U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 10-QSB (Mark One) [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2001 ------------------------ [_] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to ---------------------------- Commission file number 1-10506 ------------------------------------ Essex Bancorp, Inc. ------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter) Delaware 54-1721085 ---------- ------------ (State or other jurisdiction of) (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization Identification No.) Interstate Corporate Center Building 9, Suite 200 Norfolk, Virginia 23502 ----------------- ------- (Address of principal (Zip Code) executive offices) Issuer's telephone number, including area code (757) 893-1300 -------------- Check whether the issuer (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No ___. --- State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date: 1,060,642 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, as of May 10, 2001. Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one): Yes ___ No X . --- Essex Bancorp, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2001 Table of Contents ----------------- Page ---- Part I FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements 3 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2001 (unaudited) and December 31, 2000 3 Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 4 Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2001 5 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 6 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) 7 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 9 Part II OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings 13 Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds 13 Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 13 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 13 Item 5. Other Information 13 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 13 2 Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements ESSEX BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS March 31, December 31, 2001 2000 ---- ---- (unaudited) ASSETS Cash .................................................................. $ 6,946,168 $ 5,729,199 Interest-bearing deposits ............................................. 10,785,928 10,985,110 Federal funds sold .................................................... 1,101,291 1,068,776 ------------- ------------- Cash and cash equivalents ........................................ 18,833,387 17,783,085 Federal Home Loan Bank stock .......................................... 2,765,000 2,765,000 Securities available for sale at fair value ........................... 20,839 20,557 Securities held for investment - fair value of $1,808,000 in 2001 and $1,781,000 in 2000 ........................... 1,759,450 1,760,472 Mortgage-backed securities held for investment - fair value of $483,000 in 2001 and $481,000 in 2000 ...................... 479,708 479,738 Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $1,801,000 in 2001 and $1,740,000 in 2000 ...................................... 268,844,023 265,854,916 Loans held for sale ................................................... 1,922,434 1,095,447 Mortgage servicing rights ............................................. 2,023,892 2,115,389 Foreclosed properties, net ............................................ 483,974 188,148 Accrued interest receivable ........................................... 1,992,180 1,954,166 Advances for taxes, insurance, and other .............................. 525,302 904,507 Premises and equipment ................................................ 3,915,063 3,971,540 Deferred tax asset, net ............................................... 4,544,919 4,662,558 Other assets .......................................................... 572,926 4,166,180 ------------- ------------- Total Assets ................................................. $ 308,683,097 $ 307,721,703 ============= ============= LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY LIABILITIES Deposits: Noninterest-bearing ................................................. $ 18,597,118 $ 20,355,364 Interest-bearing .................................................... 234,584,448 222,240,222 ------------- ------------- Total deposits ................................................... 253,181,566 242,595,586 Federal Home Loan Bank advances ....................................... 31,000,000 41,000,000 Capitalized lease obligations ......................................... 74,299 99,931 Other liabilities ..................................................... 2,363,313 2,158,934 ------------- ------------- Total Liabilities ............................................ 286,619,178 285,854,451 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Series B preferred stock, $6.67 stated value: Authorized shares - 2,250,000 Issued and outstanding shares - 2,125,000 ........................... 14,173,750 14,173,750 Series C preferred stock, $6.67 stated value: Authorized shares - 125,000 Issued and outstanding shares - 125,000 ............................. 833,750 833,750 Common stock, $.01 par value: Authorized shares - 20,000,000 Issued and outstanding shares - 1,060,642 ........................... 10,606 10,606 Additional paid-in capital ............................................ 8,687,761 8,687,761 Accumulated deficit ................................................... (1,641,948) (1,838,615) ------------- ------------- Total Shareholders' Equity ................................... 22,063,919 21,867,252 ------------- ------------- Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity ................... $ 308,683,097 $ 307,721,703 ============= ============= See notes to consolidated financial statements. 3 ESSEX BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, ----------------------------- 2001 2000 ---- ---- INTEREST INCOME Loans, including fees...................................... $ 5,580,564 $ 4,870,972 Federal funds sold......................................... 16,049 16,771 Investment securities, including dividend income........... 