Exhibit 99.1
[LETTERHEAD OF RP FINANCIAL, LC.]
August 21, 2001
Xx. Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
President and Chief Executive Officer
The Savings Bank of Utica
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Dear Xx. Xxxxxxxx:
This letter sets forth the agreement between The Savings Bank of Utica,
Utica, New York (the "Bank"), and RP Financial, LC. ("RP Financial") for the
independent appraisal services pertaining to the Bank's reorganization into a
"two-tier" mutual holding company (the "Reorganization"), including a mid-tier
stock holding company and minority stock offering by the mid-tier stock holding
company (the "Stock Offering"). The specific appraisal services to be rendered
by RP Financial are described below. These appraisal services will be rendered
by a team of two to three senior consultants on staff and will be directed by
the undersigned.
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
Bank's operations, financial condition, profitability, market area, risks and
various internal and external factors which impact the pro forma value of the
Bank. RP Financial will prepare a written detailed valuation report of the Bank
that will be fully consistent with applicable regulatory guidelines and standard
pro forma valuation practices. The appraisal report will include an in-depth
analysis of the Bank's financial condition and operating results, as well as an
assessment of the Bank's interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The
appraisal report will describe the Bank'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 and characteristics of
stock plans. The appraisal report will conclude with a midpoint pro forma value
which will establish the range of value, and reflect the Stock Offering size
determined by the Bank's Board of Directors. The appraisal report may be
periodically updated throughout the conversion process and there will be at
least one updated valuation prepared at the time of the closing of the Stock
Offering.
Xx. Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
August 21, 2001
Page 2
RP Financial agrees to deliver the valuation appraisal and subsequent
updates, in writing, to the Bank 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 Bank agrees to pay RP Financial a fixed fee of $35,000 for preparation
and delivery of the original appraisal report and $5,000 for each subsequent
appraisal update, plus reimbursable expenses. Payment of these fees shall be
made according to the following schedule:
. $5,000 upon execution of the letter of agreement engaging RP
Financial's appraisal services;
. $30,000 upon delivery of the completed original appraisal report; and
. $5,000 upon delivery of each appraisal update through the closing of
the Reorganization and Stock Offering.
The Bank 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, telephone, facsimile, shipping, computer and data services. RP
Financial will agree to limit reimbursable expenses in connection with this
engagement and in connection with the preparation of a regulatory business plan
as described in the accompanying letter, subject to written authorization from
the Bank to exceed such level.
In the event the Bank shall, for any reason, discontinue the proposed
Reorganization and Stock Offering prior to delivery of the completed documents
set forth above and payment of the respective progress payment fees, the Bank
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 $250 per hour for managing directors.
If during the course of the proposed transaction, unforeseen 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 Bank and RP Financial. Such unforeseen events shall
include, but not be limited to, major changes 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
Xx. Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
August 21, 2001
Page 3
of processing of conversion applications by the regulators such that completion
of the transaction requires the preparation by RP Financial of a new appraisal
or financial projections.
Representations and Warranties
------------------------------
The Bank and RP Financial agree to the following:
1. The Bank agrees to make available or to supply to RP Financial such
information with respect to 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 Bank to RP Financial shall remain
strictly confidential (unless such information is otherwise made available to
the public), and if the Reorganization and Stock Offering are not consummated or
the services of RP Financial are terminated hereunder, RP Financial shall upon
request promptly return to the Bank the original and any copies of such
information.
2. The Bank hereby represents and warrants to RP Financial that any
information provided to RP Financial does not and will not, to the best of the
Bank'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 necessary
to make the statements therein not false or misleading in light of the
circumstances under which they were made.
3. (a) The Bank 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 Bank 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 Bank to RP Financial; or (iii) any action or omission to act by the Bank,
or the Bank's respective officers, Directors, employees or agents which action
or omission is willful or negligent. The Bank 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 Bank at the normal hourly professional rate chargeable by such employee.
Xx. Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
August 21, 2001
Page 4
(b) RP Financial shall give written notice to the Bank 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 Bank 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 Bank hereunder within five days after the final
determination of such contest either by written acknowledgement of the Bank or a
final judgment (including all appeals therefrom) of a court of competent
jurisdiction. If the Bank does not so elect, RP Financial shall be paid promptly
and in any event within thirty days after receipt by the Bank of the notice of
the claim.
