As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11, 2009
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
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6770
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
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20-8523583
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
590 Madison Avenue
32
nd
Floor
New York, New York 10022
(212) 520-2300
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrants principal executive offices)
Warren G. Lichtenstein
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
590 Madison Avenue
32
nd
Floor
New York, New York 10022
(212) 520-2300
Fax: (212) 520-2343
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
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Steven Wolosky
Kenneth A. Schlesinger
Olshan Grundman Frome
Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP
Park Avenue Tower
65 East 55
th
Street
New York, New York 10022
(212) 451-2300
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Douglas S. Ellenoff
Stuart Neuhauser
Asim Grabowski-Shaikh
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
150 East 42nd Street
New York, New York 10017
(212) 370-1300
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Glen P. Garrison
Thomas A. Sterken
Keller Rohrback LLP
1201 Third Avenue, Suite 3200
Seattle, Washington
98101-3052
(206) 623-1900
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Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
As soon as practicable after this
registration statement becomes effective and all other conditions to the merger contemplated by the
merger agreement described in the included proxy statement/prospectus have been satisfied or
waived.
If the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered in connection with the formation
of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.
o
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.
o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act,
check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer
or a smaller reporting company. See the definition of large accelerated filer, accelerated
filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer
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Accelerated filer
þ
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Non-accelerated filer
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Smaller reporting company
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in
conducting this transaction:
Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)
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Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Amount to
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Proposed Maximum
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Proposed Maximum
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Amount of
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Title of each Class of Securities
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be
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Offering Price Per
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Aggregate Offering
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Registration
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to be Registered
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Registered
(1)
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Security
(2)
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Price
(2)
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Fee
(2)
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Common Stock, $0.001 par value
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2,500,000
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N/A
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$30,871,363.72
(2)
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$1,722.62
(2)
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Warrants to purchase shares
of Common Stock
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2,500,000
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N/A
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(3)
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(3)
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(1)
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Based upon the maximum number of shares of common stock of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. that
may be issued in exchange for shares of common stock of Frontier Financial Corporation
pursuant to the merger described in the joint proxy statement/prospectus which is a part of
this registration statement. Pursuant to Rule 416, this registration statement also covers an
indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may become issuable as a result of stock
splits, stock dividends, or similar transactions.
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(2)
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Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee required by Section 6(b)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The proposed maximum aggregate offering price for
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.s common stock was calculated based upon the market value of
shares of Frontier Financial Corporation common stock (the securities being cancelled in the
merger) in accordance with Rules 457(c) and (f) of the Securities Act as follows: the product
of (x) $0.655, the average of the high and low sales prices of Frontier Financial Corporation
common stock, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, on August 4, 2009, and (y)
47,131,853, the estimated maximum number of shares of Frontier Financial Corporation common
stock that may be exchanged for shares of common stock of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
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(3)
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The registration fee is calculated in accordance with footnote 2 above. For each share of
common stock of Frontier Financial Corporation exchanged in the merger, the holder thereof
will be entitled to receive 0.0530 shares of common stock of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. and
0.0530 warrants to purchase common stock of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
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The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be
necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in
accordance with
Section 8(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement
shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to
said Section
8(a)
, may determine.
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
590 Madison Avenue
32nd Floor
New York, New York 10022
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On [______], 2009
To the Stockholders of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.:
Notice is hereby given that a special meeting of the stockholders of SP Acquisition Holdings,
Inc. (SPAH) will be held on [_____], [_____], 2009 at [_____]:00 [_____].m., local time, at
[_____]. The special meeting is being called for the following purposes:
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1.
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To consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt an amendment to the amended and
restated certificate of incorporation of SPAH (the SPAH Certificate of Amendment) to
eliminate the requirement that the fair market value of the target business equal at
least 80% of the balance of SPAHs trust account, to be effective immediately prior to
the consummation of the merger described below (the Initial Charter Amendment);
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2.
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To consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated as of July 30, 2009, by and between SPAH and Frontier Financial Corporation
(Frontier), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 10, 2009, pursuant to which Frontier will merge with and into SPAH, as described in
more detail in the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus;
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3.
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To consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt an amendment to the SPAH
Certificate of Amendment to (i) change SPAHs corporate name to Frontier Financial
Corporation, (ii) permit SPAHs continued existence after October 10, 2009, and (iii)
create a new class of common stock of SPAH (Non-Voting Common Stock) to have economic
rights but no voting rights, in each case to be effective upon consummation of the
merger (the Subsequent Charter Amendments); and
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4.
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To consider and vote upon a proposal to elect to the Board of Directors of
SPAH, Warren G. Lichtenstein, who will serve as Chairman of the Board, and, if the
merger is consummated, four directors from Frontier, comprised of Patrick M. Fahey, [
], [
] and [
],
each of whom currently serve on the Board of
Directors of Frontier, in each case to serve until the next annual meeting of SPAH and
until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.
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At the special meeting, we may transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Immediately prior to the special meeting of stockholders, SPAH has scheduled a special meeting
of warrantholders to consider and vote upon a proposal to amend certain terms of the warrant
agreement that governs the terms of SPAHs outstanding warrants to purchase common stock, as more
fully described in the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus. If the requisite approval is
received, the Initial Charter Amendment will be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State
immediately upon its approval and prior to the stockholders consideration of the merger proposal
at the special meeting of stockholders. Accordingly, the proposal to adopt the merger agreement
will only be presented for a vote at the special meeting if (i) the Initial Charter Amendment is
adopted by SPAH stockholders and (ii) the proposal to amend the warrant agreement is approved by
SPAH warrantholders. The Subsequent Charter Amendments and the election of the Frontier nominees
will only be effected in the event and at the time the merger with Frontier is consummated,
although approval of the Subsequent Charter Amendments is a condition to closing the merger. The
election of Mr. Lichtenstein does not require the approval of any other proposals to be effective.
SPAH has fixed the close of business on [
], 2009 as the record date for determining
those stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting and any adjournments
or postponements thereof.
If you hold shares of common stock issued in SPAHs initial public offering (whether such
shares were acquired pursuant to such initial public offering or afterwards up to and until the
record date), then you have the right to vote against the merger proposal and demand that SPAH
convert such shares into cash equal to a pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in
the trust account in which a substantial portion of the net proceeds of SPAHs initial public
offering are held. For more information regarding your conversion
rights, see the discussion under the heading The Merger and the
Merger Agreement Conversion Rights of SPAH Stockholders of the accompanying joint
proxy statement/prospectus.
Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting in person, please complete, date, sign
and return the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible. SPAH has enclosed a postage prepaid
envelope for that purpose. Any SPAH stockholder may revoke his or her proxy by following the
instructions in the joint proxy statement/prospectus at any time before the proxy has been voted at
the special meeting. Even if you have given your proxy, you may still vote in person if you attend
the special meeting.
SPAH encourages you to vote on these very important matters. The Board of Directors of SPAH
unanimously recommends that SPAH stockholders vote FOR each of the proposals above.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Warren G. Lichtenstein
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
[
], 2009
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting of Stockholders to Be
Held on [______], 2009. This Proxy Statement is available electronically at [______].
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
590 Madison Avenue
32nd Floor
New York, New York 10022
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On [______], 2009
To the Stockholders of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.:
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of the stockholders of SP Acquisition
Holdings, Inc. (SPAH). The special meeting will be held on [_____], [_____], 2009 at [_____]:00
[_____].m., local time, at [_____].
At the special meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote on (1) a proposal to adopt an
amendment to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation of SPAH (the SPAH Certificate
of Amendment) to eliminate the requirement that the fair market value of the target business
equal at least 80% of the balance of SPAHs trust account, effective immediately prior to the
consummation of the merger described below (the Initial Charter Amendment); (2) a proposal to
adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 30, 2009, by and between SPAH and Frontier
Financial Corporation (Frontier), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 10, 2009, pursuant to which Frontier will merge with and into SPAH; (3) a
proposal to adopt an amendment to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation to (i) change SPAHs
corporate name to Frontier Financial Corporation, (ii) permit SPAHs continued existence after
October 10, 2009, and (iii) create a new class of common stock of SPAH (Non-Voting Common Stock)
which will have economic rights but no voting rights, in each case effective upon consummation of
the merger (the Subsequent Charter Amendments); (4) a proposal to elect to the Board of Directors
of SPAH, Warren G. Lichtenstein, who will serve as Chairman of the Board, and, if the merger is
consummated, four directors from Frontier, comprised of Patrick M. Fahey, [______], [______]
and [______], each of whom currently serve on the Board of Directors of Frontier, in each case
to serve until the next annual meeting of SPAH and until their successors shall have been elected
and qualified, and (5) any other matters that may properly come before the special meeting or any
adjournments or postponements thereof.
Adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of SPAH common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. The SPAH
Certificate of Incorporation also requires that the holders of a majority of SPAHs outstanding
shares of common stock issued in SPAHs initial public offering are voted, in person or by proxy,
in favor of the merger and that such SPAH public stockholders owning no more than 30% (minus one
share) of the shares sold in SPAHs initial public offering vote against the merger and thereafter
exercise their conversion rights as described below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is a
condition to closing the merger agreement that holders of no more than 10% of the shares (minus one
share) sold in SPAHs initial public offering vote against the merger and exercise their conversion
rights, although at SPAHs discretion, this closing condition may be waived in order to consummate
the merger. Accordingly, SPAH may not consummate the merger if 10% or more of the holders of
shares sold in or subsequent to SPAHs initial public offering elect to exercise their conversion
rights. If SPAH elects to waive this closing condition, it may raise the conversion threshold to
anywhere between 10% to 30% (minus one share). Adoption of the amendments to the SPAH Certificate
of Incorporation requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of SPAHs outstanding
common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. Directors will be elected by a plurality of
the votes cast by stockholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at
the special meeting.
Immediately prior to the special meeting of stockholders, SPAH has scheduled a special meeting
of warrantholders to consider and vote upon a proposal to amend certain terms of the warrant
agreement that governs the terms of SPAHs outstanding warrants to purchase common stock, as more
fully described in the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus. If the requisite approval is
received, the Initial Charter Amendment will be filed
with the Delaware Secretary of State immediately upon its approval and prior to the
stockholders consideration of the merger proposal at the special meeting of stockholders.
Accordingly, the proposal to adopt the merger agreement will only be presented for a vote at the
special meeting if (i) the Initial Charter Amendment is adopted by SPAH stockholders and (ii) the
proposal to amend the warrant agreement is approved by SPAH warrantholders. The Subsequent Charter
Amendments and the election of the Frontier nominees will only be effected in the event and at the
time the merger with Frontier is consummated, although approval of the Subsequent Charter
Amendments is a condition to closing the merger. The election of Mr. Lichtenstein does not
require the approval of any other proposals to be effective.
Only holders of record of SPAH common stock at the close of business on [______],
2009 are entitled to notice of the special meeting and to vote and have their votes counted at the
special meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
If you hold shares of common stock issued in SPAHs initial public offering (whether such
shares were acquired pursuant to such initial public offering or afterwards up to and until the
record date for the special meeting), then you have the right to vote against the merger proposal
and demand that SPAH convert such shares into cash equal to a pro rata share of the aggregate
amount then on deposit in the trust account in which a substantial portion of the net proceeds of
SPAHs initial public offering are held (before payment of deferred underwriting discounts and
commissions and including interest earned on their pro rata portion of the trust account, net of
income taxes payable on such interest and net of interest income of $3.5 million on the trust
account balance previously released to SPAH to fund its working capital requirements). As of [______],
2009, there was $[______] in the trust account, including accrued interest on the funds in
the trust account, or approximately $[______] per share issued in the initial public offering. The
actual conversion price will differ from the $[______] per share due to any interest earned on the
funds in the trust account since [______], 2009, and any taxes payable in respect of interest
earned thereon.
If you wish to exercise your conversion rights, you must:
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affirmatively vote against the merger proposal in person or by submitting your proxy
card before the vote on the merger proposal and checking the box that states Against
for proposal number 1; and
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check the box that states Exercise Conversion Rights on the proxy card; or
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send a letter to SPAHs transfer agent, Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, at 17 Battery Place, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10004,
attn: Mark Zimkind, stating that you are exercising your conversion rights and
demanding your shares of SPAH common stock be converted into cash; and
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physically tender, or if you hold your shares of SPAH common
stock in street name, cause your broker to physically tender, your stock
certificates representing shares of SPAH common stock to SPAHs transfer agent;
or
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deliver your shares electronically using the Depository Trust
Companys DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, to SPAHs transfer
agent by [______], 2009. See Summary Term
SheetThe Merger and the Merger AgreementSPAH Conversion Rights and
The Merger and the Merger AgreementConversion Rights of SPAH Stockholders.
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Prior to exercising your conversion rights, you should verify the market price of SPAHs
common stock, as you may receive higher proceeds from the sale of your common stock in the public
market than from exercising your conversion rights. Shares of SPAHs common stock are currently
quoted on the NYSE AMEX LLC under the symbol DSP. On [______], 2009, the record date for the
special meeting of stockholders, the last sale price of SPAHs common stock was $[______]. Your
shares will only be converted if the merger is consummated and you voted
against the merger and properly demanded conversion rights according to the instructions in
this letter and the joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Each of SP Acq LLC, Steel Partners II, L.P. (SP II) and Anthony Bergamo, Ronald LaBow,
Howard M. Lorber, Leonard Toboroff and S. Nicholas Walker, each a director of SPAH, or their
permitted transferees (collectively, the SPAH insiders), previously agreed to vote their
10,822,400 shares of SPAH common stock acquired prior to SPAHs initial public offering (which
constitute approximately 20% of SPAHs outstanding shares of common stock), either for or against
the merger proposal consistent with the majority of the votes cast on the merger by the holders of
the shares of common stock issued in, or subsequent to, SPAHs initial public offering. To the
extent any SPAH insider or officer or director of SPAH has acquired shares of SPAH common stock in,
or subsequent to, SPAHs initial public offering, it, he or she has agreed to vote these acquired
shares in favor of the merger proposal. As of the date hereof, none of the SPAH insiders or
officers or directors of SPAH own any shares sold in, or subsequent to, SPAHs initial public
offering. The SPAH insiders have further indicated that they will vote all of their shares in
favor of the adoption of the amendments to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation and for the
election of each director nominee to the Board of Directors of SPAH. Pursuant to a plan of
reorganization, SP II has contributed certain assets, including its shares of SPAH common stock and
warrants, to a liquidating trust. The trust has agreed to assume all of SP IIs rights and
obligations with respect to these shares and warrants, including to vote in accordance with the
foregoing.
Upon consummation of the merger, SP Acq LLC and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and
Walker have agreed to forfeit an aggregate of 9,453,412 shares purchased prior to SPAHs initial
public offering, constituting approximately 17.5% of SPAHs outstanding shares of common stock as
of the record date.
The Board of Directors of SPAH has unanimously determined that the proposals and the
transactions contemplated thereby are fair to and in the best interests of SPAH and its
stockholders. The Board of Directors of SPAH recommends that you vote, or give instruction to vote,
FOR the adoption of each of the proposals and that you vote in favor of each of the director
nominees.
The accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus contains detailed information concerning the
merger proposal and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, as well as detailed
information concerning each of the proposals. We urge you to read the joint proxy
statement/prospectus and attached annexes carefully.
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting in person,
please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as soon as possible in the envelope provided.
I look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Warren G. Lichtenstein
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
TAKING ANY ACTION THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE AGAINST THE MERGER, INCLUDING
ABSTAINING FROM VOTING ON THE MERGER PROPOSAL, WILL PREVENT YOU FROM EXERCISING YOUR CONVERSION
RIGHTS. YOU MUST AFFIRMATIVELY VOTE AGAINST THE MERGER PROPOSAL IN PERSON OR BY SUBMITTING YOUR
PROXY CARD BEFORE THE VOTE ON THE MERGER PROPOSAL TO EXERCISE YOUR CONVERSION RIGHTS. IN ORDER TO
CONVERT YOUR SHARES, YOU MUST ALSO EITHER PHYSICALLY TENDER, OR IF YOU HOLD YOUR SHARES OF SPAH
COMMON STOCK IN STREET NAME, CAUSE YOUR BROKER TO PHYSICALLY TENDER, YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATES
REPRESENTING SHARES OF SPAH COMMON STOCK TO SPAHS TRANSFER AGENT OR DELIVER YOUR SHARES
ELECTRONICALLY USING THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANYS DWAC SYSTEM, TO SPAHS TRANSFER AGENT BY [______], 2009. FAILURE TO MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL CAUSE YOUR CONVERSION DEMAND TO BE
REJECTED. SEE THE SECTIONS ENTITLED SUMMARY TERM SHEETTHE MERGER AND THE MERGER
AGREEMENTSPAH CONVERSION RIGHTS AND THE MERGER AND THE MERGER AGREEMENT CONVERSION RIGHTS OF SPAH
STOCKHOLDERS FOR MORE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS.
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
590 Madison Avenue
32nd Floor
New York, New York 10022
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF WARRANTHOLDERS
To Be Held On [______], 2009
To the Warrantholders of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.:
Notice is hereby given that a special meeting of the warrantholders of SP Acquisition
Holdings, Inc. (SPAH) will be held on [_____], [_____], 2009 at [_____]:00 [_____].m., local time,
at [_____]. The special meeting is being called to consider and vote upon a proposal to amend
certain terms of the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement, dated as of October 4, 2007, by and
between SPAH and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, which governs the terms of SPAHs
outstanding warrants to purchase common stock (the Warrant Agreement), in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July
30, 2009, by and between SPAH and Frontier Financial Corporation (Frontier), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 10, 2009, which, among other
things, provides for the merger of Frontier with and into SPAH, with SPAH being the surviving
entity.
The proposed amendment to the Warrant Agreement, to become effective upon consummation of the
merger, will:
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increase the exercise price of the warrants from $7.50 per share to $11.50 per share
of SPAH common stock;
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amend the warrant exercise period to (i) eliminate the requirement that the initial
founders warrants owned by the SPAH insiders become exercisable only after the
consummation of an initial business combination if and when the last sales price of
SPAH common stock exceeds $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading
day period beginning 90 days after such business combination and (ii) extend the
expiration date of the warrants to the earlier of (x) seven years from the consummation
of the merger or (y) the date fixed for redemption of the warrants set forth in the
warrant agreement;
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provide for the mandatory downward adjustment of the exercise price for each warrant
to reflect any cash dividends paid with respect to the outstanding common stock of
SPAH;
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provide that, in the event an effective registration statement is not in place on
the date the warrants are set to expire, the warrants will remain outstanding until 90
days after an effective registration statement is filed, provided, that if SPAH has not
filed an effective registration statement within 90 days after the expiration date, the
warrants shall become exercisable for cash consideration;
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provide that no adjustment in the number of shares issuable upon exercise of each
warrant will be made as a result of the issuance of SPAH shares and warrants to the
shareholders of Frontier upon consummation of the merger agreement; and
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provide that each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, in its sole
discretion, either one share of voting common stock or one share of non-voting common
stock.
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At the special meeting, we may transact such other business as may properly come before the
special meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
The merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger, as well as the amendment to the
Warrant Agreement, are described in the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus, which you
are encouraged to read in its entirety before voting. Only holders of record of SPAH warrants at
the close of business on [______], 2009
are entitled to notice of the special meeting and to vote and have their votes counted at the
special meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. The approval of the warrant
amendment proposal is a condition to the consummation of the merger discussed above.
After careful consideration, SPAHs Board of Directors has determined that the proposals are
fair to and in the best interests of SPAH and its warrantholders and unanimously recommends that
you vote or give instruction to vote FOR the approval of the amendment proposal.
All SPAH warrantholders are cordially invited to attend the special meeting in person. To
ensure your representation at the special meeting, however, you are urged to complete, sign, date
and return the enclosed proxy card as soon as possible. If you are a warrantholder of record of
SPAH, you may also cast your vote in person at the special meeting. If your warrants are held in an
account at a brokerage firm or bank, you must instruct your broker or bank on how to vote your
warrants or, if you wish to attend the meeting and vote in person, obtain a proxy from your broker
or bank. If you do not vote or do not instruct your broker or bank how to vote, it will have the
same effect as voting against the amendment proposal.
Your vote is important regardless of the number of warrants you own. Whether you plan to
attend the special meeting or not, please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as soon as
possible in the envelope provided. If your warrants are held in street name or are in a margin or
similar account, you should contact your broker to ensure that votes related to the warrants you
beneficially own are properly counted.
Thank you for your participation. We look forward to your continued support.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Warren G. Lichtenstein
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
[
], 2009
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting of Warrantholders to
Be Held on [______], 2009. This Proxy Statement is available electronically at [______].
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
590 Madison Avenue
32nd Floor
New York, New York 10022
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
SPECIAL MEETING OF WARRANTHOLDERS
To Be Held On [______], 2009
To the Warrantholders of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.:
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of the warrantholders of SP Acquisition
Holdings, Inc. (SPAH). The special meeting will be held on [_____], [_____], 2009 at [_____]:00
[_____].m., local time, at [_____].
The special meeting is being called to consider and vote upon a proposal to amend certain
terms of the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement, dated as of October 4, 2007, by and between
SPAH and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the Warrant Agreement), which governs the
terms of SPAHs outstanding warrants to purchase common stock, in connection with the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 30, 2009, by
and between SPAH and Frontier Financial Corporation (Frontier), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 10, 2009, which provides for the merger of
Frontier with and into SPAH, with SPAH being the surviving entity, and for each holder of Frontier
common stock to receive 0.0530 shares of common stock and 0.0530 warrants.
The proposed amendment to the Warrant Agreement, to become effective upon consummation of the
merger, will (i) increase the exercise price of the warrants from $7.50 per share to $11.50 per
share of SPAH common stock; (ii) amend the warrant exercise period to (A) eliminate the requirement
that the initial founders warrants owned by the SPAH insiders become exercisable only after the
consummation of an initial business combination if and when the last sales price of SPAH common
stock exceeds $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period beginning 90
days after such business combination and (B) extend the expiration date of the warrants to the
earlier of (x) seven years from the consummation of the merger or (y) the date fixed for redemption
of the warrants set forth in the warrant agreement; (iii) provide for the mandatory downward
adjustment of the exercise price for each warrant to reflect any cash dividends paid with respect
to the outstanding common stock of SPAH; (iv) provide that, in the event an effective registration
statement is not in place on the date the warrants are set to expire, the warrants will remain
outstanding until 90 days after an effective registration statement is filed, provided, that if
SPAH has not filed an effective registration statement within 90 days after the expiration date,
the warrants shall become exercisable for cash consideration; (v) provide that no adjustment in the
number of shares issuable upon exercise of each warrant will be made as a result of the issuance of
SPAH shares and warrants to the shareholders of Frontier upon consummation of the merger agreement;
and (vi) provide that each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, in its sole
discretion, either one share of voting common stock or one share of non-voting common stock. At
the special meeting, we may transact such other business as may properly come before the special
meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Only holders of record of SPAH warrants at the close of business on [______], 2009
are entitled to notice of the special meeting and to vote and have their votes counted at the
special meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Adoption of the amendment to the
Warrant Agreement requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the warrantholders outstanding and
entitled to vote at the special meeting. The Warrant Agreement also requires that the holders of a
majority of SPAHs outstanding warrants issued in, or subsequent to, SPAHs initial public
offering, are voted in favor of the warrant amendment. Each of SPAHs directors and founding
stockholders, including SP Acq LLC and Steel Partners II, L.P., or their permitted transferees (the
SPAH insiders), which own, in the aggregate, 17,822,400 warrants issued prior to consummation of
SPAHs initial public offering, or approximately 29.2% of the total warrants outstanding as of
[______], 2009, intend to vote in favor of the warrant amendment proposal.
The approval of the warrant amendment proposal is a condition to the consummation of the
merger discussed above. If the merger is consummated, Frontier shareholders will receive
approximately 2.5 million newly issued warrants on the same terms and conditions as the publicly
traded warrants, after giving effect to the warrant amendment proposal.
After careful consideration, SPAHs Board of Directors has determined that the proposals are
fair to and in the best interests of SPAH and its warrantholders and unanimously recommends that
you vote or give instruction to vote FOR the approval of the amendment proposal.
Enclosed is the joint proxy statement/prospectus containing detailed information concerning
the amendment proposal, the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. We
urge you to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus and attached annexes carefully.
Thank you for your participation. We look forward to your continued support.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Warren G. Lichtenstein
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
IF YOU RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD WITHOUT AN INDICATION OF HOW YOU WISH TO VOTE, YOUR WARRANTS
WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE WARRANT AMENDMENT PROPOSAL. IF THE MERGER IS NOT COMPLETED AND SPAH
DOES NOT COMPLETE AN INITIAL BUSINESS COMBINATION PRIOR TO OCTOBER 10, 2009, THE WARRANTS WILL
EXPIRE WORTHLESS.
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
332 S.W. Everett Mall Way
P. O. Box 2215
Everett, Washington 98213
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On [______], 2009
To the Shareholders of Frontier Financial Corporation:
Notice is hereby given that a special meeting of the shareholders of Frontier Financial
Corporation (Frontier) will be held on [_____], [_____], 2009 at [_____]:00 [_____].m., local time,
at [_____]. The special meeting is being called to consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 30, 2009, by and between Frontier and SP Acquisition
Holdings, Inc. (SPAH), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 10, 2009, pursuant to which Frontier will merge with and into SPAH, as described in
more detail in the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus. At the special meeting, we may
transact such other business as may properly come before the special meeting and any adjournments
or postponements thereof.
Frontier has fixed the close of business on [______], 2009 as the record date for
determining those shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting and any
adjournments or postponements thereof.
Frontier shareholders have the right to dissent from the merger and obtain payment of the fair
value of their Frontier shares under Washington law. A copy of the applicable Washington statutory
provisions regarding dissenters rights is attached as
Annex F to the accompanying joint proxy
statement/prospectus. For details of your dissenters rights and applicable procedures, please see
the discussion under the heading The Merger and the Merger Agreement Frontier Dissenters
Rights of the attached joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting in person, please complete, date, sign
and return the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible. Frontier has enclosed a postage prepaid
envelope for that purpose. Any Frontier shareholder may revoke his or her proxy by following the
instructions in the joint proxy statement/prospectus at any time before the proxy has been voted at
the special meeting. Even if you have given your proxy, you may still vote in person if you attend
the special meeting. Please do not send any share certificates to Frontier at this time.
Frontier encourages you to vote on this very important matter. The Board of Directors of
Frontier unanimously recommends that Frontier shareholders vote FOR the proposals above.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Patrick M. Fahey
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
[
], 2009
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting of Shareholders to
Be Held on [______], 2009. This Proxy Statement is available electronically at www.frontierbank.com.
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
332 S.W. Everett Mall Way
P. O. Box 2215
Everett, Washington 98213
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held On [______], 2009
To the Shareholders of Frontier Financial Corporation:
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of the shareholders of Frontier
Financial Corporation (Frontier). The special meeting will be held on [_____], [_____], 2009 at
[_____]:00 [_____].m., local time, at [_____].
At the special meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote on (i) a proposal to adopt the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 30, 2009, by and between Frontier and SP Acquisition
Holdings, Inc. (SPAH), as amended by Amendment No. 1 to
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 10, 2009; and (ii) any other matters that may properly come before the special
meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Only holders of record of Frontier common stock at the close of business on [______],
2009 are entitled to notice of the special meeting and to vote and have their votes counted at the
special meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. Adoption of the merger agreement
requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Frontiers
outstanding common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting.
If the proposed merger is completed, Frontier shareholders will receive 0.0530 newly issued
shares of SPAH common stock and 0.0530 newly issued warrants to purchase SPAH common stock for each
share of Frontier common stock they own, subject to possible adjustment as described in this joint
proxy statement/prospectus. Contemporaneously with the Frontier special meeting of stockholders,
SPAH has scheduled a special meeting of warrantholders to consider and vote upon a proposal to
amend certain terms of the warrant agreement that governs the terms of SPAHs outstanding warrants,
as more fully described in the accompanying joint proxy statement/prospectus. If the merger is
consummated, Frontier shareholders will receive newly issued warrants on the same terms and
conditions as the publicly traded warrants, after giving effect to the warrant amendment proposal.
On July 30, 2009, the day before the public announcement of the merger agreement, the closing
price of SPAHs common stock on the NYSE AMEX LLC was $9.75 per share.
Each of Frontiers insiders (including all of Frontiers executive officers and directors) has
agreed to vote their [______] shares of Frontier common stock (which constitute [_____]% of Frontiers outstanding shares of common stock), FOR the merger proposal.
The Frontier Board has unanimously determined that the proposals and the transactions
contemplated thereby are fair to and in the best interests of Frontier and its shareholders. The
Board recommends that you vote, or give instruction to vote, FOR the adoption of the merger
proposal.
Frontier shareholders have the right to dissent from the merger and obtain payment of the fair
value of their Frontier shares under Washington law. A copy of the applicable Washington statutory
provisions regarding dissenters rights is attached as Annex F to the accompanying joint proxy
statement/prospectus. For details of your dissenters rights and applicable procedures, please see
the discussion under the heading The Merger and the Merger Agreement Frontier Dissenters
Rights of the attached joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Enclosed is a notice of special meeting and the joint proxy statement/prospectus containing
detailed information concerning the merger proposal and the transactions contemplated by the merger
agreement. We urge you to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus and attached annexes carefully.
Your vote is important. Because approval of the merger proposal requires the affirmative vote
of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at the Frontier special meeting,
abstaining from voting (including by way of a broker non-vote), either in person or by proxy, will
have the same effect as a vote against approval of the merger agreement. Whether or not you plan to
attend the special meeting in person, please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card as soon
as possible in the envelope provided. We look forward to seeing you at the special meeting, and we
appreciate your continued loyalty and support. I look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Patrick M. Fahey
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
The information in this joint proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed.
We may not issue these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission is effective. This joint proxy statement/prospectus is not an offer to sell
these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the
offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT
TO AMENDMENT AND COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 11, 2009
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS AND
WARRANTHOLDERS OF SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
OF FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
PROSPECTUS FOR UP TO 2,500,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AND
UP TO 2,500,000 WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK
OF SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
The Boards of Directors of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc., a blank check company organized
under the laws of the State of Delaware (SPAH), and Frontier Financial Corporation, a Washington
corporation (Frontier), have unanimously agreed to a merger of our companies. If the proposed
merger is completed, Frontier shareholders will receive 0.0530 shares of SPAH common stock and
0.0530 warrants to purchase common stock of SPAH for each share of Frontier common stock they own,
subject to possible adjustment as described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. This 0.0530
multiple, as it may be adjusted, is referred to as the exchange ratio.
SPAH was formed for the purpose of acquiring, through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset
acquisition or similar business combination, one or more businesses or assets. Its common stock
and warrants are listed on the NYSE AMEX LLC under the symbols DSP and DSP.W, respectively.
Frontier is a bank holding company that directly owns 100% of Frontier Bank, a Washington state
chartered commercial bank. Frontiers common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under
the symbol FTBK. Frontiers common stock will no longer be traded following the consummation of
the merger. The parties intend to seek to have the common stock and warrants of SPAH listed on the
NYSE AMEX LLC following consummation of the merger under the symbol [______]. However, there
is no assurance that the common stock and warrants will be listed on any exchange following
consummation of the merger.
Based on the closing price of SPAHs common stock and warrants on [______], 2009 of $[______] and $[______], respectively, Frontier shareholders will receive approximately $[______]
worth of SPAHs common stock and $[______] worth of SPAHs warrants for each share of Frontier stock
they own. The actual value of the SPAH common stock and warrants received by Frontier shareholders
in the merger will depend on the market value of SPAH common stock and warrants at the time of
closing.
We expect that the Frontier shareholders will hold approximately 2.5 million or 5.0% of the
outstanding shares of SPAH common stock and approximately 2.5 million or 3.8% of the outstanding
warrants of SPAH on a fully diluted basis immediately following the consummation of the merger,
based on the number of shares of SPAH common stock outstanding as of [______], 2009, after
giving effect to the forfeiture of 9,453,412 shares of common stock by certain insiders of SPAH and
the co-investment by an affiliate of Steel Partners II, L.P. to purchase 3,000,000 units, each
consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant it previously agreed to purchase at $10.00
per unit ($30.0 million in the aggregate) in a private placement that will occur immediately prior
to the consummation of the merger. This private placement is referred to as the co-investment.
This joint proxy statement/prospectus provides detailed information about the merger, the
special meeting of SPAH stockholders, the special meeting of SPAH warrantholders and the special
meeting of Frontier shareholders. At the SPAH and Frontier stockholders meetings, stockholders are
being asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated
as of July 30, 2009, by and between Frontier and SPAH, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 10, 2009, pursuant to which Frontier will merge with
and into SPAH. SPAH is also asking its stockholders to approve other matters in connection with
the merger, that are described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including
certain amendments to SPAHs Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the
election of directors to the Board of Directors of SPAH. At the SPAH warrantholders meeting,
warrantholders are being asked to amend certain terms of the Amended and Restated Warrant
Agreement, which governs the terms of SPAHs outstanding warrants. If the merger is consummated,
Frontier shareholders will receive warrants on the same terms and conditions as the publicly traded
warrants, after giving effect to the warrant amendment proposal.
As described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, we cannot complete the merger unless
SPAH stockholders approve the amendments to SPAHs Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, holders of no more than 10% of the shares (minus one share) sold in SPAHs initial
public offering vote against the merger and exercise their conversion rights (unless SPAH waives
this condition), stockholders of both SPAH and Frontier approve the merger proposal, SPAH
warrantholders approve the warrant amendment proposal, SPAHs application to become a bank holding
company is approved, and we obtain the necessary government approvals, among other things.
Please carefully review and consider this joint proxy statement/prospectus which explains the
merger proposal in detail, including the discussion under the heading Risk Factors beginning on
page 39.
It is important that your shares are represented at your stockholders or
warrantholders meeting, whether or not you plan to attend. Accordingly, please complete, date,
sign, and return promptly your proxy card in the enclosed envelope. You may attend the meeting and
vote your shares in person if you wish, even if you have previously returned your proxy.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved the securities to be issued under this joint proxy statement/prospectus or
determined if this joint proxy statement/prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense.
SPAH consummated its initial public offering on October 16, 2007. UBS Investment Bank,
Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. and Jefferies & Company, the underwriters of SPAHs initial public
offering, may provide assistance to SPAH, Frontier and their respective directors and executive
officers, and may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies. Approximately $17.3
million of the underwriters discounts and commissions relating to SPAHs initial public offering
were deferred pending stockholder approval of SPAHs initial business combination and will be
released to the underwriters upon consummation of the merger. SPAH is in negotiation with its
underwriters regarding the amount and form of payment of such deferred underwriting fees from
SPAHs initial public offering. The results of these negotiations are uncertain and could
result in $17,316,000 in additional costs for the proforma company
which could be paid in cash. If the merger is not consummated and
SPAH is required to be liquidated, the underwriters will not receive any of such fees. Stockholders
are advised that the underwriters have a financial interest in the successful outcome of the proxy
solicitation. In addition, Frontier engaged Sandler ONeill & Partners, L.P. (Sandler ONeill)
as a financial advisor to assist Frontier in pursuing all strategic alternatives. As part of such
engagement, Sandler ONeill has provided, and Frontier expects that Sandler ONeill will continue
to provide, financial advisory services to Frontier in connection with the proposed merger.
Therefore, Sandler ONeill may be deemed to be a participant in the solicitation of proxies.
Sandler ONeill has received a fee of $500,000 and upon consummation of the merger, will receive
$9.5 million payable at the closing of the merger. Stockholders are advised that Sandler ONeill
has a financial interest in the successful outcome of the merger.
This joint proxy statement/prospectus is dated [______], 2009 and is first being mailed to
SPAH and Frontier stockholders and SPAH warrantholders on or about [______], 2009.
Table of Contents
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5
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14
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i
Table of Contents
(continued)
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80
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Table of Contents
(continued)
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Table of Contents
(continued)
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Table of Contents
(continued)
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Annex A
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Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 30, 2009, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 10, 2009.
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Annex B
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Form of Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of SP
Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
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Annex C
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Form of Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of SP Acquisition
Holdings, Inc.
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Annex D
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Form of Supplement and Amendment to
Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement
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Annex E
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Fairness Opinion of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
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Annex F
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Excerpt of Washington Law on Dissenters Rights
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Annex G
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Opinion of Morris James LLP
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Annex H
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Form of Proxy for SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. Special Meeting of Stockholders
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Annex I
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Form of Proxy for SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. Special Meeting of Warrantholders
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Annex J
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Form of Proxy for Frontier Financial Corporation Special Meeting of Shareholders
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Exhibit 8.1
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Exhibit 8.2
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EX-23.4 CONSENT OF J.H. COHN LLP
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EX-23.5 CONSENT OF MOSS ADAMS LLP
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EX-23.7 CONSENT OF KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.
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EX-99.3 CONSENT OF PATRICK M FAHEY
|
v
In this joint proxy statement/prospectus, except as otherwise indicated herein, or as the
context may otherwise require, (i) all references to SPAH refer to SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.,
(ii) all references to Frontier refer to Frontier Financial Corporation together with its
subsidiary, Frontier Bank, (iii) all references to the SPAH Board refer to the Board of Directors
of SPAH, (iv) all references to the Frontier Board refer to the Board of Directors of Frontier,
(v) all references to SP II refer to Steel Partners II, L.P., (vi) all references to the Steel
Trust refer to Steel Partners II Liquidating Series Trust, a liquidating trust established for the
purpose of effecting the orderly liquidation of certain assets of SP II, (vii) all references to
the SPAH insiders refer to SP Acq LLC, SP II, Anthony Bergamo, Ronald LaBow, Howard M. Lorber,
Leonard Toboroff and S. Nicholas Walker or each of their permitted transferees, (viii) all
references to the SPAH public stockholders refer to purchasers of SPAHs securities by persons
other than SPAHs insiders in, or subsequent to, SPAHs initial public offering, (ix) all
references to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation refer to the Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of SPAH, (x) all references to the merger agreement refer to the Agreement and
Plan of Merger, dated as of July 30, 2009, by and between SPAH and Frontier, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 10, 2009, (xi) all references to
the merger refer to the merger of SPAH and Frontier pursuant to the terms and conditions of the
merger agreement, and (xii) all references to the Frontier insiders refer to all of Frontiers
officers, directors and stockholders beneficially owning 5% or more of Frontiers outstanding
common stock (other than Barclays Global Investors, State Street Bank and Trust Company and other
institutional investors).
GENERAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: Why am I receiving this joint proxy statement/prospectus?
A:
SPAH and Frontier have agreed to combine their businesses under the terms of a merger agreement
that is described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. A copy of the merger agreement is
attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A.
In order to complete the merger, SPAH must register the shares of SPAH common stock, SPAH
warrants and shares of common stock underlying the warrants to be issued in the merger, and both
SPAH stockholders and Frontier shareholders must adopt the merger agreement, among other things.
SPAH will hold a special meeting of its stockholders and Frontier will hold a special meeting of
its shareholders to obtain these approvals. SPAH is also asking its stockholders to approve other
matters at the SPAH special meeting of stockholders that are described in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus, including the Initial Charter Amendment, the Subsequent Charter Amendments,
and the election of directors to the SPAH Board.
SPAH warrantholders are being asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to amend certain
terms of the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement, dated as of October 4, 2007, by and between
SPAH and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the Warrant Agreement), to (i) increase the
exercise price of SPAHs warrants from $7.50 per share to $11.50 per share; (ii) amend the warrant
exercise period to (A) eliminate the requirement that the initial founders warrants owned by the
SPAH insiders become exercisable only after the consummation of an initial business combination if
and when the last sales price of SPAH common stock exceeds $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days
within a 30 trading day period beginning 90 days after such business combination and (B) extend the
expiration date of the warrants to the earlier of (x) seven years from the consummation of the
merger or (y) the date fixed for redemption of the warrants set forth in the warrant agreement;
(iii) provide for the mandatory downward adjustment of the exercise price for each warrant to
reflect any cash dividends paid with respect to the outstanding common stock of SPAH; (iv) provide
that, in the event an effective registration statement is not in place on the date the warrants are
set to expire, the warrants will remain outstanding until 90 days after an effective registration
statement is filed, provided, that if SPAH has not filed an effective registration statement within
90 days after the expiration date, the warrants shall become exercisable for cash consideration;
(v) provide that no adjustment in the number of shares issuable upon exercise of each warrant will
be made as a result of the issuance of SPAH shares and warrants to the shareholders of Frontier
upon consummation of the merger agreement; and (vi) provide that each warrant will entitle the
holder thereof to purchase, in its sole discretion, either one share of voting common stock or one
share of Non-Voting Common Stock. Upon consummation of the merger, Frontier shareholders will
receive warrants on the same terms and conditions as the publicly traded warrants, after giving
effect to the warrant amendment proposal.
1
This joint proxy statement/prospectus contains important information about the merger and the
special meetings of each of SPAH and Frontier, and we recommend you read it carefully.
Q: Why is Frontier merging with and into SPAH?
A:
SPAH is proposing to acquire Frontier pursuant to the merger agreement. SPAH believes that
Frontier, a registered bank holding company, is positioned for significant growth in its current
and expected future markets and believes that a business combination with Frontier will provide
SPAH stockholders with an opportunity to participate in a company with significant potential. The
Frontier Board believes the merger provides Frontier shareholders
with the potential to participate in a newly-capitalized company with the
ability to take advantage of growth opportunities.
If the merger proposal and related proposals are approved by the stockholders of SPAH and
Frontier and the other conditions to completion of the merger are satisfied, including receipt of
all necessary government approvals, Frontier will merge with and into SPAH, and SPAH will survive
the merger.
Frontier is a Washington corporation which was incorporated in 1983 and is registered as a
bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the BHC Act). Frontier has one
operating subsidiary, Frontier Bank, which is engaged in a general banking business and in
businesses related to banking.
SPAH is a blank check company organized to effect an acquisition, through a merger, capital
stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business
combination, of one or more businesses or assets. SPAH consummated its initial public offering on
October 16, 2007, generating gross proceeds of approximately $439,896,000 from its initial public
offering and sale of warrants (the additional founders warrants) in a private transaction to SP
Acq LLC immediately prior to the initial public offering. SP Acq LLC, which is controlled by
Warren G. Lichtenstein, SPAHs Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, is a holding
company founded to form SPAH and hold an investment in SPAHs units issued prior to SPAHs initial
public offering (the founders units), consisting of shares of common stock (the founders
shares) and warrants (the initial founders warrants). SP Acq LLC has sold a total of 500,000
founders units to Anthony Bergamo, Ronald LaBow, Howard M. Lorber, Leonard Toboroff and S.
Nicholas Walker, each a director of SPAH, and has sold 668,988 founders units to SP II, an
affiliate of SP Acq LLC.
Net proceeds of approximately $425,909,120 were deposited into a trust account, which SPAH
intends to use to complete the merger and make payment of the deferred underwriting commissions and
discounts. In the event SPAH is unable to complete the merger or another business combination by
October 10, 2009, the funds in the trust account will be distributed to the SPAH public
stockholders. As of [______], 2009, the balance in the trust account was approximately $[______] million,
including approximately $17.3 million of deferred underwriting discounts and
commissions. SPAH is in negotiation with its underwriters regarding the amount and form of payment
of such deferred underwriting fees from SPAHs initial public offering. The results of these
negotiations are uncertain and could result in $17,316,000 in additional costs for the proforma
company which could be paid in cash.
In connection with the initial public offering, SP II previously agreed to purchase an
aggregate of 3,000,000 units (the co-investment units) at $10.00 per unit ($30.0 million in the
aggregate) in a private placement that will occur immediately prior to the consummation of the
merger. Pursuant to a plan of reorganization, SP II has contributed certain assets to the Steel
Trust, a liquidating trust established for the purpose of effecting the orderly liquidation of such
assets. As a result, all of the founders shares and initial founders warrants owned by SP II
have been transferred to the Steel Trust in a private transaction exempt from registration under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). The Steel Trust has agreed to
assume all of SP IIs rights and obligations with respect to the founders shares and initial
founders warrants, as more fully described elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus,
including the obligation to purchase the co-investment units.
Q: How do the Board of Directors of each of SPAH and Frontier recommend that I vote on the merger?
A:
You are being asked to vote FOR the approval of the merger of Frontier with and into SPAH
pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement. The Board of Directors of each of SPAH and Frontier
has unanimously determined that the proposed merger is in the best interests of its stockholders,
unanimously approved the merger agreement and unanimously recommend that its stockholders vote
FOR the approval of the merger.
2
Q: When do you expect to complete the merger?
A:
We presently expect to complete the merger in the fourth quarter of 2009. However, we cannot
assure you when or if the merger will occur. We must first obtain the approval of SPAH and Frontier
stockholders at the special meetings, and receive the necessary regulatory approvals, among other
things. Pursuant to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, if SPAH does not consummate an initial
business combination by October 10, 2009, SPAH will be required to liquidate and dissolve and the
SPAH public stockholders would be entitled to participate in liquidation distributions from SPAHs
trust account with respect to their shares.
Q: What should I do now?
A:
After you have carefully read this joint proxy statement/prospectus, please indicate on your
proxy card how you want to vote, and then date, sign and mail your proxy card in the enclosed
envelope as soon as possible so that your shares will be represented at the meeting. If you date,
sign and send in a proxy card but do not indicate how you want to vote, your proxy will be voted in
favor of the merger proposal.
Q: If my shares are held in street name by my broker, will my broker vote my shares for me?
A:
It depends. A broker holding your shares in street name must vote those shares according to
any specific instructions it receives from you. You should instruct your broker how to vote your
shares following the directions your broker provides. If specific instructions are not received, in
certain limited circumstances your broker may vote your shares in its discretion. On certain
routine matters, brokers have authority to vote their customers shares if their customers do not
provide voting instructions. When brokers vote their customers shares on a routine matter without
receiving voting instructions, these shares are counted both for establishing a quorum to conduct
business at the meeting and in determining the number of shares voted FOR or AGAINST the
routine matter. On non-routine matters, brokers cannot vote the shares on that proposal if they
have not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of such shares. If you hold your
shares in street name, you can either obtain physical delivery of the shares into your name, and
then vote your shares yourself, or request a legal proxy directly from your broker and bring it
to the special meeting, and then vote your shares yourself. In order to obtain shares directly into
your name, you must contact your brokerage house representative. Brokerage firms may assess a fee
for your conversion; the amount of such fee varies from firm to firm.
SPAH.
If you do not provide your broker with voting instructions, your broker may vote your
shares at its discretion with regard to the election of directors to the SPAH Board, since these
matters are routine. However, your broker may not vote your shares, unless you provide voting
instructions, with regard to adoption of the merger agreement, or the adoption of the amendments to
the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, since these matters are not routine. Failure to instruct
your broker how to vote your shares will have the same effect as a vote against the adoption of the
merger agreement and the adoption of the amendments to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, but
will have no effect on the election of directors to the SPAH Board.
Frontier.
Your broker may not vote your shares, unless you provide voting instructions, with
regard to approval of the merger proposal, since this matter is not routine. Failure to instruct
your broker how to vote your shares will have the same effect as a vote against the merger
proposal.
Q: Can I change my vote after I have submitted my proxy?
A:
Yes. There are a number of ways you can change your vote. First, you may send a written notice
to the person to whom you submitted your proxy stating that you would like to revoke your proxy.
Second, you may complete and submit a later-dated proxy with new voting instructions. The latest
vote actually received by SPAH or Frontier prior to the special meetings will be your vote. Any
earlier votes will be revoked. Third, you may attend the special meeting and vote in person. Any
earlier votes will be revoked. Simply attending the special meeting without voting, however, will
not revoke your proxy. If you have instructed a broker to vote your shares, you must follow the
directions you will receive from your broker to change or revoke your proxy.
3
Q: What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?
A:
You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this joint
proxy statement/prospectus and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if
you hold your shares or warrants in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate
voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares or warrants. If you are
a holder of record and your shares or warrants are registered in more than one name, you will
receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting
instruction card that you receive in order to cast your vote with respect to all of your shares
and/or warrants.
Q: Whom should I contact with questions about the merger?
A:
If you want additional copies of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, or if you want to ask
questions about the merger or the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, you should
contact:
|
|
|
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
590 Madison Avenue
32nd Floor
New York, New York 10022
Attn: John McNamara
(212) 520-2300
|
|
Frontier Financial Corporation
332 S.W. Everett Mall Way
P. O. Box 2215
Everett, Washington 98213
Attn: Carol E. Wheeler
Chief Financial Officer
(425) 514-0700
|
4
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR SPAH STOCKHOLDERS
Q: When and where is the SPAH special meeting of stockholders?
A:
The special meeting of SPAH stockholders will be held on [_____], [_____], 2009 at [_____]:00
[_____].m., local time, at [_____].
Q: How can I attend the SPAH special meeting?
A:
SPAH stockholders as of the close of business on [______], 2009, and those who hold
a valid proxy for the special meeting are entitled to attend the SPAH special meeting. SPAH
stockholders should be prepared to present photo identification for admittance. In addition, names
of record holders will be verified against the list of record holders on the record date prior to
being admitted to the meeting. SPAH stockholders who are not record holders but who hold shares
through a broker or nominee (i.e., in street name), should provide proof of beneficial ownership on
the record date, such as most recent account statement prior to [______], 2009, or other
similar evidence of ownership. If SPAH stockholders do not provide photo identification or comply
with the other procedures outlined above upon request, they will not be admitted to the SPAH
special meeting.
The SPAH special meeting will begin promptly at [______] [______].m., local time. Check-in will
begin at [______] [______].m., local time, and you should allow ample time for the check-in procedures.
Q: What is being proposed, other than the merger, to be voted on at the SPAH special meeting?
A:
SPAHs stockholders are being asked to (1) adopt an amendment to the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation to amend the definition of initial business combination to eliminate the
requirement that the fair market value of the target business equal at least 80% of the balance of
SPAHs trust account (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions) plus the proceeds of the
co-investment, to be effective immediately prior to the consummation of the merger (the Initial
Charter Amendment), (2) adopt an amendment to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation to (i) change
SPAHs corporate name to Frontier Financial Corporation, (ii) permit SPAHs continued existence
after October 10, 2009, and (iii) create a new class of common stock of SPAH (the Non-Voting
Common Stock), which will have economic rights but no voting rights, in each case to be effective
upon consummation of the merger (the Subsequent Charter Amendments); and (3) elect to the SPAH
Board, Warren G. Lichtenstein, who will serve as Chairman of the Board, and, if the merger is
consummated, four directors from Frontier, comprised of Patrick M. Fahey, [______], [______]
and [______], each of whom currently serve on the Frontier Board, in each case to serve until
the next annual meeting of SPAH and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified.
At the special meeting, SPAH may also transact such other business as may properly come before the
special meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Q: Are the proposals conditioned on one another?
A:
Yes. Unless SPAH and Frontier agree otherwise, the merger proposal will only be presented for a
vote at the special meeting if (i) the Initial Charter Amendment is approved by SPAH stockholders
and (ii) the proposal to amend SPAHs Warrant Agreement is approved at the special meeting of SPAH
warrantholders to be held immediately prior to the special meeting of SPAH stockholders. The
Subsequent Charter Amendments and the election of the Frontier nominees will only be effected in
the event and at the time the merger with Frontier is consummated, although approval of the
Subsequent Charter Amendments is a condition to closing the merger. The election of Mr.
Lichtenstein does not require the approval of any other proposals to be effective.
5
Q: Why is SPAH proposing the Initial Charter Amendment?
A:
SPAH is proposing the Initial Charter Amendment to revise the definition of an initial business
combination to eliminate the requirement that the fair market value of the target business equal
at least 80% of the balance of SPAHs trust account (excluding underwriting discounts and
commissions) plus the proceeds of the co-investment. Because the fair market value of Frontier
on the date of the merger will be less than 80% of the balance of the trust account (excluding
underwriting discounts and commissions) plus the proceeds of the co-
investment, the proposed merger does not meet the fair market value requirement. Accordingly, SPAH
must amend the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation immediately prior to presenting the merger
proposal for a vote at the special meeting of stockholders. SPAH believes that the proposed merger
is an extremely attractive opportunity in the current market environment and therefore, SPAH public
stockholders should be given the opportunity to consider the business combination. In considering
the Initial Charter Amendment, the SPAH Board came to the conclusion that the potential benefits of
the proposed merger with Frontier to SPAH and its stockholders outweighed the possibility of any
liability described below as a result of this amendment being approved. SPAH is offering holders
of up to 10% (minus one share) sold in SPAHs initial public offering, the ability to affirmatively
vote such shares against the merger proposal and demand that such shares be converted into a pro
rata portion of the trust account. Accordingly, SPAH believes that the Initial Charter Amendment is
consistent with the spirit in which SPAH offered its securities to the public. If the requisite
approval is received, the Initial Charter Amendment will be filed with the Delaware Secretary of
State immediately upon its approval and prior to the stockholders consideration of the merger
proposal at the special meeting of stockholders.
Because the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation in its current form does not allow for SPAH to
complete the proposed merger, each SPAH public stockholder at the time of the merger who purchased
his or her shares in the initial public offering or afterwards up to and until the record date and
who did not have the ability to convert his or her shares into cash
in the event that holders of 10% or more, but less than 30% (minus one share), of shares sold in SPAHs initial public
offering elected to exercise their conversion rights, and the merger was not consummated, may have
securities law claims against SPAH for rescission (under which a successful claimant has the right
to receive the total amount paid for his or her securities pursuant to an allegedly deficient
prospectus, plus interest and less any income earned on the securities, in exchange for surrender
of the securities) or damages (compensation for loss on an investment caused by alleged material
misrepresentations or omissions in the sale of a security). See The Merger and the Merger
AgreementRescission Rights for additional information.
Q: Why is SPAH proposing the Subsequent Charter Amendments?
A:
If the merger agreement is approved and adopted by SPAH stockholders, SPAH is proposing to amend
the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation to (i) change SPAHs corporate name from SP Acquisition
Holdings, Inc. to Frontier Financial Corporation, (ii) permit SPAHs continued corporate
existence after October 10, 2009 and (iii) create a new class of common stock of SPAH which will
have economic rights but no voting rights. SPAH is proposing the name change proposal because, in
the event of a merger with Frontier, SPAHs current name will not accurately reflect its business
operations. SPAH is proposing the continued existence proposal because under the SPAH Certificate
of Incorporation, SPAH must submit a proposal to amend the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation to
permit SPAHs continued corporate existence at the same time SPAH submits a proposal to
stockholders to approve an initial business combination. SPAH also believes continued existence is
the usual period of existence for most corporations.
SPAH is proposing to create a new class of common stock, the Non-Voting Common Stock that may
be issued to stockholders and/or warrantholders, following the consummation of the merger, so that
a stockholder or warrantholder, in its election, may, for example, remain below the ownership
threshold which would subject them to regulation as a bank holding company as described below. The
terms of the Non-Voting Common Stock are identical to the terms of SPAHs voting common stock
except that the Non-Voting Common Stock has no voting rights and holders of such Non-Voting Common
Stock may convert their shares into an equal number of shares of voting common stock, under certain
circumstances. In connection with the creation of the new class of Non-Voting Common Stock, the
SPAH Certificate of Incorporation would also be amended so that holders of voting common stock may
convert their shares into shares of Non-Voting Common Stock without limitation.
6
Under the BHC Act, a company that directly or indirectly owns, controls or has the power to
vote 25% or more of a class of voting stock of a bank or a bank holding company is a bank holding
company for purposes of the BHC Act and is subject to regulation as a bank holding company as
described in the section entitled Regulation and Supervision Federal Bank Holding Company
Regulation. In addition, a company that directly or indirectly owns, controls or has the power to
vote 10% or more, but less than 25%, of a class of voting stock of a bank or a bank holding company
may be presumed to control the bank and/or bank holding company. If the presumption of control is
not rebutted, the company is subject to the regulation as a bank holding company as described in
the section entitled Regulation and Supervision Federal Bank Holding Company Regulation. The
presumption of control
may be rebutted by entering into a passivity agreement with the Federal Reserve, which
contains specific terms to limit the ability to control the management and policies of the bank
and/or bank holding company. A company that owns, controls or has the power to vote 10% or more,
but less than 25%, of a class of voting stock of a bank or a bank holding company and that enters
into a passivity agreement generally is not subject to regulation as a bank holding company. A
company that directly or indirectly owns, controls or has the power to vote less than 10% of any
class of voting stock of a bank or a bank holding company generally is not subject to regulation as
a bank holding company.
Given these considerations, in order to permit investor flexibility, SPAH is also requesting
warrantholder approval at a special meeting of warrantholders to amend the terms of the Warrant
Agreement, and intends to amend certain agreements entered into with the SPAH insiders, which
govern the terms and conditions of the initial founders warrants and additional founders warrants
(the Founders Agreements), to provide warrantholders with the option to receive either voting
shares of SPAH common stock or shares of Non-Voting Common Stock in certain situations. Amending
the Warrant Agreement and Founders Agreements will require the prior written consent of the
underwriters in SPAHs initial public offering, which SPAH anticipates receiving prior to the
closing of the merger.
This Subsequent Charter Amendment is being proposed for the benefit of SP Acq LLC and its
affiliates, including the Steel Trust, who otherwise would acquire more than 10% of the voting
securities of SPAH upon the exercise of their initial founders warrants, additional founders
warrants and co-investment warrants following the consummation of the merger. However, all
stockholders and/or warrantholders will be permitted to receive Non-Voting Common Stock at their
election. SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust have separately agreed, pursuant to letter agreements
with SPAH, to receive Non-Voting Common Stock upon exercise of their initial founders warrants,
additional founders warrants and co-investment warrants following the consummation of the merger,
as necessary in order to maintain an ownership level of voting common stock below 5% of the total
outstanding shares of voting common stock. At their discretion, SP Acq LLC and/or the Steel Trust
will convert such shares into voting common stock in accordance with the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended by the Subsequent Charter Amendments and upon a distribution of the
shares by Steel Trust to its beneficiaries, such shares will also be converted into voting common
stock in accordance with the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, as amended by the Subsequent
Charter Amendments.
Q: What vote is needed to adopt the merger agreement and to approve the other matters at the
special meeting?
A:
Adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of SPAH common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. The SPAH
Certificate of Incorporation also requires that a majority of the shares of common stock voted by
the SPAH public stockholders are voted, in person or by proxy, in favor of the merger and the SPAH
public stockholders owning no more than 30% (minus one share) of the shares sold in SPAHs initial
public offering vote against the merger and thereafter exercise their conversion rights as
described below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is a condition to closing the merger agreement
that holders of no more than 10% of the shares (minus one share) sold in SPAHs initial public
offering vote against the merger and exercise their conversion rights, although at SPAHs
discretion, this closing condition may be waived in order to consummate the merger. Accordingly,
SPAH may not consummate the merger if 10% or more of the holders of shares sold in or subsequent to
SPAHs initial public offering elect to exercise their conversion rights. If SPAH elects to waive
this closing condition, it may raise the conversion threshold to anywhere between 10% to 30% (minus
one share).
Adoption of the amendments to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation requires the affirmative
vote of a majority of the shares of SPAHs outstanding common stock entitled to vote at the special
meeting. Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by stockholders present in
person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the special meeting.
7
Q: How do the SPAH insiders intend to vote their shares?
A:
The SPAH insiders have agreed to vote all of their 10,822,400 founders shares, which
constitutes approximately 20% of SPAHs outstanding shares of common stock, either for or against
the merger proposal
consistent with the majority of the votes cast on the merger by the SPAH public stockholders. To
the extent any SPAH insider or officer of director of SPAH has acquired shares of SPAH common stock
in, or subsequent to, SPAHs initial public offering, it, he or she has agreed to vote these
acquired shares in favor of the merger proposal. As of the date hereof, none of the SPAH insiders
or officers of directors of SPAH own any shares sold in, or subsequent to, the SPAH initial public
offering. The SPAH insiders have further indicated that they will vote all of their shares in
favor of the adoption of the amendments to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation and for the
election of each of the director nominees to the SPAH Board. While the founders shares voted by
the SPAH insiders will count towards the voting and quorum requirements under Delaware law, they
will not count towards the voting requirement under the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation because
the founders shares were not issued in SPAHs initial public offering. As described below,
pursuant to a plan of reorganization, SP II has contributed certain assets, including its shares of
SPAH common stock and warrants, to the Steel Trust. The trust has agreed to assume all of SP IIs
rights and obligations with respect to these shares and warrants, including to vote in accordance
with the foregoing.
Upon consummation of the merger, SP Acq LLC has agreed to forfeit 8,987,883 of its founders
shares and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker have agreed to forfeit an aggregate
of 465,529 of their founders shares.
Q: What will SPAH stockholders receive in the proposed merger?
A:
SPAH stockholders will receive nothing in the merger. SPAH stockholders will continue to hold
the same number of shares of SPAHs common stock that they owned prior to the merger, except that
upon consummation of the merger, SP Acq LLC has agreed to forfeit 8,987,883 of its founders shares
and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker have agreed to forfeit an aggregate of
465,529 of their founders shares.
SPAH stockholders do not have appraisal rights in connection with the merger under applicable
Delaware law, but do have conversion rights as described below.
Q: What is the co-investment?
A:
In connection with the initial public offering, SP II previously agreed to purchase an aggregate
of 3,000,000 co-investment units at $10.00 per unit ($30.0 million in the aggregate) in a private
placement that will occur immediately prior to the consummation of the merger. Pursuant to a plan
of reorganization, SP II has contributed certain assets to the Steel Trust, a liquidating trust
established for the purpose of effecting the orderly liquidation of such assets. As a result, all
of the founders shares and initial founders warrants owned by SP II have been transferred to the
Steel Trust in a private transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act. The Steel
Trust has agreed to assume all of SP IIs rights and obligations with respect to the founders
shares and initial founders warrants, as more fully described elsewhere in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus, including the obligation to purchase the co-investment units. Since the
agreement governing the co-investment and SPAHs initial public offering prospectus disclosed that
only SP II or SP Acq LLC may purchase the co-investment units, SPAH will need the prior written
consent of the underwriters in its initial public offering to permit the Steel Trust to make the
co-investment. SPAH anticipates receiving this consent prior to the closing of the merger. In
addition, SPAH public stockholders may have a securities law claim against SPAH for rescission
(under which a successful claimant has the right to receive the total amount paid for his or her
securities pursuant to an allegedly deficient prospectus, plus interest and less any income earned
on the securities, in exchange for surrender of the securities) or damages (compensation for loss
on an investment caused by alleged material misrepresentations or omissions in the sale of a
security), as described more fully under The Merger and the Merger AgreementRescission Rights.
The proceeds from the co-investment will be received by SPAH immediately prior to the
consummation of the merger to provide SPAH with additional equity capital to fund the merger. If
the merger is not consummated, the Steel Trust will not purchase the co-investment units and no
proceeds will deposited into SPAHs trust account or available for distribution to SPAHs
stockholders in the event of a liquidating distribution.
8
Q: How much of SPAHs securities will existing SPAH stockholders own upon completion of the merger
and co-investment?
A:
It depends. The percentage of SPAHs securities that existing SPAH stockholders will own after
the merger and co-investment will vary depending on whether:
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any Frontier shareholder exercises dissenters rights;
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any of SPAHs 66,612,000 outstanding warrants (after reflecting the co-investment
and merger) are exercised; and
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any SPAH public stockholder exercises their right to convert their shares into cash
equal to a pro rata portion of the SPAH trust account.
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Depending on the scenario, existing SPAH stockholders will own from 94.5% to 96.1% of SPAHs
securities after the merger and co-investment.
In addition to the foregoing, the percentage of SPAHs voting common stock that existing SPAH
stockholders will own after the merger and co-investment will depend on whether:
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any SPAH stockholder converts its voting common stock into Non-Voting Common Stock;
and
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any SPAH warrantholder elects to receive shares of Non-Voting Common Stock in lieu
of voting common stock upon exercise of their warrants.
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SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust have agreed to receive Non-Voting Common Stock as necessary in
order to maintain an ownership level of voting common stock below 5% of the total outstanding
shares of voting. As a result, SPAH stockholders will hold from 94.3% to 95.4% of the voting
interests of SPAH depending on whether any Frontier shareholder exercises dissenters rights, any
of SPAHs warrants are exercised and whether any SPAH public stockholders exercise their conversion
rights. At their discretion, SP Acq LLC and/or the Steel Trust will convert such shares into
voting common stock in accordance with the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, as amended by the
Subsequent Charter Amendments and, upon a distribution of the shares by Steel Trust to its
beneficiaries, such shares will also be converted into voting common stock in accordance with the
SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, as amended by the Subsequent Charter Amendments.
In addition, SPAH, the SPAH insiders, and/or certain of their respective affiliates may
negotiate arrangements to provide for the purchase of shares from SPAH public stockholders who
indicate their intention to vote against the merger and seek conversion or who otherwise wish to
sell their shares. As a result, SPAH stockholders voting interests may be further increased or
decreased accordingly in order for SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust to maintain an ownership level of
voting common stock below 5% of the total outstanding shares of voting common stock.
For a table outlining the effect of the various scenarios on the percentage of SPAHs
securities and voting interests that existing SPAH stockholders will own after the merger with
Frontier is completed, see The Merger and the Merger Agreement Stock Ownership of Existing SPAH
and Frontier Stockholders After the Merger.
Q: Do the SPAH stockholders have conversion rights?
A:
Generally, yes. If you hold shares of common stock issued in SPAHs initial public offering
(whether such shares were acquired pursuant to such initial public offering or afterwards up to and
until the record date), then you have the right to vote against the merger proposal and demand that
SPAH convert such shares into cash equal to a pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on
deposit in the trust account in which a substantial portion of the net proceeds of SPAHs initial
public offering are held (before payment of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and
including interest earned on their pro rata portion of the trust account, net of income taxes
payable on such interest and net of interest income of $3.5 million on the trust account balance
previously released to SPAH
to fund its working capital requirements). We sometimes refer to these rights to vote against the
merger proposal and demand conversion of the shares into a pro rata portion of the SPAH trust
account as conversion rights.
9
The SPAH Certificate of Incorporation requires that no more than 30% (minus one share) of the
SPAH public stockholders vote against the merger and thereafter exercise their conversion rights.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is a condition to closing the merger agreement that no more than
10% (minus one share) of the shares held by SPAH public stockholders vote against the merger and
exercise their conversion rights, although at SPAHs discretion, this closing condition may be
waived in order to consummate the merger. Accordingly, SPAH may not consummate the merger if 10%
or more of the holders of shares sold in or subsequent to SPAHs initial public offering elect to
exercise their conversion rights. If SPAH elects to waive this closing condition, it may raise the
conversion threshold to anywhere between 10% to 30% (minus one share). If the merger is not
consummated and SPAH does not consummate a business combination by October 10, 2009, SPAH will be
required to dissolve and liquidate and SPAH public stockholders voting against the merger proposal
who elected to exercise their conversion rights would not be entitled to convert their shares.
However, all SPAH public stockholders would be entitled to participate in pro-rata liquidation
distributions from SPAHs trust account with respect to their shares.
Q: If I am a SPAH stockholder and have conversion rights, how do I exercise them?
A:
If you wish to exercise your conversion rights, you must:
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affirmatively vote against the merger proposal in person or by submitting your proxy
card before the vote on the merger proposal and checking the box that states Against
for proposal number 1; and
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check the box that states Exercise Conversion Rights on the proxy card; or
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send a letter to SPAHs transfer agent, Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, at 17 Battery Place, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10004,
attn: Mark Zimkind, stating that you are exercising your conversion rights and
demanding your shares of SPAH common stock be converted into cash; and
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physically tender, or if you hold your shares of SPAH common
stock in street name, cause your broker to physically tender, your stock
certificates representing shares of SPAH common stock to SPAHs transfer agent;
or
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deliver your shares electronically using the Depository Trust
Companys DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, to SPAHs transfer
agent by [______], 2009.
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Taking any action that does not include an affirmative vote against the merger, including
abstaining from voting on the merger proposal, will prevent you from exercising your conversion
rights. However, voting against the merger proposal does not obligate you to exercise your
conversion rights. If the merger is not consummated, no shares will be converted to cash through
the exercise of conversion rights. For more information, see Summary Term SheetThe Merger and
the Merger AgreementSPAH Conversion Rights and The
Merger and the Merger Agreement Conversion
Rights of SPAH Stockholders.
10
Q: Why has SPAH made it a condition to closing the merger agreement that holders of no more than
10% of the shares (minus one share) sold in SPAHs initial public offering vote against the merger
and exercise their conversion rights when the threshold in SPAHs initial public offering
prospectus requires no more than 30% (minus one share)?
A:
SPAH has made it a condition to closing the merger agreement that holders of no more than 10% of
the shares (minus one share) sold in SPAHs initial public offering vote against the merger and
exercise their conversion
rights in order to ensure that the combined company immediately following the consummation of the
merger has sufficient Tier 1 capital to return to compliance levels. Pursuant to the terms of the
FDIC Order, Frontier Bank is required to increase its Tier 1 capital in such an amount as to equal
or exceed 10% of Frontier Banks total assets by July 29, 2009 and to maintain such capital level
thereafter. If 10% or greater of SPAHs public stockholders were to vote their shares against the
merger and demand that SPAH convert such shares into cash equal to a pro rata share of the
aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, the funds remaining may not be sufficient to
meet Frontier Banks capital requirements. Accordingly, SPAH may not consummate the merger if 10%
or more of the holders of shares sold in or subsequent to SPAHs initial public offering elect to
exercise their conversion rights. However, in SPAHs sole discretion, this closing condition may
be waived in order to consummate the merger. If SPAH elects to waive this closing condition, it
may raise the conversion threshold to anywhere between 10% to 30% (minus one share).
Q: What are the federal income tax consequences of exercising my conversion rights?
A:
SPAH stockholders who exercise their conversion rights and convert their shares of SPAH common
stock into the right to receive cash from the trust account, will generally be required to treat
the transaction as a sale of the shares and to recognize gain or loss upon the conversion. Such
gain should be capital gain or loss if such shares were held as a capital asset on the date of the
conversion, and will be measured by the difference between the amount of cash received and the tax
basis of the shares of SPAH common stock converted. A stockholders tax basis in its shares of SPAH
common stock generally will equal the cost of such shares. A stockholder who purchased SPAH units
will have to allocate the cost between the shares of common stock and the warrants comprising the
units based on their relative fair market values at the time of the purchase. See Material U.S.
Federal Income Tax Consequences Certain Federal Tax Consequences to SPAH Stockholders.
Q: Will I lose my warrants or will they be converted to shares of common stock if the merger is
consummated or if I exercise my conversion rights?
A:
No. Neither consummation of the merger with Frontier nor exercise of your conversion rights
will result in the loss of your warrants. Your warrants will continue to be outstanding following
consummation of the merger whether or not you exercise your conversion rights. However, in the
event that SPAH does not consummate the merger with Frontier by October 10, 2009, SPAH will be
required to liquidate and any SPAH warrants you own will expire without value.
Q: What happens to the funds deposited in the SPAH trust account after completion of the merger?
A:
Upon
consummation of the merger, the funds deposited in the SPAH trust account will be released
(i) to pay SPAH public stockholders who properly exercise their conversion rights,
(ii) to the underwriters in SPAHs initial public offering who are entitled to receive
approximately $17.3 million of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions currently held
in SPAHs trust account provided, however, that SPAH is in negotiation with its underwriters
regarding the amount and form of payment of such deferred underwriting fees from SPAHs
initial public offering. The results of these negotiations are uncertain and could result in
$17,316,000 in additional costs for the proforma company which could be paid in cash, (iii) to pay transaction fees and expenses associated with the merger, and (iv) for working capital
and general corporate purposes of the combined company following the merger. In addition, the
funds released from the trust account may be used to purchase up to approximately $[______] million of
shares held by SPAH public stockholders who intend to vote against the merger and seek conversion
or who otherwise wish to sell their shares.
Q: What happens if the merger is not consummated or is terminated?
A:
If SPAH does not effect the merger with Frontier by October 10, 2009, SPAH must dissolve and
liquidate. In any liquidation, the funds held in the trust account, plus any interest earned
thereon (less any taxes due on such interest), together with any remaining net assets not held in
trust, will be distributed pro rata to the SPAH public stockholders. The SPAH insiders have
waived their right to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect to their shares.
Additionally, if we do not complete an initial business combination and the trustee must distribute
the balance of the trust account, the underwriters have agreed to forfeit any rights or claims to
their deferred underwriting discounts and commissions then in the trust account, and those funds
will be included in the pro rata liquidation distribution to the SPAH public stockholders.
11
SPAH expects that all costs and expenses associated with implementing a plan of distribution,
as well as payments to any creditors, will be funded from amounts remaining out of the $100,000 of
proceeds held outside the trust account and from the $3.5 million in interest income on the balance
of the trust account that was released to SPAH to fund working capital requirements. However, if
those funds are not sufficient to cover the costs and expenses associated with implementing a plan
of distribution, to the extent that there is any interest accrued in the trust account not required
to pay income taxes on interest income earned on the trust account balance, SPAH may request that
the trustee release to it an additional amount of up to $75,000 of such accrued interest to pay
those costs and expenses.
In addition, if the merger is not consummated, the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation will not
be amended pursuant to the proposals to adopt the amendments to the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation, the four (4) director nominees from Frontier will not be appointed to the SPAH Board
and the Steel Trust will not purchase the co-investment units.
Frontier will pay to SPAH, an amount equal to $2,500,000 if the merger agreement is terminated
under certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, if (i) SPAH terminates the merger
agreement due to a breach by Frontier, (ii) either party terminates due to the failure of Frontier
to obtain stockholder approval, (iii) either party terminates due to the failure to consummate the
merger by December 31, 2009, and, in the case of a termination under clause (ii) or (iii) above,
(x) there has been publicly announced and not withdrawn another acquisition proposal relating to
Frontier or (y) Frontier has failed to perform and comply in all material respects with any of its
obligations, agreements or covenants required by the merger agreement, and within 12 months of such
termination Frontier either consummates another acquisition transaction or enters into a definitive
agreement with respect to an acquisition transaction, (iv) SPAH terminates the merger agreement due
to the Frontier Board failing to support the merger proposal or recommending any acquisition
transaction other than the merger.
Q: Since SPAHs initial public offering prospectus contained certain differences in what is being
proposed at the special meeting, what are my legal rights?
A:
You should be aware that because SPAHs initial public offering prospectus did not disclose that
(i) SPAH may seek to amend the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation prior to the consummation of a
business combination to amend the definition of initial business combination to eliminate the
requirement that the fair market value of the target business equal at least 80% of the balance of
SPAHs trust account (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions) plus the proceeds of the
co-investment, (ii) SPAH may seek to amend the Warrant Agreement upon consummation of the merger to
eliminate the requirement that the initial founders warrants owned by certain SPAH insiders become
exercisable only after the consummation of an initial business combination if and when the last
sales price of SPAH common stock exceeds $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30
trading day period beginning 90 days after such business combination, (iii) funds in its trust
account might be used, directly or indirectly, to purchase shares from SPAH public stockholders in
order to secure approval of SPAHs stockholders on the merger, (iv) that SPAH may seek to amend the
terms of the Warrant Agreement to increase the exercise price and extend the exercise period, among
other things, upon consummation of the merger, and (v) that a party other than SP II or SP Acq LLC
may purchase the co-investment units, each SPAH public stockholder at the time of the merger that
purchased shares in, or subsequent to, SPAHs initial public offering up to and until the record
date, may have securities law claims against SPAH for rescission (under which a successful claimant
has the right to receive the total amount paid for his or her securities pursuant to an allegedly
deficient prospectus, plus interest and less any income earned on the securities, in exchange for
surrender of the securities) or damages (compensation for loss on an investment caused by alleged
material misrepresentations or omissions in the sale of a security). Such claims may entitle
stockholders asserting them to up to $10.00 per share, based on the initial offering price of the
units, each comprised of one share of common stock and a warrant exercisable for an additional
share of common stock, less any amount received from the sale of the original warrants purchased
with them, plus interest from the date of SPAHs initial public offering (which, in the case of
SPAH public stockholders, may be more than the pro rata share of the trust account to which they
are entitled if they exercise their conversion rights or if SPAH liquidates). See The Merger and
the Merger AgreementActions That May Be Taken to Secure Approval of SPAH Stockholders, and
The Merger and the Merger AgreementRescission Rights for additional information.
12
Q: What will happen if I abstain from voting or fail to vote at the special meeting?
A:
SPAH will count a properly executed proxy marked ABSTAIN with respect to a particular proposal
as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. For purposes of approval, an
abstention or failure to vote on the merger will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST the
proposal but will preclude you from having your shares converted into a pro rata portion of the
trust account. In order to exercise your conversion rights, you must cast a vote against the
merger, make an election on the proxy card to convert such shares of common stock or submit a
request in writing to SPAHs transfer agent at the address listed on page 10, and deliver your
shares to SPAHs transfer agent physically or electronically through DTC prior to the special
meeting.
An abstention from voting on the amendments to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation will have
the same effect as a vote AGAINST the proposals. Abstentions will not count either in favor of,
or against, election of a director nominee.
Q: What will happen if I sign and return my proxy card without indicating how I wish to vote?
A:
Signed and dated proxies received by SPAH without an indication of how the stockholder intends
to vote on a proposal will be voted in favor of each proposal presented to the stockholders, as the
case may be.
Stockholders will not be entitled to exercise their conversion rights if such stockholders
return proxy cards to SPAH without an indication of how they desire to vote with respect to the
merger proposal or, for stockholders holding their shares in street name, if such stockholders
fail to provide voting instructions to their banks, brokers or other nominees.
13
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR SPAH WARRANTHOLDERS
Q: When and where is the SPAH special meeting of warrantholders?
A:
The special meeting of SPAH warrantholders will be held on [_____], [_____], 2009 at [_____]:00
[_____].m., local time, at [_____].
Q: How can I attend the special meeting?
A:
Warrantholders as of the close of business on [______], 2009, and those who hold a
valid proxy for the special meeting are entitled to attend the special meeting. Warrantholders
should be prepared to present photo identification for admittance. In addition, names of record
holders will be verified against the list of record holders on the record date prior to being
admitted to the meeting. Warrantholders who are not record holders but who hold shares through a
broker or nominee (i.e., in street name), should provide proof of beneficial ownership on the
record date, such as most recent account statement prior to [______], 2009, or other similar
evidence of ownership. If warrantholders do not provide photo identification or comply with the
other procedures outlined above upon request, they will not be admitted to the special meeting.
The special meeting of warrantholders will begin promptly at [______] [______].m., local time.
Check-in will begin at [______] [______].m., local time, and you should allow ample time for the check-in
procedures.
Q: What am I being asked to vote upon?
A:
At the special meeting, warrantholders will consider and vote upon a proposal to amend certain
terms of the Warrant Agreement, in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement, which provides for the merger of Frontier with and into SPAH,
with SPAH being the surviving entity. Immediately following the consummation of the merger, SPAH
will change its name to Frontier Financial Corporation and be headquartered in Everett, Washington.
The proposed amendment to the Warrant Agreement, to become effective upon consummation of the
merger, will:
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increase the exercise price of the warrants from $7.50 per share to $11.50 per share
of SPAH common stock;
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amend the warrant exercise period to (i) eliminate the requirement that the initial
founders warrants owned by the SPAH insiders become exercisable only after the
consummation of an initial business combination if and when the last sales price of
SPAH common stock exceeds $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading
day period beginning 90 days after such business combination and (ii) extend the
expiration date of the warrants to the earlier of (x) seven years from the consummation
of the merger or (y) the date fixed for redemption of the warrants set forth in the
warrant agreement;
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provide for the mandatory downward adjustment of the exercise price for each warrant
to reflect any cash dividends paid with respect to the outstanding common stock of
SPAH;
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provide that, in the event an effective registration statement is not in place on
the date the warrants are set to expire, the warrants will remain outstanding until 90
days after an effective registration statement is filed, provided, that if SPAH has not
filed an effective registration statement within 90 days after the expiration date, the
warrants shall become exercisable for cash consideration;
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provide that no adjustment in the number of shares issuable upon exercise of each
warrant will be made as a result of the issuance of SPAH shares and warrants to the
shareholders of Frontier upon consummation of the merger agreement; and
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provide that each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, in its sole
discretion, either one share of voting common stock or one share of Non-Voting Common
Stock.
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14
At the special meeting, we may transact such other business as may properly come before the
special meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Q: Why is SPAH amending the warrants?
A:
SPAH believes increasing the exercise price, extending the expiration date, providing for a
mandatory downward adjustment of the exercise price under certain circumstances, extending the
expiration date if an effective registration statement is not in place and providing that no
adjustment in the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants will be made upon
consummation of the merger, is appropriate given the change in structure of SPAH following
completion of the merger. In addition, SPAH is proposing to amend the warrant exercise period to
eliminate the requirement that the initial founders warrants owned by the SPAH insiders become
exercisable only after the consummation of an initial business combination if and when the last
sales price of SPAH common stock exceeds $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30
trading day period beginning 90 days after such business combination, in light of the forfeiture of
9,453,412 founders shares by SP Acq LLC and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker
upon consummation of the merger. As a result, if the warrant amendment is approved, the initial
founders warrants will become exercisable upon consummation of the merger, but the sale of such
warrants or the shares underlying the warrants will still be subject to a one-year lock-up from the
date we consummate the merger. This amendment will require the prior written consent of the
underwriters in SPAHs initial public offering, which SPAH anticipates receiving prior to the
closing of the merger. We are further requesting warrantholder approval at the special meeting to
provide warrantholders with the option to receive, in their sole discretion, upon exercise of their
warrants, either voting shares of SPAH common stock or shares of Non-Voting Common Stock, such that
the holder thereof would not exceed the ownership threshold which would make it subject to the
regulation as a bank holding company as described in the section
entitled Supervision and Regulation Federal Bank Holding Company Regulation. SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust have
separately agreed, pursuant to letter agreements with SPAH, to receive Non-Voting Common Stock upon
exercise of their initial founders warrants, additional founders warrants and co-investment
warrants following the consummation of the merger, as necessary in order to maintain an ownership
level of voting common stock below 5% of the total outstanding shares of voting common stock. At
their discretion, SP Acq LLC and/or the Steel Trust will convert such shares into voting common
stock in accordance with the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, as amended by the Subsequent
Charter Amendments and upon a distribution of the shares by Steel Trust to its beneficiaries, such
shares will also be converted into voting common stock in accordance with the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended by the Subsequent Charter Amendments.
If the merger is not consummated and SPAH does not complete a different business combination
by October 10, 2009, the warrants will expire worthless. If the warrant amendment proposal is
approved, all other terms of SPAHs warrants will remain the same. The approval of the warrant
amendment proposal is a condition to the consummation of the merger.
Q: What vote is required to approve the amendment?
A:
Adoption of the amendment to the Warrant Agreement requires the affirmative vote of a majority
of the warrantholders outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting. The Warrant
Agreement also requires that the holders of a majority of SPAHs outstanding warrants issued in, or
subsequent to, SPAHs initial public offering, are voted in favor of the warrant amendment. The
approval of the amendment proposal is also a condition to the consummation of the merger discussed
above.
Q: How do the holders of the initial founders warrants and additional founders warrants intend to
vote their warrants?
A:
The SPAH insiders intend to vote their initial founders warrants and additional founders
warrants in favor of the warrant amendment proposal. While the warrants voted by the SPAH insiders
will count towards the voting and quorum requirements under Delaware law, they will not count
towards the voting requirement under the
Warrant Agreement, which requires that the holders of a majority of SPAHs outstanding warrants
issued in, or subsequent to, SPAHs initial public offering, are voted in favor of the warrant
amendment, because the initial founders warrants and additional founders warrants were not issued
in SPAHs initial public offering.
15
Q: What happens if the merger is not consummated or is terminated?
A:
If the merger is not consummated or terminated, the Warrant Agreement will not be amended as
contemplated by the warrant amendment proposal and the Steel Trust will not purchase the
co-investment units. If SPAH does not effect the merger with Frontier by October 10, 2009, SPAH
must dissolve and liquidate. If SPAH must liquidate, there will be no distribution from the trust
account with respect to any of the warrants and the warrants will expire worthless.
Q: What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the amendment?
A:
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, if the terms of the warrants are amended, a warrantholder
will be treated as exchanging his or her old warrants for new warrants in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. We expect the merger to
qualify as a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the merger qualifies as a
reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a warrantholder will not recognize any gain or
loss on the deemed exchange of his or her old warrants for new warrants as a result of the
amendment.
Q: What will happen if I abstain from voting or fail to vote at the special meeting?
A:
SPAH will count a properly executed proxy marked ABSTAIN with respect to the warrant amendment
proposal present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. For purposes of
approval, an abstention or failure to vote on the warrant amendment proposal will have the same
effect as a vote AGAINST the proposal.
Q: What will happen if I sign and return my proxy card without indicating how I wish to vote?
A:
Signed and dated proxies received by SPAH without an indication of how the warrantholder intends
to vote on the warrant amendment proposal will be voted in favor of the proposal.
16
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR FRONTIER SHAREHOLDERS
Q: When and where is the Frontier special meeting of shareholders?
A:
The special meeting of Frontier shareholders will be held on [_____], [_____], 2009 at
[_____]:00 [_____].m., local time, at [_____].
Q: How can I attend the Frontier special meeting?
A:
Frontier shareholders as of the close of business on [______], 2009, and those who
hold a valid proxy for the special meeting are entitled to attend the Frontier special meeting.
Frontier shareholders should be prepared to present photo identification for admittance. In
addition, names of record holders will be verified against the list of record holders on the record
date prior to being admitted to the meeting. Frontier shareholders who are not record holders but
who hold shares through a broker or nominee (i.e., in street name), should provide proof of
beneficial ownership on the record date, such as most recent account statement prior to
[_____], 2009, or other similar evidence of ownership. If Frontier shareholders do not provide photo
identification or comply with the other procedures outlined above upon request, they will not be
admitted to the Frontier special meeting.
The Frontier special meeting will begin promptly at [______] [______].m., local time. Check-in
will begin at [______] [______].m., local time, and you should allow ample time for the check-in
procedures.
Q: What am I being asked to vote upon?
A:
The Frontier special meeting is being called to consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the
merger agreement pursuant to which Frontier will merge with and into SPAH, with SPAH being the
surviving entity. Immediately following the consummation of the merger, SPAH will change its
name to Frontier Financial Corporation and be headquartered in Everett, Washington. At the special
meeting, we may transact such other business as may properly come before the special meeting or any
adjournments or postponements thereof.
Q: What vote is required to approve the merger?
A:
Approval of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of Frontiers common stock. As of the record date, there were [______]
shares of Frontier common stock outstanding. Because at least two-thirds of all outstanding shares
is required to approve the merger, your failure to vote will have the same effect as a vote against
the merger proposal.
Q: What will Frontier shareholders receive in the merger?
A:
Each issued and outstanding share of Frontier common stock you own will be converted into 0.0530
newly issued shares of SPAH common stock and 0.0530 newly issued warrants, subject to possible
adjustment as described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. Contemporaneously with the
Frontier special meeting of stockholders, SPAH has scheduled a special meeting of warrantholders to
consider and vote upon a proposal to amend certain terms of the Warrant Agreement that governs the
terms of SPAHs outstanding warrants, as more fully described in The Special Meeting of SPAH
Warrantholders and the Warrant Amendment Proposal. If the merger is consummated, Frontier
shareholders will receive newly issued warrants on the same terms and conditions as the publicly
traded warrants, after giving effect to the warrant amendment proposal.
No fractional shares of SPAH common stock or warrants will be issued to any holder of Frontier
common stock in the merger. If a holder of shares of Frontier common stock exchanged pursuant to
the merger would be entitled to receive a fractional interest of a share of SPAH common stock or
warrant, SPAH will round up or down the number of common stock of SPAH or warrants to be issued to
the Frontier shareholder to the nearest whole number of shares of common stock.
17
Q: What if I have Frontier stock options, restricted stock or stock appreciation rights?
A:
Upon completion of the merger, each award, option, or other right to purchase or acquire shares
of Frontier common stock pursuant to stock options, stock appreciation rights, or stock awards
granted by Frontier under Frontiers stock incentive plans, equity compensation plans and stock
option plans, which are outstanding immediately prior to the merger, whether or not vested, will be
cancelled. Each outstanding share of Frontier restricted stock will vest at the time of the
merger, and be converted into and become rights with respect to SPAH common stock.
Q: Will Frontier shareholders be taxed on the SPAH common stock and SPAH warrants that they receive
in exchange for their Frontier shares?
A:
No. We expect the merger to qualify as a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If
the merger qualifies as a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Frontier
shareholders will not recognize any gain or loss to the extent Frontier shareholders receive SPAH
common stock and SPAH warrants in exchange for their Frontier shares. We recommend that Frontier
shareholders carefully read the complete explanation of the material U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the merger as set forth under Material
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences, and that Frontier shareholders consult their
tax advisors for a full understanding of the tax consequences of their participation in the merger.
Q: How much of SPAHs securities will Frontier shareholders own upon completion of the merger and
co-investment?
A:
It depends. The percentage of Frontiers securities that existing Frontier shareholders will own
after the merger and co-investment will vary depending on whether:
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any Frontier shareholder exercises dissenters rights;
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any of SPAHs 66,612,000 outstanding warrants (after reflecting the co-investment
and merger) are exercised; and
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any SPAH public stockholder exercises their right to convert their shares into cash
equal to a pro rata portion of the SPAH trust account.
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Depending on the scenario, the existing Frontier shareholders will own from 3.9% to 5.5% of SPAHs
securities after the merger and co-investment.
In addition to the foregoing, the percentage of SPAHs voting common stock that existing
Frontier shareholders will own after the merger and co-investment will depend on whether:
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any SPAH stockholder converts its voting common stock into Non-Voting Common Stock;
and
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any SPAH warrantholder elects to receive shares of Non-Voting Common Stock in lieu
of voting common stock upon exercise of their warrants.
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SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust have agreed to receive Non-Voting Common Stock as necessary in
order to maintain an ownership level of voting common stock below 5% of the total outstanding
shares of voting. As a result, Frontier shareholders will hold from 4.6% to 5.7% of the voting
interests of SPAH depending on whether any Frontier shareholder exercises dissenters rights, any
of SPAHs warrants are exercised and whether any SPAH public stockholders exercise their conversion
rights. In addition, SPAH, the SPAH insiders, and/or certain of their respective affiliates may
negotiate arrangements to provide for the purchase of shares from SPAH public stockholders who
indicate their intention to vote against the merger and seek conversion or who otherwise wish to
sell their shares. As a result, Frontier shareholders voting interests may be further increased
or decreased accordingly in order for SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust to maintain an ownership level
of voting common stock below 5% of the total outstanding shares of voting common stock.
18
For a table outlining the effect of the various scenarios on the percentage of SPAHs
securities and voting interests that existing Frontier shareholders will own after the merger with
Frontier is completed, see The Merger and the Merger Agreement Stock Ownership of Existing SPAH
and Frontier Stockholders After the Merger.
Q: Do I have dissenters rights in respect of the merger?
A:
Yes. If you (i) do not vote in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement and (ii) deliver to
Frontier before the special meeting a written notice of dissent and otherwise comply with the
requirements of Washington law, you will be entitled to assert dissenters rights. A shareholder
electing to dissent from the merger must strictly comply with all procedures required under
Washington law. These procedures are described more fully under the
heading The Merger and the Merger Agreement
Frontier Dissenters Rights, and a copy of the relevant Washington statutory provisions regarding
dissenters rights is included in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus as Annex F.
Q: What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of exercising my dissenters rights?
A:
The payment of cash to a Frontier shareholder, who exercises his or her dissenters rights with
respect to such shareholders shares of Frontier, will give rise to capital gain or loss equal to
the difference between such shareholders tax basis in those shares and the amount of cash received
in exchange for those shares.
Q: How do the Frontier insiders intend to vote their shares?
A:
Each of the Frontiers insiders has agreed to vote their [______] shares of
Frontier common stock (which constitute [______]% of Frontiers outstanding shares of common stock),
FOR the merger proposal.
Q: Should I send in my share certificates now?
A:
No. You should not send in your share certificates at this time. Promptly after the effective
time of the merger, you will receive transmittal materials with instructions for surrendering your
Frontier shares. You should follow the instructions in the post-closing letter of transmittal
regarding how and when to surrender your stock certificates.
Q: What will happen if I abstain from voting or fail to vote at the special meeting?
A:
Frontier will count a properly executed proxy marked ABSTAIN with respect to the merger
proposal as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present. For purposes of
approval, an abstention or failure to vote on the merger will have the same effect as a vote
AGAINST the proposal but will preclude you from exercising your dissenter rights. In order to
exercise your dissenters rights, you must cast a vote against the merger, deliver to Frontier
before the special meeting a written notice of dissent and otherwise comply with the requirements
of Washington law.
Q: What will happen if I sign and return my proxy card without indicating how I wish to vote?
A:
Signed and dated proxies received by Frontier without an indication of how the shareholder
intends to vote on the merger proposal will be voted in favor of the merger.
Shareholders will not be entitled to exercise their dissenters rights if such shareholders
return proxy cards to Frontier without an indication of how they desire to vote with respect to the
merger proposal or, for shareholders holding their shares in street name, if such shareholders
fail to provide voting instructions to their banks, brokers or other nominees.
19
SUMMARY TERM SHEET
This summary highlights selected information from this joint proxy statement/prospectus. It
does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding how to vote on any
of the proposals described herein. You should read carefully the more detailed information set
forth under Risk Factors and the other information included in this proxy statement/prospectus.
The
Companies (pages 129 and 155)
SPAH.
SPAH is a blank check company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on February
14, 2007 to effect an acquisition, through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition,
stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination, of one or more businesses or
assets. SPAH consummated its initial public offering on October 16, 2007, generating gross
proceeds of approximately $439,896,000 from its initial public offering and sale of the additional
founders warrants to SP Acq LLC, approximately $426,330,720 of which is held in a trust account as
of June 30, 2009. SP Acq LLC is a holding company founded to form SPAH and hold an investment in
SPAHs securities issued prior to SPAHs initial public offering.
In connection with the initial public offering, SP II previously agreed to purchase an
aggregate of 3,000,000 co-investment units at $10.00 per unit ($30.0 million in the aggregate) in a
private placement that will occur immediately prior to the consummation of the merger. Pursuant to
a plan of reorganization, SP II has contributed certain assets to the Steel Trust, a liquidating
trust established for the purpose of effecting the orderly liquidation of such assets. As a
result, all of the founders shares and initial founders warrants owned by SP II have been
transferred to the Steel Trust in a private transaction exempt from registration under the
Securities Act. The Steel Trust has agreed to assume all of SP IIs rights and obligations with
respect to the founders shares and initial founders warrants, as more fully described elsewhere
in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the obligation to purchase the co-investment
units.
SPAHs units, common stock and warrants are currently quoted on the NYSE AMEX LLC under the
symbols DSP.U, DSP, and DSP.W, respectively.
SPAHs principal executive office is located at 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor, New York, New
York 10022, and its telephone number is (212) 520-2300.
Frontier.
Frontier is a Washington corporation which was incorporated in 1983 and is registered as a
bank holding company under the BHC Act. Frontier has one operating subsidiary, Frontier Bank,
which is engaged in a general banking business and in businesses related to banking. Frontier is
headquartered in Everett, Snohomish County, Washington. Frontier Bank was founded in September
1978, by Robert J. Dickson and local business persons and is an insured bank as defined in the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act. Frontier engages in general banking business in Washington and
Oregon, including the acceptance of demand, savings and time deposits and the origination of loans.
As of June 30, 2009, Frontier serves its customers from fifty-one branches (with the downtown
Poulsbo branch scheduled to close in October). Frontier had deposits of approximately $3.2
billion, net loans of $3.3 billion, assets of $4.0 billion and equity of $269.5 million, at June
30, 2009.
Frontier common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the symbol FTBK.
Frontiers principal executive offices are located at 332 S.W. Everett Mall Way, P.O. Box
2215, Everett, Washington 98213 and its telephone number is (425) 347-0600.
20
Recent
Developments (page 165)
Frontier.
On March 20, 2009, Frontier Bank entered into a Stipulation and Consent to the
Issuance of an Order to Cease and Desist (the FDIC Order) with the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (the FDIC) and the Washington Department of Financial Institutions (the Washington
DFI). The regulators alleged that Frontier Bank had engaged in unsafe or unsound banking
practices by operating with inadequate management and board supervision; engaging in unsatisfactory
lending and collection practices; operating with inadequate capital in relation to the kind and
quality of assets held at Frontier Bank; operating with an inadequate loan valuation reserve;
operating with a large volume of poor quality loans; operating in such a manner as to produce low
earnings and operating with inadequate provisions for liquidity. By consenting to the FDIC Order,
Frontier Bank neither admitted nor denied the alleged charges.
Under the terms of the FDIC Order, Frontier Bank cannot declare dividends or pay any
management, consulting or other fees or funds to Frontier, without the prior written approval of
the FDIC and the Washington DFI. Other material provisions of the FDIC Order require Frontier Bank
to: (1) review the qualifications of Frontier Banks management, (2) provide the FDIC with 30 days
written notice prior to adding any individual to the Board of Directors of Frontier Bank (the
Frontier Bank Board) or employing any individual as a senior executive officer, (3) increase
director participation and supervision of Frontier Bank affairs, (4) improve Frontier Banks
lending and collection policies and procedures, particularly with respect to the origination and
monitoring of real estate construction and land development loans, (5) develop a capital plan and
increase Tier 1 leverage capital to 10% of Frontier Banks total assets by July 29, 2009, and
maintain that capital level, in addition to maintaining a fully funded allowance for loan losses
satisfactory to the regulators, (6) implement a comprehensive policy for determining the adequacy
of the allowance for loan losses and limiting concentrations in commercial real estate and
acquisition, development and construction loans, (7) formulate a written plan to reduce Frontier
Banks risk exposure to adversely classified loans and nonperforming assets, (8) refrain from
extending additional credit with respect to loans charged-off or classified as loss and
uncollected, (9) refrain from extending additional credit with respect to other adversely
classified loans without collecting all past due interest, without the prior approval of a majority
of the directors on the Frontier Bank Board or its loan committee, (10) develop a plan to control
overhead and other expenses to restore profitability, (11) implement a liquidity and funds
management policy to reduce Frontier Banks reliance on brokered deposits and other non-core
funding sources, and (12) prepare and submit progress reports to the FDIC and the Washington DFI.
The FDIC Order will remain in effect until modified or terminated by the FDIC and the Washington
DFI.
The FDIC Order does not restrict Frontier Bank from transacting its normal banking business.
Frontier Bank will continue to serve its customers in all areas including making loans,
establishing lines of credit, accepting deposits and processing banking transactions. Customer
deposits remain fully insured to the highest limits set by FDIC. The FDIC and Washington DFI did
not impose any monetary penalties in connection with the FDIC Order.
Frontier has been actively engaged in
responding to the concerns raised in the FDIC Order. With the consummation of the merger, Frontier believes it can increase its Tier 1 capital to compliance levels.
In addition, on July 2, 2009, Frontier entered into a Written Agreement (the FRB Written
Agreement) with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (the FRB). Under the terms of the FRB
Written Agreement, Frontier has agreed to: (i) refrain from declaring or paying any dividends
without prior written consent of the FRB; (ii) refrain from taking dividends or any other form of
payment that represents a reduction in capital from Frontier Bank without prior written consent of
the FRB; (iii) refrain from making any distributions of interest or principal on subordinated
debentures or trust preferred securities without prior written consent of the FRB; (iv) refrain
from incurring, increasing or guaranteeing any debt without prior written consent of the FRB; (v)
refrain from purchasing or redeeming any shares of its stock without prior written consent of the
FRB; (vi) implement a capital plan and maintain sufficient capital; (vii) comply with notice and
approval requirements established by the FRB relating to the appointment of directors and senior
executive officers as well as any change in the responsibility of any current senior executive
officer; (viii) not pay or agree to pay any indemnification and severance payments except under
certain circumstances, and with the prior approval of the FRB; and (ix) provide quarterly progress
reports to the FRB.
21
Frontier
Bank and the Frontier Bank Board also entered into an informal supervisory agreement,
called a memorandum of understanding (Memorandum of Understanding) with the FDIC
dated August 20, 2008 relating to the correction of certain violations of applicable consumer protection and fair
lending laws and regulations, principally including the failure to provide certain notices to
consumers pursuant to the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, and certain violations of the
Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z.
The Memorandum of Understanding requires Frontier Bank and the Frontier Bank Board to (i)
correct all violations found and implement procedures to prevent their recurrence; (ii) increase
oversight of the Frontier Bank Boards compliance function, including monthly reports from Frontier
Banks compliance officer to the Frontier Bank Board detailing actions taken to comply with the
Memorandum of Understanding; (iii) review its compliance policies and procedures and develop and
implement detailed operating procedures and controls, where necessary, to ensure compliance with
all consumer protection laws and regulations; (iv) establish monitoring procedures to ensure
compliance with all consumer protection laws and regulations (including flood insurance), including
the documentation and reporting of all exceptions to the Frontier Bank Board and its audit
committee; (v) review, expand and improve the quality of such compliance with the frequency of
compliance audits to be reviewed and approved annually by the Frontier Bank Board or audit
committee, with a goal of auditing compliance at least annually; (vi) ensure that Frontier Banks
compliance management function has adequate staff, resources, training and authority for the size
and structure of Frontier Bank; (vii) establish flood insurance monitoring procedures to ensure
loans are not closed without flood insurance and prior notices to customers required by law, that
lapses of flood insurance do not occur, and to develop methods to ensure that adequate amounts of
flood insurance are provided, with Frontier Bank agreeing to
force - place flood insurance when necessary;
(viii) provide additional training for all Frontier Bank personnel, including the Frontier Bank
Board and audit and compliance staff for applicable laws and regulations; and (ix) furnish
quarterly progress reports to the Regional Director of the FDIC detailing the actions taken to
secure compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding until the Regional Director has released the
institution, in writing, from submitting further reports. Frontier Bank was assessed civil monetary
penalties of $48,895 for flood insurance violations and required to pay $10,974 in restitution to
customers for certain violations of the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z.
These regulatory actions may adversely affect Frontiers ability to obtain regulatory approval
for future initiatives requiring regulatory action, such as acquisitions. The regulatory actions
will remain in effect until modified or terminated by the regulators.
It is a condition to closing the merger that each of (i) the FDIC Order, (ii) the FRB Written
Agreement, and (iii) the Memorandum of Understanding, will have been modified in a manner
reasonably acceptable to SPAH, including by the elimination of certain provisions and consequences
related thereto.
The
Merger and the Merger Agreement (page 69)
SPAH and Frontier have agreed to combine their businesses under the terms of the merger
agreement that is described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. A copy of the merger
agreement is attached to this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A. Under the terms of the
merger agreement, each share of Frontier common stock issued and outstanding at the effective time
of the merger will be converted into 0.0530 shares of newly issued SPAH common stock and 0.0530
newly issued warrants of SPAH, having the same terms and conditions as the publicly traded SPAH
warrants immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, after giving effect to the warrant
amendment proposal.
SPAH stockholders will continue to own their existing shares of SPAH common stock after the
merger, except that upon consummation of the merger, SP Acq LLC has agreed to forfeit 8,987,883 of
its founders shares and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker have agreed to forfeit
an aggregate of 465,529 of their founders shares.
We cannot complete the merger unless, among other things, we obtain the necessary government
approvals, SPAHs application to become a bank holding company is approved, the stockholders of
each of SPAH and Frontier approve the merger proposal, SPAH stockholders approve the amendments to
SPAHs Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and SPAHs warrantholders approve the
amendment to the Warrant Agreement.
22
Upon consummation of the merger with Frontier, the funds currently held in SPAHs trust
account (less any amounts paid to stockholders who exercise their conversion rights, released as
deferred underwriting compensation and/or used to purchase shares held by SPAH public stockholders
who intend to vote against the merger and seek conversion or who otherwise wish to sell their
shares) and proceeds from the co-investment will be released to SPAH. SPAH intends to pay any
additional expenses related to the merger and hold the remaining funds as capital pending use for
general corporate and strategic purposes. Such purposes could include increasing the capital of
Frontier Bank, making additional loans, future mergers and acquisitions, branch construction, asset
purchases, payment of dividends, repurchases of shares of SPAH common stock and general corporate
purposes. Until such capital is fully leveraged or deployed, SPAH may not be able to successfully
deploy such capital and SPAHs return on equity could be negatively impacted.
Reasons
for the Merger (pages 73 and 80)
SPAH.
In reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement and recommend the merger to
its stockholders, the SPAH Board reviewed various financial data, due diligence materials and other
information. In addition, in reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement, the SPAH
Board considered a number of factors, both positive and negative, including, among others:
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financial condition and results of operations of Frontier, including a tangible book
value of $268.8 million, gross loans of $3.4 billion and total assets of $4.0 billion
as of June 30, 2009;
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the growth potential associated with Frontier, including potential for loan growth,
enhanced operating margins and operating efficiencies;
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the balance sheet make-up and product mix, including the loan and deposit mix of
Frontier;
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the experience and skill of Frontiers management, including Patrick M. Fahey, the
current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Frontier who will become Chief
Executive Officer of SPAH in the merger;
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the interests of certain officers, directors and affiliates of SPAH;
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the issuance of the FDIC Order and the Memorandum of Understanding;
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the issuance of the FRB Written Agreement; and
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the deterioration of Frontiers loan portfolio, centered in its real estate
construction and land development loans, including approximately $764.6 million in
nonperforming loans predominately existing in construction real estate loans and land
development and $98.6 million in loan loss reserves as of June 30, 2009.
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These factors and others are more fully discussed under the heading The Merger and the Merger
AgreementReasons of SPAH for the Merger beginning on page 73. After reviewing all of
these factors, the SPAH Board unanimously determined that the merger proposal and the transactions
contemplated thereby are in the best interests of SPAH and unanimously recommended that SPAHs
stockholders vote at the special meeting to adopt the merger agreement.
Frontier.
In reaching its determination to adopt the merger agreement, the Frontier Board
consulted with Frontiers management and its financial and legal advisors, and considered a number
of factors, including, among others:
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the ability of the merger to recapitalize and revitalize Frontier, restore its
regulatory capital to well-capitalized levels, and achieve compliance with bank
regulatory requirements;
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the Frontier Boards assessment of the financial condition of SPAH and of the business, operations, capital level, asset quality, financial
condition and earnings of the combined company on a pro forma basis. This assessment
was based in part on presentations by Sandler ONeill & Partners, L.P. (Sandler
ONeill), Frontiers financial advisor, and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (Keefe
Bruyette), whom Frontier retained solely to render a fairness opinion, and Frontiers
management and the results of the due diligence investigation of SPAH conducted by
Frontiers management and financial and legal advisors;
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the financial and growth prospects for Frontier and its shareholders of a business
combination with SPAH as compared to continuing to operate as a stand-alone entity;
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the information presented by Sandler ONeill to the Frontier
Board with respect to the merger and the opinion of Keefe Bruyette that, as of the date
of that opinion, the merger consideration is fair from a financial
point of view to the holders of Frontier common stock (see
Opinion of Keefe Bruyette below);
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the current and prospective economic, regulatory and competitive environment facing
the financial services industry generally, and Frontier in particular, including the
continued rapid consolidation in the financial services industry and the competitive
effects of the increased consolidation on smaller financial institutions such as
Frontier;
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the fact that SPAH has agreed to: (i) employ Patrick M. Fahey as Chief Executive
Officer of the combined company, and (ii) appoint Mr. Fahey and three other member of
the Frontier Board as directors of SPAH and Frontier Bank, which are expected to
provide a degree of continuity and involvement by Frontier constituencies following the
merger, in furtherance of the interests of Frontiers shareholders, customers and
employees;
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current conditions in the U.S. capital markets, including the unavailability of
other sources of capital, strategic or other merger partners to Frontier;
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that directors and officers of Frontier have interests in the merger in addition to
their interests generally as Frontier shareholders, including change of control
agreements for five of its current executive officers;
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the effect of a termination fee of up to $2.5 million in favor of SPAH, including
the risk that the termination fee might discourage third parties from offering to
acquire Frontier by increasing the cost of a third party acquisition and, while SPAH
has not agreed to pay Frontier any termination fee, Frontier was required to waive any
claims against the trust account, if, for example, SPAH breaches the merger agreement;
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the risk to Frontier and its shareholders that SPAH may not be able to obtain
required regulatory approvals, or necessary modifications to the FDIC Order, the FRB
Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding, and the risk of failing to consummate
the transaction;
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the SPAH stock and SPAH warrants to be received in exchange for Frontier common
stock pursuant to the merger agreement and resulting pro forma ownership levels in
relation to the historical trading prices of Frontier common stock, as compared to
other possible scenarios in the view of the Frontier Boards financial advisor;
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the current condition of Frontier and the future prospects of the business in light
of the current economic environment and the likelihood that Frontier would need to
raise capital in order to protect against future loan losses and achieve compliance
with the FDIC Order and the FRB Agreement;
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the fact that Frontiers existing capital resources were limiting managements
ability to effectively manage certain problem credits;
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uncertainty about how much of SPAHs trust account will be available for working
capital after closing; and
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the pending regulatory actions against Frontier, Frontiers noncompliance with the
capital requirement imposed by the FDIC Order, and their potential adverse impact on
the profitability, operations and deposits of Frontier Bank, and the risk of further
regulatory action and penalties, including the potential closure of Frontier Bank.
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These factors and others are more fully discussed under the heading The Merger and the Merger
AgreementReasons of Frontier for the Merger beginning on
page 80. After reviewing all of
these factors, the Frontier Board unanimously determined that the merger and the transactions
contemplated thereby are in the best interests of Frontier and Frontiers shareholders and
unanimously recommended that Frontiers shareholders vote at the Frontier special meeting to
approve the merger agreement.
Regulatory
Approvals (page 97)
SPAH and Frontier have agreed to obtain all regulatory approvals required to consummate the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, which include approval from the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve) and the Washington DFI, each as
detailed below. The merger cannot proceed in the absence of these regulatory approvals. Any
approval granted by these federal and state bank regulatory agencies may include terms and
conditions more onerous than SPAHs management contemplates, and approval may not be granted in the
timeframes desired by SPAH and Frontier. Regulatory approvals, if granted, may contain terms that
relate to deteriorating economic conditions both nationally and in Washington; bank regulatory
supervisory reactions to the current economic difficulties may not be specific to Bank or SPAH.
Although SPAH and Frontier expect to obtain the timely required regulatory approvals, there can be
no assurance as to if or when these regulatory approvals will be obtained, or the terms and
conditions on which the approvals may be granted.
As noted, the merger is subject to the prior approval of the Federal Reserve. SPAH filed an
application with the Federal Reserve on August [_____], 2009. In evaluating the merger, the Federal
Reserve is required to consider, among other factors, (1) the financial condition, managerial
resources and future prospects of the institutions involved in the transaction; and (2) the
convenience and needs of the communities to be served, and the record of performance under the
Community Reinvestment Act (the CRA). The BHC Act, and Regulation Y promulgated thereunder by
the Federal Reserve (Regulation Y), prohibit the Federal Reserve from approving the merger if:
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it would result in a monopoly or be in furtherance of any combination or conspiracy
to monopolize or attempt to monopolize the business of banking in any part of the
United States; or
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its effect in any area of the country could be to substantially lessen competition
or to tend to create a monopoly, or if it would result in a restraint of trade in any
other manner, unless the Federal Reserve should find that any anti-competitive effects
are outweighed clearly by the public interest and the probable effect of the merger in
meeting the convenience and needs of the communities to be served.