77,188 83,801 Mortgage-backed securities................................. 8,494 8,075 Other...................................................... 147,896 127,582 ----------- ----------- Total Interest Income............................. 5,830,191 5,107,201 ----------- ----------- INTEREST EXPENSE Deposits................................................... 3,344,140 2,529,352 Federal Home Loan Bank advances............................ 566,354 760,314 Other...................................................... 4,169 8,410 ----------- ----------- Total Interest Expense............................ 3,914,663 3,298,076 ----------- ----------- Net Interest Income............................... 1,915,528 1,809,125 PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES...................................... 131,249 100,000 ----------- ----------- Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses......................... 1,784,279 1,709,125 NONINTEREST INCOME Loan servicing fees........................................ 273,784 303,362 Mortgage banking income, including gains on sales of loans held for sale.................... 84,138 32,567 Other service charges and fees............................. 186,568 167,705 Gain on sale of loans...................................... 83,806 -- Other...................................................... 175,834 91,953 ----------- ----------- Total Noninterest Income.......................... 804,130 595,587 ----------- ----------- NONINTEREST EXPENSE Salaries and employee benefits............................. 1,274,703 1,132,723 Net occupancy and equipment................................ 254,728 224,610 Deposit insurance premiums................................. 28,115 25,757 Amortization of intangible assets.......................... -- 15,519 Service bureau............................................. 158,461 159,364 Professional fees.......................................... 68,260 48,598 Foreclosed properties, net................................. 21,957 10,509 Other...................................................... 461,879 384,328 ----------- ----------- Total Noninterest Expense......................... 2,268,103 2,001,408 ----------- ----------- Income Before Income Taxes........................ 320,306 303,304 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES..................................... 123,639 124,038 ----------- ----------- Net Income........................................ $ 196,667 $ 179,266 =========== =========== Loss available to common shareholders (Note 2)............. $ (372,020) $ (340,041) =========== =========== Basic and diluted loss per common share (Note 2)........... $ (.35) $ (.32) =========== =========== See notes to consolidated financial statements. 4 ESSEX BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (unaudited) For the three months ended March 31, 2001 Series B Series C Preferred Preferred Common Additional Stock, $6.67 Stock, $6.67 Stock, $.01 Paid-in Accumulated Stated Value Stated Value Par Value Capital Deficit Total ------------ ------------ --------- ------- ------- ----- Balance at January 1, 2001.......... $ 14,173,750 $ 833,750 $ 10,606 $8,687,761 $(1,838,615) $21,867,252 Net income.......................... - - - - 196,667 196,667 ------------ ---------- --------- ---------- ----------- ----------- Balance at March 31, 2001........... $ 14,173,750 $ 833,750 $ 10,606 $8,687,761 $(1,641,948) $22,063,919 ============ ========== ========= ========== =========== =========== See notes to consolidated financial statements. 5 ESSEX BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, ---------------------------- 2001 2000 ---- ---- OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income ...................................................................... $ 196,667 $ 179,266 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: Provisions for losses on loans, foreclosed properties and other.............. 155,514 122,600 Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment ..................... 104,916 86,755 (Accretion) amortization of: Premiums and discounts on loans and securities ........................... (59,333) 18,779 Mortgage servicing rights ................................................ 145,693 133,556 Excess of costs over equity in net assets acquired ....................... - 15,519 Mortgage banking activities: Net increase in loans originated for resale .............................. (750,971) (302,870) Realized gains from sale of loans ........................................ (76,016) (27,915) Realized (gains) losses from sales of: Loans .................................................................... (83,806) - Foreclosed properties .................................................... 422 2,122 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accrued interest receivable .............................................. (38,014) (210,148) Advances for taxes, insurance and other .................................. 370,205 248,739 Deferred tax asset, net .................................................. 117,639 124,038 Other assets ............................................................. 3,593,254 1,069,989 Other liabilities ........................................................ 204,430 717,332 ------------ ------------ Net cash provided by operating activities ....................................... 3,880,600 2,177,762 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock ........................................ - (500,000) Purchase of securities available for sale ....................................... (282) (269) Net purchases of loans and participations ....................................... (13,011,277) (15,753,304) Sale of loans ................................................................... 6,100,060 - Net decrease in net loans ....................................................... 