LETTERHEAD OF RP FINANCIAL, LC.] May 24, 2007
EXHIBIT 99.1
[LETTERHEAD OF RP FINANCIAL, LC.]
May 24, 2007
Xx. Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
President and Chief Executive Officer
Danvers Bancorp, Inc.
Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Dear Xx. Xxxxxxxxx:
This letter sets forth the agreement between Danvers Bancorp, Inc., Danvers, Massachusetts (the "Company"), and RP® Financial, LC. ("RP Financial") for the independent appraisal services in connection with the stock to be issued concurrent with the mutual-to-stock conversion transaction and holding company reorganization. The specific appraisal services to be rendered by RP Financial are described below.
Description of Conversion Appraisal Services
Prior to preparing the valuation report, RP Financial will conduct a financial due diligence, including on-site interviews of senior management and reviews of financial and other documents and records, to gain insight into the Company's operations, financial condition, profitability, market area, risks and various internal and external factors which impact the pro forma value of the Company.
RP Financial will prepare a written detailed valuation report of the Company that will be fully consistent with applicable regulatory guidelines and standard pro forma valuation practices. In this regard, the applicable regulatory guidelines are those set forth in the Office of Thrift Supervision's ("OTS") October 21, 1994 "Guidelines for Appraisal Reports for the Valuation of Savings and Loan Associations Converting from Mutual to Stock Form of Organization," which have been endorsed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") and various state banking agencies.
The appraisal report will include an in-depth analysis of the Company's financial condition and operating results, as well as an assessment of the Company's interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The appraisal report will describe the Company's business strategies, market area, prospects for the future and the intended use of proceeds both in the short term and over the longer term. A peer group analysis relative to publicly-traded savings institutions will be conducted for the purpose of determining appropriate valuation adjustments relative to the group.
We will review pertinent sections of the applications and offering documents to obtain necessary data and information for the appraisal, including the impact of key deal elements on the appraised value, such as dividend policy, use of proceeds and reinvestment rate, tax rate, conversion expenses, characteristics of stock plans and charitable foundation contribution. The appraisal report will conclude with a midpoint pro forma market value that will establish the range of value, and reflect the offering price per share determined by the Company's Board of Directors. The appraisal report may be periodically updated prior to the commencement of the conversion offering and the appraisal is required to be updated just prior to the closing of the conversion offering.
RP Financial agrees to deliver the valuation appraisal and subsequent updates, in writing, to the Company at the above address in conjunction with the filing of the regulatory application. Subsequent updates will be filed promptly as certain events occur which would warrant the preparation and filing of such valuation updates. Further, RP Financial agrees to perform such other services as are necessary or required in connection with the regulatory review of the appraisal and respond to the regulatory comments, if any, regarding the valuation appraisal and subsequent updates.
Fee Structure and Payment Schedule
The Company agrees to pay RP Financial a fixed fee of $80,000 for preparation and delivery of the original appraisal report, plus reimbursable expenses. Payment of these fees shall be made according to the following schedule:
- •
- $10,000
upon execution of the letter of agreement engaging RP Financial's appraisal services;
- •
- $70,000
upon delivery of the completed original appraisal report;
- •
- $10,000
for the first valuation update that may be required; and,
- •
- $15,000 for each subsequent valuation update that may be,required, provided that the transaction is not delayed for reasons described below.
The Company will reimburse RP Financial for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in preparation of the valuation. Such out-of-pocket expenses will likely include travel, printing, shipping, computer and data services. RP Financial will agree to limit reimbursable expenses in connection with this appraisal engagement, subject to written authorization from the Company to exceed such level.
In the event the Company shall, for any reason, discontinue the proposed mutual-to-stock conversion transaction prior to delivery of. the completed documents set forth above and payment of the respective progress payment fees, the Company agrees to compensate RP Financial according to RP Financial's standard billing rates for consulting services based on accumulated and verifiable time expenses, not to exceed the respective fee caps noted above, after giving full credit to the initial retainer fee. RP Financial's standard billing rates range from $75 per hour for research associates to $350 per hour for managing directors.
If during the course; of the proposed transaction, events occur so as to materially change the nature or the work content of the services described in this contract, the terms of said contract shall be subject to renegotiation by the Company and RP Financial. Such unforeseen events shall include, but not be limited to, major changes (actual or proposed by the applicable regulatory authorities) in the conversion regulations, appraisal guidelines or processing procedures as they relate to appraisals, major changes in management or procedures, operating policies or philosophies, and excessive delays or suspension of processing of conversion applications by the regulators such that completion of the transaction requires the preparation by RP Financial of a new appraisal.
Representations and Warranties
The Company and RP Financial agree to the following:
1. The Company agrees to make available or to supply to RP Financial such information with respect for its business and financial condition as RP Financial may reasonably request in order to provide the aforesaid valuation. Such information heretofore or hereafter supplied or made available to RP Financial shall include: annual financial statements, periodic regulatory filings and material agreements, debt instruments, off balance sheet assets or liabilities, commitments and contingencies, unrealized gains or losses and corporate books and.records. All information provided by the Company to RP Financial shall remain strictly confidential (unless such information is otherwise made available to the public), and if the mutual-to-stock conversion is not consummated or the services of RP Financial are terminated hereunder, RP Financial shall upon request promptly return to the Company the original and any copies of such information.