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The merger may not be consummated any earlier than the 15
th
day (or the
5
th
day if expedited processing is granted by the Federal Reserve) following the date of
approval of SPAHs bank holding company application by the Federal Reserve, during which time the
United States Department of Justice is afforded the opportunity to challenge the merger on
antitrust grounds. The commencement of any antitrust action would stay the effectiveness of the
approval of the Federal Reserve, unless a court of competent jurisdiction were to specifically
order otherwise.
The merger also is subject to the prior approval of the Washington DFI. SPAH filed an
application with the Washington DFI on August [_____], 2009. The Washington DFI may disapprove a
change of control of a state bank within 60 days of the filing of a complete application (or for an
extended period not exceeding an additional 15
days) if it determines that the transaction is not in the public interest and for other
reasons specified under Washington law.
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Expected
Tax Treatment as a Result of the Merger (page 195)
We have structured the merger so that it will be considered a reorganization for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. If the merger is a reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
Frontiers shareholders generally will not recognize any gain or loss on the exchange of shares of
Frontier common stock for shares of SPAH common stock and SPAH warrants. Determining the actual
tax consequences of the merger to a Frontier shareholder may be complex. These tax consequences
will depend on each stockholders specific situation and on factors not within our control.
Frontiers shareholders should consult their own tax advisors for a full understanding of the tax
consequences of their participation in the merger.
If you are a SPAH stockholder and exercise your conversion rights or if you are a Frontier
shareholder and exercise your dissenters rights, you will generally be required to treat the
exchange of your shares for cash as a sale of the shares and recognize gain or loss in connection
with such sale.
In conjunction with the merger, SPAH warrantholders will vote on whether to amend the terms of
their warrants. If the terms of the warrants are amended, a warrantholder will be treated as
exchanging his or her old warrants for new warrants in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. We expect the merger to qualify as a
reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the merger qualifies as a reorganization
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a warrantholder will not recognize any gain or loss on the
deemed exchange of his or her old warrants for new warrants as a result of the amendment.
Accounting
Treatment (page 97)
The merger will be accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, with SPAH being
treated as the acquiring entity for accounting purposes pursuant to the provisions Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 141R (SFAS 141R). Pursuant to the requirements of SFAS 141R,
SPAH is expected to be the acquirer for accounting purposes because SPAH is expected to own a
majority interest upon consummation of the merger and the co-investment. Determination of control
places emphasis on the stockholder group that retains the majority of voting rights in the combined
entity. If the accounting acquirer cannot be determined based upon relative voting interests, other
indicators of control are considered in the determination of the accounting acquirer, including:
control of the combined entitys board of directors, the existence of large organized minority
groups, and senior management of the combined entity.
SFAS 141R requires, among other things, that most assets acquired and liabilities assumed be
recognized at their fair values as of the merger date. In addition, SFAS No. 141R establishes that
the consideration transferred include the fair value of any contingent consideration arrangements
and any equity or assets exchanged are measured at the closing date of the merger at the
then-current market price.
Stock Ownership of Existing SPAH and Frontier Stockholders After the Merger (page 93)
Following the consummation of the merger, the SPAH insiders will beneficially own
approximately 4,368,988 shares of SPAH common stock (after giving effect to the forfeiture of
9,453,412 founders shares by SP Acq LLC and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker
and the co-investment) and will have, through the exercise of warrants, the right to acquire
20,822,400 additional shares of common stock (after giving effect to the co-investment), under
certain circumstances. The percentage of SPAHs securities that existing SPAH and Frontier
stockholders will own after the merger and the co-investment is completed will depend on whether
(i) Frontier shareholders exercise dissenters rights, (ii) SPAH public stockholder exercise
conversion rights, and (iii) any of SPAHs 66,612,000 warrants are exercised (after reflecting the
co-investment and merger). Depending on the scenario, existing SPAH stockholders will own from
94.5% to 96.1% of SPAHs securities after the merger and co-investment and Frontier will own from
3.9% to 5.5% of SPAHs securities after the merger and co-investment.
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In addition to the foregoing, the percentage of SPAHs voting common stock that existing SPAH
and Frontier stockholders will own after the merger and co-investment will depend on whether (i)
any SPAH
stockholder converts its voting common stock into Non-Voting Common Stock, and (ii) any SPAH
warrantholder elects to receive shares of Non-Voting Common Stock in lieu of voting common stock
upon exercise of their warrants. SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust have agreed to receive Non-Voting
Common Stock as necessary in order to maintain an ownership level of voting common stock below 5%
of the total outstanding shares of voting. As a result, SPAH stockholders will hold from 94.3% to
95.4% of SPAHs voting interests and Frontier shareholders will hold from 4.6% to 5.7% of SPAHs
voting interests depending on whether any Frontier shareholder exercises dissenters rights, any of
SPAHs warrants are exercised and whether any SPAH public stockholders exercise their conversion
rights. At their discretion, SP Acq LLC and/or the Steel Trust will convert such shares into
voting common stock in accordance with the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, as amended by the
Subsequent Charter Amendments and, upon a distribution of the shares by Steel Trust to its
beneficiaries, such shares will also be converted into voting common stock in accordance with the
SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, as amended by the Subsequent Charter Amendments.
In addition, SPAH, the SPAH insiders, and/or certain of their respective affiliates may
negotiate arrangements to provide for the purchase of shares from SPAH public stockholders who
indicate their intention to vote against the merger and seek conversion or who otherwise wish to
sell their shares. As a result, existing SPAH and Frontier stockholders voting interests may be
further increased or decreased accordingly in order for SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust to maintain
an ownership level of voting common stock below 5% of the total outstanding shares of voting common
stock.
For a table outlining the effect of the various scenarios on the percentage of SPAHs
securities and voting interests that existing SPAH and Frontier stockholders will own after the
merger with Frontier is completed, see The Merger and the Merger Agreement Stock Ownership of
Existing SPAH and Frontier Stockholders After the Merger.
The
SPAH Board After the Merger (page 95)
Under the terms of the merger agreement, SPAH will recommend for stockholder approval the
election of Warren G. Lichtenstein and, if the merger is consummated, four directors from Frontier,
comprised of Patrick M. Fahey, [______], [______] and [______], each of whom currently
serve on the Frontier Board, in each case to serve until the next annual meeting of SPAH and until
their successors shall have been elected and qualified. Upon the election of the Frontier
nominees to the SPAH Board and, upon consummation of the merger, the SPAH Board will consist of
five (5) members, with Mr. Lichtenstein serving as the Chairman of the Board.
The
Frontier Bank Board After the Merger (page 95)
Under the terms of the merger agreement, upon consummation of the merger, the Frontier Bank
Board will consist of five (5) directors, comprised of SPAHs designee, John McNamara, to serve as
Chairman of the Board, and four (4) directors from Frontier, comprised of Patrick M. Fahey,
[______], [______] and [______].
Management
and Operations After the Merger (page 95)
Each of the current executive officers of SPAH will resign upon consummation of the merger,
other than Warren G. Lichtenstein who will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board, although he
will resign as President and Chief Executive Officer of SPAH. The existing management team of
Frontier will manage the business of the combined company following the merger.
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Comparative
Rights of Stockholders (page 209)
The rights of SPAH stockholders are currently governed by Delaware law, the SPAH Certificate
of Incorporation and the bylaws of SPAH (the SPAH Bylaws). The rights of Frontiers shareholders
are currently governed by Washington law and Frontiers amended and restated articles of
incorporation (the Frontier Articles of Incorporation) and 2003 restated bylaws (the Frontier
Bylaws). Upon consummation of the merger, the stockholders of Frontier will become stockholders of
SPAH and the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, as proposed
to be amended and restated, the SPAH Bylaws and Delaware law will govern their rights. The
SPAH Certificate of Incorporation and SPAH Bylaws differ somewhat from those of Frontier. Material
differences include:
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The SPAH Bylaws provide that a director can be removed with or without cause by a
majority vote of the holders of the outstanding shares then entitled to vote at an
election of directors; in comparison, the Frontier Articles of Incorporation provide
that a director may be removed only for cause by the holders of not less than
two-thirds of the shares entitled to elect the director whose removal is sought.
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The Frontier Articles of Incorporation and Frontier Bylaws divide the Frontier Board
into three classes of directors, as nearly equal as possible, with each class being
elected to a staggered three-year term; in comparison, SPAH does not have a staggered
board and each director is elected for a term that expires at the next annual meeting
of stockholders.
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The SPAH Certificate of Incorporation provides stockholders may not take action by
written consent; in comparison, Frontier shareholders may take action by written
consent if unanimous consent is given by all stockholders entitled to vote on such
action.
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SPAH has elected not to be governed by Section 203 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the DGCL), which limits business combinations, including mergers,
with an interested stockholder; in comparison, under the WBCA, Frontier is
prohibited, with certain exceptions, from engaging in certain significant business
transactions with a person or group of persons beneficially owning 10% or more of its
voting securities for a period of five years after the acquisition of such securities,
unless the transaction or acquisition of shares is approved by a majority of the
members of the board of directors prior to the date on which the acquiring person first
obtained 10% share ownership.
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After the merger with Frontier is completed, adoption of a subsequent merger
agreement or consolidation of SPAH with a different entity will require the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of SPAH common stock
entitled to vote; in comparison, certain mergers and share exchanges of Frontier must
be approved by holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to
vote thereon.
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For a more complete description of the difference between the rights of the stockholders of
SPAH and the rights of shareholders of Frontier, please refer to the section entitled Comparative
Rights of SPAH and Frontier.
SPAH
Conversion Rights (page 76)
If you hold shares of common stock issued in SPAHs initial public offering (whether such
shares were acquired pursuant to such initial public offering or afterwards up to and until the
record date), then you have the right to vote against the merger proposal and demand that SPAH
convert such shares into cash equal to a pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in
the trust account in which a substantial portion of the net proceeds of SPAHs initial public
offering are held (before payment of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and including
interest earned on their pro rata portion of the trust account, net of income taxes payable on such
interest and net of interest income of $3.5 million on the trust account balance previously
released to SPAH to fund its working capital requirements). As of [______], 2009, there was
$[______] in the trust account, including accrued interest on the funds in the trust account, or
approximately $[______] per share issued in the initial public offering. The actual conversion price
will differ from the $[______] per share due to any interest earned on the funds in the trust
account since [______], 2009, and any taxes payable in respect of interest earned thereon.
The SPAH Certificate of Incorporation requires that no more than 30% (minus one share) of the
SPAH public stockholders vote against the merger and thereafter exercise their conversion rights.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is a condition to closing the merger agreement that no more than
10% (minus one share) of the SPAH public stockholders vote against the merger and exercise their conversion rights,
although at SPAHs discretion, this closing condition may be waived in order to consummate the
merger. Accordingly, SPAH may not consummate the merger if 10% or more of the holders of shares
sold in or subsequent to SPAHs initial public offering elect to exercise their conversion rights.
If SPAH elects to waive this closing condition, it may raise the conversion threshold to anywhere
between 10% to 30% (minus one share). If the merger is not consummated and SPAH does not
consummate a business combination by October 10, 2009, SPAH will be required to dissolve and
liquidate and SPAH public stockholders voting against the merger proposal who elected to exercise
their conversion rights would not be entitled to convert their shares. However, all SPAH public
stockholders would be entitled to participate in pro-rata liquidation distributions from SPAHs
trust account with respect to their shares.
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If you wish to exercise your conversion rights, you must:
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affirmatively vote against the merger proposal in person or by submitting your proxy
card before the vote on the merger proposal and checking the box that states Against
for proposal number 1; and
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check the box that states Exercise Conversion Rights on the proxy card; or
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send a letter to SPAHs transfer agent, Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, at 17 Battery Place, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10004,
attn: Mark Zimkind, stating that you are exercising your conversion rights and
demanding your shares of SPAH common stock be converted into cash; and
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physically tender, or if you hold your shares of SPAH common
stock in street name, cause your broker to physically tender, your stock
certificates representing shares of SPAH common stock to SPAHs transfer agent;
or
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deliver your shares electronically using the Depository Trust
Companys DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, to SPAHs transfer
agent by [______], 2009.
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The DWAC delivery process can be accomplished, whether you are a record holder or your shares
are held in street name, within a day, by simply contacting the transfer agent or your broker and
requesting delivery of your shares through the DWAC System. There is a nominal cost associated with
this tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC
system. The transfer agent will typically charge the stockholder or the tendering broker $35, and
your broker may or may not pass this cost on to you.
Taking any action that does not include an affirmative vote against the merger, including
abstaining from voting on the merger proposal, will prevent you from exercising your conversion
rights. However, voting against the merger proposal does not obligate you to exercise your
conversion rights.
Prior to exercising your conversion rights you should verify the market price of SPAH common
stock. You may receive higher proceeds from the sale of your common stock in the public market than
from exercising your conversion rights, if the market price per share is higher than the amount of
cash that you would receive upon exercise of your conversion rights.
Any request to exercise your conversion rights, once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to
immediately prior to the vote on the merger proposal at the special meeting (or any adjournment or
postponement thereof). Furthermore, if you deliver your shares for conversion and subsequently
decide prior to the special meeting not to elect conversion, you may simply request that the
transfer agent return the certificate (physically or electronically) to you.
If the merger is not consummated, no shares will be converted to cash through the exercise of
conversion rights. For more information regarding your conversion rights, see The Merger and the
Merger Agreement Conversion Rights of SPAH Stockholders.
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Frontier
Dissenters Rights (page 127)
Frontier shareholders have the right under Washington law to dissent from the merger, obtain
an appraisal of the fair value of their Frontier shares, and receive payment in cash equal to the
appraised fair value of their Frontier shares instead of receiving the merger consideration. To
exercise dissenters rights, among other things, a Frontier shareholder must (i) deliver to
Frontier prior to the vote of its shareholders on the transaction is taken notice of the
shareholders intent to demand payment for the shareholders shares, and (ii) not vote in favor of
the merger agreement. Submitting a properly signed proxy card that is received prior to the vote at
the special meeting (and is not properly revoked) that does not direct how the shares of Frontier
common stock represented by proxy are to be voted will constitute a vote in favor of the merger
agreement and a waiver of such shareholders dissenters rights.
A shareholder electing to dissent from the merger must strictly comply with all procedures
required under Washington law. These procedures are described more
fully beginning on page 127 of
this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and a copy of the relevant Washington statutory provisions
regarding dissenters rights is included in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus as Annex F.
The
Merger is Expected to Occur in the Fourth Quarter of 2009 (page 99)
The merger will occur shortly after all of the conditions to its completion have been
satisfied or waived. Currently, we anticipate that the merger will occur in the fourth quarter of
2009. However, we cannot assure you when or if the merger will occur. We must first obtain the
approval of the SPAH and Frontier stockholders at the special meetings, the approval of the warrant
agreement amendment by SPAHs warrantholders, all the necessary regulatory approvals, and the
approval of SPAHs application to become a bank holding company, among other things. If SPAH fails
to consummate a business combination prior to October 10, 2009, SPAH will be forced to dissolve and
liquidate.
Completion
of the Merger is Subject to Certain Conditions (page 105)
Completion of the merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions,
including the following:
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the adoption of the Initial Charter Amendment and the Subsequent Charter Amendments;
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the adoption of the warrant amendment proposal by SPAH warrantholders;
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the adoption of the merger agreement by SPAH and Frontier stockholders;
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no more than 10% (minus one share) of SPAH public stockholders vote against the
merger agreement and thereafter exercise their conversion rights;
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no more than 10% of the holders of Frontier common stock entitled to vote on the
merger exercise their dissenters rights;
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the approval of SPAHs application to become a bank holding company;
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receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Federal
Reserve and the Washington DFI; and
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each of (i) the FDIC Order, (ii) the FRB Written Agreement, and (iii) the Memorandum
of Understanding , will have been modified in a manner reasonably acceptable to SPAH,
including by the elimination of certain provisions and consequences related thereto.
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These conditions and others are more fully discussed under the heading The Merger and the
Merger AgreementThe Merger Agreement Conditions to the Closing of the Merger. Some of these
closing conditions,
including the closing condition that no more than 10% (minus one share) of SPAH public
stockholders may vote against the merger agreement and thereafter exercise their conversion rights,
may be waived by SPAH.
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Termination
of the Merger Agreement (page 106)
Notwithstanding the approval of the merger proposal by SPAH and Frontier stockholders, we can
mutually agree at any time to terminate the merger agreement at any time prior to the effective
time:
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By mutual written agreement of SPAH and Frontier;
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By either party if the other party is in breach of any of
its representations, warranties or covenants under the merger
agreement which cannot be or has not been cured within 5 days after the
giving of written notice by the non-breaching party to the breaching party of such
breach;
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By either party in the event (i) any consent of any regulatory authority required
for consummation of the merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby shall
have been denied by final nonappealable action of such authority or if any action taken
by such authority is not appealed within the time limit for appeal, (ii) any law or
order permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of
the merger shall have become final and nonappealable, (iii) the stockholders of SPAH or
Frontier fail to vote their approval of the matters relating to the merger agreement
and the transactions contemplated thereby at SPAHs special meeting of stockholders or
Frontiers special meeting of shareholders, respectively, where such matters were
presented to such stockholders for approval and voted upon, or (iv) if applicable,
holders of 10% or more of the shares sold in SPAHs initial public offering vote
against the merger and exercise their conversion rights;
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By either party in the event that the merger shall not have been consummated by
December 31, 2009;
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By either party if the other partys board of directors fails to reaffirm its
approval upon the other partys request for such reaffirmation of the merger or if such
other partys board of directors resolves not to reaffirm the merger;
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By either party if the other partys board of directors fails to include in the
joint proxy statement/prospectus its recommendation, without modification or
qualification, that the stockholders approve the merger or if the partys board of
directors withdraws, qualifies, modifies, proposes publicly to withdraw, qualify, or
modify, in a manner adverse to the other party, the recommendation that the
stockholders approve the merger;
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By either party if the other partys board of directors affirms, recommends, or
authorizes entering into any acquisition transaction other than the merger or, within
10 business days after commencement of any tender or exchange offer for any shares of
its common stock, the other partys board of directors fails to recommend against
acceptance of such tender or exchange offer or takes no position with respect to such
tender or exchange offer;
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By either party if the other partys board of directors negotiates or authorizes the
conduct of negotiations (and five business days have elapsed without such negotiations
being discontinued) with a third party regarding an acquisition proposal other than the
merger; or
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By either party if the party terminating is not in material breach of any
representation, warranty, or covenant, or other agreement in the merger agreement, and
prior to the adoption of the merger proposal by the stockholders, the other partys
board of directors has (1) withdrawn or modified or changed its recommendation of
approval of the merger agreement in a manner adverse to the terminating party in order
to approve and permit the other party to accept a superior proposal and (2) determined,
after consultation with, and the receipt of advice from outside legal counsel to the
other party, that the failure to take such action as described in the preceding clause
(1) would be likely to result in a breach of the board of directors fiduciary duties
under applicable law, provided, however,
that at least five business days prior to any such termination, the terminating party
shall, and shall cause its advisors to, negotiate with the other party, if such party
elects to do so, to make such adjustments in the terms and conditions of the merger
agreement as would enable the other party to proceed with the merger on the adjusted
terms.
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Actions
That May Be Taken to Secure Approval of the SPAH Public Stockholders
(page 78)
If 30% or more of the SPAH public stockholders properly elect to convert their shares for cash
equal to a pro rata portion of the SPAH trust account in accordance with the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation, SPAH would not be permitted to consummate the merger, even if the required vote for
the merger proposal was received. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is a condition to closing the
merger agreement that holders of no more than 10% of the shares (minus one share) sold in SPAHs
initial public offering vote against the merger and exercise their conversion rights, although at
SPAHs discretion, this closing condition may be waived in order to consummate the merger.
Accordingly, SPAH may not consummate the merger if 10% or more of the holders of shares sold in or
subsequent to SPAHs initial public offering elect to exercise their conversion rights. To
preclude such possibility, SPAH, the SPAH insiders, and/or certain of their respective affiliates
may negotiate arrangements to provide for the purchase of such shares from certain holders who
indicate their intention to vote against the merger and seek conversion or who otherwise wish to
sell their shares. SPAH, the SPAH insiders, and/or certain of their respective affiliates may also
execute agreements to purchase shares from such holders in the future, or they or SPAH may enter
into transactions with such persons and others to provide them with incentives to acquire shares of
SPAH and vote in favor of the merger proposal.
Arrangements of such nature would only be entered into and effected with the prior approval of
Frontier (with respect to shares purchased) in accordance with applicable law at any time prior to
the special meeting of stockholders during a period when SPAH, the SPAH insiders, and/or certain of
their respective affiliates are not aware of any material nonpublic information regarding SPAH and
its securities or pursuant to agreements between the buyer and seller of such shares in a form that
would not violate insider trading rules. If such transactions are effected, the consequence could
be to cause the merger to be approved in circumstances where such approval could not otherwise be
obtained. Purchases of shares by SPAH, the SPAH insiders, and/or certain of their respective
affiliates would allow them to exert more influence over the approval of the merger and other
proposals and would likely increase the chances that such proposals would be approved. Moreover,
any such purchases may make it less likely that the holders of 10% or more of the shares sold in,
or subsequent to, SPAHs initial public offering will vote against the merger proposal and exercise
their conversion rights.
As of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, no arrangements to such effect have
been entered into with any such investor or holder. In the event that any purchases of SPAHs
common stock are made by SPAH, the SPAH insiders, and certain of their respective affiliates after
the mailing of this joint proxy statement/prospectus to stockholders but prior to the special
meeting of stockholders of SPAH, SPAH will file a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business
days of such purchases or otherwise prior to the special meeting. Any such report will include
descriptions of the arrangements entered into or significant purchases by any of the aforementioned
persons. If members of the SPAH Board or SPAHs officers make purchases pursuant to such
arrangements, they will be required to report these purchases on beneficial ownership reports filed
within two business days of such transactions with the SEC.
Transfer Restrictions of SPAH Insiders and Frontier Insiders upon Consummation of the Merger (pages
75 and 96)
SPAH Insiders
. Upon consummation of the merger, SP Acq LLC has agreed to forfeit 8,987,883 of
the 9,653,412 founders shares it owns and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker have
agreed to forfeit an aggregate of 465,529 of the 500,000 founders shares they own. The SPAH
insiders previously agreed not to sell or transfer their founders units and the founders shares
and initial founders warrants comprising the founders units (including the common stock to be
issued upon the exercise of the initial founders warrants) for a period of one year from the date
the merger is consummated, except in each case to permitted transferees who agree to be subject to
the same transfer restrictions. The Steel Trust has agreed to be subject to these transfer
restrictions.
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SP II has previously agreed not to sell or transfer the co-investment units, co-investment
shares or co-investment warrants (including the common stock to be issued upon exercise of the
co-investment warrants) until one year after SPAH completes the merger except to permitted
transferees who agree to be bound by such transfer restrictions. The Steel Trust has agreed to be
subject to these transfer restrictions. We refer to these agreements with the SPAH insiders and
their permitted transferees as lock-up agreements.
Frontier Insiders
. The Frontier insiders have agreed not sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise
dispose of the shares of SPAH common stock and SPAH warrants for a one year period ending on the
first anniversary of the consummation of the merger.
The
Co-Investment (page 92)
In connection with the initial public offering, SP II previously agreed to purchase an
aggregate of 3,000,000 co-investment units at $10.00 per unit ($30.0 million in the aggregate) in a
private placement that will occur immediately prior to the consummation of the merger. Pursuant to
a plan of reorganization, SP II has contributed certain assets to the Steel Trust, a liquidating
trust established for the purpose of effecting the orderly liquidation of such assets. As a
result, all of the founders shares and initial founders warrants owned by SP II have been
transferred to the Steel Trust in a private transaction exempt from registration under the
Securities Act. The Steel Trust has agreed to assume all of SP IIs rights and obligations with
respect to the founders shares and initial founders warrants, as more fully described elsewhere
in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the obligation to purchase the co-investment
units. Since the agreement governing the co-investment and SPAHs initial public offering
prospectus disclosed that only SP II or SP Acq LLC may purchase the co-investment units, SPAH will
need the prior written consent of the underwriters in its initial public offering to permit the
Steel Trust to make the co-investment. SPAH anticipates receiving this consent prior to the
closing of the merger. In addition, SPAH public stockholders may have a securities law claim
against SPAH for rescission (under which a successful claimant has the right to receive the total
amount paid for his or her securities pursuant to an allegedly deficient prospectus, plus interest
and less any income earned on the securities, in exchange for surrender of the securities) or
damages (compensation for loss on an investment caused by alleged material misrepresentations or
omissions in the sale of a security), as described more fully under The Merger and the Merger
AgreementRescission Rights.
The units purchased in the co-investment will be identical to the units sold in SPAHs initial
public offering, except that they will be subject to certain transfer restrictions. The proceeds
from the sale of the co-investment units will not be received by SPAH until immediately prior to
the consummation of the merger. The proceeds from the sale of the co-investment units will provide
SPAH with additional equity capital to fund the merger. If the merger is not consummated, the
Steel Trust will not purchase the co-investment units and no proceeds will deposited into SPAHs
trust account or available for distribution to SPAHs stockholders in the event of a liquidating
distribution.
The
Special Meeting of SPAH Stockholders (page 109)
SPAH will hold its special meeting of stockholders on [_____], [_____], 2009 at [_____]:00
[_____].m., local time, at [_____]. At the special meeting, SPAHs stockholders will be asked to
vote to approve the merger agreement, to adopt the Initial Charter Amendment, to adopt the
Subsequent Charter Amendments, and to elect to the SPAH Board, Warren G. Lichtenstein, who will
serve as Chairman of the Board, and, if the merger is consummated, four directors from Frontier,
comprised of Patrick M. Fahey, [______], [______] and [______], each of whom currently
serve on the Frontier Board, in each case to serve until the next annual meeting of SPAH and until
their successors shall have been elected and qualified, and to consider any other matters that may
properly come before the meeting.
SPAH
Stockholders Meeting Record Date and Voting (page 109)
If you owned shares of SPAH common stock at the close of business on [______], 2009,
SPAHs record date, you are entitled to vote at the special meeting. On the record date, there were
54,112,000 shares of SPAH stock outstanding, including 3,982,016 shares comprising units of SPAH.
You will have one vote at the meeting for each share of SPAH stock you owned on the record date. At
the special meeting, we may transact such other business as may properly come before the special
meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
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Adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of SPAH common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. The SPAH
Certificate of Incorporation also requires that a majority of the shares of common stock voted by
the SPAH public stockholders are voted, in person or by proxy, in favor of the merger and the SPAH
public stockholders owning no more than 30% (minus one share) of the shares sold in SPAHs initial
public offering vote against the merger and thereafter exercise their conversion rights as
described below. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is a condition to closing the merger agreement
that holders of no more than 10% of the shares (minus one share) sold in SPAHs initial public
offering vote against the merger and exercise their conversion rights, although at SPAHs
discretion, this closing condition may be waived in order to consummate the merger. Accordingly,
SPAH may not consummate the merger if 10% or more of the holders of shares sold in or subsequent to
SPAHs initial public offering elect to exercise their conversion rights. If SPAH elects to waive
this closing condition, it may raise the conversion threshold to anywhere between 10% to 30% (minus
one share).
Adoption of the amendments to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation requires the affirmative
vote of a majority of the shares of SPAHs outstanding common stock entitled to vote at the special
meeting. Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by stockholders present in
person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the special meeting.
If the requisite approval is received, the Initial Charter Amendment will be filed with the
Delaware Secretary of State immediately upon its approval and prior to the stockholders
consideration of the merger proposal at the special meeting of stockholders. Accordingly, the
proposal to adopt the merger agreement will only be presented for a vote at the special meeting if
the Initial Charter Amendment is approved by SPAH stockholders and the warrant amendment proposal
is approved at a special meeting of SPAH warrantholders to be held immediately prior to the special
meeting of SPAH stockholders. The Subsequent Charter Amendments and the election of the Frontier
nominees will only be effected in the event and at the time the merger with Frontier is
consummated, although approval of the Subsequent Charter Amendments is a condition to closing the
merger. The election of the Mr. Lichtenstein does not require the approval of any other proposals
to be effective.
The SPAH insiders have agreed to vote all of their founders shares either for or against the
merger proposal consistent with the majority of the votes cast on the merger by the SPAH public
stockholders. To the extent any SPAH insider has acquired shares of SPAH common stock in, or
subsequent to, SPAHs initial public offering, such insider has agreed to vote these acquired
shares in favor of the merger proposal. As of the date hereof, none of the SPAH insiders own any
shares sold in, or subsequent to, the SPAH initial public offering. The SPAH insiders have further
indicated that they will vote their shares in favor of the adoption of the amendments to the SPAH
Certificate of Incorporation and for the election of each of the director nominees to the SPAH
Board. While the founders shares voted by the SPAH insiders will count towards the voting and
quorum requirements under Delaware law, they will not count towards the voting requirement under
the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation because the founders shares were not issued in SPAHs
initial public offering. As described elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, pursuant
to a plan of reorganization, SP II has contributed certain assets, including its shares of SPAH
common stock and warrants, to the Steel Trust. The trust has agreed to assume all of SP IIs
rights and obligations with respect to these shares and warrants, including to vote in accordance
with the foregoing.
Upon consummation of the merger, SP Acq LLC has agreed to forfeit 8,987,883 of its founders
shares and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker have agreed to forfeit an aggregate
of 465,529 of their founders shares.
The
SPAH Board Recommends Stockholder Approval (page 115)
The SPAH Board has unanimously approved each of the proposals to be brought before the special
meeting of stockholders, and believes that the merger, the amendments to the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation and the election of the directors named in this joint proxy statement/prospectus are
each in the best interest of SPAH and its stockholders.
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Interests
of SPAHs Directors and Officers and Others in the Merger (page
75)
When considering the recommendations of the SPAH Board, you should be aware that some of
SPAHs directors and officers and other have interests in the merger proposal that may differ from
the interests of other stockholders:
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Warren G. Lichtenstein will serve as the Chairman of the SPAH Board following the
consummation of the merger;
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John McNamara will serve as Chairman of the Frontier Bank Board following the
consummation of the merger;
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if the merger is not approved and SPAH is required to liquidate, all the shares of
common stock and all the warrants held by the SPAH insiders (including SP Acq LLC and
SP II), which, as of the record date, for the shares, were worth $[______] per share and
$[______] in the aggregate and, for the warrants, were worth $[______] per
warrant and $[______] in the aggregate, will be worthless. Since Mr. Lichtenstein, SPAHs
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, may be deemed the
beneficial owner of shares held by SP Acq LLC and SP II, he may also have a conflict of
interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate for SPAH
and its stockholders. However, upon consummation of the merger, SP Acq LLC has agreed
to forfeit 8,987,883 of its founders shares and Anthony Bergamo, Ronald LaBow, Howard
M. Lorber, Leonard Toboroff and S. Nicholas Walker have agreed to forfeit an aggregate
of 465,529 of their founders shares;
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if SPAH liquidates prior to the consummation of a business combination, SP Acq LLC
and Mr. Lichtenstein will be personally liable if and to the extent any claims by a
third party for services rendered or products sold, or by a prospective business
target, reduce the amounts in the trust account available for distribution to SPAH
stockholders in the event of a dissolution and liquidation; and
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unless SPAH consummates an initial business combination, its officers and directors,
its employees, and affiliates of SP Acq LLC and their employees will not receive
reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them to the extent that such
expenses exceed the amount of available proceeds not deposited in the trust account and
the $3.5 million in interest income on the balance of the trust account that has been
released to SPAH to fund its working capital requirements.
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Each board member was
aware of these and other interests and considered them before approving and adopting the merger
agreement. Additionally, upon consummation of the merger, the underwriters in SPAHs initial
public offering will be entitled to receive approximately $17.3 million of deferred
underwriting discounts and commissions currently held in SPAHs trust account. SPAH is in
negotiation with its underwriters regarding the amount and form of payment of such deferred
underwriting fees from SPAHs initial public offering. The results of these negotiations
are uncertain and could result in $17,316,000 in additional costs for the proforma company which
could be paid in cash. If the merger is not consummated and SPAH is required to liquidate, the
underwriters have agreed to forfeit any rights or claims to their deferred underwriting discounts
and commissions then in the trust account, and those funds will be included in the pro rata
liquidation distribution to the SPAH public stockholders.
The
Special Meeting of SPAH Warrantholders (page 122)
SPAH will hold its special meeting of warrantholders on [_____], [_____], 2009 at [_____]:00
[_____].m., local time, at [_____]. At the special meeting, SPAHs warrantholders will be asked to
vote upon a proposal to amend certain terms of the Warrant Agreement, in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger. The proposed amendment to the Warrant
Agreement, to become effective upon consummation of the merger, will (i) increase the exercise
price of the warrants from $7.50 per share to $11.50 per share of SPAH common stock; (ii) amend the
warrant exercise period to (A) eliminate the requirement that the initial founders warrants owned
by the SPAH insiders become exercisable only after the consummation of an initial business
combination if and when the last sales price of SPAH common stock exceeds $14.25 per share for any
20 trading days within a 30 trading day period beginning 90 days after such business combination
and (B) extend the expiration date of the warrants to the earlier of (x) seven years from the
consummation of the merger or (y) the date fixed for redemption of the warrants set forth in the
warrant agreement; (iii) provide for the mandatory downward
adjustment of the exercise price for each warrant to reflect any cash dividends paid with
respect to the outstanding common stock of SPAH; (iv) provide that, in the event an effective
registration statement is not in place on the date the warrants are set to expire, the warrants
will remain outstanding until 90 days after an effective registration statement is filed, provided,
that if SPAH has not filed an effective registration statement within 90 days after the expiration
date, the warrants shall become exercisable for cash consideration; (v) provide that no adjustment
in the number of shares issuable upon exercise of each warrant will be made as a result of the
issuance of SPAH shares and warrants to the shareholders of Frontier upon consummation of the
merger agreement; and (vi) provide that each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase,
in its sole discretion, either one share of voting common stock or one share of Non-Voting Common
Stock.
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SPAH
Warrantholders Meeting Record Date and Voting (page 122)
If you owned warrants of SPAH at the close of business on [______], 2009, SPAHs record
date, you are entitled to vote at the special meeting. On the record date, there were 61,112,000
warrants of SPAH outstanding, including 3,982,016 comprising units of SPAH. You will have one vote
at the meeting for each warrant of SPAH stock you owned on the record date. At the special meeting,
we may transact such other business as may properly come before the special meeting and any
adjournment thereof.
Adoption of the amendment to the Warrant Agreement requires the affirmative vote of a majority
of the warrantholders outstanding and entitled to vote at the special meeting. The Warrant
Agreement also requires that the holders of a majority of SPAHs outstanding warrants issued in, or
subsequent to, SPAHs initial public offering, are voted in favor of the warrant amendment. The
approval of the amendment proposal is also a condition to the consummation of the merger discussed
above.
The SPAH insiders intend to vote in favor of the warrant amendment proposal. While the
warrants voted by the SPAH insiders will count towards the voting and quorum requirements under
Delaware law, they will not count towards the voting requirement under the Warrant Agreement, which
requires that the holders of a majority of SPAHs outstanding warrants issued in, or subsequent to,
SPAHs initial public offering, are voted in favor of the warrant amendment, because the initial
founders warrants and additional founders warrants were not issued in SPAHs initial public
offering.
The
SPAH Board Recommends Warrantholder Approval (page 125)
The SPAH Board has determined that the warrant amendment proposal is fair to and in the best
interests of SPAH and its warrantholders and unanimously recommends that you vote or give
instruction to vote FOR the approval of the warrant amendment proposal.
The
Special Meeting of Frontier Shareholders (page 126)
Frontier will hold its special meeting of shareholders on [_____], [_____], 2009 at [_____]:00
[_____].m., local time, at [_____]. At the special meeting, Frontiers shareholders will be asked to
vote to approve the merger agreement, and consider other matters that may properly come before the
meeting. The Board recommends that you vote, or give instruction to vote, FOR the adoption of
the merger agreement.
Frontier
Shareholders Meeting Record Date and Voting (page 126)
If you owned shares of Frontier common stock at the close of business on [______],
2009, Frontiers record date, you are entitled to vote at the special meeting. On the record date,
there were [______] shares of Frontier stock outstanding. You will have one vote at the
meeting for each share of Frontier stock you owned on the record date. At the special meeting, we
may transact such other business as may properly come before the special meeting and any
adjournments or postponements thereof.
Approval of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the
outstanding shares of Frontiers common stock. Because at least two-thirds of all outstanding
shares is required to approve the merger, your failure to vote will have the same effect as a vote
against the merger proposal.
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All of Frontiers insiders have agreed to vote their [______] shares of Frontier
common stock (which constitutes [______]% of Frontiers outstanding shares of common stock as of [______], 2009), FOR the merger proposal.
Frontier Obtained an Opinion that the Merger Proposal Consideration is Fair to Frontiers Shareholders from a Financial Point of View
(page 82)
Keefe Bruyette was retained by Frontier solely to render an opinion to the Frontier Board with respect to the fairness, from
a financial point of view, of the merger proposal consideration. Keefe Bruyette rendered an opinion to the Frontier Board that, as
of July 29, 2009, the date the Frontier Board voted on the merger proposal, the consideration to be received in the transaction was
fair to Frontiers shareholders from a financial point of view. A copy of the opinion delivered by Keefe Bruyette is attached to
this joint proxy statement/prospectus as Annex E. Frontiers shareholders should read the opinion completely to understand the
assumptions made, matters considered, limitations and qualifications of the review undertaken by Keefe Bruyette in providing its
opinion.
The
Frontier Board Recommends Shareholder Approval (page 128)
The Frontier Board has unanimously approved the merger agreement and believes that the merger
is in the best interest of Frontier and its shareholders. The Board recommends that you vote, or
give instruction to vote, FOR the adoption of the merger agreement.
Certain
Benefits of Directors and Officers of Frontier (page 89)
When considering the recommendations of the Frontier Board, you should be aware that some
directors and officers have interests in the merger proposal that differ from the interests of
other shareholders, including the following:
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Stock Ownership
. The directors, executive officers and principal shareholders of
Frontier, together with their affiliates, beneficially owned, as of the record date for
the special meeting, a total of [_____] shares of Frontier common stock, including
[______] shares of restricted stock that has or will be vested at the time of the
merger, representing [_____]% of the total outstanding shares of Frontier common
stock;
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Change of Control Agreements.
Frontier is a party to change of control agreements
with five of its current executive officers, John J. Dickson, Carol E. Wheeler, R.
James Mathison, Robert W. Robinson and Lyle E. Ryan. These agreements generally provide
that in the event of a termination of employment in connection with, or within 24
months after, a change of control, for reasons other than cause, the executive will
receive a lump sum payment on the first day of the seventh month after the termination
of his or her employment in an amount equal to two times the amount of his or her
salary and bonus for the twelve months prior to the effective date of the change of
control and will continue to be covered by applicable medical and dental plans for 24
months following termination of employment. In the event an executive, after attaining
age 60, voluntarily retires within 12 months following a change of control, the
executive will receive a lump sum payment equal to one times the amount of his or her
salary and bonus, and will continue to be covered by applicable medical and dental
plans for 12 months following termination of employment. If an executive receives a
change of control payment under his or her agreement, the executive will be restricted
by a noncompetition and nonsolicitation period of two years following termination of
employment.
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In addition, the vesting of restricted stock awards granted under Frontiers 2006 Stock
Option Plan will accelerate upon the effective time of the merger.
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Insurance and Indemnification
. SPAH has agreed to use reasonable best efforts to
maintain Frontiers existing policies of directors and officers liability insurance (or
at SPAHs option, obtain comparable coverage under its own insurance policies) for a
period of six years after the merger with respect to claims arising from facts or
events which occurred prior to the effective time of the merger, subject to a maximum
premium limit of $1,150,000. SPAH has also agreed to continue to provide for the
indemnification of the former and current directors, officers, employees and agents of
Frontier for six years after the merger.
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Certain Employee Matters.
The merger agreement contains certain agreements of the
parties with respect to various employee matters.
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At and following the effective time of the merger, SPAH will assume and honor certain Frontier
severance and change of control agreements that Frontier had with its officers and directors on
July 24, 2009.
Rescission
Rights
(page 79)
If you are a SPAH stockholder at the time of the merger and you purchased your shares in
SPAHs initial public offering or afterwards up to and until the record date and have not exercised
your conversion rights or you have voted in favor of the merger agreement, but the merger is not
consummated because holders of 10% or more, but less than 30% (minus one share) of shares sold in
SPAHs initial public offering elect to exercise their conversion rights, you may have securities
law claims against SPAH for rescission (under which a successful claimant has the right to receive
the total amount paid for his or her securities pursuant to an allegedly deficient prospectus, plus
interest and less any income earned on the securities, in exchange for surrender of the securities)
or damages (compensation for loss on an investment caused by alleged material misrepresentations or
omissions in the sale of a security) on the basis of, for example, SPAHs initial public offering
prospectus not disclosing that (i) SPAH may seek to amend the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation
prior to the consummation of a business combination to amend the definition of initial business
combination to eliminate the requirement that the fair market value of the target business equal
at least 80% of the balance of SPAHs trust account (excluding underwriting discounts and
commissions) plus the proceeds of the co-investment, (ii) SPAH may agree to lower the percentage of
shares that can exercise conversion rights as a condition to closing its initial business
combination, (iii) SPAH may seek to amend the Warrant Agreement upon consummation of the merger to
eliminate the requirement that the initial founders warrants owned by certain SPAH insiders become
exercisable only after the consummation of an initial business combination if and when the last
sales price of SPAH common stock exceeds $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30
trading day period beginning 90 days after such business combination, (iv) funds in its trust
account might be used, directly or indirectly, to purchase shares from SPAH public stockholders in
order to secure approval of SPAHs stockholders on the merger, (v) that SPAH may seek to amend the
terms of the Warrant Agreement to increase the exercise price and extend the exercise period, among
other things, upon consummation of the merger, and (vi) that a party other than SP II or SP Acq LLC
may purchase the co-investment units. The rescission right and corresponding liability will
continue against SPAH in the event the merger is consummated.
Such claims may entitle stockholders asserting them to up to $10.00 per share, based on the
initial offering price of the units sold in SPAHs initial public offering, each comprised of one
share of common stock and a warrant to purchase an additional share of common stock, less any
amount received from the sale or fair market value of the original warrants purchased as part of
the units, plus interest from the date of SPAHs initial public offering. In the case of SPAH
public stockholders, this amount may be more than the pro rata share of the trust account to which
they are entitled upon exercise of their conversion rights or liquidation of SPAH. See The Merger
and the Merger AgreementRescission Rights for additional information about rescission rights.
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RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with all of the other
information included in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, before you decide whether to vote or
instruct your vote to be cast to approve the proposals described in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus.
Risks Related to the Business of Frontier
The continued downturn in Frontiers real estate market areas and weakness in the economy could
adversely affect Frontiers financial condition and profitability.
Frontiers banking and lending are concentrated in western Washington and Oregon. As a result
of this geographic concentration, Frontiers financial condition and earnings largely depend upon
economic conditions in this area, although they also depend on economic conditions in other areas.
We are currently operating in a challenging and uncertain economic environment, both
nationally and locally. Like many other financial institutions, Frontier is being affected by sharp
declines in the real estate market, constrained financial markets and a weak economy. Continued
declines in real estate values, home sales and financial stress on borrowers as a result of the
uncertain economic environment, including job losses, could have an adverse effect on Frontiers
borrowers or their customers and demand for Frontiers products and services, which could adversely
affect Frontiers financial condition and earnings, increase loan delinquencies, defaults and
foreclosures, and significantly impair the value of Frontiers collateral and its ability to sell
the collateral upon foreclosure.
Frontier is experiencing deterioration in its loan portfolio, centered in its residential
construction and land development loans.
As of June 30, 2009, approximately 85.4% of Frontiers loan portfolio was comprised of loans
secured by real estate. Of this 85.4% of real estate loans, 35% are commercial real estate loans,
21% are residential construction loans, 16% are land development loans, 15% are term 1-4 family
residential loans, 9% are lot loans and 4% are commercial construction loans. Frontier has been
experiencing deterioration in its loan portfolio, centered in its residential construction and land
development loans. Many of these loans are maturing and classified as nonperforming assets while
Frontier works with the borrowers to maximize its recovery. If loan payments from borrowers are
over 90 days past due, or sooner if normal repayment cannot resume, the loans are placed on
nonaccrual status, thereby reducing and/or reversing previously accrued interest income. From third
quarter 2008 to June 30, 2009, Frontiers nonaccrual loans increased significantly, from $205.2
million to $764.6 million, primarily as a result of construction and land development loans that
Frontier is choosing not to renew in order to keep all of its legal remedy options available. The
contraction or expansion of Frontiers nonaccrual loan portfolio and other real estate owned
(OREO) properties in future periods will depend upon the companys ongoing collection efforts and
changes in market conditions. Frontier has a dedicated a team of 38 employees focused on the
management of problem loans, but there is no guarantee that this team will be able to effectively
manage the amount of problem loans Frontier may encounter in the future. Additional information
regarding credit risk is included in Information About FrontierManagements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Loans.
Frontiers management believes that there is the potential for additional loan losses beyond those
recognized as of June 30, 2009, particularly with respect to Frontier Banks construction and land
development portfolio, and these losses could be significantly greater than management presently
expects, particularly if economic conditions deteriorate further.
Frontier Banks loan portfolio and allowance for loan losses are assessed each quarter by
management, and were subject to recent examinations by its federal and state regulators. Further,
in its efforts to refine Frontier Banks assessment of inherent risk in Frontier Banks loan
portfolio, Frontier Bank has performed extensive reviews and analyses. As a result of these
reviews and analyses, assuming a continuing weak economy, Frontier believes the potential for
additional deterioration in the Banks loan portfolio may result in additional loan losses and such
losses can be further increased if the adverse economic conditions become more severe or continue
longer than we anticipate. The Frontier Board has concluded that, in its judgment, Frontiers
allowance for loan losses is appropriate in the present economic environment. Further, even if
economic conditions were to deteriorate further, Frontier believes that the substantial additional
funds which will be provided by the merger will give Frontier Bank a substantial cushion of capital
to weather such an adverse economic environment and maintain acceptable capital levels, and support
the combined companys business strategy.
39
Due to unforeseen circumstances and/or changes in estimates, Frontiers allowance for loan losses
may not be adequate to cover actual losses.
An essential element of Frontiers business is to make loans. Frontier maintains an allowance
for loan losses that it believes is a reasonable estimate of known and inherent losses within the
loan portfolio. At June 30, 2009, Frontiers allowance for loan losses was $98.6 million or 2.89%
of its total loans of $3.4 billion. The determination of the appropriate level of loan loss
allowance as well as the appropriate amount of loan charge-offs (net of loan recoveries) is an
inherently difficult process and is based on numerous assumptions and there may be a range of
potential estimates. The amount of future losses is susceptible to changes in economic, operating
and other conditions, including changes in Frontiers real estate markets and interest rates that
are beyond Frontiers control. Frontiers underwriting policies, credit monitoring processes and
risk management systems and controls may not prevent unexpected losses. In addition, bank
regulators periodically review Frontiers allowance for loan losses and may require Frontier to
increase its provision for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs.
While SPAH has reviewed Frontiers loan portfolio, allowance for loan losses, loan charge-offs
and loan recoveries, there is no precise method for predicting credit losses since any estimate of
loan losses is necessarily subjective and the accuracy depends on the outcome of future events.
Upon consummation of the merger, management of the combined company will make its own independent
evaluation of the loan portfolio and make adjustments to the loan loss allowance as necessary. The
allowance for loan losses may be further changed upon the continued review of bank regulators.
Although SPAH believes, based on its review of Frontiers loan portfolio, that upon a post merger
evaluation of the loan portfolio the combined company will have sufficient capital following the
consummation of the merger to absorb potential increases in loan charge-offs, while maintaining
adequate capital ratios, there can be no assurance that any revised allowance for loan losses will
be adequate to cover actual loan losses. Any significant increases in the allowance for loan
losses would adversely affect the capital base and earnings of the combined company.
Defaults and related losses in Frontiers residential construction and land development loan
portfolio could result in a significant increase in OREO balances and the number of properties to
be disposed of, which would adversely affect Frontiers financial results.
As part of Frontiers collection process for all nonperforming real estate loans, the company
may foreclose on and take title to the property serving as collateral for the loan. Real estate
owned by Frontier and not used in the ordinary course of its operations is referred to as other
real estate owned (OREO) property. Frontier expects to take additional properties into OREO.
Increased OREO balances lead to greater expenses as the company incurs costs to manage and dispose
of the properties and, in certain cases, complete construction of improvements prior to sale. Any
decrease in sale prices on properties may lead to OREO write-downs with a corresponding expense in
Frontiers income statement. Frontiers management expects that earnings over the next several
quarters could be negatively affected by various expenses associated with OREO, including personnel
costs, insurance and taxes, completion and repair costs, and other costs associated with property
ownership, as well as by the funding costs associated with assets that are tied up in real estate
during the period they are held in OREO. The management and oversight of OREO is time consuming and
can be complex and can require significant resources of Frontiers management and employees.
Frontier will also be at risk of further declines in real estate prices in the market areas in
which the company conducts its lending business.
40
Restrictions imposed by regulatory actions could have an adverse effect on Frontier and failure to
comply with any of its provisions could result in further regulatory action or restrictions.
The businesses and operations of Frontier and its subsidiary, Frontier Bank, are currently
subject to regulatory actions, including the FDIC Order and the FRB Written Agreement, which , for
example, generally
prohibit Frontier Bank from paying dividends (effectively prohibiting any dividends by its
holding company, Frontier, because substantially all earnings of Frontier are derived from Frontier
Bank), repurchasing stock, retaining new directors or senior managers or changing the duties of
senior management, paying management or consulting fees or other funds to Frontier, and extending
additional credit with respect to nonperforming and adversely classified loans which management
believes, complicates the workout of troubled loans. The FDIC Order also requires Frontier Bank to
raise its Tier 1 leverage capital ratio to a higher than normal level of 10% of its assets, by July
29, 2009, and to maintain that capital level, in addition to maintaining a fully funded allowance
for loan losses satisfactory to the FDIC and the Washington DFI. These and other regulatory actions
are described in more detail in Information About FrontierManagements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Regulatory Actions. The FDIC identified
deficiencies in the management and supervision of Frontier Bank that primarily relate to loan
underwriting, procedures and monitoring, excessive concentrations in construction and land
development loans, and related concerns about Frontier Banks capital and liquidity. Management
believes it has addressed the concerns and that it is in compliance with all the requirements of
the FDIC Order and the FRB Written Agreement, other than the Tier 1 capital requirement for
Frontier Bank. Frontier believes it can increase its Tier 1 capital to compliance levels with the
consummation of the merger. However, these regulatory actions and any future actions could continue
to limit Frontiers growth and adversely affect its earnings, business and operations. In
addition, failure to comply with these regulatory actions or any future actions could result in
further regulatory actions or restrictions, including monetary penalties and the potential closure
of Frontier Bank.
Frontiers profitability and the value of stockholders investments may suffer because of rapid and
unpredictable changes in the highly regulated environment in which Frontier operates.
Frontier is subject to extensive supervision by several governmental regulatory agencies at
the federal and state levels in the financial services area. See Supervision and Regulation.
Recently enacted, proposed and future legislation and regulations have had, and will continue to
have, or may have a significant impact on the financial services industry. These regulations, which
are generally intended to protect depositors and not stockholders, and the interpretation and
application of them by federal and state regulators, are beyond Frontiers control, may change
rapidly and unpredictably and can be expected to influence earnings and growth. For example, the
FDIC and the Federal Reserve recently issued joint Guidance on Concentrations in Commercial Real
Estate Lending, Sound Risk Management Practices that sets forth supervisory criteria to assist bank
examiners in identifying banks with potentially significant commercial real estate loan
concentrations that may warrant greater supervisory scrutiny. The Guidance applies to Frontier
Bank, based on Frontiers current loan portfolio, and Frontiers management expects that the
companys business and operations will be subject to enhanced regulatory review for the foreseeable
future. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in their supervisory and enforcement
activities, including the imposition of restrictions on operations, the classification of assets
and determination of the level of allowance for loan losses. Frontiers success depends on
Frontiers continued ability to maintain compliance with these regulations. Increased regulation
and supervision of the banking and financial industry as a result of the existing financial crisis.
Such additional regulation and supervision may increase our costs and limit our ability to pursue
business opportunities.
Market and other constraints on Frontiers construction loan origination volume are expected to
lead to decreases in the companys interest and fee income that are not expected to be fully offset
by reductions in its noninterest expenses.
Due to existing conditions in housing markets in the areas where Frontier operates, the
recession and other factors, Frontier projects the companys construction loan originations to be
materially constrained in 2009 and beyond. Additionally, managements revised business plan will
de-emphasize the origination of construction loans. This will lower interest income and fees
generated from this part of Frontiers business. Unless this revenue decline is offset by other
areas of Frontiers operations, the companys total revenues may decline relative to its total
noninterest expense. Frontier expects that it will be difficult to find new revenue sources in the
near term to completely offset expected declines in the companys interest income. In that regard,
the adverse economic conditions that began in 2007 and that have continued into 2009 have
significantly reduced Frontiers origination of all new loans, and Frontiers management cannot
assure you that the companys total loans or assets will increase or not decline in 2009.
41
Fluctuations in interest rates could reduce Frontiers profitability and affect the value of its
assets.
Frontiers earnings and cash flows are largely dependent upon the companys net interest
income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income earned on interest-earning
assets such as loans and securities and interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities such
as deposits and borrowed funds. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond
Frontiers control, including but not limited to; general economic conditions and policies of
various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Federal Reserve. Changes in
monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the amount of
interest Frontier receives on loans and securities and the amount of interest Frontier pay on
deposits and borrowings, but such changes could also affect the companys ability to originate
loans and obtain deposits as well as the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities. If the
interest Frontier pays on deposits and other borrowings increases at a faster rate than the
interest it receives on loans and other investments, Frontiers net interest income, and therefore
earnings, could be adversely effected. Earnings could also be adversely affected if the interest
Frontier receives on loans and other investments fall more quickly than the interest it pays on
deposits and other borrowings.
Concern of customers over the safety of their deposits may cause a decrease in deposits.
With recent increased concerns about bank failures, customers increasingly are concerned about
the safety of their deposits and the extent to which their deposits are insured by the FDIC.
Customers may not believe Frontier is a safe place to keep their deposit accounts and they may
remove their deposit accounts. Additionally, customers may withdraw deposits from Frontier Bank in
an effort to ensure that the amount they have on deposit at Frontier Bank is fully insured.
Decreases in deposits may adversely affect Frontiers funding costs, liquidity and net income. In
addition, if the FDIC reduces the limit on FDIC coverage to $100,000 per account after December 31,
2013, customers may become increasingly more concerned about the safety of their depositions.
Liquidity risk could impair Frontiers ability to fund operations and jeopardize the companys
financial condition.
Liquidity is essential to Frontiers business. An inability to raise funds through deposits,
borrowings, the sale of loans and other sources could have a substantial negative effect on
Frontiers liquidity. Frontiers access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance the
companys activities or the terms of which are acceptable to the company could be impaired by
factors that affect us specifically, including our existing regulatory agreements, or the financial
services industry in general. Factors that could detrimentally impact Frontiers access to
liquidity sources include a decrease in the level of the companys business activity as a result of
weak economic conditions in the western Washington and Oregon markets in which Frontiers loans are
concentrated or additional adverse regulatory action against the company. Frontiers ability to
borrow could also be impaired by factors that are not specific to Frontier, such as a disruption in
the financial markets or negative views and expectations about the prospects for the financial
services industry in light of the turmoil currently faced by financial institutions and the
continued deterioration in credit markets and the economy. Additional information regarding
liquidity risk is included in Information About FrontierManagements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations Liquidity Resources.
Strong competition within its market areas may limit Frontiers growth and adversely affect the
companys operating results.
The banking and financial services industry is highly competitive. Frontier competes in its
market areas with commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage brokerage firms, credit unions,
finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, and brokerage and investment banking firms
operating locally and elsewhere. Some of these competitors have substantially greater resources and
lending limits than Frontier, have greater name recognition and market presence that benefit them
in attracting business and deposits, and offer certain services that Frontier does not or cannot
provide. In addition, larger competitors may be able to price loans and deposits more aggressively
than Frontier. Frontiers results of operations depend upon the companys continued ability to
successfully compete in its market area. The greater resources and deposit and loan products
offered by some of Frontiers competitors may limit the companys ability to increase or maintain
its interest earning assets.
42
Frontier will be required to pay significantly higher FDIC premiums in the future.
Recent insured institution failures, as well as deterioration in banking and economic
conditions, have significantly increased FDIC loss provisions, resulting in a decline in the
designated reserve ratio to historical lows. The FDIC expects a higher rate of insured institution
failures in the next few years compared to recent years; thus, the reserve ratio may continue to
decline. In addition, the FDIC temporarily increased the limit on FDIC coverage to $250,000 through
December 31, 2013. These developments will cause the premiums assessed to us by the FDIC to
increase. Under the final rule adopted December 16, 2008, Frontier Banks assessment rate will
increase from 5 to 7 basis points per $100 of deposits to approximately 31 to 38 basis points in
2009. The increased deposit insurance premiums are expected to result in a significant increase in
our non-interest expense, which will have a material impact on our results of operations beginning
in 2009.
Frontiers controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented.
Management regularly reviews and updates Frontiers internal controls, disclosure controls and
procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well
designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not
absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of
Frontiers controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and
procedures could have a material adverse effect on Frontiers financial condition and results of
operations.
Frontier continually encounters technological change.
The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with
frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of
technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to
reduce costs. Frontiers future success depends, in part, upon the companys ability to address the
needs of its customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy
customer demands, as well as to create additional efficiencies in the companys operations. Many of
Frontiers competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological
improvements. Frontier may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and
services or be successful in marketing these products and services to the companys customers.
Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services
industry could have a material adverse effect on Frontiers financial condition and results of
operations.
Frontier is subject to operational risk, which may result in incurring financial and reputation
losses.
Frontier is exposed to many types of operational risk, including the risk of fraud by
employees or outsiders, the risk of operational errors, including clerical or record-keeping errors
or those resulting from faulty or disabled computer or telecommunications systems. Given Frontiers
high volume of transactions, certain errors may be repeated or compounded before they are
discovered and successfully corrected. Frontiers dependence upon automated systems to record and
process transactions may further increase the risk that technical system flaws or employee
tampering with or manipulation of those systems will result in losses that are difficult to detect.
Frontier may be subject to disruptions of its systems, arising from events that are wholly or
partially beyond the companys control (including, for example, computer viruses or electrical or
telecommunications outages), which may give rise to losses in service to customers and to financial
loss or liability. Frontier is further exposed to the risk that its external vendors may be unable
to fulfill their contractual obligations (or will be subject to the same risk of fraud or
operational errors by their respective employees as Frontier is) and to the risk that Frontiers
(or its vendors) business continuity and data security systems prove to be inadequate.
43
Frontier is exposed to risk of environmental liabilities with respect to properties to which it
takes title.
Approximately 85.4% of Frontiers outstanding loan portfolio at June 30, 2009 was secured by
real estate. In the course of its business, Frontier may foreclose and take title to real estate,
and could be subject to environmental liabilities with respect to these properties. Frontier may be
held liable to a governmental entity or to third-parties for property damage, personal injury,
investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental
contamination, or may be required to investigate or clean up hazardous or toxic substances, or
chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities
could be substantial. In addition, if Frontier is the owner or former owner of a contaminated site,
the company may be subject to common law claims by third-parties based on damages and costs
resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property. If Frontier ever becomes
subject to significant environmental liabilities, the companys business, financial condition,
liquidity and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Frontier depends on key personnel for success.
Frontiers operating results and ability to adequately manage its growth and minimize loan and
lease losses are highly dependent on the services, managerial abilities and performance of
Frontiers current executive officers and other key personnel. Frontier has an experienced
management team that the Board of Directors believes is capable of managing and growing Frontiers
operations. However, losses of or changes in Frontiers current executive officers or other key
personnel and their responsibilities may disrupt Frontiers business and could adversely affect
financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Frontier may not be successful in
retaining its current executive officers or other key personnel.
Frontiers earnings may be affected by changes in accounting principles and tax laws.
Changes in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles could have a significant adverse
effect on Frontiers reported financial results. Although these changes may not have an economic
impact on the companys business, they could affect Frontiers ability to attain targeted levels
for certain performance or regulatory measures.
Frontier is subject to tax laws, rules and regulations. Changes to tax laws, rules and
regulations, including changes in the interpretation or implementation of tax laws, rules and
regulations by the Internal Revenue Service or other governmental bodies, could affect the company
in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject Frontier to additional costs,
among other things. Failure to appropriately comply with tax laws, rules and regulations could
result in sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties and/or reputation damage, which
could have a material adverse effect on Frontiers business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other external events could
significantly impact Frontiers business.
Severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism and other adverse external events
could have a significant impact on Frontiers ability to conduct business. Such events could affect
the stability of our deposit base, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans,
impair the value of collateral securing loans, cause significant property damage, result in loss of
revenue, interrupt our information systems, and/or cause us to incur additional expenses. Although
management has established disaster recovery plans and procedures, the occurrence of any such event
could have a material adverse effect on Frontiers business, which, in turn, could have a material
adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.
The merger agreement limits Frontiers ability to pursue other transactions and provides for
payment of termination fees if it does.
While the merger agreement is in effect and subject to very narrow exceptions, Frontier and
its directors, officers and agents are prohibited from initiating or encouraging inquiries with
respect to alternative acquisition proposals. The prohibition limits Frontiers ability to seek
offers from other possible acquirers which may be superior from a financial point of view, or
otherwise more desirable. If Frontier receives an unsolicited proposal
from a third party that is superior from a financial point of view to that made by SPAH and
the merger agreement is terminated, Frontier would be required to pay a $2.5 million termination
fee in most circumstances. This fee makes it less likely that a third party would make an
alternative acquisition proposal.
44
If the merger is not approved by shareholders or regulators or is terminated for some other reason,
Frontier may experience adverse consequences.
Frontiers management has expended substantial time and effort in negotiating the merger
agreement and the related arrangements connected with the transaction described in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus. Additionally, Frontier has, at significant expense, engaged numerous outside
consultants for the specific purpose of evaluating and negotiating this transaction. Moreover, the
Frontier Board has agreed to certain arrangements intended to avert any unsolicited attempt to gain
control of Frontier during the pendency of this transaction, including certain breakup fees and
expense reimbursements. Additionally, the merger reflects a substantial aspect of managements
strategic planning for Frontiers future. Were the merger not to be consummated, Frontier would be
forced to make substantial adjustments in its strategic plans, which would require additional
management time and effort and which might not be successful. Therefore, if the merger is not
consummated, Frontier may experience adverse impacts on its strategic direction and its operating
capabilities, and these impacts may be material. Finally, the termination or abandonment of the
merger would likely have an adverse impact upon investors views as to the attractiveness of
Frontiers common stock and customers views of Frontiers safety and soundness, which would likely
result in a reduced market price for Frontiers common stock and a reduction in Frontiers future
business prospects, and such reductions may be material.
Directors and officers of Frontier have interests in the merger that are in addition to or
different than the interests of other shareholders.
When considering the recommendation of the Frontier Board, you should be aware that some
executive officers and directors of Frontier have interests in the merger that are somewhat
different from your interests. For example, certain officers and directors of Frontier have change
of control agreements which will be assumed by SPAH, and certain officers and directors of Frontier
will receive a portion of the merger consideration for their shares of Frontier stock. In
addition, all of the executive management team of Frontier will continue to be employed with
similar title, role and responsibilities. Four board members from the current Frontier Board and
Frontier Bank Board will be invited to become members of the new SPAH Board and Frontier Bank
Board, respectively, following the consummation of the merger. These arrangements may create
potential conflicts of interest. These and certain other additional interests of Frontiers
directors and executive officers may cause some of these persons to view the proposed transaction
differently than you view it, as a shareholder. See The Merger and the Merger Agreement Certain
Benefits of Directors and Officers of Frontier.
Risks Related to the Merger
To implement its operating strategy following the merger, SPAH must successfully identify
opportunities for expansion and successfully integrate its new strategic initiatives into
Frontiers existing operating platform.
Following the merger, SPAH intends to further implement an operating strategy that results in
a more diversified earning asset portfolio, lower cost funding base and expansion of noninterest
income channels. This strategy will be driven largely by focused efforts in business and retail
banking within our existing footprint. This strategy will require the development of new products
and services. This strategy will also require that Frontier penetrate customer segments that have
not historically been a focus for the company. If following the merger, SPAH is unable to generate
products and services that are attractive to its target customers or successfully deliver those
products and services to customers, an important component of its strategy may be lost.
Additionally, it is anticipated that SPAH will have substantial capital resources after the merger.
SPAH may not be able to produce sufficient organic growth to profitably leverage the pro forma
capital resources. As part of its operating strategy SPAH intends to use its capital resources to
consider expansion and acquisition opportunities. Any future expansion or acquisition efforts may
entail substantial costs and may not produce the revenue, earnings or synergies that SPAH had
anticipated. Any future expansion or acquisitions that SPAH undertakes will involve operational
risks and uncertainties. Acquired companies may have unforeseen liabilities, exposure to asset
quality problems, key employee and customer retention problems and other problems that could
negatively affect SPAH.
45
The operations of Frontier may still be restricted by the FDIC Order and the FRB Written Agreement
after Frontier and Frontier Bank are integrated with SPAH.
On March 20, 2009, Frontier Bank entered into the FDIC Order with the FDIC and the
Washington DFI. The regulators alleged that Frontier Bank had engaged in unsafe or unsound
banking practices by operating with inadequate management and board supervision; engaging in
unsatisfactory lending and collection practices; operating with inadequate capital in relation to
the kind and quality of assets held at Frontier Bank; operating with an inadequate loan valuation
reserve; operating with a large volume of poor quality loans; operating in such a manner as to
produce low earnings and operating with inadequate provisions for liquidity. By consenting to the
FDIC Order, Frontier Bank neither admitted nor denied the alleged charges.
Under the terms of the FDIC Order, Frontier Bank cannot declare dividends or pay any
management, consulting or other fees or funds to Frontier, without the prior written approval of
the FDIC and the Washington DFI. Other material provisions of the FDIC Order require Frontier Bank
to: (1) review the qualifications of Frontier Banks management, (2) provide the FDIC with 30 days
written notice prior to adding any individual to the Frontier Bank Board or employing any
individual as a senior executive officer, (3) increase director participation and supervision of
Frontier Bank affairs, (4) improve Frontier Banks lending and collection policies and procedures,
particularly with respect to the origination and monitoring of real estate construction and land
development loans, (5) develop a capital plan and increase Tier 1 leverage capital to 10% of
Frontier Banks total assets by July 29, 2009, and maintain that capital level, in addition to
maintaining a fully funded allowance for loan losses satisfactory to the regulators, (6) implement
a comprehensive policy for determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and limiting
concentrations in commercial real estate and acquisition, development and construction loans, (7)
formulate a written plan to reduce Frontier Banks risk exposure to adversely classified loans and
nonperforming assets, (8) refrain from extending additional credit with respect to loans
charged-off or classified as loss and uncollected, (9) refrain from extending additional credit
with respect to other adversely classified loans without collecting all past due interest, without
the prior approval of a majority of the directors on the Frontier Bank Board or its loan committee,
(10) develop a plan to control overhead and other expenses to restore profitability, (11) implement
a liquidity and funds management policy to reduce Frontier Banks reliance on brokered deposits and
other non-core funding sources, and (12) prepare and submit progress reports to the FDIC and the
Washington DFI. The FDIC Order will remain in effect until modified or terminated by the FDIC and
the Washington DFI.
In addition, on July 2, 2009, Frontier entered into a written agreement with the FRB. Under
the terms of the FRB Written Agreement, Frontier has agreed to: (i) refrain from declaring or
paying any dividends without prior written consent of the FRB; (ii) refrain from taking dividends
or any other form of payment that represents a reduction in capital from Frontier Bank without
prior written consent of the FRB; (iii) refrain from making any distributions of interest or
principal on subordinated debentures or trust preferred securities without prior written consent of
the FRB; (iv) refrain from incurring, increasing or guaranteeing any debt without prior written
consent of the FRB; (v) refrain from purchasing or redeeming any shares of its stock without prior
written consent of the FRB; (vi) implement a capital plan and maintain sufficient capital; (vii)
comply with notice and approval requirements established by the FRB relating to the appointment of
directors and senior executive officers as well as any change in the responsibility of any current
senior executive officer; (viii) not pay or agree to pay any indemnification and severance payments
except under certain circumstances, and with the prior approval of the FRB; and (ix) provide
quarterly progress reports to the FRB.
The
Frontier Bank Board also entered into the Memorandum of Understanding with the FDIC dated
August 20, 2008 relating to the correction of certain violation of applicable consumer protection and
fair lending laws and regulations, principally including the failure to provide certain notices to
consumers pursuant to the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, and certain violations of the
Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z.
46
The Memorandum of Understanding requires the Frontier Bank Board to (i) correct all violations
found and implement procedures to prevent their recurrence; (ii) increase oversight of the Frontier
Bank Boards compliance function, including monthly reports from Frontier Banks compliance officer
to the Frontier Bank Board detailing actions taken to comply with the Memorandum of Understanding;
(iii) review its compliance policies and procedures and develop and implement detailed operating
procedures and controls, where necessary, to ensure compliance with all consumer protection laws
and regulations; (iv) establish monitoring procedures to ensure compliance with all consumer
protection laws and regulations (including flood insurance), including the
documentation and reporting of all exceptions to the Frontier Bank Board and its audit
committee; (v) review, expand and improve the quality of such compliance with the frequency of
compliance audits to be reviewed and approved annually by the Frontier Bank Board or audit
committee, with a goal of auditing compliance at least annually; (vi) ensure that Frontier Banks
compliance management function has adequate staff, resources, training and authority for the size
and structure of Frontier Bank; (vii) establish flood insurance monitoring procedures to ensure
loans are not closed without flood insurance and prior notices to customers required by law, that
lapses of flood insurance do not occur, and to develop methods to ensure that adequate amounts of
flood insurance are provided, with Frontier Bank agreeing to force -
place flood insurance when necessary;
(viii) provide additional training for all Frontier Bank personnel, including the Frontier Bank
Board and audit and compliance staff for applicable laws and regulations; and (ix) furnish
quarterly progress reports to the Regional Director of the FDIC detailing the actions taken to
secure compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding until the Regional Director has released the
institution, in writing, from submitting further reports. Frontier Bank was assessed civil monetary
penalties of $48,895 for flood insurance violations and required to pay $10,974 in restitution to
customers for certain violations of the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z.
The consummation of the merger is conditioned upon the modification of the (i) FDIC Order,
(ii) the FRB Written Agreement, and (iii) the Memorandum of Understanding , in a manner reasonably
acceptable to SPAH, including by the elimination of certain provisions and consequences related
thereto. Frontier has been actively engaged in responding to the concerns raised in the FDIC
Order. With the consummation of
the merger, Frontier believes it can increase its Tier 1 capital to compliance levels.
If the FDIC Order and FRB Written Agreement are not appropriately modified or dismissed, the
FDIC Order and the FRB Written Agreement will continue to restrict the payment of dividends by
Frontier Bank and restrict the business activities of Frontier Bank as discussed above. The
occurrence of either of these events could adversely impact the future value of SPAH common stock
and warrants.
SPAHs working capital could be reduced if SPAH stockholders exercise their right to convert their
shares into cash equal to a pro rata portion of the SPAH trust account.
Pursuant to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, holders of shares issued in SPAHs initial
public offering may vote against the merger and demand that SPAH convert their shares into cash
equal to a pro rata portion of the SPAH trust account. Under the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation, SPAH will not consummate the merger if holders of 30% or more of the shares of
common stock issued in its initial public offering exercise these conversion rights.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is a condition to closing the merger agreement that holders of no
more than 10% of the shares (minus one share) sold in SPAHs initial public offering vote against
the merger and exercise their conversion rights, although at SPAHs discretion, this closing
condition may be waived in order to consummate the merger. Accordingly, SPAH may not consummate
the merger if 10% or more of the holders of shares sold in or subsequent to SPAHs initial public
offering elect to exercise their conversion rights. If SPAH elects to waive this closing
condition, it may raise the conversion threshold to anywhere between 10% to 30% (minus one share).
To the extent the merger is consummated and holders of less than 10% of the common stock issued in
SPAHs initial public offering have demanded to convert their shares, working capital available to
SPAH following the merger will be reduced by the amount paid out of the trust to stockholders
exercising their conversion rights.
Additionally, if holders demand to convert their shares, there may be a corresponding
reduction in the value of each share of common stock of SPAH. As of [_____], 2009, assuming the
merger proposal is adopted, the maximum amount of funds that could be disbursed to the SPAH public
stockholders upon the exercise of the conversion rights would be approximately $[______], or
approximately [______]% of the funds currently held in trust as of the record date for the SPAH
special meeting.
47
SPAH has lowered the percentage of shares that can exercise conversion rights below the level a
typical blank check company with a similar business plan as ours would permit.
SPAH has made it a condition to closing the merger agreement that holders of no more than 10%
of the shares (minus one share) sold in SPAHs initial public offering vote against the merger and
exercise their conversion rights even though the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, provides that
our initial business combination may be consummated if SPAH public stockholders owning up to 30% of
the shares sold in this offering (minus one share) exercise their conversion rights. Most blank
check companies with similar business plans as ours are structured so that their initial business
combination may be consummated if public stockholders owning up to 20% of the shares sold in their
initial public offering (minus one share) exercise their conversion rights. Our decreased
conversion threshold may prevent the merger from being approved which would otherwise have been
approved if we kept our original 30% (minus one share) conversion threshold as stated in the SPAH
Certificate of Incorporation and the prospectus for SPAHs initial public offering. As a result,
it is less likely that we will be able to consummate the proposed merger, although at SPAHs
discretion, this closing condition may be waived in order to consummate the merger. If SPAH elects
to waive this closing condition, it may raise the conversion threshold to anywhere between 10% to
30% (minus one share).
The lowered percentage of shares with regard to which SPAH public stockholders can exercise their
conversion rights may deplete substantially all of the funds held in SPAHs trust account, and
further deprive SPAH of working capital following consummation of the merger.
Although the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation prohibits it from pursuing an initial business
combination in which holders of more than 30% (minus one share) of the shares sold in SPAHs
initial public offering (up to and including the record date) exercise their conversion rights,
SPAH has made it a closing condition to the merger agreement that if holders of 10% or more of
SPAHs shares sold in its initial public offering (up to and including the record date) elect to
exercise their conversion rights, SPAH may not consummate the merger. Consequently, the lowered
conversion threshold will make it more difficult for SPAH to consummate the merger.
In order to secure the approval of the merger with SPAHs public stockholders, SPAH may use
the funds in the trust account to purchase shares from such holders who have indicated an intention
to vote against the merger and thereafter exercise their conversion rights. As a result of the
lowered conversion threshold from 30% (minus one share) to 10% (minus one share), and in order to
secure approval of the merger, SPAH may be forced to spend additional funds from the trust account
to purchase shares from SPAH public stockholders who have indicated their intention to vote against
the merger and convert their shares. If SPAH spends additional funds from the trust account to
secure approval of the merger, SPAH may deplete a significant portion of the trust funds, and may
not have sufficient working capital following the merger to meet bank regulatory concerns, or
successfully operate its business.
SPAH, the SPAH insiders and/or certain of their respective affiliates may purchase additional
shares of SPAH common stock from SPAH public stockholders, which may give them greater influence
over the approval of the merger.
The ability of SPAH, SPAH insiders and/or their respective affiliates to acquire additional
SPAH common stock, vote such acquired shares as they desire and effectively reduce the number of
shares that other SPAH public stockholders may elect to convert into a pro rata portion of the
trust account may allow SPAH and Frontier to consummate the merger even if it would not have
otherwise been approved but for such additional purchases. Any privately negotiated transaction
between SPAH, the SPAH insiders and/or certain of their respective affiliates on the one hand, and
holders of SPAHs common stock on the other hand, which holders would otherwise choose to vote
against the merger, would include a contractual acknowledgement that such stockholder, although
still the record holder of our shares is no longer the beneficial owner thereof and therefore
agrees to vote the applicable shares of common stock as directed by the purchaser of such
securities. In the event that SPAH, the SPAH insiders and/or certain of their respective affiliates
purchase shares in privately negotiated transactions from SPAH public stockholders who have already
cast votes against the merger and requested conversion of their shares, such selling stockholders
would be required to revoke their prior votes against the merger and to revoke their prior
elections to convert their shares and to cast new votes in favor of the merger. The revocation of
prior negative votes and substitution therefor of votes in favor of the proposed merger would have
the effect of reducing conversions and increasing votes in favor of the proposed merger, thereby
making it more likely that the merger would be approved. Investors are cautioned that none of SPAH,
the SPAH insiders and/or certain of their respective affiliates or any third parties has agreed to
purchase any such shares, and the failure to so agree at the applicable time could
adversely impair our ability to approve the merger. Moreover, even if SPAH, the SPAH insiders
and/or certain of their respective affiliates were to undertake such purchases, such purchases
could be subject to limitations under applicable securities laws and regulations, including
Regulation M and regulations regarding tender offers. The inability of such persons to effect such
purchases could adversely impair our ability to effect the merger.
48
SPAH, the SPAH insiders and/or certain of their respective affiliates may diminish funds in the
trust account for the purchase, directly or indirectly, of shares held by the SPAH public
stockholders in order to secure the approval of the merger.
After the payment of expenses associated with the merger, including deferred underwriting
commissions, the balance of funds in SPAHs trust account will be available to SPAH for working
capital and general corporate purposes. However, a portion of the funds in the trust account may
be used to acquire shares held by SPAH public stockholders, either from holders who indicate their
intention to vote against the merger and seek conversion or who otherwise wish to sell their
shares, so that such shares will be voted in favor of the merger and related proposals. As a
result, the amount of funds from SPAHs trust account that will be released to SPAH following the
merger for working capital and general corporate purposes may be diminished.
SPAHs existing stockholders will incur immediate dilution of their ownership and voting interests
upon completion of the merger.
SPAHs existing stockholders ownership would be diluted from 100% to as little 94.5% or as
much as 96.1% after the merger, based on the number of shares of SPAH and Frontier issued and
outstanding as of the date of the merger agreement and after reflecting the co-investment. This
dilution may adversely affect the then-prevailing market price for SPAHs common stock. The
percentage of SPAHs securities that existing SPAH stockholders will own after the merger and the
co-investment is completed will depend on whether (i) Frontier shareholders exercise dissenters
rights, (ii) SPAH public stockholder exercise conversion rights, and (iii) any of SPAHs 66,612,000
warrants are exercised (after reflecting the co-investment and merger).
In addition to the foregoing, the percentage of SPAHs voting common stock that existing SPAH
stockholders will own after the merger and co-investment will depend on whether (i) any SPAH
stockholder converts its voting common stock into Non-Voting Common Stock, and (ii) any SPAH
warrantholder elects to receive shares of Non-Voting Common Stock in lieu of voting common stock
upon exercise of their warrants. SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust have agreed to receive Non-Voting
Common Stock as necessary in order to maintain an ownership level of voting common stock below 5%
of the total outstanding shares of voting. As a result, SPAH stockholders will hold from 94.3% to
95.4% of SPAHs voting interests depending on whether any Frontier shareholder exercises
dissenters rights, any of SPAHs warrants are exercised and whether any SPAH public stockholders
exercise their conversion rights. In addition, SPAH, the SPAH insiders, and/or certain of their
respective affiliates may negotiate arrangements to provide for the purchase of shares from SPAH
public stockholders who indicate their intention to vote against the merger and seek conversion or
who otherwise wish to sell their shares. As a result, existing SPAH stockholders voting interests
may be further increased or decreased accordingly in order for SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust to
maintain an ownership level of voting common stock below 5% of the total outstanding shares of
voting common stock.
Also, after the merger, SPAH may issue additional shares of common or preferred stock,
including through convertible debt securities, in subsequent public offerings or private placements
to acquire new assets or for other purposes. SPAH is not required to offer any such shares to
existing stockholders on a preemptive basis. Therefore, it may not be possible for existing SPAH
stockholders to participate in such future share issuances, which may dilute the existing
stockholders interests in SPAH.
For a table outlining the effect of the various scenarios on the percentage of SPAHs
securities and voting interests that existing SPAH stockholders will own after the merger with
Frontier is completed, see The Merger and the Merger Agreement Stock Ownership of Existing SPAH
and Frontier Stockholders After the Merger.
49
A substantial number of SPAHs shares and warrants will be issued in the merger and will be
eligible for future resale in the public market after the merger, which could have an adverse
effect on the market price of those shares and warrant.
If the merger is consummated, assuming the exchange ratio is not adjusted, up to 2,500,000
shares of SPAH common stock will be issued to the former shareholders of Frontier common stock and
3,000,000 shares will be issued to the Steel Trust in the co-investment. In addition, outstanding
warrants to purchase an aggregate of 66,612,000 shares of SPAH common stock (after adjusting for
the granting of 2,500,000 warrants to Frontier shareholders in connection with the merger and
3,000,000 warrants in connection with the co-investment) will be exercisable at $11.50 per share on
the date of the completion of the merger (if the warrant amendment proposal is approved by SPAH
warrantholders as described elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus) and the initial
founders warrants to purchase an additional 10,322,400 shares and the co-investment warrants to
purchase an additional 3,000,000 shares will be exercisable following a one year lock-up period,
all as described under Description of Securities of SPAH. Thus, if the merger is
consummated, assuming the exchange ratio is not adjusted, SPAH will
have approximately 50,158,588
shares of common stock outstanding (after adjusting for the co-investment and the forfeiture of the
9,453,412 shares by SP Acq LLC and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker) and
outstanding warrants to purchase 66,612,000 shares of common stock (after adjusting for the
co-investment) will be exercisable. This number of shares of SPAH common stock was determined by
adding the product of the exchange ratio of 0.0530 and 47,131,853, which is the maximum number of
shares of Frontier common stock that may be outstanding prior to the effective time of the merger,
to 54,112,000 and 3,000,000, the number of shares of SPAH common stock outstanding on SPAHs record
date and the number of shares that will be issued to the Steel Trust in the co-investment,
respectively, minus the forfeiture of 9,453,412 founders shares by SP Acq LLC and Messrs. Bergamo,
LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker immediately following the consummation of the merger. The number
of warrants was determined by adding the product of the exchange ratio of 0.0530 and 47,131,853,
which is the maximum number of shares of Frontier common stock that may be outstanding prior to the
effective time of the merger, to 61,112,000 and 3,000,000, the number of warrants outstanding on
SPAHs record date and the number of warrants that will be issued to the Steel Trust in the
co-investment, respectively. Consequently, after completion of the merger, a substantial number of
additional shares of SPAH common stock will be eligible for resale in the public market and a
substantial number of warrants will be exercisable into shares of common stock which may be
ultimately resold in the public market. As long as warrants remain outstanding, there will be a
drag on any increase in the price of SPAHs common stock in excess of $11.50 per share. To the
extent such warrants are exercised, additional shares of SPAH common stock will be issued, which
would dilute the ownership of existing stockholders. Sales of substantial numbers of such shares
in the public market could adversely affect the market price of such shares and of the warrants.
A stockholder may make a securities law claim against SPAH for taking actions inconsistent with its
initial public offering prospectus.
Stockholders who purchased shares in SPAHs initial public offering or afterwards up to and
until the record date and have not exercised their conversion rights or vote in favor of the
merger, but the merger is not consummated because holders of 10% or
more, but less than 30%
(minus one share) of shares sold in SPAHs initial public offering elect to exercise their
conversion rights, may have securities law claims against SPAH for rescission (under which a
successful claimant has the right to receive the total amount paid for his or her securities
pursuant to an allegedly deficient prospectus, plus interest and less any income earned on the
securities, in exchange for surrender of the securities) or damages (compensation for loss on an
investment caused by alleged material misrepresentations or omissions in the sale of a security) on
the basis of, for example, SPAHs initial public offering prospectus not disclosing that (i) SPAH
may seek to amend the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation prior to the consummation of a business
combination to amend the definition of initial business combination to eliminate the requirement
that the fair market value of the target business equal at least 80% of the balance of SPAHs trust
account (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions) plus the proceeds of the co-investment,
(ii) SPAH may agree to lower the percentage of shares that can exercise conversion rights as a
condition to closing its initial business combination, (iii) SPAH may seek to amend the Warrant
Agreement upon consummation of the merger to eliminate the requirement that the initial founders
warrants owned by certain SPAH insiders become exercisable only after the consummation of an
initial business combination if and when the last sales price of SPAH common stock exceeds $14.25
per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period beginning 90 days after such
business combination, (iv) funds in its trust account might be used, directly or indirectly, to
purchase shares from
SPAH public stockholders in order to secure approval of SPAHs stockholders on the merger, (v) that
SPAH may seek to amend the terms of the Warrant Agreement to increase the exercise price and extend
the exercise period, among other things, upon consummation of the merger, and (vi) that a party
other than SP II or SP Acq LLC may purchase the co-investment units.
50
Such claims may entitle stockholders asserting them to up to $10.00 per share, based on the
initial offering price of the units sold in SPAHs initial public offering, each comprised of one
share of common stock and a warrant to purchase an additional share of common stock, less any
amount received from the sale or fair market value of the original warrants purchased as part of
the units, plus interest from the date of SPAHs initial public offering. In the case of SPAH
public stockholders, this amount may be more than the pro rata share of the trust account to which
they are entitled upon exercise of their conversion rights or liquidation of SPAH.
Concentration of ownership of SPAH common stock after the merger could delay or prevent a change of
control.
Following the consummation of the merger, the SPAH insiders will beneficially own
approximately 4,368,988 shares of SPAH common stock (after giving effect to the forfeiture of
9,453,412 founders shares by SP Acq LLC and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker
and the co-investment) and will have, through the exercise of warrants, the right to acquire
20,822,400 additional shares of common stock (after giving effect to the co-investment), under
certain circumstances. As a result, these stockholders, if acting together, have the ability to
significantly influence the outcome of corporate actions requiring stockholder approval. The
concentration of ownership among the SPAH insiders may have the effect of delaying or preventing a
change in control in SPAH following the merger even if such a change in control would be in the
SPAH public stockholders interest.
Completion of the merger is subject to a number of conditions.
The obligations of SPAH and Frontier to consummate the merger are subject to the satisfaction
or waiver of specified conditions set forth in the merger agreement. Such conditions include, but
are not limited to, the adoption of the Initial Charter Amendment, the adoption of the merger
agreement by SPAH and Frontier stockholders, the adoption of the warrant amendment proposal by SPAH
warrantholders, the approval of SPAHs application to become a bank holding company, and receipt of
all required regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Federal Reserve and Washington
DFI. It is possible some or all of these conditions will not be satisfied or waived by SPAH or
Frontier, as the case may be, and therefore, the merger may not be consummated. See The Merger and
the Merger AgreementThe Merger AgreementConditions to the Closing of the Merger. In the event
the merger is not consummated, we will seek to effectuate an alternative business combination.
However, if we do not complete a business combination by October 10, 2009, SPAH will be forced to
liquidate and dissolve.
The
fairness opinion obtained by Frontier from Keefe Bruyette will not
reflect changes in circumstances prior to the completion of the merger.
Frontier obtained a fairness opinion dated as of July 29, 2009, from Keefe Bruyette in connection with the merger.
Frontier will not obtain an additional or updated fairness opinion prior to completion of the
merger. Changes in the operations and prospects of SPAH or Frontier, general market and economic
conditions and other factors that may be beyond the control of SPAH and Frontier, on which the
fairness opinion was based, may alter the value of SPAH or Frontier or the price of shares of SPAH
common stock or Frontier common stock by the time the merger is completed. The fairness opinion by
Keefe Bruyette does not speak to any date other than the date of such opinion, and as such, the
opinion will not address the fairness of the merger consideration, from a financial point of view,
at any date after the date of such opinion, including at the time the merger is completed. For a
description of the opinion that Frontier received from Keefe Bruyette, please see The Merger and
the Merger Agreement Opinion of Keefe Bruyette.
51
SPAHs common stock or warrant price could fluctuate and could cause stockholders and
warrantholders to lose a significant part of their investment.
Following consummation of the merger, the market price of SPAHs securities may be influenced
by many factors, some of which are beyond its control, including those described in other parts of
this section and the following:
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fluctuations in its quarterly financial results or the quarterly financial results
of companies perceived to be similar to it;
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whether and when the FDIC Order and FRB Written Agreement are ultimately dismissed;
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general economic conditions;
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changes in market valuations of similar companies;
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changes in its capital structure, such as future issuances of securities or the
incurrence of additional debt;
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future sales of its common stock;
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regulatory and legislative developments in the United States, foreign countries or
both;
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litigation involving SPAH, its subsidiaries or its general industry; and
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additions or departures of key personnel at Frontier.
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If the mergers benefits do not meet the expectations of financial or industry analysts, the market
price of SPAH common stock may decline.
The market price of SPAH common stock may decline as a result of the merger if:
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SPAH does not achieve the perceived benefits of the merger as rapidly, or to the
extent anticipated by, financial or industry analysts; or
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the effect of the merger on SPAHs financial results is not consistent with the
expectations of financial or industry analysts.
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Accordingly, investors may experience a loss as a result of a decline in the market price of
SPAH common stock following the merger. A decline in the market price of SPAH common stock also
could adversely affect its ability to issue additional securities and its ability to obtain
additional financing in the future.
Certain current directors and executive officers of SPAH own shares of SPAH common stock and
warrants that will be worthless if the merger is not approved. Such interests may have influenced
their decision to approve the merger with SPAH.
Following the consummation of the merger, the current directors and executive officers of SPAH
will beneficially own approximately 4,368,988 shares of SPAH common stock (after giving effect to
the forfeiture of 9,453,412 founders shares by SP Acq LLC and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber,
Toboroff and Walker) and have the right to acquire an additional 20,822,400 shares through the
exercise of warrants (after giving effect to the co-investment), subject to certain limitations.
Such persons are not entitled to receive any of the cash proceeds that may be distributed upon
SPAHs liquidation with respect to shares they acquired prior to its initial public offering.
Therefore, if the merger is not approved and SPAH does not consummate another business
combination by October 10, 2009 and is forced to liquidate, such founders shares, initial
founders warrants and additional founders warrants held by such persons will be worthless. As of
[______], 2009, the record date for the special meeting, SPAHs current directors and
executive officers beneficially held $[______] in common stock (based on a market price of
$[______]) and $[______] in warrants (based on a market price of $[______]). These
financial interests of SPAHs current directors and executive officers may have influenced their
decision to approve the merger and to continue to pursue the merger. See The Merger and the
Merger Agreement Interests of SPAHs Directors and Officers and Others in the Merger.
52
The exercise of SPAHs directors and officers discretion in agreeing to changes or waivers in the
terms of the merger may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether such changes to
the terms of the merger or waivers of conditions are appropriate and in SPAHs stockholders best
interest.
In the period leading up to the closing of the merger, events may occur that, pursuant to the
merger agreement, would cause SPAH to agree to amend the merger agreement, to consent to certain
actions taken by Frontier or to waive rights that SPAH is entitled to under the merger agreement.
Such events could arise because of a request by Frontier to undertake actions that would otherwise
be prohibited by the terms of the merger agreement or the occurrence of other events that would
have a material adverse effect on Frontiers business and would entitle SPAH to terminate the
merger agreement. In any of such circumstances, it would be discretionary on SPAH, acting through
its board of directors, to grant its consent or waive its rights. The existence of the financial
and personal interests of the directors described in the preceding risk factor may result in a
conflict of interest on the part of one or more of the directors between what he may believe is
best for SPAH and what he may believe is best for himself in determining whether or not to take the
requested action. As of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, SPAH does not believe
there will be any changes or waivers that its directors and officers would be likely to make after
stockholder approval of the merger proposal has been obtained. Although certain changes could be
made without further stockholder approval, to the extent that SPAH has determined that a change to
a term to the transaction may have a material effect on stockholders, SPAH will circulate a new or
amended joint proxy statement/prospectus and resolicit its stockholders prior to the stockholder
vote on the merger proposal.
SPAH officers and directors interests in obtaining reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by them may have led to a conflict of interest in determining whether the merger was an
appropriate initial business combination and in the public stockholders best interest.
Unless SPAH consummates the merger or another initial business combination, its officers and
directors and affiliates of SP Acq LLC and their employees will not receive reimbursement for any
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them to the extent that such expenses exceed the amount of
available proceeds not deposited in the trust account and the amount of interest income from the
trust account up to a maximum of $3.5 million that may be released to SPAH as working capital.
These amounts are based on managements estimates of the funds needed to finance SPAHs operations
until the consummation of the merger or another initial business combination and to pay expenses in
identifying and consummating such transaction. Those estimates may prove to be inaccurate,
especially if a portion of the available proceeds is used to make a down payment in connection with
an initial business combination or pay exclusivity or similar fees or if SPAH expends a significant
portion in pursuit of the merger or another initial business combination that is not consummated.
SPAHs officers and directors may, as part of any business combination, negotiate the repayment of
some or all of any such expenses. If the target businesss owners do not agree to such repayment,
this could cause management to view such potential business combination unfavorably, thereby
resulting in a conflict of interest. The financial interest of SPAH officers and directors and SP
Acq LLC could influence SPAHs officers and directors motivation in selecting a target business
and therefore there may be a conflict of interest when determining whether a particular business
combination is in SPAH stockholders best interest. In addition, the proceeds SPAH will receive
from the co-investment (as well as the proceeds of the initial public offering not being placed in
the trust account or the income interest earned on the trust account balance) may be used to repay
the expenses for which SPAHs directors may negotiate repayment as part of its initial business
combination.
53
If SPAH does not conduct an adequate due diligence investigation of Frontier regarding the merger,
it may be required subsequently to take write downs or write-offs, restructuring, and impairment or
other charges that could have a significant negative effect on its financial condition, results of
operations and stock price, which could cause SPAH stockholders to lose some or all of their
investment.
In order to meet disclosure and financial reporting obligations under the federal securities
laws, and in order to develop and seek to execute strategic plans for how SPAH can increase the
profitability of Frontier or capitalize on market opportunities, SPAH must conduct a due diligence
investigation of Frontier. Intensive due diligence is time consuming and expensive due to the
operations, accounting, finance and legal professionals who must be involved in the due diligence
process. SPAH will have limited time to conduct such due diligence due to the provision in the
SPAH Certificate of Incorporation that it complete an initial business combination by October 10,
2009. Even if SPAH conducts extensive due diligence on Frontier, SPAH cannot make assurances that
this diligence will uncover all material issues relating to Frontier, or that factors outside of
Frontiers business and outside of SPAHs control will not later arise. If SPAHs diligence fails
to identify issues specific to Frontier or the environment in which Frontier operates, SPAH may be
forced to write-down or write-off assets, restructure its operations, or incur impairment or other
charges that could result in reporting losses. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and
not have an immediate impact on liquidity, the fact that SPAH report charges of this nature could
contribute to negative market perceptions about SPAH or its common stock. In addition, charges of
this nature may cause SPAH to violate net worth or other covenants to which it may be subject as a
result of assuming pre-existing debt held by Frontier or by virtue of obtaining post-combination
debt financing.
The SPAH Board did not obtain a fairness opinion or independent valuation analysis of Frontier, or
that the consideration being paid to Frontier was fair to the stockholders of SPAH in determining
whether or not to proceed with the merger and, as a result, the terms may not be fair from a
financial point of view to SPAHs public stockholders and you may not receive the value of your
investment.
The SPAH Board conducted due diligence on Frontiers proposed business model and investment
strategy but did not obtain an opinion from an investment banking firm as to the fair market value
of Frontier or that the terms of the merger are fair to the stockholders of SPAH. The SPAH Board
believes that because of the financial skills and background of its directors, it was qualified to
conclude that the merger was fair from a financial perspective to its stockholders. An independent
analysis may not arrive at the same conclusion and the SPAH Board may be incorrect in its
assessment of the transaction. It is possible that the actual value of Frontiers business is
lower than SPAH could realize on a sale of the combined company or its assets. While the SPAH
Board feels that its assessment was reasonable, you may not realize the value of your investment.
See the section entitled The Merger and the Merger AgreementInterests of SPAHs Directors and
Officers and Others in the Merger.
If the merger is completed, a large portion of the funds in the trust account established by SPAH
in connection with its initial public offering for the benefit of the SPAH public stockholders may
be used to pay converting stockholders or for the purchase, directly or indirectly, of shares held
by SPAH public stockholders who intend to vote against the merger proposal. As a consequence, if
the merger is completed, the number of beneficial holders of SPAHs securities may be reduced to a
number that may preclude the quotation, trading or listing of SPAHs securities other than on an
Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board.
Pursuant to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, public stockholders may vote against the
merger proposal and demand that SPAH convert their shares into a pro rata share of the trust
account. As a consequence of such purchases, the number of beneficial holders of SPAHs securities
may be reduced, which may make it difficult to maintain the quotation, listing or trading of SPAHs
securities on the NYSE AMEX LLC or any other national securities exchange.
54
Risks Related To SPAH
SPAH may not be able to consummate the merger or another initial business combination, in which
case it would be forced to dissolve and liquidate.
If SPAH fails to consummate a business combination prior to October 10, 2009, SPAH will be
forced to dissolve and liquidate. SPAH may not be able to consummate the merger or find another
suitable target business
within the required time frame. In addition, its negotiating position and ability to conduct
adequate due diligence on Frontier or another potential target business may be reduced as SPAH
approaches the deadline for the consummation of an initial business combination. Upon liquidation
and dissolution, SPAH stockholders would receive less than $10.00 per share, the initial public
offering purchase price, because of the expenses of the initial public offering, funds reserved to
pay creditors or potential creditors, general and administrative expenses and the costs of seeking
an initial business combination.
SPAH expects that all costs and expenses associated with implementing a plan of distribution,
as well as payments to any creditors, will be funded from amounts remaining out of the $100,000 of
proceeds held outside the trust account and from the $3.5 million in interest income on the balance
of the trust account that was released to SPAH to fund working capital requirements. However, if
those funds are not sufficient to cover the costs and expenses associated with implementing a plan
of distribution, to the extent that there is any interest accrued in the trust account not required
to pay income taxes on interest income earned on the trust account balance, SPAH may request that
the trustee release to it an additional amount of up to $75,000 of such accrued interest to pay
those costs and expenses.
If SPAH is unable to effect a business combination and is forced to liquidate, its warrants will
expire worthless.
If SPAH does not complete the merger or another business combination by October 10, 2009, the
SPAH Certificate of Incorporation provides that its corporate existence will automatically
terminate and it will distribute to all holders of its public shares, in proportion to the number
of public shares held by them, an aggregate sum equal to the amount in the trust fund, inclusive of
any interest plus any other net assets not used for or reserved to pay obligations and claims or
such other corporate expenses relating to or arising from SPAHs plan of dissolution and
distribution, including costs of dissolving and liquidating SPAH. In such event, there will be no
distribution with respect to SPAHs outstanding warrants. Accordingly, the warrants will expire
worthless.
If SPAH liquidates, SPAHs stockholders may be held liable for claims by third parties against SPAH
to the extent of distributions received by them.
The SPAH Certificate of Incorporation provides that SPAH will continue in existence only until
October 10, 2009. If SPAH consummates the merger or another business combination prior to that
date, it will seek to amend this provision to permit its continued existence. If SPAH has not
completed the merger or other business combination by that date, SPAHs corporate existence will
cease except for the purposes of winding up its affairs and liquidating pursuant to Section 278 of
the DGCL. In this event, SPAH will automatically dissolve and as promptly as practicable
thereafter adopt a plan of distribution in accordance with Section 281(b) of the DGCL, which
requires SPAH to pay or make reasonable provision for all then-existing claims and obligations,
including all contingent, conditional, or unmatured contractual claims known to SPAH, and to make
such provision as will be reasonably likely to be sufficient to provide compensation for any
then-pending claims and for claims that have not been made known or that have not arisen but that,
based on facts known at the time, are likely to arise or to become known to SPAH within 10 years
after the date of dissolution. Under Section 281(b), the plan of distribution must provide for all
of such claims to be paid in full or make provision for payments to be made in full, as applicable,
if there are sufficient assets. If there are insufficient assets, the plan must provide that such
claims and obligations be paid or provided for according to their priority and, among claims of
equal priority, ratably to the extent of legally available assets.
SP Acq LLC and Mr. Lichtenstein have agreed that they will be liable to SPAH if and to the
extent claims by third parties reduce the amounts in the trust account available for payment to its
stockholders in the event of a liquidation and the claims are made by a vendor for services
rendered, or products sold, to SPAH, or by a prospective target business. To the extent that SP Acq
LLC and Mr. Lichtenstein refuse to indemnify SPAH for a claim it believes should be indemnified,
SPAHs officers and directors by virtue of their fiduciary obligation will be obligated to bring a
claim against SP Acq LLC and Mr. Lichtenstein to enforce such indemnification. SPAH currently
believes that SP Acq LLC and Mr. Lichtenstein are capable of funding their indemnity obligations,
even though SPAH has not asked them to reserve for such an eventuality. SP Acq LLC and Mr.
Lichtenstein may not be able to satisfy those obligations. Under Delaware law, creditors of a
corporation have a superior right to stockholders in the distribution of assets upon liquidation.
Consequently, if the trust account is liquidated and paid out to SPAH public stockholders prior to
satisfaction of the claims of all of SPAH creditors, it is possible that SPAH
stockholders may be held liable for third parties claims against it to the extent of the
distributions received by them. Accordingly, pursuant to Section 280-282 of the DGCL, third
parties may not seek to recover from SPAHs stockholders amounts owed to them by SPAH.
55
However, if the corporation complies with certain procedures intended to ensure that it makes
reasonable provision for all claims against it, the liability of stockholders with respect to any
claim against the corporation is limited to the lesser of such stockholders pro rata share of the
claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder. In addition, if the corporation undertakes
additional specified procedures, including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party
claims can be brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation may
reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before any liquidation
distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of stockholders would be barred with respect
to any claim on which an action, suit or proceeding is not brought by the third anniversary of the
dissolution (or such longer period directed by the Delaware Court of Chancery). While SPAH intends
to adopt a plan of distribution making reasonable provision for claims against the company in
compliance with the DGCL, it does not intend to comply with these additional procedures, as it
instead intends to distribute the balance in the trust account to the SPAH public stockholders as
promptly as practicable following termination of its corporate existence. Accordingly, any
liability stockholders may have could extend beyond the third anniversary of a dissolution. SPAH
cannot make assurances that any reserves for claims and liabilities that it believes to be
reasonably adequate when it adopts a plan of dissolution and distribution will suffice. If such
reserves are insufficient, stockholders who receive liquidation distributions may subsequently be
held liable for claims by creditors of SPAH to the extent of such distributions.
Furthermore, because SPAH intends to distribute the proceeds held in the trust account to the
SPAH public stockholders promptly after October 10, 2009 if it has not completed a business
combination by such date, this may be viewed or interpreted as giving preference to SPAHs public
stockholders over any potential creditors with respect to access to or distributions from SPAHs
assets. The SPAH Board may be viewed as having breached their fiduciary duties to SPAHs creditors
and/or having acted in bad faith, thereby exposing itself and SPAH to claims of punitive damages,
by paying SPAH public stockholders from the trust account prior to addressing the claims of
creditors. There can be no assurance that claims will not be brought against SPAH for these
reasons.
If third parties bring claims against SPAH, or if SPAH goes bankrupt, the proceeds held in trust
could be reduced and the per-share liquidation price received by SPAH stockholders will be less
than approximately $9.85 per share.
SPAHs placing of funds in the trust account may not protect those funds from adverse
third-party claims. Although SPAH has and will seek to have all third parties (including any
vendors or other entities engaged) and any prospective target businesses enter into valid and
enforceable agreements with it waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any
monies held in the trust account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. It
is possible that such waiver agreements would be held unenforceable and there is no guarantee that
the third parties would not otherwise challenge the agreements and later bring claims against the
trust account for monies owed to them. In addition, there is no guarantee that such entities will
agree to waive any claims they may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any
negotiations, contracts or agreements with SPAH and will not seek recourse against the trust
account for any reason. Accordingly, the proceeds held in trust could be subject to claims that
would take priority over the claims of SPAH public stockholders and, as a result, the per-share
liquidation price could be less than approximately $9.85, the conversion price based upon
restricted amounts held in trust at June 30, 2009.
SP Acq LLC and Mr. Lichtenstein have agreed that they will be liable to the company if and to
the extent claims by third parties reduce the amounts in the trust account available for payment to
stockholders in the event of a liquidation and the claims are made by a vendor for services
rendered, or products sold, to SPAH or by a prospective business target. However, the agreement
entered into by SP Acq LLC and Mr. Lichtenstein specifically provides for two exceptions to the
indemnity given: there will be no liability (1) as to any claimed amounts owed to a third party who
executed a legally enforceable waiver, or (2) as to any claims under SPAHs indemnity of the
underwriters of the initial public offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act. Furthermore, there could be claims from parties other than vendors,
third parties with which SPAH entered into a contractual relationship or target businesses that
would not be covered by the indemnity from SP Acq LLC and Mr. Lichtenstein, such as shareholders
and other claimants who are not parties in contract with SPAH who file a claim
for damages against SPAH. To the extent that SP Acq LLC and Mr. Lichtenstein refuse to
indemnify SPAH for a claim it believes should be indemnified, SPAHs officers and directors by
virtue of their fiduciary obligations will be obligated to bring a claim against SP Acq LLC and Mr.
Lichtenstein to enforce such indemnification. Based on representations as to its status as an
accredited investor (as such term is defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act), SPAH
currently believes that SP Acq LLC and Mr. Lichtenstein are capable of funding their indemnity
obligations, even though SPAH has not asked them to reserve for such an eventuality. SP Acq LLC
and Mr. Lichtenstein may not be able to satisfy those obligations.
56
Additionally, if SPAH is forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is
filed against it that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to
applicable bankruptcy law, and may be included in its bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims
of third parties with priority over the claims of stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy
claims deplete the trust account, SPAH cannot make assurances that it will be able to return at
least approximately $9.85 per share to the public stockholders. In addition, any distributions
received by SPAH public stockholders could be viewed under applicable debtor/creditor and/or
bankruptcy laws as either a preferential transfer or a fraudulent conveyance. As a result, a
bankruptcy court could seek to recover all amounts received by SPAHs stockholders.
An effective registration statement must be in place in order for a warrantholder to be able to
exercise the warrants.
No warrants will be exercisable and SPAH will not be obligated to issue shares of common stock
upon exercise of warrants by a warrantholder unless, at the time of such exercise, SPAH has an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act covering the shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available.
Although SPAH has undertaken in the Warrant Agreement, and therefore has a contractual obligation,
to use its best efforts to have an effective registration statement covering shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of the warrants from the date the warrants become exercisable and to
maintain a current prospectus relating to that common stock until the warrants expire or are
redeemed, and SPAH intends to comply with its undertaking, it cannot make assurances that it will
be able to do so. SPAHs initial founders warrants are identical to the warrants sold in the
initial public offering except that (i) they only become exercisable after consummation of an
initial business combination if and when the last sales price of SPAH common stock exceeds $14.25
per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period beginning 90 days after such
business combination and (ii) they are non-redeemable. If warrantholders approve the warrant
amendment proposal at the special meeting of warrantholders, SPAH will eliminate this minimum price
requirement to exercise the initial founders warrants. SPAHs additional founders warrants are
identical to the warrants sold in the initial public offering except that they are non-redeemable.
SPAHs co-investment warrants will be identical to the warrants sold in the initial public offering
except that they will be non-redeemable. Warrantholders may not be able to exercise their
warrants, the market for the warrants may be limited and the warrants may be deprived of any value
if there is no effective registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of the warrants or the prospectus relating to the common stock issuable upon the exercise
of the warrants is not current. In such event, the holder of a unit will have paid the entire unit
purchase price for the common stock contained in the unit as the warrant will be worthless.
57
An investor will only be able to exercise a warrant if the issuance of common stock upon such
exercise has been registered or qualified or is deemed exempt under the securities laws of the
state of residence of the warrantholder.
No warrants will be exercisable and SPAH will not be obligated to issue shares of common stock
unless the common stock issuable upon such exercise has been registered or qualified or deemed to
be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the warrantholder. Because the
exemptions from qualification in certain states for resales of warrants and for issuances of common
stock by the issuer upon exercise of a warrant may be different, a warrant may be held by a
warrantholder in a state where an exemption is not available for issuance of common stock upon an
exercise and the warrantholder will be precluded from exercise of the warrant. Nevertheless, SPAH
expects that resales of the warrants as well as issuances of common stock by SPAH upon exercise of
a warrant may be made in every state because at the time that the warrants become exercisable
(following its completion of the merger or another initial business combination) SPAH expects they
will continue to be listed on the NYSE AMEX LLC or another national securities exchange, which
would provide an exemption from registration in every state, or SPAH would register the warrants in
every state (or seek another exemption from registration in such states). To the extent an
exemption is not available, SPAH will use its best efforts to register the underlying common stock
in all states where the warrantholders reside. Accordingly, SPAH believes warrantholders in every
state will be able to exercise their warrants as long as the prospectus relating to the common
stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants is current. However, SPAH cannot make assurances of
this fact. As a result, the warrants may be deprived of any value, the market for the warrants may
be limited and the warrantholders may not be able to exercise their warrants and they may expire
worthless if the common stock issuable upon such exercise is not qualified or exempt from
qualification in the jurisdictions in which the warrantholders reside.
Most of SPAHs current directors and all of its current officers will resign upon consummation of
the merger or other business combination.
SPAHs ability to effect the merger or other business combination successfully will be largely
dependent upon the efforts of its officers and directors. However, each of the current executive
officers and directors of SPAH will resign upon consummation of the merger, other than Warren G.
Lichtenstein who will continue to serve as the Chairman of the Board, although he will resign as
President and Chief Executive Officer of SPAH.
SPAH may require stockholders who wish to convert their shares in connection with a proposed
business combination to comply with specific requirements for conversion that may make it more
difficult for them to exercise their conversion rights prior to the deadline for exercising their
rights.
SPAH may require public stockholders who wish to convert their shares in connection with the
merger or other business combination to either tender their certificates to SPAHs transfer agent
at any time prior to the vote taken at the special meeting or other stockholder meeting relating to
such initial business combination or to deliver their shares to the transfer agent electronically
using the Depository Trust Companys DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System. In order to
obtain a physical stock certificate, a stockholders broker and/or clearing broker, DTC and SPAHs
transfer agent will need to act to facilitate this request. It is SPAHs understanding that
stockholders should generally allot at least two weeks to obtain physical certificates from the
transfer agent. However, because SPAH does not have any control over this process or over the
brokers or DTC, it may take significantly longer than two weeks to obtain a physical stock
certificate. While SPAH has been advised that it takes a short time to deliver shares through the
DWAC System, SPAH cannot make assurances of this fact. Accordingly, if it takes longer than
anticipated for stockholders to deliver their shares, stockholders who wish to convert may be
unable to meet the deadline for exercising their conversion rights and thus may be unable to
convert their shares. In addition, there is a nominal cost associated with the above-referenced
tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC
system. The transfer agent will typically charge the tendering broker $35 and it would be up to
the broker whether or not to pass this cost on to the converting holder.