3,546,609 2,518,259 Proceeds from sales of foreclosed properties .................................... 76,930 6,945 Increase in foreclosed properties ............................................... - (114,558) (Increase) decrease in mortgage servicing rights ................................ (54,196) 11,716 Purchases of premises and equipment ............................................. (48,439) (370,739) ------------ ------------ Net cash used in investing activities ........................................... (3,390,595) (14,201,950) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net decrease in NOW and savings deposits ........................................ (1,408,825) (2,805,986) Net increase in certificates of deposit ......................................... 11,994,805 2,940,687 Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances ................................... 26,000,000 12,000,000 Repayments of Federal Home Loan Bank advances ................................... (36,000,000) (2,150,000) Payments on capital lease obligations ........................................... (25,632) (21,389) Other ........................................................................... (51) (1,973) ------------ ------------ Net cash provided by financing activities ....................................... 560,297 9,961,339 ------------ ------------ Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ................................ 1,050,302 (2,062,849) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ................................ 17,783,085 18,951,123 ------------ ------------ Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ...................................... $ 18,833,387 $ 16,888,274 ============ ============ NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES Transfers from loans to foreclosed properties ................................... $ 388,443 $ 45,855 SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash paid during the period for: Interest .................................................................... $ 2,031,802 $ 1,846,373 Income taxes ................................................................ $ 11,000 $ - See notes to consolidated financial statements. 6 ESSEX BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) March 31, 2001 NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Essex Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries ("EBI") have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for condensed interim financial statements and, therefore, do not include all information required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. The notes included herein should be read in conjunction with the notes to EBI's financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2000 included in the EBI 2000 Annual Report. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements include all adjustments (including normal recurring entries) necessary for a fair presentation of EBI's financial condition and interim results of operations. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and (ii) the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE The components of EBI's earnings per share calculations for the three months ended March 31 are as follows: 2001 2000 ---- ---- Net income $ 196,667 $ 179,266 Accumulated undeclared preferred stock dividends (568,687) (519,307) ---------- ---------- Net loss available to common shareholders $ (372,020) $ (340,041) ========== ========== Weighted average common shares outstanding 1,060,642 1,060,642 ========== ========== EBI's potential common shares are antidilutive with respect to loss available to common shareholders for all periods presented; therefore, basic and diluted earnings per share are the same. 7 NOTE 3 - SEGMENT INFORMATION The following segment information for EBI for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and 2000 is presented on the same basis and for the same segments as those presented in EBI's 2000 Annual Report. Retail Mortgage Community Mortgage Loan Corporate/ Banking Banking Servicing Eliminations Total ------- ------- --------- ------------ ----- (in thousands) First Quarter 2001 Customer revenues $ 1,481 $ 607 $ 632 $ - $ 2,720 Affiliate revenues 3 41 127 (171) - Depreciation and amortization 40 15 24 26 105 Pre-tax income 745 125 140 (690) 320 Total assets 232,072 74,421 11,215 (9,025) 308,683 First Quarter 2000 Customer revenues $ 1,360 $ 497 $ 548 $ - $ 2,405 Affiliate revenues 3 65 121 (189) - Depreciation and amortization 32 14 22 19 87 Pre-tax income 670 134 76 (577) 303 Total assets 223,289 61,726 7,995 (4,413) 288,597 Customer revenues consist of (i) net interest income, which represents the difference between interest earned on loans and investments and interest paid on deposits and other borrowings and (ii) noninterest income, which consists primarily of mortgage loan servicing fees, mortgage banking income (primarily gains on the sale of loans), and service charges and fees (primarily on deposits and the loan servicing portfolio). Revenues and pre-tax income for the retail community banking segment include a cost of funds allocation to its mortgage banking division. Conversely, revenues and pre-tax income for the mortgage banking segment have been reduced by a cost of funds allocation based on the average cost of Essex Savings Bank, F.S.B.'s interest-bearing liabilities. NOTE 4 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133 - Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities ("SFAS 133"). SFAS 133 became effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. Accordingly, EBI adopted SFAS 133 effective January 1, 2001. Due to EBI's limited use of derivative instruments, the adoption of SFAS 133 had no significant effect on its results of operations or its financial position. NOTE 5 - RECLASSIFICATION Certain 2000 amounts have been restated to conform to current year presentation. These adjustments had no effect on net income or shareholders' equity. 