UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
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.
[ ] Confidential, for use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e) (2)).
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement.
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials.
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or 240.14a-12
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
N/A
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (check the appropriate box):
[ ] 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:
Common Stock
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 119,528
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):
$23.00, which is the per share price to be paid in the transaction
subject to this Schedule 14A filing
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: $2,750,000
5) Total fee paid: $413.00
[X] 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: ____________________
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
100 NORTH HIGH STREET
HILLSBORO, OHIO 45133
December 21, 2005
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of shareholders,
which will be held at 10:00 a.m., on January 24, 2006 at Merchants National
Bank's Main Office at 100 North High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. I hope that
you will be able to attend the meeting and I look forward to seeing you.
At the special meeting, you will be asked to vote on a set of proposals
that will allow for the termination of the registration of the Merchants Bancorp
Common Stock under federal securities laws and thereby eliminate the significant
expense required to comply with reporting requirements under those laws. We have
estimated our costs associated with the routine SEC filing and reporting
requirements for the 2005 reporting year would be approximately $423,010. This
figure does not include an additional one time expenditure of approximately
$124,400 necessary to bring the Company into compliance with new requirements
under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We believe the projected costs for the
2005 reporting year are generally indicative of the recurring annual cost
savings that should result from the going private transaction and subsequent
termination of our SEC registration.
Referred to as "going private," the proposals are designed to reduce the
number of common shareholders to fewer than 300 persons, as required for
termination of the registration. The reduction in the number of shareholders
will be accomplished by amending the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation to authorize the issuance of 140,000 shares of a new class of
Preferred Stock which will be used in connection with a merger of a
newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Merchants Bancorp ("MBI Merger Sub,
Inc."), with and into Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (the "Merger"). The terms of this
Merger have been set forth in an agreement and plan of Merger between the two
companies (the "Merger Agreement"), a copy of which is attached as Appendix A to
the enclosed proxy statement. A copy of the proposed amendment to the Articles
of Incorporation is also attached as Appendix D to the enclosed proxy statement.
At the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"): (i) each share
of Common Stock then held by a shareholder of record who as of the record date
for the special meeting of shareholders (the "Record Date") held 100 or fewer
shares will be converted into the right to receive $23.00 in cash per share from
the Company; and (ii) each share of Common Stock then held by a shareholder of
record who as of the Record Date held 1,500 or more shares will remain as
outstanding Common Shares of the Company. At the Effective Time, each share of
Common Stock then held by a shareholder of record who as of the Record Date held
more than 100 but fewer than 1,500 shares of Common Stock will be converted into
the right to receive: (i) the per share cash consideration of $23.00; (ii) one
share of a newly authorized class of Preferred Stock of the Company; or (iii) a
combination of cash and Preferred Stock. All such shareholders will be entitled
to
receive the amount of Cash Consideration and/or Series A Preferred Stock so
elected upon the consummation of the proposed transactions. However, the Board
of Directors has expressly reserved the right to re-evaluate the desirability of
completing the proposed transactions in the event the Company would be required
to acquire more than 160,000 of its Common Shares for cash, either pursuant to
the terms of the Merger or pursuant to dissenters' rights of appraisal, as
discussed more thoroughly in the attached proxy statement.
We anticipate that the effect of the acquisition of our Common Stock from
holders of fewer than 1,500 shares will be a reduction in the total number of
shareholders of record from approximately 700 to approximately 271. In order to
avoid filings with the SEC, the number of shareholders must be reduced to less
than 300. The number of shares outstanding is expected to be reduced by
approximately 119,528 shares, leaving 2,547,122 shares outstanding from the
2,666,650 Common Shares currently outstanding.
The Merchants Bancorp Board of Directors believes the "going private"
transaction is in the best interest of all Merchants Bancorp shareholders and
recommends that you vote in favor of the proposed transaction. The attached
notice of special meeting and proxy statement describe the transaction and
provide specific information concerning the special meeting. The "going private"
transaction is important for Merchants Bancorp and its shareholders but will
only be approved upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the number of shares
entitled to vote at the special meeting.
The Board of Directors has established December 5, 2005 as the Record Date
for determining shareholders who are entitled to notice of the special meeting
and to vote at the special meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the
special meeting, please complete, sign and date the proxy card and return it in
the envelope provided. If you attend the meeting, you may vote in person, even
if you have previously returned your proxy card.
Sincerely,
/s/ Paul W. Pence, Jr.
-----------------------------------
Paul W. Pence, Jr., President & CEO
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
100 NORTH HIGH STREET
HILLSBORO, OHIO 45133
NOTICE OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JANUARY 24, 2006
A special meeting of shareholders of Merchants Bancorp, Inc. will be held
at 10:00 a.m. on January 24, 2006 at Merchants National Bank's Main Office at
100 North High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133, for the following purposes:
1. To consider and act upon a proposal to approve the Merger of MBI
Merger Co., Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merchants Bancorp,
with and into Merchants Bancorp as contemplated by the Merger
Agreement attached as Appendix A to the enclosed proxy statement.
Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time
of the Merger: (i) each share of Common Stock then held by a
shareholder of record who as of the Record Date held 100 or fewer
shares will be converted into the right to receive $23.00 in cash
per share from the Company; and (ii) each share of Common Stock then
held by a shareholder of record who as of the Record Date held 1,500
or more shares will remain as outstanding Common Stock of the
Company unchanged. At the Effective Time, each share of Common Stock
then held by a shareholder of record who as of the Record Date held
more than 100 but fewer than 1,500 shares of Common Stock will be
converted into the right to receive: (i) the per share cash
consideration of $23.00; (ii) one share of a newly authorized Class
A Preferred Stock of the Company; or (iii) a combination of cash and
Class A Preferred Stock.
2. To amend the Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of
140,000 shares of a new class of Preferred Stock to be used in
connection with the Merger.
3. To transact any other business as may properly come before the
meeting or any adjournments of the meeting.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the
approval of the proposals (1) and (2). The Merger cannot occur unless the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Merchants Bancorp Common
Stock entitled to vote at the special meeting of shareholders approve both the
Merger Agreement and an amendment to Article FOURTH of the Company's Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of 140,000 shares
of the Series A Preferred Stock.
The Board of Directors has set the close of business on December 5, 2005,
as the Record Date for determining the shareholders who are entitled to notice
of, and to vote at, the meeting or any adjournment of the meeting.
We hope that you will be able to attend the meeting. We ask, however,
whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, that you mark, date, sign, and
return the enclosed proxy card as soon as possible. Promptly returning your
proxy card will help ensure the greatest number of shareholders are present
whether in person or by proxy. If you attend the meeting in person, you may
revoke your proxy at the meeting and vote your shares in person.
IF YOU ARE A SHAREHOLDER OWNING MORE THAN 100 BUT FEWER THAN 1,500 SHARES
OF COMMON STOCK, YOU WILL NEED TO USE YOUR PROXY CARD TO MAKE THE ELECTION TO
RECEIVE CASH, SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK, OR A COMBINATION OF CASH AND
SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.
SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK WILL BE LESS LIQUID THAN SHARES OF THE
COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK, WILL HAVE NO VOTING RIGHTS, AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED
UNDER SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK HAVE A TERM OF 20 YEARS FROM THE DATE
OF ISSUANCE AND ARE ALSO CALLABLE AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY ANY TIME AFTER
THE FIFTH YEAR FOLLOWING THE DATE OF ISSUANCE, OR AT ANY OTHER TIME IN THE EVENT
THE COMPANY HAS ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT WHICH, IF
EFFECTED, WOULD RESULT IN A "CHANGE IN CONTROL," AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE
PROPOSED CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES
OF INCORPORATION PROVIDED AS APPENDIX D TO THE ENCLOSED PROXY STATEMENT.
NONE OF THE SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK OFFERED IN CONNECTION WITH
THE TRANSACTION PROPOSED BY THIS PROXY STATEMENT ARE DEPOSITS OR ACCOUNTS. THEY
ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
NEITHER THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED OF THE SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK OR DETERMINED IF THE
STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT ARE TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS EXPRESSLY RESERVED THE RIGHT TO RE-EVALUATE THE
DESIRABILITY OF COMPLETING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS IN THE EVENT THE COMPANY
WOULD BE REQUIRED TO ACQUIRE MORE THAN 160,000 OF ITS COMMON SHARES FOR CASH,
EITHER PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF THE MERGER OR PURSUANT TO DISSENTERS' RIGHTS OF
APPRAISAL.
Date: December 21, 2005 By Order of the Board of Directors of
Merchants Bancorp, Inc.
James D. Evans, Secretary
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
100 NORTH HIGH STREET
HILLSBORO, OHIO 45133
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JANUARY 24, 2006
The Board of Directors of Merchants Bancorp provides this proxy statement
to you to solicit your vote on the approval of the Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated as of December 12, 2005, by and between Merchants Bancorp and MBI Merger
Sub, Inc., a newly-formed subsidiary of Merchants Bancorp organized for the sole
purpose of facilitating this proposed transaction. Pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, MBI Merger Sub, Inc. will merge with and into Merchants Bancorp, with
Merchants Bancorp continuing as the surviving corporation after the Merger. If
Merchants Bancorp's shareholders approve the Merger Agreement, each shareholder
of record:
o holding 100 or fewer shares of Merchants Bancorp, Inc. Common Stock as of the
shareholder Record Date will receive $23.00 cash, without interest, per share
from the Company for each share of Common Stock held at the Effective Time of
the Merger;
o holding 1,500 or more shares as of the shareholder Record Date will continue
to hold the same number of shares of Common Stock held at the Effective Time
of the Merger; and
o holding more than 100 shares of Common Stock but fewer than 1,500 shares of
Common Stock as of the shareholder Record Date will have the opportunity to
elect to: (i) receive the per share cash consideration of $23.00 for each
share of Common Stock (the "Cash Consideration") held at the Effective Time
of the Merger; (ii) receive one share of a newly authorized class of
Preferred Stock of the Company (the "Series A Preferred Stock") for every one
share of Common Stock held at the Effective Time of the Merger; or (iii)
receive a combination of Cash Consideration and Series A Preferred Stock.
Shareholders who elect to receive a combination of Cash Consideration and
Series A Preferred Stock may determine at their election the whole number of
their Common Shares as to which they wish to receive the Cash Consideration
and the whole number of their Common shares as to which they elect to receive
shares of Series A Preferred Stock. Any such election must be made with
respect to whole shares of Common Stock only, and no election can be made
which would result in the issuance of a fractional share of Series A
Preferred Stock. All such shareholders will be entitled to receive the amount
of Cash Consideration and/or Series A Preferred Stock so elected upon the
consummation of the proposed transactions. However, the Board of Directors
has expressly reserved the right to re-evaluate the desirability of
completing the proposed transactions in the event the Company would be
required to acquire more than 160,000 of its Common Shares for cash, either
pursuant to the terms of the Merger or pursuant to dissenters' rights of
appraisal.
Shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be less liquid than shares of the
Company's Common Stock, will have no voting rights, and will not be registered
under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Shares of Series A
Preferred Stock have a term of 20 years from the date of issuance and are also
callable at the option of the Company any time after the fifth year following
the date of issuance, or at
any other time in the event the Company has entered into an agreement or other
arrangement which, if effected, would result in a "change in control," as that
term is defined in the proposed certificate of amendment to the Company's
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation attached hereto as Appendix D. In
the event such shares are called in connection with a change in control
transaction, each holder thereof shall receive the per share Principal Amount of
$23.00. If the shares are called otherwise than in connection with a change in
control transaction, such holders shall receive the per share cash amount of
$24.15, which amount includes a 5% premium over the Principal Amount. If the
Company does not exercise its option to call shares of Series A Preferred Stock
prior to the expiration of the 20 year term, holders shall receive the Principal
Amount for each share held at the completion of such term.
Shareholders have the option of dissenting from the Merger transaction and
receiving the fair cash value for their Common Stock pursuant to Section 1701.85
of the Ohio Revised Code. Below is a summary of the steps which you must take if
you wish to exercise dissenters' rights with respect to the Merger.
o To be entitled to dissenters' rights as a shareholder, you must be the record
holder of the dissenting shares as of the Record Date. If you have a
beneficial interest in shares of the Company's Common Stock that are held of
record in the name of another person, you must act promptly to cause the
shareholder of record to follow the steps described below.
o You must not vote your shares in favor of the approval of the Merger. A vote
"FOR" the Merger is a waiver of dissenters' rights. A proxy that is returned
signed but on which no voting preference is indicated will be voted in favor
of the Merger and will also constitute a waiver of dissenters' rights.
o You must serve a written demand for the fair cash value of the dissenting
shares upon the Company on or before the tenth day after the shareholder vote
approving the Merger. The required written demand must specify your name and
address, the number of dissenting shares held of record on the Record Date of
the meeting and the amount claimed as the fair cash value of the dissenting
shares.
o If you and the Company cannot agree on the fair cash value of the dissenting
shares, you must, within three months after service of your demand for fair
cash value, file a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Highland County,
Ohio for a determination of the fair cash value of the dissenting shares.
After the Merger, the Company anticipates it will have approximately 271
record holders of its Common Stock. As a result, Merchants Bancorp will no
longer be subject to the annual and periodic reporting and related requirements
under the federal securities laws that are applicable to public companies.
The Merger cannot occur unless the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Merchants Bancorp Common Stock entitled to vote at the
special meeting of shareholders approve both the Merger Agreement and an
amendment to Article FOURTH of the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation to authorize the issuance of 140,000 shares of the Series A
Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors has scheduled a special meeting of
shareholders to vote on the Merger as follows:
January 24, 2006; 10:00 a.m.
Merchants National Bank's Main Office
100 North High Street
Hillsboro, Ohio 45133
This document provides you with detailed information about the proposed
Merger. Please see "Where You Can Find More Information" for additional
information about Merchants Bancorp on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
NEITHER THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION NOR THE SECURITIES OFFERED IN CONNECTION
THEREWITH HAVE BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, THE OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER OF
THE CURRENCY, THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE, THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT
INSURANCE CORPORATION OR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF BANKING OF THE STATE OF OHIO, NOR
HAVE ANY OF SUCH REGULATORY ENTITIES PASSED ON THE ACCURACY, ADEQUACY OR
COMPLETENESS OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE. THE SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK OFFERED BY MERCHANTS
BANCORP, INC. IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION ARE NOT BANK DEPOSITS
AND ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER
AGENCY OR COMPANY.
The date of this proxy statement is December 21, 2005. We first mailed
this proxy statement to the shareholders of Merchants Bancorp on or about that
date.
IMPORTANT NOTICES
Neither Merchants Bancorp Common Stock nor the Series A Preferred Stock is
a deposit or bank account and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other governmental agency.
We have not authorized any person to give any information or to make any
representations other than the information and statements included in this proxy
statement. You should not rely on any other information. The information
contained in this proxy statement is correct only as of the date of this proxy
statement, regardless of the date it is delivered or when shares of Merchants
Bancorp Common Stock are converted. By accepting receipt of this proxy
statement, you agree not to permit any reproduction or distribution of its
contents in whole or in part.
We will update this proxy statement to reflect any factors or events
arising after its date that individually or together represent a material change
in the information included in this document.
You should not construe the contents of this proxy statement or any
communication from Merchants Bancorp, whether written or oral, as legal, tax,
accounting or other expert advice. You should consult with your own counsel,
accountant or other professional advisor, as appropriate.
Merchants Bancorp makes forward-looking statements in this proxy statement
that are subject to risk and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include
information about possible or assumed future results of the operations or the
performance of Merchants Bancorp after the Merger is effected. When we use words
such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "targeted," and similar
expressions, we are making forward-looking statements that are subject to risk
and uncertainties. Various future events or factors may cause our results of
operations or performance to differ materially from those expressed in our
forward-looking statements. These factors include:
(1) changes in economic conditions, both nationally and in our primary
market area;
(2) changes in governmental monetary and fiscal policies, as well as
legislative and regulatory changes;
(3) the effect of changes in interest rates on the level and composition
of deposits, loan demand, and the values of loan collateral,
securities and interest rate protection agreements;
(4) the effects of competition from other financial service providers
operating in our primary market area and elsewhere; and
(5) the failure of assumptions underlying the establishment of reserves
for possible loan losses and estimations of values of collateral and
various financial assets and liabilities.
The words "we," "our," "us," and "the Company," as used in this proxy
statement, refer to Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and it's wholly owned subsidiaries,
collectively, unless the context indicates otherwise.
The words "Common Stock" or "Common Shares," as used in this proxy
statement, refer to the common stock of Merchants Bancorp, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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PROPOSAL I - APPROVAL OF THE MERGER OF MBI MERGER SUB, INC.
WITH AND INTO MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC....................................................... 1
SUMMARY TERM SHEET ..................................................................... 1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING
AND THE MERGER.......................................................................... 8
When and Where is the Special Meeting?.................................................. 8
How Many Votes Do I Have................................................................ 8
How Many Votes Can be Cast by All Shareholders?......................................... 8
Can I Change My Vote?................................................................... 8
What Happens if the Meeting is Adjourned to a Later Date?............................... 8
Why Should I Vote to Approve the Plan of Merger?........................................ 9
How Will the Merger Affect the Day-to-Day Operations?................................... 9
How Was the Cash Price for Shares of the Common Stock Determined?....................... 9
May I Obtain a Copy of Austin Associates, LLC's Valuation Report?....................... 10
When Will the Merger be Completed?...................................................... 10
Should I Send in My Common Stock Certificates Now?...................................... 10
Who Can Help Answer My Questions?....................................................... 10
What Do I Need to Do Now?............................................................... 10
SPECIAL FACTORS......................................................................... 11
Background of the Merger Proposal ...................................................... 11
Purposes of and Reasons for the Merger Proposal ........................................ 19
Structure of the Merger ................................................................ 21
Determination of the Terms of the Merger ............................................... 24
Financial Fairness ..................................................................... 24
Certain Consequences of the Merger; Benefits and Detriments to
Affiliated and Non-Affiliated Shareholders ....................................... 33
Recommendation of our Board of Directors ............................................... 37
Purposes and Reasons of MBI Merger Sub, Inc. for the Merger Proposal ................... 41
Position of MBI Merger Sub, Inc. as to the Fairness of the Merger ...................... 41
Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger ............................................. 41
Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements................................ 42
Source of Funds and Expenses ........................................................... 42
Certain Terms of the Merger ............................................................ 43
Regulatory Requirements ................................................................ 46
Rights of Dissenting Shareholders....................................................... 47
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger ............................ 49
Pro Forma Effect of the Merger and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information
(Unaudited)....................................................................... 51
Termination of Securities Exchange Act Registration .................................... 52
i
PAGE
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PROPOSAL II - AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION....................................... 54
Series A Preferred Stock................................................................ 54
Common Stock............................................................................ 55
Possible Anti-Takeover Effect of Proposal............................................... 57
Anti-Takeover Measures Currently in Place............................................... 57
Dividend Policy and Investment Risk..................................................... 58
INFORMATION REGARDING THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF SHAREHOLDERS............................................................................ 60
Time and Place of Meeting .............................................................. 60
Record Date and Mailing Date ........................................................... 60
Number of Shares Outstanding ........................................................... 60
Purposes of Special Meeting............................................................. 60
Dissenters' Rights ..................................................................... 61
Voting at the Special Meeting and Requirements for Shareholder Approval................. 61
Solicitation of Proxies ................................................................ 62
Election Procedures for Certain Shareholders............................................ 62
INFORMATION ABOUT MERCHANTS BANCORP AND ITS AFFILIATES..................................... 63
Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and Merchants National Bank .................................... 63
MBI Merger Sub, Inc..................................................................... 65
Directors and Senior Executive Officers of Merchants Bancorp, Inc....................... 65
Legal Proceedings....................................................................... 66
Voting Securities Held By Directors, Executive Officers and 5% Beneficial Owners of
Merchants Bancorp, Inc. .......................................................... 66
Recent Affiliate Transactions in Merchants Bancorp Stock ............................... 67
Stock Repurchases by Merchants Bancorp, Inc ............................................ 67
Market for Common Stock and Dividend Information ....................................... 67
Financial and Other Information......................................................... 69
Future Shareholder Proposals and Communications with the Company's Board of
Directors......................................................................... 69
Other Matters........................................................................... 70
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ....................................................... 70
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE ....................................................... 71
ii
APPENDICES
Appendix A Agreement and Plan of Merger Between Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and MBI
Merger Sub, Inc.
Appendix B Section 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code
Appendix C Fairness Opinion of Austin Associates, LLC
Appendix D Certificate of Amendment of the Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation of Merchants Bancorp, Inc.
Appendix E Merchants Bancorp, Inc. Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements
Appendix F Merchants Bancorp, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
Year Ended December 31, 2004
Appendix G Merchants Bancorp, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
Quarter Ended September 30, 2005
iii
PROPOSAL I - APPROVAL OF THE MERGER OF MBI MERGER SUB, INC.
WITH AND INTO MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
SUMMARY TERM SHEET
This summary term sheet, together with the following Question and Answers
section highlights the material information included in this proxy statement.
This summary may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To
understand the Merger Proposal fully, and for a more complete description of the
legal terms of the Merger Proposal, you should read carefully this entire
document and the other documents referenced in this document. The actual terms
of the Merger are contained in the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached
as Appendix A to this proxy statement.
o PURPOSE OF THE TRANSACTION
Shareholders are being asked to consider and vote to approve a transaction
which will reduce the total number of record holders of Common Shares of the
Company to less than 300. This will allow the Company to terminate its status as
a reporting company and avoid the reporting and other SEC filing requirements
attendant thereto. The Board of Directors believes that the burden and expense
associated with being an SEC reporting company far outweigh any advantage of
remaining an SEC reporting company. For more information, see the section
captioned "Purposes of and Reasons for the Merger Proposal" beginning on page 19
of this proxy statement.
o STRUCTURE OF THE TRANSACTION
The transaction is structured as a merger. In general, a newly-created,
wholly-owned subsidiary of Merchants Bancorp, called MBI Merger Sub, Inc., will
be merged with and into Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (the "Merger"). At the effective
time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"):
o each share of Common Stock then held by a shareholder of record who
as of the Record Date held 100 or fewer shares will be converted
into the right to receive $23.00 in cash per share from the Company
(the "Cash Consideration"). Those shareholders will cease to have
any ownership interest in Merchants Bancorp;
o each share of Common Stock then held by a shareholder of record who
as of the Record Date held 1,500 or more shares will continue to
represent one share of the Company's Common Stock following the
Merger; and
o each share of Common Stock then held by a shareholder of record who
as of the Record Date held more than 100 but fewer than 1,500 shares
of Common Stock will be converted into the right to receive: (i) the
per share Cash Consideration; (ii) one share of
1
a newly authorized Class A Preferred Stock of the Company; or (iii)
a combination of Cash Consideration and Class A Preferred Stock.
The Board decided on this structure because it allows the Company to meet
its objective of reducing the number of its Common shareholders of record to
below 300, while also providing a significant number of shareholders (i.e. the
approximately 246 shareholders in the 101 to 1,499 Common Share range) with the
option of retaining an economic interest in the Company, should they choose to
do so. The Board determined not to provide this option to the shareholders
owning 100 or fewer Common Shares because to do so allowed for the possibility
that the total number of record holders of Series A Preferred Stock would exceed
500 following the proposed transactions, thereby requiring the Company to
continue to meet the SEC reporting and filing requirements sought to be
discontinued through such transactions. Additionally, the Board determined that
cashing out the approximately 183 holders of 100 or fewer Common Shares was
appropriate due to the inordinate consumption of administrative resources by
this group relative to its aggregate ownership of less than 5% of the Company's
Common Stock.
For more information, see the section captioned "Structure of the Merger"
beginning on page 21 of this proxy statement.
o AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
To facilitate the Merger, shareholders are also being asked to consider
and vote to approve an amendment to Article FOURTH of the Company's Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of 140,000 shares
of Series A Preferred stock. This number represents the approximate aggregate
amount of shares held by shareholders owning more than 100 but fewer than 1,500
shares of the Company's Common Stock. The Series A Preferred Stock will be a
non-voting preferred security with a term of 20 years. It will also have a
"Principal Amount" of $23.00 and a preference over the Common Shares in the
event the Company liquidates. At the end of the 20 year term, holders of Series
A Preferred Stock will receive the per share Principal Amount. The Board has
chosen to incorporate a maturity feature into the Series A Preferred Stock
similar to such provisions found in debt instruments. This term was added
primarily to allow holders who opt to acquire Series A Preferred Stock with a
date certain for the liquidation of their investment. The Board acknowledged
that the Series A Preferred Stock would lack liquidity; primarily due to the
fact that it possesses no voting rights, does not participate in the capital
appreciation resulting from the retention of earnings, and contains the limits
on transfer discussed below. Consequently, the Board determined that a finite
term of investment was in the best interest of those shareholders who opted to
receive shares of Series A Preferred Stock in exchange for their shares of the
Company's Common Stock. The Board briefly considered setting the maturity date
for the Series A Preferred Stock at either 10 or 15 years from the date of
issuance, but determined with the assistance of counsel that the longer term of
20 years was necessary for shareholders to receive tax-free treatment under the
Internal Revenue Code on the exchange of their Common Stock for shares of the
Series A Preferred Stock. For more information regarding the tax treatment of
the proposed transaction, see the section captioned "Material U.S. Federal
Income Tax Consequences of the Merger" beginning on page 49 of this proxy
statement.
2
The new security will be transferable, provided that transfer would not
result in an increase in the number of record holders of Series A Preferred
Stock. A transfer will not result in an increase in the number of record holders
where the transfer: (1) consists of all the shares of Series A Preferred Stock
held by the transferor; and (2) is to a single holder, including business and
trust entities and multiple individuals owning jointly. The Series A Preferred
Stock will also be callable by the Company after the fifth year following the
date of issuance or in the event the Company enters into an agreement which
would result in a change in control of the Company. In the event such shares are
called in connection with a change in control transaction, each holder thereof
shall receive the per share Principal Amount, in cash, of $23.00. If the shares
are called by the Company otherwise than in connection a change in control
transaction, such holders shall receive the per share cash amount of $24.15,
which amount includes a 5% premium over the Principal Amount. If the Company
does not exercise its option to call shares of Series A Preferred Stock prior to
the expiration of the 20 year term, holders shall receive the Principal Amount
for each share held at the completion of such term. In addition, the per share
dividend received by holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will be identical
in amount to any dividend received by holders of Common Stock.
Because the principal economic value of the Series A Preferred Stock is a
cash dividend payment on parity with that paid to holders of the Company's
Common Stock, an investment in shares of the Series A Preferred Stock is not
without economic risk. While the Company has had a relatively stable history of
both earnings and semiannual dividend distributions to shareholders, the Company
cannot guarantee that it will be able to continue the payment of such dividends
in the future. Moreover, shares of Series A Preferred Stock are not insured by
the FDIC, and, as such, the repayment to holders thereof of the Principal Amount
upon maturity is in no way guaranteed. For more information regarding the
ability of the Company and its commercial bank subsidiary to pay dividends, see
the section captioned "Common Stock" beginning on page 55 of this proxy
statement.
Given the general terms and anticipated illiquidity of the Series A
Preferred Stock, shareholders owning more than 100 but fewer than 1,500 shares
of Common Stock are strongly advised to consider the desirability of being
committed to an investment in shares of the Series A Preferred Stock for the
entire 20 year term. In addition, the consideration to be received by holders of
Series A Preferred Stock, either upon completion of the 20 year term or in the
event such shares are called by the Company, may not be commensurate with the
value of such shares at that time. A general comparison of the terms of the
Common Stock and the Series A Preferred Stock is provided below. See Proposal II
beginning on page 54 of this proxy statement for more information on the
relative rights and preferences of the Series A Preferred Stock.
3
TERM COMPARISON CHART
TERM COMMON STOCK SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
- ------------------- ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Voting Rights One vote on all matters per share; None
cumulative voting in the election of
directors
Preemptive Rights None None
Dividend Rights As declared by the board out As declared by the board out of funds
of funds legally available therefore; legally available therefore; preference
no dividend payable unless first paid over holders of Common Stock
to holders of Series A Preferred
Conversion Rights None None
Transfer Rights Freely transferable Freely transferable insofar as
transfer would not increase record
ownership
Liquidation Rights Subordinated to holders of Series A Preference over holders of Common
Preferred
Callability Not callable Callable at Company's option after
5th year following issuance or in
connection with a "Change in Control"
event
Antidilution Rights None Adjustments tied to adjustments in
the number of outstanding Common
Shares
Term Perpetual Term Series A Preferred mature on the 20th
anniversary following the date of
issuance, at which time all holders
thereof will receive the principal
amount of $23.00 per share
o ELECTION PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS
If you are a shareholder who, as of the Record Date, held more than 100
shares of Common Stock but fewer than 1,500 shares of Common Stock, you must
make your election regarding the receipt of the Cash Consideration or Series A
Preferred Stock on the proxy card provided with this proxy statement. You may
elect to receive a combination of Cash Consideration and Series A Preferred
Stock in exchange for your shares of Common Stock. Shareholders who elect to
receive a combination of Cash Consideration and Series A Preferred Stock may
determine at their election the whole number of their Common Shares as to which
they wish to receive the Cash Consideration and the whole number of their Common
shares as to which they elect to receive shares of Series A Preferred Stock. Any
such election must be made with respect to whole shares of Common Stock only,
and no election can be made which would result in the
4
issuance of a fractional share of Series A Preferred Stock. If you fail to
specify any election on the enclosed proxy card, you will be deemed to have
elected to receive only Cash Consideration in exchange for your Common Stock.
All such shareholders will be entitled to receive the amount of Cash
Consideration and/or Series A Preferred Stock so elected upon the consummation
of the proposed transactions. However, the Board of Directors has expressly
reserved the right to re-evaluate the desirability of completing the proposed
transactions in the event the Company would be required to acquire more than
160,000 of its Common Shares for cash, either pursuant to the terms of the
Merger or pursuant to dissenters' rights of appraisal. For more information, see
the section captioned "Election Procedures for Certain Shareholders" beginning
on page 62 of this proxy statement.
o VOTE REQUIRED TO APPROVE AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES AND THE MERGER
TRANSACTION
The Company's Articles of Incorporation and the Merger Agreement provide
that the Merger must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
Company's outstanding shares of Common Stock. The amendment to the Company's
Articles of Incorporation to create the new class of Series A Preferred Stock
also requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the Company's outstanding
shares of Common Stock.
The record date for determining who is entitled to vote at the special
meeting has been fixed as the close of business on December 5, 2005 (the "Record
Date"). On that date, there were 2,666,650 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
Directors and senior executive officers of the Company currently own
approximately 24.14% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock. All of Merchants
Bancorp's directors and executive officers intend to vote in favor of the Merger
proposal.
For more information, see the section captioned "Voting at the Special
Meeting and Requirements for Shareholder Approval" beginning on page 61 of this
proxy statement.
o RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors of Merchants Bancorp has unanimously approved the
Merger transaction and recommends that you vote to approve the transaction. The
Board of Directors believes that the transaction is fair to all Merchants
Bancorp shareholders, including the non-affiliated Merchants Bancorp
shareholders. For more information, see the section captioned "Recommendation of
our Board of Directors" beginning on page 37 of this proxy statement.
o AUSTIN ASSOCIATES, LLC'S FAIRNESS OPINION
Austin Associates, LLC, Merchants Bancorp's independent financial advisor,
delivered to the Board of Directors a written opinion dated August 24, 2005,
stating that the consideration to be paid in connection with this Merger is fair
to the shareholders of the Company. The full text of this opinion is attached as
Appendix C to this proxy statement. Please read this opinion. For more
information, also see the section captioned "Financial Fairness" beginning on
page 24 of this proxy statement.
5
o POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The executive officers and directors of Merchants Bancorp and the Bank may
have interests in the transaction that are different from your interests as a
shareholder, or relationships that may present conflicts of interest. For
example, each member of the Board of Directors and each executive officer holds
of record 1,500 or more shares of the Company's Common Stock. Consequently, the
Company's directors and executive officers will increase their percentage
ownership interest in Merchants Bancorp as a result of the completion of the
Merger. The following table sets forth information as of the Record Date with
respect to each of the directors, executive officers, and all directors and
executive officers as a group before and their anticipated ownership after the
Merger. The information provided below assumes 2,666,650 issued and outstanding
Common Shares prior to the Merger, and 2,547,122 Common Shares issued and
outstanding following the Merger.
PRIOR TO MERGER AFTER MERGER
--------------------------- ---------------------------
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF NUMBER OF PERCENT OF
SHARES SHARES SHARES SHARES
NAME AND ADDRESS BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED OWNED OWNED OWNED
- --------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
William Butler 41,230 1.55% 41,230 1.62%
Jack Walker 22,000 0.83% 22,000 0.86%
Paul W. Pence, Jr. 148,695 5.58% 148,695 5.84%
James R. Vanzant 1,500 0.06% 1,500 0.06%
Robert Hammond 3,000 0.11% 3,000 0.12%
Donald Fender, Jr. 407,000 15.26% 407,000 15.98%
James D. Evans 11,804 0.44% 11,804 0.46%
Richard S. Carr 8,400 0.32% 8,400 0.33%
ALL DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE 643,629 24.14% 643,629 25.27%
OFFICERS AS A GROUP (11):
o DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
This transaction will allow all shareholders of record, including those
shareholders retaining their Common Shares, to exercise dissenters' rights to
appraisal pursuant to Section 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code. Such
shareholders have the right to dissent from the Merger and to receive payment in
cash for the appraised fair value of the Company's Common Shares. In order to do
this, a shareholder of record must follow the general steps outlined below.
1. Must be a shareholder of record. To be entitled to dissenters' rights as a
shareholder, you must be the record holder of the dissenting shares as of the
Record Date.
6
2. Do not vote in favor of the Merger. You must not vote shares as to which you
seek fair cash value in favor of the approval and adoption of the Agreement
and Plan of Merger and the Merger contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of
Merger at the special shareholders meeting. A vote "FOR" the Merger is a
waiver of dissenters' rights. A form of proxy that is returned signed but on
which no voting preference is indicated will be voted in favor of the Merger
and will constitute a waiver of dissenters' rights. Failure to submit a form
of proxy does not constitute a waiver of dissenters' rights.
3. Filing a written demand. You must serve a written demand for the fair cash
value of the dissenting shares upon the Company on or before the tenth day
after the shareholder vote approving the Agreement and Plan of Merger and the
Merger.
4. Delivery of certificates for placement of a legend. If requested by the
Company, you must submit your certificates for dissenting shares to the
Company within 15 days after the Company sends its request for endorsement on
the certificates by the Company of a legend that a demand for fair cash value
has been made. The certificates will be returned promptly to you by the
Company.
5. Petitions to be filed in court. If you and the Company cannot agree on the
fair cash value of the dissenting shares, you must, within three months after
service of your demand for fair cash value, file a complaint in the Court of
Common Pleas of Highland County, Ohio, for a determination of the fair cash
value of the dissenting shares. The court, if it determines that you are
entitled, will order that you be paid the fair cash value per share.
The procedures for perfecting dissenters' rights and receiving the fair
cash value of dissenting shares pursuant to Section 1701.85 are described more
fully in the section captioned "Rights of Dissenting Shareholders" beginning on
page 47 of this proxy statement. A copy of Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.85 is
also provided as Appendix B to this proxy statement. FAILURE TO COMPLY PRECISELY
WITH ALL PROCEDURES REQUIRED BY OHIO LAW MAY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF DISSENTERS'
RIGHTS.
The Board of Directors has reserved the express right to re-evaluate the
desirability of completing this transaction in the event the Company would be
required to acquire more than 160,000 of its issued and outstanding Common
Shares in exchange for cash, either pursuant to the express terms of the Merger
or pursuant to the exercise of dissenters' rights of appraisal.
o FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
A shareholder who receives cash in the Merger will generally be taxed on
receipt of the Merger consideration if and to the extent that the amount
received exceeds tax basis in the Common Stock. The receipt of Series A
Preferred Stock in the Merger will generally be a non-taxable event. Determining
the tax consequences of the Merger can be complicated. You should consult your
financial and tax advisors in order to understand fully how the Merger will
affect you. For more information, see the section captioned "Material U.S.
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger" beginning on page 49 of this
proxy statement.
7
o ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The Merger is between the Company and a wholly-owned shell subsidiary that
has no assets or liabilities. Except for the shareholders that will receive cash
consideration, the Merger is an exchange of equity interests between related
entities. Therefore, for accounting purposes, the reporting basis of the assets
and liabilities would not change.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT
THE SPECIAL MEETING AND THE MERGER
The following questions and answers are intended to briefly address
commonly asked questions regarding the special meeting and the Merger. These
questions and answers may not address all questions that may be important to you
as a shareholder. Please refer to the more detailed information contained
elsewhere in this proxy statement, the appendices to this proxy statement, and
the documents referred to or incorporated by reference in this proxy statement.
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE SPECIAL MEETING?
The meeting will be held on January 24, 2006, at 10:00 a.m., local time,
at Merchants National Bank's Main Office, located at 100 North High Street,
Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.
HOW MANY VOTES DO I HAVE?
You will have one vote for every share of Common Stock you owned on the
Record Date.
HOW MANY VOTES CAN BE CAST BY ALL SHAREHOLDERS?
As of the Record Date, 2,666,650 shares of Common Stock were issued and
outstanding and held of record by approximately 700 shareholders.
CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE?
Yes, just send in a new proxy with a later date, or send a written notice
of revocation to the corporate secretary at the address on the cover of this
proxy statement. If you attend the special meeting and want to vote in person,
you can deliver a written revocation of your proxy to the secretary at the
meeting.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED TO A LATER DATE?
Your proxy will be good and may be voted at the adjourned meeting. You
will still be able to change or revoke your proxy until it is voted.
8
WHY SHOULD I VOTE TO APPROVE THE PLAN OF MERGER?
The Board of Directors believes that the Merger is in the best interests
of all Merchants Bancorp shareholders. The Merger will reduce the number of
record holders of shares of Common Stock to below 300 persons, which will then
allow termination of the registration of the Common Stock under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"). The Board believes that the
monetary expense and the burden to management incident to continued compliance
with the 1934 Act significantly outweigh any material benefits derived from
continued registration of the shares.
The Merger will also serve as a source of liquidity for those shareholders
who receive cash for their shares. The Board recognizes that there is no active
trading market for the Common Stock and no market is expected to develop upon
consummation of the Merger. The Board believes that the Merger provides a means
for those shareholders with a limited number of shares to receive cash for their
shares at a fair price and without out-of-pocket costs.
HOW WILL THE MERGER AFFECT THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS?
The Merger will have very little effect on the operations of either
Merchants Bancorp or Merchants National Bank, its wholly owned subsidiary (the
"Bank"). The Bank will continue to conduct its existing operations in the same
manner as now conducted. Except with respect to the Amendment to the Company's
Articles of Incorporation to provide for the newly authorized Series A Preferred
Stock, the charter documents of the Company will remain in effect and unchanged
by the Merger. No changes to the charter documents of the Bank are proposed in
connection with the Merger. The deposits of the Bank will continue to be insured
by the FDIC. After the Merger is completed, the current officers and directors
of the Bank will continue to hold the positions each now holds with the Bank,
and the Bank will continue to be regulated by the same agencies as before the
Merger. The only significant change in operations will be that Merchants Bancorp
will no longer file reports and proxy statements with the SEC.
HOW WAS THE CASH PRICE FOR SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK DETERMINED?
The Board of Directors retained Austin Associates, LLC, an independent
financial advisor experienced in the financial analysis and valuation of
financial institutions, to assist the Board in determining a fair price for the
shares of Common Stock to be purchased by Merchants Bancorp in the Merger
transaction. Austin Associates, LLC delivered a valuation report to the Board
valuing the Common Stock at $23.00 per share. The Board of Directors considered
the independent valuation and other factors and, with the recommendation of
Austin Associates, LLC, determined that the cash consideration under the Merger
Agreement should be $23.00 per share. Subsequently, Austin Associates, LLC
issued an opinion to the Board of Directors that the cash consideration to be
paid under the Merger Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to the
shareholders receiving either cash or Series A Preferred Stock in the Merger. A
copy of the fairness opinion of Austin Associates, LLC is attached as Appendix C
to this proxy statement for your review.
9
MAY I OBTAIN A COPY OF AUSTIN ASSOCIATES, LLC'S VALUATION REPORT?
In connection with Austin Associates, LLC's fairness opinion, Austin
Associates, LLC has prepared and delivered to Merchants Bancorp a valuation
report that details the valuation principles and methodologies used to determine
the fairness of the proposed transaction. You or your representative (designated
in writing) may inspect and copy the valuation report at the Bank's main office
during regular business hours, or you may request a copy of the report upon
written request and at your expense. Please send in your written request to the
address set forth on the cover page of this proxy statement.
The SEC also maintains an Internet world wide website that contains
reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, including
Merchants Bancorp, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that
site is http://www.sec.gov. Merchants Bancorp and the Merger subsidiary have
filed with the SEC a Rule 13e-3 Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E-3 in
connection with the transactions described in this proxy statement. As permitted
by the SEC, this proxy statement omits certain information contained in the
Schedule 13E-3. A copy of the valuation report is attached as an exhibit to the
Company's Schedule 13E-3 and is available for inspection electronically at the
SEC's website.
WHEN WILL THE MERGER BE COMPLETED?
We plan to complete the transaction during the first quarter of 2006 so
that registration of the Common Stock can also be terminated in the first
quarter of 2006.
SHOULD I SEND IN MY COMMON STOCK CERTIFICATES NOW?
No. After the Merger transaction is completed, all shareholders owning
1,500 or fewer of the Company's Common Shares will receive written instructions
for exchanging their Common Stock certificates for cash or shares of Series A
Preferred Stock, as the case may be.
WHO CAN HELP ANSWER MY QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about the special meeting or any of the items to
be considered by the shareholders at the meeting, or if you need additional
copies of the enclosed materials or proxy, you should contact either Paul W.
Pence, President and Chief Executive Officer, or James D. Evans, Executive Vice
President and Secretary, at (937) 393-1993 or toll free at (800) 875-1993.
Written requests can be made to these individuals at the following address:
Merchants National Bank, 100 North High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NOW?
o Mail your signed proxy card in the enclosed return envelope as soon as
possible so that your shares may be represented at the meeting. If you
sign and return your proxy but do not include instructions on how to vote,
your shares will be voted "FOR" the proposal to approve and
10
adopt the Merger Agreement and the proposed amendment to the Company's
Articles of Incorporation creating the new Series A Preferred Stock.
o If you are a shareholder who holds more than 100 shares of Common Stock
but fewer than 1,500 shares of Common Stock, you must make your election
to receive the Cash Consideration, shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or
some combination thereof, on the proxy card provided with this proxy
statement. Shareholders who elect to receive a combination of Cash
Consideration and Series A Preferred Stock may determine at their election
the whole number of their Common Shares as to which they wish to receive
the Cash Consideration and the whole number of their Common shares as to
which they elect to receive shares of Series A Preferred Stock. Any such
election must be made with respect to whole shares of Common Stock only,
and no election can be made which would result in the issuance of a
fractional share of Series A Preferred Stock. If you fail to specify your
election on the enclosed proxy card, you will be deemed to have elected to
receive the Cash Consideration in exchange for your Common Stock.
o For a more complete description of voting at the shareholders' meeting,
see the section entitled "Information Regarding the Special Meeting of
Shareholders".
SPECIAL FACTORS
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER PROPOSAL
Merchants Bancorp, Inc., the holding company for Merchants National Bank,
was organized in 1996. Because of its aggregate amount of assets and number of
record shareholders, the Company was required in 2002 to register with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with Section 12(g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. As an SEC reporting company,
Merchants Bancorp is currently required to prepare and file with the SEC, among
other items, the following:
o Annual Reports on Form 10-K;
o Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q; and
o Proxy Statements and related materials as required by Regulation 14A
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The costs associated with these reports and other filing obligations
comprise a significant corporate overhead expense. These costs include
securities counsel fees, auditor fees, costs of printing and mailing the SEC
documents and the costs associated with preparing and filing the SEC reports and
other filings. These SEC registration-related expenses have been increasing over
the years, and we believe that they will continue to increase. A principal
reason behind pending increases in compliance costs is the enactment of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the additional rules and regulations of the SEC
related to the Act. In particular, the Company's compliance with SEC regulations
governing the implementation of Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley would require
significant expense on the part of the Company. Section 404 requires management
to assess and report on the Company's internal control structures and procedures
for financial reporting.
11
Management's report is required under Section 404 to be included in the
Company's annual report on Form 10-K, and the Company's registered public
accounting firm is also required to attest to and report on management's
assessment. Consequently, as more thoroughly discussed below, we decided to
evaluate the costs and benefits of being a public company at this time in light
of the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the additional rules and
regulations of the SEC related to the Act, and the additional time and costs
associated in complying with the Act, particularly Section 404 thereof. Set
forth in the table below is a breakdown of our historical and estimated external
and internal expenses related to our SEC reporting obligations.
PAST AND PROJECTED EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL
SEC REPORTING EXPENSES
Estimated Estimated Estimated
2002(1) 2003 2004 2005(2) 2006 2007
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Audit and Audit-Related
Fees(3) $ 102,385 $ 30,700 $ 34,500 $ 37,000 $ 40,700 $ 44,770
Section 404(4) - - 35,750 301,900 206,375 216,695
Legal Counsel(5) 17,961 13,767 5,972 8,000 9,000 10,000
Corporate Communications 10,651 7,473 5,495 5,510 6,000 6,300
Internal Compliance Costs(6) 51,435 54,160 57,000 195,000 148,000 155,410
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Total $ 182,432 $ 106,100 $ 138,717 $ 547,410 $ 410,075 $ 432,932
- -----------
(1) Includes costs associated with initial registration under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
(2) Not including any fees or expenses paid in connection with the proposed
going-private transaction.
(3) 2005 projections are based on preliminary fee estimates provided by the
Company's registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Projections for 2006 and 2007 were calculated by the independent Company
through the application of a 10% rate of inflation to the 2005 projections
provided by Deloitte & Touche, LLP.
(4) Projections through 2007 include preliminary fee estimates from the
Company's current internal auditor, BKD, LLP and its independent
registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP. While technical
compliance by the Company with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley would not be
required until its 2006 reporting year, the Company had made the
determination to finalize readiness preparations during its 2005 reporting
year.
(5) Projections for 2005 through 2007 were provided by the Company's outside
legal counsel, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
(6) Actual expenses through 2004 and projections through 2007 include time
expended by senior management and personnel in report preparation and
oversight, and in the establishment and maintenance of revised internal
controls. Projections for 2005 through 2007 include estimates for the
addition of staff, including a Chief Financial Officer, to handle certain
internal control functions.
As indicated above, projected expenses related to the application of new
requirements under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including the addition
of staff to handle internal compliance functions, account for the material
portion of the aggregate expense increases projected for the 2005 through 2007
reporting years.
On June 8, 2004, Merchants Bancorp retained Austin Associates, LLC
("Austin Associates"), an independent financial advisor experienced in the
financial analysis and valuation of financial institutions, to assist it in
developing a strategic plan for the years 2005-2007, and on
12
October 26, 2004, the Board of Merchants Bancorp approved the strategic plan in
its entirety. Numerous strategic and operational initiatives were outlined in
the strategic plan. One key portion of the plan outlined certain strategic
initiatives concerning geographic expansion, shareholder relations, value
enhancement strategies and changes to the structure of the Company's Board and
the Committees thereunder. With respect to shareholder relations and value
enhancement, this section proposed that the Company begin considering the
possibility of going-private at some point during the first quarter of 2005 as
means of reducing the expenses described above and enhancing shareholder value.
In this regard, this section of the strategic plan specifically noted the
following:
The Company will continue to expend at least $100,000 annually
complying with its SEC reporting obligations;
o Continued reporting to the SEC is unlikely to provide
shareholders with any tangible value in the long-term;
o The Company currently has over 800 shareholders, with the
largest 300 shareholders holding 97 percent of the outstanding
shares;
o In order to discontinue reporting with the SEC, the Company
would need to reduce its number of record shareholders to
below 300, which would require the elimination of over 500
shareholders but only 80,000 shares (3% of outstanding
shares); and
o The repurchase of this amount (or more) of capital can be
funded with internal capital or with the issuance of trust
preferred securities without jeopardizing the Company's
regulatory capital position.
Other relevant sections of the strategic plan included the establishment
of specific financial goals for the Board of Directors which could be used to:
(i) benchmark actual Company results to specific plan objectives; (ii) evaluate
and reward management performance; and (iii) project value enhancement potential
for shareholders. Relevant exhibits to the plan included a summary of the
Company's financial performance versus its peer group, a market analysis, and
the Company's financial projections through 2007. You or your representative
(designated in writing) may inspect and copy the strategic plan at the Bank's
main office during regular business hours, or you may request a copy upon
written request and at your expense. Please send in your written request to the
address set forth on the cover page of this proxy statement. The plan is also
attached as an exhibit to the Company's Schedule 13E-3 and available for
inspection electronically at the SEC's website.
In accordance with the strategic directive related specifically to
consideration of a going-private transaction, on January 11, 2005 the Board
voted to both further study the issue of going-private and to engage Austin
Associates to analyze the financial impact and feasibility of undertaking a
going-private transaction. The Board also contacted its independent registered
public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, and its corporate counsel,
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP ("SLK"), at this time to apprise them of its
determination to consider terminating registration of the Common Stock with the
SEC. The Company did not consult any financial advisor other than Austin
Associates regarding either the preparation of its strategic plan or the
analysis of the financial impact and feasibility of going-private. This decision
was a result of both the Company's satisfaction with the quality of work
performed by Austin Associates on previous engagements and the reputation of
Austin Associates within the banking community.
13
From a timing perspective, the Board determined that its evaluation of a
going-private transaction was appropriate because the SEC regulations governing
the implementation of Section 404 of the Act were set to go into effect for the
Company's 2006 fiscal year, and compliance by the Company in response to those
regulations would require significant expense. Since its determination, however,
the SEC has delayed the effectiveness of these regulations until the Company's
2007 fiscal year.
The engagement of Austin Associates led to a meeting on February 23, 2005
at which Rick Maroney of Austin Associates presented the Board of Directors of
Merchants Bancorp with a preliminary Confidential Going-Private Analysis. You or
your representative (designated in writing) may inspect and copy this
Confidential Going-Private Analysis at the Bank's main office during regular
business hours, or you may request a copy upon written request and at your
expense. Please send in your written request to the address set forth on the
cover page of this proxy statement. The Confidential Going-Private Analysis is
also attached as an exhibit to the Company's Schedule 13E-3 and is available for
inspection electronically at the SEC's website. In accordance with the Going
Private Analysis, an overview of the most common reasons that companies consider
going private was presented to the Board at this meeting, which reasons included
the following:
o Cost savings;
o Lack of corporate benefit to continued filing;
o Maintaining a manageable shareholder base to help preserve
independence;
o To better leverage capital and increase earnings per share and
return on equity;
o To position the company for election to be taxed under
Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code; and
o To allow the company to refocus attention of management from
quarterly performance to long-term performance.
