SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S) 240.14a-11(c) or (S) 240.14a-12
HARDIN BANCORP, INC.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
HARDIN BANCORP, INC.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (check the appropriate box):
[X] $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(j)(2).
[_] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
[_] 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:
[_] 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:
Notes:
June 25, 1996
Dear Fellow Stockholder:
On behalf of the Board of Directors and management of Hardin Bancorp, Inc.
(the "Company"), I cordially invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. The meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m., Hardin, Missouri time on
July 25, 1996 at the American Legion Hall, located at 103 West Elm Street,
Hardin, Missouri.
The enclosed Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement describe the
formal business to be transacted. During the meeting we will also report on the
operations of the Company since the completion of the conversion of Hardin
Federal Savings Bank (the "Bank") from mutual to stock form and its
reorganization into the holding company form of ownership.
An important aspect of the meeting process is the stockholder vote on
corporate business items. I urge you to exercise your rights as a stockholder
to vote and participate in this process. Stockholders are being asked to
consider and vote upon the proposals to elect four directors of the Company and
to ratify the appointment of independent auditors of the Company for the fiscal
year ending March 31, 1997. The Board has carefully considered both of these
proposals and believes that their approval is in the best interests of the
Company and its stockholders. Accordingly, your Board of Directors unanimously
recommends that you vote for both of the proposals.
I encourage you to attend the meeting in person. Whether or not you attend
the meeting, I hope that you will read the enclosed Proxy Statement and then
complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it in the postage
prepaid envelope provided. Returning a properly executed and dated proxy card
will save the Company additional expense in soliciting proxies and will ensure
that your shares are represented. Please note that you may vote in person at
the meeting even if you have previously returned the proxy.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Robert W. King
President and Chief Executive Officer
HARDIN BANCORP, INC.
2nd and Elm Street
Hardin, Missouri 64035
(816) 398-4312
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be Held on July 25, 1996
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the
"Meeting") of Hardin Bancorp, Inc. will be held at the American Legion Hall,
located at 103 West Elm Street, Hardin, Missouri at 1:30 p.m., Hardin, Missouri
time, on July 25, 1996.
A Proxy Card and a Proxy Statement for the Meeting are enclosed.
The Meeting is for the purpose of considering and acting upon:
1. The election of two directors of the Company for three year terms, one
director for a two year term and one director for a one year term;
2. The ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the
auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1997;
and such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting, or any
adjournments thereof. The Board of Directors is not aware of any other business
to come before the Meeting.
Any action may be taken on the foregoing proposals at the Meeting on the
date specified above, or on any date or dates to which the Meeting may be
adjourned. Stockholders of record at the close of business on June 11, 1996 are
the stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting and any adjournments thereof.
You are requested to complete and sign the enclosed form of proxy,
which is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors, and to mail it promptly
in the enclosed envelope. The proxy will not be used if you attend and vote at
the Meeting in person.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Karen K. Blankenship
Secretary
Hardin, Missouri
June 25, 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT: THE PROMPT RETURN OF PROXIES WILL SAVE THE COMPANY THE EXPENSE OF
FURTHER REQUESTS FOR PROXIES TO ENSURE A QUORUM AT THE MEETING. A
SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. NO POSTAGE IS
REQUIRED IF MAILED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
Hardin Bancorp, Inc.
2nd and Elm Street
Hardin, Missouri 64035
(816) 398-4312
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held July 25, 1996
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation
on behalf of the Board of Directors of Hardin Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company"), the
parent company of Hardin Federal Savings Bank (the "Bank"), of proxies to be
used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (the "Meeting") which
will be held at the American Legion Hall, located at 103 West Elm Street,
Hardin, Missouri on July 25, 1996, at 1:30 p.m., Hardin, Missouri time, and all
adjournments of the Meeting. The accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and this
Proxy Statement are first being mailed to stockholders on or about June 25,
1996.
At the Meeting, stockholders of the Company are being asked to
consider and vote upon the proposals to elect four directors of the Company, and
to ratify the appointment of KPMG Peat Markwick LLP as auditors of the Company
for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1997.