SPAH expects to rely upon access to investment professionals of certain affiliates of SP Acq LLC in
completing the merger or another initial business combination.
SPAH expects that it will depend, to a significant extent, on access to the investment
professionals of certain affiliates of SP Acq LLC and the information and deal flow generated by
such investment professionals in the course of their investment and portfolio management activities
to complete the merger or other initial business combination. Consequently, the departure of a
significant number of these investment professionals could have a material adverse effect on the
ability to consummate the merger or another initial business combination.
58
The registration rights of the SPAH insiders may adversely affect the market price of SPAH common
stock.
Pursuant to an agreement SPAH has entered into, (i) the SPAH insiders can demand that SPAH
register the resale of the founders units, the founders shares and the initial founders
warrants, and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the initial founders warrants,
(ii) SP Acq LLC and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker can demand that SPAH
register the additional founders warrants and the shares of common
stock issuable upon exercise of the additional founders warrants and (iii) SP II (or its
permitted transferee, the Steel Trust) can demand that SPAH register the resale of the
co-investment units, the co-investment shares and the co-investment warrants and the shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of the co-investment warrants. The registration rights will be
exercisable with respect to the founders units, the founders shares, the initial founders
warrants and shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, the co-investment
units, the co-investment shares and co-investment warrants and shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of such warrants at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which the
relevant securities are no longer subject to transfer restrictions, and with respect to the
additional founders warrants and the underlying shares of common stock at any time after the
execution of a definitive agreement for an initial business combination, which includes the merger
agreement. SPAH will bear the cost of registering these securities. If the SPAH insiders exercise
their registration rights in full, there will be an additional 4,368,988 shares of common stock
(including 3,000,000 co-investment shares and after the 9,453,412 shares subject to forfeiture) and
up to 20,822,400 shares (including 3,000,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of co-investment
warrants) of common stock issuable on exercise of the warrants eligible for trading in the public
market. The registration and availability of such a significant number of securities for trading
in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of SPAH common stock.
The loss of Mr. Lichtenstein could adversely affect SPAHs ability to complete the merger or
another initial business combination.
SPAHs ability to consummate a business combination is dependent to a large degree upon Mr.
Lichtenstein. SPAH believe that its success depends on his continued service to SPAH, at least
until SPAH has consummated a business combination. Due to his ownership of SP Acq LLC and his
relationship with SP II, Mr. Lichtenstein has incentives to remain with SPAH. Nevertheless, SPAH
does not have an employment agreement with him, or key-man insurance on his life. He may choose to
devote his time to other affairs, or may become unavailable for reasons beyond his control, such as
death or disability. The unexpected loss of his services for any reason could have a detrimental
effect on SPAH.
The NYSE AMEX LLC may delist SPAHs securities, which could limit investors ability to transact in
its securities and subject it to additional trading restrictions.
While SPAH securities are currently listed on the NYSE AMEX LLC, it cannot assure investors
that its securities will continue to be listed. Additionally, the NYSE AMEX LLC may require SPAH
to file a new initial listing application and meet its initial listing requirements, as opposed to
its more lenient continued listing requirements, at the time of the merger or other initial
business combination. SPAH cannot make assurances that it will be able to meet those initial
listing requirements at that time.
If the NYSE AMEX LLC delists its securities from trading, SPAH could face significant
consequences, including:
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a limited availability for market quotations for SPAH securities;
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reduced liquidity with respect to its securities;
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a determination that SPAH common stock is a penny stock, which will require
brokers trading in its common stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly
result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for the
common stock;
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limited amount of news and analyst coverage for SPAH; and
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a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in
the future.
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In addition, SPAH would no longer be subject to NYSE AMEX LLC rules, including rules requiring
it to have a certain number of independent directors and to meet other corporate governance
standards.
59
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This joint proxy statement/prospectus contains forward-looking statements with respect to the
financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance, and business of
SPAH following the merger. These statements are preceded by, followed by, or include the words
believes, expects, anticipates, or estimates, or similar expressions. Many possible events
or factors could affect the future financial results and performance of SPAH following the merger.
This could cause the results or performance of SPAH to differ materially from those expressed in
the forward-looking statements. You should consider these important factors when you vote on the
merger proposal. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated
by the forward-looking statements include the following:
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we may experience delays in closing the merger whether due to the inability to
obtain stockholder or regulatory approval or otherwise;
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we could lose key personnel or spend a greater amount of resources attracting,
retaining and motivating key personnel than we have in the past;
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competition among depository and other financial institutions may increase
significantly;
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changes in the interest rate environment may reduce operating margins;
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general economic conditions, either nationally or in Washington and Oregon, may be
less favorable than expected resulting in, among other things, a deterioration in
credit quality and an increase in credit risk-related losses and expenses;
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loan losses may exceed the level of allowance for loan losses of the surviving
corporation;
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the rate of delinquencies and amount of charge-offs may be greater than expected;
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the rates of loan growth and deposit growth may not increase as expected;
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legislative or regulatory changes may adversely affect our businesses;
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modification of pending regulatory actions against Frontier in a manner reasonably
acceptable to SPAH, including by the elimination of certain provisions and consequences
related thereto;
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costs related to the merger may reduce SPAHs working capital; and
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SPAH may fail to close the merger and may be forced to dissolve and liquidate.
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The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations about future events. Although
SPAH believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable,
SPAH cannot guarantee you that these expectations actually will be achieved. SPAH is under no duty
to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this joint proxy
statement/prospectus to conform those statements to actual results. In evaluating these statements,
you should consider various factors, including the risks outlined in the section entitled Risk
Factors.
60
SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
Selected Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Information of Frontier
Frontier is providing the following selected historical financial information to assist you in
your analysis of the financial aspects of the merger and co-investment.
The following selected historical consolidated financial information of Frontier as of June
30, 2009 and for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 are derived from Frontiers unaudited
financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The
following selected historical consolidated financial information of Frontier as of December 31,
2008 and 2007 and for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are derived from Frontiers
audited financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus. The following selected historical consolidated financial information of
Frontier as of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 and for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004
are derived from Frontiers audited financial statements, which are not included elsewhere in this
joint proxy statement/prospectus. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily
indicative of the results of operations which might be expected for the entire year.
The following information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the
unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Frontier for the six months ended June 30,
2009 and 2008 and the notes thereto and the audited consolidated financial statements of Frontier
for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 and the notes thereto and Information about
FrontierManagements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
contained elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
61
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Six Months Ended
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June 30,
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Year ended December 31,
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(dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
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2009
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2008
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2008
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2007
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2006
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2005
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2004
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(Unaudited)
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Consolidated Statements of Operations:
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Interest income:
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|
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Interest income
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$
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96,072
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$
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149,842
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$
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279,055
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|
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$
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299,672
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$
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250,144
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$
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178,886
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$
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140,228
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Interest expense
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50,869
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57,553
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|
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112,185
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|
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113,041
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86,942
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|
|
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51,736
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34,939
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Net interest income
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45,203
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92,289
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166,870
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186,631
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163,202
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127,150
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105,289
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Securities gains (losses)
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(102
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)
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2,468
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4,570
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(937
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)
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(25
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)
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(211
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)
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(44
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)
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Provision for loan losses
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135,000
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33,500
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120,000
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11,400
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7,500
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4,200
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3,500
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Net income (loss)
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(83,805
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)
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17,575
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(89,737
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)
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73,938
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68,910
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51,584
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43,045
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Basic earnings (loss) per share
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$
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(1.78
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)
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$
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0.37
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$
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(1.91
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)
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$
|
1.63
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$
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1.53
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$
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1.21
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$
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1.03
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Weighted average number of shares outstanding basic
|
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47,127
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47,297
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46,992
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45,266
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45,010
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42,482
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|
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41,927
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Diluted earnings (loss) per share
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$
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(1.78
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)
|
|
$
|
0.37
|
|
|
$
|
(1.91
|
)
|
|
$
|
1.62
|
|
|
$
|
1.52
|
|
|
$
|
1.21
|
|
|
$
|
1.02
|
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding diluted
|
|
|
47,127
|
|
|
|
47,386
|
|
|
|
46,992
|
|
|
|
45,601
|
|
|
|
45,485
|
|
|
|
42,743
|
|
|
|
42,206
|
|
Cash dividends declared per common share
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.48
|
|
|
$
|
0.65
|
|
|
$
|
0.50
|
|
|
$
|
0.40
|
|
|
$
|
0.34
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
(dollars in thousands)
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
Consolidated Balance
Sheet Data (at period
end):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
3,987,403
|
|
|
$
|
4,104,445
|
|
|
$
|
3,995,689
|
|
|
$
|
3,238,464
|
|
|
$
|
2,640,275
|
|
|
$
|
2,243,396
|
|
Net loans
|
|
|
3,317,636
|
|
|
|
3,666,177
|
|
|
|
3,558,127
|
|
|
|
2,867,351
|
|
|
|
2,355,419
|
|
|
|
1,945,324
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
83,399
|
|
|
|
93,961
|
|
|
|
135,121
|
|
|
|
114,711
|
|
|
|
110,617
|
|
|
|
153,451
|
|
Deposits
|
|
|
3,249,133
|
|
|
|
3,275,165
|
|
|
|
2,943,236
|
|
|
|
2,453,632
|
|
|
|
2,061,380
|
|
|
|
1,795,842
|
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
|
269,486
|
|
|
|
352,043
|
|
|
|
459,612
|
|
|
|
395,283
|
|
|
|
296,097
|
|
|
|
254,230
|
|
62
Selected Historical Financial Information of SPAH
SPAH is providing the following selected historical financial information to assist you in
your analysis of the financial aspects of the merger and co-investment.
The following selected historical financial information of SPAH as of June 30, 2009 and for
the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 are derived from SPAHs unaudited financial statements,
which are included elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The following selected
historical financial information of SPAH as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and for the year ended
December 31, 2008 and for the period from February 14, 2007 (inception) through December 31, 2007
are derived from SPAHs audited financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this joint
proxy statement/prospectus. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily
indicative of the results of operations which might be expected for the entire year.
The following information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with the
unaudited interim financial statements of SPAH for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 and
the notes thereto and the audited financial statements of SPAH for the year ended December 31, 2008
for the period from February 14, 2007 (inception) through December 31, 2007 and the notes thereto
and Information about SPAH Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations contained elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
63
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
$
|
19,080,295
|
|
|
$
|
19,777,900
|
|
|
$
|
20,226,763
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
17,511,802
|
|
|
|
17,588,609
|
|
|
|
18,956,480
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
428,804,996
|
|
|
|
429,776,214
|
|
|
|
428,945,449
|
|
Common stock subject to conversion,
12,986,879 shares at conversion value
|
|
|
128,147,514
|
|
|
|
128,194,236
|
|
|
|
127,772,726
|
|
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value,
authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued and
outstanding 54,112,000 (less 12,986,879
subject to possible conversion)
|
|
|
41,125
|
|
|
|
41,125
|
|
|
|
41,125
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
283,145,680
|
|
|
|
283,993,369
|
|
|
|
282,216,243
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
|
|
$
|
428,804,996
|
|
|
$
|
429,776,214
|
|
|
$
|
428,945,449
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Period from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 14, 2007
|
|
|
|
For the Six Months Ended
|
|
|
For the Year
|
|
|
(Inception) through
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
Ended December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operations Statement Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating costs
|
|
$
|
678,261
|
|
|
$
|
499,229
|
|
|
$
|
1,052,648
|
|
|
$
|
264,373
|
|
|
Other income Interest, net
|
|
|
265,709
|
|
|
|
4,341,829
|
|
|
|
6,407,849
|
|
|
|
2,941,038
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income
|
|
|
(894,411
|
)
|
|
|
1,685,378
|
|
|
|
1,777,126
|
|
|
|
1,466,293
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accretion of trust account
income relating to common
stock subject to possible
conversion
|
|
|
46,722
|
|
|
|
(111,035
|
)
|
|
|
(421,510
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income
attributable to other common
stockholders
|
|
$
|
(847,689
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,574,343
|
|
|
$
|
1,777,126
|
|
|
$
|
1,466,293
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income per
share-basic and diluted
|
|
$
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of
common shares subject to
possible conversion basic
and diluted
|
|
|
41,125,121
|
|
|
|
45,125,121
|
|
|
|
41,125,121
|
|
|
|
17,245,726
|
|
64
Selected Unaudited Condensed Combined Pro Forma Financial Information
The selected unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial information has been derived
from, and should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial
information included elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The unaudited condensed combined pro forma statements of operations for the six months ended
June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008 give pro forma effect to the merger and
co-investment as if it had occurred on January 1, 2008. The unaudited condensed combined pro forma
balance sheet as of June 30, 2009 gives pro forma effect to the merger and co-investment as if they
had occurred on such date. The unaudited condensed combined pro forma statements of operations and
balance sheet are based on the historical financial statements of Frontier and SPAH as of and for
the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2008.
The historical financial information has been adjusted to give effect to pro forma events that
are related and/or directly attributable to the merger and co-investment, are factually supportable
and, in the case of the unaudited pro forma statement of operations data, are expected to have a
continuing impact on the combined results. The adjustments presented on the unaudited condensed
combined pro forma financial information have been identified and presented in Unaudited Condensed
Combined Pro Forma Financial Data to provide relevant information necessary for an accurate
understanding of the combined company upon consummation of the merger and co-investment.
This information should be read together with the consolidated financial statements of
Frontier and the notes thereto, the financial statements of SPAH and the notes thereto, Unaudited
Condensed Combined Pro Forma Financial Data, Information about Frontier Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Information about
SPAH Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
included elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial statements have been prepared using the
assumptions below with respect to the number of outstanding shares of SPAH common stock:
|
|
|
Assuming Minimum Conversion:
This presentation assumes that no SPAH stockholders
exercise conversion rights with respect to their shares of SPAH common stock into a pro
rata portion of the trust account; and
|
|
|
|
Assuming Maximum Conversion:
This presentation assumes that SPAH public stockholders
holding 10% of the shares sold in or subsequently to SPAHs initial public offering,
less one share (4,328,959 shares), exercise their conversion rights and that such
shares were converted into their pro rata share of the funds in the trust account.
|
The unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial statements reflect the acquisition of
Frontier being accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting pursuant to the provisions
SFAS 141R. Pursuant to the requirements of SFAS 141R, SPAH is expected to be the acquirer for
accounting purposes because SPAH is expected to own a majority interest upon consummation of the
merger and the co-investment. Determination of control places emphasis on the shareholder group
that retains the majority of voting rights in the combined entity. If the accounting acquirer
cannot be determined based upon relative voting interests, other indicators of control are
considered in the determination of the accounting acquirer, including: control of the combined
entitys board of directors, the existence of large organized minority groups, and senior
management of the combined entity.
The unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial statements are presented for
informational purposes only and are subject to a number of uncertainties and assumptions and do not
purport to represent what the companies actual performance or financial position would have been
had the transaction occurred on the dates indicated and does not purport to indicate the financial
position or results of operations as of any future date or for any future period.
65
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc and Subsidiaries
Selected Unaudited Condensed Combined Pro Forma Statement of Operations Data
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined Pro
|
|
|
Combined Pro
|
|
|
|
Forma
|
|
|
Forma
|
|
|
|
(assuming
|
|
|
(assuming
|
|
|
|
minimum
|
|
|
maximum
|
|
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
conversion)
|
|
|
conversion)
|
|
Interest income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
$
|
96,338
|
|
|
$
|
96,311
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
50,869
|
|
|
|
50,869
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest income
|
|
|
45,469
|
|
|
|
45,442
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities (losses)
|
|
|
(102
|
)
|
|
|
(102
|
)
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
135,000
|
|
|
|
135,000
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
|
(90,273
|
)
|
|
|
(90,291
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
(1.80
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.97
|
)
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding basic and diluted
|
|
|
50,158
|
|
|
|
45,829
|
|
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc and Subsidiaries
Selected Unaudited Condensed Combined Pro Forma Statement of Operations Data
For the Year Ended December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined Pro
|
|
|
Combined Pro
|
|
|
|
Forma
|
|
|
Forma
|
|
|
|
(assuming
|
|
|
(assuming
|
|
|
|
minimum
|
|
|
maximum
|
|
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
conversion)
|
|
|
conversion)
|
|
Interest income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
$
|
285,463
|
|
|
$
|
284,822
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
112,185
|
|
|
|
112,185
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest income
|
|
|
173,278
|
|
|
|
172,637
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities gains
|
|
|
(6,430
|
)
|
|
|
(6,430
|
)
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
120,000
|
|
|
|
120,000
|
|
Net (loss)
|
|
|
(98,687
|
)
|
|
|
(99,294
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss per share basic and diluted
|
|
$
|
(1.97
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2.17
|
)
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding basic and diluted
|
|
|
50,158
|
|
|
|
45,829
|
|
66
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Selected Unaudited Consolidated Pro Forma Balance Sheet Data at June 30, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined Pro
|
|
|
Combined Pro
|
|
|
|
Forma
|
|
|
Forma
|
|
|
|
(assuming
|
|
|
(assuming
|
|
|
|
minimum
|
|
|
maximum
|
|
(Dollars in thousands)
|
|
conversion)
|
|
|
conversion)
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
4,301,013
|
|
|
$
|
4,258,293
|
|
Net loans
|
|
|
3,116,327
|
|
|
|
3,116,327
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
83,344
|
|
|
|
83,344
|
|
Deposits
|
|
|
3,267,692
|
|
|
|
3,267,692
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
$
|
562,082
|
|
|
$
|
519,362
|
|
67
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA
The following table sets forth selected historical equity ownership information for SPAH and
Frontier, and unaudited pro forma combined per share ownership information after giving effect to
the merger and co-investment, assuming (i) that no SPAH public stockholders exercise their
conversion rights and (ii) that holders of 10% of the shares (minus one share) sold in or
subsequently to SPAHs initial public offering have exercised their conversion rights. SPAH is
providing this information to aid you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the merger and
co-investment. The historical information should be read in
conjunction with Selected Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated
Financial Data Selected Summary Historical
Consolidated Financial Information of Frontier and Selected Historical Financial Information of
SPAH included elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the historical consolidated
and combined financial statements of SPAH and Frontier and the related notes thereto included
elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus. The unaudited pro forma per share information
is derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited condensed combined pro forma
financial data and related notes included elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
The unaudited pro forma consolidated per share information reflects the acquisition of
Frontier being accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting pursuant to the provisions
SFAS 141R. Pursuant to the requirements of SFAS 141R, SPAH is expected to be the acquirer for
accounting purposes because SPAH is expected to own a majority interest upon consummation of the
merger and co-investment. Determination of control places emphasis on the shareholder group that
retains the majority of voting rights in the combined entity. If the accounting acquirer cannot be
determined based upon relative voting interests, other indicators of control are considered in the
determination of the accounting acquirer, including: control of the combined entitys board of
directors, the existence of large organized minority groups, and senior management of the combined
entity.
The unaudited pro forma consolidated per share information does not purport to represent what
the actual results of operations of SPAH and Frontier would have been had the merger and
co-investment been completed or to project SPAHs or Frontiers results of operations that may be
achieved after the merger and co-investment. The unaudited pro forma book value per share
information below does not purport to represent what the value of SPAH and Frontier would have been
had the merger and co-investment been completed nor the book value per share for any future date or
period.
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Per Share Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
Pro Forma
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assuming
|
|
|
Assuming
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
Maximum
|
|
|
|
SPAH
|
|
|
Frontier
|
|
|
Conversions
|
|
|
Conversions
|
|
Six Months ended June 30, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share
|
|
$
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.78
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.80
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.97
|
)
|
Diluted earnings per share
|
|
$
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.78
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.80
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.97
|
)
|
Book value per share at June 30, 2009(1)
|
|
$
|
7.60
|
|
|
$
|
5.72
|
|
|
$
|
11.21
|
|
|
$
|
11.33
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
(1.91
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.97
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2.17
|
)
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
(1.91
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1.97
|
)
|
|
$
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(2.17
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)
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(1)
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Book value per share of SPAH is computed by dividing the sum of total
stockholders equity plus common stock subject to possible conversion
by the 54,112,000 shares outstanding at the balance sheet date. Book
value per share for the pro forma columns is computed by dividing the
sum of total stockholders equity plus common stock subject to
possible conversion by the 54,112,000 shares outstanding plus the
additional shares issued in conjunction with the merger and
co-investment.
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68
THE MERGER AND THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The descriptions of the terms and conditions of the merger, the merger agreement and any
related documents in this joint proxy statement/prospectus are qualified in their entirety by
reference to the copy of the merger agreement attached as Annex A to this joint proxy
statement/prospectus, to the registration statement, of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus
is a part, and to the exhibits to the registration statement.
Background of the Merger
The terms of the merger agreement are the result of negotiations between the representatives
of SPAH and Frontier. The following is a brief description of the background of these negotiations,
the merger and related transactions.
Transaction Activities of SPAH Prior to Discussions with Frontier
SPAH is a blank check company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on February
14, 2007. SPAH was formed for the purpose of acquiring, through a merger, capital stock exchange,
asset acquisition or other similar business combination, one or more businesses or assets.
A registration statement for SPAHs initial public offering was declared effective on October
10, 2007. On October 16, 2007, SPAH sold 40,000,000 units in its initial public offering, and on
October 31, 2007 the underwriters for its initial public offering purchased an additional 3,289,600
units pursuant to an over-allotment option. Each of SPAHs units consists of one share of common
stock and one warrant. On November 2, 2007, the warrants and common stock underlying SPAHs units
began to trade separately. Each warrant currently entitles the holder to purchase one share of
SPAHs common stock at a price of $7.50 commencing on the consummation of a business combination,
provided that there is an effective registration statement covering the shares of common stock
underlying the warrants in effect. The warrants currently expire on October 10, 2012, unless
earlier redeemed.
SPAH received gross proceeds of approximately $439,896,000 from its initial public offering
and sale of the additional founders warrants to SP Acq LLC. Net proceeds of approximately
$425,909,120 were deposited into a trust account and will be part of the funds distributed to the
SPAH public stockholders in the event SPAH is unable to complete the merger or another business
combination.
Prior to the consummation of its initial public offering, neither SPAH, nor anyone on its
behalf, contacted any prospective target business or had any substantive discussions, formal or
otherwise, with respect to such a transaction with Frontier.
Subsequent to the consummation of its initial public offering on October 16, 2007, SPAH
commenced consideration of potential target companies with the objective of consummating a business
combination. SPAH compiled a list of potential targets and updated and supplemented such list from
time to time. SPAH contacted several private equity firms, venture capital firms, numerous other
business relationships, investment bankers and consulting firms, as well as, legal and accounting
firms. Through these efforts, SPAH identified and reviewed information with respect to over 100
potential target companies. On several occasions, SPAH engaged in multiple meetings with potential
targets and engaged in serious discussions with a select few businesses. SPAH made numerous
proposals and negotiated a number of letters of intent over the approximately 22 month period.
Examination of Strategic Alternatives by Frontier Prior to Discussions with SPAH
At a strategic retreat on September 19, 2008, the Frontier Board and management along with
Sandler ONeill discussed strategies to improve Frontiers capital position and the relative impact
on Frontiers capital position from possible deterioration in Frontiers credit portfolio.
Strategies discussed included raising capital through the issuance of capital securities, sale
of existing loans and securities, reducing growth, reducing expenses, reducing the shareholders
cash dividend and the possible sale of branches, real estate and/or business lines.
69
In early October 2008, the Frontier Board and management determined, in conjunction with the
anticipated results from a Joint Report of Examination, dated July 21, 2008 (but not yet delivered
to Frontier), by the FDIC and the Washington DFI, that the losses in Frontier Banks loan portfolio
made it imperative that Frontier take immediate steps to substantially increase its capital. Given
the size of the potential capital raise and the anticipated offering price of Frontier stock, the
Frontier Board believed it would be prudent to explore the viability of a merger transaction with a
strategic partner.
On October 8 and 9, 2008, representatives of Sandler ONeill were onsite at Frontiers offices
along with other financial and legal advisors to conduct due diligence.
On October 9, 2008, the Frontier Board engaged Sandler ONeill, as a financial advisor, to
provide financial advice and assist the Frontier Board and management in pursuing all strategic
alternatives. These included, but were not limited to, the offering and sale of certain securities
of Frontier in a transaction to provide additional capital to Frontier or a possible business
combination.
On October 14, 2008, under the Troubled Asset Relief Programs Capital Purchase Plan (TARP
CPP), the United States Treasury announced details regarding its proposed investment of $250
billion in Tier 1 qualifying capital into eligible FDIC insured depositories across the United
States.
On October 15, 2008, the Frontier Board met with Sandler ONeill to discuss its available
alternatives relative to the TARP CPP.
On October 17, 2008 Frontier submitted its application for participation in the TARP CPP.
On October 23, 2008, Frontier announced its third quarter financial results including a
quarterly net loss of $18.0 million.
On November 16, 2008, Sandler ONeill began contacting strategic partners and potential
capital investors regarding Frontier. Sandler ONeill contacted over 35 potential financial
investors and 10 financial institutions between November 2008 and May 2009.
On November 17, 2008, Frontier established a virtual online data room in which they made
available to prospective investors and strategic partners certain confidential financial,
operational and legal data regarding Frontier, and from which an interested party could make an
acquisition or investment proposal.
On July 7, 2008, Frontier Bank retained a nationally recognized independent consultant to
review Frontiers loan portfolio, the results of which were provided to interested investors and
strategic partners. The independent loan review team began their onsite due diligence of the loan
portfolio during the week of December 8, 2008.
Between late November, 2008 and mid May, 2009, 18 potential merger partners and/or investors
signed confidentiality agreements accessed the data room or received confidential information
regarding Frontier and were provided the opportunity to ask questions of senior management. During
this period, Sandler ONeill regularly addressed the Frontier Board to update them on the interest
level of the parties in the data room.
On December 2, 2008, members of Frontiers executive management team and a representative of
Sandler ONeill met with the FDIC in San Francisco to present Frontiers efforts to preserve
capital since the examination and to check on the status of its TARP CPP application. The
regulators indicated that they were holding Frontiers application for TARP CPP investment pending
its efforts to raise matching equity.
On December 8, 2008, Frontier announced changes to its management team, most notably that
Patrick M. Fahey, a director, would become the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Frontier and
that Michael J. Clementz would become President of Frontier and Chief Executive Officer of Frontier
Bank. As part of the management change, Mr. Fahey announced that Frontier would begin
implementation of a new business plan focused on core deposit funding and a diversified loan
portfolio.
70
On December 19, 2008, Frontier announced the suspension of the quarterly cash dividend paid to
shareholders.
On January 29, 2009, Frontier announced its fourth quarter financial results, including a loss
of $89.5 million, $77.0 million of which was a non-cash charge for impairment of goodwill.
The process of exploring strategic alternatives continued throughout the beginning of 2009. At
the same time, on March 24, 2009, the Frontier Board entered into an agreement with the FDIC and
the Washington DFI consenting to the FDIC Order, which provided, among other things, that Frontier
Bank increase its Tier 1 capital in such an amount as to equal or exceed 10% of Frontier Banks
total assets by July 29, 2009, and to maintain such capital level thereafter. Frontier also
announced publicly on March 24, 2009, that it had retained a financial advisor to help it identify
new sources of capital.
On April 23, 2009, Frontier announced its first quarter financial results, which included a
loss of $33.8 million.
Discussions and Negotiations between SPAH and Frontier
On April 16, 2009, SPAH representatives had an initial conference call with Sandler ONeill to
discuss possibilities of utilizing SPAH cash to recapitalize a bank. A follow up meeting with
Sandler ONeill occurred on April 27, 2009 with further discussion on potential transaction
partners. SPAH representatives met again with Sandler ONeill on May 1, 2009 to discuss specific
transaction partners. A confidentiality agreement was signed between SPAH and Sandler ONeill as
Frontiers authorized representative on May 6, 2009. SPAH representatives met with Frontiers
management in Seattle, Washington on May 27, 2009. Between early May and the end of June,
representatives of SPAH began conducting preliminary due diligence on Frontier and made numerous
visits to Frontier headquarters in Everett, Washington where they also met with Sandler ONeill and
bank management and began to formulate the parameters of an offer to infuse capital into Frontier
Bank.
On June 11, 2009 Frontier announced a workforce reduction of approximately 6% of its staff.
On June 28, 2009, the SPAH Board held a Board meeting to discuss a possible nonbinding Letter
of Intent between SPAH and Frontier. Members of management gave a presentation to the SPAH Board
which described the terms of the nonbinding Letter of Intent and gave a background of Frontier and
its business, loan portfolio, potential performance, growth prospects, valuation, and the fairness
of the proposed transaction. SPAH management outlined the rationale for the transaction, which
included the opportunity to recapitalize Frontier at a reasonable valuation, resulting in the
combined entity having the capital and capabilities to take advantage of the dislocation in the
current credit markets. At the conclusion of its presentation, and after discussions thereon, the
SPAH Board authorized management to enter into a nonbinding Letter of Intent with Frontier, subject
to additional changes agreed to by management, and to continue doing due diligence and work toward
a definitive merger agreement.
On June 29, 2009, Frontier Bank received a draft of a proposed nonbinding Letter of Intent
from SPAH setting forth the terms of a proposed business combination. Following receipt of the
proposed Letter of Intent, management met with representatives of Sandler ONeill and its outside
legal counsel, Keller Rohrback L.L.P. (Keller Rohrback), to clarify terms of the proposal and a
revised nonbinding Letter of Intent was finalized on June 30, 2009, and circulated to the Frontier
Board.
On July 1, 2009, the Frontier Board met with representatives of Sandler ONeill and Keller
Rohrback and reviewed the proposal in detail. On the same date, the Frontier Board met with
representatives of SPAH who answered questions regarding the proposal and structure of SPAH. After
making their presentation, the representatives of SPAH were excused from the meeting and the
Frontier Board further considered the proposal.
71
After a lengthy discussion of the terms of the proposal, the Frontier Board authorized
management to execute the nonbinding Letter of Intent. This authorization was based on the
following conclusions of the Frontier Board:
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The proposed offer would provide sufficient capital for Frontier to survive and
continue to remain viable in the current economic environment.
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The proposed offer would give Frontier shareholders an opportunity to have
shares in the pro forma organization and benefit in any increase in the stock price
of the business going forward.
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A merger with SPAH and the infusion of significant capital would likely expedite
removal of the regulatory restrictions currently facing Frontier and allow Frontier
Bank to better serve its customers.
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Frontier does not presently have sufficient capital to meet the capital
requirements of the regulatory agencies through organic resources. As of June 30,
2009, Frontier was no longer considered well capitalized using the standard
regulatory criteria.
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The proposed exchange ratio was reasonable in the context of the current market
environment and when compared to Frontiers other possible alternatives.
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Other efforts to raise capital over the past six months had resulted in no
actionable alternatives.
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On July 1, 2009, SPAH and Frontier entered into the nonbinding Letter of Intent.
On July 2, 2009, representatives of Frontier, SPAH, Keller Rohrback and Sandler ONeill
traveled to San Francisco to meet with representatives from the FDIC, FRB and Washington DFI to
discuss the terms of the nonbinding Letter of Intent and other aspects of the transaction in
general.
During the weeks of July 6, 2009 and July 13, 2009, SPAH continued financial and business due
diligence and commenced legal and regulatory due diligence on Frontier and Olshan Grundman Frome
Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP (Olshan), Sidley Austin LLP and SPAH prepared the first draft of the
merger agreement. Olshan circulated a draft of the merger agreement to Frontier on July 18, 2009.
Discussions between the various parties and due diligence continued throughout the week of July 20,
2009 and on July 24, 2009, Olshan received Frontiers cumulative comments to the merger agreement.
Also during this time period SPAH management met with Frontiers independent consultant to discuss findings of the second loan review. During the next several days, the various parties
continued to negotiate the terms and conditions of the merger agreement and Olshan distributed
revised drafts of the merger agreement on each of July 27, 28 and 29, 2009.
On July 24, 2009, SPAHs Audit Committee met to review SPAHs Form 10-Q for the six months
ended June 30, 2009. SPAHs Audit Committee was given an update on the status of the negotiations
with Frontier.
On July 29, 2009 the SPAH Board met. SPAH management made a lengthy presentation regarding the
terms and conditions of the transactions, Frontiers current business and loan portfolio,
regulatory issues, timing of shareholder approval and the fact that the acquisition of Frontier
does not satisfy the requirement that the fair market value of the target business equals at least
80% of the balance of SPAHs trust account (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions) plus
the proceeds of the co-investment. The SPAH Board approved the transaction based on the strong
capital position of the combined entity, the solid franchise value of Frontier and the opportunity
for the recapitalized entity to take advantage of the favorable market for making both loans and
acquisitions. At the conclusion of the meeting, the SPAH Board approved entering into the merger
agreement with Frontier subject to whatever additional changes were agreed to by management. As
part of this approval, the SPAH Board also approved certain amendments to SPAHs Warrant Agreement
and Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including a provision which would eliminate
the requirement that SPAH enter into a business combination whereby the fair market value of the
target business equals at least 80% of the balance of SPAHs trust account (excluding underwriting
discounts and commissions) plus the proceeds of the co-investment), subject to stockholder
approval. Members of the SPAH Board also agreed to forfeit an aggregate of 465,529 shares of SPAH
common stock and SP Acq LLC agreed to forfeit 8,987,883 shares of SPAH common stock.
72
At a Frontier Board meeting held on July 29, 2009, after reviewing presentations by Keller
Rohrback and Sandler ONeill, receiving a fairness opinion from Keefe Bruyette and lengthy
discussion of the terms and conditions of the transaction and other possible alternatives, the
Frontier Board unanimously resolved to approve the merger transaction subject to certain
adjustments.
On July 30, 2009, representatives of Frontier and SPAH negotiated a finalized, mutually
agreeable merger agreement and on such date, SPAH and Frontier executed the merger agreement.
Reasons of SPAH for the Merger
In reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement and recommend the merger to its
stockholders, the SPAH Board reviewed various financial data and due diligence and evaluation
materials and made an independent determination of fair market value. The SPAH Board consulted
with SPAH management, SPAHs legal counsel regarding the legal terms of the merger, and certain
employees and certain affiliates of SP Acq LLC regarding the strategic and financial aspects of the
merger, and the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the exchange ratio to SPAH.
In addition, in reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement, the SPAH Board
considered a number of factors, both positive and negative. It believes that the non-exhaustive
list of factors below strongly supports its determination to approve the merger agreement and
recommendation that its stockholders adopt the merger agreement. The positive factors included:
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financial condition and results of operations of Frontier, including a tangible book
value of $268.8 million, gross loans of $3.4 billion and total assets of $4.0 billion
as of June 30, 2009;
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the growth potential associated with Frontier, including potential for enhanced
operating margins and operating efficiencies;
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the balance sheet make-up and product mix, including the loan and deposit mix of
Frontier;
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opportunities to grow existing revenue streams and create new revenue streams
associated with Frontier;
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the competitive position of Frontier within its operating markets;
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the industry dynamics, including barriers to entry;
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the experience and skill of Frontiers management, including Patrick M. Fahey, the
current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Frontier who will become Chief
Executive Officer of SPAH in the merger;
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acquisition opportunities in the industry;
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the opportunity for further consolidation and cost savings in the banking industry;
and
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the valuation of comparable companies.
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Negative factors that the SPAH Board considered included:
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Frontiers depressed stock price may adversely affect prevailing market prices for
SPAHs common stock;
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the issuance of the FDIC Order and the Memorandum of Understanding;
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73
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the issuance of the FRB Written Agreement;
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the deterioration of Frontiers loan portfolio, centered in its real estate
construction and land development loans, including approximately $764.6 million in
nonperforming loans predominately existing in construction real estate loans and land
development and $98.6 million in loan loss reserves as of June 30, 2009;
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impact of new regulation in the banking industry; and
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the continued downturn in Frontiers real estate market areas and the general
weakness in the economy.
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The SPAH Board concluded, however, the potentially negative factors associated with the merger
were outweighed by the potential benefits of the merger. The above discussion of the material
factors considered by the SPAH Board is not intended to be exhaustive, but does set forth the
principal factors considered by the SPAH Board.
At a SPAH Board meeting held on July 29, 2009, the SPAH Board collectively reached the
unanimous conclusion to approve the merger agreement and the merger in light of the various factors
described above and other factors that each member of the SPAH Board felt were appropriate. In view
of the wide variety of factors considered by the SPAH Board in connection with its evaluation of
the merger and the complexity of these matters, the SPAH Board did not consider it practical, and
did not attempt, to quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors it
considered in reaching its decision. Rather, the SPAH Board made its recommendation based on the
totality of information presented to and the investigation conducted by it. In considering the
factors discussed above, individual directors may have given different weights to different
factors.
Experience of SPAH Board and Management in Analyzing Business Combinations
The members of the SPAH Board and SPAHs management have extensive investment, trading,
restructuring, accounting, mergers and acquisitions, financing, tax, operating and legal
experience, including active participation on boards of directors, particularly in the areas of
financial management, management oversight and compensation, and acquisitions and dispositions. In
particular, Mr. Lichtenstein, SPAHs Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, has over 21
years of experience investing globally in public and private companies including debt and equity
securities, and serving on boards of directors. In addition, Jack Howard, SPAHs Chief Operating
Officer and Secretary, has more than 24 years of experience in sourcing, evaluating, structuring
and managing investments, and serving on boards of directors.
Consequences to SPAH if the Merger Proposal is Not Approved
If the merger proposal is not approved by either the SPAH stockholders or the Frontier
shareholders, if 10% or more of the SPAH public stockholders properly elect to convert their shares
for cash equal to a pro rata portion of the SPAH trust account (and this closing condition is not
waived by SPAH), if required regulatory approvals are denied or delayed, if the warrant amendment
proposal is not approved by the SPAH warrantholders or certain other closing conditions are not met
and are not waived, the merger will not occur. In addition, if SPAH does not effect the merger
with Frontier or cannot complete an alternative business combination by October 10, 2009, SPAH will
automatically dissolve and liquidate. In any liquidation, the funds held in the trust account, plus
any interest earned thereon (less any taxes due on such interest and payment of deferred
underwriting discounts and commissions), together with any remaining net assets not held in trust,
will be distributed pro rata to SPAH public stockholders and SPAH will be dissolved in accordance
with the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation. The SPAH insiders have waived any right to any
liquidation distribution with respect to their shares acquired prior to the initial public
offering.
74
Interests of SPAHs Directors and Officers and Others in the Merger
When considering the recommendations of the SPAH Board, you should be aware that some of
SPAHs directors, officers and affiliates have interests in the merger proposal that differ from the interests
of other stockholders:
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Warren G. Lichtenstein will serve as the Chairman of the SPAH Board following the
consummation of the merger;
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John McNamara will serve as the Chairman of the Frontier Bank Board following the
consummation of the merger;
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if the merger is not approved and SPAH is required to liquidate, all the shares of
common stock and all the warrants held by the SPAH insiders (including SP Acq LLC and
the Steel Trust), which, as of the record date, for the shares, were worth $[______] per
share and $[______] in the aggregate and, for the warrants, were worth $[______]
per warrant and $[______] in the aggregate, will be worthless. Since Mr. Lichtenstein,
SPAHs Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, may be deemed the
beneficial owner of shares held by SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust, he may also have a
conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is appropriate
for SPAH and its stockholders. However, upon consummation of the merger, SP Acq LLC
has agreed to forfeit 8,987,883 of its founders shares and Anthony Bergamo, Ronald
LaBow, Howard M. Lorber, Leonard Toboroff and S. Nicholas Walker have agreed to forfeit
an aggregate of 465,529 of their founders shares;
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if SPAH liquidates prior to the consummation of a business combination, SP Acq LLC
and Mr. Lichtenstein will be personally liable if and to the extent any claims by a
third party for services rendered or products sold, or by a prospective business
target, reduce the amounts in the trust account available for distribution to SPAH
stockholders in the event of a dissolution and liquidation; and
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unless SPAH consummates an initial business combination, its officers and directors,
its employees, and affiliates of SP Acq LLC and their employees will not receive
reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them to the extent that such
expenses exceed the amount of available proceeds not deposited in the trust account and
the $3.5 million in interest income on the balance of the trust account that has been
released to SPAH to fund its working capital requirements. SPAHs officers and
directors may tend to favor potential initial business combinations with target
businesses that offer to reimburse any expenses that SPAH did not have the funds to
reimburse itself.
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Each board member was
aware of these and other interests and considered them before approving and adopting the merger
agreement. Additionally, upon consummation of the merger, the underwriters in SPAHs initial
public offering will be entitled to receive approximately $17.3 million of deferred
underwriting discounts and commissions currently held in SPAHs trust account. SPAH is in
negotiation with its underwriters regarding the amount and form of payment of such deferred
underwriting fees from SPAHs initial public offering. The results of these negotiations are
uncertain and could result in $17,316,000 in additional costs for the proforma company which could
be paid in cash. If the merger is not consummated and SPAH is required to liquidate, the
underwriters have agreed to forfeit any rights or claims to their deferred underwriting discounts
and commissions then in the trust account, and those funds will be included in the pro rata
liquidation distribution to the SPAH public stockholders.
Transfer Restrictions of SPAH Insiders upon Consummation of the Merger
Upon consummation of the merger, SP Acq LLC has agreed to forfeit 8,987,883 of the 9,653,412
founders shares it owns and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker have agreed to
forfeit an aggregate of 465,529 of the 500,000 founders shares they own. The SPAH insiders
previously agreed not to sell or transfer their founders units and the founders shares and
initial founders warrants comprising the founders units (including the common stock to be issued
upon the exercise of the initial founders warrants) for a period of one year from the date the
merger is consummated, except in each case to permitted transferees who agree to be subject to the
same transfer restrictions. The Steel Trust has agreed to be bound by these transfer restrictions.
75
SP II previously agreed not to sell or transfer the co-investment units, co-investment shares
or co-investment warrants (including the common stock to be issued upon exercise of the
co-investment warrants) until one year after SPAH completes the merger except to permitted
transferees who agree to be bound by such transfer restrictions. The Steel Trust has agreed to be
bound by these transfer restrictions.
The permitted transferees under the lock-up agreements are SPAHs officers, directors and
employees and other persons or entities associated or affiliated with SP II or Steel Partners, Ltd.
(other than, in the case of SP II and SP Acq LLC, their respective limited partners or members in
their capacity as limited partners or members). Any transfer to a permitted transferee will be in a
private transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 4(i)
thereof.
During the lock-up period, the SPAH insiders and any permitted transferees to whom they
transfer shares of common stock will retain all other rights of holders of SPAH common stock,
including, without limitation, the right to vote their shares of common stock (except to the extent
they convert their voting common stock into Non-Voting Common Stock or receive Non-Voting Common
Stock upon exercise of their warrants) and the right to receive cash dividends, if declared. If
dividends are declared and payable in shares of common stock, such dividends will also be subject
to the lock-up agreement. If SPAH is unable to effect the merger and liquidates, the SPAH insiders
have waived the right to receive any portion of the liquidation proceeds with respect to the
founders shares. Any permitted transferees to whom the founders shares are transferred will also
agree to waive that right.
Conversion Rights of SPAH Stockholders
If you hold shares of common stock issued in SPAHs initial public offering (whether such
shares were acquired pursuant to such initial public offering or afterwards up to and until the
record date), then you have the right to vote against the merger proposal and demand that SPAH
convert such shares into cash equal to a pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in
the trust account in which a substantial portion of the net proceeds of SPAHs initial public
offering are held (before payment of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and including
interest earned on their pro rata portion of the trust account, net of income taxes payable on such
interest and net of interest income of $3.5 million on the trust account balance previously
released to SPAH to fund its working capital requirements).
As of [______], 2009, there was $[______] in SPAHs trust account, including accrued interest on
the funds in the trust account, or approximately $[______] per share issued in the initial public
offering. The actual per share conversion price will differ from the $[______] per share due to any
interest earned on the funds in the trust account since [______], 2009, and any taxes payable in
respect of interest earned thereon. The actual per share conversion price will be calculated as of
two business days prior to the consummation of the merger, divided by the number of shares sold in
the initial public offering.
You may request conversion at any time after the mailing of this joint proxy
statement/prospectus and prior to the vote taken with respect to the merger proposal at the special
meeting, but the request will not be granted unless you vote against the merger and the merger is
approved and completed. If the merger is not consummated, no shares will be converted to cash
through the exercise of conversion rights. Prior to exercising your conversion rights you should
verify the market price of SPAH common stock. You may receive higher proceeds from the sale of your
common stock in the public market than from exercising your conversion rights, if the market price
per share is higher than the amount of cash that you would receive upon exercise of your conversion
rights.
If you wish to exercise your conversion rights, you must:
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affirmatively vote against the merger proposal in person or by submitting your proxy
card before the vote on the merger proposal and checking the box that states Against
for proposal number 1;
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check the box that states Exercise Conversion Rights on the proxy card; or
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send a letter to SPAHs transfer agent, Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, at 17 Battery Place, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10004,
attn: Mark Zimkind, stating that you are exercising your conversion rights and
demanding your shares of SPAH common stock be converted into cash; and
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physically tender, or if you hold your shares of SPAH common
stock in street name, cause your broker to physically tender, your stock
certificates representing shares of SPAH common stock to SPAHs transfer agent;
or
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deliver your shares electronically using the Depository Trust
Companys DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, to SPAHs transfer
agent by [______], 2009.
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The DWAC delivery process can be accomplished, whether you are a record holder or your shares
are held in street name, within a day, by simply contacting the transfer agent or your broker and
requesting delivery of your shares through the DWAC System. There is a nominal cost associated with
this tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC
system. The transfer agent will typically charge the stockholder or the tendering broker $35, and
your broker may or may not pass this cost on to you.
Taking any action that does not include an affirmative vote against the merger, including
abstaining from voting on the merger proposal, will prevent you from exercising your conversion
rights. However, voting against the merger proposal does not obligate you to exercise your
conversion rights. In addition, if you do not properly exercise your conversion rights (as
outlined above), you will not be able to convert your shares of common stock into cash at the
conversion price.
Any request to exercise your conversion rights, once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to
immediately prior to the vote on the merger proposal at the special meeting (or any adjournment or
postponement thereof). If you (1) initially vote for the merger proposal but then wish to vote
against it and exercise your conversion rights or (2) initially vote against the merger proposal
and wish to exercise your conversion rights but do not check the box on the proxy card providing
for the exercise of your conversion rights or do not send a written request to SPAHs transfer
agent to exercise your conversion rights, or (3) initially vote against the merger proposal but
later wish to vote for it, you may request SPAHs transfer agent to send you another proxy card on
which you may indicate your intended vote and, if that vote is against the merger proposal,
exercise your conversion rights by checking the box provided for such purpose on the proxy card.
You may make such request by contacting Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company at 17 Battery
Place, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10004, attn: Mark Zimkind. Any corrected or changed proxy card or
written demand of conversion rights must be received by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
prior to the special meeting.
Please note, however, that once the vote on the merger proposal is held at the special
meeting, you may not withdraw your request to exercise your conversion rights and request the
return of your shares. If the merger is not consummated, your shares will be automatically returned
to you.
In connection with the vote to approve the merger, SPAH stockholders may elect to vote a
portion of their shares for and a portion of their shares against the merger. If the merger is
approved and consummated, SPAH stockholders who elected to convert the portion of their shares
voted against the merger will receive the conversion price with respect to those shares and may
retain any other shares they own.
If you properly exercise your conversion rights, then you will be exchanging your shares of
SPAH common stock for cash equal to a pro rata portion of the SPAH trust account and will no longer
own these shares. SPAH anticipates that the funds to be distributed to SPAH stockholders entitled
to convert their shares who elect conversion will be distributed promptly after completion of the
merger. SPAH will not complete the merger if SPAH stockholders owning 10% or more of the shares
sold in SPAHs initial public offering exercise their conversion rights, although at SPAHs
discretion, this closing condition may be waived in order to consummate the
merger. If SPAH elects to waive this closing condition, it may raise the conversion
threshold to anywhere between 10% to 30% (minus one share).
77
SPAH has made it a condition to closing the merger agreement that no more than 10% of the
shares (minus one share) sold in SPAHs initial public offering vote against the merger and
exercise their conversion rights in order to ensure that the combined company immediately following
the consummation of the merger has sufficient Tier 1 capital to return to compliance levels.
Pursuant to the terms of the FDIC Order, Frontier Bank is required to increase its Tier 1 capital
in such an amount as to equal or exceed 10% of Frontier Banks total assets by July 29, 2009 and to
maintain such capital level thereafter. If 10% or greater of SPAHs public stockholders were to
vote their shares against the merger and demand that SPAH convert such shares into cash equal to a
pro rata share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account, the funds remaining
may not be sufficient to meet Frontier Banks capital requirements. However, in SPAHs sole
discretion, this closing condition may be waived in order to consummate the merger. If SPAH elects
to waive this closing condition, it may raise the conversion threshold to anywhere between 10% to
30% (minus one share).
Actions That May Be Taken to Secure Approval of SPAH Stockholders
If 30% or more of the SPAH public stockholders properly elect to convert their shares for cash
equal to a pro rata portion of the SPAH trust account in accordance with the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation, SPAH would not be permitted to consummate the merger, even if the required vote for
the merger proposal was received. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is a condition to closing the
merger agreement that holders of no more than 10% of the shares (minus one share) sold in SPAHs
initial public offering vote against the merger and exercise their conversion rights, although at
SPAHs discretion, this closing condition may be waived in order to consummate the merger.
Accordingly, SPAH may not consummate the merger if 10% or more of the holders of shares sold in or
subsequent to SPAHs initial public offering elect to exercise their conversion rights. To
preclude such possibility, SPAH, the SPAH insiders, and/or certain of their respective affiliates
may negotiate arrangements to provide for the purchase of such shares from certain holders who
indicate their intention to vote against the merger and seek conversion or who otherwise wish to
sell their shares. SPAH, the SPAH insiders, and/or certain of their respective affiliates may also
execute agreements to purchase shares from such holders in the future, or they or SPAH may enter
into transactions with such holders and others to provide them with incentives to acquire shares of
SPAH and vote in favor of the merger proposal.
Arrangements of such nature would only be entered into and effected with the prior approval of
Frontier (with respect to shares purchased) in accordance with applicable law at a time when SPAH,
the SPAH insiders, and/or certain of their respective affiliates are not aware of any material
nonpublic information regarding SPAH and its securities or pursuant to agreements between the buyer
and seller of such shares in a form that would not violate insider trading rules. Definitive
arrangements have not yet been determined but might include:
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Agreements between SPAH and the SPAH public stockholders pursuant to which SPAH
would agree to purchase the shares from such holders immediately after the closing of
the merger for the price and fees specified in the arrangements.
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Agreements with third parties to be identified pursuant to which the third parties
would purchase public shares during the period beginning on the date that the
registration statement of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus is a part is
declared effective. Such arrangements would also provide for SPAH, immediately after
the closing of the merger, to purchase from the third parties all of the public shares
purchased by them for the price and fees specified in the arrangements.
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Agreements with third parties pursuant to which SPAH would borrow funds to make
purchases of public shares for its own account. SPAH would repay such borrowings with
funds transferred to it from SPAHs trust account upon closing of the merger.
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As a result of the purchases that may be effected through such arrangements, it is likely that
the number of shares of common stock of SPAH in its public float will be reduced and that the
number of beneficial holders of SPAHs and SPAHs securities also will be reduced from what it
would have been if SPAH did not purchase such
securities in this manner. This may inhibit SPAHs ability to list its common stock on the
NYSE AMEX LLC or any other national securities exchange due to minimum holder requirements.
78
As of the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, no arrangements to such effect have
been entered into with any such investor or holder. In the event that any purchases of SPAHs
common stock are made by SPAH, the SPAH insiders, and certain of their respective affiliates after
the mailing of this joint proxy statement/prospectus to stockholders but prior to the special
meeting of stockholders of SPAH, SPAH will file a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business
days of such purchases or otherwise prior to the special meeting. Any such report will include
descriptions of the arrangements entered into or significant purchases by any of the aforementioned
persons. If members of the SPAH Board or SPAHs officers make purchases pursuant to such
arrangements, they will be required to report these purchases on beneficial ownership reports filed
within two business days of such transactions with the SEC.
The purpose of such arrangements would be to increase the likelihood of obtaining the required
vote (a majority of the shares of common stock voted by the SPAH public stockholders are voted, in
person or by proxy, in favor of the merger) and reduce the likelihood that holders of 10% or more
of the shares sold in SPAHs initial public offering vote against the merger and exercise their
conversion rights. All shares purchased pursuant to such arrangements would be voted in favor of
the merger and all other proposals presented at the special meeting of stockholders of SPAH.
Neither SPAH nor its officers and directors purchasing shares would affect the fact that 30% less
one share of the shares sold in SPAHs initial public offering could be converted by SPAH public
stockholders without the merger being prohibited from closing because the number of shares of the
shares sold in SPAHs initial public offering that may be converted without prohibiting the
consummation of the merger is fixed in the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation at one share less than
30% of the shares sold in SPAHs initial public offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is a
condition to closing the merger agreement that holders of no more than 10% of the shares (minus one
share) sold in SPAHs initial public offering vote against the merger and exercise their conversion
rights, although at SPAHs discretion, this closing condition may be waived in order to consummate
the merger. Accordingly, SPAH may not consummate the merger if 10% or more of the holders of shares
sold in or subsequent to SPAHs initial public offering elect to exercise their conversion rights.
If the merger is not consummated, the purchasers, other than SPAH and the SPAH insiders, would be
entitled to participate in liquidation distributions from SPAHs trust account with respect to such
shares.
Purchases pursuant to such arrangements ultimately paid for with funds originating from SPAHs
trust account would reduce the funds available to SPAH after the merger for working capital and
general corporate purposes. Nevertheless, in all events there will be sufficient funds available to
SPAH from the trust account to pay the SPAH public stockholders that are properly converted.
If these arrangements are entered into, the consequence could be that the merger would be
approved when, without such arrangements, the merger might not have otherwise been approved.
Purchases of shares by the persons described above would allow them to exert more influence over
the approval of the merger and other proposals and would likely increase the chances that such
proposals would be approved. Moreover, any such purchases may make it less likely that the holders
of 10% or more of the shares sold in SPAHs initial public offering will vote against the merger
and exercise their conversion rights.
Rescission Rights
If you are a SPAH stockholder at the time of the merger and you purchased your shares in
SPAHs initial public offering or afterwards up to and until the record date and have not exercised
your conversion rights or you have voted in favor of the merger agreement, but the merger is not
consummated because holders of 10% or more, but less than 30% (minus one share) of shares sold in
SPAHs initial public offering elect to exercise their conversion rights, you may have securities
law claims against SPAH for rescission (under which a successful claimant has the right to receive
the total amount paid for his or her securities pursuant to an allegedly deficient prospectus, plus
interest and less any income earned on the securities, in exchange for surrender of the securities)
or damages (compensation for loss on an investment caused by alleged material misrepresentations or
omissions in the sale of a security) on the basis of, for example, SPAHs initial public offering
prospectus not disclosing that (i) SPAH may seek to amend the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation
prior to the consummation of a business combination to amend the definition of initial business
combination to eliminate the requirement that the fair
market value of the target business equal at least 80% of the balance of SPAHs trust account
(excluding underwriting discounts and commissions) plus the proceeds of the co-investment, (ii)
SPAH may agree to lower the percentage of shares that can exercise conversion rights as a condition
to closing its initial business combination, (iii) SPAH may seek to amend the Warrant Agreement
upon consummation of the merger to eliminate the requirement that the initial founders warrants
owned by certain SPAH insiders become exercisable only after the consummation of an initial
business combination if and when the last sales price of SPAH common stock exceeds $14.25 per share
for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period beginning 90 days after such business
combination, (iv) funds in its trust account might be used, directly or indirectly, to purchase
shares from SPAH public stockholders in order to secure approval of SPAHs stockholders on the
merger, (v) that SPAH may seek to amend the terms of the Warrant Agreement to increase the exercise
price and extend the exercise period, among other things, upon consummation of the merger, and (vi)
that a party other than SP II or SP Acq LLC may purchase the co-investment units. The rescission
right and corresponding liability will continue against SPAH in the event the merger is
consummated.
79
Such claims may entitle stockholders asserting them to up to $10.00 per share, based on the
initial offering price of the units sold in SPAHs initial public offering, each comprised of one
share of common stock and a warrant to purchase an additional share of common stock, less any
amount received from the sale or fair market value of the original warrants purchased as part of
the units, plus interest from the date of SPAHs initial public offering. In the case of SPAH
public stockholders, this amount may be more than the pro rata share of the trust account to which
they are entitled upon exercise of their conversion rights or liquidation of SPAH.
In general, a person who contends that he or she purchased a security pursuant to a prospectus
which contains a material misstatement or omission must make a claim for rescission within the
applicable statute of limitations period, which, for claims made under Section 12 of the Securities
Act and some state statutes, is one year from the time the claimant discovered or reasonably should
have discovered the facts giving rise to the claim, but not more than three years from the
occurrence of the event giving rise to the claim. A successful claimant for damages under federal
or state law could be awarded an amount to compensate for the decrease in value of his or her
shares caused by the alleged violation (including, possibly, punitive damages), together with
interest, while retaining the shares. Claims under the anti-fraud provisions of the federal
securities laws must generally be brought within two years of discovery, but not more than five
years after occurrence. Rescission and damages claims would not necessarily be finally adjudicated
by the time the merger is completed, and such claims would not be extinguished by consummation of
that transaction.
Even if you do not pursue such claims, others, who may include all other SPAH public
stockholders, may do so. Neither SPAH nor Frontier can predict whether stockholders will bring such
claims or whether such claims would be successful.
Reasons of Frontier for the Merger
The Frontier Board believes the merger is in the best interests of Frontier and the Frontier
shareholders. The Frontier Board unanimously recommends that Frontier shareholders vote for the
approval of the merger agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by that
agreement.
In reaching its determination to adopt the merger agreement, the Frontier Board consulted with
Frontiers management and its financial and legal advisors, and considered a number of factors. The
following is a description of the material factors that the Frontier Board believes favor the
merger:
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the ability of the merger to recapitalize and revitalize Frontier, restore its
regulatory capital to well-capitalized levels, and achieve compliance with bank
regulatory requirements;
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the Frontier Boards assessment of the financial condition of SPAH, and of the
business, operations, capital level, asset quality, financial condition and earnings of
the combined company on a pro forma basis. This assessment was based in part on
presentations by Sandler ONeill, Frontiers financial advisor, and Keefe Bruyette,
whom Frontier retained solely to render a fairness opinion, and Frontiers
management and the results of the due diligence investigation of SPAH conducted by
Frontiers management and financial and legal advisors;
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80
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the financial and growth prospects for Frontier and its shareholders of a business
combination with SPAH as compared to continuing to operate as a stand-alone entity;
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the information presented by Sandler ONeill to the Frontier
Board with respect to the merger and the opinion of Keefe Bruyette that, as of the date
of that opinion, the merger consideration is fair from a financial point of view to the holders of Frontier common stock
(see Opinion of Keefe Bruyette below);
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the current and prospective economic, regulatory and competitive environment facing
the financial services industry generally, and Frontier in particular, including the
continued rapid consolidation in the financial services industry and the competitive
effects of the increased consolidation on smaller financial institutions such as
Frontier;
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the fact that SPAH has agreed to: (i) employ Patrick M. Fahey as Chief Executive
Officer of the combined company, and (ii) appoint Mr. Fahey and three other members of
the Frontier Board as directors of SPAH and Frontier Bank, which are expected to
provide a degree of continuity and involvement by Frontier constituencies following the
merger, in furtherance of the interests of Frontiers shareholders, customers and
employees;
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current conditions in the U.S. capital markets, including the unavailability of
other sources of capital, strategic or other merger partners to Frontier;
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the SPAH stock and SPAH warrants to be received in exchange for Frontier common
stock pursuant to the merger agreement and resulting pro forma ownership levels in
relation to the historical trading prices of Frontier common stock, as compared to
other possible scenarios in the view of the Frontier Boards financial advisor;
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the current condition of Frontier and the future prospects of the business in light
of the current economic environment and the likelihood that Frontier would need to
raise capital in order to protect against future loan losses and achieve compliance
with the FDIC Order and the FRB Agreement; and
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the fact that Frontiers existing capital resources were limiting managements
ability to effectively manage certain problem credits.
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In the course of its deliberations regarding the merger, the Frontier Board also considered
the following information that the Frontier Board determined did not outweigh the benefits to
Frontier and its shareholders expected to be generated by the merger:
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that directors and officers of Frontier have interests in the merger in addition to
their interests generally as Frontier shareholders, including change of control
agreements for five of its executive officers;
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the effect of a termination fee of up to $2.5 million in favor of SPAH, including
the risk that the termination fee might discourage third parties from offering to
acquire Frontier by increasing the cost of a third party acquisition and, while SPAH
has not agreed to pay Frontier any termination fee, Frontier was required to waive any
claims against the trust account, if, for example, SPAH breaches the merger agreement;
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the risk to Frontier and its shareholders that SPAH may not be able to obtain
required regulatory approvals, or necessary modifications to the FDIC Order, FRB
Written Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding, and the risk of failing to
consummate the transaction;
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uncertainty about how much of SPAHs trust account will be available for working
capital after closing;
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the adverse economic and regulatory environment; and
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the pending regulatory actions against Frontier, Frontiers noncompliance with the
capital requirement imposed by the FDIC Order, and their potential adverse impact on
the profitability, operations and deposits of Frontier Bank, and the risk of further
regulatory action and penalties, including the potential closure of Frontier Bank.
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81
The Frontier Board did not assign any relative or specific weights to the factors considered
in reaching that determination, and individual directors may have given differing weights to
different factors.
Engagement of Financial Advisors
In November 2008, Frontier engaged Sandler ONeill as a financial advisor to assist Frontiers
Board and management in pursuing strategic alternatives. These services included, but were not
limited to, the offering and sale of certain securities of Frontier in a transaction to provide
additional capital to Frontier or a possible business combination. Pursuant to its engagement,
Sandler ONeill acted as a financial advisor to Frontiers board of directors in connection with
the negotiation of the merger agreement. In addition, Frontier expects that Sandler ONeill will
continue to provide ongoing advisory services to Frontier in connection with the merger, including
arranging for presentations by Frontiers management and preparing them for such presentations.
Under the terms of the engagement letter, as amended, between Sandler ONeill and Frontier, Sandler
ONeill has received a fee of $500,000 and upon consummation of the merger, will receive $9.5
million payable at the closing of the merger. In addition, Sandler ONeill has a right of first
refusal for a period of 12 months following the closing of the merger to act as a (i) a co-manager
or co-placement agent in any capital raising transaction entered into by Frontier and (ii)
financial advisor in any business combination entered into by Frontier and a second party. As a
result, stockholders are advised that Sandler ONeill has a financial interest in the successful
outcome of the merger.
The
Frontier Board has also retained Keefe Bruyette solely to issue a fairness opinion for a fee of
$500,000.
Opinion
of Keefe Bruyette
By letter dated July 28, 2009, Frontier retained Keefe Bruyette to provide a fairness opinion
to the Frontier Board in connection with a possible business combination with SPAH. Keefe Bruyette
is a nationally recognized investment banking firm whose principal business specialty is financial
institutions. In the ordinary course of its investment banking business, Keefe Bruyette is
regularly engaged in the valuation of financial institutions and their securities in connection
with mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions.
At the July 29, 2009 meeting at which the Frontier Board considered and approved the merger
agreement, Keefe Bruyette delivered to the Frontier Board its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed
in writing, that, as of such date, the exchange ratio was fair to Frontiers shareholders from a
financial point of view. The full text of Keefe Bruyettes opinion is attached as Annex E to this
joint proxy statement/prospectus. The opinion outlines the procedures followed, assumptions made,
matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken by Keefe Bruyette in
rendering its opinion. The description of the opinion set forth below is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the opinion. Frontier shareholders are urged to read the entire opinion carefully
in connection with their consideration of the proposed merger.
Keefe Bruyettes opinion speaks only as of the date of the opinion. The opinion was directed
to the Frontier Board and is directed only to the fairness of the exchange ratio to Frontier
shareholders from a financial point of view. It does not address the underlying business decision
of Frontier to engage in the merger or any other aspect of the merger, including the likelihood or
the ability of Frontier or SPAH to obtain the necessary regulatory, contractual or other consents
or approvals of the merger or the relative merits of the merger as compared to any other strategic
alternative that may be available to Frontier. Keefe Bruyettes opinion is not a recommendation to
any Frontier shareholder as to how such shareholder should vote at the special meeting with respect
to the merger or any other matter.
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In connection with rendering its opinion, Keefe Bruyette reviewed and considered, among other
things:
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1.
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the merger agreement;
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2.
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the Annual Report to Stockholders and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the three
years ended December 31, 2008 of Frontier;
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3.
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the Annual Report to Stockholders and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period
from February 14, 2007 through December 31, 2007 and the year ended December 31, 2008
of;
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4.
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certain interim reports to stockholders and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q of
Frontier and SPAH and certain other communications from Frontier and SPAH to their
respective shareholders;
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5.
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the publicly reported historical price and trading activity for Frontiers and
SPAHs common stock, including a comparison of certain financial and stock market
information for Frontier and SPAH with similar publicly available information for
certain other companies the securities of which are publicly traded;
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6.
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the financial terms of certain recent business combinations in the banking
industry, to the extent publicly available;
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7.
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the current market environment generally and the banking environment in
particular; and
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8.
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such other information, financial studies, analyses and investigations and
financial, economic and market criteria as they considered relevant.
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Keefe Bruyette also discussed with certain members of senior management of Frontier the past
and current business, regulatory relations, financial condition, results of operations and future
prospects of Frontier, including its liquidity and capital position and funding sources and held
similar discussions with certain members of senior management of SPAH regarding the past and
current business, regulatory relations, financial condition, results of operations and future
prospects of SPAH, including its liquidity and capital position and funding sources.
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In performing its reviews and in rendering its opinion, Keefe Bruyette assumed and relied upon
the accuracy and completeness of all the financial information, analyses and other information that
was publicly available or otherwise furnished to, reviewed by or discussed with it and further
relied on the assurances of senior management of Frontier and SPAH that they were not aware of any
facts or circumstances that would make such information inaccurate or misleading. Keefe Bruyette
was not asked to and did not independently verify the accuracy or completeness of any of such
information and they did not assume any responsibility or liability for its accuracy or
completeness. Keefe Bruyette relied upon the management of Frontier and SPAH as to the
reasonableness and achievability of the financial and operating forecasts and projections (and the
assumptions and bases therefore) provided to them, and assumed that such forecasts and projections
reflected the best currently available estimates and judgments of such managements and that such
forecasts and projections will be realized in the amounts and in the time periods estimated by such
managements. Keefe Bruyette expressed no opinion as to such financial projections or the
assumptions on which they were based. Keefe Bruyette did not make an independent evaluation or
appraisal of the assets or property, the collateral securing assets or the liabilities, contingent
or otherwise, of Frontier or SPAH or any of their respective subsidiaries, or the collectability of
any such assets, nor was it furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals. Keefe Bruyette is
not an expert in the evaluation of allowances for loan and lease losses and it did not make an
independent evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan or lease losses of Frontier or the
combined entity, nor did it review any individual credit files relating to Frontier. With
Frontiers consent, Keefe Bruyette assumed that the respective allowances for loan and lease losses
for Frontier were adequate to cover such losses and will be adequate on a pro forma basis for the
combined entity.
Keefe Bruyettes opinion was necessarily based upon market, economic and other conditions as
they existed on, and could be evaluated as of, the date of the opinion. Keefe Bruyette assumed, in
all respects material to its analysis, that all of the representations and warranties contained in
the merger agreement and all related agreements are true and correct, that each party to such
agreements will perform all of the covenants required to be performed by such party under such
agreements and that the conditions precedent in the merger agreement are not waived or modified.
Keefe Bruyette also assumed, with Frontiers consent, that there had been no material change in
Frontiers and SPAHs assets, financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects
since the date of the last financial statements made available to them, that Frontier and SPAH will
remain as going concerns for all periods relevant to its analyses, and that the merger will qualify
as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes. Keefe Bruyette expresses no opinion
as to legal, regulatory, accounting and tax matters relating to the merger and the other
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.
In rendering its July 29, 2009 opinion, Keefe Bruyette performed a variety of financial
analyses. The following is a summary of the material analyses performed by Keefe Bruyette, but is
not a complete description of all the analyses underlying Keefe Bruyettes opinion. The summary
includes information presented in tabular format. In order to fully understand the financial
analyses, these tables must be read together with the accompanying text. The tables alone do not
constitute a complete description of the financial analyses. The preparation of a fairness opinion
is a complex process involving subjective judgments as to the most appropriate and relevant methods
of financial analysis and the application of those methods to the particular circumstances. The
process, therefore, is not necessarily susceptible to a partial analysis or summary description.
Keefe Bruyette believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions
of the factors and analyses considered without considering all factors and analyses, or attempting
to ascribe relative weights to some or all such factors and analyses, could create an incomplete
view of the evaluation process underlying its opinion. Also, no company included in Keefe
Bruyettes comparative analyses described below is identical to Frontier or SPAH and no transaction
is identical to the merger. Accordingly, an analysis of comparable companies or transactions
involves complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operating
characteristics of the companies and other factors that could affect the public trading values or
merger transaction values, as the case may be, of Frontier or SPAH and the companies to which they
are being compared.
In performing its analyses, Keefe Bruyette also made numerous assumptions with respect to
industry performance, business and economic conditions and various other matters, many of which
cannot be predicted and are beyond the control of Frontier, SPAH and Keefe Bruyette. The analyses
performed by Keefe Bruyette are not necessarily indicative of actual values or future results,
which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by such analyses. Keefe Bruyette
prepared its analyses solely for purposes of rendering its opinion and provided such analyses to
the Frontier Board at the July 29, 2009 meeting. Accordingly, Keefe Bruyettes analyses
do not necessarily reflect the value of Frontiers common stock or SPAHs common stock or the
prices at which Frontiers or SPAHs common stock may be sold at any time.
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Summary of Proposal
.
Keefe Bruyette reviewed the financial terms of the proposed transaction.
SPAH is offering shareholders of Frontier common stock (other than shares to be excluded or
cancelled) the right to receive .0530 shares of newly issued SPAH common stock and .0530 newly
issued SPAH warrants (the exchange ratio_. Based upon the closing price of SPAHs common stock on
July 28, 2009 of $9.73, Keefe Bruyette calculated implied consideration of $.51569 per share of
Frontier common stock.
Based upon financial information for Frontier for the twelve months ended June 30, 2009, Keefe
Bruyette calculated the following ratios:
Transaction Ratios
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Transaction price/last twelve months earnings per share
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NM
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x
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Transaction price/mean First Call 2009 EPS estimates
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NM
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x
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Transaction price/tangible book value per share
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9.04
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%
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Transaction price/stated book value per share
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9.02
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%
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Tangible book premium/core deposits (1)
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-8.9
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%
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Premium to market price (2)
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-42.06
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%
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(1)
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Core deposits exclude time deposits with balances greater than $100,000.
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(2)
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Based on Frontiers trailing 20 day average closing price of $.89 as of July 28, 2009.
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For purposes of Keefe Bruyettes analyses, earnings per share were based on fully diluted
earnings per share. The aggregate transaction value was approximately $24.31 million, based upon
47,131,853 shares of Frontier common stock outstanding, including the intrinsic value of options to
purchase an aggregate of 1,271,272 shares with a weighted average strike price of $16.73.
Comparable Company Analysis.
Keefe Bruyette used publicly available information to compare
selected financial and market trading information for Frontier and a group of financial
institutions headquartered in the Pacific Northwest with total assets between $950 million and
$12.5 billion selected by Keefe Bruyette, or the Frontier Peer Group. The Frontier Peer Group
consisted of the following publicly traded financial institutions:
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Cascade Financial Corp.
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Pacific Continental Corp.
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Columbia Bancorp*
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Sterling Financial Corporation
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Heritage Financial Corp.*
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Glacier Bancorp, Inc.
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Intermountain Community Bancorp*
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PremierWest Bancorp*
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City Bank*
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Umpqua Holdings Corporation
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West Coast Bancorp
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Banner Corporation*
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Cascade Bancorp*
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Columbia Banking System, Inc.
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AmericanWest Bancorporation*
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Horizon Financial Corp.*
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In the table above, * denotes financial data for the three months ended March 31, 2009.
85
The analysis compared financial information for Frontier and the median data for the financial
institutions in the Frontier Peer Group. The table below sets forth the comparative data as of and
for the three months ending June 30, 2009, with pricing data as of July 28, 2009:
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Frontier Peer
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Group
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Frontier
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Median
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Total assets
(in millions)
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$
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3,987
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$
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NM
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Tangible equity/tangible assets
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6.74
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%
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8.81
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%
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Tier 1 Risk Based Capital Ratio
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8.15
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%
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10.79
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%
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Total Risk Based Capital Ratio
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9.42
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%
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12.60
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%
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Return on average assets
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-4.91
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%
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-.95
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%
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Return on average tangible equity
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-75.6
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%
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-13.4
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%
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Net interest margin
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2.21
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%
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3.68
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%
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Efficiency ratio
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90.7
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%
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78.5
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%
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Transaction accounts/deposits
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12.5
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%
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NA
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%
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Loan loss reserve/loans
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2.89
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%
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2.35
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%
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Texas Ratio
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222.9
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%
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100.4
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%
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Reserves / Non Performing Loans
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12.9
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%
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33.2
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%
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Nonperforming assets/Loans & OREO
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23.59
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%
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8.76
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%
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Price/tangible book value per share
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20.2
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%
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30.0
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%
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Price/LTM EPS
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-.28
|
x
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33.2
|
x
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Price/estimated 2009 EPS
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NM
|
x
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NA
|
x
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Price/estimated 2010 EPS
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NM
|
x
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NA
|
x
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Dividend yield
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0.00
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%
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0.00
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%
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Market capitalization (
in millions
)
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$
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54.2
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$
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NM
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The publicly obtained comparative data above illustrates that Frontiers operating metrics are
of a poorer quality when compared to its peers.
Stock Trading History.
Keefe Bruyette reviewed the history of the reported trading prices and
volume of Frontiers common stock and the relationship between the movements in the prices of
Frontiers common stock to movements in certain stock indices, including the KBW Regional Banking
Index and the NASDAQ Bank Index,. During the one-year period ended July 28, 2009, Frontiers common
stock underperformed each of the indices to which it was compared.
Frontiers One-Year Stock Performance
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Ending Value
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July 28, 2009
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Frontier
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-88.0
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%
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NASDAQ Bank Index
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-22.9
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%
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KBW Regional Banking Index
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-26.9
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%
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86
Net Present Value Analysis.
Keefe Bruyette also performed an analysis that estimated the
present value of the projected future stream of after-tax net income of Frontier through 5 years of
projected financials under various circumstances, assuming that Frontier performed in accordance
with growth and operating assumptions and projections provided by Frontiers management. Financial
data for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 was used to generate the projections. A stress test was
applied to common equity to reflect a charge off scenario that would impact Frontiers balance
sheet and loan portfolio. A common equity raise of $250 million to $500 million was assumed in the
projections to offset the stress scenario, newly raised common equity was risk weighted 100%.
Certain assumptions and performance targets were used throughout this analysis, they include
but are not limited to:
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moderate balance sheet growth in years one and two with enhanced growth in years three
through five
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year five target net interest margin of 4.75%
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year five target return on assets of 1.35%
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year five target efficiency ratio of 52%
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year five target tangible common equity ratio of 10%
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year five target total risk based capital of 15%
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To approximate the terminal value of Frontier common stock after 5 years of projections, Keefe
Bruyette applied price to earnings multiple of 15x in year 5 of its analysis. The income streams
and terminal values were then discounted to present values using a discount rate of 12.5%. As
illustrated in the following tables, this analysis indicated a range of net present values
available to current shareholders.
Net Present Value to Current Shareholders Aggregate ($)
Offering Amount ($000s)
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Issue Price $
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$250,000
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|
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$300,000
|
|
|
$350,000
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|
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$400,000
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|
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$450,000
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|
$500,000
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$0.15
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$
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16.75
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$
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14.02
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$
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12.06
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|
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$
|
10.58
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|
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$
|
9.42
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|
|
$
|
8.49
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$0.25
|
|
$
|
27.41
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|
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$
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23.01
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|
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$
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19.83
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|
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$
|
17.42
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|
$
|
15.54
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|
$
|
14.02
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|
$0.35
|
|
$
|
37.69
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|
|
$
|
31.74
|
|
|
$
|
27.41
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$
|
24.12
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|
|
$
|
21.53
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|
|
$
|
19.45
|
|
$0.45
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|
$
|
47.62
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|
|
$
|
40.21
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|
|
$
|
34.79
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|
|
$
|
30.66
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|
$
|
27.41
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|
$
|
24.78
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$0.55
|
|
$
|
57.21
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|
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$
|
48.43
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|
$
|
41.99
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|
|
$
|
37.06
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|
$
|
33.17
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|
|
$
|
30.01
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|
$0.65
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|
$
|
66.47
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|
|
$
|
56.42
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|
|
$
|
49.01
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|
|
$
|
43.32
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|
|
$
|
38.81
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|
|
$
|
35.16
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|
$0.75
|
|
$
|
75.43
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|
|
$
|
64.19
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|
|
$
|
55.86
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|
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$
|
49.44
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$
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44.35
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$
|
40.21
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|
$0.85
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|
$
|
84.10
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|
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$
|
71.74
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|
|
$
|
62.54
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|
|
$
|
55.43
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|
|
$
|
49.78
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|
|
$
|
45.17
|
|
$0.95
|
|
$
|
92.49
|
|
|
$
|
79.08
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|
|
$
|
69.06
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|
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$
|
61.30
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|
|
$
|
55.11
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|
|
$
|
50.05
|
|
Net Present Value to Current Shareholders Per Share ($)
Offering Amount ($000s)
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issue Price $
|
|
$250,000
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|
|
$300,000
|
|
|
$350,000
|
|
|
$400,000
|
|
|
$450,000
|
|
|
$500,000
|
|
$0.15
|
|
$
|
0.36
|
|
|
$
|
0.30
|
|
|
$
|
0.26
|
|
|
$
|
0.22
|
|
|
$
|
0.20
|
|
|
$
|
0.18
|
|
$0.25
|
|
$
|
0.58
|
|
|
$
|
0.49
|
|
|
$
|
0.42
|
|
|
$
|
0.37
|
|
|
$
|
0.33
|
|
|
$
|
0.30
|
|
$0.35
|
|
$
|
0.80
|
|
|
$
|
0.67
|
|
|
$
|
0.58
|
|
|
$
|
0.51
|
|
|
$
|
0.46
|
|
|
$
|
0.41
|
|
$0.45
|
|
$
|
1.01
|
|
|
$
|
0.85
|
|
|
$
|
0.74
|
|
|
$
|
0.65
|
|
|
$
|
0.58
|
|
|
$
|
0.53
|
|
$0.55
|
|
$
|
1.21
|
|
|
$
|
1.03
|
|
|
$
|
0.89
|
|
|
$
|
0.79
|
|
|
$
|
0.70
|
|
|
$
|
0.64
|
|
$0.65
|
|
$
|
1.41
|
|
|
$
|
1.20
|
|
|
$
|
1.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.92
|
|
|
$
|
0.82
|
|
|
$
|
0.75
|
|
$0.75
|
|
$
|
1.60
|
|
|
$
|
1.36
|
|
|
$
|
1.19
|
|
|
$
|
1.05
|
|
|
$
|
0.94
|
|
|
$
|
0.85
|
|
$0.85
|
|
$
|
1.78
|
|
|
$
|
1.52
|
|
|
$
|
1.33
|
|
|
$
|
1.18
|
|
|
$
|
1.06
|
|
|
$
|
0.96
|
|
$0.95
|
|
$
|
1.96
|
|
|
$
|
1.68
|
|
|
$
|
1.47
|
|
|
$
|
1.30
|
|
|
$
|
1.17
|
|
|
$
|
1.06
|
|
87
Keefe Bruyette performed a sensitivity analysis which shows the effects of different capital
infusion amounts on Frontiers capital levels. The table below reflects the previously mentioned
stress scenario and illustrates the effects of different capital infusion amounts on the tangible
common equity, tier 1 and total risked based ratios.
Tang. Common Equity / Tang. Assets (%)
Offering Amount ($000s)
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$250,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$300,000
|
|
|
|
$350,000
|
|
|
|
$400,000
|
|
|
|
$450,000
|
|
|
|
$500,000
|
|
6.35%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.44
|
%
|
|
|
8.51
|
%
|
|
|
9.56
|
%
|
|
|
10.58
|
%
|
|
|
11.58
|
%
|
Tier 1 Risk Based Capital (%)
Offering Amount ($000s)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$250,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$300,000
|
|
|
|
$350,000
|
|
|
|
$400,000
|
|
|
|
$450,000
|
|
|
|
$500,000
|
|
7.64%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.93
|
%
|
|
|
10.17
|
%
|
|
|
11.38
|
%
|
|
|
12.56
|
%
|
|
|
13.71
|
%
|
Total Risk Based Capital (%)
Offering Amount ($000s)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$250,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$300,000
|
|
|
|
$350,000
|
|
|
|
$400,000
|
|
|
|
$450,000
|
|
|
|
$500,000
|
|
8.89%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.18
|
%
|
|
|
11.42
|
%
|
|
|
12.63
|
%
|
|
|
13.81
|
%
|
|
|
14.96
|
%
|
In connection with its analyses, Keefe Bruyette considered and discussed with the Frontier
Board how the present value analyses would be affected by changes in the underlying assumptions,
Keefe Bruyette noted that the net present value analysis is a widely used valuation methodology,
but the results of such methodology are highly dependent upon the numerous assumptions that must be
made, and the results thereof are not necessarily indicative of actual values or future results.
The actual results achieved by the combined company may vary from projected results and the
variations may be material.
In connection with its analyses, Keefe Bruyette considered and discussed with the Frontier
Board how the pro forma analyses would be affected by changes in the underlying assumptions,
including variations with respect to the growth rate of earnings per share of each company. Keefe
Bruyette noted that the actual results achieved by the combined company may vary from projected
results and the variations may be material.
Frontier has agreed to pay Keefe Bruyette a fee of $500,000 in connection with the rendering
of this opinion, all of which was paid upon Keefe Bruyettes delivery of the opinion. Frontier has
agreed to indemnify Keefe Bruyette and its affiliates and their respective partners, directors,
officers, employees, agents, and controlling persons against certain expenses and liabilities,
including liabilities under securities laws.
88
Keefe Bruyette may provide investment banking services to SPAH, and receive compensation for,
such services in the future, including during the period prior to the closing of the merger. In the
ordinary course of its business as a broker-dealer, Keefe Bruyette may purchase securities from and
sell securities to Frontier and SPAH and their respective affiliates and may actively trade the
debt and/or equity securities of Frontier and SPAH and their respective affiliates for its own
account and for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short
position in such securities.
Certain Benefits of Directors and Officers of Frontier
When considering the recommendations of the Frontier Board, you should be aware that some
directors and officers have interests in the merger proposal that differ from the interests of
other shareholders. The Frontier Board is aware of those interests and considered them, among
other matters, in approving the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the following:
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Stock Ownership
. The directors, executive officers and principal shareholders of
Frontier, together with their affiliates, beneficially owned, as of the record date for
the special meeting, a total of [
] shares of Frontier common stock, including
[______] shares of restricted stock that has or will be vested at the time of the
merger, representing [_____]% of the total outstanding shares of Frontier common
stock;
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|
|
Change of Control Agreements.
Frontier is a party to change of control agreements
with five of its current executive officers, John J. Dickson, Carol E. Wheeler, R.
James Mathison, Robert W. Robinson and Lyle E. Ryan. These agreements generally provide
that in the event of a termination of employment in connection with, or within 24
months after, a change of control, for reasons other than cause, the executive will
receive a lump sum payment on the first day of the seventh month after the termination
of his or her employment in an amount equal to two times the amount of his or her
salary and bonus for the twelve months prior to the effective date of the change of
control and will continue to be covered by applicable medical and dental plans for 24
months following termination of employment. In the event an executive, after attaining
age 60, voluntarily retires within 12 months following a change of control, the
executive will receive a lump sum payment equal to one times the
amount of his or her salary and bonus, and will continue to be covered by applicable
medical and dental plans for 12 months following termination of employment. If an
executive receives a change of control payment under his or her agreement, the executive
will be restricted by a noncompetition and nonsolicitation period of two years following
termination of employment.
|
89
In addition, the vesting of restricted stock awards granted under Frontiers 2006 Stock
Option Plan will accelerate upon the effective time of the merger.
|
|
|
Insurance and Indemnification
. SPAH has agreed to use reasonable best efforts to
maintain Frontiers existing policies of directors and officers liability insurance (or
at SPAHs option, obtain comparable coverage under its own insurance policies) for a
period of six years after the merger with respect to claims arising from facts or
events which occurred prior to the effective time of the merger, subject to a maximum
premium limit of $1,150,000. SPAH has also agreed to continue to provide for the
indemnification of the former and current directors, officers, employees and agents of
Frontier for six years after the merger.
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|
|
|
Certain Employee Matters.
The merger agreement contains certain agreements of the
parties with respect to various employee matters. Following the effective time of the
merger, SPAH will provide generally to the officers and employees of Frontier employee
benefits under employee benefit and welfare plans, on terms and conditions which when
taken as a whole are comparable to or better than those currently provided by Frontier
to its similarly-situated employees. For purposes of determining eligibility to
participate in the vesting of benefits and for all other purposes under the employee
benefit plans post-merger, the service of the Frontier employees prior to the effective
time of the merger will be treated as service with SPAH participating in such employee
benefit plan.
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|
|
|
Stock Plans.
Any Frontier shares issued with respect to any Frontier options
exercised prior to closing, and restricted shares and stock awards, will be converted
into the merger consideration. All Frontier stock option and other equity-based plans,
agreements and awards, will be terminated upon closing, as provided in the plans.
Frontier will notify the optionees and other employees of such termination prior to
closing. Following the consummation of the merger, SPAH will adopt such stock option or
other equity plans for officers and employees of Frontier as the SPAH Board of the
combined company deems appropriate.
|
|
|
|
Board.
The SPAH Board following the merger will be comprised of Warren G.
Lichtenstein, who will serve as Chairman of the SPAH Board, and four directors from
Frontier, comprised of Patrick M. Fahey, [______], [______] and [______],
each of whom currently serve on the Frontier Board. The Frontier Bank Board will
consist of five (5) directors, comprised of SPAHs designee, John McNamara, to serve as
Chairman of the Board, and four (4) directors from Frontier, comprised of Patrick M.
Fahey, [______], [______] and [______].
|
|
|
|
Officers.
Following the merger, Mr. Fahey will serve as the Chief Executive Officer
of the combined company, and the other officers and employees of Frontier are expected
to be retained in their current positions. Neither Mr. Fahey nor any other employee
will have an employment contract with SPAH following the merger.
|
At and following the effective time of the merger, SPAH will assume and honor certain Frontier
severance and change of control agreements that Frontier had with its officers and directors on
July 24, 2009.
90
Frontier Dissenters Rights
In accordance with Chapter 13 of the Washington Business Corporation Act (Chapter 23B.13 of
the Revised Code of Washington, the WBCA), Frontiers shareholders have the right to dissent from
the merger and to receive payment in cash for the fair value of their Frontier common stock.
Frontier shareholders electing to exercise dissenters rights must comply with the provisions
of Chapter 13 in order to perfect their rights. Frontier and SPAH will require strict compliance
with the statutory procedures. The following is intended as a brief summary of the material
provisions of the Washington statutory procedures required to be followed by a Frontier shareholder
in order to dissent from the merger and perfect the shareholders dissenters rights. This summary,
however, is not a complete statement of all applicable requirements and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to Chapter 13 of the WBCA, the full text
of which is set forth in Annex F.
A shareholder who wishes to assert dissenters rights must (i) deliver to Frontier before the
vote is taken by Frontier shareholders notice of the shareholders intent to demand payment for the
shareholders shares if the merger is effected, and (ii) not vote such shares in favor of the
merger. A shareholder wishing to deliver such notice should hand deliver or mail such notice to
Frontier at the following address within the requisite time period:
Frontier Financial Corporation
Attn: Corporate Secretary
332 S.W. Everett Mall Way
P.O. Box 2215
Everett, WA 98213
A shareholder who wishes to exercise dissenters rights generally must dissent with respect to
all the shares the shareholder owns or over which the shareholder has power to direct the vote.
However, if a record shareholder is a nominee for several beneficial shareholders some of whom wish
to dissent and some of whom do not, then the record holder may dissent with respect to all the
shares beneficially owned by any one person by delivering to Frontier a notice of the name and
address of each person on whose behalf the record shareholder asserts dissenters rights. A
beneficial shareholder may assert dissenters rights directly by submitting to Frontier the record
shareholders written consent and by dissenting with respect to all the shares of which such
shareholder is the beneficial shareholder or over which such shareholder has power to direct the
vote.
A shareholder who does not deliver to Frontier prior to the vote being taken by Frontier
shareholders a notice of the shareholders intent to demand payment for the fair value of the
shares will lose the right to exercise dissenters rights. In addition, any shareholder electing to
exercise dissenters rights must either vote against the merger agreement or abstain from voting.
Submitting a properly signed proxy card that is received prior to the vote at the special meeting
(and is not properly revoked) that does not direct how the shares of Frontier common stock
represented by proxy are to be voted will constitute a vote in favor of the merger agreement and a
waiver of such shareholders statutory dissenters rights.
If the merger is effected, SPAH as the surviving corporation shall, within ten days after the
effective date of the merger, deliver a written notice to all shareholders who properly perfected
their dissenters rights in accordance with Chapter 13 of the WBCA. Such notice will, among other
things: (i) state where the payment demand must be sent and where and when certificates for
certificated shares must be deposited; (ii) inform holders of uncertificated shares to what extent
transfer of the shares will be restricted after the payment demand is received; (iii) supply a form
for demanding payment that includes the date of the first announcement to news media or to
shareholders of the terms of the proposed merger and requires that the person asserting dissenters
rights certify whether or not the person acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before that
date; (iv) set a date by which SPAH must receive the payment demand, which date will be between 30
and 60 days after notice is delivered; and (v) be accompanied by a copy of Chapter 23B.13 of the
WBCA. A shareholder wishing to exercise dissenters rights must timely file the payment demand
and deliver share certificates as required in the notice. Failure to do so will cause such person
to lose his or her dissenters rights.
Within 30 days after the merger occurs or receipt of the payment demand, whichever is later,
SPAH shall pay each dissenter with properly perfected dissenters rights SPAHs estimate of the
fair value of the shareholders interest, plus accrued interest from the effective date of the
merger. The payment must be accompanied by: (i) the corporations latest annual and quarterly
financial statements; (ii) an explanation of how SPAH estimated the fair value of the shares; (iii)
an explanation of how the interest was calculated; (iv) a statement of the dissenters right to
demand payment under Chapter 23B.13.280 of the WBCA; and (v) a copy of Chapter 23B.13 of the WBCA.
With respect to a dissenter who did not beneficially own Frontier shares prior to the public
announcement of the merger, SPAH is required to make the payment only after the dissenter has
agreed to accept
the payment in full satisfaction of the dissenters demands. Fair value means the value of
the shares immediately before the effective date of the merger, excluding any appreciation or
depreciation in anticipation of the merger unless such exclusion would be inequitable. The rate of
interest is generally required to be the rate at which SPAH currently pays on its principal bank
loans.
91
A dissenter who is dissatisfied with SPAHs estimate of the fair value or believes that
interest due is incorrectly calculated may notify Frontier of the dissenters estimate of the fair
value and amount of interest due. If SPAH does not accept the dissenters estimate and the parties
do not otherwise settle on a fair value then SPAH must, within 60 days, petition a court to
determine the fair value.
In view of the complexity of Chapter 13 of the WBCA and the requirement that shareholders must
strictly comply with the provisions of Chapter 13 of the WBCA, shareholders of Frontier who may
wish to dissent from the merger and pursue appraisal rights should consult their legal advisors.
The Co-Investment
In connection with the initial public offering, SP II previously agreed to purchase an
aggregate of 3,000,000 co-investment units at $10.00 per unit ($30.0 million in the aggregate) in a
private placement that will occur immediately prior to the consummation of the merger. Pursuant to
a plan of reorganization, SP II has contributed certain assets to the Steel Trust, a liquidating
trust established for the purpose of effecting the orderly liquidation of such assets. As a
result, all of the founders shares and initial founders warrants owned by SP II have been
transferred to the Steel Trust in a private transaction exempt from registration under the
Securities Act. The Steel Trust has agreed to assume all of SP IIs rights and obligations with
respect to the founders shares and initial founders warrants, as more fully described elsewhere
in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the obligation to purchase the co-investment
units. Since the agreement governing the co-investment and SPAHs initial public offering
prospectus disclosed that only SP II or SP Acq LLC may purchase the co-investment units, SPAH will
need the prior written consent of the underwriters in its initial public offering to permit the
Steel Trust to make the co-investment. SPAH anticipates receiving this consent prior to the
closing of the merger. In addition, SPAH public stockholders may have a securities law claim
against SPAH for rescission (under which a successful claimant has the right to receive the total
amount paid for his or her securities pursuant to an allegedly deficient prospectus, plus interest
and less any income earned on the securities, in exchange for surrender of the securities) or
damages (compensation for loss on an investment caused by alleged material misrepresentations or
omissions in the sale of a security), as described more fully under The Merger and the Merger
AgreementRescission Rights.
The proceeds from the sale of the co-investment units will not be received by SPAH until
immediately prior to the consummation of the merger. The proceeds from the sale of the
co-investment units will provide SPAH with additional equity capital to fund the merger. If the
merger is not consummated, the Steel Trust will not purchase the co-investment units and no
proceeds will deposited into SPAHs trust account or available for distribution to SPAHs
stockholders in the event of a liquidating distribution.
The units purchased in the co-investment will be identical to the units sold in SPAHs initial
public offering, after giving effect to the warrant amendment proposal, except that the warrants
included therein will be non-redeemable so long as they are held by the Steel Trust or its
permitted transferees. SP II previously agreed, subject to certain exceptions described below, not
to sell or otherwise transfer any of its units, shares or warrants (including the common stock to
be issued upon exercise of these warrants) purchased in the co-investment for a period of one year
from the date of the consummation of the merger. The Steel Trust has agreed to be bound by these
transfer restrictions. The Steel Trust will be permitted to transfer its units, shares or warrants
(including the common stock to be issued upon exercise of these warrants) purchased in the
co-investment to SPAHs officers and directors, and other persons or entities associated or
affiliated with SP II or Steel Partners, Ltd., but the transferees receiving such securities will
be subject to the same agreement regarding transfer as SP II.
Upon the sale of the co-investment units and after taking into account the issuance of
approximately 2.5 million shares as a result of the merger and the forfeiture of 9,453,412 shares,
the SPAH insiders will collectively own approximately 8.7% of SPAHs issued and outstanding shares
of common stock, which could permit them to effectively influence the outcome of all matters
requiring approval by SPAHs stockholders at such time, including
the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions, following the
consummation of the merger.
92
Stock Ownership of Existing SPAH and Frontier Stockholders After the Merger
Following the consummation of the merger, the SPAH insiders will beneficially own
approximately 4,368,988 shares of SPAH common stock (after giving effect to the forfeiture of
9,453,412 founders shares by SP Acq LLC and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker
and the co-investment) and will have, through the exercise of warrants, the right to acquire
20,822,400 additional shares of common stock (after giving effect to the co-investment), under
certain circumstances.
The percentage of SPAHs securities that existing SPAH and Frontier stockholders will own
after the merger and the co-investment is completed will depend on whether (i) Frontier
shareholders exercise dissenters rights, (ii) SPAH public stockholder exercise conversion rights,
and (iii) any of SPAHs 66,612,000 outstanding warrants (after reflecting the co-investment and
merger) are exercised. The table below outlines the effect of these various scenarios on the
percentage of SPAHs voting interests that existing SPAH and Frontier stockholders will own after
the merger and the co-investment is completed, based on the number of shares of each of SPAH and
Frontier issued and outstanding as of the date of the merger agreement. Depending on the scenario,
SPAHs stockholders will own from 94.5% to 96.1% of SPAHs securities after the merger and
co-investment, and Frontier will own from 3.9% to 5.5% of SPAHs securities after the merger and
co-investment.
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10% (minus
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10% of
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None of
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one share) of
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Frontier
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SPAH Public
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SPAH Public
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Shareholders
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Stockholders
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Stockholders
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66,612,000
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Percent Ownership
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Exercise
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Conversion
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Conversion
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Warrants
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SPAH
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Frontier
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Dissenters
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Rights are
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Rights are
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are
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Stockholders
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Shareholders
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Total
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Rights
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Exercised
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Exercised
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Exercised
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95.0%
(1)
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5.0%
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100.00%
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X
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95.7
(2)
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4.3
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100.00%
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X
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X
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94.5
(3)
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5.5
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100.00%
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X
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95.6
(4)
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4.4
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100.00%
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X
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X
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95.5
(5)
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4.5
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100.00%
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X
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X
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96.1
(6)
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3.9
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100.00%
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X
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X
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X
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95.1
(7)
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4.9
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100.00%
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X
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X
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96.0
(8)
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4.0
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100.00%
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X
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X
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X
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X denotes that event occurred
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(1)
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In order to maintain an ownership level of voting common stock below 5% of the total
outstanding shares of voting common stock, the Steel Trust has agreed to convert 2,063,806
shares of common stock into Non-Voting Common Stock upon consummation of the merger (including
1,687,500 shares acquired in connection with the co-investment), which will result in SPAH
stockholders holding 94.8% of the voting interests in SPAH and Frontiers shareholders holding
5.2% of the voting interests in SPAH.
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(2)
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In order to maintain an ownership level of voting common stock below 5% of the total
outstanding shares of voting common stock, SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust have agreed to
receive Non-Voting Common Stock upon exercise of their initial founders warrants, additional
founders warrants and co-investment warrants. Assuming all 66,612,000 warrants are exercised
and SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust do not transfer their securities to a non-affiliated
entity, the Steel Trust will convert 2,063,806 shares of voting common stock into shares of
Non-Voting Common Stock (including 1,687,500 shares acquired in connection with the
co-investment) and SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust will elect to receive 17,228,968 shares of
Non-Voting
Common Stock upon exercise of their warrants, which will result in SPAH stockholders holding
94.9% of the voting interests in SPAH and Frontiers shareholders holding 5.1% of the voting
interests in SPAH.
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93
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(3)
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In order to maintain an ownership level of voting common stock below 5% of the total
outstanding shares of voting common stock, and if 10% (minus one share) of the SPAH public
stockholders exercise their conversion rights, SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust will convert
2,155,161 shares of voting common stock into shares of Non-Voting Common Stock (including
1,687,500 shares acquired in connection with the co-investment), which will result in SPAH
stockholders holding 94.3% of the voting interests in SPAH and Frontiers shareholders holding
5.7% of the voting interests in SPAH.
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(4)
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In order to maintain an ownership level of voting common stock below 5% of the total
outstanding shares of voting common stock, and if 10% (minus one share) of the SPAH public
stockholders exercise their conversion rights and all 66,612,000 warrants are exercised, the
Steel Trust will convert 2,155,161 shares of voting common stock into shares of Non-Voting
Common Stock (including 1,687,500 shares acquired in connection with the co-investment) and SP
Acq LLC and the Steel Trust will elect to receive 17,364,973 shares of Non-Voting Common Stock
upon exercise of their warrants, which will result in SPAH stockholders holding 94.6% of the
voting interests in SPAH and Frontiers shareholders holding 5.4% of the voting interests in
SPAH.
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(5)
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In order to maintain an ownership level of voting common stock below 5% of the total
outstanding shares of voting common stock, and if 10% of the Frontier shareholders exercise
and perfect their dissenters rights, the Steel Trust has agreed to convert 2,063,806 shares
of common stock into Non-Voting Common Stock upon consummation of the merger (including
1,687,500 shares acquired in connection with the co-investment), which will result in SPAH
stockholders holding 95.3% of the voting interests in SPAH and Frontiers shareholders holding
4.7% of the voting interests in SPAH.
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(6)
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In order to maintain an ownership level of voting common stock below 5% of the total
outstanding shares of voting common stock, and if 10% of the Frontier shareholders exercise
and perfect their dissenters rights, the Steel Trust will convert 2,063,806 shares of voting
common stock into shares of Non-Voting Common Stock (including 1,687,500 shares acquired in
connection with the co-investment) and SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust will elect to receive
17,255,229 shares of Non-Voting Common Stock upon exercise of their warrants, which will
result in SPAH stockholders holding 95.4% of the voting interests in SPAH and Frontiers
shareholders holding 4.6% of the voting interests in SPAH.
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(7)
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In order to maintain an ownership level of voting common stock below 5% of the total
outstanding shares of voting common stock, and if 10% (minus one share) of the SPAH public
stockholders exercise their conversion rights and 10% of the Frontier shareholders exercise
and perfect their dissenters rights, SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust will convert 2,168,291
shares of voting common stock into shares of Non-Voting Common Stock (including 1,687,500
shares acquired in connection with the co-investment), which will result in SPAH stockholders
holding 94.8% of the voting interests in SPAH and Frontiers shareholders holding 5.2% of the
voting interests in SPAH.
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(8)
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In order to maintain an ownership level of voting common stock below 5% of the total
outstanding shares of voting common stock, and if 10% (minus one share) of the SPAH public
stockholders exercise their conversion rights and 10% of the Frontier shareholders exercise
and perfect their dissenters rights and all 66,612,000 warrants are exercised, the Steel
Trust will convert 2,168,291 shares of voting common stock into shares of Non-Voting Common
Stock (including 1,687,500 shares acquired in connection with the co-investment) and SP Acq
LLC and the Steel Trust will elect to receive 17,378,104 shares of Non-Voting Common Stock
upon exercise of their warrants, which will result in SPAH stockholders holding 95.1% of the
voting interests in SPAH and Frontiers shareholders holding 4.9% of the voting interests in
SPAH.
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In addition, SPAH, the SPAH insiders, and/or certain of their respective affiliates may
negotiate arrangements to provide for the purchase of shares from SPAH public stockholders who
indicate their intention to vote against the merger and seek conversion or who otherwise wish to
sell their shares. As a result, SPAH stockholders voting interests may be further increased or
decreased accordingly in order for SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust to maintain an ownership level of
voting common stock below 5% of the total outstanding shares of voting common stock.
At their discretion, SP Acq LLC and/or the Steel Trust will convert their shares into voting
common stock in accordance with the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, as amended by the Subsequent
Charter Amendments and, upon a distribution of the shares by Steel Trust to its beneficiaries, such
shares will also be converted into voting common stock in accordance with the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended by the Subsequent Charter Amendments.
94
The SPAH Board After the Merger
Under the terms of the merger agreement, SPAH will recommend for stockholder approval the
election to the SPAH Board of, Warren G. Lichtenstein and, if the merger is consummated, four
directors from Frontier, comprised of Patrick M. Fahey, [______], [______] and [______], each
of whom currently serve on the Frontier Board, in each case to serve until the next annual
meeting of SPAH and until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. Upon the
election of the Frontier nominees to the SPAH Board and, upon consummation of the merger, the SPAH
Board will consist of five (5) members, with Mr. Lichtenstein serving as the Chairman of the
Board.
The Frontier Bank Board After the Merger
Under the terms of the merger agreement, upon consummation of the merger, the Frontier Bank
Board will consist of five (5) directors, comprised of SPAHs designee, John McNamara, to serve as
Chairman of the Board, and four (4) directors from Frontier, comprised of Patrick M. Fahey, [______],
[______] and [______].
Set forth below are the principal occupations at present and
for the past five years of each of the directors that will serve on the Frontier Bank Board
following the consummation of the merger. For information relating to each of these directors, see
Proposals to be Considered by SPAH StockholdersProposal
No. 4: The Election of DirectorsAbout the
Nominees.
John McNamara,
Managing Director and investment professional of Steel Partners LLC
Mr. McNamara has been associated with Steel Partners LLC, a global management firm, and its
affiliates since May 2006. Mr. McNamara has served as a director of the Fox and Hound Restaurant
Group, an owner and operator of entertainment restaurants, since April 2008, SL Industries, Inc., a
designer and manufacturer of power electronics, power motion equipment, power protection equipment,
and teleprotection and specialized communication equipment, since May 2008 and WHX Corporation, a
holding company, since February 2008. Mr. McNamara has been the Chairman of the Board of WebBank,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., since
March 2009. He was Chief Executive Officer from June 2008 to
December 2008 of the predecessor entity of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding
company that engages or has interests in a variety of operating businesses through its subsidiary
companies. From 1995 until April 2006, Mr. McNamara served in various capacities at Imperial
Capital, an investment banking firm, where his last position was Managing Director and Partner. As
a member of Imperial Capitals Corporate Finance Group, he provided advisory services for middle
market companies in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, restructurings and financings. From 1988
to 1995, Mr. McNamara held various positions with Bay Banks, Inc., a commercial bank, where he
served in lending and work-out capacities. Mr. McNamara graduated from Ithaca College with a B.S.
in Economics.
For information relating to Patrick M. Fahey, see Proposals to be Considered by SPAH
StockholdersProposal No. 4: The Election of DirectorsAbout the Nominees.
Management and Operations After the Merger
Each of the current executive officers of SPAH will resign upon consummation of the merger,
other than Warren G. Lichtenstein who will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board, although he
will resign as President and Chief Executive Officer of SPAH. The existing management team of
Frontier will manage the business of the combined company following the merger.
Patrick M. Fahey
(Age 67),
Chief Executive Officer of Frontier
Mr. Fahey has over 40 years
in the banking industry. He has been the Chairman of the Frontier Board, Chief Executive Officer
of Frontier and the Chairman of the Frontier Bank Board since December 2008, and has been a
director of Frontier and Frontier Bank since 2006. Prior to joining the Frontier Board in 2006, he
was retired after leaving Wells Fargo Bank in 2004. From 2003 to 2004, Mr. Fahey was the Chairman
of Regional Banking, Wells Fargo Bank. Prior to that, Mr. Fahey was the Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Northwest Bank from 1988 to 2003. Mr. Fahey is a graduate of
Seattle University, Pacific Coast Banking School, and the Management Program of the University Of
Washington School Of Business.
95
Michael J. Clementz,
(Age 65),
Chief Executive Officer of Frontier Bank, President of Frontier
Mr. Clementz has been in the banking industry for over 45 years. He joined Frontier in July 2000
through the merger of Liberty Bay Financial Corporation and North Sound Bank where he was founder,
president, Chief Executive Officer and chairman. From 2003 until 2005, Mike served as President and
Chief Executive Officer of Frontier and as President of Frontier Financial Properties from 2006
until December of 2008. He currently serves as President of Frontier and Chief Executive Officer
of Frontier Bank. He is a past president of Washington Bankers Association.
John J. Dickson
(Age 48),
President of Frontier Bank
Mr. Dickson has been with Frontier
since April 1985. He became president of Frontier Bank in December 2008 and was previously its
Chief Executive Officer from May 2003 to November 2008. In addition he served as president and
Chief Executive Officer of Frontier from January 2006 through November 2008. John spent most of
his early tenure in the financial area of the bank, along with several years in credit
administration and as a loan officer. He is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound (1982),
earning a BA in business and economics. He earned his CPA designation and spent three years in the
audit division of a large accounting firm. In 1994, John graduated with honors from the Bank
Administration Institute (BAI) School for Bank Administration at the University of Wisconsin. He is
past chairman of the Washington Bankers Association.
Carol E. Wheeler
(Age 52),
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Frontier
Ms. Wheeler has
been with Frontier since 1978. She established its Audit Department (1983), and she served as
senior vice president and internal auditor as the bank grew from $100 million to $2 billion,
including the holding company and subsidiaries. A graduate of Northwest Intermediate Banking School
(1985), Carol received her BAI EDP Audit Certificate (1991) and her Certified Trust Auditor (1995)
from Cannon Financial Institution. She was appointed to her current position in May 2003.
Robert W. Robinson
(Age 52),
Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of Frontier
Mr. Robinson has spent more than 28 years in the banking industry. He joined Frontier in July 2000
through the merger of Liberty Bay Financial Corporation. Rob was formerly the president and
director of Liberty Bay Financial Corporation and North Sound Bank. A graduate of California State
University (1981), he earned a BA in finance. Rob graduated from the University of Washington
Pacific Coast Banking School (1994) and from Northwestern University Kellogg Graduate School of
Management CEO Management Program (1999). He was appointed to his current position in July 2002.
Frontier Support Agreement
Each of the Frontier insiders has executed and delivered to SPAH a support agreement in
connection with the execution of the merger agreement. In the support agreement, each individual
agreed to vote the shares that he or she owns in favor of the merger and against any competing
transactions that may arise. In addition, each individual agreed to not transfer such shares prior
to the consummation of the merger as provided in the support agreement. A copy of the support
agreement is attached as Exhibit C to the merger agreement which is attached hereto as Annex A
hereto.
Frontier Lock-Up Agreements
Frontier will cause each of the Frontier insiders and each other person who Frontier
reasonably believes may be deemed an affiliate of Frontier for purposes of Rule 145 under the
Securities Act, to deliver to SPAH not later than 30 days prior to the effective time of the
merger, a written agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit D to the merger agreement, which
is attached as Annex A hereto, providing that such person will not sell, pledge,
transfer or otherwise dispose of the shares of SPAH common stock or warrants of SPAH for a one year
period ending on the first anniversary of the consummation of the merger, except in compliance with
applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
96
Accounting Treatment of the Merger
The merger will be accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, with SPAH being
treated as the acquiring entity for accounting purposes pursuant to the provisions SFAS 141R.
Pursuant to the requirements of SFAS 141R, SPAH is expected to be the acquirer for accounting
purposes because SPAH is expected to own a majority interest upon consummation of the merger and
the co-investment. Determination of control places emphasis on the stockholder group that retains
the majority of voting rights in the combined entity. If the accounting acquirer cannot be
determined based upon relative voting interests, other indicators of control are considered in the
determination of the accounting acquirer, including: control of the combined entitys board of
directors, the existence of large organized minority groups, and senior management of the combined
entity.
SFAS 141R requires, among other things, that most assets acquired and liabilities assumed be
recognized at their fair values as of the merger date. In addition, SFAS No. 141R establishes that
the consideration transferred include the fair value of any contingent consideration arrangements
and any equity or assets exchanged are measured at the closing date of the merger at the
then-current market price.
Regulatory Filings and Approvals Required to Complete the Merger
SPAH and Frontier have agreed to obtain all regulatory approvals required to consummate the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, which include approval from the Federal Reserve
and the Washington DFI, each as detailed below. The merger cannot proceed in the absence of these
regulatory approvals. Any approval granted by these federal and state bank regulatory agencies may
include terms and conditions more onerous than SPAHs management contemplates, and approval may not
be granted in the timeframes desired by SPAH and Frontier. Regulatory approvals, if granted, may
contain terms that relate to deteriorating economic conditions both nationally and in Washington;
bank regulatory supervisory reactions to the current economic difficulties may not be specific to
Bank or SPAH. Although SPAH and Frontier expect to obtain the timely required regulatory
approvals, there can be no assurance as to if or when these regulatory approvals will be obtained,
or the terms and conditions on which the approvals may be granted.