Information regarding the general transaction options for going private
was also presented at the February 23, 2005 meeting. These options included a
reverse stock split, a voluntary tender offer, and an affiliate combination
involving the Merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary with and into Merchants
Bancorp. The analysis presented to the Board determined, among other things,
that: (i) pending a formal valuation, a reasonable range of repurchase prices
would likely be in the range of $22.00 to $24.00 per share; (ii) Merchants
Bancorp had the financial capacity to fund the going-private transaction without
additional capital; and (iii) the pro forma financial results indicated that
reasonable financial benefits would accrue to the remaining shareholders within
the range of prices analyzed. The Board was also presented with a general
procedural structure for engaging in further analysis and deliberations
regarding the going private process. The Board was advised to: (1) evaluate the
general advantages and disadvantages of being a reporting company; (2) analyze
the Company's shareholder base to determine a desired ownership threshold above
which shareholders would retain their current interest in the Company; (3)
determine the value to be paid for repurchased shares and the most appropriate
means of financing the repurchase; (4) determine the financial benefit of going
private to the Company; and (5) review all relevant legal considerations
involved in going private. After reviewing these
14
preliminary conclusions and considerations, the Board determined to move forward
with a formal valuation and more detailed analysis of the transaction. A
chronology of the further deliberations undertaken by the Board of Directors is
set forth below.
On March 22, 2005, the Board of Directors met to discuss the advantages
and disadvantages of being a public company, any regulatory issues, and
alternatives to providing all cash consideration to shareholders being
eliminated as a result of the going private transaction. Tom Blank of Shumaker,
Loop & Kendrick, LLP discussed the following advantages of being an SEC
registered company.
o More disclosure by the company makes shareholders feel more
secure about their investment.
o Registration allows for potentially increased liquidity by
permitting its listing on an exchange or trading over the
counter.
o Investors have the ability to read and analyze company
information online, from the SEC web site.
o Registration makes it easier to raise additional capital
through the sale of Company stock, or to use Company stock to
engage in an acquisition transaction.
Mr. Blank also outlined the following disadvantages, particularly as they
apply to Merchants Bancorp, Inc., of being registered with the SEC.
o Increased expenses related to compliance with SEC reporting
obligations and corporate governance requirements under the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act may place Merchants Bancorp at a
competitive disadvantage.
o Management's time and efforts are inordinately expended on
compliance matters, as opposed to the operation of the Company
and its subsidiary bank.
o SEC regulations do not generally take into account smaller
firms, rather they only have one approach for all firms. This
makes it too expensive, especially for small firms, like
Merchants Bancorp, Inc.
Based upon these discussions, the Board concluded that any benefits from
being a registered company are substantially outweighed by the burden on
management and the projected expense estimates likely to be incurred by the
Company as a result of its SEC reporting obligations. In addition, the Board
determined that the number of record holders of the Company's Common Shares must
be reduced below 300 persons in a transaction that would be deemed by the SEC to
be a "going private" transaction in order to terminate the registration of the
Merchants Bancorp Common Stock with the SEC. A review by the Board of stock
records confirmed that if Merchants Bancorp repurchased all of the shares of
every shareholder of record owning fewer than 1,500 shares of Common Stock,
approximately 271 total record shareholders would remain after the purchases
were completed, and 271 total shareholders is comfortably below the 300
shareholder threshold required to terminate SEC registration. The Board also
discussed alternatives to providing all-cash consideration to departing holders
of Common Shares in connection with the going private transaction. Following
that discussion, the Board proposed the following basic structure for the "going
private" transaction:
15
o Shareholders owning 100 or fewer Common Shares of the Company
would receive cash in exchange for their Common Shares;
o Shareholders owning more than 100 but fewer than 1,500 Common
Shares of the Company would have the option of choosing
between either cash or shares of a proposed new class of
preferred stock of the Company, the economic terms of which
would be similar to the Company's Common Shares; and
o Shareholders owning 1,500 or more Common Shares of the Company
would retain their Common Shares without change.
The Board decided on this general structure out of consideration to the
Company's shareholders, many of whom have been affiliated with the Company for a
long time. This basic structure allows the Company to meet its objective of
reducing the number of its Common shareholders of record to below 300, while
also providing a significant number of shareholders (i.e. the approximately 246
shareholders in the 101 to 1,499 Common Share range) with the option of
retaining an economic interest in the Company, should they choose to do so. The
Board determined not to provide this option to the approximately 183
shareholders owning 100 or fewer Common Shares because to do so could result in
the total number of record holders of Series A Preferred Stock exceeding 500 and
thereby require the Company to continue to meet the SEC reporting and filing
requirements sought to be discontinued through the proposed transactions.
Additionally, the Board determined that cashing out the approximately 183
holders of 100 or fewer Common Shares was appropriate due to the inordinate
consumption of administrative resources by this group relative to its aggregate
ownership of less than 6% of the Company's Common Stock.
At its April 12, 2005 meeting, the Board of Directors finalized the
material terms for the Series A Preferred Stock to be offered in connection with
the Merger.
At the April 26, 2005 meeting, the Board of Directors discussed the
current costs and continued increase in expenses associated with the Company's
registration as a public company. The Board reviewed future increases in
expenses anticipated as a result of the implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002. Management reported that direct and indirect costs for the 2004
reporting year were approximately $138,717, and they were expected to increase
to approximately $547,410 by 2005 and taper off to approximately $432,932 by
2007. The projected 2007 expenses represent an increase of approximately 212%
over the Company's expenses for the 2004 reporting year. The Board also
discussed the minimal trading activity of Merchants Bancorp, Inc. stock. For
example, the following table sets forth for the period indicated the number of
days that any shares of Merchants Bancorp's Common Stock were known by the
Company to have been traded and the total number shares traded during the
period:
16
Number of Days on Which Any Total Volume of Share
Period Shares Traded During Period Traded During Period
- ----------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------
1/1/2004 to 3/31/2004 6 days 8,114 shares
4/1/2004 to 6/30/2004 5 days 9,164 shares
7/1/2004 to 9/30/2004 5 days 23,449 shares
10/1/2004 to 12/31/2004 8 days 12,787 shares
1/1/2005 to 3/31/2005 7 days 15,886 shares
4/1/2005 to 6/30/2005 5 days 15,102 shares
Based upon these discussions, the Board determined that the burden on
management and the expense of the SEC reporting and other filing obligations
outweighs any benefit from the SEC registration of our Common Stock. At this
meeting, the Board of Directors also resolved to direct management to retain
both legal counsel and an investment firm to conduct a valuation study, and the
Board adopted a motion authorizing President Pence to accept the respective
proposals from both SLK and Austin Associates. All Board members approved the
motion. As a result, the investment banking firm Austin Associates was selected
to conduct a valuation study and provide a fairness opinion in connection with
the transaction, and SLK was retained to provide the legal services for the
going private transaction. The Board also authorized management, with the
assistance of counsel, to prepare an amendment to the Company's articles of
incorporation to provide for the new class of preferred shares to be offered in
connection with the proposed going private transaction.
On June 24, 2005, the Board met to review the valuation report being
submitted by Austin Associates and to discuss and finalize the structure by
which the Company would complete its going private transaction. Rick Maroney of
Austin Associates presented the results of its valuation study, indicating a
fair value determination of $23.00 per share. Included in the valuation report
of Austin Associates was a pro forma analysis of the proposed transaction at
cash-out prices ranging from $23.00 to $25.00 per share. In determining the
$23.00 per share cash-out price the Board discussed and considered that: (i) the
$23.00 price already represented a 15% premium to the current market price; (ii)
the $23.00 price was 9.5% higher than the $21.00 price paid to repurchase a
block of stock in late 2003; and (iii) a higher cash-out price would further
reduce the company's capital ratios and increase the amount of book value
dilution incurred in the transaction. Consequently, the Board selected the
$23.00 per share price to pay to shareholders receiving cash in the transaction
and to set the par value of those shares converted into preferred stock of the
company. A detailed description of this valuation study is contained in this
proxy statement in the section captioned "Financial Fairness" at page 24 of this
proxy statement. Mr. Maroney explained the detailed procedures performed and the
financial analyses supporting the range of values. The Board members discussed
the different factors involved in these procedures, and Mr. Maroney described
the assumptions utilized in the valuation report. Following his presentation,
Mr. Maroney was asked if his firm was prepared to issue an opinion that a price
of $23.00 per share is fair from a financial perspective, and he stated that the
valuation study supports a $23.00 per share price. The $23.00 purchase price was
thereafter determined upon the deliberation of the Board of Directors, with the
recommendation of Austin Associates. Mr. Maroney also indicated that he was
prepared to
17
issue an opinion as to the fairness of the new series of preferred shares to be
received by some shareholders. The Board was aware that, as part of its
analysis, Austin Associates relied on the Company's 2005 budget.
The Board and counsel then discussed the best method for consummating the
going private transaction. The Board considered the alternative structures for a
going private transaction and after considerable discussion, including
discussion with counsel, the Board of Directors unanimously determined that a
merger with a newly chartered subsidiary was the preferred structure because:
o a tender offer process is more expensive and, most
importantly, would provide no assurances that a sufficient
number of shareholders would tender their shares;
o a reverse stock split (which would be accomplished through an
amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation) was
determined to be somewhat problematic from a practical
standpoint, given the dual forms of consideration to be
offered in the proposed transaction, and the uncertainty
regarding how shareholders who own more than 100 but fewer
than 1,500 Common Shares would choose between such forms of
consideration.
The Board determined that the Merger proposal was fair to all shareholders
(including non-affiliated shareholders), generally, and specifically with
respect to shareholders receiving either cash or preferred stock in the Merger.
In analyzing the question of fairness, the Board considered each of the factors
described in "--Recommendation of our Board of Directors" below. The Board also
specifically discussed the fact that, under Ohio law, the Merger transaction
would provide a statutory appraisal right for all shareholders of the Company,
including those owning 1,500 or more Common Shares. In making this
determination, the Board did not utilize the following procedural safeguards:
o the Merger transaction was not structured to require separate
approval by a majority of those shareholders who are not
officers or directors of Merchants Bancorp or the Bank; and
o the directors did not retain any unaffiliated representative
to act solely on behalf of shareholders who are not officers
or directors for purposes of negotiating the terms of the
Merger transaction or to prepare a report regarding the
fairness of the transaction.
At the meeting, the Board reviewed with management a draft Merger
Agreement prepared by counsel and the Board then adopted resolutions approving a
form of Merger Agreement, authorizing management to proceed with the Merger
transaction and to seek shareholder approval of the Merger proposal.
Finally, the Board of Directors discussed with counsel the steps necessary
to complete the going private Merger transaction. Counsel explained that a proxy
statement and Schedule 13E-3 would be filed with the SEC. The Board then
authorized management to begin the process of preparing the required transaction
documents as well as the necessary SEC filings. The Board also requested Austin
Associates to deliver its opinion with respect to financial fairness, which
opinion was
18
delivered and dated August 24, 2005. A copy of the fairness opinion provided by
Austin Associates is attached as Appendix C hereto.
The Board did not consider any alternatives to a going private
transaction. Specifically, the Board did not consider a possible sale of
Merchants Bancorp since no firm offers had been presented to the Board and no
determination had been made that such a sale would be in the best interest of
the shareholders. Further, the Board did not view a sale as an alternative that
could achieve the benefits of the going private transaction, including liquidity
for those shareholders being paid cash in the Merger while allowing a reduction
of costs for Merchants Bancorp and those shareholders who retain their shares.
PURPOSES OF AND REASONS FOR THE MERGER PROPOSAL
The purpose of the proposed Merger is to terminate Merchants Bancorp's
status as a reporting company with the SEC, which the Board believes will reduce
expenses and create shareholder value. We are aware that the advantages to being
a public company, including potential investment liquidity and the possibility
for use of company securities to raise capital or make acquisitions, may be
important to some companies. We have not, however, taken advantage of any of
these benefits and will not be in a position to do so in the foreseeable future.
We believe that community banks of our size do not typically receive the
necessary attention from stock analysts and the investment community to create
substantial liquidity. Moreover, our internally-generated equity growth and
limited borrowings have been sufficient to accommodate our need for capital and
growth. Finally, opportunities to utilize our stock to acquire other banks have
been extremely scarce and when in the rare instance they have presented
themselves, our Board has not deemed those opportunities to be in the best
interest of our shareholders. While the Board acknowledges that a sale of the
Company might also enhance shareholder value, this option was not explored by
the Board. The Company's commercial bank subsidiary is a community bank that has
served its hometown market independently since 1879. The Board believes this
traditional focus on community banking, with its emphasis on personal service
and responsiveness to customer needs, is one of the Company's core strategic
assets and best leveraged by maintaining the Company's independence.
Consequently, the Board determined that a sale of the Company at this time was
inconsistent with the dual strategic focus of enhancing shareholder value
through cost reductions and remaining independent.
In the Board's judgment, the registration of Merchants Bancorp stock with
the SEC yields little advantage. Consequently, little justification exists for
the continuing direct and indirect costs of registration with the SEC. In
addition, the Board believes that management has reduced corporate overhead as
much as possible, and that the majority of the corporate costs remaining are
those associated with being a public company. We believe these costs will only
continue to increase.
Merchants Bancorp incurs direct and indirect costs associated with the
filing and reporting requirements imposed on public companies by the 1934 Act.
Examples of anticipated direct cost savings from terminating registration of the
Common Stock include substantially less complicated disclosure, reduced
professional and advisory fees, reduced accounting fees, reduced
19
insurance costs, reduced printing and mailing costs for corporate
communications, and reduced miscellaneous, clerical and other expenses (e.g.,
the word processing and electronic filings associated with SEC filings).
Our costs associated with the routine SEC filing and reporting
requirements were approximately $138,717 or just under 1.8% of our overhead
expenses during 2004.
These expenses consisted of the following:
Audit and Audit-Related Fees ................................... $34,500
Section 404 Readiness........................................... $35,750
Securities Counsel ............................................. $ 5,972
Corporate Communications ....................................... $ 5,495
Internal Compliance Costs ...................................... $57,000
We believe that the costs incurred during 2004 are a conservative estimate
for the recurring annual cost savings that should result from the going private
transaction and subsequent termination of our SEC registration. Estimates of the
annual savings to be realized if the Merger is implemented are based upon (i)
the actual costs of the services and disbursements in each of the above
categories that are reflected in recent historical financial statements and (ii)
management's estimates of the portion of the expenses and disbursements in each
category believed to be solely or primarily attributable to the public company
status. In some instances, management's estimates are based on information
provided by third parties or upon verifiable assumptions. For example, our
auditors have informed us that there will likely be a significant reduction in
annual audit fees if we cease to be public as annual and quarterly reviews of
SEC filings will not be needed if we no longer file reports with the SEC. Nor
will the Company be required to bear the audit-related expenses of coming into
compliance with new requirements mandated by Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley
Act of 2002. Further legal costs associated with quarterly and annual SEC
filings will no longer be incurred. Other estimates are more subjective. For
example, we expect lower printing and mailing costs as a result of less
complicated disclosure required by our private status, and the reduction in
direct miscellaneous clerical and other expenses.
The amounts set forth above do not necessarily reflect future savings, and
the actual savings to be realized may be higher or lower than indicated. We
expect that any savings on the part of the Company will not be realized until
after the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
The projected reduction in the number of total record shareholders from
700 to approximately 271 will also result in reduced expenses and less burden on
management because Merchants Bancorp will have approximately 27.2% of its
current number of shareholders. The decrease in number of shareholders reduces
the volume of communications and amount of postage and related expenses
associated with the semi-annual issuance of dividend checks to shareholders and
other shareholder communications.
20
STRUCTURE OF THE MERGER
Since June 30, 2002, our Company has been a publicly registered company
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This registration was required
because our number of record shareholders as of December 31, 2001 had exceeded
500. The Merger proposal is structured as a "going private" transaction because
it is intended to and, if completed, will likely result in the termination of
our reporting requirements and other filing obligations under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Merger has been structured so that upon
consummation, Merchants Bancorp will have fewer than 300 record holders of its
shares of Common Stock. Federal Securities law requires the Company to get below
300 record holders before it can deregister its stock. We have recently
organized MBI Merger Sub, Inc. solely to facilitate the Merger transaction. MBI
Merger Sub will be merged with and into Merchants Bancorp pursuant to the terms
of the Merger Agreement attached to the Proxy Statement as Appendix A. Merchants
Bancorp will be the surviving corporation to the Merger. If completed, the
Merger will have the following effects.
SHARES HELD BY SHAREHOLDERS OWNING 100 OR FEWER SHARES. At the Effective
Time of the Merger, each share of Common Stock then held by a shareholder of
record who as of the Record Date held 100 or fewer shares will be converted into
the right to receive the per share Cash Consideration from the Company. After
the Merger and payment of that amount, record holders of these shares will have
no further interest in Merchants Bancorp. Record holders in this category will
not have to pay any service charges or brokerage commissions in connection with
the Merger or the cash payments to them. However, if such record holders hold
the shares in question for the benefit of another (or others), the Company
cannot guarantee the absence of transaction costs with respect to the beneficial
owners of the shares in question.
SHARES HELD BY SHAREHOLDERS OWING 1,500 OR MORE SHARES. At the Effective
Time of the Merger, each share of Common Stock then held by a shareholder of
record who as of the Record Date held 1,500 or more shares will remain as
outstanding Common Stock of the Company unchanged as a result of the Merger.
SHARES HELD BY SHAREHOLDERS OWNING MORE THAN 100 SHARES BUT FEWER THAN
1,500 SHARES. At the Effective Time, each share of Common Stock then held by a
shareholder of record who as of the Record Date held more than 100 but fewer
than 1,500 shares of Common Stock will be converted into the right to receive:
(i) the per share Cash Consideration; (ii) one share of a newly authorized Class
A Preferred Stock of the Company; or (iii) a combination of Cash Consideration
and Class A Preferred Stock. If you elect to receive a combination of Cash
Consideration and Series A Preferred Stock, you will need to indicate on your
proxy card the number of whole Common Shares as to which you elect to receive
the Cash Consideration and the whole number of Common Shares as to which you
elect to receive Series A Preferred Stock. All such elections must be made with
respect to whole shares of Common Stock, and no election can be made which would
result in the issuance of a fractional share of Series A Preferred Stock. If you
fail to specify any election on the enclosed proxy card, you will be deemed to
have elected to receive only Cash Consideration in exchange for your Common
Stock.
21
Shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be less liquid than shares of the
Company's Common Stock, will have no voting rights, and will not be registered
under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For more information
regarding the rights, preferences and other terms of the Series A Preferred
Stock, see Proposal 2.
Again, each share of Common Stock owned by a shareholder who held of
record fewer than 1,500 shares on the Record Date will be converted into the
right to receive the Cash Consideration, Series A Preferred Stock, or some
combination thereof. The Board selected 1,500 shares as the ownership minimum
for several reasons, including to ensure that, after completion of the Merger:
o the number of record holders of Common Stock would be less than the
300 shareholder limit necessary to terminate registration with the
SEC; and
o Merchants Bancorp would continue to maintain capital in excess of,
and in full compliance with, all regulatory capital maintenance
requirements.
The Board did consider using a cutoff number other than 1,500 shares. However,
in reliance on management's analysis, the Board believes that using a number
greater than 1,500 would not provide any significant benefit, while at the same
time adding unnecessary expense to the transaction. Out of a total of 700 record
shareholders, approximately 271 shareholders own 1,500 or more shares of our
Common Stock. These 271 shareholders own, in the aggregate, approximately 95.5%
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. This basic structure allows the
Company to meet its objective of reducing the number of its Common shareholders
of record to below 300, while also providing a significant number of
shareholders (i.e. the approximately 246 shareholders in the 101 to 1,499 Common
Share range) with the option of retaining an economic interest in the Company,
should they choose to do so. The Board determined not to provide this option to
the shareholders owning 100 or fewer Common Shares because to do so allowed for
the possibility that the total number of record holders of Series A Preferred
Stock might exceed 500 and thereby require the Company to continue to meet the
SEC reporting and filing requirements sought to be discontinued through the
proposed transactions. Additionally, the Board determined that cashing out the
approximately 183 holders of 100 or fewer Common Shares was appropriate due to
the inordinate consumption of administrative resources by this group relative to
its aggregate ownership of less than 5% of the Company's Common Stock.
BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK. Crossing the threshold of
500 record shareholders is not difficult given the general rules the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") uses to count the number of record shareholders
a company has. For example, if a husband and wife jointly own shares of a
company, they're counted as only one record holder with regard to those shares.
However, if they each individually own shares in addition to those held jointly,
they will be counted as three separate shareholders. In addition, if either the
husband or wife were to also hold shares in a trust for the benefit of a child,
those shares would be deemed to be held by yet another shareholder of record.
Consequently, one individual can count as multiple record holders, which can
cause the Company to have record ownership far in excess of actual beneficial
ownership. Importantly, if you and/or any
22
member of your immediate family hold shares of the Company in multiple accounts,
as demonstrated by the above examples, the determination as to whether or not
you or your family members will continue to hold your Common Shares following
the proposed transaction will be made separately for each such account. Using
the example provided above, if a husband and wife jointly hold 1,000 shares of
the Company's Common Stock, and the husband and wife also each hold 750 shares
of the Company's Common Stock in their individual names, all three accounts
would have the option to receive either the per share cash consideration of
$23.00 or new shares of the Series A Preferred upon the completion of the
proposed transaction. This is the case even though the husband and wife
collectively hold in excess of 1,500 Common Shares.
It is also important for shareholders to understand how shares that are
held in "street name" will be treated for purposes of the transaction described
in this proxy statement. As of the Record Date, all record shareholder
classifications (i.e. 100 shares or fewer; 101 to 1,499 shares; and 1,500 shares
or more) have been fixed, and any acquisitions or dispositions of the Company's
Common Shares after the Record Date will not alter such record shareholder
classifications in any manner. Importantly, shareholders who have transferred
their shares of Company stock into a brokerage or custodial account are no
longer shown on our shareholder records as the record holder of these shares.
The brokerage firms or custodians can hold the shares directly, but more
typically deposit all such shares with a single nominee, such as Cede & Co. This
is what is meant by "street name." While the nominee for the broker or custodian
is generally considered the record holder of our stock for most purposes, this
is not the case when determining whether a company has fewer than 300 record
holders for purposes of going private. In such instances, the Securities and
Exchange Commission deems the brokerage or custodian to be the holder of record,
rather than the nominee. For purposes of the present transaction, we will be
deeming that to be the case as well. Consequently, if a broker or custodian
holds (or is deemed to hold) 1,500 or more of our Common Shares in the aggregate
on the Record Date, then the stock held by the broker or custodian on the
Effective Date of the Merger will be completely unaffected by the proposed
transaction. Because the proposed transaction only affects record holders, it
does not matter whether any of the underlying beneficial owners for whom that
broker or custodian acts own less than 1,500 shares. At the end of this
transaction, those beneficial owners will continue to beneficially own the same
number of shares of our Common Stock as they did at the start of this
transaction.
Likewise, brokers or custodians that hold (or are deemed to hold) fewer
than 1,500 shares will have the same rights and obligations under the Merger
Agreement as other shareholders of record who own fewer than 1,500 shares.
However, the beneficial holders who held their Common Shares through such
brokerages or custodians as of the Record Date will have the added option of
being able to retain their shares by withdrawing them from their brokerage or
custodial account any time prior to the Effective Date of the Merger. These
persons will be deemed to be new shareholders of record following the Record
Date and will thus be unaffected by the Merger. In any event, if you hold your
shares in street name, you should talk to your broker, custodian or agent to
determine how they expect the transaction to affect you. Because other street
name holders may hold through your broker, custodian or
23
agent, you may have no way of knowing whether you will be entitled to retain
your shares of Common Stock until you have communicated with your broker,
custodian or agent.
DETERMINATION OF THE TERMS OF THE MERGER
The structure and terms of the Merger were determined by management and
the Board of Directors. Because MBI Merger Sub is an affiliated company, the
terms of the Merger cannot be considered the result of arm's-length negotiations
between unrelated parties. Consequently, the Board retained Austin Associates,
an independent financial advisor experienced in the financial analysis and
valuation of financial institutions, to value the Company's Common Stock. The
consideration to be paid for the Common Stock under the Merger was determined by
the Board of Directors. In making this determination, the Board of Directors
relied upon a report on the valuation of the Company's Common Stock and the
opinion on the fairness of the consideration to be received by shareholders
owning fewer than 1,500 Common Shares in connection with the Merger, each of
which was delivered by Austin Associates. See "Financial Fairness."
FINANCIAL FAIRNESS
The Board of Directors believes that the Merger proposal is fair to, and
in the best interests of, the Company and all of its shareholders, including
shareholders who will receive cash or Series A Preferred Stock for their Common
Shares, as well as those shareholders who will continue to hold Common Shares of
the Company. The Board of Directors also believes that the process by which the
Merger is to be approved is fair to all shareholders. In reaching these
conclusions, the Board in part relied on a valuation and fairness opinion
prepared by Austin Associates of Toledo, Ohio.
In addition to Austin Associates' opinion and analyses, the Board of
Directors considered other factors in their evaluation of the transaction.
Austin Associates' opinion and analyses should not be viewed as determinative of
the views of the Board of Directors with respect to the transaction. The Board
of Directors retained Austin Associates based upon its experience in the
valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with going private
transactions and similar transactions. Austin Associates is a nationally
recognized investment banking firm that is continually engaged in providing
financial advisory services to community banks and rendering fairness opinions
in connection with bank mergers and acquisitions and securities valuations. The
fairness opinion is directed only to the fairness, from a financial point of
view, of the consideration to be received in cash or Series A Preferred Stock in
the Merger and is not intended to constitute and does not constitute a
recommendation as to whether shareholders should vote for or against the Merger.
Merchant's shareholders are urged to read the text of Austin Associates'
fairness opinion, which is attached hereto as Appendix C, carefully and in its
entirety.
The Board of Directors believes that the Merger proposal is fair despite
the absence of statutory safeguards identified by the SEC, namely that:
o the Board did not retain an unaffiliated representative to act
solely on behalf of the shareholders who are not officers or
directors, including shareholders who will receive
24
only cash in the Merger, for the purpose of negotiating the terms of
the Merger proposal or preparing a report covering the fairness of
the Merger proposal; and
o the Merger proposal is not structured so that the approval of at
least a majority of those shareholders who are not officers and
directors is required.
However, despite the absence of an SEC requirement to do so, the Board did
obtain an opinion from an unaffiliated third-party relating to the fairness of
the cash or preferred stock consideration to be paid to certain shareholders.
The Board determined that the cost of obtaining an additional fairness opinion
or valuation from an unaffiliated representative for the purpose of negotiating
the terms of the Merger proposal on behalf of the non-affiliated shareholders
would be costly and would not provide any meaningful additional benefit.
The Board of Directors, including all of the directors who are not
employees of the Company, approved the Merger proposal, and the Board recommends
that the shareholders approve the proposal. All of the members of the Board of
Directors have expressed an intention to vote in favor of the Merger proposal,
including the Board members who are not employees of the Company or the Bank.
Prior to the valuation and fairness opinion engagement related to this
transaction, Austin Associates was engaged periodically to provide consulting
services to Merchants Bancorp. The most recent engagements included consulting
services related to asset/liability management reporting and strategies,
evaluating the acquisition of another commercial bank, analyzing a significant
stock repurchase in 2003, and the development of the 2005-2007 strategic plan.
The Board of Merchants Bancorp retained Austin Associates due to its knowledge
of the company and experience in valuing securities of financial institutions.
The Board did not contact other firms to receive competing proposals for the
valuation and fairness opinion engagement related to this transaction. In
connection with these prior engagements, the Company paid Austin Associates
total fees of $25,000 in 2003; $50,000 in 2004 and $15,000 year-to-date 2005.
The Company will also pay Austin Associates a fee of $25,000 for the valuation,
fairness opinion, and advisory services provided in connection with the
going-private transaction, and the Company will reimburse Austin Associates for
all out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with such services.
The Board of Directors requested that Austin Associates provide its report
on the valuation of the Common Stock and issue a fairness opinion on the price
to be paid for shares of Common Stock in connection with the Merger proposal.
Austin Associates determined that the fair market value of the consideration to
be paid in the going private transaction was $23.00 per share. After considering
all other relevant factors, the Board agreed with Austin Associates' valuation
conclusion of $23.00 per share which is described in more detail later in this
section.
The Board imposed no limitations upon Austin Associates with respect to
the investigations made or procedures followed in rendering the valuation or the
fairness opinion. A copy of Austin Associates' fairness opinion is attached to
this proxy statement as Appendix C. You or your representative (designated in
writing) may inspect a copy of the
25
valuation report at the Bank's main office during regular business hours. You or
your representative (designated in writing) may also receive a copy of the
report upon written request and at your expense. Please send in your written
request to the address set forth on the cover page of this proxy statement.
Additional information or documentation may be requested from you if necessary
to verify your identity or that of your representative or the authority of your
representative. The SEC also maintains an Internet world wide website that
contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers,
including Merchants Bancorp, Inc., who file electronically with the SEC. The
address of that site is http://www.sec.gov. The Company has filed with the SEC a
Rule 13e-3 Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E-3 in connection with the
transactions described in this proxy statement. As permitted by the SEC, this
proxy statement omits certain information contained in the Schedule 13E-3. A
copy of the valuation report is attached as an exhibit to the Company's Schedule
13E-3 and is available for inspection electronically at the SEC's website.
In performing its analysis, Austin Associates assumed, with the Company's
consent, that the 2005 budget provided by Company management had been reasonably
prepared, and on a basis reflecting the best currently available judgment of
management. As part of its forecasts, the Company made certain assumptions,
including assumptions with regard to general economic and competitive
conditions. The Board was aware that, as part of its valuation analysis, Austin
Associates relied on the 2005 budget.
In connection with the valuation and fairness opinion, Austin Associates
made such reviews, analyses and inquiries as it deemed necessary and appropriate
under the circumstances. Among other things, Austin Associates:
1. Held discussion with certain members of the senior management of the
Company regarding the operations, financial condition, future
prospects and projected operations and performance of the Company;
2. Reviewed the Company's filings with the SEC, including annual
reports on Form 10-K for the five fiscal years ended December 31,
2004 and the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter
ended June 30, 2005, which the Company's management identified as
being the most current quarterly financial statements available at
the time;
3. Reviewed internally prepared financial statements;
4. Reviewed the 2005 budget prepared by management and approved by the
Board of Directors of the Company; and
5. Reviewed certain other publicly available financial data for certain
companies that Austin Associates deemed comparable to the Company.
In connection with the valuation, Austin Associates also considered the
following additional factors: (i) the nature of the business and history of the
enterprise; (ii) the economic outlook in general and the condition and the
outlook of the specific industry in particular; (iii) the financial condition of
the business; (iv) the earning capacity of the Company; (v) the dividend paying
capacity of the Company; (vi) the nature and value of the tangible and
intangible assets of the business; (vii) sale of the stock and the size of the
block to be valued; (viii) the market price of
26
the stocks of corporations engaged in the same or similar lines of business
having their stocks actively traded in a free and open market; (ix) the
marketability of the Company's stock; and (x) the determination of any control
premiums or minority share discounts.
Austin Associates used several methodologies to assess the fairness of the
consideration to be received by shareholders in connection with the Merger. The
following is a summary of the material financial analyses used by Austin
Associates in connection with the Merger. Austin Associates utilized each of the
following analyses based upon its view that each is appropriate and reflective
of generally accepted valuation methodologies given the accessibility of
comparable publicly traded companies, the availability of forecasts from
management of the Company and available information regarding similar
transactions in the banking industry. Each analysis provides an indication of
the Company's per share value in order to assess the fairness of the
consideration to be received in connection with the Merger. Unless specifically
noted, no one methodology was considered to be more appropriate than any other
methodology.
Austin Associates' estimate of value for the Company's shares to be cashed
out in the Merger involved several valuation methods including: (1) discounted
cash flow value; (2) net asset value approach; (3) analysis of guideline
transactions; and (4) historical market prices.
DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW VALUE. For this valuation approach, Austin Associates
prepared a discounted cash flow analysis of the Company, which estimated
after-tax cash flows that the Company might produce from the twelve-month period
ending March 31, 2006 through March 31, 2010. The estimates resulted in an
annual earnings growth rate of approximately 6.3%. Although Austin Associates
reviewed the Company's 2005 budget, the projections utilized in the valuation
and summarized below represent Austin Associates' projections. The cash flows
were discounted to present value using a 12.0% discount rate to reflect the
relative risk inherent in the Company's stock. Austin Associates selected the
12.0 percent discount rate after reviewing Ibbotson's Stocks, Bonds, Bills and
Inflation 2005, as well as, Austin Associates' assessment of the relative risk
profile of Merchants Bancorp, Inc. Austin Associates assumed 7.5 percent
required equity to asset ratio in determining excess cash flows per year. Austin
Associates selected this equity to asset ratio after reviewing the Company's
balance sheet, capital and projected growth. A summary of the projected
five-year period is as follows:
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
------------------------------------------------------------------
03/31/2006 03/31/2007 03/31/2008 03/31/2009 03/31/2010
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 380,612 $ 399,643 $ 419,625 $ 440,606 $ 462,637
NET INCOME $ 4,679 $ 4,976 $ 5,292 $ 5,627 $5,983
ROAA 1.26% 1.28% 1.29% 1.31% 1.32%
27
In developing these projections, Austin Associates assumed no material
changes in the operations of the Company including the types of products and
services offered, markets served, branch locations and senior management. Austin
Associates primarily used current trend lines of the Company in making its
projections. In addition to the historical performance of the Company, Austin
Associates considered internal projections as provided by the Company.
Specifically, the Company provided its 2005 forecast of balance sheet and income
statement items. A summary of the material assumptions contained in Company's
internal projections is provided below:
MERCHANTS BANCORP 2005 BUDGET ($000)
Total Assets $ 378,270
Net Income $ 4,742
ROAA 1.27%
In addition to calculating annual cash flows, Austin Associates also
determined a residual value. The residual value is calculated by capitalizing
the fifth year earnings projection. The appropriate capitalization rate was
determined to be the 12.0 percent discount rate less a three percent estimated
annual growth rate after year five. The sum of the present value of the cash
flows and residual value based on the 12.0% discount rate equaled $55.4 million
or $20.78 per share.
NET ASSET VALUE. This approach involves taking the book value of a company
and assessing premiums or discounts to the balance sheet accounts based upon the
current market value of its assets and liabilities. Austin Associates determined
the Company's net asset value as of March 31, 2005 to be $37.2 million, or
$13.95 per share. Given the going-concern nature of the valuation and the
results of the earnings-based methods, relatively little weight was given to
this approach.
GUIDELINE TRANSACTIONS. This analysis is based on two sets of guideline
transactions, including: (1) price-to-earnings multiples and price-to-tangible
book value ratios for selected publicly traded companies (i.e. minority share
transactions); and (2) price-to-earnings multiples and price-to-tangible book
value ratios for selected bank sale transactions (i.e. sale of control
transactions). For sale of control transactions, Austin Associates also
considered the premium over core deposits multiple. Austin Associates applied a
minority share discount to all sale transaction multiples to determine
appropriate minority share level indications of value under this methodology.
Minority Share Transactions. Under this approach, Austin Associates
analyzed financial and stock performance information for comparable banks in two
geographic regions and subject to the indicated criteria: (1) publicly traded
banks in the Midwest with total assets between $250 and $600 million with last
twelve-month core ROAE between 12% and 18%; (2) publicly traded banks in the
nation having assets between $300 million and $500 million and with last
twelve-month core ROAE between 14% and 16%. The following chart details the
median financial and stock performance results for the selective peer groups and
for the Company:
28
TOTAL TG EQUITY/ LTM CORE LTM CORE PRICE/ PRICE/LTM
PEER GROUP ASSETS TG ASSETS ROAA ROAE TG BOOK CORE EPS
- ---------- -------- ---------- -------- -------- ------- ---------
Midwest $366,733 8.42% 1.14% 13.72% 195% 14.9
National $368,715 7.99% 1.22% 14.83% 243% 17.5
-------- ---- ---- ----- --- ----
COMPANY(1) $362,488 8.75% 1.27% 14.96% 200%(2) 15.0(2)
-------- ---- ---- ----- --- ----
- --------
(1) Based on stated net income of $4,556,000.
(2) Selected multiples.
In determining comparable price-to-tangible book and price-to-earnings
multiples, Austin Associates considered various factors, including: (1) the
Company's underlying financial condition and performance in relation to the
selected organizations; and (2) the nature of the geographic market area served
by the Company in relation to the selected organizations. After considering
these and other factors, Austin Associates selected price-to-tangible book and
price-to-earnings multiples of 200 percent and 15.0, respectively, to develop
indications of value for the Company. Pursuant to this analysis, a per share
value based on price to tangible book value equaled $23.79, and a per share
value based on price to earnings equaled $25.63.
Sale of Control Transactions. Under this approach, Austin Associates
analyzed sale of control acquisition transactions for peer groups similar to
those used with respect to minority share transactions. The first peer group
includes Midwestern bank sale transactions with seller's assets between $200
million and $750 with year-to-date ROAE greater than 10 percent. The second peer
group includes bank sale transactions nationally with seller's assets between
$250 million and $600 million with year-to-date ROAE greater than 10 percent and
tangible equity to tangible assets between 6.0 and 10.0 percent. The following
chart details the median financial and deal statistics for the two selective
transaction groups and for the Company:
PREMIUM
TOTAL TG EQUITY/ YTD YTD PRICE/ PRICE/LTM OVER CORE
PEER GROUP ASSETS TG ASSETS ROAA ROAE TG BOOK CORE EPS DEPOSITS
- ----------- -------- ---------- ----- ------ ------- --------- ---------
Midwest $236,344 7.47% 0.98% 12.43% 247% 19.7 17.4%
National $456,550 7.42% 0.92% 11.96% 293% 26.1 21.5%
-------- ---- ---- ----- --- ---- ----
COMPANY (1) $362,488 8.75% 1.27% 14.96% 275%(2) 20.0(2) 20.0%(2)
-------- ---- ---- ----- --- ---- ----
- ---------
(1) Based on core net income of $4,556,000.
(2) Selected multiples.
Based on our analysis of these transactions, Austin Associates selected a
price-to-tangible book ratio of 275 percent, a price-to-earnings multiple of
20.0, and a premium over core deposits of 20.0 percent to establish indications
of value for the Company under this guideline transactions methodology.
Austin Associates analyzed all control premium information for bank sale
transactions since 2000. The average and median prices paid in these
transactions over the pre-announced stock
29
trading levels of the target companies approximated between 26 percent and 56
percent. For 2004, the average three-month control premium measured 32.4
percent, while the average three-month premium for the 1st quarter of 2005
measured 27.9 percent. Between 2000 and 2004, the median three-month control
premium averaged 43.7 percent. Based on this data, Austin Associates selected a
40.0 percent control premium, resulting in an implied minority share discount of
28.6 percent. This minority discount has been applied to the selected control
level multiples to establish indications of value on a minority interest level.
Pursuant to this analysis, a per share value based on price to tangible
book value equaled $23.36, a per share value based on price to earnings equaled
$24.41, and a per share value based on premium over core deposits equaled
$21.77.
MARKET PRICE. The final valuation method considered is the market price of
the Company's stock as reflected in actual trading prices since January 1, 2005.
Several transactions involving the Company's stock were reported from January 1
through April 15, 2005. The prices of these transactions ranged from $19.00 to
$24.00 per share, with the last transactions with a known price occuring at
$19.00 on April 11, 2005. Approximately 23,000 shares exchanged hands in 2005,
representing less than 1.0 percent of the outstanding shares. Because the
Company's stock trades infrequently and is not listed on any exchange or quoted
over-the-counter, Austin Associates applied less weight to the market price in
determining the value of the Company's Common Shares.
FAIR MARKET VALUE. Given the nature of the going private transaction,
Austin Associates determined that the appropriate standard of value was the
"fair market value" of a minority interest in the Company. In certain
transactions and valuations, a marketability discount would be applied to
determine fair market value. However, in a "cash-out" transaction as is being
proposed, Austin Associates has determined that a marketability discount should
not be applied. A summary of the valuation findings discussed previously is
provided below:
Discounted Cash Flow Value $20.78
Net Asset Value $13.95
Minority Share Comparable Value
Price to Tangible Book Value $23.79
Price to Earnings Value $25.63
Sale of Control Value w/ Minority Share Discount
Price to Tangible Book Value $23.36
Price to Earnings Value $24.41
Premium to Core Deposits $21.77
Market Price $19.00 - $24.00
---------------
FAIR MARKET VALUE DETERMINATION $23.00
---------------
Having considered each of the valuation methods discussed above, Austin
Associates concluded the fair market value of one share of the Company's Common
Stock to be $23.00. No specific weighting was used to determine the $23.00
value. Generally, it reflects a balance between the discounted cash flow value
($20.78) and the range of market comparable results ($23.36 to $25.63). Very
little consideration was given to the net asset value approach ($13.95). Given
the lack of trading
30
volume in Company's stock, less consideration was given to the market price
approach.
PREFERRED STOCK. In connection with the Merger, certain shareholders
owning more than 100 shares, but less than 1,500 shares are being offered shares
of Series A Preferred Stock in lieu of the $23.00 cash offer. The terms of the
Series A Preferred Stock were determined by the Board of Directors of the
Company after consultation with Austin Associates and legal counsel, and include
the following:
o Principal Amount of $23.00 per share;
o Mandatory redemption at the Principal Amount in twenty years;
o Callable after five years at Principal Amount plus 5%, or at any
time at the Principal Amount if the Company has executed any
agreement intended to result in a change in control;
o Annual dividends equal to the cash dividends paid to common
shareholders;
o Liquidation and dividend preferences over the Common Shares; and,
o No voting rights.
In rendering its opinion of the preferred stock terms, Austin Associates
considered that the Company will be able to count the preferred stock as Tier 2
capital for regulatory purposes for a period of at least fifteen years. Austin
Associates has included in its fairness opinion letter that the terms of the
preferred stock are deemed to be fair to the Company and to those shareholders
electing to exchange their Common Shares for preferred stock, in lieu of the
$23.00 cash offer.
UPDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Austin Associates reviewed the Company's
June 30, 2005 regulatory financial statements, as well as, Company's June 30,
2005 10-Q filing. Among other items, Austin Associates noted the following
comparison of financial performance.
($000) MARCH 31, 2005 JUNE 30, 2005 12/31/05 BUDGET
- ------------------ -------------- ------------- ---------------
Total Assets $ 362,373 $ 360,416 $ 378,270
Net Income $ 1,107 $ 2,341 $ 4,742
Earnings Per Share $ .42 $ .88 $ 1.78
Austin Associates noted that the Company's performance was in-line with first
quarter 2005 performance and consistent with the Company's 2005 budget
forecasts. Austin Associates did not note any material changes in financial
condition since the valuation date of March 31, 2005.
PRO FORMA ANALYSIS. In rendering its opinion, Austin Associates also
considered the pro forma impact of the Merger to the Company. Among other
measurements, Austin Associates considered the pro forma impact to earnings per
share ("EPS"), book value per share, return on average equity ("ROAE"), and
regulatory capital ratios. Assuming all shareholders elect the $23.00 in cash,
in lieu of the preferred stock, Austin Associates concluded that the Merger
would have a positive impact to EPS of approximately 3 percent. Book value per
share would be diluted by approximately 6 percent. ROAE would be enhanced by
approximately 161 basis points and consolidated capital ratios would remain well
in excess of the well-capitalized regulatory guidelines for capital adequacy.
Assuming all shareholders owning more than 100 but fewer than
31
1,500 shares of Common Stock as of the Record Date elect to receive shares of
Series A Preferred Stock in lieu of cash, Austin Associates concluded that the
Merger would have a positive impact to EPS of approximately 4 percent. Book
value per share would be diluted by approximately 6 percent. ROAE would be
enhanced by approximately 179 basis points and consolidated capital ratios would
remain well in excess of the well-capitalized regulatory guidelines for capital
adequacy.
QUALIFYING STATEMENTS REGARDING FAIRNESS OPINION. In rendering its
opinion, Austin Associates relied upon and assumed, without independent
verification, that the financial and other information provided to Austin
Associates by the management of the Company, including the financial
projections, was accurate, complete and reasonably prepared and reflects the
best currently available estimates of the financial results and condition of the
Company; that no material changes have occurred in the information reviewed
between the date the information was provided and the date of the Austin
Associates opinion; and that there were no facts or information regarding the
Company that would cause the information supplied by Austin Associates to be
incomplete or misleading in any material respect. Austin Associates did not
independently verify the accuracy or completeness of the information supplied to
it with respect to the Company, and does not assume responsibility for it.
Austin Associates also assumed that the transaction will be consummated in all
material respects as described in the Merger Agreement. Austin Associates did
not make any independent appraisal of the specific properties or assets of the
Company.
AUSTIN WAS NOT ASKED TO OPINE AND DOES NOT EXPRESS ANY OPINION AS TO: (i)
THE TAX OR LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER; (ii) THE REALIZABLE VALUE OF THE
COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK OR THE PRICES AT WHICH THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK MAY
TRADE; AND (iii) THE FAIRNESS OF ANY ASPECT OF THE TRANSACTION NOT EXPRESSLY
ADDRESSED IN THE FAIRNESS OPINION.
THE AUSTIN OPINION DOES NOT ADDRESS THE BOARD'S UNDERLYING BUSINESS
DECISION TO EFFECT THE MERGER OR THE UNDERLYING BUSINESS DECISION TO ENDORSE THE
MERGER, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDATION TO ANY SHAREHOLDER AS TO WHETHER
THE SHAREHOLDER SHOULD VOTE FOR OR AGAINST THE TRANSACTION.
The summary set forth above describes the material points of more detailed
analyses performed by Austin Associates in arriving at its fairness opinion. The
preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex analytical process involving
various determinations as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of
financial analysis, and application of those methods to the particular
circumstances and is therefore not readily susceptible to summary description.
In arriving at its opinion, Austin Associates made qualitative judgments as to
the significance and relevance of each analysis and factor. Accordingly, Austin
Associates believes that its analyses and summary set forth herein must be
considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses, without
considering all analyses and factors, or portions of this summary, could create
an incomplete and/or inaccurate view of the processes underlying the analyses
set forth in Austin Associates' fairness opinion. In its analyses, Austin
Associates made numerous assumptions with respect to the
32
Company, the transaction, industry performance, general business, economic,
market and financial conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the
control of the respective entities. The estimates contained in such analyses are
not necessarily indicative of actual values or predictive of future results or
values, which may be more or less favorable than suggested by such analyses.
No company or merger utilized in Austin Associates' analyses was identical
to the Company. Accordingly, such analyses are not based solely on arithmetic
calculations; rather, they involve complex considerations and judgments
concerning differences in financial and operating characteristics of the
relevant companies, the timing of the relevant transactions and prospective
buyer interests (in the case of acquisition transactions analysis), as well as
other factors that could affect the public trading markets of companies to which
the Company is being compared.
CERTAIN CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER; BENEFITS AND DETRIMENTS TO AFFILIATED AND
NON-AFFILIATED SHAREHOLDERS
Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, following shareholder
approval of the Merger proposal and subject to the fulfillment or waiver of
certain conditions, MBI Merger Sub will be merged with and into Merchants
Bancorp, and Merchants Bancorp will continue as the surviving company in the
Merger. The Merger will cause a reduction in the number of Merchants Bancorp's
record shareholders from approximately 700 to approximately 271. Further, the
Merger will allow the Company to terminate the registration of its Common Stock
under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which will permit
the Company to cease submitting current and periodic reports with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and eliminate the necessity for the Company to comply
with the proxy solicitation requirements of Regulation 14A under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Following the Merger, Merchants Bancorp and the Bank will
continue to conduct their existing operations in the same manner as now
conducted. The executive officers and directors immediately prior to the Merger
will be the executive officers and directors of Merchants Bancorp immediately
after the Merger. Merchants Bancorp and the Bank's charter and by-laws will
remain in effect and unchanged by the Merger. The deposits of the Bank will
continue to be insured by the FDIC. The corporate existence of neither the
Company nor the Bank will be affected by the Merger. Merchants Bancorp and the
Bank will continue to be regulated by the same agencies that regulated each
entity before the Merger.
The Company will retire shares of its Common Stock acquired for cash or
Series A Preferred pursuant to the Merger. These retired shares will constitute
authorized but unissued Common Stock of the Company. Shareholders receiving cash
pursuant to the Merger will cease to participate in future earnings or growth,
if any, of Merchants Bancorp, but they also no longer bear the risk of any
decreases in the Company's value. Due to its fixed Principal Amount,
shareholders receiving Series A Preferred Stock will also cease to benefit from
any increases in the value of the Company. Their exposure to decreases in
Company value will be minimized but not eliminated.
Shareholders who elected to receive shares of Series A Preferred Stock
will be entitled to all distributions that are declared on Series A Preferred
Stock after the Merger is completed, but no
33
such shareholder will receive any such distribution until his or her Common
Shares have been surrendered as described in the preceding paragraph. Also, in
the event the Merger is consummated prior to December 31, 2005, the Board has
also determined to pay all former shareholders of record who elected to receive
the Cash Consideration pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement the amount
of the 2005 year end dividend that such former shareholders would have received
in the event the Merger had not been consummated. However, no such shareholder
will receive any such distribution until his or her Common Shares have been
surrendered as described in the preceding paragraph. Except as otherwise herein
provided, no shareholder will be entitled to any distributions that are declared
after the Merger is completed on any shares of Common Stock that are
automatically converted into either cash or shares of Series A Preferred Stock
as a result of the Merger. All shareholders will be entitled to distributions on
his or her Common Stock declared prior to the date on which the Merger is
completed, even if it is not paid until after the Merger is completed provided
he or she held the Common Stock on the date of record for such distribution.
Because Merchants Bancorp will absorb all transaction costs related to the
transfer of shares on its record books, the Merger will also provide
shareholders of record who receive cash in the Merger a cost-effective way to
cash out their investments. However, if you hold your shares in street name, you
should talk to your broker, custodian or agent to determine the extent of any
transaction costs they may charge in connection with the proposed transaction.
The Board of Directors also identified the following positive and negative
effects to shareholders (including unaffiliated shareholders) that will result
from the consummation of the Merger.
POSITIVE FACTORS FOR SHAREHOLDERS WHO RECEIVE CASH CONSIDERATION IN THE MERGER.
The Board identified the following positive factors for the shareholders who
receive Cash Consideration:
o the fact that the Cash Consideration is all cash provides certainty
of value to, and immediate liquidity for, these shareholders;
o the fact that the per share Cash Consideration represents a 65%
premium over the December 31, 2004 net asset value per share of
$13.95; and
o the fact that no brokerage or other transaction costs are to be
incurred by the record holders receiving cash in the Merger. (Please
note, however, that in the event a record holder receiving cash in
the Merger actually holds such shares for the benefit of another (or
others), the Company cannot guarantee the absence of transaction
costs with respect to such beneficial owners.)
