EXHIBIT 1.2
ENGAGEMENT LETTER BETWEEN FIRST FEDERAL BANK, A FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK
AND XXXXXXX XXXX & COMPANY
[LOGO OF XXXXXXX XXXX & COMPANY APPEARS HERE]
April 27, 1998
Xx. Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Chairman of the Board
First Federal Bank, F.S.B.
000 Xxxxxxx Xx. XX
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Dear Xx. Xxxxxxxxx:
This proposal is in connection with First Federal Bank, a F.S.B., (the "Bank")
intention to have its parent mutual holding company convert from a mutual to a
capital stock form of organization (the "Conversion"). In order to effect the
Conversion, it is contemplated that all of the Bank's common stock to be
outstanding pursuant to the Conversion will be issued to a holding company (the
"Company") to be formed by the Bank, and that the Company will offer and sell
shares of its common stock first to eligible persons (pursuant to the Bank's
Plan of Conversion) in a Subscription and Community Offering.
Xxxxxxx Xxxx & Company ("Xxxx"), a Division of Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx, Inc.
("KBW") will act as the Bank's and the Company's exclusive financial advisor and
marketing agent in connection with the Conversion. This letter sets forth
selected terms and conditions of our engagement.
1. Advisory/Conversion Services. As the Bank's and Company's financial advisor
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and marketing agent, Xxxx will provide the Bank and the Company with a
comprehensive program of conversion services designed to promote an orderly,
efficient, cost-effective and long-term stock distribution. Xxxx will provide
financial and logistical advice to the Bank and the Company concerning the
offering and related issues. Xxxx will assist in providing conversion
enhancement services intended to meet the directors' objectives in the
Subscription Offering and to residents of the Bank's market area, if necessary,
in the Community Offering.
Xxxx shall provide financial advisory services to the Bank which are typical in
connection with an equity offering and include, but are not limited to, overall
financial analysis of the client with a focus on identifying factors which
impact the valuation of the common stock and provide the appropriate
recommendations for the betterment of the equity valuation.
Xx. Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
April 27, 1998
Page 2 of 6
Additionally, post conversion financial advisory services will include advice on
shareholder relations, NASDAQ listing, dividend policy (for both regular and
special dividends), stock repurchase strategy and communication with market
makers. Prior to the closing of the offering, Xxxx shall furnish to client a
Post-Conversion reference manual, which will include specifics relative to these
items. (The nature of the services to be provided by Xxxx as the Bank's and the
Company's financial advisor and marketing agent are further described in Exhibit
A attached hereto.)
2. Preparation of Offering Documents. The Bank, the Company and their counsel
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will draft the Registration Statement, Application for Conversion, Prospectus
and other documents to be used in connection with the Conversion. Xxxx will
attend meetings to review these documents and advise you on their form and
content. Xxxx and its counsel will draft appropriate agency agreement and
related documents as well as marketing materials other than the Prospectus.
3. Due Diligence Review. Prior to filing the Registration Statement,
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Application for Conversion or any offering or other documents naming Xxxx as the
Bank's and the Company's financial advisor and marketing agent, Xxxx and their
representatives will undertake substantial investigations to learn about the
Bank's business and operations ("due diligence review") in order to confirm
information provided to us and to evaluate information to be contained in the
Bank's and/or the Company's offering documents. The Bank agrees that it will
make available to Xxxx all relevant information, whether or not publicly
available, which Xxxx reasonably requests, and will permit Xxxx to discuss with
management the operations and prospects of the Bank. Xxxx will treat all
material non-public information as confidential. The Bank acknowledges that
Xxxx will rely upon the accuracy and completeness of all information received
from the Bank, its officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives,
accountants and counsel including this letter to serve as the Bank's and the
Company's financial advisor and marketing agent.
4. Regulatory Filings. The Bank and/or the Company will cause appropriate
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offering documents to be filed with all regulatory agencies including, the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC""), the National Association of
Securities Dealers ("NASD"), Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") and such state
securities commissioners as may be determined by the Bank.
5. Agency Agreement. The specific terms of the conversion services, conversion
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offering enhancement and syndicated offering services contemplated in this
letter shall be set forth in an Agency Agreement between Xxxx and the Bank and
the Company to be executed prior to commencement of the offering, and dated the
date that the Company's Prospectus is declared effective and/or authorized to be
disseminated by the appropriate regulatory agencies, the SEC,
Xx. Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
April 27, 1998
Page 3 of 6
the NASD, the OTS and such state securities commissioners and other regulatory
agencies as required by applicable law.
6. Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The Agency Agreement will
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provide for customary representations, warranties and covenants by the Bank and
Xxxx, and for the Company to indemnify Xxxx and their controlling persons (and,
if applicable, the members of the selling group and their controlling persons),
and for Xxxx to indemnify the Bank and the Company against certain liabilities,
including, without limitation, liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
7. Fees. For the services hereunder, the Bank and/or Company shall pay the
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following fees to Xxxx at closing unless stated otherwise:
(a) A Management Fee of $25,000 payable in four consecutive monthly
installments of $6,250 commencing with the signing of this letter.
Such fees shall be deemed to have been earned when due. Should the
Conversion be terminated for any reason not attributable to the action
or inaction of Xxxx, Xxxx shall have earned and be entitled to be paid
fees accruing through the stage at which point the termination
occurred. This Management Fee shall be applied against the Success
Fee described below.
(b) A Success Fee of 1.5% of the aggregate Purchase Price of Common Stock
sold in the Subscription Offering and Community Offering excluding
shares purchased by the Bank's officers, directors, or employees (or
members of their immediate families) plus any ESOP, tax-qualified or
stock based compensation plans (except IRA's) or similar plan created
by the Bank for some or all of its directors or employees. The
Success Fee shall be reduced by the Management Fee described in (a)
above.
(c) If any shares of the Company's stock remain available after the
subscription offering, at the request of the Bank, Xxxx will seek to
form a syndicate of registered broker-dealers to assist in the sale of
such common stock on a best efforts basis, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in the selected dealers agreement. Xxxx will
endeavor to distribute the common stock among dealers in a fashion
which best meets the distribution objectives of the Bank and the Plan
of Conversion. Xxxx will be paid a fee not to exceed 5.5% of the
aggregate Purchase Price of the shares of common stock sold by them.
Xxxx will pass onto selected broker-dealers, who assist in the
syndicated community, an amount competitive with gross underwriting
discounts charged at such time for comparable amounts of stock sold at
a comparable price per share in a similar
Xx. Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
April 27, 1998
Page 4 of 6
market environment. Fees with respect to purchases affected with the
assistance of a broker/dealer other than Xxxx shall be transmitted by
Xxxx to such broker/dealer. THE DECISION TO UTILIZE SELECTED BROKER-
DEALERS WILL BE MADE BY THE BANK upon consultation with Xxxx. In the
event, with respect to any stock purchases, fees are paid pursuant to
this subparagraph 7(c), such fees shall be in lieu of, and not in
addition to, payment pursuant to subparagraph 7(a) and 7(b).
8. Additional Services. XXXX FURTHER AGREES TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ADVISORY
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ASSISTANCE TO THE COMPANY AND THE BANK FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FOLLOWING
COMPLETION OF THE CONVERSION, INCLUDING FORMATION OF A DIVIDEND POLICY AND SHARE
REPURCHASE PROGRAM, ASSISTANCE WITH SHAREHOLDER REPORTING AND SHAREHOLDER
RELATIONS MATTERS, GENERAL ADVICE ON MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS AND OTHER RELATED
FINANCIAL MATTERS, WITHOUT THE PAYMENT BY THE COMPANY AND THE BANK OF ANY FEES
IN ADDITION TO THOSE SET FORTH IN SECTION 7 HEREOF. Nothing in this Agreement
shall require the Company and the Bank to obtain such services from Xxxx.
Following this initial one year term, if both parties wish to continue the
relationship, a fee will be negotiated and an agreement entered into at that
time.
9. Expenses. The Bank will bear those expenses of the proposed offering
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customarily borne by issuers, including, without limitation, regulatory filing
fees, SEC, "Blue Sky," and NASD filing and registration fees; the fees of the
Bank's accountants, attorneys, appraiser, transfer agent and registrar,
printing, mailing and marketing and syndicate expenses associated with the
Conversion; the fees set forth in Section 7; and fees for "Blue Sky" legal work.
If Xxxx incurs expenses on behalf of Client, Client will reimburse Xxxx for such
expenses.
Xxxx'x reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including costs of travel, meals and
lodging, photocopying, telephone, facsimile and couriers, not to exceed $5,000,
and reasonable fees and expenses of counsel (such fees of counsel will not be
incurred without the prior approval of Client). The selection of such counsel
will be done by Xxxx, with the approval of the Bank. Such reimbursement of
legal fees will not exceed $30,000.
10. Conditions. Xxxx'x willingness and obligation to proceed hereunder shall
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be subject to, among other things, satisfaction of the following conditions in
Xxxx'x opinion, which opinion shall have been formed in good faith by Xxxx after
reasonable determination and consideration of all relevant factors: (a) full and
satisfactory disclosure of all relevant material, financial and other
information in the disclosure documents and a determination by Xxxx, in its sole
discretion, that the sale of stock on the terms proposed is reasonable given
such disclosures; (b) no material adverse change in the condition or operations
of the Bank subsequent to the execution of the agreement; and (c) no adverse
market conditions at the time of offering which in Xxxx'x opinion make the sale
of the shares by the Company inadvisable.