Vote Required and Proxy Information
All shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
(the "Common Stock"), represented at the Meeting by properly executed proxies
received prior to or at the Meeting, and not revoked, will be voted at the
Meeting in accordance with the instructions thereon. If no instructions are
indicated, properly executed proxies will be voted for the proposals set forth
in this Proxy Statement. The Company does not know of any matters, other than
as described in the Notice of Annual Meeting, that are to come before the
Meeting. If any other matters are properly presented at the Meeting for action,
the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy and acting thereunder will have
the discretion to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
As to the election of directors, the proxy card being provided by the
Board of Directors enables a stockholder to vote FOR the election of the
nominees proposed by the Board, or to WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for one or more
of the nominees being proposed. Under Delaware law and the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, directors are elected by a plurality of
votes cast. Broker non-votes have no effect on the vote. One-third of the
shares of the Common Stock entitled to vote at the Meeting, present in person or
represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for purposes of the Meeting.
Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining a
quorum. As to the ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as
independent auditor of the Company, by checking the appropriate box, a
stockholder may: (i) vote FOR the item; (ii) vote AGAINST the item; or
(iii) ABSTAIN from voting on the item. Under the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws, the ratification of this matter shall be determined by
a majority of the votes cast, without regard to broker non-votes, or proxies
marked ABSTAIN.
A proxy given pursuant to the solicitation may be revoked at any time
before it is voted. Proxies may be revoked by: (i) filing with the Secretary of
the Company at or before the Meeting a written notice of revocation bearing a
later date than the proxy, (ii) duly executing a subsequent proxy relating to
the same shares and delivering it to the Secretary of the Company at or before
the Meeting, or (iii) attending the Meeting and voting in person (although
attendance at the Meeting will not in and of itself constitute revocation of a
proxy). Any written notice revoking a proxy should be delivered to Karen K.
Blankenship, Secretary, Hardin Bancorp, Inc., 2nd and Elm Street, Hardin,
Missouri 64035.
Voting Securities and Certain Holders Thereof
Stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 11, 1996
will be entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock then held. As of
that date, the Company had 1,058,000 shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding. The following table sets forth information as of June 11, 1996
regarding share ownership of those persons or entities known by management to
own beneficially more than five percent of the Common Stock and of all directors
and executive officers of the Company and the Bank as a group.
Shares
Beneficially Percent
Beneficial Owner Owned of Class
- ------------------------------------------------------- ----------- ---------
Hardin Bancorp, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership
Plan/(1)/
2nd and Elm Street
Hardin, Missouri 64035 84,640 8.00%
Directors and executive officers of the Company
and the Bank as a group (8 persons) 44,630/(2)/ 4.2
(1) The amount reported represents shares held by the Employee Stock
Ownership Plan ("ESOP"), 8,468 shares of which have been allocated to
accounts of participants. First Bankers Trust of Quincy, Illinois, the
trustee of the ESOP, may be deemed to beneficially own the shares held
by the ESOP which have not been allocated to accounts of participants.
Participants in the ESOP are entitled to instruct the trustee as to
the voting of shares allocated to their accounts under the ESOP.
Unallocated shares held in the ESOP's suspense account are voted by
the trustee in the same proportion as allocated shares voted by
participants.
(2) Amount includes shares held directly, as well as shares held jointly
with family members, shares held in retirement accounts, shares held
in a fiduciary capacity or by certain family members, with respect to
which shares the group members may be deemed to have sole or shared
voting and/or investment power. Does not include options to purchase
shares of Common Stock granted under the Company's Stock Option Plan
and does not include shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under
the Company's Recognition and Retention Plan, which shares have not
yet vested and as to which the participants do not yet have voting
rights.
PROPOSAL I - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Company's Board of Directors is presently composed of five
members, each of whom is also a director of the Bank. The Board of Directors
has determined to increase the size of the Board from five members to seven
members, effective as of the time of the Meeting, and has nominated Karen K.
Blankenship and William L. Homan to fill the newly created directorships. The
Directors are divided into three classes. Directors of the Company are
generally elected to serve for a three-year term which is staggered to provide
for the election of approximately one-third of the directors each year.