POSITIVE FACTORS FOR SHAREHOLDERS WHO RECEIVE SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES IN THE
MERGER. The Board identified the following positive factors for the shareholders
who receive Series A Preferred Shares in the Merger:
o the fact that each share of Series A Preferred Stock has a Principal
Amount equal to the per share fair value of the Company's Common
Stock;
o the fact that holders of Series A Preferred Shares will have a
preference over holders of Common Shares in the distribution of any
dividend by the Company;
o the fact that holders of Series A Preferred Shares will receive, on
a per share basis,
34
dividends in the same amount as those received by holders of the
Company's Common Stock;
o the fact that holders of Series A Preferred Shares will have a
preference over holders of Common Stock upon any liquidation by the
Company;
o the fact that holders of Series A Preferred Shares are entitled to
receive the Principal Amount for each such share held upon the
expiration of the term of such shares, which term shall end 20 years
following the date of issuance; and
o the fact that holders of Series A Preferred Shares will receive a
premium of 5% over the Principal Amount in the event the Company
calls such shares any time prior to the end of the term, unless the
call results from the entry by the Company into any agreement which,
if completed, would result in a change in control of the Company.
POSITIVE FACTORS FOR REMAINING SHAREHOLDERS. The Board identified the following
positive factors for the shareholders who will remain shareholders following the
Merger:
o the fact that such shareholders would have the opportunity to
participate in any future growth and earnings of Merchants Bancorp;
o the fact that such shareholders will continue to possess sole voting
control over the Company, and, because the number of outstanding
shares of Common Stock is being reduced as a result of the Merger
transaction, the fact that such voting control will increase (The
aggregate increase in voting power of remaining shareholders will be
approximately 4.5%, with individual increases varying depending on
individual levels of post-Merger ownership);
o the fact that such shareholders will have dissenters' rights to
appraisal in connection with the proposed Merger transaction to the
same extent as any shareholder owning fewer than 1,500 Common
Shares; and
o the fact that the remaining shareholders would realize the potential
benefits of termination of registration of the Common Stock,
including, reduced expenses of Merchants Bancorp for no longer
having to comply with SEC requirements.
NEGATIVE FACTORS FOR SHAREHOLDERS RECEIVING CASH CONSIDERATION IN THE MERGER.
The Board identified the following negative factors for the shareholders who
would receive Cash Consideration in the Merger included:
o the fact that such shareholders will be required to surrender their
shares involuntary in exchange for a cash price determined by the
Board and, as a result, will not have the right to liquidate their
shares at a time and price of their choosing;
o the fact that such shareholders would not have the opportunity to
participate in any future growth and earnings of Merchants Bancorp;
o the fact that such shareholders may be required to pay income tax on
the receipt of cash in the Merger (For more discussion regarding
potential tax consequences, see the section of this Proxy statement
captioned "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the
Merger"); and
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NEGATIVE FACTORS FOR SHAREHOLDERS RECEIVING SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES IN THE
MERGER. The Board identified the following negative factors for the shareholders
who will receive shares of Series A Preferred Stock in the Merger:
o the fact that such shareholders will lose the benefits of holding
shares of a company registered under and subject to Section 12(g) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including the loss of liability
provisions provided thereunder and decreased access to information
about Merchants Bancorp, as well as the additional protections
provided by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, such as the certification of the
Company's quarterly and annual financial statements by its chief
executive and chief financial officers;
o the fact that such shareholders would not have the opportunity to
realize any appreciation in the principal amount of their investment
in Series A Preferred Stock;
o the fact that shares of Series A Preferred Stock are not perpetual;
o the fact that shares of Series A Preferred Stock are callable at the
option of the Company any time after the fifth year following the
date of issuance, or at any other time in the event the Company has
entered into an agreement or other arrangement which, if effected,
would result in a change in control;
o The fact that such shareholders would no longer be able to vote on
matters subject to the approval of holders of Common Stock;
o the fact that shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be
transferable only to the extent that transfer would not result in an
increase in the number of record holders of Series A Preferred
Stock; and
o the fact that there will be no established trading market for shares
of Series A Preferred Stock, and that such shares will have limited
liquidity.
NEGATIVE FACTORS FOR REMAINING SHAREHOLDERS. The Board identified the following
negative factors for the shareholders who will retain their shares in the
Merger:
o the fact that such shareholders will lose the benefits of holding
shares of a company registered under and subject to Section 12(g) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including the loss of liability
provisions provided thereunder and decreased access to information
about Merchants Bancorp, as well as the additional protections
provided by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, such as the certification of the
Company's quarterly and annual financial statements by its chief
executive and chief financial officers;
o the fact that the liquidity of our Common Stock will likely be
reduced following the Merger transaction because of the reduction
the number of our record shareholders of Common Stock and the fact
that such stock is tradable only in privately effected transaction;
o the fact that holders of Series A Preferred Shares will have a
preference to holders of Common Shares in the distribution of any
dividends by, and upon liquidation of, the Company;
o the fact that after the completion of the Merger, Merchants Bancorp
will not be subject to the periodic reporting, proxy rules and
Section 16 of the 1934 Act.
While the Board considered the negative factors described above, it
concluded that
36
the benefits of the positive factors outweighed the detriments of the negative
factors, and that the proposed transaction was fair and in the best interest of
Merchants Bancorp's shareholders. While financial information regarding the
Company will cease to be available as a result of filings made with the SEC, the
Company and the Bank will continue to file period financial reports to the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency. These reports can be viewed at the following web address:
http://132.200.33.161/nicSearch/servlet/NICServlet?REQ=SVGL&MODE=SEARCH
RECOMMENDATION OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has unanimously approved the Merger proposal and
further recommends that the shareholders vote in favor of the Merger and the
related amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation to authorize the
shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The Board makes this recommendation after
consideration of the following factors: (1) the projected cost savings and other
benefits to the Company that will result from deregistering the Company's Common
Stock; (2) the financial and structural fairness of the transaction to all
shareholders of the Company; and (3) the procedural safeguards used by the
Company. In addition, based on the Board's considerations pursuant to (2) and
(3) above, the Board of Directors of Merchants Bancorp has determined that the
proposed transactions are in the best interests of, and fair to, all
shareholders of Merchants Bancorp, Inc., including all non-affiliated
shareholders.
COMPANY BENEFITS. The Board considered all of the factors discussed in the
section of this Proxy Statement captioned "Purposes and Reasons for the Merger
Proposal." Based upon these considerations, the Board concluded that the
proposed transaction is in the best interest of Merchants Bancorp and its
shareholders.
FINANCIAL AND STRUCTURAL FAIRNESS. With respect to financial fairness, the
Board has accepted as accurate and expressly adopted the findings contained in
the valuation report and fairness opinion provided by Austin Associates. In
making its determination regarding fairness, the Board considered each of the
factors discussed in the valuation report, as described under the section of
this proxy statement captioned "Financial Fairness." The Board did not consider,
and did not request that Austin Associates evaluate Merchants Bancorp's
liquidation value. The Board did not consider Merchants Bancorp's liquidation
value to be a relevant measure of valuation given the close approximation of net
asset value to the Company's likely liquidation value. Additionally, the $23.00
price per share offered in the Merger provides a 65% premium over the net asset
value per share of $13.95 at December 31, 2004. While the Board believes that
the liquidation value of the company may exceed the Company's net asset value,
the significant disparity between the $23.00 Cash Consideration price and the
company's net asset value made it unnecessary to evaluate Merchants Bancorp's
liquidation value. Because of the analysis of the Company's net asset value and
the significant disparity between it and the Cash Consideration, the Board
believes the Company's liquidation value would be less than the $23.00 Cash
Consideration price. It was the determination of the Board, based on the
Company's historically strong operating performance and the goodwill that it has
established in connection with the operation of its subsidiary bank, that
Merchants Bancorp, Inc. is more valuable as a going concern than its per share
net asset value.
37
The Board also did not consider any firm offers by third parties because
there were none. Neither management nor the Board made any efforts to identify a
buyer because the Board determined that any consideration thereof was
inappropriate in the context of a transaction not intended to result in a change
of control of Merchants Bancorp. The Board believed that it would be
inappropriate to solicit such offers where no change of control was
contemplated. The Board did review information provided to it by Austin
Associates which, among other things, included information concerning prices
paid in acquisition transactions. The Board does not believe that its decision
not to invite third party offers impacted its fairness determination. Likewise,
as discussed previously in "Special Factors - Background of the Merger
Proposal," the Board did not consider any alternatives to a going private
transaction since only the going private transaction would result in Merchants
Bancorp and the Bank continuing to conduct their operations in substantially the
same manner as they currently conduct their operations, only without the costs
associated with being a "public" company. See "Special Factors -- Operations of
the Bank Following the Merger" and " - Background of the Merger Proposal." The
Board believes that its conclusions with respect to the fairness of the
transaction as set forth in "Special Factors - Financial Fairness" and this
section are not altered by the fact that it did not consider any alternatives to
a going private transaction.
In addition, several transactions involving Company's stock were reported
from January 1 through April 15, 2005. The prices of these transactions ranged
from $19.00 to $24.00 per share, with the last transactions with a known price
occuring at $19.00 on April 11, 2005. However, because the Company's stock
trades infrequently and is not listed on any exchange or quoted
over-the-counter, the Board did not apply much weight to recent market prices in
making its recommendation. Rather, the Board relied on the valuation report of
its investment banker, Austin Associates, as to the fair value of the company's
Common Stock as a result of that firm's substantial experience and expertise in
the valuation of banking companies similar to Merchants Bancorp. The Board
believes its reliance on the valuation of its investment banker is preferable to
reliance on any particular potentially short-term movement in a stock's price,
as the market for community bank stocks, like the market generally, may be
subject to periods of substantial volatility. The Board also considered the fact
that no brokerage fees would be incurred by record holders receiving cash in the
going private transaction. Based on the foregoing considerations, the Board
concluded that the financial terms of the proposed transaction are fair and in
the best interest of Merchants Bancorp and all of its shareholders, including
unaffiliated shareholders.
The Board also believes that an exchange of one share of Common Stock for
one share of Series A Preferred Stock is substantively fair based on the
following considerations:
o The fact that the Principal Amount of the Series A Preferred Stock
is equal to the current fair value of the Company's Common Stock, as
determined by the Board upon review of the independent valuation
report prepared by Austin Associates;
o The fairness opinion provided by Austin Associates opining to the
substantive fairness of the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock;
o The fact that holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will receive
dividends before,
38
and in the same amount as, the holders of the Company's Common
Stock;
o The liquidation and anti-dilution protections imbedded in the Series
A Preferred Stock provide significant protections to holders
thereof; and
o The protection against loss of principal provided by the Series A
Preferred Stock.
In making its determination regarding substantive fairness, the Board also
considered the fact that holders of Common Stock who elect to receive shares of
Series A Preferred Stock will no longer have the ability to participate in the
Company's management by either electing directors or voting on other matters
requiring the approval of the Company's Common shareholders. The Board also
considered the fact that holders of Series A Preferred Stock will no longer be
able to participate in any appreciation in the value potentially accruing to the
Company's Common Shares. Nonetheless, the Board determined that the rights and
preferences inherent in shares of Series A Preferred Stock offset these lost
rights. The Board also considered the fact that shareholders eligible to receive
shares of Series A Preferred Stock also have certain procedural protections,
such as the right to elect to receive the fair cash value of the Company's
Common Stock as determined by the Board or to dissent from the transaction in
accordance with Section 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code.
With respect to the structure of the transaction, the Board considered all
of the factors described above in the sections of this Proxy Statement captioned
"Structure of the Merger" and "Certain Consequences of the Merger; Benefits and
Detriments to Affiliated and Non-Affiliated Shareholders." Based upon these
considerations, including the consideration of the benefits and detriments to
affiliated and unaffiliated shareholders resulting from the Merger, the Board
concluded that the positive factors to both affiliated and unaffiliated
shareholders outweighed the negative factors to such shareholders, and that the
structure of the proposed transaction is in the best interest of Merchants
Bancorp and its shareholders.
The Board considered the timing of the transaction in its analysis only to
the extent that the increased burdens resulting from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 will likely increase SEC-related compliance expenses dramatically beginning
with the Company's 2006 and 2007 reporting years.
PROCEDURAL CONSIDERATION. In reaching its decision to approve the Merger
proposal and recommend it for approval by shareholders, the Merchants Bancorp
Board of Directors considered a number of procedural fairness factors. The
factors that the Board considered positive for all the shareholders, including
all non-affiliated shareholders, included:
o The Board's retention of an independent financial advisor, Austin
Associates, to assist it in determining the fairness of the per
share Cash Consideration and the Series A Preferred Shares, and the
receipt of an opinion by Austin Associates, dated August 24, 2005,
stating that the Cash Consideration, shares of Series A Preferred
Stock, or some combination thereof, as the case may be, to be
received by record holders of fewer than 1,500 shares pursuant to
the Merger Agreement is substantively fair to all shareholders of
Merchants Bancorp, Inc. from a financial point of view.
o The fact that the Board retained and received advice from
independent legal counsel in evaluating the terms of the Merger
Agreement.
39
o The fact that all members of the Board, only one of whom is an
employee of the Company, approved the transaction.
o The fact that all shareholders have dissenters' rights under Section
1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code, including all affiliated and
unaffiliated shareholders retaining their Common Stock as a result
of the Merger transaction.
The Board did not consider and vote upon whether or not to, and as a
result, did not, retain an unaffiliated representative to act solely on behalf
of shareholders who are not directors or officers of Merchants Bancorp or the
Bank for purposes of negotiating the terms of the Merger transaction or
preparing a report on the fairness of the transaction. Nor did the Board
structure the transaction to require the approval of at least a majority of
unaffiliated security holders. Shareholders who will receive either cash or
Preferred Shares in the Merger represent less than 4.5% of the Common Stock. The
Merger requires approval by shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding
stock. Directors and officers as a group own 24.14% of the outstanding Common
Stock of the Company. Even though the shares held by insiders represent a large
percentage of votes required to approve the transaction, and a large percentage
of shareholders will be receiving cash in the Merger, the Board concluded that
having an unaffiliated representative to act solely on behalf of shareholders
who are not directors or officers of Merchants Bancorp and/or requiring a
majority of unaffiliated shareholders to approve the transaction were
unnecessary for this transaction, given the relatively small percentage of
Common Stock held by shareholders affected by this transaction.
Likewise, the Board did not consider establishing a committee of
independent directors to negotiate on behalf of the unaffiliated security
holders. While none of the eight (8) members of Merchants Bancorp's Board of
Directors owns fewer that 1,500 shares, only one such director is an officer of
Merchants Bancorp, Inc. In view of the overall independent composition of the
Board, which unanimously approved the Merger transaction, it was not deemed
necessary to establish a committee of independent directors to negotiate on
behalf of the unaffiliated security holders. The Board of Directors believes
that its predominantly independent composition is sufficient for it to
deliberate on this matter on behalf of all shareholders of Merchants Bancorp.
Nor, for the same reasons, has the Board structured the transaction to allow
access by unaffiliated shareholders to the corporate files of the Company.
The Board, based upon all the factors outlined above, believes that the
Merger proposal is fair to all shareholders of Merchants Bancorp, including all
non-affiliated shareholders who: (i) will receive the Cash Consideration as a
result of this transaction; (ii) will receive shares of Series A Preferred Stock
as a result of this transaction; or (iii) who retain their shares of Common
Stock as a result of the transaction. In view of the variety of factors
considered in connection with their evaluation of the Merger proposal, the Board
of Directors did not find it practicable to, and did not quantify or otherwise
assign relative weights to the specific factors considered in reaching its
determination. The Board considered all the factors as a whole in reaching its
determination. In addition, individual members of the Board of Directors may
have given different weights to different factors.
40
PURPOSES AND REASONS OF MBI MERGER SUB, INC. FOR THE MERGER PROPOSAL
MBI Merger Sub was organized solely for the purpose of facilitating the
Merger transaction. As a result MBI Merger Sub's purpose and reasons for
engaging in the Merger transaction are the same as those set forth in
"--Purposes of and reasons for the Merger proposal."
POSITION OF MBI MERGER SUB, INC. AS TO THE FAIRNESS OF THE MERGER
MBI Merger Sub has considered the analyses and findings of the Merchants
Bancorp Board of Directors with respect to the fairness of the Merger proposal
to the Merchants Bancorp shareholders, including all non-affiliated Merchants
Bancorp shareholders. As of the date hereof, MBI Merger Sub adopts the analyses
and findings of the Merchants Bancorp Board of Directors with respect to the
Merger, and believes that the Merger is fair to the Merchants Bancorp
shareholders, including the non-affiliated shareholders of Merchants Bancorp
who: (i) will receive the Cash Consideration as a result of this transaction;
(ii) will receive shares of Series A Preferred Stock as a result of this
transaction; or (iii) who retain their shares of Common Stock as a result of the
transaction. See "--Recommendation of our Board of Directors." The Merger
Agreement has been approved by MBI Merger Sub's Board of directors and Merchants
Bancorp, as the sole shareholder of MBI Merger Sub.
INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN THE MERGER
The officers and directors of Merchants Bancorp and the Bank who are also
shareholders will participate in the Merger in the same manner and to the same
extent as all of the other shareholders of Merchants Bancorp. See "-- Financial
fairness." However, all of the directors and the executive officers own in
excess of 1,500 shares and will, therefore, retain their shares in the Merger,
unlike many other shareholders who will be required to relinquish their interest
in the Common Stock of Merchants Bancorp as a result of the Merger.
Additionally, if the Merger is completed, the respective ownership percentages
of each of the directors and some of the executive officers will increase, as
will the ownership interests of any other shareholder who retains his or her
shares. As a result of the Merger, the collective ownership interest of the
directors and senior executive officers will increase from approximately 24.14%
to approximately 25.27%. See "Voting Securities and Principal Holders Thereof."
Except as set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph, the executive
officers and directors of Merchants Bancorp, Inc. are not aware of any other
benefits or additional compensation in connection with this transaction that
will not be shared by the company's unaffiliated shareholders generally. The
proposed transaction does not constitute a "change of control" for purposes of
any existing employment agreement with the executive officers of Merchants
Bancorp. Merchants Bancorp has not and does not anticipate entering into any new
employment or other compensation agreements with its executive officers as a
result of the proposed transaction. We understand that all of the directors of
Merchants Bancorp and the Bank and all of the executive officers intend at this
time to vote their shares in favor of the proposal to approve and adopt the
Merger and the Merger Agreement.
41
PAST CONTACTS, TRANSACTIONS, NEGOTIATIONS AND AGREEMENTS
During the past two years, neither the Company nor MBI Merger Sub has
engaged in significant transactions with each other or with any of their
affiliates, executive officers or directors. Nor has either entity engaged in
negotiations regarding such types of transactions with the other. Except with
respect to the present transaction, there are no agreements between the Company,
MBI Merger Sub or the Company's executive officers and directors and any other
person with respect to any shares of Common Stock.
Neither the Company nor MBI Merger Sub has made an underwritten public
offering of securities for cash during the past three years that was either
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or was exempt from registration
under Regulation A thereof.
SOURCE OF FUNDS AND EXPENSES
Assuming the repurchase of all shares held by holders of fewer than 1,500
Common Shares, the Company will repurchase approximately 119,528 of its Common
Shares. This would result in an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2.75
million. Importantly, this also assumes no shareholders exercise dissenters'
rights of appraisal in connection with the transaction as otherwise discussed
herein. The Board of Directors has reserved the express right to re-evaluate the
desirability of completing this transaction in the event the Company would be
required to acquire for cash more than 160,000 of its issued and outstanding
Common Shares.
To meet its expected repurchase obligations, the Company has tentatively
arranged to secure a line of credit from First Tennessee Bank, in the amount of
$4.0 million, which the Company believes will be sufficient to acquire all of
the shares of Common Stock in the Merger, including any shares which may be
tendered by dissenting shareholders. The general terms of the financing will
provide for: (1) a floating rate of interest of 3 month LIBOR plus 2.50 %; (2)
general covenants on the part of the Company regarding its asset quality, return
on assets and equity capital; (3) repayment terms requiring interest to be paid
on a quarterly basis with the principal amount due on maturity, the date of
which shall be 364 days from the closing of the Merger; and (4) a security
interest in the common stock of the Bank sufficient to provide a Loan to Value
ratio of 75%. The Company expects regular dividends from the Bank to be
sufficient on an annual basis to service this debt arrangement and meet the
Company's anticipated dividend payouts to shareholders. In the event that the
purchase price exceeds the $4.0 million line of credit, which could occur if a
significant number of shareholders owning in excess of 1,500 Common Shares
exercise dissenters' rights of appraisal pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section
1701.85, the Bank stands ready to declare and pay a special dividend as
necessary to cover the shortfall. In addition, the Company is adequately
positioned to finance this transaction in its entirety with its own liquidity in
the event that financing with First Tennessee Bank is not secured prior to the
consummation of the proposed transaction. In any event, the Board of Directors
has reserved the express right to re-evaluate the desirability of completing
this transaction if the Company would be required to acquire more than 160,000
of its Common Shares for cash, either pursuant to the terms of the Merger or
pursuant to dissenters' rights of appraisal.
42
Following the consummation of the transaction, the Company will monitor
its debt obligations under the line of credit and will consider refinancing the
line of credit when terms beneficial to the Company are available. In this
regard, the Company will consider refinancing this obligation through the
issuance of Trust preferred securities ("TRUPS"). TRUPS are hybrid securities
which are considered equity for regulatory purposes and debt for tax purposes.
TRUPS also qualify as regulatory capital for the issuing holding company, but
are accounted for on the holding company's balance sheet as long-term debt
obligations.
Merchants Bancorp will pay all of the expenses related to the Merger. We
estimate that these expenses will be as follows:
SEC Filing Fees $ 700
Legal Fees $ 75,000
Accounting Fees $ 15,000
Financial Advisory / Valuation Fees $ 25,000
Printing Costs $ 2,500
Transfer Agent Fees $ 2,500
Other $ 4,300
---------
Total $ 125,000
CERTAIN TERMS OF THE MERGER
The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Merger Agreement
and certain matters relating to the Merger. The following summary does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Merger Agreement which is attached as Appendix A to this proxy statement and is
incorporated herein by reference. You are urged to read the Merger Agreement in
its entirety and to consider it carefully.
EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER
We are working to complete the Merger during the first quarter of 2006 so
that we will terminate our registration with the SEC prior to the completion of
that quarter. However, we cannot guarantee that the Merger will be effective by
the end of the first quarter of 2006.
The Effective Time of the Merger will occur at the time (i) of the filing
with and acceptance for recording of the Certificate of Merger with the Ohio
Department of State, or (ii) at such time as we specify in the Certificate of
Merger. The Certificate of Merger will be filed as soon as practicable after the
requisite approval of the Merger proposal by the shareholders at the special
meeting is obtained and the other conditions precedent to the consummation of
the Merger have been satisfied. We cannot assure you that all conditions to the
Merger contained in the Merger Agreement will be satisfied. See "-- Conditions
to Consummation of the Merger" below.
ELECTION TO RECEIVE CASH OR SERIES A PREFERRED SHARES
Shareholders owning more than 100 but fewer than 1,500 Common Shares as of
the
43
Record Date (the "Electing Holders") have the choice of electing to receive: (1)
the Cash Consideration for each share of Common Stock Held; (2) one share of
Series A Preferred Stock for each share of Common Stock held; or (3) a
combination of Cash Consideration and Series A Preferred Stock. Shareholders who
elect to receive a combination of Cash Consideration and Series A Preferred
Stock may determine at their election the whole number of their Common Shares as
to which they wish to receive the Cash Consideration and the whole number of
their Common shares as to which they elect to receive shares of Series A
Preferred Stock. The proxy card provided with this proxy statement includes a
place for these shareholders to make the appropriate election. Electing Holders
must indicate their election in the designated area provided on the proxy card.
If you elect to receive a combination of Cash Consideration and Series A
Preferred Stock, you will need to indicate on your proxy card the number of
whole Common Shares as to which you elect to receive the Cash Consideration and
the whole number of Common Shares as to which you elect to receive Series A
Preferred Stock.
If you fail to specify any election on the enclosed proxy card, you will
be deemed to have elected to receive only Cash Consideration in exchange for
your Common Stock. All elections must be received by the Company prior to the
date of the special meeting of shareholders. You may change a previously
submitted election by completing a new proxy card and sending it to the Company,
but your revised election must be received prior to the date of the special
meeting of shareholders.
All such shareholders will be entitled to receive the amount of Cash
Consideration and/or Series A Preferred Stock so elected upon the consummation
of the proposed transactions. However, the Board of Directors has expressly
reserved the right to re-evaluate the desirability of completing the proposed
transactions in the event the Company would be required to acquire more than
160,000 of its Common Shares for cash, either pursuant to the terms of the
Merger or pursuant to dissenters' rights of appraisal.
SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK WILL BE LESS LIQUID THAN SHARES OF THE
COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK, WILL HAVE NO VOTING RIGHTS, AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED
UNDER SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. IN ADDITION, SHARES OF
SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK HAVE A TERM OF 20 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUANCE AND
ARE ALSO CALLABLE AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY ANY TIME AFTER THE FIFTH YEAR
FOLLOWING THE DATE OF ISSUANCE, OR AT ANY OTHER TIME IN THE EVENT THE COMPANY
HAS ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT WHICH, IF EFFECTED, WOULD
RESULT IN A "CHANGE IN CONTROL," AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE PROPOSED
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION ATTACHED HERETO AS APPENDIX D. THE CONSIDERATION TO BE RECEIVED BY
HOLDERS OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK, EITHER UPON COMPLETION OF THE 20 YEAR TERM
OR IN THE EVENT SUCH SHARES ARE CALLED BY THE COMPANY, MAY NOT BE COMMENSURATE
WITH THE VALUE OF SUCH SHARES AT THAT TIME.
NONE OF THE SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK OFFERED IN CONNECTION WITH
THE TRANSACTION PROPOSED BY THIS PROXY STATEMENT ARE DEPOSITS OR ACCOUNTS. THEY
ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
GIVEN THE GENERAL TERMS AND ANTICIPATED ILLIQUIDITY OF THE SERIES A
PREFERRED STOCK, SHAREHOLDERS OWNING MORE THAN 100 BUT FEWER THAN 1,500 SHARES
OF COMMON STOCK ARE STRONGLY
44
ADVISED TO CONSIDER THE DESIRABILITY OF BEING COMMITTED TO AN INVESTMENT IN
SHARES OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK FOR THE ENTIRE 20 YEAR TERM.
CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE OF STOCK CERTIFICATES
At the Effective Time of the Merger, all shares of Common Stock owned by
each shareholder who held 100 or fewer Common Shares as of the Record Date will
automatically be converted into the right to receive the per share Cash
Consideration. The shares of Common Stock owned by each record holder who held
more than 100 but fewer than 1,500 Common Shares as of the Record Date will
automatically be converted into the right to receive the Cash Consideration,
shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or some combination thereof, in accordance
with their election. As soon as practicable after the Merger is completed, each
shareholder who held fewer than 1,500 Common Shares as of the Record Date will
receive a letter of transmittal and instructions for surrendering their stock
certificates in exchange for either the Cash Consideration, shares of Series A
Preferred Stock, or some combination thereof, as the case may be. When these
shareholders deliver their stock certificates to our designated agent along with
the letter of transmittal and any other required documents, their stock
certificates will be retired, and they will be issued a check in the amount of
their respective aggregate Cash Consideration, a new stock certificate
representing the appropriate number of Series A Preferred Shares, or the
appropriate combination thereof.
No service or brokerage charges will be payable by shareholders in
connection with the exchange of their Common Shares. All such expenses will be
borne by Merchants Bancorp. Shareholders who elected to receive shares of Series
A Preferred Stock will be entitled to all distributions that are declared on
Series A Preferred Stock after the Merger is completed, but no such shareholder
will receive any such distribution until his or her Common Shares have been
surrendered as described in the preceding paragraph. Also, in the event the
Merger is consummated prior to December 31, 2005, the Board has also determined
to pay all former shareholders of record who elected to receive the Cash
Consideration pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement the amount of the
2005 year end dividend that such former shareholders would have received in the
event the Merger had not been consummated. However, no such shareholder will
receive any such distribution until his or her Common Shares have been
surrendered as described in the preceding paragraph. Except as otherwise herein
provided, no shareholder will be entitled to any distributions that are declared
after the Merger is completed on any shares of Common Stock that are
automatically converted into either cash or shares of Series A Preferred Stock
as a result of the Merger. All shareholders will be entitled to distributions on
his or her Common Stock declared prior to the date on which the Merger is
completed, even if it is not paid until after the Merger is completed provided
he or she held the Common Stock on the date of record for such distribution.
PLEASE DO NOT SURRENDER YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATES UNTIL YOU RECEIVE THE LETTER OF
TRANSMITTAL.
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
The Boards of directors of Merchants Bancorp and MBI Merger Sub have
approved the Merger Agreement and authorized the consummation of the Merger. The
completion of the Merger depends upon a number of events, including:
45
o the approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement by the
shareholders of Merchants Bancorp;
o the approval of the amendment to the Company's Articles of
Incorporation by the shareholders of Merchants Bancorp authorizing
the Series A Preferred Stock;
o the approval of the Merger and the Merger Agreement by Merchants
Bancorp, Inc. as the sole shareholder of MBI Merger Sub;
o the filing of Certificate of Amendment and Certificate of Merger
with the Ohio Department of State; and
o the receipt of all regulatory approvals, if any. See "- -Regulatory
requirements."
AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The Merger Agreement may be amended by mutual written agreement of our
Board of Directors and board of directors of MBI Merger Sub, generally without
the necessity of further action by you. No specific amendment provision with
respect to the Merger Agreement is presently contemplated. However, if there is
any material amendment to the Merger Agreement before the special meeting, we
will notify you and provide you with information relating to the amendments
prior to the meeting. Your approval would be required for any modification or
amendment that:
o changes the amount or kind of consideration that you will receive
for your shares of Common Stock;
o changes any provision of Merchants Bancorp's articles of
incorporation not otherwise discussed in this proxy statement; or
o changes any of the terms of the Merger Agreement, if the change
would adversely affect your rights as a shareholder.
The Merger Agreement may be terminated by the mutual consent in writing of
Merchants Bancorp and MBI Merger Sub at any time before the filing of
Certificate of Merger with the Ohio Department of State. At this time, the
parties have no intention of terminating the Merger Agreement. However, the
Board of Directors has reserved the express right to re-evaluate the
desirability of completing this transaction in the event the Company would be
required to acquire for cash more than 160,000 of its issued and outstanding
Common Shares, either pursuant to the express terms of the Merger or pursuant to
dissenters' rights of appraisal as otherwise discussed herein.
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
Except for the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Department of
State of the State of Ohio upon the approval of the Merger by the Merchants
Bancorp shareholders, and compliance with federal and state securities laws, we
are not aware of any material United States federal or state or foreign
governmental regulatory requirement necessary to be complied with or approval
that must be obtained in connection with the Merger.
46
RIGHTS OF DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS
Under Ohio law, shareholders of the Company have the right to dissent from
the Merger and receive the fair cash value of their shares of the Company Common
Stock. Shareholders who elect to exercise their dissenters' rights must comply
with the provisions of Section 1701.85 of the Ohio General Corporation Law, a
copy of which is attached as Appendix B.
Below are the steps which you must take if you are shareholder and you
wish to exercise dissenters' rights with respect to the Merger. Failure to take
any one of the required steps may result in termination of the shareholder's
dissenters' rights. If you are a shareholder considering dissenting, you are
advised to consult your own legal advisor. In addition, the Board of Directors
has reserved the right to re-evaluate the form and structure of this transaction
in the event the Company would be required to acquire for cash more than 160,000
of its issued and outstanding Common Shares, either pursuant to the terms of the
Merger or pursuant to dissenters' rights of appraisal as discussed herein.
1. Must be a shareholder of record. To be entitled to dissenters' rights as a
shareholder, you must be the record holder of the dissenting shares as of the
Record Date. If you have a beneficial interest in shares of the Company's
Common Stock that are held of record in the name of another person, you must
act promptly to cause the shareholder of record to follow the steps described
below.
2. Do not vote in favor of the Merger. You must not vote shares as to which you
seek fair cash value in favor of the approval and adoption of the Agreement
and Plan of Merger and the Merger contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of
Merger at the special shareholders meeting. This requirement will be
satisfied:
o if a properly executed proxy is submitted with instructions to vote
"against" the Merger or to "abstain" from this vote;
o if no proxy is returned and no vote is cast at the special meeting
in favor of the Merger; or
o if you revoke a proxy and later "abstain" from or vote "against" the
Merger.
A vote "FOR" the Merger is a waiver of dissenters' rights. A proxy that is
returned signed but on which no voting preference is indicated will be voted
in favor of the Merger and will constitute a waiver of dissenters' rights.
Failure to vote does not constitute a waiver of dissenters' rights.
3. Filing a written demand. You must serve a written demand for the fair cash
value of the dissenting shares upon the Company on or before the tenth day
after the shareholder vote approving the Agreement and Plan of Merger and the
Merger. The Company will not inform shareholders of the expiration of the
ten-day period, and therefore, you are advised to retain this document. The
required written demand must specify your name and address, the number of
dissenting shares as to which relief is sought and the amount claimed as the
fair cash value of the dissenting shares. Voting against the Merger is not a
written demand as required by Section 1701.85 of the Ohio General Corporation
Law.
4. Delivery of certificates for placement of a legend. If requested by the
Company, you must submit your certificates for dissenting shares to the
Company for endorsement thereon of a legend
47
indicating that a demand for fair cash value has been made. Delivery of your
certificates to the Company must be made within 15 days following the
Company's request. The certificates will be returned promptly to you by the
Company following indorsement.
5. Petitions to be filed in court. If you and the Company cannot agree on the
fair cash value of the dissenting shares, you must, within three months after
service of your demand for fair cash value, file a complaint in the Court of
Common Pleas of Highland County, Ohio, for a determination of the fair cash
value of the dissenting shares. The Company is also permitted to file a
complaint. On motion, the court shall fix a date for a hearing on the matter,
at which time it shall determine whether you are entitled to fair cash value
for your shares. If the court determines you are so entitled, it may appoint
one or more appraisers to assist in making a determination as to the per
share fair cash value. The costs of the proceeding, including reasonable
compensation to the appraisers, will be assessed as the court considers
equitable. "Fair cash value" is the amount that a willing seller, under no
compulsion to sell, would be willing to accept, and that a willing buyer,
under no compulsion to purchase, would be willing to pay. In no event will
the fair cash value be in excess of the amount specified in the dissenting
shareholder's demand. Fair cash value is determined as of the day before each
respective meeting to approve the Agreement and Plan of Merger, and the
Merger. The amount of the fair cash value excludes any appreciation or
depreciation in market value of your shares resulting from the Merger. The
fair cash value of your shares may be higher, the same or lower than the
market value of the Common Shares on the date of the Merger.
6. Payment. The fair cash value of the shares that is agreed upon by the parties
or fixed by the court shall be paid within 30 days after the date of the
final determination of value, or the effective date of the Merger, whichever
occurs last. Upon the occurrence of the last such event, payment shall be
made immediately upon and simultaneously with the surrender to the Company of
the Common Stock certificates by the former shareholder.
Your right to be paid the fair cash value of the dissenting shares will
terminate if:
o for any reason the Merger does not become effective;
o you fail to make a timely written demand on the Company;
o you do not, upon request by the Company, timely surrender
certificates for an endorsement of a legend that a demand for the
fair cash value of the dissenting shares has been made;
o you withdraw your demand, with the consent of the Board of Directors
of the Company; or
o the Company and you have not come to an agreement as to the fair
cash value of the dissenting shares and you have not filed a
complaint within three months after service of our demand for fair
cash value.
From the time you make your demand, your rights as a shareholder shall be
suspended. If the Company pays cash dividends during the suspension, dissenting
shareholders will be paid any such dividend as a credit upon the fair cash value
of the shares. If the right to receive fair cash value is
48
terminated, all rights with respect to the dissenting shares will be restored to
you. Any distribution that would have been made to you had you not made a demand
will be made at the time of the termination.
To be effective, a demand for fair cash value by a shareholder of the
Company Common Stock must be made by or in the name of the record holder, fully
and correctly, as the shareholder's name appears on his or her share
certificate(s) and cannot be made by the beneficial owner if he or she does not
also hold the shares of record. The beneficial owner must, in such cases, have
the record holder submit the required demand in respect of such shares. If you
hold your shares of Company Common Stock in a brokerage account or in other
nominee form and you wish to exercise dissenters' rights, you should consult
with your broker or such other nominee to determine the appropriate procedures
for the making of a demand for fair cash value by such nominee. A record owner,
such as a broker, who holds shares as a nominee for others, may exercise his or
her right of appraisal with respect to the shares held for one or more
beneficial owners, while not exercising this right for other beneficial owners.
In such case, the written demand should state the number of shares as to which
appraisal is sought. Where no number of shares is expressly mentioned, the
demand will be presumed to cover all shares held in the name of such record
owner.
Each shareholder who may desire to receive the value of his or her shares
should consult Section 1701.85 of the Ohio Revised Code and strictly adhere to
all of the provisions thereof. A copy of this section is appended hereto as
Appendix B.
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER
The following discussion summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the Merger. The discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, its legislative history, applicable Treasury
regulations, existing administrative interpretations and court decisions
currently in effect. Any of these authorities could be repealed, overruled or
modified at any time after the date of this proxy statement, and any such change
could be applied retroactively. This discussion does not address any tax
consequences under state, local or foreign laws.
The discussion that follows neither binds the IRS nor precludes the IRS
from adopting a position contrary to that expressed in this proxy statement, and
we cannot assure you that such a contrary position could not be asserted
successfully by the IRS or adopted by a court if the positions were litigated.
Merchants Bancorp does not intend to obtain a ruling from the IRS with respect
to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger. In addition,
Merchants Bancorp does not intend to obtain an opinion from tax counsel with
respect to the federal income tax consequences of the Merger.
This discussion assumes that you hold your shares of Common Stock as a
capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code.
This discussion does not address all aspects of federal income taxation that may
be important to you in light of your particular circumstances or if you are
subject to certain rules, such as those rules relating to:
49
o shareholders who are not citizens or residents of the United States;
financial institutions;
o tax-exempt organizations and entities, including IRAs; insurance
companies;
o dealers in securities; and
o shareholders who acquired their shares of Common Stock through the
exercise of employee stock options or similar derivative securities
or otherwise as compensation.
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SHAREHOLDERS WHO RETAIN THEIR SHARES.
If you are a shareholder who retains your shares of Common Stock in the
Merger and you do not receive any cash or property (including stock) as part of
the Merger, you will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax
purposes as a result of the Merger. The Merger will not affect the adjusted tax
basis or holding period of any shares of Common Stock that you continue to own
following the Merger.
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SHAREHOLDERS WHO RECEIVE CASH FOR THEIR SHARES.
If you are a shareholder who receives cash for your shares of Common Stock
in the Merger or pursuant to the exercise of your right to dissent, you should
be treated for federal income tax purposes as having had your shares redeemed by
Merchants Bancorp under Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code. Unless the
cash received is treated as a dividend under Section 301 of the Internal Revenue
Code (as discussed below), you will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal
income tax purposes with respect to the cash received for your shares of Common
Stock. The gain or loss will be measured by the difference between the amount of
cash received, $23.00 per share, and the adjusted tax basis of your shares of
Common Stock. The gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be
long-term capital gain or loss if you will have owned your shares of Common
Stock for more than one year at the time the Merger is completed.
Section 302 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that the cash
distribution will not be treated as a dividend if the distribution is (i) "not
essentially equivalent to a dividend," (ii) "substantially disproportionate"
with respect to the shareholder or (iii) completely terminates the shareholder's
interest in our company. The constructive ownership rules of Section 318 of the
Internal Revenue Code apply in comparing a shareholder's percentage interest in
Merchants Bancorp immediately before and immediately after the Merger.
Generally, the constructive ownership rules under Section 318 treat a
shareholder as owning (i) shares of common stock owned by certain relatives,
related corporations, partnership, estates or trusts, and (ii) shares of common
stock the shareholder has an option to acquire. If you receive cash for your
Common Stock in the Merger and completely terminate your direct and constructive
ownership interest in Merchants Bancorp, you should recognize capital gain or
loss as a result of the Merger, and the cash distribution should not be treated
as a dividend.
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SHAREHOLDERS WHO RECEIVE SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK FOR THEIR
SHARES.
If you are a shareholder who receives Series A Preferred Stock for your
shares of Common Stock in the Merger, you should be treated for federal tax
purpose as having received stock as part of a
50
tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The basis in the Series A Preferred stock you received will equal the basis you
had in the Common Shares you exchanged. While it is our conclusion that the
above tax consequences are appropriate under these particular facts and
circumstances, given the increasingly more aggressive posture of the IRS, we
cannot guarantee such a result. Accordingly, you should consult an independent
tax advisor as to the tax consequences of receiving Series A Preferred Stock in
exchange for your Common Shares.
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO MERCHANTS BANCORP, MBI MERGER SUB AND THE BANK.
Neither Merchants Bancorp, MBI Merger Sub nor the Bank will recognize gain
or loss for U.S. income tax purposes as a result of the Merger.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING.
Certain shareholders of Merchants Bancorp may be subject to backup
withholding on the cash payments received for their shares of Common Stock.
Backup withholding will not apply, however, if you furnish to Merchants Bancorp
a correct taxpayer identification number and certify that you are not subject to
backup withholding on the substitute Form W-9 or successor form included in the
letter of transmittal to be delivered to you following the date of completion of
the Merger (foreigners should contact their tax advisers).
Backup withholding is not an additional tax but is credited against the
federal income tax liability of the taxpayer subject to the withholding. If
backup withholding results in an overpayment of a taxpayer's federal income
taxes, that taxpayer may obtain a refund from the IRS.
TAX DISCLOSURE
The tax advice herein was not written to be used, and it cannot be used by
any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on any
taxpayer. The tax advice herein was written to support the promotion of the
proposed Merger. You should seek advice based on your particular circumstances
from an independent tax advisor. This discussion is only intended to provide you
with a general summary and is not intended to be a complete analysis or
description of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Merger.
In addition, this discussion does not address tax consequences that may vary
with, or are contingent on, your individual circumstances. Moreover, this
discussion does not address any non-income tax or any foreign, state or local
tax consequences of the Merger. Accordingly, you are strongly encouraged to
consult with your own tax advisor to determine the particular U.S. federal,
state, local or foreign income or other tax consequences of the Merger that are
applicable to you.
PRO FORMA EFFECT OF THE MERGER AND PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)
Unaudited consolidated pro forma financial statements giving effect to the
proposed transaction (the "Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements") are
attached hereto as Appendix E. These include unaudited consolidated pro forma
balance sheets as of September 30, 2005 (the "Consolidated Pro Forma Balance
Sheets"), and unaudited consolidated pro
51
forma income statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and the nine
month period ended September 30, 2005 (the "Consolidated Pro Forma Income
Statements"). Pro forma adjustments to the Consolidated Pro Forma Balance Sheets
are computed as if the Merger occurred at September 30, 2005, while the pro
forma adjustments to the Consolidated Pro Forma Income Statements are computed
as if the Merger occurred on January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2005, respectively.
Given the uncertainty as to which shareholders owning more than 100 but
fewer than 1,500 Common Shares will elect to receive the Cash Consideration and
which will elect to receive Series A Preferred Stock, management has prepared
its Consolidated Pro Forma Balance Sheets and Consolidated Pro Forma Income
Statements using two alternative assumptions. The first alternative assumes that
all shareholders of record who own more than 100 but fewer than 1,500 shares of
record will elect to receive the Cash Consideration in connection with the
Merger. Under this alternative, the Company has assumed that 119,528 shares of
Common Stock will be acquired at the aggregate cash payment of $2,750,000. The
second alternative assumes that all shareholders of the Company who own more
than 100 but fewer than 1,500 shares of record will elect to receive Series A
Preferred Stock in connection with the Merger. Under this alternative, the
Company has assumed that 8,197 shares of Common Stock will be acquired for cash
at the aggregate cost of $190,000. In each case, we have assumed that no
shareholders owning 1,500 or more shares of record will dissent from the
transaction.
In addition to the foregoing assumptions, the Consolidated Pro Forma
Financial Statements also take into account: (1) certain estimated costs and
expenses related to consummating the Merger; (2) certain estimated cost savings
related to going private; and (3) the relative usage of a line of credit in the
amount of $4.0 million to be secured by the Company through First Tennessee Bank
to finance the proposed transaction. No other arrangements related to financing
the proposed transaction where factored into the pro forma calculations. Please
see the Consolidated Pro Forma Financial Statements provided as Appendix E to
this proxy statement for the complete pro forma financial information relating
to this transaction.
Merchants Bancorp does not calculate a ratio of earnings to fixed charges
in its regularly prepared financial statements. Merchants Bancorp's pro forma
ratio of earnings to fixed charges was 1.94 for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2004, and 1.85 for the nine (9) month period ended September 30, 2005.
TERMINATION OF SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT REGISTRATION
Merchants Bancorp's Common Stock is currently registered under the
Securities Exchange Act. We will be permitted to terminate our registration if
there are fewer than 300 record holders of outstanding shares of Merchants
Bancorp Common Stock. Upon the completion of the Merger, Merchants Bancorp will
have approximately 271 record holders of its Common Stock, which is currently
registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Act (the
"Act"). We intend to apply for termination of the registration of Merchants
Bancorp's Common Stock under the Act as promptly as possible after the Effective
Time of the Merger. Trades of Merchants Bancorp Common Stock will continue to be
executed only through privately negotiated transactions after the Merger.
Merchants Bancorp Common Stock is not currently traded on any securities
exchange, the Over the Counter Bulletin Board or the Pink Sheets. Following the
52
termination of the registration of the Company's Common Stock under the Act,
such stock will no longer be eligible for quotation in an automated quotations
system operated by any national securities association. Once the registration of
our Common Stock is terminated, it will not need to be re-registered under
Section 12(g) of the Act until such time as the Company again exceeds 500 record
holders of its Common Shares.
Termination of registration under the Act will substantially reduce the
information required to be furnished by the Company to its shareholders and to
the Securities and Exchange Commission and would make some of the provisions of
the Securities Exchange Act, such as the short-swing profit provisions of
Section 16, the requirement of furnishing a proxy or information statement in
connection with shareholder meetings under Section 14(a) and the requirements of
Rule 13e-3 regarding "going private" transactions, no longer applicable to the
Company.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO
MERGE MBI MERGER SUB, INC. WITH AND INTO MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
53
PROPOSAL II - AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
The Board is proposing to amend the Company's Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of 140,000 shares of Series
A Preferred Stock. The newly authorized Series A Preferred Stock will be issued
in connection with the Merger transaction to all shareholders owning between 100
and 1,500 Common Shares as of the Record Date who elect to receive the new
Series A Preferred Shares. The number of Series A Preferred Shares proposed for
authorization represents the maximum number of such shares that the Company will
likely need to issue in the event every shareholder owning more than 100 but
less than 1,500 Common Shares elected to receive shares of Series A Preferred
Stock, as opposed to the Cash Consideration. The Merger transaction is discussed
more thoroughly in Proposal I above. Below is a description of the terms of the
proposed Series A Preferred Stock, followed by a description of the terms of the
Company's Commons Stock.
SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
Term
The Series A Preferred Stock shall have a term of twenty (20) years from the
date of issuance (the "Term"), upon the maturity of which, each holder of the
Series A Preferred Stock shall receive the Principal Amount of $23.00 for each
share so held. The date of issuance shall be deemed to be the date on which the
amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation authorizing the Series A
Preferred is filed with the Ohio Secretary of State. The consideration to be
received by holders of Series A Preferred Stock upon completion of the 20 year
term may not be commensurate with the value of such shares at that time.
Voting Rights
Except and insofar as may be provided by law, the holders of the Series A
Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights.
Preemptive Rights
The holders of Series A Preferred Stock have no preemptive right to acquire
additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or any other series of Preferred
Stock, which may, from time to time, be authorized and issued by the Company.
Dividend Rights
The holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to a
preference in the distribution of dividends, when and as declared by the Board
of Directors, and shall receive such dividends prior to the payment of any
dividends to the holders of the Common Stock and in the same per share amount as
paid to holders of Common Stock. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be
non-cumulative with respect to dividends.
Conversion Right
The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have no conversion rights.
Transfer Rights
A holder of Series A Preferred Stock may transfer the ownership of his or her
shares, whether
54
by sale, gift, bequest or otherwise, provided that the transfer encompasses all
shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by the shareholder, and is to one
individual or entity which would count as one record holder on the Company's
record of shareholders.
Liquidation Preference
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or
winding up of the Corporation, before any distribution or payment is made to the
holders of Common Shares, or any other junior security, the holders of Series A
Preferred Stock (or any other series on parity with the Series A) will be
entitled to be paid in full the Principal Amount per share. To the extent such
payments are made in full to the holders of the Series A Preferred (and any
other shares on parity), the remaining assets and funds of the Corporation will
be distributed among the holders of all junior securities, including Common
Shares, according to their respective rights and preferences. If upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the amount available for payment to the
holders of Series A Preferred (and any other shares on parity therewith) is
insufficient to pay each holder the Principal Amount per share, then the holders
of Series A Preferred Stock and all other shares on a parity with the Series A
Preferred Stock will share ratably in any distribution of assets in proportion
to the full amounts to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.
Callability
The Series A Preferred Stock shall be callable in the aggregate at the exclusive
option of the Corporation upon: (1) written notice to the holders thereof any
time after the fifth (5th) anniversary following the date of issuance and
otherwise prior to the expiration of the Term; or (2) the execution of any
agreement or other arrangement which would result in a "Change of Control," as
defined under the proposed amendment to Article FOUR of the Articles of
Incorporation. If the shares of Series A Preferred are called in accordance with
item (2), the holders thereof shall be paid the Principal Amount for each share
held. If such shares are called in accordance with item (1), the holders thereof
shall be paid the Principal Amount for each share held, plus a 5% premium
thereon. The consideration to be received by holders of Series A Preferred Stock
in the event such shares are called by the Company may not be commensurate with
the value of such shares at that time.
Antidilution Adjustments
If the outstanding shares of Common Stock are increased or decreased or changed
into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or other securities
of the Corporation or of any other corporation by reason of any merger,
consolidation, liquidation, reclassification, recapitalization, stock split,
combination of shares, or stock dividend, appropriate adjustment shall be made
by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in the number, and relative terms,
of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
COMMON STOCK
Voting Rights
The Company's Articles of Incorporation currently authorize 4,500,000 Common
Shares, all of which are without par value. As of the Record Date, 2,666,650 of
these Common Shares
55
were issued and outstanding. Each Share of Common Stock of the Company entitles
the holder thereof to one (1) vote on all matters except the election of
directors, where shareholders are entitled to vote their shares cumulatively. A
majority of the votes cast at a meeting of the shareholders will decide every
question or matter submitted to the shareholders, unless as otherwise expressly
required by Ohio law or by the Company's Articles of Incorporation.