As noted, the merger is subject to the prior approval of the Federal Reserve. SPAH filed an
application with the Federal Reserve on August [_____], 2009. In evaluating the merger, the Federal
Reserve is required to consider, among other factors, (1) the financial condition, managerial
resources and future prospects of the institutions involved in the transaction; and (2) the
convenience and needs of the communities to be served, and the record of performance under the CRA.
The BHC Act, and Regulation Y prohibit the Federal Reserve from approving the merger if:
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it would result in a monopoly or be in furtherance of any combination or conspiracy
to monopolize or attempt to monopolize the business of banking in any part of the
United States; or
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its effect in any area of the country could be to substantially lessen competition
or to tend to create a monopoly, or if it would result in a restraint of trade in any
other manner, unless the Federal Reserve should find that any anti-competitive effects
are outweighed clearly by the public interest and the probable effect of the merger in
meeting the convenience and needs of the communities to be served.
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The merger may not be consummated any earlier than the 15
th
day (or the
5
th
day if expedited processing is granted by the Federal Reserve) following the date of
approval of SPAHs bank holding company application by the Federal Reserve, during which time the
United States Department of Justice is afforded the opportunity to challenge the merger on
antitrust grounds. The commencement of any antitrust action would stay the effectiveness of the
approval of the Federal Reserve, unless a court of competent jurisdiction were to specifically
order otherwise.
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The merger also is subject to the prior approval of the Washington DFI. SPAH filed an
application with the Washington DFI on August [_____], 2009. The Washington DFI may disapprove a
change of control of a state bank within 60 days of the filing of a complete application (or for an
extended period not exceeding an additional 15 days) if it determines that the transaction is not
in the public interest and for other reasons specified under Washington law.
The Merger Agreement
The following summary of the material provisions of the merger agreement does not purport to
describe all of the terms of the merger agreement. The following summary is qualified by reference
to the complete text of the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached as Annex A to this joint
proxy statement/prospectus and incorporated herein by reference. We urge you to read the full text
of the merger agreement in its entirety for a more complete description of the terms and conditions
of the merger.
Structure of the Merger
The merger agreement provides for the merger of Frontier with and into SPAH. SPAH will be the
surviving corporation in the merger, change its name to Frontier Financial Corporation and be
headquartered in Everett, Washington. Frontier Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Frontier, will
become a wholly owned subsidiary of SPAH following the merger. Each share of Frontier common stock
issued and outstanding at the effective time of the merger will be converted into 0.0530 shares of
newly issued SPAH common stock and 0.0530 newly issued warrants of SPAH, having the same terms and
conditions as the publicly traded SPAH warrants immediately prior to the effective time of the
merger (as defined below), after giving effect to the warrant amendment proposal.
Following the merger, the surviving corporation will file a second amended and restated
certificate of incorporation substantially in the form attached as
Annex C to this joint proxy
statement/prospectus, incorporating the Initial Charter Amendment and Subsequent Charter Amendments
being considered by SPAH stockholders at the special meeting of stockholders, assuming they are
adopted. In addition, the provisions of Article SIXTH will be removed from the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation to reflect that, pursuant to their terms, they are terminated automatically with no
action required by the SPAH Board or the stockholders in the event an initial business combination,
such as the merger with Frontier, is consummated.
Upon consummation of the merger with Frontier, the funds currently held in SPAHs trust
account, less (i) any amounts paid to stockholders who exercise their conversion rights, (ii) the
deferred underwriting compensation and (iii) any funds used to purchase shares from SPAH public
stockholders who intend to vote against the merger, and proceeds from the co-investment will be
released to SPAH. SPAH intends to pay any additional expenses related to the merger and hold the
remaining funds as capital pending use for general corporate and strategic purposes. Such purposes
could include increasing the capital of Frontier Bank, future mergers and acquisitions, branch
construction, asset purchases, payment of dividends, repurchases of shares of SPAH common stock and
general corporate purposes. Until such capital is fully leveraged or deployed, SPAH may not be able
to successfully deploy such capital and SPAHs return on equity could be negatively impacted.
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Closing and Effective Time of the Merger
The merger and other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement shall become effective
on the date and time stated in the Certificate of Merger reflecting the merger to be filed and
become effective with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as provided in Section 252 of
the DGCL and the Articles of Merger reflecting the merger to be filed and become effective with the
Secretary of State of the State of Washington. The closing of the merger and other transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement will take place at 9:00 A.M. Eastern Time on the date that
the effective time occurs, or at such other time as the parties, acting through their authorized
officers, may mutually agree.
Merger Consideration
If you are a Frontier shareholder, as a result of the merger, each share of Frontier common
stock you own immediately prior to the completion of the merger will be automatically converted
into the right to receive 0.0530 shares of newly issued SPAH common stock and 0.0530 newly issued
warrants of SPAH, having the same terms and conditions as the publicly traded SPAH warrants
immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, after giving effect to the warrant amendment
proposal.
As of the record date for the Frontier special meeting, Frontier had [______] shares
of common stock issued and outstanding. Based on the exchange ratio of 0.0530, SPAH would issue
approximately 2.5 million shares of SPAH common stock and approximately 2.5 million newly issued
warrants to purchase shares of SPAH common stock in consideration of the merger. Accordingly, SPAH
would have then issued and outstanding approximately [______] shares of SPAH common stock
based on the number of shares of SPAH common stock issued and outstanding on the record date for
SPAHs special meeting of stockholders (as adjusted to reflect the forfeiture of 9,453,412
founders shares by SP Acq LLC and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker) and
[______] warrants based on the number of warrants of SPAH issued and outstanding on the record date for
SPAHs special meeting of warrantholders (as adjusted to reflect the co-investment). Based on the
closing price of SPAH common stock and warrants of $[______] and $[______],
respectively, on [______], 2009, the total value of the consideration SPAH will pay in the
merger to the stockholders of Frontier is approximately $[______] million.
No assurance can be given that the current fair market value of SPAH common stock or warrants
will be equivalent to the fair market value of SPAH common stock or warrants on the date that stock
or warrants are received by a Frontier shareholder or at any other time. The fair market value of
SPAH common stock or warrants received by a Frontier shareholder may be greater or less than the
current fair market value of SPAH due to numerous market factors.
Fractional Shares
No fractional shares of SPAH common stock or warrants will be issued to any holder of Frontier
common stock in the merger. If a holder of shares of Frontier common stock exchanged pursuant to
the merger would be entitled to receive a fractional interest of a share of SPAH common stock or
warrant, SPAH will round up or down the number of common stock or warrants of SPAH to be issued to
the Frontier shareholder to the nearest whole number of shares of common stock or warrants.
Treatment of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Restricted Stock
Upon completion of the merger, each award, option, or other right to purchase or acquire
shares of Frontier common stock pursuant to stock options, stock appreciation rights, or stock
awards granted by Frontier under Frontiers stock incentive plans, equity compensation plans and
stock option plans, which are outstanding immediately prior to the merger, whether or not vested,
will be cancelled. Each outstanding share of Frontier restricted stock will vest at the time of
the merger, and be converted into and become rights with respect to SPAH common stock.
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Exchange of Certificates
As soon as reasonably practicable after the effective time of the merger, SPAH shall cause the
exchange agent selected by SPAH, which shall be an independent transfer agent or trust company, to
mail appropriate transmittal materials to each record holder of Frontier common stock for use in
effecting the surrender and cancellation of those certificates in exchange for SPAH common stock
and SPAH warrants. Risk of loss and title to the certificates will remain with the holder until
proper delivery of such certificates to SPAH by Frontiers shareholders. After the effective time
of the merger, each holder of shares of Frontier common stock, except holders exercising
dissenters rights, issued and outstanding at the effective time must surrender the certificate or
certificates representing their shares of Frontier common stock to SPAH and will, as soon as
reasonably practicable after surrender, receive the consideration they are entitled to under the
merger agreement (without interest). SPAH will not be obligated to deliver the consideration to
which any former holder of Frontier common stock is entitled until the holder surrenders the
certificate or certificates representing his or her shares for exchange. The certificate or
certificates so surrendered must be duly endorsed as the exchange agent may require. SPAH, the
exchange agent or Frontier or any subsidiary of Frontier will not be liable to a holder of Frontier
common stock for any property delivered in good faith to a public official pursuant to any
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
After the effective time of the merger (and prior to the surrender of certificates of Frontier
common stock to SPAH), record holders of certificates that represented outstanding Frontier common
stock immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will have no rights with respect to the
certificates for Frontier common stock other than the right to surrender the certificates and
receive the merger consideration in exchange for the certificates.
Each of SPAH and the exchange agent will be entitled to deduct and withhold from the
consideration otherwise payable pursuant to the merger agreement to any holder of shares of
Frontier common stock such amounts, if any, as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect
to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law or
by any taxing authority or governmental authority.
SPAH stockholders will not be required to exchange certificates representing their shares of
SPAH common stock or otherwise take any action after the merger is completed.
Representations and Warranties
The merger agreement contains a number of representations and warranties that each of Frontier
and SPAH have made to each other. These representations and warranties relate to the following:
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Organization, Standing and Power;
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Authority; No Breach By the Agreement;
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Capital Stock;
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Subsidiaries;
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Exchange Act Filings; Securities Offerings; Financial Statements;
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Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities;
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Absence of Certain Changes or Events;
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Tax Matters;
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Assets;
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Intellectual Property;
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Environmental Matters;
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Compliance with Laws;
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Labor Relations;
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Employee Benefit Plans;
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Material Contracts;
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Properties and Leases;
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Legal Proceedings;
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Reports;
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Books and Records;
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Independence of Directors;
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Tax and Regulatory Matters; Consents;
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Brokers and Finders;
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Board Recommendation; and
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Statements True and Correct.
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The merger agreement contains additional representations and warranties of Frontier relating
to the following:
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Allowance for Possible Loan Losses; Loan and Investment Portfolio, etc.;
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Privacy of Customer Information;
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Loans to Executive Officers, Directors and Principal Shareholders;
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Stockholders Support Agreements;
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Opinion of Financial Advisor;
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No Participation In TARP; and
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The merger agreement contains additional representations and warranties of SPAH relating to
the following:
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Loans to Executive Officers and Directors;
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Prior Business Operations.
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Conduct of Business Pending Consummation of the Merger
Under the merger agreement, each of SPAH and Frontier has agreed, except as otherwise
contemplated by the merger agreement or with the prior consent of the other party, and to cause its
subsidiaries to:
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operate its business only in the usual, regular, and ordinary course;
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use reasonable efforts to preserve intact its business organization and assets and
maintain its rights and franchises;
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use reasonable efforts to cause its representations and warranties to be correct at
all times
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use reasonable efforts to provide all information requested by a party related to
loans or other transactions made by the other party with a value equal to or exceeding
$1,000,000;
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consult with the other party prior to entering into or making any loans or other
transactions with a value equal to or exceeding $1,000,000; and
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take no action which would (1) adversely affect the ability of any party to obtain
any consents required for the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement without
imposition of a condition or restriction which, in the reasonable judgment of the SPAH
Board or Frontier Board, would so materially adversely impact the economic or business
benefits of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement as to render
inadvisable the consummation of the merger, or (2) materially adversely affect the
ability of either party to perform its covenants and agreements under the merger
agreement.
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In addition, each of SPAH and Frontier has agreed in the merger agreement not to take certain
actions or agree or commit to take certain actions, or permit its subsidiaries to take or agree or
commit to take certain actions pending consummation of the merger without the prior consent of the
other party and except as otherwise expressly contemplated by the merger agreement. Such actions
include, without limitation:
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except as contemplated by the merger agreement, amending its certificate of
incorporation, articles of incorporation, bylaws, or other governing corporate
instruments;
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in the case of Frontier only, modifying Frontier Banks lending policy;
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incurring any obligation for borrowed money in excess of an aggregate of $1,000,000,
except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and that are
prepayable without penalty, charge or other payment, or imposing or suffering the
imposition of any lien on any asset or permit a lien to exist, with certain limited
exceptions;
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repurchasing, redeeming or otherwise acquiring or exchanging (other than exchanges
in the ordinary course under employee benefit plans) any shares, or securities
convertible into any shares, of the capital stock of SPAH or Frontier or any Frontier
subsidiary or declaring or paying any dividend or making any other distribution in
respect of either partys common stock;
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subject to certain limited exceptions, issuing, selling, or pledging, encumbering,
authorizing the issuance of, entering into any contract to issue, sell, pledge,
encumber, or authorize the issuance of, or otherwise permit to become outstanding any
additional shares of SPAH or Frontier common stock, any capital stock of any of
Frontiers subsidiaries or any rights to acquire any such shares;
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adjusting, splitting, combining or reclassifying any SPAH or Frontier capital stock
or the capital stock of any Frontier subsidiary, or issuing or authorizing the issuance
of any other securities in respect of, or in substitution for, shares of SPAH or
Frontier common stock, or selling, leasing, mortgaging or otherwise disposing of, in
the case of Frontier only, any shares of capital stock of any subsidiary, and, in the
case of either SPAH or Frontier, any asset, other than in the ordinary course for
reasonable and adequate consideration;
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purchasing any securities or making any material investments in any person or
otherwise acquiring direct or indirect control over any person, except in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, subject to certain limited
exceptions;
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granting any bonus or increase in compensation or benefits to the employees,
officers or directors of SPAH or Frontier or any Frontier subsidiary (subject to
certain limited exceptions), committing or agreeing to pay any severance or termination
pay, or any stay or other bonus to any SPAH or Frontier director, officer or employee,
as applicable, entering into or amending any severance agreements with officers,
employees, directors, independent contractors or agents of SPAH or any Frontier
subsidiary, changing any fees or other compensation or other benefits to directors of
SPAH or Frontier or any Frontier subsidiary, or waiving any stock repurchase rights,
accelerating, amending or changing the period of exercisability of any rights or
restricted stock, as applicable, or in the case of Frontier, repricing rights granted
under its stock incentive plans, equity compensation plans and stock option plans or
authorizing cash payments in exchange for any rights, or accelerating or vesting or
committing or agreeing to accelerate or vest any amounts, benefits or rights payable by
SPAH or Frontier or any Frontier subsidiary;
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entering into or amending (unless required by law) any employment contract that does
not give SPAH, Frontier or the Frontier subsidiary the unconditional right to terminate
the agreement following the effective time of the merger without liability other than
for services already rendered;
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entering into any severance or change of control agreements or arrangements, or
deferred compensation agreements or arrangements between SPAH, Frontier or the Frontier
subsidiary and any person;
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subject to certain limited exceptions relating to requirements of law and
maintaining tax qualified status, adopting any new employee benefit plan or terminating
or withdrawing from or materially changing any existing employee benefit plans, welfare
plans, insurance, stock or other plans, or making any distributions from such employee
benefit or welfare plans, except as required by law, the terms of such plans or
consistent with past practice;
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making any change in any tax or accounting methods or systems of internal accounting
controls, except, without the review and consent of the other party, as may be
appropriate and necessary to conform to changes in tax laws, regulatory accounting
requirements or generally accepted accounting principles or file any amended tax
return, enter into any closing agreement, settle any tax claim or assessment relating
to SPAH or Frontier or any Frontier subsidiary, as applicable, surrender any right to
claim a refund of taxes, consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period
applicable to any tax claim or assessment relating to SPAH or Frontier and any Frontier
subsidiary, as applicable, or take any other similar action relating to the filing of
any tax return or the payment of any tax;
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commencing any litigation other than in accordance with past practice (including
collection and foreclosure by Frontier on defaulted loans) or settling any litigation
involving any liability in excess of $500,000 individually or $1,000,000 in the
aggregate for money damages or restrictions on the operations of SPAH or Frontier or
any Frontier subsidiary;
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entering into, modifying, amending, or terminating any material contract (including
any loan contract with respect to any extension of credit with an unpaid balance
exceeding $1,000,000) or waiving, releasing, compromising or assigning any material
rights or claims, or, in the case of Frontier, making any adverse changes in the mix,
rates, terms, or maturities of Frontier Banks deposits and other liabilities; or
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taking any action or failing to take any action that at the time of such action or
inaction is reasonably likely to prevent, or would be reasonably likely to materially
interfere with, the consummation of the merger.
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Additional Agreements
The merger agreement also contains additional agreements of the parties, including the
following, among others:
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No Claims against SPAH Trust Fund
. Frontier agrees that it does not have any claim
to, or have the right to make any claim against the trust fund established for the
benefit of the SPAH public stockholders for any monies that may be owed to it by SPAH;
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Registration Statement; Joint Proxy Statement
. Each of SPAH and Frontier will
cooperate in the preparation of any filings to be made with the SEC by either party.
SPAH and Frontier will prepare, and SPAH shall file with the SEC, a registration
statement on Form S-4, of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part,
which shall include a prospectus for the issuance of shares of SPAH common stock and
warrants in the merger, a proxy statement of SPAH for use in connection with the
solicitation of proxies for the SPAH stockholders meeting, a proxy statement of
Frontier for use in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Frontier
shareholders meeting, and a proxy statement of SPAH for use in connection with the
solicitation of proxies for the SPAH warrantholders meeting. Each of SPAH and
Frontier has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
registration statement to be filed within ten (10) business days of the date of the
merger agreement, have the registration statement declared effective by the SEC as
promptly as reasonably practicable after such filing with the SEC and have agreed to
fully cooperate with the other party hereto and its respective representatives in the
preparation of this joint proxy statement/prospectus. As soon as reasonably practicable
after this joint proxy statement/prospectus is declared effective by the SEC, SPAH and
Frontier shall cause this joint proxy statement/prospectus to be mailed to their
respective stockholders;
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Other Offers
. The merger agreement provides that neither SPAH or Frontier nor any of
their respective affiliates and representatives will solicit any acquisition proposal
(generally, a tender offer or proposal for a merger, asset acquisition or other
business combination which would compete with the merger). SPAH and Frontier have also
agreed not to and not to permit their respective affiliates and representatives to
furnish any confidential information, negotiate, or enter into any contract, with
respect to any acquisition proposal. However, the merger agreement also provides that
either party may furnish nonpublic information regarding itself and may enter into a
confidentiality agreement or discussions or negotiations in response to a bona fide
unsolicited written acquisition proposal if: (i) such party has not violated any of
the restrictions against soliciting acquisition proposals; (ii) its board of directors,
in its good faith judgment believes (based on, among other things, the advice of its
financial advisor) that such acquisition proposal constitutes a superior proposal;
(iii) its board of directors concludes in good faith, after consultation with and
receipt of a written opinion from its outside legal counsel, that the failure to take
such action would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties, to its stockholders; (iv)
(1) at least five business days prior to furnishing any such nonpublic information to,
or entering into discussions or negotiations, the party gives the other party written
notice of such partys intention to furnish nonpublic information to, or enter into
discussions or negotiations and the identity of such prospective purchaser, and (2)
such party receives from such prospective purchaser an executed confidentiality
agreement containing terms no less favorable to the disclosing party than the
confidentiality terms of the merger agreement; and (v) contemporaneously with
furnishing any such nonpublic information, such party furnishes such nonpublic
information to the other party (to the extent such nonpublic information has not been
previously furnished by such party). In addition, each of SPAH and Frontier have
agreed to provide the other party with at least five business days prior written
notice of a meeting of its board of directors at which meeting such board of directors
is reasonably expected to resolve to recommend the acquisition proposal to its
stockholders and together with such notice, a copy of the most recently proposed
documentation or revisions relating to the acquisition proposal;
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Consents of Regulatory Authorities
. SPAH and Frontier have agreed to cooperate with
each other and use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly prepare and file all
necessary documentation and applications, to effect all applications, notices,
petitions and filings, and to obtain as promptly as practicable all consents of all
regulatory authorities and other persons which are necessary or advisable to consummate
the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;
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Agreement as to Efforts to Consummate
. SPAH and Frontier have each agreed to use
commercially reasonable efforts to take such actions as are necessary, proper or
advisable to consummate the merger;
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Investigation and Confidentiality
. The protection of confidential information of
the parties and, subject to the confidentiality requirements, the provision of
reasonable access to information. SPAH and Frontier agree to keep each other advised
of all material developments relevant to its business and the consummation of the
merger;
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Employee Benefits and Contracts
. Following the effective time, SPAH shall provide
generally to officers and employees of Frontier or Frontiers subsidiary, employee
benefits under employee benefit and welfare plans (other than stock option or other
plans involving the potential issuance of SPAH Common Stock) on terms and conditions
which when taken as a whole are comparable to or better than those then provided by
Frontier or Frontiers subsidiary to their similarly situated officers and employees.
In addition, following the effective time, SPAH will adopt such stock option or other
equity plans for officers and employees of Frontier or Frontiers subsidiary as the
SPAH Board (post-merger) deems appropriate. Following the effective time, SPAH will
assume and honor certain Frontier severance and change of control agreements; and
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Indemnification
. The merger agreement provides that, for a period of six years
following the effective time of the merger, SPAH will indemnify the officers,
directors, employees and agents of Frontier with respect to all acts or omissions by
them in their capacities as such at or prior to the effective time to the fullest
extent permitted by law (including with respect to advancement of expenses and whether
or not SPAH is insured against any such matter). The merger agreement further requires
the combined company to, for a period of six years following the effective time of the
merger, use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain coverage under Frontiers
existing officers and directors liability insurance policy (or a substitute policy
with coverage and amounts no less favorable than those Frontier maintained for its
directors prior to the merger under the existing Frontier officers and directors
liability insurance policy), provided, that neither Frontier nor SPAH will be obligated
to make aggregate premium payments longer than six years in respect of such policy (or
coverage replacing such policy) and which exceed, for the portion related to Frontiers
directors and officers, 400% of the annual premium payments on Frontiers current
policy.
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Conditions to the Closing of the Merger
The obligations of SPAH and Frontier to consummate the merger are subject to the satisfaction
or waiver (to the extent permitted) of several conditions, including:
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The Initial Charter Amendment and the Subsequent Charter Amendments must have been
approved by SPAH stockholders;
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Holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Frontier must have approved the
merger proposal and both (1) holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of SPAH
common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting and (2) a majority of the shares
of common stock voted by the SPAH public stockholders are voted, in person or by proxy,
in favor of the merger, and the SPAH public stockholders owning 10% or more of the
shares sold in SPAHs initial public offering vote against the merger and exercise
their conversion rights;
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The warrant amendment proposal must have been approved by SPAH warrantholders;
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The required regulatory approvals described under Regulatory Approvals must have
been received, generally without any conditions or requirements;
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Each party must have received all consents required for consummation of the merger
and for the prevention of a default under any contract or permit of such party which,
if not obtained or made, is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a material adverse effect on such party;
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No court or governmental authority may have taken any action which prohibits,
restricts, or makes illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
merger agreement;
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The shares of SPAH common stock to be issued as consideration in the merger will
have been approved for listing on the NYSE AMEX or the Nasdaq Global Market, subject to
official notice of issuance;
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The registration statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act and
no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement shall have
been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened
by the SEC;
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The representations and warranties of SPAH and Frontier in the merger agreement must
be true and correct, without any qualifications, subject to an exception generally for
inaccuracies with an aggregate effect not likely to have a material adverse effect on
the applicable party, and the other party must have performed all of the agreements and
covenants to be performed by it pursuant to the merger agreement, and must have
delivered certificates confirming satisfaction of the foregoing requirements and
certain other matters;
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Each Frontier insider will have executed and delivered to SPAH a support agreement
as described above. Each of Frontier insider and each other person whom Frontier
reasonably believes may be deemed an affiliate of Frontier for purposes of Rule 145
under the Securities Act will have executed and delivered to SPAH the lock-up
agreements as described above;
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SPAH will have received from Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company a duly
executed Warrant Amendment Agreement;
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There must not have been since the date of the merger agreement any material changes
in the members of the Frontier Board or Frontier management;
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Each party will have received certain legal opinions and tax opinions from its
outside counsel and Frontier will have received an opinion as to the fairness from a
financial point of view of the merger consideration to its shareholders;
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Each of (i) FDIC Order, (ii) the FRB Written Agreement, and (iii) the Memorandum of
Understanding, will have been modified in a manner reasonably acceptable to SPAH,
including by the elimination of certain provisions and consequences related thereto;
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Holders of no more than 10% of the outstanding shares of Frontier common stock
entitled to vote on the merger will have exercised their dissenters rights;
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SP Acq LLC will have forfeited 8,987,883 of its founders shares and Messrs.
Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker will have forfeited 465,529 of its
founders shares;
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SPAH will have taken all necessary action to allow the distribution of all the
assets in the trust account to SPAH in the merger at the effective time of the merger;
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There must not have been since the date of the merger agreement and the effective
time, occurred or be threatened, no event related to or involving Frontier/or its
subsidiaries which is reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate to have an a
material adverse effect; and
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Frontier shall have received the required third-party consents.
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Termination
Notwithstanding the approval of the merger proposal by SPAH and Frontier stockholders, we can
mutually agree at any time to terminate the merger agreement at any time prior to the effective
time:
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By mutual written agreement of SPAH and Frontier;
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By either party if the other party is in breach of any of its
representations, warranties or covenants under the merger agreement which cannot be or has not been cured within 5 days after the
giving of written notice by the non-breaching party to the breaching party of such
breach;
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By either party in the event (i) any consent of any regulatory authority required
for consummation of the merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby shall
have been denied by final nonappealable action of such authority or if any action taken
by such authority is not appealed within the time limit for appeal, (ii) any law or
order permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of
the merger shall have become final and nonappealable, (iii) the stockholders of SPAH or
Frontier fail to vote their approval of the matters relating to the merger agreement
and the transactions contemplated thereby at SPAHs special meeting of stockholders or
Frontiers special meeting of shareholders, respectively, where such matters were
presented to such stockholders for approval and voted upon, or (iv) if applicable,
holders of 10% or more of the shares
sold in or subsequent to SPAHs initial public offering vote against the merger and
elect to exercise their conversion rights;
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By either party in the event that the merger shall not have been consummated by
December 31, 2009;
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By either party if the other partys board of directors fails to reaffirm its
approval upon the other partys request for such reaffirmation of the merger or if such
other partys board of directors resolves not to reaffirm the merger;
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By either party if the other partys board of directors fails to include in the
joint proxy statement/prospectus its recommendation, without modification or
qualification, that the stockholders approve the merger or if the partys board of
directors withdraws, qualifies, modifies, proposes publicly to withdraw, qualify, or
modify, in a manner adverse to the other party, the recommendation that the
stockholders approve the merger;
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By either party if the other partys board of directors affirms, recommends, or
authorizes entering into any acquisition transaction other than the merger or, within
10 business days after commencement of any tender or exchange offer for any shares of
its common stock, the other partys board of directors fails to recommend against
acceptance of such tender or exchange offer or takes no position with respect to such
tender or exchange offer;
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By either party if the other partys board of directors negotiates or authorizes the
conduct of negotiations (and five business days have elapsed without such negotiations
being discontinued) with a third party regarding an acquisition proposal other than the
merger; or
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By either party if the party terminating is not in material breach of any
representation, warranty, or covenant, or other agreement in the merger agreement, and
prior to the adoption of the merger proposal by the stockholders, the other partys
board of directors has (1) withdrawn or modified or changed its recommendation of
approval of the merger agreement in a manner adverse to the terminating party in order
to approve and permit the other party to accept a superior proposal and (2) determined,
after consultation with, and the receipt of advice from outside legal counsel to the
other party, that the failure to take such action as described in the preceding clause
(1) would be likely to result in a breach of the board of directors fiduciary duties
under applicable law, provided, however, that at least five business days prior to any
such termination, the terminating party shall, and shall cause its advisors to,
negotiate with the other party, if such party elects to do so, to make such adjustments
in the terms and conditions of the merger agreement as would enable the other party to
proceed with the merger on the adjusted terms.
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Expenses and Termination Fees
The merger agreement provides that, subject to certain exceptions, each party will be
responsible for its own direct costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement.
The merger agreement provides that if:
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(i) SPAH terminates the merger agreement due to a breach by Frontier, (ii) either
party terminates due to the failure of Frontier to obtain stockholder approval, (iii)
either party terminates due to the failure to consummate the merger by December 31,
2009, and, in the case of a termination under clause (ii) or (iii) above, (x) there has
been publicly announced and not withdrawn another acquisition proposal relating to
Frontier or (y) Frontier has failed to perform and comply in all material respects with
any of its obligations, agreements or covenants required by the merger agreement, and
within 12 months of such termination Frontier either (A) consummates an acquisition
transaction (other than the merger with SPAH) or (B) enters into a definitive agreement
with respect to an acquisition transaction (other than the merger with SPAH), whether
or not such acquisition transaction is subsequently consummated
(but changing, in the case of (A) and (B), the references to 5% and 90% amounts in the
definition of, acquisition transaction in the merger agreement, to 50% and 80%,
respectively); or
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SPAH terminates the merger agreement (i) due to the failure of the Frontier Board to
reaffirm its approval upon SPAHs request for such reaffirmation of the merger or if
the Frontier Board resolves not to reaffirm the merger, (ii) due to the failure of the
Frontier Board to include in the joint proxy statement/prospectus its recommendation,
without modification or qualification, that the Frontier stockholders approve the
merger or if the Frontier Board withdraws, qualifies, modifies, proposes publicly to
withdraw, qualify, or modify, in a manner adverse to SPAH, the recommendation that the
Frontier stockholders approve the merger, (iii) if the Frontier Board affirms,
recommends, or authorizes entering into any acquisition transaction other than the
merger or, within 10 business days after commencement of any tender or exchange offer
for any shares of Frontier common stock, the Frontier Board fails to recommend against
acceptance of such tender or exchange offer or takes no position with respect to such
tender or exchange offer; or (iv) if the Frontier Board negotiates or authorizes the
conduct of negotiations (and five business days have elapsed without such negotiations
being discontinued) with a third party regarding an acquisition proposal other than the
merger;
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then, Frontier shall pay to SPAH, an amount equal to $2,500,000.
Amendments and Waivers
The merger agreement may be amended by a subsequent writing signed by each of the parties upon
the approval of each of SPAH and Frontier, whether before or after stockholder approval of the
merger agreement has been obtained;
provided that
after any such approval by the holders of
Frontier common stock, there shall be made no amendment that reduces or modifies in any respect the
consideration to be received by holders of Frontier common stock.
Prior to or at the effective time of the merger, either SPAH or Frontier may waive any default
in the performance of any term of the merger agreement by the other party, may waive or extend the
time for the fulfillment by the other party of any of its obligations under the merger agreement,
and may waive any of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such party under the merger
agreement, except any condition that, if not satisfied, would result in the violation of an
applicable law.
On August 10, 2009, SPAH and Frontier entered into Amendment No. 1 to
Agreement and Plan of Merger. The Amendment reduced the number of
Directors who will serve on the Board of Directors of each of SPAH and
Frontier Bank from seven (7) to five (5) and also changed the composition
of the Board of Directors of each of SPAH and Frontier Bank.
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THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SPAH STOCKHOLDERS
General
The SPAH Board is providing this joint proxy statement/prospectus to you in connection with
its solicitation of proxies for use at the special meeting of SPAHs stockholders and at any
adjournments or postponements of the special meeting.
Your vote is important. Please complete, date and sign the accompanying proxy card and return
it in the enclosed, postage prepaid envelope. If your shares are held in street name, you should
instruct your broker how to vote by following the directions provided by your broker.
Meeting Date, Time, and Place and Record Date
SPAH will hold the special meeting on [______], [______], 2009 at [______]:00 [______].m., local
time, at [______]. Only holders of SPAH common stock of record at the close of business on
[______], 2009, the SPAH record date, will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the
special meeting. As of the record date, there were 54,112,000 shares of SPAH common stock
outstanding and entitled to vote, with each such share entitled to one vote.
Matters to Be Considered
At the special meeting, SPAHs stockholders will be asked:
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1.
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To consider and vote upon a proposal to amend the SPAH Certificate of Amendment
to amend the definition of initial business combination to eliminate the requirement
that the fair market value of the target business equal at least 80% of the balance of
SPAHs trust account (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions) plus the
proceeds of the co-investment, to be effective immediately prior to the consummation of
the merger;
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2.
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To consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the merger agreement pursuant to
which Frontier will merge with and into SPAH and each share of Frontier common stock
will be converted into the right to receive 0.0530 newly issued shares of SPAH common
stock and 0.0530 newly issued warrants to purchase common stock, subject to possible
adjustment, as further described in more detail in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus;
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3.
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To consider and vote upon a proposal to amend the SPAH Certificate of Amendment
to (i) change SPAHs corporate name to Frontier Financial Corporation, (ii) permit
SPAHs continued existence after October 10, 2009, and (iii) create a new class of
common stock of SPAH (Non-Voting Common Stock) which will have economic rights but no
voting rights, in each case effective upon consummation of the merger; and
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4.
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To consider and vote upon the election to the SPAH Board of, Warren G.
Lichtenstein, who will serve as Chairman of the Board, and, if the merger is
consummated, four directors from Frontier, comprised of Patrick M. Fahey, [______],
[______] and [______], each of whom currently serve on the Frontier Board, in
each case to serve until the next annual meeting of SPAH and until their successors
shall have been elected and qualified.
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If the requisite approval is received, the Initial Charter Amendment will be filed with the
Delaware Secretary of State immediately upon its approval and prior to the stockholders
consideration of the merger proposal at the special meeting of stockholders. Accordingly, the
merger proposal will only be presented for a vote at the special meeting if (i) the Initial Charter
Amendment is approved by SPAH stockholders and (ii) the warrant agreement proposal is approved at
the special meeting of SPAH warrantholders to be held immediately prior to this special meeting of
stockholders. The Subsequent Charter Amendments and the election of the Frontier nominees will
only be effected in the event and at the time the merger with Frontier is consummated, although
approval of the Subsequent Charter Amendments is a condition to closing the merger. The election
of Mr. Lichtenstein does not
require the approval of any other proposals to be effective. SPAH may transact such other
business as may properly come before the special meeting or any adjournment thereof.
109
Each copy of this joint proxy statement/prospectus mailed to SPAH stockholders is accompanied
by a proxy card for use at the special meeting.
Vote Required
Amendments to SPAH Certificate of Incorporation.
Adoption of the amendments to the SPAH
Certificate of Incorporation requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of SPAHs
outstanding common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting.
Merger Agreement.
Adoption of the merger agreement requires the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of SPAH common stock entitled to vote at the
special meeting. The SPAH Certificate of Incorporation also requires that a majority of the shares
of common stock voted by the SPAH public stockholders are voted, in person or by proxy, in favor of
the merger and the SPAH public stockholders owning no more than 30% of the shares (minus one share)
sold in SPAHs initial public offering vote against the merger and thereafter exercise their
conversion rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is a condition to closing the merger
agreement that holders of no more than 10% of the shares (minus one share) sold in SPAHs initial
public offering vote against the merger and exercise their conversion rights, although at SPAHs
discretion, this closing condition may be waived in order to consummate the merger. Accordingly,
SPAH may not consummate the merger if 10% or more of the holders of shares sold in or subsequent to
SPAHs initial public offering elect to exercise their conversion rights. If SPAH elects to waive
this closing condition, it may raise the conversion threshold to anywhere between 10% to 30% (minus
one share). You cannot seek conversion unless you affirmatively vote against the merger proposal.
Election of Directors.
Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by
stockholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the special meeting.
On the record date, there were 54,112,000 outstanding shares of SPAH common stock, each of
which is entitled to one vote at the special meeting. On the record date, the SPAH insiders
beneficially owned a total of approximately 20% of the outstanding shares of SPAH common stock.
The SPAH insiders have agreed to vote all of their founders shares either for or against the
merger proposal consistent with the majority of the votes cast on the merger by the SPAH public
stockholders. To the extent any SPAH insider has acquired shares of SPAH common stock in, or
subsequent to, SPAHs initial public offering, such insider has agreed to vote these acquired
shares in favor of the merger proposal. As of the date hereof, none of the SPAH insiders own any
shares sold in, or subsequent to, the SPAH initial public offering. The SPAH insiders have further
indicated that they will vote their shares in favor of the adoption of the amendments to the SPAH
Certificate of Incorporation and for the election of each of the director nominees to the SPAH
Board. While the founders shares voted by the SPAH insiders will count towards the voting and
quorum requirements under Delaware law, they will not count towards the voting requirement under
the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation because the founders shares were not issued in SPAHs
initial public offering. As described elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, pursuant
to a plan of reorganization, SP II has contributed certain assets, including its shares of SPAH
common stock and warrants, to the Steel Trust. The trust has agreed to assume all of SP IIs
rights and obligations with respect to these shares and warrants, including to vote in accordance
with the foregoing.
Upon consummation of the merger, SP Acq LLC has agreed to forfeit 8,987,883 of the 9,653,412
founders shares it owns and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker have agreed to
forfeit an aggregate of 465,529 of the 500,000 founders shares they own.
Voting
Stockholders may vote their shares:
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by attending the special meeting and voting their shares in person, or
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by completing the enclosed proxy card, signing and dating it and mailing it in the
enclosed post-prepaid envelope.
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110
Stockholders who have their shares in street name, meaning the name of a broker or other
nominee who is the record holder, must either direct the record holder of their shares to vote
their shares or obtain a proxy from the record holder to vote their shares at the special meeting.
Quorum
The presence in person or representation by proxy, of shares of SPAH common stock representing
a majority of SPAH outstanding shares entitled to vote at the special meeting is necessary in order
for there to be a quorum at the special meeting. A quorum must be present in order for the vote on
the merger agreement, the amendments to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation and the nominees for
director. If there is no quorum present at the opening of the meeting, the special meeting may be
adjourned by the vote of a majority of the shares of SPAH common stock, present in person or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the special meeting.
Voting of Proxies
Shares of common stock represented by properly executed proxies received at or prior to the
special meeting will be voted at the special meeting in the manner specified by the holders of such
shares. If you are a stockholder of record (that is, you hold stock certificates registered in your
own name), you may vote by following the instructions described on your proxy card. If your shares
are held in nominee or street name, you will receive separate voting instructions from your
broker or nominee with your proxy materials. If you hold your shares in street name, you can
either obtain physical delivery of the shares directly into your name, and then vote your shares
yourself, or request a legal proxy directly from your broker and bring it to the special meeting,
and then vote your shares yourself. In order to obtain shares directly into your name, you must
contact your brokerage house representative. Brokerage firms may assess a fee for your conversion;
the amount of such fee varies.
Properly executed proxies that do not contain voting instructions will be voted
FOR
the
approval of the merger agreement,
FOR
the approval of the amendments to the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation and
FOR
the election of directors to the SPAH Board.
Shares of any stockholder present in person or represented by proxy (including broker
non-votes, which generally occur when a broker who holds shares in street name for a customer does
not have the authority to vote on certain non-routine matters because its customer has not provided
any voting instructions with respect to the matter) at the special meeting who abstains from voting
will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists.
Abstaining from voting (including by way of a broker non-vote), either in person or by proxy,
will have the same effect as a vote against the adoption of the merger agreement and adoption of
the amendments to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, but will have no effect on the vote
relating to the election of directors. An abstention will not be considered a vote against the
merger proposal, and, if you abstain, you will be unable to exercise any conversion rights.
Accordingly, the SPAH Board urges its stockholders to complete, date and sign the accompanying
proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed, postage-paid envelope.
Revocability of Proxies
The grant of a proxy on the enclosed proxy card does not preclude you from voting in person or
otherwise revoking your proxy. If you are a stockholder of record, there are a number of ways you
can change your vote. First, you may send a written notice to the person to whom you submitted your
proxy stating that you would like to revoke your proxy. Second, you may complete and submit a later
dated proxy with new voting instructions. Third, you may attend the special meeting and vote in
person. The latest vote actually received by SPAH prior to or at the special meeting will be your
vote. Any earlier votes will be revoked. Simply attending the special meeting without voting,
however, will not revoke your proxy.
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If you have instructed a broker to vote your shares, you must follow the directions you will
receive from your broker to change or revoke your proxy.
Solicitation of Proxies
SPAH will pay all of the costs of filing the registration statement with the SEC (of which
this joint proxy statement/prospectus is a part) and of soliciting proxies in connection with the
special meeting of stockholders as well as the special meeting of warrantholders. SPAH will also
pay the costs associated with printing the copies of this joint proxy statement/prospectus that are
sent to SPAH stockholders and the mailing fees associated with mailing this joint proxy
statement/prospectus to SPAH stockholders. Solicitation of proxies may be made in person or by
mail, telephone, or other electronic means, or other form of communication by directors, officers,
and stockholders of SPAH who will not be specially compensated for such solicitation. In addition,
SPAH has engaged [______] as its proxy solicitation firm. Such firm will be paid its customary
fee of approximately $[______] plus solicitation and out of pocket expenses. Banks, brokers,
nominees, fiduciaries, and other custodians will be requested to forward solicitation materials to
beneficial owners and to secure their voting instructions, if necessary, and will be reimbursed for
the expenses incurred in sending proxy materials to beneficial owners.
SPAH, Frontier and their respective directors and executive officers, may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies. The underwriters of SPAHs initial public offering may
provide assistance to SPAH, Frontier and their respective directors and executive officers, and may
be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies. Approximately $17.3 million of the
underwriters fees relating to SPAHs initial public offering were deferred pending stockholder
approval of SPAHs initial business combination, and stockholders are advised that the underwriters
have a financial interest in the successful outcome of the proxy solicitation. SPAH is in
negotiation with its underwriters regarding the amount and form of payment of such deferred
underwriting fees from SPAHs initial public offering. The results of these negotiations are
uncertain and could result in $17,316,000 in additional costs for the proforma company which could
be paid in cash.
No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representation not contained in
this joint proxy statement/prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representation
should not be relied upon as having been authorized by SPAH, Frontier, or any other person. The
delivery of this joint proxy statement/prospectus does not, under any circumstances, create any
implication that there has been no change in the business or affairs of SPAH or Frontier since the
date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Conversion Rights of SPAH Stockholders
Pursuant to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, if you hold shares of common stock issued
in SPAHs initial public offering (whether such shares were acquired pursuant to such initial
public offering or afterwards up to and until the record date), then you have the right to vote
against the merger proposal and demand that SPAH convert such shares into cash equal to a pro rata
share of the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account in which a substantial portion
of the net proceeds of SPAHs initial public offering are held (before payment of deferred
underwriting discounts and commissions and including interest earned on their pro rata portion of
the trust account, net of income taxes payable on such interest and net of interest income of $3.5
million on the trust account balance previously released to SPAH to fund its working capital
requirements). If demand is properly made immediately prior to the merger, shares will cease to be
outstanding and will represent only the right to receive a pro-rata portion of the trust account
plus interest.
As of [______], 2009, there was $[______] in SPAHs trust account, including accrued interest on
the funds in the trust account, or approximately $[______] per share issued in the initial public
offering. The actual per share conversion price will differ from the $[______] per share due to any
interest earned on the funds in the trust account since [______], 2009, and any taxes payable in
respect of interest earned thereon. The actual per share conversion price will be calculated as of
two business days prior to the consummation of the merger, divided by the number of shares sold in
the initial public offering.
You may request conversion at any time after the mailing of this joint proxy
statement/prospectus and prior to the vote taken with respect to the merger proposal at the special
meeting, but the request will not be granted unless you vote against the merger and the merger is
approved and completed. If the merger is not consummated, no shares will be converted to cash
through the exercise of conversion rights. Prior to exercising your conversion rights you should
verify the market price of SPAH common stock. You may receive higher proceeds from the sale
of your common stock in the public market than from exercising your conversion rights, if the
market price per share is higher than the amount of cash that you would receive upon exercise of
your conversion rights.
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If you wish to exercise your conversion rights, you must:
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affirmatively vote against the merger proposal in person or by submitting your proxy
card before the vote on the merger proposal and checking the box that states Against
for proposal number 1;
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check the box that states Exercise Conversion Rights on the proxy card; or
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send a letter to SPAHs transfer agent, Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, at 17 Battery Place, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10004,
attn: Mark Zimkind, stating that you are exercising your conversion rights and
demanding your shares of SPAH common stock be converted into cash; and
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physically tender, or if you hold your shares of SPAH common
stock in street name, cause your broker to physically tender, your stock
certificates representing shares of SPAH common stock to SPAHs transfer agent;
or
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deliver your shares electronically using the Depository Trust
Companys DWAC (Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) System, to SPAHs transfer
agent by [______], 2009.
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The DWAC delivery process can be accomplished, whether you are a record holder or your shares
are held in street name, within a day, by simply contacting the transfer agent or your broker and
requesting delivery of your shares through the DWAC System. There is a nominal cost associated with
this tendering process and the act of certificating the shares or delivering them through the DWAC
system. The transfer agent will typically charge the stockholder or the tendering broker $35, and
your broker may or may not pass this cost on to you.
Taking any action that does not include an affirmative vote against the merger, including
abstaining from voting on the merger proposal, will prevent you from exercising your conversion
rights. However, voting against the merger proposal does not obligate you to exercise your
conversion rights. In addition, if you do not properly exercise your conversion rights (as
outlined above), you will not be able to convert your shares of common stock into cash at the
conversion price.
Any request to exercise your conversion rights, once made, may be withdrawn at any time up to
immediately prior to the vote on the merger proposal at the special meeting (or any adjournment or
postponement thereof). If you (1) initially vote for the merger proposal but then wish to vote
against it and exercise your conversion rights or (2) initially vote against the merger proposal
and wish to exercise your conversion rights but do not check the box on the proxy card providing
for the exercise of your conversion rights or do not send a written request to SPAHs transfer
agent to exercise your conversion rights, or (3) initially vote against the merger proposal but
later wish to vote for it, you may request SPAHs transfer agent to send you another proxy card on
which you may indicate your intended vote and, if that vote is against the merger proposal,
exercise your conversion rights by checking the box provided for such purpose on the proxy card.
You may make such request by contacting Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company at 17 Battery
Place, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10004, attn: Mark Zimkind. Any corrected or changed proxy card or
written demand of conversion rights must be received by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
prior to the special meeting.
Please note, however, that once the vote on the merger proposal is held at the special
meeting, you may not withdraw your request to exercise your conversion rights and request the
return of your shares. If the merger is not consummated, your shares will be automatically returned
to you.
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In connection with the vote to approve the merger, SPAH stockholders may elect to vote a
portion of their shares for and a portion of their shares against the merger. If the merger is
approved and consummated, SPAH stockholders who elected to convert the portion of their shares
voted against the merger will receive the conversion price with respect to those shares and may
retain any other shares they own.
If you properly exercise your conversion rights, then you will be exchanging your shares of
SPAH common stock for cash equal to a pro rata portion of the SPAH trust account and will no longer
own these shares. SPAH anticipates that the funds to be distributed to SPAH stockholders entitled
to convert their shares who elect conversion will be distributed promptly after completion of the
merger.
The SPAH Certificate of Incorporation requires that no more than 30% (minus one share) of the
SPAH public stockholders vote against the merger and thereafter exercise their conversion rights.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is a condition to closing the merger agreement that no more than
10% of the SPAH public stockholders vote against the merger and exercise their conversion rights,
although at SPAHs discretion, this closing condition may be waived in order to consummate the
merger. Accordingly, SPAH may not consummate the merger if 10% or more of the holders of shares
sold in or subsequent to SPAHs initial public offering elect to exercise their conversion rights.
If SPAH elects to waive this closing condition, it may raise the conversion threshold to anywhere
between 10% to 30% (minus one share). If the merger is not consummated and SPAH does not
consummate a business combination by October 10, 2009, SPAH will be required to dissolve and
liquidate and SPAH public stockholders voting against the merger proposal who elected to exercise
their conversion rights would not be entitled to convert their shares. However, all SPAH public
stockholders would be entitled to participate in pro-rata liquidation distributions from SPAHs
trust account with respect to their shares.
Submission of SPAH Stockholders Proposals
The SPAH Bylaws provide that nominations of persons for election to the SPAH Board may be made
at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the
purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder of SPAH who is a stockholder of record on the
date notice of the meeting is given and on the record date for the determination of stockholders
entitled to vote at such meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in the SPAH
Bylaws. To be timely, a stockholders notice to SPAHs Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and
received at the principal executive offices of SPAH (a) in the case of an annual meeting, not later
than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day, nor earlier than the close of business on
the one hundred twentieth (120th) day, prior to the date of the anniversary of the previous years
annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the
previous year or the annual meeting is scheduled to be held on a date more than thirty (30) days
prior to or delayed by more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice by the
stockholder in order to be timely must be received not later than the later of the close of
business ninety (90) days prior to the annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on
which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the
date of the annual meeting was made and (b) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called
for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day
following the day on which notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or public
disclosure of the date of the special meeting was made, whichever occurs first.
The SPAH Bylaws also require that for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting
by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to
SPAHs Secretary. To be timely, a stockholders notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or
mailed and received at SPAHs principal executive offices not later than the close of business on
the ninetieth (90th) day, nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth
(120th) day, prior to the date of the anniversary of the previous years annual meeting;
provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the
annual meeting is scheduled to be held on a date more than thirty (30) days prior to or delayed
by more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to
be timely must be so received not later than the later of the close of business ninety (90) days
prior to the annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the
date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting
was made.
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Recommendation of the SPAH Board
The SPAH Board has unanimously determined that the proposals and the transactions contemplated
thereby are in the best interests of SPAH and its stockholders. The members of the SPAH Board
unanimously recommend that the SPAH stockholders vote at the special meeting to adopt the merger
agreement, adopt the amendments to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation and elect all of the
director nominees to the SPAH Board.
SPAHs stockholders should note that SPAHs directors and officers have certain interests in,
and may derive benefits as a result of, the merger that are in addition to their interests as
stockholders of SPAH. See The Merger and the Merger Agreement Interests of SPAHs Directors and
Officers and Others in the Merger.
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PROPOSALS TO BE CONSIDERED BY SPAH STOCKHOLDERS
Proposal No. 1: Initial Charter Amendment
SPAH is proposing to amend the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation to revise the definition of
an initial business combination and to eliminate the requirement that the fair market value of
the target business equal at least 80% of the balance of SPAHs trust account (excluding
underwriting discounts and commissions) plus the proceeds of the co-investment. An initial
business combination is defined in the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation as follows:
An Initial Business Combination shall mean the acquisition by the Corporation, through a
merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar
business combination or transaction or transactions, of one or more businesses or assets (the
Target Business or Target Businesses) having, individually or collectively, a fair market value
equal to at least 80% of sum of the balance in the Trust Account (excluding deferred underwriting
discounts and commissions of $16,000,000 or $18,400,000 if the underwriters over-allotment option
is exercised in full) plus the proceeds of the co-investment of $30,000,000 by the Steel Trust at
the time of such acquisition and resulting in ownership by the Corporation of at least 51% of the
voting equity interests of the Target Business or Businesses and control by the Corporation of the
majority of any governing body of the Target Business or Businesses. Any acquisition of multiple
Target Businesses shall occur simultaneously.
Fair market value for purposes of this Article Sixth shall be determined by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation based upon financial standards generally accepted by the financial
community, such as actual and potential gross margins, the values of comparable businesses,
earnings and cash flow, and book value. If the Corporations Board of Directors is not able to
determine independently that the Target Business or Businesses has a sufficient fair market value
to meet the threshold criterion, it will obtain an opinion in that regard from an unaffiliated,
independent investment banking firm that is a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. The Corporation is not required to obtain an opinion from an investment banking firm
as to the fair market value of the Target Business or Businesses if its Board of Directors
independently determines that the Target Business or Businesses have sufficient fair market value
to meet the threshold criterion.
Because the fair market value of Frontier on the date of the transaction is less than 80% of
the balance of the trust account (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions) plus the
proceeds of the co-investment, the proposed transaction does not meet the requirements as set forth
above. Accordingly, SPAH must amend the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation immediately prior to the
presentation of the merger proposal.
The SPAH Certificate of Incorporation purports to prohibit amendment to certain of its
provisions, including the definition of an initial business combination, prior to consummation of
an initial business combination, without the unanimous consent of the holders of all of SPAHs
outstanding shares of common stock. The prospectus issued by SPAH in its initial public offering
stated that SPAH had been advised that such provision limiting its ability to amend the SPAH
Certificate of Incorporation without unanimous consent may not be enforceable under Delaware law.
SPAH believes that the proposed merger is an extremely attractive opportunity in the current market
environment and therefore, SPAH public stockholders should be given the opportunity to consider the
business combination. In considering the Initial Charter Amendment, the SPAH Board came to the
conclusion that the potential benefits of the proposed merger with Frontier to SPAH and its
stockholders outweighed the possibility of any liability described below as a result of this
amendment being approved. SPAH is offering holders of up to 10% (minus one share) sold in SPAHs
initial public offering, the ability to affirmatively vote such shares against the merger proposal
and demand that such shares be converted into a pro rata portion of the trust account.
Accordingly, SPAH believes that the Initial Charter Amendment is consistent with the spirit in
which SPAH offered its securities to the public.
SPAH has also received an opinion from special Delaware counsel, Morris James LLP concerning
the validity of the Initial Charter Amendment. SPAH did not request Morris James LLP to opine on
whether the clause currently contained in Article Sixth of the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation
prohibiting amendment of Article Sixth prior to consummation of an initial business combination
without the unanimous consent of stockholders was valid when adopted and does not intend on seeking
advice of counsel on that question from any other source. Morris
James LLP concluded in its opinion, based upon the analysis set forth therein and its
examination of Delaware law, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and
exceptions set forth in its opinion, that the Amendment, if duly adopted by the Board of Directors
of the Corporation and duly approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Corporation in accordance with the General Corporation Law, would be valid
under the General Corporation Law. A copy of Morris James LLPs opinion is included
as Annex F to this joint proxy statement/prospectus, and stockholders are urged to review it in its
entirety.
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Because the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation in its current form does not allow for SPAH to
complete the proposed merger, each SPAH public stockholder at the time of the merger who purchased
his or her shares in the initial public offering or afterwards up to and until the record date and
who did not have the ability to convert his or her shares into cash in the event that holders of 10% or more, but less than 30% (minus one share), of shares sold in SPAHs initial public
offering elected to exercise their conversion rights, and the merger was not consummated, may have
securities law claims against SPAH for rescission (under which a successful claimant has the right
to receive the total amount paid for his or her securities pursuant to an allegedly deficient
prospectus, plus interest and less any income earned on the securities, in exchange for surrender
of the securities) or damages (compensation for loss on an investment caused by alleged material
misrepresentations or omissions in the sale of a security).
Such claims may entitle stockholders asserting them to up to $10.00 per share, based on the
initial offering price of the units sold in SPAHs initial public offering, each comprised of one
share of common stock and a warrant to purchase an additional share of common stock, less any
amount received from the sale or fair market value of the original warrants purchased as part of
the units, plus interest from the date of SPAHs initial public offering. In the case of SPAH
public stockholders, this amount may be more than the pro rata share of the trust account to which
they are entitled upon exercise of their conversion rights or liquidation of SPAH.
In general, a person who contends that he or she purchased a security pursuant to a prospectus
which contains a material misstatement or omission must make a claim for rescission within the
applicable statute of limitations period, which, for claims made under Section 12 of the Securities
Act and some state statutes, is one year from the time the claimant discovered or reasonably should
have discovered the facts giving rise to the claim, but not more than three years from the
occurrence of the event giving rise to the claim. A successful claimant for damages under federal
or state law could be awarded an amount to compensate for the decrease in value of his or her
shares caused by the alleged violation (including, possibly, punitive damages), together with
interest, while retaining the shares. Claims under the anti-fraud provisions of the federal
securities laws must generally be brought within two years of discovery, but not more than five
years after occurrence. Rescission and damages claims would not necessarily be finally adjudicated
by the time the merger is completed, and such claims would not be extinguished by consummation of
that transaction.
Even if you do not pursue such claims, others, who may include all other SPAH public
stockholders, may do so. Neither SPAH nor Frontier can predict whether stockholders will bring such
claims or whether such claims would be successful.
The approval of the Initial Charter Amendment requires the affirmative vote of the holders of
a majority of the outstanding shares of SPAH common stock on the record date.
If the Initial Charter Amendment is approved, SPAH will present the other proposals to
stockholders and warrantholders for their approval. If all of such proposals are approved, the
following will occur:
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SPAH will file a certificate of amendment to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation,
substantially in the form attached as Annex B, with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware to amend the second paragraph of Article Sixth to revise the
definition of a initial business combination as set forth below, and to delete all
references to fair market value:
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An Initial Business Combination shall mean the acquisition by the Corporation,
through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase,
reorganization or other similar business combination or transaction or transactions,
of one or more businesses or assets (the Target Business or Target Businesses),
resulting in ownership by the Corporation of more
than 50% of the voting equity interests of the Target Business or Businesses and
control by the Corporation of the majority of any governing body of the Target
Business or Businesses. Any acquisition of multiple Target Businesses shall occur
simultaneously.
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Immediately after the filing of such certificate of amendment, SPAH will be
authorized to complete the proposed merger. Thereafter, SPAH will look to satisfy all
necessary conditions to closing the merger.
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Once all conditions to closing the transaction are satisfied, SPAH will file all
necessary documents with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effectuate
the merger.
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If the Initial Charter Amendment is not approved, the remaining proposals will not be
submitted to stockholders and warrantholders for their approval.
Vote Required
Adoption of the Initial Charter Amendment requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
shares of SPAH common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. Abstaining from voting, not
voting on a proposal, or failing to instruct your broker how to vote your shares, will have the
same effect as a vote against adoption of the Initial Charter Amendment.
Board Recommendation
THE SPAH BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE INITIAL CHARTER
AMENDMENT.
Proposal No. 2: The Merger Agreement
As discussed elsewhere in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, SPAH stockholders are
considering and voting to adopt the merger agreement. SPAH stockholders should read carefully this
joint proxy statement/prospectus in its entirety for more detailed information concerning the
merger agreement and the merger. In particular, SPAH stockholders are directed to the merger
agreement which is attached as Annex A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
THE SPAH BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE MERGER
AGREEMENT.
Proposal No. 3: The Subsequent Charter Amendments
Name Change Amendment
If the merger agreement is approved and adopted by SPAH stockholders, SPAH is proposing to
amend Article FIRST of the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation to change SPAHs corporate name from
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. to Frontier Financial Corporation. The reason for this amendment
is that, in the event of a merger with Frontier, SPAHs current name will not accurately reflect
its business operations. Accordingly, the SPAH Board believes that changing its name to Frontier
Financial Corporation in connection with the merger will better reflect its business operations
upon completion of the merger.
Existing SPAH stockholders will not be required to exchange outstanding stock certificates for
new stock certificates if the amendment is adopted.
Continued Existence Amendment
If the merger agreement is approved and adopted by SPAH stockholders, SPAH is proposing to
amend Article FOURTH of the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation to permit SPAHs continued corporate
existence after October 10, 2009. Pursuant to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, SPAH must
submit a proposal to amend the
SPAH Certificate of Incorporation to permit SPAHs continued corporate existence at the same
time SPAH submits a proposal to stockholders to approve an initial business combination. In
addition, continued existence is the usual period of existence for most corporations.
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New Class of Non-Voting Common Stock Amendment
If the merger agreement is approved and adopted by SPAH stockholders, SPAH is proposing to
amend Article FIFTH of the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation to create a new class of common stock,
the Non-Voting Common Stock, that may be issued to stockholders and/or warrantholders, following
the consummation of the merger, so that a stockholder or warrantholder, in its election, may, for
example, remain below the ownership threshold which would subject them to regulation as a bank
holding company as described below.
The terms of the Non-Voting Common Stock are identical to the terms of SPAHs voting common
stock except that the Non-Voting Common Stock have no voting rights and holders of such Non-Voting
Common Stock may convert their shares into an equal number of shares of voting common stock, if
such conversion is in connection with (i) a transfer that is part of an underwritten public
offering of voting common stock, (ii) a transfer that is part of a private placement of voting
common stock in which no one party acquires the rights to purchase in excess of 2% of the voting
common stock then outstanding, (iii) a transfer of voting common stock not requiring registration
under the Securities Act, in reliance on Rule 144 thereunder in which no one party acquires in
excess of 2% of the voting common stock then outstanding, (iv) a transaction approved by the
Federal Reserve, or (v) a transfer to a person that would control more than 50% of the voting
securities of SPAH as defined by the Federal Reserve without giving effect to such transfer. In
connection with the creation of the new class of Non-Voting Common Stock, the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation would also be amended so that holders of voting common stock may convert their shares
into shares of Non-Voting Common Stock without limitation.
Under the BHC Act, a company that directly or indirectly owns, controls or has the power to
vote 25% or more of a class of voting stock of a bank or a bank holding company is a bank holding
company for purposes of the BHC Act and is subject to regulation as a bank holding company as
described in the section entitled Supervision and Regulation Federal Bank Holding Company
Regulation. In addition, a company that directly or indirectly owns, controls or has the power to
vote 10% or more, but less than 25%, of a class of voting stock of a bank or a bank holding company
may be presumed to control the bank and/or bank holding company. If the presumption of control is
not rebutted, the company is subject to the regulation as a bank holding company as described in
the section entitled Supervision and Regulation Federal Bank Holding Company Regulation. The
presumption of control may be rebutted by entering into a passivity agreement with the Federal
Reserve, which contains specific terms to limit the ability to control the management and policies
of the bank and/or bank holding company. A company that owns, controls or has the power to vote
10% or more, but less than 25%, of a class of voting stock of a bank or a bank holding company and
that enters into a passivity agreement generally is not subject to regulation as a bank holding
company. A company that directly or indirectly owns, controls or has the power to vote less than
10% of any class of voting stock of a bank or a bank holding company generally is not subject to
regulation as a bank holding company.
Given these considerations, in order to permit investor flexibility, SPAH is also requesting
warrantholder approval at a special meeting of warrantholders to amend the terms of the Warrant
Agreement, and intends to amend the Founders Agreements, to provide warrantholders with the option
to receive either voting shares of SPAH common stock or shares of Non-Voting Common Stock in
certain situations. Amending the Warrant Agreement and Founders Agreements will require the prior
written consent of the underwriters in SPAHs initial public offering, which SPAH anticipates
receiving prior to the closing of the merger.
This Subsequent Charter Amendment is being proposed for the benefit of SP Acq LLC and its
affiliates, including the Steel Trust, who otherwise would acquire more than 10% of the voting
securities of SPAH upon the exercise of their initial founders warrants, additional founders
warrants and co-investment warrants following the consummation of the merger. However, all
stockholders and/or warrantholders will be permitted to receive Non-Voting Common Stock at their
election. SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust have separately agreed, pursuant to letter agreements
with SPAH, to receive Non-Voting Common Stock upon exercise of their initial founders warrants,
additional founders warrants and co-investment warrants following the consummation of the merger,
as necessary in order to maintain an ownership level of voting common stock below 5% of the total
outstanding shares of voting
common stock. At their discretion, SP Acq LLC and/or the Steel Trust will convert such shares
into voting common stock in accordance with the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, as amended by
the Subsequent Charter Amendments and upon a distribution of the shares by Steel Trust to its
beneficiaries, such shares will also be converted into voting common stock in accordance with the
SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, as amended by the Subsequent Charter Amendments.
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Filing
of Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
Following the merger, the surviving corporation will file a second amended and restated
certificate of incorporation substantially in the form attached as
Annex C to this joint proxy
statement/prospectus, incorporating the amendments being considered by SPAH stockholders at the
special meeting, assuming they are adopted.
Vote Required
Adoption of the Subsequent Charter Amendments requires the affirmative vote of a majority of
the shares of SPAH common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. Abstaining from voting,
not voting on a proposal, or failing to instruct your broker how to vote your shares, will have the
same effect as a vote against adoption of the Subsequent Charter Amendments.
Approval of the Subsequent Charter Amendments is a condition to closing the merger.
Board Recommendation
THE SPAH BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE SUBSEQUENT
CHARTER AMENDMENTS.
Proposal No. 4: The Election of Directors
General
The SPAH Bylaws provides for a board not less than one (1) nor more than nine (9) directors
and authorizes the Board to determine from time to time the number of directors within that range
that will constitute the board. The SPAH Board has fixed the number of directors to be elected at
the special meeting at five (5), in the event the merger is consummated. If the merger is not
consummated, the SPAH Board will be fixed at one (1).
The SPAH Board has proposed the election of Warren G. Lichtenstein as a director at the
special meeting. If the merger is consummated, the SPAH Board has also proposed four director
nominees from Frontier for election as directors at the special meeting including, Patrick M.
Fahey, [______], [______] and [______], each of whom currently serve on the Frontier
Board, with Mr. Lichtenstein to serve as Chairman of the Board. Each nominee elected as a director
will continue in office until the next annual meeting of stockholders at which his or her successor
has been elected, or until his or her resignation, removal from office, or death, whichever is
earlier.
About the Nominees
Set forth below are the names and ages of the nominees for directors and their principal
occupations at present and for the past five years. There are, to the knowledge of SPAH, no
agreements or understandings by which these individuals were so selected. No family relationships
exist between any directors or executive officers, as such term is defined in Item 402 of
Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange
Act). The information concerning the nominees set forth below is given as of June 30, 2009.
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Warren G. Lichtenstein
(Age 44) has been SPAHs Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer since February 2007. Mr. Lichtenstein is the Chief Executive Officer of Steel
Partners LLC, a global management firm. Steel Partners LLC is the manager of Steel Partners II,
L.P. and Steel Partners Holdings L.P. Mr. Lichtenstein has been associated with Steel Partners LLC
and its affiliates since 1990. Mr. Lichtenstein
has been the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Steel Partners Holdings
L.P., a global diversified holding company that engages or has interests in a variety of operating
businesses through its subsidiary companies, since July 2009. Mr. Lichtenstein co-founded Steel
Partners II, L.P. in 1993. He is also a Co-Founder of Steel Partners Japan Strategic Fund
(Offshore), L.P., a private investment partnership investing in Japan, and Steel Partners China
Access I LP, a private equity partnership investing in China. Mr. Lichtenstein has served as a
director of GenCorp Inc., a manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems with a real
estate business segment, since March 2008. He was a director (formerly Chairman of the Board) of SL
Industries, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of power electronics, power motion equipment, power
protection equipment, and teleprotection and specialized communication equipment, from January 2002
to May 2008 and served as Chief Executive Officer from February 2002 to August 2005. He has served
as Chairman of the Board of WHX Corporation, a holding company, since July 2005. He served as a
director of the predecessor entity of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., from 1996 to June 2005, as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from December 1997 to June 2005 and as President from December
1997 to December 2003. Prior to the formation of Steel Partners II, L.P. in 1993, Mr. Lichtenstein
co-founded Steel Partners, L.P., an investment partnership, in 1990 and co-managed its business and
operations. From 1988 to 1990, Mr. Lichtenstein was an acquisition/arbitrage analyst with
Ballantrae Partners, L.P., which invested in risk arbitrage, special situations, and undervalued
companies. From 1987 to 1988, he was an analyst at Para Partners, L.P., a partnership that invested
in arbitrage and related situations. Mr. Lichtenstein has previously served as a director of the
following companies: Alpha Technologies Group, Inc. (Synercom Technology), Aydin Corporation
(Chairman), BKF Capital Group Inc., CPX Corp. (f/k/a CellPro, Incorporated), ECC International
Corporation, Gateway Industries, Inc., KT&G Corporation, Layne Christensen Company, PLM
International, Inc. Puroflow Incorporated, Saratoga Beverage Group, Inc., Synercom Technology,
Inc., TAB Products Co., Tandycrafts Inc., Tech-Sym Corporation, United Industrial Corporation
(Chairman) and U.S. Diagnostic Labs, Inc. Mr. Lichtenstein graduated from the University of
Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Economics.
Patrick M. Fahey
(Age 67) has over 40 years in the banking industry. He has been the Chairman
of the Frontier Board, Chief Executive Officer of Frontier and the Chairman of the Frontier Bank
Board since December 2008, and has been a director of Frontier and Frontier Bank since 2006. Prior
to joining the Frontier Board in 2006, he was retired after leaving Wells Fargo Bank in 2004. From
2003 to 2004, Mr. Fahey was the Chairman of Regional Banking, Wells Fargo Bank. Prior to that, Mr.
Fahey was the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Northwest Bank from 1988
to 2003. Mr. Fahey is a graduate of Seattle University, Pacific Coast Banking School, and the
Management Program of the University Of Washington School Of Business.
Vote Required
In the event the merger is approved, directors will be elected by the plurality of the votes
cast by stockholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the special
meeting. The SPAH Certificate of Incorporation does not allow for cumulative voting. Votes cast
for a nominee will be counted in favor of election. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not count
either in favor of, or against, election of a nominee.
It is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote for the
election of all director nominees, unless authorization to do so is withheld. Proxies cannot be
voted for a greater number of persons than the number of directors set by the SPAH Board for
election. If, prior to the special meeting, a nominee becomes unable to serve as a director for any
reason, the proxy holders reserve the right to substitute another person of their choice in such
nominees place and stead. It is not anticipated that any nominee will be unavailable for election
at the special meeting.
Board Recommendation
THE SPAH BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR
NOMINEES.
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THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SPAH WARRANTHOLDERS AND THE WARRANT AMENDMENT PROPOSAL
General
The SPAH Board is providing this joint proxy statement/prospectus to you in connection with
its solicitation of proxies for use at the special meeting of SPAHs warrantholders and at any
adjournments or postponements thereof.
Your vote is important. Please complete, date and sign the accompanying proxy card and return
it in the enclosed, postage prepaid envelope. If your warrants are held in street name, you
should instruct your broker how to vote by following the directions provided by your broker.
Meeting Date, Time and Place and Record Date
SPAH will hold the special meeting on [______], [______], 2009 at [______]:00 [______].m., local
time, at [______]. Only holders of SPAH warrants of record at the close of business on [______], 2009, the SPAH record date, will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the special
meeting. As of the record date, there were 61,112,000 warrants outstanding and entitled to vote,
with each such warrant entitled to one vote.
Matters to Be Considered
At the special meeting, SPAHs warrantholders will be asked to consider and vote upon a
proposal to amend Sections 6(a), 6(d), 6(f), 11(c), 11(d), and 11(e) of the Warrant Agreement in
connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. The
proposed amendment to the Warrant Agreement, to become effective upon consummation of the merger,
will:
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increase the exercise price of the warrants from $7.50 per share to $11.50 per share
of SPAH common stock;
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amend the warrant exercise period to (i) eliminate the requirement that the initial
founders warrants owned by the SPAH insiders become exercisable only after the
consummation of an initial business combination if and when the last sales price of
SPAH common stock exceeds $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading
day period beginning 90 days after such business combination and (ii) extend the
expiration date of the warrants to the earlier of (x) seven years from the consummation
of the merger or (y) the date fixed for redemption of the warrants set forth in the
warrant agreement;
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provide for the mandatory downward adjustment of the exercise price for each warrant
to reflect any cash dividends paid with respect to the outstanding common stock of
SPAH;
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provide that, in the event an effective registration statement is not in place on
the date the warrants are set to expire, the warrants will remain outstanding until 90
days after an effective registration statement is filed, provided, that if SPAH has not
filed an effective registration statement within 90 days after the expiration date, the
warrants shall become exercisable for cash consideration;
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provide that no adjustment in the number of shares issuable upon exercise of each
warrant will be made as a result of the issuance of SPAH shares and warrants to the
shareholders of Frontier upon consummation of the merger agreement; and
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provide that each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, in its sole
discretion, either one share of voting common stock or one share of Non-Voting Common
Stock.
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At the special meeting, we may transact such other business as may properly come before the
special meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. A copy
of the Supplement and Amendment to Amended and Restated Warrant
Agreement is attached
as Annex D to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated into this joint proxy
statement/prospectus by reference.
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Reasons for the Amendment
SPAH believes increasing the exercise price, extending the expiration date, providing for a
mandatory downward adjustment of the exercise price under certain circumstances, extending the
expiration date if an effective registration statement is not in place and providing that no
adjustment in the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants will be made upon
consummation of the merger, is appropriate given the change in structure of SPAH following
completion of the merger. In addition, SPAH is proposing to amend the warrant exercise period to
eliminate the requirement that the initial founders warrants owned by the SPAH insiders become
exercisable only after the consummation of an initial business combination if and when the last
sales price of SPAH common stock exceeds $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30
trading day period beginning 90 days after such business combination, in light of the forfeiture of
9,453,412 founders shares by SP Acq LLC and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker
upon consummation of the merger. As a result, if the warrant amendment is approved, the initial
founders warrants will become exercisable upon consummation of the merger, but the sale of such
warrants or the shares underlying the warrants will still be subject to a one-year lock-up from the
date we consummate the merger. This amendment will require the prior written consent of the
underwriters in SPAHs initial public offering, which SPAH anticipates receiving prior to the
closing of the merger.
We are further requesting warrantholder approval at the special meeting to provide
warrantholders with the option to receive, in their sole discretion, upon exercise of their
warrants, either voting shares of SPAH common stock or shares of Non-Voting Common Stock, such that
the holder thereof would not exceed the ownership threshold which would make it subject to
regulation as a bank holding company. Under the BHC Act, a company that directly or indirectly
owns, controls or has the power to vote 25% or more of a class of voting stock of a bank or a bank
holding company is a bank holding company for purposes of the BHC Act and is subject to regulation
as a bank holding company as described in the section entitled
Supervision and Regulation Federal Bank Holding Company Regulation. In addition, a company that directly or indirectly owns,
controls or has the power to vote 10% or more, but less than 25%, of a class of voting stock of a
bank or a bank holding company may be presumed to control the bank and/or bank holding company. If
the presumption of control is not rebutted, the company is subject to the regulation as a bank
holding company as described in the section entitled
Supervision and Regulation Federal Bank
Holding Company Regulation. The presumption of control may be rebutted by entering into a
passivity agreement with the Federal Reserve, which contains specific terms to limit the ability to
control the management and policies of the bank and/or bank holding company. A company that owns,
controls or has the power to vote 10% or more, but less than 25%, of a class of voting stock of a
bank or a bank holding company and that enters into a passivity agreement generally is not subject
to regulation as a bank holding company. A company that directly or indirectly owns, controls or
has the power to vote less than 10% of any class of voting stock of a bank or a bank holding
company generally is not subject to regulation as a bank holding company.
Given these considerations, in order to permit investor flexibility, SPAH is also requesting
warrantholder approval to amend the terms of the Warrant Agreement, and intends to amend the
Founders Agreements to, provide warrantholders with the option to receive either voting shares of
SPAH common stock or shares of Non-Voting Common Stock in certain situations. Amending the Warrant
Agreement and Founders Agreements will require the prior written consent of the underwriters in
SPAHs initial public offering, which SPAH anticipates receiving prior to the closing of the
merger.
SP Acq LLC and the Steel Trust have separately agreed, pursuant to letter agreements with
SPAH, to receive Non-Voting Common Stock upon exercise of their initial founders warrants,
additional founders warrants and co-investment warrants following the consummation of the merger,
as necessary in order to maintain an ownership level of voting common stock below 5% of the total
outstanding shares of voting common stock. At their discretion, SP Acq LLC and/or the Steel Trust
will convert such shares into voting common stock in accordance with the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended by the Subsequent Charter Amendments and upon a distribution of the
shares by Steel Trust to its beneficiaries, such shares will also be converted into voting common
stock in accordance with the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, as amended by the Subsequent
Charter Amendments.
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If the merger is not consummated and SPAH does not complete a different initial business
combination by October 10, 2009, the warrants will expire worthless. If the warrant amendment
proposal is approved, all other terms of SPAHs warrants will remain the same.
The approval of the warrant amendment proposal is a condition to the consummation of the
merger. Frontier shareholders will receive approximately 2,500,000 newly issued warrants in
connection with the merger, having the same terms and conditions as the publicly traded SPAH
warrants immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, after giving effect to the warrant
amendment proposal.
Vote Required
Pursuant to Section 18 of the Warrant Agreement, adoption of the amendment to the Warrant
Agreement requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the warrantholders outstanding and
entitled to vote at the special meeting. The Warrant Agreement also requires that the holders of a
majority of SPAHs outstanding warrants issued in, or subsequent to, SPAHs initial public
offering, are voted in favor of the warrant amendment.
The SPAH insiders intend to vote in favor of the warrant amendment proposal. While the
warrants voted by the SPAH insiders will count towards the voting and quorum requirements under
Delaware law, they will not count towards the voting requirement under the Warrant Agreement, which
requires that the holders of a majority of SPAHs outstanding warrants issued in, or subsequent to,
SPAHs initial public offering, are voted in favor of the warrant amendment, because the initial
founders warrants and additional founders warrants were not issued in SPAHs initial public
offering.
Voting
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Warrantholders may vote their warrants:
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by attending the special meeting and voting their warrants in person, or
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by completing the enclosed proxy card, signing and dating it and mailing it in the
enclosed post-prepaid envelope.
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Warrants represented by properly executed proxies received at or prior to the special meeting
of warrantholders will be voted at the special meeting in the manner specified by the holders of
such warrants. Warrantholders who have their warrants in street name, meaning the name of a
broker or other nominee who is the record holder, must either direct the record holder of their
warrants to vote their warrants or obtain a proxy from the record holder to vote their warrants at
the special meeting.
Quorum
The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of all the outstanding warrants entitled to
vote constitutes a quorum at the special meeting of warrantholders.
Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes
Proxies that are marked abstain and proxies relating to street name warrants that are
returned to SPAH but marked by brokers as not voted will be treated as warrants present for
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum on all matters. The latter will not be treated as
warrants entitled to vote on the matter as to which authority to vote is withheld from the broker.
If you do not give the broker voting instructions, under applicable self-regulatory organization
rules, your broker may not vote your warrants on non-routine proposals, such as the proposal to
amend certain terms of the Warrant Agreement.
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Revoking Your Proxy
If you give a proxy, you may revoke it at any time before it is exercised by doing any one of
the following:
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you may send another proxy card with a later date;
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you may notify Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, SPAHs warrant agent, in
writing before the special meeting that you have revoked your proxy; or
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you may attend the special meeting, revoke your proxy, and vote in person, as
indicated above.
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Proxy Solicitation Costs
SPAH will pay all of the costs of filing the registration statement with the SEC (of which
this joint proxy statement/prospectus is a part) and of soliciting proxies in connection with the
special meeting of stockholders as well as the special meeting of warrantholders. SPAH will also
pay the costs associated with printing the copies of this joint proxy statement/prospectus that are
sent to SPAH stockholders and the mailing fees associated with mailing this joint proxy
statement/prospectus to SPAH stockholders. Solicitation of proxies may be made in person or by
mail, telephone, or other electronic means, or other form of communication by directors, officers,
and stockholders of SPAH who will not be specially compensated for such solicitation. In addition,
SPAH has engaged [______] as its proxy solicitation firm. Such firm will be paid its customary
fee of approximately $[______] plus solicitation and out of pocket expenses. Banks, brokers,
nominees, fiduciaries, and other custodians will be requested to forward solicitation materials to
beneficial owners and to secure their voting instructions, if necessary, and will be reimbursed for
the expenses incurred in sending proxy materials to beneficial owners.
SPAH, Frontier and their respective directors and executive officers, may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies. The underwriters of SPAHs initial public offering may
provide assistance to SPAH, Frontier and their respective directors and executive officers, and may
be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies. Approximately $17.3 million of the
underwriters fees relating to SPAHs initial public offering were deferred pending stockholder
approval of SPAHs initial business combination, and stockholders are advised that the underwriters
have a financial interest in the successful outcome of the proxy solicitation. SPAH is in
negotiation with its underwriters regarding the amount and form of payment of such deferred
underwriting fees from SPAHs initial public offering. The results of these negotiations are
uncertain and could result in $17,316,000 in additional costs for the proforma company which could
be paid in cash.
No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representation not contained in
this joint proxy statement/prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representation
should not be relied upon as having been authorized by SPAH, Frontier, or any other person. The
delivery of this joint proxy statement/prospectus does not, under any circumstances, create any
implication that there has been no change in the business or affairs of SPAH or Frontier since the
date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Recommendation of the SPAH Board
THE SPAH BOARD HAS DETERMINED THAT THE WARRANT AMENDMENT PROPOSAL IS FAIR TO AND IN THE BEST
INTERESTS OF SPAH AND ITS WARRANTHOLDERS, HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE PROPOSAL AND UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDS THAT SPAHS WARRANTHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE WARRANT AMENDMENT PROPOSAL.
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THE SPECIAL MEETING OF FRONTIER SHAREHOLDERS AND THE MERGER PROPOSAL
General
The Frontier Board is providing this joint proxy statement/prospectus to you in connection
with its solicitation of proxies for use at the special meeting of shareholders of Frontier and at
any adjournments or postponements thereof.
SPAH is also providing this joint proxy statement/prospectus to you as a prospectus in
connection with the offer and sale by SPAH of shares of its common stock to shareholders of
Frontier in the merger.
Your vote is important. Please complete, date and sign the accompanying proxy card and return
it in the enclosed, postage prepaid envelope. If your shares are held in street name, you should
instruct your broker how to vote by following the directions provided by your broker.
Meeting Date, Time, and Place and Record Date
Frontier
will hold the special meeting on [_____], at
[_____] [____].m., local time, at [___]. Only holders of Frontier common stock of record at the close of business on
[_____] [_____],
2009, the record date for the special meeting, will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at
the meeting.
Matters to be Considered
At the special meeting, Frontiers shareholders will be asked to approve the merger agreement,
pursuant to which Frontier will merge with and into SPAH and each share of Frontier common stock
will be converted into the right to receive 0.0530 shares of newly issued SPAH common stock and
0.0530 newly issued warrants of SPAH, having the same terms and conditions as the publicly traded
SPAH warrants immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, after giving effect to the
warrant amendment proposal, subject to possible adjustment as described in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus.
Each copy of this joint proxy statement/prospectus mailed to Frontiers shareholders is
accompanied by a proxy card for use at the special meeting.
Vote Required
Approval of the merger proposal requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the
shares entitled to vote at the Frontier special meeting.
On the record date, there were [_____] outstanding shares of Frontier common stock, each of
which is entitled to one vote at the special meeting. All of the Frontiers insiders have agreed to
vote their [_____] shares of Frontier common stock (which constitute [_____]% of
Frontiers outstanding shares of common stock), FOR the merger proposal.
Quorum
The presence, in person or by proxy, of shares of Frontier common stock representing a
majority of Frontier outstanding shares entitled to vote at the special meeting is necessary in
order for there to be a quorum at the special meeting. A quorum must be present in order for the
vote on the merger agreement to occur. If there is no quorum present at the opening of the meeting,
the special meeting may be adjourned by the vote of a majority of shares voting on the motion to
adjourn.
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Voting of Proxies
Shares of common stock represented by properly executed proxies received at or prior to the
Frontier special meeting will be voted at the special meeting in the manner specified by the
holders of such shares. If you are a shareholder of record (that is, you hold stock certificates registered in your own name),
you may vote by following the instructions described on your proxy card. If your shares are held in
nominee or street name, you will receive separate voting instructions from your broker or nominee
with your proxy materials. If you hold your shares in street name, you can either obtain physical
delivery of the shares directly into your name, and then vote your shares yourself, or request a
legal proxy directly from your broker and bring it to the special meeting, and then vote your
shares yourself. In order to obtain shares directly into your name, you must contact your brokerage
house representative. Brokerage firms may assess a fee for your conversion; the amount of such fee
varies.
Properly executed proxies which do not contain voting instructions will be voted FOR
approval of the merger agreement.
Shares of any shareholder represented in person or by proxy (including broker non-votes, which
generally occur when a broker who holds shares in street name for a customer does not have the
authority to vote on certain non-routine matters because its customer has not provided any voting
instructions with respect to the matter) at the special meeting who abstains from voting will be
counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists.
Abstaining from voting (including by way of a broker non-vote), either in person or by proxy,
will have the same effect as a vote against approval of the merger agreement. Accordingly, the
Frontier Board urges its shareholders to complete, date and sign the accompanying proxy card and
return it promptly in the enclosed, postage-paid envelope.
Revocability of Proxies
The grant of a proxy on the enclosed proxy card does not preclude you from voting in person or
otherwise revoking your proxy. If you are a shareholder of record, there are a number of ways you
can change your vote. First, you may send a written notice to the person to whom you submitted your
proxy stating that you would like to revoke your proxy. Second, you may complete and submit a later
dated proxy with new voting instructions. Third, you may attend the special meeting and vote in
person. The latest vote actually received by Frontier prior to or at the special meeting will be
your vote. Any earlier votes will be revoked. Simply attending the special meeting without voting,
however, will not revoke your proxy.
If you have instructed a broker to vote your shares, you must follow the directions you will
receive from your broker to change or revoke your proxy.
Dissenters Rights
Frontier shareholders have the right under Washington law to dissent from the merger, obtain
an appraisal of the fair value of their Frontier shares, and receive payment in cash equal to the
appraised fair value of their Frontier shares instead of receiving the merger consideration. To
exercise dissenters rights, among other things, a Frontier shareholder must (i) notify Frontier
prior to the vote of its shareholders on the transaction of the shareholders intent to demand
payment for the shareholders shares, and (ii) not vote in favor of the merger agreement.
Submitting a properly signed proxy card that is received prior to the vote at the special meeting
(and is not properly revoked) that does not direct how the shares of Frontier common stock
represented by proxy are to be voted will constitute a vote in favor of the merger agreement and a
waiver of such shareholders dissenters rights.
A shareholder electing to dissent from the merger must strictly comply with all procedures
required under Washington law. These procedures are described more
fully under the heading The Merger and the Merger
Agreement Frontier Dissenters Rights, and a copy of the relevant Washington statutory provisions
regarding dissenters rights is included in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus as Annex F.
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Solicitation of Proxies
Frontier will pay all of the costs of soliciting proxies in connection with the Frontier
special meeting, except that SPAH will pay the costs of filing the registration statement with the
SEC, of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus is a part. Frontier will also pay costs
associated with the printing of the copies of this joint
proxy statement/prospectus that are sent to Frontier shareholders and the mailing fees
associated with mailing this joint proxy statement/prospectus to Frontier shareholders.
Solicitation of proxies may be made in person or by mail, telephone, or facsimile, or other
form of communication by directors, officers and employees of Frontier who will not be specially
compensated for such solicitation. In addition, Frontier has engaged [______] as its proxy
solicitation firm. Such firm will be paid its customary fee of approximately $[______] plus
solicitation and out of pocket expenses. Banks, brokers, nominees, fiduciaries, and
other custodians will be requested to forward solicitation materials to beneficial owners and to
secure their voting instructions, if necessary, and will be reimbursed for the expenses incurred in
sending proxy materials to beneficial owners.
No person is authorized to give any information or to make any representation not contained in
this joint proxy statement/prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representation
should not be relied upon as having been authorized by Frontier, SPAH or any other person. The
delivery of this joint proxy statement/prospectus does not, under any circumstances, create any
implication that there has been no change in the business or affairs of Frontier or SPAH since the
date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Recommendation of the Frontier Board
THE FRONTIER BOARD HAS UNANIMOUSLY DETERMINED THAT THE MERGER PROPOSAL AND THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED THEREBY ARE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF FRONTIER AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS. THE MEMBERS OF THE
FRONTIER BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND THAT THE FRONTIER SHAREHOLDERS VOTE AT THE SPECIAL MEETING TO
APPROVE THE MERGER PROPOSAL
.
Frontiers shareholders should note that Frontier directors and officers have certain
interests in, and may derive benefits as a result of, the merger that are in addition to their
interests as shareholders of Frontier. See The Merger and the Merger Agreement Certain Benefits
of Directors and Officers of Frontier.
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INFORMATION ABOUT SPAH
General
SPAH is a blank check company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on February
14, 2007. SPAH was formed for the purpose of acquiring, through a merger, capital stock exchange,
asset acquisition or other similar business combination, one or more businesses or assets. Prior
to executing the merger agreement with Frontier, SPAHs activities were limited to organizational
matters, completing its initial public offering and seeking and evaluating possible business
combination opportunities.
A registration statement for SPAHs initial public offering was declared effective on October
10, 2007. On October 16, 2007, SPAH sold 40,000,000 units in its initial public offering, and on
October 31, 2007 the underwriters for its initial public offering purchased an additional 3,289,600
units pursuant to an over-allotment option. Each unit consists of one share of common stock and one
warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of SPAH common stock at a price of
$7.50 commencing on consummation of a business combination, provided that there is an effective
registration statement covering the shares of common stock underlying the warrants in effect. The
warrants expire on October 10, 2012, unless earlier redeemed. If the warrant agreement amendment
proposal is approved by SPAHs warrantholders (as described in more detail elsewhere in this joint
proxy statement/prospectus), the exercise price of the warrants will be increased to $11.50 per
share and the expiration date of the warrants will be extended to the earlier of (x) seven years
from the consummation of the merger or (y) the date fixed for redemption of the warrants set forth
in the warrant agreement, among other things, upon consummation of the merger.
On March 22, 2007, SP Acq LLC, which is controlled by Warren G. Lichtenstein, SPAHs Chairman,
President, and Chief Executive Officer, purchased 11,500,000 of SPAHs units, of which 677,600
units were forfeited and cancelled on the date of SPAHs initial public offering upon exercise of
the underwriters over-allotment option and 1,168,988 units were subsequently sold to certain
directors of SPAH and SP II. On October 16, 2007, SP Acq LLC purchased an aggregate of 7,000,000
additional founders warrants, of which an aggregate of 500,000 warrants were subsequently sold to
certain SPAH directors, at a price of $1.00 per warrant ($7.0 million in the aggregate) in a
private placement that occurred immediately prior to the consummation of SPAHs initial public
offering.
SPAH received gross proceeds of approximately $439,896,000 from its initial public offering
and sale of the additional founders warrants to SP Acq LLC. Net proceeds of approximately
$425,909,120 were deposited into a trust account and will be part of the funds distributed to the
SPAH public stockholders in the event SPAH is unable to complete the merger or another business
combination. Unless and until a business combination is consummated, the proceeds held in the trust
account will not be available to SPAH.
In connection with the initial public offering, SP II previously agreed to purchase an
aggregate of 3,000,000 co-investment units at $10.00 per unit ($30.0 million in the aggregate) in a
private placement that will occur immediately prior to the consummation of the merger. Pursuant to
a plan of reorganization, SP II has contributed certain assets to the Steel Trust, a liquidating
trust established for the purpose of effecting the orderly liquidation of such assets. As a
result, all of the founders shares and initial founders warrants owned by SP II have been
transferred to the Steel Trust in a private transaction exempt from registration under the
Securities Act. The Steel Trust has agreed to assume all of SP IIs rights and obligations with
respect to the founders shares and initial founders warrants, as more fully described elsewhere
in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the obligation to purchase the co-investment
units. Since the agreement governing the co-investment and SPAHs initial public offering
prospectus disclosed that only SP II or SP Acq LLC may purchase the co-investment units, SPAH will
need the prior written consent of the underwriters in its initial public offering to permit the
Steel Trust to make the co-investment. SPAH anticipates receiving this consent prior to the
closing of the merger. In addition, SPAH public stockholders may have a securities law claim
against SPAH for rescission (under which a successful claimant has the right to receive the total
amount paid for his or her securities pursuant to an allegedly deficient prospectus, plus interest
and less any income earned on the securities, in exchange for surrender of the securities) or
damages (compensation for loss on an investment caused by alleged material misrepresentations or
omissions in the sale of a security), as described more fully under The Merger and the Merger
AgreementRescission Rights.
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Trust Account
A total of $425,909,120 (or approximately $9.84 per share), including $371,000,000 of the net
proceeds from SPAHs initial public offering, $7,000,000 from the sale of additional warrants to SP
Acq LLC, $30,593,280 of net proceeds of the over allotment issuance to SPAHs underwriters in the
initial public offering and $17,315,840 of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, has
been placed in a trust account at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., with Continental Stock Transfer &
Trust Company as trustee, which is to be invested in United States government securities within
the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 having a maturity of 180 days
or less or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Except for the $3,500,000 of the trust account interest income that
has been released to SPAH to fund expenses relating to investigating and selecting a target
business and other working capital requirements, and any additional amounts needed to pay income
taxes on the trust account earnings (currently $5,575,500 has been released for these purposes),
the proceeds held in the trust account will not be released from the trust account until the
earlier of the completion of SPAHs initial business combination or the liquidation of SPAH.
Upon consummation of the merger, the funds currently held in the trust account, less any
amounts (i) paid to SPAH public stockholders who exercise their conversion rights, (ii) released as
deferred underwriting compensation, and (iii) used to purchase shares from SPAH public stockholders
who intend to vote against the merger, will be released to SPAH or at SPAHs discretion, to various
third parties. SPAH intends to pay any additional expenses related to the merger and hold the
remaining funds as capital pending use for general corporate and strategic purposes. Such purposes
could include increasing the capital of Frontier Bank, future mergers and acquisitions, branch
construction, asset purchases, payment of dividends, repurchases of shares of SPAH common stock and
general corporate purposes. Until such capital is fully leveraged or deployed, SPAH may not be able
to successfully deploy such capital and SPAHs return on such equity could be negatively impacted.
Fair Market Value of Target Business
Pursuant to the prospectus for SPAHs initial public offering and the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation, the initial target business or businesses with which SPAH combines must have a
collective fair market value equal to at least 80% of the sum of the balance in the trust account
plus the proceeds of the co-investment (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions
of approximately $17.3 million) at the time of such initial business combination. The SPAH Board
has recommended that stockholders approve and amend the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation which
eliminates this 80% test in its entirety.
Opportunity for Stockholder Approval of Business Combination
SPAH will submit the merger proposal to its stockholders for approval, even though stockholder
approval is not necessarily required under Delaware law (which generally requires the approval of
stockholders if a transaction will require the issuance of more than 20% of the outstanding shares
of a companys common stock immediately prior to the effective time of the transaction). At the
same time, SPAH will submit to its stockholders for approval a proposal to amend the SPAH
Certificate of Incorporation to permit its continued corporate existence if the initial business
combination is approved and consummated. The quorum required to constitute this meeting, as for all
meetings of SPAH stockholders in accordance with the SPAH Bylaws, is a majority of SPAHs issued
and outstanding common stock (whether or not held by SPAH public stockholders). SPAH will
consummate the merger only if the required number of shares are voted in favor of both the merger
and the amendment to extend SPAHs corporate life, and the other conditions to the merger are
satisfied. If a majority of the shares of common stock voted by the SPAH public stockholders are
not voted in favor of the merger, SPAH may continue to seek other target businesses with which to
effect its initial business combination until October 10, 2009.
The SPAH insiders have agreed to vote all of their founders shares either for or against the
merger proposal consistent with the majority of the votes cast on the merger by the SPAH public
stockholders. To the extent any SPAH insider has acquired shares of SPAH common stock in, or
subsequent to, SPAHs initial public offering, such insider has agreed to vote these acquired
shares in favor of the merger proposal. As of the date hereof, none of the SPAH insiders own any
shares sold in, or subsequent to, the SPAH initial public offering. The SPAH insiders have further
indicated that they will vote their shares in favor of the adoption of the amendments to the SPAH
Certificate of Incorporation and for the election of each of the director nominees to the SPAH
Board. While the founders shares voted by the SPAH insiders will count towards the voting and
quorum requirements under Delaware law, they will not count towards the voting requirement under
the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation because the founders shares were not issued in SPAHs
initial public offering. As described below, pursuant to a plan of reorganization, SP II has
contributed certain assets, including its shares of SPAH common stock and warrants, to the Steel
Trust. The trust has agreed to assume all of SP IIs rights and obligations with respect to these
shares and warrants, including to vote in accordance with the foregoing.
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SPAH will proceed with the merger only if a quorum is present at the stockholders meeting
and, as required by the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, a majority of the shares of common stock
voted by the SPAH public stockholders are voted, in person or by proxy, in favor of the merger and
SPAH public stockholders owning no more than 30% of the shares sold in SPAHs initial public
offering (minus one share) vote against the business combination and exercise their conversion
rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is a condition to closing the merger agreement that
holders of no more than 10% of the shares (minus one share) sold in SPAHs initial public offering
vote against the merger and exercise their conversion rights, although at SPAHs discretion, this
closing condition may be waived in order to consummate the merger. Accordingly, SPAH may not
consummate the merger if 10% or more of the holders of shares sold in or subsequent to SPAHs
initial public offering elect to exercise their conversion rights. If SPAH elects to waive this
closing condition, it may raise the conversion threshold to anywhere between 10% to 30% (minus one
share).
Upon consummation of the merger, SP Acq LLC has agreed to forfeit 8,987,883 of the 9,653,412
founders shares it owns and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker have agreed to
forfeit an aggregate of 465,529 of the 500,000 founders shares they own.
Liquidation If No Business Combination
The SPAH Certificate of Incorporation provides that SPAH will continue in existence only until
October 10, 2009. If SPAH consummates an initial business combination prior to that date, SPAH will
seek to amend this provision in order to permit its continued existence. If SPAH has not completed
its initial business combination by that date, SPAHs corporate existence will cease except for the
purposes of winding up its affairs and liquidating pursuant to Section 278 of the DGCL. Because
of this provision in SPAHs Certificate of Incorporation, no resolution by the SPAH Board and no
vote by SPAHs stockholders to approve SPAHs dissolution would be required for SPAH to dissolve
and liquidate. Instead, SPAH will notify the Delaware Secretary of State in writing on the
termination date that SPAHs corporate existence is ceasing, and include with such notice payment
of any franchise taxes then due to or assessable by the state.
If SPAH is unable to complete a business combination by October 10, 2009, SPAH will
automatically dissolve and as promptly as practicable thereafter adopt a plan of distribution in
accordance with Section 281(b) of the DGCL. Section 278 provides that SPAHs existence will
continue for at least three years after its expiration for the purpose of prosecuting and defending
suits, whether civil, criminal or administrative, by or against SPAH, and of enabling SPAH
gradually to settle and close its business, to dispose of and convey its property, to discharge its
liabilities and to distribute to its stockholders any remaining assets, but not for the purpose of
continuing the business for which SPAH was organized. SPAHs existence will continue automatically
even beyond the three-year period for the purpose of completing the prosecution or defense of suits
begun prior to the expiration of the three-year period, until such time as any judgments, orders or
decrees resulting from such suits are fully executed. Section 281(b) will require SPAH to pay or
make reasonable provision for all then-existing claims and obligations, including all contingent,
conditional, or unmatured contractual claims known to SPAH, and to make such provision as will be
reasonably likely to be sufficient to provide compensation for any then-pending claims and for
claims that have not been made known to SPAH or that have not arisen but that, based on facts known
to SPAH at the time, are likely to arise or to become known to SPAH within 10 years after the date
of dissolution. Under Section 281(b), the plan of distribution must provide for all of such claims
to be paid in full or make provision for payments to be made in full, as applicable, if there are
sufficient assets. If there are insufficient assets, the plan must provide that such claims and
obligations be paid or provided for according to their priority and, among claims of equal
priority, ratably to the extent of legally available assets. Any remaining assets will be available
for distribution to SPAHs stockholders.
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SPAH expects that all costs and expenses associated with implementing this plan of
distribution, as well as payments to any creditors, will be funded from amounts remaining out of
the $100,000 of proceeds held outside the trust account and from the $3.5 million in interest
income on the balance of the trust account that has been released to SPAH to fund its working
capital requirements. However, if those funds are not sufficient to cover the costs and expenses
associated with implementing SPAHs plan of distribution, to the extent that there is any interest
accrued in the trust account not required to pay income taxes on interest income earned on the
trust account balance, SPAH may request that the trustee release to SPAH an additional amount of up
to $75,000 of such accrued interest to pay those costs and expenses. Should there be no such
interest available or should those funds still not be sufficient, SP Acq LLC and Mr. Lichtenstein
have agreed to reimburse SPAH for its out-of-pocket costs associated with SPAHs dissolution and
liquidation, excluding any special, indirect or consequential costs, such as litigation, pertaining
to the dissolution and liquidation.
Upon its receipt of notice from counsel that SPAHs existence has terminated, the trustee will
commence liquidating the investments constituting the trust account and distribute the proceeds to
the SPAH public stockholders. The SPAH insiders have waived their right to participate in any
liquidation distribution with respect to their shares acquired prior to SPAHs initial public
offering. The proceeds from the co-investment will be received by SPAH immediately prior to the
consummation of the merger to provide SPAH with additional equity capital to fund the merger. If
the merger is not consummated, the Steel Trust will not purchase the co-investment units and no
proceeds will deposited into SPAHs trust account or available for distribution to SPAHs
stockholders in the event of a liquidating distribution. Additionally, if SPAH does not complete
an initial business combination and the trustee must distribute the balance of the trust account,
the underwriters have agreed to forfeit any rights or claims to their deferred underwriting
discounts and commissions then in the trust account, and those funds will be included in the pro
rata liquidation distribution to the SPAH public stockholders. There will be no distribution from
the trust account with respect to any of the SPAH warrants, which will expire worthless if SPAH is
liquidated, and as a result purchasers of SPAHs units will have paid the full unit purchase price
solely for the share of common stock included in each unit.
The proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to claims of SPAHs
creditors that are in preference to the claims of SPAH stockholders, and SPAH therefore cannot
assure its stockholders that the actual per-share liquidation price will not be less than
approximately $9.85, the conversion price based upon restricted
amounts held in trust at June 30, 2009. Although prior to completion of an initial business combination, SPAH will seek to
have all third parties (including any vendors or other entities SPAH engages) and any prospective
target businesses enter into valid and enforceable agreements with SPAH waiving any right, title,
interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account, there is no guarantee
that they will execute such agreements. SPAH has not engaged any such third parties or asked for or
obtained any such waiver agreements at this time. It is also possible that such waiver agreements
would be held unenforceable, and there is no guarantee that the third parties would not otherwise
challenge the agreements and later bring claims against the trust account for monies owed them. If
a target business or other third party were to refuse to enter into such a waiver, SPAH would enter
into discussions with such target business or engage such other third party only if SPAHs
management determined that SPAH could not obtain, on a reasonable basis, substantially similar
services or opportunities from another entity willing to enter into such a waiver. In addition,
there is no guarantee that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future
as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with SPAH and will not
seek recourse against the trust account for any reason.
SP Acq LLC has agreed that it will be liable to SPAH if and to the extent claims by third
parties reduce the amounts in the trust account available for payment to the SPAH public
stockholders in the event of a liquidation and the claims are made by a vendor for services
rendered, or products sold, to SPAH, or by a prospective target business. A vendor refers to a
third party that enters into an agreement with SPAH to provide goods or services to SPAH. However,
the agreement entered into by SP Acq LLC specifically provides for two exceptions to the indemnity
given: there will be no liability (1) as to any claimed amounts owed to a third party who executed
a legally enforceable waiver, or (2) as to any claims under SPAHs indemnity of the underwriters of
its initial public offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act. Furthermore, there could be claims from parties other than vendors, third parties with which
SPAH entered into a contractual relationship or target businesses that would not be covered by the
indemnity from SP Acq LLC, such as shareholders and other claimants who are not parties in contract
with SPAH who file a claim for damages against SPAH. To the extent that SP Acq LLC refuses to
indemnify SPAH for a claim SPAH believes should be indemnified, SPAHs officers and directors
by virtue of their fiduciary obligation will be obligated to bring a claim against SP Acq LLC
to enforce such indemnification. Based on the representation as to its accredited investor status
(as such term is defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act), SPAH currently believes that SP
Acq LLC is capable of funding its indemnity obligations, even though SPAH has not asked it to
reserve for such an eventuality. SPAH cannot assure you, however, that it would be able to satisfy
those obligations.
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Under Delaware law, creditors of a corporation have a superior right to stockholders in the
distribution of assets upon liquidation. Consequently, if the trust account is liquidated and paid
out to the SPAH public stockholders shares prior to satisfaction of the claims of all of SPAHs
creditors, it is possible that the SPAH public stockholders may be held liable for third parties
claims against SPAH to the extent of the distributions received by them.
If SPAH is forced to file a bankruptcy case or an involuntary bankruptcy case is filed against
SPAH that is not dismissed, the proceeds held in the trust account could be subject to applicable
bankruptcy law, and may be included in SPAHs bankruptcy estate and subject to the claims of third
parties with priority over the claims of the SPAH public stockholders. To the extent any bankruptcy
claims deplete the trust account, SPAH cannot assure you that SPAH will be able to return at least
approximately $9.85 per share to the SPAH public stockholders.
Competition
If SPAH succeeds in effecting the merger with Frontier or another business combination, there
will be, in all likelihood, intense competition from competitors of the target business in the
commercial banking industry and other financial service businesses. SPAH cannot assure you that,
subsequent to a business combination, SPAH will have the resources or ability to compete
effectively.
Employees
SPAH currently has four officers. These individuals are not employees of SPAH and are not
obligated to devote any specific number of hours to SPAHs business and intend to devote only as
much time as they deem necessary to SPAHs business. SPAH does not expect to have any full-time
employees prior to the consummation of the merger. In the event the merger with Frontier is
consummated, all current officers of SPAH will resign, with the exception of Mr. Lichtenstein who
will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board, but will resign as President and Chief Executive
Officer of SPAH.
Properties
SPAH currently maintains its executive offices at 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor, New York,
New York 10022. The cost for this space is included in the $10,000 per-month fee that Steel
Partners, Ltd. charges SPAH for office space, administrative services and secretarial support from
the consummation of SPAHs initial public offering until the earlier of the consummation of a
business combination or SPAHs liquidation. Prior to the consummation of SPAHs initial public
offering, Steel Partners, Ltd. provided SPAH with office space, administrative services and
secretarial support at no charge. SPAH believes, based on rents and fees for similar services in
the New York City metropolitan area, that the fee that will be charged by Steel Partners, Ltd. is
at least as favorable as SPAH could have obtained from an unaffiliated person. SPAH considers its
current office space adequate for its current operations. In the event the merger is consummated,
the combined company will maintain its executive offices at Frontiers current executive offices
and the agreement with Steel Partners, Ltd. will be terminated.
Legal Proceedings
To the knowledge of management there is no litigation pending or contemplated against SPAH or
any of SPAHs officers or directors in their capacity as such.
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Periodic Reporting and Financial Information
SPAH has registered its units, common stock and warrants under the Exchange Act, and has
reporting obligations, including the requirement that it file annual and quarterly reports with the
SEC. In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, SPAH has filed with the SEC an Annual
Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for its quarter ended June 30, 2009. SPAH does not currently have a website and consequently does
not make available materials it files with or furnishes to the SEC. SPAHs reports filed with the
SEC can be inspected and copied at the SECs public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information about the operation of the public
reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains a Web site at
http://www.sec.gov which contains the registration statements, reports, proxy and information
statements and information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. SPAH will
provide electronic or paper copies of such materials free of charge upon request.
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
General
SPAH is a blank check company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on February
14, 2007. It was formed for the purpose of acquiring, through a merger, capital stock exchange,
asset acquisition or other similar business combination, one or more businesses or assets. SPAH
consummated its initial public offering on October 16, 2007. It intends to utilize cash from its
initial public offering, its capital stock, debt or a combination of cash, capital stock and debt,
in effecting a merger with Frontier or other business combination. The issuance of additional
shares of its capital stock:
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may significantly reduce the equity interest of SPAHs stockholders;
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will likely cause a change in control if a substantial number of SPAH shares of
common stock are issued, which may affect, among other things, SPAHs ability to use
its net operating loss carry forwards, if any, and may also result in the resignation
or removal of one or more of its current officers and directors; and
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may adversely affect prevailing market prices for its common stock.
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Similarly, if SPAH issues debt securities, it could result in:
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default and foreclosure on SPAH assets if its operating revenues after a business
combination were insufficient to pay its debt obligations;
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acceleration of its obligations to repay the indebtedness even if SPAH has made all
principal and interest payments when due if the debt security contained covenants that
require the maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves and any such covenant
were breached without a waiver or renegotiation of that covenant;
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SPAHs immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if any, if the debt
security were payable on demand; and
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SPAHs inability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, if the debt security
contained covenants restricting its ability to do so.
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Results of Operations and Known Trends Or Future Events
SPAH has neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues to date. It will not
generate any operating revenues until after completion of its initial business combination, at the
earliest. It will continue to generate non-operating income in the form of interest income on cash
and cash equivalents.
134
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $2,198,636, which consisted of $6,413,995
in interest income, partially offset by $1,052,648 in loss from operations, $6,146 in interest
expense and $3,156,565 in income taxes and capital based taxes. Net income for the period from
February 14, 2007 (inception) through December 31, 2007 was $1,466,293, which consisted of
$2,950,473 in interest income, partially offset by $264,373 in formation and operating expenses,
$9,435 in interest expense and $1,210,372 in taxes on income. Net income for the period from
February 14, 2007 (inception) through December 31, 2008 was $3,664,929, which consisted of
$9,364,468 in interest income partially offset by $1,317,021 in formation and loss from operations,
$15,581 in interest expense and $4,366,937 in taxes on income.
Net loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 was $287,126 and $894,411,
respectively, which consisted of $339,313 and $678,261, respectively, in operating expenses and
$117,292 and $481,859, respectively, in taxes on income and capital based taxes, partially offset
by $169,479 and $265,709, respectively, in interest income. Net income for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2008 was $709,454 and $1,685,378, respectively, which consisted of $1,712,747
and $4,361,110, respectively, in net interest income partially offset by $301,765 and $499,229,
respectively, in operating expenses and $698,507 and $2,176,503, respectively, in taxes on income
and capital based taxes. Net income for the period from February 14, 2007 (inception) through June
30, 2009 was $2,770,518, which consisted of $9,614,595 in net interest income partially offset by
$1,995,281 in formation and operating expenses and $4,848,796 in taxes on income and capital based
taxes.
Through June 30, 3009, SPAH did not engage in any significant operations. Its entire activity
from inception through June 30, 3009 was to prepare for its initial public offering and begin the
identification of and negotiations with a suitable business combination candidate.
The trustee of the Trust account will pay any taxes resulting from interest accrued on the
funds held in the Trust account out of the funds held in the Trust account. In addition, SPAH will
incur expenses as a result of being a public company (for legal, financial reporting, accounting
and auditing compliance), as well as for due diligence expenses.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
SPAH has never entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements and has never
established any special purpose entities. It has not guaranteed any debt or commitments of other
entities or entered into any options on non-financial assets.
