1 SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. ) Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only [ X ] Definitive Proxy Statement [ ] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12 CITIZENS FINANCIAL CORPORATION (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [X] No fee required. [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) 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 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): (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: 2 CITIZENS FINANCIAL CORPORATION The Marketplace, Suite 300 12910 Shelbyville Road Louisville, Kentucky 40243 NOTICE OF 2000 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS Meeting Date: May 25, 2000 Dear Shareholder: You are cordially invited to attend this year's Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Citizens Financial Corporation. DATE: Thursday, May 25, 2000 TIME: 4:00 p.m., EDT (Louisville time) PLACE: The Marketplace, Suite 300 12910 Shelbyville Road Louisville, Kentucky 40243 PROPOSALS: The following proposals are on the agenda for action by shareholders at the Annual Meeting: 1. To elect eight directors of the Corporation to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualify; and 2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. RECORD DATE: The close of business on April 21, 2000, is the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please sign, date and promptly return the enclosed proxy. You may attend the Annual Meeting even though you have executed a proxy. If for any reason you desire to revoke your proxy, you may do so at any time before the voting as described in the accompanying proxy statement. By Order of the Board of Directors, DARRELL R. WELLS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER April 28, 2000 PLEASE VOTE PROMPTLY 3 CITIZENS FINANCIAL CORPORATION THE MARKETPLACE, SUITE 300 12910 SHELBYVILLE ROAD LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY 40243 PROXY STATEMENT This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Citizens Financial Corporation. These proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Citizens Financial on Thursday, May 25, 2000, beginning at 4:00 p.m, EDT. The Annual Meeting will be held at The Marketplace, Suite 300, 12910 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, Kentucky. Your vote is important. Please complete, date and sign the accompanying proxy card and return it in the postage-paid return envelope that has been provided so you can be sure your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting. This proxy statement provides information about Citizens Financial, the proposals on the agenda for the Annual Meeting and this proxy solicitation. As used in these materials, the terms "we", "our", "Citizens Financial" and the "Company" refer to Citizens Financial Corporation. This proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card are first being sent to shareholders on or about April 28, 2000. VOTING VOTING RIGHTS. You are entitled to notice of the Annual Meeting and to vote your Class A Stock if our records showed that you owned your shares as of the close of business on April 21, 2000. As of the close of business on that date, there were 1,761,415 shares of Class A Stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of Class A Stock has one vote on all matters coming before the Annual Meeting other than the election of directors. In the election of directors, you are entitled under Kentucky law to exercise "cumulative" voting rights. This means that you are entitled to cast as many votes as equals the number of shares you own multiplied by the number of directors to be elected, and you may cast all your votes for a single nominee or distribute them among nominees in any manner you desire. USING A PROXY CARD TO VOTE. If you hold your shares in your own name as a holder of record, you may indicate on the enclosed proxy card how you want your shares voted and sign, date and mail the proxy card in the postage-paid envelope that we have provided to you. The persons named on the proxy card will vote your shares in accordance with those instructions. If you give us a proxy card without giving specific voting instructions, your shares will be voted for the director nominees. We are not aware of any other matters to be presented at the Annual Meeting except for those described in this proxy statement. If any other matters not described in the proxy statement are properly presented at the meeting, the persons named on the proxy card will have discretionary authority to vote your shares, and will vote your shares in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors. If the meeting is adjourned, they may vote your shares on the new meeting date as well, unless you revoke your proxy. Shares represented by proxies received may be voted cumulatively. If your Class A Stock is held in "street name," the broker, bank or other nominee holding your shares will send you directions you must follow in order to provide it with instructions on how to vote your shares. HOW TO REVOKE YOUR PROXY. If you complete and mail in the proxy card before the Annual Meeting, you may revoke the proxy at any time before it is voted. You may revoke the proxy by (1) delivering written notice of revocation to the Secretary of Citizens Financial or (2) delivering a later dated proxy or (3) voting in person at the Annual Meeting. 