well as lock-in and secure
the recent appreciation of, the value of their NSS shares through such a sale.
We urge you to sign and return the enclosed WHITE proxy card in the envelope
provided.
THE NOMINEES
If elected, our proposed nominees would constitute three out of eight
directors on the NSS board. Our nominees are successful businessmen with
expertise in the financial services industry who can provide guidance in a time
of rapid evolution of the banking industry. You should also know that Messrs.
Schoellkopf and Zoffinger are truly independent nominees in that neither is
affiliated with Basswood Financial Partners or any of our affiliates, nor is
either committed to any agenda set by us. We believe that after you have
reviewed each of the nominee's qualifications, you will agree that they have the
knowledge and experience to represent the interests of the company and of all
shareholders.
Wolfgang Schoellkopf currently is a principal of the Ramius Capital Group,
L.L.C., an investment management company. Mr. Schoellkopf is also a
director of SLM Holding Corporation. From 1996 to 1997, Mr. Schoellkopf was
a Vice Chairman of First Union National Bank in Newark, New Jersey. Prior
thereto, he was a Vice Chairman of First Fidelity Bancorporation (which was
merged into First Union Corporation in 1996).
George R. Zoffinger currently is the President and Chief Executive Officer
of Constellation Capital Corp., an investment management company. Mr.
Zoffinger is also a director of New Jersey Resources Corporation and
Camelot Music Holding, Inc. From 1995 to February 1998, Mr. Zoffinger was
the President and Chief Executive Officer of Value Property Trust, a real
estate
investment trust (REIT) which was recently sold to Wellsford Properties.
From 1993 to 1995, Mr. Zoffinger was the Chairman of CoreStates New Jersey
National Bank. Prior to that he was the President and Chief Executive
Officer of Constellation Bancorp.
Bennett Lindenbaum has been a money manager for Basswood Partners, L.P. and
the Vice President of Basswood Management, Inc. since 1993. Both Basswood
Partners and Basswood Management oversee and manage the investment of other
affiliates which primarily invest in banks, bank holding companies and
thrift institutions. Prior to that, Mr. Lindenbaum was the Vice President
of Investments for MGS Corporation, a company involved in propane gas
distribution.
---------------------------
If you wish to elect independent nominees pledged to protect to secure the
interests of NSS and of all shareholders, and believe that NSS management should
seriously explore all options to maximize shareholder value, including the sale
of the company, please sign, date and return the enclosed WHITE proxy card in
the envelope provided. If you have already returned a proxy card to NSS, you may
revoke that vote by sending us a later-dated WHITE proxy card. Only your latest
dated proxy counts.
If you have any questions, please contact Beacon Hill Partners, who are
assisting us in the solicitation, toll-free at 1-800-755-5001 or collect at
212-843-8500.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Sincerely yours,
BASSWOOD FINANCIAL PARTNERS, L.P.
Matthew Lindenbaum
PRELIMINARY COPY - SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 13, 1998
PROXY STATEMENT IN
OPPOSITION TO THE SOLICITATION BY
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF NSS BANCORP, INC.
OF
BASSWOOD FINANCIAL PARTNERS, L.P.
------------------
1998 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held on May 27, 1998
------------------
To Our Fellow Shareholders of NSS Bancorp, Inc.:
This proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement") and the enclosed WHITE proxy
card are being furnished to holders of shares of common stock, par value $.01
per share (the "Shares"), of NSS Bancorp, Inc., a Connecticut corporation ("NSS"
or the "Company"), of record on March 27, 1998 (the "Record Date"), by Basswood
Financial Partners, L.P. ( "Basswood") in connection with the solicitation of
proxies by Basswood for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company
(the "Annual Meeting"). The Annual Meeting is currently scheduled by NSS to be
held on Wednesday, May 27, 1998, but may be adjourned or postponed. The Annual
Meeting will be held at [LOCATION], [ADDRESS], at [TIME] E.D.T. This Proxy
Statement and the accompanying WHITE proxy card are first being sent to
shareholders on or about [DATE], 1998. The mailing address of NSS is 48 Wall
Street, P.O. Box 28, Norwalk, Connecticut 06852.
Basswood is seeking your proxies in support of:
o the election of three independent nominees (the "Nominees") to the
Board of Directors (the "Board") of NSS; and
o the adoption of a shareholder proposal, which we understand will be
included in NSS's proxy materials for the Annual Meeting, that
requests the Board to immediately take the necessary steps to achieve
a sale, merger or other acquisition of the Company on terms most
favorable to shareholders (the "Shareholder Proposal").
We believe that a Board that includes the Nominees will better represent
the interests of the Company and of all the Company's shareholders than a Board
composed entirely of incumbents nominated by the Company's existing management.
The Nominees are independent of the NSS management and, we believe, should be
able to bring new ideas and insights to the NSS management and Board. Morever,
Messrs. Schoellkopf and Zoffinger are truly independent nominees in that neither
is affiliated with Basswood or any of our affiliates, nor is either committed to
any agenda set by us. The Nominees are successful businessmen with expertise in
the financial services industry who, we believe, can provide valuable insight
and guidance in a time of rapid evolution of the banking industry. Additionally,
the Nominees have indicated their opposition
to programs which serve to entrench management or adversely affect shareholder
value and their openness to steps, such as seeking buyers for NSS, intended to
enhance shareholder value.
We also believe that shareholders are in a position to take advantage of
the spectacular merger activity in the banking industry over the past several
years. Now is the time to act! This is a perfect time for the Company
legitimately to explore the possibilities of achieving the sale of the Company
in order to maximize shareholder value. There is no assurance that we will
continue to experience the rapid pace of merger activity we have seen in recent
years. Nor is there any assurance that the value of NSS stock will remain at or
exceed its current level if the opportunity to merge is missed. We have included
a space for adopting the Shareholder Proposal on our proxy card in the interest
of simplifying the proxy process for the shareholders of NSS.
We have also included a space for ratifying the appointment of the
independent auditor for the coming year on our proxy card in the interest of
simplifying the proxy process for the shareholders of NSS. This way, all you
need to do in order to vote for a full slate of directors and express a view
with respect to the Shareholder Proposal and the independent auditor is sign,
date and return the enclosed WHITE proxy card. You do not need to do anything
with the [COLOR] proxy card sent to you by the management of NSS.
According to the Company's articles of incorporation and by-laws, NSS
currently has a total of eight directors constituting the entire Board, divided
into three classes, CLASS I consisting of three directors, CLASS II consisting
of three directors, and CLASS III consisting of two directors. The articles of
incorporation provide for each class of directors to be elected for three-year
terms on a staggered basis. At the Annual Meeting, three Class I directors are
to be elected to serve until the 2001 annual meeting of shareholders and until
their respective successors have been elected. The three nominees for director
receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to the Board.