2
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
Company's Board of Directors, including their terms of office and nominees for
election as directors. It is intended that the proxies solicited on behalf of
the Board of Directors (other than proxies in which the vote is withheld as to
the nominee) will be voted at the Meeting for the election of the nominees
identified in the following table. If any nominee is unable to serve, the
shares represented by all such proxies will be voted for the election of such
substitute as the Board of Directors may recommend. At this time, the Board of
Directors knows of no reason why the nominee might be unable to serve, if
elected. Except as described herein, there are no arrangements or
understandings between any director or nominee and any other person pursuant to
which such director or nominee was selected.
Shares of Common
Age at Term Stock Beneficially Percent
March 31, Director to Owned at of
Name 1996 Position(s) Held Since (1) Expire March 31, 1996 (2) Class
- ----------------------------------- ---------- ---------------- --------- --------- ------------------ -------
NOMINEES
--------
For Three-Year Term:
- --------------------
Robert W. King 58 President, Chief
Executive Officer,
and Director 1974 1999 16,674 1.6%
David D. Lodwick 66 Director 1977 1999 5,000 .4
For Two-Year Term:
- ------------------
William L. Homan Vice President
and Treasurer -- 1998 15,698 1.5
For One-Year Term:
- ------------------
Karen K. Blankenship Senior Vice President
and Secretary -- 1997 1,942 .2
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
------------------------------
Ivan R. Hogan 71 Chairman of the Board 1963 1997 3,500 .3
David K. Hatfield 68 Director 1976 1998 2,000 .2
W. Levan Thurman 73 Director 1980 1998 2,500 .2
___ _____________________
/(1)/ Includes service as a director of the Bank.
/(2)/ Includes shares held directly, as well as shares held jointly with family
members, shares held in retirement accounts, shares held by certain
members of the named individuals' families, or held by trusts of which the
named individual is a trustee or substantial beneficiary, with respect to
which shares the named individuals may be deemed to have sole or shared
voting and/or investment power. Also includes shares allocated to the
individual accounts of Messrs. King and Homan and Mrs. Blankenship under
the Bank's Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Does not include options to
purchase shares of Common Stock granted under the Company's Stock Option
Plan and does not include shares of restricted Common Stock awarded under
the Company's Recognition and Retention Plan, which shares have not yet
vested and as to which the participants do not yet have voting rights.
3
The business experience of each director and director nominee is set
forth below. All directors have held their present positions for at least the
past five years, except as otherwise indicated.
Robert W. King. Mr. King has served as Chief Executive Officer of the
Bank since 1990, and was named President in 1995. In these capacities, he is
responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of the Bank. Mr. King
joined the Bank in 1960 and served in various capacities prior to being named
the Chief Executive Officer.
David D. Lodwick. Mr. Lodwick is currently a practicing attorney in
Excelsior Springs, Missouri.
William L. Homan. Mr. Homan joined the Bank in June 1995 as Vice
President and Treasurer. In that capacity, Mr. Homan is responsible for the
supervision of all investments and cash flows of the Bank. Prior to joining
the Bank, Mr. Homan was President and Chief Executive Officer of Brenton
Savings Bank, FSB, Ames, Iowa.
Karen K. Blankenship. Mrs. Blankenship is the Senior Vice President and
Secretary of the Bank, responsible for the supervision of the accounting
department and reporting to the regulatory authorities. Mrs. Blankenship joined
the Bank as a teller in 1967, and has served the Bank in various capacities
prior to her promotion to Senior Vice President in 1993.
Ivan R. Hogan. Mr. Hogan was President of the Bank from 1981 to 1995
and has been on the Bank's Executive Committee of the Board of Directors since
1981. He currently works for the Bank on a part-time basis in the capacity of
construction inspector. During fiscal 1996, Mr. Hogan received a salary of
$12,500 and a bonus of $5,000 for services rendered to the Bank, in addition to
director fees paid.
David K. Hatfield. Mr. Hatfield currently is a part-time broker with
Hatfield Real Estate and also owns and operates a farm in Cowgill, Missouri.