8 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Financial Condition - ------------------- Total assets of Essex Bancorp, Inc. ("EBI") at March 31, 2001 were $308.7 million as compared to $307.7 million at December 31, 2000. The increase in total assets resulted primarily from increases of (i) $3.0 million in loans held for investment, which was attributable to net participation purchases of $13.0 million of builder construction loans, which was partially offset by a decline in fixed-rate mortgage loans precipitated by refinance activity in the lower interest rate environment during the first quarter of 2001, coupled with a $6.1 million sale of fixed-rate first mortgage loans in order to maintain Essex Savings Bank, F.S.B.'s (the "Bank") regulatory well-capitalized status, (ii) $827,000, or 75.5%, in loans held for sale attributable to the increased volume of loan originations and (iii) $1.1 million in cash and cash equivalents. These increases were partially offset by a $3.6 million decline in other assets resulting from lower servicing-related and operating receivables. Deposits, the primary source of EBI's funds, totaled $253.2 million at March 31, 2001 as compared to $242.6 million at December 31, 2000, an increase of approximately $10.6 million or 4.4%. A $12.3 million increase in interest- bearing deposits occurred primarily in certificates of deposit at the Bank's Emporia, Richmond and Ashland, Virginia retail banking branches. This increase was partially offset by a $1.8 million decline in noninterest-bearing deposits resulting from fluctuations in loan servicing escrow accounts maintained by Essex Home Mortgage Servicing Corporation ("Essex Home") at the Bank. In order to minimize total asset growth and maintain the Bank's regulatory well- capitalized status, EBI utilized the growth in deposits to fund a reduction in Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances, which declined $10.0 million or 24.4%. Results of Operations - --------------------- First Quarter of 2001 Compared to First Quarter of 2000 EBI's net income for the three months ended March 31, 2001 totaled $197,000, compared to net income of $179,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2000. EBI's earnings during the first quarter of 2001 reflected (i) a $106,000 increase in net interest income over the comparable period in 2000, resulting from an increase in average interest-earning assets, (ii) a $132,000 increase in gains on sales of loans and (iii) an $84,000 increase in other noninterest income resulting from higher ancillary fees on Essex Home's nonaffiliated servicing portfolio. The benefits of these improvements were offset in part by (i) a $31,000 increase in the provision for loan losses and (ii) a $267,000 increase in noninterest expenses resulting from higher personnel expenses, advertising expenses and legal fees in the first quarter of 2001. 9 Net Interest Income. The table below presents average balances for interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as related weighted average yields earned and rates paid for the three months ended March 31: 2001 2000 -------------------------------- ------------------------------- Average Yield/ Average Yield/ Balance Interest Rate Balance Interest Rate ------- -------- ------ ------- -------- ----- (dollars in thousands) Interest-earning assets: Loans (1)...................... $276,097 $5,581 8.08% $246,540 $4,871 7.90% Investment securities.......... 4,546 77 6.79 5,384 84 6.23 Mortgage-backed securities................. 480 8 7.08 480 8 6.73 Federal funds sold............. 1,173 16 5.47 1,203 17 5.58 Other.......................... 10,537 148 5.61 9,096 127 5.61 -------- ------ -------- ------ Total interest-earning assets (1)................ $292,833 5,830 7.97 $262,703 5,107 7.78 ======== ------ ======== ------ Interest-bearing liabilities: Deposits....................... $229,039 3,344 5.92 $193,276 2,529 5.26 FHLB advances.................. 39,145 567 5.87 52,121 760 5.87 Other.......................... 88 4 19.14 182 9 18.62 -------- ------ -------- ------ Total interest-bearing liabilities............... $268,272 3,915 5.92 $245,579 3,298 5.45 ======== ------ ======== ------ Net interest earnings............. $1,915 $1,809 ====== ====== Net interest spread (1)........... 2.05% 2.33% ==== ==== Net interest margin (1)........... 2.62% 2.75% ==== ==== Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities.................... 109.16% 106.97% ======== ====== (1) Nonaccrual loans are included in the average balance of loans. Yield calculation includes the accretion of net deferred loan fees. The table below sets forth certain information regarding changes in EBI's interest income and interest expense between the periods indicated. Increase (Decrease) From First Quarter of 2000 to First Quarter of 2001 Due to ---------------------------------------------- Volume (1) Rate (1) Net ------ ---- --- (in thousands) Interest income on: Loans (2)................................ $ 595 $ 115 $ 710 Investment securities.................... (14) 7 (7) Mortgage-backed securities............... - - - Federal funds sold....................... (1) - (1) Other interest-earning assets............ 21 - 21 ----- ----- ----- Total interest income (2)............. 601 122 723 Interest expense on: Deposits................................. 486 329 815 FHLB advances............................ (193) - (193) Other interest-bearing liabilities....... (5) - (5) ----- ----- ----- Total interest expense................ 