Cumulative Voting
As stated above, shareholders are entitled to vote shares cumulatively in the
election of Directors, and Directors of the Company are elected by a plurality
of votes. A shareholder voting cumulatively may cast the number of shares he
owns times the number of Directors to be elected in favor of one nominee or
allocate such votes among the nominees as he or she determines. As indicated
below, the Company's Code of Regulations provides for a classified, or
staggered, Board of Directors. This means that the Board of Directors is divided
into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, with the term of
office of one class of Directors expiring each year. One consequence of a
classified Board of Directors is to minimize the impact of cumulative voting in
the election of Directors.
Preemptive Rights
The holders of Common Shares of the Company have no preemptive right to acquire
additional Shares which may, from time to time, be authorized and issued by the
Company. Preemptive rights permit a shareholder, upon the issuance of additional
shares by a corporation, to subscribe to a sufficient number of such shares so
as to maintain his or her relative pro rata ownership interest in the
corporation.
Transfer and Assessability
The transfer of the Common Shares of the Company may not be restricted by the
Company. No transfers of shares, however, shall be entered upon the records of
the Company until the previous certificates, if any, given for the same shall
have been surrendered and canceled. Once Common Shares of the Company have been
issued, they are fully paid and non-assessable.
Dividend Rights
Dividends may be paid on Common Shares of the Company as are declared by the
Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor under the Ohio
General Corporation Act. Pursuant to Ohio law, dividends may not exceed the
surplus of a corporation, and may not be declared if the corporation is
insolvent or would be made insolvent by declaration of the proposed dividend.
The ability of the Board of Directors to declare dividends on Company Common
Shares is also subject to the ability of the Bank to pay dividends up to the
Company. Various U.S. federal statutory provisions limit the amount of dividends
the Company's banking subsidiaries can pay to the Company without regulatory
approval. Dividend payments by national banks are limited to the lesser of (1)
the level of undivided profits; (2) the amount in excess of which the bank
ceases to be at least adequately capitalized; and (3) absent regulatory
approval, an amount not in excess of net income for the current year combined
with retained net income for the preceding two years. In addition, U.S. federal
bank regulatory authorities have authority to prohibit the Company's banking
subsidiary from engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice in conducting their
business. The
56
payment of dividends, depending upon the financial condition of the bank in
question, could be deemed to constitute an unsafe or unsound practice. The
ability of the Company's banking subsidiary to pay dividends in the future is
currently, and could be further, influenced by bank regulatory policies and
capital guidelines. For more discussion regarding the restrictions on the
ability of the Bank to pay dividends, refer to Note 13 to the Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company's annual report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
POSSIBLE ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT OF PROPOSAL
The proposed amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to authorize and
allow for the issuance of shares of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to the
going private Merger should not by itself operate to discourage unilateral
tender offers or other attempts to take over the Company. In addition, shares of
Series A Preferred Stock do not possess voting rights under the proposed
amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation, and such shares would not
ordinarily be entitled to voting rights in connection with any acquisition or
merger of the Company under the applicable sections of the Ohio General
Corporation Statute. Also, shares of Series A Preferred Stock are, at the option
of the Company, expressly redeemable for the Principal Amount upon the execution
of any agreement or arrangement which would result in a change in control of the
Company.
The foregoing discussion describing the potential "anti-takeover" effects
of this proposal may not contain all of the information that is pertinent to
each investor. Therefore, this disclosure is qualified in its entirety to the
language of the proposed Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, which is
attached to this Proxy Statement at Appendix D.
ANTI-TAKEOVER MEASURES CURRENTLY IN PLACE
The Company's governing documents currently contain certain provisions to
protect the interest of the Company and its shareholders in the event of a
hostile takeover attempt. THESE WILL NOT CHANGE AS A RESULT OF THE PROPOSED
TRANSACTION. A brief description of the material aspects of these provisions is
provided as follows:
Article Sixth of the Company's Articles of Incorporation requires both a
"supermajority" shareholder vote and the satisfaction of certain "fair price"
provisions in connection with the approval of certain mergers, consolidations,
sales of substantially all of the assets and similar transactions involving
control of the Company ("Combinations"). Fair price provisions are intended to
guarantee that all shareholders receive an identical price in connection with
the sale of their shares.
Specifically, a vote of not less than 80% of the outstanding shares of the
Company is generally required to effect Combinations not approved by a majority
of Directors not affiliated with the potential acquiror (the "Disinterested
Directors"). Additionally, unless the combination is approved by a majority of
Disinterested Directors or the fair price provisions contained in Article Sixth
are satisfied, the vote of two-thirds of the outstanding voting shares of the
Company, not including shares then held by the potential acquiror, is also
required to approve the Combination.
57
Article III of the Company's Code of Regulations contains a provision
which "classifies" the Board of Directors into three classes. Classification of
the Board provides for the election each year of one-third of the total number
of Directors to rolling three-year terms, which makes it difficult to replace
the Board of Directors.
Article III of the Company's Code of Regulations states that the removal
of a director, otherwise than for cause pursuant to Section 1701.58 of the Ohio
Revised Code, requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the outstanding
shares of the Company. However, a Director may not be removed if the number of
shares voted against his removal would be sufficient to elect the Director if
voted cumulatively at a meeting of shareholders called for that purpose.
These provisions and limitations will make it more difficult for companies
or persons to acquire control of the Company without the support of the Board of
Directors of the Company. However, these provisions also could deter offers for
Shares in the Company which might be viewed by certain investors not to be in
their best interest.
DIVIDEND POLICY AND INVESTMENT RISK
It is currently the informal policy of the Company to declare and pay
dividends on a semi-annual basis. Future dividend payments may be made at the
discretion of Merchants Bancorp's Board of Directors upon consideration of
factors such as operating results, financial condition, statutory and regulatory
restrictions, tax consequences, and other relevant factors. Holders of Common
Stock are entitled to share pro rata in the distribution of dividends when and
as declared by the Board of Directors from funds legally available for such
purpose. Upon the amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation as
described under this Proposal II, holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, will
be entitled to a dividend preference which will allow them to receive their
dividends prior to any dividend payments to holders of Common Stock. Dividends
paid to holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be identical in amount, on a
per share basis, as dividends paid to holders of Common Stock.
The ability of the Company to obtain funds for the payment of dividends
and for other cash requirements will be largely dependent on the amount of
dividends which may be declared by its banking subsidiary. Various U.S. federal
statutory provisions limit the amount of dividends the Company's banking
subsidiaries can pay to the Company without regulatory approval. Dividend
payments by national banks are limited to the lesser of (1) the level of
undivided profits; (2) the amount in excess of which the bank ceases to be at
least adequately capitalized; and (3) absent regulatory approval, an amount not
in excess of net income for the current year combined with retained net income
for the preceding two years Additionally, under certain circumstances, approval
of the OCC may be required prior to the payment of a dividend or other
distribution.
BECAUSE THE PRINCIPAL ECONOMIC VALUE OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK IS A
CASH DIVIDEND PAYMENT ON PARITY WITH THAT PAID TO HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY'S
COMMON STOCK, AN INVESTMENT IN SHARES OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK IS NOT
WITHOUT ECONOMIC RISK.
58
WHILE THE COMPANY HAS HAD A RELATIVELY STABLE HISTORY OF BOTH EARNINGS AND
SEMIANNUAL DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS, THE COMPANY CANNOT GUARANTEE
THAT IT WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THE PAYMENT OF SUCH DIVIDENDS IN THE FUTURE.
MOREOVER, SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC, AND,
AS SUCH, THE REPAYMENT TO HOLDERS THEREOF OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT UPON MATURITY
IS IN NO WAY GUARANTEED. IN ADDITION, THE CONSIDERATION TO BE RECEIVED BY
HOLDERS OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK, EITHER UPON COMPLETION OF THE 20 YEAR TERM
OR IN THE EVENT SUCH SHARES ARE CALLED BY THE COMPANY, MAY NOT BE COMMENSURATE
WITH THE VALUE OF SUCH SHARES AT THAT TIME.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO
CREATE THE NEW CLASS OF PREFERRED STOCK.
59
INFORMATION REGARDING
THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING
This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card are furnished in
connection with the solicitation of proxies to be used in voting at the special
meeting of shareholders of Merchants Bancorp, Inc., to be held on January 24,
2006, at the main office of Merchants National Bank located at 100 North High
Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133 at 10:00 a.m. (local time) (the "Meeting") and all
adjournments thereof.
Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") is a registered bank holding
company of which Merchants National Bank (the "Bank") is a wholly owned
subsidiary.
THE ENCLOSED PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (HEREINAFTER
SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS "MANAGEMENT") OF THE COMPANY. All costs associated with
the solicitation will by borne by the Company. The Company does not intend to
solicit proxies other than by use of the mails, but certain officers and regular
employees of the Company or its subsidiaries, without additional compensation,
may use their personal efforts, by telephone or otherwise, to obtain proxies.
RECORD DATE AND MAILING DATE
The close of business on December 5, 2005, is the Record Date for the
determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the special
meeting. This proxy statement and the enclosed form of proxy are being first
sent or delivered to the Company's shareholders on approximately December 21,
2005.
NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING
As of the close of business on the Record Date, The Company had 4,500,000
shares of Common Stock, no par value, authorized, of which 2,666,650 shares were
issued and outstanding. Each outstanding share is entitled to one vote on all
matters presented at the meeting.
PURPOSES OF SPECIAL MEETING
The purposes of the special meeting are:
1. To consider and act upon a proposal to approve the Merger of MBI Merger
Co., Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merchants Bancorp, with and into
Merchants Bancorp, Inc. as contemplated by the Merger Agreement attached
as Appendix A to the enclosed proxy statement. Pursuant to the terms of
the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time of the Merger: (i) each share
of Common Stock then held by a shareholder of record who as of the Record
Date held 100 or fewer shares will be converted into the
60
right to receive the per share Cash Consideration from the Company; and
(ii) each share of Common Stock then held by a shareholder of record who
as of the Record Date held 1,500 or more shares will remain as outstanding
Common Stock of the Company unchanged. At the Effective Time, each share
of Common Stock then held by a shareholder of record who as of the Record
Date held more than 100 but fewer than 1,500 shares of Common Stock will
be converted into the right to receive: (i) the per share Cash
Consideration; (ii) one share of a newly authorized Class A Preferred
Stock of the Company; or (iii) a combination of cash and Class A Preferred
Stock.
2. To amend the Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of
140,000 shares of the new class of Series A Preferred Stock.
3. To transact any other business as may properly come before the meeting or
any adjournments of the meeting.
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
The applicable provisions of the Ohio Revised Code entitle shareholders of
Merchants Bancorp to exercise dissenters' rights to appraisal. For more
information regarding the exercise of dissenters' rights, see "Background of the
Merger Proposal -- Rights of Dissenting Shareholders."
VOTING AT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND REQUIREMENTS FOR SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL
A quorum of shareholders must exist for the special meeting to be held. A
quorum consists of a majority of shares entitled to vote represented at the
special meeting in person or by proxy. Once a share is represented at the
meeting it is deemed present for quorum purposes throughout the meeting or any
adjourned meeting unless a new Record Date is or must be set for the adjourned
meeting. We will count abstentions and broker non-votes, which are described
below, in determining whether a quorum exists.
Approval of both the Merger and the amendment to the Company's Articles of
Incorporation to create the new Series A Preferred Stock requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Merchants Bancorp entitled to
vote on Proposals 1 and 2, respectively. Consequently, shares represented at the
special meeting in person or by proxy but withheld, including abstentions and
broker non-votes, effectively constitute votes against the Merger. On the Record
Date, Merchants Bancorp's directors and executive officers owned, directly or
indirectly, 643,629 Common Shares, representing approximately 24.14% of the
2,666,650 outstanding shares of Common Stock as of that date. Each of the
directors and executive officers of the Company has indicated that he or she
intends to vote his or her shares in favor of the proposed Merger.
Based on the 2,666,650 shares outstanding as of the Record Date, a quorum
will consist of 1,333,326 shares represented either in person or by proxy. Based
on the 2,666,650 shares outstanding as of the Record Date, the minimum number of
votes required to be cast in favor of the approval of
61
the Merger and the amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation to
create the new Series A Preferred Stock is also 1,333,326.
Abstentions and broker non-votes (arising from the absence of
discretionary authority on the part of a broker-dealer to vote shares of Common
Stock held in street name for customer accounts) are counted for purposes of
determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business.
Abstentions do not count as votes in favor of or against a given matter. Brokers
who hold shares for the accounts of their clients may vote these shares either
as directed by their clients or in their own discretion if permitted by the
exchange or other organization of which they are members. Proxies that contain
no voting instructions by the broker on a particular matter are referred to as
"broker non-votes" with respect to the proposal(s) being voted upon.
If you properly sign, return and do not revoke your proxy card, the
persons appointed as proxies will vote your shares according to the instructions
you have specified on the proxy card. If you sign and return your proxy but do
not specify how the persons appointed as proxies are to vote your shares, your
proxy will be voted "FOR" the approval of Proposals 1 and 2, and in the best
judgment of the persons appointed as proxies on all other matters properly
brought before the special meeting which were unknown to us a reasonable time
before the solicitation.
You can revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted by submitting
either a written revocation of your proxy or a duly signed proxy bearing a date
subsequent to your originally submitted proxy to the Secretary of the Company at
100 North High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. You may also revoke your proxy by
attending the special meeting and voting in person.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
Proxies are being solicited by our Board of Directors, and Merchants
Bancorp will pay the cost of the proxy solicitation. Our directors, officers and
employees may, without additional compensation, solicit proxies by personal
interview, telephone, or fax. We will direct brokerage firms or other
custodians, nominees or fiduciaries to forward our proxy solicitation material
to the beneficial owners of Common Stock held of record by these institutions
and will reimburse such brokerage firms, custodians, nominees or other
fiduciaries for any expenses they incur in this regard.
ELECTION PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS
If you are a shareholder who held more than 100 shares of Common Stock but
fewer than 1,500 shares of Common Stock as of the Record Date, you must make
your election regarding the receipt of the Cash Consideration or Series A
Preferred Stock on the proxy card provided with this proxy statement. You may
elect to receive a combination of Cash Consideration and Series A Preferred
Stock in exchange for your shares of Common Stock. If you elect to receive a
combination of Cash Consideration and Series A Preferred Stock, you may
determine at your election the whole number of Common Shares as to which you
wish to receive the Cash Consideration and the whole number of your Common
shares as to which you elect to receive shares of Series A Preferred Stock. If
you elect to receive part Cash Consideration and part Series A Preferred Stock,
you will need to indicate on your proxy card the number of whole
62
Common Shares as to which you elect to receive the Cash Consideration and the
whole number of Common Shares as to which you elect to receive Series A
Preferred Stock. All such elections must be made with respect to whole shares of
Common Stock, and no election can be made which would result in the issuance of
a fractional share of Series A Preferred Stock.
If you fail to specify any election on the enclosed proxy card, you will
be deemed to have elected to receive only Cash Consideration in exchange for
your Common Stock. All elections must be received by the Company prior to the
date of the special meeting of shareholders. You may change a previously
submitted election by completing a new proxy card and sending it to the Company,
but your revised election must be received prior to the date of the special
meeting of shareholders.
SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK WILL BE LESS LIQUID THAN SHARES OF THE
COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK, WILL HAVE NO VOTING RIGHTS, AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED
UNDER SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. IN ADDITION, SHARES OF
SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK HAVE A TERM OF 20 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUANCE AND
ARE ALSO CALLABLE AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY ANY TIME AFTER THE FIFTH YEAR
FOLLOWING THE DATE OF ISSUANCE, OR AT ANY OTHER TIME IN THE EVENT THE COMPANY
HAS ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT WHICH, IF EFFECTED, WOULD
RESULT IN A "CHANGE IN CONTROL," AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE PROPOSED
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION ATTACHED HERETO AS APPENDIX D. THE CONSIDERATION TO BE RECEIVED BY
HOLDERS OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK, EITHER UPON COMPLETION OF THE 20 YEAR TERM
OR IN THE EVENT SUCH SHARES ARE CALLED BY THE COMPANY, MAY NOT BE COMMENSURATE
WITH THE VALUE OF SUCH SHARES AT THAT TIME.
NONE OF THE SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK OFFERED IN CONNECTION WITH
THE TRANSACTION PROPOSED BY THIS PROXY STATEMENT ARE DEPOSITS OR ACCOUNTS. THEY
ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER
GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
GIVEN THE GENERAL TERMS AND ANTICIPATED ILLIQUIDITY OF THE SERIES A
PREFERRED STOCK, SHAREHOLDERS OWNING MORE THAN 100 BUT FEWER THAN 1,500 SHARES
OF COMMON STOCK ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO CONSIDER THE DESIRABILITY OF BEING
COMMITTED TO AN INVESTMENT IN SHARES OF THE SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK FOR THE
ENTIRE 20 YEAR TERM.
INFORMATION ABOUT MERCHANTS BANCORP AND ITS AFFILIATES
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND MERCHANTS NATIONAL BANK
GENERAL
Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated under the laws of
the State of Ohio on March 29, 1996 at the direction of the Board of Directors
of the Merchants National Bank (the "Bank") for the purpose of becoming a bank
holding company by acquiring all of the outstanding shares of the Bank. In
December, 1996 the Company became the sole shareholder of the Bank. The
principal office of the Company is located at
63
100 North High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Hillsboro, situated in south
central Ohio, is centrally located between the cities of Columbus, Cincinnati
and Dayton, and is the county seat of Highland County. Highland County has a
population of approximately 42,000. The company, through its banking affiliate,
also conducts business in the neighboring counties of Madison and Fayette, which
have populations of approximately 40,000 and 28,000 respectively.
The Company, through its banking affiliate, offers a broad range of
banking services to the commercial, industrial and consumer market segments
which it serves. The primary business of the Bank consists of accepting deposits
through various consumer and commercial deposit products, and using such
deposits to fund various loan products. The Bank's primary loan products (and
the general terms for each) are as follows: (1) loans secured by residential
real estate, including loans for the purchase of one to four family residences
which are secured by 1st and 2nd mortgages and home equity loans; (2) consumer
loans, including new and used automobile loans, loans for the purchase of mobile
homes and debt consolidation loans; (3) agricultural loans, including loans for
the purchase of real estate used in connection with agricultural purposes,
operating loans and loans for the purchase of equipment; and (4) commercial
loans, including loans for the purchase of real estate used in connection with
office or retail activities, loans for the purchase of equipment and loans for
the purchase of inventory.
All of the Bank's deposit and lending services are available at its four
full service offices. The remaining three offices of the Bank are engaged
primarily in deposit-related services. The Company has no foreign operations,
assets or investments.
The Bank is a national banking association organized under the laws of the
United States. The Bank is regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency ("OCC"), and its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Company ("FDIC") to the extent permitted by law and, as a subsidiary of the
Company, is regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. As of
September 30, 2005, the Company and its subsidiary had consolidated total assets
of approximately $364.6 million, consolidated total deposits of approximately
$289.1 million and consolidated total shareholders' equity of approximately
$33.5 million. For more information on the business of the Company and the Bank,
including information on competition in the Bank's primary markets and
information regarding the supervision and regulation of the Company and the
Bank, please see Part I, Item 1 of the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
Merchants Bancorp, Inc. has not been convicted in a criminal proceeding
during the past five years, nor has it been a party to any judicial or
administrative proceeding during the past five years that resulted in a
judgment, decree or final order enjoining it from future violations of, or
prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities law, or finding
any violation of federal or state securities laws.
64
MBI MERGER SUB, INC.
MBI Merger Sub is a newly-formed Ohio corporation, and is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Merchants Bancorp, Inc. MBI Merger Sub was organized solely for
the purpose of facilitating the Merger transaction. The Articles of
Incorporation of MBI Merger Sub authorize the issuance of 100 shares of common
stock, all of which are held by Merchants Bancorp, Inc. There is no trading
market for the common stock of MBI Merger Sub., and there have been no trades of
MBI Merger Sub common stock since its date of incorporation. Additionally, MBI
Merger Sub has paid no dividends since its date of incorporation and does not
intend to pay any dividends prior to the Merger. MBI Merger Sub will be merged
with and into Merchants Bancorp and will cease to exist after the Merger. MBI
Merger Sub has not conducted any activities other than those incident to its
formation, its negotiation and execution of the Merger Agreement and its
assistance in preparing various SEC filings related to the proposed transaction.
MBI Merger Sub has no significant assets, liabilities or shareholders' equity.
Members of the board of directors and senior management of MBI Merger Sub are
identical to those of Merchants Bancorp, Inc. The address and telephone number
of MBI Merger Sub's principal offices are also the same as Merchants Bancorp,
Inc. MBI Merger Sub has not been convicted in a criminal proceeding during the
past five years, nor has it been a party to any judicial or administrative
proceeding during the past five years that resulted in a judgment, decree or
final order enjoining it from future violations of, or prohibiting activities
subject to, federal or state securities law, or finding any violation of federal
or state securities laws.
DIRECTORS AND SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
The following tables set forth information with respect to each Director and
senior executive of the Company.
NAME AND AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DIRECTOR SINCE
William Butler, 68 President, Union Stock Yards 1983
Jack Walker, 76 Retired - Insurance Consultant 1974
Donald Fender, Jr., 67 Realtor 1972
Richard S. Carr, 58 Farmer and Vice President of Five Points Implement. 2002
Paul W. Pence, Jr., 53 President and CEO of the Company and the Bank 1981
James R. Vanzant, 58 Highland County Health Commissioner 1992
Veterinarian (part-time practice)
Robert Hammond, 61 Attorney, Sole Practitioner 1994
James D. Evans, 55 Executive Vice President and Secretary of the N/A
Company and the Bank
65
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
All of the above-listed persons are U.S. citizens. During the past five
years, none of them have been a party in any judicial or administrative
proceeding that resulted in a judgment, decree, or final order enjoining them
from future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or
state securities laws, or finding any violation with respect to such laws. Nor
have any of them been convicted in any criminal proceeding during the past five
years, excluding traffic violations and similar misdemeanors. The business
address and telephone number of the directors and executive officers at the
Company is 100 North High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133, telephone (937)
393-1993.
VOTING SECURITIES HELD BY DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND 5% BENEFICIAL OWNERS
OF MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
The following table sets forth information as of the Record Date with
respect to the persons, or groups of persons, known to Merchants Bancorp to be
the beneficial owners of more than five percent of Merchants Bancorp's Common
Stock, each of the directors, executive officers, and all directors and
executive officers as a group before and their anticipated ownership after the
Merger. The information provided below assumes 2,666,650 issued and outstanding
Common Shares prior to the Merger, and 2,547,122 Common Shares issued and
outstanding following the Merger.
PRIOR TO MERGER AFTER MERGER
---------------------------- ---------------------------
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF NUMBER OF PERCENT OF
SHARES SHARES SHARES SHARES
NAME AND ADDRESS BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY BENEFICIALLY
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED OWNED OWNED OWNED
- ----------------------------------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ ------------
William Butler(1) 41,230 1.55% 41,230 1.62%
Jack Walker(2) 22,000 0.83% 22,000 0.86%
Paul W. Pence, Jr. 148,695 5.58% 148,695 5.84%
James R. Vanzant 1,500 0.06% 1,500 0.06%
Robert Hammond(3) 3,000 0.11% 3,000 0.12%
Donald Fender, Jr.(4) 407,000 15.26% 407,000 15.98%
James D. Evans(5) 11,804 0.44% 11,804 0.46%
Richard S. Carr(6) 8,400 0.32% 8,400 0.33%
ALL DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS A
GROUP (11): 643,629 24.14% 643,629 25.27%
- ------------------
(1) Includes 30 shares held jointly by Mr. Butler with his spouse, 20,600
shares held by the William R. Butler Revocable Trust, for which Mr. Butler
serves as trustee, and 20,600 shares held by the Janet Sue Butler
Revocable Trust, for which Mr. Butler's spouse serves as trustee.
(2) Includes 11,000 shares held by the Jack E. Walker Trust, for which Mr.
Walker serves as trustee, and 11,000 shares held by the Patricia C. Walker
Trust, for which Mr. Walker's spouse serves as trustee.
(3) Includes 1,500 shares held individually by Mr. Hammond and 1,500 shares
held jointly by Mr. Hammond with his spouse
(4) Includes 377,000 shares held by the Donald E. Fender, Jr. Revocable Trust,
for which Mr. Fender serves as trustee, and 30,000 shares held jointly by
Mr. Fender with his spouse.
66
(5) Includes 11,600 shares held jointly by Mr. Evans with his spouse, and 204
shares held jointly Mr. Evans with other members of his immediate family.
(6) Includes 2,700 shares held individually by Mr. Carr, 2,700 shares held
individually by Mr. Carr's spouse, and 3,000 shares held jointly by Mr.
Carr with his spouse.
RECENT AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS IN MERCHANTS BANCORP STOCK
Except as provided below, there were no transactions in Merchants
Bancorp's Common Stock by its affiliates which have occurred over the last two
years. On November 25, 2003, Robert L. Hammond, a Director of the Company,
beneficially acquired 1,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at the cost of
$20.00 per share, and on September 2, 2005, Mr. Hammond and his wife jointly
acquired 450 shares of Common Stock at $25.00 per share and 50 shares of Common
Stock at $23.00 per share. On October 1, 2004, Jack E. Walker, a Director of the
Company, beneficially acquired 220 shares of the Company's Common Stock at the
cost of $20.00 per share. On July 19, 2005, Paul W. Pence, Jr., a Director and
President of the Company, beneficially acquired 141,040 shares of the Company's
Common Stock, without cost, from the estate of Margaret D. Pence.
STOCK REPURCHASES BY MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
On August 28, 2003 Merchants Bancorp entered into a stock redemption
agreement with 3 shareholders of the Company. Collectively the three
shareholders owned 351,350 Common Shares of the Company or 11.71% of outstanding
shares. They sold 333,350 of such shares (referred to herein as the "shares") to
the Company. The Company retained Austin Associates to determine a "fair value"
and issued a "fairness opinion" to the Company dated July 30, 2003. The purchase
was made in two separate settlements. The first settlement was for 55,000 shares
at a total acquisition price of $1,155,000 and occurred on September 5, 2003.
The second settlement occurred on January 9, 2004 for the 278,350 remaining
shares. The cost of the second settlement was $5,845,349.87 and was recorded in
other liabilities on the December 31, 2003 financial statements. The total value
of the transaction was $7,000,349.87.
MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION
Market Information
The number of holders of record of the Company's Common Stock at the
Record Date was 700. There is currently no established public trading market for
the Company's Common Stock and the shares of the Company are not listed on any
exchange. After the Merger, the Company's Common Stock will no longer be
eligible for trading on an exchange or automated quotation system operated by a
national securities association. Merchants Bancorp will not be required to file
reports under the Securities Exchange Act, and its Common Stock will not be
registered under the Securities Exchange Act. Sale price information provided
below on a quarterly basis for the year-to-date and the two most recent fiscal
years is based on information reported to the Company by individual buyers and
sellers of the Company's stock, as obtained by the Company at or around the time
of transfer. Not all sales transaction information during these periods was
obtained.
67
2005
- ----------------------------------------------------------
FIRST QUARTER SECOND QUARTER THIRD QUARTER
- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW
$22.00 $18.00 $24.00 $19.00 $23.00 $19.00
2004
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST QUARTER SECOND QUARTER THIRD QUARTER FOURTH QUARTER
- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW
$21.00 $20.00 $20.00 $20.00 $21.00 $19.00 $22.50 $18.77
2003
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIRST QUARTER SECOND QUARTER THIRD QUARTER FOURTH QUARTER
- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW
$25.00 $18.00 $23.00 $20.00 $25.00 $20.00 $22.50 $20.00
At the Record Date, the Company had 2,666,650 shares of Common Stock
outstanding. All of such shares are eligible for sale in the open market without
restriction or registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), except for shares held by "affiliates" of the Company. Shares
held by affiliates are subject to the resale limitations of Rule 144, as
promulgated under the Securities Act. For purposes of Rule 144, "affiliates" are
deemed to be all Directors, Executive Officers and ten percent beneficial owners
of the Company. As of the Record Date, affiliates of the Company had beneficial
ownership of an aggregate of 643,629 shares of the Company's Common Stock. The
Company has one shareholder with beneficial ownership of more than ten percent
of its outstanding shares, and such individual is also a Director of the
Company.
Rule 144 subjects affiliates to certain restrictions in connection with
the resale of Company securities that do not apply to individuals currently
holding outstanding shares of Company stock. Affiliates of the Company may sell
within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the
greater of one percent of the number of then outstanding shares of Company
Common Stock, or the average weekly trading volume of the Common Stock during
the four calendar weeks preceding filing by the selling affiliate of the
requisite notice of sale with the SEC on Form 144. Sales under Rule 144 are also
subject to certain requirements as to the manner of sale, notice to the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and the availability of current public
information about the Company.
Dividends
Dividends are generally declared by the Board of Directors of the Company
semiannually (June 30 and December 31, respectively). On June 30, 2005, the
Company paid a dividend of $0.36 per common share to its shareholders. Dividends
per share declared by the Company on its Common Stock during the years of 2004
and 2003 are as follows:
68
2004 2003
MONTH
JUNE $0.34 $0.32
DECEMBER $0.36 $0.32
----- -----
TOTALS $0.70 $0.64
===== =====
The Company currently expects that comparable semiannual cash dividends
will continue to be paid in the future. However, while the company has had a
relatively stable history of semiannual dividend distributions to shareholders,
the Company cannot guarantee that it will be able to continue the payment of
such dividends in the future.
FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION
Representatives of the Company's independent registered public accounting
firm for the current year and the most recently completed fiscal year are not
expected to be present at the special meeting of shareholders. If present, such
representative will be provided with the opportunity to make a statement if they
desire to do so, and will be available to respond to any appropriate questions.
Merchants Bancorp does not calculate a ratio of earnings to fixed charges
in its regularly prepared financial statements. Merchants Bancorp's ratio of
earnings to fixed charges was 1.78 and 1.94 for the fiscal years ended December
31, 2003 and 2004, respectively, and was 1.99 and 1.91 for the nine (9) month
periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2005, respectively.
For a listing of all financial and related information incorporated by
reference into this document from other filings submitted to the SEC, please
refer to the section captioned "Documents Incorporated by Reference."
FUTURE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
If the Merger is approved by the requisite vote of the Company's
shareholders, the Company will not be required to include shareholder proposals
in its proxy materials in connection with next year's special meeting, as
permitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
However, if any shareholder of the Company wishes to submit a proposal to be
acted upon at the annual meeting of the company to be held in 2006, the
proposal must be received by the Secretary of the Company at its principal
executive offices, 100 North High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133, prior to the
close of business on February 4, 2006. Proposals submitted in this regard will
not be included in the Company's proxy materials. With respect to such
proposals, the Company will vote all shares for which it has received proxies in
the interest of the Company as determined in the sole discretion of its Board of
Directors.
The Company's Code of Regulations establishes advance notice procedures
which
69
must be followed by persons (other than the Board of Directors) who wish to
nominate a candidate for election to the Board of Directors. In order to
nominate a director for election at a meeting of the shareholders, it is
necessary that you notify the Company in writing not fewer than 14, nor more
than 50, days prior to the meeting unless the Company provides shareholders less
than 21 days notice of the meeting. In such instances, notice of the nominations
must be delivered or mailed to the Company not later than the seventh day after
the notice of the meeting was mailed, or public disclosure of such meeting was
provided. In addition, the notice must meet all other requirements contained in
our Code of Regulations. Any shareholder who wishes to take such action should
obtain a copy of the Code of Regulations and may do so by written request
addressed to the Secretary of the Board of Directors at the principal executive
offices of the Company provided above.
The Board of Directors has not yet established a formal process for
shareholders to send communications to the Board. The Board of Directors has
determined that, in light of the general accessibility of the directors in the
community, no formal shareholder communication process is required at this time.
Nonetheless, shareholders are encouraged to send written communications
regarding the operation or governance of the Company to the attention of Paul W.
Pence, Jr., President, Chief Executive Officer and Board member, at the main
office of the Company.
OTHER MATTERS
The management of the Company is not aware of any other matters to be
presented for consideration at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. If any
other matter should properly come before the meeting, it is intended that the
persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote the shares represented thereby in
accordance with their judgment, pursuant to the discretionary authority granted
therein.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Merchants Bancorp files reports, proxy statements and other information
with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Please call
the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms.
You may read and copy, at the prescribed rates, this information at the SEC's
Public Reference Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
The SEC also maintains an Internet world wide website that contains
reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers including
Merchants Bancorp, who file electronically with the SEC. The address of that
site is http://www.sec.gov.
Merchants Bancorp and the Merger subsidiary have filed with the SEC a Rule
13e-3 Transaction Statement on Schedule 13E-3 in connection with the
transactions described in this proxy statement. As permitted by the SEC, this
proxy statement omits certain information contained in the Schedule 13E-3. The
Schedule 13E-3, including any amendments and exhibits filed
70
or incorporated by reference as a part thereof, is available for inspection or
copying as set forth above or is available electronically at the SEC's website.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows Merchants Bancorp to "incorporate by reference" information
into this document. This means that we can disclose important information to you
by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The
information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this
document, except for any information that is superseded by information that is
included directly in this document or in any other subsequently filed document
that also is incorporated by reference herein.
This document incorporates by reference the documents listed below that
Merchants Bancorp has filed previously with the SEC. They contain important
information about Merchants Bancorp and its financial condition.
o Merchants Bancorp's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004, filed with the Commission on March 31, 2005, is
hereby incorporated by reference. The audited financial statements
are included as Exhibit 99 to the Form 10-K. The Selected Financial
Data is included in Part II, Item 6 of the Form 10-K on page 12
thereof. The Supplemental Financial Information is included in Part
II, Item 8 of the Form 10-K on page 11 thereof. Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations is included in Part II, Item 7 of the Form 10-K on pages
13 - 32 thereof. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
Market Risk are included in Part II, Item 7A of the Form 10-K on
pages 32 - 34 thereof. Discussion regarding the business of the
Company is included in Part I, Item 1 of the Form 10-K on pages 2 -
8 thereof.
o Merchants Bancorp's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 2005, filed with the Commission on November 14,
2005, is hereby incorporated by reference. The unaudited financial
statements, including the notes thereto, are included in Part I,
Item 1 of the Form 10-Q on pages 2 - 8 thereof. Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations is included in Part I, Item 2 of the Form 10-Q on pages 8
- 13 thereof. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk are included in Part 1, Item 3 of the Form 10-Q on pages 13 -
14 thereof.
A copy of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K is attached
as Appendix F to this proxy statement. A copy of the Company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q is attached as Appendix G to this proxy statement. These documents
are also included in our SEC filings, which you can access electronically at the
SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any
representation about the transaction or us that differs from, or adds to, the
information in this proxy statement or in
71
our documents that are publicly filed with the SEC. If anyone does give you
different or additional information, you should not rely on it.
Date: December 21, 2005 By Order of the Board of Directors of
Merchants Bancorp, Inc.
James D. Evans, Secretary
72
APPENDIX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BETWEEN
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND MBI MERGER SUB, INC.
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (the "Merger Agreement"), dated as of December
12, 2005, is hereby entered into by and between MBI Merger Sub, Inc., an Ohio
corporation ("Merger Sub"), and Merchants Bancorp, Inc., an Ohio corporation
("MBI").
RECITALS
Merger Sub is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Ohio. As of the date hereof, the
authorized capital stock of Merger Sub consists of 100 shares of Common Stock,
no par value ("Merger Sub Common Stock"), of which 100 shares are issued and
outstanding. MBI is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the
laws of the State of Ohio. As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock
of MBI consists of 4,500,000 shares of common stock, no par value ("MBI Common
Stock"), of which 2,666,650 shares are presently issued and outstanding. The
respective Boards of Directors of MBI and Merger Sub deem the Merger Agreement
advisable and in the best interests of each such corporation and their
respective shareholders. The respective Boards of Directors of MBI and Merger
Sub, by resolutions duly adopted, have approved the Merger Agreement and have
each recommended that the Merger Agreement be approved by their respective
shareholders and have each directed that this Merger Agreement be submitted for
approval by their respective shareholders. Shareholders of MBI and shareholders
of Merger Sub are each entitled to vote to approve the Merger Agreement. The
number of shares of MBI Common Stock and the number of shares of Merger Sub
Common Stock are not subject to change before the Effective Time (as hereinafter
defined). Therefore, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto hereby covenant and agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
1.1 THE MERGER. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Merger Agreement,
and in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code (the "Revised Code"), at the
Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.2), Merger Sub shall merge (the
"Merger") with and into MBI, and MBI shall survive the Merger and shall continue
its corporate existence under the laws of the State of Ohio. Upon consummation
of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall terminate
and the name of the Surviving Corporation shall be "Merchants Bancorp, Inc."
1.2 EFFECTIVE TIME. As soon as is reasonably practicable after the date hereof,
after approval of this Merger Agreement by the shareholders of the constituent
corporations and after the receipt of all
required regulatory approvals and the expiration of any statutory waiting
periods, a Certificate of Merger meeting the requirements of Section 1701.81 of
the Revised Code shall be filed with the Ohio Office of the Secretary of State
for approval. The Merger shall become effective ("the Effective Time") when the
Certificate of Merger has been accepted for filing by the Ohio Office of the
Secretary of State or as otherwise specified in the Certificate of Merger.
1.3 EFFECTS OF THE MERGER. At and after the Effective Time, the Merger shall
have the effects set forth in the Revised Code.
1.4 TREATMENT OF MBI COMMON STOCK; CONVERSION OF MERGER SUB COMMON STOCK.
(a) At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any further
action on the part of any Record Holder (as hereinafter defined), the following
shall occur:
(1) Each issued and outstanding share of MBI Common Stock owned by a
First Tier Record Holder (as hereinafter defined) shall be converted into the
right to receive cash from the Surviving Corporation in the amount of $23.00 per
share (the "Cash Consideration"), without interest thereon, upon the surrender
to the Surviving Corporation of their certificates formerly representing shares
of MBI Common Stock. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 1.4, First
Tier Record Holders shall cease to have any rights as shareholders of MBI or the
Surviving Corporation, other than such rights, if any, as they may have pursuant
to the Revised Code.
(2) Each issued and outstanding share of MBI Common Stock owned by a
Second Tier Record Holder (as hereinafter defined) who has submitted a Proper
Election (as hereinafter defined) to the Company shall be converted in
accordance with said Proper Election. Second Tier Record Holders that have not
made a Proper Election shall be deemed to have elected to receive the Cash
Consideration in exchange for all shares held at the Effective Time. To the
extent any Second Tier Record Holder has elected, or who otherwise would be
deemed to have elected, the Cash Consideration, such Record Holder shall cease
to have any rights as shareholders of MBI or the Surviving Corporation with
respect to such shares of MBI Common Stock for which the election to receive the
Cash Consideration was made (or deemed to have been made), except such rights,
if any, as such Record Holders may have pursuant to the Revised Code; their sole
and exclusive right with respect to such shares of MBI Common Stock being to
receive the Cash Consideration, without interest thereon, upon surrender to the
Surviving Corporation of their certificates formerly representing shares of MBI
Common Stock. To the extent any Second Tier Record Holder has made a Proper
Election to receive shares of Series A Preferred Stock, such Record Holder shall
cease to have any rights as holders of MBI Common Stock with respect to such
shares of MBI Common Stock for which the election to receive shares of Series A
Preferred Stock was made, except such rights, if any, as they may have pursuant
to the Revised Code; their sole and exclusive right with respect to such shares
of MBI Common Stock being to receive shares of Series A Preferred Stock upon the
surrender to the Surviving Corporation of their certificates formerly
representing shares of MBI Common Stock. Any Second Tier Record Holder making a
Proper Election to receive shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall receive one
share of Series A Preferred Stock for each share of MBI Common Stock held
thereby with respect to which the election to receive shares of Series A
Preferred Stock has been made.
(3) Each issued and outstanding share of MBI Common Stock owned by a
Third Tier Record Holder (as hereinafter defined) shall remain issued and
outstanding as a share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation without
change. In no event shall any Third Tier Record Holder be entitled to receive
either the Cash Consideration or shares of Series A Preferred Stock with respect
to the shares of MBI Common Stock held thereby.
(b) At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action
on the part of the holder of any Merger Sub Common Stock, each issued share of
Merger Sub Common Stock shall be converted into the right to receive cash from
the Surviving Corporation in the amount of $1.00 per share, and the holders of
certificates representing such shares shall cease to have any rights as
shareholders of Merger Sub or the Surviving Corporation except such rights, if
any, as they may have pursuant to the Revised Code, and, except as aforesaid,
their sole right shall be the right to receive cash as aforesaid, without
interest, upon surrender to the Surviving Corporation of their certificates
which theretofore represented shares of Merger Sub Common Stock.
1.5 DISSENTERS' RIGHTS. All Record Holders shall be entitled to all rights and
privileges allotted to dissenting shareholders under Section 1701.85 of the
Revised Code. To exercise such rights, a dissenting shareholder shall be
required to adhere to all of the procedures provided under Section 1701.85 of
the Revised Code.
1.6 CERTAIN TERMS.
(a) The term "First Tier Record Holder" shall mean a Record Holder of MBI
Common Stock who holds of record as of the Record Date One Hundred (100) or
fewer shares of MBI Common Stock.
(b) The term "Second Tier Record Holder" shall mean a Record Holder of MBI
Common Stock who holds of record as of the Record Date greater than One Hundred
(100) and fewer than One Thousand Five Hundred (1,500) shares of MBI Common
Stock.
(c) The term "Third Tier Record Holder" shall mean a Record Holder of MBI
Common Stock who holds of record as of the Record Date One Thousand Five Hundred
(1,500) or more shares of MBI Common Stock.
(d) The term "Record Holder" shall mean any record holder or holders of
MBI Common Stock who on the Record Date would be deemed, pursuant to Rule
12g-5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and related interpretive
guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, to be a single
"person" for purposes of determining the number of record shareholders of MBI.
(e) The term "Proper Election" shall mean a properly completed election by
a Second Tier Record Holder on a form provided to Second Tier Record Holders by
the Company to allow them to elect to receive in exchange for shares of MBI
Common Stock held at the Effective Time: (1) the per share Cash Consideration;
(2) shares of Series A Preferred Stock; or (3) a combination of Cash
Consideration and Series A Preferred Stock. Any election to receive a
combination of Cash Consideration and Series A Preferred Stock must be made with
respect to whole shares of MBI Common Stock, and no election can be made which
would result in the issuance of a fractional share of Series A Preferred Stock.
For an election to be a Proper Election, it shall be received by the Company by
no later than the date of the special meeting of the shareholders to be held for
the purpose of considering the proposed Merger (the "Special Meeting"). Second
Tier Record Holders shall be entitled to change their election, provided any
such change is provided on the proper form and received by the Company no later
than the date of the Special Meeting. Any Second Tier Record Holder that is a
brokerage, bank or similar entity holding securities on behalf of multiple
beneficial holders may make an election on behalf of each such beneficial owner.
(f) The term "Record Date" shall mean the certain date fixed by resolution
of the Company's Board of Directors, which date shall be used to determine the
following: (1) the Record Holders entitled to vote on the proposed Merger; and
(2) the Record Holders to be classified as First Tier, Second Tier, and Third
Tier Record Holders.
(g) the term "Merger Consideration" shall mean either the Cash
Consideration or shares of Series A Preferred Stock, as the case may be.
1.7 RESOLUTION OF ISSUES. MBI (along with any other person or entity to which it
may delegate or assign any responsibility or task with respect thereto) shall
have full discretion and exclusive authority (subject to its right and power to
so delegate or assign such authority) to (i) make such inquiries, whether of any
MBI shareholder(s) or otherwise, as it may deem appropriate for purposes of this
Article I and (ii) resolve and determine in its sole discretion, all
ambiguities, questions of fact and interpretive and other matters relating to
this Article I, including, without limitation, any questions as to the number of
shares held by any Record Holder immediately as of the Record Date. All
determinations by MBI under this Article I shall be final and binding on all
parties, and no person or entity shall have any recourse against MBI or any
other person or entity with respect thereto.
For purposes of this Article I, MBI may in its sole discretion, but shall
not have any obligation to do so, (i) presume that any shares of MBI Common
Stock held in a discrete account are held by a person distinct from any other
person, notwithstanding that the registered Record Holder of a separate discrete
account has the same or a similar name as the Holder of a separate discrete
account; and (ii) aggregate the shares held by any person or persons that MBI
determines to constitute a single Record Holder for purposes of determining the
number of shares held by such Holder.
1.8 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION. The Articles of Incorporation of MBI in effect as
of the Effective Time shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation after the Merger until thereafter amended in accordance with
applicable law.
1.9 BYLAWS. The Bylaws of MBI in effect as of the Effective Time shall be the
Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation after the Merger until thereafter amended in
accordance with applicable law.
1.10 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SURVIVING CORPORATION. The directors of MBI
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be, from and after the Effective
Time, the directors of the Surviving Corporation until their respective
successors shall have been elected or appointed and qualified or until their
earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Surviving
Corporation's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
1.11 OFFICERS. The officers of MBI immediately prior to the Effective Time shall
be, from and after the Effective Time, the officers of the Surviving Corporation
until their respective successors have been duly elected or appointed and
qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance
with the Surviving Corporation's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
ARTICLE II
MBI COMMON STOCK CERTIFICATES
2.1 CERTIFICATES HELD BY THIRD TIER RECORD HOLDERS. From and after the Effective
Time, all certificates representing shares of MBI Common Stock held by any Third
Tier Record Holder shall be deemed to evidence the same number of shares of
Common Stock of MBI, as the Surviving Corporation, which they theretofore
represented.
2.2 CERTIFICATES HELD BY FIRST AND SECOND TIER RECORD HOLDERS. From and after
the Effective Time and until presented to the Surviving Corporation, all
certificates which prior to the Effective Time represented shares of MBI Common
Stock that are held by any First or Second Tier Record Holder shall only
evidence the right to receive the Merger Consideration as hereinabove provided.
Upon presentation to the Surviving Corporation by a First or Second Tier Record
Holder of such certificates formerly representing shares of MBI Common Stock,
the Merger Consideration shall be paid in accordance with the provisions
contained in Article I of this Merger Agreement. No interest shall be payable on
any Cash Consideration distributable pursuant to this Merger Agreement.
ARTICLE III
GENERAL PROVISIONS
3.1 TERMINATION. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board of
Directors of Merger Sub or the Board of Directors of MBI at any time prior to
the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Ohio Office of the Secretary of
State may terminate this Merger Agreement. This Merger Agreement shall be
automatically terminated if (i) the Shareholders of MBI fail to approve the
Merger and the Merger Agreement at a special meeting of shareholders of MBI to
be held on such date as shall be determined by the Board of Directors of MBI; or
(ii) any regulatory or other agency (if any) which must approve the Merger, has
not approved the Merger prior to December 31, 2005. If terminated as provided in
this Section 3.1, this Merger Agreement shall forthwith become wholly void and
of no further force and effect.
3.2 COUNTERPARTS. This Merger Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of
which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective
when counterparts have been
signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being
understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.
3.3 GOVERNING LAW. This Merger Agreement shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to any applicable
conflicts of law.
3.4 AMENDMENT. Subject to compliance with applicable law, this Merger Agreement
may be amended by the parties hereto, by action taken or authorized by their
respective Boards of Directors, at any time before or after approval of the
matters presented in connection with the Merger by the shareholders of Merger
Sub or MBI; provided, however, that after any approval of the transactions
contemplated by this Merger Agreement by the respective shareholders of Merger
Sub or MBI, there may not be, without further approval of such shareholders, any
amendment of this Merger Agreement which (i) alters or changes the amount or the
form of the consideration to be delivered to the holders of Merger Sub Common
Stock or MBI Common Stock hereunder other than as contemplated by this Merger
Agreement, (ii) alters or changes any term of the Articles of Incorporation of
the Surviving Corporation, or (iii) adversely affects the holder of any class or
series of stock of any of the constituent corporations. This Merger Agreement
may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each
of the parties hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Merger Sub and MBI have caused this Merger Agreement to be
executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date first above
written.
MBI MERGER SUB, INC. MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
By: /s/ Paul W. Pence, Jr. By: /s/ Paul W. Pence, Jr.
------------------------------- -------------------------------
President & CEO President & CEO
APPENDIX B
PAGE'S OHIO REVISED CODE ANNOTATED
TITLE 17. CORPORATIONS -- PARTNERSHIPS
CORPORATIONS
CHAPTER 1701. GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION
ORC Ann. 1701.85 (2005)
Section 1701.85. Dissenting shareholder's demand for fair cash value of shares
(A) (1) A shareholder of a domestic corporation is entitled to relief as a
dissenting shareholder in respect of the proposals described in sections
1701.74, 1701.76, and 1701.84 of the Revised Code, only in compliance with this
section.
(2) If the proposal must be submitted to the shareholders of the corporation
involved, the dissenting shareholder shall be a record holder of the shares of
the corporation as to which he seeks relief as of the date fixed for the
determination of shareholders entitled to notice of a meeting of the
shareholders at which the proposal is to be submitted, and such shares shall not
have been voted in favor of the proposal. Not later than ten days after the date
on which the vote on the proposal was taken at the meeting of the shareholders,
the dissenting shareholder shall deliver to the corporation a written demand for
payment to him of the fair cash value of the shares as to which he seeks relief,
which demand shall state his address, the number and class of such shares, and
the amount claimed by him as the fair cash value of the shares.
(3) The dissenting shareholder entitled to relief under division (C) of
section 1701.84 of the Revised Code in the case of a merger pursuant to section
1701.80 of the Revised Code and a dissenting shareholder entitled to relief
under division (E) of section 1701.84 of the Revised Code in the case of a
merger pursuant to section 1701.801 [1701.80.1] of the Revised Code shall be a
record holder of the shares of the corporation as to which he seeks relief as of
the date on which the agreement of merger was adopted by the directors of that
corporation. Within twenty days after he has been sent the notice provided in
section 1701.80 or 1701.801 [1701.80.1] of the Revised Code, the dissenting
shareholder shall deliver to the corporation a written demand for payment with
the same information as that provided for in division (A)(2) of this section.
(4) In the case of a merger or consolidation, a demand served on the
constituent corporation involved constitutes service on the surviving or the new
entity, whether the demand is served before, on, or after the effective date of
the merger or consolidation.