2. The Company hereby represents and warrants to RP Financial that any information provided to RP Financial does not and will not, to the best of the Company's knowledge, at the times it is provided to RP Financial, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or fail to state a material fact
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necessary to make the statements therein not false or misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made.
3. (a) The Company agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless RP Financial, any affiliates of RP Financial, the respective directors, officers, agents and employees of RP Financial, or their successors and assigns who act for or on behalf of RP Financial in connection with the services called for under this agreement (hereinafter referred to as "RP Financial"), from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, but not limited to, all losses and expenses in connection with claims under the federal securities laws) attributable to (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the financial statements or other information furnished or otherwise provided by the Company to RP Financial, either orally or in writing; (ii) the omission or alleged omission of a material fact from the financial statements or other information furnished or otherwise made available by the Company to RP Financial; or (iii) any action or omission to act by the Company, or the Company's respective officers, Directors, employees or agents which action. or omission is willful or negligent. The Company will be under no obligation to indemnify RP Financial hereunder if a court determines that RP Financial was negligent or acted in bad faith with respect to any actions or omissions of RP Financial related to a matter for which indemnification. is sought hereunder. Any time devoted by employees of RP Financial to situations for which indemnification is provided hereunder, shall be an indemnifiable cost payable by the Company at the normal hourly professional rate chargeable by such employee.
(b) RP Financial shall give written notice to the Company of such claim or facts within thirty days of the assertion of any claim or discovery of material facts upon which RP Financial intends to base a claim for indemnification hereunder. In the event the Company elects, within ten business days of the receipt of the original notice thereof, to contest such claim by written notice to RP Financial, RP Financial will be entitled to be paid any amounts payable by the Company hereunder within five days after the final determination of such contest either by written acknowledgement of the Company or a final judgment (including all appeals therefrom) of a court of competent jurisdiction. If the Company does not so elect, RP Financial shall be paid promptly and in any event within thirty days after receipt by the Company of the notice of the claim.
(c) The Company shall pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred by RP Financial in advance of the final disposition of any proceeding within thirty days of the.receipt of such request if RP Financial furnishes the Company: (1) a written statement of RP Financial's good faith belief that it is entitled to indemnification hereunder; and (2) a written undertaking to repay the advance if it ultimately is determined in a final adjudication of such proceeding that it or he is not entitled to such indemnification. The Company; may assume the defense of any claim (as to which notice is given in accordance with 3(b)) with counsel reasonably satisfactory to RP Financial, and after notice from the Company to RP Financial of its election to assume the defense thereof, the Company will not be liable to RP Financial for any legal or, other expenses subsequently incurred by RP Financial (other than reasonable costs of investigation and assistance in discovery and document production matters). Notwithstanding the foregoing, RP Financial shall have the right to employ their own counsel in any action or proceeding if RP Financial shall have concluded that a conflict of interest exists between the Company and RP Financial which would materially impact the effective representation of RP Financial. In the event that RP Financial concludes that a conflict of interest exists, RP Financial shall have the right to select counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company which will represent RP Financial in any such action or proceeding and the Company shall reimburse RP Financial for the reasonable legal fees and expenses of such counsel and other expenses reasonably incurred by RP Financial. In no event shall the Company be liable for the fees and expenses of more: than one counsel, separate from its own counsel, for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction
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arising out of the same allegations or circumstances. The Company will not be liable under the foregoing indemnification provision in respect of any compromise or settlement of any action or proceeding made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(d) In the event the Company does not pay any indemnified loss or make advance reimbursements of expenses in accordance with the terms of this agreement, RP Financial shall have all remedies available at law or in equity to enforce such obligation.
It is understood that, in connection with RP Financial's above-mentioned engagement, RP Financial may also be engaged to act for the Company in one or more additional capacities, and that the terms of the original engagement may be incorporated by reference in one or more separate agreements. The provisions of Paragraph 3 herein shall apply to the original engagement, any such additional engagement, any modification of the original engagement or such additional engagement and shall remain in full force. and effect following the completion or termination of RP Financial's engagement(s). This agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the Company and RP Financial concerning the subject matter addressed herein, and such contract shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. This agreement may not be modified, supplemented or amended except by written agreement executed by both parties.
The Company and RP Financial are not affiliated, and neither the Company nor RP Financial has an economic interest in, or is held in common with, the other and has not derived a significant portion of its gross revenues, receipts or net income for any period from transactions with the other.
* * * * * * * * * *
Please acknowledge your agreement to the foregoing by signing as indicated below and returning to RP Financial a signed copy of this letter, together with the initial retainer fee of $10,000.
| Sincerely, | |||
/s/ XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXXXX Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director |
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| Agreed To and Accepted By: | /s/ XXXXX X. XXXXXXXXX Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx President and Chief Executive Officer |
| Upon Authorization by the Board of Directors For: | Danvers Bancorp, Inc. Danvers, Massachusetts |
| Date Executed: | 5/31/07 |
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