SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Filed by the Registrant (X) Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ( ) Check the appropriate box: ( ) Preliminary Proxy Statement ( ) Confidential, for use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) (X) Definitive Proxy Statement (X) Definitive Additional Materials ( ) Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12 FOUR OAKS FINCORP, INC. ----------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) Not Applicable -------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): (X) No fee required. ( ) Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: (5) Total fee paid: ( ) Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. ( ) Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. (1) Amount Previously Paid: (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: (3) Filing Party: (4) Date Filed: [LETTERHEAD OF FOUR OAKS FINCORP, INC.] April 3, 2000 Dear Shareholder: Accompanying this letter please find the Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, Annual Report and proxy for Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc.'s Annual Meeting. It is extremely important for you to complete, sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy as soon as possible even if you plan to attend the meeting in person. If you do attend, you can revoke your proxy and vote in person. The Annual Meeting will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 24, 2000, at the main office of Four Oaks Bank & Trust Company, located at 6144 US 301 South, Four Oaks, North Carolina. At the Annual Meeting, the Shareholders will elect the Board of Directors for the coming year, and transact any other business properly brought before the meeting. Hope to see you at the Annual Meeting, and please remember to complete, sign, and date the enclosed proxy and return it to Branch Bank & Trust in the envelope provided as soon as possible. Sincerely yours, /s/ Ayden R. Lee, Jr. Ayden R. Lee, Jr. Chief Executive Officer and President Enclosures FOUR OAKS FINCORP, INC. 6144 US 301 South Four Oaks, North Carolina 27524 --------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS April 24, 2000 --------------------------------------------------------------------- You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc. which will be held on Monday, April 24, 2000 at 8:00 p.m., local time, at the main office of Four Oaks Bank & Trust Company, located at 6144 US 301 South, Four Oaks, North Carolina, for the following purposes: (1) To elect the persons listed in the accompanying Proxy statement dated April 3, 2000 to the Board of Directors of Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc.; and (2) To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof. Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 6, 2000 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any and all adjournments thereof. IT IS DESIRABLE THAT YOUR SHARES OF STOCK BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU MAY HOLD. EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU MAY REVOKE YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON. By Order of the Board of Directors /s/ Ayden R. Lee, Jr. Ayden R. Lee, Jr. Chief Executive Officer and President April 3, 2000 FOUR OAKS FINCORP, INC. 6144 US 301 SOUTH FOUR OAKS, NORTH CAROLINA 27524 PROXY STATEMENT This Proxy Statement, accompanying proxy card, Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the Annual Report are being furnished to shareholders on or about April 3, 2000 by the Board of Directors of Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc. in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at our main office, located at 6144 US 301 South, Four Oaks, North Carolina on Monday, April 24, 2000 at 8:00 p.m., local time, and at all adjournments thereof. All expenses incurred in connection with this solicitation will be paid by us. In addition to solicitation by mail, certain of our officers, directors, and regular employees, who will receive no additional compensation for their services, may solicit proxies by telephone, personal communication, or other means. ANNUAL MEETING PURPOSES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING The principal purposes of the annual meeting are: (1) to elect seven nominees to our board of directors and (2) to transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournments thereof. Our board of directors knows of no matters other than those stated above to be brought before the annual meeting or any adjournments thereof. Nonetheless, the proxyholders named on the enclosed proxy card may vote in accordance with the instructions of the board of directors or in the absence thereof, in accordance with their discretion, on any other matter properly presented for action of which the board of directors is not now aware. PROXIES Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at any time before it is exercised. Proxies may be revoked by: o filing a written notice of revocation with our corporate secretary; o duly executing a subsequent proxy and filing it with our corporate secretary before the revoked proxy is exercised; or o attending the annual meeting and voting in person. If the proxy card is signed and returned, but voting directions are not made, the proxy will be voted in favor of the proposals set forth in the accompanying "Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders." RECORD DATE Our board of directors has fixed the close of business on March 6, 2000 as the record date for determination of shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the annual meeting and all adjournments thereof. As of the close of business on March 6, 2000, we had 1,366,530 shares of common stock outstanding. The holders of our common stock, or their proxies, are entitled to one vote per share. VOTING RIGHTS Except as otherwise provided by law, each holder of common stock has one vote per share upon all matters voted upon by shareholders. The North Carolina Business Corporation Act provides that with respect to the election of directors, cumulative voting is not available to our shareholders. 