(5) If the corporation sends to the dissenting shareholder, at the address
specified in his demand, a request for the certificates representing the shares
as to which he seeks relief, the dissenting shareholder, within fifteen days
from the date of the sending of such request, shall deliver to the corporation
the certificates requested so that the corporation may forthwith endorse on them
a legend to the effect that demand for the fair cash value of such shares has
been made. The corporation promptly shall return such endorsed certificates to
the dissenting shareholder. A dissenting shareholder's failure to deliver such
certificates terminates his rights as a dissenting shareholder, at the option of
the corporation, exercised by written notice sent to the dissenting shareholder
within twenty days after the lapse of the fifteen-day period, unless a court for
good cause shown otherwise directs. If shares represented by a certificate on
which such a legend has been endorsed are transferred, each new certificate
issued for them shall bear a similar legend, together with the name of the
original dissenting holder of such shares. Upon receiving a demand for payment
from a dissenting shareholder who is the record holder of uncertificated
securities, the corporation shall make an appropriate notation of the demand for
payment in its shareholder records. If uncertificated shares for which payment
has been demanded are to be transferred, any new certificate issued for the
shares shall bear the legend required for certificated securities as provided in
this paragraph. A transferee of the shares so endorsed, or of uncertificated
securities where such notation has been made, acquires only such rights in the
corporation as the original dissenting holder of such shares had immediately
after the service of a demand for payment of the fair cash value of the shares.
A request under this paragraph by the corporation is not an admission by the
corporation that the shareholder is entitled to relief under this section.
(B) Unless the corporation and the dissenting shareholder have come to an
agreement on the fair cash value per share of the shares as to which the
dissenting shareholder seeks relief, the dissenting shareholder or the
corporation, which in case of a merger or consolidation may be the surviving or
new entity, within three months after the service of the demand by the
dissenting shareholder, may file a complaint in the court of common pleas of the
county in which the principal office of the corporation that issued the shares
is located or was located when the proposal was adopted by the shareholders of
the corporation, or, if the proposal was not required to be submitted to the
shareholders, was approved by the directors. Other dissenting shareholders,
within that three-month period, may join as plaintiffs or may be joined as
defendants in any such proceeding, and any two or more such proceedings may be
consolidated. The complaint shall contain a brief statement of the facts,
including the vote and the facts entitling the dissenting shareholder to the
relief demanded. No answer to such a complaint is required. Upon the filing of
such a complaint, the court, on motion of the petitioner, shall enter an order
fixing a date for a hearing on the complaint and requiring that a copy of the
complaint and a notice of the filing and of the date for hearing be given to the
respondent or defendant in the manner in which summons is required to be served
or substituted service is required to be made in other cases. On the day fixed
for the hearing on the complaint or any adjournment of it, the court shall
determine from the complaint and from such evidence as is submitted by either
party whether the dissenting shareholder is entitled to be paid the fair cash
value of any shares and, if so, the number and class of such shares. If the
court finds that the dissenting shareholder is so entitled, the court may
appoint one or more
persons as appraisers to receive evidence and to recommend a decision on the
amount of the fair cash value. The appraisers have such power and authority as
is specified in the order of their appointment. The court thereupon shall make a
finding as to the fair cash value of a share and shall render judgment against
the corporation for the payment of it, with interest at such rate and from such
date as the court considers equitable. The costs of the proceeding, including
reasonable compensation to the appraisers to be fixed by the court, shall be
assessed or apportioned as the court considers equitable. The proceeding is a
special proceeding and final orders in it may be vacated, modified, or reversed
on appeal pursuant to the Rules of Appellate Procedure and, to the extent not in
conflict with those rules, Chapter 2505. of the Revised Code. If, during the
pendency of any proceeding instituted under this section, a suit or proceeding
is or has been instituted to enjoin or otherwise to prevent the carrying out of
the action as to which the shareholder has dissented, the proceeding instituted
under this section shall be stayed until the final determination of the other
suit or proceeding. Unless any provision in division (D) of this section is
applicable, the fair cash value of the shares that is agreed upon by the parties
or fixed under this section shall be paid within thirty days after the date of
final determination of such value under this division, the effective date of the
amendment to the articles, or the consummation of the other action involved,
whichever occurs last. Upon the occurrence of the last such event, payment shall
be made immediately to a holder of uncertificated securities entitled to such
payment. In the case of holders of shares represented by certificates, payment
shall be made only upon and simultaneously with the surrender to the corporation
of the certificates representing the shares for which the payment is made.
(C) If the proposal was required to be submitted to the shareholders of the
corporation, fair cash value as to those shareholders shall be determined as of
the day prior to the day on which the vote by the shareholders was taken and, in
the case of a merger pursuant to section 1701.80 or 1701.801 [1701.80.1] of the
Revised Code, fair cash value as to shareholders of a constituent subsidiary
corporation shall be determined as of the day before the adoption of the
agreement of merger by the directors of the particular subsidiary corporation.
The fair cash value of a share for the purposes of this section is the amount
that a willing seller who is under no compulsion to sell would be willing to
accept and that a willing buyer who is under no compulsion to purchase would be
willing to pay, but in no event shall the fair cash value of a share exceed the
amount specified in the demand of the particular shareholder. In computing such
fair cash value, any appreciation or depreciation in market value resulting from
the proposal submitted to the directors or to the shareholders shall be
excluded.
(D) (1) The right and obligation of a dissenting shareholder to receive such
fair cash value and to sell such shares as to which he seeks relief, and the
right and obligation of the corporation to purchase such shares and to pay the
fair cash value of them terminates if any of the following applies:
(a) The dissenting shareholder has not complied with this section, unless
the corporation by its directors waives such failure;
(b) The corporation abandons the action involved or is finally enjoined or
prevented from carrying it out, or the shareholders rescind their adoption of
the action involved;
(c) The dissenting shareholder withdraws his demand, with the consent of
the corporation by its directors;
(d) The corporation and the dissenting shareholder have not come to an
agreement as to the fair cash value per share, and neither the shareholder nor
the corporation has filed or joined in a complaint under division (B) of this
section within the period provided in that division.
(2) For purposes of division (D)(1) of this section, if the merger or
consolidation has become effective and the surviving or new entity is not a
corporation, action required to be taken by the directors of the corporation
shall be taken by the general partners of a surviving or new partnership or the
comparable representatives of any other surviving or new entity.
(E) From the time of the dissenting shareholder's giving of the demand until
either the termination of the rights and obligations arising from it or the
purchase of the shares by the corporation, all other rights accruing from such
shares, including voting and dividend or distribution rights, are suspended. If
during the suspension, any dividend or distribution is paid in money upon shares
of such class or any dividend, distribution, or interest is paid in money upon
any securities issued in extinguishment of or in substitution for such shares,
an amount equal to the dividend, distribution, or interest which, except for the
suspension, would have been payable upon such shares or securities, shall be
paid to the holder of record as a credit upon the fair cash value of the shares.
If the right to receive fair cash value is terminated other than by the purchase
of the shares by the corporation, all rights of the holder shall be restored and
all distributions which, except for the suspension, would have been made shall
be made to the holder of record of the shares at the time of termination.
APPENDIX C
FAIRNESS OPINION OF AUSTIN ASSOCIATES, LLC
August 24, 2005
Board of Directors
Merchants Bancorp, Inc.
100 S. High Street
Hillsboro, OH 45133
Members of the Board:
You have requested the opinion of Austin Associates, LLC ("Austin") as to the
fairness, from a financial point-of-view, of the consideration being offered to
shareholders of Merchants Bancorp, Inc. ("Company') in connection with a going
private transaction ("Transaction"). Under the terms of the Transaction,
shareholders of Company owning 100 or fewer shares will receive $23.00 per share
in cash and shareholders of Company owning between 101 and 1,499 shares may
elect to receive either $23.00 per share in cash or a new Series A Preferred
Stock ("Preferred Stock").
In carrying out our engagement, we have among other things:
(i) Reviewed correspondence and documents related to the Transaction;
(ii) Reviewed the audited and regulatory financial statements of
Company for each of the years-ended 2000-2004;
(iii) Reviewed the interim unaudited financial statements for the three
and six months ended March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005,
respectively;
(iv) Reviewed internal information regarding the business and
prospects of Company including, but not limited to, operating
budgets and business plans;
(v) Prepared a valuation of the common stock of Company in connection
with the Transaction to determine the fair market value of the
shares of Company;
(vi) Reviewed certain publicly available information on Company and
other companies whose business activities were believed by Austin
to be generally comparable to those of Company;
(vii) Reviewed the terms of the Preferred Stock; and,
(viii) Reviewed other analyses and information as Austin deemed
relevant, including but not limited to the pro forma impact of
the Transaction to Company's book value, capital and earnings.
In connection with the valuation noted above, Austin considered: (a) the nature
of the business and history of the enterprise; (b) the economic outlook in
general and the condition and the outlook of the specific industry in
particular; (c) the financial condition of the business; (d) the earning
capacity of the Company; (e) the dividend paying capacity of the Company; (f)
the nature and value of the tangible and intangible assets of the business; (g)
sale of the stock and the size of the block to be valued; (h) the market price
of the stocks of corporations engaged in the same or similar lines of business
having their stocks actively traded in a free and open market; (i) the
marketability of the Company's stock; and (j) the determination of any control
premiums or minority share discounts. A summary description of the valuation
approaches utilized and conclusions reached are contained in the Schedule 13E-3
Transaction Statement. A complete valuation report was delivered to the Board of
Directors in June of 2005. While we did not formally update our valuation, in
reaching our opinion, we reviewed and considered the performance of the Company
through June 30, 2005.
In our review and analysis, we relied upon and assumed the accuracy and
completeness of the financial and other information provided to us, or publicly
available, and have not attempted to verify the same. We have assumed that there
has been no material change in the financial condition of Company since the date
of the last financial statements made available to us. Our opinion is
necessarily based upon market, economic and other conditions as of the date
hereof.
We have been retained by the board of directors as independent advisor to the
Company in connection with the Transaction. For our services in rendering this
opinion, Company has paid us a fee and has indemnified us against certain
liabilities.
Based upon our analysis and subject to the qualifications described herein, we
believe that as of the date of this letter, the cash offer of $23.00 per share
and the terms of the Preferred Stock being offered to eligible shareholders are
fair, from a financial point of view, to the Company and its shareholders.
Respectfully,
/s/ Austin Associates, LLC
Austin Associates, LLC
APPENDIX D
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF THE
AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
(PURSUANT TO SECTION 1701.71 OF THE
OHIO REVISED CODE)
Merchants Bancorp, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws
of the State of Ohio (the "Corporation"), in accordance with the provisions of
Section 1701.71 of the Ohio Revised Code, does hereby amend its Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles") as follows:
ARTICLE FOURTH
Capital Stock
A. Number and Class of Shares Authorized; Par Value.
The Corporation is authorized to issue the following shares of capital
stock:
(1) Common Stock. The aggregate authorized number of shares of common
stock (referred to in these Amended Restated Articles of Incorporation as
"Common Stock") which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is Four
Million Five Hundred Thousand (4,500,000), all of which shall be without par
value.
(2) Series A Non-Cumulative 20-Year Preferred Stock. The aggregate
authorized number of shares of Series A Non-Cumulative 20-Year Preferred Stock
(hereinafter called the "Series A Preferred Stock") which the Corporation shall
have authority to issue is 140,000, all of which shall be without par value.
B. Description of Common Stock:
Each record holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote on all
matters for each share of Common Stock so held. Holders of Common Stock shall
have no cumulative voting rights in any election of directors of the
Corporation. Each record holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to such
dividends as the Board of Directors (herein called the "Board") may in its
discretion periodically declare, subject, however, to any voting and dividend
rights of the holders of the Preferred Shares. In the event of any liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the remaining assets of the
Corporation after the payment of all debts and necessary expenses shall be
distributed among the holders of the Common Shares pro rata in accordance with
their respective Share holdings, subject, however, to the rights of the holders
of the Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding. Holders of Common Stock shall
not
have as a matter of right any preemptive or preferential right to subscribe for,
purchase, receive, or otherwise acquire any part of any new or additional issue
of stock of any class, whether now or hereafter authorized, or of any bonds,
debentures, notes, or other securities of the Corporation, whether or not
convertible into shares of stock of the Corporation. The Common Shares are
subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Series A Preferred Stock as
established in accordance with this Article FOURTH.
C. Description of Series A Preferred Stock.
The terms, preferences, limitations and relative rights of the Series A
Preferred Stock are as follows:
(1) Designation. There shall be shares of Preferred Stock of the
Corporation hereby constituted as a series of Preferred Stock with no par value
designated as "Series A Non-Cumulative 20-Year Preferred Stock".
(2) Principal Amount. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall have a
designated principal amount of $23.00 (the "Principal Amount").
(3) Term. The Series A Preferred Stock shall have a term of twenty (20)
years from the date of issuance (the "Term"), upon the maturity of which, each
holder of the Series A Preferred Stock shall receive the Principal Amount for
each share of Series A Preferred Stock so held. The date of issuance shall be
deemed to be the date of filing of this amendment to the Company's Articles of
Incorporation with the Ohio Secretary of State.
(4) Rank. The Series A Preferred Stock, with respect to dividend rights
and rights of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, ranks
senior to the Common Stock and all of the classes and series of equity
securities of the Company, other than any classes or series of equity securities
of the Company subsequently issued ranking on a parity with, or senior to, the
Series A Preferred Stock. The relative rights and preferences of the Series A
Preferred Stock may be subordinated to the relative rights and preferences of
holders of subsequent issues of other classes or series of preferred stock and
equity securities of the Corporation upon the requisite authorizations of the
Corporation's shareholders and the Board of Directors. The Series A Preferred
Stock is junior to indebtedness issued from time to time by the Corporation,
including notes and debentures.
(5) Number of Shares in Series. The number of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock shall be 140,000 shares.
(6) Voting. Except and insofar as may be provided by law, the holders of
the Series A Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights.
(7) Liquidation Preference. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, then,
before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of any junior
stock, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to be paid in
full the Principal Amount per share. To the extent such payment shall have been
made in full to the holders of the Series A Preferred
Stock, all other series of duly authorized preferred stock and any other stock
ranking int parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, the remaining assets and
funds of the Corporation shall be distributed among the holders of the junior
stock, according to their respective rights and preferences and in each case
according to their respective shares. If upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up, the amounts so payable are not paid in full to the holders of all
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and all other shares on a parity
with the Series A Preferred Stock, then the holders of Series A Preferred Stock
and all other shares on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, share
ratably in any distribution of assets in proportion to the full amounts to which
they would otherwise be respectively entitled.
(8) Callbility. The Series A Preferred Stock shall be callable in the
aggregate at the exclusive option of the Corporation upon: (1) written notice to
the holders thereof any time after the fifth (5th) anniversary following the
date of issuance and otherwise prior to the expriation of the Term; or (2) the
execution of any agreement or other arrangement which, if consummated, would
result in a Change of Control. In the event shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall be called pursuant to item (1) of this Section 8, the holders thereof
shall be paid the Principal Amount plus a premium of 5% of the Principal Amount
for each share so held. In the event shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be
called pursuant to item (2) of this Section 8, the holders thereof shall be paid
the Principal Amount for each share so held.
(9) Dividend Rights. The holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to a preference in the distribution of dividends, when and as
declared by the Board of Directors, and shall receive out of any assets of the
Corporation legally available therefor such dividends prior to the payment of
any dividends to the holders of the Common Stock and in the same per share
amount as paid to holders of Common Stock. The shares of Series A Preferred
Stock shall be non-cumulative with respect to dividends, and the Corporation
shall have the right to waive the declaration of payment of dividends. Any
dividends waived by the Corporation shall not accumulate to future periods and
shall not represent a contingent liability of the Corporation.
(10) Conversion Rights. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have
no conversion rights.
(11) Preemptive Rights. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall not have
as a matter of right any preemptive or preferential right to subscribe for,
purchase, receive, or otherwise acquire any part of any new or additional issue
of stock of any class, whether now or hereafter authorized, or of any bonds,
debentures, notes, or other securities of the Corporation, whether or not
convertible into shares of stock of the Corporation.
(12) Antidilution Adjustments. If the outstanding shares of Common Stock
are increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different number
or kind of shares or other securities of the Corporation or of any other
corporation by reason of any merger, consolidation, liquidation,
reclassification, recapitalization, stock split up, combination of shares, or
stock dividend, appropriate adjustment shall be made by the Board of Directors
of the Corporation in the number, and relative terms, of the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock.
(13) Transfer Rights. A holder of Series A Preferred Stock may transfer
the ownsership of his or her Series A Preferred Stock, whether by sale, gift,
bequest or other legal means of transfer, provided that such transfer comprises
all shares of Series A Preferred Stock held thereby, and title to the Series A
Preferred Stock so transferred vests in one individual or entity which would
count as one record holder on the Company's record of shareholders.
(14) Definitions. As used herein with respect to the Series A Preferred
Stock, the following terms have the following meanings:
a. The term "Change of Control" means any of the following:
(i) A purchase or other acquisition by any person, entity or group
of persons (within the meaning of section 13 (d) or 14 (d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("the Exchange Act") or any
comparable successor provisions), directly or indirectly, which results in
the beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated
under the Exchange Act) of such person, entity or group of persons
equaling 50% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors ("Voting Securities"); excluding, however, any
acquisition (i) by the Corporation or any subsidiary or affiliate of the
Corporation, and (ii) by any employee benefit plan or related trust
sponsored or maintained by the Corporation or any subsidiary or affiliate
of the Corporation;
(ii) A merger, reorganization or consolidation to which the
Corporation is a party, or a sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Corporation (each, a "Corporate
Transaction"); excluding however, any Corporate Transaction pursuant to
which (i) persons who were security holders of The Corporation immediately
prior to such Corporate Transaction do (solely because of their Voting
Securities owned immediately prior to Corporate Transaction) own
immediately thereafter more than 50 percent of the combined voting power
entitled to vote in the election of directors of the then outstanding
securities or the company surviving the Corporate Transaction and (ii)
individuals who constitute the incumbent board of the Corporation will
immediately after the consummation of the Corporate Transaction constitute
at least a majority of the members of the board of the company surviving
such Corporate Transaction; or
(iii) Approval by the security-holders of the Corporation of a plan
of complete liquidation or dissolution of The Corporation.
b. The term "parity stock" means all Series A Preferred Stock, and any other
class of stock of the Corporation hereafter duly authorized, which ranks on a
parity with the Series A Preferred Stock in the payment of dividends or in the
distribution of assets on any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation.
c. The term "junior stock" shall mean the Common Stock and any other class of
stock of the Corporation hereafter duly authorized over which the Series A
Preferred
Stock has preference or priority in the payment of dividends or in the
distribution of assets on any liquidation, dissolution or winding
(15) Limitations of Rights. Holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall not have any relative, participating, optional or other special rights and
powers other than as set forth herein.
(16) Each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be identical in all
respects. When payment of the consideration for which shares of Series A
Preferred Stock are to be issued shall have been received by the Corporation,
such shares shall be deemed to be fully paid and nonassessable.
APPENDIX E
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
TABLE 1.1
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 (IN $000S)
ASSUMES ALL SHAREHOLDERS WITH LESS THAN 1,500 SHARES RECEIVE CASH @ $23.00 PER
SHARE
ACTUAL PROFORMA
9/30/2005 ADJUSTMENTS 9/30/2005
MERCHANTS ------------------------------ MERCHANTS
ASSETS: BANCORP DEBIT CREDIT BANCORP
- ----------------------------- ---------- ------------- ------------ -----------
CASH & DUE FROM BANKS $ 10,216 $ 3,000(1) $ 2,859(2) $ 10,357
FED FUNDS SOLD $ 12,875 $ 12,875
INVESTMENT SECURITIES $ 37,197 $ 37,197
LOANS (GROSS) $ 296,033 $ 296,033
LOAN LOSS RESERVE $ 2,649 $ 2,649
---------- -----------
LOANS (NET) $ 293,384 $ 293,384
PREMISES $ 3,412 $ 3,412
OTHER REAL ESTATE $ 153 $ 153
INTANGIBLES $ 0 $ 0
OTHER ASSETS $ 7,324 $ 7,324
---------- -----------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 364,561 $ 364,702
========== ===========
LIABILITIES:
TOTAL DEPOSITS $ 289,075 $ 289,075
FED FUNDS PURCHASED $ 2,642 $ 2,642
OTHER BORROWED MONEY $ 37,425 $ 3,000(1) $ 40,425
PREFERRED STOCK -- SERIES A $ 0 $ 0
OTHER LIABILITIES $ 1,889 $ 1,889
---------- -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 331,031 $ 334,031
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
EQUITY CAPITAL $ 32,971 $ 2,859(2) $ 30,112
NET UNREALIZED GAIN ON SEC. $ 559 $ 559
---------- -----------
TOTAL EQUITY $ 33,530 $ 30,671
---------- -----------
TOTAL LIAB. & EQUITY $ 364,561 $ 5,859 $ 5,859 $ 364,702
========== ========== ========= ===========
SHARES OUTSTANDING 2,666,650 (119,528) 2,547,122
BOOK VALUE PER SHARE (COMMON) $ 12.57 $ 12.04
(1) ASSUMES $3,000 OF FUNDS BORROWED TO FINANCE STOCK REPURCHASE.
(2) CASH PAYMENTS TO SHAREHOLDERS WITH LESS THAN 1,500 SHARES (119,528 SHARES
@ $23.00 PER SHARE) PLUS $110 OF ESTIMATED EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE
TRANSACTION.
TABLE 1.2
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA INCOME STATEMENT FOR 12-MONTHS ENDING 12/31/2004 (IN
$000S)
ASSUMES ALL SHAREHOLDERS WITH LESS THAN 1,500 SHARES RECEIVE CASH @ $23.00 PER
SHARE
ACTUAL PROFORMA
12-MONTHS ENDING 12-MONTHS ENDING
12/31/2004 12/31/2004
MERCHANTS MERCHANTS
INCOME STATEMENT BANCORP ADJUSTMENTS BANCORP
- ------------------------------- ---------------- ----------- ----------------
INTEREST INCOME $ 20,565 $ 20,565
INTEREST EXPENSE $ 6,938 $ 202(1) $ 7,140
-------- --------- --------
NET INTEREST INCOME $ 13,627 ($ 202) $ 13,425
LOAN LOSS PROVISION $ 676 $ 676
-------- --------
NONINTEREST INCOME $ 1,541 $ 1,541
SALARY AND BENEFITS $ 3,980 $ 3,980
OCCUPANCY & EQUIPMENT $ 1,033 $ 1,033
OTHER NONINTEREST EXPENSE $ 2,930 ($ 67)(2) $ 2,863
-------- --------- --------
TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSE $ 7,943 $ 7,876
-------- --------
SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS $ 0 $ 0
-------- --------
INCOME BEFORE TAXES $ 6,549 ($ 135) $ 6,414
INCOME TAXES $ 1,942 ($ 46)(3) $ 1,896
-------- --------- --------
NET INCOME $ 4,607 ($ 89) $ 4,518
======== ========
EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 1.73 $ 1.77
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE (COMMON) $ 0.70 $ 0.70
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE (PREFERRED) N.A. N.A.
(1) ASSUMES $3,000 OF BORROWINGS AT 6.75% INTEREST RATE (PRIME RATE @
09/30/2005).
(2) ASSUMES THE FOLLOWING 12-MONTHS ENDING 12/31/2004 COST SAVINGS/EXPENSES:
TRANSACTION RELATED EXPENSES ($ 15)
SEC/SOX SAVINGS $ 82
-----
NET COST SAVINGS $ 67
(3) BASED ON 34% TAX RATE.
PRO FORMA VS ACTUAL FINANCIAL RATIOS
FOR 12-MONTHS ENDING 12/31/2004
ASSUMES ALL SHAREHOLDERS WITH LESS THAN 1,500 SHARES RECEIVE CASH @ $23.00 PER
SHARE
ACTUAL PROFORMA
12-MONTHS ENDING 12-MONTHS ENDING
12/31/2004 12/31/2004
---------------- ----------------
Return on Average Assets 1.28% 1.25%
Return on Average Common Equity 15.22% 16.48%
Total Equity/Assets (Average) 8.41% 7.61%
Net Interest Income/Average Assets 3.79% 3.73%
Noninterest Expense/Average Assets 2.21% 2.19%
TABLE 1.3
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA INCOME STATEMENT FOR 9-MONTHS ENDING 09/30/2005
(IN $000S)
ASSUMES ALL SHAREHOLDERS WITH LESS THAN 1,500 SHARES RECEIVE CASH @ $23.00
PER SHARE
ACTUAL PROFORMA
9-MONTHS ENDING 9-MONTHS ENDING
09/30/2005 09/30/2005
MERCHANTS MERCHANTS
INCOME STATEMENT BANCORP ADJUSTMENTS BANCORP
- ------------------------------- --------------- ----------- ---------------
INTEREST INCOME $ 16,285 $ 16,285
INTEREST EXPENSE $ 5,687 $ 152(1) $ 5,839
-------- -------- --------
NET INTEREST INCOME $ 10,598 ($ 152) $ 10,446
LOAN LOSS PROVISION $ 540 $ 540
-------- --------
NONINTEREST INCOME $ 1,312 $ 1,312
SALARY AND BENEFITS $ 3,285 $ 3,285
OCCUPANCY & EQUIPMENT $ 729 $ 729
OTHER NONINTEREST EXPENSE $ 2,180 ($ 34)(2) $ 2,146
-------- --------- --------
TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSE $ 6,194 $ 6,160
-------- --------
SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS $ 0 $ 0
-------- --------
INCOME BEFORE TAXES $ 5,176 ($ 118) $ 5,058
INCOME TAXES $ 1,556 ($ 40)(3) $ 1,516
-------- --------- --------
NET INCOME $ 3,620 ($ 78) $ 3,542
======== ========
EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 1.36 $ 1.39
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE (COMMON) $ 0.36 $ 0.36
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE (PREFERRED) N.A. N.A.
(1) ASSUMES $3,000 OF BORROWINGS AT 6.75% INTEREST RATE (PRIME RATE @
09/30/2005)).
(2) ASSUMES THE FOLLOWING 9-MONTHS ENDING 09/30/2005 COST SAVINGS/EXPENSES:
TRANSACTION RELATED EXPENSES ($ 15)
SEC/SOX SAVINGS $ 49
-----
NET COST SAVINGS $ 34
(3) BASED ON 34% TAX RATE.
PRO FORMA VS ACTUAL FINANCIAL RATIOS
FOR 9-MONTHS ENDING 09/30/2005
ASSUMES ALL SHAREHOLDERS WITH LESS THAN 1,500 SHARES RECEIVE CASH @ $23.00 PER
SHARE
ACTUAL PROFORMA
9-MONTHS ENDING 9-MONTHS ENDING
09/30/2005 09/30/2005
--------------- ---------------
Return on Average Assets 1.33% 1.30%
Return on Average Common Equity 15.08% 16.21%
Total Equity/Assets (Average) 8.82% 8.03%
Net Interest Income/Average Assets 3.89% 3.84%
Noninterest Expense/Average Assets 2.28% 2.26%
TABLE 2.1
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 (IN $000S)
ASSUMES ALL ELIGIBLE SHAREHOLDERS ELECT TO TAKE PREFERRED STOCK
ACTUAL PROFORMA
9/30/2005 ADJUSTMENTS 9/30/2005
MERCHANTS ---------------------------- MERCHANTS
ASSETS: BANCORP DEBIT CREDIT BANCORP
- ----------------------------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ----------
CASH & DUE FROM BANKS $ 10,216 $ 300(1) $ 299(2) $ 10,217
FED FUNDS SOLD $ 12,875 $ 12,875
INVESTMENT SECURITIES $ 37,197 $ 37,197
LOANS (GROSS) $ 296,033 $ 296,033
LOAN LOSS RESERVE $ 2,649 $ 2,649
----------- ----------
LOANS (NET) $ 293,384 $ 293,384
PREMISES $ 3,412 $ 3,412
OTHER REAL ESTATE $ 153 $ 153
INTANGIBLES $ 0 $ 0
OTHER ASSETS $ 7,324 $ 7,324
----------- ----------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 364,561 $ 364,562
=========== ==========
LIABILITIES:
TOTAL DEPOSITS $ 289,075 $ 289,075
FED FUNDS PURCHASED $ 2,642 $ 2,642
OTHER BORROWED MONEY $ 37,425 $ 300(1) $ 37,725
PREFERRED STOCK -- SERIES A $ 0 $ 2,561(3) $ 2,561
OTHER LIABILITIES $ 1,889 $ 1,889
----------- ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 331,031 $ 333,892
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
EQUITY CAPITAL $ 32,971 $ 2,859(4) $ 30,112
NET UNREALIZED GAIN ON SEC. $ 559 $ 559
----------- ----------
TOTAL EQUITY $ 33,530 $ 30,671
----------- ----------
TOTAL LIAB. & EQUITY $ 364,561 $ 3,159 $ 3,159 $ 364,562
=========== ========= ======= ==========
SHARES OUTSTANDING 2,666,650 (119,528) 2,547,122
BOOK VALUE PER SHARE (COMMON) $ 12.57 $ 12.04
(1) ASSUMES $300 IN BORROWINGS.
(2) INCLUDES $189 FOR CASH PAYMENT TO SHAREHOLDERS WITH LESS THAN 100 SHARES
(8,197 SHARES @ $23.00 PER SHARE) AND $110 OF TRANSACTION COSTS.
(3) ASSUMES 111,331 COMMON SHARES CONVERT TO 111,331 SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK
SERIES A AT $23.00 PAR VALUE.
(4) REPRESENTS STOCK REPURCHASED FOR CASH AND SHARES CONVERTED TO PREFERRED
STOCK.
TABLE 2.2
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA INCOME STATEMENT FOR 12-MONTHS ENDING 12/31/2004 (IN
$000S)
ASSUMES ALL ELIGIBLE SHAREHOLDERS ELECT TO TAKE PREFERRED STOCK
ACTUAL PROFORMA
12-MONTHS ENDING 12-MONTHS ENDING
12/31/2004 12/31/2004
MERCHANTS MERCHANTS
INCOME STATEMENT BANCORP ADJUSTMENTS BANCORP
- ------------------------------- ---------------- ----------- ----------------
INTEREST INCOME $ 20,565 $ 20,565
INTEREST EXPENSE $ 6,938 $20(1) $ 7,036
---------- ---------
$78(4)
---
NET INTEREST INCOME $ 13,627 ($98) $ 13,529
LOAN LOSS PROVISION $ 676 $ 676
---------- ---------
NONINTEREST INCOME $ 1,541 $ 1,541
SALARY AND BENEFITS $ 3,980 $ 3,980
OCCUPANCY & EQUIPMENT $ 1,033 $ 1,033
OTHER NONINTEREST EXPENSE $ 2,930 ($67)(2) $ 2,863
---------- ---- ---------
TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSE $ 7,943 $ 7,876
---------- ---------
SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS $ 0 $ 0
---------- ---------
INCOME BEFORE TAXES $ 6,549 ($31) $ 6,518
INCOME TAXES $ 1,942 $16(3) $ 1,958
---------- ---- ---------
NET INCOME $ 4,607 ($47) $ 4,560
========== =========
EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 1.73 $ 1.79
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE (COMMON) $ 0.70 $ 0.70
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE (PREFERRED) N.A. $ 0.70
(1) ASSUMES $300 OF BORROWINGS AT 6.75% (PRIME RATE @ 09/30/2005).
(2) ASSUMES THE FOLLOWING 12-MONTHS ENDING 12/31/2004 COST SAVINGS/EXPENSES:
TRANSACTION RELATED EXPENSES ($ 15)
SEC/SOX SAVINGS $ 82
-----
NET COST SAVINGS $ 67
(3) BASED ON 34% TAX RATE. PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE FOR
FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES.
(4) DIVIDENDS ON 111,331 SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK TREATED AS INTEREST
EXPENSE.
PRO FORMA VS ACTUAL FINANCIAL RATIOS
FOR 12-MONTHS ENDING 12/31/2004
ASSUMES ALL ELIGIBLE SHAREHOLDERS ELECT TO TAKE PREFERRED STOCK
ACTUAL PROFORMA
12-MONTHS ENDING 12-MONTHS ENDING
12/31/2004 12/31/2004
---------------- ----------------
Return on Average Assets 1.28% 1.27%
Return on Average Common Equity 15.22% 16.63%
Total Equity/Assets (Average) 8.41% 7.62%
Net Interest Income/Average Assets 3.79% 3.76%
Noninterest Expense/Average Assets 2.21% 2.19%
TABLE 2.3
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED PRO FORMA INCOME STATEMENT FOR 9-MONTHS ENDING 09/30/2005 (IN
$000S)
ASSUMES ALL ELIGIBLE SHAREHOLDERS ELECT TO TAKE PREFERRED STOCK
ACTUAL PROFORMA
9-MONTHS ENDING 9-MONTHS ENDING
09/30/2005 09/30/2005
MERCHANTS MERCHANTS
INCOME STATEMENT BANCORP ADJUSTMENTS BANCORP
- ------------------------------- --------------- ----------- ---------------
INTEREST INCOME $ 16,285 $ 16,285
INTEREST EXPENSE $ 5,687 $ 15(1) $ 5,742
---------- ----------
$ 40(4)
-----
NET INTEREST INCOME $ 10,598 ($ 55) $ 10,543
LOAN LOSS PROVISION $ 540 $ 540
---------- ----------
NONINTEREST INCOME $ 1,312 $ 1,312
SALARY AND BENEFITS $ 3,285 $ 3,285
OCCUPANCY & EQUIPMENT $ 729 $ 729
OTHER NONINTEREST EXPENSE $ 2,180 ($ 34)(2) $ 2,146
---------- ----- ----------
TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSE $ 6,194 $ 6,160
---------- ----------
SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS $ 0 $ 0
---------- ----------
INCOME BEFORE TAXES $ 5,176 ($ 21) $ 5,155
INCOME TAXES $ 1,556 $ 7(3) $ 1,563
---------- ----- ----------
NET INCOME $ 3,620 ($ 28) $ 3,592
========== ==========
EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 1.36 $ 1.41
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE (COMMON) $ 0.36 $ 0.36
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE (PREFERRED) N.A. $ 0.36
(1) ASSUMES $300 OF BORROWINGS AT 6.75% (PRIME RATE @ 09/30/2005).
(2) ASSUMES THE FOLLOWING 9-MONTHS ENDING 09/30/2005 COST SAVINGS/EXPENSES:
TRANSACTION RELATED EXPENSES ($ 15)
SEC/SOX SAVINGS $ 49
----
NET COST SAVINGS $ 34
(3) BASED ON 34% TAX RATE. PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE FOR
FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES.
(4) DIVIDENDS ON 111,331 SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK TREATED AS INTEREST
EXPENSE.
PRO FORMA VS ACTUAL FINANCIAL RATIOS
FOR 9-MONTHS ENDING 09/30/2005
ASSUMES ALL ELIGIBLE SHAREHOLDERS ELECT TO TAKE PREFERRED STOCK
ACTUAL PROFORMA
9-MONTHS ENDING 9-MONTHS ENDING
09/30/2005 09/30/2005
--------------- ---------------
Return on Average Assets 1.33% 1.32%
Return on Average Common Equity 15.08% 16.44%
Total Equity/Assets (Average) 8.82% 8.03%
Net Interest Income/Average Assets 3.89% 3.87%
Noninterest Expense/Average Assets 2.28% 2.26%
APPENDIX F
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
[X] Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 or
[ ] 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 0-49771
Merchants Bancorp, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter.)
Ohio 31-1467303
- ------------------------------- ----------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS) Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
100 North High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133
- ------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (ZIP Code)
(937) 393-1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title Of Each Class Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered
- ------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
_______________________________ _________________________________________
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 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 [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained to
the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this form 10-K. [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).
Yes [ ] No [X]
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held
by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity
was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of
the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal
quarter. $53,333,000
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date. 2,666,650 common shares
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
List hereunder the following documents if incorporated by reference and the part
of the Form 10-K (e.g., Part I, Part II, etc.) into which the document is
incorporated: (1) any annual report to security holders; (2) any proxy or
information statement; and (3) any prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) or
(c) under the Securities Act of 1933. The listed documents should be clearly
described for identification purposes (e.g., annual report to security holders
for fiscal year ended December 24, 1980).
Portions of the Company's Proxy Statement to shareholders in connection with the
2005 annual meeting of shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III
of this Report on Form 10-K.
1
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated under the laws of
the State of Ohio on March 29, 1996 at the direction of the Board of Directors
of the Merchants National Bank (the "Bank") for the purpose of becoming a bank
holding company by acquiring all of the outstanding shares of the Bank. In
December, 1996 the Company became the sole shareholder of the Bank. The
principal office of the Company is located at 100 North High Street, Hillsboro,
Ohio 45133. Hillsboro, situated in south central Ohio, is centrally located
between the cities of Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton, and is the county seat of
Highland County. Highland County has a population of approximately 42,000. The
company, through its banking affiliate, also conducts business in the
neighboring counties of Madison and Fayette, which have populations of
approximately 40,000 and 28,000 respectively.
This tri-county area is primarily agricultural. Madison County is one of
Ohio's principal producers of corn and soybeans, and Fayette County is a
significant horsebreeding area. However, manufacturing also provides a
significant source of employment in the area, accounting for approximately 30%
of all jobs in the three counties. Area manufacturers produce a wide array of
products, including textiles, electrical components and automotive parts. Some
of the area's principal manufacturers include Hobart Corp., Johnson Controls,
Inc., Showa Aluminum Corp., and Yamashita Rubber and Calmas, Inc. The Bank has
operated in Hillsboro, Ohio as a national banking association since its charter
was granted on December 26, 1879.
The Company, through its banking affiliate, offers a broad range of
banking services to the commercial, industrial and consumer market segments
which it serves. The primary business of the Bank consists of accepting deposits
through various consumer and commercial deposit products, and using such
deposits to fund various loan products. The Bank's primary loan products (and
the general terms for each) are as follows: (1) loans secured by residential
real estate, including loans for the purchase of one to four family residences
which are secured by 1st and 2nd mortgages (15 to 30 year terms with fixed and
adjustable rate options) and home equity loans (10 year maturities tied to prime
rate); (2) consumer loans, including new and used automobile loans (up to 60
months), loans for the purchase of mobile homes (10 to 15 year terms) and debt
consolidation loans (exact terms depending upon available collateral); (3)
agricultural loans, including loans for the purchase of real estate used in
connection with agricultural purposes (15 to 30 year terms), operating loans (1
year terms) and loans for the purchase of equipment (5 to 7 year terms); and (4)
commercial loans, including loans for the purchase of real estate used in
connection with office or retail activities (15 to 20 year terms), loans for the
purchase of equipment (7 to 10 year terms) and loans for the purchase of
inventory (1 year terms).
The primary risks inherent in any type of lending include interest rate
risk and credit risk associated with the credit quality of individual borrowers.
For further information regarding interest rate risk, see the section captioned
"Market Risk Management" under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations." Credit risk is generally offset
both through the use of security and mortgage interests, and through the
implementation of designated loan approval processes. Senior mortgages in real
estate provide the greatest protection in the event of borrower default, while
junior mortgages and security interests in depreciating assets provide somewhat
less protection. Loans not secured by real or personal property present the
greatest risk of loss upon default. All loans, whether secured or unsecured, are
approved in accordance with a loan policy adopted by the Company's Board of
Directors. While loan officers do have authority to make credit decisions
outside of the parameters of the Board's loan policy, such loan officers must
satisfy designated documentation
2
requirements when doing so. Credit risk is further mitigated both by restricting
the types of loans and by establishing maximum amounts which can be approved by
individual loan officers. Loans made beyond these individual limitations must be
affirmatively approved by a committee comprised of loan officers. The Bank also
engages in certain government guarantee programs, which help to reduce the risk
inherent in certain types of loans.
All of the Bank's deposit and lending services are available at its four
full service offices. The remaining three offices of the Bank are engaged
primarily in deposit-related services. The Company has no foreign operations,
assets or investments.
The Bank is a national banking association organized under the laws of the
United States. The Bank is regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency ("OCC"), and its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Company ("FDIC") to the extent permitted by law and, as a subsidiary of the
Company, is regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. As of
December 31, 2004, the Company and its subsidiary had consolidated total assets
of approximately $364 million, consolidated total deposits of approximately $288
million and consolidated total shareholders' equity of approximately $30.8
million.
Employees
As of December 31, 2004, the Bank had 89 full-time and 6 part-time
employees. The Bank provides a number of benefits for its full-time employees,
including health and life insurance, pension, profit sharing and 401(k) plans,
workers' compensation, social security, paid vacations, and certain bank
services.
Competition
The Bank's market consists of the following Ohio Counties: Fayette,
Highland, and Madison. The commercial banking business in this market is very
competitive. The Company and the Bank are in competition with other commercial
banks operating in the primary market area. Some competitors of the Company and
the Bank are substantially larger than the Bank. In addition to local bank
competition, the Bank competes with larger commercial banks headquartered in
metropolitan areas, savings banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions,
finance companies and other financial institutions for loans and deposits.
Pursuant to Deposit Market Share statistical information compiled by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, there are approximately twenty (20)
financial institutions operating in the Bank's market. As of June 30, 2004 (the
most recent date for which the compiled statistical information is available)
the Bank possessed the second largest market share with $275.3 million in total
deposits, representing a market share of approximately 18.5%. Three other
depositary institutions also possess over 10% of the market share in the Bank's
market.
The principal methods of competition within the financial services
industry include improving customer service through the quality and range of
services provided, improving efficiencies, and pricing services competitively.
The Bank views its primary competitive advantages as being the provider of
outstanding customer service and maintaining strong relationships with its core
customer base. Rarely does the Bank offer the highest rates on deposit accounts
or the lowest rates on loans. Fees and service charges are priced to meet the
competition. The Bank believes that its distinguishing characteristics are
knowing its customers, offering quality customer service and timely loan
decisions and closings. By focusing on these key attributes, the Bank has built
a loyal customer base, which also serves as its greatest source of new business
by way of customer referrals.
3
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
General
Merchants Bancorp, Inc. is a corporation organized under the laws of the
State of Ohio. The business in which the Company and its subsidiary are engaged
is subject to extensive supervision, regulation and examination by various bank
regulatory authorities. The supervision, regulation and examination to which the
Company and its subsidiary are subject are intended primarily for the protection
of depositors and the deposit insurance funds that insure the deposits of banks,
rather than for the protection of shareholders.
Several of the more significant regulatory provisions applicable to banks
and bank holding companies to which the Company and its subsidiary are subject
are discussed below, along with certain regulatory matters concerning the
Company and its subsidiary. To the extent that the following information
describes statutory or regulatory provisions, it is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the particular statutory provisions. Any change in applicable law
or regulation may have a material effect on the business and prospects of the
Company and its subsidiary.
Regulatory Agencies
The Company, upon approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve Board"), became a bank holding company on
December 31, 1996, and continues to be subject to regulation under the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956 and to inspection, examination and supervision by
the Federal Reserve Board.
The Bank is a national banking association chartered under the laws of the
United States of America. It is subject to regulation and examination primarily
by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the "OCC") and secondarily by
the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC.
Holding Company Activities
As a bank holding company incorporated and doing business within the State
of Ohio, the Company is subject to regulation and supervision under the Bank
Holding Act of 1956, as amended (the "Act"). The Company is required to file
with the Federal Reserve Board on a quarterly basis information pursuant to the
Act. The Federal Reserve Board may conduct examinations or inspections of the
Company and its subsidiary.
The Company is required to obtain prior approval from the Federal Reserve
Board for the acquisition of more than five percent of the voting shares or
substantially all of the assets of any bank or bank holding company. In
addition, the Company is generally prohibited by the Act from acquiring direct
or indirect ownership or control of more than five percent of the voting shares
of any company which is not a bank or bank holding company and from engaging
directly or indirectly in activities other than those of banking, managing or
controlling banks or furnishing services to its subsidiaries. The Company may,
however, subject to the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board, engage in,
or acquire shares of companies engaged in activities which are deemed by the
Federal Reserve Board by order or by regulation to be so closely related to
banking or managing and controlling a bank as to be a proper activity.
On November 12, 1999, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the "GLB Act") was
enacted into law. The GLB Act made sweeping changes with respect to the
permissible financial services which various
4
types of financial institutions may now provide. The Glass-Steagall Act, which
had generally prevented banks from affiliation with securities and insurance
firms, was repealed. Pursuant to the GLB Act, bank holding companies may elect
to become a "financial holding company," provided that all of the depository
institution subsidiaries of the bank holding company are "well capitalized" and
"well managed" under applicable regulatory standards.
Under the GLB Act, a bank holding company that has elected to become a
financial holding company may affiliate with securities firms and insurance
companies and engage in other activities that are financial in nature.
Activities that are "financial in nature" include securities underwriting,
dealing and market-making, sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies,
insurance underwriting and agency, merchant banking, and activities that the
Federal Reserve Board has determined to be closely related to banking. No
Federal Reserve Board approval is required for the Company to acquire a company,
other than a bank holding company, bank or savings association, engaged in
activities that are financial in nature or incidental to activities that are
financial in nature, as determined by the Federal Reserve Board. Prior Federal
Reserve Board approval is required before the Company may acquire the beneficial
ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares, or substantially all
of the assets, of a bank holding company, bank or savings association. If any
subsidiary bank of the Company ceases to be "well capitalized" or "well managed"
under applicable regulatory standards, the Federal Reserve Board may, among
other actions, order the Company to divest the subsidiary bank. Alternatively,
the Company may elect to conform its activities to those permissible for a bank
holding company that is not also a financial holding company. If any subsidiary
bank of the Company receives a rating under the Community Reinvestment Act of
1977 of less than satisfactory, the Company will be prohibited from engaging in
new activities or acquiring companies other than bank holding companies, banks
or savings associations. The Company has not elected to become a financial
holding company and has no current intention of making such an election.
Affiliate Transactions
Various governmental requirements, including Sections 23A and 23B of the
Federal Reserve Act, limit borrowings by holding companies and non-bank
subsidiaries from affiliated insured depository institutions, and also limit
various other transactions between holding companies and their non-bank
subsidiaries, on the one hand, and their affiliated insured depository
institutions on the other. Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act also generally
requires that an insured depository institution's loan to its non-bank
affiliates be secured, and Section 23B of the Federal Reserve Act generally
requires that an insured depository institution's transactions with its non-bank
affiliates be on arms-length terms.
Interstate Banking and Branching
Under the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act
("Riegle-Neal"), subject to certain concentration limits and other requirements,
bank holding companies such as the Company are permitted to acquire banks and
bank holding companies located in any state. Any bank that is a subsidiary of a
bank holding company is permitted to receive deposits, renew time deposits,
close loans, service loans and receive loan payments as an agent for any other
bank subsidiary of that bank holding company. Banks are permitted to acquire
branch offices outside their home states by merging with out-of-state banks,
purchasing branches in other states and establishing de novo branch offices in
other states, The ability of banks to acquire branch offices is contingent,
however, on the host state having adopted legislation "opting in" to those
provisions of Riegle-Neal. In addition, the ability of a bank to merge with a
bank located in another state is contingent on the host state not having adopted
legislation "opting out" of that provision of Riegle-Neal. The Company could
from time to time use Riegle-Neal to acquire banks in additional states.
5
Control Acquisitions
The Change in Bank Control Act prohibits a person or group of persons from
acquiring "control" of a bank holding company, unless the Federal Reserve Board
has been notified and has not objected to the transaction. Under the rebuttable
presumption established by the Federal Reserve Board, the acquisition of 10% or
more of a class of voting stock of a bank holding company with a class of
securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, such as the Company,
would, under the circumstances set forth in the presumption, constitute
acquisition of control of the bank holding company. In addition, a company is
required to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank
Holding Company Act before acquiring 25% (5% in the case of an acquiror that is
a bank holding company) or more of any class of outstanding voting stock of a
bank holding company, or otherwise obtaining control or a "controlling
influence" over that bank holding company.
Liability for Banking Subsidiaries
Under the current Federal Reserve Board policy, a bank holding company is
expected to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to each of its
subsidiary banks and to maintain resources adequate to support each subsidiary
bank. This support may be required at times when the bank holding company may
not have the resources to provide it. In the event of a bank holding company's
bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a U.S. federal bank
regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank would be assumed
by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to priority of payment. Any depository
institution insured by the FDIC can be held liable for any loss incurred, or
reasonably expected to be incurred, by the FDIC in connection with (1) the
"default" of a commonly controlled FDIC-insured depository institution; or (2)
any assistance provided by the FDIC to both a commonly controlled FDIC-insured
depository institution "in danger of default." The Company's subsidiary bank is
an FDIC-insured depository institution. If a default occurred with respect to
the Bank, any capital loans to the Bank from its parent holding company would be
subordinate in right of payment to payment of the Bank's depositors and certain
of its other obligations.
Regulatory Capital Requirements
The Company is required by the various regulatory authorities to maintain
certain capital levels. Bank holding companies are required to maintain minimum
levels of capital in accordance with Federal Reserve capital adequacy
guidelines. If capital falls below minimum guideline levels, a bank holding
company, among other things, may be denied approval to acquire or establish
additional banks or non-bank businesses. The required capital levels and the
Company's capital position at December 31, 2004 are summarized in the table
included in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.
FDICIA
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991
("FDICIA"), and the regulations promulgated under FDICIA, among other things,
established five capital categories for insured depository institutions-well
capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly
undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized-and requires U.S. federal bank
regulatory agencies to implement systems for "prompt corrective action" for
insured depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements
based on these categories. Unless a bank is well capitalized, it is subject to
restrictions on its ability to offer brokered deposits and on certain other
aspects of its operations. An undercapitalized bank must develop a capital
restoration plan and its parent bank holding company must guarantee the bank's
compliance with the plan up to the lesser of 5% of the bank's or thrift's assets
at the time it became undercapitalized and the amount needed to comply with the
plan. As of December 31,
6
2004, the Company's banking subsidiary was well capitalized pursuant to these
prompt corrective action guidelines.
Dividend Restrictions
The ability of the Company to obtain funds for the payment of dividends
and for other cash requirements will be largely dependent on the amount of
dividends which may be declared by its banking subsidiary. Various U.S. federal
statutory provisions limit the amount of dividends the Company's banking
subsidiaries can pay to the Company without regulatory approval. Dividend
payments by national banks are limited to the lesser of (1) the level of
undivided profits; (2) the amount in excess of which the bank ceases to be at
least adequately capitalized; and (3) absent regulatory approval, an amount not
in excess of net income for the current year combined with retained net income
for the preceding two years.
In addition, U.S. federal bank regulatory authorities have authority to
prohibit the Company's banking subsidiary from engaging in an unsafe or unsound
practice in conducting their business. The payment of dividends, depending upon
the financial condition of the bank in question, could be deemed to constitute
an unsafe or unsound practice. The ability of the Company's banking subsidiary
to pay dividends in the future is currently, and could be further, influenced by
bank regulatory policies and capital guidelines.
Deposit Insurance Assessments
The deposits of the Company's banking subsidiary are insured up to
regulatory limits by the FDIC, and, accordingly, are subject to deposit
insurance assessments to maintain the Bank Insurance Fund (the "BIF") and/or the
Savings Association Insurance Fund (the "SAIF") administered by the FDIC.