Basswood and its affiliates currently beneficially own 241,411 Shares
(approximately 9.97% of the outstanding Shares). Information concerning
Basswood, its affiliates and the beneficial ownership of Shares is set forth in
"INFORMATION CONCERNING BASSWOOD AND RELATED PERSONS" and Appendices A and B
hereto. The principal executive offices of Basswood are located at 52 Forest
Avenue, Paramus, New Jersey 07652, telephone number (201) 843-3644. Shareholders
who have questions concerning this solicitation should contact Beacon Hill
Partners, Inc. ("Beacon Hill Partners") toll-free at 1-800-755-5001 or collect
at (212) 843-8500.
PLEASE REVIEW THIS PROXY STATEMENT CAREFULLY. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
PLEASE VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL BY
SIGNING, DATING AND MAILING THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD TODAY. PROPERLY
EXECUTED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY BASSWOOD. IF YOU SIGN AND RETURN
THE WHITE PROXY CARD BUT DO NOT CHECK ANY OF THE BOXES, YOU WILL HAVE VOTED FOR
THE NOMINEES AND THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL AND YOU WILL HAVE ABSTAINED WITH
RESPECT TO THE ELECTION OF AUDITORS. HOLDERS OF RECORD OF SHARES AS OF THE
RECORD DATE ARE URGED TO SUBMIT WHITE PROXY CARDS EVEN IF SUCH SHARES HAVE BEEN
OR WILL BE SOLD AFTER THE RECORD DATE. SEE "VOTING AND PROXY PROCEDURES" BELOW.
DO NOT MAIL ANY [COLOR] PROXY CARDS IF YOU WISH TO VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES
AND THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SENT A [COLOR] PROXY TO THE
BOARD OF NSS, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REVOKE THAT PROXY AND
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VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES AND THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL BY SIGNING, DATING AND
MAILING A LATER DATED WHITE PROXY CARD.
Any proxy given in connection with the Annual Meeting may be revoked at any
time prior to the voting thereof at the Annual Meeting by filing a written
notice of revocation with the Secretary of NSS or with the presiding officer of
the Annual Meeting, by executing and delivering a later dated proxy, or by
voting in person at the Annual Meeting.
There is no limit on the number of times that a shareholder may revoke his
or her proxy prior to the Annual Meeting. ONLY THE LATEST DATED, PROPERLY SIGNED
PROXY CARD THAT YOU SEND IN WILL COUNT. MAKE SURE THAT CARD IS A WHITE CARD!
REASONS FOR SOLICITATION
INTRODUCTION
As a significant shareholder of NSS, Basswood is deeply concerned over the
way in which the Company is being managed by its current executives and its
current Board.
We are convinced that, with the addition of new directors, the Company's
financial and operational performance can be improved, shareholder value can be
enhanced and the best interests of the shareholders can be accorded the
appropriate attention. The Nominees are successful businessmen with expertise in
the financial services industry who can provide valuable guidance in a time of
rapid evolution of the banking industry. They are dedicated to supporting
measures which can improve the Company's performance and returns to
shareholders. Most importantly, the Nominees have expressed their openness to
seeking buyers for the Company. Accordingly, given the recent proliferation of
mergers and acquisitions in the banking industry and the ability of shareholders
to obtain substantial premiums in such transactions, we are further convinced
that the time is now for the Board to seriously explore the possibility of
achieving a sale, merger or other acquisition of the Company on terms most
favorable to shareholders. Seize the day! We are concerned that the Board is
allowing a major opportunity to pass, and that at some time in the near future
current premium levels will no longer be available to NSS shareholders.
BACKGROUND OF SOLICITATION
Since Basswood and its affiliates first acquired Shares in January 1995,
representatives of Basswood have met with representatives of NSS on several
occasions, including meetings with Robert T. Judson, the President, and John L.
Segall, a current director of the Board. Discussions regarding areas of needed
improvement relating to the Company's performance focused on operating
efficiency and core profitability. Furthermore, the Company's current and
prospective financial performance and results of operations were discussed, and
the Basswood representatives attempted to evaluate whether the Company's
management would pursue opportunities for the acquisition of the Company by
another financial institution or other purchaser if any such party indicated a
willingness to pursue such a transaction. As a result of such meetings, Basswood
formed a belief that management had no workable plan for maximizing shareholder
value.
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On November 13, 1997, Basswood Partners, L.P. ("Basswood Partners"), the
general partner of Basswood, wrote to the Board stating its disappointment in
the financial results of the Company. Basswood Partners also stated its belief
that larger financial institutions might have a serious interest in purchasing
the Company. That belief was based, among other things, on the observation that
recently announced acquisitions throughout the nation, and particularly in
Connecticut, such as the Webster Financial Corporation/Eagle Financial
Corporation and People's Bank of Bridgeport/Norwich Financial Corporation
mergers, had provided, or were to provide, shareholders of target institutions
with substantial premiums. Basswood Partners also stated that it intended to
communicate with other shareholders of the Company regarding methods to improve
the Company's future financial performance and to enhance shareholder value. In
addition, Basswood Partners requested the right to inspect and copy certain
records of the Company, including the record of shareholders of the Company.
However, the Company refused to provide Basswood Partners any access to such
records. Consequently, Basswood Partners was forced to take appropriate measures
to enforce its right as a shareholder by filing an action to compel the Company
to grant it access to such records. On February 6, 1998, the Superior Court of
the State of Connecticut issued an order granting Basswood Partners access to
such records. Subsequently, the record of shareholders of the Company was
provided to Basswood Partners and the Company agreed to provide to Basswood
Partners a non-objecting beneficial shareholder list (a NOBO list) if and when
obtained by the Company prior to the Annual Meeting.
On or about March 13, 1995, Basswood Partners, Matthew Lindenbaum and
Bennett Lindenbaum filed a statement on Schedule 13D (as originally filed under
cover of a Form F-11 with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the
"Schedule 13D") with the Commission disclosing the extent of such their
beneficial ownership of outstanding Shares. The Schedule 13D was amended on or
about January 18, 1996, May 13, 1996 and November 14, 1997 to reflect changes in
such beneficial ownership. The Schedule 13D was amended on November 14, 1997,
January 5, 1998, February 10, 1998 and February 24, 1998 to disclose the
developments described above. On April 13, 1998, the Schedule 13D was amended,
indicating that Basswood may solicit proxies from other shareholders for either
the election of the Nominees or the adoption of the Shareholder Proposal, or
both.
On April 13, 1998, Basswood sent a letter, dated April 9, 1998, to NSS
nominating Bennett Lindenbaum, Wolfgang Schoellkopf and George R. Zoffinger for
election as directors. As management of NSS has not seen fit to include any of
the Nominees in their proposed slate for election, we determined to propose our
own slate and to proceed with the solicitation of proxies in favor of election
of the Nominees.
REASONS
We believe that a Board that includes the Nominees will better represent
the interests of the Company and of all the Company's shareholders than a Board
composed entirely of incumbents nominated by the Company's existing management.