4 VOTES REQUIRED. To transact business at the Annual Meeting, a majority of the outstanding Class A Stock entitled to vote must be represented at the meeting in person or by proxy. If you have returned a properly executed proxy card or attend the meeting in person, your Class A Stock will be counted for the purpose of determining whether there is a quorum, even if you wish to abstain from voting on some or all matters introduced at the meeting. A "broker non-vote" can occur if shares are held by a broker, bank or other nominee who does not have authority to vote on a particular matter. Like abstentions, broker non-votes will be counted for quorum purposes. We do not count abstentions or broker non-votes as votes for or against a proposal. As a result, they will not affect the outcome of the vote on the election of directors. In the election of directors, the eight nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected directors at the Annual Meeting. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT YOU MAY SAVE US THE EXPENSE OF A SECOND MAILING BY PROMPTLY RETURNING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD. PLEASE MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN ORDER THAT THE NECESSARY QUORUM MAY BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING. THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 5 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The following table reflects the beneficial ownership of our Class A Stock, as of April 21, 2000 [i] by the only person we know to own beneficially more than five percent (5%) of our Class A Stock, [ii] by each of our directors, [iii] by each of the named officers reflected in the Summary Compensation Table and [iv] by our directors and all of our executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that each person named or included below has the sole voting and investment power with respect to the amount of Class A Stock listed. OWNERSHIP OF CLASS A STOCK PERCENT OF SHAREHOLDER SHARES CLASS Darrell R. Wells<F1> Suite 310, 4350 Brownsboro Road Louisville, Kentucky 40207 955,322<F2> 54.24% John H. Harralson, Jr. 12,468 * Lane A. Hersman 3,700 * Frank T. Kiley 24,303 1.38% Charles A. Mays 2,500 * Earle V. Powell 16,465 * Thomas G. Ward 24,169 1.37% Margaret A. Wells<F1> 955,322<F2> 54.24% Brent L. Nemec 0 * Stephen L. Marco 100 * Robert N. Greenwood 2,979 * 14 Directors and Executive Officers as a Group 1,042,663 59.19 - ------------------ * Less than 1%. <F1> Darrell R. Wells is the husband of Margaret A. Wells. Under the federal securities laws, a person is presumed to be the beneficial owner of securities held by members of the person's immediate family sharing the same household. Accordingly, the shares reported as beneficially owned by Mr. Wells and Ms. Wells are the same shares. <F2> Mr. Wells shares voting and investment power with respect to 67,315 shares of the Class A Stock. Frank T. Kiley, who beneficially owns 24,303 shares of the Class A Stock, may be deemed to be affiliated with Mr. Wells for certain purposes. PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS At the Annual Meeting, a full Board of Directors will be elected to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their respective successors are elected and qualify. Under the Company's Bylaws, the Board of Directors consists of eight (8) persons. The persons named on the enclosed proxy card intend to vote the proxies for the election of each of the eight nominees, unless you indicate on the proxy card that your vote should be withheld from any or all such nominees, subject to the matters described in "Discretionary Authority in Election of Directors," below. The Board of Directors has nominated John H. Harralson, Jr., Lane A. Hersman, Frank T. Kiley, Charles A. Mays, Earle V. Powell, Thomas G. Ward, Darrell R. Wells and Margaret A. Wells for election as directors. All of the nominees were elected at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and in previous years as shown in the following table. The terms of all present directors will expire at the conclusion of the election of directors at the Annual Meeting. All of the nominees have agreed to serve if elected. If there are more nominees at the Annual Meeting than there are directorships, the nominees receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to the available directorships. 3 6 DIRECTOR PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OR NAME, AGE, AND PRESENT OF THE EMPLOYMENT(S) DURING POSITIONS WITH THE COMPANY COMPANY PAST FIVE OR MORE YEARS AND THE INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES <F1> SINCE AND CERTAIN DIRECTORSHIPS<F2> John H. Harralson, Jr. 1990 Publisher, Southern Publishing d/b/a The Voice 72 Tribune (suburban newspaper publishing), Director of the Company Louisville, Kentucky and the Insurance Subsidiaries Lane A. Hersman 1995 Present principal positions with the Company and 48 Citizens Security since July, 1995; formerly Executive Vice President and Chief senior financial management positions with the Operating Officer and Director of the Company since 1991 and Citizens Security since Company; President and Chief Executive 1988 Officer and Director of the Insurance Subsidiaries Frank T. Kiley 1990 Principal, Security Management Company 53 (investments and investment management), Director of the Company Louisville, Kentucky Charles A. Mays 1994 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial 61 Officer, Commonwealth Bank and Trust Company, Director of the Company Louisville, Kentucky and the Insurance Subsidiaries Earle V. Powell 1990 Retired; Trustee, Kentucky