Depositor Preference Statute
In the "liquidation or other resolution" of an institution by any
receiver, U.S. federal legislation provides that deposits and certain claims for
administrative expenses and employee compensation against the insured depository
institution would be afforded a priority over general unsecured claims against
that institution, including federal funds and letters of credit.
Government Monetary Policy
The earnings of the Company are affected primarily by general economic
conditions, and to a lesser extent by the fiscal and monetary policies of the
federal government and its agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve. Its
policies influence, to some degree, the volume of bank loans and deposits, and
interest rates charged and paid thereon, and thus have an effect on the earnings
of the Company's subsidiary Bank.
Additional Regulation
The Bank is also subject to federal regulation as to such matters as
required reserves, limitation as to the nature and amount of its loans and
investments, regulatory approval of any merger or consolidation, issuance or
retirement of their own securities, limitations upon the payment of dividends
and other aspects of banking operations. In addition, the activities and
operations of the Bank are subject to a number of additional detailed, complex
and sometimes overlapping laws and regulations. These include state usury and
consumer credit laws, state laws relating to fiduciaries, the Federal
Truth-in-Lending Act and
7
Regulation Z, the Federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B, the
Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Community Reinvestment
Act, anti-redlining legislation and antitrust laws.
Future Legislation
Changes to the laws and regulations, both at the federal level and in the
states where the Company and its subsidiary do business, can affect the
operating environment of the Company and its subsidiary in substantial and
unpredictable ways. The Company cannot accurately predict whether those changes
in laws and regulations will occur, and, if those changes occur, the ultimate
effect they would have upon the financial condition or results of operations of
the Company or its subsidiary.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
The Bank owns the real property used in its business as follows:
Main Office: Greenfield Main
100 N. High Street 117 S. Washington Street
Hillsboro, Ohio 45133 Greenfield, Ohio 45123
Hillsboro Branch Greenfield Branch
1478 N. High Street 102 Jefferson Street
Hillsboro, Ohio 45133 Greenfield, Ohio 45123
Hillsboro Uptown Branch Washington Court House Branch
145 W. Beech Street 128 S. North Street
Hillsboro, Ohio 45133 Washington Court House, Ohio 43160
London Branch
279 LaFayette Street
London, Ohio 43140
All such properties are suitable for carrying on the general business of
commercial banking. No such properties are subject to any material encumbrance.
In March 2005, Merchants National Bank filed a branch application with the
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to open a branch in Mt. Orab, OH.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
Currently, there are no legal proceedings of a material nature pending to
which either the Company or the Bank is a party, or to which any of their
property is the subject. Additionally, management of the Company is not aware of
the contemplation of any proceedings the institution of which would have a
material adverse impact upon the financial condition of the Company or the Bank.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
There was no matter submitted during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year
covered by this report to a vote of the Company's security holders.
8
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
a. Market Information
There is no established public trading market for the Company's common
stock and the shares of the Company are not listed on any exchange. Sale price
information provided below on a quarterly basis for the two most recent fiscal
years is based on information reported to the Company by individual buyers and
sellers of the Company's stock, based on actual transactions of which
information was obtained at the time of transfer. Not all sales transaction
information during these periods was obtained.
2004
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter
- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------ ------------------
High Low High Low High Low High Low
$21.00 $ 20.00 $ 20.00 $ 20.00 $ 21.00 $ 19.00 $ 22.50 $ 18.77
2003
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter
- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------ ------------------
High Low High Low High Low High Low
$25.00 $ 18.00 $ 23.00 $ 20.00 $ 25.00 $ 20.00 $ 22.50 $ 20.00
At December 31, 2004, the Company had 2,666,650 shares of common stock
outstanding. All of such shares are eligible for sale in the open market without
restriction or registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), except for shares held by "affiliates" of the Company. Shares
held by affiliates are subject to the resale limitations of Rule 144, as
promulgated under the Securities Act. For purposes of Rule 144, "affiliates" are
deemed to be all Directors, Executive Officers and ten percent beneficial owners
of the Company. As of December 31, 2004, affiliates of the Company had
beneficial ownership of an aggregate of 645,129 shares of the Company's common
stock. The Company has one shareholder with beneficial ownership of more than
ten percent of its outstanding shares, and such individual is also a Director of
the Company.
Rule 144 subjects affiliates to certain restrictions in connection with
the resale of Company securities that do not apply to individuals currently
holding outstanding shares of Company stock. Commencing ninety days after the
effective date of this Registration Statement, affiliates of the Company may
sell within any three-month period a number of shares that does not exceed the
greater of one percent of the number of then outstanding shares of Company
common stock, or the average weekly trading volume of the common stock in the
over-the-counter market during the four calendar weeks preceding filing by the
selling affiliate of the requisite notice of sale with the SEC on Form 144.
Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to certain requirements as to the manner
of sale, notice to the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the availability
of current public information about the Company.
9
On August 28, 2003 Merchants Bancorp entered into a stock redemption
agreement with 3 shareholders of the Company. Collectively the three
shareholders owned 351,350 common shares of the Company or 11.71% of outstanding
shares. They sold 333,350 of such shares (referred to herein as the "shares") to
the Company. The Company retained Austin Associates, LLC to determine a "fair
value" and issued a "fairness opinion" to the Company dated July 30, 2003. The
purchase was made in two separate settlements. The first settlement was for
55,000 shares and a total of $1,155,000 and occurred on September 5, 2003. The
second settlement occurred on January 9, 2004 for the 278,350 remaining shares.
The dollar value of the second settlement is $5,845,349.87 and was recorded in
other liabilities on the December 31, 2003 financial statements. The total value
of the transaction was $7,000,349.87.
b. Holders
The number of holders of record of the Company's common stock at December
31, 2004 was 833.
c. Dividends
Dividends are generally declared by the Board of Directors of the Company
semiannually (June 30 and December 31, respectively). Dividends per share
declared by the Company on its common stock during the years of 2004 and 2003
are as follows:
2004 2003
Month
June $ 0.34 $ 0.32
December $ 0.36 $ 0.32
------ ------
TOTALS $ 0.70 $ 0.64
====== ======
The Company currently expects that comparable semiannual cash dividends
will continue to be paid in the future. For information on regulatory
restrictions to the Board's ability to declare and pay dividends, please refer
to the following: (1) Supervision and Regulation - Dividend Restrictions and (2)
Note 13 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, Regulatory Matters.
10
The Company's Quarterly Financial Data for 2004 and 2003 follows:
Three months ended
------------------------------------------------------
(in thousands, except per share data) March 31 June 30 Sept 30 Dec 31
- ------------------------------------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
2004
Net interest income $ 3,451 $ 3,449 $ 3,442 $ 3,285
Provision for loan losses 153 181 160 182
Noninterest income 390 390 396 365
Noninterest expense 1,997 2,003 1,992 1,951
Net income $ 1,157 $ 1,132 $ 1,188 $ 1,130
Per common share:
Basic and diluted earnings per share $ 0.43 $ 0.42 $ 0.45 $ 0.42
Dividends declared $ - $ 0.34 $ - $ 0.36
Selected ratios:
Return on average assets, annualized 1.30% 1.27% 1.32% 1.23%
Return on average common equity,
annualized 16.29% 15.25% 15.94% 14.57%
Net interest margin, annualized 4.11% 4.10% 4.10% 3.80%
2003
Net interest income $ 3,459 $ 3,626 $ 3,570 $ 2,931
Provision for loan losses 404 262 1,785 456
Noninterest income 371 370 384 381
Noninterest expense 1,964 1,927 1,665 1,356
Net income $ 1,005 $ 1,223 $ 485 $ 1,078
Per common share:
Basic and diluted earnings
per share $ 0.34 $ 0.41 $ 0.16 $ 0.38
Dividends declared $ - $ 0.32 $ - $ 0.32
Selected ratios:
Return on average assets,
annualized 1.24% 1.44% .57% 1.26%
Return on average common
equity, annualized 12.01% 14.19% 5.93% 13.18%
Net interest margin, annualized 4.53% 4.54% 4.44% 3.50%
11
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The following table sets forth certain information derived from the
consolidated financial information of the Company for each of the years as of
December 31 (in thousands, except per share data).
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Interest and loan fee income $ 20,565 $ 20,310 $ 20,866 $ 22,431 $ 21,603
Interest expense 6,938 6,724 7,894 10,793 10,395
Net interest income 13,627 13,586 12,972 11,638 11,208
Provision for loan losses 676 2,907 436 177 177
Net interest income after provision for loan losses 12,951 10,679 12,536 11,461 11,031
Noninterest income 1,541 1,506 1,509 1,472 1,269
Noninterest expense 7,943 6,912 7,110 6,576 6,131
Income before income taxes 6,549 5,273 6,935 6,357 6,169
Income taxes 1,942 1,482 2,163 1,952 1,964
Net income 4,607 3,791 4,772 4,405 4,205
YEAR-END BALANCES
Assets $363,981 $352,421 $318,799 $304,896 $278,734
Securities 31,979 33,085 40,012 38,221 37,753
Loans, net 292,091 286,192 246,164 221,767 220,460
Deposits 287,831 270,432 262,716 262,608 236,046
Short Term Borrowings 2,944 2,784 3,365 1,424 1,887
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 39,920 43,706 17,470 8,993 7,000
Shareholders' equity 30,778 28,227 33,508 30,232 27,114
AVERAGE BALANCES
Assets $359,924 $341,025 $308,488 $288,236 $265,957
Securities 34,152 36,376 45,511 37,245 40,639
Loans 294,130 272,013 237,788 227,150 210,325
Deposits 282,008 268,069 253,869 246,919 231,047
Short-term borrowings 3,445 2,961 3,158 1,996 2,150
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 41,638 34,061 17,649 8,285 6,403
Shareholders' equity 30,278 32,878 32,384 29,357 25,523
SELECTED FINANCIAL RATIOS
Net interest margin (tax equivalent) 4.15% 4.38% 4.63% 4.37% 4.55%
Return on average assets 1.28% 1.11% 1.55% 1.53% 1.58%
Return on average equity 15.22% 11.53% 14.74% 15.00% 16.48%
Average equity to average assets 8.41% 9.64% 10.50% 10.19% 9.60%
Dividend payout ratio 40.52% 50.18% 37.72% 35.41% 32.10%
Ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans 0.40% 0.51% 0.19% 0.17% 0.14%
Ratio of loan loss allowance to total loans 0.86% 0.84% 0.85% 0.88% 0.86%
Ratio of loan loss allowance to nonperforming loans 213% 166% 368% 512% 599%
Basic earnings per share(1) $ 1.73 $ 1.27 $ 1.59 $ 1.47 $ 1.40
Diluted earnings per share(1) $ 1.73 $ 1.27 $ 1.59 $ 1.47 $ 1.40
Dividends declared per share(1) $ 0.70 $ 0.64 $ 0.60 $ 0.52 $ 0.45
Efficiency ratio(2) 52.37% 45.80% 49.10% 50.16% 49.13%
(1) Per share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the 3 for 1
stock split in 2001.
(2) Computed by dividing noninterest expense by the sum of net interest income
and noninterest income.
12
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis comparing 2004 to prior years should
be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements at
December 31, 2004 and 2003 and for the three years ended December 31, 2004. In
addition to the historical information contained herein with respect to the
Company, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties. Economic circumstances, the Company's operation
and the Company's actual results could differ significantly from those discussed
in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically
identified by words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate,"
"intend," "estimate," "may increase," "may fluctuate," and similar expressions
or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "should," "would" and "could."
These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but
not limited to, economic conditions, portfolio growth, the credit performance of
the portfolios, including bankruptcies, and seasonal factors; changes in general
economic conditions including the performance of financial markets, the prices
of crops, prevailing inflation and interest rates, and losses on lending
activities; results of various investment activities; the effects of
competitors' pricing policies, of changes in laws and regulations on competition
and of demographic changes on target market populations' savings and financial
planning needs; industry changes in information technology systems on which we
are dependent; and the resolution of legal proceedings and related matters. In
addition, the policies and regulations of the various regulatory authorities
could affect the Company's results. These statements are representative only on
the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any
forward-looking statements made.
Critical Accounting Policies
Management believes that the determination of the allowance for loan
losses represents a critical accounting policy. The Company maintains an
allowance for loan losses to absorb probable loan losses inherent in the
portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level management
considers to be adequate to absorb probable loan losses inherent in the
portfolio, based on evaluations of the collectibility and historical loss
experience of loans. Credit losses are charged and recoveries are credited to
the allowance. Provisions for loan losses are based on management's review of
the historical loan loss experience and such factors which, in management's
judgment, deserve consideration under existing economic conditions in estimating
probable credit losses. The allowance is based on ongoing assessments of the
probable estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The Company's
methodology for assessing the appropriate allowance level consists of several
key elements, as described below.
Larger commercial loans that exhibit probable or observed credit
weaknesses are subject to individual review. Where appropriate, reserves are
allocated to individual loans based on management's estimate of the borrower's
ability to repay the loan given the availability of collateral, other sources of
cash flow and available legal options. Included in the review of individual
loans are those that are impaired as provided in Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a
Loan," as amended. Any specific reserves for impaired loans are measured based
on the fair value of the underlying collateral. The Company evaluates the
collectibility of both principal and interest when assessing the need for a
specific reserve. Historical loss rates are applied to other commercial loans
not subject to specific reserve allocations.
Homogenous loans, such as consumer installment and residential mortgage
loans, are not individually reviewed for impairment by management. Reserves are
established for each pool of loans based on the expected net charge-offs. Loss
rates are based on the average two-year net charge-off history by loan category.
13
Historical loss rates for commercial and consumer loans may be adjusted
for significant factors that, in management's judgment, reflect the impact of
any current conditions on loss recognition. Factors which management considers
in the analysis include the effects of the local economy, trends in the nature
and volume of loans (delinquencies, charge-offs, nonaccrual and problem loans),
changes in the internal lending policies and credit standards, collection
practices, and examination results from bank regulatory agencies and the
Company's internal credit review function.
An unallocated reserve is maintained to recognize the imprecision in
estimating and measuring loss when evaluating reserves for individual loans or
pools of loans.
Specific reserves on individual loans and historical loss rates are
reviewed throughout the year and adjusted as necessary based on changing
borrower and/or collateral conditions and actual collection and charge-off
experience.
The Corporation has not substantively changed its overall approach in the
determination of the allowance for loan losses. Excluding the refinement from a
five year to a two year trend in the calculation of the allowance for loan loss
for homogeneous loans, there have been no material changes in assumptions or
estimation techniques as compared to prior years that impacted the determination
of the current year allowance.
Based on the procedures discussed above, management believes the allowance
for loan losses was adequate to absorb estimated loan losses associated with the
loan portfolio at December 31, 2004. See further information regarding the
allowance for loan losses in Notes 1 and 4 of the Notes to the consolidated
financial statements.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In December 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 132 (Revised 2003), Employers'
Disclosure about Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits. This Statement
expands upon the existing disclosure requirements as prescribed under the
original SFAS No. 132 by requiring more details about pension plan assets,
benefit obligations, cash flows, benefit costs and related information. SFAS No.
132 (Revised) also requires companies to disclose various elements of pension
and postretirement benefit costs in interim period financial statements
beginning after December 15, 2003. This Statement is effective for financial
statements with fiscal years ending after December 15, 2003. The Corporation
adopted this Standard and all its required disclosures are included in Note 9.
In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46),
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. This Interpretation clarifies the
application of ARB No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements, for certain
entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a
controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the
entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated support from
other parties. This Interpretation requires variable interest entities (VIE's)
to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary which represents the enterprise
that will absorb the majority of the VIE's expected losses if they occur,
receive a majority of the VIE's residual returns if they occur, or both.
Qualifying Special Purpose Entities (QSPE) are exempt from the consolidation
requirements of FIN 46. This Interpretation was effective for VIE's created
after January 31, 2003 and for VIE's in which an enterprise obtains an interest
after that date. In December 2003, the FASB issued Staff Interpretation No. 46R
(FIN 46R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities -- an interpretation of
ARB 51 (revised December 2003), which replaces FIN 46. FIN 46R was primarily
issued to clarify the required accounting for interests in VIE's. Additionally,
this Interpretation exempts certain entities from its requirements and provides
for special effective dates for enterprises that have fully or partially applied
FIN 46 as of December 24, 2003. Application of FIN 46R is required in financial
statements of public enterprises that have interests in structures that are
commonly referred to as special-purpose entities, or
14
SPE's, for periods ending after December 15, 2003. Application by public
enterprises, other than small business issuers, for all other types of VIE's
(i.e., non-SPE's) is required in financial statements for periods ending after
March 15, 2004, with earlier adoption permitted. The Corporation does not have
any variable interest entities. Management has determined that adoption of this
Interpretation will not have a material impact on the Corporation's financial
statements.
In March 2004, the Securities and Exchange Commission staff released Staff
Accounting Bulletin (SAB)No. 105, "Application of Accounting Principles to Loan
Commitments." This SAB disallows the inclusion of expected future cash flows
related to the servicing of a loan in the determination of the fair value of a
loan commitment. Further, no other internally developed intangible asset should
be recorded as part of the loan commitment derivative. Recognition of intangible
assets would only be appropriate in a third-party transaction, such as a
purchase of a loan commitment or in a business combination. The SAB is effective
for all loan commitments entered into after March 31, 2004, but does not require
retroactive adoption for loan commitments entered into, on or before March 31,
2004. Adoption of this SAB did not have a material effect on the Company's
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In March 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") reached a consensus
on Issue 03-1, "The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its
Application to Certain Investments." The EITF reached a consensus on an
other-than temporary impairment model for debt and equity securities accounted
for under SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity
Securities," and cost method investments. The basic model developed to evaluate
whether an investment within the scope of Issue 03-1 is other-than temporarily
impaired involves a three-step process including, determining whether an
investment is impaired (fair value less than cost), evaluating whether the
impairment is other-than-temporary and, if other-than-temporary, requiring
recognition of an impairment loss equal to the difference between the
investment's cost and its fair value. In September 2004, the FASB issued Staff
Position ("FSP") No. EITF 03-01-1, "Effective Date of Paragraphs 10-20 of EITF
Issue No. 03-01." This FSP delays the effective date of the measurement and
recognition guidance contained in paragraphs 10-20 of Issue 03-01. The amount of
any other-than-temporary impairment that may need to be recognized in the future
will be dependent on market conditions, the occurrence of certain events or
changes in circumstances relative to an investee, the Company's intent and
ability to hold the impaired investments at the time of valuation and
measurement and recognition guidance defined in a future FSP issuance.
In May 2004, FASB issued FSP No. 106-2, "Accounting and Disclosure
Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and
Modernization Act of 2003." This FSP provides guidance on accounting for the
effects of the Medicare prescription drug legislation by employers whose
prescriptions drug benefits are actuarially equivalent to the drug benefit under
Medicare Part D, and the subsidy is expected to offset or reduce the Company's
costs for prescription drug coverage. The FSP is effective for the first interim
period beginning after June 15, 2004. The FS also provides guidance for
disclosures concerning the effect of the subsidy for employers when the employer
has not yet determined actuarial equivalency. The adoption of this FSP did not
have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of
operations.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004),
"Share-Based Payment." This Statement requires measurement of the costs of
employee services received in exchange for an awared of equity instruments based
on the grant-date fair value of the award with the cost to be recognized over
the vesting period. This Statement is effective for financial statements as of
the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after
June 15, 2005. The Corporation does not anticipate this statement will have a
material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
15
In December 2003, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position
("SOP") 03-3, "Accounting for Certain Loans and Debt Securities Acquired in a
Transfer." SOP 03-3 addresses the accounting for acquired loans that show
evidence of having deteriorated in terms of credit quality since their
origination (i.e. impaired loans). SOP 03-3 prohibits the carryover of an
allowance for loan loss on certain acquired loans as credit losses are
considered in the future cash flows assessment. SOP 03-3 is effective for loans
that are acquired in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2004. The Company
does not anticipate this Statement will have a material effect on the Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements.
I. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
Net income for 2004 was $4.6 million, an increase of 21.5% from 2003 net
income of $3.8 million, which was a decrease of 20.5% over 2002 net income of
$4.7 million. Net income per share was $1.73 in 2004, compared to $1.27 in 2003,
and $1.59 in 2002. The increase in net income from 2003 is primarily due to
additional accrual to the loan loss reserve in 2003 for higher than normal
credit losses in the agricultural loan area and one large credit loss in the
commercial area. The credit loss is discussed further in the "Loans and
Allowance for Loan Losses" section of this report. Net interest income before
the provision for loan losses remained flat at $13.6 million in 2004 and 2003,
and was an increase from $13.0 million in 2002, representing an increase of 4.7%
from 2002. The provision for loan losses was $676,000, $2,907,000, and $436,000
in 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. Noninterest income remained the same at
$1.5 million in 2004, 2003, and 2002. Noninterest expense increased 14.9% to
$7.9 million for 2004, from $6.9 million in 2003, which was a decrease of 2.8%
from $7.1 million in 2002.
Selected Statistical Information
The following tables set forth certain statistical information relating to
the Company and its subsidiary on a consolidated basis and should be read
together with the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND TAXABLE EQUIVALENT INCOME/EXPENSE AND
YIELDS/RATES
The following table presents the daily average balance of each category of
interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, and the interest
earned or paid on such amounts (dollars in thousands).
16
CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND TAXABLE EQUIVALENT INCOME/EXPENSE AND
YIELDS/RATES (IN THOUSANDS)
2004 2003 2002
------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------------
AVERAGE YIELD/ AVERAGE YIELD AVERAGE YIELD/
BALANCE INTEREST RATE BALANCE INTEREST RATE BALANCE INTEREST RATE
---------- -------- ---- -------- -------- ---- ------- -------- ----
Interest-earning assets:
Loans (1)(2)(3) $ 294,130 $ 18,770 6.38% $ 272,013 $ 18,455 6.78% $ 237,788 $ 18,520 7.79%
Securities available for sale (3) 31,845 2,061 6.47% 34,198 2,166 6.33% 43,420 2,648 6.10%
FHLB and FRB stock 2,307 98 4.25% 2,178 89 4.09% 2,091 98 4.69%
Interest-bearing deposits 144 9 6.25% 8 3 37.50% 1,553 27 0.80%
Federal funds sold 13,174 166 1.26% 14,605 157 1.07% 6,748 92 1.36%
----------- ----------- ---- ----------- --------- ---- --------- ---------- ----
Total interest-earning assets 341,600 21,104 6.18% 323,002 20,870 6.46% 291,600 21,385 7.33%
----------- ----------- ---- ----------- --------- ---- --------- ---------- ----
Noninterest-earning assets 20,808 20,535 18,950
Less: Allowance for loan losses (2,484) (2,512) (2,062)
----------- ----------- ---------
Total assets $ 359,924 $ 341,025 $ 308,488
=========== =========== =========
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits $ 86,863 $ 1,242 1.43% $ 83,020 $ 1,299 1.56% $ 68,787 $ 1,379 2.00%
Savings deposits 27,843 237 0.85% 24,801 225 0.91% 20,759 348 1.68%
Time deposits > $100 31,860 892 2.80% 29,909 794 2.65% 27,798 1,004 3.61%
Other time deposits 104,705 2,744 2.62% 101,253 2,870 2.83% 107,565 4,169 3.88%
Securities sold under repo
agreement 3,445 97 2.82% 2,961 90 3.04% 2,088 91 4.36%
Federal funds purchased 1,070 21 1.96%
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 41,638 1,726 4.15% 34,061 1,447 4.25% 17,649 882 5.00%
----------- ----------- ---- ----------- --------- ---- --------- ---------- ----
Total interest-bearing liabilities 296,354 6,938 2.34% 276,005 6,725 2.44% 245,716 7,894 3.21%
----------- ----------- ---- ----------- --------- ---- --------- ---------- ----
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
Demand deposits 30,737 29,086 28,960
Other liabilities 2,555 3,056 1,428
Shareholders' equity 30,278 32,878 32,384
----------- ----------- ---------
Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity $ 359,924 $ 341,025 $ 308,488
=========== =========== =========
Net interest income $ 14,166 $ 14,145 $ 13,491
=========== ========= ==========
Net interest spread (4) 3.84% 4.02% 4.12%
==== ==== ====
Net interest margin (5) 4.15% 4.38% 4.63%
==== ==== ====
(1) Nonaccrual loans are included loan totals and do not have a significant
impact on the information presented. Interest on nonaccrual loans is recorded
whe (TEXT MISSING)
(2) Interest includes fees on loans of $567, $398, and $675, in 2004, 2003, and
2002, respectively.
(3) Tax-exempt income on loans and securities is reported on a fully taxable
equivalent basis using a 34% rate.
(4) Net interest spread represents the difference between the average yield on
interest-earning assets and the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities.
(5) Net interest margin represents the net interest income as a percentage of
average interest earning assets.
NET INTEREST DIFFERENTIAL
The following table illustrates the summary of the changes in interest
earned and interest paid resulting from changes in volume and rates for the
major components of interest-earning assets and
17
interest-bearing liabilities on a fully taxable equivalent basis for the periods
indicated (dollars in thousands).
Change Due Change Total Change Due Change Due Total
to Due to Changes to to Changes
Volume Rate 2004/2003 Volume Rate 2003/2002
---------- -------- --------- ---------- ----------- -----------
INTEREST INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO:
Loans $ 1,505 $(1,189) $ 316 $ 2,666 $(2,731) $ (65)
Securities available for sale (149) 44 (105) (562) 80 (482)
FHLB and FRB Stock 5 4 9 4 (13) (9)
Interest-bearing deposits 51 (45) 6 (27) 3 (24)
Federal funds sold (15) 24 9 107 (42) 65
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total interest income 1,397 (1,162) 235 2,188 (2,703) (515)
INTEREST EXPENSE ATTRIBUTABLE TO:
Demand deposits 60 (117) (57) 285 (365) (80)
Savings deposits 28 (16) 12 68 (191) (123)
Time deposits 151 (179) (28) (161) (1,348) (1,509)
Securities sold under repo agreement 15 (8) 7 38 (39) (1)
Federal funds purchased 0 0 0 (21) 0 (21)
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 327 (44) 283 832 (259) 573
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total interest expense 581 (364) 217 1,041 (2,202) (1,161)
Net interest income $ 816 $ (798) $ 18 $ 1,147 $ (501) $ 646
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Results of Operations
The Company reported net income of $4.6 million, $3.8 million, and $4.8
million for the years ended 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. During the same
periods, basic and diluted earnings per share were $1.73, $1.27, and $1.59,
respectively. The increase in net income in 2004 is a result of a large
provision made to loan loss provision due to higher than usual chargeoffs in
2003. The majority of the charge-offs was related to one commercial loan
borrower. See the "Provision for Loan Loss" section for further discussion.
Net interest income remained constant at $13.6 million in 2004 and 2003
and $13.0 million in 2002. Noninterest income remained at $1.5 million in 2004,
2003 and 2002, while noninterest expense was $7.9 million, $6.9 million, and
$7.1 million, for the respective years.
Return on average assets was 1.28%, 1.11%, and 1.55% in 2004, 2003, and
2002, respectively. Return on average equity was 15.22%, 11.53%, and 14.74%, for
the respective years.
Net Interest Income
Net interest income remained unchanged at $13.6 million in 2004 and 2003
from $13.0 million in 2002, representing an increase of 4.7% from 2002. The
Company's tax equivalent yield on average interest-earning assets decreased to
6.18% in 2004 from 6.46% in 2003, which was lower than the 7.33% yield in 2002.
The decrease in yield is primarily a result of the Bank's declining Prime Rate,
real estate contractual repricing to a lower rate, the prepayment of higher
yielding loans and the origination of lower yielding loans. While the bank's
prime rate began to increase incrementally over the last 6 months of 2004, the
bank will not receive the full benefit of the increases until 2005, mainly due
to the repricing
18
schedule of our loan portfolio. Additionally, while prime rate has been
increasing, the treasury curve has flattened and loans due to reprice that are
tied to the treasury curve are not necessarily increasing in rates. The interest
and fees on loans increased slightly 1.71% during 2004. The slight increase in
interest and fees was primarily due to the incremental increase in the prime
rate the second half of the year.
The Company's average interest-earning assets increased approximately
$18.6 million or 5.8% in 2004 and $31.4 million or 10.8% in 2003. The slower
growth rate in 2004 as compared to 2003 is due to the bank not offering a fixed
rate 1-4 family loan that had been offered in the 2003. The bank had increased
its fixed rate 1-4 family loans by approximately $26 million as of December 31,
2003. Historically the bank sold fixed rate 1-4 family loans to independent
parties and continued this practice in 2004, therefore not booking any 1-4
family fixed rate loans.
The cost of funds decreased 10 basis points in 2004 as compared to 2003
while the interest expense increased $213,000 in 2004 from $6.7 million in 2003
to $6.9 million in 2004. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $20.3
million, or 7.4% in 2004 from $276 million in 2003.
Interest expense increased 3.2% to $6.9 million in 2004 as compared to
$6.7 million in 2003 while the average interest-bearing liabilities increased
$20.3 million, or 7.4%, during 2004 as compared to $30.2 in 2003. The cost of
funds decreased to 2.34% in 2004 from 2.44% in 2003. The average balance of
certificates of deposit increased $5.4 million, or 4.1%, in 2004 while other
interest bearing deposits increased by $6.8 million. The slight fluctuation in
cost of funds can be largely attributed to the changing interest rate
environment.
The Company's tax equivalent net interest margin was 4.15% in 2004, 4.38%
in 2003 and 4.63% in 2002. The decrease in net interest margin in 2004 was
primarily due to the recording of lower yielding loans and the payoff of higher
yielding loans within the portfolio. While prime rate has incrementally
increased over the last 6 months, mortgage rates are still at all time lows due
to the flattening of the yield curve. The decrease in 2003 from 2002 was
primarily attributable to the decrease in the prime rate and the recording of
lower yielding assets.
The Company's securities portfolio experienced a decrease in average
balances and an increase in yield during 2004. The average balance of the
portfolio decreased $2.3 million (6.9%) as compared to 2003, and the tax
equivalent yield increased to 6.47% in 2004 from 6.33% in 2003. The increase in
yield is primarily due to the shift in the mix of the portfolio. The company did
not replace the higher yielding mortgage back securities with a lower
reinvestment rate. The portfolio now contains a proportionally larger percentage
of higher yielding tax-exempt municipals and callable agencies.
For further information, see the table titled "Consolidated Average
Balance Sheets and Taxable Equivalent Income/Expense and Yields/Rates" in the
Selected Statistical Information.
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses was $676,000 in 2004, $2,907,000 in 2003 and
$436,000 in 2002. The bank decreased the provision in 2004 from 2003 based upon
the estimated losses in the 2004 which was considerably less than in 2003. The
increase in the provision in 2003 was due to an increased number of charge-offs
in the commercial and agricultural credit. Management increased the provision
for loan losses to reflect the increased loan losses in 2003 and its current
assessment of the loan portfolio characteristics during the year. Net
charge-offs in 2004 were $590,000 compared to $2,580,000 in 2003 and $290,000 in
2002. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans
at December 31 was 0.86% in 2004, 0.84% in 2003, and .85% in 2002. For further
information about the
19
provision and management's methodology for estimating the allowance for loan
losses, see "Allowance for Loan Losses" and "Critical Accounting Policies"
within Management's Discussion and Analysis.
20
Noninterest Income
Total noninterest income was $1.5 million in 2004, 2003, and 2002. As a
percentage of average assets, noninterest income was 0.43%, 0.44%, and 0.49% in
2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. Service charges and fees have increased
slightly over the last three years due to increased charges and growth in the
number of deposit accounts.
Noninterest Expense
Total noninterest expense was $7.9 million in 2004, $6.9 million in 2003,
and $7.1 million in 2002, representing an increase of 14.9% in 2004 and a
decrease of 2.8% in 2003. As a percentage of average assets, noninterest expense
was 2.21%, 2.02%, and 2.30% in 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively.
Salaries and benefits expense comprises the largest component of
noninterest expense, with totals of $4.0 million in 2004, $3.2 million in 2003,
and $3.5 million in 2002. As a percentage of average assets, salaries and
benefits expense was 1.11%, 0.94%, and 1.14%, in 2004, 2003, and 2002,
respectively. The average number of full-time equivalent employees was 92 in
2004, 90 in 2003, and 88 in 2002.
Included in salaries and benefits expense was net pension costs of
approximately $248,000 in 2004 and $254,000 in 2003, which are based upon
specific actuarial assumptions, including a long-term rate of return of 7.50%.
Management believes the rate of return is a reasonable assumption of projected
equity and bond indices long-term return projections as well as actual long-term
historical plan returns realized. Management will continue to evaluate the
actuarial assumptions, including the expected rate of return, annually, and will
adjust the assumptions as necessary.
The Company based its determination of pension expense on a market-related
valuation of assets. Investment gains or losses are computed as the difference
between the expected return calculated using the market-related value of assets
and the actual return based on the market-related value of assets. The future
value of assets will be impacted as previously deferred gains or losses are
recognized.
The discount rate that the Company utilizes for determining future pension
obligations decreased to 5.9% in 2004 from 6.0% in 2003, based on management's
evaluation of current yields on long-term yields on highly-rated bonds.
Lowering the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets or the
discount rate by .10% would not have had a significant impact on pension expense
in 2004.
II. FINANCIAL CONDITION
Assets
The Company's total assets increased to $364.0 million in 2004 from $352.4
million in 2003, representing an increase of 3.3%. Average total assets
increased to $359.9 million in 2004 from $341.0 million in 2003, an increase of
5.5%. Average interest-earning assets increased to $341.6 in 2004 from $323.0
million in 2003, and remained at approximately 95% of total average assets.
Securities available for sale
The Company reported securities available for sale (at fair value) of $32
million and $33.1 million at 2004 and 2003, respectively, and average securities
available for sale of $31.8 million in 2004
21
and $34.2 million in 2003. As a percentage of average assets, average securities
were 8.85% in 2004, 10.03% in 2003 and 14.0% in 2002. As of December 31, 2004
and 2003, the Company did not classify any securities as trading or held to
maturity. It is the general practice of management to hold securities until they
are called or matured. But, by classifying securities in the available for sale
category, management has the flexibility to sell the securities should the need
arise. The available for sale portion of the portfolio includes mortgage-backed
securities, U.S. Treasuries and municipals with an average life of 15 years, and
average repricing term of 4 years, and an average tax-equivalent yield of 6.47%
for the year ended December 31, 2004. Total available for sale securities
consisted of the following: U.S. Treasuries and Agencies - 21%; mortgage-backed
securities and CMO's - 23%; and fixed-rate tax-exempt municipal securities -
56%.
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
The amortized cost and fair values of securities available for sale as of
December 31, 2004 and 2003 are presented in Note 2 to the consolidated financial
statements. The amortized cost of securities as of December 31, 2004, 2003, and
2002, is presented below (dollars in thousands):
2004 2003 2002
--------- ----------- -----------
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury & agency obligations $ 6,494 $ 4,532 $ 3,556
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 17,454 19,749 19,476
Mortgage-backed securities 7,037 7,554 15,564
--------- ----------- -----------
Total securities available for sale 30,985 31,835 $ 38,596
Federal Home Loan Bank stock 2,230 2,110 2,028
Federal Reserve Bank stock 300 120 120
--------- ----------- -----------
Total securities $ 33,515 $ 34,065 $ 40,744
========= =========== ===========
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO MATURITIES
The maturity distribution and weighted average interest rates of
securities available for sale as of December 31, 2004, are as follows (dollars
in thousands):
Total
Less than 1 to 5 5 to 10 Over 10 Amortized Fair
1 Year Years Years Years Cost Value
---------------- ------------------- --------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------
Wtd Ave Wtd Ave Wtd Ave Wtd Ave Wtd Ave
Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount Yield Amount
------ ------- ---------- ----- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------ ------- ------
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury and agency
obligations $ 997 2.22% $ 3,995 3.87% $ 1,001 5.02% $ 500 5.79% 6,493 3.94% $ 6,511
Obligations of states and
political sub. 314 3.93% 222 5.25% 662 5.69% $ 16,256 5.15% 17,454 5.17% 18,288
Mortgage-backed securities 0 0.00% 801 4.40% 758 5.84% 5,479 5.24% 7,038 5.21% 7,180
------- ---- -------- ---- ------- ---- -------- ---- -------- ---- -------
Total securities available
for sale $ 1,311 $ 5,018 $ 2,421 $ 22,235 $ 30,985 $31,979
======= ======== ======= ======== ======== =======
22
The calculations of the weighted average interest rates for each maturity
category are based on yield weighted by the respective costs of the securities.
The weighted average rates on states and political subdivisions are computed on
a taxable equivalent basis using a 34% tax rate. For purposes of the above
presentation, maturities of the above securities are based on contractual
maturity dates.
Excluding those holdings of U.S. Treasury securities and other agencies of
the U.S. Government, the Company did not hold any securities of any one issuer
that exceeded 10% of the shareholders' equity of the Company at December 31,
2004.
Loans
The Company reported total loans of $294.6 million and $288.6 million at
2004 and 2003, respectively. As a percentage of average assets, average loans
were 81.7% in 2004, and 79.8% in 2003.
The table below shows the Company's loans outstanding at period-end by
type of loan. The portfolio composition has remained relatively consistent
during the three years ended December 31, 2004. Commercial and industrial loans
totaled $26.3 million in 2004, representing a small increase from $25.2 million
in 2003, and $25.8 million in 2002. Residential real estate loans increased only
slightly by $4.5 million to $136.3 million in 2004 from $131.7 million in 2003.
The largest increase in residential real estate loans was $32 million from 2002
to 2003 due to the Company's decision to hold 1-4 family fixed rate loans and
increased demand by the Company's customers for home equity loans.
For interest rate risk management purposes historically the company has
made and held adjustable rate mortgages in its 1-4 family real estate portfolio.
Commencing in 2000, the Company started originating and selling the majority of
fixed-rate residential real estate loans, while holding the adjustable-rate
loans in the portfolio. The Company recognizes a gain on sale of loans based on
the premium received from the sale of loans to an independent party. The Company
did not have any loans held for sale at December 31, 2004 and 2003. At December
31, 2004, the Company serviced approximately $12,422,000 of mortgage loans
previously sold, for the benefit of others. The servicing asset and the related
servicing fees generated from serviced loans are not material to the Company's
financial statements.
Commercial lending continues to be an important component of the company's
loan portfolio, both real estate and industrial, because of the movement of the
Company into new markets. The Company focused its commercial lending on small-
to medium-sized companies in its market area, most of which are companies with
long established track records. The Company expects to continue to grow in the
real estate and commercial portfolios. At December 31, 2004, the Company
serviced approximately $2.6 million of commercial loans previously sold, for the
benefit of others.
The Company will also continue to focus on agriculture lending and
continue to use the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Guarantee Program which will
guarantee up to 90% of the loan to qualified borrowers and therefore limits the
Company's loss exposure while servicing the agricultural industry.
Installment loans as a percentage of total loans outstanding has remained
relatively consistent with a slight decline between 2004, 2003, and 2002.
23
LOAN PORTFOLIO
The following table displays the loan portfolio composition at December 31
for each respective year (dollars in thousands).
% of % of % of % of % of
2004 Total 2003 Total 2002 Total 2001 Total 2000 Total
---- ----- ---- ----- ---- ----- ---- ----- ---- -----
Commercial and industrial $ 26,370 8.9% $ 25,158 8.7% $ 25,759 10.4% $ 24,126 10.8% $ 22,918 10.3%
Commercial real estate 64,460 21.9% 60,833 21.1% 53,104 21.4% 41,917 18.7% 39,247 17.7%
Agricultural 39,970 13.6% 40,362 14.0% 41,106 16.5% 34,313 15.3% 34,316 15.5%
Residential real estate 136,273 46.2% 131,741 45.6% 99,728 40.2% 97,115 43.4% 99,242 44.6%
Installment 25,152 8.5% 27,893 9.7% 27,122 10.9% 24,995 11.2% 24,681 11.1%
Other 2,585 0.9% 2,781 0.9% 1,493 0.6% 1,267 0.6% 1,857 0.8%
--------- ----- --------- ----- --------- ----- --------- ----- ---------- -----
Total loans 294,810 100.0% $ 288,768 100.0% $ 248,312 100.0% $ 223,733 100.0% $ 222,261 100.0%
Less:
Net deferred loan (200) (144) (42) (6) 110
origination
fees/costs
Allowance for loan losses (2,519) (2,432) (2,106) (1,960) (1,911)
--------- ----- --------- ----- --------- ---- --------- ----- ---------- -----
Net loans $ 292,091 $ 286,192 $ 246,164 $ 221,767 $ 220,460
========= ===== ========= ===== ========= ==== ========= ===== ========== =====
The following tables show the Company's loan maturities and composition of fixed
and adjustable rate loans at December 31, 2004 (in thousands).
Less than 1 Year 1 - 5 Years Over 5 Years Total
---------------- ----------- ------------ -------
Commercial real estate $11,424 $ 7,318 $ 45,718 $ 64,460
Commercial and industrial 11,884 8,151 6,315 26,350
Agricultural 7,363 7,295 25,312 39,970
Residential real estate 7,872 5,435 122,858 136,165
Installment 2,074 20,651 2,355 25,080
Other 909 560 1,116 2,585
------- ------- -------- --------
Total $41,526 $49,410 $203,674 $294,610
======= ======= ======== ========
Predetermined Floating or
Rates Adjustable Rates Total
---------------- ---------------- ----------
Commercial real estate $12,801 $ 51,659 $ 64,460
Commercial and industrial 9,994 16,356 26,350
Agricultural 7,726 32,244 39,970
Residential real estate 36,826 99,339 136,165
Installment 24,688 392 25,080
Other 2,401 184 2,585
------- -------- --------
Total $94,436 $200,174 $294,610
======= ======== ========
Allowance for Loan Losses
Federal regulations and generally accepted accounting principles require
that the Company establish prudent allowances for loan losses. The Company
maintains an allowance for loan losses to absorb probable loan losses inherent
in the portfolio, based on evaluations of the collectibility and
24
historical loss experience of loans. Loan losses are charged and recoveries are
credited to the allowance. Provisions for loan losses are based on management's
review of the historical loan loss experience and such factors which, in
management's judgment, deserve consideration under existing economic conditions
in estimating probable loan losses. The allowance is based on ongoing
assessments of the probable estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The
Company's methodology for assessing the appropriate allowance level consists of
several key elements, described below.
Larger commercial loans that exhibit probable or observed credit
weaknesses are subject to individual review. Where appropriate, reserves are
allocated to individual loans based on management's estimate of the borrower's
ability to repay the loan given the availability of collateral, other sources of
cash flow and available legal options. Included in the review of individual
loans are those that are impaired as provided in Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a
Loan," as amended. Any specific reserves for impaired loans are measured based
on the fair value of the underlying collateral. The Company evaluates the
collectibility of both principal and interest when assessing the need for a
specific reserve. Historical loss rates are applied to other commercial loans
not subject to specific reserve allocations.
Homogenous loans, such as consumer installment and residential mortgage
loans, are not individually reviewed by management. Reserves are established for
each pool of loans based on the expected net charge-offs. Loss rates are based
on the average two-year net charge-off history by loan category.
Historical loss rates for commercial and consumer loans may be adjusted
for significant factors that, in management's judgment, reflect the impact of
any current conditions on loss recognition. Factors which management considers
in the analysis include the effects of the local economy, trends in the nature
and volume of loans (delinquencies, charge-offs, nonaccrual and problem loans),
changes in the internal lending policies and credit standards, collection
practices, and examination results from bank regulatory agencies and the
Company's internal credit review function.
Specific reserves on individual loans and historical loss rates are
reviewed throughout the year and adjusted as necessary based on changing
borrower and/or collateral conditions and actual collection and charge-off
experience.
A portion of the allowance is not allocated to any particular loan type
and is maintained in recognition of the inherent inability to precisely
determine the loss potential in any particular loan or pool of loans. Among the
factors used by management in determining the unallocated portion of the
allowance are current economic conditions, trends in the Corporation's loan
portfolio delinquency, losses and recoveries, level of underperforming and
nonperforming loans, and concentrations of loans in any one industry.
The Corporation has not substantively changed its overall approach in the
determination of the allowance for loan losses. Excluding the refinement from a
five year to a two year trend in the calcuation of the allowance for loan loss
for homogeneous loans, there have been no material changes in assumptions or
estimation techniques as compared to prior years that impacted the determination
of the current year allowance.
Real estate acquired, or deemed acquired, by the Company as a result of
foreclosure proceedings is classified as other real estate owned ("OREO") until
it is sold. Interest accrual, if any, ceases no later than the date of
acquisition of the real estate, and all costs incurred from such date in
maintaining the property are expensed. OREO is recorded by the Company at the
lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs of disposal, and any write-down
resulting there from is charged to the allowance for loan
25
losses. When the foreclosed property is sold, the difference between proceeds
received on OREO and the recorded value is recognized in current earnings.
As discussed above, the allowance is maintained at a level necessary to
absorb probable losses in the portfolio. Management's determination of the
adequacy of the reserve is based on reviews of specific loans, loan loss
experience, general economic conditions and other pertinent factors. If, as a
result of charge-offs or increases in risk characteristics of the loan
portfolio, the reserve is below the level considered by management to be
adequate to absorb probable loan losses, the provision for loan losses is
increased.
The allowance for loan losses was 0.86% of total loans as of December 31,
2004, a slight increase from 0.84% at the end of 2003. In 2004, the Company
experienced net charge-offs of $590,000, or 0.20% of average loans, compared to
net charge-offs of $2,580,000 (0.95%) in 2003 and $290,000 (0.12%) in 2002. The
Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $676,000, $2,907,000 and
$436,000 in 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. As a percentage of the provision
for loan losses, net charge-offs were 87.3%, 88.7%, and 66.5% in 2004, 2003, and
2002, respectively. Management increased the provision for loan losses during
the year 2003 to reflect the increased actual and probable loan losses in 2003,
primarily related to a certain commercial borrower, which was identified by
management on July 23, 2003. An estimated $1.6 million was charged off in 2003
relating to the mentioned borrower. Additional charge offs in 2003 were
primarily within the agricultural portfolio. Management conducted a review of
its agricultural lending approval process and made modifications where necessary
to strengthen its underwriting process of agricultural operating loans.
Management believes its review process has adequately identified problem loans
within its portfolio on a timely basis. In 2004 the chargeoffs returned to a
more normal and acceptable level.
The Company ceases accruing interest on loans when principal or interest
payments are delinquent 90 days or more, unless the loan is adequately
collateralized and is in the process of collection. If management determines
that interest is incollectible, all interest previously accrued is reversed
against current period interest income. If collection of principal or interest
is considered doubtful, loans are placed on nonaccrual status or charged against
income at an earlier dated.
The amount of nonaccrual loans decreased to $728,000 in 2004 from
$1,462,000 in 2003. As a percentage of total loans, nonaccrual loans represented
..25% in 2004 and .51% in 2003. The Company would have reported additional
interest income of approximately $90,000, $191,000 and $79,000 in 2004, 2003 and
2002, respectively, if nonaccrual loans had been accruing interest. The decrease
in nonaccrual loans is largely due to a single commercial borrower whose
nonaccrual borrowings total $888,000 transferred to other real estate owned.
Interest income from nonaccrual loans of approximately $40,000 has been included
in net income in 2004 and $4,000 in 2003 and $2,000 in 2002. Nonaccrual loans at
December 31, 2004 consisted of 14 relationships. Nonaccrual loans are expected
to be resolved through payments or through liquidation of collateral in the
normal course of business. No loans in the nonaccrual status have been
identified through the loan loss analysis to have any associated loss.
The category of accruing loans which are past due 90 days or more
decreased at December 31, 2004 to $452,000 as compared to $1,441,000 at December
31, 2003. As a percentage of total loans, loans past due 90 days and still
accruing interest represented 0.15% in 2004 and 0.51% in 2003. Management has
analyzed these credits as to the borrower's current circumstances, value of the
security pledged and the likely ultimate disposition of these loans. In
management's opinion, appropriate specific reserves have been allocated to
absorb any probable loss and these accounts are expected to be resolved through
payments or liquidation of collateral in the normal course of business. The
$452,000 of delinquent loans is represented by 12 accounts as follows:
26
- 4 residential real estate accounts with outstanding balances of
$142,000 of which $14,000 has been included as a specific reserve in
the allowance for loan losses;
- 1 commercial loan account with outstanding balance of $303,000 of
which $30,000 has been specifically reserved;
- 7 consumer installment loans with outstanding balances of $7,000 of
which $0 has been specifically reserved;
As a percentage of the allowance for loan losses, total nonaccrual loans and
loans past due 90 days or more were 46.8% in 2004 and 119.5% in 2003.
ANALYSIS OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
Activity in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31 are as
follows (in thousands).
2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Balance, beginning of period $ 2,432 $ 2,106 $ 1,960 $ 1,911 $ 1,905
Loans charged-off:
Commercial and industrial 108 582 44 34 42
Commercial real estate 91 1,050 - - -
Agricultural 27 648 67 - -
Residential real estate 93 152 91 9 -
Installment 335 176 154 139 161
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total charge-offs 654 2,608 356 182 203
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:
Commercial and industrial 18 8 22 3 5
Commercial real estate 2 - - - -
Agricultural 1 - - - -
Residential real estate 4 2 - 5 -
Installment 38 18 44 46 27
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total recoveries 64 28 66 54 32
Net charge-offs 590 2,580 290 128 171
Provision for loan losses 676 2,907 436 177 177
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Balance, end of period $ 2,519 $ 2,432 $ 2,106 $ 1,960 $ 1,911
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Allowance to loans, end of year .86% 0.84% 0.85% 0.88% 0.86%
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans .20% 0.95% 0.12% 0.06% 0.08%
outstanding
Loan balance, end of year $294,610 $288,624 $248,270 $223,727 $222,372
Total average net loans $294,130 $272,013 $237,788 $227,150 $210,325
27
ALLOCATION OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The following table indicates the portion of the loan loss reserve
management has allocated to each loan type and the percentage of each loan
category to total loans at December 31 (in thousands).
Loans by Loans by Loans by Loans by Loans by
category category category category category
as a % of as a % of as a % of as a % of as a % of
2004 Total Loans 2003 Total Loans 2002 Total Loans 2001 Total Loans 2000 Total Loans
---- ----------- ---- ----------- ---- ----------- ---- ----------- ---- -----------
Commercial and industrial $ 297 8.9% $ 521 8.7% $ 371 10.4% $ 315 10.8% $ 271 10.3%
Commercial real estate 668 21.9% 445 21.1% 276 21.4% 648 18.7% 603 17.7%
Agricultural 395 13.6% 482 14.0% 676 16.5% 274 15.3% 255 15.5%
Residential real estate 857 46.2% 554 45.6% 402 40.2% 334 43.4% 311 44.6%
Installment 258 8.5% 325 9.7% 284 10.9% 283 11.2% 248 11.1%
Other 6 0.9% 12 0.9% 0 0.6% 10 0.6% 16 0.8%
Unallocated 38 93 97 96 207
------ ---- ------ ---- ------ ---- ------ ---- ------ ----
Balance, end of year $2,519 100% $2,432 100% $2,106 100% $1,960 100% $1,911 100%
====== ==== ====== ==== ====== ==== ====== ==== ====== ====
NONPERFORMING ASSETS
The following table represents the total of nonaccrual loans and loans 90
days past due and accruing interest at December 31 (in thousands).