The Nominees are successful businessmen with expertise in the financial services
industry who, we believe, can provide valuable insight and guidance in a time of
rapid evolution of the banking industry. See "NOMINEES". They are independent of
the NSS management and should be able to bring new ideas and insights to the NSS
management and Board. Morever, Messrs. Schoellkopf and Zoffinger are truly
independent nominees in that neither is affiliated with Basswood or any of our
affiliates, nor is either committed to any agenda set by us. The Nominees have
indicated their opposition to programs which serve to entrench management or
adversely affect shareholder value and their commitment to explore all strategic
alternatives for the Company to enhance shareholder value, including their
openness to seeking buyers for NSS. For these reasons, we believe that the
election of the Nominees
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could enhance the Company's financial and operational performance and ability to
provide greater value for shareholders.
We also believe that shareholders are in a position to take advantage of
the spectacular merger activity in the banking industry over the past several
years. Now is the time to act! This is an attractive time for the Company
legitimately to explore the possibilities of achieving the sale of the Company
in order to maximize shareholder value. There is no assurance that we will
continue to experience the rapid pace of merger activity we have seen in recent
years. Nor is there any assurance that the value of NSS stock will remain at or
exceed its current level if the opportunity to merge is missed. This is an ideal
opportunity for shareholders to maximize, as well as lock-in and secure the
recent appreciation of, the value of their NSS Shares. See "THE SHAREHOLDER
PROPOSAL".
THE NOMINEES
We recommend that you vote FOR electing the following Nominees: Bennett
Lindenbaum, Wolfgang Schoellkopf and George R. Zoffinger. Each Nominee is
independent of the NSS management and is committed to explore all strategic
alternatives for the Company to enhance shareholder value. Morever, Messrs.
Schoellkopf and Zoffinger are truly independent nominees in that neither is
affiliated with Basswood or any of our affiliates, nor is either committed to
any agenda set by us.
The Nominees have furnished the following information below concerning
their principal occupations, employment history and other matters. Each of the
Nominees is a citizen of the United States. Please see Appendix A for further
information regarding the Nominees.
Bennett Lindenbaum is 35 years old and, from 1993 to present, has been a
money manager for Basswood Partners and the Vice President for Basswood
Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Basswood Management"), of which
he and Matthew Lindenbaum are the sole stockholders, directors and
officers. Both Basswood Partners and Basswood Management oversee and manage
the investments of other affiliates which primarily invest in banks, bank
holding companies and thrift institutions. Prior to that, Mr. Lindenbaum
was the Vice President of Investments for MGS Corporation, a company
involved in propane gas distribution.
Wolfgang Schoellkopf is 65 years old and, from 1997 to present, has been a
principal of the Ramius Capital Group, L.L.C., an investment management
company. Mr. Schoellkopf is also currently a director of SLM Holding
Corporation. From 1996 to 1997, Mr. Schoellkopf was a Vice Chairman of
First Union National Bank in Newark, New Jersey. Prior thereto, he was a
Vice Chairman of First Fidelity Bancorporation (which was merged into First
Union Corporation in 1996).
George R. Zoffinger is 50 years old and currently is the President and
Chief Executive Officer of Constellation Capital Corp., an investment
management company. Mr. Zoffinger is currently a director of New Jersey
Resources Corporation and Camelot Music Holdings Inc. From 1995 to February
1998, Mr. Zoffinger was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Value
Property Trust, a real estate investment trust (REIT) which was recently
sold to Wellsford Properties. From 1993 to 1995, Mr. Zoffinger was the
Chairman of CoreStates New Jersey National Bank. Prior to that, he was the
President and Chief Executive Officer of Constellation Bancorp.
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Except as set forth in this Proxy Statement or the Appendices hereto, to
the best of our knowledge, none of the persons participating in this
solicitation on our behalf, nor their respective associates, nor any of the
Nominees (i) owns beneficially, directly or indirectly, or has the right to
acquire, any securities of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the
Company, (ii) owns any securities of the Company of record but not beneficially,
(iii) has purchased or sold any securities of the Company within the past two
years, (iv) has incurred indebtedness for the purpose of acquiring or holding
securities of the Company, (v) is or has been a party to any contract,
arrangement or understanding with respect to any securities of the Company
within the past year, (vi) has had or is to have a direct or indirect material
interest in any transaction with the Company since the beginning of the
Company's last fiscal year, or any proposed transaction, to which the Company or
any of its affiliates was or is a party, (vii) has been indebted to the Company
or any of its subsidiaries since the beginning of the Company's last fiscal year
or (viii) has any arrangement or understanding with respect to future employment
by the Company or with respect to any future transactions to which the Company
or any of its affiliates will or may be a party.
None of the corporations or other entities in which any of the Nominees
have conducted his principal occupation or employment was a parent, subsidiary
or other affiliate of the Company and none of the Nominees holds any position or
office with the Company, has any family relationship with any executive officer
or director of the Company or each other, or has been involved in any legal
proceedings of the type required to be disclosed by the rules governing this
solicitation.
EACH OF THE NOMINEES HAS CONSENTED TO SERVE AS DIRECTOR AND HAS PLEDGED TO
REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY AND OF THE SHAREHOLDERS AS A WHOLE TO THE
EXTENT THE LAW ALLOWS. MESSRS. SCHOELLKOPF AND ZOFFINGER WILL EACH BE PAID A FEE
OF APPROXIMATELY $10,000, IN THE FORM OF SHARES, BY BASSWOOD AND ITS AFFILIATES
TO COMPENSATE THEM FOR THEIR TIME AND EFFORTS REQUIRED AS NOMINEES FOR ELECTION
AS DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY. MESSRS. SCHOELLKOPF AND ZOFFINGER ARE NOT
AFFILIATED WITH BASSWOOD OR ANY OF OUR AFFILIATES, NOR IS EITHER COMMITTED TO
ANY AGENDA SET BY US.
BY INCLUDING THREE NOMINEES, WE HAVE ENABLED SHAREHOLDERS TO VOTE FOR A
FULL SLATE OF DIRECTORS BY SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING ONLY THE WHITE PROXY
CARD ENCLOSED WITH THIS PROXY STATEMENT. BASSWOOD URGES YOU TO SUPPORT THE
ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES BY SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE WHITE PROXY CARD.
YOU SHOULD NOT RETURN THE [COLOR] PROXY CARD PROVIDED BY MANAGEMENT IF YOU WISH
TO SUPPORT THE NOMINEES. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SENT A [COLOR] PROXY TO THE BOARD
OF NSS, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REVOKE THAT PROXY AND VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES BY
SIGNING, DATING AND MAILING A LATER DATED WHITE PROXY CARD.
THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
Basswood is also soliciting the shareholders in favor of the Shareholder
Proposal, which we understand will be included in NSS's proxy materials for the
Annual Meeting. We have included a space for adopting the Shareholder Proposal
on our proxy card in the interest of simplifying the proxy process for the
shareholders. We recommend that you vote FOR the adoption of the following
resolution in addition to voting to elect the Nominees:
"RESOLVED, that the shareholders of NSS Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company")
hereby request that the Board of Directors immediately take the necessary
steps to achieve a sale, merger or other acquisition of the Company on
terms most favorable to shareholders."