2 SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS The following table sets forth certain information as of March 6, 2000 regarding shares of our common stock beneficially owned by (i) each director, (ii) director nominee, (iii) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table in this proxy statement, and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the persons listed below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock owned by them, except to the extent that such power may be shared with a spouse. Fractional share amounts are rounded off to the nearest whole number. NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER SHARES OWNED(1) PERCENT OF CLASS (1) ------------------- --------------- -------------------- M.S. Canaday (2) 42,999 3.1% Ayden R. Lee, Jr. (3) 36,010 2.6 Paula Canaday Bowman(4) 25,779 1.9 William J. Edwards 6,003 * Warren L. Grimes (5) 5,179 * Percy Y. Lee 11,000 * All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (11 persons) (6) 153,326 11.2% - ----------------- *Less than 1% (1) Based upon 1,366,530 shares of common stock outstanding on March 6, 2000. The securities "beneficially owned" by an individual are determined in accordance with the definition of "beneficial ownership" set forth in the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they may include securities owned by or for, among others, the spouse and/or minor children of the individual and any other relative who resides in the home of such individual, as well as other securities as to which the individual has or shares voting or investment power or has the right to acquire under outstanding stock options within 60 days of March 6, 2000. Beneficial ownership may be disclaimed as to certain of the securities. (2) Includes 750 shares subject to stock options which are exercisable within 60 days. (3) Includes 8,124 shares owned by spouse who has sole voting and investment power with respect to these shares and 10,000 shares subject to stock options which are exercisable within 60 days. (4) Includes 450 shares subject to stock options which are exercisable within 60 days. (5) Includes 2,172 shares owned jointly with spouse, 486.344 owned by spouse who has sole voting and investment power with respect to these shares and 750 shares subject to stock options which are exercisable within 60 days. (6) Includes 10,100 shares subject to stock options which are exercisable within 60 days by non-director executive officers. 3 The following table sets forth certain information as of March 6, 2000 regarding any person who is known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of our common stock. NAME AND ADDRESS OF AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP PERCENT OF CLASS ---------------- -------------------- ---------------- William Ashley Turner and Debra 78,973 5.8% C. Turner, Joint Tenants with right of survivorship 2256 Shotwell Road Clayton, N.C. 27520 Josephine L. Sturdivant 73,919 5.4% 5426 Hampton Road Fayetteville, N.C. 28311-1322 4 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS The nominees for the election of directors are named and certain other information is provided in the following tabulation. YEAR FIRST POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH OUR COMPANY & BUSINESS NAME AGE ELECTED EXPERIENCE DURING PAST FIVE YEARS - ---- --- ------- -------------------------------------------------------- M.S. Canaday 76 1969 Chairman of the board of directors of Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc. and Four Oaks Bank & Trust Company; Owner of Four Oaks Drug Co. Ayden R. Lee, Jr. 51 1983 Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director of Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc. and Four Oaks Bank & Trust Company Dr. R. Max Raynor, Jr. 42 2000 Director of Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc. and Four Oaks Bank & Trust Company; Owner of Professional Eye Care, with locations in Benson, North Carolina and Roseboro, North Carolina Paula Canaday Bowman 51 1989 Director of Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc. and Four Oaks Bank & Trust Company William J. Edwards 56 1990 Director of Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc. and Four Oaks Bank & Trust Company; President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Four Oaks IGA Foodliner, Inc. and Secretary of Edwards IGA Percy Y. Lee 59 1992 Director of Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc. and Four Oaks Bank & Trust Company; Member of Clayton Area Advisory Board of the Bank; President of T.R. Lee Oil Co.; Senior Partner of Lee Brother's Rental; Partner in Lee & Dupree, a rental real estate partnership Warren L. Grimes 51 1992 Director of Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc. and Four Oaks Bank & Trust Company; General Partner in Reedy Creek Direct Marketing Association; Solid Waste Division Manager for Johnston County; Chairman of the Company's Compensation Committee 5 The number constituting our board of directors must be at least five, but not more than twenty-one. The number of directors within this variable range may be fixed or changed from time to time by our shareholders or our board of directors. Our board of directors has set the number of directors at seven. The members of our board of directors are elected by our shareholders to serve one year terms. Dr. R. Max Raynor, Jr. was appointed to fill a vacancy on our board of directors created upon the retirement of Mr. Harold J. Sturdivant. All directors and executive officers hold office until the next annual meeting or until their successors are elected and qualified. Our board of directors has no reason to believe that the persons named above as nominees for directors will be unable or will decline to serve if elected. However, in the event of death or disqualification of any nominee or refusal or inability of any nominee to serve, it is the intention of the proxyholders to vote for the election of such other person or persons as the proxyholders determine in their discretion; but in no circumstance will the proxy be voted for more than seven nominees. Properly executed and returned proxies, unless revoked, will be voted as directed by the shareholder or, in the absence of such direction, will be voted in favor of the election of the recommended nominees. Pursuant to North Carolina law, the seven candidates who receive the highest number of votes will be elected as directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes are not voted in the election of directors and will not be included in determining which candidates received the highest number of votes. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ALL OF THE NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS. DIRECTOR COMPENSATION The Chairman of our board of directors is paid a fee of $1,075 per month. Other directors, except Mr. Lee who is not paid a director's fee, are paid fees of $875 per month. During 1999, all of the directors other than Mr. Lee were paid a bonus of $850. Two of our directors are related to each other. M.S. Canaday is Paula Canaday Bowman's uncle. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS During the last fiscal year, our board of directors met 17 times. Each incumbent director attended 75% or more of the aggregate of the total number of board of director meetings and the total number of meetings held by all committees of the board of directors on which he or she served. Our board of directors does not have separate audit or nominating committees, but performs these functions itself. Our board of directors has a compensation committee, which consists of Paula Canaday Bowman, Warren L. Grimes (Chairman) and Ayden R. Lee, Jr. (non-voting member). The compensation committee is responsible for the approval of compensation arrangements for our officers and the review of our compensation plans and policies. During the last fiscal year, the compensation committee met three times. 6 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The following tables set forth a summary of compensation for Mr. Ayden R. Lee, Jr., our Chief Executive Officer and President for the fiscal years indicated. None of the other executive officers had total annual salary and bonus exceeding $100,000 for any of the past three fiscal years. SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE ANNUAL COMPENSATION(1) LONG-TERM COMPENSATION ---------------------- ---------------------- AWARDS PAYOUTS ------------------------------ SECURITIES ALL OTHER NAME & PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS UNDERLYING OPTIONS COMPENSATION(2) - ------------------------- ---- ------ ----- ------------------ --------------- Ayden R. Lee, Jr., 1999 $152,640 $ 20,860 3,404 $ 7,276 Chief Executive Officer 1998 144,000 21,718 6,000 7,129 and President 1997 136,082 27,718 -0- 10,196 - -------- (1) Amounts shown in the table include amounts paid to Mr. Lee as an executive officer of our subsidiary, Four Oaks Bank & Trust Company. Four Oaks Bank & Trust Company was reorganized as our wholly-owned subsidiary in July 1997. Amounts shown also include amounts deferred by Mr. Lee under our Master Corporate Profit Sharing Retirement Plan and Trust. (2) The amounts shown represent our contributions to Mr. Lee under our Master Corporate Profit Sharing Retirement Plan and Trust in the amounts of $6,940, $6,649 and $9,500, for each of the years ended 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The remainder of the amounts shown for each year represent insurance premiums paid by us on term life insurance. OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR The following table sets forth certain information concerning options to purchase common stock granted to Mr. Lee during the year ended December 31, 1999. NUMBER OF SECURITIES % OF TOTAL UNDERLYING OPTIONS GRANTED EXERCISE OPTIONS TO EMPLOYEES IN OR BASE NAME GRANTED FISCAL YEAR PRICE EXERCISE DATE EXPIRATION DATE ---- ------- ----------- ----- ------------- --------------- Ayden R. Lee, Jr. 4,000 24% $29 February 28, 2000 February 28, 2003 7 AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES The following table sets forth certain information concerning options to purchase common stock held by Mr. Lee during the year ended December 31, 1999, the aggregate value of gains on the date of exercise, and the value of unexercised options as of December 31, 1999. VALUE OF UNEXERCISED NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT FY-END(#) AT FY-END($) EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/ NAME UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE (1) ---- ------------- ----------------- Ayden R. Lee, Jr. 10,000/0 $345,000/0 - ------------------------ (1) Based on a price per share of $34.50 which is the last sale price of our common stock as of December 31, 1999. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT We have an employment agreement with Ayden R. Lee, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and President. The employment agreement provides for a one-year term and on each anniversary date thereafter, the agreement automatically will be extended for an additional year, unless either party gives notice of nonrenewal. The current base salary under the agreement may be increased at the discretion of our board of directors. Our board of directors has established the 2000 base salary amount for Mr. Lee at $163,325. In addition to the base salary, Mr. Lee's employment agreement provides for, among other things, additional benefits applicable to executive personnel and benefits applicable to all our salaried employees. The agreement provides for termination by us for "cause" (as defined in the agreement) at any time. SEVERANCE COMPENSATION AGREEMENT We have adopted a severance compensation agreement for Mr. Lee that will provide him with severance pay benefits in the event of a "change in control." The purpose of this compensation plan is to recognize the services and contributions of Mr. Lee as a key employee and the uncertainties relating to continual employment, reduced employee benefits, management changes, and relocations in the event of a change in control. Under the severance compensation agreement, in the event a change in control (as defined in the agreement) occurs and Mr. Lee's employment is "terminated" (as defined in the agreement) he will be entitled to receive a cash severance payment equal to two years' salary based upon his then most recent annual compensation and the amount of his most recent annual bonus at the time of termination. In addition, Mr. Lee will be entitled to all life insurance, health, accidental death and dismemberment, and disability plans or programs in which he is entitled to participate immediately prior to his termination for two years after the date of his termination or unless and until he obtains other full-time employment. 