2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Loans accounted for on nonaccrual basis $ 728 $1,462 $ 476 $ 383 $ 319
Accruing loans which are past due 90 days or
more 452 1,441 1,133 1,649 668
Restructured loans - - - - -
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total $1,180 $2,903 $1,609 $2,032 $ 987
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Deposits
Deposits have traditionally been the primary source of the Company's funds
for use in lending and other investment activities. In addition to deposits, the
Company derives funds from interest payments and principal repayments on loans
and income on earning assets. Loan payments are a relatively stable source of
funds, while deposit inflows and outflows fluctuate more in response to general
interest rates and money market conditions.
Deposits are attracted principally from within the Company's market area
through the offering of numerous deposit instruments, including checking
accounts, regular passbook savings accounts, NOW accounts, money market deposit
accounts, term certificate accounts and individual retirement accounts ("IRAs").
Interest rates paid, maturity terms, service fees and withdrawal penalties for
the various types of accounts are established periodically by the Company's
management based on the Company's liquidity requirements, growth goals and
market trends.
The table below presents a summary of period end deposit balances. The
composition of deposit categories has remained relatively consistent as a
percentage of total deposits throughout the three-year
28
period ended December 31, 2004. As a percentage of total deposits,
interest-bearing demand accounts have remained relatively the same at 22% in
2004 and 24% in 2003 and 2002. Certificates of deposits (less than $100,000)
have also remained relatively the same at 38% in 2004 and 37% in 2003 and 40% in
2002. Savings and money market accounts remained the same from 2003 to 2004 and
have only a 1% increase from 2002 as a percentage of deposits. Certificates of
deposit $100,000 and over are primarily short-term public funds. Balances of
such large certificates fluctuate depending on the Company's pricing strategy
and funding needs at any particular time and were comparable as a percentage of
total deposits in 2004, 2003 and 2002.
Interest rates, maturity terms, service fees, and withdrawal penalties for
the various types of accounts are established periodically by management based
on the Company's liquidity requirements, growth goals and market trends. The
amount of deposits currently from outside the Company's market area is not
significant.
DEPOSIT COMPOSITION
The following table indicates the total deposits by type at December 31
(dollars in thousands):
2004 Percent 2003 Percent 2002 Percent
Amount of Total Amount of Total Amount of Total
------ -------- ------ -------- ------ --------
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits $ 34,834 12% $ 31,693 12% $ 30,195 12%
Interest-bearing demand deposits 63,485 22% 64,645 24% 63,755 24%
Money market deposits 19,714 7% 19,426 7% 16,150 6%
Savings 26,680 9% 24,384 9% 21,852 9%
Time deposits greater than $100 34,294 12% 29,799 11% 27,296 10%
Other time deposits 108,824 38% 100,485 37% 103,468 40%
-------- --- -------- --- -------- ---
Total $287,831 100% $270,432 100% $262,716 100%
======== === ======== === ======== ===
The following table indicates the annual average amount of and the annual
average rate paid on deposit categories which exceeded 10% of average total
deposits at December 31 (in thousands):
2004 2003 2002
Amount Rate Amount Rate Amount Rate
------ ---- ------ ---- ------ ----
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits $ 30,737 $ 29,086 $ 28,960
Interest-bearing demand deposits
including money market deposits 86,863 1.43% 83,020 1.56% 68,787 2.00%
Time deposits greater than $100 31,860 2.80% 29,909 2.65% 27,798 3.61%
Other time deposits 104,705 2.62% 101,253 2.83% 107,565 3.88%
-------- ---- -------- ---- -------- ----
$254,165 $243,268 $233,110
======== ==== ======== ==== ======== ====
29
MATURITIES OF TIME DEPOSITS GREATER THAN $100,000
The following table indicates the amount of the Company's time deposits
greater than $100,000 by time remaining until maturity as of December 31,
2004(dollars in thousands):
Three months or less $ 3,741
Over three through 6 months 7,556
Over six through 12 months 12,125
Over 12 through 60 months 10,872
-------
Total $34,294
=======
Other Borrowings
Periodically, the Company will borrow long term money from the Federal
Home Loan Bank (FHLB) as a way to provide funding for loan demand. At December
31, 2004, the Company had outstanding $39.9 million of total borrowings from the
FHLB with a weighted average cost of 4.12%. Borrowings of $7 million consist of
three fixed-rate notes with maturities in 2008 and 2010. At the option of the
FHLB, these notes can be converted at certain dates to instruments that adjust
quarterly at the three-month LIBOR rate. The note amount and nearest optional
conversion dates at December 31, 2004, are $1 million in January 2005; $3
million in March 2005; and $3 million in March 2005 if the three month LIBOR
reaches 8%. Additionally, the Company utilized a borrowing of $10 million, due
in 2012, with a rate that can adjust quarterly if the three-month LIBOR reaches
7.75%. With the funds, the Company purchased $10 million in securities
classified as available for sale with an average yield of 5% and call features
ranging from 2011 to 2013, resulting in a net spread of 2.7% on the borrowing.
The Company began keeping fixed rate 1-4 family mortgages in-house. To
fund these loans the Company borrowed long term money from the FHLB to lock in a
spread and match the amortization with the average life of the loan. The Company
borrowed funds with a maturities ranging from 10 to 20 years with all of them
having a 10% annual principal prepayment rate. The average life of these loans
is approximately 5 years. The average rate on the borrowings is 3.47%. The
balance on these borrowings is $22.8 million as of December 31, 2004.
Capital
The declaration and payment of dividends by the Company are subject to the
discretion of the Board of Directors and to the earnings and financial condition
of the Company and applicable laws and regulations. The dividend payout ratio
was 40.52% in 2004, 50.1% in 2003, and 37.7% in 2002. At December 31, 2004
consolidated Tier 1 risk based capital was 11.4%, and total risk-based capital
was 12.3%. The minimum Tier 1 and total risk-based capital ratios required by
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve are 4% and 8%, respectively.
30
Liquidity
Effective liquidity management ensures that the cash flow requirements of
depositors and borrowers, as well as company cash needs, are met. The Company
manages liquidity on both the asset and liability sides of the balance sheet.
Community bank liquidity management currently involves the challenge of
attracting deposits while maintaining positive loan growth at a reasonable
interest rate spread. The loan to deposit ratio at December 31, 2004, was
102.4%, compared to 106.73% in 2003. Loans to total assets were 80.9% at the end
of 2004, compared to 81.9% in 2003. The securities portfolio is available for
sale and consists of securities that are readily marketable. Approximately 90%
of the available for sale portfolio is pledged to secure public deposits,
short-term and long-term borrowings and for other purposes as required by law.
The balance of the available for sale securities could be sold if necessary for
liquidity purposes. Also, a stable deposit base, consisting of 88% core
deposits, makes the Company less susceptible to large fluctuations in funding
needs. The Company also has both short- and long-term borrowings capacity
available through FHLB with unused available credit of approximately $26.2
million as of December 31, 2004. The Company has the ability to obtain deposits
in the brokered certificate of deposit market to help provide liquidity to fund
loan growth, if necessary. Generally, the Company uses short-term borrowings to
fund overnight and short-term funding needs in the Company's balance sheet.
Longer-term borrowings have been primarily used to fund mortgage-loan
originations. This has occurred when FHLB longer-term rates are a more
economical source of funding than traditional deposit gathering activities.
Additionally, the Company occasionally uses FHLB borrowings to fund larger
commercial loans.
Impact of Inflation, Changing Prices and Local Economic Conditions
The majority of the Company's assets and liabilities are monetary in
nature. Therefore, the Company differs greatly from most commercial and
industrial companies that have significant investments in non-monetary assets,
such as fixed assets and inventories. However, inflation does have an important
impact on the growth of assets in the banking industry and on the resulting need
to increase equity capital at higher than normal rates in order to maintain an
appropriate equity to assets ratio. Inflation also affects other expenses, which
tend to rise during periods of general inflation.
Management believes the most significant impact on financial and operating
results is the Company's ability to react to changes in interest rates.
Management seeks to maintain an essentially balanced position between interest
sensitive assets and liabilities in order to protect against the effects of wide
interest rate fluctuations.
The Company's success is dependent on the general economic conditions of
the communities we serve. Unlike larger banks that are more geographically
diversified, we provide financial and banking services primarily in south
central Ohio. The economies of our markets are dependent to a significant extent
on the agricultural industry. The economic conditions in these areas have a
significant impact on loan demand, the ability of borrowers to repay these
loans, and the value of the collateral securing these loans. A significant
decline in general economic conditions, and in particular the agricultural
industry, could affect these local economic conditions and could negatively
impact the financial results of our banking operations. Factors influencing
general conditions include inflation, recession, unemployment, and other factors
beyond our control.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The Company has certain obligations and commitments to make future
payments under contracts. At December 31, 2004, the aggregate contractual
obligations and commercial commitments are:
31
Contractual Obligations
Payments Due by Period
----------------------
Less than 1-3 3-5 After 5
($ in thousands) Total One Year Years Years Years
- ---------------- -------- --------- ------- ------- -------
Total Deposits $287,831 $240,971 39,016 7,832 12
FHLB Borrowings 39,920 3,518 5,497 8,213 22,692
Int expense on FHLB Borrowings 1,576 2,781 2,980 1,824
Repurchase Agreements 2,944 2,944 1,659
-------- -------- ------- ------- -------
Total $330,695 $249,009 $47,294 $19,025 $26,187
Other Commercial Commitments
Amount of Unused Commitments - Expirations by Period
----------------------------------------------------
Less than 1-3 3-5 After 5
(in thousands) Total One Year Years Years Years
- -------------- ------- --------- ------ ------ -------
Commitments to Extend Credit $26,250 $11,166 $4,241 $1,358 $9,485
Letters of Credit $ 71 $ 71
------- ------- ------ ------ ------
Total $26,321 $11,237 $4,241 $1,358 $9,485
The company's off balance sheet arrangement consist primarily of business
and consumer lines of credit. These arrangements arise in the normal course of
business. Management considers the company's liquidity to meet the funding
requirements of the arrangements as they occur in the normal course of business.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
III. MARKET RISK MANAGEMENT
Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair
value of financial instruments due to variations in interest rates, exchange
rates, equity price risk and commodity prices. The Company does not maintain a
trading account for any class of financial instrument, and is not currently
subject to currency exchange rate risk, equity price risk or commodity price
risk. The Company's market risk is composed primarily of interest rate risk.
The major source of the Company's interest rate risk is the difference in
the maturity and repricing characteristics between the Company's core banking
assets and liabilities - loans and deposits. This difference, or mismatch, poses
a risk to net interest income. Most significantly, the Company's core banking
assets and liabilities are mismatched with respect to repricing frequency,
maturity and/or index. Most of the Company's commercial loans, for example,
reprice rapidly in response to changes in short-term interest. In contrast, many
of the Company's consumer deposits reprice slowly, if at all, in response to
changes in market interest rates.
The Company's Senior Management is responsible for reviewing the interest rate
sensitivity position of the Company and establishing policies to monitor and
limit exposure to interest rate risk. Mangement hired an outside consulting firm
in 2004 to prepare and assist the bank's ALCO committee that was also formed in
2004 in interest rate risk monitoring and reporting. The guidelines established
by senior management are approved by the Company's Board of Directors. The
primary goal of the asset/liability management function is to maximize net
interest income within the interest rate risk limits
32
set by approved guidelines. Techniques used include both interest rate risk
analysis that performs simulation modeling that measures the effect of rate
changes on net interest income and market value of equity under different rate
scenarios. The current policy imposes limits on earnings at risk over a 12 month
period.
INTEREST RATE RISK ANALYSIS
The table below summarizes the earnings at risk over a 12 month period in
a rising and declining rate environment of 100, 200, and 300 basis points as of
December 31, 2004.
Net Interest Dollar Change Percent Change Board Approved
Income (In thousands) from Base Case Guidelines
------------ -------------- -------------- ----------------
Rising 300 13.933 471 3.50% +/- 10% of base
Rising 200 13.778 316 2.35% +/- 7.5% of base
Rising 100 13.622 161 1.19% +/- 5% of base
------ ---- ----- ----------------
Base Case 13.461
------ ---- ----- ----------------
Falling 100 13.280 -181 -1.35% +/- 5% of base
Falling 200 13.034 -427 -3.18% +/- 7.5% of base
Falling 300 12.725 -737 -5.47% +/- 10% of base
In the Company's simulation models, each asset and liability balance is
projected over a time horizon. Net interest income is then projected based on
expected cash flows and projected interest rates under a stable rate scenario
and analyzed. The results of this analysis are factored into decisions made
concerning pricing strategies for loan and deposits, balance sheet mix,
securities portfolio strategies, liquidity and capital adequacy.
The Company applies hypothetical interest rate movements for up and down
interest rate movements of 100, 200, and 300 basis points. The interest
movements move in equal amounts each quarter to give a more likely and
meaningful scenerio should rates change.
Simulation models are also performed under an instantaneous parallel 300
basis point increase or decrease in interest rates. The model includes
assumptions as to repricing and expected prepayments, anticipated calls, and
expected decay rates of transaction accounts under the different rate scenarios.
The results of these simulations include changes in market value of equity.
The Company's rate shock simulation models provide results in extreme
interest rate environments and results are used accordingly. Reacting to changes
in economic conditions, interest rates and market forces, the Company has been
able to alter the mix of short and long-term loans and investments, and increase
or decrease the emphasis on fixed and variable rate products in response to
changing market conditions. By managing the interest rate sensitivity of its
asset composition in this manner, the Company has been able to maintain a fairly
stable flow of net interest income.
Complicating management's efforts to control non-trading exposure to
interest rate risk is the fundamental uncertainty of the maturity, repricing,
and/or runoff characteristics of some of the Company's core banking assets and
liabilities. This uncertainty often reflects options embedded in these financial
instruments. The most important embedded options are contained in consumer
deposits and loans.
33
For example, many of the Company's interest bearing retail deposit
products (e.g., interest checking, savings and money market deposits) have no
contractual maturity. Customers have the right to withdraw funds from these
deposit accounts freely. Deposit balances may therefore run off unexpectedly due
to changes in competitive or market conditions. To forestall such runoff, rates
on interest bearing deposits may have to be increased more (or reduced less)
than expected. Such repricing may not be highly correlated with the repricing of
prime rate-based or U.S. Treasury-based loans. Finally, balances that leave the
banking franchise may have to be replaced with other more expensive retail or
wholesale deposits. Given the uncertainties surrounding deposit runoff and
repricing, the interest rate sensitivity of core bank liabilities cannot be
determined precisely.
The following table indicates the Company's interest rate-sensitive instruments
and their repricing year and current average yield/(cost) for the periods ended
December 31 (in thousands).
Later
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Years Total Fair Value
------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ----------
Fixed rate loans 35,321 11,706 9,209 5,598 3,492 29,110 94,436 94,737
Average interest rate 6.45% 6.99% 6.80% 6.60% 6.57% 6.19%
Adjustable rate loans 103,492 28,310 23,312 23,089 20,068 1,903 200,174 200,727
Average interest rate 6.20% 5.98% 6.33% 6.14% 6.19% 6.78%
Securities(1) 12,186 3,472 1,770 1,504 4,668 9,915 33,515 34,509
Average interest rate 4.06% 4.98% 5.96% 5.96% 5.32% 5.02%
Interest-bearing time deposits 96,405 21,821 17,049 308 7,524 12 143,119 143,740
Average interest rate 2.63% 3.06% 3.70% 2.93% 4.98% 4.74%
Interest-bearing demand deposits 109,879 - - - - - 109,879 107,193
Average interest rate 1.20% - - - - -
Short-term borrowings 2,944 - - - - - 2,944 2,944
Average interest rate 2.24% - - - - -
Long-term debt - - - 4,000 - 35,920 39,920 39,589
Average interest rate - - - 4.93% - 4.03%
(1) For the purpose of this table, securities include FHLB Stock and FRB Stock
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Registrant's consolidated audited financial statements and the report of its
registered public accounting firm are attached hereto as an exhibit 99. The
selected quarterly financial data is provided under Item 5 of this Annual Report
on Form 10-K.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
34
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Registrant maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are
designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Registrant's
Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the
time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information
is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant's management, including its
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow
timely decisions regarding required disclosure based on the definition of
"disclosure controls and procedures" in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and
15d-15(e). In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures,
management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well
designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the
desired control objectives, and management was required to apply its judgment in
evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
The Registrant has carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and
with the participation of the Registrant's management, including the
Registrant's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the
effectiveness of the design and operation of the Registrant's disclosure
controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, the Registrant's Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of
the period covered by this report, the Registrant's disclosure controls and
procedures were effective, in all material respects, to ensure that information
required to be disclosed in the reports the Registrant files and submits under
the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when
required.
There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the Company's fiscal quarter ended December 31,
2004 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect,
the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
Certain information required by this item is set forth in the Company's
definitive Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held April 26, 2005 under the sections captioned "ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND
VOTING PROCEDURES," "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED ITEMS" and "SECTION
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE," and is incorporated herein by
reference.
The Board of Directors has determined that the Company does not have an
audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee. However, the
Board of Directors believes that each audit committee member has sufficient
knowledge in financial and auditing matters to effectively serve on the
committee. At this time, the Board does not believe it is necessary to actively
search for an outside person to serve on the Board who would qualify as a
financial expert.
The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal
executive, financial and accounting officers. A copy of the Company's code of
ethics will be provided without charge to any person submitting a written
request for the code of ethics. All such requests should be submitted to the
attention of Ms. Nancy Hendrickson at the address of the main office of the
Company.
35
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The information required by this item is set forth in the Company's
definitive Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held April 26, 2005 under the section captioned "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND
RELATED ITEMS," and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The information required by this item is set forth in the Company's
definitive Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held April 26, 2005 under the section captioned "SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT," and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Company currently has no securities authorized for issuance under
equity compensation plans which would require the disclosures mandated by
Section 201(d) of Regulation S-K.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
The information required by this item is set forth in the Company's
definitive Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held April 26, 2005 under the section captioned "CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND
RELATED TRANSACTIONS," and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THIS ITEM IS SET FORTH IN THE COMPANY'S DEFINITIVE
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2005 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD APRIL 26,
2005 UNDER THE SECTION CAPTIONED "INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM"
AND IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
A. Annual Financial Statements
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Report
Consolidated Balance Sheets,
December 31, 2004 and 2003
Consolidated Statements of Income,
Years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows,
Years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
B. Reports on Form 8-K
No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the registrant during its fiscal
quarter ended December 31, 2004.
36
C. Exhibits
(3) Corporate Governance Items
3.1 Articles of Incorporation, filed as Exhibit (3)(I) to the Form
10 filed with the SEC on April 30, 2002 and incorporated
herein by reference.
3.2 Code of Regulations, filed as Exhibit (3)(II) to the Form 10
filed with the SEC on April 30, 2002 and incorporated herein
by reference.
(10) Material Contracts:
10.1 The Merchants National Bank Defined Benefit Retirement Plan,
filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 10 filed with the SEC on
April 30, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.2 The Merchants National Bank Profit Sharing and 401(k) Savings
Retirement Plan and Trust, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Form
10 filed with the SEC on April 30, 2002 and incorporated
herein by reference.
- Defined Contribution Prototype Plan; and
- Non-Standardized 401(k) Savings Plan and Trust Prototype
Plan Adoption Agreement
10.3 The Merchants National Bank Profit Sharing Bonus Plan, filed
as Exhibit 10.3 to the Form 10 filed with the SEC on April 30,
2002 and incorporated herein by reference.
10.4 The Merchants National Bank of Hillsboro, Ohio Executive
Investment Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Form 10 filed
with the SEC on April 30, 2002 and incorporated herein by
reference.
10.5 The Merchants National Bank Directors' Deferred Compensation
Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Form 10 filed with the SEC
on April 30, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference.
(31) Rule 13a-14(a) Certification
(32) Section 1350 Certification
(99) Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms' Report and
Consolidated Financial Statements
37
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act or 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Merchants Bancorp, Inc.
--------------------------------------
(Registrant)
Date March 30, 2005 By /s/ Paul W. Pence, Jr.
-----------------------------------
Paul W. Pence, Jr., President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date March 30, 2005 By /s/ Paul W. Pence, Jr.
--------------------------------
Paul W. Pence, Jr.
Principal Executive Officer, Principal
Financial Officer and Director
Date March 30, 2005 By /s/ James D. Evans
--------------------------------
James D. Evans, Principal Accounting
Officer
Date March 30, 2005 By /s/ Donald Fender, Jr.
--------------------------------
Donald Fender, Jr., Director
Date March 30, 2005 By /s/ Richard S. Carr
--------------------------------
Richard S. Carr, Director
Date March 30, 2005 By /s/ James R. Vanzant
--------------------------------
James R. Vanzant, Director
Date March 30, 2005 By /s/ Robert Hammond
--------------------------------
Robert Hammond, Director
Date March 30, 2005 By /s/ William Butler
--------------------------------
William Butler, Director
Date March 30, 2005 By /s/ Charles A. Davis
--------------------------------
Charles A. Davis, Director
Date March 30, 2005 By /s/ Jack Walker
--------------------------------
Jack Walker, Director
38
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Page
Number Number Exhibit Description
- ------- ------ -------------------
3.1 N/A Articles of Incorporation(1)
3.2 N/A Code of Regulations(1)
10.1 N/A Merchants National Bank Defined Benefit Retirement Plan(1)
10.2 N/A Merchants National Bank Profit Sharing and 401(k) Savings
Retirement Plan and Trust(1)
10.3 N/A Merchants National Bank Profit Sharing Bonus Plan(1)
10.4 N/A Merchants National Bank of Hillsboro, Ohio Executive Investment
Plan(1)
10.5 N/A Merchants National Bank Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan(1)
21 N/A Subsidiaries of the Registrant(1)
31 42 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification
32 43 Section 1350 Certification
99 44 Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms' Report and
Consolidated Financial Statements
(1) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10 filed with the SEC on
April 30, 2002
39
EXHIBIT 31
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Paul W. Pence, Jr., certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Merchants Bancorp,
Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as
of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such
disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to
ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities,
particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and
procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness
of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered
by this report based on such evaluation; and
c) Disclosed in this report any changes in the Company's internal control
over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's most recent fiscal
quarter (the Company's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report)
that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the
Company's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based
on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to
the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably
likely to adversely affect the Company's ability to record, process, summarize
and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the Company's internal control over
financial reporting.
Date MARCH 30, 2005
By /s/ Paul W. Pence, Jr.
-------------------------------------------------
Paul W. Pence, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT 32
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ENACTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company")
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Paul W.
Pence, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the
Registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.
March 30, 2005
/s/ Paul W. Pence, Jr.
Paul W. Pence, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer
EXHIBIT 99
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Financial Statements as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and for Each of the Three
Years in the Period Ended December 31, 2004 and Independent Auditor' Report
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Shareholders
Merchants Bancorp, Inc.
Hillsboro, Ohio
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Merchants
Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiary (the "Corporation") as of December 31, 2004 and
2003, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in
shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Corporation's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. The Corporation is not required to
have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over
financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over
financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are
appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an
opinion on the effectiveness of the Corporation's internal control over
financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of the Corporation as of December 31,
2004 and 2003, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/S/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
March 28, 2005
Cincinnati, Ohio
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2004 AND 2003
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
2004 2003
---------- ----------
ASSETS
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
Cash and due from banks $ 12,499 $ 13,770
Federal funds sold 16,225 8,625
---------- ----------
Total cash and cash equivalents 28,724 22,395
---------- ----------
SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE -- Amortized cost of $30,985 and $31,835, respectively 31,979 33,085
---------- ----------
LOANS 294,610 288,624
Less allowance for loan losses (2,519) (2,432)
---------- ----------
Net loans 292,091 286,192
---------- ----------
OTHER ASSETS:
Bank premises and equipment -- net 3,623 3,844
Accrued interest receivable 2,679 3,112
Deferred income taxes 278 262
Other 4,607 3,531
---------- ----------
Total other assets 11,187 10,749
---------- ----------
TOTAL $ 363,981 $ 352,421
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Deposits:
Noninterest bearing $ 34,834 $ 31,693
Interest bearing 252,997 238,739
---------- ----------
Total deposits 287,831 270,432
---------- ----------
Repurchase agreements 2,944 2,784
FHLB borrowings 39,920 43,706
Other liabilities 2,508 7,272
---------- ----------
Total liabilities 333,203 324,194
---------- ----------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock -- no par value; 4,500,000 shares authorized and 3,000,000 issued; outstanding
shares of 2,666,650 and 2,945,000 at December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively 2,000 2,000
Treasury Stock, at cost -- 333,350 shares and 55,000 shares at December 31, 2004
and December 31, 2003, respectively -- Note 1, Treasury Stock (7,000) (7,000)
Surplus 2,000 2,000
Retained earnings 33,311 30,571
Accumulated other comprehensive income 467 656
---------- ----------
Total shareholders' equity 30,778 28,227
---------- ----------
TOTAL $ 363,981 $ 352,421
========== ==========
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
-2-
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
2004 2003 2002
------- ------- -------
INTEREST INCOME:
Interest and fees on loans $18,724 $18,413 $18,478
Interest and dividends on securities:
Taxable 708 735 1,340
Exempt from income taxes 958 1,003 929
Interest on federal funds sold and other short-term investments 175 159 119
------- ------- -------
Total interest income 20,565 20,310 20,866
------- ------- -------
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Interest on deposits 5,115 5,186 6,900
Interest on repurchase agreements and federal funds purchased 97 91 112
Interest on FHLB borrowings 1,726 1,447 882
------- ------- -------
Total interest expense 6,938 6,724 7,894
------- ------- -------
NET INTEREST INCOME 13,627 13,586 12,972
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES (676) (2,907) (436)
------- ------- -------
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES 12,951 10,679 12,536
------- ------- -------
NONINTEREST INCOME:
Service charges and fees 1,252 1,244 1,224
Other 289 262 285
------- ------- -------
Total noninterest income 1,541 1,506 1,509
------- ------- -------
NONINTEREST EXPENSE:
Salaries and employee benefits 3,980 3,195 3,505
Occupancy 1,033 1,204 1,121
Legal and professional services 533 488 576
Franchise tax 302 249 323
Data processing 308 300 282
Advertising 275 208 230
Other 1,512 1,268 1,073
------- ------- -------
Total noninterest expense 7,943 6,912 7,110
------- ------- -------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 6,549 5,273 6,935
INCOME TAXES (1,942) (1,482) (2,163)
------- ------- -------
NET INCOME $ 4,607 $ 3,791 $ 4,772
======= ======= =======
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 1.73 $ 1.27 $ 1.59
======= ======= =======
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
-3-
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
ACCUMULATED
OTHER
COMMON TREASURY RETAINED COMPREHENSIVE
STOCK STOCK SURPLUS EARNINGS INCOME (LOSS) TOTAL
-------- -------- ------- -------- ------------- -------
BALANCE -- December 31, 2001 $ 2,000 $ - $ 2,000 $ 25,710 $ 522 $30,232
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net income 4,772 4,772
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of
income taxes of $58 (108) (108)
Net change in unrealized gains on available
for sale securities, net of income taxes of $206 412 412
-------
Total comprehensive income 5,076
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED ($0.60 PER SHARE) (1,800) (1,800)
-------- -------- ------- -------- ------------- -------
BALANCE -- December 31, 2002 2,000 - 2,000 28,682 826 33,508
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net income 3,791 3,791
Minimum pension liability adjustment,
net of income taxes of $31 (60) (60)
Net change in unrealized gains on available
for sale securities, net of income taxes of $56 (110) (110)
Total comprehensive income 3,621
-------
Purchase of treasury stock (7,000) (7,000)
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED($0.64 PER SHARE) (1,902) (1,902)
-------- -------- ------- -------- ------------- -------
BALANCE -- December 31, 2003 2,000 (7,000) 2,000 30,571 656 28,227
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net income 4,607 4,607
Minimum pension liability adjustment,
net of income taxes of $10 (19) (19)
Net change in unrealized gains on available
for sale securities, net of income taxes of $58 (170) (170)
-------
Total comprehensive income 4,418
CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED ($0.70 PER SHARE) (1,867) (1,867)
-------- -------- ------- -------- ------------- -------
BALANCE -- December 31, 2004 $ 2,000 $ (7,000) $ 2,000 $ 33,311 $ 467 $30,778
======== ======== ======= ======== ============= =======
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
-4-
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
(IN THOUSANDS)
2004 2003 2002
----------- ----------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 4,607 $ 3,791 $ 4,772
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 549 840 890
Provision for loan losses 676 2,907 436
Gain on sale of mortgage loans (227) (161) (134)
Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans 19,261 12,354 8,755
Mortgage loans originated for sale (19,034) (12,193) (8,621)
Deferred federal income taxes 81 (63) (129)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accrued interest receivable 433 (24) (131)
Other assets (1,076) (576) (99)
Accrued interest, taxes and other liabilities 1,052 (405) (58)
----------- ----------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities 6,322 6,470 5,681
----------- ----------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sales and maturities of securities available for sale 12,951 12,027 16,259
Purchases of securities available for sale (11,841) (5,389) (17,663)
Purchases of FHLB stock (300) (82) (91)
Net increase in loans (6,575) (42,935) (24,833)
Capital expenditures (289) (212) (665)
----------- ----------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities (6,054) (36,591) (26,993)
----------- ----------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net increase in deposits 17,399 7,716 108
Net (decrease) increase in repurchase agreements 160 (581) 1,941
Proceeds from FHLB borrowings 27,250 10,000
Payments on FHLB borrowings (3,786) (1,014) (1,523)
Stock repurchase payments (5,845) (1,155)
Dividends paid (1,867) (1,902) (1,800)
----------- ----------- ---------
Net cash provided by financing activities 6,061 30,314 8,726
----------- ----------- ---------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 6,329 193 (12,586)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
Beginning of year 22,395 22,202 34,788
----------- ----------- ---------
End of year $ 28,724 $ 22,395 $ 22,202
=========== =========== =========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the year for federal income taxes $ 1,160 $ 1,850 $ 2,351
=========== =========== =========
Cash paid during the year for interest $ 6,918 $ 6,779 $ 7,738
=========== =========== =========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH FINANCING ACTIVITY --
At December 31, 2003, in connection with the Redemption Agreement to purchase
treasury stock, the Corporation recorded $5,845 in other liabilities.
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
-5-
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004, 2003 AND 2002
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES
The accounting and reporting policies of Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (the
"Corporation") conform with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States of America and with general practices within the banking
industry. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.
Actual results could differ from those estimates. The significant
estimates used by management include the allowance for loan losses, fair
value of financial instruments, and pension obligations.
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS -- The Corporation is a bank holding company whose
subsidiary, the Merchants National Bank (the "Bank"), provides a full
range of banking services. Substantially all assets, liabilities,
revenues, and expenses are related to banking operations, including
lending, investing of funds, and obtaining of deposits and other
financing. All of the Corporation's business offices and majority of its
business activities are located in the Ohio Counties of Fayette, Highland,
and Madison. The Corporation manages its business as one operating segment
and reportable unit -- community banking.
The following is a summary of the Corporation's significant accounting
policies:
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION -- The consolidated financial statements
include the accounts of Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned
subsidiary, the Merchants National Bank. All significant intercompany
balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS -- The Corporation was required to maintain funds
with the Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with regulatory reserve
requirements of approximately $3,320,000 and $3,393,000 at December 31,
2004 and 2003, respectively.
INVESTMENT SECURITIES -- Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS") No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity
Securities, requires securities to be classified as held to maturity,
available for sale or trading. Only those securities classified as held to
maturity, which the Corporation intends and has the ability to hold until
maturity, are reported at amortized cost. Available for sale and trading
securities are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses
included in shareholders' equity or income net of related income taxes,
respectively. All of the Corporation's investment securities are
classified as available for sale at December 31, 2004 and 2003.
Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recorded as
interest income using methods which approximate a level yield over the
period to maturity. Gains and losses realized on sales of securities are
computed using the adjusted cost of the specific securities sold.
-6-
LOANS -- Loans are reported at the carrying value of unpaid principal
reduced by unearned interest, net of deferred loan origination fees and an
allowance for loan losses. Loan origination costs and fees on certain
loans are deferred and the net amount is amortized as an adjustment of the
related loan's yield over the estimated life of the loan.
Income is recorded on the effective yield basis. Interest accrual is
discontinued when management believes, after considering economic and
business conditions and collection efforts, that the borrower's financial
condition is such that collection of interest is doubtful. Any loan
greater than 90 days past due must be well secured and in the process of
collection to continue accruing interest. Cash payments received on
nonaccrual loans generally are applied against principal, and interest
income is only recorded once principal recovery is reasonably assured.
Loans are not reclassified as accruing until principal and interest
payments are brought current and future payments appear reasonably
certain.
A loan is considered impaired when it is probable the Corporation will be
unable to collect all contractual principal and interest payments due in
accordance with the terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are
measured based on the loan's observable market price or the estimated fair
value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. The amount of
impairment, if any, and any subsequent changes are included in the
allowance for loan losses.
The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan
losses charged to operating expense. Loan losses are charged against the
allowance when management believes the loans are uncollectible. Subsequent
recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
The Corporation maintains an allowance for loan losses to absorb probable
loan losses inherent in the portfolio. The allowance for loan losses is
maintained at a level management considers to be adequate to absorb
probable loan losses inherent in the portfolio, based on evaluations of
the collectibility and historical loss experience of loans. The allowance
is based on ongoing assessments of the probable estimated losses inherent
in the loan portfolio. The Corporation's methodology for assessing the
appropriate allowance level consists of several key elements, as described
below.
Larger commercial loans that exhibit probable or observed credit
weaknesses are subject to individual review. Where appropriate, reserves
are allocated to individual loans based on management's estimate of the
borrower's ability to repay the loan given the availability of collateral,
other sources of cash flow and available legal options. Included in the
review of individual loans are those that are impaired as provided in SFAS
No. 114, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan. As mentioned
above, specific reserves for impaired loans are measured based on the fair
value of the underlying collateral. The Corporation evaluates the
collectibility of both principal and interest when assessing the need for
a specific reserve. Historical loss rates are applied to other commercial
loans not subject to specific reserve allocations.
Homogenous loans, such as consumer installment and residential mortgage
loans, are not individually reviewed by management. Reserves are
established for each pool of loans based on the expected net charge-offs.
Expected net charge offs are based on the charge off history of each loan
category. In 2004, the average charge off history for the two most recent
years was utilized to compute the allowance for loan loss reserves. In the
previous years the average of the five previous years was used for this
calculation. Management believes that this refinement results in a
calculation that more fully considers recent trends in losses and economic
conditions.
Historical loss rates for commercial and consumer loans may be adjusted
for significant factors that, in management's judgment, reflect the impact
of any current conditions on loss recognition. Factors which management
considers in the analysis include the effects of the local economy, trends
in the nature and
-7-
volume of loans (delinquencies, charge-offs, nonaccrual and problem
loans), changes in the internal lending policies and credit standards,
collection practices, and examination results from bank regulatory
agencies and the Corporation's internal credit review function.
A portion of the allowance is not allocated to any particular loan type
and is maintained in recognition of the inherent inability to precisely
determine the loss potential in any particular loan or pool of loans.
Among the factors used by management in determining the unallocated
portion of the allowance are current economic conditions, trends in the
Corporation's loan portfolio delinquency, losses and recoveries, level of
underperforming and nonperforming loans, and concentrations of loans in
any one industry.
The Corporation has not substantively changed its overall approach in the
determination of the allowance for loan losses. Excluding the refinement
from a five year to a two year trend in the calculation of the allowance
for loan loss for homogeneous loans as described above, there have been no
material changes in assumptions or estimation techniques as compared to
prior years that impacted the determination of the current year allowance.
BANK PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT -- Bank premises and equipment are stated at
cost, less accumulated depreciation computed using the straight-line
method over their estimated useful lives, which range from five to
twenty-five years.
NONMARKETABLE SECURITIES -- The Corporation's investments in the Federal
Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank are carried at cost and included
in other assets. The Corporation owned Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal
Reserve Bank stock totaling $2,529,000 and $2,229,800 as of December 31,
2004 and 2003, respectively.
OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED -- Real estate assets acquired through foreclosure
are recorded at the lower of the recorded loan balance or fair value.
Other real estate owned at December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $1,040,000 and
$357,500, respectively, and is included in other assets.
REVENUE RECOGNITION -- Interest income on loans is based on the principal
balance outstanding.
TREASURY STOCK -- On August 28, 2003, the Corporation entered into a stock
redemption agreement with three shareholders for the purchase of 333,350
shares. Under the agreement, 55,000 shares were purchased for $1,155,000
and occurred on September 5, 2003. The second settlement for the remaining
278,350 shares occurred on January 5, 2004 for $5,845,350 and was recorded
in other liabilities on the December 31, 2003 financial statements. The
total value of the transaction was $7,000,350.
INCOME TAXES -- Deferred income taxes represent the net tax effects of
temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and
liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for
federal income tax purposes.
EARNINGS PER SHARE -- Basic earnings per share is computed using the
weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the
year. For the year ended 2004, the Corporation had 2,666,650 shares
outstanding. For the year ended 2003, the Corporation had 2,945,000 shares
outstanding. For the year ended 2002, the Corporation had 3,000,000 shares
outstanding. There were no common stock equivalents outstanding during the
respective periods.
-8-
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS -- Cash and cash equivalents is defined to
include cash on-hand, noninterest and interest-bearing amounts due from
other banks and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds are sold for
one day periods. The Corporation reports cash flow on a net basis for
customer loan transactions and deposit transactions.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS -- In December 2003, the FASB issued SFAS
No. 132 (Revised 2003), Employers' Disclosure about Pension and Other
Postretirement Benefits. This Statement expands upon the existing
disclosure requirements as prescribed under the original SFAS No. 132 by
requiring more details about pension plan assets, benefit obligations,
cash flows, benefit costs and related information. SFAS No. 132 (Revised)
also requires companies to disclose various elements of pension and
postretirement benefit costs in interim period financial statements
beginning after December 15, 2003. This Statement is effective for
financial statements with fiscal years ending after December 15, 2003. The
Corporation adopted this Standard and all its required disclosures are
included in Note 9.
In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 ("FIN 46"),
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. This Interpretation clarifies
the application of ARB No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements, for
certain entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics
of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at
risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional
subordinated support from other parties. This Interpretation requires
variable interest entities ("VIE's") to be consolidated by the primary
beneficiary which represents the enterprise that will absorb the majority
of the VIE's expected losses if they occur, receive a majority of the
VIE's residual returns if they occur, or both. Qualifying Special Purpose
Entities ("QSPE") are exempt from the consolidation requirements of FIN
46. This Interpretation was effective for VIE's created after January 31,
2003 and for VIE's in which an enterprise obtains an interest after that
date. In December 2003, the FASB issued Staff Interpretation No. 46R ("FIN
46R"), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities -- an interpretation of
ARB 51 (revised December 2003), which replaces FIN 46. FIN 46R was
primarily issued to clarify the required accounting for interests in
VIE's. Additionally, this Interpretation exempts certain entities from its
requirements and provides for special effective dates for enterprises that
have fully or partially applied FIN 46 as of December 24, 2003.
Application of FIN 46R is required in financial statements of public
enterprises that have interests in structures that are commonly referred
to as special-purpose entities, or SPE's, for periods ending after
December 15, 2003. Application by public enterprises, other than small
business issuers, for all other types of VIE's (i.e., non-SPE's) is
required in financial statements for periods ending after March 15, 2004,
with earlier adoption permitted. The Corporation does not have any
variable interest entities. Management has determined that adoption of
this Interpretation will not have a material impact on the Corporation's
financial statements.
In March 2004, the Securities and Exchange Commission staff released Staff
Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 105, Application of Accounting Principles
to Loan Commitments. This SAB disallows the inclusion of expected future
cash flows related to the servicing of a loan in the determination of the
fair value of a loan commitment. Further, no other internally developed
intangible asset should be recorded as part of the loan commitment
derivative. Recognition of intangible assets would only be appropriate in
a third-party transaction, such as a purchase of a loan commitment or in a
business combination. The SAB is effective for all loan commitments
entered into after March 31, 2004, but does not require retroactive
adoption for loan commitments entered into, on or before March 31, 2004.
Adoption of this SAB did not have a material effect on the Corporation's
Consolidated Financial Statements.
-9-
In March 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") reached a consensus
on Issue 03-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its
Application to Certain Investments. The EITF reached a consensus on an
other-than temporary impairment model for debt and equity securities
accounted for under SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in
Debt and Equity Securities, and cost method investments. The basic model
developed to evaluate whether an investment within the scope of Issue 03-1
is other-than temporarily impaired involves a three-step process
including, determining whether an investment is impaired (fair value less
than cost), evaluating whether the impairment is other-than-temporary and,
if other-than-temporary, requiring recognition of an impairment loss equal
to the difference between the investment's cost and its fair value. In
September 2004, the FASB issued Staff Position ("FSP") No. EITF 03-01-1,
Effective Date of Paragraphs 10-20 of EITF Issue No. 03-01. This FSP
delays the effective date of the measurement and recognition guidance
contained in paragraphs 10-20 of Issue 03-01. The amount of any
other-than-temporary impairment that may need to be recognized in the
future will be dependent on market conditions, the occurrence of certain
events or changes in circumstances relative to an investee, the
Corporation's intent and ability to hold the impaired investments at the
time of valuation and measurement and recognition guidance defined in a
future FSP issuance.
In May 2004, FASB issued FSP No. 106-2, Accounting and Disclosure
Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and
Modernization Act of 2003. This FSP provides guidance on accounting for
the effects of the Medicare prescription drug legislation by employers
whose prescriptions drug benefits are actuarially equivalent to the drug
benefit under Medicare Part D, and the subsidy is expected to offset or
reduce the Corporation's costs for prescription drug coverage. The FSP is
effective for the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2004. The
FSP also provides guidance for disclosures concerning the effect of the
subsidy for employers when the employer has not yet determined actuarial
equivalency. The adoption of this FSP did not have a material impact on
the Corporation's financial condition or results of operations.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), Share-Based
Payment. This Statement requires measurement of the costs of employee
services received in exchange received in for an award of equity
instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award with the cost
to be recognized over the vesting period. This Statement is effective for
financial statements as of the beginning of the first interim or annual
reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. The Corporation does not
anticipate this Statement will have a material effect on the consolidated
financial statements.
In December 2003, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of
Position ("SOP") 03-3, Accounting for Certain Loans and Debt Securities
Acquired in a Transfer. SOP 03-3 addresses the accounting for acquired
loans that show evidence of having deteriorated in terms of credit quality
since their origination (i.e. impaired loans). SOP 03-3 prohibits the
carryover of an allowance for loan loss on certain acquired loans as
credit losses are considered in the future cash flows assessment. SOP 03-3
is effective for loans that are acquired in fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2004. The Corporation does not anticipate this Statement will
have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
-10-
2. SECURITIES
The following tables provide information related to securities available
for sale as of December 31, (in thousands):
2004
-------------------------------------------
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE
--------- ---------- ---------- -------
United States Government and agency
obligations $ 6,494 $ 29 $ (11) $ 6,512
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 17,454 837 (3) 18,288
Mortgage-backed securities 7,037 163 (21) 7,179
--------- ---------- ---------- -------
Total $ 30,985 $ 1,029 $ (35) $31,979
========= ========== ========== =======
2003
-------------------------------------------
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE
--------- ---------- ---------- -------
United States Government and agency
obligations $ 4,532 $ 21 $ - $ 4,553
Obligations of states and political subdivisions 19,749 955 (4) 20,700
Mortgage-backed securities 7,554 286 (8) 7,832
--------- ---------- ---------- -------
Total $ 31,835 $ 1,262 $ (12) $33,085
========= ========== ========== =======
The unrealized losses at December 31, 2004 and 2003 are primarily related
to fluctuations in market interest rates. The Corporation believes the
price movements in these securities are dependent upon the movement in
market interest rates particularly given the negligible inherent credit
risk for these securities.
The book value and approximate fair value of securities at December 31,
2004 by contractual maturity, are shown below (in thousands). Actual
maturities may differ from contractual maturities when there exists a
right to call or prepay obligations.
AMORTIZED FAIR
COST VALUE
--------- -------
Less than 1 year $ 1,311 $ 1,306
1 to 5 years 4,217 4,240
6 to 10 years 1,663 1,705
Over 10 years 16,757 17,549
Mortgage-backed securities 7,037 7,179
--------- -------
Total $ 30,985 $31,979
========= =======
Management reviews the securities portfolio on a quarterly basis to
determine whether any securities have been impaired. As of December 31,
2004 and 2003, the securities portfolio did not include any securities
with other-than-temporary impairments.
The Corporation did not sell any securities in 2004 or 2003.
-11-
At December 31, 2004 and 2003, securities with carrying amount of
approximately $28,382,000 and $23,105,000, respectively, were pledged to
secure public deposits and for other purposes as required or permitted by
law.
3. LOANS
Loans at December 31, 2004 and 2003 were as follows (in thousands):
2004 2003
---------- ----------
Commercial real estate $ 64,460 $ 60,833
Commercial and industrial 26,350 25,165
Agricultural 39,970 40,362
Residential real estate 136,165 131,656
Installment 25,080 27,827
Other 2,585 2,781
---------- ----------
Total 294,610 288,624
Less allowance for loan losses (2,519) (2,432)
---------- ----------
$ 292,091 $ 286,192
========== ==========
At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the recorded investment in loans considered
to be impaired was approximately $8,547,000 and $6,123,000, of which
$728,000 and $1,462,000 were on a nonaccrual basis, respectively. Specific
reserves for credit losses allocated to these loans were $1,030,000 and
$910,000 at December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The average
investment in impaired loans for 2004, 2003, and 2002 was $8,273,000,
$5,276,000, and $2,132,000, respectively. Interest income recognized from
cash payments on impaired loans was $40,000, $4,000 and $11,000 for 2004,
2003, and 2002, respectively.
Total loans serviced by the Bank for the benefit of others at December 31,
2004 and 2003 were approximately $14,988,000 and $7,234,000, respectively.
-12-
4. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
Activity in the allowance for loan losses was as follows (in thousands):
2004 2003 2002
------- ------- -------
Balance -- January 1 $ 2,432 $ 2,106 $ 1,960
Provision for loan losses 676 2,907 436
Loans charged-off (653) (2,609) (356)
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off 64 28 66
------- ------- -------
Balance -- December 31 $ 2,519 $ 2,432 $ 2,106
======= ======= =======
5. BANK PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT
Bank premises and equipment at December 31, 2004 and 2003 consisted of the
following (in thousands):
2004 2003
-------- --------
Land $ 735 $ 735
Buildings and improvements 4,273 4,240
Furniture and equipment 4,026 3,847
-------- --------
Total 9,034 8,822
Less accumulated depreciation (5,411) (4,978)
-------- --------
Bank premises and equipment -- net $ 3,623 $ 3,844
======== ========
Depreciation expense was $510,000, $717,000, and $659,000 for the years
ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively.
6. DEPOSITS
Major classifications of deposits are categorized as follows (in
thousands):
2004 2003
-------- --------
Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 34,834 $ 31,693
Savings and interest checking 109,879 108,455
Certificates of deposits > $100,000 34,294 29,799
Other time deposits 108,824 100,485
-------- --------
Total $287,831 $270,432
======== ========
-13-
Maturities of certificates of deposit for each of the next five years are
as follows (in thousands):
AMOUNT
--------
2005 $ 92,318
2006 21,821
2007 17,049
2008 322
2009 7,510
--------
Total $139,020
========
7. FHLB BORROWINGS
All stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") with a carrying value of
$2,230,000 and first mortgage residential loans with an unpaid principal
balance of $69,417,797, which equals at least 135% of the amount borrowed,
are pledged as collateral on FHLB borrowings. Maturities and interest
rates at December 31, 2004 are as follows (in thousands):
INTEREST
MATURITY YEAR RATE AMOUNT
- ------------- ------------ ---------
2008 4.78% - 5.39% $ 4,000
2010 6.26% 3,000
2011 5.23% 87
2012 4.64 % 10,000
2013 2.82%-3.13% 1,924
2018 2.83%-4.04% 8,099
2023 3.02%-4.24% 12,810
---------
Total $ 39,920
=========
-14-
At December 31, 2004, the Company had outstanding, $39,920,000 of total
borrowings from the FHLB with a weighted average rate of 4.12%. Borrowings
of $7 million consist of three fixed-rate notes with maturities in 2008
and 2010. At the option of the FHLB, these notes can be converted at
certain dates to instruments that adjust quarterly at the three-month
LIBOR rate. The note amount and nearest optional conversion dates at
December 31, 2004, are $1 million in January 2005, $3 million in March
2005; and $3 million in March 2005 if the three month LIBOR reaches 8%.
Additionally, the Company utilized a borrowing of $10 million, due in
2012, with a rate that can adjust quarterly if the three-month LIBOR
reaches 7.75%. Principal payments on FHLB borrowings are as follows:
$3,518,000 in 2005, $2,929,000 in 2006, $2,568,000 in 2007, $6,248,000 in
2008, and $24,657,000 in 2009 and thereafter.
In addition to the FHLB borrowings, the Corporation has an outstanding
standby letter of credit available with the FHLB totaling $11,500,000 at
December 31, 2004.
8. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The provision for federal income taxes consisted of the following (in
thousands):
2004 2003 2002
------- ------- -------
Current $ 1,861 $ 1,545 $ 2,292
Deferred 81 (63) (129)
------- ------- -------
Total $ 1,942 $ 1,482 $ 2,163
======= ======= =======
A reconciliation of the Corporation's statutory income tax rate to the
effective rate at December 31 follows:
2004 2003 2002
---- ---- ----
Statutory tax rate 34.0% 34.0% 34.0%
Decrease from tax-exempt interest (5.0) (6.6) (4.1)
Other -- net 0.6 0.7 1.3
---- ---- ----
Effective tax rate 29.6% 28.1% 31.2%
==== ==== ====
Deferred income taxes are provided for the future tax consequences
attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying
amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases
(primarily the allowance for loan losses and unrealized gains/losses on
securities available for sale).
The tax effects of significant items comprising the Corporation's deferred
tax assets (liabilities) at December 31, are as follows (in thousands):
2004 2003
------ ------
Unrealized gains on securities available for sale $ (338) $ (425)
Allowance for loan losses 583 573
Other -- net 33 114
------ ------
Net deferred tax asset $ 278 $ 262
====== ======
-15-
9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Corporation provides defined pension benefits to substantially all
eligible employees. Benefits are based on years of service and earnings in
the highest five consecutive calendar years preceding retirement or a
monthly amount if employed less than five years. The Plan is funded in
accordance with the minimum funding requirements of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
The Plan assumptions are evaluated annually and are updated as necessary.