We believe the Company's operating performance since its conversion to
public ownership has been unacceptable to investors and that any positive stock
performance has been due primarily to takeover
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speculation. Moreover, the Company has not appropriately evaluated and pursued
the possibility of a sale as a means of promoting shareholder value.
In that light, we believe that at this time there are likely to be a number
of larger institutions that could have a serious interest in purchasing the
Company. Recent transactions throughout the nation, and specifically in
Connecticut, suggest that through a sale, the Company's shareholders would
likely receive a substantial premium over the current market price. For example,
on March 31, 1998, HUBCO Inc. agreed to acquire Dime Financial Corporation
("Dime"), a holding company for The Dime Savings Bank of Wallingford in
Connecticut, for approximately $201 million in stock, representing 2.56 times
Dime's tangible book value. Although price and other terms actually arrived at
in a transaction will depend on factors unique to the parties involved, applying
the ratio from the HUBCO Inc./Dime transaction to NSS's tangible book value per
share of $22.44 (reported as of December 31, 1997) would imply a price of $57.45
per share for NSS common stock.
BASSWOOD URGES YOU TO SUPPORT THE ADOPTION OF THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL BY
SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE WHITE PROXY CARD. YOU SHOULD NOT RETURN THE
[COLOR] PROXY CARD PROVIDED BY MANAGEMENT IF YOU WISH TO ADOPT THE SHAREHOLDER
PROPOSAL AND ELECT THE NOMINEES. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SENT A [COLOR] PROXY TO THE
BOARD OF NSS, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REVOKE THAT PROXY AND VOTE FOR THE ADOPTION
OF THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL AND THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES BY SIGNING, DATING
AND MAILING A LATER DATED WHITE PROXY CARD.
We urge shareholders not to rely solely on the Shareholder Proposal, for
the Board may elect to ignore it, holding it to be a mere precatory resolution.
Therefore, to provide increased assurance that the Board will carry into effect
the will of the shareholders as expressed by the Shareholder Proposal, you need
to vote for the election of the Nominees as well. Please note that neither
Messrs. Schoellkopf or Zoffinger is committed to effect a sale of the Company.
They are committed to exploring all strategic alternatives to enhance
shareholder value, including a sale. Messrs. Schoellkopf and Zoffinger are not
affiliated with Basswood or any of our affiliates, nor is either committed to
any agenda set by us. However, Messrs. Schoellkopf and Zoffinger have confirmed
to us that, if the Shareholder Proposal is adopted, it is their intention as
directors to effect the will of the shareholders and put the Shareholder
Proposal into operation.
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
According to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997 (the "1997 Form 10-K"), Friedberg, Smith & Co., P.C.
audited the consolidated statements of financial condition of NSS and its
subsidiary as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated
statements of earnings, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1997. Based on publicly available
information, there is no basis for us to believe otherwise than that NSS
management has appointed Friedberg, Smith & Co., P.C. as the independent auditor
for NSS for the ensuing year.
INFORMATION CONCERNING BASSWOOD
AND RELATED PERSONS
Basswood is a private investment partnership organized under Delaware law.
Its principal business is investing in securities. Basswood has its principal
place of business at 52 Forest Avenue, Paramus, New Jersey 07652. The sole
general partner of Basswood is Basswood Partners, a Delaware limited
partnership, the sole general partner of which is Basswood Management, of which
Matthew Lindenbaum and Bennett
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Lindenbaum are the sole stockholders, directors and officers. Basswood
Management is the investment manager of Basswood International Fund, Inc., a
Cayman Islands exempted company ("Basswood International") the principal
business of which is investing in securities for its own account. Basswood
Partners is the sole general partner of Whitewood Financial Partners, L.P., a
Delaware limited partnership ("Whitewood"), and Basswood Supplemental Fund, L.P.
("Basswood Supplemental"), and a general partner of Jet I, L.P. ("Jet"), the
principal business of each of which is investing in securities for its own
account. Matthew Lindenbaum and Bennett Lindenbaum are the sole trustees of 1994
Garden State Trust, a New Jersey trust ("Garden State" and, collectively with
Basswood, Basswood International, Whitewood, Jet and Basswood Supplemental, the
"Basswood Companies"), which is a family investment trust.
As of the date hereof, the Basswood Companies beneficially own 241,411
Shares, or approximately 9.97% of the outstanding Shares. In addition, Matthew
Lindenbaum owns 100 Shares in his own name. The Basswood Companies and Matthew
Lindenbaum intend to cause proxies to be executed on their behalf in favor of
election of the Nominees and the adoption of the Shareholder Proposal. They have
expressed no position on the ratification of the appointment of the independent
auditor.
Certain information concerning related parties of Basswood who may solicit
proxies from other shareholders of NSS is set forth in Appendix A hereto.
Information concerning purchases and sales of Shares in the past two years by
the Basswood Companies, the Nominees and certain related parties is set forth in
Appendix B. None of such persons has been convicted in a criminal proceeding
(excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) during the past ten
years. None of such persons or any associates of such persons has any
arrangement or understanding with any person with respect to any future
employment by NSS or with respect to any future transactions to which NSS or any
of its affiliates will or may be a party.
VOTING AND PROXY PROCEDURES
The Board has established March 27, 1998 as the Record Date for the Annual
Meeting. We understand from the NSS 1997 Form 10-K that the total number of
Shares outstanding as of February 28, 1998 was 2,421,071 (the latest publicly
available data). Only shareholders of record on the Record Date will be entitled
to vote at the Annual Meeting. If you sold Shares before the Record Date, you
may not vote such Shares. If you were a shareholder of record on the Record
Date, you will retain your voting rights in connection with the Annual Meeting
even if you sell or sold such Shares after the Record Date. Based on publicly
available information, we believe that the only outstanding class of voting
securities of the NSS is the Shares. Each Share outstanding on the Record Date
is entitled to one vote. Shareholders are not currently entitled to cumulative
voting for directors.
According to the NSS by-laws, the presence in person or by proxy of the
holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding stock of NSS entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum. Whether or not a
quorum is present in person or by proxy, the holders of a majority of the voting
power of the shares present, in person or by proxy, have the power to adjourn
the Annual Meeting to a future date as may be agreed. Notice of such adjournment
must be given to shareholders not present or represented by proxy at the Annual
Meeting. Additionally, whether or not a quorum is present in person or by proxy,
the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares present, in person
or by proxy, have the power to recess the Annual Meeting to a future time to
resume no later than 48 hours after the time of recess for the sole purpose of
collecting and soliciting proxies. Notice of such recess need not be given to
shareholders not present or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting. Section
33-712(a) of the Connecticut Business
-8-
Corporation Act provides that the directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting
are to be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares entitled to
vote at the Annual Meeting. Section 33-709(c) of the Connecticut Business
Corporation Act provides that any other action to be decided upon at the Annual
Meeting, such as the adoption of the Shareholder Proposal and the ratification
of the appointment of the independent auditor, is approved if the votes cast in
favor of the action exceed the votes cast in opposition of the action.