(c) The Bank 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 Bank: (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 Bank 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 Bank to RP Financial of its election to
assume the defense thereof, the Bank 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 Bank 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 Bank which will represent RP Financial in any such action or
proceeding and the Bank 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 Bank 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 arising out of the same allegations or
circumstances. The Bank 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 Bank 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 Bank 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
Xx. Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
August 21, 2001
Page 5
RP Financial's engagement(s). This agreement constitutes the entire
understanding of the Bank 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 Bank and RP Financial are not affiliated, and neither the Bank 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 $5,000.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
Chief Executive Officer and
Managing Director
Agreed To and Accepted By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
President and Chief Executive Officer
Upon Authorization by the Board
of Directors For: The Savings Bank of Utica
Utica, New York
Date Executed: ___________________________________
RP FINANCIAL, LC.
------------------------------------------
Financial Services Industry Consultants
August 21, 2001
Xx. Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
President and Chief Executive Officer
The Savings Bank of Utica
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Dear Xx. Xxxxxxxx:
This letter sets forth the agreement between The Savings Bank of Utica,
Utica, New York (the "Bank"), and RP Financial, LC. ("RP Financial"), whereby
the Bank has engaged RP Financial to prepare the regulatory business plan and
financial projections to be adopted by the Bank's Board of Directors in
conjunction with the concurrent reorganization and minority stock offering.
These services are described in greater detail below.
Description of Proposed Services
--------------------------------
RP Financial's business planning services will include the following areas:
(1) evaluating the Bank's current financial and operating condition, business
strategies and anticipated strategies in the future; (2) analyzing and
quantifying the impact of business strategies, incorporating the use of net
offering proceeds both in the short and long term; (3) preparing detailed
financial projections on a quarterly basis for a period of at least three fiscal
years to reflect the impact of Board approved business strategies and use of
proceeds; (4) preparing the written business plan document which conforms with
applicable regulatory guidelines including a description of the use of proceeds
and how the convenience and needs of the community will be addressed; and (5)
preparing the detailed schedules of the capitalization of the Bank and mutual
holding company and related cash flows.
Contents of the business plan will include: Philosophy/Goals; Economic
Environment and Background; Lending, Leasing and Investment Activities; Deposit,
Savings and Borrowing Activity; Asset and Liability Management; Operations;
Records, Systems and Controls; Growth, Profitability and Capital; Responsibility
for Monitoring this Plan.
RP Financial agrees to prepare the business plan and accompanying financial
projections in writing such that the business plan can be filed with the
appropriate regulatory agencies prior to filing the appropriate applications.
________________________________________________________________________________
Washington Headquarters
Rosslyn Center Telephone: (000) 000-0000
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000 Xxx No.: (000) 000-0000
Arlington, VA 22209 Toll-Free No.: (000) 000-0000
xxx.xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx E-Mail: xxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Xx. Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
August 21, 2001
Page 2
Fee Structure and Payment Schedule
----------------------------------
The Bank agrees to compensate RP Financial for preparation of the business
plan on a fixed fee basis of $10,000. Payment of the professional fees shall be
made upon delivery of the completed business plan.
The Bank also agrees to reimburse RP Financial for those direct
out-of-pocket expenses necessary and incidental to providing the business
planning services. Reimbursable expenses will likely include shipping,
telephone/facsimile printing, computer and data services, and shall be paid to
RP Financial as incurred and billed. RP Financial will agree to limit
reimbursable expenses in conjunction with the appraisal engagement, subject to
written authorization from the Bank to exceed such level.
In the event the Bank shall, for any reason, discontinue this planning
engagement prior to delivery of the completed business plan and payment of the
progress payment fee, the Bank 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 fixed fee described above, plus
reimbursable expenses incurred.
If during the course of the planning engagement, unforeseen events occur so
as to materially change the nature or the work content of the business planning
services described in this contract, the terms of said contract shall be subject
to renegotiation by the Bank and RP Financial. Such unforeseen events may
include changes in regulatory requirements as it specifically relates to the
Bank or potential transactions that will dramatically impact the Bank such as a
pending acquisition or branch transaction.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Please acknowledge your agreement to the foregoing by signing as indicated
below and returning to RP Financial a signed copy of this letter.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
--------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
Chief Executive Officer and
Managing Director
Agreed To and Accepted By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
------------------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Upon Authorization by the Board of Directors For: The Savings Bank of Utica
Utica, New York
Date Executed: _______________________
