Exhibit 99.1
[LETTERHEAD OF RP FINANCIAL, LC.]
November 18, 2004
Xx. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
President and Chief Executive Officer
Colonial Bank, Federal Savings Bank
00 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000-2420
Dear Xx. Xxxxxxx:
This letter sets forth the agreement between Colonial Bank, Federal
Savings Bank, Bridgeton, New Jersey (the "Bank"), and RP(R) Financial, LC. ("RP
Financial") for the independent appraisal services in connection with the
"Minority Stock Issuance" by a newly-chartered mid-tier stock holding company
formed in conjunction with the Minority Stock Issuance. 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
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. 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 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.
Xx. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
November 18, 2004
Page 2
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 Minority Stock Issuance size and
offering price per share determined by the Bank's Board of Directors. The
appraisal report may be periodically updated prior to the commencement of the
Minority Stock Issuance and the appraisal is required to be updated just prior
to the closing of the Minority Stock Issuance.
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 $30,000 for
preparation and delivery of the original appraisal report, plus reimbursable
expenses, and $5,000 for preparation and delivery of each required updated
appraisal report, plus reimbursable expenses. Payment of these fees shall be
made according to the following schedule:
o $5,000 upon execution of the letter of agreement engaging RP
Financial's appraisal services;
o $25,000 upon delivery of the completed original appraisal report; and
o $5,000 upon completion of each valuation update that may be required.
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 to $10,000
in connection with this appraisal engagement, subject to written authorization
from the Bank to exceed such level.
In the event the Bank shall, for any reason, discontinue the proposed
Minority Stock Issuance 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 $300 per hour for managing directors.
Xx. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
November 18, 2004
Page 3
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 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 Minority Stock Issuance 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. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
November 18, 2004
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) Subject to the Bank's right to contest under Section
3(b) hereof, 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.
Xx. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
November 18, 2004
Page 5
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 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.
Sincerely,
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
President and Managing Director
Agreed To and Accepted By: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
---------------------------------
President and Chief Executive Officer
Upon Authorization by the Board of
Directors For: Colonial Bank, Federal Savings Bank
Bridgeton, New Jersey
Date Executed: 12/6/04
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