Contractual Obligations
SPAH does not have any long term debt, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations,
purchase obligations or other long-term liabilities.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The net proceeds from (i) the sale of the units in SPAHs initial public offering (including
the underwriters over-allotment option), after deducting offering expenses of approximately
$1,095,604 and underwriting discounts and commissions of approximately $30,302,720, together (ii)
with $7,000,000 from SP Acq LLCs investment in the additional founders warrants, were
approximately $408,497,676. SPAH expect that most of the proceeds held in the trust account will be
used as consideration to pay the sellers of a target business or businesses with which SPAH
ultimately completes its initial business combination. Due to the unavailability of short-term
U.S. Treasury Bills because of the dislocation in the financial markets, as of December 31, 2008,
assets of $426,754,319 held in the trust account were held in a 100% FDIC guaranteed non-interest
bearing account at JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. On January 12, 2009, $426,744,177 of the assets held
in the trust account were invested in U.S. Treasury Bills, bearing a per annum interest rate of
0.04% which matured on March 5, 2009. On March 5, 2009, $426,459,219 of the assets held in the
trust account were invested in U.S. Treasury Bills, bearing a per annum interest rate of 0.21% and
matured on May 7, 2009. As of June 30, 2009, assets in the trust account of $426,330,720 were
invested in United States Government Treasury-Bills which mature on July 16, 2009, bearing interest
at an per annum rate of 0.14%. Upon maturity of the Treasury-
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Bills on July 16, 2009, SPAH
reinvested the assets in the Trust account in United
States Government Treasury-Bills with a cost of $426,174,903, maturing on August 13, 2009 and
bearing interest at a per annum rate of 0.13%. A one percentage point change in the interest rate
received on SPAHs cash, short-term government securities and money-market instruments of
$427,922,161 at June 30, 2009 would result in an increase or decrease of up to $1,070,000 in
interest income over the following 90-day period. SPAH cannot provide any assurance about the
actual effect of changes in interest rates on net interest income. The estimate provided does not
include the effects of possible strategic changes in the balances of various assets and liabilities
throughout 2009 or additional actions SPAH could undertake in response to changes in interest
rates. SPAH expects to use substantially all of the net proceeds of its initial public offering
not in the trust account to pay expenses in locating and acquiring a target business, including
identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, selecting the target business, and
structuring, negotiating and consummating its initial business combination. To the extent that
SPAHs capital stock or debt financing is used in whole or in part as consideration to effect its
initial business combination, any proceeds held in the trust account as well as any other net
proceeds not expended will be used to finance the operations of the target business.
SPAH does not believe it will need additional financing in order to meet the expenditures
required for operating its business prior to its initial business combination. However, SPAH will
rely on interest earned of up to $3,500,000 on the trust account to fund such expenditures and, to
the extent that the interest earned is below SPAHs expectation, it may have insufficient funds
available to operate its business prior to its initial business combination. Moreover, in addition
to the co-investment SPAH may need to obtain additional financing to consummate its initial
business combination. SPAH may also need additional financing because it may become obligated to
convert into cash a significant number of shares of SPAH public stockholders voting against its
initial business combination, in which case it may issue additional securities or incur debt in
connection with such business combination. Following SPAHs initial business combination, if cash
on hand is insufficient, it may need to obtain additional financing in order to meet its
obligations.
Critical Accounting Policies
SPAHs significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note B to the financial
statements for the three months ended June 30, 2009. However, certain accounting policies are
particularly important to the portrayal of financial position and results of operations and require
the application of significant judgment by management. As a result, the financial statements are
subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. In applying those policies, management used its
judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in the determination of certain
estimates. During the year ended December 31, 2008, SPAH recorded a full valuation allowance for
its deferred tax assets, as the Company determined that it no longer met the more likely than not
realization criteria of SFAS 109. These estimates are based on SPAHs historical experience, terms
of existing contracts, observance of trends in the industry and information available from outside
sources, as appropriate.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events (SFAS No. 165). SFAS No. 165
establishes general standards of accounting for, and disclosure of events that occur after the
balance sheet but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. SFAS No.
165 is effective for interim or annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of SFAS
No. 165 had no impact on the Companys condensed financial statements.
In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 141R-1, Accounting for Assets Acquired
and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise From Contingencies (FSP No.
141R-1). FSP No. 141R-1 amends the provisions in SFAS 141R for the initial recognition and
measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure for assets and liabilities
arising from contingencies in business combinations. FSP 141R-1 eliminates the distinction between
contractual and non-contractual contingencies, including the initial recognition and measurement
criteria in SFAS 141R and instead carries forward most provisions of SFAS 141 for acquired
contingencies. FSP 141R-1 is effective for contingent assets and liabilities acquired in
evaluating the impact of SFAS 141R.
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Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other
standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have
a material impact on our financial statements upon adoption.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
As of June 30, 2009, SPAHs efforts were limited to organizational activities and activities
relating to its initial public offering. Since SPAHs initial public offering, it has been
identifying possible acquisition candidates. SPAH has neither engaged in any operations nor
generated any operating revenues other than interest income.
Market risk is a broad term for the risk of economic loss due to adverse changes in the fair
value of a financial instrument. These changes may be the result of various factors, including
interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and/or equity prices. $418,909,120 of the
net proceeds from SPAHs initial public offering, including $17,315,840 of the proceeds
attributable to the underwriters deferred fees from the initial public offering, as well as
$7,000,000 of the proceeds of the private placement of 7,000,000 additional founders warrants were
placed in a trust account at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., maintained by Continental Stock Transfer &
Trust Company, acting as trustee. As of June 30, 2009, the balance in the trust account was
$426,418,591 (which includes interest receivable on the trust account of $87,871). The proceeds
held in trust have only been invested in U.S. Government securities having a maturity of 180 days
or less or in money market funds which invest principally in either short term securities issued or
guaranteed by the United States or having the highest rating from recognized credit rating agency
or tax exempt municipal bonds issued by government entities located within the United States or
otherwise meeting the conditions under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act. Thus, SPAH is
currently subject to market risk primarily through the effect of changes in interest rates on
short-term government securities and other highly rated money-market instruments. As of June 30,
2009, assets in the trust account of $426,418,591 were invested in United States Government
Treasury-Bills which mature on July 16, 2009 and bear interest at an per annum rate of 0.14%. Upon
maturity of the Treasury-Bills on July 16, 2009, SPAH reinvested the assets in the trust account in
United States Government Treasury-Bills with a cost of $426,174,903, maturing on August 13, 2009
and bearing interest at a per annum rate of 0.13%. A one percentage point change in the interest
rate received on SPAHs cash, short-term government securities and money-market instruments of
$427,922,161 at June 30, 2009 would result in an increase or decrease of up to $1,070,000 in
interest income over the following 90-day period. SPAH cannot provide any assurance about the
actual effect of changes in interest rates on net interest income. The estimate provided does not
include the effects of possible strategic changes in the balances of various assets and liabilities
throughout 2009 or additional actions SPAH could undertake in response to changes in interest
rates.
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Directors and Executive Officers
SPAHs directors and executive officers as of June 30, 2009 are as follows:
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Name
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Age
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Position(s)
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Warren G. Lichtenstein
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44
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Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer
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Jack L. Howard
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Chief Operating Officer and Secretary
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James R. Henderson
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51
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Executive Vice President
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Anthony Bergamo
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62
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Director
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Ronald LaBow
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74
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Director
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Howard M. Lorber
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60
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Director
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Leonard Toboroff
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76
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Director
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S. Nicholas Walker
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Director
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Warren G. Lichtenstein
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Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive
Officer
Mr. Lichtenstein has been SPAHs Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer since February 2007. Mr. Lichtenstein is the Chief Executive Officer of Steel Partners LLC,
a global management firm. Steel Partners LLC is the manager of Steel Partners II, L.P. and Steel
Partners Holdings L.P. Mr. Lichtenstein has been associated with Steel Partners LLC and its
affiliates since 1990. Mr. Lichtenstein has been the Chairman of the Board since July 2009 and Chief Executive
Officer of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding company that engages or has
interests in a variety of operating businesses through its subsidiary companies, since January 2009.
Mr. Lichtenstein co-founded Steel Partners II, L.P. in 1993. He is also a Co-Founder of Steel
Partners Japan Strategic Fund (Offshore), L.P., a private investment partnership investing in
Japan, and Steel Partners China Access I LP, a private equity partnership investing in China.
Mr. Lichtenstein has served as a director of GenCorp Inc., a manufacturer of aerospace and defense
products and systems with a real estate business segment, since March 2008. He was a director
(formerly Chairman of the Board) of SL Industries, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of power
electronics, power motion equipment, power protection equipment, and teleprotection and specialized
communication equipment, from January 2002 to May 2008 and served as Chief Executive Officer from
February 2002 to August 2005. He has served as Chairman of the Board of WHX Corporation, a holding
company, since July 2005. He served as a director of the predecessor entity of Steel Partners
Holdings L.P., from 1996 to June 2005, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from December 1997
to June 2005 and as President from December 1997 to December 2003. Prior to the formation of Steel
Partners II, L.P. in 1993, Mr. Lichtenstein co-founded Steel Partners, L.P., an investment
partnership, in 1990 and co-managed its business and operations. From 1988 to 1990,
Mr. Lichtenstein was an acquisition/arbitrage analyst with Ballantrae Partners, L.P., which
invested in risk arbitrage, special situations, and undervalued companies. From 1987 to 1988, he
was an analyst at Para Partners, L.P., a partnership that invested in arbitrage and related
situations. Mr. Lichtenstein has previously served as a director of the following companies: Alpha
Technologies Group, Inc. (Synercom Technology), Aydin Corporation (Chairman), BKF Capital Group
Inc., CPX Corp. (f/k/a CellPro, Incorporated), ECC International Corporation, Gateway Industries,
Inc., KT&G Corporation, Layne Christensen Company, PLM International, Inc. Puroflow Incorporated,
Saratoga Beverage Group, Inc., Synercom Technology, Inc., TAB Products Co., Tandycrafts Inc.,
Tech-Sym Corporation, United Industrial Corporation (Chairman) and U.S. Diagnostic Labs, Inc.
Mr. Lichtenstein graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Economics.
Jack L. Howard
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Chief Operating Officer and Secretary
Mr. Howard was a Director from
February 2007 until June 2007, was Vice-Chairman from February 2007 until August 2007 and has been
SPAHs Secretary since February 2007. Since June 2007, he has been SPAHs Chief Operating Officer.
He is the President of Steel Partners LLC, a global management firm, and has been associated with
Steel Partners LLC and its affiliates since 1993. Mr. Howard has been the President of Steel
Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding company that engages or has interests in a
variety of operating businesses through its subsidiary companies,
since January 2009. Mr. Howard
co-founded Steel Partners II, L.P. in 1993. He has been a registered principal of Mutual
Securities, Inc., a FINRA registered broker-dealer since 1989. Mr. Howard has been a director of
WHX Corporation, a holding company, since July 2005. He has served as a director of NOVT
Corporation, a former developer of advanced medical treatments for coronary and vascular disease,
since April 2006. He has been a director of CoSine Communications, Inc., a former global
telecommunications equipment supplier, since July 2005. He served as a director of BNS Holding,
Inc., a holding company that owns the majority of Collins Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of
school buses, ambulances
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and terminal trucks, from June 2004 to May 2008.
He has been a director
(currently
Chairman) of Adaptec, Inc., a storage solutions provider, since December 2007. Mr. Howard
served as Chairman of the Board of a predecessor entity of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., from June
2005 to December 2008, as a director from 1996 to December 2008 and its Vice President from 1997 to
December 2008. From 1997 to May 2000, he also served as Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer of Steel Partners Holdings L.P.s predecessor entity. He served as Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer of Gateway Industries, Inc., a provider of database development and web
site design and development services, from February 2004 to April 2007 and as Vice President from
December 2001 to April 2007. From 1984 to 1989, Mr. Howard was with First Affiliated Securities, a
FINRA broker dealer. Mr. Howard has previously served as a director of Scientific
Software-Intercomp, Inc., Pubco Corporation and Investors Insurance Group, Inc. Mr. Howard
graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.A. in Finance. He currently holds the securities
licenses of Series 7, Series 24, Series 55 and Series 63.
James R. Henderson
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Executive Vice President
Mr. Henderson has been SPAHs Executive Vice
President since February 2007. Mr. Henderson is a Managing Director and operating partner of Steel
Partners LLC, a global management firm. He has been associated with Steel Partners LLC and its
affiliates since August 1999. He has served as a director (currently Chairman of the Board) of
GenCorp Inc., a manufacturer of aerospace and defense products and systems with a real estate
business segment, since March, 2008. Mr. Henderson has served as a director of Point Blank
Solutions, Inc. (currently the Chairman of the Board), a designer and manufacturer of protective
body armor, since August 2008 and has served as its Acting Chief Executive Officer since April
2009. He has served as a director of BNS Holding, Inc., a holding company that owns the majority of
Collins Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of school buses, ambulances and terminal trucks, since
June 2004. He has served as a director (currently Chairman of the Board) of Del Global Technologies
Corp., a designer and manufacturer of medical imaging and diagnostic systems, since November 2003.
He has served as a director of SL Industries, Inc., a designer and producer of proprietary advanced
systems and equipment for the power and data quality industry, since January 2002. Mr. Henderson
served as a director of Angelica Corporation, a provider of healthcare linen management services,
from August 2006 to August 2008. Mr. Henderson served as a director and Chief Executive Officer of
a predecessor entity of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding company that
engages or has interests in a variety of operating businesses through its subsidiary companies,
from June 2005 to April 2008, was President and Chief Operating Officer from November 2003 to April
2008 and was the Vice President of Operations from September 2000 through December 2003. He has
served as Chief Executive Officer of WebBank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Steel Partners Holdings
L.P. from November 2004 to May 2005. Mr. Henderson served as President of Gateway Industries, Inc.,
a provider of database development and web site design and development services, from December 2001
to April 2008. He served as a director of ECC International Corp., a manufacturer and marketer of
computer-controlled simulators for training personnel to perform maintenance and operator
procedures on military weapons, from December 1999 to September 2003 and as acting Chief Executive
Officer from July 2002 to March 2003. From January 2001 to August 2001, he served as President of
MDM Technologies, Inc., a direct mail and marketing company. From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Henderson was
employed in various positions with Aydin Corporation, a defense electronics manufacturer, which
included a tenure as President and Chief Operating Officer. From 1980 to 1996, Mr. Henderson was
employed with Unisys Corporation, an e-business solutions provider. Mr. Henderson has previously
served as a director of Tech-Sym Corporation. Mr. Henderson graduated from the University of
Scranton with a B.S. in Accounting.
Anthony Bergamo
,
Director
Mr. Bergamo has been a Director since July 2007. He has held
various positions with MB Real Estate, a property management company based in New York City and
Chicago, since April 1996, including the position of Vice Chairman since May 2003. Mr. Bergamo
served as managing director with Milstein Hotel Group, a hotel operator, from April 1996 until July
2007. He has also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Niagara Falls Redevelopment, LLC, a real
estate development company, since August 1998. Mr. Bergamo was a director of Lone Star Steakhouse &
Saloon, Inc., an owner and operator of restaurants, from May 2002 until December 2006, at which
time such company was sold to a private equity fund. At the time of such sale, Mr. Bergamo was the
Chairman of the Audit Committee of Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Inc. He has also been a director
since 1995, a Trustee since 1986 and currently is Chairman of the Audit Committee of Dime Community
Bancorp, and has been a director of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding
company that engages or has interests in a variety of operating businesses through its subsidiary
companies, since July 2009. Mr. Bergamo is also the Founder of the Federal Law Enforcement
Foundation, a foundation that provides economic assistance to both federal and local law
enforcement officers suffering from serious illness and to communities recovering from natural
disasters, and has served as its Chairman since 1988. Mr. Bergamo serves on the New York State
Commission for Sentencing Reform, is a Board Member of New York Offtrack Betting Corporation and
serves
on the New York State Judicial Screening Committee. He earned a BS in history from Temple
University, and a JD from New York Law School. He is admitted to the New York, New Jersey, Federal
Bars, US Court of Appeals and the US Supreme Court.
139
Ronald LaBow
,
Director
Mr. LaBow has been a Director since June 2007. He has served as
President of Stonehill Investment Corp., an investment fund, since February 1990. Mr. LaBow
currently is the President of WPN Corp., a financial consulting company, and is a director of BKF
Capital Group, Inc. From January 1991 to February 2004, Mr. LaBow served as Chairman of the Board
of WHX Corporation, a holding company. He earned a BS from University of Illinois, an MS from
Columbia University School of Business, an LLB from New York Law School and a Master of Law from
New York University Law School. He is admitted to the bar of the state of New York.
Howard M. Lorber
,
Director
Mr. Lorber has been a Director since June 2007. Mr. Lorber has
served as the Executive Chairman of Nathans Famous Inc. since January 2007 and prior to that
served as its Chairman from 1987 until December 2006 and as its Chief Executive Officer from
November 1993 until December 2006. Also, Mr. Lorber has been the President and Chief Executive
Officer of Vector Group Ltd. since January 2006 and has served as a director since January 2001.
Mr. Lorber served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Vector Group Ltd. from January
2001 until January 2006. Mr. Lorber was President, Chief Operating Officer and a Director of New
Valley Corporation from November 1994 until its merger with Vector Group in December 2005. For more
than the past five years, Mr. Lorber has been a stockholder and a registered representative of
Aegis Capital Corp. Mr. Lorber served as Chairman of the Board of Ladenburg Thalmann Financial
Services, the parent of Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., one of the underwriters of SPAHs initial
public offering, from May 2001 until July 2006 when he became Vice-Chairman, in which capacity he
currently serves. Mr. Lorber currently serves as a director of United Capital Corp., a real estate
investment and diversified manufacturing company.
Leonard Toboroff
,
Director
Mr. Toboroff has been a Director since June 2007. Mr. Toboroff
has served as a Vice Chairman of the Board of Allis-Chalmers Energy Inc., a provider of products
and services to the oil and gas industry, since May 1988 and served as Executive Vice President
from May 1989 until February 2002. Mr. Toboroff is also a director of Engex Corp., a closed-end
mutual fund from 2003. He has been a director of NOVT Corporation, a former developer of advanced
medical treatments for coronary and vascular disease since April 2006. He served as a director and
Vice President of Varsity Brands, Inc. (formerly Riddell Sports Inc.), a provider of goods and
services to the school spirit industry, from April 1998 until it was sold in September 2003.
Mr. Toboroff had been an Executive Director of Corinthian Capital Group, LLC, a private equity
fund, from October 2005 to December 2008. He has previously served as a director of American
Bakeries Co., Ameriscribe Corporation and Saratoga Spring Water Co. Mr. Toboroff is a graduate of
Syracuse University and The University of Michigan Law School.
S. Nicholas Walker
,
Director
Mr. Walker has been a director since June 2007. Mr. Walker is
the Chief Executive Officer of the York Group Limited (York) a financial services company. York
provides investment management services and securities brokerage services to institutional and high
net worth individual clients. Mr. Walker has served as Chief Executive Officer of York since 2000.
From 1995 until 2000 Mr. Walker served as Senior Vice President of Investments of PaineWebber Inc.
in New York. From 1982 until 1995, he served as Senior Vice President of Investments of Prudential
Securities Inc. in New York. From 1977 to 1981 he served as an assistant manager at Citibank NA,
merchant banking group in New York, and from 1976 to 1977 as a syndication manager with Sumitomo
Finance International Limited in London. Mr. Walker served as a director of the Cronos Group, a
leading lessor of intermodal marine containers, from 1999 until it was sold in July 2007 (Nasdaq
symbol CRNS). Mr. Walker holds an M.A. degree in Jurisprudence from Oxford University, England.
Each of the current executive officers of SPAH will resign upon consummation of the merger,
other than Warren G. Lichtenstein who will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board, although he
will resign as President and Chief Executive Officer of SPAH. The existing management team of
Frontier will manage the business of the combined company following the merger.
140
Number and Terms of Office of Directors
The SPAH Board currently consists of six directors. These individuals play a key role in
identifying and evaluating prospective acquisition candidates, selecting the target business, and
structuring, negotiating and consummating SPAHs initial business combination. However, none of
these individuals has been a principal of or affiliated with a blank check company that executed a
business plan similar to SPAHs business plan. Nevertheless, SPAH believes that the skills and
expertise of these individuals, their collective access to potential target businesses, and their
ideas, contacts, and acquisition expertise should enable them to successfully identify and assist
SPAH in completing its initial business combination. However, there is no assurance such
individuals will, in fact, be successful in doing so.
Pursuant to this joint proxy statement/prospectus, SPAH stockholders are being asked to
consider and vote upon the election to the SPAH Board of Warren G. Lichtenstein and, if the merger
is consummated, four directors from Frontier, comprised of Patrick M. Fahey, [______], [______]
and [______], each of whom currently serve on the Frontier Board, in each case to serve
until the next annual meeting of SPAH and until their successors shall have been elected and
qualified. If the merger is consummated, the SPAH Board will consist of five (5) directors, with
Mr. Lichtenstein serving as Chairman of the SPAH Board. See Proposals to be Considered by SPAH
Stockholders for more information on each of these director nominees.
Executive Officer Compensation
None of SPAHs current executive officers or directors has received any compensation for
service rendered.
Director Independence
The SPAH Board has determined that Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Toboroff and Walker are
independent directors as such term is defined in the rules of the NYSE AMEX LLC and Rule 10A-3 of
the Exchange Act.
SPAH Board Committees
The SPAH Board has formed an audit committee and a governance and nominating committee. Each
committee is composed of four directors.
Audit Committee
SPAHs audit committee consists of Messrs. Bergamo, Toboroff , Walker and LaBow with
Mr. Bergamo serving as chair. As required by the rules of the NYSE AMEX LLC, each of the members of
SPAHs audit committee is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, and SPAH
considers Mr. Bergamo to qualify as an audit committee financial expert and as financially
sophisticated as defined under SEC and NYSE AMEX LLC rules, respectively. The responsibilities of
SPAHs audit committee include:
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meeting with SPAHs management periodically to consider the adequacy of SPAHs
internal control over financial reporting and the objectivity of SPAHs financial
reporting;
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appointing the independent registered public accounting firm, determining the
compensation of the independent registered public accounting firm and pre-approving the
engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm for audit and non-audit
services;
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overseeing the independent registered public accounting firm, including reviewing
independence and quality control procedures and experience and qualifications of audit
personnel that are providing SPAH audit services;
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141
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meeting with the independent registered public accounting firm and reviewing the
scope and significant findings of the audits performed by them, and meeting with
management and internal financial personnel regarding these matters;
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reviewing SPAHs financing plans, the adequacy and sufficiency of SPAHs financial
and accounting controls, practices and procedures, the activities and recommendations
of the auditors and SPAHs reporting policies and practices, and reporting
recommendations to the full SPAH Board for approval;
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establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints
regarding internal accounting controls or auditing matters and the confidential,
anonymous submissions by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or
auditing matters;
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following the completion of SPAHs initial public offering, preparing the report
required by the rules of the SEC to be included in SPAHs annual proxy statement;
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monitoring compliance on a quarterly basis with the terms of SPAHs initial public
offering and, if any noncompliance is identified, immediately taking all action
necessary to rectify such noncompliance or otherwise causing compliance with the terms
of SPAHs initial public offering; and
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reviewing and approving all payments made to SPAHs officers, directors and
affiliates, including Steel Partners, Ltd., other than the payment of an aggregate of
$10,000 per month to Steel Partners, Ltd. for office space, secretarial and
administrative services. Any payments made to members of SPAHs audit committee will be
reviewed and approved by the SPAH Board, with the interested director or directors
abstaining from such review and approval.
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Governance and Nominating Committee
SPAHs governance and nominating committee consists of Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Toboroff and
Walker with Mr. LaBow serving as chair. The functions of SPAHs governance and nominating committee
include:
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recommending qualified candidates for election to the SPAH Board;
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evaluating and reviewing the performance of existing directors;
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making recommendations to the SPAH Board regarding governance matters, including the
SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, the SPAH Bylaws and charters of SPAHs committees;
and
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developing and recommending to the SPAH Board governance and nominating guidelines
and principles applicable to SPAH.
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Code of Ethics and Committee Charters
SPAH has adopted a code of ethics that applies to SPAHs officers, directors and employees.
SPAH has filed copies of its code of ethics and its board committee charters as an exhibit to the
registration statement in connection with its initial public offering. You will be able to review
these documents by accessing SPAHs public filings at the SECs web site at www.sec.gov. In
addition, a copy of the code of ethics will be provided without charge upon request to SPAH. SPAH
intends to disclose any amendments to or waivers of certain provisions of its code of ethics in a
current report on Form 8-K.
142
Conflicts of Interest
Investors should be aware of the following potential conflicts of interest:
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Members of SPAHs management team are not required to commit their full time to
SPAHs affairs and, accordingly, they will have conflicts of interest in allocating
management time among various business activities.
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Certain affiliates of SP Acq LLC may in the future become affiliated with entities
engaged in business activities similar to those Frontier conducts.
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Since Mr. Lichtenstein may be deemed the beneficial owner of shares held by SP Acq
LLC and the Steel Trust, he may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a
particular target business is appropriate for SPAH and its stockholders. This ownership
interest may influence his motivation in identifying and selecting a target business
and timely completing an initial business combination. The exercise of discretion by
SPAHs officers and directors in identifying and selecting one or more suitable target
businesses may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether the terms,
conditions and timing of a particular business combination are appropriate and in
SPAHs stockholders best interest.
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Unless SPAH consummates an initial business combination, SPAHs officers and
directors and affiliates of SP Acq LLC and their employees will not receive
reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them to the extent that such
expenses exceed the amount of available proceeds not deposited in the trust account and
the amount of interest income from the trust account that may be released to SPAH as
working capital. These amounts were calculated based on managements estimates of the
funds needed to finance SPAHs operations for 24 months and to pay expenses in
identifying and consummating its initial business combination. Those estimates may
prove to be inaccurate, especially if a portion of the available proceeds is used to
make a down payment in connection with the initial business combination or pay
exclusivity or similar fees or if SPAH expends a significant portion in pursuit of an
initial business combination that is not consummated. SPAHs officers and directors
may, as part of any business combination, negotiate the repayment of some or all of any
such expenses. The financial interest of SPAHs officers and directors and SP Acq LLC
could influence SPAHs officers and directors motivation in selecting a target
business, and therefore they may have a conflict of interest when determining whether a
particular business combination is in the best interest of SPAHs stockholders.
Specifically, SPAHs officers and directors may tend to favor potential initial
business combinations with target businesses that offer to reimburse any expenses that
SPAH did not have the funds to reimburse itself.
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SPAHs officers and directors may have a conflict of interest with respect to
evaluating a particular initial business combination if the retention or resignation of
any such officers and directors were included by a target business as a condition to
any agreement with respect to an initial business combination.
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In general, officers and directors of a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State
of Delaware are required to present business opportunities to a corporation if:
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the corporation could financially undertake the opportunity;
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the opportunity is within the corporations line of business; and
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it would not be fair to the corporation and its stockholders for the opportunity not
to be brought to the attention of the corporation.
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Accordingly, as a result of multiple business affiliations, SPAHs officers and directors may
have similar legal obligations relating to presenting business opportunities meeting the
above-listed criteria to multiple entities. In
addition, conflicts of interest may arise when the SPAH Board evaluates a particular business
opportunity with respect to the above-listed criteria. SPAH cannot assure you that any of the above
mentioned conflicts will be resolved in its favor.
143
Each of SPAHs officers and directors has, or may come to have, to a certain degree, other
fiduciary obligations. Members of SPAHs management team have fiduciary obligations to other
companies on whose board of directors they presently sit, or may have obligations to companies
whose board of directors they may join in the future. To the extent that they identify business
opportunities that may be suitable for SPAH or other companies on whose board of directors they may
sit, SPAHs directors will honor those fiduciary obligations. Accordingly, they may not present
opportunities to SPAH that come to their attention in the performance of their duties as directors
of such other entities unless the other companies have declined to accept such opportunities or
clearly lack the resources to take advantage of such opportunities.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires SPAHs officers, directors and persons who own more
than ten percent of a registered class of SPAHs equity securities to file reports of ownership and
changes in ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors and ten percent stockholders are required by
regulation to furnish SPAH with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on copies
of such forms received, SPAH believes that, during the year ended December 31, 2008 and for the six
months ended June 30, 2009, all filing requirements applicable to SPAH officers, directors and
greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with.
Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
None of SPAHs officers or directors has received any cash compensation for services rendered.
In June 2007, each of SPAHs independent directors purchased 100,000 founders units for a purchase
price of $330, and purchased 100,000 additional founders warrants for an aggregate purchase price
of $100,000 upon the consummation of SPAHs initial public offering. However, none of them serve as
officers of SPAH nor receive any compensation for serving in such role, other than reimbursement of
actual out-of-pocket expenses. As the price paid for the founders units and additional founders
warrants was fair market value at the time, SPAH does not consider the value of the units at the
offering price to be compensation. Rather, SPAH believes that because they own such shares, no
compensation (other than reimbursement of out of pocket expenses) is necessary and such persons
agreed to serve in such role without compensation.
SPAH has agreed to pay Steel Partners, Ltd., an affiliate of Mr. Lichtenstein, a total of
$10,000 per month for office space, administrative services and secretarial support until the
earlier of SPAHs consummation of a business combination or liquidation. This arrangement is being
agreed to by Steel Partners, Ltd. for SPAHs benefit and is not intended to provide Steel Partners,
Ltd. compensation in lieu of a management fee. SPAH believes that such fees are at least as
favorable as SPAH could have obtained from an unaffiliated third party. Following the consummation
of the merger, this agreement with Steel Partners, Ltd. will be terminated.
Other than this $10,000 per-month fee, no compensation of any kind, including finders and
consulting fees, will be paid to any of SPAHs officers or directors, or any of their respective
affiliates, for services rendered prior to or in connection with a business combination. However,
these individuals and SP Acq LLC will be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
connection with activities on SPAHs behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and
performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. After a business combination, any of
SPAHs officers or directors who remain with SPAH may be paid consulting, management or other fees
from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to stockholders, to the
extent then known, in the proxy solicitation materials furnished to SPAHs stockholders. It is
unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known at the time of a stockholder meeting held to
consider a business combination, as it will be up to the directors of the post-combination business
to determine executive and director compensation.
144
Other than the securities described above and in the section appearing below entitled
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters,
neither SPAHs officers nor SPAHs directors has received any of SPAHs equity securities.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Principal Stockholders of SPAH Prior to the Merger
The following table sets forth information regarding the direct and indirect beneficial
ownership of SPAHs common stock as of [______], 2009 by:
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each beneficial owner of more than 5% of SPAHs outstanding shares of common stock;
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each of SPAHs officers and directors; and
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all SPAHs officers and directors as a group.
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Unless otherwise indicated, SPAH believes that all persons named in the table have sole voting
and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them. The
following table does not reflect record or beneficial ownership of the co-investment shares or the
initial founders warrants, the additional founders warrants, or the co-investment warrants, as
these warrants are not exercisable within 60 days of the date of this report.
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Approximate
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Percentage of
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Number of Shares of
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Outstanding
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Common Stock
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Common Stock
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)
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Beneficially Owned
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Beneficially Owned
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Warren G. Lichtenstein
(2)(3)
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10,322,400
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19.0
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%
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SP Acq LLC
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9,653,412
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17.8
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%
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Steel Partners II Liquidating Series Trust Series F
(3)
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668,988
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1.2
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%
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Steel Partners II, L.P.
(3)
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668,988
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1.2
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%
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Steel Partners II GP LLC
(3)
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668,988
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1.2
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%
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Steel Partners LLC
(3)
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668,988
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1.2
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%
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Steel Partners Holdings L.P.
(3)
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668,988
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1.2
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%
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Anthony Bergamo
(4)
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109,653
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*
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Ronald LaBow
(4)
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109,653
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*
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Howard M. Lorber
(4)
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109,653
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*
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Leonard Toboroff
(4)
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109,653
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*
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S. Nicholas Walker
(4)
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109,653
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*
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Jack L. Howard
(5)
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James R. Henderson
(5)
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Patrick M. Fahey
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145
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Approximate
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Percentage of
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Number of Shares of
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Outstanding
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|
Common Stock
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Common Stock
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Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)
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Beneficially Owned
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Beneficially Owned
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QVT Financial LP
(6)
1177 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor
New York, New York 10036
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4,856,550
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9.0
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%
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HBK Investments L.P.
(7)
300 Crescent Court, Suite 700
Dallas, Texas, 75201
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5,351,585
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9.9
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%
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Fir Tree, Inc.
(8)
505 Fifth Avenue, 23rd Floor
New York, New York 10017
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4,001,000
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7.4
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%
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Millennium Management LLC
(9)
666 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10103
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6,019,050
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11.1
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%
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Hartz Capital, Inc.
(10)
400 Plaza Drive
Secaucus, New Jersey
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2,812,416
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5.2
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%
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All executive officers and directors as a group
(8 individuals)
(2)(3)
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10,822,400
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20.0
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%
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*
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Less than one percent.
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(1)
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Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the individuals or entities is
590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor, New York, New York 10022.
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(2)
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Mr. Lichtenstein is the managing member of SP Acq LLC and may be considered to have
beneficial ownership of SP Acq LLCs interest in SPAH. Mr. Lichtenstein disclaims beneficial
ownership of any shares in which he does not have a pecuniary interest.
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(3)
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SP II, as nominee, holds the shares of common stock of SPAH beneficially owned by the Steel
Trust. Steel Partners LLC is the manager of SP II and Steel Trust. Steel Partners II GP LLC
is the general partner of SP II and the liquidating trustee of Steel Trust. Mr. Lichtenstein
is the manager of Steel Partners LLC and the managing member of Steel Partners II GP LLC.
Steel Partners Holdings L.P. is the sole limited partner of SP II. By virtue of these
relationships, each of SP II, Steel Partners LLC, Steel Partners II GP LLC, Mr. Lichtenstein
and Steel Partners Holdings L.P.
may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of
common stock of SPAH beneficially owned by the Steel Trust.
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(4)
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Each of the following persons is a member of SP Acq LLC: Anthony Bergamo, Ronald LaBow,
Howard M. Lorber, Leonard Toboroff and S. Nicholas Walker. Such persons have each been
granted voting power over the number of shares equal to each of his respective percentage
ownership in SP Acq LLC multiplied by the number of shares owned by SP Acq LLC. Accordingly,
each of such persons has been attributed 9,653 shares and such shares are also included in the
shares held by SP Acq LLC.
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(5)
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Each of Jack L. Howard and James R. Henderson is a member of SP Acq LLC, however, neither of
such persons has voting or dispositive power over the shares of common stock owned by SP Acq
LLC. Accordingly, the shares held by SP Acq LLC are not deemed to be beneficially owned by
either of such persons.
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146
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(6)
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As reported in Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 4, 2009, QVT
Financial LP (QVT Financial) is the investment manager for QVT Fund LP (the Fund), which
beneficially owns 4,011,419 shares of common stock, and for Quintessence Fund L.P.
(Quintessence), which beneficially owns 440,586 shares of common stock. QVT Financial is
also the investment manager for a separate discretionary account managed for a third party
(the Separate Account), which holds 404,545 shares of common stock. QVT Financial has the
power to direct the vote and disposition of the common stock held by the Fund, Quintessence
and the Separate Account. Accordingly, QVT Financial may be deemed to be the beneficial owner
of an aggregate amount of 4,586,550 shares of common stock, consisting of the shares owned by
the Fund and Quintessence and the Separate Account. QVT Financial GP LLC, as General Partner
of QVT Financial, may be deemed to beneficially own the same number of shares of common stock
reported by QVT Financial. QVT Associates GP LLC, as General Partner of the Fund and
Quintessence, may be deemed to beneficially own the aggregate number of shares of common stock
owned by the Fund and Quintessence, and accordingly, QVT Associates GP LLC may be deemed to be
the beneficial owner of an aggregate amount of 4,452,005 shares of common stock.
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(7)
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As reported in Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 6, 2009, HBK
Investments L.P. has delegated discretion to vote and dispose of the Securities to HBK
Services LLC (Services). Services may, from time to time, delegate discretion to vote and
dispose of certain of the shares to HBK New York LLC, a Delaware limited liability company,
HBK Virginia LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and/or HBK Europe Management LLP, a
limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the United Kingdom (collectively,
the Subadvisors). Each of Services and the Subadvisors is under common control with HBK
Investments L.P.
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|
(8)
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|
As reported in Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 10, 2009, Fir
Tree SPAC Holdings 1, LLC (SPAC Holdings 1) and Fir Tree SPAC Holdings 2, LLC (SPAC
Holdings 2) are the beneficial owners of 2,705,600 shares of common stock and 1,295,400
shares of common stock, respectively. Fir Tree, Inc. may be deemed to beneficially own the
shares of common stock held by SPAC Holdings 1 and SPAC Holdings 2 as a result of being the
investment manager of SPAC Holdings 1 and SPAC Holdings 2.
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(9)
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|
As reported in Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on November 3, 2008,
Integrated Core Strategies (US) LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Integrated Core
Strategies), may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 4,815,650 shares of common stock.
Millenco LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Millenco) (formerly known as Millenco,
L.P.), may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 1,203,400 shares of common stock.
Millennium Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Millennium Management), is
the manager of Millenco, and consequently may be deemed to have shared voting control and
investment discretion over shares owned by Millenco. Millennium Management is also the
general partner of Integrated Holding Group LP, a Delaware limited partnership (Integrated
Holding Group), which is the managing member of Integrated Core Strategies and consequently
may be deemed to have shared voting control and investment discretion over shares owned by
Integrated Core Strategies. Israel A. Englander (Mr. Englander) is the managing member of
Millennium Management. As a result, Mr. Englander may be deemed to have shared voting control
and investment discretion over shares deemed to be beneficially owned by Millennium
Management.
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(10)
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|
As reported in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on August 27, 2008, Hartz Capital, Inc., is
the manager of Hartz Capital Investments, LLC. Each of Hartz Capital, Inc. and Hartz Capital
Investments, LLC may be deemed to beneficially own 2,812,416 shares of common stock.
|
Upon consummation of the merger, SP Acq LLC has agreed to forfeit 8,987,883 of the 9,653,412
founders shares it owns and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker have agreed to
forfeit an aggregate of 465,529 of the 500,000 founders shares they own.
Upon the sale of the co-investment units, the SPAH insiders will collectively own
approximately 8.7% of SPAHs issued and outstanding shares of common stock (assuming no SPAH public
stockholder exercise their conversion rights), which could permit them to effectively influence the
outcome of all matters requiring approval
by SPAHs stockholders at such time, including the election of directors and approval of
significant corporate transactions, following the consummation of the merger.
147
SPAHs initial public offering prospectus discloses that in the event SP II does not purchase
the co-investment units, the SPAH insiders have agreed to surrender and forfeit their founders
units to SPAH; provided that such surrender and forfeiture will not be required if SP Acq LLC
purchases such co-investment units. In such event, SP II previously agreed to transfer its
founders units to SP Acq LLC. Since the Steel Trust has agreed to purchase the co-investment
units and thereafter transfer such units to a permitted transferee of SP II, SPAH public
stockholders may have a securities law claim against SPAH for rescission or damages, as described
more fully under The Merger and the Merger AgreementRescission Rights.
SP Acq LLC is a holding company founded to form SPAH and hold an investment in the founders
units. Subject to the terms of its operating agreement, SP Acq LLC may distribute the founders
units to its members at any time, subject further to the transfer and other restrictions applicable
to permitted transferees described below and to applicable federal and state securities laws.
Principal Stockholders of SPAH Following the Consummation of the Merger
The following table sets forth information regarding the direct and indirect beneficial
ownership of SPAHs common stock by:
|
|
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each current beneficial owner of more than 5% of SPAHs outstanding shares of common
stock;
|
|
|
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each of SPAHs current officers and directors; and
|
|
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all of SPAHs current officers and directors as a group,
|
assuming (i) the proposed merger is consummated, (ii) the Steel Trust acquires the co-investment
units, (iii) SP Acq LLC and the current members of the SPAH Board forfeit an aggregate of 9,453,412
shares of SPAH common stock, (iv) no Frontier shareholders exercise dissenters rights, (v) no SPAH
public stockholders exercise conversion rights and (vi) no warrants are exercised.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Approximate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares of
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)
|
|
Beneficially Owned
|
|
|
Beneficially Owned
|
|
|
Warren G. Lichtenstein
(2)(3)
|
|
|
4,334,517
|
|
|
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8.6
|
%
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|
SP Acq LLC
|
|
|
665,529
|
|
|
|
1.3
|
%
|
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Steel Partners II Liquidating Series Trust Series F
(3)
|
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|
3,668,988
|
|
|
|
7.3
|
%
|
|
Steel Partners II, L.P.
(3)
|
|
|
3,668,988
|
|
|
|
7.3
|
%
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|
Steel Partners II GP LLC
(3)
|
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|
3,668,988
|
|
|
|
7.3
|
%
|
|
Steel Partners LLC
(3)
|
|
|
3,668,988
|
|
|
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7.3
|
%
|
|
Steel Partners Holdings L.P.
(3)
|
|
|
3,668,988
|
|
|
|
7.3
|
%
|
|
Anthony Bergamo
(4)
|
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|
7,560
|
|
|
|
*
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Ronald LaBow
(4)
|
|
|
7,560
|
|
|
|
*
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Howard M. Lorber
(4)
|
|
|
7,560
|
|
|
|
*
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|
|
Leonard Toboroff
(4)
|
|
|
7,560
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
S. Nicholas Walker
(4)
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|
|
7,560
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
148
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Approximate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares of
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)
|
|
Beneficially Owned
|
|
|
Beneficially Owned
|
|
|
Jack L. Howard
(5)
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|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
James R. Henderson
(5)
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|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
Patrick M. Fahey
|
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|
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|
|
|
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QVT Financial LP
(6)
1177 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor
New York, New York 10036
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4,856,550
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9.7
|
%
|
|
HBK Investments L.P.
(7)
300 Crescent Court, Suite 700
Dallas, Texas, 75201
|
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5,351,585
|
|
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10.7
|
%
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Fir Tree, Inc.
(8)
505 Fifth Avenue, 23rd Floor
New York, New York 10017
|
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4,001,000
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8.0
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%
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Millennium Management LLC
(9)
666 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10103
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|
6,019,050
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12.0
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%
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Hartz Capital, Inc.
(10)
400 Plaza Drive
Secaucus, New Jersey
|
|
|
2,812,416
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|
|
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5.6
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%
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All executive officers and directors as a group
(8 individuals)
(2)(3)
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|
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4,368,988
|
|
|
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8.7
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%
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Less than one percent.
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(1)
|
|
Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the individuals or entities is
590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor, New York, New York 10022.
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(2)
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Mr. Lichtenstein is the managing member of SP Acq LLC and may be considered to have
beneficial ownership of SP Acq LLCs interest in SPAH. Mr. Lichtenstein disclaims beneficial
ownership of any shares in which he does not have a pecuniary interest. Of the 4,334,517
shares of common stock Mr. Lichtenstein may be deemed to beneficially own, 2,063,806 shares
will be held as Non-Voting Common Stock, as described in footnote (3) below.
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(3)
|
|
The Steel Trust has agreed to convert certain shares of its voting common stock into
Non-Voting Common Stock as necessary in order to maintain an ownership level of voting common
stock below 5% of the total outstanding shares of voting. As a result, of the 3,668,988
shares of common stock of SPAH beneficially owned by the Steel Trust, 1,605,182 shares will be
held as voting common stock and 2,063,806 shares will be held as Non-Voting Common Stock. SP
II, as nominee, holds the shares of common stock of SPAH beneficially owned by the Steel
Trust. Steel Partners LLC is the manager of SP II and Steel Trust. Steel Partners II GP LLC
is the general partner of SP II and the liquidating trustee of Steel Trust. Mr. Lichtenstein
is the manager of Steel Partners LLC and the managing member of Steel Partners II GP LLC.
Steel Partners Holdings L.P. is the sole limited partner of SP II. By virtue of these
relationships, each of SP II, Steel Partners LLC, Steel Partners II GP LLC, Mr. Lichtenstein
and Steel Partners Holdings L.P.
may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of
common stock of SPAH beneficially owned by the Steel Trust.
|
149
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
Each of the following persons is a member of SP Acq LLC: Anthony Bergamo, Ronald LaBow,
Howard M. Lorber, Leonard Toboroff and S. Nicholas Walker. Such persons have each been
granted voting power over the number of shares equal to each of his respective percentage
ownership in SP Acq LLC multiplied by the number of shares owned by SP Acq LLC. Accordingly,
each of such persons has been attributed 666 shares and such shares are also included in the
shares held by SP Acq LLC.
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|
(5)
|
|
Each of Jack L. Howard and James R. Henderson is a member of SP Acq LLC, however, neither of
such persons has voting or dispositive power over the shares of common stock owned by SP Acq
LLC. Accordingly, the shares held by SP Acq LLC are not deemed to be beneficially owned by
either of such persons.
|
|
(6)
|
|
As reported in Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 4, 2009, QVT
Financial LP (QVT Financial) is the investment manager for QVT Fund LP (the Fund), which
beneficially owns 4,011,419 shares of common stock, and for Quintessence Fund L.P.
(Quintessence), which beneficially owns 440,586 shares of common stock. QVT Financial is
also the investment manager for a separate discretionary account managed for a third party
(the Separate Account), which holds 404,545 shares of common stock. QVT Financial has the
power to direct the vote and disposition of the common stock held by the Fund, Quintessence
and the Separate Account. Accordingly, QVT Financial may be deemed to be the beneficial owner
of an aggregate amount of 4,586,550 shares of common stock, consisting of the shares owned by
the Fund and Quintessence and the Separate Account. QVT Financial GP LLC, as General Partner
of QVT Financial, may be deemed to beneficially own the same number of shares of common stock
reported by QVT Financial. QVT Associates GP LLC, as General Partner of the Fund and
Quintessence, may be deemed to beneficially own the aggregate number of shares of common stock
owned by the Fund and Quintessence, and accordingly, QVT Associates GP LLC may be deemed to be
the beneficial owner of an aggregate amount of 4,452,005 shares of common stock.
|
|
(7)
|
|
As reported in Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 6, 2009, HBK
Investments L.P. has delegated discretion to vote and dispose of the Securities to HBK
Services LLC (Services). Services may, from time to time, delegate discretion to vote and
dispose of certain of the shares to HBK New York LLC, a Delaware limited liability company,
HBK Virginia LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and/or HBK Europe Management LLP, a
limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the United Kingdom (collectively,
the Subadvisors). Each of Services and the Subadvisors is under common control with HBK
Investments L.P.
|
|
(8)
|
|
As reported in Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 10, 2009, Fir
Tree SPAC Holdings 1, LLC (SPAC Holdings 1) and Fir Tree SPAC Holdings 2, LLC (SPAC
Holdings 2) are the beneficial owners of 2,705,600 shares of common stock and 1,295,400
shares of common stock, respectively. Fir Tree, Inc. may be deemed to beneficially own the
shares of common stock held by SPAC Holdings 1 and SPAC Holdings 2 as a result of being the
investment manager of SPAC Holdings 1 and SPAC Holdings 2.
|
|
(9)
|
|
As reported in Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on November 3, 2008,
Integrated Core Strategies (US) LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Integrated Core
Strategies), may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 4,815,650 shares of common stock.
Millenco LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Millenco) (formerly known as Millenco,
L.P.), may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 1,203,400 shares of common stock.
Millennium Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Millennium Management), is
the manager of Millenco, and consequently may be deemed to have shared voting control and
investment discretion over shares owned by Millenco. Millennium Management is also the
general partner of Integrated Holding Group LP, a Delaware limited partnership (Integrated
Holding Group), which is the managing member of Integrated Core Strategies and consequently
may be deemed to have shared voting control and investment discretion over shares owned by
Integrated Core Strategies. Israel A. Englander (Mr. Englander) is the managing member of
Millennium Management. As a result, Mr. Englander may be deemed to have shared voting control
and investment discretion over shares deemed to be beneficially owned by Millennium
Management.
|
|
(10)
|
|
As reported in Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on August 27, 2008, Hartz Capital, Inc., is
the manager of Hartz Capital Investments, LLC. Each of Hartz Capital, Inc. and Hartz Capital
Investments, LLC may be deemed to beneficially own 2,812,416 shares of common stock.
|
150
Transfer Restrictions
The SPAH insiders previously entered into lock-up agreements, pursuant to which they have
agreed not to sell or transfer their founders units and the founders shares and initial founders
warrants comprising the founders units (including the common stock to be issued upon the exercise
of the initial founders warrants) for a period of one year from the date the merger is
consummated, except in each case to permitted transferees who agree to be subject to the same
transfer restrictions. The Steel Trust has agreed to be bound by these transfer restrictions.
SP II previously agreed not to sell or transfer the co-investment units, co-investment shares
or co-investment warrants (including the common stock to be issued upon exercise of the
co-investment warrants) until one year after SPAH completes the merger except to permitted
transferees who agree to be bound by such transfer restrictions. The Steel Trust has agreed to be
bound by these transfer restrictions.
The permitted transferees under the lock-up agreements are SPAHs officers, directors and
employees and other persons or entities associated or affiliated with SP II or Steel Partners, Ltd.
(other than, in the case of SP II and SP Acq LLC, their respective limited partners or members in
their capacity as limited partners or members). Any transfer to a permitted transferee will be in a
private transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 4(i)
thereof.
During the lock-up period, the SPAH insiders and any permitted transferees to whom they
transfer shares of common stock will retain all other rights of holders of SPAH common stock,
including, without limitation, the right to vote their shares of common stock (except to the extent
they convert their voting common stock into Non-Voting Common Stock or receive Non-Voting Common
Stock upon exercise of their warrants) and the right to receive cash dividends, if declared. If
dividends are declared and payable in shares of common stock, such dividends will also be subject
to the lock-up agreement. If SPAH is unable to effect the merger and liquidates, the SPAH insiders
have waived the right to receive any portion of the liquidation proceeds with respect to the
founders shares. Any permitted transferees to whom the founders shares are transferred will also
agree to waive that right.
Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence
On March 22, 2007, SP Acq LLC, which is controlled by Mr. Lichtenstein, purchased 11,500,000
of SPAHs units. On June 25, 2007, a total of 500,000 founders units were sold by SP Acq LLC to
Anthony Bergamo, Ronald LaBow, Howard M. Lorber, Leonard Toboroff and S. Nicholas Walker, each a
director of SPAH, in private transactions subject to the succeeding sentence. Pursuant to the
purchase agreement dated March 30, 2007, SP Acq LLC sold 662,791 founders units to SP II, an
affiliate of SP Acq LLC.
On August 8, 2007, SPAH declared a unit dividend of 0.15 units for each outstanding share of
common stock. On September 4, 2007, SPAH declared a unit dividend of one-third of a unit for each
outstanding share of common stock. Pursuant to an adjustment agreement SPAH entered into with each
of the SPAH insiders, each agreed to assign their right to receive the additional founders units
they received pursuant to the dividend to SP Acq LLC. 667,600 of these additional founders units
were subsequently forfeited by SP Acq LLC in connection with the exercise of the underwriters
over-allotment option so that the holders of SPAHs founders units maintained collective ownership
of 20% of SPAHs units.
151
On March 22, 2007, SP Acq LLC entered into an agreement with SPAH to purchase 5,250,000
warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant, upon the consummation of SPAHs initial public offering.
Subsequent to this agreement, Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker agreed that they
would purchase a total of 500,000 of the additional founders warrants from SP Acq LLC. On October
4, 2007, SP Acq LLC agreed to purchase an additional 1,750,000 additional founders warrants at a
price of $1.00 per warrant immediately prior to SPAHs initial public offering resulting in an
aggregate purchase of 7,000,000 additional founders warrants. SPAH believes the purchase price of
$1.00 per warrant for the additional founders warrants represented the fair value of
such warrants on the date of purchase and accordingly no compensation expense has been
recognized with respect to the issuance of the additional founders warrants. The $7.0 million of
proceeds from the investment in the 7,000,000 additional founders warrants has been placed in the
trust account pending SPAHs completion of the merger. If SPAH does not complete the merger or
another initial business combination, then the $7.0 million will be part of the liquidation
distribution to the SPAH public stockholders, and the additional founders warrants will expire
worthless. The additional founders warrants are non-redeemable so long as they are held by SP Acq
LLC or its permitted transferees.
Pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreements with Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff
and Walker, SP Acq LLC may repurchase the founders units owned by Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber,
Toboroff and Walker in the event of their resignation or removal for cause from SPAHs Board.
The founders units are identical to those sold in SPAHs initial public offering, except
that:
|
|
|
The SPAH insiders have agreed to vote all of their founders shares either for or
against the merger as determined by the SPAH public stockholders who vote at the
special meeting called for the purpose of approving SPAHs initial business
combination;
|
|
|
|
SPAH insiders have waived their conversion rights;
|
|
|
|
The SPAH insiders have agreed that the founders shares included therein will not
participate with the common stock included in the units sold in SPAHs initial public
offering in any liquidating distribution;
|
|
|
|
the initial founders warrants included therein:
|
|
|
|
only become exercisable after consummation of the merger if and
when the last sales price of SPAHs common stock exceeds $14.25 per share for
any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period beginning 90 days after the
merger; and
|
|
|
|
are non-redeemable so long as they are held by SP Acq LLC or
its permitted transferees, including the Steel Trust and Messrs. Bergamo,
LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker; and
|
|
|
|
will be forfeited in the event that SP II or SP Acq LLC fails
to purchase the co-investment units. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Steel
Trust has agreed to assume all of SP IIs rights and obligations with respect
to SP IIs founders shares and warrants, including to purchase the
co-investment units.
|
On March 22, 2007, SP II agreed to purchase an aggregate of 3,000,000 units, directly from
SPAH at a price of $10.00 per unit ($30.0 million in the aggregate) in a private placement that
will occur immediately prior to the consummation of the merger. Pursuant to a plan of
reorganization, SP II has contributed certain assets to the Steel Trust, a liquidating trust
established for the purpose of effecting the orderly liquidation of such assets. As a result, all
of the founders units owned by SP II, including the founders shares and initial founders
warrants comprising the units, have been transferred to the Steel Trust in a private transaction
exempt from registration under the Securities Act. The Steel Trust has agreed to assume all of SP
IIs rights and obligations with respect to the founders units, as more fully described elsewhere
in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the obligation to purchase the co-investment
units. Since the agreement governing the co-investment and SPAHs initial public offering
prospectus disclosed that only SP II or SP Acq LLC may purchase the co-investment units, SPAH will
need the prior written consent of the underwriters in its initial public offering to permit the
Steel Trust to make the co-investment. SPAH anticipates receiving this consent prior to the
closing of the merger. In addition, SPAH public stockholders may have a securities law claim
against SPAH for rescission (under which a successful claimant has the right to receive the total
amount paid for his or her securities pursuant to an allegedly deficient prospectus, plus interest
and less any income earned on the securities, in exchange for surrender of the securities) or
damages
(compensation for loss on an investment caused by alleged material misrepresentations or
omissions in the sale of a security), as described more fully under The Merger and the Merger
AgreementRescission Rights.
152
SPAH has entered into an agreement with each of the SPAH insiders granting them the right to
demand that SPAH register the resale, (i) in the case of each of the SPAH insiders, of the
founders units, the founders shares, the initial founders warrants and the shares of common
stock underlying the initial founders warrants, (ii) in the case of SP Acq LLC and Messrs.
Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker, the additional founders warrants and the shares of
common stock underlying the additional founders warrants, and (iii) in the case of SP II (or its
permitted transferee including the Steel Trust), the co-investment units, co-investment shares and
co-investment warrants and the shares of common stock underlying the co-investment warrants, with
respect to the founders units, the founders shares, the initial founders warrants and shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, the co-investment units, the co-investment
shares and the co-investment warrants and shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants at any
time commencing three months prior to the date on which they are no longer subject to transfer
restrictions, and with respect to all of the additional founders warrants and the underlying
shares of common stock, at any time after the execution of the merger agreement. SPAH will bear the
expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
As of December 31, 2007, Steel Partners, Ltd., had loaned SPAH a total of $250,000 evidenced
by a promissory note, which was used to pay a portion of the expenses of SPAHs initial public
offering and organization. This note bore interest at 5%, compounded semi-annually and was to be
paid in full by December 31, 2008. This loan was made to SPAH by Steel Partners, Ltd. because SP
Acq LLC was recently formed and had limited capital. On June 27, 2008, the note was paid in full.
SPAH has agreed to pay Steel Partners, Ltd. a monthly fee of $10,000 for office space and
administrative services, including secretarial support. This fee commenced upon the completion of
SPAHs initial public offering. SPAH believes that such fees are at least as favorable as SPAH
could have obtained from an unaffiliated third party. Following the consummation of the merger,
this agreement with Steel Partners, Ltd. will be terminated.
SPAH will reimburse its officers, directors and affiliates, including affiliates of SP Acq LLC
and their employees, for any reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by them in
connection with certain activities on SPAHs behalf such as identifying and investigating possible
target businesses and business combinations. Subject to availability of proceeds not placed in the
trust account and interest income of $3.5 million on the balance in the trust account that was
previously released to SPAH to fund its working capital requirements, there is no limit on the
amount of out-of-pocket expenses that could be incurred. SPAHs audit committee will review and
approve all payments made to SPAHs officers, directors and affiliates, including affiliates of SP
Acq LLC and their employees, other than the payment of an aggregate of $10,000 per month to Steel
Partners, Ltd. for office space, secretarial and administrative services, and any payments made to
members of SPAHs audit committee will be reviewed and approved by the SPAH Board, with the
interested director or directors abstaining from such review and approval. To the extent such
out-of-pocket expenses exceed the available proceeds not deposited in the trust account and
interest income of $3.5 million on the balance in the trust account previously released to SPAH to
fund its working capital requirements, such out-of-pocket expenses would not be reimbursed by SPAH
unless SPAH consummates the merger or another business combination.
Other than reimbursable out-of-pocket expenses, including travel expenses, payable to SPAHs
officers and directors and SP Acq LLC or its affiliates and an aggregate of $10,000 per month paid
to Steel Partners, Ltd. for office space, secretarial and administrative services, no compensation
or fees of any kind, including finders and consulting fees or any other forms of compensation,
including but not limited to stock options, will be paid to any of SPAHs officers or directors or
their affiliates.
Upon consummation of the merger, SP Acq LLC has agreed to forfeit 8,987,883 of the 9,653,412
founders shares it owns and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker have agreed to
forfeit an aggregate of 465,529 of the 500,000 founders shares they own.
153
Changes in Registrants Certifying Accountant
On January 6, 2009, SPAH dismissed Grant Thornton LLP (GT) as its independent registered
public accounting firm, effective immediately. The decision to dismiss GT was approved by the Audit
Committee of the SPAH Board.
The reports of GT on the financial statements of SPAH for the period from February 14, 2007
(date of inception) to March 31, 2007, the cumulative period from February 14, 2007 (date of
inception) to October 16, 2007 and the cumulative period from February 14, 2007 (date of inception)
to December 31, 2007 did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not
qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle.
From February 14, 2007 (date of inception) to December 31, 2007 and through January 6, 2009,
there were no disagreements with GT on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of
GT, would have caused them to make reference thereto in their reports on the financial statements
for such years.
On January 7, 2008, GT advised SPAH that it believed SPAH had a material weakness in that the
SPAH internal control structure had an operational failure whereby SPAH did not properly record the
stock that is redeemable outside the control of SPAH as mezzanine equity. SPAH inadvertently
omitted disclosure of this redemption feature in the October 16, 2007 financial
statements. Accordingly, on January 8, 2008, SPAH filed an amended Current Report on Form 8-K (the
Amended Report) with the SEC, amending the original Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the
SEC on October 23, 2007, to reclassify the redeemable common stock on SPAHs balance sheet and
statement of stockholders equity at October 16, 2007 and to add disclosure of this feature to the
notes to the financial statements. SPAH filed the Amended Report to conform SPAHs financial
statements with Regulation S-X 5.08, consistent with other blank check companies with similar
business plans. The redemption feature of SPAHs common stock had been fully disclosed in SPAHs
Prospectus, dated October 10, 2007, and subsequently in SPAHs Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30, 2007, filed with the SEC on November 16, 2007.
From February 14, 2007 (date of inception) to December 31, 2007 and through January 6, 2009,
there were no reportable events as that term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K,
other than as indicated above.
As a result of the filing of the Amended Report as described above, SPAH augmented its
internal controls over financial reporting and reported the following in Item 9A of its 2007 Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed on March 27, 2008:
...other than certain augmentation of the companys internal controls over financial reporting
in connection with the company becoming a public company, including supplementing the reporting and
review processes with respect to applicable United States generally accepted accounting principles
and SEC rules, there has been no changes to the companys internal controls which has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the companys internal control over
financial reporting.
On January 6, 2009, SPAH engaged J.H. Cohn LLP as SPAHs independent registered public
accountant. The engagement of J.H. Cohn LLP was approved by the Audit Committee of the SPAH Board.
From February 14, 2007 (date of inception) to December 31, 2007 and through January 6, 2009,
SPAH did not consult with J.H. Cohn LLP with respect to either (i) the application of accounting
principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; (ii) the type of audit opinion
that might be rendered on SPAHs financial statements; or (iii) any matter that was either the
subject of disagreement (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K) or a reportable event
(as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).
154
INFORMATION ABOUT FRONTIER
Frontier
Frontier is a Washington corporation which was incorporated in 1983 and is registered as a
bank holding company under the BHC Act. At June 30, 2009, Frontier had one operating subsidiary,
Frontier Bank, which is engaged in a general banking business and in businesses related to banking.
Effective December 30, 2008, FFP, Inc., a nonbank corporation, which leased property to Frontier
Bank, was merged into Frontier Bank.
Frontiers principal executive offices are located at 332 S.W. Everett Mall Way, P.O. Box
2215, Everett, Washington 98213 and the companys telephone number at that address is (425)
347-0600. Frontier maintains an Internet website at www.frontierbank.com. Frontier is not
incorporating the information on its website into this report, and neither this website nor the
information on this website is included or incorporated in, or is a part of, this joint proxy
statement/prospectus.
Frontier Bank
Frontier Bank is a Washington state-chartered commercial bank with headquarters located north
of Seattle, in Everett, Snohomish County, Washington. Frontier Bank was founded in September 1978,
by Robert J. Dickson and local business persons and is an insured bank as defined in the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act.
Frontier engages in general banking business in western Washington and Oregon, including the
acceptance of demand, savings and time deposits and the origination of loans. As of June 30, 2009,
Frontier served its customers from fifty-one offices. In Snohomish County, four offices are located
in Everett, and one office each is located in Arlington, Edmonds, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Mill
Creek, Monroe, Lynnwood, Smokey Point, Snohomish and Stanwood. Seven offices are located in Pierce
County in the cities of Buckley, Edgewood-Milton, Orting, Puyallup, Sumner, Tacoma and University
Place. Frontier has thirteen branches in King County, one each in Ballard (Seattle), Bellevue,
Bothell, Duvall, Fremont (Seattle), Kent, Kirkland, Lake City (Seattle), Redmond, Renton, Seattle,
Totem Lake (Kirkland) and Woodinville. In addition, the following fourteen branches are located in
Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Skagit, Thurston and Whatcom Counties: two branches each in Bellingham
and Poulsbo, and one each in Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, Gig Harbor, Lacey, Lynden, Mount Vernon,
Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Sequim and Silverdale. See Properties.
Banking Services
Frontier offers a wide range of financial services to commercial and individual customers,
including short-term and medium-term loans, lines of credit, inventory and accounts receivable
financing, equipment financing, residential and commercial construction and mortgage loans secured
by real estate, various savings programs, checking accounts, installment and personal loans, and
bank credit cards.
Frontier also offers other financial services complementary to banking including an insurance
and investment center that markets annuities, life insurance products and mutual funds, a trust
department that offers a full array of trust services, and a private banking office to provide
personal service to high net worth customers.
The deposits of Frontier Bank are insured by the FDIC, up to the limits specified by law.
Lending Activities
Historically, Frontiers focus has been on real estate construction lending, but the company
is in the process of diversifying our loan portfolio. Due to the downturn in the economy and the
impact on the local housing market, Frontier is rebalancing its loan portfolio to include more
commercial and industrial business and consumer loans.
155
Real Estate Loans
Real estate loans represent the largest share of Frontiers loan portfolio at June 30, 2009.
These loans are comprised of real estate commercial term loans, construction loans, land
development loans, completed lot loans and home mortgages. As noted above, Frontier is in the
process of diversifying its loan portfolio. For the most part, Frontier is no longer originating
real estate construction, land development or completed lot loans. The construction loan portfolio
is comprised of two types:
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1.
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Loans for construction of residential and commercial income-producing
properties that generally have terms of less than two years and typically bear an
interest rate that floats with Frontier Banks base rate.
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2.
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Loans for construction of single-family spec and owner-occupied properties that
generally have terms of one year or less and typically bear an interest rate that
floats with Frontier Banks base rate.
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Frontiers real estate commercial term loans finance the purchase and/or ownership of income
producing properties. These loans are generally mature in one to ten years with a payment
amortization schedule ranging from 15 to 25 years. Interest rates may be fixed or variable. The
interest rates on fixed rate loans typically reprice between the first and fifth year.
Land development loans are used for either residential or commercial purposes. These loans
generally have terms of one year or less and typically bear an interest rate that floats with
Frontier Banks base rate.
Mortgage loans include various types of loans for which real property is held as collateral.
These loans, collateralized by one to four family residences, typically have maturities between one
and five years with payment amortization schedules ranging from 10 to 20 years. Mortgage loans are
written with both fixed and variable rates.
Frontier also originates and sells mortgages into the secondary market. Frontier Bank offers a
variety of products for refinancing and purchases and is approved to originate FHA and VA loans.
The majority of loans originated in the past year were fixed rate single-family loans. Servicing
is sold with the loan. Funding requirements for these loans are minimal as few of these loans are
retained for investment.
Commercial and Industrial Loans
This category of loans includes both commercial and industrial loans used to provide working
capital or for specific purposes, such as to finance the purchase of fixed assets, equipment or
inventory. Commercial loans include lines of credit and term loans. Lines of credit are extended to
businesses based on the financial strength and integrity of the borrower and generally are
collateralized by short-term assets such as accounts receivable and have a maturity of one year or
less. Such lines of credit bear an interest rate that floats with Frontier Banks base rate or
another established index. Commercial term loans are typically made to finance the acquisition of
fixed assets, refinance short-term debt originally used to purchase fixed assets or, in rare cases,
to finance a business purchase. Commercial term loans generally mature within one to five years.
They may be collateralized by the asset being acquired or other available assets. These term loans
will generally bear interest that either floats with Frontier Banks base rate or another
established index or is fixed for the term of the loan. Industrial loans consist of farm-related
credits used to finance operating expenses. These loans generally have terms of one year and bear
interest that either floats with our base rate or is fixed for the term of the loan. These loans
are generally collateralized by farm related assets including land, equipment, crops or livestock.
Installment Loans
Frontier also provides loans for consumer use including: auto loans, boat loans, home
improvement loans, revolving lines of credit, VISA credit cards and other loans typically made by
banks to individual borrowers. These loans generally have terms ranging from one to five years,
with up to 20-year amortizations and are written with both fixed and variable rates.
156
Concentrations of Credit
The following chart indicates the amount of loans, net of deferred fees, and as a percent of
total loans for the years ended December 31 and the second quarter ended June 30, 2009 (in
thousands):
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Year ended December 31,
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June 30, 2009
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2008
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2007
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2006
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2005
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Real estate commercial loans
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$
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1,017,204
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$
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1,044,833
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$
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1,003,916
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$
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897,714
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$
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859,251
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Real estate construction loans
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$
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713,571
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$
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949,909
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$
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1,062,662
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$
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735,926
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$
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554,021
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Real estate land development loans
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$
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476,562
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$
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580,453
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$
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537,410
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$
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399,950
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$
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269,662
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Total loans at end of period (1)
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$
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3,416,219
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$
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3,778,733
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$
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3,612,122
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$
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2,908,000
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$
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2,389,224
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Real estate commercial loans as a
percent of total loans
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29.8
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%
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27.7
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%
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27.8
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%
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30.9
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%
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36.0
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%
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Real estate construction loans as
a percent of total loans
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20.9
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%
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25.1
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%
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29.4
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%
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25.3
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%
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23.2
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%
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Real estate land development
loans as a percent of total loans
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14.0
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%
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15.4
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%
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14.9
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%
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13.8
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%
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11.3
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%
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(1)
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Includes loans for resale.
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Investment Activities
From time to time, Frontier acquires investment securities when funds acquired through deposit
activities exceed loan demand or when there are collateral requirements. When excess funds are
considered temporary in nature by management, they are typically placed in federal funds sold on an
overnight basis to correspondent banks, approved by the Frontier Board. This type of investment is
not considered desirable, as the interest rate earned on these funds is minimal in nature. When
funds are considered longer term, they are generally invested in securities purchased in the open
market. At June 30, 2009, Frontier had investments with an amortized cost totaling $87.4 million.
Please see Note 3 of Frontiers Consolidated Financial Statements for details on the makeup of the
portfolio. Frontier has an investment policy that generally permits purchasing securities rated
only in one of the four highest rating categories by a nationally recognized credit rating
organization. The investment policy also provides for maturity patterns, diversification of
investments and avoidance of concentrations within the portfolio.
Deposit Activities and Other Funding Sources
Frontiers primary source of funds has historically been customer deposits. The company offers
a variety of accounts designed to attract both short-term and long-term deposits in its market
area. These accounts include demand (checking), NOW, money market, sweep, savings and certificates
of deposit. Interest rates paid on these accounts vary from time to time and are based on
competitive factors and liquidity needs. One of Frontiers goals is to maintain noninterest-bearing
deposits at the highest level possible. These are low cost funds and help to increase the net
interest margin. Noninterest-bearing accounts comprised 12.5% of total deposits at June 30, 2009.
Frontier has other funding sources such as Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances, federal
funds purchased and repurchase agreements. The major source of funds in this area is advances from
the FHLB of Seattle. Although this source of funding can be more costly than deposit activities,
large portions of funds are available very quickly for meeting loan commitments. Frontiers line of
credit with the FHLB is approximately 15% of qualifying Bank assets and is collateralized by
qualifying first mortgage loans, qualifying commercial real estate and government agency
securities. At June 30, 2009, Frontier had FHLB advances totaling $421.1 million (please refer to
Note 9 in Frontiers Consolidated Financial Statement for detail regarding these advances). These
advances were collateralized with $814.3 million in qualifying first mortgages, other certain
assets and FHLB stock. No
commercial real estate or government securities were pledged at year end. The unused portion
of this credit line at June 30, 2009, was $14.2 million.
157
Other Financial Services
Frontier offers other financial services complementary to banking, including an insurance and
investment center that markets annuities, life insurance products and mutual funds to our customers
and the general public, a trust department that offers a full array of trust services and a private
banking office to provide personal service to high net worth customers.
Business Strategy
Frontiers current business strategies are as follows:
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Continue to reduce the companys concentration in real estate construction and land
development loans.
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Proactively managing credit quality and loan collections and improve asset quality.
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Diversify the companys loan portfolio by expanding commercial and industrial
lending through the companys existing branches.
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Manage liquidity and maintain and improve the companys capital position in
compliance with regulatory guidelines.
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Continue to seek out feasible expense reduction measures.
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Increase core deposits to fund loan growth and maintain net interest margins through
an enhanced branch network and online banking.
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Frontier and its subsidiary, Frontier Bank, are subject to regulatory actions, with respect to
their operations, including an FDIC Order described in Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations Regulatory
Actions.
Competition
The banking industry is highly competitive. Frontier faces strong competition in attracting
deposits and in originating loans. The most direct competition for deposits has historically come
from other commercial banks, saving institutions and credit unions located in Frontiers primary
market area. As with all banking organizations, Frontier also has competition from nonbanking
sources, including mutual funds, corporate and governmental debt securities and other investment
alternatives. The company expects increasing competition from other financial institutions and
nonbanking sources in the future. Many of Frontiers competitors have more significant financial
resources, larger market share and greater name recognition than Frontier. The existence of such
competitors may make it difficult for Frontier to achieve its financial goals.
Frontiers management believes that the principal competitive factors affecting Frontiers
markets include interest rates paid on deposits and charged on loans, the range of banking products
available and customer service and support. Although Frontier believes that its products currently
compete favorably with respect to these factors, there can be no assurance that we can maintain its
competitive position against current and potential competitors, especially those with significantly
greater financial resources.
Competition for loans comes principally from other commercial banks, savings institutions,
credit unions and mortgage banking companies. Frontier competes for loans principally through the
efficiency and quality of the services the company provides borrowers and the interest rates and
loan fees it charges.
158
Frontier competes for deposits by offering depositors a wide variety of checking accounts,
savings accounts, certificates and other services. Frontiers ability to attract and retain
deposits depends on the companys ability to provide deposit products that satisfy the requirements
of customers as to interest rates, liquidity, transaction fees, risk of loss of deposit,
convenience and other factors. Deposit relationships are actively solicited through a branch sales
and service system.
Changes in technology, mostly from the growing use of computers and computer-based technology,
present competitive challenges for Frontier. Large banking institutions typically have the ability
to devote significant resources to developing and maintaining technology-based services such as
on-line banking and other banking products and services over the Internet, including deposit
services and mortgage loans. Some new banking competitors offer all of these services online.
Customers who bank by computer or by telephone may not need to go to a branch location in person.
Frontiers high service philosophy emphasizes face-to-face contact with tellers, loan officers and
other employees. Frontiers management believes a personal approach to banking is a competitive
advantage, one that will remain popular in the communities that Frontier serves. However, customer
preferences may change, and the rapid growth of online banking could, at some point, render
Frontiers personal, branch-based approach obsolete. Frontier believes it has reduced this risk by
offering on-line banking services to customers, and by continuing to provide 24-hour banking
services. There can be no assurance that these efforts will be successful in preventing the loss of
customers to competitors.
Regulation and Supervision
The following discussion is only intended to provide summaries of significant statutes and
regulations that affect the banking industry and is therefore not complete. Changes in applicable
laws or regulations, and in the policies of regulators, may have a material effect on our business
and prospects. We cannot accurately predict the nature or extent of the effects on our business and
earnings that fiscal or monetary policies, or new federal or state laws, may have in the future.
See Supervision and Regulation for a more complete discussion of banking laws and regulations.
General
Frontier is extensively regulated under federal and state law. These laws and regulations are
primarily intended to protect depositors, not shareowners. The discussion below describes and
summarizes certain statutes and regulations. These descriptions and summaries are qualified in
their entirety by reference to the particular statute or regulation. Changes in applicable laws or
regulations may have a material effect on our business and prospects. Frontiers operations may
also be affected by changes in the policies of banking and other government regulators. Frontier
cannot accurately predict the nature or extent of the possible future effects on the companys
business and earnings of changes in fiscal or monetary policies, or new federal or state laws and
regulations.
Compliance
In order to assure that Frontier is in compliance with the laws and regulations that apply to
its operations, including those summarized below, the company employs a compliance officer, and
engages an independent compliance auditing firm. Frontier is regularly reviewed or audited by the
Federal Reserve, the FDIC, and the Washington DFI, during which reviews such agencies assess our
compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Frontier is currently subject to regulatory
actions as a result of recent examinations. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations Regulatory Actions.
Federal Bank Holding Company Regulation
General:
Frontier is a registered bank holding company as defined in the BHC Act and is
therefore subject to regulation, supervision and examination by the Federal Reserve. In general,
the BHC Act limits the business of bank holding companies to owning or controlling banks and
engaging in other activities closely related to banking. Frontier must file reports with the
Federal Reserve and must provide it with such additional information as it may require.
159
The Federal Reserve also has the authority to regulate provisions of certain bank holding
company debt. Under certain circumstances, Frontier must file written notice and obtain Federal
Reserve approval prior to purchasing or redeeming its equity securities.
Bank holding company capital requirements
: The Federal Reserve has established capital ratio
guidelines for bank holding companies. A bank holding company is well capitalized under
Regulation Y if (1) on a consolidated basis, it maintains a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0%
or greater, (2) on a consolidated basis, the bank holding company maintains a tier 1 risk based
capital ratio of 6.0% or greater, and (3) the bank holding company is not subject to any written
agreement, order, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive issued by the Federal
Reserve to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure. In addition, a bank
holding company generally must maintain a minimum tier 1 leverage ratio of 4%. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Liquidity Resources and Capital Adequacy below for a discussion of the applicable federal capital
requirements.
Acquisition of Banks:
The BHC Act requires every bank holding company to obtain the Federal
Reserves prior approval before:
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acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank
if, after the acquisition, the bank holding company will directly or indirectly own or
control more than 5% of the banks voting shares;
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acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of any bank; or
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merging or consolidating with any other bank holding company.
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Additionally, the BHC Act provides that the Federal Reserve may not approve any of these
transactions if it would result in or tend to create a monopoly, substantially lessen competition
or otherwise function as a restraint of trade, unless the anti-competitive effects of the proposed
transaction are clearly outweighed by the public interest in meeting the convenience and needs of
the community to be served. The Federal Reserve is also required to consider the financial and
managerial resources and future prospects of the bank holding companies and banks concerned and the
convenience and needs of the community to be served. The Federal Reserves consideration of
financial resources generally focuses on capital adequacy, which is discussed below.
Restrictions on Ownership of Frontier
: The BHC Act requires any bank holding company (as
defined in that Act) to obtain the approval of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
prior to acquiring more than 5% of a class of Frontiers outstanding voting stock. Any person other
than a bank holding company is required to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve to acquire
10% or more of a class of our outstanding voting stock under the Change in Bank Control Act. Any
holder of 25% or more of a class of Frontiers outstanding voting stock, other than an individual,
is subject to regulation as a bank holding company under the BHC Act
Holding Company Control of Nonbanks
: With some exceptions, the BHC Act also prohibits a bank
holding company from acquiring or retaining direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5%
of the voting shares of any company which is not a bank or bank holding company, or from engaging
directly or indirectly in activities other than those of banking, managing or controlling banks, or
providing services for its subsidiaries. The principal exceptions to these prohibitions involve
certain non-bank activities which, by statute or by Federal Reserve regulation or order, have been
identified as activities closely related to the business of banking or of managing or controlling
banks.
Transactions with Affiliates
: Subsidiary banks of a bank holding company are subject to
restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act on extensions of credit to the holding company or
its subsidiaries, on investments in their securities and on the use of their securities as
collateral for loans to any borrower. These regulations and restrictions may limit Frontiers
ability to obtain funds from Frontier Bank for Frontiers cash needs, including funds for payment
of dividends, interest and operational expenses.
160
Support of Subsidiary Banks
: Under Federal Reserve policy, Frontier is expected to act as a
source of financial and managerial strength to Frontier Bank. This means that Frontier is required
to commit, as necessary, resources to support Frontier Bank. Any capital loans a bank holding
company makes to its subsidiary banks are subordinate to deposits and to certain other indebtedness
of those subsidiary banks.
Federal and State Regulation of Frontier Bank
General:
Frontier Bank is a Washington state-chartered commercial bank with deposits insured
by the FDIC. As a result, Frontier Bank is subject to supervision and regulation by the Washington
DFI and the FDIC. These agencies have the authority to prohibit banks from engaging in what they
believe constitute unsafe or unsound banking practices.
Lending Limits
: Washington banking law generally limits the amount of funds that a bank may
lend to a single borrower to 20% of stockowners equity.
Control of Financial Institutions
: The acquisition of 25% or more of a state chartered banks
voting power by any individual, group or entity, is deemed a change in control under Washington
banking law, requiring notice and application and prior approval of the Washington DFI.
Safety and Soundness Standards
: Federal law imposes upon banks certain noncapital safety and
soundness standards. These standards cover internal controls, information systems, internal audit
systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth,
compensation and benefits. Additional standards apply to asset quality, earnings and stock
valuation. An institution that fails to meet these standards must develop a plan acceptable to its
regulators, specifying the steps that the institution will take to meet the standards. Failure to
submit or implement such a plan may subject the institution to regulatory sanctions. Under
Washington state law, if the stockowners equity of a Washington state-chartered bank becomes
impaired, the Commissioner of the Washington DFI will require the bank to make the impairment good.
Failure to make the impairment good may result in the Commissioners taking possession of the bank
and liquidating it.
Dividends
: The principal source of Frontier cash reserves are dividends received from Frontier
Bank. Washington law limits Frontier Banks ability to pay cash dividends. Under these
restrictions, a bank may not declare or pay any dividend greater than its retained earnings without
approval of the Washington DFI. The Washington DFI has the power to require any state-chartered
bank to suspend the payment of any and all dividends.
In addition, a bank may not pay cash dividends if doing so would reduce its capital below
minimum applicable federal capital requirements. See Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Liquidity Resources and Capital Adequacy below
for a discussion of the applicable federal capital requirements.
Brokered Deposits
. Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act, or FDICIA,
banks may be restricted in their ability to accept brokered deposits, depending on their capital
classification. Well-capitalized banks are permitted to accept brokered deposits, but all banks
that are not well-capitalized are not permitted to accept such deposits. The FDIC may, on a
case-by-case basis, permit banks that are adequately capitalized to accept brokered deposits if the
FDIC determines that acceptance of such deposits would not constitute an unsafe or unsound banking
practice with respect to the bank. As of June 30, 2009, Frontier had $538.2 million of brokered
deposits. As a result of the FDIC Order described below in Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Recent Developments, Frontier is subject to
limitations with respect to its brokered deposits.
Commercial Real Estate Guidance
: The FDIC and the Federal Reserve issued joint Guidance on
Concentrations in Commercial Real Estate Lending, Sound Risk Management Practices on December 6,
2006. The Guidance provides supervisory criteria, including the following numerical indicators, to
assist bank examiners in identifying banks with potentially significant commercial real estate loan
concentrations that may warrant greater supervisory scrutiny: (1) commercial real estate loans
exceed 300% of capital and increased 50% or more in the preceding three years; or (2) construction
and land development loans exceed 100% of capital. The Guidance does
not limit banks levels of commercial real estate lending activities. The Guidance applies to
Frontier, based on the companys current loan portfolio.
161
Interstate Banking and Branching
The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (Interstate Act)
permits nationwide interstate banking and branching under certain circumstances. This legislation
generally authorizes interstate branching and relaxes federal law restrictions on interstate
banking. Currently, bank holding companies may purchase banks in any state, and states may not
prohibit these purchases. Additionally, banks are permitted to merge with banks in other states, as
long as the home state of neither merging bank has opted out under the legislation. The Interstate
Act requires regulators to consult with community organizations before permitting an interstate
institution to close a branch in a low-income area.
Washington enacted opting in legislation in accordance with the Interstate Act, allowing
banks to engage in interstate merger transactions, subject to certain aging requirements. Until
recently, Washington restricted out-of-state banks from opening de novo branches; however, in 2005,
Washington interstate branching laws were amended so that an out-of-state bank may, subject to the
Washington DFIs approval, open de novo branches in Washington or acquire an in-state branch so
long as the home state of the out-of-state bank has reciprocal laws with respect to de novo
branching or branch acquisitions. Once an out-of-state bank has acquired a bank within Washington,
either through merger or acquisition of all or substantially all of the banks assets or through
authorized de novo branching, the out-of-state bank may open additional branches within the state.
Deposit Insurance
Frontier Banks deposits are generally insured to a maximum of $250,000 per depositor through
the Deposit Insurance Fund administered by the FDIC. The maximum insured amount is currently
scheduled to return to its previous level of $100,000, in 2014. In addition, Frontier Bank is
participating in the FDIC Insurance Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program, in which all noninterest
bearing transaction deposit accounts are fully insured until December 31, 2009. Frontier is
required to pay deposit insurance premiums, which are assessed semiannually and paid quarterly. The
premium amount is based upon a risk classification system established by the FDIC. Banks with
higher levels of capital and a low degree of supervisory concern are assessed lower premiums than
banks with lower levels of capital or a higher degree of supervisory concern. See Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Regulatory Actions.
The FDIC is also empowered to make special assessments on insured depository institutions in
amounts determined by the FDIC to be necessary to give it adequate assessment income to repay
amounts borrowed from the U.S. Treasury and other sources or for any other purpose the FDIC deems
necessary.
Capital Adequacy
Regulatory Capital Guidelines:
Federal bank regulatory agencies use capital adequacy
guidelines in the examination and regulation of bank holding companies and banks. The guidelines
are risk-based, meaning that they are designed to make capital requirements more sensitive to
differences in risk profiles among banks and bank holding companies. Frontier is subject to
regulatory actions, including an FDIC Order requiring Frontier Bank to raise its Tier 1 leverage
capital ratio to the higher than normal level of 10% of its total assets, by July 29, 2009. With
the consummation of the merger, Frontier believes it can increase its Tier 1 capital to compliance
levels. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
OperationsRegulatory Actions.
Tier I and Tier II Capital
: Under the guidelines, an institutions capital is divided into two
broad categories, Tier I capital and Tier II capital. Tier I capital generally consists of common
stockowners equity, surplus and undivided profits. Tier II capital generally consists of the
allowance for loan losses, hybrid capital instruments and subordinated debt. The sum of Tier I
capital and Tier II capital represents an institutions total capital. The guidelines require that
at least 50% of an institutions total capital consist of Tier I capital.
162
Risk-based Capital Ratio:
The adequacy of an institutions capital is gauged primarily with
reference to the institutions risk weighted assets. The guidelines assign risk weightings to an
institutions assets in an effort to quantify the relative risk of each asset and to determine the
minimum capital required to support that risk. An institutions risk weighted assets are then
compared with its Tier I capital and total capital to arrive at a Tier I risk-based ratio and a
total risk-based ratio, respectively. The guidelines provide that an institution must have a
minimum Tier I risk-based ratio of 4% and a minimum total risk-based ratio of 8% in order to be
adequately capitalized for prompt corrective action purposes.
Leverage Ratio:
The guidelines also employ a leverage ratio, which is Tier I capital as a
percentage of total assets less intangibles, to be used as a supplement to risk-based guidelines.
The principal objective of the leverage ratio is to constrain the maximum degree to which a bank
holding company may leverage its equity capital base. The guidelines provide that an institution
must have a minimum Tier I leverage ratio of 4% in order to be adequately capitalized for prompt
corrective action purposes.
Prompt Corrective Action
: Under the guidelines, an institution is assigned to one of five
capital categories depending on its total risk-based capital ratio, Tier I risk-based capital
ratio, and leverage ratio, together with certain subjective factors. The categories range from
well capitalized to critically undercapitalized. Institutions that are deemed to be
undercapitalized, depending on the category to which they are assigned, are subject to certain
mandatory supervisory corrective actions.
Employees
At June 30, 2009, Frontier had 714 full-time equivalent employees, of which 707 were employed
in our wholly-owned subsidiary, Frontier Bank, and seven were engaged in our bank holding company,
Frontier. The employees are not represented by a collective bargaining unit. We believe we have a
good relationship with our employees.
Properties
Frontiers principal office is located in a ninety thousand square foot facility in Everett,
Washington. During 2008, Frontier opened a 45,000 square foot office facility addition adjacent to
the companys principal office to consolidate its administrative functions. Frontiers data
processing and operations center are located in a 16,000 square foot facility located in Everett,
Washington. In addition to its principal and administrative facilities, Frontier operates 51
offices in western Washington and Oregon. See Frontier Bank.
Frontier Bank owns the properties and buildings housing Frontiers principal office, data
processing and operations center and 29 of the companys branch facilities, including the branch in
the companys principal office. Frontier Bank also owns the buildings in which 3 of its branches
are located while the land is leased. Frontier leases the land and buildings for 19 of its branch
offices. The leases on its branch offices have expiration dates ranging from 2009 to 2034.
The aggregate monthly rental on Frontiers leased properties is approximately $173 thousand.
Legal Proceedings
Frontier is periodically a party to or otherwise involved in legal proceedings arising in the
normal and ordinary course of business, such as claims to enforce liens, foreclose on loan
defaults, and other issues incident to our business. As of June 30, 2009, Frontier Bank had
commenced collection proceedings on approximately 789 real estate loans. Other than the anticipated
institution of additional lawsuits or claims arising out of or related to the impaired loans,
management does not believe that there is any proceeding threatened or pending against us which, if
determined adversely, would have a material effect on our business, results of operations, cash
flows, or financial position.
163
Corporate Information
Frontier has registered its common stock under the Exchange Act, and has reporting obligations
including the reports that it files annually and quarterly with the SEC. Frontier makes available
through the companys Internet website, free of charge, copies of its annual report on Form 10-K,
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed
or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such material electronically or otherwise
furnishing it to the SEC. These filings can be accessed under Investor Relations found on the
homepage of Frontiers website at www.frontierbank.com. The companys Code of Ethics for Senior
Financial Officers, which includes a code of ethics applicable to the companys accounting and
financial employees, including Frontiers chief executive officer and chief financial officer, is
also available on Frontiers website under Investor Relations.
These filings, along with Frontiers proxy statement and other information, are also
accessible on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. The public may read and copy any materials the
company files with the SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington,
D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by
calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Further, each of these documents is also available in print (at
no charge) to any shareowner upon request, addressed to:
Investor Relations
Frontier Financial Corporation
332 S.W. Everett Mall Way
P.O. Box 2215
Everett, WA 98213
Frontiers website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not
incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
Managements Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(References to we, our, us and the Corporation refer to Frontier Financial Corporation
and its subsidiary, Frontier Bank, for purposes of this section only.)
Financial Overview
The results for the first six months of 2009 reflect continued pressure from an uncertain
economy and the negative impact of the economy on the local housing market in Washington and
Oregon. For the three months ended June 30, 2009, we reported a net loss of $50.0 million, or
($1.06) per diluted share, compared to net income of $2.1 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for
the three months ended June 30, 2008. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, net loss totaled
$83.8 million, or ($1.78) per diluted share, compared to net income of $17.6 million, or $0.37 per
diluted share for the same period in 2008. Contributing to the net losses for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2009, were provisions for loan losses of $77.0 million and $135.0 million,
respectively.
Despite these challenging times, the Frontier Board and management continue to take important
steps to strengthen the Corporation. Management has been diligently working to reduce the
concentration in real estate construction and land development loans, improve asset quality,
capital and on-balance sheet liquidity and reduce expenses.
Management has successfully reduced the Corporations concentrations in construction and land
development loans by $340.2 million, or 22.2%, from December 31, 2008 to June 30, 2009, and by
$913.0 million (including undisclosed commitments) from June 30, 2008 through June 30, 2009. In
addition, undisbursed loan commitments related to these portfolios decreased $131.9 million, or
73.6%, for the same period.
164
Our special assets group continues to focus on reducing nonperforming assets. We follow an
aggressive approach to recognize problem loans and continue to charge-off confirmed losses against
specific reserves in the allowance for loan losses. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, net
charge-offs totaled $149.8 million.
We are currently taking steps to strengthen our capital position. At June 30, 2009, our total
risk-based capital and Tier 1 leverage capital ratios were 9.42% and 6.74%, respectively, and
continue to be above the established minimum regulatory capital levels. Frontier Banks Tier 1
leverage capital ratio, however, is less than the 10% required by the terms of the FDIC Order. See
Regulatory Actions.
We continue to closely monitor and manage our liquidity position, understanding that this is
of critical importance in the current economic environment. Attracting and retaining customer
deposits remains our primary source of liquidity. Noninterest bearing deposits increased $9.4
million, or 2.4%, from December 31, 2008 to June 30, 2009.
In an effort to increase on-balance sheet liquidity, we have been focused on restructuring our
balance sheet, and in particular, reducing the loan portfolio. For the first six months of 2009,
total loans decreased $362.5 million, compared to December 31, 2008. Additionally, we have
increased our federal funds sold balances to $289.9 million at June 30, 2009, an increase of $172.1
million over year end 2008.
Expense Reduction Measures
As part of our ongoing strategy to reduce noninterest expense, the Frontier Board voted to
suspend the Corporations matching of employee 401(K) Plan contributions, effective May 1, 2009.
This cost saving measure is expected to reduce noninterest expense by approximately $1.7 million
annually. This is in addition to other previously announced expense reduction measures; including
reductions to executive compensation, salary freezes and the elimination of performance bonuses and
discretionary profit sharing contributions to the 401(K) Plan.
On June 11, 2009, we announced a workforce reduction of approximately six percent of the
workforce, effective immediately. The action was taken as the result of an ongoing review of
Frontier Bank operations to identify ways to operate more efficiently and continue to adjust
Frontiers cost structure to reflect current economic conditions. The reductions occurred at all
levels and in all parts of Frontier. The departing employees received severance pay based on their
years of service. This reduction resulted in a $360 thousand pre-tax charge in the second quarter
of 2009 and is expected to provide an annual pre-tax cost savings of approximately $2.5 million.
Subsequent to June 30, 2009, the decision was made to close our downtown Poulsbo branch as a
result of our continuing efforts to reduce noninterest expense. We currently have another Poulsbo
branch that is within 0.8 miles of the branch being closed, and therefore, we do not expect our
customers to be adversely affected by the closure. This branch closure was approved by the FDIC
and had no material effect on our consolidated financial statements for the period ended June 30,
2009.
Regulatory Actions
FDIC Order:
On March 20, 2009, Frontier Bank entered into a Stipulation and Consent to the
Issuance of an Order to Cease and Desist with the FDIC, and the Washington DFI, resulting from a
June 30, 2008 examination.
The regulators alleged that Frontier Bank had engaged in unsafe or unsound banking practices
by operating with inadequate management and board supervision; engaging in unsatisfactory lending
and collection practices; operating with inadequate capital in relation to the kind and quality of
assets held at Frontier Bank; operating with an inadequate loan valuation reserve; operating with a
large volume of poor quality loans; operating in such a manner as to produce low earnings and
operating with inadequate provisions for liquidity. By consenting to the FDIC Order, Frontier Bank
neither admitted nor denied the alleged charges.
165
Under the terms of the FDIC Order, Frontier Bank cannot declare dividends or pay any
management, consulting or other fees or funds to Frontier, without the prior written approval of
the FDIC and the Washington DFI. Other material provisions of the FDIC Order require Frontier Bank
to: (1) review the qualifications of Frontier
Banks management, (2) provide the FDIC with 30 days written notice prior to adding any
individual to the Frontier Bank Board or employing any individual as a senior executive officer,
(3) increase director participation and supervision of Frontier Bank affairs, (4) improve Frontier
Banks lending and collection policies and procedures, particularly with respect to the origination
and monitoring of real estate construction and land development loans, (5) develop a capital plan
and increase Tier 1 leverage capital to 10% of Frontier Banks total assets by July 29, 2009, and
maintain that capital level, in addition to maintaining a fully funded allowance for loan losses
satisfactory to the regulators, (6) implement a comprehensive policy for determining the adequacy
of the allowance for loan losses and limiting concentrations in commercial real estate and
acquisition, development and construction loans, (7) formulate a written plan to reduce Frontier
Banks risk exposure to adversely classified loans and nonperforming assets, (8) refrain from
extending additional credit with respect to loans charged-off or classified as loss and
uncollected, (9) refrain from extending additional credit with respect to other adversely
classified loans without collecting all past due interest, without the prior approval of a majority
of the directors on the Frontier Bank Board or its loan committee, (10) develop a plan to control
overhead and other expenses to restore profitability, (11) implement a liquidity and funds
management policy to reduce Frontier Banks reliance on brokered deposits and other non-core
funding sources, and (12) prepare and submit progress reports to the FDIC and the Washington DFI.
The FDIC Order will remain in effect until modified or terminated by the FDIC and the Washington
DFI.
The FDIC Order does not restrict Frontier Bank from transacting its normal banking business.
Frontier Bank will continue to serve its customers in all areas including making loans,
establishing lines of credit, accepting deposits and processing banking transactions. Customer
deposits remain fully insured to the highest limits set by FDIC. The FDIC and Washington DFI did
not impose any monetary penalties in connection with the FDIC Order.
Frontiers management has been actively engaged in responding to the concerns raised in the
FDIC Order, and believes it has addressed all the regulators requirements, with the exception of increasing Tier 1
capital. With the consummation of the merger, Frontier believes it can increase its Tier 1 capital
to compliance levels.
FRB Written Agreement
: In addition, on July 2, 2009, Frontier entered into a written agreement
with the FRB. Under the terms of the FRB Written Agreement, Frontier has agreed to: (i) refrain
from declaring or paying any dividends without prior written consent of the FRB; (ii) refrain from
taking dividends or any other form of payment that represents a reduction in capital from Frontier
Bank without prior written consent of the FRB; (iii) refrain from making any distributions of
interest or principal on subordinated debentures or trust preferred securities without prior
written consent of the FRB; (iv) refrain from incurring, increasing or guaranteeing any debt
without prior written consent of the FRB; (v) refrain from purchasing or redeeming any shares of
its stock without prior written consent of the FRB; (vi) implement a capital plan and maintain
sufficient capital; (vii) comply with notice and approval requirements established by the FRB
relating to the appointment of directors and senior executive officers as well as any change in the
responsibility of any current senior executive officer; (viii) not pay or agree to pay any
indemnification and severance payments except under certain circumstances, and with the prior
approval of the FRB; and (ix) provide quarterly progress reports to the FRB.
Compliance
Memorandum of Understanding.
Frontier Bank and the Frontier Bank
Board also entered into
the Memorandum of Understanding with the FDIC dated August 20, 2008 relating to the correction of
certain violations of applicable consumer protection and fair lending laws and regulations,
principally including the failure to provide certain notices to consumers pursuant to the Flood
Disaster Protection Act of 1973, and certain violations of the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation
Z.
166
The Memorandum of Understanding requires Frontier Bank and the Frontier Bank Board to (i)
correct all violations found and implement procedures to prevent their recurrence; (ii) increase
oversight of the Frontier Bank Boards compliance function, including monthly reports from Frontier
Banks compliance officer to the Frontier Bank Board detailing actions taken to comply with the
Memorandum of Understanding; (iii) review its compliance policies and procedures and develop and
implement detailed operating procedures and controls, where necessary, to ensure compliance with
all consumer protection laws and regulations; (iv) establish monitoring procedures to ensure
compliance with all consumer protection laws and regulations (including flood insurance), including
the documentation and reporting of all exceptions to the Frontier Bank Board and its audit
committee; (v) review, expand and improve the quality of such compliance with the frequency of
compliance audits to be reviewed and approved annually by the Frontier Bank Board or audit
committee, with a goal of auditing compliance at least annually; (vi) ensure that Frontier Banks
compliance management function has adequate staff, resources, training
and authority for the size and structure of Frontier Bank; (vii) establish flood insurance
monitoring procedures to ensure loans are not closed without flood insurance and prior notices to
customers required by law, that lapses of flood insurance do not occur, and to develop methods to
ensure that adequate amounts of flood insurance are provided, with
Frontier Bank agreeing to force - place flood insurance when necessary; (viii) provide additional training for all Frontier Bank personnel,
including the Frontier Bank Board and audit and compliance staff for applicable laws and
regulations; and (ix) furnish quarterly progress reports to the Regional Director of the FDIC
detailing the actions taken to secure compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding until the
Regional Director has released the institution, in writing, from submitting further reports.
Frontier Bank was assessed civil monetary penalties of $48,895 for flood insurance violations and
required to pay $10,974 in restitution to customers for certain violations of the Truth in Lending
Act and Regulation Z.
These regulatory actions may adversely affect our ability to obtain regulatory approval for
future initiatives requiring regulatory action, such as acquisitions. The regulatory actions will
remain in effect until modified or terminated by the regulators.
Compliance Efforts:
Frontier is actively engaged in responding to the concerns raised by the
regulators, and has acted promptly on directions it has received from the regulators and has taken the
following actions:
|
|
|
Engaged Patrick M. Fahey as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of
Frontier, and Michael J. Clementz as president, on December 4, 2009;
|
|
|
|
Retained an independent consultant to review and evaluate the loan
portfolio in the Fall of 2008, and again in July, 2009.
|
|
|
|
Organized a special assets group staffed by 37 managers and employees, to accelerate
the collection and resolution of delinquent and adversely classified loans.
|
|
|
|
Developed capital management, liquidity and funds management plans;
|
|
|
|
Increased board and senior management oversight of Frontier Bank, its lending and
operations, including monthly board meetings;
|
|
|
|
Established a communications procedure for reporting progress in all areas to the
FDIC, Washington DFI and FRB.
|
Review of Financial Condition June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
Federal Funds Sold
At June 30, 2009, federal funds sold totaled $289.9 million, compared to $117.7 million at
December 31, 2008, an increase of $172.1 million, or 146.2%. Federal funds sold fluctuate on a
daily basis depending on our net cash position for the day. In addition, increased federal fund
sold balances improves on-balance sheet liquidity, which is an ongoing focus of management.
167
Securities
The following table represents the available for sale and held to maturity securities
portfolios by type at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities Available for Sale
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
% of total
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
% of total
|
|
Equities
|
|
$
|
2,175
|
|
|
|
2.7
|
%
|
|
$
|
1,930
|
|
|
|
2.1
|
%
|
U.S. Treasuries
|
|
|
6,339
|
|
|
|
7.9
|
%
|
|
|
6,457
|
|
|
|
7.1
|
%
|
U.S. Agencies
|
|
|
31,864
|
|
|
|
39.7
|
%
|
|
|
52,055
|
|
|
|
57.5
|
%
|
Corporate securities
|
|
|
2,162
|
|
|
|
2.7
|
%
|
|
|
4,439
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
%
|
Mortgage-backed securities
|
|
|
34,846
|
|
|
|
43.4
|
%
|
|
|
22,791
|
|
|
|
25.2
|
%
|
Municipal securities
|
|
|
2,932
|
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
|
2,934
|
|
|
|
3.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
80,318
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
90,606
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities Held to Maturity
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
Amortized Cost
|
|
|
% of total
|
|
|
Amortized Cost
|
|
|
% of total
|
|
Corporate securities
|
|
$
|
1,524
|
|
|
|
49.5
|
%
|
|
$
|
1,524
|
|
|
|
49.4
|
%
|
Municipal securities
|
|
|
1,557
|
|
|
|
50.5
|
%
|
|
|
1,561
|
|
|
|
50.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,081
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
3,085
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At June 30, 2009, available for sale securities totaled $80.3 million, compared to $90.6
million at December 31, 2008, a decrease of $10.3 million, or 11.4%. This decrease is primarily
attributable to calls and maturities totaling $45.9 million, principal pay-downs on mortgage-backed
securities of $3.2 million and sales of corporate securities totaling $1.4 million; partially
offset by the purchase of $41.2 million of securities, principally U.S. Agencies and
mortgage-backed securities.
Loans
The following table represents the loan portfolio by type, excluding loans held for resale and
net of unearned income, at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
% of total
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
% of total
|
|
Commercial and industrial
|
|
$
|
425,221
|
|
|
|
12.5
|
%
|
|
$
|
457,215
|
|
|
|
12.1
|
%
|
Real estate loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
1,017,204
|
|
|
|
29.8
|
%
|
|
|
1,044,833
|
|
|
|
27.7
|
%
|
Construction
|
|
|
713,571
|
|
|
|
20.9
|
%
|
|
|
949,909
|
|
|
|
25.2
|
%
|
Land development
|
|
|
476,562
|
|
|
|
14.0
|
%
|
|
|
580,453
|
|
|
|
15.4
|
%
|
Completed lots
|
|
|
272,824
|
|
|
|
8.0
|
%
|
|
|
249,685
|
|
|
|
6.6
|
%
|
Residential 1-4 family
|
|
|
433,884
|
|
|
|
12.7
|
%
|
|
|
424,492
|
|
|
|
11.3
|
%
|
Installment and other
|
|
|
71,682
|
|
|
|
2.1
|
%
|
|
|
65,468
|
|
|
|
1.7
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,410,948
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
3,772,055
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total loans, excluding loans held for resale, decreased $361.1 million, or 9.6%, to a balance
of $3.41 billion at June 30, 2009, from $3.77 billion at December 31, 2008. With few exceptions, we
have suspended the origination of new real estate construction, land development and completed lot
loans. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, new loan origination totaled $77.7 million. This
compares to new loan originations of $583.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, a
decrease of $506.0 million, or 86.7%. In addition, for the six months ended June 30, 2009,
undisbursed loan commitments decreased $203.5 million, or 42.0%, from December 31, 2008.
For the same period, completed lot loans increased $23.1 million, or 9.3%. In certain
circumstances in which real estate construction loans are no longer performing and construction has
not commenced, they are reclassified as real estate completed lot loans.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is the amount which, in the opinion of management, is necessary
to absorb probable loan losses. Managements determination of the level of the provision for loan
losses is based on various judgments and assumptions, including general economic conditions, loan
portfolio composition, prior loan loss experience, the evaluation of credit risk related to
specific credits and market segments and monitoring results from our ongoing internal credit review
staff. Management also reviews the growth and terms of loans so that the allowance can be adjusted
for probable losses. The allowance methodology takes into account that the loan loss
reserve will change at different points in time based on economic conditions, credit
performance, loan mix and collateral values.
168
Management and the Board review policies and procedures at least annually, and changes are
made to reflect the current operating environment integrated with regulatory requirements. Our
internal credit risk review process has evolved partly out of these policies. During this process,
the quality grades of loans are reviewed and loans are assigned a dollar value of the loan loss
reserve by degree of risk. This analysis is performed quarterly and reviewed by management who
makes the determination if the risk is reasonable, and if the reserve is adequate. This quarterly
analysis is then reviewed by the Frontier Board.
The allowance for loan losses, loan charge-offs and loan recoveries are summarized as follows
(in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
Twelve Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
Beginning balance
|
|
$
|
114,638
|
|
|
$
|
57,658
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
135,000
|
|
|
|
120,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charge-offs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial and industrial
|
|
|
(18,891
|
)
|
|
|
(3,101
|
)
|
Real estate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
(1,176
|
)
|
|
|
(1,264
|
)
|
Construction
|
|
|
(62,036
|
)
|
|
|
(31,968
|
)
|
Land development
|
|
|
(38,015
|
)
|
|
|
(12,165
|
)
|
Completed lots
|
|
|
(19,286
|
)
|
|
|
(13,839
|
)
|
Residential 1-4 family
|
|
|
(10,771
|
)
|
|
|
(846
|
)
|
Installment and other
|
|
|
(1,089
|
)
|
|
|
(343
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total charge-offs
|
|
|
(151,264
|
)
|
|
|
(63,526
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recoveries:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial and industrial
|
|
|
496
|
|
|
|
308
|
|
Real estate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
863
|
|
|
|
161
|
|
Land development
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
|
|
|
Completed lots
|
|
|
66
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
Residential 1-4 family
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
Installment and other
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total recoveries
|
|
|
1,513
|
|
|
|
506
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net charge-offs
|
|
|
(149,751
|
)
|
|
|
(63,020
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance before portion identified for undisbursed loans
|
|
|
99,887
|
|
|
|
114,638
|
|
Portion of reserve identified for undisbursed loans
and reclassified as a liability
|
|
|
(1,304
|
)
|
|
|
(2,082
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at end of period
|
|
$
|
98,583
|
|
|
$
|
112,556
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average loans for the period
|
|
$
|
3,673,793
|
|
|
$
|
3,774,501
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding
during the period
|
|
|
4.08
|
%
|
|
|
1.67
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
169
The allocation of the allowance for loan losses at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are as
follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
Commercial and industrial
|
|
$
|
14,771
|
|
|
$
|
15,127
|
|
Real Estate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
14,093
|
|
|
|
11,388
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
29,495
|
|
|
|
27,636
|
|
Land development
|
|
|
14,626
|
|
|
|
22,701
|
|
Completed lots
|
|
|
5,424
|
|
|
|
9,054
|
|
Residential 1-4 family
|
|
|
13,637
|
|
|
|
14,056
|
|
Installment and other
|
|
|
1,278
|
|
|
|
1,071
|
|
Unallocated
|
|
|
5,259
|
|
|
|
11,523
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
98,583
|
|
|
$
|
112,556
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The allowance for loan losses totaled $98.6 million, or 2.89%, of total loans outstanding at
June 30, 2009, compared to $112.6 million, or 2.98%, of total loans outstanding at December 31,
2008. Including the allocation for undisbursed loans of $1.3 million, would result in a total
allowance of $99.9 million, or 2.92%, of total loans outstanding at June 30, 2009. This compares to
the undisbursed allocation of $2.1 million, for a total allowance of $114.6 million, or 3.03%, of
total loans outstanding at December 31, 2008.
Nonperforming Assets
Nonaccruing loans, restructured loans and OREO are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
Commercial and industrial
|
|
$
|
27,092
|
|
|
$
|
12,908
|
|
Real estate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
73,130
|
|
|
|
10,937
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
267,102
|
|
|
|
181,905
|
|
Land development
|
|
|
267,907
|
|
|
|
177,139
|
|
Completed lots
|
|
|
88,072
|
|
|
|
34,005
|
|
Residential 1-4 family
|
|
|
40,433
|
|
|
|
17,686
|
|
Installment and other
|
|
|
822
|
|
|
|
645
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total nonaccruing loans
|
|
|
764,558
|
|
|
|
435,225
|
|
Other real estate owned
|
|
|
54,222
|
|
|
|
10,803
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total nonperforming assets
|
|
$
|
818,780
|
|
|
$
|
446,028
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructured loans
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Total loans at end of period (1)
|
|
$
|
3,416,219
|
|
|
$
|
3,778,733
|
|
Total assets at end of period
|
|
$
|
3,987,403
|
|
|
$
|
4,104,445
|
|
Total nonaccruing loans to total loans
|
|
|
22.38
|
%
|
|
|
11.52
|
%
|
Total nonperforming assets to total assets
|
|
|
20.53
|
%
|
|
|
10.87
|
%
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Includes loans held for resale.
|
Impaired Loans
A loan is considered impaired when management determines it is probable that all contractual
amounts of principal and interest will not be paid as scheduled in the loan agreement. These loans
include all nonaccrual loans, restructured loans and other loans that management considers to be at
risk.
This assessment for impairment occurs when and while such loans are on nonaccrual or the loan
has been restructured. When a loan with unique risk characteristics has been identified as being
impaired, the amount of impairment will be measured by Frontier Bank. If the current value of the
impaired loan is less than the recorded
investment in the loan, impairment is recognized by creating or adjusting an existing
allocation of the allowance for loan losses.
170
Nonaccrual Loans
It is Frontier Banks practice to discontinue accruing interest on virtually all loans that
are delinquent in excess of 90 days regardless of risk of loss, collateral, etc. Some problem
loans, which are less than 90 days delinquent, are also placed into nonaccrual status if the
success of collecting full principal and interest in a timely manner is in doubt. Some loans will
remain in nonaccrual even after improved performance until a consistent timely repayment pattern is
exhibited and/or timely performance is considered reliable.
At June 30, 2009, nonaccruing loans totaled $764.6 million, compared to $435.2 million at
December 31, 2008. The increase in nonaccruing loans for the period is primarily attributable to
the continued downturn in the local housing market and economy, which significantly impacted our
real estate construction, land development and completed lot portfolios. Of the total nonaccrual
loans at June 30, 2009, 81.5% relate to our real estate construction, land development and
completed lot portfolios.
Restructured Loans
In cases where a borrower experiences financial difficulties and we make certain concessionary
modifications to the contractual terms, the loan is classified as a restructured (accruing) loan.
Loans restructured at a rate equal to or greater than that of a new loan with comparable risk at
the time of the contract is modified may be excluded from the impairment assessment and may cease
to be considered impaired.
Interest income on restructured loans is recognized pursuant to the terms of the new loan
agreement. Interest income on impaired loans is monitored and based upon the terms of the
underlying loan agreement. However, the recorded net investment in impaired loans, including
accrued interest, is limited to the present value of the expected cash flows of the impaired loan
or the observable fair market value of the loan or the fair market value of the loans collateral.
There were no restructured loans at June 30, 2009 or December 31, 2008.
Other Real Estate Owned
OREO is carried at the lesser of book value or market value, less selling costs. The costs
related to completion, repair, maintenance, or other costs of such properties, are generally
expensed with any gains or shortfalls from the ultimate sale of OREO being shown as other income or
other expense.