W. Levan Thurman. Mr. Thurman is a retired funeral director.
In June 1995, Mr. William R. Morrow, who had served as a director of
the Bank since 1980, retired from the board and was named a director emeritus.
Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors
Executive officers of the Bank are elected annually by the Board of
Directors of the Bank. The business experience of the executive officer of the
Bank and the Company who is not also a director is set forth below.
Lyndon M. Goodwin. Mr. Goodwin, age 51, is currently Vice President
of the Bank responsible for the supervision of all lending operations of the
Bank. Prior to joining the Bank in 1994, Mr. Goodwin was a County Supervisor
of the United States Department of Agriculture, Farmer's Home Administration,
for 28 years.
4
Meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees
Board and Committee Meetings of the Company. The Board of Directors met
6 times during the year ended March 31, 1996. During fiscal 1996, no director
of the Company attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of the total number of
Board meetings and the total number of meetings held by the committees of the
Board of Directors on which he served.
The Company formed standing Audit, Nominating and Compensation
Committees in connection with its organization in June 1995.
The Audit Committee reviews audit reports and related matters to ensure
effective compliance with regulations and internal policies and procedures.
This committee also acts on the recommendation by management of an accounting
firm to perform the Company's annual audit and acts as a liaison between the
auditors and the Board. The current members of this committee are Directors
Hatfield, Lodwick and Thurman. The Audit Committee met 1 time in fiscal 1996.
The Nominating Committee meets annually in order to nominate candidates
for membership on the Board of Directors. This committee is comprised of the
Board members who are not up for election. Nominations of persons for election
to the Board of Directors may be made only by or at the direction of the Board
of Directors or by any shareholder entitled to vote for the election of
directors who complies with the notice procedures set forth in the Bylaws of the
Company. The Nominating Committee met 1 time in fiscal 1996.
The Compensation Committee establishes the Company's compensation
policies and reviews compensation matters. The current members of this
Committee are Directors Hogan, Lodwick and Thurman. The Compensation
Committee met 3 times during fiscal 1996.
Board and Committee Meetings of the Bank. Meetings of the Bank's
Board of Directors are generally held on a monthly basis. The Board of
Directors of the Bank held 14 meetings during the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996. No director attended fewer than 75% of the total number of
meetings held by the Board of Directors and by all committees of the Board of
Directors on which he served during the year.
Director Compensation
Upon completion of the conversion of the Bank from mutual to stock form,
the Company adopted a policy of paying directors a fee of $2,000 per annum,
payable quarterly. Additionally, during fiscal 1996, all directors of the
Bank received a fee of $500 for each regular meeting. During the fiscal year,
a total of 13 regular board meetings of the Bank were held, and each director
received aggregate fees of $7,000. Directors do not receive any additional
fees for attending special board meetings or for participation on committees.
Stock Benefit Plans. Following approval by the Company's stockholders
at a Special Meeting of Stockholders held on April 16, 1996, each director and
director emeritus of the Company who is not a full-time employee (5 persons)
received an option to purchase 5,290 shares of Common Stock under the Company's
Stock Option Plan and an award of 2,116 shares of restricted stock under the
Company's Recognition and Retention Plan. In addition, Mr. Homan and Ms.
Blankenship received options to purchase 10,580 and 17,986 shares, respectively,
under
5
the Stock Option Plan, and 4,232 and 7,406 shares, respectively, of restricted
stock under the Recognition and Retention Plan.
Director Deferred Fee Agreement. In 1980, the Bank established a
deferred compensation program for the benefit of its directors. This program
permitted directors who elected to participate to defer up to 100% of director
fees over a five year period. No director has entered the program since 1989.