Teachers Retirement 83 Board Director of the Company and the Insurance Subsidiaries Thomas G. Ward 1990 President, Third Kentucky Cellular Corporation 62 (telecommunications), Lexington, Kentucky; Director of the Company President, Texas 5 Corporation and the Insurance Subsidiaries (telecommunications), Lexington, Kentucky Darrell R. Wells 1990 General Partner, Security Management Company 57 (investments and investment management), President and Chief Executive Officer, Louisville, Kentucky. Director, Churchill Downs Director and Chairman of the Board of the Incorporated and Jundt Growth Fund Company Margaret A. Wells 1993 Homemaker and civic volunteer 53 Director of the Company - ------------------------- <F1> The Company's Insurance Subsidiaries are Citizens Security Life Insurance Company ("Citizens Security"), the Company's corporate predecessor; United Liberty Life Insurance Company ("United Liberty"); and Kentucky Insurance Company ("Kentucky Insurance"). <F2> Directorships in publicly-held companies other than the Company, in registered investment companies and, in the case of certain directors, other organizations deemed material by them. 4 7 BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES Our Board of Directors held five meetings during 1999. Each of the directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and the committees on which such director served. Our Board of Directors has delegated certain functions to standing committees of the Board including the Executive and Audit committees. We have not established standing nominating or compensation committees or committees performing similar functions. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Held two meetings in 1999. CURRENT MEMBERS: Messrs. Wells, Hersman, Kiley and Mays. FUNCTIONS: This committee is authorized to perform all of the functions of the Board except as limited by the Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and by certain provisions contained in the resolution of the Board creating the Executive Committee. THE AUDIT COMMITTEE: Held one meeting during 1999. CURRENT MEMBERS: Ms. Wells and Messrs. Harralson, Kiley, Mays, Powell, Ward and Wells. FUNCTIONS: This committee makes recommendations to the Board with respect to the selection of independent accountants; the review and scope of internal and independent audit arrangements; the independent accountants' suggestions for strengthening internal accounting controls; matters of concern to the Committee, the independent accountants, or management relating to our financial statements or other results of the annual audit; the review of internal accounting procedures and controls with our financial and accounting staff; and the review of financial statements and other financial information we publish. DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY IN ELECTION OF DIRECTORS We expect each nominee for election as a director to serve if elected. If any nominee is not able to serve, the persons named on the proxy card, or their substitutes, reserve the right to vote for a substitute nominee selected by our Board of Directors. In addition, if any shareholder or shareholders vote their shares for the election of a director or directors other than the nominees named above, the persons named on the proxy card, or their substitutes, reserve the right to vote cumulatively for some number less than all of the nominees named above or any substitute nominees, as they may choose. If for any reason more than eight (8) people are to be elected to our Board of Directors, the persons named on the proxy card, or their substitutes, may not vote for more than eight (8) nominees. If for any reason less than eight (8) persons are to be elected directors, they reserve the right to vote such shares for a reduced number of nominees from among those named above, or any substitute nominees. DIRECTOR COMPENSATION Each member of the Board of Directors who is not a full-time employee of the Company or its subsidiaries or who is not otherwise compensated as such receives a fee of $1,900 per quarter if he or she attends all meetings of the Board of Directors. Five hundred dollars is deducted from each quarterly payment for each meeting missed by the director for that quarter. 5 8 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY Our executive officers, as listed below, are elected annually to their executive offices and serve at the pleasure of our Board of Directors. PRESENT POSITIONS WITH THE COMPANY PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OR EMPLOYMENT(S) NAME/AGE AND THE INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES <F1> DURING PAST FIVE OR MORE YEARS Darrell R. Wells President and Chief Executive Officer, General Partner, Security Management 57 Director and Chairman of the Board of Company (investments and investments the Company management), Louisville, Kentucky Lane A. Hersman Executive Vice President and Chief Present principal positions with the 48 Operating Officer and Director of the Company and with Citizens Security Company; President and Chief Executive since July, 1995; formerly senior Officer and Director of the Insurance financial management positions with Subsidiaries the Company since 1991 and with Citizens Security since 1988 Robert N. Greenwood Vice President, Operations, of the Present position with the Company 65 Company; Senior Vice President, since 1992 and with Citizens Security Operations, of Citizens Security and since 1989 United Liberty James L. Head Vice President, Administration, of