The discount rate assumption reflects the yield of a portfolio of high
quality fixed-income instruments that have a similar duration to the
Plan's liabilities. The expected long-term rate of return assumption
reflects the average return expected on the assets invested to provide for
the Plan's liabilities. In determining the expected long-term rate of
return assumption, the Corporation evaluated actuarial and economic
inputs, including long-term inflation rate assumptions and broad equity
and bond indices long-term return projections, as well as actual long-term
historical Plan performance.
The details of net periodic pension cost included in personnel expense in
the accompanying consolidated statements of income for the years ended
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 (the measurement date of the Plan) are as
follows (in thousands):
2004 2003 2002
----- ----- -----
Economic assumptions:
For disclosure:
Discount rate 5.9% 6.0% 6.5%
Return on assets 7.5 7.5 7.5
Salary increases 3.5 4.0 4.0
For measuring net periodic pension cost:
Discount rate 6.0% 6.5% 7.5%
Return on assets 7.5 7.5 7.5
Salary increases 3.5 4.0 4.0
Service cost $ 173 $ 146 $ 111
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 139 125 100
Expected return on plan assets (102) (61) (73)
Net amortization and deferral 38 44 7
----- ----- -----
Net periodic pension cost $ 248 $ 254 $ 145
===== ===== =====
-16-
A summary of the Plan's funded status at December 31 is as follows (in
thousands):
2004 2003
-------- -------
Changes in benefit obligations:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 2,406 $ 1,883
Service cost 173 146
Interest cost 139 125
Actuarial (gain) loss (32) 272
Benefits paid during year (11) (20)
-------- -------
Projected benefit obligation at end of year $ 2,675 $ 2,406
======== =======
Change in Plan assets:
Fair value of Plan assets at beginning of year $ 1,364 $ 986
Actual return on assets 131 199
Employer contributions 199 199
Benefits paid (11) (20)
-------- -------
Fair value of Plan assets at end of year $ 1,683 $ 1,364
======== =======
Funded status -- underfunded $ 992 $ 1,042
Unrecognized transition obligation 12 14
Unrecognized prior service cost 12 14
Minimum pension liability 29 91
Unrecognized net gain (loss) (892) (995)
-------- -------
Accrued pension cost $ 153 $ 166
======== =======
The above accrued pension cost is included in "Accrued interest, taxes and
other liabilities" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Unrecognized prior service cost and net gain (loss) is amortized over the
average future service lives of plan participants (18 years).
For the Corporation's defined benefit plan, with an accumulated benefit
obligation exceeding assets, the total projected benefit obligation,
accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets were
approximately $2,675,000, $1,837,000, and $1,683,000 respectively as of
December 31, 2004, and $2,406,000, $1,530,000, and $1,364,000,
respectively as of December 31, 2003. At December 31, 2004 and 2003, an
additional minimum pension liability was recorded as a reduction to
shareholders' equity in an amount of $29,000, net of $10,000 of tax
benefit and $91,000, net of $31,000 of tax benefit, respectively.
-17-
The Plan assets consist primarily of equity and debt securities and money
market funds. The following table provides the Corporation's
weighted-average asset allocations by asset category for 2004 and 2003.
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
ASSET ALLOCATION
----------------
2004 2003
---- ----
Equity Securities 70% 72%
Debt Securities 20 3
Money Market Funds 10 25
---- ----
Total 100% 100%
==== ====
The Corporation's policy for the investment of Plan assets is to employ
investment strategies that are derived based on current and expected
market conditions. Generally, the overall weighted-average target asset
allocation is 70% to 90% in debt and equity securities and up to 30% in
cash.
Based on the actuarial assumptions, the Corporation expects to make a
$162,000 cash contribution to the Plan in 2005. Estimated pension benefit
payments, which reflects expected future service, for fiscal years 2005
through 2014 are as follows:
YEARS ENDING DECEMBER 31, (IN THOUSANDS)
- ----------------------------------------
2005 $ 11
2006 61
2007 117
2008 95
2009 111
2010-2014 783
The Corporation has entered into supplemental deferred compensation
agreements with certain executives of the Corporation under an Executive
Investment Plan. Total expense related to this plan was approximately
$69,000, $69,000, and $25,000 in 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. As of
December 31, 2004 and 2003, the amounts payable under this plan were
approximately $325,000 and $257,000, respectively.
The Corporation maintains a Director's Deferred Compensation Plan for
members of the Board of Directors. The purpose of the Plan is to permit
designated members of the Board of Directors to defer amounts equal to the
amounts received as compensation from services rendered as a Corporation
Director. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, the amounts payable under this
plan were approximately $306,000 and $238,000, respectively.
The Corporation has a defined contribution 401(k) plan covering
substantially all eligible employees. The Corporation made contributions
of $35,000, $38,000 and $36,000 for 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
-18-
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
In the normal course of business, the Corporation has outstanding various
financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk, such as commitments to
extend credit and commercial and standby letters of credit. At December
31, 2004 and 2003, the Corporation had approximately $26,250,000 and
$24,508,000, respectively, of commitments to extend credit. Commercial and
standby letters of credit with customers were $71,000 and $0 at December
31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend. Commercial and
standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee
the performance of a customer to a third party. The Corporation's exposure
to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party is
represented by the contractual amount. No material losses or liquidity
demands are anticipated as a result of these commitments.
The Corporation evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a
case-by-case basis in accordance with the Corporation's credit policies.
The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Corporation
upon extension of credit, is based upon management's credit evaluation of
the customer. Collateral held varies, but may include business assets of
commercial borrowers as well as personal property and real estate of
individual borrowers or guarantors.
The Corporation grants agribusiness, commercial, residential and
installment loans to customers in the surrounding areas of its offices in
Hillsboro, Greenfield, London, and Washington Court House, Ohio. Although
the Bank has a diversified loan portfolio, the borrower's ability to honor
their commitments are affected by the regional economy. As of December 31,
2004 and 2003, the Corporation had outstanding approximately $39,970,000
and $40,362,000, respectively, in loans for agriculture purposes, or
secured by agricultural properties.
11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
At December 31, 2004 and 2003, certain directors, executive officers
and/or companies in which these individuals had a ten percent or more
beneficial ownership were indebted to the Corporation in the aggregate
amounts of approximately $1,598,000 and $1,784,000, respectively. A
rollforward of the related party activity follows (in thousands):
2004 2003
------- -------
Balance--January 1, $ 1,784 $ 1,282
Originations 443 792
Payments (629) (290)
------- -------
Balance--December 31, $ 1,598 $ 1,784
======= =======
-19-
12. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The estimated fair value of financial instruments is as follows (in
thousands):
DECEMBER 31, 2004 DECEMBER 31, 2003
---------------------- ----------------------
CARRYING FAIR CARRYING FAIR
VALUE VALUE VALUE VALUE
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents $ 28,724 $ 28,724 $ 22,395 $ 22,395
Securities available for sale 31,979 31,979 33,085 33,085
Federal Reserve Bank and
FHLB Stock 2,530 2,530 2,230 2,230
Loans--net 292,091 295,940 286,192 287,209
Deposits:
Demand deposits 34,834 34,834 31,693 31,693
Savings deposits 109,879 109,879 108,455 108,455
Certificates and other time deposits 143,118 143,740 130,284 130,517
FHLB borrowings and federal funds 39,920 39,590 43,706 41,492
Repurchase agreements 2,944 2,944 2,784 2,784
Loan commitments and letters of credit 26,250 24,508
The estimated fair value amounts are determined by the Corporation, using
available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies.
However, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to
develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented
herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Corporation could
realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market
assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on
the estimated fair value amounts.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, FEDERAL RESERVE BANK AND FHLB STOCK -- The
carrying amounts of these items are a reasonable estimate of their fair
value.
SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE -- Fair values are based on quoted market
prices and dealer quotes.
LOANS RECEIVABLE -- The fair value of loans receivable is estimated by
discounting future cash flows at market rates for loans of similar terms
and maturities, taking into consideration repricing characteristics and
prepayment risk.
DEPOSITS -- The fair value of demand deposits and savings deposits is the
amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of
fixed-rate certificates of deposits is estimated by discounting the future
cash flows using rates offered on the reporting date for deposits of
similar remaining maturities.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS -- The carrying amounts of these items are a
reasonable estimate of their fair value.
FHLB BORROWINGS -- The fair value of FHLB borrowings is estimated by
discounting the future cash flows using rates offered on the reporting
date for borrowings of similar remaining maturities.
COMMITMENTS -- The estimated fair value of commitments to originate
fixed-rate loans is determined based on the fees currently charged to
enter into similar agreements and the difference between current levels of
interest rates and the committed rates. Based on the analysis, the
estimated fair value of such commitments is a reasonable estimate of the
loan commitments at par.
-20-
The fair value estimates presented herein are based on information
available to management as of December 31, 2004 and 2003. Although
management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the
estimated fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively
revalued for purposes of these financial statements since that date, and
therefore, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from
the amounts presented herein.
13. REGULATORY MATTERS
The Corporation is subject to various regulatory capital requirements
administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum
capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly
additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could
have a direct material effect on the Corporations' financial statements.
Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt
corrective action, the Corporation must meet specific capital guidelines
that involve quantitative measures of the Corporation's assets,
liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under
regulatory accounting practices. The Corporation's capital amounts and
classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators
about components, risk weightings, and other factors.
Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy
require the Corporation to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth
in the table below, in thousands) of total and Tier I capital (as defined
in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier I
capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes,
as of December 31, 2004, that the Corporation meets all capital adequacy
requirements to which it is subject.
As of December 31, 2004, the most recent notification from the Office of
the Comptroller of the Currency categorized the Corporation as well
capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.
To be categorized as adequately capitalized the Corporation must maintain
minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, and Tier I leverage ratios as
set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since that
notification that management believes have changed the institutions'
categories.
-21-
TO BE WELL
CAPITALIZED UNDER
FOR CAPITAL PROMPT CORRECTIVE
ACTUAL ADEQUACY PURPOSE ACTION PROVISIONS
---------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
AMOUNT RATIO AMOUNT RATIO AMOUNT RATIO
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
(000's) (000's) (000's)
As of December 31, 2004:
Total risk-based capital
(to risk-weighted assets):
Consolidated $ 32,829 12.3% $ 21,354 8% N/A
Bank $ 32,268 12.1% $ 21,266 8% $ 26,582 10%
Tier 1 risk-based capital
(to risk-weighted assets):
Consolidated $ 30,311 11.4% $ 10,677 4% N/A
Bank $ 29,749 11.2% $ 10,633 4% $ 15,950 6%
Tier 1 leverage capital
(to adjusted total assets):
Consolidated $ 30,311 8.3% $ 14,685 4% N/A
Bank $ 29,749 8.2% $ 14,594 4% $ 18,243 5%
As of December 31, 2003:
Total risk-based capital
(to risk-weighted assets):
Consolidated $ 30,004 11.4% $ 21,075 8% N/A
Bank $ 30,542 11.8% $ 20,790 8% $ 25,988 10%
Tier 1 risk-based capital
(to risk-weighted assets):
Consolidated $ 27,571 10.5% $ 10,537 4% N/A
Bank $ 20,109 7.7% $ 10,395 4% $ 15,593 6%
Tier 1 leverage capital
(to adjusted total assets):
Consolidated $ 27,571 7.7% $ 14,240 4% N/A
Bank $ 20,109 5.8% $ 14,001 4% $ 17,501 5%
DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS -- National banking laws restrict the maximum amount
of dividends that a bank may pay in any calendar year. Dividends are
limited to the Bank's retained profits (as defined by the Office of the
Comptroller of the Currency) for that year and the two preceding years.
During 2002 and as a result of tax planning efforts, the Bank made a
special dividend totaling $8,000,000 to the Corporation. As a result, the
Bank exceeded the amount of retained earnings available for cash dividends
and must obtain approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency for additional future dividends. The Bank received authorization
from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for the 2003 and the
June 2004 dividend payments to the Corporation for the purpose of paying a
dividend to the shareholders of the Corporation. The December 2004
dividend paid to the shareholders of the Corporation was paid directly
from the bank holding company. Therefore, the Bank was not required to
obtain approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency before
paying the December 2004 dividends.
-22-
14. PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Condensed balance sheets (in thousands):
2004 2003
---------- ----------
ASSETS:
Due from banks $ 95 $ 970
Securities available for sale 2,631
Loans--net 1,082 1,986
Subordinated note receivable from subsidiary 8,000
Other assets 16 444
Investment in subsidiary 30,217 20,688
---------- ----------
TOTAL $ 31,410 $ 34,719
========== ==========
LIABILITIES:
Treasury stock payable $ 5,845
Other liabilities $ 632 647
---------- ----------
Total liabilities 632 6,492
---------- ----------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 30,778 28,227
---------- ----------
TOTAL $ 31,410 $ 34,719
========== ==========
Condensed statements of income for the year ended December 31 (in
thousands):
2004 2003 2002
-------- -------- --------
INCOME:
Dividends from subsidiary bank $ 907 $ 1,902 $ 1,800
Other income 136 59 265
-------- -------- --------
Total income 1,043 1,961 2,065
-------- -------- --------
EXPENSES--Other expenses 52 19
-------- -------- --------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 991 1,961 2,046
-------- -------- --------
Income tax expense 24 17 78
-------- -------- --------
Income before equity in undistributed income
of bank subsidiary 967 1,944 1,968
-------- -------- --------
Equity in undistributed income of bank subsidiary 3,640 1,847 2,804
-------- -------- --------
NET INCOME $ 4,607 $ 3,791 $ 4,772
======== ======== ========
-23-
Condensed statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31 (in
thousands):
2004 2003 2002
--------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 4,607 $ 3,791 $ 4,772
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary (3,640) (1,847) (2,804)
Change in other assets and liabilities--net 452 250 108
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,419 2,194 2,076
--------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Change in securities--net 2,514 1,365 577
Change in loans--net 8,904 180 (1,514)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities 11,418 1,545 (937)
--------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Stock repurchase (5,845) (1,155)
Investment in subsidiary (6,000)
Dividends paid (1,867) (1,902) (1,800)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in financing activities (13,712) (3,057) (1,800)
--------- --------- ---------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (875) 682 (661)
--------- --------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents--beginning of year 970 288 949
--------- --------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents--end of year $ 95 $ 970 $ 288
========= ========= =========
******
-24-
APPENDIX G
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005
OR
[ ] 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: 0-49771
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ohio 31-1467303
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
100 North High Street, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(937) 393-1993
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 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 [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)
Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [ ] No [X]
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common stock - 2,666,650 shares outstanding at November 14, 2005
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The accompanying information has not been audited by a registered independent
public accounting firm; however, in the opinion of management such information
reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results for
the interim period. All such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature.
The accompanying financial statements are presented in accordance with the
requirements of Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all of the disclosures
normally required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America or those made in the Registrant's Form 10-K. Accordingly, the
reader of the Form 10-Q should refer to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2004 for further information in this regard.
2
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND DECEMBER 31, 2004 (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
2005 2004
------------- ------------
(UNAUDITED)
ASSETS
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
Cash and due from banks $ 10,216 $ 12,499
Federal funds sold 12,875 16,225
-------- --------
Total cash and cash equivalents 23,091 28,724
-------- --------
SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE
(amortized cost of $36,065 and $30,985 respectively) 37,197 31,979
-------- --------
LOANS 296,033 294,610
Less allowance for loan losses (2,649) (2,519)
-------- --------
Net loans 293,384 292,091
-------- --------
OTHER ASSETS:
Bank premises and equipment, net 3,412 3,623
Accrued interest receivable 3,142 2,679
Deferred Income Tax 231 278
Other 4,104 4,607
-------- --------
Total other assets 10,889 11,187
-------- --------
TOTAL $364,561 $363,981
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Deposits:
Noninterest bearing $ 33,402 $ 34,834
Interest bearing 255,673 252,997
-------- --------
Total deposits 289,075 287,831
-------- --------
Repurchase agreements 2,642 2,944
FHLB borrowings 37,425 39,920
Other liabilities 1,889 2,508
-------- --------
Total liabilities 331,031 333,203
-------- --------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock - no par value; 4,500,000 shares authorized
and 2,666,650 shares outstanding at September 30, 2005
and December 31, 2004 2,000 2,000
Additional paid-in capital 2,000 2,000
Retained earnings 35,971 33,311
Accumulated other comprehensive income 559 467
Treasury Stock, at cost 333,350 shares at
September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively (7,000) (7,000)
-------- --------
Total shareholders' equity 33,530 30,778
-------- --------
TOTAL $364,561 $363,981
======== ========
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------ -----------------
2005 2004 2005 2004
------ ------- ------- -------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
INTEREST INCOME:
Interest and fees on loans $5,074 $4,761 $14,690 $14,146
Interest and dividends on securities:
Taxable 231 181 658 451
Exempt from income taxes 221 239 672 726
Interest on federal funds sold and other short-term investments 83 33 265 101
------ ------ ------- -------
Total interest income 5,609 5,214 16,285 15,424
------ ------ ------- -------
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Interest on deposits 1,569 1,320 4,430 3,698
Interest on repurchase agreements and federal funds purchased 17 24 48 76
Interest on FHLB borrowings 397 428 1,209 1,308
------ ------ ------- -------
Total interest expense 1,983 1,772 5,687 5,082
------ ------ ------- -------
NET INTEREST INCOME 3,626 3,442 10,598 10,342
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES (180) (160) (540) (494)
------ ------ ------- -------
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES 3,446 3,282 10,058 9,848
------ ------ ------- -------
NONINTEREST INCOME - Service charges and fees 429 396 1,312 1,176
------ ------ ------- -------
NONINTEREST EXPENSE:
Salaries and employee benefits 1,069 980 3,285 3,028
Occupancy 251 251 729 770
Legal and professional services 149 155 425 411
Franchise tax 86 88 250 215
Data processing 84 84 232 237
Advertising 94 71 198 211
Other 316 363 1,075 1,120
------ ------ ------- -------
Total noninterest expense 2,049 1,992 6,194 5,992
------ ------ ------- -------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 1,826 1,686 5,176 5,032
INCOME TAXES (547) (498) (1,556) (1,555)
------ ------ ------- -------
NET INCOME $1,279 $1,188 $ 3,620 $ 3,477
====== ====== ======= =======
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 0.48 $ 0.45 $ 1.36 $ 1.30
====== ====== ======= =======
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004 (IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)
-------------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 3,620 $ 3,477
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 425 416
Provision for loan losses 540 494
Gain on sale of mortgage loans (148) (159)
Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans 13,363 14,860
Mortgage loans originated for sale (13,215) (14,701)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accrued interest receivable (463) 150
Other assets 504 (1,104)
Accrued interest, taxes and other liabilities (619) (5,390)
-------- --------
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities 4,007 (1,957)
-------- --------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sales and maturities of securities available for sale 5,244 8,068
Purchases of securities available for sale (10,376) (9,594)
Net increase in loans (1,833) (11,454)
Capital expenditures (162) (244)
-------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities (7,127) (13,224)
-------- --------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net increase in deposits 1,244 16,127
Net increase (decrease) in repurchase agreements (302) 750
FHLB payments (2,495) (2,740)
Dividends paid to stockholders (960) (906)
-------- --------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (2,513) 13,231
-------- --------
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (5,633) (1,950)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
Beginning of year 28,724 22,395
-------- --------
End of period $ 23,091 $ 20,445
======== ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the period for federal income taxes $ 2,275 $ 1,160
======== ========
Cash paid during the period for interest $ 5,653 $ 5,043
======== ========
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary,
Merchants National Bank (collectively, the "Company"). All significant
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
In the opinion of management, these condensed consolidated financial
statements include all adjustments (which consist of normal recurring
accruals) necessary to present the condensed consolidated financial
position as of September 30, 2005, the results of operations for the three
and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, and of cash flows for
the nine-months ended September, 2005 and 2004. These condensed
consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
instructions to Form 10-Q, and therefore do not include all information and
footnote disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of financial
position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Financial information as of December 31, 2004 has been derived from the
audited consolidated financial statements of Merchants Bancorp, Inc. and
subsidiary. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004 and cash flows for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results
to be expected for the full year. For further information, refer to the
consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto for the year ended
December 31, 2004, included in the Company's Form 10-K.
Earnings per Share - Basic earnings per share is computed using the
weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the
period. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 the
Company had 2,666,650 shares outstanding. There were no common stock
equivalents or potentially diluted securities outstanding during the
respective periods.
2. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, "Accounting Changes and Error
Corrections--a Replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3."
This Statement replaces APB Opinion No. 20, "Accounting Changes," and FASB
Statement No. 3, "Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial
Statements," and changes the requirements for the accounting for and
reporting of a change in accounting principle. This Statement requires
retrospective application to prior periods' financial statements of changes
in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the
period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. This
Statement applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principle. It also
applies to changes required by an accounting pronouncement in the unusual
instance that the pronouncement does not include specific transition
provisions. This Statement is effective for accounting changes and error
corrections made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The
adoption of this Statement is not expected to have a material effect on the
Registrant's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
6
3. LOANS
Major classifications of loans are summarized as follows (in thousands):
SEPTEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31,
2005 2004
------------- ------------
(unaudited)
Commercial real estate $ 66,811 $ 64,460
Commercial and industrial 25,398 26,350
Agricultural 44,070 39,970
Residential real estate 135,332 136,165
Installment 22,247 25,080
Other 2,175 2,585
-------- --------
Total 296,033 294,610
Less allowance for loan losses (2,649) (2,519)
-------- --------
$293,384 $292,091
======== ========
4. FHLB BORROWINGS
All stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") and qualifying first
mortgage residential loans are pledged as collateral on FHLB borrowings.
Interest rates of advances from the FHLB at September 30, 2005 are as
follows (in thousands):
YEAR INTEREST
MATURING RATE AMOUNT
- -------- ------------ -------
2008 4.78% - 5.39% $ 4,000
2010 6.26% 3,000
2011 5.23% 82
2012 4.64% 10,000
2013 2.82% - 3.13% 1,593
2018 2.83% - 4.04% 7,170
2023 3.02% - 4.24% 11,580
-------
Total $37,425
=======
The maximum amount available to the Company under FHLB borrowings was
approximately $79.2 million and $77.7 million as of September 30, 2005 and
December 31, 2004, respectively.
5. OTHER MATTERS
On August 4, 2005, the Company announced the decision of its Board of
Directors to engage in a "going private" transaction for the purpose of
deregistering the Company's common shares under Section 12(g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Board has decided to structure the
going private transaction as follows:
- Shareholders owning 100 or fewer common shares of the Company will
receive $23.00 in cash for each share held;
- Shareholders owning more than 100 but fewer than 1,500 common shares
of the Company will have the option of choosing between $23.00 in cash
or the receipt of a proposed new class of non-voting redeemable
preferred stock of the Company called "Series A Preferred Stock"; and
- Shareholders owning 1,500 or more common shares of the Company will
retain their common shares without change.
7
Assuming approval by the Company's shareholders, the transaction will be
facilitated through the merger of a newly organized, wholly-owned subsidiary
with and into the Company. The Company expects to hold a special shareholder
meeting to allow shareholders to consider and vote on the proposed transaction.
Proxy materials discussing the proposed transaction in much greater detail will
be distributed to shareholders prior to that special meeting. As a result of the
proposed transaction structure, all shareholders of the Company will be entitled
to dissenters' right of appraisal in accordance with Section 1701.85 of the Ohio
Revised Code. The Company expects to repurchase approximately 150,000 to 160,000
of its Common Shares as part of the proposed transaction. However, the board has
expressly reserved the right to reevaluate the desirability of completing the
transaction in the event the Company is directed by its shareholders to
repurchase more than 160,000 of its Common Shares for cash.
The Company expects to open a new branch in late fourth quarter in the Mt. Orab,
Ohio area. The branch will be a full service banking center with a drive-up ATM
and 3 drive-thru windows.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") is a bank holding company and sole
shareholder of Merchants National Bank (the "Bank"), headquartered in Hillsboro,
Ohio. At September 30, 2005, the Company had total assets of approximately
$364.6 million and total shareholders' equity of approximately $33.5 million.
The Company, through its Companying affiliate, offers a broad range of banking
services to the commercial, industrial and consumer market segments which it
serves. The primary business of the Company consists of accepting deposits
through various consumer and commercial deposit products, and using such
deposits to fund various loan products. The Company's primary loan products are
as follows: (1) loans secured by residential real estate, including loans for
the purchase of one to four family residences which are secured by 1st and 2nd
mortgages and home equity loans; (2) consumer loans, including new and used
automobile loans, loans for the purchase of mobile homes and debt consolidation
loans; (3) agricultural loans, including loans for the purchase of real estate
used in connection with agricultural purposes, operating loans and loans for the
purchase of equipment; and (4) commercial loans, including loans for the
purchase of real estate used in connection with office or retail activities,
loans for the purchase of equipment and loans for the purchase of inventory.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires the appropriate
application of certain accounting policies, many of which require us to make
estimates and assumptions about future events and their impact on amounts
reported in our financial statements and related notes. Since future events and
their impact cannot be determined with certainty, the actual results will
inevitably differ from our estimates. Such differences could be material to the
financial statements.
The Company believes the application of accounting policies and the estimates
required therein are reasonable. These accounting policies and estimates are
constantly reevaluated, and adjustments are made when facts and circumstances
dictate a change. Historically, the Company has found its application of
accounting policies to be appropriate, and actual results have not differed
materially from those determined using necessary estimates.
The Company's summary of significant accounting and reporting policies are more
fully described in Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements
filed with the December 31, 2004 Form 10-K.
Management believes that the determination of the allowance for loan losses
represents a critical accounting policy. The Company maintains an allowance for
loan losses to absorb probable loan losses inherent in the portfolio. The
allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level management considers to be
adequate to absorb probable loan losses inherent in the portfolio, based on
evaluations of the collectibility and historical loss experience of loans.
Credit losses are charged and recoveries are credited to the allowance.
Provisions for loan losses are based on
8
management's review of the historical loan loss experience and such factors
which, in management's judgment, deserve consideration under existing economic
conditions in estimating probable credit losses. The allowance is based on
ongoing assessments of the probable estimated losses inherent in the loan
portfolio. The Company's methodology for assessing the appropriate allowance
level consists of several key elements, as described below.
Larger commercial loans that exhibit probable or observed credit weaknesses are
subject to individual review. Where appropriate, reserves are allocated to
individual loans based on management's estimate of the borrower's ability to
repay the loan given the availability of collateral, other sources of cash flow
and available legal options. Included in the review of individual loans are
those that are impaired as provided in Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 114, "Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan," as
amended. Any specific reserves for impaired loans are measured based on the fair
value of the underlying collateral. The Company evaluates the collectibility of
both principal and interest when assessing the need for a specific reserve.
Historical loss rates are applied to other commercial loans not subject to
specific reserve allocations.
Homogenous loans, such as consumer installment and residential mortgage loans,
are not individually reviewed by management. Reserves are established for each
pool of loans based on the expected net charge-offs. Loss rates are based on the
average three-year net charge-off history by loan category.
Historical loss rates for commercial and consumer loans may be adjusted for
significant factors that, in management's judgment, reflect the impact of any
current conditions on loss recognition. Factors which management considers in
the analysis include the effects of the local economy, trends in the nature and
volume of loans (delinquencies, charge-offs, nonaccrual and problem loans),
changes in the internal lending policies and credit standards, collection
practices, and examination results from banking regulatory agencies and the
Company's internal credit review function.
An unallocated reserve is maintained to recognize the imprecision in estimating
and measuring loss when evaluating reserves for individual loans or pools of
loans.
Specific reserves on individual loans and historical loss rates are reviewed
throughout the year and adjusted as necessary based on changing borrower and/or
collateral conditions and actual collection and charge-off experience.
The Company has not substantively changed any aspect of its overall approach in
the determination of the allowance for loan losses. Excluding the refinement
from a two year to a three year trend in the calculation of the allowance for
loan loss for homogeneous loans, there have been no material changes in
assumptions or estimation techniques as compared to prior years that impacted
the determination of the current year allowance.
COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER, 2005 AND
2004
The Company reported net income of $1,279,000 and $1,188,000 for the three
months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. During the same periods,
basic and diluted earnings per share were $.48 and $.45, respectively. On an
annualized basis, return on average assets was 1.42% and return on average
equity was 15.69% for the three months ended September 30, 2005, compared to
1.32% and 15.94%, respectively, for the comparable period in 2004.
Net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2005, was
$3,626,000, an increase of $184,000, or 5.35%, compared to net interest income
of $3,442,000 for the comparable period in 2004. Net interest margin was 4.21%
for the three months ended September 30, 2005, compared to 4.07% for the
comparable period in 2004. The average annualized yield on earning assets
increased to 6.51% for the three months ended September 30, 2005, from 6.16% for
the comparable period in 2004. The average cost of interest-bearing funds was
2.69% for the three months ended September 30, 2005, an increase from 2.38% for
the comparable period in 2004. The net interest margin has remained relatively
constant for the same time period as last year. The increase in yield on earning
assets and the increase on cost of funds is mainly due to the prime rate and fed
funds rate increasing 250bp over the last year. The Company expects to see a
larger increase in cost of funds, and a decrease in net interest margin, in the
fourth quarter of 2005 due to the large amount of certificate of deposits that
renewed at a much higher rate in September of this year.
9
The provision for loan losses was $180,000 and $160,000 for the three months
ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Net charge-offs for the three
months ended September 30, 2005 were $157,000, compared to $135,000 experienced
during the three months ended September 30, 2004. No losses have been identified
for the same time period. Management does not foresee any significant losses in
the portfolio at this time.
Total noninterest income was $429,000 for the three months ended September 30,
2005, an increase of $33,000, or 8.33%, from $396,000 for the comparable period
in 2004. The increase can primarily be attributed to an increase in fees charged
by the Company.
Total noninterest expense was $2,049,000 for the three months ended September
30, 2005, an increase of $57,000, or 2.86%, from $1,992,000 for the comparable
period in 2004. It is typically expected for non-interest expense to increase
5-10% each year. Salaries and employee benefits expense comprises the largest
component of noninterest expense, with totals of $1,069,000 and $980,000 for the
three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Salaries and
employee benefits have increased $89,000 or 9.1%. The increase is mainly due to
the hiring of additional staff in the loan area and hiring additional staff for
the Mt. Orab branch that is due to open fourth quarter.
COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND
2004
The Company reported net income of $3,620,000 and $3,477,000 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. During each of the same
periods, basic and diluted earnings per share were $1.36 and $1.30 respectively.
On an annualized basis, return on average assets was 1.33% and return on average
equity was 15.10% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to
1.30% and 15.86%, respectively, for the comparable period in 2004.
Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, was
$10,598,000, an increase of $256,000, or 2.48%, compared to net interest income
of $10,342,000 for the comparable period in 2004. Net interest margin was 4.07%
for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared to 4.06% for the
comparable period in 2004. The average annualized yield on earning assets
increased to 6.25% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, from 6.06% for
the comparable period in 2004. The average cost of interest-bearing funds was
2.56% for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, an increase from 2.30% for
the comparable period in 2004. The yield on earning assets and interest bearing
deposits both increased from the comparable period last year. The reason is
primarily due to the increase in the prime rate of 250 basis points. However,
the longer term treasury yields are remaining at a historically low yield which
is what is used to price mortgage rates and help explain why the net interest
margin only increased slightly. The Company anticipates a higher cost of funds
increase in fourth quarter due to a large number of certificate of deposits
repricing at a much higher rate in September 2005.
The provision for loan losses was $540,000 and $494,000 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, representing an increase of
9.31%. Net charge-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 were
$410,000, compared to $409,000 experienced during the nine months ended
September 30, 2004. Approximately $177,000 has been identified as doubtful in
the loan loss provision analysis as of September 30, 2005. No losses have been
identified for the same time period. Management does not foresee any significant
losses in the portfolio at this time.
Total noninterest income was $1,312,000 for the nine months ended September 30,
2005, an increase of $136,000, or 11.56%, from $1,176,000 for the comparable
period in 2004. The increase is due to increased volumes of transactions,
resulting in higher service charges on transaction accounts. An overall increase
in the fees charged to customers during the first quarter also contributed to
the increase.
10
Total noninterest expense was $6,194,000 for the nine months ended September 30,
2005, an increase of $202,000, or 3.37%, from $5,992,000 for the comparable
period in 2004. Salaries and employee benefits expense comprises the largest
component of noninterest expense, with totals of $3,285,000 and $3,028,000, an
increase of $257,000 or 8.5%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The
salaries and employee benefits have increased at a higher rate due to the hiring
of additional staff in the loan area and hiring additional staff for the Mt.
Orab branch that is due to open fourth quarter.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
The Company's total assets increased to $364.6 million as of September 30, 2005
from $363.9 million as of December 31, 2004, an increase of .16%. The largest
change in the balance sheet is a change in the mix of the assets. The two main
areas affected by change in balance sheet mix were securities, which increased
$5.2 million and fed funds sold, which decreased $3.4 million. Loans and
deposits each fluctuated by less than $1.5 million.
LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
The Company reported total loans of $296.0 million as of September 30, 2005 and
$294.6 million as of December 31, 2004, an increase of $1.4 million or 0.48%.
The portfolio composition has remained consistent during the period.
Federal regulations and generally accepted accounting principles require that
the Company establish prudent allowances for loan losses. The Company maintains
an allowance for loan losses to absorb probable loan losses inherent in the
portfolio, based on evaluations of the collectibility and historical loss
experience of loans. Loan losses are charged and recoveries are credited to the
allowance. Provisions for loan losses are based on management's review of the
historical loan loss experience and such factors which, in management's
judgment, deserve consideration under existing economic conditions in estimating
probable loan losses. The allowance is based on ongoing assessments of the
probable estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The Company has not
substantively changed any aspect of its overall approach in the determination of
the allowance for loan losses from year end. There have been no material changes
in assumptions or estimation techniques as compared to prior years that impacted
the determination of the current year allowance.
The allowance for loan losses was 0.89% of total loans as of September 30, 2005
and 0.86% as of December 31, 2004.
The amount of nonaccrual loans increased to $1,916,000 as of September 30, 2005,
compared to $685,000 as of June 30, 2005, and $728,000 at December 31, 2004. As
a percentage of total loans, nonaccrual loans represented 0.65% as of September
30, 2005, 0.23% as of June 30, 2005, and 0.25% as of December 31, 2004. The
large increase is primarily due to one commercial borrower with a loan balance
of $1.1 million. The Company had received payments through June 2005 from the
bankruptcy court to keep the loan current. The property was sold at a sheriff's
auction in October 2005 with the Company being the purchaser of the property.
The Company is currently in negotiations with a potential buyer for the
property. Management believes proceeds from the sale of the property should be
more than adequate to cover the balance of the loan. No loss is anticipated on
this loan at this time.
The category of accruing loans which are past due 90 days or more was $1,447,000
as of September 30, 2005, $1,260,000 as of June 30, 2005, and $452,000 as of
December 31, 2004. As a percentage of total loans, loans past due 90 days and
still accruing interest represented .49% as of September 30, 2005, 0.43% as of
June 30, 2005, and 0.15% as of December 31, 2004. The increase of $187,000 from
June 2005 is primarily made up of two borrowers with loan balances totaling
$347,000. The collateral for one of the loans include a residential property and
equipment with a current loan balance of $147,000 and is in foreclosure and in
the process of being sold. As of September 30, 2005, the Company has
specifically reserved approximately $47,000. The second borrower has a $200,000
loan balance and is collateralized by residential property and farm land. The
collateral is sufficient to cover the loan balance. No loss is anticipated on
this loan at this time.
11
As a percentage of the allowance for loan losses, total nonaccrual loans and
loans past due 90 days or more were 127% as of September 30, 2005, 74.1% as of
June 30, 2005, and 46.8% as of December 31, 2004.
DEPOSITS
Deposits totaled $289.1 million as of September 30, 2005, an increase of $1.3
million, or .43%, from $287.8 million as of December 31, 2004. The slight
increase is considered normal in the day to day operations of a Company.
FHLB BORROWINGS
Federal Home Loan Company borrowings decreased $2.5 million or 6.3%, to $37.4
million as of September 30, 2005 from $39.9 million as of December 31, 2004. The
decrease in borrowings was primarily a result of principal loan payments made on
the borrowings.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The declaration and payment of dividends by the Company are subject to the
discretion of the Board of Directors and to the earnings and financial condition
of the Company and applicable laws and regulations. The Company paid $959,994
and $906,661 in dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and
2004, respectively.
At September 30, 2005, consolidated Tier 1 risk based capital was 12.04%, and
total risk-based capital was 13.01%. The minimum Tier 1 and total risk-based
capital ratios required by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve are 4%
and 8%, respectively.
Effective liquidity management ensures that the cash flow requirements of
depositors and borrowers, as well as company cash needs, are met. The Company
manages liquidity on both the asset and liability sides of the balance sheet.
Community bank liquidity management currently involves the challenge of
attracting deposits while maintaining positive loan growth at a reasonable
interest rate spread. The loan to deposit ratio at September 30, 2005 and
December 31, 2004 was 102.4%. Loans to total assets were 81.2% at September 30,
2005 compared to 80.9% at the end of 2004. The securities portfolio is available
for sale and consists of securities that are readily marketable. Approximately
91.3% of the available for sale portfolio is pledged to secure public deposits,
short-term and long-term borrowings and for other purposes as required by law.
The balance of the available for sale securities could be sold if necessary for
liquidity purposes. Also, a stable deposit base, consisting of 87% core
deposits, makes the Company less susceptible to large fluctuations in funding
needs. The Company also has both short- and long-term borrowings capacity
available through FHLB with unused available credit of approximately $30.3
million as of September 30, 2005. The Company has the ability to obtain deposits
in the brokered certificate of deposit market to help provide liquidity to fund
loan growth, if necessary. Generally, the Company uses short-term borrowings to
fund overnight and short-term funding needs. Longer-term borrowings have been
primarily used to fund mortgage-loan originations. This has occurred when FHLB
longer-term rates are a more economical source of funding than traditional
deposit gathering activities. Additionally, the Company occasionally uses FHLB
borrowings to fund larger commercial loans.
As of September 30, 2005, Management is not aware of any current recommendations
by banking regulatory authorities which, if they were to be implemented, would
have, or would be reasonably likely to have, a material adverse impact on the
Company's liquidity, capital resources, or operations.
12
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION AND COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS
The Company has certain obligations and commitments to make future payments
under contracts. At September 30, 2005, the aggregate contractual obligations
and commercial commitments are:
Payments Due by Period
-------------------------------
Contractual Obligations Less than 1-3 3-5 After 5
($ in thousands) Total One Year Years Years Years
- ------------------------ -------- --------- -------- ------- --------
Total Deposits $289,075 $227,251 $ 46,865 $14,959
FHLB Borrowings 37,425 3,118 8,997 6,822 18,488
FHLB interest expense 7,979 1,479 2,560 2,654 1,286
Lease Payments 310,500 31,050 62,100 62,100 155,250
Repurchase Agreements 2,642 2,642
-------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Total $647,621 $265,540 $120,522 $86,535 $175,024
======== ======== ======== ======= ========
Payments Due by Period
----------------------------
Other Commercial Commitments Less than 1-3 3-5 After 5
($ in thousands) Total One Year Years Years Years
- ---------------------------- ------- --------- ------ ------ -------
Commitments to Extend Credit $26,599 $9,298 $4,928 $1,104 $11,269
Letters of Credit 78 71 7
------- ------ ------ ------ -------
Total $26,677 $9,369 $4,935 $1,104 $11,269
======= ====== ====== ====== =======
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value
of financial instruments due to variations in interest rates, exchange rates,
equity price risk and commodity prices. The Company does not maintain a trading
account for any class of financial instrument, and is not currently subject to
currency exchange rate risk, equity price risk or commodity price risk. The
Company's market risk is composed primarily of interest rate risk.
The major source of the Company's interest rate risk is the difference in the
maturity and repricing characteristics between the Company's core banking assets
and liabilities - loans and deposits. This difference, or mismatch, poses a risk
to net interest income. Most significantly, the Company's core banking assets
and liabilities are mismatched with respect to repricing frequency, maturity
and/or index. Most of the Company's commercial loans, for example, reprice
rapidly in response to changes in short-term interest rates. In contrast, many
of the Company's consumer deposits reprice slowly, if at all, in response to
changes in market interest rates.
The Company's Senior Management is responsible for reviewing the interest rate
sensitivity position of the Company and establishing policies to monitor and
limit exposure to interest rate risk. The guidelines established by
Asset/Liability Committee are approved by the Company's Board of Directors. The
primary goal of the asset/liability management function is to maximize net
interest income within the interest rate risk limits set by approved guidelines.
Techniques used include both interest rate risk analysis that perform simulation
modeling that measures the effect of rate changes on net interest income and
economic market value of equity under different rate scenarios. The current
policy imposes limits on earnings at risk over a twelve month period.
In the Company's simulation models, each asset and liability balance is
projected over a time horizon. Net interest income is then projected based on
expected cash flows and projected interest rates under a stable rate scenario
and analyzed. The results of this analysis are factored into decisions made
concerning pricing strategies for loan and deposits, balance sheet mix,
securities portfolio strategies, liquidity and capital adequacy.
Simulation models are also performed under an instantaneous parallel 200 basis
point increase or decrease in interest rates. The model includes assumptions as
to repricing and expected prepayments, anticipated calls, and expected decay
rates of transaction accounts under the different rate scenarios. The results of
these simulations include changes in both net interest income and market value
of equity.
The Company applies hypothetical interest rate movements for up and down
interest rate movements of 100, 200 & 300 basis points. The interest movements
move in equal amounts, known as ramping, each quarter to give a more likely and
meaningful scenario should rates change. By reacting to changes in economic
conditions, interest rates and market forces, the Company has been able to alter
the mix of short and long-term loans and investments, and
13
increase or decrease the emphasis on fixed and variable rate products in
response to changing market conditions. By managing the interest rate
sensitivity of its asset composition in this manner, the Company has been able
to maintain a fairly stable flow of net interest income.
Simulation models are also performed under an instantaneous parallel 300 basis
point increase or decrease in interest rates. The model includes assumptions as
to repricing and expected prepayments, anticipated calls, and expected decay
rates of transaction accounts under the different rate scenarios. The results of
these simulations include changes in both net interest income and market value
of equity.
Complicating management's efforts to control non-trading exposure to interest
rate risk is the fundamental uncertainty of the maturity, repricing, and/or
runoff characteristics of some of the Company's core banking assets and
liabilities. This uncertainty often reflects options embedded in these financial
instruments. The most important embedded options are contained in consumer
deposits and loans.
For example, many of the Company's interest bearing retail deposit products
(e.g., interest checking, savings and money market deposits) have no contractual
maturity. Customers have the right to withdraw funds from these deposit accounts
freely. Deposit balances may therefore run off unexpectedly due to changes in
competitive or market conditions. To forestall such runoff, rates on interest
bearing deposits may have to be increased more (or reduced less) than expected.
Such repricing may not be highly correlated with the repricing of prime
rate-based or U.S. Treasury-based loans. Finally, balances that leave the
banking franchise may have to be replaced with other more expensive retail or
wholesale deposits. Given the uncertainties surrounding deposit runoff and
repricing, the interest rate sensitivity of core Company liabilities cannot be
determined precisely.
Management believes as of September 30, 2005, there have been no material
changes in the Company's interest rate sensitive instruments which would cause a
material change in the market risk exposures which affect the quantitative and
qualitative risk disclosures as presented in the Company's Form 10-K filed for
the period ended December 31, 2004.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Registrant maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to
ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Registrant's Exchange
Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time
periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is
accumulated and communicated to the Registrant's management, including its Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosures.
The Company has carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the
participation of the Registrant's management, including the Registrant's Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the
design and operation of the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures.
Based on the foregoing, the Registrant's Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this
report, the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures were effective, in
all material respects, to in ensuring that information required to be disclosed
in the reports the Registrant files and submits under the Exchange Act is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required.
There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting
that occurred during the Company's fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2005, that
has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the
Company's internal control over financial reporting.
14
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain of the statements contained herein that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act. Economic circumstances, the Company's operation and the
Company's actual results could differ significantly from those discussed in the
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified
by words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend,"
"estimate," "may increase," "may fluctuate," and similar expressions or future
or conditional verbs such as "will," "should," "would" and "could." These
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not
limited to, economic conditions, portfolio growth, the credit performance of the
portfolios, including bankruptcies, and seasonal factors; changes in general
economic conditions including the performance of financial markets, the prices
of crops, prevailing inflation and interest rates, and losses on lending
activities; results of various investment activities; the effects of
competitors' pricing policies, of changes in laws and regulations on competition
and of demographic changes on target market populations' savings and financial
planning needs; industry changes in information technology systems on which we
are dependent; and the resolution of legal proceedings and related matters. In
addition, the policies and regulations of the various regulatory authorities
could affect the Company's results. These statements are representative only on
the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any
forward-looking statements made.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(A) EXHIBITS - The following exhibits are filed as a part of this report:
Exhibit No. Exhibit
- ----------- -------
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of Merchants Bancorp, Inc. filed as
Exhibit (3)(I) to the Form 10 filed with SEC on April 30, 2002 and
incorporated herein by reference.
3.2 Code of Regulations filed as Exhibit (3)(II) to the Form 10 filed
with the SEC on April 30, 2002 and incorporated herein by
reference.
4. Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders. (See Exhibit
3.1 and 3.2)
31 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification
32 Section 1350 Certification
15
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 thereunto duly authorized.
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
Date: November 14, 2005 By: /s/ Paul W. Pence, Jr.
------------------------------------
Paul W. Pence, Jr., President and
Principal Financial Officer
16
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Exhibit
- ----------- -------
3.3 Articles of Incorporation of Merchants Bancorp, Inc. filed as
Exhibit (3)(I) to the Form 10 filed with SEC on April 30, 2002 and
incorporated herein by reference.
3.4 Code of Regulations filed as Exhibit (3)(II) to the Form 10 filed
with the SEC on April 30, 2002 and incorporated herein by
reference.
5. Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders. (See Exhibit
3.1 and 3.2)
31 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification
32 Section 1350 Certification
EXHIBIT 31
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE AND FINANCIAL OFFICER
I, Paul W. Pence, Jr., certify that:
1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Merchants Bancorp,
Inc. (the "Registrant");
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial
information included in this report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of
the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:
a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such
disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the
registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to
us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in
which this report is being prepared;
b. Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant's disclosure controls
and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end
of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
c. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal
control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's
most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in
the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal
control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on
our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to
the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board
of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant's ability to
record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the Registrant's internal
control over financial reporting.
Date: November 14, 2005
/s/ Paul W. Pence, Jr.
- -------------------------------------------
Paul W. Pence, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer and Principal
Financial Officer
EXHIBIT 32
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ENACTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (the
"Company") on Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ending September 30, 2005 as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"),
I, Paul W. Pence, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of
the Registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.
/s/ Paul W. Pence, Jr.
- --------------------------------------
Paul W. Pence, Jr.
Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer
November 14, 2005
PROXY FOR SPECIAL MEETING OF
MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC.
HILLSBORO, OHIO
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned shareholder of
Merchants Bancorp, Inc., Hillsboro, Ohio, do hereby nominate, constitute, and
appoint Patrick Hays, Joseph P. West, Jr., or Bing Williamson, or any one of
them (with full power of substitution for me and in my name, place and stead) to
vote all the Common Stock of said Company, standing in my name on its books on
December 5, 2005 (the "Record Date"), at the Special Meeting of its shareholders
to be held at the Company's main office located at 100 N. High Street,
Hillsboro, Ohio 45133, on January 24, 2006, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. (local time), or
any adjournments thereof with all the powers the undersigned would possess if
personally present as follows:
1. To consider and act upon a proposal to approve the Merger of MBI Merger
Co., Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merchants Bancorp, with and into
Merchants Bancorp, Inc., as contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of
Merger executed by and between said parties and attached as Appendix A to
the enclosed proxy statement.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL 1. The Merger
will not occur unless shareholders approve both this Proposal 1 and the
amendment to the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
described under Proposal 2.
ELECTION TO RECEIVE CASH CONSIDERATION OR SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
RECORD SHAREHOLDERS WHO HOLD MORE THAN 100 BUT FEWER THAN 1,500 COMMON
SHARES AS OF THE RECORD DATE MUST CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS
[ ] I ELECT TO RECEIVE THE CASH [ ] I ELECT TO RECEIVE SHARES OF SERIES [ ] I ELECT TO RECEIVE A COMBINATION OF CASH
CONSIDERATION IN EXCHANGE FOR ALL A PREFERRED STOCK IN EXCHANGE FOR ALL CONSIDERATION AND SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK IN
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK HELD BY ME SHARES OF COMMON STOCK HELD BY ME AT EXCHANGE FOR ALL SHARES OF COMMON STOCK HELD BY ME
AT THE EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER THE EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER AT THE EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER AS FOLLOWS:
NUMBER OF WHOLE COMMON SHARES AS TO WHICH I ELECT
TO RECEIVE THE CASH CONSIDERATION: ________________
NUMBER OF WHOLE COMMON SHARES AS TO WHICH I ELECT
TO RECEIVE SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK: _____
2. To amend the Articles of Incorporation to authorize the issuance of 140,000
shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be used in connection with the
Merger, as contemplated by the proposed Certificate of Amendment attached
as Appendix D to the enclosed proxy statement.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THIS PROPOSAL 2. The
Amendment the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation will not
occur unless the shareholders approve both this Proposal 2 and the Merger
described under Proposal 1.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or
any adjournment thereof.
THIS PROXY CONFERS AUTHORITY TO VOTE "FOR" THE ABOVE PROPOSALS UNLESS OTHERWISE
MARKED. IF ANY OTHER BUSINESS IS PRESENTED AT SAID MEETING, THIS PROXY SHALL BE
VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF MANAGEMENT. ALL SHARES
REPRESENTED BY PROPERLY EXECUTED PROXIES WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS and may be revoked
prior to its exercise by either written notice or personally at the meeting or
by a subsequently dated proxy. This proxy revokes all prior proxies given by the
undersigned.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------- --------------------
(STOCKHOLDER SIGNATURE) (DATE)
- ---------------------------------------- --------------------
(STOCKHOLDER SIGNATURE) (DATE)
Please Print Name(s)
-----------------------------------------------------------
Please Print Number of Shares
--------------------------------------------------
(WHEN SIGNING AS ATTORNEY, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE, GUARDIAN,
PLEASE GIVE FULL TITLE. IF MORE THAN ONE TRUSTEE, ALL SHOULD SIGN. ALL
JOINT OWNERS MUST SIGN.)
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN IMMEDIATELY IN THE ENCLOSED POSTPAID ENVELOPE WHETHER OR
NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING.