SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: January 22, 2002
Empire Federal Bancorp, Inc.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
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(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation)
0-28934 81-0512374
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Commission File Number I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
P.O. Box 1099
123 South Main Street
Livingston, MT 59047
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(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number (including area code): (406) 222-1981
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Item 5. Other Events
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The Registrant previously announced that it had entered into an agreement
in principle to acquire Montana First National Bancorporation, Kalispell,
Montana. The proposed acquisition is subject to further due diligence and
certain customary conditions, including approval from state and federal
banking regulators, as well as execution of a mutually agreeable definitive
agreement.
For further information, reference is made to the Registrant's press
release dated January 22, 2002, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99 and
incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
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Exhibits
99 Press Release dated January 22, 2002
SIGNATURES
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, hereunto duly authorized.
EMPIRE FEDERAL BANCORP, INC.
DATE: January 22, 2002 /s/William H.Ruegamer
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William H. Ruegamer
President and Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 99
Press Release dated January 22, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: William H. Ruegamer
President
406/222-1981
EMPIRE FEDERAL BANCORP, INC.
Empire Federal Bancorp, Inc. Enters Agreement
in Principle to Acquire Montana First National Bancorporation
LIVINGSTON, Mont.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 22, 2002--Empire Federal Bancorp,
Inc. (Nasdaq: National Market "EFBC") has entered an agreement in principle to
acquire Montana First National Bancorporation (``Montana First''). Montana
First is a commercial bank headquartered in Kalispell, Montana with
approximately $26 million in assets and a presence in consumer and commercial
banking in the Kalispell market. Financial terms of the transaction are not
being disclosed until a definitive agreement is signed.
William Ruegamer, president of Empire Federal Bancorp, Inc. (``Empire''),
noted that the possibility of entering Kalispell and the Flathead Valley would
compliment Empire's presence in a number of the state's significant markets,
including Billings, Bozeman and Missoula. Ruegamer also noted that the
proposed acquisition would enhance Empire's efforts to increase its commercial
banking activities.
The proposed acquisition is subject to further due diligence and certain
customary conditions, including approval from state and federal banking
regulators, as well as execution of a mutually agreeable definitive agreement.
The acquisition is also subject to final approval by the shareholders of
Montana First and the Board of Directors of both companies.