the Present positions with the Company 66 Company; Senior Vice President, since 1992 and with Citizens Security Administration, of Citizens Security and since 1990 United Liberty Stephen L. Marco Vice President and Chief Actuary of the Present positions with the Company 49 Company; Senior Vice President and Chief since 1993 and with Citizens Security Actuary of Citizens Security and United since 1992 Liberty Paul M. Marquess Vice President, Agency, of the Company; Present positions with the Company 62 Senior Vice President, Agency, of and Citizens Security since 1996; Citizens Security and United Liberty formerly Manager, Management Development, Agency Group, Providian Corporation (insurance holding corporation) Brent L. Nemec Vice President, Accounting and Chief Present positions with the Company 45 Financial Officer, and Treasurer of the and Citizens Security since 1996; Company; Senior Vice President, formerly Second Vice President, Accounting and Chief Financial Officer, Financial Reporting, Agency Group, and Treasurer of the Insurance Providian Corporation (insurance Subsidiaries holding corporation) Tonya G. Crawford Vice President, Pre-Need, of the Company Present position with the Company 37 and Senior Vice President, Pre-Need of since February, 1999 and with Citizens Security and United Liberty Citizens Security since November, 1998; formerly Director of Operations of United Liberty (acquired by Citizens Security in 1998) - ------------------------- <F1> The Company's Insurance Subsidiaries are Citizens Security Life Insurance Company ("Citizens Security"), the Company's corporate predecessor; United Liberty Life Insurance Company ("United Liberty"); and Kentucky Insurance Company ("Kentucky Insurance"). 6 9 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The following table provides a profile of our executive compensation and shows, among other things, salaries and bonuses paid during the last three years for our President and Chief Executive Officer and each of the four other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company. SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE ANNUAL COMPENSATION OTHER NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS ANNUAL ALL OTHER WITH THE COMPANY YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION COMPENSATION<F3> Darrell R. Wells, President and Chief 1999 $ 0 $ 0 $0 $ 0 Executive Officer and Chairman of the 1998 $ 0 $ 0 $0 $ 0 Board<F1> 1997 $ 0 $ 0 $0 $ 0 Lane A. Hersman, Executive Vice 1999 $118,412 $1,000 $0<F2> $3,673 President and Chief Operating Officer 1998 $109,779 $ 0 $0<F2> $2,933 and Director 1997 $108,354 $ 0 $0<F2> $2,276 Brent L. Nemec, Vice President, 1999 $103,289 $1,000 $0 $3,131 Accounting and Chief Financial Officer 1998 $ 96,208 $ 0 $0 $2,578 and Treasurer 1997 $ 94,700 $ 0 $0 $1,985 Stephen L. Marco 1999 $101,816 $1,000 $0 $3,450 Vice President and Chief Actuary 1998 $ 94,946 $ 0 $0 $2,544 1997 $ 93,701 $ 0 $0 $1,962 Robert N. Greenwood 1999 $100,924 $1,000 $0 $3,124 Vice President, Operations 1998 $ 94,362 $ 0 $0 $2,516 1997 $ 93,126 $ 0 $0 $1,937 - ------------------------- <F1> Mr. Wells has not received any salary or bonus for serving as an officer in a part-time capacity. <F2> Other Annual Compensation consists of personal use of an automobile. The aggregate cost to us of such personal benefits did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the annual salary received by Mr. Hersman. <F3> The amounts shown in this column represent Company contributions to the Company's 401(k) plan and term life insurance premiums, as follows: Mr. Wells Mr. Hersman Mr. Nemec Mr. Marco Mr. Greenwood 401(K) 1999 $0 $2,235 $1,870 $1,924 $1,907 1998 $0 $1,556 $1,363 $1,345 $1,337 1997 $0 $1,083 $ 947 $ 937 $ 931 LIFE INSURANCE PREMIUMS 1999 $0 $1,438 $1,261 $1,526 $1,217 1998 $0 $1,377 $1,215 $1,199 $1,179 1997 $0 $1,193 $1,038 $1,025 $1,006 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS Mr. Hersman, Mr. Marco and Mr. Greenwood have employment agreements with the Company and Citizens Security that provide for a severance payment of one year's current salary unless such officer is terminated by reason of death, voluntary resignation, or because such officer was terminated for "cause" as described in the employment agreements. BOARD OF DIRECTORS REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The Board of Directors, other than Mr. Hersman, sets the compensation and benefits of executive officers of the Company at one of its meetings held after completion of the Company's financial statements for the preceding year. The Board has not adopted a formal compensation policy and does not regularly employ compensation consultants. In 1999, the only material component of executive officer compensation was salary, in addition to benefits generally available to all employees. The decision process begins with a salary proposal by Mr. Hersman for each executive officer. In general, the Board intends that salary levels will be near the median for executives with comparable responsibilities at comparable companies in the insurance industry, 7 10 although reliable industry data is difficult to obtain, and that they will be competitive with other opportunities available to Company executives. Salaries are indirectly related to corporate performance in that improved Company performance improves the climate for annual salary increases, but no portion of executive salaries is contingent upon meeting specific criteria. The Company has not adopted a bonus plan or other incentive compensation plan, other than the 1999 Stock Option Plan. No options have as yet been granted under the Plan. Mr. Wells, the Company's president and chief executive officer, does not receive any salary or bonus or benefits generally provided to employees of the Company. Mr. Wells is the Company's largest beneficial shareholder and has responsibilities for various other businesses not otherwise connected with the Company. John H. Harralson, Jr. Frank T. Kiley Charles A. Mays Earle V. Powell Thomas G. Ward Darrell R. Wells Margaret A. Wells SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors, executive officers and 10% owners to file reports of holdings and transactions in our shares with the SEC. Based on our records and other information, we believe that our directors, executive officers and 10% owners met all applicable SEC filing requirements in 1999. PERFORMANCE GRAPH This graph compares our total shareholder returns with like data for the Russell 2000 Index and the Center for Research in Securities Prices Total Return Industry Index for Nasdaq Insurance Stocks. The graph assumes $100 invested at the per share closing price of the Class A Stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market on December 31, 1994, in Citizens Financial and each of the indices. All data assumes reinvestment of dividends. The Company has not historically paid dividends. [Performance Graph appears here] 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Citizens Financial $100.00 $105.94 $105.00 $120.00 $165.00 $220.00 Russell 2000 Index $100.00 $128.44 $149.63 $183.09 $178.43 $216.35 Nasdaq Insurance Index $100.00 $142.05 $161.92 $237.52 $211.58 $164.29 8 11 COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION The members of the Board of Directors participating in executive compensation decisions are John H. Harralson, Jr., Frank T. Kiley, Charles A. Mays, Earle V. Powell, Thomas G. Ward, Darrell R. Wells and Margaret A. Wells. Mr. Wells is a current executive officer of the Company and Mr. Powell was president of Citizens Security until his retirement in 1989. Mr. Wells has responsibilities for other businesses including those that employ Mr. Kiley and Mr. Mays, and either determines or participates in the determination of the compensation received by them from their respective employers. Mr. Wells and Mr. Kiley are affiliated with other entities that are involved in continuing transactions with the Company. These transactions are described in the next section. CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Darrell R. Wells, the Company's president and chief executive officer, provides us with securities portfolio management services under contracts with us and our insurance subsidiaries through SMC Advisors, Inc., an investment advisor entity of which he is the principal officer, a director, and the sole shareholder. The contracts with SMC Advisors provide for us to pay annual fixed fees plus incentive compensation equal to five percent (5%) of any net gain from net realized and net unrealized capital gains and losses in the bond and stock portfolios of the Company and our individual insurance subsidiaries during each year. The fees we incurred under these contracts last year were as follows: fixed fees of $39,000 (0.03% of average cash and invested assets for the year); and incentive fees of $617,524 (0.54% of average cash and invested assets for the year) on realized and unrealized capital gains of $12,350,480. Any excess of net realized and unrealized capital losses over net realized and unrealized capital gains at the end of a year is not carried forward to the next year. The contracts provide for automatic renewal for successive one-year periods unless we or SMC Advisors notifies the other, at least 30 days prior to the end of the contract period, that we or it intends to terminate the contract. The contracts have been renewed for 2000. The contracts are also subject to termination in certain events of default or insolvency. Portfolio investments are limited to investments that comply with the Kentucky Insurance Code and regulations and the overall investment policies of the Company and our insurance subsidiaries. Insurance laws require the Company to deposit portions of its assets in bank custodial accounts for the protection of policyholders. The Company's principal custodian for such statutory deposits and other assets is Shelby County Trust Bank, which is controlled by Mr. Wells. The fees we pay the bank are based on the amount of assets held. In 1999, we paid $85,396 in fees to the bank. Mr. Kiley is a director of the bank. Our subsidiary Corporate Realty Service, Inc. manages our home office building, as well as two office buildings owned by partnerships controlled by Mr. Wells. These partnerships pay management fees to Corporate Realty Service based upon a percentage of rental income and leasing commissions according to a prescribed schedule, and also reimburse certain salary expenses of Corporate Realty Service. During 1999, the partnerships paid Corporate Realty Service $52,674 in management fees, $21,030 in leasing commissions and $40,924 in salary reimbursement. Mr. Kiley also owns interests in the partnerships. OTHER MATTERS We are not aware of any other matters requiring a vote of shareholders at the Annual Meeting (except for procedural matters), and we do not expect any such other matters to arise. If, however, any such other matters are presented, the persons named on the enclosed proxy card, or any substitutes, will vote on these matters according to their judgment of the best interests of the Company. 