Therefore, as long as the election of directors, the adoption of the Shareholder
Proposal and the ratification of the appointment of the independent auditor are
voted upon as such, valid and binding action can be taken with respect to such
matters. In that case, the three nominees for director receiving the highest
number of votes will be elected to the Board. Furthermore, in order to adopt the
Shareholder Proposal, more votes would have to be voted in favor of the
Shareholder Proposal than against it. Accordingly, abstentions and broker
non-votes will not have the effect of voting for or against the election of the
Nominees, any of the incumbent nominees, the independent auditor or the adoption
of the Shareholder Proposal.
Shares of NSS represented by WHITE proxy cards which are properly signed
and dated but on which no boxes are checked will, unless such proxies have been
previously revoked, be voted FOR the election of the Nominees and the adoption
of the Shareholder Proposal and will ABSTAIN with respect to election of the
independent auditors. If any other matter properly comes before the Annual
Meeting or adjournments or postponements thereof, the persons named as proxies
on the enclosed WHITE proxy card (the "Named Proxies") will have the
discretionary authority to vote all proxies with respect to such matter. The
Named Proxies are the agents of the shareholders from whom WHITE proxy cards are
received and are not the agents of, or affiliated with, Basswood.
ONLY HOLDERS OF RECORD ON THE RECORD DATE ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING. PERSONS OWNING SHARES BENEFICIALLY (BUT NOT OF RECORD), SUCH AS
PERSONS WHOSE OWNERSHIP OF SHARES IS THROUGH A BROKER, BANK OR OTHER FINANCIAL
INSTITUTION, SHOULD CONTACT SUCH BROKER, BANK OR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION AND
INSTRUCT SUCH PERSON TO EXECUTE THE WHITE PROXY CARD ON THEIR BEHALF OR TO HAVE
SUCH BROKER, BANK OR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION'S NOMINEE (FOR EXAMPLE, A CENTRAL
SECURITY DEPOSITORY SUCH AS CEDE & CO.) EXECUTE SUCH A PROXY CARD.
In order for the proxy solicited hereby to be voted at the Annual Meeting,
the enclosed WHITE proxy card must be signed, dated and returned to us c/o
Beacon Hill Partners, the proxy solicitation firm retained by us, in the
enclosed envelope (for which no postage is required if mailed in the United
States) in time to be voted at the Annual Meeting. Any holder of Shares may
revoke his or her proxy at any time prior to the voting of such proxy at the
Annual Meeting by delivering a written revocation of his or her proxy to the
Secretary of NSS or giving a duly executed proxy bearing a later date to
Basswood or by voting in person at the Annual Meeting. Attendance by a
shareholder at the Annual Meeting will not in itself revoke his or her proxy.
ONLY YOUR LATEST DATED, PROPERLY SIGNED PROXY WILL COUNT AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.
PLEASE MAKE CERTAIN THAT IT IS A WHITE CARD!
OWNERSHIP OF SHARES
According to the Company's by-laws, each Share is entitled to one vote, and
the Shares are the only class of securities of NSS currently entitled to vote at
the Annual Meeting. According to the NSS 1997 Form 10-K, there were
approximately 688 holders of record of Shares as of March 27, 1998 and there
were 2,241,071 Shares outstanding as of February 28, 1998.
-9-
Appendix C sets forth information, to the extent known by us, relating to
ownership of Shares by certain beneficial owners of Shares and by management of
NSS.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
Proxies will be solicited by mail, telephone, telegraph, telex, telecopier
and advertisement and in person. Solicitation may be made by Basswood, the
Nominees and certain officers, personnel and other regular employees of Basswood
and its affiliates. No such employees will receive additional compensation for
such solicitation. See Appendix A hereto for a listing of such persons.
BROKERS, CUSTODIANS, NOMINEES AND FIDUCIARIES WILL BE REQUESTED TO FORWARD
THE SOLICITATION MATERIALS TO BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF THE SHARES. WE WILL REIMBURSE
BROKERS, CUSTODIANS, NOMINEES AND FIDUCIARIES FOR THEIR REASONABLE EXPENSES FOR
SENDING THE SOLICITATION MATERIALS TO THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF SHARES.
In addition, we have retained Beacon Hill Partners to assist and to provide
advisory services in connection with this proxy solicitation for which Beacon
Hill Partners will be paid a fee of not more than $20,000 and will be reimbursed
for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. We have also agreed to indemnify Beacon
Hill Partners against certain liabilities and expenses in connection with this
proxy solicitation.
The expenses related to this proxy solicitation will be borne by the
Basswood Companies. Basswood believes that its efforts and this solicitation
will enhance the value of all shareholder's investments in the Company. It
intends to seek reimbursement of the expenses related to this proxy solicitation
from NSS only to the extent permitted by law. Basswood does not intend to seek
shareholder approval of such reimbursement unless such approval is required by
law. Basswood estimates that the total amount of expenses to be incurred by the
Basswood Companies in this proxy solicitation will be approximately $150,000. No
expenses have been incurred as of the date of this Proxy Statement.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have any questions concerning this Proxy Solicitation or the
procedures to be followed to execute and deliver a proxy, please contact Beacon
Hill Partners at:
BEACON HILL PARTNERS, INC.
90 BROAD STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004
Call Toll-Free: 1-800-755-5001
Call Collect: (212) 843-8500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOUR PROXY AND PROMPT ACTION ARE IMPORTANT. YOU ARE URGED TO GRANT YOUR
PROXY BY SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED WHITE PROXY CARD TODAY.
-10-
INFORMATION REGARDING NSS
The information concerning NSS contained in this Proxy Statement (including
Appendix C hereto) has been taken from or is based upon documents and records on
file with the Commission and other publicly available information. Basswood has
no actual knowledge that would indicate that statements relating to NSS
contained in this Proxy Statement in reliance upon publicly available
information are inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect. Basswood,
however, has not had access to the books and records of NSS, was not involved in
the preparation of such information and statements, and is not in a position to
verify, or make any representation with respect to the accuracy of, any such
information or statements. The proxy statement of NSS management, when
distributed to you, will contain additional information concerning the Shares,
beneficial ownership of the Shares by and other information concerning directors
and officers, compensation paid to executive officers, and the principal holders
of Shares.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 1999 ANNUAL MEETING
In order for any shareholder proposal to be included in the NSS proxy
statement and proxy as an item of business for the 1999 annual meeting of
shareholders, it must be received at the principal executive offices of NSS no
later than [DATE].
------------------------------
As fellow shareholders with common interests, we thank you very much for
your consideration of our proposals.
BASSWOOD FINANCIAL PARTNERS, L.P.
