SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 02549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): MAY 16, 2002
SEACOAST FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
MASSACHUSETTS 000-25077 04-1659040
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
ONE COMPASS PLACE, NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS 02740
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (508) 984-6000
NOT APPLICABLE
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Item 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT.
The registrant's audit committee has recommended and the executive
committee of the registrant's board of directors has unanimously voted (i) to
dismiss Arthur Andersen LLP, and (ii) to engage KPMG LLP as its independent
accountants, effective upon adjournment of the registrant's Annual Meeting of
Stockholders on May 16, 2002.
During the registrant's fiscal years ended December 31, 2001 and
December 31, 2000, and the subsequent interim period prior to May 16, 2002,
Arthur Andersen LLP did not have any disagreement with the registrant on any
matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or
auditing scope or procedure, which disagreement, if not resolved to the
satisfaction of Arthur Andersen LLP, would have caused it to make reference to
the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports on the
registrant's financial statements.
The reports of Arthur Andersen LLP on the registrant's financial
statements for the period from January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2001 did not
contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or
modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the
period from January 1, 2000 through May 16, 2002, there were no "reportable
events" within the meaning of Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K promulgated
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Item 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
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(a) Not Applicable
(b) Not Applicable
(c) Exhibits
NUMBER TITLE
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16.1 Arthur Andersen LLP letter dated May 16, 2002
regarding the change in the registrant's certifying
accountants.
SIGNATURE
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.
SEACOAST FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION
Dated: May 16, 2002 By: /s/ Kevin G. Champagne
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Kevin G. Champagne
President and Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
NUMBER TITLE
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16.1 Arthur Andersen LLP letter dated May 16, 2002
regarding the change in the registrant's certifying
accountants.