9 12 INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS On November 10, 1999, our Board of Directors approved the appointment of Ernst & Young, LLP as our independent public accountants and auditors of our financial statements for the year ending December 31, 1999. Ernst & Young, LLP has conducted the audits of the Company since its organization in 1990 and has conducted the audits of our predecessor Citizens Security since 1989. The Board of Directors ordinarily selects our independent certified public accountant and auditor in the last half of the year. It has not yet made a selection for the current year. We expect that a representative of Ernst & Young, LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if the representative desires to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Our most recent annual financial statements are contained in the 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders, which may be enclosed with this proxy statement. You may obtain additional copies of the Annual Report by writing to the President, The Marketplace, Suite 300, 12910 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40243. Although enclosed, you should not consider the Annual Report and such financial statements as part of this proxy statement because we do not consider the information contained in the Annual Report or financial statements material for purposes of exercising your judgment regarding the matters considered at the May 25, 2000 meeting. PROPOSALS BY SHAREHOLDERS If you wish to include a proposal in the Board of Directors' proxy statement and form of proxy for presentation at the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, your proposal must be received by the Company not later than December 29, 2000. Any other proposal that you intend to bring before the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company not later than March 14, 2001. All such proposals should be sent to the Secretary of the Company at The Marketplace, Suite 300, 12910 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, Kentucky 40243. GENERAL INFORMATION Our Board of Directors is conducting this solicitation of proxies primarily by mail. We will bear the costs of the solicitation, which may include reimbursement to brokerage firms and others for expenses involved in forwarding this solicitation material for the Annual Meeting to you and other shareholders on our behalf. Certain officers, directors, and regular employees of the Company may also solicit proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors by means of telephone calls, personal interviews, and mail at no additional expense to the Company, except any actual out-of-pocket communications charges that, if incurred, are not expected to exceed $500. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please mark, sign, date and promptly return the enclosed proxy in the enclosed envelope. No postage is required for mailing in the United States. By Order of the Board of Directors, DARRELL R. WELLS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 10 13 APPENDIX TO PROXY STATEMENT FORM OF PROXY CARD (Front) PROXY CITIZENS FINANCIAL CORPORATION PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR SHAREHOLDERS MEETING ON MAY 25, 2000 The undersigned hereby appoints James L. Head and Len E. Schweitzer and each or either of them, as true and lawful agents and proxies, with full power of substitution in each, to represent the undersigned in all matters coming before the 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Citizens Financial Corporation to be held at the office of the Company, The Marketplace, Suite 300, 12910 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, Kentucky on Thursday, May 25, 2000 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, and any adjournments thereof, and to vote all shares owned of record by the undersigned as follows: 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS Nominees: John H. Harralson, Jr., Lane A. Hersman, Frank T. Kiley, Charles A. Mays, Earle V. Powell, Thomas G. Ward, Darrell R. Wells and Margaret A. Wells. [ ] VOTE FOR all nominees listed above, except vote withheld from the following nominees (if any): ------------------------------------------------------------- OR [ ] VOTE WITHHELD from all nominees listed above. 2. OTHER MATTERS In their discretion, to vote with respect to any other matters that may come before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof, including matters incident to its conduct. WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER SPECIFIED ABOVE BY THE SHAREHOLDER. TO THE EXTENT CONTRARY SPECIFICATIONS ARE NOT GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED IN ITEM 1, WITH THE DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY SET FORTH IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT. PLEASE DATE AND SIGN ON THE REVERSE SIDE 14 (Back) Dated:_________________________, 2000 PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS NAME APPEARS BELOW ____________________________Signature ____________________________Signature (JOINT OWNERS SHOULD EACH SIGN. ATTORNEYS-IN-FACT, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, CUSTODIANS, PARTNERS, OR CORPORATION OFFICERS SHOULD GIVE GIVE FULL TITLE). PLEASE DATE, SIGN, AND RETURN THIS PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE PROMPTLY. NO POSTAGE IS NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.