Xx. Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
April 27, 1998
Page 5 of 6
11. Benefit. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
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and their respective successors and to the parties indemnified pursuant to the
terms and conditions of the Agency Agreement and their successors, and the
obligations and liabilities assumed hereunder by the parties hereto shall be
binding upon their respective successors provided, however, that this Agreement
shall not be assignable by Xxxx.
12. Definitive Agreement. This letter reflects Xxxx'x present intention of
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proceeding to work with the Bank on its proposed conversion. It does not create
a binding obligation on the part of the Bank, the Company or Xxxx except as to
the agreement to maintain the confidentiality of non-public information set
forth in Section 3, the payment of certain fees as set forth in Section 7(a) and
7(b) and the assumption of expenses as set forth in Section 9, all of which
shall constitute the binding obligations of the parties hereto and which shall
survive the termination of this Agreement or the completion of the services
furnished hereunder and shall remain operative and in full force and effect.
You further acknowledge that any report or analysis rendered by Xxxx pursuant to
this engagement is rendered for use solely by the management of the Bank and its
agents in connection with the Conversion. Accordingly, you agree that you will
not provide any such information to any other person without our prior written
consent.
Xxxx acknowledges that in offering the Company's stock no person will be
authorized to give any information or to make any representation not contained
in the offering prospectus and related offering materials filed as part of a
registration statement to be declared effective in connection with the offering.
Accordingly, Xxxx agrees that in connection with the offering it will not give
any unauthorized information or make any unauthorized representation. We will
be pleased to elaborate on any of the matters discussed in this letter at your
convenience.
It is further agreed that Xxxx will have enough personnel on hand at the Bank to
handle all transactions without the use of the Bank Personnel.
It is further agreed that if by cause of the federal regulators the process is
delayed or extended the cost of this delay will be the cost of Xxxx and not an
Additional cost to the Bank. This means as to the costs listed in sections 7, 8
and 9 above.
Xx. Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
April 27, 1998
Page 6 of 6
If the foregoing correctly sets forth our mutual understanding, please so
indicate by signing and returning the original copy of this letter to the
undersigned.
Very truly yours,
XXXXXXX XXXX & COMPANY
a Division of XXXXX, XXXXXXXX & XXXXX, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx III
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Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx III
Senior Vice President
FIRST FEDERAL BANK, F.S.B.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx 5/14/98
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Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx Date
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT A
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CONVERSION SERVICES PROPOSAL
TO FIRST FEDERAL BANK, F.S.B.
Xxxxxxx Xxxx & Company provides thrift institutions converting from mutual to
stock form of ownership with a comprehensive program of conversion services
designed to promote an orderly, efficient, cost-effective and long-term stock
distribution. The following list is representative of the conversion services,
if appropriate, we propose to perform on behalf of the Bank.
General Services
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Assist management and legal counsel with the design of the transaction
structure.
Analyze and make recommendations on bids from printing, transfer agent, and
appraisal firms.
Assist officers and directors in obtaining Bank loans to purchase stock, if
requested.
Assist in drafting and distribution of press releases as required or
appropriate.
Conversion Offering Enhancement Services
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Establish and manage Stock Information Center at the Bank. Stock Information
Center personnel will track prospective investors; record stock orders; mail
order confirmations; provide the Bank's senior management with daily reports;
answer customer inquiries; and handle special situations as they arise.
Assign Xxxx'x personnel to be at the Bank through completion of the Subscription
and Community Offerings to manage the Stock Information Center, meet with
prospective shareholders at individual and community information meetings,
solicit local investor interest through a tele-marketing campaign, answer
inquiries, and otherwise assist in the sale of stock in the Subscription and
Community Offerings. This effort will be lead by a Principal of Xxxx/KBW.
Create target investor list based upon review of the Bank's depositor base.
Provide intensive financial and marketing input for drafting of the prospectus.
Conversion Offering Enhancement Services- Continued
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Prepare other marketing materials, including prospecting letters and brochures,
and media advertisements.
Arrange logistics of community information meeting(s) as required.
Prepare audio-visual presentation by senior management for community information
meeting(s).
Prepare management for question-and-answer period at community information
meeting(s).
Attend and address community information meeting(s) and be available to answer
questions.
Broker-Assisted Sales Services.
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Arrange for broker information meeting(s) as required.
Prepare audio-visual presentation for broker information meeting(s).
Prepare script for presentation by senior management at broker information
meeting(s).
Prepare management for question-and-answer period at broker information
meeting(s).
Attend and address broker information meeting(s) and be available to answer
questions.
Produce confidential broker memorandum to assist participating brokers in
selling the Bank's common stock.