288 329 617 ----- ----- ----- Net interest income................... $ 313 $(207) $ 106 ==== ==== ==== (1) Changes attributable to the combined impact of volume and rate have been allocated proportionately to changes due to volume and changes due to rate. (2) Interest income includes the amortization of premiums and the accretion of net deferred loan fees. 10 Net interest income increased from $1.8 million for the first quarter of 2000 to $1.9 million for the first quarter of 2001, which reflected the favorable impact of a 12.0% increase in average loans, coupled with an 18 basis point increase in the average yield on loans. However, a 13 basis point decline in net interest margin resulted from EBI's higher cost of deposits relative to the first quarter of 2000. Management expects that the repricing of deposits and borrowings to lower interest rates will favorably impact the net interest margin. However, lower interest rates are also contributing to an increase in the volume of refinancings to lower fixed-rate loans. Therefore, in order to reduce its sensitivity during a period of relatively low market rates, EBI will continue investing in higher yielding construction and development loans. Provision for Loan Losses. Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31 are as follows (in thousands): 2001 2000 ---- ---- Balance at beginning of period ..... $ 1,740 $ 1,697 Provision for loan losses .......... 131 100 ------- ------- 1,871 1,797 Loans charged-off, net of recoveries (70) (100) ------- ------- Balance at end of period ........... $ 1,801 $ 1,697 ======= ======= Management reviews the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on a continual basis to ensure that amounts provided are reasonable. At March 31, 2001, nonperforming assets of $1.1 million as a percentage of total assets were .36% as compared to nonperforming assets of $749,000, or .24% of total assets, at December 31, 2000. The increase in the balance of nonperforming assets and the overall growth of the loan portfolio was the basis for management's determination to add to the allowance for loan losses during the first quarter of 2001. Noninterest Income. Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2001 totaled $804,000, a $209,000 or 35.0% increase over $596,000 for the first quarter of 2000. This increase was primarily attributable to (i) a $52,000 increase in mortgage banking income, primarily gains on sales of loans held for sale, resulting from an increase in loan originations in the lower interest rate environment, (ii) an $84,000 gain on sale of fixed-rate mortgage loans required to maintain the Bank's regulatory well-capitalized status and (iii) an $84,000 increase in other noninterest income resulting from higher ancillary fees on Essex Home's nonaffiliated servicing portfolio. Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2001 totaled $2.3 million, a $267,000 or 13.3% increase over $2.0 million for the first quarter of 2000. This increase was primarily attributable to increases of (i) $142,000 in personnel expenses resulting from new staffing for the Bank's retail banking branch in Ashland, Virginia that opened in May 2000 and higher staffing at Essex First Mortgage, a division of the Bank, to support the increase in loan origination volume and (ii) $78,000 in other noninterest expenses resulting from higher advertising expenses at the Bank and Essex Home in the first quarter of 2001 and an expense reversal recognized in the first quarter of 2000 for the adjudicated recovery of legal fees previously paid in connection with a servicing client's bankruptcy. Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes was $124,000 during the first quarters of 2001 and 2000, representing 39% and 41%, respectively, of pre-tax income. EBI had previously recognized income tax benefits arising from net tax operating loss carryforwards expected to be realized for the years 2001 and 2000. 11 Going-Private Transaction - ------------------------- As announced on February 1, 2001, EBI's Board of Directors (the "Board") formed a Special Committee and authorized it to undertake the requisite activities to ascertain the structure, fairness and advisability of a going-private transaction. Having concluded these activities, on March 29, 2001, the Special Committee recommended and the Board unanimously approved a proposal that EBI proceed with a going-private transaction whereby EBI would merge with a subsidiary, and EBI's common shareholders would receive a cash payment of $1.45 per share. The Board intends to submit the going-private proposal to EBI's shareholders for their approval at EBI's annual meeting. That meeting was originally scheduled to be held on June 21, 2001, but will be postponed to a date during the summer of 2001 that EBI will announce at a later date. This disclosure is not an offer to acquire any shares of common stock. EBI's shareholders will receive a proxy statement describing the proposed going-private transaction (including any conditions to the closing of the transaction). Any decision regarding such a transaction should be based on the information contained in the proxy statement. [intentionally blank] 12 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings - Not Applicable Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds - Not Applicable Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities - Not Applicable Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders - Not Applicable Item 5. Other Information - Not Applicable Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (a) Exhibits - None (b) Reports on Form 8-K - EBI filed a Form 8-K on February 6, 2001 in which EBI reported under Item 5 - Other Events the issuance of a press release on February 1, 2001. This press release announced that, among other things, at a meeting on February 1, 2001, EBI's Board of Directors unanimously decided to consider the viability of a going-private transaction, which would be subject to the recommendation and approval of a Special Committee. If such a transaction goes forward, it will also be subject to shareholder approval. The press release also announced EBI's earnings for 2000. 13 SIGNATURE In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Essex Bancorp, Inc. May 15, 2001 By: /s/ Gene D. Ross ------------ ---------------- (Date) Gene D. Ross Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer May 15, 2001 By: /s/ Mary-Jo Rawson ------------ ------------------ (Date) Mary-Jo Rawson Chief Accounting Officer 14