The following table presents the activity related to OREO (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Beginning balance
|
|
$
|
10,803
|
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
$
|
367
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Additions to OREO
|
|
|
58,030
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
|
12,992
|
|
|
|
76
|
|
Capitalized improvements
|
|
|
176
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
623
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valuation adjustments
|
|
|
(3,799
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(68
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Disposition of OREO
|
|
|
(10,988
|
)
|
|
|
(67
|
)
|
|
|
(3,111
|
)
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending balance
|
|
$
|
54,222
|
|
|
|
115
|
|
|
$
|
10,803
|
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At June 30, 2009, OREO totaled $54.2 million and consisted of 115 properties in Washington and
Oregon, with balances ranging from $39 thousand to $12.8 million.
Certain other loans, currently in nonaccrual, are in the process of foreclosure and
potentially could become OREO. Efforts, however, are constantly underway to reduce and minimize
such nonperforming assets. During 2008, we expanded our special assets group to focus on reducing
nonperforming assets.
171
Other Assets
Other assets totaled $104.5 million at June 30, 2009, compared to $67.5 million at December
31, 2008. The increase of $37.0 million, or 54.8%, is primarily attributable to the increase in
income tax related to the 2008 net operating loss carryback, partially offset by the decrease in
the deferred tax asset.
Deposits
The following table represents the major classifications of interest bearing deposits at June
30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
% of total
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
% of total
|
|
Money market, sweep and NOW accounts
|
|
$
|
409,606
|
|
|
|
14.4
|
%
|
|
$
|
325,554
|
|
|
|
11.3
|
%
|
Savings
|
|
|
285,725
|
|
|
|
10.0
|
%
|
|
|
365,114
|
|
|
|
12.7
|
%
|
Time deposits
|
|
|
2,148,970
|
|
|
|
75.6
|
%
|
|
|
2,189,046
|
|
|
|
76.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
2,844,301
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
2,879,714
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Review of Financial Condition June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2008
Below are abbreviated balance sheets at June 30, 2009 and 2008, which indicate changes that
have occurred over the past year (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
$ Change
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal funds sold
|
|
$
|
289,871
|
|
|
$
|
18,265
|
|
|
$
|
271,606
|
|
|
NM
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
83,399
|
|
|
|
112,536
|
|
|
|
(29,137
|
)
|
|
|
-25.9
|
%
|
Loans (net of unearned fee income):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial and industrial
|
|
|
425,221
|
|
|
|
448,360
|
|
|
|
(23,139
|
)
|
|
|
-5.2
|
%
|
Real Estate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
1,017,204
|
|
|
|
1,048,321
|
|
|
|
(31,117
|
)
|
|
|
-3.0
|
%
|
Construction
|
|
|
713,571
|
|
|
|
1,048,552
|
|
|
|
(334,981
|
)
|
|
|
-31.9
|
%
|
Land development
|
|
|
476,562
|
|
|
|
598,931
|
|
|
|
(122,369
|
)
|
|
|
-20.4
|
%
|
Completed lots
|
|
|
272,824
|
|
|
|
236,004
|
|
|
|
36,820
|
|
|
|
15.6
|
%
|
Residential 1-4 family
|
|
|
439,155
|
|
|
|
357,650
|
|
|
|
81,505
|
|
|
|
22.8
|
%
|
Installment and other loans
|
|
|
71,682
|
|
|
|
69,460
|
|
|
|
2,222
|
|
|
|
3.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total loans
|
|
|
3,416,219
|
|
|
|
3,807,278
|
|
|
|
(391,059
|
)
|
|
|
-10.3
|
%
|
FHLB stock
|
|
|
19,885
|
|
|
|
21,698
|
|
|
|
(1,813
|
)
|
|
|
-8.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total earning assets
|
|
|
3,809,374
|
|
|
|
3,959,777
|
|
|
|
(150,403
|
)
|
|
|
-3.8
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
3,987,403
|
|
|
$
|
4,156,721
|
|
|
$
|
(169,318
|
)
|
|
|
-4.1
|
%
|
|
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noninterest bearing deposits
|
|
$
|
404,832
|
|
|
$
|
389,275
|
|
|
$
|
15,557
|
|
|
|
4.0
|
%
|
Interest bearing deposits:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money market, sweep and NOW
|
|
|
409,606
|
|
|
|
600,023
|
|
|
|
(190,417
|
)
|
|
|
-31.7
|
%
|
Savings accounts
|
|
|
285,725
|
|
|
|
367,731
|
|
|
|
(82,006
|
)
|
|
|
-22.3
|
%
|
Time certificates
|
|
|
2,148,970
|
|
|
|
1,939,297
|
|
|
|
209,673
|
|
|
|
10.8
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total interest bearing deposits
|
|
|
2,844,301
|
|
|
|
2,907,051
|
|
|
|
(62,750
|
)
|
|
|
-2.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deposits
|
|
|
3,249,133
|
|
|
|
3,296,326
|
|
|
|
(47,193
|
)
|
|
|
-1.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal funds purchased and securities
sold under repurchase agreements
|
|
|
17,564
|
|
|
|
38,005
|
|
|
|
(20,441
|
)
|
|
|
-53.8
|
%
|
FHLB advances
|
|
|
421,130
|
|
|
|
330,249
|
|
|
|
90,881
|
|
|
|
27.5
|
%
|
Junior subordinated debt
|
|
|
5,156
|
|
|
|
5,156
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
Total interest bearing liabilities
|
|
|
3,288,151
|
|
|
|
3,280,461
|
|
|
|
7,690
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
$
|
269,486
|
|
|
$
|
462,212
|
|
|
$
|
(192,726
|
)
|
|
|
-41.7
|
%
|
NM Not meaningful.
172
Federal Funds Sold
At June 30, 2009, federal funds sold totaled $289.9 million, compared to $18.3 million at June
30, 2008. Federal funds sold fluctuate on a daily basis depending on our net cash position for the
day. In addition, increased federal fund sold balances improves on-balance sheet liquidity, which
is an ongoing focus of management.
Securities
The following table represents the available for sale and held to maturity securities
portfolios by type at June 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities Available for Sale
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
June 30, 2008
|
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
% of total
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
% of total
|
|
Equities
|
|
$
|
2,175
|
|
|
|
2.7
|
%
|
|
$
|
13,874
|
|
|
|
12.8
|
%
|
U.S. Treasuries
|
|
|
6,339
|
|
|
|
7.9
|
%
|
|
|
7,368
|
|
|
|
6.8
|
%
|
U.S. Agencies
|
|
|
31,864
|
|
|
|
39.7
|
%
|
|
|
74,320
|
|
|
|
68.3
|
%
|
Corporate securities
|
|
|
2,162
|
|
|
|
2.7
|
%
|
|
|
10,120
|
|
|
|
9.3
|
%
|
Mortgage-backed securities
|
|
|
34,846
|
|
|
|
43.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
Municipal securities
|
|
|
2,932
|
|
|
|
3.6
|
%
|
|
|
3,114
|
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
80,318
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
108,796
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities Held to Maturity
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
June 30, 2008
|
|
|
|
Amortized Cost
|
|
|
% of total
|
|
|
Amortized Cost
|
|
|
% of total
|
|
Corporate securities
|
|
$
|
1,524
|
|
|
|
49.5
|
%
|
|
$
|
1,525
|
|
|
|
40.8
|
%
|
Municipal securities
|
|
|
1,557
|
|
|
|
50.5
|
%
|
|
|
2,215
|
|
|
|
59.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
3,081
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
3,740
|
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available for sale securities totaled $80.3 million at June 30, 2009, compared to $108.8
million at June 30, 2008, a decrease of $28.5 million, or 26.2%. This decrease is primarily
attributable to U.S. Agency calls, maturities and sales totaling $293.3 million; equity and
corporate sales of $13.5 million; partially offset by the purchase of $287.7 million of U.S. Agency
and mortgage-backed securities. In addition, we recognized other than temporary impairment losses
of $6.4 million related to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock and a Lehman Brothers bond
and preferred stock during the third quarter of 2008.
Loans
At June 30, 2009, total loans, including loans held for resale, were down $391.1 million, or
10.3%, from a year ago. The largest decline came from our real estate construction portfolio, which
decreased $335.0 million, or 31.9%, for the period. Management has been working diligently to
reduce the concentration in real estate construction and land development loans, as defined by the
FDIC, and has successfully reduced these portfolios by $913.0 million, or 37.1%, from June 30, 2008
to June 30, 2009, including undisbursed loan commitments.
In an effort to reduce our concentrations and diversify our loan portfolio, we are, for the
most part, not currently originating any new real estate construction loans. For the six months
ended June 30, 2009, total new loan originations were $77.7 million, compared to $583.7 million for
the six months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $506.0 million, or 86.7%.
173
At June 30, 2009, the year-over-year increase in real estate completed lot loans is primarily
attributable to the disbursement on existing projects. At June 30, 2009, total undisbursed
commitments to lend totaled $281.0 million, down from $830.2 million a year ago. In addition, in
certain circumstances in which real estate construction loans are no longer performing and will not
be completed, they are reclassified as real estate completed lot loans.
The $81.5 million, or 22.8%, increase in real estate residential 1-4 family loans for the
period is primarily attributable to the conversion of certain real estate construction properties
into rentals. Due to the weakened economy and the adverse effect on home sales, some builders have
converted speculative homes that they have been unable to sell into investment properties.
Deposits
At June 30, 2009, noninterest bearing deposits totaled $404.8 million, compared to $389.3
million at June 30, 2008, an increase of $15.6 million, or 4.0%. The increase in noninterest
bearing deposits can be attributed, in part, to the unlimited FDIC insurance on these accounts
through December 31, 2009, due to our participation in the FDICs Transaction Account Guarantee
Program. In addition, we have been promoting deposit growth to increase on-balance sheet liquidity.
Total interest bearing deposits decreased $62.8 million, or 2.2%, to $2.84 billion at June 30,
2009, compared to $2.91 billion a year ago. At June 30, 2009, money market, sweep and NOW accounts
made up 14.4% of total interest bearing deposits, compared to 20.6% at June 30, 2008, and time
deposits made up 75.6%, compared to 66.7% a year ago. The shift in deposit mix over the last year,
in part, can be attributed to our participation in the CDARS program, which commenced in the second
quarter of 2008. In addition, our money market, sweep and NOW accounts are typically more sensitive
to changes in the Federal Funds rate than time deposits. At June 30, 2009, the Federal Funds rate
was 0.25%, down 175 basis points from 2.00% at June 30, 2008.
FHLB Advances
FHLB advances totaled $421.1 million at June 30, 2009, compared to $330.2 million at June 30,
2008, an increase of $90.9 million, or 27.5%. This increase in FHLB advances is primarily
attributable to a new $100 million, 5 year, 3.04% fixed rate loan obtained in the fourth quarter of
2008.
Results of Operations
Net Interest Income
Net interest income is the difference between total interest income and total interest expense
and is the largest source of our operating income. Several factors contribute to changes in net
interest income, including: the effects of changes in average balances, changes in rates on earning
assets and rates paid for interest bearing liabilities and the levels of noninterest bearing
deposits, shareholders equity and nonaccrual loans.
The earnings from certain assets are exempt from federal income tax, and it is customary in
the financial services industry to analyze changes in net interest income on a tax equivalent
(TE) or fully taxable basis. TE is a non-GAAP performance measurement used by management in
operating and analyzing the business, which management believes provides financial statement users
with a more accurate picture of the net interest margin for comparative purposes. Under this
method, nontaxable income from loans and investments is adjusted to an amount which would have been
earned if such income were subject to federal income tax. The discussion below presents an analysis
based on TE amounts using a 35% tax rate. (However, there are no tax equivalent additions to the
interest expense or noninterest income and expense amounts.)
174
The following table illustrates the determination of tax equivalent amounts for the three and
six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
$ Change
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
Total interest income, as reported
|
|
$
|
45,581
|
|
|
$
|
72,342
|
|
|
$
|
(26,761
|
)
|
|
|
-37.0
|
%
|
Effect of tax exempt loans and
municipal bonds
|
|
|
333
|
|
|
|
374
|
|
|
|
(41
|
)
|
|
|
-11.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TE interest income
|
|
|
45,914
|
|
|
|
72,716
|
|
|
|
(26,802
|
)
|
|
|
-36.9
|
%
|
Total interest expense
|
|
|
24,132
|
|
|
|
27,451
|
|
|
|
(3,319
|
)
|
|
|
-12.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TE net interest income
|
|
$
|
21,782
|
|
|
$
|
45,265
|
|
|
$
|
(23,483
|
)
|
|
|
-51.9
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calculation of TE Net Interest Margin
(three months annualized)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TE interest income
|
|
$
|
184,161
|
|
|
$
|
290,864
|
|
|
$
|
(106,703
|
)
|
|
|
-36.7
|
%
|
Total interest expense
|
|
|
96,793
|
|
|
|
109,804
|
|
|
|
(13,011
|
)
|
|
|
-11.8
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TE net interest income
|
|
|
87,368
|
|
|
|
181,060
|
|
|
|
(93,693
|
)
|
|
|
-51.7
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average earning assets
|
|
$
|
3,948,803
|
|
|
$
|
3,910,481
|
|
|
$
|
38,322
|
|
|
|
1.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TE Net Interest Margin
|
|
|
2.21
|
%
|
|
|
4.63
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
$ Change
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
Total interest income, as reported
|
|
$
|
96,072
|
|
|
$
|
149,842
|
|
|
$
|
(53,770
|
)
|
|
|
-35.9
|
%
|
Effect of tax exempt loans and
municipal bonds
|
|
|
667
|
|
|
|
751
|
|
|
|
(84
|
)
|
|
|
-11.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TE interest income
|
|
|
96,739
|
|
|
|
150,593
|
|
|
|
(53,854
|
)
|
|
|
-35.8
|
%
|
Total interest expense
|
|
|
50,869
|
|
|
|
57,553
|
|
|
|
(6,684
|
)
|
|
|
-11.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TE net interest income
|
|
$
|
45,870
|
|
|
$
|
93,040
|
|
|
$
|
(47,170
|
)
|
|
|
-50.7
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calculation of TE Net Interest Margin
(six months annualized)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TE interest income
|
|
$
|
193,478
|
|
|
$
|
301,186
|
|
|
$
|
(107,708
|
)
|
|
|
-35.8
|
%
|
Total interest expense
|
|
|
101,738
|
|
|
|
115,106
|
|
|
|
(13,368
|
)
|
|
|
-11.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TE net interest income
|
|
|
91,740
|
|
|
|
186,080
|
|
|
|
(94,340
|
)
|
|
|
-50.7
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average earning assets
|
|
$
|
4,055,043
|
|
|
$
|
3,864,178
|
|
|
$
|
190,865
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TE Net Interest Margin
|
|
|
2.26
|
%
|
|
|
4.82
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax equivalent net interest income decreased $23.5 million, or 51.9%, for the three months
ended June 30, 2009, compared to the same period for 2008. Tax equivalent net interest income was
negatively impacted by the $5.4 million reversal of interest income on loans placed on nonaccrual
status during the quarter. For the period, changes in volume and interest rates decreased tax
equivalent net interest income by $5.8 million and $17.7 million, respectively.
Tax equivalent net interest income decreased $47.2 million, or 50.7%, for the six months ended
June 30, 2009, compared to the same period a year ago, and was negatively impacted by the $11.7
million reversal of interest income on nonaccrual loans for the period. For the period, changes in
volume and interest rates decreased tax equivalent net interest income by $8.5 million and $38.7
million, respectively.
The annualized tax equivalent net interest margin was 2.21% for the three months ended June
30, 2009, compared to 4.63% for the three months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of 242 basis
points. This decrease primarily resulted from the decrease in the average yield on earning assets
of 282 basis points, partially offset by the decrease in the average rate on interest bearing
liabilities of 52 basis points. The $5.4 million reversal of interest
income on nonaccrual loans in the quarter contributed to a 55 basis point decline in the
annualized tax equivalent net interest margin during the quarter.
175
The annualized tax equivalent net interest margin was 2.26% for the six months ended June 30,
2009, compared to 4.82% for the six months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of 256 basis points.
This decrease primarily resulted from the decrease in the average yield on earning assets of 303
basis points, partially offset by the decrease in the average rate on interest bearing liabilities
of 64 basis points. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the reversal of $11.7 million of
interest income on nonaccrual loans lowered the tax equivalent net interest margin by approximately
58 basis points.
Abbreviated quarterly average balance sheets and current average yields and costs are shown
below (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter
|
|
|
Quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
$ Change
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
Yield/Cost
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal funds sold
|
|
$
|
239,315
|
|
|
$
|
1,994
|
|
|
$
|
237,321
|
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
%
|
Securities
|
|
|
107,144
|
|
|
|
143,750
|
|
|
|
(36,606
|
)
|
|
|
-25.5
|
%
|
|
|
2.70
|
%
|
Loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial and industrial
|
|
|
444,572
|
|
|
|
437,414
|
|
|
|
7,158
|
|
|
|
1.6
|
%
|
|
|
5.98
|
%
|
Real estate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
1,020,838
|
|
|
|
1,024,190
|
|
|
|
(3,352
|
)
|
|
|
-0.3
|
%
|
|
|
6.88
|
%
|
Construction
|
|
|
827,641
|
|
|
|
1,080,338
|
|
|
|
(252,697
|
)
|
|
|
-23.4
|
%
|
|
|
3.19
|
%
|
Land development
|
|
|
501,469
|
|
|
|
578,954
|
|
|
|
(77,485
|
)
|
|
|
-13.4
|
%
|
|
|
2.63
|
%
|
Completed lots
|
|
|
292,891
|
|
|
|
241,750
|
|
|
|
51,141
|
|
|
|
21.2
|
%
|
|
|
3.85
|
%
|
Residential 1-4 family
|
|
|
443,747
|
|
|
|
334,155
|
|
|
|
109,592
|
|
|
|
32.8
|
%
|
|
|
6.20
|
%
|
Installment and other loans
|
|
|
71,186
|
|
|
|
67,936
|
|
|
|
3,250
|
|
|
|
4.8
|
%
|
|
|
7.65
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total loans
|
|
|
3,602,344
|
|
|
|
3,764,737
|
|
|
|
(162,393
|
)
|
|
|
-4.3
|
%
|
|
|
5.02
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total earning assets
|
|
$
|
3,948,803
|
|
|
$
|
3,910,481
|
|
|
$
|
38,322
|
|
|
|
1.0
|
%
|
|
|
4.66
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
4,061,874
|
|
|
$
|
4,087,538
|
|
|
$
|
(25,664
|
)
|
|
|
-0.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noninterest bearing deposits
|
|
$
|
406,910
|
|
|
$
|
377,131
|
|
|
$
|
29,779
|
|
|
|
7.9
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest bearing deposits:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money market, sweep and NOW
|
|
|
388,049
|
|
|
|
645,409
|
|
|
|
(257,360
|
)
|
|
|
-39.9
|
%
|
|
|
0.70
|
%
|
Savings
|
|
|
300,522
|
|
|
|
345,192
|
|
|
|
(44,670
|
)
|
|
|
-12.9
|
%
|
|
|
0.98
|
%
|
Time certificates
|
|
|
2,178,557
|
|
|
|
1,765,116
|
|
|
|
413,441
|
|
|
|
23.4
|
%
|
|
|
3.45
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total interest bearing deposits
|
|
|
2,867,128
|
|
|
|
2,755,717
|
|
|
|
111,411
|
|
|
|
4.0
|
%
|
|
|
2.82
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deposits
|
|
|
3,274,038
|
|
|
|
3,132,848
|
|
|
|
141,190
|
|
|
|
4.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal funds purchased and
repurchase agreements
|
|
|
18,784
|
|
|
|
118,866
|
|
|
|
(100,082
|
)
|
|
|
-84.2
|
%
|
|
|
0.06
|
%
|
FHLB advances
|
|
|
426,288
|
|
|
|
332,297
|
|
|
|
93,991
|
|
|
|
28.3
|
%
|
|
|
3.69
|
%
|
Junior subordinated debt
|
|
|
5,156
|
|
|
|
5,156
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
%
|
|
|
4.54
|
%
|
Total interest bearing liabilities
|
|
|
3,317,356
|
|
|
|
3,212,036
|
|
|
|
105,320
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
%
|
|
|
2.92
|
%
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
$
|
312,851
|
|
|
$
|
473,750
|
|
|
$
|
(160,899
|
)
|
|
|
-34.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
NM Not meaningful.
176
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses totaled $135.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009,
compared to $33.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008.
The increase in the provision for loan losses in the first six months of 2009, as compared to
the first six months of 2008, is primarily attributable to the overall decline in the economy, the
downturn in the local housing market and its impact on our real estate construction, land
development and completed lot loan portfolios and an increase in nonperforming loans. At June 30,
2009, nonperforming loans totaled $764.6 million, compared to $119.9 million at June 30, 2008.
The provision for loan losses is based on managements evaluation of inherent risks in the
loan portfolio and a corresponding analysis of the allowance for loan losses. Additional discussion
of the allowance for loan losses is provided under the heading
Allowance for Loan Losses
above.
Noninterest Income
The following table represents the key components of noninterest income for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
$ Change
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
$ Change
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities
|
|
$
|
(149
|
)
|
|
$
|
144
|
|
|
$
|
(293
|
)
|
|
|
-203.5
|
%
|
|
$
|
(102
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,468
|
|
|
$
|
(2,570
|
)
|
|
|
-104.1
|
%
|
Gain on sale of secondary mortgage
loans
|
|
|
630
|
|
|
|
377
|
|
|
|
253
|
|
|
|
67.1
|
%
|
|
|
1,214
|
|
|
|
766
|
|
|
|
448
|
|
|
|
58.5
|
%
|
Net gain (loss) on other real estate
owned
|
|
|
(451
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(451
|
)
|
|
NM
|
|
|
|
(451
|
)
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
(463
|
)
|
|
NM
|
|
Service charges on deposit accounts
|
|
|
1,539
|
|
|
|
1,421
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
|
8.3
|
%
|
|
|
2,985
|
|
|
|
2,746
|
|
|
|
239
|
|
|
|
8.7
|
%
|
Other noninterest income
|
|
|
2,021
|
|
|
|
2,256
|
|
|
|
(235
|
)
|
|
|
-10.4
|
%
|
|
|
4,266
|
|
|
|
4,509
|
|
|
|
(243
|
)
|
|
|
-5.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total noninterest income
|
|
$
|
3,590
|
|
|
$
|
4,198
|
|
|
$
|
(608
|
)
|
|
|
-14.5
|
%
|
|
$
|
7,912
|
|
|
$
|
10,501
|
|
|
$
|
(2,589
|
)
|
|
|
-24.7
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NM Not meaningful.
Total noninterest income for the three months ended June 30, 2009, totaled $3.6 million,
compared to $4.2 million for the same period 2008, a decrease of $608 thousand, or 14.5%. For the
six months ended June 30, 2009, total noninterest income totaled $7.9 million, compared to $10.5
million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, a decrease of $2.6 million, or 24.7%.
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, we recognized a $102 thousand loss on sale of
securities, compared to a $2.5 million gain on sale of securities for the six months ended June 30,
2008. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, we sold our stock in Skagit State Bank of a gain of
$2.0 million and recorded a one-time gain of $274 thousand related to the required liquidation of a
portion of our stake of VISA, Inc., which went public in March 2008.
The increase in gain on sale of secondary mortgage loans in 2009, over the same periods in
2008, is primarily attributable to the increase volume, resulting from historically low mortgage
interest rates.
The continued downturn in the local housing market, which has negatively affected our real
estate construction, land development and completed lot loan portfolios, has led to an increase of
foreclosures into OREO on these related properties. For the three and six months ended June 30,
2009, we recognized a net loss of $451 thousand related to OREO. For the period, we recognized an
OREO valuation adjustment of $3.8 million, partially offset by a $3.4 million gain on sale of OREO.
The OREO valuation adjustment was the result of declines in the market value of these properties
subsequent to foreclosure.
The increase in service charges on deposit accounts in 2009, over the same periods in 2008, is
primarily attributable to increases in the number of deposit accounts and overdraft fees. The
number of deposit accounts increased approximately 3.2% from June 30, 2008 to June 30, 2009.
The decrease in other noninterest income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009,
compared to the same periods in 2008, is primarily attributable to decreases in insurance and
financial service fees and annuity commissions generated by our Trust department.
177
Noninterest Expense
The following table represents the key components of noninterest expense for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
$ Change
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
$ Change
|
|
|
% Change
|
|
Salaries and employee benefits
|
|
$
|
12,217
|
|
|
$
|
12,592
|
|
|
$
|
(375
|
)
|
|
|
-3.0
|
%
|
|
$
|
24,637
|
|
|
$
|
26,585
|
|
|
$
|
(1,948
|
)
|
|
|
-7.3
|
%
|
Occupancy expense
|
|
|
2,732
|
|
|
|
2,991
|
|
|
|
(259
|
)
|
|
|
-8.7
|
%
|
|
|
5,570
|
|
|
|
5,581
|
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
|
-0.2
|
%
|
State business taxes
|
|
|
179
|
|
|
|
594
|
|
|
|
(415
|
)
|
|
|
-69.9
|
%
|
|
|
505
|
|
|
|
1,145
|
|
|
|
(640
|
)
|
|
|
-55.9
|
%
|
Other noninterest expense
|
|
|
10,259
|
|
|
|
5,356
|
|
|
|
4,903
|
|
|
|
91.5
|
%
|
|
|
17,967
|
|
|
|
9,767
|
|
|
|
8,200
|
|
|
|
84.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total noninterest expense
|
|
$
|
25,387
|
|
|
$
|
21,533
|
|
|
$
|
3,854
|
|
|
|
17.9
|
%
|
|
$
|
48,679
|
|
|
$
|
43,078
|
|
|
$
|
5,601
|
|
|
|
13.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended June 30, 2009, total noninterest expense was $25.4 million,
compared to $21.5 million for the same period in 2008, an increase of $3.9 million, or 17.9%. For
the six months ended June 30, 2009, total noninterest expense was $48.7 million, compared to $43.1
million for the six months ended June 30, 2008, an increase of $5.6 million, or 13.0%.
The decrease in salaries and employee benefits in 2009, over the same periods in 2008, is
primarily attributable to the elimination of bonus and incentive pay, a reduction in executive
compensation, a moratorium on hiring and a reduction in force. At June 30, 2009, full time
equivalents (FTE) employees totaled 714, down from 813 at June 30, 2008. In addition, the
Frontier Board voted to suspend Frontiers matching of employee 401(K) Plan contributions,
effective May 1, 2009. See Expense Reduction Measures.
The increase in other noninterest expense in 2009, over the same periods in 2008, is primarily
attributable to an increase in FDIC insurance assessments and the one-time special assessment to be
paid in the third quarter of 2009.
Liquidity Resources
Liquidity refers to the ability to generate sufficient cash to meet the funding needs of
current loan demand, deposit withdrawals, principal and interest payments with respect to
outstanding borrowings and payment of operating expenses. The need for liquidity is affected by
loan demand, net changes in deposit levels and the scheduled maturities of borrowings. We monitor
the sources and uses of funds on a daily basis to maintain an acceptable liquidity position.
Liquidity is derived from assets by receipt of interest and principal payments and prepayments, by
the ability to sell assets at market prices, earnings and by utilizing unpledged assets as
collateral for borrowings.
We continue to closely monitor and manage our liquidity position, understanding that this
continues to be of critical importance in the current economic environment. To further increase our
on-balance sheet liquidity, we have been focused on reducing our balance sheet, and in particular,
the real estate loan portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, total loans decreased
$362.5 million, or 9.6% compared to December 31, 2008. Additionally, we have increased our federal
funds sold balances by $172.1 million for the same period.
As shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, net cash provided by operating
activities was $24.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The primary source of cash
provided by operating activities was net income, after excluding non-cash charges such as the
provision for loan losses of $135.0 million. Net cash of $4.7 million provided by investing
activities consisted primarily of $153.6 million from the net reduction of loan and $45.9 million
from the maturity of available for sale securities, partially offset by the $172.1 million increase
in net federal funds sold and the $41.2 million purchase of available for sale securities. The
$38.4 million of cash used in financing activities primarily consisted of the $26.0 million net
decrease in deposits and the $8.3 million decrease in FHLB advances.
178
Capital Requirements
We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal and state
banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and
possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a material
effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework
for prompt corrective action, we must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative
measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory
accounting practices. The capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative
judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. The minimum ratios
and the actual capital ratios at June 30, 2009, are set forth in the table below (in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well
|
|
|
Adequately
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frontier
|
|
|
Capitalized
|
|
|
Capitalized
|
|
|
|
Frontier
|
|
|
Bank
|
|
|
Minimum
|
|
|
Minimum
|
|
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
|
|
|
9.42
|
%
|
|
|
9.13
|
%
|
|
|
10.00
|
%
|
|
|
8.00
|
%
|
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
|
|
|
8.15
|
%
|
|
|
7.86
|
%
|
|
|
6.00
|
%
|
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets
|
|
|
6.74
|
%
|
|
|
6.49
|
%
|
|
|
5.00
|
%
|
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
Although the Tier 1 capital ratio and Tier 1 leverage capital ratio for Frontier and Frontier
Bank were above the minimum ratios normally required to be well capitalized at June 30, 2009, for
regulatory capital purposes, the FDIC and the FRB have advised Frontier and Frontier Bank that they
will no longer be regarded as well capitalized for federal regulatory purposes, as a result of
the deficiencies cited in the FDIC Order, which requires Frontier Bank to increase its Tier 1
leverage ratio to 10% of total assets. See Regulatory Actions. We believe Frontier and Frontier
Bank were adequately capitalized at June 30, 2009.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table sets forth our long-term contractual obligations at December 31, 2008 (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments due per period
|
|
|
|
Less Than
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One Year
|
|
|
1-3 Years
|
|
|
3-5 Years
|
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Time deposits
|
|
$
|
1,882,705
|
|
|
$
|
242,973
|
|
|
$
|
61,133
|
|
|
$
|
2,235
|
|
|
$
|
2,189,046
|
|
FHLB borrowings
|
|
|
68,146
|
|
|
|
65,786
|
|
|
|
200,485
|
|
|
|
95,000
|
|
|
|
429,417
|
|
Junior subordinated debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,156
|
|
|
|
5,156
|
|
Operating leases
|
|
|
1,900
|
|
|
|
2,979
|
|
|
|
1,731
|
|
|
|
1,064
|
|
|
|
7,674
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,952,751
|
|
|
$
|
311,738
|
|
|
$
|
263,349
|
|
|
$
|
103,455
|
|
|
$
|
2,631,293
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk refers to the exposure of our earnings and capital to risk arising from
changes in interest rates. Managements objectives are to control interest rate risk and to ensure
predictable and consistent growth of earnings and capital. Interest rate risk management focuses on
fluctuations in net interest income identified through computer simulations to evaluate volatility
under varying interest rate, spread and volume assumptions. The risk is quantified and compared
against tolerance levels.
We use a simulation model to estimate the impact of changing interest rates on earnings and
capital. The model calculates the change in net interest income and net income under various rate
shocks. As of June 30, 2009, the model predicted that net interest income and net income, over a
one-year horizon, would decrease by approximately $12.8 million and $8.4 million, respectively, if
rates increased 2%. Since rates are currently less than 1%, the model has not been used to predict
the effect of any decreases in interest rates. The decrease in both net interest income and net
income if rates were to increase, over a one-year horizon, is attributable to our balance sheet
becoming more liability sensitive during the first six months of 2009.
179
The actual change in earnings will be dependent upon the dynamic changes that occur when rates
change. Generally, while the direction of these changes is predictable, the exact amounts are
difficult to predict and actual events may vary substantially from the simulation model results.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recently issued
accounting pronouncements.
Certain Beneficial Ownership of Frontier Common Stock
The following table sets forth, as of
[
], 2009 and after consummation of the
merger, information as to the shares of Frontier common stock beneficially owned by each person
who, to the knowledge of Frontier, is the owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of
Frontier common stock, by Frontiers chief executive officer, chief credit officer, chief financial
officer and chief executive officer of its subsidiary, Frontier Bank, by each director of Frontier,
and by the executive officers and directors of Frontier as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting
or investment power with respect to the securities. Common stock subject to options that are
currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of [
], 2009 are deemed to be
outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding such options. The percentage of beneficial
ownership before the merger is based on 47,131,853 shares of Frontier common stock outstanding,
as of the date of this prospectus, and the percentage of beneficial ownership of the combined
company after the merger, is based on 50,158,588 shares of common stock of the combined company
outstanding, assuming no outstanding options, warrants or
conversion rights are exercised and after reflecting the approximate 2,500,000 shares to be issued in the merger, the forfeiture of an aggregate of 9,453,412 shares by certain SPAH insiders and the issuance of 3,000,000 shares pursuant to the
co-investment. Such
shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership
of any other person. Currently, none of the shares beneficially owned by Frontiers directors or
executive officers named below are pledged as security.
Except as indicated by footnote, the persons named in the table below have sole voting and
investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them,
and their address is 332 S.W. Everett Mall Way, Everett, WA 98204. The percentage of beneficial
ownership is based on shares of common stock outstanding as reflected in the previous paragraph.
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Number of
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Percentage of
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Percentage of
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Shares
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Shares
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Amount and Nature
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Shares Beneficially
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Beneficially
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Beneficially
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of Beneficial
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Owned Before
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Owned After
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Owned After
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Name of Beneficial Owner
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Ownership
(1)
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Merger
(2)
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Merger
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Merger
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Directors
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David M. Cuthill
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19,700
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*
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1,044
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*
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Lucy DeYoung
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26,564
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*
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1,408
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*
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Edward D. Hansen
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449,994
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(3)
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*
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23,850
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*
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Edward C. Rubatino
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592,013
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(4)
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1.26
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%
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31,377
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*
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Darrell J. Storkson
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585,057
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1.24
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%
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31,008
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*
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Mark O. Zenger
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68,525
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(5)
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*
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3,632
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*
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Named Executive Officers
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Patrick M. Fahey**
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32,750
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(6)
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*
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1,736
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*
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Michael J. Clementz**
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135,737
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(7)
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*
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7,194
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*
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John J. Dickson**
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893,902
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(8)
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1.90
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%
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47,377
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*
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Carol E. Wheeler
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79,233
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(9)
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*
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4,200
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*
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Robert W. Robinson
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86,455
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(10)
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*
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4,582
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*
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180
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Number of
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Percentage of
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Percentage of
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Shares
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Shares
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Amount and Nature
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Shares Beneficially
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Beneficially
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Beneficially
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of Beneficial
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Owned Before
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Owned After
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Owned After
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Name of Beneficial Owner
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Ownership
(1)
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Merger
(2)
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Merger
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Merger
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All Directors and Executive
Officers as a group (16 persons)
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3,103,451
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(11)
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6.56
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%
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164,483
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*
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5% Shareholders
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Barclays Global Investors
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2,991,528
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(12)
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6.35
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%
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158,551
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*
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State Street Bank and Trust Company
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2,543,288
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(13)
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5.40
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%
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134,794
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*
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*
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Less than 1%.
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**
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Also serves as a Director of Frontier.
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(1)
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In determining beneficial ownership, a beneficial owner of a security includes any person
who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or
otherwise has or shares: (1) voting power which includes the power to vote, or to direct the
voting of, such securities and/or (2) investment power which includes the power to dispose, or
to direct the disposition, of such security. In addition, for the purposes of this chart, a
person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of a security if that person has the right to
acquire beneficial ownership of such security within 60 days, including, but not limited to,
any right to acquire: (a) through exercise of an option, warrant, or right; (b) through the
conversion of security; (c) pursuant to the power to revoke a trust, discretionary account or
similar arrangement; or (d) pursuant to the automatic termination of a trust, discretionary
account or similar arrangement.
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(2)
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Any securities not outstanding but which are subject to options, warrants, rights or
conversion privileges exercisable within 60 days are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose
of computing the percentage of outstanding securities of the class owned by such person, but
not for the purpose of computing the percentage of the class by any other person.
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(3)
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Includes 9,090 shares held by Mr. Hansens spouse who has voting and dispositive power,
60,744 shares held by Mr. Hansen or Mr. Hansens spouse in custody for children or
grandchildren, 20,821 shares held in a charitable trust of which Mr. Hansen is trustee and has
voting and dispositive power and 144,997 shares held in an investment capacity of which Mr.
Hansen has voting and dispositive power.
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(4)
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Includes 267,826 shares held in a trust of which Mr. Rubatino is trustee and has voting and
dispositive power.
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(5)
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Includes 2,048 shares held by a business partner with respect to which Mr. Zenger disclaims
beneficial ownership.
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(6)
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Includes 6,750 shares which Mr. Fahey has the right to acquire through the exercise of stock
options.
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(7)
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Includes 27,000 shares which Mr. Clementz has the right to acquire through the exercise of
stock options.
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(8)
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Includes 40,290 shares which Mr. John Dickson has the right to acquire through the exercise
of stock options, 34,615 shares by Mr. Dickson or Mr. Dicksons spouse in custody for
children, 15,243 shares held in trust of which Mr. Dickson has voting and dispositive power
and includes 688,432 shares held by the family limited partnership as a result of Mr.
Dicksons beneficial interest as General Partner of the family limited partnership.
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181
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(9)
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Includes 23,133 shares which Ms. Wheeler has the right to acquire through the exercise of
stock options, 423 shares held in custody for children and 6,750 shares by Ms. Wheelers
spouse and his mother.
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(10)
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Includes 25,393 shares which Mr. Robinson has the right to acquire through the
exercise of stock options.
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(11)
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Includes 165,637 shares which Named Executive Officers and Directors listed in the table have
the right to acquire through the exercise of stock options, 11,889 shares held by officers not
listed or reflected elsewhere in the table, and 16,833 shares which such officers not listed
or reflected elsewhere in the table have the right to acquire through the exercise of stock
options.
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(12)
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Barclays Global Investors stated in its Schedule 13G filing on February 6, 2009, that, of the
2,991,528 shares beneficially own, it (a) has sole voting power with respect to 2,351,423
shares, (b) has shared voting power with respect to no shares and (c) has sole dispositive
power with respect to all 2,991,528 shares. According to the Schedule 13G filing, the address
of Barclays Global Investors is Apianstrasse 6, D-85774, Unterfohring, Germany.
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(13)
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State Street Bank and Trust Company stated in its Schedule 13G filing on February 13, 2009,
that, of the 2,543,288 shares beneficially own, it (a) has sole voting power with respect to
2,543,288 shares, (b) has shared voting power with respect to no shares, and (c) has sole
dispositive power with respect to no shares. According to the Schedule 13G filing, the
address of State Street Bank and Trust Company is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.
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Executive Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The following Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the material elements of
compensation for Frontier executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table (Named
Executive Officers). As more fully described below, the Personnel and Compensation Committee of
the Board (the Compensation Committee) makes all decisions for the total compensationthat is,
the base salary, bonuses and incentives and stock options and restricted stockof the Corporations
executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers. The Compensation Committees
recommendations for the total direct compensation of the Corporations Chief Executive Officer are
subject to approval of the Frontier Board.
The day-to-day design and administration of retirement, savings, health, welfare and paid
time-off plans and policies applicable to employees in general are handled by Human Resources
employees. The Compensation Committee (or the Frontier Board) remains responsible for certain
fundamental changes outside the day-to-day requirements necessary to maintain these plans and
policies.
Role of the Compensation Committee
Purpose.
The Compensation Committee assists the Frontier Board in fulfilling its
responsibilities for administering the Corporations compensation program offered to the
Corporations officers and directors.
Outside Consultants and Advisors.
The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain and
terminate any independent, third-party compensation consultant and to obtain independent advice and
assistance from internal and external legal, accounting and other advisors.
Compensation Philosophy
The goals of the Corporations compensation program are to: (1) enable the Corporation to
attract, retain and motivate the most qualified, talented employees who contribute to the long-term
success of the Corporation; (2) align compensation with business objectives and performance; and
(3) align incentives for executive officers with the interests of shareholders to maximize
shareholder value. The Corporation emphasizes performance-based compensation that is reasonable and
competitive in the marketplace and reviews its compensation practices annually, including comparing
them with competitors. Compensation reflects the competition for executive talent and the unique
challenges and opportunities facing the Corporation in the financial services market.
The Corporations compensation program for all employees generally includes both cash and
equity-based factors. Consistent with competitive practices, the Corporation also utilizes cash
bonuses and incentive plans based on achievements of financial performance objectives.
182
Role of Executive Officers and Management in Compensation Decisions
The Compensation Committee may invite members of management to attend its meetings and did so
for portions of the Compensation Committees meetings during fiscal 2008. The Compensation
Committee also meets on occasion with the Corporations Chief Executive Officer, Patrick M. Fahey,
and/or other executives, including Chief Financial Officer, Carol E. Wheeler, President, John J.
Dickson and Executive Vice President Human Resources, Connie Pachek, to obtain recommendations with
respect to compensation programs for other corporate executives, employees and nonemployee
directors. Mr. Fahey is closely involved in assessing the performance of our executive officers
(other than himself) and making recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding base
salary, bonus targets and equity compensation for these executive officers.
The Compensation Committee also regularly holds executive sessions not attended by any members
of management or by non-independent directors. The Compensation Committee discusses Mr. Faheys
compensation package with him and then makes decisions with respect to Mr. Faheys compensation in
a Compensation Committee only meeting. The Compensation Committee evaluates the Chief Executive
Officers performance annually relative to the performance of the Corporation and consistent with
the approved goals and objectives of the Corporation and the Chief Executive Officer. The
Compensation Committee then recommends the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, based on
this evaluation, to the full Frontier Board for approval.
Management makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding base salary, bonus
targets and equity compensation for each of our executive officers other than Mr. Fahey. The
Compensation Committee is not obligated to accept managements recommendations with respect to
executive compensation.
In formulating its recommendations for executive compensation for fiscal 2008, management used
competitive compensation data it gathered from other publicly available sources, as well as
compensation data provided by Equilar, Inc. Management complied the data and formulated the
recommendations regarding executive compensation that it presented to the Compensation Committee.
Based on discussions between management and the Frontier Board in September 2008, executive
management salary compensation for fiscal 2009 was reduced by 5% except for President, John J.
Dicksons compensation which was reduced by 10% due to the Corporations and Banks 2008 financial
performance. In addition, discretionary bonuses for 2008 were not awarded.
The Chief Executive Officer evaluates the performance of each of the other Named Executive
Officers performance annually relative to the performance of the Corporation and consistent with
the approved goals and objectives of the Corporation and the Named Executive Officer. The Chief
Executive Officer submits this evaluation to the Compensation Committee for review and,
collectively, the Chief Executive Officer and the Compensation Committee then recommend the
compensation of the Named Executive Officers to the full Frontier Board for approval.
Compensation decisions for employees who are not Named Executive Officers are made at the
appropriate levels within the Corporation with review and oversight provided by the executive
officers of the Corporation.
Setting Executive Compensation
Based on the compensation discussion set forth above, the Compensation Committee has
structured the Corporations annual and long-term incentive-based cash and noncash executive
compensation to motivate our executives to achieve our business goals and to reward our executives
for achieving those goals.
183
In making compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee compares each element of total
compensation against a peer group of publicly-traded banks, with assets ranging from $1 billion to
$10 billion in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The peer group, which is periodically
reviewed and updated by the Compensation Committee, consists of banks similar in size and business
to us and which we compete against. The banks comprising the peer group are:
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Ticker
|
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Bank Name
|
|
Symbol
|
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AmericanWest Bancorporation
|
|
AWBC
|
Banner Corporation
|
|
BANR
|
Cascade Bancorp Inc.
|
|
CACB
|
Cascade Financial Corporation
|
|
CASB
|
Columbia Banking System
|
|
COLB
|
Glacier Bancorp Inc.
|
|
GBCI
|
Horizon Financial Corporation
|
|
HRZB
|
Umpqua Holdings Corporation
|
|
UMPQ
|
West Coast Bancorp
|
|
WCBO
|
Due to variances in size among the peer group, the Compensation Committee informally analyzes
the compensation data for differences in assets and income when making comparisons. We compete with
many banks
for top level executive talent and as such, set executive compensation at a level comparable
to similar peer group executives to enable us to attract, retain and compensate executives to
ensure superior results for the Corporation. Variations within these objectives may occur due to
the experience level or performance of the individual executive or other market factors.
Data on the compensation practices of our peer group is generally gathered through searches of
publicly available information, including publicly available databases. As publicly available
information does not typically include information regarding target cash compensation, the
Corporation periodically relies upon compensation surveys to provide benchmark target compensation
levels for our peer group. Peer group data includes base salary, targeted cash compensation and
equity awards, including equity compensation. It usually does not include deferred compensation
benefits or generally available benefits, such as 401(k) plans or health care coverage. For fiscal
2008, we obtained sufficient market base salary information for Mr. Fahey, Mr. Clementz, Mr.
Dickson, Mr. Ryan and Ms. Wheeler, from public information (for example, proxy statements), which
was the Corporations primary source. Due to the limited availability of salary information in
proxy statements for positions other than these Named Executive Officers, the Compensation
Committee relied on a combination of public information and survey sources for other executives.
The use of compensation surveys to benchmark compensation for the Named Executive Officers was
limited to information from our peer group.
There is no pre-established policy or target for the allocation between either cash and
noncash or short-term and long-term incentive compensation. Rather, the Compensation Committee
reviews the available information to establish an appropriate and competitive level and mix of
incentive compensation. Income from such incentive compensation is realized based on the
performance of the Corporation and the individual compared to established goals. Historically, and
in fiscal 2008 as well, the Compensation Committee recommended a majority of total compensation to
our executive officers in the form of cash compensation.
2008 Executive Compensation Components
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, the principal components of compensation for the
Named Executive Officer were:
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equity compensation program
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incentive compensation and profit sharing
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401(k) savings and profit sharing
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health care and other benefits
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184
Base Salary
The Corporation sets a base salary for each executive officer, including the Chief Executive
Officer, by reviewing the base salary for comparable positions of the peer group. Individual
salaries for each executive officer are set relative to this target group based on certain
individual performance and contribution to the Corporations results. As part of the annual
performance review process, an executives base salary is typically considered for adjustment. The
executives performance and current compensation are considered at this time. For fiscal year
2009, due to economic conditions and the Corporations performance, base salaries were reduced by
5% for executive management except for Mr. Dickson, which was reduced by 10%.
Cash Bonuses
Named Executive Officers and other employees are eligible to participate in our cash incentive
and bonus plans. Our cash bonuses compensate employees for attaining annual financial performance
goals for the Corporations return on assets, or ROA and return on equity, or ROE. Named Executive
Officers, other than the
Chief Executive Officer, propose annual goals which are reviewed and approved by the Chief
Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officers goals are established in conjunction with the
Compensation Committee and agreement by the Frontier Board. Bonus payouts for Named Executive
Officers are determined at the end of the year by the Compensation Committee in its discretion,
without any specific formula, based on goal attainment, individual performance and Corporation
profitability. No bonuses were awarded in 2008 to any of the Named Executive Officers due to the
financial performance of the Corporation.
The Corporation does not undertake a detailed analysis of how difficult it would be for the
Corporation and the Named Executive Officers to achieve the target levels of performance for each
performance measure. Rather, both the Compensation Committee and management considered the
likelihood of the achievement of target levels of performance when recommending and approving the
performance measures and target bonuses. At the time the performance measures were set, the
Compensation Committee believed that the goals would be challenging, but achievable with
significant effort and skill.
Stock Option and Restricted Stock Program
We granted stock options and restricted stock awards to Named Executive Officers and other
employees, to encourage participants to focus on long-term performance and maximization of
shareholder value. These forms of equity compensation help align the long-term interests of the
executive officers with those of our shareholders, provide an opportunity for equity ownership,
increase retention and help maintain a competitive total compensation package.
Stock options provide the opportunity to purchase our common stock at a price fixed on the
grant date. A stock option becomes valuable only if our common stock price increases above the
option exercise price and the holder of the option remains employed during the period required for
the option to vest. Thus, stock options provide an incentive for an option holder to remain
employed with the Corporation and links a portion of the option holders compensation with
shareholders interests by providing an incentive that encourages long-term Corporation
profitability, which increases the market price of our stock.
The exercise price of stock options is set at fair market value on grant date. Under the
shareholder approved Stock Option Plan, the Corporation may not grant stock options at a discount
to fair market value or reduce the exercise price of outstanding stock options except in the case
of a stock split or other similar event. The Corporation does not grant stock options with a
so-called reload feature, nor does it loan funds to employees to enable them to exercise stock
options. The Corporations long-term performance ultimately determines the value of stock options,
because gains from exercised stock options are entirely dependent on long-term appreciation in the
Corporations stock price.
185
The granting of incentive stock options and stock awards to directors, executive officers,
senior officers and employees are made under the Frontier Financial Corporation 2006 Stock
Incentive Plan which was approved by the shareholders at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
The 2006 Plan authorizes the grant of stock options, which may include stock appreciation rights,
or SARs, and restricted stock awards. No SARs or nonqualified stock options have been granted
under the Stock Option Plan to date. The Compensation Committee is responsible for overall
administration of the stock option process and recommends approval of all grants, including those
to executive officers. Daily administration of the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan is maintained by the
Corporation, under the supervision of the Compensation Committee. The Chief Financial Officer has
established procedures that provide for consistency and accuracy in determining the fair market
value of options and the expense regarding the stock option grants in compliance with FAS 123(R),
which the Corporation implemented at the beginning of 2006.
In general, each incentive stock option permits the option holder to purchase in the future a
specified number of shares of our common stock from the Corporation at the exercise price, which is
the average of the high and low price of the stock on the date of the grant. The incentive stock
options generally cliff vest after three years and have a term of ten years from the date of grant.
For Messrs. Dickson and Ryan and Ms. Wheeler the incentive stock options granted in 2008 all had
cliff vesting of three years from the date of grant, meaning that the executive had to remain
employed by the Corporation for three full years to exercise any option granted to our Named
Executive Officers. For Messrs. Fahey and Clementz, the incentive stock options granted in 2008
vested immediately and have a term of ten years. Prior to the exercise of an incentive stock
option, the holder has no rights
as a shareholder with respect to the shares subject to such option, including no voting rights
and no right to receive dividends.
A restricted stock award entitles the executive officer to receive a specified number of our
common stock from the Corporation. Stock awards are recommended by the Compensation Committee of
the Frontier Board, in conjunction with the recommendation of incentive stock options, as part of
the overall equity compensation program. Upon granting of a stock award, the holder has full voting
rights and the right to receive dividends on shares. The stock awards granted in 2008 vest ratably
over three years.
Incentive stock option and restricted stock award levels are determined by the Compensation
Committee based on an overall review of the total compensation package and the competitive analysis
discussed below and vary among participants
based on their positions and have historically been granted in December of each year. Additional
information on these grants, including the number of shares subject to each grant, is also shown in
the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table. Our outside directors have not historically participated in
our stock option program.
No Backdating or Spring Loading.
Frontier does not backdate options or grant options or stock awards retroactively. The
Corporations awards or options are generally granted on a fixed date or event each year
(historically the scheduled board meeting before fiscal year end), with all required approvals
obtained on or before the actual grant date. All grants to all employees require the approval of
the Frontier Board.
Fair market value for options and stock awards is determined as the average of the high and
low price of our common stock on the grant date. In order to ensure that its exercise price fairly
reflects all material informationwithout regard to whether the information seems positive or
negativeevery grant is contingent upon an assurance by the Corporations legal counsel that the
Corporation is not in possession of material undisclosed information. If the Corporation is in
possession of such information, grants are suspended until the second business day after public
dissemination of the information.
Lack of Grant Date Coordination with the Release of Material Non-Public Information.
The grant date for awards to employees is the date the Frontier Board approves the awards
based upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee. The Corporation engages in a
consistent and predetermined practice for granting annual awards to all employees. The Compensation
Committee establishes the meeting and grant dates in accordance with the Corporations policy and
does not schedule these dates based on knowledge of material nonpublic information or in response
to the Corporations stock price.
186
Grants are made at Frontier Board meetings scheduled in advance to meet appropriate deadlines
for compensation related decisions. The exercise price for every stock option and the valuation of
each restricted stock award is based on the average of the high and low price for our common stock
on the date of the grant, using price information from the NASDAQ Stock Market, which represents
the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant.
There is a limited term in which stock options can be exercised, known as the option term.
The option term for executive officers is generally ten years from the date of grant. At the end of
the option term, the right to exercise any unexercised options expires. Vesting and exercise rights
for stock options and stock awards cease upon termination of employment, except in the case of
death or disability.
Our equity compensation program is an important piece of our overall compensation philosophy
and helps motivate and retain the executives who lead the growth and success of our Corporation. It
provides real incentives for our employees to sustain and enhance our long-term performance and
shareholder value. Both our executive officers and the Compensation Committee believe that the
superior performance of these individuals will contribute significantly to our ongoing and future
success.
401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust
The 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust is a tax-qualified retirement savings plan in which
all employees, including the Named Executive Officers, are eligible to participate. Frontiers
qualified 401(k) Plan allows highly compensated employees to contribute up to 15 percent of their
base salary, up to the limits imposed by the Internal Revenue Code$15,000 for 2008on a pre- or
after-tax basis. Participants that are 50 years or older can also make catch-up contributions
which in 2008 may be up to an additional $5,000 above the statutory limit under the Plan. Each
employee is fully vested in his or her deferred salary contributions when made. We match 100% of
the first 4% of pay that employees contribute to the Plan; these matching contributions are
mandatory and vest immediately. In addition to matching employee contributions into the Plan, we
may make discretionary contributions of a portion of our income to the Plan each year. We did not
make a profit sharing contribution for 2008 due to the impact of the economic downturn or the
Corporations financial results.
Participants choose to invest their account balances from an array of investment options as
selected by plan fiduciaries from time to time. The 401(k) Plan is designed to provide for
distributions in a lump sum, rollovers or monthly distributions after termination of service.
However, loans and in-service distributions under certain circumstances such as a hardship,
attainment of age 59
1
/
2
, or disabilities are permitted.
Split Dollar Insurance Agreements
Neither the Corporation nor Frontier Bank maintains a defined benefit pension plan or
nonqualified deferred compensation plan to fund retirement benefits for its Named Executive
Officers or other executives. However, in December 2001, Frontier Bank purchased insurance policies
on the lives of 53 of its employees, including Messrs. Dickson and Ryan and Ms. Wheeler and entered
into Split Dollar Insurance Agreements with each of these executives. These split dollar
arrangements were adopted by Frontier Bank to substitute coverage from its previous group-term life
insurance program for its employees. The premium amounts paid are the property of Frontier Bank and
provide the Bank with a tax equivalent yield which exceeds comparable short-term investment
alternatives. Frontier Bank expects to recover in full the premiums paid by it from the Banks
portion of the policies death benefits. Under the Split Dollar Insurance Agreements, when the
employee dies, his or her designated beneficiary will be entitled to receive from the insurance
proceeds an employee death benefit equal to two times the executives base salary, less $50,000, up
to a maximum of $250,000. In addition, $50,000 of group term life insurance is provided by the Bank
to the executive for a total maximum benefit of $300,000, if the executive dies while employed by
the Bank. If the executives employment with the Bank terminates by reason of his or her total
disability, early or regular retirement from Frontier Bank, the employee death benefit continues,
but is reduced to one time the executives base salary, up to a maximum of $150,000. Frontier Bank
is entitled to receive all insurance proceeds in excess of the employee death benefit. These Split
Dollar Insurance Agreements are subject to termination prior to the death of the executive, if: (i)
the Bank cancels the insurance policy, becomes bankrupt, dissolves or discontinues its business; or
(ii) by written notice by either party; or (iii) the executives employment terminates for any
reason other than total disability, early or regular retirement.
187
Compensation of Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Faheys base salary and equity compensation for fiscal 2008 were determined in accordance
with the compensation philosophy and process described above, including the policy of targeting our
compensation within the peer group and paying for performance. In setting Mr. Faheys salary and
equity compensation, the Compensation Committee relied on market-competitive peer group pay data
and the strong belief that the Chief Executive Officer significantly and directly influences the
Corporations overall performance.
Change of Control Arrangements
The Corporation has entered into change of control agreements with eight of its key employees,
including the Named Executive Officers Messrs. Dickson and Ryan and Ms. Wheeler. The change of
control agreements are designed to promote stability and continuity of senior management.
Information regarding applicable payments under such agreements for the Named Executive Officers is
provided under the heading Severance and Change of Control
Arrangements.
Benefits and Perquisites
As salaried employees, the Named Executive Officers participate in a variety of retirement,
health and welfare and paid time-off benefits designed to enable the Corporation to attract and
retain its workforce in a competitive marketplace. Health and welfare and paid time-off benefits
help ensure that the Corporation has a productive and focused workforce through reliable and
competitive health and other benefits. Savings plans help employees, especially long-service
employees, save and prepare financially for retirement. The costs of these benefits are included in
column (i) of the Summary Compensation Table at page 189.
Frontier promotes an egalitarian culture the Corporation does not provide its officers or
other senior-level executives with preferential parking, separate dining facilities or similar
perquisites. The Corporations officers, non-officer executives and other senior-level employees
are eligible for certain additional benefit programs, all of which are quantified in the Summary
Compensation Table and available to all eligible employees. The Corporation does not provide loans
to executive officers, except in the ordinary course of its banking business as permitted by the
rules of the FDIC and the SEC.
Tax Implications of Executive Compensation
Deductibility of Executive Compensation
As part of its role, the Compensation Committee reviews and considers the deductibility of
executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which provides that the
Corporation may not deduct compensation of more than $1,000,000 that is paid to certain
individuals. The Corporation believes that compensation paid under the Corporations Stock Option
Plans and other executive compensation plans and arrangements are generally fully deductible for
federal income tax purposes. However, in certain situations, the Compensation Committee may approve
compensation that will not meet these requirements in order to ensure competitive levels of total
compensation for its executive officers.
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
Beginning on January 1, 2006, the Corporation began accounting for stock-based payments
including its Stock Option Plan in accordance with the requirements of FASB Statement 123(R).
188
Summary Compensation Table
The table below summarizes the total compensation paid or earned by each of the Named
Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. We have also entered into change of
control agreements with eight of our executive officers, including three of the Named Executive
Officers, which are discussed on page 192 of this proxy statement. When setting total annual
compensation for each of the Named Executive Officers, the executives current compensation,
including equity and non-equity based compensation, in considered relative to the executives
overall performance and the competitive market factors, the companys financial performance, peer
group information and compensation history. The Compensation Committee reviews the factors it
considers to be the most relevant for the current fiscal year to set compensation at a reasonable,
competitive level.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
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Change
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in
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Pension
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Value
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and
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Non-
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Nonquali-
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Equity
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|
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fied
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Incentive
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Deferred
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All Other
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Stock
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Option
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Plan
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Compen-
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Compen-
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Name and Principal
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Awards
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Awards
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Compen-
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sation
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sation
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Position
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|
Year
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|
|
Salary
|
|
|
Bonus
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|
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(3)
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|
|
(4) (5)
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|
|
sation
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|
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Earnings
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|
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(1)
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Total
|
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(a)
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(b)
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(c)
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(d)
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(e)
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(f)
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(g)
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(h)
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(i)
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(j)
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Patrick M. Fahey
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|
|
2008
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|
|
$
|
29,700
|
(2)
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|
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|
|
$
|
67,536
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|
|
$
|
7,090
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
36,900
|
|
|
$
|
141,226
|
|
Chief Executive
Officer
|
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Carol E. Wheeler
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2008
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189,000
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3,875
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|
|
|
17,721
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,170
|
|
|
|
224,766
|
|
Chief Financial
Officer
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Michael J. Clementz
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2008
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|
|
|
63,667
|
(6)
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|
|
67,536
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|
|
|
7,090
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,000
|
|
|
|
177,293
|
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President
|
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John J. Dickson
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2008
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|
|
|
367,500
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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79,943
|
|
|
|
21,287
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
22,083
|
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|
|
490,813
|
|
President, Frontier
Bank
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Lyle E. Ryan
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2008
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265,650
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12,407
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21,287
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14,170
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313,514
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|
EVP, Frontier Bank
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(1)
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The amount shown in column (i) reflects, for each Named Executive Officer: 401 (k) Savings
and Profit Sharing contributions allocated by the Corporation to each of the Named Executive
Officers pursuant to the plan which is more fully described on page
193, and the cost of
medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance provided by the Corporation. The amount
attributable to each such perquisite or benefit for each Named Executive Officer does not
exceed the greater of $25,000 or 10% of the total amount of perquisites received by such Named
Executive Officer, except for Messrs. Fahey and Clementz, which represent their board meeting
fees prior to their appointment in December 2008 as CEO and President, respectively.
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(2)
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Mr. Patrick Faheys first day of employment was December 4, 2008. His annual salary was
$396,000 as of December 31, 2008.
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(3)
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Mr. Patrick Fahey, Mr. Michael Clementz and Mr. John Dickson also serve as members of the
Frontier Board of the Corporation. In 2008, Messrs. Fahey, Clementz and Dickson each received
a retainer 3,600 shares of our common stock in January 2008 which had a value at the time of
the award of $18.76 per share, or $67,536, which is reflected in column (e).
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(4)
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The amounts in column (f) reflect the prorated vesting dollar amount recognized for financial
statement reporting purposes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, in accordance with
FAS 123(R). Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 15 to
the Corporations audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008,
included in the Corporations Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 5, 2009.
|
189
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(5)
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On December 17, 2008, Messrs. Dickson and Ryan were granted an incentive stock option to
purchase 6,750 shares and Ms. Wheeler was granted an incentive stock option to purchase 4,500
shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $3.02. The options will vest on the third
anniversary of the grant date. The fair market value of each option as determined in
accordance with FAS 123(R) was $1.05. Messrs. Fahey and Clementz were granted an incentive
stock option to purchase 6,750 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $3.02 which
vest immediately. The fair value of each option as determined in accordance with FAS 123(R)
was $1.05.
|
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(6)
|
|
Represents salary paid to Mr. Michael Clementz as President of FFP, Inc. of $40,000 and
$23,667 as CEO of Frontier Bank from December 4, 2008 through December 31, 2008. His annual
salary was $360,000 as of December 31, 2008.
|
Stock Option Grants In 2008
The following table provides information on stock options granted to each of the Corporations
Named Executive Officers in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. There can be no assurance that
the Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards will ever be realized. The amount of these
awards that was expensed is shown in the Summary Compensation Table,
column (f) on page 189.
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
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All Other
|
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All
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|
Options
|
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Grant
|
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Other
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
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|
|
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts
|
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Under Nonequity Incentive
|
|
|
Under Equity Incentive
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
|
of
|
|
|
or Base
|
|
|
Value of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan Awards
|
|
|
Plan Awards
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
Price of
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thres-
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maxi-
|
|
|
Thres-
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maxi-
|
|
|
of
|
|
|
Under-
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
and
|
|
|
|
Grant
|
|
|
hold
|
|
|
Target
|
|
|
mum
|
|
|
hold
|
|
|
Target
|
|
|
mum
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
lying
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
Option
|
|
Name
|
|
Date
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
of Stock
|
|
|
(#)
|
|
|
($/Sh)
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
|
(e)
|
|
|
(f)
|
|
|
(g)
|
|
|
(h)
|
|
|
or Units
|
|
|
(j)
|
|
|
(k)
|
|
|
(l)
|
|
Patrick M. Fahey
|
|
|
12/17/08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.02
|
|
|
|
1.05
|
|
Carol E. Wheeler
|
|
|
12/17/08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,500
|
|
|
|
4,500
|
|
|
|
4,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.02
|
|
|
|
1.05
|
|
Michael J. Clementz
|
|
|
12/17/08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.02
|
|
|
|
1.05
|
|
John J. Dickson
|
|
|
12/17/08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.02
|
|
|
|
1.05
|
|
Lyle E. Ryan
|
|
|
12/17/08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.02
|
|
|
|
1.05
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Options allow the grantee to purchase a share of Frontier common stock for the fair market
value of a share of common stock on the grant date. Options for Messrs. Fahey and Clementz are
immediately exercisable and have a ten year term. Options for Messrs. Dickson and Ryan and
Ms. Wheeler become exercisable after 3 years and have ten year terms.
|
Column (l) represents the aggregate FAS 123(R) values of options granted during the year. The
per-option FAS 123(R) grant date value was $1.05 each for all options. There can be no assurance
that the options will ever be exercised (in which case no value will be realized by the executive)
or that the value on exercise will equal the FAS 123(R) value.
190
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 2008
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Option Awards
|
|
|
Stock Awards
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incentive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards:
|
|
|
Market or
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Payout
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of
|
|
|
Value of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market
|
|
|
Unearned
|
|
|
Unearned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Value Of
|
|
|
Shares,
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
|
Number of
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Of Shares
|
|
|
Shares or
|
|
|
Units or
|
|
|
Units or
|
|
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Units
|
|
|
Units of
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
Underlying
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
|
Un-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Stock
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Rights
|
|
|
Rights
|
|
|
|
Unexercised
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
Option
|
|
|
That
|
|
|
That
|
|
|
That
|
|
|
That
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Un-
|
|
|
Unearned
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Expiration
|
|
|
Have Not
|
|
|
Have Not
|
|
|
Have Not
|
|
|
Have Not
|
|
Name
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
|
exercisable
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Date
|
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
Vested
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
|
(e)
|
|
|
(f)
|
|
|
(g)
|
|
|
(h)
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
|
(j)
|
|
Patrick M. Fahey
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3.02
|
|
|
|
12/17/2018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carol E. Wheeler
|
|
|
1,800
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.55
|
|
|
|
12/18/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.67
|
|
|
|
12/16/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,375
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17.78
|
|
|
|
12/14/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,375
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21.50
|
|
|
|
12/20/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,333
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29.83
|
|
|
|
12/12/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18.76
|
|
|
|
12/11/2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.02
|
|
|
|
12/17/2018
|
|
|
|
129
|
|
|
$
|
246
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael J. Clementz
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.67
|
|
|
|
12/16/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,125
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17.78
|
|
|
|
12/14/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,625
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17.77
|
|
|
|
12/14/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,720
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21.50
|
|
|
|
12/20/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21.50
|
|
|
|
12/20/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.02
|
|
|
|
12/17/2018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John J. Dickson
|
|
|
1,440
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10.22
|
|
|
|
12/20/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,620
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.55
|
|
|
|
12/19/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,800
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.55
|
|
|
|
12/18/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.67
|
|
|
|
12/16/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,625
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17.77
|
|
|
|
12/14/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,125
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17.78
|
|
|
|
12/14/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21.50
|
|
|
|
12/20/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,720
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21.50
|
|
|
|
12/20/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,333
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29.83
|
|
|
|
12/13/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,097
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18.76
|
|
|
|
12/11/2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.02
|
|
|
|
12/17/2018
|
|
|
|
746
|
|
|
$
|
1,425
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lyle E. Ryan
|
|
|
788
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.78
|
|
|
|
12/15/2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
788
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.55
|
|
|
|
7/19/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,800
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.22
|
|
|
|
12/20/2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.55
|
|
|
|
12/19/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,250
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.55
|
|
|
|
12/18/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.67
|
|
|
|
12/16/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,625
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17.77
|
|
|
|
12/14/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,125
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17.78
|
|
|
|
12/14/2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,720
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21.50
|
|
|
|
12/20/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,030
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21.50
|
|
|
|
12/20/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,333
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29.83
|
|
|
|
12/12/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,097
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18.76
|
|
|
|
12/11/2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,750
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.02
|
|
|
|
12/17/2018
|
|
|
|
746
|
|
|
|
1,425
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
191
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED IN 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
|
Stock Awards
|
|
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
|
Value Realized on
|
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
|
Value Realized on
|
|
Name
|
|
Acquired on Exercise
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Acquired On Vesting
|
|
|
Vesting
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
(c)
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
|
(e)
|
|
Patrick M. Fahey
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carol. E. Wheeler
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
130
|
|
|
$
|
352
|
|
Michael J. Clementz
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John J. Dickson
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
563
|
|
|
|
1,523
|
|
Lyle E. Ryan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
563
|
|
|
|
1,523
|
|
Severance and Change of Control Arrangements
In January 2007, we entered into change of control agreements with eight of our key employees,
five of whom remain with Frontier as key employees, Messrs. Dickson, Mathison, Robinson and Ryan,
and Ms. Wheeler. The purpose of these agreements is to assure continuity of management, to
encourage continued service in the event of a change of control and to ensure continued loyalty to
maximize shareholder value as well as the continued safe and sound operation of the Corporation and
Frontier Bank.
The agreements generally provide that in the event of a termination of employment in
connection with, or within 24 months after, a change of control, for reasons other than cause, the
executive will receive a lump sum payment seven months after the discontinuance of employment in an
amount equal to two times the executives W-2 compensation before salary deferrals over the twelve
months prior to the effective date of the change of control (excluding any gains from stock-based
compensation) less statutory payroll deductions and will continue to be covered by applicable
medical and dental plans for 24 months following termination of employment. In the event an
executive, after attaining age 60, voluntarily retires within 12 months following a change of
control, the executive shall receive a lump sum payment equal to one times W-2 compensation, before
salary deferrals (excluding any gains from stock-based compensation), and will continue to be
covered by applicable medical and dental plans for 12 months following termination of employment.
In the event an executive receives severance benefits under the agreement, the executive will
be restricted by a noncompetition and nonsolicitation period of two years following termination of
employment, all as set forth in the agreement.
The vesting of options, restricted stock awards and stock appreciation rights granted under
our 2006 Stock Option Plan will accelerate in the event of a change of control.
All Frontier employees, including our Named Executive Officers, are employed at will and do
not have employment agreements or rights to severance benefits, with the exception of the change of
control agreements. Frontier does not have a pre-defined involuntary termination severance plan or
policy for employees, including executives. The Corporations practices in such situations may
include: (1) salary continuation dependent on the business reason for the termination; (2) lump sum
payment based on job level and service with the Corporation; (3) paid health care coverage and
COBRA payments for a limited time; and (4) outplacement services.
The table below reflects the amount of compensation we estimate would be paid to each of the
Named Executive Officers in the event of termination due to a change of control assuming the
officer was terminated effective as of December 31, 2008. The actual amounts to be paid out can
only be determined at the time of such executives separation.
192
COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION FOLLOWING A CHANGE OF CONTROL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Medical Dental
|
|
|
Option/Awards
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
& Vision
|
|
|
Vesting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salary
|
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
Coverage
|
|
|
Acceleration
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Name
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
($)
|
|
Carol E. Wheeler
|
|
$
|
378,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9,941
|
|
|
$
|
246
|
|
|
$
|
388,187
|
|
John J. Dickson
|
|
|
735,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,941
|
|
|
|
1,425
|
|
|
|
746,366
|
|
Lyle E. Ryan
|
|
|
531,300
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,941
|
|
|
|
1,425
|
|
|
|
542,666
|
|
The Corporation will not provide gross-ups for the Named Executive Officers for any taxes due
under Section 4999 of the Code. The effects of Section 4999 generally are unpredictable and can
have widely divergent and unexpected effects based on an executives personal compensation history.
Therefore, to provide an equal level of benefit across individuals without regard to the effect of
the excise tax, the Corporation determined that 4999 gross up payments are not appropriate for the
Corporations most senior level executives.
Stock Option Plans
Frontier adopted its 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, (or Stock Option Plan), effective as of
January 1, 2006. The 2006 Plan replaced the Corporations 1998 Incentive Stock Option Plan and 2001
Stock Award Plan. All outstanding options under the prior Plans and current plan, which total
1,374,734 shares, are also included in the option information and tables in this proxy statement.
The Stock Option Plan provides that in the event of a change of control of Frontier or
Frontier Bank, any unexercised options or SARs will accelerate in connection with a change of
control.
The Stock Option Plan provides for incentive stock options (within the meaning of Section 422
of the Internal Revenue Code) for our employees and nonqualified stock options for directors. All
stock options granted have had an exercise price equal to the estimated fair market value of our
stock as of the date of grant. No option may have a term of greater than ten years. No options to
Directors have been granted.
All options granted to our Named Executive Officers are incentive stock options, to the extent
permissible under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The exercise price per share of
each option granted to our Named Executive Officers was equal to the fair market value of our
common stock as determined by the Frontier Board on the date of the grant.
As of December 31, 2008, there were options outstanding to purchase a total of 1,374,734
shares of our common stock under the Stock Option Plan and our prior plans and 4,378,358 shares
available for grant under the Stock Option Plan.
Related Party Transactions and Business Relationships
Some of Frontiers directors and officers and the business organizations with which they are
associated, have been customers of, and have had banking transactions with us, in the ordinary
course of our business, and we expect to have such banking transactions in the future. All loans
and commitments to loan included in such transactions were made on substantially the same terms,
including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with other persons of similar creditworthiness and, in our opinion; these transactions
do not involve more than a normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.
Policy and Procedures for Approval of Related Party Transactions
We recognize that related party transactions can present potential or actual conflicts of
interest and create the appearance that Corporation decisions are based on considerations other
than our best interests and our shareholders. Therefore, the Frontier Board has adopted a formal,
written policy with respect to related party transactions.
193
For the purpose of the policy, a related party transaction is a transaction in which
Frontier participates and in which any related party has a direct or indirect material interest,
other than: (1) transactions available to all employees or customers generally, (2) transactions
involving less than $120,000 when aggregated with all similar transactions or NASDAQ rules, or (3)
loans made by Frontier Bank in the ordinary course of business, made on substantially the same
terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable
loans with persons not related to the lender and not involving more than the normal risk of
collectability or presenting other unfavorable features.
Under the policy, any related party transaction must be reported to the Chief Financial
Officer and may be consummated or may continue only: (i) if the Audit Committee approves or
ratifies such transaction and if the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be
obtained in arms-length dealings with an unrelated third party, (ii) if the transaction involves
compensation that has been approved by the Compensation Committee, or (iii) if the transaction has
been approved by the disinterested members of the Frontier Board. The Audit Committee may approve
or ratify the related party transaction only if the Compensation Committee determines that, under
all of the circumstances, the transaction is in the best interests of Frontier.
The current policy was formalized and adopted in March, 2007. All related party transactions
since January 1, 2006 which were required to be reported in this joint proxy statement/prospectus,
were approved by either the disinterested members of the Frontier Board or the Compensation
Committee.
194
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
Expected Tax Treatment as a Result of the Merger
SPAH and Frontier have not and do not intend to seek a ruling from the Internal Revenue
Service (the IRS) as to the federal income tax consequences of the merger. The following is a
summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger to U.S. holders of SPAH
common stock and warrants and U.S. holders of Frontier common stock who hold their stock and
warrants as capital assets. The discussion set forth below is intended only as a summary of the
anticipated tax consequences of the merger, but does not address, among other matters:
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state, local, or foreign tax consequences of the merger;
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federal income tax consequences to Frontier shareholders who are subject to special
rules under the Internal Revenue Code (the Code), such as foreign persons, tax-exempt
organizations, insurance companies, financial institutions, dealers in stocks and
securities, partnerships and other pass-through entities, holders subject to the
alternative minimum tax, holders that hold shares as part of a straddle, hedging or
conversion transaction, and holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;
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federal income tax consequences affecting shares of Frontier common stock acquired
upon the exercise of stock options, stock purchase plan rights, or otherwise as
compensation;
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the tax consequences to holders of options to acquire shares of Frontier common
stock; and
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the tax consequences to SPAH and Frontier of any income and deferred gain recognized
pursuant to Treasury Regulations issued under Section 1502 of the Code.
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This discussion is based on the tax laws of the United States, including the Code, its
legislative history, existing regulations under the Code, published rulings and court decisions as
in effect on the date of this document all of which are subject to change, possibly with
retroactive effect, and to differing interpretation.
For purposes of this discussion, a U.S. holder is any beneficial owner of shares of Frontier
common stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
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a corporation (or another entity taxable as a corporation) created or organized in
the United States or under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof or the
District of Columbia;
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an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of
its source; or
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a trust if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the
administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control
all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election in place to be
treated as a U.S. person.
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Assuming the merger is consummated in accordance with the merger agreement, it is anticipated
that the merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code
and, as a result, no gain or loss will be recognized by SPAH or Frontier as a result of the merger.
The tax consequences to SPAH and Frontier stockholders are discussed below.
SPAH has received an opinion of Proskauer Rose LLP and Frontier has received an opinion of
Keller Rohrback, with respect to certain of the federal income tax consequences of the merger, the
receipt of which are conditions of SPAH and Frontier in their obligation to complete the merger. If
the material federal income tax consequences of the merger were substantially different from those
described in this joint proxy
statement/prospectus, SPAH and Frontier would resolicit the approval of its stockholders prior
to completing the merger.
195
TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER MAY VARY DEPENDING UPON THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH
FRONTIER AND SPAH STOCKHOLDER. ACCORDINGLY, FRONTIER AND SPAH STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT
THEIR
OWN
TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE MERGER, INCLUDING THE
APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN TAX LAWS.
Certain Federal Tax Consequences to SPAH Stockholders
Since SPAH stockholders will not exchange or otherwise dispose of their shares of SPAH common
stock pursuant to the merger, SPAH stockholders will continue to hold their shares of SPAH common
stock and will not recognize any gain or loss as a result of the merger. However, those SPAH
stockholders who exercise their conversion rights and convert their shares of SPAH common stock
into the right to receive cash from the trust account, will generally be required to treat the
transaction as a sale of the shares and to recognize gain or loss upon the conversion. Such gain
should be capital gain or loss if such shares were held as a capital asset on the date of the
conversion, and will be measured by the difference between the amount of cash received and the tax
basis of the shares of SPAH common stock converted. A stockholders tax basis in its shares of SPAH
common stock generally will equal the cost of such shares. A stockholder who purchased SPAH units
will have to allocate the cost between the shares of common stock and the warrants comprising the
units based on their relative fair market values at the time of the purchase. Under certain
circumstances, if the stockholder actually or constructively still owns shares of SPAH common stock
after the conversion of shares into cash, the conversion may not be treated as a sale of stock by
that stockholder for tax purposes but rather as a distribution by SPAH. A stockholder may
constructively own stock for tax purposes because, among other reasons, stock may be owned by
certain family members or affiliated entities or the stockholder may retain warrants in SPAH. If
the conversion does not qualify as a sale for federal income tax purposes but instead is treated as
a distribution by SPAH, then the receipt of cash in the conversion will be treated (1) as a
dividend to the extent of SPAHs earnings and profits, (2) as a reduction of basis in the shares
for any excess and (3) to the extent of any excess over basis, gain from the sale or exchange of
shares.
Certain Federal Tax Consequences to SPAH Warrantholders
An SPAH warrantholder will be treated as exchanging his or her old warrants for new
warrants in connection with the merger. As such, a warrantholder will not recognize any gain or
loss on the deemed exchange of his or her old warrants for new warrants as a result of the
amendment.
Certain Federal Tax Consequences to Frontier Shareholders
If pursuant to the merger, as provided in the merger agreement, a Frontier shareholder
exchanges all of his or her shares of Frontier common stock solely for shares of SPAH common stock
and SPAH warrants, that shareholder will not recognize any gain or loss. The aggregate adjusted tax
basis of the shares of SPAH common stock and SPAH warrants received in the merger will be equal to
the aggregate adjusted tax basis of the shares of Frontier common stock surrendered for the SPAH
common stock and SPAH warrants, allocated between the SPAH common stock and SPAH warrants based on
their relative fair market values at the time of the merger. The holding period of the SPAH common stock and SPAH warrants
will include the period during which the shares of Frontier common stock were held. If a
shareholder has differing bases or holding periods in respect of his or her shares of Frontier
common stock, the shareholder should consult his or her tax advisor prior to the exchange with
regard to identifying the bases or holding periods of the particular shares of SPAH common stock
and SPAH warrants received in the exchange.
A shareholder of Frontier common stock who dissents with respect to the merger as discussed in
The Merger and Merger AgreementFrontier Dissenters Rights of this proxy statement/prospectus, and who receives cash in
respect of his or her shares of Frontier common stock will recognize capital gain equal to the
difference between the amount of cash received and his or her aggregate tax basis in the shares
surrendered.
196
Backup Withholding
In general, proceeds received from the exercise of conversion rights or dissenters rights will
be subject to
backup withholding for a non-corporate U.S. holder that:
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fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;
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is notified by the IRS regarding a failure to report all interest or dividends
required to be shown on his or her federal income tax returns; or
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in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification
requirements.
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Any amount withheld under these rules will be creditable against the U.S. holders U.S.
federal income tax liability or refundable to the extent that it exceeds this liability, provided
that the required information is furnished to the IRS and other applicable requirements are met.
Other Reporting Requirements
.
Frontiers shareholders who receive SPAH common stock and SPAH warrants as a result of the
merger will be required to retain records pertaining to the merger and each shareholder will be
required to file with his or her
federal income tax return for the year in which the merger takes place a statement setting forth
certain facts relating
to the merger. Frontiers shareholders will be responsible for the preparation of their own tax
returns.
This discussion does not address tax consequences that may vary with, or are contingent on,
individual circumstances. Moreover, it does not address any non-income tax or any foreign, state or
local tax consequences of the merger. Tax matters are very complicated, and the tax consequences of
the merger to a Frontier shareholder will depend upon the facts of his or her particular situation.
Accordingly, we strongly urge you to consult with a tax advisor to determine the particular tax
consequences to you of the merger.
197
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION
The following discussion is only intended to provide summaries of significant statutes and
regulations that affect the banking industry and is therefore not complete. Changes in applicable
laws or regulations, and in the policies of regulators, may have a material effect on the business
and prospects of SPAH and/or Frontier Bank. Neither SPAH, Frontier nor Frontier Bank can
accurately predict the nature or extent of the effects that fiscal or monetary policies, or that
new federal or state laws, may have on SPAHs and/or Frontier Banks business and earnings in the
future.
General
Frontier and Frontier Bank are, and following the merger, SPAH will be, extensively regulated
under federal and state law. These laws and regulations are primarily intended to protect
depositors, not shareholders. The discussion below describes and summarizes certain statutes and
regulations. These descriptions and summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the
particular statute or regulation.
Compliance
In order to assure that Frontier and Frontier Bank are in compliance with the laws and
regulations that apply to their respective operations, including those summarized below, Frontier
currently employs, and following the merger, SPAH would employ, a compliance officer and engage an
independent compliance auditing firm. Frontier Bank is regularly reviewed or audited by the FDIC
and the Washington DFI during which examinations such agencies assess Frontier Banks compliance
with applicable laws and regulations. Frontier is, and following the merger, SPAH would be,
regularly reviewed or audited by the Federal Reserve, during which examinations the Federal Reserve
assesses compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Federal Bank Holding Company Regulation
General
: Frontier is, and upon Federal Reserve approval of its bank holding company
application, SPAH would be, a registered bank holding company as defined in the BHC Act, and
therefore subject to regulation, supervision and examination by the Federal Reserve. In general,
the BHC Act limits the business of bank holding companies to owning or controlling banks and
engaging in other activities closely related to banking. Frontier must, and upon approval of its
bank holding application, SPAH would be, required to file reports with the Federal Reserve and
provide the Federal Reserve with such additional information as it may require.
The Federal Reserve may require a bank holding company to terminate an activity or terminate
control or liquidate or divest certain subsidiaries, affiliates or investments when the Federal
Reserve believes the activity or the control of the subsidiary or affiliates constitutes a
significant risk to the financial safety, soundness or stability of any of its banking
subsidiaries.
The Federal Reserve also has the authority to regulate provisions of certain bank holding
company debt. Under certain circumstances, a bank holding company must file written notice and
obtain Federal Reserve approval prior to purchasing or redeeming its equity securities.
FRB Written Agreement
: In addition, on July 2, 2009, Frontier entered into a written agreement
with the FRB. Under the terms of the FRB Written Agreement, Frontier has agreed to: (i) refrain
from declaring or paying any dividends without prior written consent of the FRB; (ii) refrain from
taking dividends or any other form of payment that represents a reduction in capital from Frontier
Bank without prior written consent of the FRB; (iii) refrain from making any distributions of
interest or principal on subordinated debentures or trust preferred securities without prior
written consent of the FRB; (iv) refrain from incurring, increasing or guaranteeing any debt
without prior written consent of the FRB; (v) refrain from purchasing or redeeming any shares of
its stock without prior written consent of the FRB; (vi) implement a capital plan and maintain
sufficient capital; (vii) comply with notice and approval requirements established by the FRB
relating to the appointment of directors and senior executive officers as well as any change in the
responsibility of any current senior executive officer; (viii) not pay or agree to
pay any indemnification and severance payments except under certain circumstances, and with
the prior approval of the FRB; and (ix) provide quarterly progress reports to the FRB.
198
It is a condition to closing the merger that the FRB Written Agreement will have been modified
in a manner reasonably acceptable to SPAH, including by the elimination of certain provisions and
consequences related thereto.
Bank holding company capital requirements
: The Federal Reserve has established capital ratio
guidelines for bank holding companies. A bank holding company is well capitalized under
Regulation Y if (1) on a consolidated basis, it maintains a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0%
or greater, (2) on a consolidated basis, the bank holding company maintains a tier 1 risk based
capital ratio of 6.0% or greater, and (3) the bank holding company is not subject to any written
agreement, order, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive issued by the Federal
Reserve to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure. In addition, a bank
holding company generally must maintain a minimum tier 1 leverage ratio of 4%. See Capital
Adequacy below for more discussion of applicable federal capital requirements.
Financial Holding Company Status
: Under the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, a
bank holding company may apply to the Federal Reserve to become a financial holding company, and
thereby engage (directly or through a subsidiary) in certain activities deemed financial in nature.
Frontier currently is not a financial holding company. SPAH has not made an election to become a
financial holding company as part of its bank holding application with the Federal Reserve, but
SPAH may make such an election at a later date.
Acquisition of Banks
: The BHC Act requires every bank holding company to obtain the Federal
Reserves prior approval before:
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acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank
if, after the acquisition, the bank holding company will directly or indirectly own or
control more than 5% of the banks voting shares; or
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merging or consolidating with any other bank holding company.
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Further, the BHC Act requires a bank holding company or subsidiary thereof, other than a bank,
to obtain the Federal Reserves prior approval before acquiring all or substantially all of the
assets of any bank.
Additionally, the BHC Act provides that the Federal Reserve may not approve any of these
transactions if it would result in or tend to create a monopoly, substantially lessen competition
or otherwise function as a restraint of trade, unless the anti-competitive effects of the proposed
transaction are clearly outweighed by the public interest in meeting the convenience and needs of
the community to be served. The Federal Reserve is also required to consider the financial and
managerial resources and future prospects of the bank holding companies and banks concerned and the
convenience and needs of the community to be served. The Federal Reserves consideration of
financial resources generally focuses on capital adequacy, which is discussed above and in
additional detail below.
Restrictions on Ownership
: The BHC Act requires any bank holding company (as defined in
that BHC Act) to obtain the approval of the Federal Reserve prior to acquiring more than 5% of a
class of a bank holding companys outstanding voting stock. Any person other than a bank holding
company is required to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve to acquire 10% or more of a
class of a bank holding companys outstanding voting stock under the Change in Bank Control Act.
Any holder of 25% or more of any class of a bank holding companys outstanding voting stock, other
than an individual, is subject to regulation as a bank holding company under the BHC Act.
Holding Company Control of Nonbanks
: With some exceptions, the BHC Act also prohibits a bank
holding company from acquiring or retaining direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5%
of the voting shares of any company which is not a bank or bank holding company, or from engaging
directly or indirectly in activities other than those of banking, managing or controlling banks, or
providing services for its subsidiaries. The principal exceptions to these prohibitions involve
certain non-bank activities which, by statute or by Federal
Reserve regulation or order, have been identified as activities closely related to the
business of banking or of managing or controlling banks.
199
Transactions with Affiliates
: Subsidiary banks of a bank holding company are subject to
restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act on extensions of credit to the holding company or
its subsidiaries, on investments in their securities and on the use of their securities as
collateral for loans to any borrower. These regulations and restrictions may limit SPAHs ability
to obtain funds from the Frontier Bank for its cash needs, including funds for payment of future
dividends, interest and operational expenses.
Tying Arrangements
: Banks and bank holding companies are prohibited from engaging in certain
tie-in arrangements in connection with any extension of credit, sale or lease of property or
furnishing of services. For example, with certain exceptions, following the merger, neither SPAH
nor Frontier Bank could condition an extension of credit to a customer on either: (1) a requirement
that the customer obtain additional services provided by SPAH or Frontier Bank; or (2) an agreement
by the customer to refrain from obtaining other services from a competitor.
Support of Subsidiary Banks
: Under Federal Reserve policy, a bank holding company is expected
to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to is subsidiary bank(s). This means that
a bank holding company is required to commit, as necessary, resources to support its subsidiary
bank(s). Any capital loans a bank holding company makes to its subsidiary banks are subordinate to
deposits and to certain other indebtedness of those subsidiary banks.
Federal and State Regulation of Frontier Bank
General
: Frontier Bank is a Washington chartered commercial bank with deposits insured by
the FDIC. As a result, the Frontier Bank is subject to supervision and regulation by the Washington
DFI and the FDIC. These agencies have the authority to prohibit banks from engaging in what each
agency believes constitutes unsafe or unsound banking practices.
FDIC Order:
Frontier Bank entered into a Stipulation and Consent to the Issuance of an Order
to Cease and Desist on March 20, 2009 with the FDIC and the Washington DFI resulting from a June
30, 2008 examination. The regulators alleged that Frontier Bank had engaged in unsafe or unsound
banking practices by operating with inadequate management and board supervision; engaging in
unsatisfactory lending and collection practices; operating with inadequate capital in relation to
the kind and quality of assets held at Frontier Bank; operating with an inadequate loan valuation
reserve; operating with a large volume of poor quality loans; operating in such a manner as to
produce low earnings and operating with inadequate provisions for liquidity. By consenting to the
FDIC Order, Frontier Bank neither admitted nor denied the alleged charges.
Under the terms of the FDIC Order, Frontier Bank cannot declare dividends or pay any
management, consulting or other fees or funds to Frontier, without the prior written approval of
the FDIC and the Washington DFI. Other material provisions of the FDIC Order require Frontier Bank
to: (1) review the qualifications of Frontier Banks management, (2) provide the FDIC with 30 days
written notice prior to adding any individual to the Frontier Bank Board or employing any
individual as a senior executive officer, (3) increase director participation and supervision of
Frontier Bank affairs, (4) improve Frontier Banks lending and collection policies and procedures,
particularly with respect to the origination and monitoring of real estate construction and land
development loans, (5) develop a capital plan and increase Tier 1 leverage capital to 10% of
Frontier Banks total assets by July 29, 2009, and maintain that capital level, in addition to
maintaining a fully funded allowance for loan losses satisfactory to the regulators, (6) implement
a comprehensive policy for determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and limiting
concentrations in commercial real estate and acquisition, development and construction loans, (7)
formulate a written plan to reduce Frontier Banks risk exposure to adversely classified loans and
nonperforming assets, (8) refrain from extending additional credit with respect to loans
charged-off or classified as loss and uncollected, (9) refrain from extending additional credit
with respect to other adversely classified loans without collecting all past due interest, without
the prior approval of a majority of the directors on the Frontier Bank Board or its loan
committee, (10) develop a plan to control overhead and other expenses to restore profitability,
(11) implement a liquidity and funds management policy to reduce Frontier Banks reliance on
brokered deposits and
other non-core funding sources, and (12) prepare and submit progress reports to the FDIC and
the Washington DFI. The FDIC Order will remain in effect until modified or terminated by the FDIC
and the Washington DFI.
200
Except as described herein, the FDIC Order does not restrict Frontier Bank from transacting
its normal banking business. Frontier Bank will continue to serve its customers in all areas
including making loans, establishing lines of credit, accepting deposits and processing banking
transactions. Customer deposits remain fully insured to the highest limits set by FDIC. The FDIC
and Washington DFI did not impose any monetary penalties in connection with the FDIC Order.
It is a condition to closing the merger that the FDIC Order will have been modified in a
manner reasonably acceptable to SPAH, including by the elimination of certain provisions and
consequences related thereto.
Compliance Memorandum of Understanding:
The Frontier Bank Board entered into an informal
supervisory agreement, the Memorandum of Understanding, with the FDIC dated August 20, 2008
relating to the correction of violations of applicable consumer protection and fair lending laws
and regulations, principally including the failure to provide certain notices to consumers pursuant
to the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, and certain violations of the Truth in Lending Act
and Regulation Z.
The Memorandum of Understanding requires Frontier Bank and the Frontier Bank Board to (i)
correct all violations found and implement procedures to prevent their recurrence; (ii) increase
oversight of the Frontier Bank Boards compliance function, including monthly reports from Frontier
Banks compliance officer to the Frontier Bank Board detailing actions taken to comply with the
Memorandum of Understanding; (iii) review its compliance policies and procedures and develop and
implement detailed operating procedures and controls, where necessary, to ensure compliance with
all consumer protection laws and regulations; (iv) establish monitoring procedures to ensure
compliance with all consumer protection laws and regulations (including flood insurance), including
the documentation and reporting of all exceptions to the Frontier Bank Board and its audit
committee; (v) review, expand and improve the quality of such compliance with the frequency of
compliance audits to be reviewed and approved annually by the Frontier Bank Board or audit
committee, with a goal of auditing compliance at least annually; (vi) ensure that Frontier Banks
compliance management function has adequate staff, resources, training and authority for the size
and structure of Frontier Bank; (vii) establish flood insurance monitoring procedures to ensure
loans are not closed without flood insurance and prior notices to customers required by law, that
lapses of flood insurance do not occur, and to develop methods to ensure that adequate amounts of
flood insurance are provided, with Frontier Bank agreeing to force - place flood insurance when necessary;
(viii) provide additional training for all Frontier Bank personnel, including the Frontier Bank
Board and audit and compliance staff for applicable laws and regulations; and (ix) furnish
quarterly progress reports to the Regional Director of the FDIC detailing the actions taken to
secure compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding until the Regional Director has released the
institution, in writing, from submitting further reports. Frontier Bank was assessed civil monetary
penalties of $48,895 for flood insurance violations and required to pay $10,974 in restitution to
customers for certain violations of the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z.
These regulatory actions may adversely affect our ability to obtain regulatory approval for
future initiatives requiring regulatory action, such as acquisitions. The regulatory actions will
remain in effect until modified or terminated by the regulators.
It is a condition to closing the merger that the Memorandum of Understanding will have been
modified in a manner reasonably acceptable to SPAH, including by the elimination of certain
provisions and consequences related thereto.
Lending Limits
: Washington banking law generally limits the amount of funds that a bank may
lend to a single borrower to 20% of stockholders equity.
Control of Financial Institutions
: The acquisition of 25% or more of a state chartered banks
voting power by any individual, group or entity, is deemed a change in control under Washington
banking law, requiring notice and application and prior approval of the Washington DFI.
201
Community Reinvestment
: The CRA requires that the FDIC, in connection with examinations of
banks within its jurisdiction, evaluate the record of Frontier Bank in meeting the credit needs of
its local community(ies), including low and moderate income neighborhoods, consistent with the safe
and sound operation of the institution. These factors are also considered in evaluating mergers,
acquisitions and applications to open a branch or facility. An unsatisfactory CRA rating can
substantially delay or block a transaction. Frontier Bank received a Satisfactory rating in its
last CRA examination, which was conducted by the FDIC as of December 3, 2007.
Insider Credit Transactions
: Banks are also subject to certain FDIC restrictions on
extensions of credit to executive officers, directors, principal shareholders or any related
interests of such persons (i.e., insiders). Extensions of credit: (i) must be made on substantially
the same terms and pursuant to the same credit underwriting procedures as those for comparable
transactions with persons who are neither insiders nor employees; and (ii) must not involve more
than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features. Banks are also subject to
certain lending limits and restrictions on overdrafts to insiders.
Regulation of Management
: Federal law sets forth circumstances under which officers or
directors of a bank may be removed by the institutions federal supervisory agency. Federal law
also generally prohibits management personnel of a bank from serving as a director or in a
management position of another bank whose assets exceed a specified amount or which has an office
within a specified geographic area.
Safety and Soundness Standards
: Federal law imposes upon banks certain non-capital safety and
soundness standards. These standards cover internal controls, information systems, internal audit
systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth,
compensation and benefits. Additional standards apply to asset quality, earnings and stock
valuation. An institution that fails to meet these standards must develop a plan acceptable to its
regulators, specifying the steps that the institution will take to meet the standards. Failure to
submit or implement such a plan may subject the institution to regulatory sanctions. Under
Washington state law, if the shareholders equity of a Washington state-chartered bank becomes
impaired, the Commissioner of the Washington DFI will require the bank to make the impairment good.
Failure to make the impairment good may result in the Commissioners taking possession of the bank
and liquidating it.
Dividends
: Frontier is, and following the merger SPAH would be, a legal entity separate and
distinct from Frontier Bank. Frontier and Frontier Bank are, and following the merger SPAH would
be, subject to regulatory requirements relating to the payment of dividends. Federal banking
regulators are authorized to prohibit a bank or bank holding company from paying dividends in
situations where the payment of dividends would constitute an unsafe or unsound banking practice.
In addition, a bank may not pay cash dividends if doing so would reduce its capital below minimum
applicable federal capital requirements (see Capital Adequacy below for a discussion of the
applicable federal capital requirements).
Washington law also limits the Frontier Banks ability to pay cash dividends. A Washington
state-chartered bank may not declare or pay any dividend greater than its retained earnings without
approval of the Washington DFI. The Washington DFI also has the power to require any
state-chartered bank to suspend the payment of any and all dividends.
As noted above, the FDIC Order and FRB Written Agreement each prohibit Frontier Bank from
paying cash dividends without prior approval from the FDIC, Federal Reserve and the Washington DFI.
A significant portion of the revenues of SPAH will depend upon dividends or fees paid to it by
Frontier Bank. Accordingly, SPAH expects that these laws, regulations, policies and enforcement
actions may materially impact the ability of Frontier Bank and, therefore, SPAHs ability to pay
dividends.
Brokered Deposits:
Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act, or
FDICIA, banks may be restricted in their ability to accept brokered deposits, depending on their
capital classification. Well-capitalized banks are permitted to accept brokered deposits, but all
banks that are not well-capitalized are not permitted to accept such deposits. The FDIC may, on a
case-by-case basis, permit banks that are adequately capitalized to accept brokered deposits if the
FDIC determines that acceptance of such deposits would not constitute an unsafe or unsound banking
practice with respect to the bank. Frontier Bank is currently adequately capitalized and, thus,
is subject to limitations with respect to its brokered deposits.
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Other Regulations
: Frontier Bank is subject to various laws and regulations dealing generally
with consumer protection matters, including the Federal Trade Commission Act, which prohibits
unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Frontier Bank may be subject to potential liability under
these laws and regulations for material violations. The loan operations of the Frontier Bank are
subject to state usury laws and federal laws concerning interest rates.
Federal Laws Applicable to Credit Transactions
: The Frontier Banks loan operations are also
subject to federal laws applicable to credit transactions, such as the:
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Truth-In-Lending Act, governing disclosures of credit terms to consumer borrowers;
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Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975, requiring banks to provide information to
enable the public and public officials to determine whether a bank is fulfilling its
obligation to help meet the housing needs of the community it serves;
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Equal Credit Opportunity Act, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, creed
or other prohibited factors in extending credit;
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Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1978, governing the use and provision of information to
credit reporting agencies;
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Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, governing the manner in which consumer debts may
be collected by collection agencies;
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Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, addressing practices and disclosures in
connection with residential mortgage transactions;
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Service Members Civil Relief Act, which amended the Soldiers and Sailors Civil
Relief Act of 1940, governing the repayment terms of, and property rights underlying,
secured obligations of persons in military service; and
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Rules and regulations of the various federal agencies charged with the
responsibility of implementing these federal laws.
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Federal Laws Applicable to Deposit Operations
: The Frontier Banks deposit operations are
subject to:
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Truth in Savings Act, which imposes disclosure obligations to enable consumers to
make informed decisions about accounts at depository institutions;
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the Right to Financial Privacy Act, which imposes a duty to maintain confidentiality
of consumer financial records and prescribes procedures for complying with
administrative subpoenas of financial records; and
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the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, which govern automatic deposits to and
withdrawals from deposit accounts and customers rights and liabilities arising from
the use of automated teller machines and other electronic banking services.
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Rules and regulations of the various federal agencies charged with the
responsibility of implementing these federal laws.
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Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act (Check 21)
: Check 21: (1) gives substitute
checks, such as a digital image of a check and copies made from that image, the same legal
standing as the original paper check; allows check truncation without making it mandatory; (2)
requires that banks communicate to accountholders, in writing, a description of its substitute
check processing program and their rights under the law; (3) legalizes
substitutions for and replacements of paper checks without agreement from consumers; (4)
retains previously mandated procedures with respect to electronic collection and return of checks
between banks only when individual agreements are in place; (5) requires that when accountholders
request verification, banks produce the original check (or a copy that accurately represents the
original) and demonstrate that the account debit was accurate and valid; and (6) requires a
consumers bank to recredit funds to the consumers account on the next business day after the
consumer proves that the bank has erred.
Federal Home Loan Bank System
: The Federal Home Loan Bank system, of which the Frontier Bank
is a member, consists of 12 regional Federal Home Loan Banks governed and regulated by the Federal
Housing Finance Board (FHFB). The Federal Home Loan Banks serve as reserve or credit facilities
for member institutions within their assigned regions. They are funded primarily from proceeds
derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB system. They make loans (
i.e.
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advances) to members in accordance with policies and procedures established by the FHLB and the
boards of directors of each regional FHLB.
As a system member, the Frontier Bank is entitled to borrow from the FHLB of its region and is
required to own a certain amount of capital stock in the FHLB. The Frontier Bank is in compliance
with the stock ownership rules described above with respect to such advances, commitments and
letters of credit and residential 1-4 family loans and similar obligations. All loans, advances
and other extensions of credit made by the FHLB to the Frontier Bank are secured by a portion of
its residential 1-4 loan portfolio, certain other investments and the capital stock of the FHLB
held by the Frontier Bank.
Mortgage Banking Operations
: The Frontier Bank is subject to the rules and regulations of the
Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Veterans Administration (VA), Federal National Mortgage
Association (FNMA), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) and Government National Mortgage
Association (GNMA) with respect to originating, processing, selling and servicing mortgage loans
and the issuance and sale of mortgage-backed securities. Those rules and regulations, among other
things, prohibit discrimination and establish underwriting guidelines which include provisions for
inspections and appraisals require credit reports on prospective borrowers and fix maximum loan
amounts, and, with respect to VA loans, fix maximum interest rates. Mortgage origination activities
are subject to, among others, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Federal Truth-in-Lending Act and
the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder which, among
other things, prohibit discrimination and require the disclosure of certain basic information to
mortgagors concerning credit terms and settlement costs.
Commercial Real Estate Guidance
: The FDIC and the Federal Reserve issued joint Guidance on
Concentrations in Commercial Real Estate Lending, Sound Risk Management Practices on December 6,
2006. The Guidance provides supervisory criteria, including the following numerical indicators, to
assist bank examiners in identifying banks with potentially significant commercial real estate loan
concentrations that may warrant greater supervisory scrutiny: (1) commercial real estate loans
exceed 300% of capital and increased 50% or more in the preceding three years; or (2) construction
and land development loans exceed 100% of capital. The Guidance does not limit banks levels of
commercial real estate lending activities. The Guidance applies to the Frontier Bank, based its
current loan portfolio.
Recent Developments:
Recent months have seen significant changes in consumer laws and
regulations, particularly in the areas of mortgage lending, credit card lending, and overdraft
protection. In addition, the Obama Administration has recently released several regulatory reform
proposals that would substantially alter the regulation of financial institutions. In particular,
the Administrations proposal would, among other things, create the Consumer Financial Protection
Agency (the CFPA) and grant that Agency very broad authority to enact regulations, conduct
examinations and carry out enforcement actions to protect consumers with respect to consumer
financial products and services. The CFPA would assume the consumer protection functions that are
currently exercised by the federal banking regulatory agencies. Thus, if the Administrations
proposal is enacted into law, Frontier Bank would be subject to supervision by the CFPA in addition
to supervision by the FDIC, Washington DFI, and the Federal Reserve. The CFPA would also be
authorized to charge Frontier Bank assessments to fund its operations. The CFPA could also enact a
broad range of consumer protection and data collection requirements in addition to those that
currently exist, as well as new penalties for non-compliance, which could substantially increase
Frontier Banks regulatory compliance obligations. There may also be additional legislative and
regulatory changes proposed, considered and enacted in the future that may impact Frontier Banks
business.
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Privacy
Federal banking rules limit the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose
nonpublic information about consumers to nonaffiliated third-parties. Pursuant to these rules,
financial institutions must provide:
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initial notices to customers about their privacy policies, describing the conditions
under which they may disclose nonpublic personal information to nonaffiliated
third-parties and affiliates;
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annual notices of their privacy policies to current customers; and
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a reasonable method for customers to opt out of disclosures to nonaffiliated
third-parties.
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Under federal banking regulations, customers generally may prevent Frontier Bank from sharing
nonpublic personal financial information with nonaffiliated third parties except under narrow
circumstances, such as the processing of transactions requested by the consumer or when Frontier
Bank is jointly sponsoring a product or service with a nonaffiliated third party. Additionally,
Frontier Bank generally may not disclose consumer account numbers to any nonaffiliated third party
for use in telemarketing, direct mail marketing or other marketing to consumers. Frontier Bank is
also required to implement safeguards to protect nonpublic personal financial information.
These privacy provisions affect how consumer information is transmitted through diversified
financial companies and conveyed to outside vendors. Frontier Bank has implemented privacy
policies to comply with these requirements.
Interstate Banking and Branching
The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994 (Interstate Act)
permits nationwide interstate banking and branching under certain circumstances. This legislation
generally authorizes interstate branching and relaxes federal law restrictions on interstate
banking. Currently, bank holding companies may purchase banks in any state, and states may not
prohibit these purchases. Additionally, banks are permitted to merge with banks in other states, as
long as the home state of neither merging bank has opted out under the legislation. The Interstate
Act requires regulators to consult with community organizations before permitting an interstate
institution to close a branch in a low-income area.
FDIC regulations prohibit banks from using their interstate branches primarily for deposit
production. The FDIC has implemented a loan-to-deposit ratio screen to ensure compliance with this
prohibition.
Washington enacted opting in legislation in accordance with the Interstate Act, allowing
banks to engage in interstate merger transactions, subject to certain aging requirements. Until
recently, Washington restricted out-of-state banks from opening de novo branches; however, in 2005,
Washington interstate branching laws were amended so that an out-of-state bank may, subject to the
Washington DFIs approval, open de novo branches in Washington or acquire an in-state branch so
long as the home state of the out-of-state bank has reciprocal laws with respect to de novo
branching or branch acquisitions. Once an out-of-state bank has acquired a bank within Washington,
either through merger or acquisition of all or substantially all of the banks assets or through
authorized de novo branching, the out-of-state bank may open additional branches within the state.
Deposit Insurance
Frontier Banks deposits are generally insured to a maximum of $250,000 per depositor through
the Deposit Insurance Fund administered by the FDIC. In addition, Frontier Bank is participating
in the FDICs Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program, in which all noninterest bearing transaction
deposit accounts are fully insured until at least December 31, 2009. The FDIC has publicly issued
a proposal which, if adopted, would extend this program for six months until June 30, 2010.
Frontier Bank is required to pay deposit insurance premiums, which are assessed semiannually and
paid quarterly. The premium amount is based upon a risk classification system
established by the FDIC. Banks with higher levels of capital and a low degree of supervisory
concern are assessed lower premiums than banks with lower levels of capital or a higher degree of
supervisory concern.
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The FDIC is also empowered to make special assessments on insured depository institutions in
amounts determined by the FDIC to be necessary to give it adequate assessment income to repay
amounts borrowed from the U.S. Treasury and other sources or for any other purpose the FDIC deems
necessary. In addition, the FDIC imposed on all depository institutions an emergency special
assessment on June 30, 2009, which required each insured institution to pay an additional 20 basis
points on its assessment base. Further emergency special assessments may be imposed if the FDIC
determines that the Deposit Insurance Fund may to fall to a level that would adversely affect
public confidence or to a level close to zero or negative at the end of a calendar quarter. Any
single emergency special assessment may be up to 10 basis points of an insured institutions
assessment base. The FDICs authority to impose these emergency special assessments will expire on
January 1, 2010, unless extended by the FDIC.
Recent legislative reform to modernize federal deposit insurance have merged the Frontier Bank
Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund into a new Deposit Insurance Fund, and
also:
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raised the deposit insurance limit on certain retirement accounts to $250,000 and
indexes that limit for inflation;
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required the FDIC and National Credit Union Administration boards, starting in 2010
and every succeeding five years, to consider raising the standard maximum deposit
insurance; and
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eliminated the current fixed 1.25 percent Designated Reserve Ratio (DRR) and
provided the FDIC with the discretion to set the DRR within a range of 1.15 to 1.50
percent for any given year.
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Capital Adequacy
Federal bank regulatory agencies use capital adequacy guidelines in the examination and
regulation of financial institutions. The guidelines are risk-based, meaning that they are
designed to make capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banks.
Tier I and Tier II Capital
: Under the guidelines, an institutions capital is divided into two
broad categories, Tier I capital and Tier II capital. Tier I capital generally consists of common
stockholders equity, surplus and undivided profits. Tier II capital generally consists of the
allowance for loan losses, hybrid capital instruments and subordinated debt. The sum of Tier I
capital and Tier II capital represents an institutions total capital. The guidelines require that
at least 50% of an institutions total capital consist of Tier I capital.
Risk-based Capital Ratio:
The adequacy of an institutions capital is gauged primarily with
reference to the institutions risk weighted assets. The guidelines assign risk weightings to an
institutions assets in an effort to quantify the relative risk of each asset and to determine the
minimum capital required to support that risk. An institutions risk weighted assets are then
compared with its Tier I capital and total capital to arrive at a Tier I risk-based ratio and a
total risk-based ratio, respectively. The guidelines provide that an institution must have a
minimum Tier I risk-based ratio of 4% and a minimum total risk-based ratio of 8% in order to be
adequately capitalized for prompt corrective action purposes.
Leverage Ratio:
The guidelines also employ a leverage ratio, which is Tier I capital as a
percentage of total assets less intangibles, to be used as a supplement to risk-based guidelines.
The principal objective of the leverage ratio is to constrain the maximum degree to which an
institution may leverage its equity capital base. The guidelines provide that an institution
generally must have a minimum Tier I leverage ratio of 4% in order to be adequately capitalized
for prompt corrective action purposes.
Prompt Corrective Action
: Under the guidelines, an institution is assigned to one of five
capital categories depending on its total risk-based capital ratio, Tier I risk-based capital
ratio, and leverage ratio, together with certain subjective factors. In addition, regulators may
assign an institution. The categories range from well
capitalized to critically undercapitalized. Institutions that are deemed to be
undercapitalized, depending on the category to which they are assigned, are subject to certain
mandatory supervisory corrective actions.
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Under the prompt corrective action guidelines, a bank is well capitalized if its total
risk-based capital ratio is 10% or greater, its Tier I risk-based capital ratio is 6% or greater,
its leverage ratio is 5% or greater, and it is not subject to any written agreement, order, capital
directive, or prompt corrective action directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for
any capital measure. As a result of the deficiencies cited in the FDIC Order, the Federal Reserve
and the FDIC have advised Frontier and Frontier Bank that Frontier Bank has been reclassified from
well capitalized to adequately capitalized.
