EXHIBIT 8.3
[LETTERHEAD OF XXXXXXXX & COMPANY APPEARS HERE]
NOVEMBER 17, 1998
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1ST STATE BANK
000 X. XXXX XXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX, XXXXX XXXXXXXX 00000
PLAN OF CONVERSION, SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
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DIRECTORS:
Terms used in this letter not otherwise defined herein have the same
meanings for such terms in the Plan of Holding Company Conversion (the "Plan of
Conversion") adopted by the Board of Directors of 1st State Bank, Burlington,
North Carolina ("1st State" or "Bank"), under which the Bank will convert from a
mutual savings bank to a stock savings bank and issue all of the Bank's stock to
1st State Bancorp, Inc. (the "Holding Company"). Simultaneously, the Holding
Company will issue shares of common stock (the "Common Stock").
We understand that in accordance with the Plan of Conversion, subscription
rights to purchase shares of Common Stock in the Holding Company are to be
issued to (1) Eligible Account Holders, (2) the Bank's tax qualified employee
stock ownership plan, (3) Supplemental Eligible Account Holders, (4) Other
Members, and (5) employees, officers and directors of 1st State. Based solely
upon our observation that the subscription rights will be available to such
parties without cost, will be legally non-transferable and of short duration,
and will afford such parties the right only to purchase shares of Common Stock
at the same price to be paid by members of the general public in the Community
Offering, but without undertaking any independent investigation of state or
federal laws or the position of the Internal Revenue Service with respect to
such issue, we are of the opinion that:
(1) the subscription rights will have no ascertainable market value; and
(2) the price at which the subscription rights are exercisable will not be
more or less than the pro forma market value of the shares upon
issuance.
Changes in the local and national economy, the legislative and regulatory
environment, the stock market, interest rates and other external forces (e.g.,
natural disasters or significant global events) occur from time to time and may
materially affect the value of thrift stocks as a whole or the Holding Company's
value. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that persons who subscribe to
shares of Common Stock in the Conversion will thereafter be able to sell such
shares at the same price paid in the Subscription Offering.
Sincerely,
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Principal