Pursuant to agreements entered into with participating directors, upon reaching
age 65, the director (or in the event of death, his designated beneficiary)
receives a specified monthly cash payment (designed to approximate the future
value of the fees deferred) for a period of 120 months. In order to offset the
expected payments under the deferred compensation plan, the Bank has purchased
life insurance policies on the lives of the participating directors. Although
the insurance policies do not generate periodic payments to cover the monthly
payments owed to directors upon reaching age 65, the death benefits payable on
the insurance policies have been selected to actuarially approximate the total
monthly payment obligations. At March 31, 1996, all directors, including
director emeritus William R. Morrow, have participated in the deferred
compensation program. During fiscal 1996, directors Hogan, Hatfield, Thurman,
Lodwick and director emeritus Morrow received payments of $11,220, $12,840,
$19,353, $23,848 and $6,756, respectively, pursuant to the plan. Upon reaching
age 65, President King will receive $40,460 per annum under these plans.
Executive Compensation
The Company has not paid any compensation to its executive officers
since its formation. However, the Company does reimburse the Bank for services
performed on behalf of the Company by its officers. The Company does not
presently anticipate paying any compensation to such persons until it becomes
actively involved in the operation or acquisition of businesses other than the
Bank.
6
The following table sets forth the compensation paid or accrued by the
Bank for services rendered by Robert W. King, the President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Bank. No other executive officer earned in excess of $100,000
during fiscal years 1995 and 1996.
================================================================================================================
Summary Compensation Table
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-Term
Compensation
Annual Compensation/(1)/ Awards
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Restricted
Annual Stock Options/ All Other
Name and Principal Fiscal Compensation Award SARs Compensation
Position Year/(1)/ Salary($) Bonus($) ($) ($)/(2)/ (#)/(3)/ ($)/(4)/
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert W. King, President
and Chief Executive 1996 $80,096 $13,500 $ --- --- --- $21,256
Officer 1995 $77,200 $13,000 $ --- --- --- $5,400
================================================================================================================
---------------------
/(1)/ In accordance with the revised rules on executive officer and
director compensation disclosure adopted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, Summary Compensation information is excluded for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1994, as the Company was not a public company
during such periods.
/(2)/ Subsequent to the 1996 fiscal year end, on April 16, 1996, at a
Special Meeting of Stockholders, the stockholders of the Company approved
the Hardin Bancorp, Inc. Recognition and Retention Plan ("Recognition and
Retention Plan"). Under the Recognition and Retention Plan, 42,320 shares
of restricted stock are reserved for issuance to directors and officers
of the Company. Pursuant to the Recognition and Retention Plan, Mr. King
was awarded 10,580 restricted shares. Such awards had a market value of
$11.50 per share on April 16, 1996, the date of grant. Such awards vest
in equal installments at a rate of 20% per year beginning on April 16,
1997, one year from the date of grant, unless otherwise determined by the
Board. Awards will be 100% vested upon termination of employment due to
death or disability. When such shares become vested and are distributed,
the recipient will also receive an amount equal to the accumulated
dividends and earnings thereon.
/(3)/ Subsequent to the 1996 fiscal year end, on April 16, 1996, at a
Special Meeting of Stockholders, the stockholders of the Company approved
the Hardin Bancorp, Inc. 1995 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the "Stock
Option Plan") for the benefit of officers and employees. Under the Stock
Option Plan, 105,800 shares of Common Stock are reserved for issuance to
officers and directors. Under the Stock Option Plan, Mr. King was awarded
options to purchase 26,450 shares of Common Stock. Such options vest in
equal installments at a rate of 20% per year commencing one year from the
date of grant. The first installment of options becomes exercisable on
April 16, 1997. The exercise price of such options is $11.50, the fair
market value of the underlying shares on April 16, 1996, the date of
grant. No options were exercisable by the Named Executive Officer during
fiscal 1996.
/(4)/ Includes $2,000 of board fees and $19,256 contributed under the
Bank's Employee Stock Ownership Plan in fiscal 1996 and $5,400 of board
fees in fiscal 1995.
7
Employment Agreements
The Bank entered into an employment agreement effective upon consummation
of the Bank's conversion to a stock institution, with Robert W. King, the Bank's
and the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, providing for a term of
three years. The contract provides for payment to the employee for the
remaining term of the contract unless the employee is terminated "for cause."