8 SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN Our subsidiary, Four Oaks Bank & Trust Company, has adopted a supplemental executive retirement plan ("SERP") for Mr. Lee that, upon his retirement from the bank, will provide him with supplemental annual payments for the remainder of his life. The purpose of the SERP is to encourage Mr. Lee to remain as an employee of the bank and to reward him for contributing materially to the success of the bank. Under the SERP, the bank will be obligated to pay Mr. Lee an annual payment upon his retirement in an amount which, when added to Mr. Lee's Company 401(k) benefits (based on future estimated amounts) and social security benefits (based on future estimated amounts), will ensure Mr. Lee a total annual retirement benefit equal to seventy-five percent (75%) of his Average Annual Compensation (as defined in the SERP) on the date of his retirement. Depending upon Mr. Lee's age at retirement, the annual payment as a percentage of Mr. Lee's fully vested retirement benefit will vary (from 58% of fully vested retirement benefit at age 55 to 100% at age 62). The annual payment which we are obligated to pay Mr. Lee each year after his retirement is subject to certain limitations, including a maximum limit of $50,000 per year. In the event of a change of control (as defined in the SERP) of Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc. and termination of Mr. Lee's employment within twenty-four (24) months thereafter (for any reason, except termination by the bank for cause), Mr. Lee will be entitled to receive a lump-sum cash payment equal to the actuarial equivalence of the greater of (i) the amount he would have been entitled to had he retired on such date and (ii) the amount of his pro rata fully vested benefit under the SERP as of such date. CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS Certain of our directors and executive officers are customers of, and borrowers from, Four Oaks Bank & Trust Company in the ordinary course of business. From January 1, 1999 to December 31, 1999, loans outstanding to our directors and executive officers, and their associates as a group, amounted to a maximum of approximately $810,930.32, or 4.31% of the equity capital of the bank. All outstanding loans and commitments included in such transactions are made substantially on the same terms, including rate and collateral, as those prevailing at the time in comparable transactions with other customers. In the opinion of management, these loans do not involve more than normal risk of collectability, or contain other unfavorable features. SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our officers, directors, and persons who own more than 10% of our equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers, directors, and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us, or representations by such persons that no Form 5s were required, we believe that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors, and greater than 10% shareholders, were satisfied, except Warren L. Grimes, Percy Y. Lee, Clifton L. Painter and Nancy S. Wise who inadvertently failed to timely file one, two, one and one required reports, respectively. Mr. Grimes failed to report one transaction which 9 occurred in the month of June. Mr. Lee failed to report two transactions which occurred in the months of June and September, respectively. Mr. Painter failed to report one transaction which occurred in the month of March. Ms. Wise failed to timely report four transactions which occurred in the month of August. Except for Ms. Wise's transactions which were reported on an amended Form 4 for the month of August, 1999, each of the foregoing transactions were reported late on Form 5s for the year ended December 31, 1999. SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP served as our independent accountants for the fiscal year most recently completed. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's services to us for 1999 included the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, reviews of certain of our income tax returns and consultation on various accounting, tax and other matters. A representative of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is expected to be present at the annual meeting. This representative will have an opportunity to make a statement if desired and will be available to respond to shareholder questions. There were no non-audit services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP during 1999. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A COPY OF OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-KSB FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES THERETO, AS FILED WITH THE SEC WILL BE FURNISHED ON WRITTEN REQUEST, WITHOUT CHARGE TO ANY OF OUR SHAREHOLDERS. SUCH REQUESTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO WANDA J. BLOW, FOUR OAKS FINCORP, INC., P.O. BOX 309, FOUR OAKS, NORTH CAROLINA 27524 ((919) 963-2177). SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2001 ANNUAL MEETING Any proposals that shareholders intend to present for a vote of shareholders at the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and that such shareholders desire to have included in our proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting, must be sent to our principal executive office, marked to the attention of Ayden R. Lee, Jr., and received at such office on or before December 5, 2000. Proposals received after December 5, 2000 will not be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials for our 2000 annual meeting. A determination as to whether we will oppose inclusion of any proposal in our proxy statement and form of proxy will be made on a case-by-case basis in accordance with our judgment and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC. In addition, if a shareholder intends to present a matter for a vote at the 2001 annual meeting, other than by submitting a proposal for inclusion in our proxy statement for that meeting, the shareholder must give timely notice in accordance with SEC rules. To be timely, a shareholder's notice must be sent to our principal executive office, marked to the attention of Ayden R. Lee, Jr., and received at such office on or before February 19, 2001. Such notice should 10 set forth (a) as to each matter the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, and (b) the name and record address of the shareholder, the class and number of shares of our capital stock that are beneficially owned by the shareholder, and any material interest of the shareholder in such business. For notices that are not timely filed, we retain discretion to vote proxies we receive. For notices that are timely filed, we retain discretion to vote proxies we receive provided (i) we include in our proxy statement advice on the nature of the proposal and how we intend to exercise our voting discretion and (ii) the proponent fails to (x) provide us with a written statement, on or before February 19, 2001, that the proponent intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of our voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal, (y) includes the same statement in its proxy materials filed with the SEC and (z) immediately after soliciting the percentage of shareholders required to carry the proposal, provides us with a statement from any solicitor, or other person with knowledge, that the necessary steps have been taken to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of such percentage of shares. OTHER MATTERS; DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY As of the date of this proxy statement, we know of no business that will be presented for consideration at the annual meeting other than the items referred to above. The enclosed proxy confers discretionary authority to vote with respect to any and all of the following matters that may come before the annual meeting: (i) matters for which we did not receive timely notice; (ii) approval of the minutes of a prior meeting of shareholders, if such approval does not amount to ratification of the action taken at the meeting; (iii) the election of any person to any office for which a bona fide nominee is named in this proxy statement and such nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve; (iv) any proposal omitted from this proxy statement and the form of proxy pursuant to Rule 14a-8 or Rule 14a-9 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and (v) matters incidental to the conduct of the annual meeting. If any such matters come before the annual meeting, the proxy agents named in the accompanying proxy card will vote in accordance with their judgment. All shareholders are encouraged to sign, date, and return their proxy submitted with this proxy statement as soon as possible in the envelope provided. If a shareholder attends the annual meeting, then he or she may revoke his or her proxy and vote in person. By Order of the Board of Directors April 3, 2000 Ayden R. Lee, Jr. Chief Executive Officer and President 11 ******************************************************************************* APPENDIX PROXY THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOUR OAKS FINCORP, INC. FOR THE 2000 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. The undersigned hereby appoints Ayden R. Lee, Jr. and M. S. Canaday as proxies, each with the full power of substitution to represent the undersigned and to vote all of the shares of stock in Four Oaks Fincorp, Inc. which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of said Company to be held at the main office of Four Oaks Bank & Trust Company located at 6144 US 301 South, Four Oaks, North Carolina on Monday, April 24, 2000 at 8:00 p.m., and any adjournments thereof (1) as hereinafter specified upon the proposal listed below as more particularly described in the Company's proxy statement, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged; and (2) in their discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments thereof. In order to vote for the proposal, place an X in the appropriate box provided below. The Board recommends a vote "FOR" the proposal listed below. 1. To elect the following nominees as directors of a one year term: M. S. Canaday; Ayden R. Lee, Jr.; William J. Edwards; Paula Canaday Bowman; Dr. R. Max Raynor, Jr.; Percy Y. Lee; Warren L. Grimes ( ) FOR all nominees (except as marked to the contrary below.) ( ) WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees. (INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE(S) WRITE THAT NOMINEE(S) NAME ON THE LINE PROVIDED BELOW.) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE (CONTINUED FROM OTHER SIDE) THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FAVORS A VOTE "FOR" THE ABOVE PROPOSAL AND UNLESS INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY ARE INDICATED IN THE SPACE PROVIDED, THIS PROXY WILL BE SO VOTED. SHARES Please date and sign this Proxy and return promptly. Dated: -------------------------------, 2000 ------------------------------------------ Signature ------------------------------------------ Signature NOTE: PLEASE SIGN YOUR NAME EXACTLY AS IT APPEARS ON THIS CARD. WHEN SIGNING FOR A CORPORATION OR PARTNERSHIP, OR AS AGENT, ATTORNEY, TRUSTEE, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, OR GUARDIAN, PLEASE INDICATE THE CAPACITY IN WHICH YOU ARE SIGNING. IN THE CASE OF JOINT TENANTS, EACH JOINT OWNER MUST SIGN. 2