[DATE], 1998
-11-
APPENDIX A
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE NOMINEES AND BASSWOOD RELATED PARTIES
The following table sets forth the name, business address, present
principal occupation and the number of Shares beneficially owned by each of (i)
the Nominees, (ii) Basswood, (iii) certain associates and related parties of
Basswood, and (iv) other participants in the solicitation (as defined in the
rules and regulations under the Exchange Act).
NO. OF
SHARES PERCENT
BENEFICIALLY OF
NAME AND BUSINESS ADDRESS PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OWNED CLASS
- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------- ------------ --------
Wolfgang Schoellkopf Principal, Ramius Capital Group, 0 0
757 Third Avenue, 17th Floor L.L.C., an investment manager
New York, New York 10017
George R. Zoffinger President and Chief Executive 200 *
120 Albany Street, 8th Floor Officer, Constellation Capital
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901 Corp., an investment manager
Matthew Lindenbaum President, 241,511(1) 9.98
52 Forest Avenue Basswood Management, Inc.,
Paramus, New Jersey 07652 an investment manager
Bennett Lindenbaum Vice President, 241,411(2) 9.97
52 Forest Avenue Basswood Management, Inc.,
Paramus, New Jersey 07652 an investment manager
Basswood Partners, L.P. Money management 241,411(2) 9.97
52 Forest Avenue
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
Basswood Management, Inc. Money management 241,411(2) 9.97
52 Forest Avenue
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
Basswood Financial Partners, L.P. Investment fund 107,806 4.45
52 Forest Avenue
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
Basswood International Fund, Inc. Investment fund 39,479 1.63
c/o Hemisphere Fund Managers Ltd.
P.O. Box 30362, SMB 2nd Floor
Genesis Building
George Town Grand Cayman,
Cayman Islands
1994 Garden State Trust Family investment trust 8,990 *
52 Forest Avenue
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
Whitewood Financial Partners, L.P. Investment fund 2,026 *
52 Forest Avenue
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
A-1
Basswood Supplemental Fund, L.P. Investment fund 75,315 3.11
52 Forest Avenue
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
Jet I, L.P. Investment fund 7,795 *
52 Forest Avenue
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
Debbie Coticchio Financial reporting 0 0
Marc Samit Financial reporting 0 0
Brian Jackelow Financial reporting 0 0
Raymond French Analyst 0 0
David Verlander Analyst 0 0
Claudine Blazina Clerical 0 0
Stella Kourkoulakos Clerical 0 0
- --------------------
<FN>
* Less than one percent of the outstanding Shares.
(1) Of such Shares, 100 Shares are held by Matthew Lindenbaum and 241,411
Shares are held by Basswood, Garden State, Basswood International,
Whitewood, Basswood Supplemental and Jet.
(2) Of such Shares, 241,411 Shares are held by Basswood, Garden State, Basswood
International, Whitewood, Basswood Supplemental and Jet.
</FN>
A-2
APPENDIX B
PURCHASES AND SALES OF SHARES
Wolfgang Schoellkopf has not owned, directly or indirectly, Shares during
the past two years ending on April 6, 1998.
On February 5, 1996, George R. Zoffinger purchased 500 Shares using
personal funds. On July 31, 1997, Mr. Zoffinger sold 300 Shares.
On November 4, 1997, Matthew Lindenbaum purchased 100 Shares using personal
funds.
The following table sets forth information with respect to all purchases
and sales of Shares by each of Basswood, Garden State, Basswood International,
Whitewood, Basswood Supplemental and Jet during the past two years ending on
April 6, 1998. Except as indicated in the accompanying notes, no part of such
Shares is represented by borrowed funds.
NUMBER OF SHARES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF GARDEN BASSWOOD BASSWOOD
TRANSACTION DATE BASSWOOD 1/ STATE 2/ INTERNATIONAL 3/ WHITEWOOD 4/ SUPPLEMENTAL 5/ JET 6/
- -------------- -------------------- ------------- ------------- ----------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------
Sale April 9, 1996 -- -- -- -- 4,010 --
Purchase April 9, 1996 -- -- 4,010 -- -- --
Sale July 1, 1996 1,906 -- 2,314 -- -- --
Sale July 1, 1996 750 -- -- -- -- --
Sale July 1, 1996 1,620 -- -- -- -- --
Sale July 1, 1996 9,200 -- -- -- -- --
Sale July 1, 1996 4,600 -- -- -- -- --
Sale July 1, 1996 4,182 -- -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 13,079 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 706 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 2,335 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 80 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 1 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 484 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 50 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 8 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 139 -- -- -- --
B-1
NUMBER OF SHARES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF GARDEN BASSWOOD BASSWOOD
TRANSACTION DATE BASSWOOD 1/ STATE 2/ INTERNATIONAL 3/ WHITEWOOD 4/ SUPPLEMENTAL 5/ JET 6/
- -------------- -------------------- ------------- ------------- ----------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 795 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 222 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 275 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 990 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 650 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 202 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 400 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 54 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 240 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 210 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 353 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 33 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 220 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 620 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 335 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 56 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 153 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 417 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 295 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 210 -- -- -- --
Purchase July 1, 1996 -- 960 -- -- -- --
Sale October 2, 1996 737 -- -- -- -- --
Sale October 2, 1996 595 -- -- -- -- --
Purchase October 2, 1996 -- -- 1,332 -- -- --
Sale October 24, 1996 -- 6,630 -- -- -- --
Purchase October 24, 1996 5,255 -- 1,375 -- -- --
Sale December 6, 1996 1,906 -- 1,211 -- -- --
Sale December 6, 1996 3,349 -- 139 -- -- --
Purchase December 6, 1996 -- 6,630 -- -- -- --
Sale December 6, 1996 -- -- 25 -- -- --
B-2
NUMBER OF SHARES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF GARDEN BASSWOOD BASSWOOD
TRANSACTION DATE BASSWOOD 1/ STATE 2/ INTERNATIONAL 3/ WHITEWOOD 4/ SUPPLEMENTAL 5/ JET 6/
- -------------- -------------------- ------------- ------------- ----------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------
Sale December 9, 1996 -- 1,435 600 -- -- --
Purchase December 9, 1996 2,035 -- -- -- -- --
Sale January 3, 1997 1,199 845 -- -- -- --
Purchase January 3, 1997 -- -- 854 1,190 -- --
Purchase January 23, 1997 -- -- -- 105 -- --
Purchase February 27, 1997 1,780 220 475 25 -- --
Purchase March 4, 1997 -- -- -- 25 -- --
Sale March 10, 1997 -- 242 3 -- -- --
Purchase March 10, 1997 56 -- -- 189 -- --
Sale March 11, 1997 44 -- 10 -- -- --
Purchase March 11, 1997 -- -- -- 54 -- --
Purchase March 14, 1997 -- -- -- 16 -- --
Sale March 14, 1997 16 -- -- -- -- --
Sale March 18, 1997 24 8 9 -- -- --
Purchase March 18, 1997 -- -- -- 41 -- --
Sale April 3, 1997 -- 670 224 -- -- --
Sale April 3, 1997 -- -- 355 -- -- --
Sale April 3, 1997 -- -- 220 -- -- --
Purchase April 3, 1997 1,433 -- -- 36 -- --
Sale April 10, 1997 105 7 7 -- -- --
Purchase April 10, 1997 -- -- -- 119 -- --
Sale May 2, 1997 -- 105 255 -- -- --
Purchase May 2, 1997 230 -- -- 130 -- --
Sale May 15, 1997 125 -- 25 -- -- --
Purchase May 15, 1997 -- -- -- 150 -- --
Sale May 27, 1997 71 17 13 -- -- --
Sale May 27, 1997 -- -- 26 -- -- --
Purchase May 27, 1997 -- -- -- 127 -- --
Sale June 20, 1997 33 230 -- -- -- --
Sale June 20, 1997 424 -- -- -- -- --
B-3
NUMBER OF SHARES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF GARDEN BASSWOOD BASSWOOD
TRANSACTION DATE BASSWOOD 1/ STATE 2/ INTERNATIONAL 3/ WHITEWOOD 4/ SUPPLEMENTAL 5/ JET 6/
- -------------- -------------------- ------------- ------------- ----------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------
Purchase June 20, 1997 -- -- 505 182 -- --
Sale July 15, 1997 -- 2,068 254 38 -- --
Purchase July 15, 1997 2,360 -- -- -- -- --
Sale September 2, 1997 -- -- -- 130 -- --
Purchase September 2, 1997 130 -- -- -- -- --
Sale September 25, -- -- 505 -- -- --
1997
Sale September 25, -- -- 475 -- -- --
1997
Sale September 25, -- -- 854 -- -- --
1997
Sale September 25, -- -- 801 -- -- --
1997
Sale October 2, 1997 -- 220 574 52 -- --
Sale October 2, 1997 -- 875 1,332 43 -- --
Sale October 2, 1997 -- -- 649 -- -- --
Purchase October 2, 1997 3,745 -- -- -- -- --
Purchase November 3, 1997 -- -- -- -- -- 1,595
Sale November 5, 1997 130 -- -- -- -- --
Sale November 5, 1997 3,745 -- -- -- -- --
Sale November 5, 1997 2,325 -- -- -- -- --
Purchase November 5, 1997 -- -- -- -- -- 6,200
Sale November 12, 1997 -- 3,205 -- 40 -- --
Purchase November 12, 1997 1,835 -- 1,410 -- -- --
Sale January 6, 1998 -- 1,465 1,410 44 -- --
Sale January 6, 1998 -- -- -- 106 -- --
Sale January 6, 1998 -- -- 3,361 -- -- --
Sale January 6, 1998 -- -- 1,329 -- -- --
Purchase January 6, 1998 7,715 -- -- -- -- --
Purchase April 2, 1998 -- -- 3,125 50 -- --
Sale April 2, 1998 2,655 520 -- -- -- --
Purchase April 6, 1998 2,805 -- 1,045 40 -- --
B-4
NUMBER OF SHARES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF GARDEN BASSWOOD BASSWOOD
TRANSACTION DATE BASSWOOD 1/ STATE 2/ INTERNATIONAL 3/ WHITEWOOD 4/ SUPPLEMENTAL 5/ JET 6/
- -------------- -------------------- ------------- ------------- ----------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------
Sale April 6, 1998 -- 3,890 -- -- -- --
- -------------------------------
<FN>
(1) The Shares purchased by Basswood were purchased with partnership funds and
the proceeds of margin borrowings. All Shares are held in Basswood's margin
account at Goldman, Sachs & Co. Such margin account had a debit balance as
of April 3, 1998 of approximately $202,941,922.
(2) The Shares purchased by Garden State were purchased with partnership funds
and the proceeds of margin borrowings. All Shares are held in Garden
State's margin account at Goldman, Sachs & Co. Such margin account had a
debit balance as of April 3, 1998 of approximately $52,222,626.
(3) The Shares purchased by Basswood International were purchased with
partnership funds and the proceeds of margin borrowings. All Shares are
held in Basswood International's margin account at Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Such margin account had a debit balance as of April 3, 1998 of
approximately $4,636,898.
(4) The Shares purchased by Whitewood were purchased with partnership funds and
the proceeds of margin borrowings. All Shares are held in Whitewood's
margin account at Goldman, Sachs & Co. Such margin account had a debit
balance as of April 3, 1998 of approximately $2,049,218.
(5) The Shares purchased by Basswood Supplemental were purchased with trust
funds and the proceeds of margin borrowings. All Shares are held in
Basswood Supplemental's margin account at Goldman, Sachs & Co. Such margin
account had a debit balance as of April 3, 1998 of approximately $442,706.
(6) The Shares purchased by Jet were purchased with partnership funds and the
proceeds of margin borrowings. All Shares are held in Jet's margin account
at Goldman, Sachs & Co. Such margin account had a debit balance as of April
3, 1998 of approximately $3,553,377.
</FN>
B-5
APPENDIX C
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the
outstanding Shares based on publicly available information. Information relating
to Basswood and related parties is provided as of the date of this Proxy
Statement. The information relating to Westport Asset Management Inc. and Cramer
Rosenthal McGlynn, LLC and Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, Inc. are based on their
most recently filed Schedule 13G and Schedule 13D, respectively. In addition,
the table sets forth information concerning beneficial ownership of the Shares
by all current directors of the Company, by certain executive officers of the
Company and by all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.
All such information has been obtained from the Company's 1997 proxy statement,
dated April 11, 1997 (such proxy statement was filed by Norwalk Savings Society,
the predecessor to NSS prior to the reorganization into a bank holding company
structure (where the stock conversion was one-for-one)), and is not necessarily
indicative of current holdings of such persons listed below. Such proxy
statement states that unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting
and investment power with respect to the Shares set forth in the following
table.
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
NAME AND ADDRESS BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF THE
OF COMPANY'S COMMON PERCENT(2)
BENEFICIAL OWNER STOCK(1) OF CLASS
- ------------------- --------------------------- ---------
Basswood Partners L.P. 241,411 Shares 9.97%
Bennett Lindenbaum
52 Forest Avenue
Paramus, NJ 07652
Matthew Lindenbaum 241,511 Shares 9.98%
52 Forest Avenue
Paramus, NJ 07652
Westport Asset Management Inc. 243,600 Shares 10.06%
253 Riverside Avenue
Westport, Connecticut 06880
Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, LLC 196,000 Shares 8.10%
Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, Inc.
707 Westchester Avenue
White Plains, New York 10604
Charles F. Howell 42,396(3) 1.89%
Herbert L. Jay 18,662(4)(5) *
Alan R. Staack 17,916(6)(7) *
Donald St. John 19,280(8) *
Robert T. Judson 75,058(9) 3.35%
Edward J. Kelley, D.D.S. 10,662(4)(10) *
C-1
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF
NAME AND ADDRESS BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF THE
OF COMPANY'S COMMON PERCENT(2)
BENEFICIAL OWNER STOCK(1) OF CLASS
- ------------------- --------------------------- ----------
Brian A. Fitzergerald 6,236(6)(11) *
John L. Segall 19,662(12) *
All Directors and Principal Officers of 245,654(13) 10.96%
NSS as a group (10 individuals)
- ---------------------------
<FN>
* Represents holdings of less than 1.0%.
(1) Beneficial ownership is direct except as otherwise indicated by footnote.
All persons shown in the table have sole voting and investment power except
as otherwise indicated. The percentages shown have not been adjusted to
reflect the fact that Shares owned by Westport and Basswood Partners, L.P.
over 5% are not entitled to vote as described in the preceding table.
(2) Based upon 2,421,071 Shares outstanding at February 28, 1998. No individual
director or nominee, other than as noted in the table, beneficially owns
more than 1% of the total number of outstanding Shares. In computing the
percentage of Shares beneficially owned, the number of Shares which the
person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days of April 8, 1998
are deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of
Shares beneficially owned by such person or group, but are not deemed
outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of Shares
beneficially owned by any other person.
(3) Includes 22,467 option Shares, 2,879 Shares allocated to Mr. Howell's
account for 1994, 1995 and 1996 from the Company's ESOP, and 2,000 Shares
owned by his wife's IRA.
(4) Includes 7,662 option Shares.
(5) Mr. Jay's Shares are owned jointly by him and his wife.
(6) Includes 5,236 option Shares.
(7) Includes 5,000 Shares owned jointly by him and his wife, 7,000 Shares owned
by Mr. Staack's IRA, and 680 Shares owned by his wife's IRA.
(8) Includes 9,280 option Shares.
(9) Includes 31,485 option Shares, 40,000 Shares owned by Mr. Judson's IRA, 100
Shares owned jointly by him and his wife, and 3,113 Shares allocated to his
ESOP account for 1994, 1995 and 1996.
(10) 3,000 of Dr. Kelly's Shares are owned jointly by him and his wife.
(11) Mr. Fitzgerald's Shares are owned jointly by him and his wife.
(12) Includes 2,481 option Shares exercised by Mr. Segall in 1996.
(13) Includes 120,041 option Shares and 9,754 Shares allocated to ESOP accounts.
</FN>
C-2
APPENDIX D
PRELIMINARY COPY - SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
FORM OF PROXY CARD-WHITE
PROXY SOLICITED BY BASSWOOD FINANCIAL PARTNERS, L.P.
IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
NSS BANCORP, INC.
Unless otherwise specified below, the undersigned, a holder of record of
shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Shares"), of NSS Bancorp,
Inc. ("NSS") on March 27, 1998 (the "Record Date"), hereby appoints [NAME] OR
[NAME], OR EITHER OF THEM, THE PROXY OR PROXIES OF THE UNDERSIGNED, EACH WITH
FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION, TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF NSS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 27, 1998 AT WHICH HOLDERS OF SHARES WILL BE VOTING ON THE
ELECTION OF THREE DIRECTORS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF NSS, AND AT ANY
ADJOURNMENTS, POSTPONEMENTS OR RESCHEDULINGS THEREOF, AND TO VOTE AS SPECIFIED
IN THIS PROXY ALL THE SHARES WHICH THE UNDERSIGNED WOULD OTHERWISE BE ENTITLED
TO VOTE IF PERSONALLY PRESENT. THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REVOKES ANY PREVIOUS
PROXIES WITH RESPECT TO THE MATTERS COVERED IN THIS PROXY.
BASSWOOD FINANCIAL PARTNERS, L.P. RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES AND A VOTE FOR
THE ADOPTION OF THE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL
(IF SIGNED AND DATED BUT NOT MARKED, THIS PROXY CARD WILL BE DEEMED TO BE A
DIRECTION TO (1) VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF BENNETT LINDENBAUM, WOLFGANG
SCHOELLKOPF AND GEORGE R. ZOFFINGER, (2) VOTE FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL AND (3) ABSTAIN ON THE RATIFICATION OF FRIEDBERG, SMITH &
CO., P.C. AS AUDITORS.)
1. Election of three nominees for Director: BENNETT LINDENBAUM,
WOLFGANG SCHOELLKOPF and
GEORGE R. ZOFFINGER
|_| FOR ALL NOMINEES |_| WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for one of the foregoing nominees,
check the box marked "FOR" directly above and print the name of the person with
respect to whom you wish to withhold authority here:
_____________________________)
2. Adoption of the following shareholder proposal:
RESOLVED, that the shareholders of NSS Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") hereby
request that the Board of Directors immediately take the necessary steps to
achieve a sale, merger or other acquisition of the Company on terms most
favorable to shareholders.
|_| FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN
3. Ratification of the appointment of the firm of Friedberg, Smith & Co., P.C.
as independent auditors for the ensuing year.
|_| FOR |_| AGAINST |_| ABSTAIN
4. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT BEACON HILL
PARTNERS, INC. TOLL FREE AT (800) 755-5001 OR COLLECT AT (212) 843-8500.
Proxies can only be given by Shareholders of Record Date. Please sign your
name below exactly as it appears on your stock certificate(s) on the Record Date
or on the label affixed hereto. When Shares are held of record by joint tenants,
both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full
corporate name by president or authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign
in partnership name by authorized person.
Please sign exactly as shown below:
Dated: _____________________, 1998
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Signature (Title, if any)
--------------------------------
Signature if held jointly
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROXY PROMPTLY
IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE
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: :
: IMPORTANT :
: :
: BY INCLUDING THREE NOMINEES ON OUR SLATE, WE HAVE ENABLED :
: SHAREHOLDERS TO VOTE FOR A FULL SLATE OF DIRECTORS BY RETURNING ONLY :
: THE WHITE PROXY CARD ENCLOSED WITH THIS PROXY STATEMENT. IF YOU :
: SUPPORT THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES, YOU SHOULD NOT RETURN ANY :
: [COLOR] PROXY CARD PROVIDED BY MANAGEMENT. INSTEAD, PLEASE SIGN, :
: DATE AND RETURN THE WHITE PROXY CARD IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE :
: PROVIDED. :
: :
: If your shares of common stock are held in the name of a bank or :
: brokerage firm, only that firm can vote a proxy card on your behalf. :
: Please sign and return the enclosed WHITE proxy card in the :
: postage-paid envelope provided OR contact the person responsible for :
: your account and give instructions for a WHITE proxy card to be :
: voted FOR the Nominees. :
: :
: If you have questions or need assistance in voting your shares, :
: please contact the firm assisting us in the solicitation of proxies: :
: :
: BEACON HILL PARTNERS, INC. :
: 90 BROAD STREET :
: NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004 :
: :
: TOLL FREE: 1-800-755-5001 :
: COLLECT: (212) 843-8500 :
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