The employment agreement for Mr. King provides for an annual base
salary as determined by the Board of Directors, but not less than the employee's
current salary. Mr. King's base salary (exclusive of director fees and bonuses)
was $80,096 in fiscal 1996. So long as the contract remains in force, salary
increases will be reviewed not less often than annually thereafter, and are
subject to the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. The employment
contract provides for annual extensions for one additional year, but only upon
express authorization by the Board of Directors at the end of each year. The
contract provides for termination upon the employee's death, for cause or in
certain events specified by OTS regulations. The employment contract is
terminable by the employee upon 90 days' notice to the Bank.
In the event there is a change in control of the Company or the Bank, as
defined in the agreement, if employment terminates involuntarily in connection
with such change in control or within 12 months thereafter, the employment
contract provides for a payment equal to 299% of Mr. King's base amount of
compensation as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Assuming a change in control were to take place as of March 31, 1996, the
aggregate amounts payable to Mr. King pursuant to this change in control
provision would be approximately $160,192.
The contract provides, among other things, for participation in an
equitable manner in employee benefits applicable to executive personnel. The
employment contract may have an "anti-takeover" effect that could affect a
proposed future acquisition of control of the Company.
The Bank has also entered into an employment agreement with Karen K.
Blankenship, as Senior Vice President and Secretary. The agreement provides for
a term of two years and a change of control payment equal to 150% of Ms.
Blankenship's base amount of compensation, and is otherwise similar to the
employment agreement with Mr. King.
Officers Compensation Agreement
In December 1994, the Bank entered into a Compensation Agreement with
President and Chief Executive Officer Robert W. King. The Compensation Agreement
is an unfunded, non-qualified agreement which provides for a death benefit or a
monthly retirement benefit for a period of 120 months that commences upon death
or upon reaching age 65, payable to the officer or his designated beneficiaries.
The agreement requires a five year period of continuous service and provides for
a reduced monthly payment on a pro rata basis for a lesser period of continuous
service. The Compensation Agreement also contains clauses requiring the employee
to refrain from business activities which are in competition with the Bank
without first obtaining the written consent of the Bank. The annual benefit upon
death or reaching age 65 for Mr. King, assuming completion of the five year
continuous service requirement, is $12,000. The Bank has purchased a life
insurance contract on Mr. King whereby the Bank is the beneficiary in order to
offset the expected payments under the Compensation Agreement.
8
Benefit Plans
Pension Plan. The Bank's employees are included in the Financial
Institutions Retirement Fund, a multi-employer comprehensive pension plan (the
"Pension Plan"). This noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan covers
all employees who have met minimum service and age requirements. Benefits are
based upon the average annual compensation for the employee's five highest paid
years of employment.
The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 1996, estimated annual
retirement benefits for individuals at age 65 payable in the form of a life
annuity payment for various levels of compensation and years of service. Such
payments are not subject to offset for social security benefits. At March 31,
1996, the estimated credited years of service of Mr. King was 33 years.
=====================================================================
Pension Plan Table
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Years of Credited Service
-------------------------------------------------
High-Five Average
Compensation 10 Years 15 Years 20 Years 25 Years 30 Years
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 20,000 $ 3,000 $ 4,500 $ 6,000 $ 7,500 $ 9,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
30,000 4,500 6,750 9,000 11,250 13,500
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
50,000 7,500 11,250 15,000 18,750 22,500
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
75,000 11,250 16,875 22,500 28,125 33,750
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
100,000 15,000 22,500 30,000 37,500 45,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
150,000 22,500 33,750 45,000 56,250 67,500
=====================================================================
Indebtedness of Management
The Bank has followed a policy of granting consumer loans and loans
secured by one- to four-family real estate to officers, directors and employees.
Loans to directors and executive officers are made in the ordinary course of
business and on the same terms and conditions as those of comparable
transactions with the general public prevailing at the time, in accordance with
the Bank's underwriting guidelines, and do not involve more than the normal risk
of collectibility or present other unfavorable features.
All loans by the Bank to its directors and executive officers are subject
to OTS regulations restricting loan and other transactions with affiliated
persons of the Bank. Federal law currently requires that all loans to directors
and executive officers be made on terms and conditions comparable to those for
similar transactions with non-affiliates. Loans to all directors, executive
officers, employees and their associates totaled $381,930 at March 31, 1996,
which was 3.51% of the Bank's regulatory capital at that date and 2.38% of the
Company's stockholders' equity at that date. There were no loans outstanding to
any director, executive officer or their affiliates at preferential rates or
terms which in the aggregate exceeded $60,000 during the three years ended
9
March 31, 1996. All loans to directors and officers were performing in
accordance with their terms at March 31, 1996.
PROPOSAL II - RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT
OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1996 were KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. The Company's Board of Directors has
reappointed KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to continue as independent auditors for the
Company for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1997, subject to ratification of
such appointment by the stockholders. Representatives of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
are expected to attend the Meeting. They will be given the opportunity to make a
statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to
appropriate questions from stockholders present at the Meeting.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OF THE COMPANY
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1997.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
In order to be eligible for inclusion in the Company's proxy materials
for the next annual meeting of stockholders, any stockholder proposal to take
action at such meeting must be received at the Company's office located at 2nd
and Elm Street, Hardin, Missouri 64035 no later than February 25, 1997. Any such
proposal shall be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules adopted under
the Exchange Act.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors is not aware of any business to come before the
Meeting other than those matters described above in this Proxy Statement.
However, if any other matter should properly come before the Meeting, it is
intended that holders of the proxies will act in accordance with their best
judgment.
The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. The
Company will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending proxy materials
to the beneficial owners of Common Stock. In addition to solicitation by mail,
directors, officers and regular employees of the Company and the Bank may
solicit proxies personally or by telegraph or telephone without additional
compensation.
Hardin, Missouri
June 25, 1996
10
HARDIN BANCORP, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
July 25, 1996
The undersigned hereby appoints Ivan R. Hogan and W. Levan Thurman, with
full powers of substitution, to act as attorneys and proxies for the undersigned
to vote all shares of capital stock of Hardin Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company")
which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(the "Meeting") to be held at the American Legion Hall, located at 103 West Elm
Street, Hardin, Missouri on July 25, 1996 at 1:30 p.m., Hardin, Missouri time
and at any and all adjournments and postponements thereof.
1. The election as directors of all nominees listed below (except as
marked to the contrary):
[_] FOR [_] VOTE WITHHELD
INSTRUCTION: To withhold your vote for any individual nominee, strike
a line in that nominee's name below.
ROBERT W. KING (three year term) DAVID D. LODWICK (three year term)
WILLIAM L. HOMAN (two year term) KAREN K. BLANKENSHIP (one year term)
2. The ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as auditors
for the Company for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1997.
[_] FOR [_] AGAINST [_] VOTE WITHHELD
In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote on any other
business that may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or
postponement thereof.
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, BUT IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE
SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSAL AND EACH OF THE NOMINEES
LISTED ABOVE. IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS IS PRESENTED AT THE MEETING, THIS PROXY WILL
BE VOTED BY THOSE NAMED IN THIS PROXY IN THEIR BEST JUDGMENT. AT THE PRESENT
TIME, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS KNOWS OF NO OTHER BUSINESS TO BE PRESENTED AT THE
MEETING.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the proposal
and the election of the nominees listed above.
(Continued and to be SIGNED on Reverse Side)
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Should the undersigned be present and choose to vote at the Meeting or at
any adjournments or postponements thereof, and after notification to the
Secretary of the Company at the Meeting of the stockholder's decision to
terminate this proxy, then the power of such attorneys or proxies shall be
deemed terminated and of no further force and effect. This proxy may also be
revoked by filing a written notice of revocation with the Secretary of the
Company or by duly executing a proxy bearing a later date.
The undersigned acknowledges receipt from the Company, prior to the
execution of this proxy, of notice of the Meeting, a Proxy Statement and an
Annual Report to Stockholders.
Dated: , 1996
------------------- -------------------------------
Signature of Stockholder
Please sign exactly as your name(s)
appear(s) to the left. When signing
as attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, please give your
full title. If shares are held jointly,
each holder should sign.
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED
POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE
1061\96annmtg\proxy.1