State Corporate Law Restrictions
As a Washington corporation, Frontier is subject to certain limitations and restrictions under
applicable Washington corporate law. For example, state law restrictions in Washington include
limitations and restrictions relating to indemnification of directors; distributions to
shareholders; transactions involving directors, officers, or interested shareholders; maintenance
of books, records, and minutes; and observance of certain corporate formalities.
Corporate Governance and Accounting Legislation
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
: On July 30, 2002, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or SOX, was
signed into law to address corporate and accounting fraud. SOX established a new accounting
oversight board that enforces auditing standards and restricts the scope of services that
accounting firms may provide to their public company audit clients. Among other things, SOX also:
(1) requires chief executive officers and chief financial officers to certify to the accuracy of
periodic reports filed with the SEC; (2) imposes new disclosure requirements regarding internal
controls, off-balance-sheet transactions, and pro forma (non GAAP) disclosures; (3) accelerates the
time frame for reporting of insider transactions and periodic disclosures by public companies; and
(4) requires companies to disclose whether or not they have adopted a code of ethics for senior
financial officers and whether the audit committee includes at least one audit committee financial
expert.
Under SOX, the SEC is required to regularly and systematically review corporate filings, based
on certain enumerated factors. To deter wrongdoing, SOX: (1) subjects bonuses issued to top
executives to disgorgement if a restatement of a companys financial statements was due to
corporate misconduct; (2) prohibits an officer or director from misleading or coercing an auditor;
(3) prohibits insider trades during pension fund blackout periods; (4) imposes new criminal
penalties for fraud and other wrongful acts; and (5) extends the period during which certain
securities fraud lawsuits can be brought against a company or its officers.
As a public reporting company, SPAH is subject to the requirements of SOX and related rules
and regulations issued by the SEC and NASDAQ.
Bank Secrecy Act
The purpose of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) is to require financial institutions to maintain
appropriate records and file certain reports involving currency transactions and a financial
institutions customer relationships. The BSA generally requires financial institutions to keep
records of cash purchases of negotiable instruments, file reports of cash transactions exceeding a
daily aggregate amount of $10,000, and to report suspicious activity that might signify money
laundering, tax evasion, or other criminal activities. In addition to these requirements, FDIC
regulations require Frontier Bank to maintain a BSA compliance program that provides for (1) a
system of internal controls to assure ongoing compliance, (2) independent compliance testing to be
conducted by bank personnel or by an outside party; (3) the designation of an individual or
individuals responsible for coordinating and monitoring day-to-day compliance; and (4) training of
appropriate personnel.
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Anti-Terrorism Legislation
USA Patriot Act of 2001 (the Patriot Act)
: Among other things, the Patriot Act: (1)
prohibits banks from providing correspondent accounts directly to foreign shell banks; (2) imposes
due diligence requirements on banks opening or holding accounts for foreign financial institutions
or wealthy foreign individuals; (3) requires financial institutions to establish an
anti-money-laundering compliance program; and (4) eliminates civil liability for persons who file
suspicious activity reports. The Patriot Act also increased governmental powers to investigate
terrorism, including expanded government access to account records. The Department of the Treasury
is empowered to administer and make rules to implement the Patriot Act.
Office of Foreign Assets Control
Frontier Bank is subject to regulations imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control
(OFAC). OFAC regulations require financial institutions to block accounts and other assets of,
and prohibit unlicensed trade and financial transactions with, specified countries. OFAC
regulations also require that financial institutions block or reject prohibited accounts of, and
transactions with, entities that appear on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked
Persons that is published by OFAC from time to time. Financial institutions must notify OFAC of
blocked or rejected transactions within 10 days of their occurrence, and report all blocked
property to OFAC annually.
Effects of Government Monetary Policy
Each of SPAHs and Frontier Banks earnings and growth will be affected not only by general
economic conditions, but also by the fiscal and monetary policies of the federal government,
particularly the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve can and does implement national monetary
policy for such purposes as curbing inflation and combating recession. The nature and impact of
future changes in monetary policies and their impact on SPAH and Frontier Bank cannot be predicted
with certainty.
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COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF SPAH AND FRONTIER
SPAH and Frontier are incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and the State of
Washington, respectively. Accordingly, the rights of SPAHs stockholders and Frontiers
shareholders are governed by the laws of the States of Delaware and Washington, respectively. As a
result of the merger, Frontiers shareholders will become stockholders of SPAH. Thus, following the
merger, the rights of Frontiers shareholders who become SPAHs stockholders in the merger will be
governed by the laws of the State of Delaware and by the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation. The
SPAH Board has submitted proposals to adopt amendments to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation at
its special meeting of stockholders, and if the stockholders approve the proposals to adopt
amendments to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, as a result of the merger, Frontiers
shareholders will be governed by the second amended and restated certificate of incorporation of
SPAH, incorporating the Initial Charter Amendment and Subsequent Charter Amendments, in
substantially the form attached as Annex C.
The following is a comparison of certain rights of SPAHs stockholders and those of Frontiers
shareholders. Certain significant differences in the rights of SPAHs stockholders and those of
Frontiers shareholders arise from differing provisions of SPAHs and Frontiers respective
governing corporate instruments and respective governing laws. Washington corporate law only
refers to shares and shareholders and does not use the term stock or stockholder. For ease of
understanding throughout this joint proxy statement/prospectus, SPAH has applied the term stock
to refer to the ownership rights of the stockholders of Frontier and stockholders to refer to the
shareholders of Frontier. Accordingly, with respect to Frontier, any references to stock should
also be understood to refer to shares under Washington corporate law and any references to
stockholders should also be understood to refer to shareholders under Washington corporate law.
The following summary is not intended to be a complete statement of Delaware or Washington law
or of the provisions of each companys governing documents affecting, and the differences between,
the rights of SPAHs stockholders and those of Frontiers shareholders. The identification of
specific provisions or differences is not meant to indicate that other equally or more significant
differences do not exist. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the respective
governing corporate instruments of SPAH and Frontier and Delaware and Washington laws. Although the
WBCA and the DGCL are similar in most respects, there are a number of differences between the two
statutes, some of which are summarized below. In addition, there is a substantial body of case law
in Delaware interpreting the DGCL. A comparable body of judicial interpretations does not exist in
Washington such that there may be less certainty as to the outcome of matters governed by the WBCA
than would be the case under the DGCL.
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SPAH
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Frontier
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Authorized Capital
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SPAH is authorized to issue
200,000,000 shares of common
stock, par value $0.001 per
share, of which 54,112,000
shares were issued and
outstanding as of the date
of this joint proxy
statement/prospectus. SPAH
is authorized to issue
1,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value
$0.001 per share, of which
no shares are issued and
outstanding as of the date
of this joint proxy
statement/prospectus. The
SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation does not
provide that stockholders
have a preemptive right to
acquire authorized and
unissued shares of SPAHs
stock.
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Frontier is authorized to issue 100,000,000
shares of common stock, no par value, of
which [_____] shares were issued and
outstanding as of the date of this joint
proxy statement/prospectus, and 10,000,000
shares of preferred stock, no par value, of
which no shares are issued and outstanding
as of the date of this joint proxy
statement/prospectus. The Frontier Articles
of Incorporation do not provide that
stockholders have a preemptive right to
acquire authorized and unissued shares of
Frontier.
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SPAH
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Frontier
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Upon approval by SPAH
stockholders and
warrantholders at the
special meetings, SPAH will
create a new class of common
stock (Non-Voting Common
Stock), which will have
economic rights but no
voting rights. If approved
by SPAH stockholders, SPAH
will be authorized to issue
200,000,000 shares of
Non-Voting Common Stock, par
value $0.001 per share, to
warrantholders who elect to
receive, in their sole
discretion, upon exercise of
their warrants, shares of
Non-Voting Common Stock in
lieu of shares of voting
common stock. The terms of
the Non-Voting Common Stock
will be identical to the
terms of SPAHs voting
common stock except that the
Non-Voting Common Stock will
have no voting rights and
holders of such Non-Voting
Common Stock may convert
their shares into an equal
number of shares of voting
common stock, under certain
circumstances.
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Board of Directors
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The SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation and the SPAH
Bylaws provide that the SPAH
Board may consist of not
less than one director nor
more than nine directors,
with the exact number fixed
by the board of directors.
The board of directors
currently has six members.
Each director holds office
until the next annual
meeting of stockholders or
until such directors
earlier resignation, removal
from office, death or
incapacity.
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The Frontier Articles of Incorporation and
the Frontier Bylaws provide that the board
must consist of not less than five directors
nor more than 25 directors, with the exact
number fixed by the board of directors and a
majority of whom shall not be officers or
employees of Frontier or any of its
subsidiaries. The board of directors
currently has nine members. The Frontier
Articles of Incorporation and the Frontier
Bylaws divide the board of directors into
three classes of directors, as nearly equal
as possible, with each class being elected
to a staggered three-year term. Directors
serve until their successors are elected and
qualified or until their earlier death,
resignation or removal from office, or until
there is a decrease in the number of
directors.
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Manner of Acting by Board
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Under Delaware law, the act
of a majority of directors
present at a meeting at
which a quorum is present
shall be the act of the
board of directors.
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The Frontier Bylaws provide that the act of
a majority of directors present at a meeting
at which a quorum is present shall be the
act of the board except with regard to
approval of any plan of merger,
consolidation or exchange or the sale of
substantially all the assets of Frontier,
which requires the act of two-thirds of the
directors present.
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Removal of Directors
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The SPAH Bylaws provide that
a director can be removed
with or without cause by a
majority vote of the holders
of the outstanding shares
then entitled to vote at an
election of directors.
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The Frontier Articles of Incorporation
provide that a director may be removed only
for cause by the holders of not less than
two-thirds of the shares entitled to elect
the director whose removal is sought.
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SPAH
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Frontier
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Election of Directors
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The SPAH Bylaws provide that
the election of directors is
determined by a plurality of
votes cast, in person or by
proxy, at a meeting of
stockholders at which a
quorum is present. The SPAH
Certificate of Incorporation
does not provide for
cumulative voting for the
election of directors.
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The Frontier Articles of Incorporation and
the Frontier Bylaws do not specify the
voting requirements for the election of
directors. Therefore, under Washington law,
in the Frontier election of directors, the
candidates elected are those receiving the
largest numbers of votes cast by the shares
entitled to vote in the election. The
Frontier Bylaws do not provide for
cumulative voting for the election of
directors.
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Nomination of Director Candidates
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The SPAH Bylaws provide that
nominations of persons for
election to the SPAH Board
may be made at any annual
meeting of stockholders, or
at any special meeting of
stockholders called for the
purpose of electing
directors, by any
stockholder of SPAH who is a
stockholder of record on the
date notice of the meeting
is given and on the record
date for the determination
of stockholders entitled to
vote at such meeting and who
complies with the notice
procedures set forth in the
SPAH Bylaws. To be timely, a
stockholders notice to
SPAHs Secretary must be
delivered to or mailed and
received at the principal
executive offices of SPAH
(a) in the case of an annual
meeting, not later than the
close of business on the
ninetieth (90th) day, nor
earlier than the close of
business on the one hundred
twentieth (120th) day,
prior to the date of the
anniversary of the previous
years annual meeting;
provided, however, that in
the event that no annual
meeting was held in the
previous year or the annual
meeting is scheduled to be
held on a date more than
thirty (30) days prior to or
delayed by more than sixty
(60) days after such
anniversary date, notice by
the stockholder in order to
be timely must be received
not later than the later of
the close of business ninety
(90) days prior to the
annual meeting or the tenth
(10th) day following the day
on which such notice of the
date of the annual meeting
was mailed or such public
disclosure of the date of
the annual meeting was made
and (b) in the case of a
special meeting of
stockholders called for the
purpose of electing
directors, not later than
the close of business on the
tenth (10th) day following
the day on which notice of
the date of the special
meeting was mailed or public
disclosure of the date of
the special meeting was
made, whichever occurs
first.
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The Frontier Bylaws provide that nominations
of persons for election to the board of
directors may be made at any annual meeting,
or at any special meeting of stockholders
called for the purpose of electing
directors, by any stockholder of Frontier
who is a stockholder of record on the date
notice of the meeting is given and on the
record date for the determination of
stockholders entitled to vote at such
meeting and who complies with the notice
procedures set forth in the Frontier Bylaws.
To be timely, a stockholders notice shall
be delivered to the principal office of
Frontier (a) in the case of an annual
meeting, not less than 120 days and not more
than 150 days prior to the first anniversary
of the date the proxy statement was sent to
stockholders in connection with the previous
years annual meeting (provided, however,
that in the event the date of Frontiers
annual meeting is more than 30 days before
or after the date of the previous years
annual meeting, notice by the stockholder
must be delivered not more than 150 days
prior to such annual meeting or the tenth
day following the day on which public
announcement of the date of such meeting is
first made by Frontier) and (b) in the case
of a special meeting, not more than 150 days
prior to such special meeting and not less
than the later of 120 days prior to such
special meeting or the tenth day following
the day on which public announcement is
first made of the date of the special
meeting and of the nominees proposed by the
board of directors to be elected at such
meeting.
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Special Meetings of the Board
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The SPAH Bylaws provide that
special meetings of the SPAH
Board may be called at any
time by the chief executive
officer or a majority of the
entire board of directors.
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The Frontier Bylaws provide that special
meetings of the board of directors may be
called at any time by the chairman, vice
chairman, chief executive officer, president
or at least one-half of the members of the
board of directors.
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Manner of Acting by Stockholders
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The SPAH Bylaws provide that
any question (other than the
election of directors)
brought before any meeting
of stockholders shall be
decided by the vote of the
holders of a majority of the
stock represented at the
meeting and entitled to vote
on the subject matter.
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The Frontier Articles of Incorporation and
the Frontier Bylaws do not specify the
voting requirements for action by
stockholders. Thus, pursuant to Washington
law, if a quorum exists, action on a matter,
other than the election of directors or
other certain corporate transactions, such
as a merger, is approved by a voting group
if the votes cast within the voting group
favoring the action exceed the votes cast
within the voting group opposing the action.
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SPAH
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Frontier
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Stockholder Action Without Meeting
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The SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation provides that
any action required to be
taken at any annual or
special meeting of
stockholders, or any action
that may be taken at any
annual or special meeting of
such stockholders, may only
be taken at a meeting, and
may not be taken by written
consent.
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The Frontier Articles of Incorporation and
the Frontier Bylaws do not contain
provisions related to whether stockholders
may take action by written consent. Thus,
pursuant to Washington law, stockholders may
take action by written consent only if
unanimous consent is given by all
stockholders entitled to vote on such
action.
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Stockholder Vote Required for Merger
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Adoption of the merger
agreement requires the
affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of SPAH
common stock entitled to
vote at the special meeting,
even though stockholder
approval is not required
under Delaware law (which
requires stockholder
approval upon the issuance
of more than 20% of the
outstanding shares of common
stock immediately prior to
the effective time of the
merger). The SPAH
Certificate of Incorporation
also requires that a
majority of the shares of
common stock voted by the
SPAH public stockholders are
voted, in person or by
proxy, in favor of the
merger and SPAH public
stockholders owning no more
than 30% of the shares
(minus one share) sold in
SPAHs initial public
offering vote against the
merger and thereafter
exercise their conversion
rights as described below.
Notwithstanding the
foregoing, it is a condition
to closing the merger
agreement that holders of no
more than 10% of the shares
(minus one share) sold in
SPAHs initial public
offering vote against the
merger and exercise their
conversion rights, although
at SPAHs discretion, this
closing condition may be
waived in order to
consummate the merger.
Accordingly, SPAH may not
consummate the merger if 10%
or more of the holders of
shares sold in or subsequent
to SPAHs initial public
offering elect to exercise
their conversion rights. If
SPAH elects to waive this
closing condition, it may
raise the conversion
threshold to anywhere
between 10% to 30% (minus
one share). In addition,
the proposal to adopt the
merger agreement will only
be presented for a vote at
the special meeting of SPAH
stockholders if the Initial
Charter Amendment is adopted
by SPAH stockholders and the
warrant amendment proposal
is adopted by SPAH
warrantholders. Following
the consummation of the
merger, this provision will
be eliminated from the SPAH
Certificate of
Incorporation.
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The WBCA requires certain mergers and share
exchanges to be approved by holders of at
least two-thirds of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote thereon and, if there is a
class of stock that is entitled to vote as a
class, then the merger or share exchange
must be approved by the holders of
two-thirds of the outstanding shares of each
class of stock entitled to vote thereon. The
WBCA similarly requires that a sale of all
or substantially all of the assets of a
corporation not made in the ordinary course
of business be approved by the affirmative
vote of the holders of at least two-thirds
of the outstanding shares entitled to vote
thereon. With respect to the approval of a
merger or asset sale, however, the articles
of incorporation may require a vote of a
different number, but not less than a
majority, of the shares outstanding. The
Frontier Articles of Incorporation do not
provide for a different number of shares for
approval of a merger, share exchange or
asset sale.
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212
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SPAH
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Frontier
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Restrictions on Business Combinations
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SPAH has elected not to be
governed by Section 203 of
the DGCL, which limits
business combinations,
including mergers, with any
interested stockholder.
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The WBCA prohibits a target corporation,
with certain exceptions, from engaging in
certain significant business transactions
with a person or group of persons
beneficially owning 10% or more of the
voting securities of a target corporation
(an Acquiring Person) for a period of five
years after the acquisition of such
securities, unless the transaction or
acquisition of shares is approved by a
majority of the members of the target
corporations board of directors prior to
the date on which the Acquiring Person first
obtained 10% share ownership. A significant
business transaction includes among other
transactions: (a) mergers, asset sales, and
stock issuances or redemptions involving an
Acquiring Person, (b) termination of 5% or
more of the employees of the target
corporation employed in Washington State as
a result of the Acquiring Persons
acquisition of 10% or more of the shares, or
(c) allowing the Acquiring Person to receive
any disproportionate benefit as a
stockholder.
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SPAH
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Frontier
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Indemnification of Directors and Officers
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In accordance with Delaware
law, the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation provides that
SPAH will indemnify, to the
full extent permitted by
Section 145 of the DGCL all
persons whom it may
indemnify pursuant thereto.
Expenses (including
attorneys fees) incurred by
an officer or director in
defending any civil,
criminal, administrative, or
investigative action, suit
or proceeding for which such
officer or director may be
entitled to indemnification
hereunder shall be paid by
SPAH in advance of the final
disposition of such action,
suit or proceeding upon
receipt of an undertaking by
or on behalf of such
director or officer to repay
such amount if it shall
ultimately be determined
that he is not entitled to
be indemnified by the SPAH
Certificate of
Incorporation.
The DGCL provides that,
subject to certain
limitations in the case of
derivative suits brought
by a corporations
stockholders in its name, a
corporation may indemnify
any person who is made a
party to any third-party
suit or proceeding on
account of being a director,
officer, employee or agent
of the corporation against
expenses, including
attorneys fees, judgments,
fines and amounts paid in
settlement reasonably
incurred by him or her in
connection with the action,
through, among other things,
a majority vote of a quorum
consisting of directors who
were not parties to the suit
or proceeding, if the person
(1) acted in good faith and
in a manner he or she
reasonably believed to be in
or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation
or, in some circumstances,
at least not opposed to its
best interests and (2) in a
criminal proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe
his or her conduct was
unlawful. To the extent a
director, officer, employee
or agent is successful in
the defense of such an
action, suit or proceeding,
the corporation is required
by the DGCL to indemnify
such person for reasonable
expenses incurred thereby.
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To the full extent permitted by the WBCA,
the Frontier Bylaws provide Frontier will
indemnify any person who was or is a party
or is threatened to be made a party to any
civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative action, suit or proceeding
(whether brought by or in the right of
Frontier or otherwise) by reason of the fact
that he or she is or was a director or
officer of Frontier or is or was serving at
the request of Frontier as a director or
officer of another corporation, against
expenses (including attorneys fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by him in connection with such action, suit
or proceeding; and the board of directors
may, at any time, approve indemnification of
any other person which Frontier has the
power to indemnify under the WBCA. The
indemnification provided by the Frontier
Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any
other rights to which a person may be
entitled as a matter of law or by contract.
The WBCA authorizes corporations to
indemnify a director, officer or employee
made a party to a proceeding, or advance or
reimburse expenses incurred in a proceeding,
under most circumstances. A corporation may
not indemnify officers, directors or
employees for (1) intentional misconduct or
knowing violation of the law, (2) conduct
finally adjudged to be an unlawful
distribution to stockholders, or (3) any
transaction in which that director, officer
or employee personally and improperly
received a benefit in money, property or
services.
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Limitation on Liability of Directors
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The SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation provides that
a director of SPAH will not
be personally liable to SPAH
or its stockholders for
monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary duty as a
director, except for
liability (i) for any breach
of the directors duty of
loyalty to SPAH or its
stockholders, (ii) for any
act or omission not in good
faith or which involves
intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law,
(iii) under Section 174 of
the DGCL or (iv) for any
transaction from which the
director derived an improper
personal benefit. If the
DGCL is amended to authorize
corporate action further
eliminating or limiting the
personal liability of
directors, then the
liability of a director of
SPAH will be eliminated or
limited to the fullest
extent permitted by the
DGCL, as so amended. In
addition, any repeal or
modification of SPAHs
liability limiting provision
contained in the SPAH Bylaws
shall not adversely affect
any right or protection of a
director of SPAH with
respect to events occurring
prior to the time of such
repeal or modification.
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The Frontier Articles of Incorporation
provide, to the full extent that the WBCA,
as amended, permits the limitation or
elimination of the liability of directors, a
director of Frontier shall not be liable to
Frontier or its stockholders for monetary
damages for conduct as a director. Any
amendment or repeal of this limitation of
liability does not adversely affect any
right or protection of a director of
Frontier for or with respect to any acts or
omissions of such director occurring prior
to such amendment or repeal.
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SPAH
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Frontier
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Amendments to Bylaws
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The SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation and the SPAH
Bylaws provide that the
bylaws may be adopted,
amended or repealed by the
stockholders entitled to
vote thereon at any regular
or special meeting or by the
board of directors.
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The Frontier Articles of Incorporation and
the Frontier Bylaws provide that the bylaws
may be amended or repealed, and new or
additional bylaws adopted, by approval of a
majority vote of the stockholders, or by the
affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
members of the board of directors unless the
stockholders, in amending or repealing a
particular bylaw, provide expressly that the
board of directors may not amend or repeal
that bylaw.
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Liquidation if No Business Combination
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If a business combination is
not consummated prior to
October 10, 2009, SPAH shall
liquidate and the SPAH
public stockholders shall
receive a pro rata
distribution from SPAHs
trust account. Following
the consummation of the
merger and approval of the
Subsequent Charter
Amendments, this provision
will be amended to provide
for the continued existence
of SPAH.
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No comparable provision.
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Conversion Rights
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The SPAH public stockholders
have the right to convert
their shares purchased in,
or subsequent to, SPAHs
initial public offering to
cash at a per-share
conversion price equal to
(i) the aggregate amount
then in SPAHs trust account
(subject to certain
adjustments), calculated as
of two business days prior
to the proposed consummation
of the initial business
combination, divided by (ii)
the number of shares of
common stock sold in the
initial public offering
outstanding at that date, if
they vote against a business
combination and a business
combination is approved and
completed. The SPAH
Certificate of Incorporation
also requires that SPAH
public stockholders owning
no more than 30% of the
shares (minus one share)
sold in, or subsequent to,
SPAHs initial public
offering vote against the
merger and thereafter
exercise their conversion
rights. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, it is a condition
to closing the merger
agreement that holders of no
more than 10% of the shares
(minus one share) sold in
SPAHs initial public
offering vote against the
merger and exercise their
conversion rights, although
at SPAHs discretion, this
closing condition may be
waived in order to
consummate the merger.
Accordingly, SPAH may not
consummate the merger if 10%
or more of the holders of
shares sold in or subsequent
to SPAHs initial public
offering elect to exercise
their conversion rights. If
SPAH elects to waive this
closing condition, it may
raise the conversion
threshold to anywhere
between 10% to 30% (minus
one share). Following the
consummation of the merger,
this provision will be
eliminated from the SPAH
Certificate of
Incorporation.
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Stockholders have no preference, conversion,
exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights
and have no preemptive rights to subscribe
for any securities of Frontier.
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215
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SPAH
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Frontier
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Appraisal/ Dissenters Rights
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Under the DGCL, SPAH
stockholders may exercise a
right to dissent from
certain corporate actions
and obtain payment of the
fair value of their shares.
The DGCL provides appraisal
rights only in certain
mergers or consolidations
and not (unless the
certificate of incorporation
of a corporation so
provides, which the SPAH
Certificate of Incorporation
does not) for a sale or
transfer of all or
substantially all of a
corporations assets or an
amendment to its certificate
of incorporation. Moreover,
the DGCL does not provide
appraisal rights in
connection with a merger or
consolidation (unless the
certificate of incorporation
so provides, which the SPAH
Certificate of Incorporation
does not):
to the holders of
shares of a
constituent
corporation listed on
a national securities
exchange (or
designated as a
national market system
security by the
National Association
of Securities Dealers,
Inc.) or
held of record by
more than 2,000
shareholders,
unless the applicable
agreement of merger requires
the holders of such shares
to receive any property
other than shares of stock
of the resulting or
surviving corporation,
shares of stock of any other
corporation listed on a
national securities exchange
(or designated as described
above) or held of record by
more than 2,000 holders,
cash in lieu of any
fractional shares or any
combination of the
foregoing.
In addition, the DGCL denies
appraisal rights if the
shareholders of the
surviving corporation in a
merger did not have to vote
to approve the merger.
Appraisal rights are not
available to SPAH
stockholders with respect to
the merger.
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Under Washington law, a shareholder is
entitled to dissent from, and obtain the
fair value in cash of his or her shares in
connection with, certain corporate actions,
including certain mergers, share exchanges,
and sales or exchanges of all or
substantially all of the corporations
property other than in the usual and regular
course of business, and any amendment of the
articles of incorporation that materially
reduces shares owned to a fraction of a
share if the fractional share so created is
to be acquired for cash.
In order to exercise dissenters rights, a
Frontier shareholder must comply with the
procedures set forth in Chapter 23B.13 of
the WBCA, a copy of which is attached to
this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex F. A summary of Chapter 23B.13 is set forth
in the section entitled The Merger and the
Merger AgreementFrontier Dissenters
Rights.
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216
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SPAH
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Frontier
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Transactions with Officers and Directors
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Under the DGCL, a contract
between a corporation and
one or more of its directors
or officers may not be
voided if: (a) the material
facts as to the directors
or officers relationship or
interest and as to the
contract or transaction are
disclosed or are known to
the board of directors and
the contract or transaction
is approved by a majority of
the disinterested directors,
even though the
disinterested directors may
be less than a quorum; (b)
the material facts as to the
directors or officers
relationship or interest and
as to the contract or
transaction are disclosed or
are known to stockholders
entitled to vote thereon and
the contract or transaction
is approved by the
stockholders; or (c) the
contract or transaction is
fair as to the corporation
as of the time it is
authorized, approved or
ratified by the board of
directors. Common or
interested directors may be
counted in determining the
presence of a quorum at a
meeting of the board of
directors that authorizes
the contract or transaction.
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The WBCA sets forth a safe harbor for
transactions between a corporation and one
or more of its directors. A conflicting
interest transaction may not be enjoined,
set aside or give rise to damages if: (a)
it is approved by a majority of qualified
directors (but no fewer than two); (b) it is
approved by the affirmative vote of the
majority of all qualified shares after
notice and disclosure to the stockholders;
or (c) at the time of commitment, the
transaction is established to have been fair
to the corporation.
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SPAH
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Frontier
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Dividends
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Delaware law allows a
corporation to pay dividends
only out of surplus, as
determined under Delaware
law or, if there is no
surplus, out of net profits
for the fiscal year in which
the dividend was declared
and/or the preceding fiscal
year. Under Delaware law, if
the capital of the
corporation shall have been
diminished by depreciation
in the value of its
property, or by losses, or
otherwise, to an amount less
than the aggregate amount of
the capital represented by
the issued and outstanding
stock of all classes having
a preference upon the
distribution of assets, the
directors of such
corporation shall not
declare and pay out of such
net profits any dividends
upon any shares of any
classes of its capital stock
until the deficiency in the
amount of capital
represented by the issued
and outstanding stock of all
classes having a preference
upon the distribution of
assets shall have been
repaired.
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Under the WBCA, a corporation may make a
distribution in cash or in property to its
stockholders upon the authorization of its
board of directors unless, after giving
effect to this distribution (a) the
corporation would not be able to pay its
debts as they become due in the usual course
of business or (b) the corporations total
assets would be less than the sum of its
total liabilities plus, unless the articles
of incorporation permit otherwise, the
amount that would be needed if the
corporation were to be dissolved at the time
of the distribution to satisfy the
preferential rights of stockholders whose
preferential rights are superior to those
receiving the distribution.
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Warrants
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SPAH currently has
43,289,600 public
stockholders warrants
outstanding. The warrants
trade on the NYSE AMEX LLC
under the symbol DSP.WS.
Each warrant entitles the
holder to purchase one share
of SPAH common stock at a
price of $7.50 per share,
subject to adjustment, upon
the completion of the merger
with Frontier, provided in
each case that SPAH has an
effective registration
statement under the
Securities Act covering the
shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of
the warrants and a current
prospectus relating to them
is available. The warrants
will expire on October 10,
2012 at 5:00 p.m., New York
time, or earlier upon
redemption or liquidation of
the trust account.
A special meeting of the
warrantholders of SPAH will
be held on [_____],
[_____], 2009 to consider
and vote upon a proposal to
amend certain terms of the
Warrant Agreement. The
proposed amendment to the
Warrant Agreement, to become
effective upon consummation
of the merger, will (i)
increase the exercise price
of the warrants from $7.50
per share to $11.50 per
share of SPAH common stock;
(ii) amend the warrant
exercise period to (A)
eliminate the requirement
that the initial founders
warrants owned by the SPAH
insiders become exercisable
only after the consummation
of an initial business
combination if and when the
last sales price of SPAH
common stock exceeds $14.25
per share for any 20 trading
days within a 30 trading day
period beginning 90 days
after such business
combination and (B) extend
the expiration date of the
warrants to the earlier of
(x) seven years from the
consummation of the merger
or (y) the date fixed for
redemption of the warrants
set forth in the warrant
agreement; (iii) provide for
the mandatory downward
adjustment of the exercise
price for each warrant to
reflect any cash dividends
paid with respect to the
outstanding common stock of
SPAH; (iv) provide that, in
the event an effective
registration statement is
not in place on the date the
warrants are set to expire,
the warrants will remain
outstanding until 90 days
after an effective
registration statement is
filed, provided, that if
SPAH has not filed an
effective registration
statement within 90 days
after the expiration date,
the warrants shall become
exercisable for cash
consideration; (v) provide
that no adjustment in the
number of shares issuable
upon exercise of each
warrant will be made as a
result of the issuance of
SPAH shares and warrants to
the shareholders of Frontier
upon consummation of the
merger agreement; and (vi)
provide that each warrant
will entitle the holder
thereof to purchase, in its
sole discretion, either one
share of voting common stock
or one share of Non-Voting
Common Stock.
Upon approval by SPAH
stockholders and
warrantholders at the
special meetings, each
warrantholder will be
entitled to receive, in
their sole discretion, upon
exercise of their warrants,
either voting shares of SPAH
common stock or shares of
Non-Voting Common Stock,
such that the holder thereof
would not exceed the
ownership threshold which
would make it subject to the
regulation as a bank holding
company as described in the
section entitled Supervision and Regulation Federal
Bank Holding Company
Regulation. The terms of
the Non-Voting Common Stock
are identical to the terms
of SPAHs voting common
stock except that the
Non-Voting Common Stock have
no voting rights and holders
of such Non-Voting Common
Stock may convert their
shares into an equal number
of shares of voting common
stock, under certain
circumstances.
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Frontier has no outstanding warrants.
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218
COMPARATIVE MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDENDS
Each of SPAHs units consists of one share of common stock and one warrant and trades on the
NYSE AMEX LLC under the symbol DSP.U. On November 2, 2007, the warrants and common stock
underlying SPAHs units began to trade separately on the NYSE AMEX LLC under the symbols DSP.WS
and DSP, respectively. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of SPAHs common
stock at a price of $7.50 commencing on the consummation of a business combination, provided that
there is an effective registration statement covering the shares of common stock underlying the
warrants in effect. The warrants expire on October 10, 2012, unless earlier redeemed. If the
warrant amendment proposal is approved at the special meeting of SPAH warrantholders, the exercise
price of SPAHs warrants will be increased to $11.50 per share and the expiration date will be
extended to the earlier of (x) seven years from the consummation of the merger or (y) the date
fixed for redemption of the warrants set forth in the warrant agreement.
Except for the unit dividend of 0.15 units for each unit outstanding that was effected on
August 8, 2007 and the unit dividend of one-third of a unit for each unit that was outstanding that
was effected on September 4, 2007, SPAH has not paid any dividends on its common stock to date and
SPAH does not intend to pay cash dividends prior to the consummation of a business combination.
After SPAH completes the merger, the payment of dividends will depend on SPAHs revenues and
earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition. The payment of dividends
after the merger will be within the discretion of the SPAH Board. It is the present intention of
the SPAH Board to retain any earnings for use in SPAHs business operations and, accordingly, SPAH
does not anticipate the SPAH Board declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future.
On [______], 2009, there were 8 holders of record of SPAH common stock, 1 holder of record
of SPAH units and 8 holders of record of SPAH warrants. On August 10, 2009, the closing prices
of SPAHs common stock, warrants and units was $9.76, $0.37 and
$10.10, respectively.
Frontier common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the symbol FTBK. On
December 19, 2008, the Frontier Board voted to suspend the payment of the quarterly cash dividend,
beginning in the first quarter of 2009. Washington law limits Frontier Banks ability to pay cash
dividends. Under these restrictions, a bank may not declare or pay any dividend greater than its
retained earnings without approval of the Washington DFI. The Washington DFI has the power to
require any state-chartered bank to suspend the payment of any and all dividends. In addition, a
bank may not pay cash dividends if doing so would reduce its capital below minimum applicable
federal capital requirements. Under the terms of the FDIC Order, Frontier Bank cannot declare
dividends to Frontier, without the prior written approval of the FDIC and the Washington DFI.
Under the terms of the FRB Written Agreement, Frontier has agreed to (i) refrain from declaring or
paying any dividends without prior written consent of the FRB and (ii) refrain from taking
dividends or any other form of payment that represents a reduction in capital from Frontier Bank
without prior written consent of the FRB, among other things. See Information About Frontier
Regulation and Supervision Federal and State Regulation of
Frontier BankDividends and Information About Frontier Managements Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations Regulatory Actions.
As of [______], 2009, the [______] outstanding shares of Frontier common stock were held by
approximately [______] holders of record. On August 10, 2009, the closing price of Frontiers
common stock was $0.79.
219
The following tables set forth the high and low trading prices of shares of SPAH units, common
stock and warrants as reported on the NYSE AMEX LLC as well as the high and low trading prices of
shares of Frontier common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC and the cash dividends
paid per share of Frontier stock. SPAH and Frontier stockholders are advised to obtain current
market quotations for SPAH common stock and Frontier common stock. The market price of SPAH common
stock and Frontier common stock could fluctuate between the date of this joint proxy
statement/prospectus and the completion of the merger.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SPAH Common
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SPAH Units(2)
|
|
|
Stock(2)
|
|
|
SPAH Warrants(2)
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter (from October 10,
2007)
|
|
$
|
10.20
|
|
|
$
|
9.76
|
|
|
$
|
9.25
|
|
|
$
|
9.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
|
|
$
|
0.85
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
10.25
|
|
|
$
|
9.78
|
|
|
$
|
9.34
|
|
|
$
|
9.10
|
|
|
$
|
0.94
|
|
|
$
|
0.56
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
$
|
9.95
|
|
|
$
|
9.70
|
|
|
$
|
9.37
|
|
|
$
|
9.11
|
|
|
$
|
0.75
|
|
|
$
|
0.54
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
$
|
9.95
|
|
|
$
|
9.02
|
|
|
$
|
9.44
|
|
|
$
|
9.10
|
|
|
$
|
0.60
|
|
|
$
|
0.26
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$
|
9.50
|
|
|
$
|
8.77
|
|
|
$
|
9.29
|
|
|
$
|
8.60
|
|
|
$
|
0.30
|
|
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
9.70
|
|
|
$
|
9.22
|
|
|
$
|
9.55
|
|
|
$
|
9.15
|
|
|
$
|
0.16
|
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
$
|
9.80
|
|
|
$
|
9.45
|
|
|
$
|
9.68
|
|
|
$
|
9.51
|
|
|
$
|
0.10
|
|
|
$
|
0.03
|
|
Third
Quarter (through August 10, 2009)
|
|
$
|
10.10
|
|
|
$
|
9.68
|
|
|
$
|
9.76
|
|
|
$
|
9.68
|
|
|
$
|
0.37
|
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frontier Common Stock(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
Dividend
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
29.97
|
|
|
$
|
24.71
|
|
|
$
|
0.155
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
$
|
26.92
|
|
|
$
|
22.21
|
|
|
$
|
0.160
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
$
|
26.17
|
|
|
$
|
20.17
|
|
|
$
|
0.165
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$
|
25.14
|
|
|
$
|
17.50
|
|
|
$
|
0.170
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
20.21
|
|
|
$
|
15.06
|
|
|
$
|
0.175
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
$
|
19.90
|
|
|
$
|
8.28
|
|
|
$
|
0.180
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
$
|
17.89
|
|
|
$
|
8.72
|
|
|
$
|
0.06
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$
|
13.10
|
|
|
$
|
2.18
|
|
|
$
|
0.06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
$
|
5.50
|
|
|
$
|
0.97
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
$
|
3.00
|
|
|
$
|
1.06
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third
Quarter (through August 10, 2009)
|
|
$
|
1.21
|
|
|
$
|
0.66
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
NYSE AMEX LLC was previously the American Stock Exchange, and more recently, NYSE Alternext
US.
|
|
(2)
|
|
The closing price for SPAH units, common stock and warrants on July 30, 2009, the last
trading day before announcement of the execution of the merger agreement, was $9.75, $9.75 and
$0.06, respectively. The closing price for Frontier common stock on July 30, 2009, the last
trading day before announcement of the execution of the merger agreement, was $0.89.
|
220
UNAUDITED CONDENSED COMBINED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
The following unaudited condensed combined pro forma balance sheet as of June 30, 2009 and the
unaudited condensed combined pro forma statements of operations for the six months ended June 30,
2009 and for the year ended December 31, 2008 are based on the historical financial statements of
SPAH and Frontier after giving effect to the merger and co-investment.
The unaudited condensed combined pro forma statements of operations for the six months ended
June 30, 2009 and for the year ended December 31, 2008 give pro forma effect to the merger and
co-investment as if they had occurred on January 1, 2008. The unaudited condensed combined pro
forma balance sheet as of June 30, 2009 assumes that the merger and co-investment were effective on
June 30, 2009.
The unaudited condensed combined pro forma balance sheet and statement of operations as of and
for the six months ended June 30, 2009 were derived from SPAHs unaudited condensed financial
statements and Frontiers unaudited financial statements, in each case, as of and for the six
months ended June 30, 2009.
The unaudited condensed combined pro forma statement of operations for the year ended December
31, 2008 was derived from SPAHs audited statements of income and Frontiers audited statements of
income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2008.
SPAH will consummate the merger only if, among other things, (i) a majority of SPAH
stockholders as of the record date vote to adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger, (ii)
a majority of SPAH public stockholders as of the record date vote to adopt the merger agreement and
approve the merger, (iii) SPAH public stockholders owning no more than 10% of the shares (minus one
share) issued in or subsequently to SPAHs initial public offering exercise their conversion rights
and (iv) a majority of SPAH stockholders as of the record date vote in favor of the amendment to
the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation to permit SPAHs continued corporate existence if the merger
is approved. The unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial statements have been prepared
using the assumptions below with respect to the number of outstanding shares of SPAH common stock:
|
|
|
Assuming Minimum Conversion:
This presentation assumes that no SPAH public
stockholders exercise conversion rights with respect to their shares of SPAH common
stock into a pro rata portion of the trust account; and
|
|
|
|
Assuming Maximum Conversion:
This presentation assumes that SPAH public stockholders
holding 10% of the shares issued in or subsequently to SPAHs initial public offering
less one share (4,328,959 shares) exercise their conversion rights and that such shares
were converted into their pro rata share of the funds in the trust account.
|
The unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial statements reflect the acquisition of
Frontier being accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting pursuant to the provisions
SFAS 141R. Pursuant to the requirements of SFAS 141R, SPAH is expected to be the acquirer for
accounting purposes because SPAH is expected to own a majority interest upon consummation of the
merger and the co-investment. Determination of control places emphasis on the shareholder group
that retains the majority of voting rights in the combined entity. If the accounting acquirer
cannot be determined based upon relative voting interests, other indicators of control are
considered in the determination of the accounting acquirer, including: control of the combined
entitys board of directors, the existence of large organized minority groups, and senior
management of the combined entity.
The unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial statements are provided for informational
purposes only and are subject to a number of uncertainties and assumptions and do not purport to
represent what the companies actual performance or financial position would have been had the
transaction occurred on the dates indicated and does not purport to indicate the financial position
or results of operations as of any future date or for any future period. Please refer to the
following information in conjunction with the accompanying notes to these pro forma financial
statements and the historical financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto and the
sections entitled Information about SPAH Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and
Results of Operations and Information about FrontierManagements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
221
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. and Frontier Financial Corporation
Unaudited Condensed Combined Pro Forma Balance Sheet
As of June 30, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
SPAH
|
|
|
FFC
|
|
|
No-Conversion
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
No-Conversion
|
|
|
Conversion
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
Conversion
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents and due from banks
|
|
|
1,591
|
|
|
|
42,697
|
|
|
|
409,015
|
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
|
487,119
|
|
|
|
(42,720
|
)
|
|
|
F2
|
|
|
|
444,399
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
|
B
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,316
|
|
|
|
C
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13,500
|
)
|
|
|
M
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trust account attributable to deferred underwriters fee
|
|
|
17,316
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(17,316
|
)
|
|
|
C
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal funds sold
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
289,871
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
289,871
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
289,871
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available for sale, at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,318
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,318
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,318
|
|
Held to maturity, at amortized cost
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,081
|
|
|
|
(55
|
)
|
|
|
I
|
|
|
|
3,026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83,399
|
|
|
|
(55
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83,344
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83,344
|
|
Loans held for resale
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,271
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,271
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,271
|
|
Loans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,410,948
|
|
|
|
(299,892
|
)
|
|
|
I
|
|
|
|
3,111,056
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,111,056
|
|
Allowance for loan losses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(98,583
|
)
|
|
|
98,583
|
|
|
|
I
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,317,636
|
|
|
|
(201,309
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,116,327
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,116,327
|
|
Deferred taxes
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
Trust account, restricted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents held in trust account
|
|
|
409,015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(409,015
|
)
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued interest receivable
|
|
|
88
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(88
|
)
|
|
|
D
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax overpayment due to trust account
|
|
|
622
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(622
|
)
|
|
|
D
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trust account, restricted
|
|
|
409,725
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(409,725
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premises and equipment, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,649
|
|
|
|
21,924
|
|
|
|
I
|
|
|
|
71,573
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
71,573
|
|
Intangible assets, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
687
|
|
|
|
(687
|
)
|
|
|
I
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,885
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,885
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,885
|
|
Bank owned life insurance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,824
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,824
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,824
|
|
Other real estate owned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54,222
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54,222
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54,222
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other assets
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
|
104,533
|
|
|
|
49,141
|
|
|
|
D, I
|
|
|
|
153,730
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
153,730
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
428,806
|
|
|
|
3,987,403
|
|
|
|
(115,196
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,301,013
|
|
|
|
(42,720
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,258,293
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deposits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noninterest bearing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
404,832
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
404,832
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
404,832
|
|
Interest bearing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,844,301
|
|
|
|
18,559
|
|
|
|
I
|
|
|
|
2,862,860
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,862,860
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deposits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,249,133
|
|
|
|
18,559
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,267,692
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,267,692
|
|
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under repurchase agreements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,564
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,564
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,564
|
|
222
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
SPAH
|
|
|
FFC
|
|
|
No-Conversion
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
No-Conversion
|
|
|
Conversion
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
Conversion
|
|
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
421,130
|
|
|
|
6,237
|
|
|
|
I
|
|
|
|
427,367
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
427,367
|
|
Junior subordinated debentures
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,156
|
|
|
|
(3,978
|
)
|
|
|
I
|
|
|
|
1,178
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,178
|
|
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
|
|
|
196
|
|
|
|
24,934
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,130
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,130
|
|
Other payables deferred underwriters fee
|
|
|
17,316
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(17,316
|
)
|
|
|
C
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
17,512
|
|
|
|
3,717,917
|
|
|
|
3,502
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,738,931
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,738,931
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock subject to conversion
|
|
|
128,148
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(128,148
|
)
|
|
|
F1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock Frontier Financial Corp.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock Frontier Financial Corp.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
257,694
|
|
|
|
(257,694
|
)
|
|
|
E
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
B
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
|
F2
|
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
F1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
G
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9
|
)
|
|
|
H
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid in capital SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc
|
|
|
280,334
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,997
|
|
|
|
B
|
|
|
|
496,499
|
|
|
|
(42,716
|
)
|
|
|
F2
|
|
|
|
453,783
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,316
|
|
|
|
C
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
128,135
|
|
|
|
F1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,708
|
|
|
|
G
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
H
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retained earnings Frontier Financial Corp.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,215
|
|
|
|
(14,215
|
)
|
|
|
E
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retained earnings (deficit) SP Acquisition
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
76,261
|
|
|
|
I
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holdings, Inc.
|
|
|
2,771
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13,500
|
)
|
|
|
M
|
|
|
|
65,532
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
65,532
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax Frontier Financial
Corp.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,423
|
)
|
|
|
2,423
|
|
|
|
E
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Stockholders equity
|
|
|
283,146
|
|
|
|
269,486
|
|
|
|
9,450
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
562,082
|
|
|
|
(42,720
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
519,362
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
|
|
|
428,806
|
|
|
|
3,987,403
|
|
|
|
(115,196
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,301,013
|
|
|
|
(42,720
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,258,293
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial statements.
223
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. and Frontier Financial Corporation
Condensed Combined Pro Forma Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
SPAH
|
|
|
FFC
|
|
|
No Conversion
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
No Conversion
|
|
|
Conversion
|
|
Notes
|
|
Conversion
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and fees on loans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
94,132
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
94,132
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
94,132
|
|
Interest on federal funds sold
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
352
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
352
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
352
|
|
Interest in investments
|
|
|
266
|
|
|
|
1,588
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,854
|
|
|
|
(27
|
)
|
K1
|
|
|
1,827
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total interest income
|
|
|
266
|
|
|
|
96,072
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
96,338
|
|
|
|
(27
|
)
|
|
|
|
96,311
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest on deposits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,783
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,783
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,783
|
|
Interest on borrowed funds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,086
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,086
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,086
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,869
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,869
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,869
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest income
|
|
|
266
|
|
|
|
45,203
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,469
|
|
|
|
(27
|
)
|
|
|
|
45,442
|
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
135,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
135,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
135,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest (loss) income after provision for
loan losses
|
|
|
266
|
|
|
|
(89,797
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(89,531
|
)
|
|
|
(27
|
)
|
|
|
|
(89,558
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noninterest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(102
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(102
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(102
|
)
|
Gain on sale of secondary mortgage loans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,214
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,214
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,214
|
|
Net loss on other real estate owned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(451
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(451
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(451
|
)
|
Service charges on deposit accounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,985
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,985
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,985
|
|
Other noninterest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,266
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,266
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,266
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total noninterest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,912
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,912
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,912
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noninterest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries and
employee benefits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,637
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,637
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,637
|
|
Occupancy expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,570
|
|
|
|
731
|
|
|
|
I
|
|
|
|
6,301
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,301
|
|
State business taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
505
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
505
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
505
|
|
Other noninterest expense
|
|
|
678
|
|
|
|
17,967
|
|
|
|
4,843
|
|
|
|
I
|
|
|
|
23,488
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,488
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total noninterest expense
|
|
|
678
|
|
|
|
48,679
|
|
|
|
5,574
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54,931
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54,931
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(412
|
)
|
|
|
(130,564
|
)
|
|
|
(5,574
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(136,550
|
)
|
|
|
(27
|
)
|
|
|
|
(136,577
|
)
|
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
|
|
|
482
|
|
|
|
(46,759
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(46,277
|
)
|
|
|
(9
|
)
|
K1
|
|
|
(46,286
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
(894
|
)
|
|
|
(83,805
|
)
|
|
|
(5,574
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(90,273
|
)
|
|
|
(18
|
)
|
|
|
|
(90,291
|
)
|
Deferred interest attributable to common
stock subject to conversion
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(47
|
)
|
|
|
J1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
|
|
|
(847
|
)
|
|
|
(83,805
|
)
|
|
|
(5,621
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(90,273
|
)
|
|
|
(18
|
)
|
|
|
|
(90,291
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding basic
and diluted
|
|
|
41,125
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,033
|
|
|
|
L1
|
|
|
|
50,158
|
|
|
|
(4,329
|
)
|
L2
|
|
|
45,829
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss per share basic and diluted
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.80
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.97
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial statements.
224
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. and Frontier Financial Corporation
Unaudited Condensed Combined Pro Forma Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
|
Combined
|
|
|
|
SPAH
|
|
|
FFC
|
|
|
No Conversion
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
No Conversion
|
|
|
Conversion
|
|
Notes
|
|
Conversion
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and fees on loans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
273,392
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
273,392
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
273,392
|
|
Interest on federal funds sold
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
457
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
457
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
457
|
|
Interest in investments
|
|
|
6,408
|
|
|
|
5,206
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,614
|
|
|
|
(641
|
)
|
K2
|
|
|
10,973
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total interest income
|
|
|
6,408
|
|
|
|
279,055
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
285,463
|
|
|
|
(641
|
)
|
|
|
|
284,822
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest on deposits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
96,091
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
96,091
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
96,091
|
|
Interest on borrowed funds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,094
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,094
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,094
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
112,185
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
112,185
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
112,185
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest income
|
|
|
6,408
|
|
|
|
166,870
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
173,278
|
|
|
|
(641
|
)
|
|
|
|
172,637
|
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
120,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
120,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
120,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest (loss) income after provision for
loan losses
|
|
|
6,408
|
|
|
|
46,870
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53,278
|
|
|
|
(641
|
)
|
|
|
|
52,637
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noninterest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,430
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,430
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,430
|
)
|
Gain on sale of secondary mortgage loans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,570
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,570
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,570
|
|
Net loss on other real estate owned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,321
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,321
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,321
|
|
Gain on sale of premises and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
|
|
Gain on sale of real estate owned
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
97
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
97
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
97
|
|
Service charges on deposit accounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,421
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,421
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,421
|
|
Other noninterest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,821
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,821
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,821
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total noninterest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,830
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,830
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,830
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noninterest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries and employee benefits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48,403
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48,403
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48,403
|
|
Occupancy expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,148
|
|
|
|
1,462
|
|
|
|
I
|
|
|
|
12,610
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,610
|
|
State business taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,013
|
|
Goodwill impairment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
77,073
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
77,073
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
77,073
|
|
Other noninterest expense
|
|
|
1,053
|
|
|
|
21,435
|
|
|
|
9,686
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,174
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,174
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total noninterest expense
|
|
|
1,053
|
|
|
|
160,072
|
|
|
|
11,148
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
172,273
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
172,273
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before provision for income taxes
|
|
|
5,355
|
|
|
|
(98,372
|
)
|
|
|
(11,148
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(104,165
|
)
|
|
|
(641
|
)
|
|
|
|
(104,806
|
)
|
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
|
|
|
3,157
|
|
|
|
(8,635
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,478
|
)
|
|
|
(34
|
)
|
K2
|
|
|
(5,512
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
2,198
|
|
|
|
(89,737
|
)
|
|
|
(11,148
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(98,687
|
)
|
|
|
(607
|
)
|
|
|
|
(99,294
|
)
|
Deferred interest attributable to common
stock subject to conversion
|
|
|
(422
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
422
|
|
|
|
J2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
|
|
|
1,776
|
|
|
|
(89,737
|
)
|
|
|
(10,726
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(98,687
|
)
|
|
|
(607
|
)
|
|
|
|
(99,294
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding basic
and diluted
|
|
|
41,125
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,033
|
|
|
|
L1
|
|
|
|
50,158
|
|
|
|
(4,329
|
)
|
L2
|
|
|
45,829
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss per share basic and diluted
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.97
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2.17
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial statements.
225
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Combined Pro Forma Financial Statements
1.
|
|
Description of the Merger and Co-Investment and Basis of Presentation Applying the
Acquisition Method of Accounting
|
The Merger and Co-Investment
On July 30, 2009, SPAH and Frontier entered into the merger agreement, pursuant to which
Frontier will merge with and into SPAH, with SPAH surviving the merger. Based on the exchange
ratio of 0.0530, SPAH will issue approximately 2.5 million newly issued shares of SPAH common stock
and approximately 2.5 million newly issued warrants to purchase approximately 2.5 million shares of
SPAH common stock with an exercise price of $11.50. The warrants will have the same terms and
conditions as the publicly traded SPAH warrants immediately prior to the effective time of the
merger, after giving effect to the warrant amendment proposal. Total consideration transferred to
Frontier in the form of shares and warrants would amount to approximately $40,711,000 based on
SPAHs closing share price of $9.68 and a Black-Scholes value for the warrants of $6.60 at June 30,
2009.
In connection with the initial public offering, SP II agreed to purchase an aggregate of
3,000,000 co-investment units at $10.00 per unit ($30.0 million in the aggregate) in a private
placement that will occur immediately prior to the consummation of the merger. Pursuant to a plan
of reorganization, SP II has contributed certain assets to the Steel Trust, a liquidating trust
established for the purpose of effecting the orderly liquidation of such assets. As a result, all
of the founders units owned by SP II, including the founders shares and initial founders
warrants comprising the units, have been transferred to the Steel Trust in a private transaction
exempt from registration under the Securities Act. The Steel Trust has agreed to assume all of SP
IIs rights and obligations with respect to the founders units, as more fully described elsewhere
in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the obligation to purchase the co-investment
units.
Upon consummation of the merger, SP Acq LLC has agreed to forfeit 8,987,883 of the 9,653,412
founders shares it owns and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker have agreed to
forfeit an aggregate of 465,529 of the 500,000 founders shares they own.
The unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial statements reflect no cash liability for
the approximately $17.3 million in deferred underwriting discounts and commissions payable to the
underwriters of SPAHs initial public offering upon consummation of the merger. SPAH is in
negotiation with its underwriters regarding the amount and form of payment of such deferred
underwriting fees from SPAHs initial public offering. The results of these negotiations are
uncertain and could result in $17,316,000 in additional costs for the proforma company which could
be paid in cash.
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information will be prepared using the
acquisition method of accounting and was based on the historical financial statements of SPAH and
Frontier. The acquisition method of accounting is based on SFAS 141R, which uses the fair value
concepts defined in SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which SPAH has adopted as required.
Pursuant to the requirements of SFAS 141R, SPAH is expected to be the acquirer for accounting
purposes because SPAH is expected to own a majority interest upon consummation of the merger and
the co-investment. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information will be
prepared using the acquisition method of accounting, under existing U.S. GAAP standards, which are
subject to change and interpretation.
Under SFAS 141R, acquisition-related transaction costs (i.e., advisory, legal, valuation,
other professional fees) are recorded as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred.
Total acquisition-related transaction costs expected to be incurred by SPAH are estimated to be
approximately $13.5 million and are reflected in these unaudited pro forma condensed combined
financial statements as a reduction to cash and retained earnings.
SFAS 141R requires, among other things, that most assets acquired and liabilities assumed be
recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date. In addition, SFAS No. 141R establishes
that the consideration transferred
include the fair value of any contingent consideration arrangements and any equity or assets
exchanged are measured at the closing date of the merger at the then-current market price; this
particular requirement will likely result in a change in the value of the equity consideration
transferred in the acquisition from the amount used in these unaudited pro forma condensed combined
financial statements. Purchase consideration has been computed as approximately $40,711,000 based
on SPAHs closing share price of $9.68 and a Black-Scholes value of $6.60 per warrant at June 30,
2009.
226
Under the acquisition method of accounting, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed will
be recorded as of the completion of the acquisition, primarily at their respective fair values.
Financial statements and reported results of operations of SPAH issued after completion of the
acquisition will reflect these values, but will not be retroactively restated to reflect the
historical financial position or results of operations of Frontier.
SFAS No. 157 defines the term fair value and sets forth the valuation requirements for any
asset or liability measured at fair value, expands related disclosure requirements and specifies a
hierarchy of valuation techniques based on the nature of the inputs used to develop the fair value
measures. Fair value is defined in SFAS No. 157 as the price that would be received to sell an
asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the
measurement date. This is an exit price concept for the valuation of the asset or liability. In
addition, market participants are assumed to be buyers and sellers in the principal (or the most
advantageous) market for the asset or liability. Fair value measurements for an asset assume the
highest and best use by these market participants. As a result of these standards, SPAH may be
required to record assets which are not intended to be used or sold and/or to value assets at fair
value measures that do not reflect SPAHs intended use of those assets. Many of these fair value
measurements can be highly subjective and it is also possible that other professionals, applying
reasonable judgment to the same facts and circumstances, could develop and support a range of
alternative estimated amounts.
Based upon SPAHs preliminary valuation, a preliminary allocation of the purchase price
consideration is as follows:
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(Dollars in thousands)
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Purchase Price
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$
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40,711
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Assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
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Assets:
Cash, Cash equivalents and due from banks
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42,697
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Federal Funds Sold
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289,871
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Securities
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83,344
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Loans
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3,116,327
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Premises and equipment
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71,573
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Prepaid Expenses and other assets
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251,895
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Total Assets
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3,855,707
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Liabilities:
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Deposits
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$
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3,267,692
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Federal Home Loan Advances
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427,367
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Other Liabilities
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43,676
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Total Liabilities
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$
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3,738,735
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Excess of net assets over purchase price
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$
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76,261
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The valuation used in the unaudited pro forma condensed financial statements is based upon
preliminary estimates. The estimates and assumptions, some of which cannot be made prior to
consummation of the acquisition, are subject to change upon the acquisition date and finalization
of the valuation of Frontiers assets and liabilities.
227
The unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial statements have been prepared based on
SPAHs and Frontiers historical financial information. Certain disclosures normally included in
financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States have been condensed or omitted as permitted by SEC rules and regulations.
These unaudited condensed combined pro forma financial statements are not necessarily
indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved had the merger and
co-investment actually taken place at the dates indicated and do not purport to be indicative of
future position or operating results.
2.
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Pro Forma Adjustments and Assumptions
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A)
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To reflect the release of funds held in the SPAH trust account upon consummation of the
merger.
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B)
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To reflect purchase of 3,000,000 units of SPAH, consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase
one share of common stock by the Steel Trust at a price of $10.00 per unit for an aggregate purchase price of $30 million.
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C)
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To reflect the forfeiture of the deferred underwriters fee payable in cash upon
consummation of the merger and to reflect the reclassification of such cash so that it is
available for working capital. In the event the merger is consummated, SPAH is in negotiation with
its underwriters regarding the amount and form of payment of the deferred underwriting fees from
SPAHs initial public offering totaling $17,316,000. The results of these negotiations are
uncertain and could result in $17,316,000 in additional costs for the proforma company which could
be paid in cash.
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D)
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To reflect reclassification of accrued interest receivable and overpayments of tax to prepaid expenses and other
assets.
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E)
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To reflect elimination of the equity accounts of Frontier upon consummation of the
merger.
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F1)
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To reflect reclassification of common stock subject to conversion rights to permanent equity
assuming no conversion rights are exercised upon consummation of the merger.
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F2)
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To reflect disbursement of cash to converting stockholders upon surrender and retirement of 4,328,959 shares
of common stock subject to conversion rights in accordance with Article 9.2(g) of the merger agreement.
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G)
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To reflect issuance of approximately 2,500,000 shares of SPAH common stock valued at
$9.68 per share as of June 30, 2009 and 2,500,000 warrants to purchase 2,500,000 shares of SPAH
common stock valued at $6.60 per warrant utilizing a Black Scholes Model with the following assumptions:
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Stock price
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$9.68
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Exercise price
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$11.50
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Term
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7 Years
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Volatility
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74.29
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%
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Risk-free Rate
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3.19
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%
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H)
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To reflect forfeiture and cancellation of an aggregate of 9,453,412 shares of SPAH common s
stock by SP Acq LLC and the members of the SPAH Board.
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I )
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To reflect the adjustment to restate the assets and liabilities of Frontier Financial Corporation at
their fair values as required by SFAS No. 141(R) and to record the excess of net assets acquired
over purchase price ($76,261,000) as an adjustment to retained earnings.
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J1)
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To eliminate deferred interest attributable to common stock subject to conversion.
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J2)
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To eliminate deferred interest attributable to common stock subject to conversion.
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K1)
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To reduce interest income for the effect of cash disbursed to converting stockholders assuming
maximum conversion of common stock subject to conversion and tax affect.
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K2)
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To reduce interest income for the effect of cash disbursed to converting stockholders assuming
maximum conversion of common stock subject to conversion and tax affect.
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L1)
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To reflect common shares outstanding after taking in to affect forfeitures and issuances in
connection with the merger.
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L2)
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To reflect conversion of 4,328,959 shares of SPAH common stock to cash assuming maximum
conversion.
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M)
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To reflect payment of estimated costs related to the acquisition.
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228
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OF SPAH
The following description summarizes the material terms of SPAH capital stock. Because it is
only a summary, it may not contain all the information that is important to purchasers of such
securities. For a complete description you should refer to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation,
Warrant Agreement and to the applicable provisions of the DGCL.
Units
Public Stockholders Units
SPAH currently has public stockholders units outstanding. Each unit consists of one share of
common stock and one warrant, each of which is described in detail below. The units trade on the
NYSE AMEX LLC under the symbol DSP.U.
Co-Investment Units
In connection with the initial public offering, SP II agreed to purchase an aggregate of
3,000,000 co-investment units at $10.00 per unit ($30.0 million in the aggregate) in a private
placement that will occur immediately prior to the consummation of the merger. Pursuant to a plan
of reorganization, SP II has contributed certain assets to the Steel Trust, a liquidating trust
established for the purpose of effecting the orderly liquidation of such assets. As a result, all
of the founders units owned by SP II, including the founders shares and initial founders
warrants comprising the units, have been transferred to the Steel Trust in a private transaction
exempt from registration under the Securities Act. The Steel Trust has agreed to assume all of SP
IIs rights and obligations with respect to the founders units, as more fully described elsewhere
in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, including the obligation to purchase the co-investment
units.
Each co-investment unit will consist of one share of common stock and one warrant. The
co-investment units will be identical to the units sold in the initial public offering, after
giving effect to the warrant amendment proposal, except that the co-investment warrants included
therein will be non-redeemable so long as they are held by SP II, or its permitted transferees
(including the Steel Trust). The proceeds from the co-investment will be received by SPAH
immediately prior to the consummation of the merger to provide SPAH with additional equity capital
to fund the merger. If the merger is not consummated, the Steel Trust will not purchase the
co-investment units and no proceeds will deposited into SPAHs trust account or available for
distribution to SPAHs stockholders in the event of a liquidating distribution.
The holders of the warrants purchased in the initial public offering will not be able to
exercise those warrants unless SPAH has an effective registration statement covering the shares
issuable upon their exercise and a related current prospectus available. Although the shares of
common stock issuable pursuant to the co-investment warrants will not be issued pursuant to a
registration statement so long as they are held by SP II and its permitted transferees (including
the Steel Trust), the Warrant Agreement provides that the co-investment warrants may not be
exercised unless an effective registration statement relating to the common stock issuable upon
exercise of the warrants purchased in the initial public offering is effective and a related
current prospectus is available.
Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, the holders of SPAHs co-investment units and
co-investment shares and co-investment warrants and shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants
will be entitled to certain registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the
date that they are no longer subject to transfer restrictions.
SP II previously agreed, subject to certain exceptions described below, not to sell or
otherwise transfer any of its co-investment units, co-investment shares or co-investment warrants
(including the common stock to be issued upon exercise of the co-investment warrants) for a period
of one year from the date of the consummation of an initial business combination. The Steel Trust
has agreed to be bound by these transfer restrictions.
229
The Steel Trust will be permitted to transfer its co-investment units, co-investment shares or
co-investment warrants (including the common stock to be issued upon exercise of the co-investment
warrants) to SPAH officers and directors, and other persons or entities associated or affiliated
with SP II or Steel Partners, Ltd., but the transferees receiving such securities will be subject
to the same agreement regarding transfer as SP II and the Steel Trust. SP II previously agreed to
provide SPAHs audit committee, on a quarterly basis, with evidence that it has sufficient net
liquid assets available to consummate the co-investment.
Since the agreement governing the co-investment and SPAHs initial public offering prospectus
disclosed that only SP II or SP Acq LLC may purchase the co-investment units, SPAH will need the
prior written consent of the underwriters in its initial public offering to permit the Steel Trust
to make the co-investment. SPAH anticipates receiving this consent prior to the closing of the
merger. In addition, SPAH public stockholders may have a securities law claim against SPAH for
rescission (under which a successful claimant has the right to receive the total amount paid for
his or her securities pursuant to an allegedly deficient prospectus, plus interest and less any
income earned on the securities, in exchange for surrender of the securities) or damages
(compensation for loss on an investment caused by alleged material misrepresentations or omissions
in the sale of a security), as described more fully under The Merger and the Merger
AgreementRescission Rights.
Common Stock
SPAH is authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001, of which
54,112,000 shares are currently outstanding. After the merger, SPAH will have approximately
50,158,588 shares of common stock outstanding (after reflecting the approximate 2,500,000 shares to
be issued in the merger, the forfeiture of an aggregate of 9,453,412 shares and the issuance of
3,000,000 shares pursuant to the co-investment). SPAH common stock is listed on the NYSE AMEX LLC
under the symbol DSP. SPAHs stockholders are entitled to one vote for each share held of record
on all matters to be voted on by stockholders. Holders of SPAH common stock have exclusive voting
rights for the election of directors and all other matters requiring stockholder action, except
with respect to amendments to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation that alter or change the
powers, preferences, rights or other terms of any outstanding preferred stock if the holders of
such affected series of preferred stock are entitled to vote on such an amendment. Holders of
common stock are also entitled to receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to
time by the SPAH Board in its discretion out of funds legally available therefore. After SPAHs
initial business combination is concluded, if ever, and upon a subsequent liquidation or
dissolution, the holders of common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata all assets remaining
available for distribution to stockholders after payment of all liabilities and provision for the
liquidation of any shares of preferred stock at the time outstanding. There is no cumulative
voting with respect to the election of directors, with the result that the holders of more than 50%
of the shares voted for the election of directors can elect all of the directors.
In connection with the vote required for the merger or other initial business combination, the
SPAH insiders have agreed to vote all of their founders shares either for or against the merger or
other initial business combination as determined by the SPAH public stockholder vote, and each of
them and each of SPAHs officers and directors has also agreed that if they have acquired shares of
common stock in or following the initial public offering of SPAH, they will vote all such acquired
shares in favor of the merger or other initial business combination. As a result, none of the SPAH
insiders will be able to exercise their conversion rights for any shares they hold if the merger or
other initial business combination is approved by a majority of the SPAH public stockholders who
vote in connection with such merger or other initial business combination. In connection with the
vote required for SPAHs initial business combination, a majority of SPAHs issued and outstanding
common stock (whether or not held by the SPAH public stockholders), present in person or by proxy,
will constitute a quorum. If a quorum is not present, the SPAH Bylaws permit a majority in voting
power of the stockholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting to
adjourn the meeting for 30 days or less from time to time, without notice other than announcement
of the date, time and place of the adjourned meeting at the meeting, until the requisite amount of
stock entitled to vote shall be present. If SPAH stockholders vote on any other matters at an
annual or special meeting, the SPAH insiders may vote all of their shares, whenever acquired, as
they see fit.
SPAH will proceed with the merger or other initial business combination only if a majority of
the shares of common stock voted by the SPAH public stockholders are voted in favor of the merger
and the SPAH public stockholders owning no more than 10% of the shares (minus one share) sold in
the initial public offering vote against the merger or other initial business combination and
exercise their conversion rights as described below,
although at SPAHs discretion, this 10% threshold may be waived in order to consummate the
merger. If SPAH elects to waive this closing condition, it may raise the conversion threshold to
anywhere between 10% to 30% (minus one share). Voting against the merger or other initial business
combination alone will not result in conversion of a stockholders shares into a pro rata share of
the trust account. A stockholder must have also exercised the conversion rights described below
for a conversion to be effective.
230
If SPAH is forced to liquidate prior to an initial business combination, the SPAH public
stockholders are entitled to share ratably in the trust account, inclusive of any interest not
previously released to SPAH to fund working capital requirements, and net of any income taxes
payable on interest on the balance in the trust account, which income taxes, if any, shall be paid
from the trust account, and any assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment
of liabilities. Liquidation expenses will be paid only from funds held outside of the trust
account. If SPAH does not complete an initial business combination and the trustee must distribute
the balance of the trust account, UBS Securities LLC, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. and Jefferies &
Company, Inc., the underwriters in SPAHs initial public offering, have agreed that: (i) they will
forfeit any rights or claims to their deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, including
any accrued interest thereon, then in the trust account, and (ii) the deferred underwriters
discounts and commission will be distributed on a pro rata basis among the SPAH public stockholders
together with any accrued interest thereon and net of income taxes payable on such interest. The
SPAH insiders have waived their rights to participate in any liquidation distribution with respect
to the founders shares. There will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to any
warrants, which will expire worthless if SPAH is liquidated, and as a result purchasers of SPAHs
units will have paid the full unit purchase price solely for the share of common stock included in
each unit.
SPAH stockholders have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights and there are no
sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the common stock, except that SPAH public
stockholders have the right to have their shares of common stock converted to cash equal to their
pro rata share of the trust account if they vote against the merger or other initial business
combination and the merger or other initial business combination is approved and completed. SPAH
public stockholders who convert their common stock into their pro rata share of the trust account
will retain the right to exercise any warrants they own. The payment of dividends, if ever, on the
common stock will be subject to the prior payment of dividends on any outstanding preferred stock,
of which there is currently none.
At the special meeting of SPAH stockholders, SPAH is requesting stockholder approval to create
a new class of common stock, the Non-Voting Common Stock that may be issued to warrantholders,
following the consummation of the merger. Since the Non-Voting Common Stock is issuable to
warrantholders at their discretion and SPAH will have outstanding warrants to purchase 66,612,000
shares (after taking into account the co-investment and the granting of 2,500,000 warrants as part
of the merger), SPAH is seeking the authorization of 200,000,000 shares of Non-Voting Common
Stock to ensure that all warrantholders will have the opportunity to receive Non-Voting Common
Stock and all common stockholders can convert their voting common stock into Non-Voting Common
Stock. The terms of the Non-Voting Common Stock are identical to the terms of SPAHs voting common
stock except that the Non-Voting Common Stock have no voting rights and holders of such Non-Voting
Common Stock may convert their shares into an equal number of shares of voting common stock, if
such conversion is in connection with (i) a transfer that is part of an underwritten public
offering of voting common stock, (ii) a transfer that is part of a private placement of voting
common stock in which no one party acquires the rights to purchase in excess of 2% of the voting
common stock then outstanding, (iii) a transfer of voting common stock not requiring registration
under the Securities Act, in reliance on Rule 144 thereunder in which no one party acquires in
excess of 2% of the voting common stock then outstanding, (iv) a transaction approved by the
Federal Reserve, or (v) a transfer to a person that would control more than 50% of the voting
securities of SPAH as defined by the Federal Reserve without giving effect to such transfer.
Preferred Stock
SPAH is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001, of which no
shares are currently outstanding. The SPAH Certificate of Incorporation provides that shares of
preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The SPAH Board is
authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences, the relative,
participating, optional or other special rights and any qualifications, limitations and
restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares of each series. The SPAH Board is able to, without
stockholder
approval, issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the
voting power and other rights of the holders of the common stock and could have anti-takeover
effects. The ability of the SPAH Board to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval could
have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of SPAH or the removal of
existing management. The SPAH Certificate of Incorporation prohibits SPAH, prior to an initial
business combination, from issuing preferred stock that participates in any manner in the proceeds
of the trust account, or that votes as a class with the common stock on the initial business
combination. SPAH may issue some or all of the preferred stock to effect an initial business
combination. SPAH has no preferred stock outstanding at the date hereof. Although SPAH does not
currently intend to issue any shares of preferred stock, SPAH cannot make assurances that it will
not do so in the future. No shares of preferred stock are being issued or registered in the
merger.
231
Warrants
Public Stockholders Warrants
SPAH currently has 43,289,600 public stockholders warrants outstanding. The warrants trade
on the NYSE AMEX LLC under the symbol DSP.WS. Unless amended at the special meeting of
warrantholders scheduled to take place on [_____], each warrant entitles the registered holder to
purchase one share of SPAH common stock at a price of $7.50 per share, subject to adjustment, as
discussed below, at any time commencing on the later of: (1) the completion of SPAHs initial
business combination; or (2) twelve months from the closing of the initial public offering,
provided
in each case that SPAH has an effective registration statement under the Securities Act
covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus
relating to them is available. The warrants are currently expected to expire on October 10, 2012 at
5:00 p.m., New York time, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation of the trust account.
At the special meeting of the warrantholders, warrantholders will be asked to consider and
vote upon a proposal to amend certain terms of the Warrant Agreement. The proposed amendment to
the Warrant Agreement, to become effective upon consummation of the merger, will (i) increase the
exercise price of the warrants from $7.50 per share to $11.50 per share of SPAH common stock; (ii)
amend the warrant exercise period to (A) eliminate the requirement that the initial founders
warrants owned by the SPAH insiders become exercisable only after the consummation of an initial
business combination if and when the last sales price of SPAH common stock exceeds $14.25 per share
for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period beginning 90 days after such business
combination and (B) extend the expiration date of the warrants to the earlier of (x) seven years
from the consummation of the merger or (y) the date fixed for redemption of the warrants set forth
in the warrant agreement; (iii) provide for the mandatory downward adjustment of the exercise price
for each warrant to reflect any cash dividends paid with respect to the outstanding common stock of
SPAH; (iv) provide that, in the event an effective registration statement is not in place on the
date the warrants are set to expire, the warrants will remain outstanding until 90 days after an
effective registration statement is filed, provided, that if SPAH has not filed an effective
registration statement within 90 days after the expiration date, the warrants shall become
exercisable for cash consideration; (v) provide that no adjustment in the number of shares issuable
upon exercise of each warrant will be made as a result of the issuance of SPAH shares and warrants
to the shareholders of Frontier upon consummation of the merger agreement; and (vi) provide that
each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, in its sole discretion, either one share
of voting common stock or one share of Non-Voting Common Stock. If SPAH does not effect an initial
business combination by October 10, 2009, SPAH must dissolve and liquidate. If SPAH must
liquidate, there will be no distribution from the trust account with respect to any of the warrants
and the warrants will expire worthless.
If the warrants become exercisable, SPAH may call the warrants for redemption: (1) in whole
and not in part, (2) at a price of $0.01 per warrant, (3) upon not less than 30 days prior written
notice of redemption to each warrantholder, and (4) if, and only if, the reported last sale price
of the common stock equals or exceeds $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within a
30-trading-day period ending on the third business day prior to the notice of redemption to
warrantholders,
provided
that on the date SPAH gives notice of redemption and during the entire
period thereafter until the time SPAH redeems the warrants SPAH has an effective registration
statement covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current
prospectus relating to them is available.
232
SPAH established the above conditions to its exercise of redemption rights with the intent of:
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providing warrantholders with adequate notice of redemption, and allowing them to
exercise their warrants prior to redemption at a time when there is a reasonable
premium to the warrant exercise price; and
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providing a sufficient differential between the then-prevailing common stock price
and the warrant exercise price so there is a buffer to absorb any negative market
reaction to SPAHs redemption of the warrants.
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If the foregoing conditions are satisfied and SPAH issues a notice of redemption, each
warrantholder can exercise his, her or its warrant prior to the scheduled redemption date.
However, there is no guarantee that the price of the common stock will exceed the $14.25 trigger
price or the warrant exercise price after the redemption notice is issued. The warrants are issued
in registered form under the Warrant Agreement. Refer to the Warrant Agreement for a complete
description of the terms and conditions of the warrants.
The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable on exercise of the warrants
may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a stock dividend, or SPAHs
recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation. However, the exercise price and number
of shares of common stock issuable on exercise of the warrants will not be adjusted for issuances
of common stock at a price below the warrant exercise price. If the warrant amendment proposal is
approved by SPAH stockholders, the Warrant Agreement will provide, among other things, (i) for the
mandatory downward adjustment of the exercise price for each warrant to reflect any cash dividends
paid with respect to the outstanding common stock of SPAH, and (ii) that no adjustment in the
number of shares issuable upon exercise of each warrant will be made as a result of the issuance of
SPAH shares and warrants to the shareholders of Frontier upon consummation of the merger agreement.
The warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior to the
expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise form on the reverse side of
the warrant certificate completed and executed as indicated, accompanied by full payment of the
exercise price, by certified check payable to SPAH, for the number of warrants being exercised.
Holders of warrants will not be entitled to a net cash settlement upon exercise of the warrants.
Warrantholders do not have the rights or privileges of holders of common stock, including voting
rights, until they exercise their warrants and receive shares of common stock. After the issuance
of shares of common stock upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be entitled to one vote
for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by stockholders.
No warrants will be exercisable unless at the time of exercise, SPAH has an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act covering the shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available. Under the Warrant
Agreement, SPAH agreed to use its best efforts to have an effective registration statement covering
shares of common stock issuable on exercise of the warrants and to maintain a current prospectus
relating to the common stock, both of which are a condition to exercise of the warrants, from the
date the warrants become exercisable to the date the warrants expire or are redeemed. However,
SPAH cannot make assurances that it will be able maintain a current prospectus relating to the
common stock. The market for the warrants may be limited and the warrants may have no value if the
warrants cannot be exercised because SPAH does not have an effective registration statement
covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants or current prospectus
relating thereto. Holders of warrants will not be entitled to a cash settlement for their warrants
if SPAH fails to have an effective registration statement or a current prospectus available
relating to the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, and holders only remedies in
such event will be those available if SPAH is found by a court of law to have breached its
contractual obligation to them by failing to do so. If the warrant amendment proposal is approved
by SPAH warrantholders at the special meeting of warrantholders, the Warrant Agreement will
provide that, in the event an effective registration statement is not in place on the date the
warrants are set to expire, the warrants will remain outstanding until 90 days after an effective
registration statement is filed, provided, that if SPAH has not filed an effective registration
statement within 90 days after the expiration date, the warrants shall become exercisable for cash
consideration.
233
Upon approval by SPAH stockholders and warrantholders at the special meetings, each
warrantholder (whether holding public warrants, initial founders warrants, additional founders
warrants or co-investment warrants) will be entitled to receive, in their sole discretion, upon
exercise of their warrants, either voting shares of SPAH common stock or shares of Non-Voting
Common Stock, such that the holder thereof would not exceed the ownership threshold which would
make it subject to the regulation as a bank holding company as described in the section entitled
Supervision and Regulation Federal Bank Holding Company Regulation. The terms of the
Non-Voting Common Stock are identical to the terms of SPAHs voting common stock except that the
Non-Voting Common Stock have no voting rights and holders of such Non-Voting Common Stock may
convert their shares into an equal number of shares of voting common stock, under certain
circumstances.
Initial Founders Warrants
SPAH currently has 10,322,400 initial founders warrants outstanding.
The initial founders warrants are substantially similar to those issued in the initial public
offering, except that the initial founders warrants:
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only become exercisable after SPAHs consummation of a business combination if and
when the last sales price of SPAHs common stock exceeds $14.25 per share for any 20
trading days within a 30 trading day period beginning 90 days after such business
combination;
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are non-redeemable so long as they are held by the SPAH insiders or their permitted
transferees; and
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the initial founders warrants will be forfeited in the event that SP II or SP Acq
LLC fails to purchase the co-investment units. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Steel Trust has agreed to assume all of SP IIs rights and obligations with respect to
SP IIs founders shares and warrants, including to purchase the co-investment units.
|
If the warrant amendment proposal is approved by warrantholders at the special meeting, the
initial founders warrants will become exercisable upon consummation of the merger, without the
requirement that the last sales price of SPAH common stock exceed $14.25 per share.
Although the shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the initial founders warrants will
not be issued pursuant to a registration statement so long as they are held by SP Acq LLC and its
permitted transferees, the Warrant Agreement provides that the initial founders warrants may not
be exercised unless an effective registration statement relating to the common stock issuable upon
exercise of the warrants purchased in the initial public offering is effective and a related
current prospectus is available. The SPAH insiders have agreed not to sell or otherwise transfer
any of their initial founders warrants (including the common stock to be issued upon exercise of
the initial founders warrants) for a period of one year from the date of the consummation of a
business combination, such as the merger, other than to permitted transferees who agree to be
subject to these transfer restrictions. In addition, at any time commencing three months prior to
the time they are no longer subject to transfer restrictions, the initial founders warrants and
the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the initial founders warrants will be
entitled to registration rights.
Additional Founders Warrants
SPAH currently has 7,000,000 additional founders warrants outstanding. The additional
founders warrants are identical to those issued in the initial public offering, except that the
additional founders warrants are non-redeemable so long as they are held by SP Acq LLC or its
permitted transferees (including Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker).
Although the shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the additional founders warrants
will not be issued pursuant to a registration statement so long as they are held by SP Acq LLC and
its permitted transferees, the Warrant Agreement provides that the additional founders warrants
may not be exercised unless an effective
registration statement relating to the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants
purchased in the initial public offering and a related current prospectus is available.
234
SP Acq LLC and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker have agreed not to sell or
transfer the additional founders warrants (including the common stock issuable upon exercise of
the additional founders warrants) until after SPAH completes the merger, other than to permitted
transferees who agree to be subject to these transfer restrictions. In addition, at any time after
the execution of a definitive agreement for the merger, the additional founders warrants and the
shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the additional founders warrants will be entitled
to registration rights.
Co-Investment Warrants
The co-investment warrants have terms and provisions that are substantially similar to the
warrants included in the units sold in the initial public offering, except that these warrants are
non-redeemable so long as SP II or its permitted transferees (such as the Steel Trust) hold such
warrants. Although the shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the co-investment warrants will
not be issued pursuant to a registration statement so long as they are held by SP II and its
permitted transferees (including the Steel Trust), the Warrant Agreement provides that the
co-investment warrants may not be exercised unless an effective registration statement relating to
the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants purchased in the initial public offering is
effective and a related current prospectus is available.
SP II previously agreed that it will not sell or otherwise transfer the co-investment warrants
(including the common stock issuable upon exercise of the co-investment warrants) for a period of
one year from the date of the consummation of a business combination, such as the merger, other
than to permitted transferees who agree to be subject to these transfer restrictions. The Steel
Trust has agreed to be bound by these transfer restrictions. In addition, at any time commencing
three months prior to the time they are no longer subject to transfer restrictions, the
co-investment warrants and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the co-investment
warrants will be entitled to registration rights.
Dividends
Except for a unit dividend of 0.15 units for each outstanding share of common stock effected
August 8, 2007 and a unit dividend of one-third of a unit for each outstanding share of common
stock effected September 4, 2007, SPAH has not declared or paid any dividends on its common stock
to date and does not intend to pay dividends prior to the completion of the merger. The payment of
dividends in the future will depend on SPAHs revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements
and general financial condition after the merger or other initial business combination is
completed. The payment of any dividends subsequent to the merger or other initial business
combination will be within the discretion of SPAHs then-board of directors. It is the present
intention of the SPAH Board to retain any earnings for use in SPAHs business operations and,
accordingly, SPAH does not anticipate the SPAH Board declaring any dividends in the foreseeable
future.
If the warrant amendment proposal is approved by SPAH stockholders, the Warrant Agreement will
provide for the mandatory downward adjustment of the exercise price for each warrant to reflect any
cash dividends paid with respect to the outstanding common stock of SPAH.
Registration Rights
Concurrently with the issuance and sale of the securities in the initial public offering, SPAH
entered into an agreement with each of the SPAH insiders granting them the right to demand that
SPAH register the resale, (i) in the case of each of the SPAH insiders, of the founders units, the
founders shares, the initial founders warrants and the shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of the initial founders warrants, (ii) in the case of SP Acq LLC and Messrs. Bergamo,
LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker, of the additional founders warrants and the shares of common
stock issuable upon the exercise of the additional founders warrants and (iii) in the case of SP
II (or its permitted transferee such as the Steel Trust) of the co-investment units, co-investment
shares and co-investment warrants and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the
co-investment warrants. The registration
rights are exercisable with respect to the founders units, founders shares, initial
founders warrants (including shares issuable upon exercise of such warrants) co-investment units
and co-investment shares and co-investment warrants (including shares issuable upon exercise of
these warrants) at any time commencing three months prior to the date on which they are no longer
subject to the transfer restrictions described in ''Information about SPAH Transfer
Restrictions, and with respect to the additional founders warrants and the shares of common
stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants, at any time after the execution of a definitive
agreement for an initial business combination. In addition, each of the SPAH insiders has certain
''piggy-back registration rights on registration statements filed subsequent to the date on which
the founders units, the founders shares, the co-investment units and the co-investment shares are
no longer subject to the lock-up agreements which restrict, among other things, transfer of the
founders units, the founders shares, initial founders warrants or additional founders warrants,
as the case may be, until one year after consummation of an initial business combination except to
certain permitted transferees, or, with respect to the warrants and the underlying shares of common
stock, after the warrants become exercisable by their terms. Permitted transferees will, under
certain circumstances, be entitled to the registration rights described herein. SPAH will bear the
expenses incurred in connection with the filing of any such registration statements.
235
If the warrant amendment proposal is approved by SPAH warrantholders at the special meeting of
warrantholders, the Warrant Agreement will provide that, in the event an effective registration
statement is not in place on the date the warrants are set to expire, the warrants will remain
outstanding until 90 days after an effective registration statement is filed, provided, that if
SPAH has not filed an effective registration statement within 90 days after the expiration date,
the warrants shall become exercisable for cash consideration.
SPAHS Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent
The transfer agent for SPAHs securities and warrant agent for its warrants is Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions In the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation and SPAH Bylaws
Special meeting of stockholders
The SPAH Bylaws provide that special meetings of its stockholders may be called only by a
majority vote of the SPAH Board or by its chairman.
Advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations
The SPAH Bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before its annual meeting
of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at its annual meeting of
stockholders must provide timely notice of their intent in writing. To be timely, a stockholders
notice will need to be delivered to SPAHs principal executive offices not later than the close of
business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first
anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting of stockholders. The SPAH Bylaws also specify
certain requirements as to the form and content of a stockholders meeting. These provisions may
preclude SPAH stockholders from bringing matters before the annual meeting of stockholders or from
making nominations for directors at the annual meeting of stockholders.
Authorized but unissued shares
SPAHs authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for
future issuances without stockholder approval and could be utilized for a variety of corporate
purposes, including future offerings to raise additional capital, acquisitions and employee benefit
plans. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock
could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of SPAH by means of a proxy
contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
236
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon by Olshan
Grundman Frome Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP, New York, New York. Proskauer Rose LLP, Los Angeles,
California will pass upon certain federal income tax consequences of the merger for SPAH. Keller
Rohrback L.L.P., Seattle, Washington acted as general counsel to Frontier and will pass upon
certain federal income tax consequences of the merger for Frontier and Ellenoff Grossman & Schole
LLP, New York, New York, acted as special counsel to Frontier. Morris James LLP, Wilmington,
Delaware, is acting as special counsel for SPAH as to matters of Delaware law.
EXPERTS
The accompanying balance sheets of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. as of December 31, 2008 and
2007, and the related statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows for the year
ended December 31, 2008, for the period from February 14, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2007,
and for the period from February 14, 2007 (inception) to
December 31, 2008, have been audited by J.H.
Cohn LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as indicated in their report with respect
thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
The consolidated balance sheets of Frontier Financial Corporation as of December 31, 2008 and
2007, the related consolidated statements of operations, shareowners equity and cash flows for
each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2008, have been audited by Moss Adams
LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein,
and included in reliance on the report such firm given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SPAH has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 to register the issuance of SPAH common
stock to be issued to Frontiers shareholders in the merger. This joint proxy statement/prospectus
is a part of that registration statement and constitutes a prospectus of SPAH, a proxy statement
for SPAHs special meeting of stockholders, a proxy statement of Frontier for Frontiers special
meeting of shareholders and a proxy statement for SPAHs special meeting of warrantholders.
Each of SPAH and Frontier annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. You may inspect or copy these materials at the Public Reference Room at
the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the operation of the SEC public reference room. SPAHs and Frontiers public
filings are also available to the public from the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
Information and statements contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus are qualified in
all respects by reference to the copy of the relevant contract or other document included as an
annex to this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
If you would like additional copies of this proxy statement/prospectus or if you have
questions about the merger, you should contact via phone or in writing:
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SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
590 Madison Avenue
32nd Floor
New York, New York 10022
Attn: John McNamara
(212) 520-2300
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Frontier Financial Corporation
332 S.W. Everett Mall Way
P. O. Box 2215
Everett, Washington 98213
Attn: Carol E. Wheeler
Chief Financial Officer
(425) 514-0700
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237
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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Page
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SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. Condensed Financial Statements
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F-1
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F-2
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F-3
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F-4
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F-5
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SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. Audited Financial Statements
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F-13
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F-14
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F-15
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F-16
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F-17
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F-18
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Frontier Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
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F-28
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F-29
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F-30
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F-32
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238
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Page
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Frontier Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Audited Financial Statements
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F-48
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F-49
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F-50
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F-51
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F-52
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F-54
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239
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
(a corporation in the development stage)
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
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June 30,
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December 31,
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2009
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2008
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(Unaudited)
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(See Note A)
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Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$
|
1,591,441
|
|
|
$
|
2,431,303
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Trust account attributable to deferred underwriters fee, restricted
|
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|
17,315,840
|
|
|
|
17,315,840
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Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
55,141
|
|
|
|
30,757
|
|
Deferred taxes
|
|
|
117,873
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
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|
19,080,295
|
|
|
|
19,777,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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Non current assets:
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|
|
|
|
|
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Cash and cash equivalents, restricted
|
|
|
|
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429,194
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Trust account, restricted:
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|
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|
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Cash and cash equivalents held in trust account
|
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409,014,880
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409,438,479
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Accrued interest receivable
|
|
|
87,871
|
|
|
|
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|
Tax overpayment due to trust account
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621,950
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130,641
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|
|
|
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|
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Trust account, restricted
|
|
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409,724,701
|
|
|
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409,569,120
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
Total assets
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$
|
428,804,996
|
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$
|
429,776,214
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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Current liabilities:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
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$
|
28,743
|
|
|
$
|
22,743
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Advances payable to affiliate
|
|
|
|
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5,132
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Accrued expenses
|
|
|
167,219
|
|
|
|
223,588
|
|
Income taxes payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,306
|
|
Other payables deferred underwriters fee
|
|
|
17,315,840
|
|
|
|
17,315,840
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total current liabilities
|
|
|
17,511,802
|
|
|
|
17,588,609
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Common stock, subject to possible conversion, 12,986,879 shares at conversion
value
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127,772,726
|
|
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127,772,726
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Deferred interest, attributable to common stock subject to possible conversion
|
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374,788
|
|
|
|
421,510
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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Commitments and contingencies
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Stockholders equity:
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|
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Preferred stock, $.001 par value; 1,000,000 authorized, none issued
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Common stock, $.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 54,112,000
shares issued and outstanding (including 12,986,879 shares subject to
possible conversion)
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|
41,125
|
|
|
|
41,125
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
280,334,037
|
|
|
|
280,287,315
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Retained earnings accumulated during the development stage
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|
|
2,770,518
|
|
|
|
3,664,929
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
283,145,680
|
|
|
|
283,993,369
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
|
|
$
|
428,804,996
|
|
|
$
|
429,776,214
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|
|
|
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
F-1
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
(a corporation in the development stage)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
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For the
|
|
|
|
For the
|
|
|
For the
|
|
|
For the
|
|
|
For the
|
|
|
Period from
|
|
|
|
Three
|
|
|
Three
|
|
|
Six
|
|
|
Six
|
|
|
February 14,
|
|
|
|
Months
|
|
|
Months
|
|
|
Months
|
|
|
Months
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
(inception) to
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
June 30, 2008
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
June 30, 2008
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Formation and operating costs
|
|
$
|
339,313
|
|
|
$
|
301,765
|
|
|
$
|
678,261
|
|
|
$
|
499,229
|
|
|
$
|
1,995,281
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations
|
|
|
(339,313
|
)
|
|
|
(301,765
|
)
|
|
|
(678,261
|
)
|
|
|
(499,229
|
)
|
|
|
(1,995,281
|
)
|
Interest income Trust
|
|
|
168,770
|
|
|
|
1,700,797
|
|
|
|
264,273
|
|
|
|
4,341,829
|
|
|
|
9,584,971
|
|
Interest income other
|
|
|
709
|
|
|
|
11,950
|
|
|
|
1,436
|
|
|
|
25,427
|
|
|
|
45,205
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,021
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,146
|
)
|
|
|
(15,581
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before tax
|
|
|
(169,834
|
)
|
|
|
1,407,961
|
|
|
|
(412,552
|
)
|
|
|
3,861,881
|
|
|
|
7,619,314
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(117,292
|
)
|
|
|
(698,507
|
)
|
|
|
(481,859
|
)
|
|
|
(2,176,503
|
)
|
|
|
(4,848,796
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
|
(287,126
|
)
|
|
|
709,454
|
|
|
|
(894,411
|
)
|
|
|
1,685,378
|
|
|
|
2,770,518
|
|
Deferred interest,
attributable to common stock
subject to possible
conversion
|
|
|
(19,147
|
)
|
|
|
231,809
|
|
|
|
46,722
|
|
|
|
(111,035
|
)
|
|
|
(374,788
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
attributable to common stock
|
|
$
|
(306,273
|
)
|
|
$
|
941,263
|
|
|
$
|
(847,689
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,574,343
|
|
|
$
|
2,395,730
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
attributable to common stock
per common share, basic and
diluted
|
|
$
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding
excluding shares subject to
possible conversion, basic
and diluted
|
|
|
41,125,121
|
|
|
|
41,125,121
|
|
|
|
41,125,121
|
|
|
|
41,125,121
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
F-2
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
(a corporation in the development stage)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 14,
|
|
|
|
For the Six
|
|
|
For the Six
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
Months ended
|
|
|
Months ended
|
|
|
(inception) to
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
June 30, 2008
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income
|
|
$
|
(894,411
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,685,378
|
|
|
$
|
2,770,518
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash
(used in) provided by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred taxes
|
|
|
(117,873
|
)
|
|
|
125,406
|
|
|
|
(117,873
|
)
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued interest receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(57,626
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Other receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,323
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
(24,384
|
)
|
|
|
4,517
|
|
|
|
(55,141
|
)
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
(438,525
|
)
|
|
|
28,743
|
|
Advances payable to affiliate
|
|
|
(5,132
|
)
|
|
|
(25,314
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Interest payable to affiliate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,435
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
(56,369
|
)
|
|
|
3,770
|
|
|
|
167,219
|
|
Income taxes payable
|
|
|
(21,306
|
)
|
|
|
(621,903
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
|
|
|
(1,113,475
|
)
|
|
|
692,591
|
|
|
|
2,793,466
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents held in trust account,
interest available for working capital and taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
883,616
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted
|
|
|
429,194
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trust account, restricted
|
|
|
(155,581
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(427,040,541
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
|
|
|
273,613
|
|
|
|
883,616
|
|
|
|
(427,040,541
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of founders units
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of additional
founders warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,000,000
|
|
Proceeds from note payable to affiliate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
Repayment of note payable to affiliate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(250,000
|
)
|
|
|
(250,000
|
)
|
Proceeds from initial public offering
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
432,896,000
|
|
Payment of offering costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14,082,484
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(250,000
|
)
|
|
|
425,838,516
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash
|
|
|
(839,862
|
)
|
|
|
1,326,207
|
|
|
|
1,591,441
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
|
|
|
2,431,303
|
|
|
|
1,317,688
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
|
|
$
|
1,591,441
|
|
|
$
|
2,643,895
|
|
|
$
|
1,591,441
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred offering costs included in accounts payable
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
372,456
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrual of deferred underwriters discount
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
17,315,840
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash payments for Federal, state and city income taxes
|
|
$
|
1,100,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,673,000
|
|
|
$
|
5,575,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
F-3
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
(a corporation in the development stage)
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retained
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
During the
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
|
Development
|
|
|
Stockholders
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Stage
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
Proceeds from founders units issued
at $0.003 per unit on March 22, 2007
|
|
|
7,500,000
|
|
|
$
|
7,500
|
|
|
$
|
17,500
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
Unit dividend of 0.15 units issued
for each outstanding share of common
stock declared on August 8, 2007
|
|
|
1,125,000
|
|
|
|
1,125
|
|
|
|
(1,125
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unit dividend of one-third of a unit
issued for each outstanding share of
common stock declared on September
4, 2007
|
|
|
2,875,000
|
|
|
|
2,875
|
|
|
|
(2,875
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of 40,000,000
units, net of underwriters
commissions and offering expenses of
$29,030,049 at $10.00 per unit on
October 16, 2007
|
|
|
40,000,000
|
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
370,929,951
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
370,969,951
|
|
Net proceeds subject to possible
conversion of 11,999,999 shares
|
|
|
(11,999,999
|
)
|
|
|
(12,000
|
)
|
|
|
(118,187,990
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(118,199,990
|
)
|
Proceeds from issuance of 7,000,000
warrants on October 16, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,000,000
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of 3,289,600
units, net of underwriters
commissions and offering expenses of
$2,368,275 at $10.00 per unit on
October 31, 2007
|
|
|
3,289,600
|
|
|
|
3,290
|
|
|
|
30,524,435
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,527,725
|
|
Net proceeds subject to possible
conversion of 986,880 shares
|
|
|
(986,880
|
)
|
|
|
(987
|
)
|
|
|
(9,571,749
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,572,736
|
)
|
Founders units forfeited on October
31, 2007
|
|
|
(677,600
|
)
|
|
|
(678
|
)
|
|
|
678
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,466,293
|
|
|
|
1,466,293
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
41,125,121
|
|
|
|
41,125
|
|
|
|
280,708,825
|
|
|
|
1,466,293
|
|
|
|
282,216,243
|
|
Deferred interest, attributable to
common stock subject to possible
conversion
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(421,510
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(421,510
|
)
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,198,636
|
|
|
|
2,198,636
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at December 31, 2008
|
|
|
41,125,121
|
|
|
|
41,125
|
|
|
|
280,287,315
|
|
|
|
3,664,929
|
|
|
|
283,993,369
|
|
Deferred interest, attributable to
common stock subject to possible
conversion
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,722
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,722
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(894,411
|
)
|
|
|
(894,411
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at June 30, 2009 (unaudited)
|
|
|
41,125,121
|
|
|
$
|
41,125
|
|
|
$
|
280,334,037
|
|
|
$
|
2,770,518
|
|
|
$
|
283,145,680
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.
F-4
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
(a corporation in the development stage)
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
NOTE A DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (a corporation in the development stage) (the Company) was
incorporated in Delaware on February 14, 2007. The Company was formed to acquire one or more
businesses or assets through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase or
other similar business combination (Business Combination). The Company has neither engaged in any
operations nor generated operating revenues to date. The Company will not generate any operating
revenues until after the completion of its initial business combination. Since the completion of
its initial public offering, the Company generates non-operating income in the form of interest
income on cash and cash equivalents.
The Company is considered to be in the development stage as defined in Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 7, Accounting and Reporting by Development Stage Enterprises,
and is subject to the risks associated with activities of development stage companies.
The Company was initially formed and capitalized through the sale of founders units to a
related entity, SP Acq LLC (see Note D).
The registration statement for the Companys initial public offering (Offering) was declared
effective on October 10, 2007. The Company consummated the Offering on October 16, 2007 and
recorded proceeds of $370,969,951, net of the underwriters discount of $28,000,000 and offering
costs of $1,030,049. Simultaneously with the consummation of the Offering, the Company consummated
the private sale of 7,000,000 warrants to SP Acq LLC at a price of $1 per warrant (an aggregate
purchase price of $7,000,000) (see Note D).
On October 31, 2007, the underwriters exercised a portion and terminated the balance of their
over allotment option granted in connection with the initial public offering and consummated the
purchase of an additional 3,289,600 units at a price of $10.00 per unit, for gross proceeds of
$32,896,000 or net proceeds of $30,527,725, net of the underwriters discount of $2,302,720 and
offering costs of $65,555.
The Companys management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the
net proceeds of the Offering, although substantially all of the net proceeds of the Offering are
intended to be generally applied toward consummating a Business Combination. Furthermore, there is
no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect a Business Combination.
A total of $425,909,120 (or approximately $9.84 per share), including $371,000,000 of the net
proceeds from the Offering, $7,000,000 from the sale of warrants to the founding shareholders (see
Note D), $30,593,280 of net proceeds of the over allotment issuance and $17,315,840 of deferred
underwriting discounts, has been placed in a trust account at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., with
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company as trustee (the Trust) which is to be invested in
United States government securities within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 having a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds meeting certain
conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Except for up to
$3,500,000 of Trust interest income to be released to the Company to fund expenses relating to
investigating and selecting a target business and other working capital requirements, and any
additional amounts needed to pay income taxes on the Trust earnings, the proceeds held in the Trust
will not be released from the Trust until the earlier of the completion of the Companys Business
Combination or the liquidation of the Company. As of June 30, 2009, the balance in the Trust
account was $427,040,541, which includes accrued interest receivable and overpayments of taxes due
to the Trust. Through June 30, 2009, the Trust has released $3,500,000 of interest income to the
Company and the Company had paid a total of $5,575,500 in taxes, of which $5,575,500 has been
reimbursed by the Trust.
F-5
The placing of funds in the Trust may not protect those funds from third party claims against
the Company. Although the Company will seek to have all vendors and service providers (which would
include any third parties we engaged to assist us in any way in connection with our search for a
target business) and prospective target businesses execute agreements with the Company waiving any
right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust, there is no
guarantee that they will execute such agreements.
SP Acq LLC has agreed that it will be liable to the Company if and to the extent claims by
third parties reduce the amounts in the Trust available for payment to our stockholders in the
event of a liquidation and the claims are made by a vendor for services rendered, or products sold,
to us, or by a prospective target business. A vendor refers to a third party that enters into an
agreement with us to provide goods or services to us. However, the agreement entered into by SP Acq
LLC specifically provides for two exceptions to the indemnity given: there will be no liability (1)
as to any claimed amounts owed to a third party who executed a legally enforceable waiver, or (2)
as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of our initial public offering against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Furthermore, there could be
claims from parties other than vendors, third parties with which we entered into a contractual
relationship or target businesses that would not be covered by the indemnity from SP Acq LLC, such
as shareholders and other claimants who are not parties in contract with us who file a claim for
damages against us.
The Company, after signing a definitive agreement for the acquisition of a target business,
will submit such transaction for stockholder approval. In the event that 30% or more of the
outstanding stock (excluding, for this purpose, those shares of common stock issued prior to the
Offering) vote against the Business Combination and exercise their conversion rights described
below, the Business Combination will not be consummated. Public stockholders voting against a
Business Combination will be entitled to convert their stock to cash at a per share conversion
price equal to the aggregate amount then in the Trust (before payment of deferred underwriters fees
and including interest, net of any income taxes payable on such interest, which shall be paid from
the Trust, and net of interest income of up to $3.5 million earned on the Trust balance previously
released to the Company to fund working capital requirements), if the Business Combination is
approved and consummated. However, voting against the Business Combination alone will not result in
election to exercise a stockholders conversion rights. A stockholder must also affirmatively
exercise such conversion rights at or prior to the time the Business Combination is voted upon by
the stockholders. All of the Companys stockholders prior to the Offering, and all of the officers
and directors of the Company have agreed to vote all of the shares of the Company stock held by
them that they acquired prior to the consummation of the offering in accordance with the vote of
the majority in interest of all other stockholders of the Company.
We will seek to consummate a Business Combination until October 10, 2009. If we are unable
to complete a Business Combination, the proceeds held in the Trust, including the unpaid portion of
the underwriters commission (see Note D) will be distributed to the Companys public stockholders
(excluding SP Acq LLC, Steel Partners II, L.P. and Anthony Bergamo, Ronald LaBow, Howard M. Lorber,
Leonard Toboroff and S. Nicholas Walker, each a director of the Company, to the extent of their
pre-Offering stock holdings).
These unaudited interim condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim
financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of
the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of
management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included and
such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The operating results for the interim periods
presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period
or for the full year.
The condensed balance sheet information as of December 31, 2008 was derived from the audited
balance sheet included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2008. These unaudited interim condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with
the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Companys December 31, 2008 Annual
Report on Form 10-K, filed on March 10, 2009 and amended on Form 10-K/A, filed on April 24, 2009.
The accounting policies used in preparing these unaudited interim condensed financial statements
are consistent with those described in the audited financial statements included in the Companys
December 31, 2008 Form 10-K as amended.
F-6
NOTE B BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1. Development Stage Company:
The Company complies with the reporting requirements of SFAS No. 7, Accounting and Reporting
by Development Stage Enterprises.
As indicated in the accompanying unaudited interim condensed financial statements, the Company
has incurred substantial organizational, legal, accounting and offering costs in the pursuit of its
financing plans and expects to incur additional costs in pursuit of its acquisition plans. As of
June 30, 2009, the Company had cash on hand of $1,591,441 as well as $426,330,720 of cash and cash
equivalents in the Trust. Under terms of the investment management trust agreement, up to
$3,500,000 of interest may be released to the Company in such amounts and such intervals as we
request, subject to availability. At June 30, 2009, $3,500,000 of Trust interest has been released
to the Company. Management has reviewed its cash requirements as of June 30, 2009 and believes
that its cash on hand, along with the funds available to it from the interest income from the Trust
for the payment of income tax liabilities on Trust earnings (See Note A) is sufficient to cover its
expenses for the next twelve months.
There is no assurance that the Companys plan to complete a Business Combination will be
successful.
2. Cash and Cash Equivalents:
The Company considers investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be
cash equivalents.
3. Common Stock and Unit Dividends:
Each share of common stock has one vote. As discussed in Note F, on August 8, 2007, the
Company declared a unit dividend of 0.15 units for each unit outstanding and on September 4, 2007
declared a unit dividend of one third of a unit for each unit outstanding. All of the unit holders
agreed to transfer their units due them with respect to these dividends to SP Acq LLC. Such stock
dividends are presented as if they were stock splits and are presented retroactively for each
period presented. All unit amounts outstanding reflect such dividends, except for weighted average
shares outstanding as discussed in Note B-4.
4. Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share:
The Company follows the provisions of SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share (SFAS No. 128). In
accordance with SFAS No. 128, earnings per common share amounts (Basic EPS) is computed by
dividing earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.
Common shares subject to possible conversion of 12,986,879 shares have been excluded from the
calculation of basic earnings per share since such shares, if redeemed, only participate in their
pro rata shares of the trust earnings. Such earnings are deducted from earnings available to common
stockholders. Earnings per common share amounts, assuming dilution (Diluted EPS), gives effect to
dilutive options, warrants and other potential common stock outstanding during the period. SFAS No.
128 requires the presentation of both Basic EPS and Diluted EPS on the face of the statements of
operations. The effect of the 61,112,000 outstanding Warrants issued in connection with the Public
Offering and the Private Placement described in Note A has not been considered in the diluted
earnings per share calculation since the exercise of the Warrants are contingent upon the
occurrence of future events, and therefore, not includable in the calculation of diluted earning
per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128.
5. Concentration of Credit Risk:
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk
consist of cash accounts in a financial institution, which at times, exceeds the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation limits. Management
believes the risk of loss to be minimal.
F-7
6. Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
The fair value of the Companys assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments
under SFAS No. 107, Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments, approximate the
carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet because of their short-term maturities.
7. Cash and Cash Equivalents-Restricted:
Pursuant to the terms of the investment management trust agreement, the Company is permitted
to have released from the Trust account, interest income to pay income taxes on interest income
earned on the Trust account balance. As of December 31, 2008, the Company transferred excess
amounts from the Trust account totaling $429,194 for the payment of Federal estimated taxes due on
January 15, 2009. These amounts were reflected as cash and cash equivalents, restricted in the
accompanying condensed balance sheet as of December 31, 2008.
8. Trust Account-Restricted:
The Company considers the restricted portion of the funds held in the Trust Account to be a
non-current asset. A current asset is one that is reasonably expected to be used to pay current
liabilities, such as accounts payable or short-term debt or to pay current operating expenses, or
will be used to acquire other current assets. Since the acquisition of a business is principally
considered to be for a long-term purpose, with long-term assets such as property and tangibles
typically being a major part of the acquired assets, the Company has reported the funds anticipated
to be used in the acquisition as a non-current asset.
As discussed in Note A, the Trust Account is invested in United States Treasury Bills with an
original term of 180 days and a maturity date of July 16, 2009. Upon maturity of the Treasury Bills
on July 16, 2009, the Company reinvested the assets in the Trust account in United States Treasury
Bills with a cost of $426,174,903, maturing on August 13, 2009 and bearing interest at a per annum
rate of 0.13%.
9. Subsequent Events:
Management has evaluated subsequent events to determine if events or transactions occurring
through July 24, 2009 require potential adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
10. Income Taxes:
The Company follows the provisions of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, which
requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial
statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible
amounts, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are
expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce
deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
On February 14, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards
Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an
interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and
measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or
expected to be taken in a tax return and also provides guidance on derecognition, classification,
interest and penalties, accounting in interim period, disclosure and transition.
11. Share-Based Compensation:
The Company accounts for stock options and warrants using the fair value recognition
provisions of SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment , (SFAS 123(R)). SFAS 123(R)
addresses all forms of share based compensation awards including shares issued under employment
stock purchase plans, stock options, restricted stock and stock appreciation rights. Under SFAS 123
(R), share based payment awards will be measured at
fair value on the awards grant date, based on estimated number of awards that are expected to
vest and will be reflected as compensation expense in the financial statements.
F-8
12. Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events (SFAS No. 165). SFAS No. 165
establishes general standards of accounting for, and disclosure of events that occur after the
balance sheet but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. SFAS No.
165 is effective for interim or annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of SFAS
No. 165 had no impact on the Companys condensed financial statements.
In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 141R-1, Accounting for Assets Acquired
and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise From Contingencies (FSP No.
141R-1). FSP No. 141R-1 amends the provisions in SFAS No. 141(R) for the initial recognition and
measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure for assets and liabilities
arising from contingencies in business combinations. FSP 141R-1 eliminates the distinction between
contractual and non-contractual contingencies, including the initial recognition and measurement
criteria in SFAS No. 141(R) and instead carries forward most provisions of SFAS No. 141 for
acquired contingencies. FSP 141R-1 is effective for contingent assets and liabilities acquired in
evaluating the impact of SFAS 141(R).
Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other
standards-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have
a material impact on our financial statements upon adoption.
NOTE C INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
On October 16, 2007, the Company sold to the public an aggregate of 40,000,000 units at a
price of $10.00 per unit. Each unit consists of one share of the Companys common stock, $0.001 par
value, and one redeemable common stock purchase warrant. On October 31, 2007, the underwriters
exercised a portion and cancelled the balance of their over-allotment option granted in connection
with the Offering and consummated the sale of an additional 3,289,600 units at a price of $10.00
per unit.
The Company has incurred an underwriters fee of 7% of the gross offering proceeds in
connection with the completion of the Offering and the over-allotment. Of this fee, $12,000,000 and
$986,880 were paid at the closing of the Offering and over-allotment on October 16, 2007 and
October 31, 2007, respectively, and $17,315,840 is held in the Trust and will be paid to the
underwriters in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination. As of June 30, 2009,
the remaining underwriting commitment of $17,315,840 is included as Other payables deferred
underwriters fee.
NOTE D RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
SP Acq LLC purchased 11,500,000 of the Companys founders units subject to the terms of the
Founders Unit Purchase Agreement (the Purchase Agreement) dated March 30, 2007 and the Founders
Unit Adjustment Agreement (the Adjustment Agreement) dated August 8, 2007, each consisting of one
common share and one warrant to purchase a common share, for a price of $25,000 in a private
placement. The units are identical to those sold in the Offering, except that SP Acq LLC, Steel
Partners II, L.P., and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker agreed to vote their
founders shares in the same manner as a majority of the public stockholders who vote at the
special or annual meeting called for the purpose of approving the Companys Business Combination.
As a result, they will not be able to exercise conversion rights with respect to the founders
shares if the Companys Business Combination is approved by a majority of its public stockholders.
The founders shares included therein will not participate with the common stock included in the
units sold in the Offering in any liquidating distribution. The founders units, including the
founders shares and initial founders warrants, may not be sold or transferred until at least one
year after the completion of a Business Combination.
F-9
The agreements referred to above provide for the Founders to maintain a 20% interest in the
Company after taking into consideration the number of units ultimately sold in the initial public
offering (IPO). In order for the Founders to hold the number of shares necessary to maintain a
20% interest in the Company, 677,600 units were forfeited and cancelled on the date of the IPO,
leaving the Founders with 10,822,400 or 20% of the 54,112,000 units outstanding at that time. The
Company accounted for the transaction employing the price associated with the original sale because
in the opinion of management, the adjustment in the number of shares was contemplated in the
Purchase Agreement and Adjustment Agreement entered into prior to the IPO.
The Company has issued warrants to purchase 11,500,000 common shares at an exercise price of
$7.50 per share as part of the founders units in connection with its initial capitalization on
March 22, 2007 (initial founders warrants). On October 31, 2007, in connection with the partial
exercise of the underwriters over-allotment option, 677,600 initial founders warrants were
forfeited to the Company and cancelled.
Additionally, pursuant to the Directors Purchase Agreement dated as of June 25, 2007, SP Acq
LLC has sold a total of 500,000 founders units to certain directors of the Company.
SP Acq LLC, pursuant to an agreement dated March 22, 2007, also sold to its affiliate Steel
Partners II, L.P. a portion of its founders units, with the final number of units to be determined
based on the number of units sold in the Offering once the underwriters over-allotment option was
exercised or expired. As of October 16, 2007, upon the closing of the Offering, Steel Partners II,
L.P. owned 662,791 founders units. On October 31, 2007, the underwriters exercised a portion of
their over-allotment option and SP Acq LLC sold an additional 6,197 of its founders units to Steel
Partners II, L.P., bringing Steel Partners II, L.P. ownership to 668,988 units.
On March 28, 2007, the Company issued a $250,000 unsecured promissory note to Steel Partners,
Ltd., an affiliate of SP Acq LLC and the Company. This note bore interest at 5% per annum, was
unsecured and principal and interest payments were due on December 31, 2007. Steel Partners Ltd.
confirmed on May 7, 2008 that the promissory note was not in default and that payment may be made
on or before December 31, 2008. Interest payable of $15,581 was accrued on this note through June
27, 2008, at which time the note and accrued interest were repaid in full.
Advances payable of $0 and $5,132 at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, relate
to certain costs paid by Steel Partners, Ltd. on behalf of the Company. None of the officers and
directors of the Company received compensation for their services to the Company.
The Company presently occupies office space provided by Steel Partners, Ltd. Steel Partners,
Ltd. has agreed that, until the acquisition of a target business by the Company, it will make such
office space, as well as certain office, administrative and secretarial services, available to the
Company, as may be required by the Company from time to time. The Company has agreed to pay Steel
Partners, Ltd. $10,000 per month for such services. Services commenced on October 16, 2007. The
Company has incurred $180,000 and $120,000 for such services through June 30, 2009 and December 31,
2008, respectively, of which $60,000 and $60,000 are included in accrued expenses at June 30, 2009
and December 31, 2008, respectively.
SP Acq LLC purchased, in a private placement on October 16, 2007, 7,000,000 additional
founders warrants at a price of $1 per warrant (an aggregate purchase price of $7,000,000)
directly from the Company and not as part of the Offering. The purchase price of these additional
founders warrants has been determined by the Company to be the fair value of such warrants as of
the October 16, 2007 purchase date. An aggregate of 500,000 additional founders warrants were sold
by SP Acq LLC to certain directors.
In addition, Steel Partners II, L.P. has entered into an agreement with the Company requiring
it to purchase 3,000,000 units (co-investment units) at a price of $10 per unit (an aggregate
price of $30,000,000) from the Company in a private placement that will occur immediately prior to
the Companys consummation of a Business Combination. These private placement units will be
identical to the units sold in the Offering. It has also agreed that these units will not be sold,
transferred, or assigned until at least one year after the completion of the Business Combination.
In the event that Steel Partners II, L.P. does not purchase the co-investment units, SP Acq LLC,
Steel Partners II, L.P. and the directors who purchased founders units have agreed to surrender
and forfeit their founders units and additional founders warrants to the Company, provided
however that such surrender and forfeiture will
not be required if SP Acq LLC purchases the co-investment units. In such event, Steel Partners
II, L.P. has agreed to transfer its founders units to SP Acq LLC. None of the co-investment units
have been issued by the Company as of June 30, 2009.
F-10
NOTE E PREFERRED STOCK
The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with such designations,
voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board of
Directors. No shares have been issued as of June 30, 2009.
NOTE F UNIT DIVIDENDS
Effective August 8, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a unit dividend to
the holders of record. The dividend consisted of 0.15 units for each outstanding share of common
stock and totaled 1,125,000 units. Effective September 4, 2007, the Board of Directors of the
Company declared a unit dividend to the holders of record. The dividend consisted of one-third of a
unit for each outstanding share of common stock and totaled 2,875,000 units. All of the unit
holders agreed to transfer their units due them with respect to these dividends to SP Acq LLC.
NOTE G WARRANTS
The following table presents warrants outstanding:
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June 30, 2009
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December 31, 2008
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Initial Founders Warrants
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10,822,400
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10,822,400
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Additional Founders Warrants
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7,000,000
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7,000,000
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Public Warrants
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43,289,600
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43,289,600
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Totals
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61,112,000
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61,112,000
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Initial founders warrants are not redeemable while held by SP Acq LLC or its permitted
transferees and the exercisability of initial founders warrants are subject to certain additional
restrictions. Each initial founders warrant entitles the holder to purchase from the Company one
share of common stock at an exercise price of $7.50 only in the event that the last sale price of
the common stock is at least $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day
period beginning 90 days after a Business Combination. If the Company is unable to deliver
registered shares of common stock to the holder upon exercise of the warrants during the exercise
period, there will be no cash settlement of the warrants and the warrants will expire worthless.
Additional founders warrants entitle the holder to purchase from the Company one share of
common stock at an exercise price of $7.50 for each warrant commencing on the completion of a
Business Combination with a target business, and expire five years from the date of the final
prospectus for the Offering (the Prospectus). SP Acq LLC has also agreed that the warrants
purchased by it will not be sold or transferred until after the completion of a Business
Combination, and will be non-redeemable so long as they are held by the Companys founders or their
permitted transferees. Additionally, pursuant to the Directors Purchase Agreement dated as of June
25, 2007, SP Acq LLC sold 500,000 of such initial founders warrants to certain directors on
October 16, 2007.
F-11
Public warrants entitle the holder to purchase from the Company one share of common stock for
each warrant at an exercise price of $7.50 commencing on the later of (a) one year from the date of
the Prospectus or (b) the completion of a Business Combination with a target business, and will
expire five years from the date of the Prospectus. The warrants are redeemable at the option of the
Company at a price of $0.01 per warrant upon 30 days prior notice after the warrants become
exercisable, only in the event that the last sale price of the common stock is at least $14.25 per
share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the third business day prior
to the date on which notice of redemption is given. The warrants will not be exercisable and the
Company will not be obligated to issue shares of common stock upon the exercise of the warrants by
a holder unless, at the time of such exercise, an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act covering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a
current prospectus relating to them is available. Although the Company
has undertaken in the warrant agreement, and therefore has a contractual obligation, to use
its best efforts to have an effective registration statement covering shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of the warrants from the date the warrants become exercisable and to
maintain a current prospectus relating to that common stock until the warrants expire or are
redeemed, and the Company intends to comply with it undertaking, the Company cannot assure you that
it will be able to do so. If the Company is unable to deliver registered shares of common stock to
the holder upon exercise of the warrants during the exercise period, there will be no cash
settlement of the warrants and the warrants will expire worthless.
As disclosed in Note D, the initial founders warrants and additional founders warrants have
certain restrictions and may be surrendered or forfeited under certain circumstances.
Pursuant to a registration rights agreement between the Company and SP Acq LLC, Steel Partners
II, L.P. and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker, the holders of our founders
units, founders shares and initial founders warrants and shares issuable upon exercise thereof
will be entitled to certain registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the
date that they are no longer subject to transfer restrictions.
NOTE H TAXES ON INCOME
Deferred tax assets reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities for financial statement purposes and the amounts used for income
tax purposes. The Company recorded a deferred tax asset as of June 30, 2009 in connection with net
operating losses generated in the current period that may be utilized to offset taxable income from
prior or in future periods.
The Company has paid a total of $5,575,500 since inception in estimated tax payments for
Federal, New York State and City income taxes.
The difference between the provision for income taxes and the amounts computed by applying the
federal statutory income tax rate to the income before tax is due to state and local taxes,
including New York capital based taxes.
F-12
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (a
corporation in the development stage) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related statements
of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2008, for the
period from February 14, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2007, and for the period from February
14, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2008. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements
based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (a corporation in the development stage) as of
December 31, 2008 and 2007, and its results of operations and cash flows for the year ended
December 31, 2008, for the period from February 14, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2007, and for
the period from February 14, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2008, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.s (a
corporation in the development stage) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 10,
2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
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/s/ J.H. Cohn LLP
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Jericho, New York
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March 10, 2009
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F-13
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
(a corporation in the development stage)
BALANCE SHEETS
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December 31,
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December 31,
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2008
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2007
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Current assets:
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$
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2,431,303
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$
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1,317,688
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Trust account, interest available for working capital and taxes:
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Cash and cash equivalents held in trust account, interest
available for working capital and taxes
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989,183
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Accrued interest receivable
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469,705
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|
|
Total trust account, interest available for working capital and taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,458,888
|
|
Trust account attributable to deferred underwriters fee, restricted
|
|
|
17,315,840
|
|
|
|
17,315,840
|
|
Other receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,323
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
30,757
|
|
|
|
108,024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
19,777,900
|
|
|
|
20,226,763
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted
|
|
|
429,194
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trust account, restricted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents held in Trust account
|
|
|
409,438,479
|
|
|
|
408,593,280
|
|
Tax overpayment due to Trust account
|
|
|
130,641
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trust account, restricted
|
|
|
409,569,120
|
|
|
|
408,593,280
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
125,406
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
429,776,214
|
|
|
$
|
428,945,449
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$
|
22,743
|
|
|
$
|
449,194
|
|
Note payable to affiliate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
Advances payable to affiliate
|
|
|
5,132
|
|
|
|
26,818
|
|
Interest payable to affiliate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,435
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
223,588
|
|
|
|
96,915
|
|
Income taxes payable
|
|
|
21,306
|
|
|
|
808,278
|
|
Other payables deferred underwriters fee
|
|
|
17,315,840
|
|
|
|
17,315,840
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
17,588,609
|
|
|
|
18,956,480
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, subject to possible conversion, 12,986,879 shares at
conversion value:
|
|
|
127,772,726
|
|
|
|
127,772,726
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred interest, attributable to common stock subject to possible
conversion
|
|
|
421,510
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, $.001 par value; 1,000,000 authorized, none issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized;
54,112,000 shares issued and outstanding (including 12,986,879 shares
subject to possible conversion)
|
|
|
41,125
|
|
|
|
41,125
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
280,287,315
|
|
|
|
280,708,825
|
|
Retained earnings accumulated during the development stage
|
|
|
3,664,929
|
|
|
|
1,466,293
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
283,993,369
|
|
|
|
282,216,243
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders equity
|
|
$
|
429,776,214
|
|
|
$
|
428,945,449
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-14
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
(a corporation in the development stage)
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Period
|
|
|
For the Period
|
|
|
|
For the Year
|
|
|
from February 14,
|
|
|
from February 14,
|
|
|
|
Ended
|
|
|
2007 (inception) to
|
|
|
2007 (inception) to
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Formation and operating costs
|
|
$
|
1,052,648
|
|
|
$
|
264,373
|
|
|
$
|
1,317,021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations
|
|
|
(1,052,648
|
)
|
|
|
(264,373
|
)
|
|
|
(1,317,021
|
)
|
Interest income Trust
|
|
|
6,376,306
|
|
|
|
2,944,393
|
|
|
|
9,320,699
|
|
Interest income other
|
|
|
37,689
|
|
|
|
6,080
|
|
|
|
43,769
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(6,146
|
)
|
|
|
(9,435
|
)
|
|
|
(15,581
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
5,355,201
|
|
|
|
2,676,665
|
|
|
|
8,031,866
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(3,156,565
|
)
|
|
|
(1,210,372
|
)
|
|
|
(4,366,937
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
2,198,636
|
|
|
|
1,466,293
|
|
|
|
3,664,929
|
|
Deferred interest, attributable to
common stock subject to possible
conversion
|
|
|
(421,510
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(421,510
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to common stock
|
|
$
|
1,777,126
|
|
|
$
|
1,466,293
|
|
|
$
|
3,243,419
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to common
stock per common share, basic and
diluted
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of common
shares outstanding excluding shares
subject to possible conversion, basic
and diluted
|
|
|
41,125,121
|
|
|
|
17,245,726
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-15
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
(a corporation in the development stage)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Period
|
|
|
For the Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
from
|
|
|
from
|
|
|
|
For the Year
|
|
|
February 14,
|
|
|
February 14,
|
|
|
|
ended
|
|
|
2007 (inception)
|
|
|
2007 (inception)
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
to December 31,
|
|
|
to December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
2,198,636
|
|
|
$
|
1,466,293
|
|
|
$
|
3,664,929
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
|
125,406
|
|
|
|
(125,406
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in operating asset and liability
accounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued interest receivable
|
|
|
469,705
|
|
|
|
(469,705
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Other receivable
|
|
|
26,323
|
|
|
|
(26,323
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
77,267
|
|
|
|
(108,024
|
)
|
|
|
(30,757
|
)
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
(42,460
|
)
|
|
|
65,203
|
|
|
|
22,743
|
|
Advances payable to affiliate
|
|
|
(21,686
|
)
|
|
|
26,818
|
|
|
|
5,132
|
|
Interest payable to affiliate
|
|
|
(9,435
|
)
|
|
|
9,435
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
126,673
|
|
|
|
96,915
|
|
|
|
223,588
|
|
Income taxes payable
|
|
|
(786,972
|
)
|
|
|
808,278
|
|
|
|
21,306
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
2,163,457
|
|
|
|
1,743,484
|
|
|
|
3,906,941
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted
|
|
|
(429,194
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(429,194
|
)
|
Cash and cash equivalents held in Trust
account, interest available for working
capital and taxes
|
|
|
989,183
|
|
|
|
(989,183
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Trust account, restricted
|
|
|
(975,840
|
)
|
|
|
(425,909,120
|
)
|
|
|
(426,884,960
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(415,851
|
)
|
|
|
(426,898,303
|
)
|
|
|
(427,314,154
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of founders units
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of additional founders
warrants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,000,000
|
|
|
|
7,000,000
|
|
Proceeds from note payable to affiliate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
Repayment of note payable to affiliate
|
|
|
(250,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(250,000
|
)
|
Proceeds from initial public offering
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
432,896,000
|
|
|
|
432,896,000
|
|
Payment of offering costs
|
|
|
(383,991
|
)
|
|
|
(13,698,493
|
)
|
|
|
(14,082,484
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities
|
|
|
(633,991
|
)
|
|
|
426,472,507
|
|
|
|
425,838,516
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
1,113,615
|
|
|
|
1,317,688
|
|
|
|
2,431,303
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the
period
|
|
|
1,317,688
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
|
|
$
|
2,431,303
|
|
|
$
|
1,317,688
|
|
|
$
|
2,431,303
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred offering costs included in accounts
payable
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
383,991
|
|
|
$
|
383,991
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrual of deferred underwriters discount
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
17,315,840
|
|
|
$
|
17,315,840
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash payments for Federal, state and local income
taxes
|
|
$
|
3,997,500
|
|
|
$
|
527,500
|
|
|
$
|
4,525,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-16
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
(a corporation in the development stage)
STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retained
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
Common
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
During the
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
|
Development
|
|
|
Stockholders
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Stage
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
Proceeds from
founders units
issued at $0.003
per unit on March
22, 2007
|
|
|
7,500,000
|
|
|
$
|
7,500
|
|
|
$
|
17,500
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
25,000
|
|
Unit dividend of
0.15 units issued
for each
outstanding share
of common stock
declared on August
8, 2007
|
|
|
1,125,000
|
|
|
|
1,125
|
|
|
|
(1,125
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unit dividend of
one third of a unit
issued for each
outstanding share
of common stock
declared on
September 4, 2007
|
|
|
2,875,000
|
|
|
|
2,875
|
|
|
|
(2,875
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from
issuance of
40,000,000 units,
net of
underwriters
commissions and
offering expenses
of $29,030,049 at
$10.00 per unit on
October 16, 2007
|
|
|
40,000,000
|
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
370,929,951
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
370,969,951
|
|
Net proceeds
subject to possible
conversion of
11,999,999 shares
|
|
|
(11,999,999
|
)
|
|
|
(12,000
|
)
|
|
|
(118,187,990
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(118,199,990
|
)
|
Proceeds from
issuance of
7,000,000 warrants
on October 16, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,000,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,000,000
|
|
Proceeds from
issuance of
3,289,600 units,
net of
underwriters
commissions and
offering expenses
of $2,368,275 at
$10.00 per unit on
October 31, 2007
|
|
|
3,289,600
|
|
|
|
3,290
|
|
|
|
30,524,435
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,527,725
|
|
Net proceeds
subject to possible
conversion of
986,880 shares
|
|
|
(986,880
|
)
|
|
|
(987
|
)
|
|
|
(9,571,749
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,572,736
|
)
|
Founders Units
forfeited on
October 31, 2007
|
|
|
(677,600
|
)
|
|
|
(678
|
)
|
|
|
678
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,466,293
|
|
|
|
1,466,293
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at
December 31, 2007
|
|
|
41,125,121
|
|
|
$
|
41,125
|
|
|
$
|
280,708,825
|
|
|
$
|
1,466,293
|
|
|
$
|
282,216,243
|
|
Deferred interest,
attributable to
common stock
subject to possible
conversion
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(421,510
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(421,510
|
)
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,198,636
|
|
|
|
2,198,636
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances at
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
41,125,121
|
|
|
$
|
41,125
|
|
|
$
|
280,287,315
|
|
|
$
|
3,664,929
|
|
|
$
|
283,993,369
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-17
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
(a corporation in the development stage)
Notes to Financial Statements
NOTE A DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (a corporation in the development stage) (the Company) was
incorporated in Delaware on February 14, 2007. The Company was formed to acquire one or more
businesses or assets through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase or
other similar business combination (Business Combination). The Company has neither engaged in any
operations nor generated operating revenues to date. The Company will not generate any operating
revenues until after the completion of its initial business combination. Since the completion of
its initial public offering, the Company generates non-operating income in the form of interest
income on cash and cash equivalents.
The Company is considered to be in the development stage as defined in Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 7, Accounting and Reporting By Development Stage Enterprises,
and is subject to the risks associated with activities of development stage companies.
The Company was initially formed and capitalized through the sale of founders units to a
related entity, SP Acq LLC (See Note D).
The registration statement for the Companys initial public offering (Offering) was declared
effective October 10, 2007. The Company consummated the Offering on October 16, 2007 and recorded
proceeds of $370,969,951, net of the underwriters discount of $28,000,000 and offering costs of
$1,030,049. Simultaneously with the consummation of the Offering, the Company consummated the
private sale of 7,000,000 warrants to SP Acq LLC at a price of $1 per warrant (an aggregate
purchase price of $7,000,000) (see Note D).
On October 31, 2007, the underwriters exercised a portion and terminated the balance of their
over allotment option granted in connection with the initial public offering and consummated the
purchase of an additional 3,289,600 units at a price of $10.00 per unit, for gross proceeds of
$32,896,000 or net proceeds of $30,527,725, net of the underwriters fee of $2,302,720 and offering
costs of $65,555.
The Companys management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the
net proceeds of the Offering, although substantially all of the net proceeds of the Offering are
intended to be generally applied toward consummating a Business Combination. Furthermore, there is
no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully effect a Business Combination.
A total of $425,909,120 (or approximately $9.84 per share), including $371,000,000 of the net
proceeds from the Offering, $7,000,000 from the sale of warrants to the founding shareholders (see
Note D), $30,593,280 of net proceeds of the over allotment issuance and $17,315,840 of deferred
underwriting discounts and commissions, has been placed in a trust account at JPMorgan Chase Bank,
N.A., with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company as trustee (the Trust) which is to be
invested in United States government securities within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 having a maturity of 180 days or less or in money market funds
meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Except for up to $3,500,000 of Trust interest income to be released to the Company to fund expenses
relating to investigating and selecting a target business and other working capital requirements,
and any additional amounts needed to pay income taxes on the Trust earnings, the proceeds held in
the Trust will not be released from the Trust until the earlier of the completion of the Companys
Initial Business Combination or the liquidation of the Company. As of December 31, 2008, the
balance in the Trust account plus restricted cash and cash equivalents not held in the Trust
account was $427,314,154. Through December 31, 2008, the Trust has released $3,500,000 of interest
income to the Company and the Company has paid a total of $4,525,000 in taxes of which $4,525,000
has been reimbursed by the Trust.
F-18
The placing of funds in the Trust may not protect those funds from third party claims against
the Company. Although the Company will seek to have all vendors and service providers (which would
include any third parties we engaged to assist us in any way in connection with our search for a
target business) and prospective target businesses execute agreements with the Company waiving any
right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust, there is no
guarantee that they will execute such agreements.
SP Acq LLC has agreed that it will be liable to the Company if and to the extent claims by
third parties reduce the amounts in the trust account available for payment to our stockholders in
the event of a liquidation and the claims are made by a vendor for services rendered, or products
sold, to us, or by a prospective target business. A vendor refers to a third party that enters
into an agreement with us to provide goods or services to us. However, the agreement entered into
by SP Acq LLC specifically provides for two exceptions to the indemnity given: there will be no
liability (1) as to any claimed amounts owed to a third party who executed a legally enforceable
waiver, or (2) as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of our initial public
offering against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Furthermore,
there could be claims from parties other than vendors, third parties with which we entered into a
contractual relationship or target businesses that would not be covered by the indemnity from SP
Acq LLC, such as shareholders and other claimants who are not parties in contract with us who file
a claim for damages against us.
The Company, after signing a definitive agreement for the acquisition of a target business,
will submit such transaction for stockholder approval. In the event that 30% or more of the
outstanding stock (excluding, for this purpose, those shares of common stock issued prior to the
Offering) vote against the Business Combination and exercise their conversion rights described
below, the Business Combination will not be consummated. Public stockholders voting against a
Business Combination will be entitled to convert their common stock to cash at a per share
conversion price equal to the aggregate amount then in the Trust account (before payment of
deferred underwriters fees and including interest, net of any income taxes payable on such
interest, which shall be paid from the Trust, and net of interest income of up to $3.5 million
earned on the Trust balance previously released to the Company to fund working capital
requirements), if the Business Combination is approved and consummated. However, voting against the
Business Combination alone will not result in election to exercise a stockholders conversion
rights. A stockholder must also affirmatively exercise such conversion rights at or prior to the
time the Business Combination is voted upon by the stockholders. All of the Companys stockholders
prior to the Offering, and all of the officers and directors of the Company have agreed to vote all
of the shares of the Company stock held by them in accordance with the vote of the majority in
interest of all other stockholders of the Company.
In the event the Company does not consummate a Business Combination, the proceeds held in the
Trust, including the unpaid portion of the underwriters commission (See Note D) will be
distributed to the Companys public stockholders (excluding SP Acq LLC, Steel Partners II, L.P. and
Anthony Bergamo, Ronald LaBow, Howard M. Lorber, Leonard Toboroff and S. Nicholas Walker, each a
director of the Company), to the extent of their pre-Offering stock holdings.
NOTE B BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.
Development Stage Company:
The Company complies with the reporting requirements of SFAS No. 7, Accounting and Reporting
by Development Stage Enterprises.
As indicated in the accompanying financial statements, the Company has incurred substantial
organizational, legal, accounting and offering costs in the pursuit of its financing and
acquisition plans and expects to incur additional costs in pursuit of its acquisition plans. As of
December 31, 2008, the Company had cash on hand of $2,431,303 as well as an aggregate of
$427,314,154 of funds held in Trust and restricted cash and cash equivalents. Under terms of the
investment management trust agreement, up to $3,500,000 of interest may be released to the Company
in such amounts and such intervals as we request, subject to availability. At December 31, 2008,
$3,500,000 of Trust interest has been released to the Company. Management has reviewed its cash
requirements as of December 31, 2008 and believes that its cash on hand, along with the funds
available to it from the interest income from the Trust (See Note A) is sufficient to cover its
expenses for the next twelve months.
F-19
There is no assurance that the Companys plan to complete a Business Combination will be
successful.
2. Cash and cash equivalents:
The Company considers investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be
cash equivalents.
3. Common Stock and Unit Dividends:
Each share of common stock has one vote. As discussed in Note F, on August 8, 2007, the
Company declared a unit dividend of 0.15 units for each unit outstanding and on September 4, 2007
declared a unit dividend of one third of a unit for each unit outstanding. All of the unit holders
agreed to transfer their units due them with respect to these dividends to SP Acq LLC. Such stock
dividends are presented as if they were stock splits and presented retroactively for each period
presented. All unit amounts outstanding reflect such dividends, except for weighted average shares
outstanding as discussed in Note B-4.
4. Net Income Per Common Share:
The Company follows the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
128, Earnings Per Share. In accordance with SFAS No. 128, earnings per common share amounts
(Basic EPS) is computed by dividing earnings by the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding for the period. Common shares subject to possible conversion of 12,986,879 have been
excluded from the calculation of basic earnings per share since such shares, if redeemed, only
participate in their pro rata share of the trust earnings. Earnings per common share amounts,
assuming dilution (Diluted EPS), gives effect to dilutive warrants and other potential common
stock outstanding during the period. SFAS No. 128 requires the presentation of both Basic EPS and
Diluted EPS on the face of the statements of operations. In accordance with SFAS No. 128, the
Company has not considered the effect of its 61,112,000 outstanding Warrants in the calculation of
diluted earnings per share since the exercise of the Warrants is contingent upon the occurrence of
future events.
5 Reclassification:
The Company reclassified certain prior amounts to conform to the current periods presentation.
The Company reclassified amounts held in trust from current assets to long-term assets with the
exception of amounts held in trust that are currently available for current operations of the
Company. These reclassifications had no effect on the results reported for the year ended December
31, 2007.
6. Concentration of Credit Risk:
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk
consist of cash accounts in a financial institution, which at times, exceeds the Federal Depository
Insurance Corporation and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation limits. Management
believes the risk of loss to be minimal.
7. Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
The fair value of the Companys assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments
under SFAS No. 107, Disclosure About Fair Value of Financial Instruments, approximate the
carrying amounts represented in the balance sheet because of their short term maturities.
8 Cash and Cash Equivalents-Restricted:
Pursuant to the terms of the investment management trust agreement, The Company is permitted
to have released from the Trust account interest income to pay income taxes on interest income
earned on the Trust account balance. As of December 31, 2008, the Company transferred excess
amounts from the Trust account totaling $429,194 for the payment of Federal estimated taxes due on
January 15, 2009. These amounts are reflected as cash and cash equivalents, restricted in the
accompanying balance sheet.
F-20
9. Trust Account-Restricted:
The Company considers the restricted portion of the funds held in the Trust Account to be a
non-current asset. A current asset is one that is reasonably expected to be used to pay current
liabilities, such as accounts payable or short-term debt or to pay current operating expenses, or
will be used to acquire other current assets. Since the acquisition of a business is principally
considered to be for a long-term purpose, with long-term assets such as property and tangible
assets typically being a major part of the acquired assets, the Company has reported the funds
anticipated to be used in the acquisition as a non-current asset.
10. Income Taxes:
The Company complies with SFAS 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, which requires an asset and
liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax
assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax bases
of assets and liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible amounts, based on
enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to
affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax
assets to the amount expected to be realized.
On February 14, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards
Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an
interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and
measurement process for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or
expected to be taken in a tax return and also provides guidance on derecognition, classification,
interest and penalties, accounting in interim period, disclosure and transition.
11. Share-based compensation:
The Company accounts for stock options and warrants using the fair value recognition
provisions of SFAS No.123 (Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment , (SFAS 123(R)). SFAS 123(R)
addresses all forms of share based compensation awards including shares issued under employment
stock purchase plans, stock options, restricted stock and stock appreciation rights. Under SFAS 123
(R), share based payment awards will be measured at fair value on the awards grant date, based on
estimated number of awards that are expected to vest and will be reflected as compensation expense
in the financial statements.
12. Recent Accounting Pronouncements:
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 157, Fair
Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 establishes a single definition of fair value and a framework for
measuring fair value, sets out a fair value hierarchy to be used to classify the source of
information used in fair value measurements, and requires new disclosures of assets and liabilities
measured at fair value based on their level in the hierarchy. This statement applies under other
accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. In February 2008, the
FASB issued Staff Positions (FSPs) No. 157-1 and No. 157-2, which, respectively, remove leasing
transactions from the scope of SFAS No. 157 and defer its effective date for one year relative to
certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities. As a result, the application of the definition of fair
value and related disclosures of SFAS No. 157 (as impacted by these two FSPs) was effective for the
Company beginning January 1, 2008 on a prospective basis with respect to fair value measurements of
(a) nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the
Companys financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually) and (b) all financial
assets and liabilities. This adoption did not have a material impact on the Companys results of
operations or financial condition. The remaining aspects of SFAS No. 157 for which the effective
date was deferred under FSP No. 157-2 was adopted effective January 1, 2008. Areas impacted by the
deferral relate to nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value, but are
recognized or disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. This deferral applies to such items
as nonfinancial assets and liabilities initially measured at fair value in a business combination
(but not measured at fair value in subsequent periods) or nonfinancial long-lived asset groups
measured at fair value for an impairment assessment. The effects of these remaining aspects of SFAS
No. 157 are to be applied to fair value measurements prospectively beginning January 1, 2009.
F-21
In February 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial LiabilitiesIncluding an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (SFAS No.
159). SFAS 159 creates a fair value option under which an entity may elect to record certain
financial assets or liabilities at fair value upon their initial recognition. Subsequent changes in
fair value would be recognized in earnings as those changes occur. The election of the fair value
option would be made on a contract-by-contract basis and would need to be supported by concurrent
documentation or a preexisting documented policy. SFAS 159 requires an entity to separately
disclose the fair value of these items on the balance sheet or in the footnotes to the financial
statements and to provide information that would allow the financial statement user to understand
the impact on earnings from changes in the fair value. The Company adopted SFAS 159 effective
January 1, 2008 and has elected not to record any assets for the fair value option at this time.
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations,
(SFAS 141(R)). SFAS 141(R) retains the fundamental requirements of SFAS 141 that the acquisition
method of accounting (which SFAS 141 called the purchase method) be used for all business
combinations and for an acquirer to be identified for each business combination. SFAS 141(R)
establishes principles and requirements for recognizing and measuring identifiable assets and
goodwill acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in an acquisition, at their
fair value as of the acquisition date. SFAS 141(R) also requires an acquirer to recognize assets
acquired and liabilities assumed arising from contractual contingencies as of the acquisition date,
measured at their acquisition-date fair values. Additionally, SFAS 141(R) will require that
acquisition-related costs in a business combination be expensed as incurred, except for costs
incurred to issue debt and equity securities. This statement applies prospectively to business
combinations effective with the Companys first fiscal quarter of 2009. Early adoption is not
permitted. SFAS 141(R) would have an impact on accounting for any business acquired after the
effective date of this pronouncement.
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No.160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated
Financial Statements An Amendment of ARB No. 51, (SFAS 160). SFAS 160 establishes accounting
and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary (previously referred to as
minority interests). SFAS 160 also requires that a retained noncontrolling interest upon the
deconsolidation of a subsidiary be initially measured at its fair value. Upon adoption of SFAS 160,
the Company would be required to report any noncontrolling interests as a separate component of
stockholders equity. The Company would also be required to present any net income allocable to
noncontrolling interests and net income attributable to the stockholders of the Company separately
in its statements of operations. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within
those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. SFAS 160 requires retroactive adoption
of the presentation and disclosure requirements for existing minority interests. All other
requirements of SFAS 160 shall be applied prospectively. SFAS 160 would have an impact on the
presentation and disclosure of the noncontrolling interests of any non wholly-owned businesses
acquired in the future.
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles (SFAS 162). SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the
framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of
nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States. It is effective 60 days following the SECs approval of the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in
Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The adoption of this statement is not
expected to have a material effect on the Companys financial position, statement of operations or
cash flows.
Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting
standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the financial statements.
NOTE C INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
On October 16, 2007, the Company sold to the public an aggregate of 40,000,000 units at a
price of $10.00. Each unit consists of one share of the Companys common stock, $0.001 par value,
and one redeemable common stock purchase warrant. On October 31, 2007, the underwriters exercised a
portion and cancelled the balance of their over-allotment option granted in connection with the
Offering and consummated the sale of an additional 3,289,600 units at a price of $10.00.
F-22
The Company has incurred an underwriters fee of 7% of the gross offering proceeds in
connection with the completion of the Offering and the over-allotment. Of this fee, $12,000,000 and
$986,880 were paid at the closing of the Offering and over-allotment on October 16, 2007 and
October 31, 2007, respectively, and $17,315,840 is held in the Trust and will be paid to the
underwriters in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination. As of December 31,
2008, the remaining underwriting commitment of $17,315,840 is included as Other Payables deferred
underwriters fee.
NOTE D RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
SP Acq LLC purchased 11,500,000 of the Companys founders units subject to the terms of the
Founders Unit Purchase Agreement (the Purchase Agreement) date March 30, 2007 and the Founders
Unit Adjustment Agreement (the Adjustment Agreement) dated August 8, 2007, each consisting of one
common share and one warrant to purchase a common share, for a price of $25,000 in a private
placement. The units are identical to those sold in the Offering, except that SP Acq LLC, Steel
Partners II, L.P., and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker agreed to vote their
founders shares in the same manner as a majority of the public stockholders who vote at the
special or annual meeting called for the purpose of approving the Companys Business Combination.
As a result, they will not be able to exercise conversion rights with respect to the founders
shares if the Companys Business Combination is approved by a majority of its public stockholders.
The founders shares included therein will not participate with the common stock included in the
units sold in the Offering in any liquidating distribution. The founders units, including the
founders shares and initial founders warrants may not be sold or transferred until at least one
year after the completion of a Business Combination.
The agreements referred to above provide for the Founders to maintain a 20% interest in the
Company after taking into consideration the number of units ultimately sold in the initial public
offering (IPO). In order for the founders to hold the number of shares necessary to maintain a
20% interest in the Company, 677,600 units were forfeited and cancelled on the date of the IPO,
leaving the founders with 10,822,400 or 20% of 54,112,000 units outstanding at that time. The
Company accounted for the transaction employing the price associated with the original sale because
in the opinion of management, the adjustment in the number of shares was contemplated in the
Purchase Agreement and Adjustment Agreement entered into prior to the IPO.
The Company has issued warrants to purchase 11,500,000 common shares at $7.50 per share as
part of the founders units in connection with its initial capitalization on March 22, 2007
(initial founders warrants). On October 31, 2007, in connection with the partial exercise of the
underwriters over-allotment option, 677,600 initial founders warrants were forfeited to the
Company and cancelled.
Additionally, pursuant to the Directors Purchase Agreement dated as of June 25, 2007, SP Acq
LLC has sold a total of 500,000 founders units to certain directors of the Company.
SP Acq LLC, pursuant to an agreement dated March 22, 2007, also sold to its affiliate Steel
Partners II, L.P. a portion of its founders units, with the final number of units to be determined
based on the number of units sold in the Offering once the underwriters over-allotment option was
exercised or expired. As of October 16, 2007 upon the closing of the Offering, Steel Partners II,
L.P. owned 662,791 founders units. On October 31, 2007, the underwriters exercised a portion of
their over-allotment option and SP Acq LLC sold an additional 6,197 of its founders units to Steel
Partners II, L.P., bringing Steel Partners II, L.P. ownership to 668,988 units.
On March 28, 2007, the Company issued a $250,000 unsecured promissory note to Steel Partners,
Ltd., an affiliate of SP Acq LLC and the Company. This note bears interest at a rate of 5% per
annum, is unsecured and principal and interest payments was due on December 31, 2007. Steel
Partners Ltd. confirmed on May 7, 2008 that the promissory note was not in default and that the
payment may be made on or before December 31, 2008. Interest payable of $15,581 had been accrued on
this note through June 27, 2008, at which time the note and accrued interest were paid in full.
Advances payable of $5,132 and $26,818 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, relate to
certain costs paid by Steel Partners, Ltd. on behalf of the Company. The Company intends to repay
such advances and thus such amounts are reflected as a liability to affiliate. None of the officers
and directors of the Company received compensation for their services to the Company. The Company
repaid the advance on January 8, 2009.
F-23
The Company presently occupies office space provided by Steel Partners, Ltd. Steel Partners,
Ltd. has agreed that, until the acquisition of a target business by the Company, it will make such
office space, as well as certain office, administrative and secretarial services, available to the
Company, as may be required by the Company from time to time. The Company has agreed to pay Steel
Partners, Ltd. $10,000 per month for such services that commenced on October 16, 2007. The Company
has incurred $120,000 and $25,000 for such services through December 31, 2008 and 2007,
respectively, of which $60,000 and $25,000 are included in accrued expenses at December 31, 2008
and 2007, respectively. The Company remitted payment of $60,000 to Steel Partners, Ltd on January
8, 2009.
SP Acq LLC purchased, in a private placement on October 16, 2007, 7,000,000 additional
founders warrants at a price of $1 per warrant (an aggregate purchase price of $7,000,000)
directly from the Company and not as part of the Offering. The purchase price of these additional
founders warrants has been determined by the Company to be the fair value of such warrants as of
the October 16, 2007 purchase date. An aggregate of 500,000 additional founders warrants were
sold by SP Acq LLC to certain directors.
Steel Partners II, L.P., has entered into an agreement with the Company requiring it to
purchase 3,000,000 units (co-investment units) at a price of $10 per unit (an aggregate price of
$30,000,000) from the Company in a private placement that will occur immediately prior to the
Companys consummation of a Business Combination. These private placement units will be identical
to the units sold in the Offering. It has also agreed that these units will not be sold,
transferred, or assigned until at least one year after the completion of the Business Combination.
In the event that Steel Partners II, L.P. does not purchase the co-investment units, SP Acq LLC,
Steel Partners II, L.P. and the directors who purchased founders units have agreed to surrender
and forfeit their founders units and additional founders warrants to the Company, provided
however that such surrender and forfeiture will not be required if SP Acq LLC purchases the
co-investment units. In such event, Steel Partners II, L.P. has agreed to transfer its founders
units to SP Acq LLC. None of the co-investment units have been issued by the Company as of December
31, 2008.
NOTE E PREFERRED STOCK
The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with such designations,
voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board of
Directors. No shares have been issued as of December 31, 2008.
NOTE F UNIT DIVIDENDS
Effective August 8, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a unit dividend to
the holders of record. The dividend consisted of 0.15 units for each outstanding share of common
stock and totaled 1,125,000 units. Effective September 4, 2007, the Board of Directors of the
Company declared a unit dividend to the holders of record. The dividend consisted of one third of a
unit for each outstanding share of common stock and totaled 2,875,000 units. All of the unit
holders agreed to transfer their units due them with respect to these dividends to SP Acq LLC.
NOTE G WARRANTS
The following table presents warrants outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
December 31, 2007
|
|
|
Initial Founders Warrants
|
|
|
10,822,400
|
|
|
|
10,822,400
|
|
Additional Founders Warrants
|
|
|
7,000,000
|
|
|
|
7,000,000
|
|
Public Warrants
|
|
|
43,289,600
|
|
|
|
43,289,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Totals
|
|
|
61,112,000
|
|
|
|
61,112,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-24
Initial founders warrants are not redeemable while held by SP Acq LLC or its permitted
transferees and the exercisability of initial founders warrants are subject to certain additional
restrictions. Each initial founders
warrant entitles the holder to purchase from the Company one share of common stock at an
exercise price of $7.50 only in the event that the last sale price of the common stock is at least
$14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period beginning 90 days after a
Business Combination. If the Company is unable to deliver registered shares of common stock to the
holder upon exercise of the warrants during the exercise period, there will be no cash settlement
of the warrants and the warrants will expire worthless.
Additional founders warrants entitle the holder to purchase from the Company one share of
common stock at an exercise price of $7.50 for each warrant commencing on the completion of a
Business Combination with a target business, and expire five years from the date of the prospectus.
SP Acq LLC has also agreed that the warrants purchased by it will not be sold or transferred until
after the completion of a Business Combination, and will be non-redeemable so long as they are held
by the Companys founders or their permitted transferees. Additionally, pursuant to the Directors
Purchase Agreement dated as of June 25, 2007, SP Acq LLC sold 500,000 of such initial founders
warrants to certain directors on October 16, 2007.
Public warrants entitle the holder to purchase from the Company one share of common stock for
each warrant at an exercise price of $7.50 commencing on the completion of a Business Combination
with a target business, and will expire five years from the date of the prospectus. The warrants
are redeemable at the option of the Company at a price of $0.01 per warrant upon 30 days prior
notice after the warrants become exercisable, only in the event that the last sale price of the
common stock is at least $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period
ending on the third business day prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given. The
warrants will not be exercisable and the Company will not be obligated to issue shares of common
stock upon exercise of the warrants by a holder unless, at the time of such exercise, an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act covering the shares of common stock issuable upon
exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is available. Although the
Company has undertaken in the warrant agreement, and therefore has a contractual obligation, to use
its best efforts to have an effective registration statement covering shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of the warrants from the date the warrants become exercisable and to
maintain a current prospectus relating to that common stock until the warrants expire or are
redeemed, and the Company intends to comply with its undertaking, the Company cannot assure you
that it will be able to do so. If the Company is unable to deliver registered shares of common
stock to the holder upon exercise of the warrants during the exercise period, there will be no cash
settlement of the warrants and the warrants will expire worthless.
As disclosed in Note D, the initial founders warrants and additional founders warrants have
certain restrictions and may be surrendered or forfeited under certain circumstances.
Pursuant to a registration rights agreement between the Company and SP Acq LLC, Steel Partners
II, L.P. and Messrs. Bergamo, LaBow, Lorber, Toboroff and Walker, the holders of our founders
units, founders shares and initial founders warrants and shares issuable upon exercise thereof
will be entitled to certain registration rights at any time commencing three months prior to the
date that they are no longer subject to transfer restrictions.
NOTE H INCOME TAXES
Deferred tax assets reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities for financial statement purposes and the amounts used for income
tax purposes and consist of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/31/2008
|
|
|
12/31/2007
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Start up and organization costs
|
|
$
|
630,352
|
|
|
$
|
125,406
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax asset
|
|
|
630,352
|
|
|
|
125,406
|
|
Less: valuation allowance
|
|
|
(630,352
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax assets
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
125,406
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-25
The difference between the provision for income taxes and the amounts computed by applying the
Federal statutory income taxes to the income before tax are explained below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/31/2008
|
|
|
12/31/2007
|
|
Tax at Federal statutory rate
|
|
|
34.0
|
%
|
|
|
34.0
|
%
|
State and local taxes, net of Federal benefit
|
|
|
11.7
|
%
|
|
|
11.2
|
%
|
Change in valuation allowance
|
|
|
13.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for taxes
|
|
|
58.9
|
%
|
|
|
45.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The provision for income taxes consists of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/31/2008
|
|
|
12/31/2007
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
$
|
1,739,494
|
|
|
$
|
831,812
|
|
State and local
|
|
|
1,291,665
|
|
|
|
503,966
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current tax expense
|
|
|
3,031,159
|
|
|
|
1,335,778
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
|
|
|
93,094
|
|
|
|
(93,094
|
)
|
State and local
|
|
|
32,312
|
|
|
|
(32,312
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax expense (benefit)
|
|
|
125,406
|
|
|
|
(125,406
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total provision for income taxes
|
|
$
|
3,156,565
|
|
|
$
|
1,210,372
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed for temporary differences between the
financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities based on enacted tax laws and rates
applicable to the periods in which the temporary differences are expected to affect taxable income.
Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount
expected to be realized.
On February 14, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards
Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an
interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). The Company has identified its federal tax
return and its state and city tax returns in New York as major tax jurisdictions, as defined. As
per FIN 48, the Company has evaluated its tax positions and has determined that there are no
uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the Companys financial statements. Since the
Company was incorporated on February 14, 2007 the evaluation was performed for the period from
inception through December 31, 2008. The Company believes that its income tax positions and
deductions would be sustained on audit and does not anticipate any adjustments that would result in
a material change to its financial position. There were no unrecognized tax benefits as of December
31, 2008. The Company has had no tax examinations since its inception, February 14, 2007.
The Companys policy for recording interest and penalties associated with audits is to record
such items as a component of income tax expense. There were no amounts accrued for penalties or
interest as of or during the period from February 14, 2007 (inception) through December 31, 2008.
The Company does not expect its unrecognized tax benefit position to change during the next twelve
months and is currently unaware of any issues that could result in significant payments, accruals
or material deviations from its position. The adoption of the provisions of FIN 48 did not have a
material impact on the Companys financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
F-26
NOTE I UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL RESULTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Quarter
|
|
|
For the Quarter
|
|
|
For the Quarter
|
|
|
For the Quarter
|
|
|
|
ended
|
|
|
ended
|
|
|
ended
|
|
|
ended
|
|
Quarterly Financial
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
Information:
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Formation and operating costs
|
|
$
|
197,464
|
|
|
$
|
301,765
|
|
|
$
|
344,539
|
|
|
$
|
208,880
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations
|
|
|
(197,464
|
)
|
|
|
(301,765
|
)
|
|
|
(344,539
|
)
|
|
|
(208,880
|
)
|
Interest income
|
|
|
2,654,509
|
|
|
|
1,712,747
|
|
|
|
1,716,871
|
|
|
|
329,868
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(3,125
|
)
|
|
|
(3,021
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
2,453,920
|
|
|
|
1,407,961
|
|
|
|
1,372,332
|
|
|
|
120,988
|
|
(Provision) credit for
income taxes
|
|
|
(1,477,996
|
)
|
|
|
(698,507
|
)
|
|
|
(1,088,526
|
)
|
|
|
108,464
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
975,924
|
|
|
|
709,454
|
|
|
|
283,806
|
|
|
|
229,452
|
|
Deferred interest,
attributable to common stock
subject to possible
conversion
|
|
|
(342,844
|
)
|
|
|
231,809
|
|
|
|
(179,249
|
)
|
|
|
(131,226
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to
common stock
|
|
$
|
633,080
|
|
|
$
|
941,263
|
|
|
$
|
104,557
|
|
|
$
|
98,226
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common share,
basic and diluted
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
0.02
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
|
$
|
0.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares used in computing net
income per share, basic and
diluted
|
|
|
41,125,121
|
|
|
|
41,125,121
|
|
|
|
41,125,121
|
|
|
|
41,125,121
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
from February
|
|
|
For the Quarter
|
|
|
For the Quarter
|
|
|
For the Quarter
|
|
|
|
14, 2007
|
|
|
ended
|
|
|
ended
|
|
|
ended
|
|
Quarterly Financial
|
|
(inception) to
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
Information:
|
|
March 31, 2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Formation and operating costs
|
|
$
|
25,436
|
|
|
$
|
132
|
|
|
$
|
11,250
|
|
|
$
|
227,555
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations
|
|
|
(25,436
|
)
|
|
|
(132
|
)
|
|
|
(11,250
|
)
|
|
|
(227,555
|
)
|
Interest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,950,473
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,185
|
)
|
|
|
(3,125
|
)
|
|
|
(3,125
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income
taxes
|
|
|
(25,436
|
)
|
|
|
(3,317
|
)
|
|
|
(14,375
|
)
|
|
|
2,719,793
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,210,372
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(25,436
|
)
|
|
$
|
(3,317
|
)
|
|
$
|
(14,375
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,509,421
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) per common
share, basic and diluted
|
|
$
|
(0.00
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.00
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.00
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares used in computing net
income (loss) per share,
basic and diluted
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
|
|
10,000,000
|
|
|
|
35,202,526
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE J SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On February 10, 2009, SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (the Company) received a letter (the
Letter) from the Corporate Compliance Department of NYSE Alternext US LLC (the Exchange),
notifying the Company that it is below certain of the Exchanges continued listing standards in
that it had failed to hold an annual meeting of stockholders in 2008, in violation of Section 704
of the NYSE Alternext US LLC Company Guide (the Company Guide). The Company submitted a plan to
the Exchange on March 10, 2009 advising the Exchange of actions it has taken or will take that will
bring the Company into compliance with Section 704 of the Company Guide (the Plan).
If the Exchange determines that the Company has made a reasonable demonstration in the Plan of
its ability to regain compliance with all applicable continued listing standards by August 11,
2009, or such date as the Exchange allows (the Deadline), the Exchange will accept the Plan and
the Company will remain listed. The Company anticipates that it will be able to regain compliance
with Section 704 of the Company Guide by the Deadline.
F-27
FRONTIER
FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except for number of shares)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and due from banks
|
|
$
|
42,697
|
|
|
$
|
52,022
|
|
Federal funds sold
|
|
|
289,871
|
|
|
|
117,740
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available for sale, at fair value
|
|
|
80,318
|
|
|
|
90,606
|
|
Held to maturity, at amortized cost
|
|
|
3,081
|
|
|
|
3,085
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total securities
|
|
|
83,399
|
|
|
|
93,691
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans held for resale
|
|
|
5,271
|
|
|
|
6,678
|
|
Loans
|
|
|
3,410,948
|
|
|
|
3,772,055
|
|
Allowance for loan losses
|
|
|
(98,583
|
)
|
|
|
(112,556
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loans
|
|
|
3,317,636
|
|
|
|
3,666,177
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premises and equipment, net
|
|
|
49,649
|
|
|
|
51,502
|
|
Intangible assets
|
|
|
687
|
|
|
|
794
|
|
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock
|
|
|
19,885
|
|
|
|
19,885
|
|
Bank owned life insurance
|
|
|
24,824
|
|
|
|
24,321
|
|
Other real estate owned
|
|
|
54,222
|
|
|
|
10,803
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
104,533
|
|
|
|
67,510
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
3,987,403
|
|
|
$
|
4,104,445
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deposits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noninterest bearing
|
|
$
|
404,832
|
|
|
$
|
395,451
|
|
Interest bearing
|
|
|
2,844,301
|
|
|
|
2,879,714
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deposits
|
|
|
3,249,133
|
|
|
|
3,275,165
|
|
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
repurchase agreements
|
|
|
17,564
|
|
|
|
21,616
|
|
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
|
|
|
421,130
|
|
|
|
429,417
|
|
Junior subordinated debentures
|
|
|
5,156
|
|
|
|
5,156
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
24,934
|
|
|
|
21,048
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
3,717,917
|
|
|
|
3,752,402
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, no par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, no par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
47,131,853 and 47,095,103 shares issued and outstanding at
June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
|
|
|
257,694
|
|
|
|
256,137
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
14,215
|
|
|
|
98,020
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
|
|
|
(2,423
|
)
|
|
|
(2,114
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
|
269,486
|
|
|
|
352,043
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders equity
|
|
$
|
3,987,403
|
|
|
$
|
4,104,445
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-28
FRONTIER
FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except for number of shares and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
June 30, 2008
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
June 30, 2008
|
|
INTEREST INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and fees on loans
|
|
$
|
44,732
|
|
|
$
|
70,970
|
|
|
$
|
94,132
|
|
|
$
|
146,888
|
|
Interest on federal funds sold
|
|
|
151
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
352
|
|
|
|
103
|
|
Interest on investments
|
|
|
698
|
|
|
|
1,362
|
|
|
|
1,588
|
|
|
|
2,851
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total interest income
|
|
|
45,581
|
|
|
|
72,342
|
|
|
|
96,072
|
|
|
|
149,842
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INTEREST EXPENSE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest on deposits
|
|
|
20,148
|
|
|
|
23,261
|
|
|
|
42,783
|
|
|
|
48,986
|
|
Interest on borrowed funds
|
|
|
3,984
|
|
|
|
4,190
|
|
|
|
8,086
|
|
|
|
8,567
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total interest expense
|
|
|
24,132
|
|
|
|
27,451
|
|
|
|
50,869
|
|
|
|
57,553
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest income
|
|
|
21,449
|
|
|
|
44,891
|
|
|
|
45,203
|
|
|
|
92,289
|
|
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
|
|
|
77,000
|
|
|
|
24,500
|
|
|
|
135,000
|
|
|
|
33,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest (loss) income after provision
for loan losses
|
|
|
(55,551
|
)
|
|
|
20,391
|
|
|
|
(89,797
|
)
|
|
|
58,789
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NONINTEREST INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities
|
|
|
(149
|
)
|
|
|
144
|
|
|
|
(102
|
)
|
|
|
2,468
|
|
Gain on sale of secondary mortgage
loans
|
|
|
630
|
|
|
|
377
|
|
|
|
1,214
|
|
|
|
766
|
|
Net gain (loss) on other real estate
owned
|
|
|
(451
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(451
|
)
|
|
|
12
|
|
Service charges on deposit accounts
|
|
|
1,539
|
|
|
|
1,421
|
|
|
|
2,985
|
|
|
|
2,746
|
|
Other noninterest income
|
|
|
2,021
|
|
|
|
2,256
|
|
|
|
4,266
|
|
|
|
4,509
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total noninterest income
|
|
|
3,590
|
|
|
|
4,198
|
|
|
|
7,912
|
|
|
|
10,501
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries and employee benefits
|
|
|
12,217
|
|
|
|
12,592
|
|
|
|
24,637
|
|
|
|
26,585
|
|
Occupancy expense
|
|
|
2,732
|
|
|
|
2,991
|
|
|
|
5,570
|
|
|
|
5,581
|
|
State business taxes
|
|
|
179
|
|
|
|
594
|
|
|
|
505
|
|
|
|
1,145
|
|
Other noninterest expense
|
|
|
10,259
|
|
|
|
5,356
|
|
|
|
17,967
|
|
|
|
9,767
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total noninterest expense
|
|
|
25,387
|
|
|
|
21,533
|
|
|
|
48,679
|
|
|
|
43,078
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISION (BENEFIT)
FOR INCOME TAXES
|
|
|
(77,348
|
)
|
|
|
3,056
|
|
|
|
(130,564
|
)
|
|
|
26,212
|
|
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES
|
|
|
(27,354
|
)
|
|
|
982
|
|
|
|
(46,759
|
)
|
|
|
8,637
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME (LOSS)
|
|
$
|
(49,994
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,074
|
|
|
$
|
(83,805
|
)
|
|
$
|
17,575
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares
outstanding for the period
|
|
|
47,131,853
|
|
|
|
47,006,729
|
|
|
|
47,126,801
|
|
|
|
47,296,849
|
|
Basic earnings (losses) per share
|
|
$
|
(1.06
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
(1.78
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of diluted shares
outstanding for period
|
|
|
47,131,853
|
|
|
|
47,069,136
|
|
|
|
47,126,801
|
|
|
|
47,385,620
|
|
Diluted earnings (losses) per share
|
|
$
|
(1.06
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
(1.78
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-29
FRONTIER
FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
June 30, 2008
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(83,805
|
)
|
|
$
|
17,575
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided
by operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
1,949
|
|
|
|
1,497
|
|
Amortization
|
|
|
322
|
|
|
|
98
|
|
Intangible amortization
|
|
|
107
|
|
|
|
141
|
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
135,000
|
|
|
|
33,500
|
|
(Gain) loss on sale of securities
|
|
|
102
|
|
|
|
(2,468
|
)
|
Gain on sale of other real estate owned
|
|
|
(3,348
|
)
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
Valuation adjustment on other real estate owned
|
|
|
3,799
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of secondary mortgage loans
|
|
|
(1,214
|
)
|
|
|
(766
|
)
|
Deferred taxes
|
|
|
36,354
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation
|
|
|
1,557
|
|
|
|
1,478
|
|
Excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20
|
)
|
Increase in surrender value of bank owned life insurance
|
|
|
(503
|
)
|
|
|
(502
|
)
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sale of mortgage loans
|
|
|
98,337
|
|
|
|
55,699
|
|
Origination of mortgage loans held for sale
|
|
|
(95,716
|
)
|
|
|
(52,499
|
)
|
Income taxes receivable
|
|
|
(77,378
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes payable
|
|
|
211
|
|
|
|
(11,200
|
)
|
Interest receivable
|
|
|
5,076
|
|
|
|
1,360
|
|
Interest payable
|
|
|
(3,727
|
)
|
|
|
(1,659
|
)
|
Other operating activities
|
|
|
7,271
|
|
|
|
452
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
24,394
|
|
|
|
42,674
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in federal funds sold
|
|
|
(172,131
|
)
|
|
|
(18,260
|
)
|
Purchase of securities available for sale
|
|
|
(41,164
|
)
|
|
|
(58,230
|
)
|
Proceeds from sale of available for sale securities
|
|
|
1,407
|
|
|
|
16,600
|
|
Principal repayments on mortgage-backed securities
|
|
|
3,227
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from maturities of available for sale securities
|
|
|
45,923
|
|
|
|
58,000
|
|
Net cash flows from loan activities
|
|
|
153,643
|
|
|
|
(210,786
|
)
|
Purchases of premises and equipment
|
|
|
(413
|
)
|
|
|
(6,416
|
)
|
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,960
|
)
|
Proceeds from the sale of other real estate owned
|
|
|
14,336
|
|
|
|
379
|
|
Capitalized improvement related to other real estate owned
|
|
|
(176
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
|
|
$
|
4,652
|
|
|
$
|
(221,673
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-30
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
June 30, 2008
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in core deposit accounts
|
|
$
|
14,044
|
|
|
$
|
(33,999
|
)
|
Net change in certificates of deposit
|
|
|
(40,076
|
)
|
|
|
387,089
|
|
Net change in federal funds purchased and securities sold under
repurchase agreements
|
|
|
(4,052
|
)
|
|
|
(220,140
|
)
|
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank
|
|
|
45,000
|
|
|
|
185,000
|
|
Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank advances
|
|
|
(53,287
|
)
|
|
|
(153,387
|
)
|
Stock options exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
239
|
|
Excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
|
|
Cash dividends paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16,764
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
|
|
|
(38,371
|
)
|
|
|
148,058
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease in cash and due from banks
|
|
|
(9,325
|
)
|
|
|
(30,941
|
)
|
|
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period
|
|
|
52,022
|
|
|
|
99,102
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and due from banks at end of period
|
|
$
|
42,697
|
|
|
$
|
68,161
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the period for interest
|
|
$
|
54,596
|
|
|
$
|
59,212
|
|
Cash paid during the period for income taxes
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
20,340
|
|
|
Supplemental information about noncash investing and financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfer of loans to other real estate owned
|
|
$
|
57,713
|
|
|
$
|
3,681
|
|
Transfer of premises and equipment to other real estate owned
|
|
$
|
317
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Change in portion of reserve identified for undisbursed loans and
reclassified as a liability
|
|
$
|
778
|
|
|
$
|
742
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-31
FRONTIER
FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1: Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of Frontier Financial Corporation (FFC, the
Corporation, us, we or our) include the accounts of Frontier Financial Corporation, a bank
holding company, and our wholly-owned subsidiary Frontier Bank (the Bank). All material
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The consolidated financial statements
have been prepared substantially consistent with the accounting principles applied in the 2008
Annual Report incorporated by reference on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. In the
opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary for
a fair presentation of the financial condition and results of operation for the interim periods
presented. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2009.
Certain amounts in the prior years financial statements have been reclassified to conform to
the 2009 presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on the previously reported financial
condition or results of operations of the Corporation.
Note 2: Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 168,
The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy
of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
, a replacement of SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This Statement identifies the sources of accounting
principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial
statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States (the GAAP hierarchy). This Statement is
effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15,
2009, and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167,
Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R),
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
, to improve financial reporting by enterprises involved
with variable interest entities and to provide more relevant and reliable information to users of
financial statements. This Statement is effective for interim and annual reporting periods
beginning after November 15, 2009, and is not expected to have a material impact on our
consolidated financial statements.
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166,
Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, an
amendment of SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and
Extinguishments of Liabilities
. This Statement improves the relevance, representational
faithfulness and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial
statements about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial
position, financial performance, and cash flows; and a transferors continuing involvement, if any,
in transferred financial assets. This statement is effective for interim and annual reporting
periods beginning after November 15, 2009, and is not expected to have a material impact on our
consolidated financial statements.
In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165,
Subsequent Events
. The objective of this Statement
is to establish principles and requirements for subsequent events and, in particular, the period
after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity shall evaluate events or
transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements;
the circumstances under which an entity shall recognize events or transaction occurring after the
balance sheet date in its financial statements and the disclosures that an entity shall make about
events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. This Statement is effective for
interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and did not have a material impact
on our consolidated financial statements.
F-32
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 2: Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (continued)
In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 157-4,
Determining Fair
Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased
and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly
. This FSP provides additional guidance for
estimating fair value in accordance with FASB Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (FAS
157), when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly
decreased and also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is
not orderly. This FSP emphasizes that even if there has been a significant decrease in the volume
and level of activity for the asset or liability and regardless of the valuation technique(s) used,
the objective of a fair value measurement remains the same. Fair value is the price that would be
received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction (that is, not a
forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under
current market conditions. This FSP is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending
after June 15, 2009, and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2,
Recognition and Presentation
of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
. This FSP amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance
in U.S. GAAP for debt securities to make the guidance more operational and to improve the
presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in
the financial statements. This FSP does not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance
related to other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities. This FSP is effective for
interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and did not have a material impact
on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1,
Interim Disclosures about Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
, to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in
interim financial statements as well as in annual financial statements. This FSP also amends APB
Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting, to require those disclosures in all interim financial
statements. This FSP is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15,
2009, and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 141(R)-1,
Accounting for Assets Acquired and
Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies
, which amends and
clarifies FASB Statement No. 141 (revised 2007),
Business Combinations
, to address application
issues raised by preparers, auditors, and members of the legal profession on initial recognition
and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure of assets and liabilities
arising from contingencies in a business combination. This FSP is effective for assets or
liabilities arising from contingencies in business combinations for which the acquisition date is
on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15,
2008. This FSP is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Note 3: Regulatory Actions and Strategic Plan
Regulatory Actions
FDIC Order
As noted in our March 25, 2009, Form 8-K filing, Frontier Bank (Bank) entered into a
Stipulation and Consent to the Issuance of an Order to Cease and Desist (FDIC Order) on March 20,
2009 with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Washington Department of
Financial Institutions, Division of Banks (DFI) resulting from a June 30, 2008 examination.
F-33
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 3: Regulatory Actions and Strategic Plan (continued)
FDIC Order (continued)
The regulators alleged that the Bank had engaged in unsafe or unsound banking practices by
operating with inadequate management and board supervision; engaging in unsatisfactory lending and
collection practices; operating with inadequate capital in relation to the kind and quality of
assets held at the Bank; operating with an inadequate loan valuation reserve; operating with a
large volume of poor quality loans; operating in such a manner as to produce low earnings and
operating with inadequate provisions for liquidity. By consenting to the FDIC Order, the Bank
neither admitted nor denied the alleged charges.
Under the terms of the FDIC Order, the Bank cannot declare dividends without the prior written
approval of the FDIC and the DFI. Other material provisions of the order require the Bank to: (1)
review the qualifications of the Banks executive officers, (2) increase director participation and
supervision of Bank affairs, (3) improve the Banks lending and collection policies and procedures,
particularly with respect to the origination and monitoring of real estate construction and land
development loans, (4) develop a capital plan and increase the Tier 1 leverage capital ratio to 10%
of the Banks total assets, (5) implement a comprehensive policy for determining the adequacy of
the allowance for loan losses, (6) formulate a written plan to reduce the Banks risk exposure to
nonperforming assets, (7) develop a plan to control overhead and other expenses to restore
profitability, (8) implement a liquidity and funds management policy to reduce the Banks reliance
on non-core funding sources and (9) prepare and submit progress reports to the FDIC and the DFI.
The FDIC Order will remain in effect until modified or terminated by the FDIC and the DFI.
The FDIC Order does not restrict the Bank from transacting its normal banking business. The
Bank will continue to serve its customers in all areas including making loans, establishing lines
of credit, accepting deposits and processing banking transactions. Customer deposits remain fully
insured to the highest limits set by FDIC. The FDIC and DFI did not impose any monetary penalties.
The Corporation and the Bank have been actively engaged in responding to the concerns raised
in the FDIC Order, and we believe we have already addressed all of the regulators requirements,
with the exception of increasing the Tier 1 leverage capital ratio, in which efforts are currently
underway. See Item 1A Risk Factors.
FRB Agreement
In addition, on July 2, 2009, Frontier Financial Corporation entered into an agreement with
the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (FRB). Under the terms of the FRB agreement, the
Corporation has agreed to: (1) refrain from declaring or paying any dividends without prior written
consent of the FRB; (2) refrain from making any distributions of interest or principal on
subordinated debentures or trust preferred securities without prior written consent of the FRB; (3)
refrain from incurring, increasing or guaranteeing any debt without prior written consent of the
FRB; (4) implement a capital plan and maintain sufficient capital; (5) comply with notice and
approval requirements established by the FRB relating to the appointment of directors and senior
executive officers, as well as, any change in the responsibility of any current senior executive
officer; (6) not pay or agree to pay any indemnification and severance payments except under
certain circumstances, and with the prior approval of the FRB and (7) provide quarterly progress
reports to the FRB.
Strategic Plan
The results for the first six months of 2009 reflect continued pressure from an uncertain
economy and the negative impact on the local housing market. Despite these challenging times, the
Board of Directors and management continue to take important steps to strengthen the Corporation.
F-34
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 3: Regulatory Actions and Strategic Plan (continued)
Diversifying the Loan Portfolio
Management has been diligently working to reduce the concentration in real estate construction
and land development loans, and has successfully reduced these portfolios by $340.2 million, or
22.2%, from December 31, 2008 to June 30, 2009. In addition, undisbursed loan commitments related
to these portfolios decreased $131.9 million, or 73.6%, for the same period.
Asset Quality
Our special assets group continues to focus on reducing nonperforming assets. We continue our
aggressive approach of recognizing problem loans and continue to charge-off specific reserves in
the allowance for loan losses. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, net charge-offs totaled
$149.8 million.
Capital Preservation
We are currently taking steps to strengthen our capital position. We continue to look at
adding capital through a private equity investment, as well as other alternatives, and have engaged
an investment banking firm to help facilitate this process. At June 30, 2009, our total risk-based
capital and Tier 1 leverage capital ratios were 9.42% and 6.74%, respectively, and continue to be
above the established minimum regulatory capital levels. The Banks Tier 1 leverage capital ratio,
however, remains less than the 10% required by the terms of the FDIC Order. See Regulatory
Actions above.
Liquidity
We continue to closely monitor and manage our liquidity position, understanding that this is
of critical importance in the current economic environment. Attracting and retaining customer
deposits remains our primary source of liquidity. Noninterest bearing deposits increased $9.4
million, or 2.4%, from December 31, 2008 to June 30, 2009.
In an effort to increase on-balance sheet liquidity, we have been focused on restructuring our
balance sheet, and in particular, reducing the loan portfolio. For the first six months of 2009,
total loans decreased $362.5 million, compared to December 31, 2008. Additionally, we have
increased our federal funds sold balances to $289.9 million at June 30, 2009, an increase of $172.1
million over year end 2008.
Expense Reduction Measures
As part of our ongoing strategy to reduce noninterest expense, the Board of Directors voted to
suspend the Corporations matching of employee 401(K) Plan contributions, effective May 1, 2009.
This cost saving measure is expected to reduce noninterest expense by approximately $1.7 million
annually. This is in addition to other previously announced expense reduction measures, including
reductions to executive compensation, salary freezes and the elimination of performance bonuses and
discretionary profit sharing contributions to the 401(K) Plan.
On June 11, 2009, we announced a workforce reduction of approximately six percent of the
workforce, effective immediately. The action was taken as the result of an ongoing review of Bank
operations to identify ways to operate more efficiently and continue to adjust the Banks structure
to reflect current economic conditions. The reductions occurred at all levels and in all parts of
the Corporation. The departing employees received severance pay based on their years of service.
This reduction resulted in a $360 thousand pre-tax charge in the second quarter of 2009 and is
expected to provide an annual pre-tax cost savings of approximately $2.5 million.
F-35
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 3: Regulatory Actions and Strategic Plan (continued)
Expense Reduction Measures (continued)
Subsequent to June 30, 2009, the decision was made to close our downtown Poulsbo branch as a
result of our continuing efforts to reduce noninterest expense. We currently have another Poulsbo
branch that is within 0.8 miles of the branch being closed, and therefore, we do not expect our
customers to be adversely affected by the closure. This branch closure was approved by the FDIC
and had no material effect on our consolidated financial statements for the period ended June 30,
2009.
Note 4: Securities
Our investment portfolio is classified into two groups securities available for sale (AFS)
and securities held to maturity (HTM). Securities that are classified as AFS are carried at fair
value. Unrealized gains and losses for AFS securities are excluded from earnings and reported as a
separate component of equity, net of tax. AFS securities may be sold at any time. Securities that
are classified as HTM are carried at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of
discounts which are recognized as adjustments to income. Gains and losses on both AFS and HTM
securities that are disposed of prior to maturity are based on the net proceeds and the adjusted
carrying amount of the specific security sold.
The following table presents the amortized cost, unrealized gains, unrealized losses and fair
value of available for sale and held to maturity securities at June 30, 2009 (in thousands). At
June 30, 2009, there were no securities classified as trading.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Losses (less
|
|
|
Losses (12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortized
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
than 12
|
|
|
months or
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
Gains
|
|
|
months)
|
|
|
more)
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
AFS Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equities
|
|
$
|
6,107
|
|
|
$
|
131
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(4,063
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,175
|
|
U.S. Treasuries
|
|
|
6,261
|
|
|
|
78
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,339
|
|
U.S. Agencies
|
|
|
31,968
|
|
|
|
129
|
|
|
|
(233
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,864
|
|
Corporate securities
|
|
|
2,516
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(354
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,162
|
|
Mortgage-backed securities
|
|
|
34,668
|
|
|
|
200
|
|
|
|
(22
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,846
|
|
Municipal securities
|
|
|
2,845
|
|
|
|
89
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
2,932
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
84,365
|
|
|
|
627
|
|
|
|
(609
|
)
|
|
|
(4,065
|
)
|
|
|
80,318
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HTM Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate securities
|
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(78
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,446
|
|
Municipal securities
|
|
|
1,557
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,580
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,081
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
(78
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
87,446
|
|
|
$
|
650
|
|
|
$
|
(687
|
)
|
|
$
|
(4,065
|
)
|
|
$
|
83,344
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Certain securities shown above currently have fair values less than amortized cost, and
therefore, contain unrealized losses. In the opinion of management, these securities are
considered only temporarily impaired due to changes in market interest rates, the widening of
market spreads subsequent to the initial purchase of the securities or to disruptions to credit
markets and not due to concerns regarding the underlying credit of the issuers or the underlying
collateral. There were 12 securities with unrealized losses at June 30, 2009.
F-36
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 4: Securities (continued)
Management evaluates securities and FHLB stock for other-than-temporary impairment at least on
an annual basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation.
Consideration is given to: (1) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less
than cost, (2) the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer, (3) our intent and
ability to retain a security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery
in fair value and (4) whether we expect to recover the amortized cost basis of the security. We
did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairment losses for the three or six months ended June
30, 2009 or 2008.
Investments in equity securities consist of investments in the common stock of three financial
institutions. We have evaluated the near term prospects of the issuer and have considered their
cash position, earnings and revenue outlook, liquidity and capital levels, among other factors.
Based on this evaluation and our ability and intent to hold these securities for a reasonable
period of time sufficient for a forecasted recovery of fair value, we do not consider these
securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
The unrealized losses on investments in U.S. Agencies securities were caused by changes in
market interest rates. The contractual terms of these investments do not permit the issuer to
settle the securities at a price less than par. Because we do not intend to sell the securities
and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the securities before recovery
of their amortized cost bases, which may be maturity, the unrealized losses on these securities are
not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.
The unrealized losses on corporate securities, which consist of trust preferred securities,
were primarily attributable to temporary disruptions of credit markets and the related impact on
the securities within those classes, not deteriorating credit quality of specific securities.
Because the decline in fair value is attributable to disruptions of credit markets and not credit
quality, and because we do not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that
we will be required to sell the security before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may
be maturity, the unrealized losses on these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily
impaired.
The unrealized losses on mortgage-backed securities were caused by changes in market interest
rates. The contractual cash flows of these securities are guaranteed by an agency of the U.S.
government, and accordingly, we do not expect these securities to be settled at a price less than
the amortized cost of the investment. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes
in interest rates and not credit quality, and because we do not intend to sell the security and it
is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of their
amortized cost bases, which may be maturity, the unrealized losses on these securities are not
considered other-than-temporarily impaired.
The unrealized losses on obligations of municipalities were caused by changes in market
interest rates or the widening of market spreads subsequent to the initial purchase of the
securities. Management monitors published credit ratings of these securities and no adverse ratings
changes have occurred since the date of purchase on obligations of municipalities in an unrealized
loss position as of June 30, 2009. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in
interest rates or widening market spreads and not credit quality, and because we do not intend to
sell the security and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security
before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be maturity, the unrealized losses on
these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.
F-37
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 4: Securities (continued)
Contractual maturities of securities at June 30, 2009, are shown below (in thousands).
Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to
call or prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available for Sale
|
|
|
Held to Maturity
|
|
Maturity
|
|
Amortized Cost
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
Amortized Cost
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
0 - 1 years
|
|
$
|
12,007
|
|
|
$
|
12,034
|
|
|
$
|
572
|
|
|
$
|
576
|
|
1 - 5 years
|
|
|
26,476
|
|
|
|
26,367
|
|
|
|
985
|
|
|
|
1,004
|
|
5 - 10 years
|
|
|
1,615
|
|
|
|
1,704
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over 10 years
|
|
|
44,267
|
|
|
|
40,213
|
|
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
|
1,446
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
84,365
|
|
|
$
|
80,318
|
|
|
$
|
3,081
|
|
|
$
|
3,026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses
The major classifications of loans, excluding loans held for resale, are as follows (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
Commercial and industrial
|
|
$
|
425,969
|
|
|
$
|
458,263
|
|
Real Estate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
1,020,734
|
|
|
|
1,048,431
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
714,920
|
|
|
|
952,619
|
|
Land development
|
|
|
477,235
|
|
|
|
581,683
|
|
Completed lots
|
|
|
273,400
|
|
|
|
250,405
|
|
Residential 1-4 family
|
|
|
435,291
|
|
|
|
425,874
|
|
Installment and other loans
|
|
|
71,694
|
|
|
|
65,490
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,419,243
|
|
|
|
3,782,765
|
|
Unearned fee income
|
|
|
(8,295
|
)
|
|
|
(10,710
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total loans
|
|
$
|
3,410,948
|
|
|
$
|
3,772,055
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table presents the activity related to the allowance for loan losses (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
Twelve Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
Beginning balance
|
|
$
|
114,638
|
|
|
$
|
57,658
|
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
135,000
|
|
|
|
120,000
|
|
Charge-offs
|
|
|
(151,264
|
)
|
|
|
(63,526
|
)
|
Recoveries
|
|
|
1,513
|
|
|
|
506
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance before portion identified for undisbursed loans
|
|
|
99,887
|
|
|
|
114,638
|
|
Portion of reserve identified for undisbursed loans
and reclassified as a liability
|
|
|
(1,304
|
)
|
|
|
(2,082
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at end of period
|
|
$
|
98,583
|
|
|
$
|
112,556
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-38
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses (continued)
Nonperforming Assets
Nonaccruing loans, restructured loans and other real estate owned (OREO) are summarized as
follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
Commercial and industrial
|
|
$
|
27,092
|
|
|
$
|
12,908
|
|
Real estate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
73,130
|
|
|
|
10,937
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
267,102
|
|
|
|
181,905
|
|
Land development
|
|
|
267,907
|
|
|
|
177,139
|
|
Completed lots
|
|
|
88,072
|
|
|
|
34,005
|
|
Residential 1-4 family
|
|
|
40,433
|
|
|
|
17,686
|
|
Installment and other
|
|
|
822
|
|
|
|
645
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total nonaccruing loans
|
|
|
764,558
|
|
|
|
435,225
|
|
|
Other real estate owned
|
|
|
54,222
|
|
|
|
10,803
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total nonperforming assets
|
|
$
|
818,780
|
|
|
$
|
446,028
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructured loans
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
Total loans at end of period (1)
|
|
$
|
3,416,219
|
|
|
$
|
3,778,733
|
|
Total assets at end of period
|
|
$
|
3,987,403
|
|
|
$
|
4,104,445
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total nonaccruing loans to total loans
|
|
|
22.38
|
%
|
|
|
11.52
|
%
|
Total nonperforming assets to total assets
|
|
|
20.53
|
%
|
|
|
10.87
|
%
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Includes loans held for resale.
|
Other Real Estate Owned
The following table presents the activity related to other real estate owned (OREO) (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Beginning balance
|
|
$
|
10,803
|
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
$
|
367
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Additions to OREO
|
|
|
58,030
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
|
12,992
|
|
|
|
76
|
|
Capitalized improvements
|
|
|
176
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
623
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valuation adjustments
|
|
|
(3,799
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(68
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Disposition of OREO
|
|
|
(10,988
|
)
|
|
|
(67
|
)
|
|
|
(3,111
|
)
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending balance
|
|
$
|
54,222
|
|
|
|
115
|
|
|
$
|
10,803
|
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At June 30, 2009, OREO totaled $54.2 million and consisted of 94 properties in Washington
state and 21 in Oregon state, with balances ranging from $39 thousand to $12.8 million.
F-39
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 6: Shareholders Equity and Regulatory Matters
We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal and state
banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and
possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a material
effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework
for prompt corrective action, we must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative
measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory
accounting practices. The capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative
judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. The minimum ratios
and the actual capital ratios at June 30, 2009, are set forth in the table below (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frontier
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well
|
|
|
Adequately
|
|
|
|
Financial
|
|
|
Frontier
|
|
|
Capitalized
|
|
|
Capitalized
|
|
|
|
Corporation
|
|
|
Bank
|
|
|
Minimum
|
|
|
Minimum
|
|
Total capital to risk-weighted assets
|
|
|
9.42
|
%
|
|
|
9.13
|
%
|
|
|
10.00
|
%
|
|
|
8.00
|
%
|
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
|
|
|
8.15
|
%
|
|
|
7.86
|
%
|
|
|
6.00
|
%
|
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets
|
|
|
6.74
|
%
|
|
|
6.49
|
%
|
|
|
5.00
|
%
|
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
Although the Tier 1 capital ratio and Tier 1 leverage capital ratio for the Company and Bank
were above the minimum ratios to be considered well capitalized at June 30, 2009, for federal
regulatory purposes, the FRB and the FDIC have advised the Company and the Bank that they will no
longer be regarded as well capitalized for federal regulatory purposes, as a result of the
deficiencies cited in the FDIC Order. See Note 2. The Company and Bank were adequately
capitalized at June 30, 2009.
Note 7: Share-Based Compensation Plans
Stock Incentive Plan
In 2006, the Corporations shareholders approved a Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan) to
promote the best interest of the Corporation, our subsidiaries and our shareholders, by providing
an incentive to those key employees who contribute to our success. The Plan allows for incentive
stock options, stock grants and stock appreciation rights to be awarded. The maximum number of
shares that may be issued under the Plan is 5,250,000 common shares. At June 30, 2009, 4,382,774
common shares were available for grant. Shares issued and outstanding are adjusted to reflect
common stock dividends, splits, recapitalization or reorganization. Options are granted at fair
market value, generally vest over three years, and expire ten years from the date of grant.
Dividends are paid on stock grants but not paid on incentive stock options. Certain options
provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control.
F-40
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 7: Share-Based Compensation Plans (continued)
The following table presents the activity related to options for the six months ended June 30,
2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Contractual
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Terms
|
|
|
Intrinsic Value
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
Exercise Price
|
|
|
(in years)
|
|
|
(in thousands)
|
|
Outstanding, January 1, 2009
|
|
|
1,374,734
|
|
|
$
|
16.69
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited/expired
|
|
|
(103,462
|
)
|
|
$
|
16.09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, June 30, 2009
|
|
|
1,271,272
|
|
|
$
|
16.73
|
|
|
|
5.8
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable, June 30, 2009
|
|
|
946,900
|
|
|
$
|
16.95
|
|
|
|
4.9
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table presents the activity related to nonvested stock awards under the Plan for
the six months ended June 30, 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Grant
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Date Fair Value
|
|
Nonvested at January 1, 2009
|
|
|
269,762
|
|
|
$
|
11.74
|
|
Awarded
|
|
|
36,000
|
|
|
$
|
3.02
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
(36,750
|
)
|
|
$
|
3.21
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
(15,858
|
)
|
|
$
|
11.49
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonvested at June 30, 2009
|
|
|
253,154
|
|
|
$
|
11.76
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At June 30, 2009, there was $2.9 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to
the nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Plan. The cost is expected
to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years. No stock options were granted during
the three or six months ended June 30, 2009 or 2008.
The total fair value of shares and options vested and recognized as compensation expense under
this Plan for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, was $723 thousand and $1.6 million,
compared to $708 thousand and $1.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008,
respectively.
There were no stock option exercises for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The total
intrinsic value, amount by which the fair value of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price
of an option on exercise date, of options exercised for the six months ended June 30, 2008, was $76
thousand. Cash received and the actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from options
exercised was $239 thousand and $20 thousand, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2008.
F-41
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 7: Share-Based Compensation Plans (continued)
1999 Employee Stock Award Plan
We adopted a 1999 Employee Stock Award Plan to recognize, motivate and reward eligible
employees for longstanding performance. Employees eligible to receive stock awards under this Plan
must have been employees for at least 20 years, or some other tenure as determined from time to
time by the Board of Directors. The maximum number of shares that may be issued is 45,000 and is
adjusted to reflect future common share dividends, splits, recapitalization or reorganization. The
stock awards vest immediately when granted. The Plan expires in 2009 and there are currently no
plans to renew the Plan. Any future grants will be made out of the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as
noted above.
There were no shares issued from this Plan during the six months ended June 30, 2009. For the
six months ended June 30, 2008, 1,470 shares were issued from this Plan with a total fair value of
$25 thousand recognized as compensation expense.
Note 8: Earnings (Loss) per Share
The following table reconciles basic to diluted weighted average shares outstanding used to
calculate earnings (loss) per share data and provides a summary of the calculation of both basic
and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
June 30, 2008
|
|
|
June 30, 2009
|
|
|
June 30, 2008
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(49,994
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,074
|
|
|
$
|
(83,805
|
)
|
|
$
|
17,575
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average basic shares outstanding
|
|
|
47,132
|
|
|
|
47,007
|
|
|
|
47,127
|
|
|
|
47,297
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dilutive shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
89
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average diluted shares outstanding
|
|
|
47,132
|
|
|
|
47,069
|
|
|
|
47,127
|
|
|
|
47,386
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
(1.06
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
(1.78
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
(1.06
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
(1.78
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-42
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 9: Fair Values
FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1,
Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments
,
requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not
recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The following table presents estimated fair
values of our financial instruments at June 30, 2009 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and due from banks
|
|
$
|
42,697
|
|
|
$
|
42,697
|
|
Federal funds sold
|
|
|
289,871
|
|
|
|
289,871
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available for sale
|
|
|
80,318
|
|
|
|
80,318
|
|
Held to maturity
|
|
|
3,081
|
|
|
|
3,026
|
|
Loans held for resale
|
|
|
5,271
|
|
|
|
5,271
|
|
Loans, net
|
|
|
3,312,365
|
|
|
|
3,118,911
|
|
Bank owned life insurance
|
|
|
24,824
|
|
|
|
24,824
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noninterest bearing deposits
|
|
|
404,832
|
|
|
|
404,832
|
|
Interest bearing deposits
|
|
|
2,844,301
|
|
|
|
2,876,399
|
|
Federal funds purchased and securities
sold under agreements to repurchase
|
|
|
17,564
|
|
|
|
17,564
|
|
FHLB Advances
|
|
|
421,130
|
|
|
|
431,101
|
|
Junior subordinated debentures
|
|
|
5,156
|
|
|
|
1,959
|
|
We determined the estimated fair value amounts using available market information and
appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is necessary to interpret
market data in the development of the estimates of fair value. The use of different market
assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value
amounts.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of
financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value.
Cash Equivalents and Federal Funds Sold
For these short-term instruments, the carrying
amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
Securities
Securities fair values are based on quoted market prices or dealer quotes, if
available. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market
prices for similar securities.
Loans Held for Resale
For loans held for resale, carrying value approximates fair value.
Loans
The fair value of loans generally is estimated by discounting the future cash flows
using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit
ratings and for the same remaining maturities. The fair value calculation, however, does not take
into consideration the ultimate collectibility of the loan. For certain homogeneous categories of
loans, such as Small Business Administration guaranteed loans, fair value is estimated using the
quoted market prices for securities backed by similar loans, adjusted for differences in loan
characteristics.
Bank Owned Life Insurance
The fair value of Bank owned life insurance policies are based on
cash surrender value of the insurance contract, less any applicable surrender charges.
F-43
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 9: Fair Values (continued)
Deposits and Federal Funds Purchased
The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts,
certain money market deposits, and federal funds purchased, is the amount payable on demand at the
reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated by
discounting the future cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar
remaining maturities.
FHLB Advances and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase
Fair value is determined
by discounting future cash flows using rates currently available to the Bank for debt with similar
terms and remaining maturities.
Junior Subordinated Debentures
The fair value of junior subordinated debentures is
estimated using a discounted cash flow model.
SFAS 157,
Fair Value Measurements
, defines fair value as the exchange price that would be
received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most
advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market
participants on the measurement date. SFAS 157 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which
requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable
inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to
measure fair value:
Level 1:
Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that
the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.
Level 2:
Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices
for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active and other inputs
that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3:
Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a companys own assumptions about the
assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used to measure and disclose the
fair value of assets and liabilities on a recurring or nonrecurring basis:
Securities
Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value is
determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1),
through the use of alternative approaches, such as matrix or model pricing, when market quotes are
not readily available (Level 2) or through the use of valuation techniques, such as discounted cash
flow models (Level 3).
Impaired Loans
From time to time, and on a nonrecurring basis, fair value adjustments to collateral dependent
loans are recorded to reflect partial write-downs based on the current appraised value of the
collateral or internally developed models which contain managements assumptions (Level 3).
F-44
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 9: Fair Values (continued)
Other Real Estate Owned
Other real estate owned (OREO) consists principally of properties acquired through
foreclosure. At the time of foreclosure, OREO is recorded at the lower of the carrying amount of
the loan or fair value less costs to sell, which becomes the new basis. Subsequent to the transfer
of loans to OREO, and on a nonrecurring basis, fair value adjustments are recorded to reflect
partial write-downs based on the current appraised value or internally developed models which
contain managements assumptions (Level 3).
The following table presents the balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring
basis at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value at June 30, 2009
|
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Available for sale securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equities
|
|
$
|
1,595
|
|
|
$
|
580
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,175
|
|
U.S. Treasuries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,339
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,339
|
|
U.S. Agencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,864
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,864
|
|
Corporate securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
964
|
|
|
|
1,198
|
|
|
|
2,162
|
|
Mortgage-backed securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,846
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,846
|
|
Municipal securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,932
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,932
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,595
|
|
|
$
|
77,525
|
|
|
$
|
1,198
|
|
|
$
|
80,318
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value at December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Available for sale securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equities
|
|
$
|
1,327
|
|
|
$
|
603
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,930
|
|
U.S. Treasuries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,457
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,457
|
|
U.S. Agencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,055
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,055
|
|
Corporate securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,939
|
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
|
|
4,439
|
|
Mortgage-backed securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,791
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,791
|
|
Municipal securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,934
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,934
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,327
|
|
|
$
|
87,779
|
|
|
$
|
1,500
|
|
|
$
|
90,606
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table presents the fair value adjustments of assets measured on a recurring
basis, using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), for the six months ended June 30, 2009 (in
thousands). There were no financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value using Level 3
inputs on a recurring basis during the six months ended June 30, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurements Using
|
|
|
|
Significant Unobservable Inputs
|
|
|
|
(Level 3)
|
|
Balance at January 1, 2009
|
|
$
|
1,500
|
|
Total unrealized gains or losses
|
|
|
(302
|
)
|
Purchases
|
|
|
|
|
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at June 30, 2009
|
|
$
|
1,198
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-45
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 9: Fair Values (continued)
At June 30, 2009, we valued an investment in a single issuer trust preferred security using a
discount cash flow model. As a result of unprecedented disruptions of certain financial markets,
we determined that the level and volume of activity for this type of security had significantly
decreased, and therefore, there were insufficient transactions to accurately determine the fair
value. Using a discounted cash flow method, the fair value of this security was determined to be
$1.2 million at June 30, 2009. In our model, we used a discount factor of 14%, which we estimated
based on risk and the current market for this type of security. This determination is considered a
Level 3 input. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, there were no realized losses with respect
to this security.
The following table presents the balance of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring
basis at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value at June 30, 2009
|
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Impaired loans (1)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
422,898
|
|
|
$
|
422,898
|
|
OREO (2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,433
|
|
|
|
46,433
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
469,331
|
|
|
$
|
469,331
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value at December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Impaired loans (1)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
268,193
|
|
|
$
|
268,193
|
|
OREO (2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,803
|
|
|
|
10,803
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
278,996
|
|
|
$
|
278,996
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table presents the losses resulting from nonrecurring fair value adjustments for
the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
Impaired loans (1)
|
|
$
|
101,722
|
|
|
$
|
12,776
|
|
OREO (2)
|
|
|
19,804
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total loss from nonrecurring measurements
|
|
$
|
121,526
|
|
|
$
|
12,776
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
The balance of impaired loans measured at fair value at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008,
represents nonaccruing loans that have had charge-offs and/or have a specific reserve in the
allowance for loan losses. The loss on impaired loans represents charge-offs or impairments
on collateral dependent loans for fair value adjustments based on the fair value of collateral
recognized through the allowance for loan losses.
|
|
(2)
|
|
The balance of OREO measured at fair value at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, represents
real estate that was recorded at fair value less costs to sell at the time of foreclosure
and/or has had a valuation adjustment subsequent to becoming OREO. The loss on OREO
represents charge-offs of $16.0 million at the time of foreclosure and subsequent valuation
adjustments of $3.8 million.
|
There were no material liabilities carried at fair value, measured on a recurring or
nonrecurring basis, at June 30, 2009 or 2008.
F-46
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 10: Income Taxes
We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48,
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes
, on January 1, 2007 (FIN 48). This Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and
measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position
taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This Interpretation also provides guidance on
derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure
and transition. We had no unrecognized tax benefits which would require an adjustment to the
January 1, 2007, beginning balance of retained earnings. We had no unrecognized tax benefits at
January 1, 2007, June 30, 2008, or June 30, 2009.
During the quarter ended June 30, 2009, we reclassified our deferred tax asset to income taxes
receivable, resulting from the preparation of our 2008 income tax return. Both the deferred tax
asset and receivable for income taxes are included in other assets, and therefore, this
reclassification had no effect on our consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2009. Management has
evaluated the tax positions taken on our 2008 income tax return and believes it is more likely than
not that we will be entitled to a tax refund of approximately $86.2 million resulting from the
carry back of losses in 2008 and 2009.
We recognize interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax
expense. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, we recognized no interest or
penalties.
We file federal and various state and local income tax returns. With few exceptions, we are
no longer subject to U.S. federal or state/local income tax examinations by tax authorities for
years before 2006.
F-47
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Frontier Financial Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Frontier Financial Corporation
and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated
statements of operations, shareholders equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 2008. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of
the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material
respects, the consolidated financial position of Frontier Financial Corporation and Subsidiaries,
as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ Moss
Adams LLP
Everett, Washington
March 10, 2009
F-48
FRONTIER
FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(In thousands, except for number of shares)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and due from banks
|
|
$
|
52,022
|
|
|
$
|
99,102
|
|
Federal funds sold
|
|
|
117,740
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available for sale, at fair value
|
|
|
90,606
|
|
|
|
131,378
|
|
Held to maturity (fair value $3,340 and $3,766)
|
|
|
3,085
|
|
|
|
3,743
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total securities
|
|
|
93,691
|
|
|
|
135,121
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans held for resale
|
|
|
6,678
|
|
|
|
6,227
|
|
Loans
|
|
|
3,772,055
|
|
|
|
3,605,895
|
|
Allowance for loan losses
|
|
|
(112,556
|
)
|
|
|
(53,995
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loans
|
|
|
3,666,177
|
|
|
|
3,558,127
|
|
|
Premises and equipment, net
|
|
|
51,502
|
|
|
|
47,293
|
|
Intangible assets
|
|
|
794
|
|
|
|
78,150
|
|
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock
|
|
|
19,885
|
|
|
|
18,738
|
|
Bank owned life insurance
|
|
|
24,321
|
|
|
|
23,734
|
|
Other real estate owned
|
|
|
10,803
|
|
|
|
367
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
67,510
|
|
|
|
35,052
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
4,104,445
|
|
|
$
|
3,995,689
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deposits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noninterest bearing
|
|
$
|
395,451
|
|
|
$
|
390,526
|
|
Interest bearing
|
|
|
2,879,714
|
|
|
|
2,552,710
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deposits
|
|
|
3,275,165
|
|
|
|
2,943,236
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
|
|
|
21,616
|
|
|
|
258,145
|
|
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
|
|
|
429,417
|
|
|
|
298,636
|
|
Junior subordinated debentures
|
|
|
5,156
|
|
|
|
5,156
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
21,048
|
|
|
|
30,904
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
3,752,402
|
|
|
|
3,536,077
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Note 19)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, no par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, no par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 47,095,103
and 46,950,878 shares issued and outstanding in 2008 and 2007, respectively
|
|
|
256,137
|
|
|
|
252,292
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
98,020
|
|
|
|
202,453
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
|
|
|
(2,114
|
)
|
|
|
4,867
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
|
352,043
|
|
|
|
459,612
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders equity
|
|
$
|
4,104,445
|
|
|
$
|
3,995,689
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-49
FRONTIER
FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except for number of shares and per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
INTEREST INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and fees on loans
|
|
$
|
273,392
|
|
|
$
|
294,099
|
|
|
$
|
244,493
|
|
Interest on federal funds sold
|
|
|
457
|
|
|
|
958
|
|
|
|
1,448
|
|
Interest on investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Taxable
|
|
|
4,999
|
|
|
|
4,475
|
|
|
|
3,998
|
|
Exempt from federal income tax
|
|
|
207
|
|
|
|
140
|
|
|
|
205
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total interest income
|
|
|
279,055
|
|
|
|
299,672
|
|
|
|
250,144
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INTEREST EXPENSE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest on deposits
|
|
|
96,091
|
|
|
|
97,080
|
|
|
|
73,526
|
|
Interest on FHLB advances
|
|
|
14,244
|
|
|
|
13,402
|
|
|
|
12,195
|
|
Interest on federal funds purchased and securities
sold under agreements to repurchase
|
|
|
1,850
|
|
|
|
2,559
|
|
|
|
1,221
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total interest expense
|
|
|
112,185
|
|
|
|
113,041
|
|
|
|
86,942
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest income
|
|
|
166,870
|
|
|
|
186,631
|
|
|
|
163,202
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
|
|
|
120,000
|
|
|
|
11,400
|
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest income after provision for loan losses
|
|
|
46,870
|
|
|
|
175,231
|
|
|
|
155,702
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NONINTEREST INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision for loss on impairment of securities
|
|
|
(6,430
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain (loss) on sale of securities
|
|
|
4,570
|
|
|
|
(937
|
)
|
|
|
(25
|
)
|
Gain on sale of secondary mortgage loans
|
|
|
1,321
|
|
|
|
1,586
|
|
|
|
1,491
|
|
Gain on sale of premises and equipment
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
2,445
|
|
Gain on sale of other real estate owned
|
|
|
97
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service charges on deposit accounts
|
|
|
5,421
|
|
|
|
4,721
|
|
|
|
4,214
|
|
Other noninterest income
|
|
|
9,821
|
|
|
|
7,915
|
|
|
|
7,498
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total noninterest income
|
|
|
14,830
|
|
|
|
13,309
|
|
|
|
15,623
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries and employee benefits
|
|
|
48,403
|
|
|
|
48,297
|
|
|
|
42,104
|
|
Occupancy expense
|
|
|
11,148
|
|
|
|
9,956
|
|
|
|
9,108
|
|
State business taxes
|
|
|
2,013
|
|
|
|
2,066
|
|
|
|
2,213
|
|
FHLB prepayment penalty
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,534
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other noninterest expense
|
|
|
21,435
|
|
|
|
15,163
|
|
|
|
13,621
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
82,999
|
|
|
|
77,016
|
|
|
|
67,046
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill impairment
|
|
|
77,073
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total noninterest expense
|
|
|
160,072
|
|
|
|
77,016
|
|
|
|
67,046
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISION (BENEFIT)
FOR INCOME TAX
|
|
|
(98,372
|
)
|
|
|
111,524
|
|
|
|
104,279
|
|
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAX
|
|
|
(8,635
|
)
|
|
|
37,586
|
|
|
|
35,369
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME (LOSS)
|
|
$
|
(89,737
|
)
|
|
$
|
73,938
|
|
|
$
|
68,910
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares
outstanding for the period
|
|
|
46,991,625
|
|
|
|
45,265,723
|
|
|
|
45,009,526
|
|
Basic earnings (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
(1.91
|
)
|
|
$
|
1.63
|
|
|
$
|
1.53
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of diluted shares
outstanding for the period
|
|
|
46,991,625
|
|
|
|
45,601,066
|
|
|
|
45,484,897
|
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
(1.91
|
)
|
|
$
|
1.62
|
|
|
$
|
1.52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-50
FRONTIER
FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
(In thousands, except for number of shares)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|
Retained
|
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Income(Loss)
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
Income (Loss)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2005
|
|
|
28,438,150
|
|
|
$
|
132,598
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
159,075
|
|
|
$
|
4,424
|
|
|
$
|
296,097
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive Income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income for 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
68,910
|
|
|
|
68,910
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
68,910
|
|
Other comprehensive income,
Unrealized gain on available
for sale securities, net of
tax $942
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,751
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,751
|
|
|
|
1,751
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
70,661
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options exercised
|
|
|
275,283
|
|
|
|
4,218
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,218
|
|
Stock award plan
|
|
|
20,542
|
|
|
|
1,156
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,156
|
|
Three for two stock split
|
|
|
15,102,634
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax benefit from stock options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,205
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,205
|
|
Merger
|
|
|
1,513,707
|
|
|
|
46,913
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,913
|
|
Stock option expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73
|
|
Cash dividends declared (50¢ per share)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25,040
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(25,040
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2006
|
|
|
45,350,316
|
|
|
|
186,163
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
202,945
|
|
|
|
6,175
|
|
|
|
395,283
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive Income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income for 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
73,938
|
|
|
|
73,938
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73,938
|
|
Other comprehensive income,
Unrealized loss on available
for sale securities, net of
tax ($699)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,308
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,308
|
)
|
|
|
(1,308
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
72,630
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options exercised
|
|
|
139,105
|
|
|
|
1,861
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,861
|
|
Stock award plan
|
|
|
71,994
|
|
|
|
892
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
892
|
|
Tax benefit from stock options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
237
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
237
|
|
Stock option expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,691
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,691
|
|
Merger
|
|
|
3,230,795
|
|
|
|
61,613
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61,613
|
|
Fractional shares merger
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
Stock repurchased
|
|
|
(1,841,332
|
)
|
|
|
(165
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(44,219
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(44,384
|
)
|
Cash dividends declared (65¢ per share)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(30,210
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(30,210
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2007
|
|
|
46,950,878
|
|
|
|
252,292
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
202,453
|
|
|
|
4,867
|
|
|
|
459,612
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive Income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss for 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(89,737
|
)
|
|
|
(89,737
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(89,737
|
)
|
Other comprehensive loss,
Unrealized loss on available
for sale securities, net of
tax ($4,085)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,981
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,981
|
)
|
|
|
(6,981
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(96,718
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options exercised
|
|
|
31,125
|
|
|
|
391
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
391
|
|
Stock award plan
|
|
|
130,223
|
|
|
|
700
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
700
|
|
Tax benefit from stock options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
Stock option expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,707
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,707
|
|
Stock repurchased
|
|
|
(17,123
|
)
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(70
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(72
|
)
|
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(413
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(413
|
)
|
Cash dividends declared (48¢ per share)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14,213
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14,213
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2008
|
|
|
47,095,103
|
|
|
$
|
256,137
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
98,020
|
|
|
$
|
(2,114
|
)
|
|
$
|
352,043
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-51
FRONTIER
FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(89,737
|
)
|
|
$
|
73,938
|
|
|
$
|
68,910
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
provided by operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
3,750
|
|
|
|
2,733
|
|
|
|
2,851
|
|
Amortization
|
|
|
247
|
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
|
144
|
|
Intangible amortization
|
|
|
283
|
|
|
|
235
|
|
|
|
231
|
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
120,000
|
|
|
|
11,400
|
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
Provision for loss on impairment of securities
|
|
|
6,430
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Gain) loss on sale of securities
|
|
|
(4,570
|
)
|
|
|
937
|
|
|
|
25
|
|
Gain on sale of premises and equipment
|
|
|
(30
|
)
|
|
|
(24
|
)
|
|
|
(2,445
|
)
|
Gain on sale of other real estate owned
|
|
|
(97
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of secondary market loans
|
|
|
(1,321
|
)
|
|
|
(1,586
|
)
|
|
|
(1,491
|
)
|
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans
|
|
|
94,815
|
|
|
|
158,345
|
|
|
|
111,720
|
|
Origination of mortgage loans held for sale
|
|
|
(93,945
|
)
|
|
|
(155,766
|
)
|
|
|
(111,736
|
)
|
Goodwill impairment
|
|
|
77,073
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred taxes
|
|
|
(20,431
|
)
|
|
|
(5,480
|
)
|
|
|
(1,721
|
)
|
Stock award plan compensation
|
|
|
700
|
|
|
|
892
|
|
|
|
1,156
|
|
Stock option expense
|
|
|
2,707
|
|
|
|
1,691
|
|
|
|
73
|
|
Excess tax benefits associated with equity-based compensation
|
|
|
(49
|
)
|
|
|
(237
|
)
|
|
|
(1,205
|
)
|
Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI
|
|
|
(587
|
)
|
|
|
(1,536
|
)
|
|
|
(888
|
)
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes receivable
|
|
|
(8,430
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes payable
|
|
|
665
|
|
|
|
(2,100
|
)
|
|
|
(1,950
|
)
|
Interest receivable
|
|
|
1,254
|
|
|
|
(2,689
|
)
|
|
|
(3,780
|
)
|
Interest payable
|
|
|
4,332
|
|
|
|
4,292
|
|
|
|
4,513
|
|
Other operating activities
|
|
|
(6,182
|
)
|
|
|
(1,161
|
)
|
|
|
(1,343
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
86,877
|
|
|
|
83,948
|
|
|
|
70,564
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in federal funds sold
|
|
|
(117,735
|
)
|
|
|
18,668
|
|
|
|
(17,940
|
)
|
Purchase of securities available for sale
|
|
|
(306,126
|
)
|
|
|
(84,724
|
)
|
|
|
(17,324
|
)
|
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities
|
|
|
45,568
|
|
|
|
48,039
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from maturities of available for sale securities
|
|
|
288,165
|
|
|
|
21,390
|
|
|
|
20,515
|
|
Purchase of held to maturity securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,019
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from maturities of held to maturity securities
|
|
|
650
|
|
|
|
875
|
|
|
|
2,114
|
|
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
|
|
|
(1,147
|
)
|
|
|
(3,116
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from loan activities
|
|
|
(242,727
|
)
|
|
|
(510,865
|
)
|
|
|
(517,267
|
)
|
Purchases of premises and equipment
|
|
|
(7,959
|
)
|
|
|
(16,665
|
)
|
|
|
(3,927
|
)
|
Proceeds from the sale of premises and equipment
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
3,443
|
|
Proceeds from the sale of other real estate owned
|
|
|
3,208
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash acquired in merger
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,234
|
|
|
|
7,121
|
|
Other investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,615
|
|
|
|
(3,069
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
$
|
(338,073
|
)
|
|
$
|
(523,544
|
)
|
|
$
|
(526,334
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-52
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
(In thousands
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in money market, sweep, NOW and savings accounts
|
|
$
|
(304,909
|
)
|
|
$
|
(35,344
|
)
|
|
$
|
182,986
|
|
Net change in certificates of deposit
|
|
|
636,838
|
|
|
|
354,906
|
|
|
|
209,266
|
|
Net change in federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase
|
|
|
(236,529
|
)
|
|
|
176,472
|
|
|
|
60,860
|
|
Advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank
|
|
|
410,000
|
|
|
|
324,052
|
|
|
|
111,756
|
|
Repayments to the Federal Home Loan Bank
|
|
|
(279,219
|
)
|
|
|
(321,023
|
)
|
|
|
(69,739
|
)
|
Stock options exercised
|
|
|
391
|
|
|
|
1,861
|
|
|
|
4,218
|
|
Excess tax benefits associated with equity-based compensation
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
237
|
|
|
|
1,205
|
|
Purchase of common stock
|
|
|
(72
|
)
|
|
|
(44,384
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Cash dividends paid
|
|
|
(22,433
|
)
|
|
|
(29,045
|
)
|
|
|
(22,358
|
)
|
Other financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,744
|
|
|
|
(3,833
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
204,116
|
|
|
|
434,476
|
|
|
|
474,361
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS
|
|
|
(47,080
|
)
|
|
|
(5,120
|
)
|
|
|
18,591
|
|
CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR
|
|
|
99,102
|
|
|
|
104,222
|
|
|
|
85,631
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS AT END OF YEAR
|
|
$
|
52,022
|
|
|
$
|
99,102
|
|
|
$
|
104,222
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the year for interest
|
|
$
|
107,853
|
|
|
$
|
107,879
|
|
|
$
|
82,157
|
|
Cash paid during the year for income taxes
|
|
$
|
19,700
|
|
|
$
|
40,000
|
|
|
$
|
36,595
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ABOUT
NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfer of loans to other real
estate owned, net of valuation
adjustments
|
|
$
|
13,547
|
|
|
$
|
367
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Change in portion of reserve
identified for undisbursed loans
and reclassified as a liability
|
|
$
|
1,581
|
|
|
$
|
(117
|
)
|
|
$
|
(276
|
)
|
Acquisitions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets acquired
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
247,078
|
|
|
$
|
209,600
|
|
Liabilities assumed
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
185,270
|
|
|
$
|
162,687
|
|
Net
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
61,808
|
|
|
$
|
46,913
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-53
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
Frontier Financial Corporation (together with its subsidiary, FFC, the Corporation, us,
we or our) is primarily engaged in providing a full range of banking and mortgage services to
individual and corporate customers. We also provide other services such as trust services and
insurance and financial service brokerage activities. We are subject to competition from other
financial institutions and to regulation by certain federal and state agencies and undergo periodic
examinations by those regulatory authorities.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Frontier Financial Corporation
(the Corporation or FFC), a bank holding company, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Frontier
Bank (the Bank). Effective December 30, 2008, Frontier Financial Corporation merged its
wholly-owned subsidiary, FFP, Inc. (FFP) into Frontier Bank in a non-cash transaction. FFP owned
certain real property and leased it to Frontier Bank for use in its operations. At December 30,
2008, FFP had assets totaling approximately $40.9 million and total equity of approximately $17.6
million. On a consolidated basis, this transaction had no effect on the financial statements of
the Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2008.
We have Trusts that were formed for the exclusive purpose of issuing $5.2 million in trust
preferred securities (Note 12). The Trusts are considered variable interest entities (VIE), but
have not been consolidated as we are not the primary beneficiary.
Our financial reporting and accounting policies conform to accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). All significant intercompany transactions and
balances have been eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements. Assets held by
the Bank in an agency or fiduciary capacity are not included in the accompanying financial
statements.
Change in Accounting Principle
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Emerging Issues Task
Force (EITF) reached a final consensus on Issue No. 06-4 (EITF 06-4),
Accounting for Deferred
Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance
Arrangements
. EITF 06-4 requires employers to recognize a liability for future benefits provided
through endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements that extend into postretirement
periods in accordance with SFAS No. 106,
Employers Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other
Than Pensions
or APB No. 12,
Omnibus Opinion 1967
. We adopted the provisions of EITF 06-4 as of
January 1, 2008, as a change in accounting principle through a cumulative-effect adjustment to
retained earnings in the statement of financial position in the amount of $413 thousand, net of
tax.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in prior years financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the
current year presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on the previously reported
financial condition or results of operations of the Corporation.
F-54
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and
liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the
determination of the allowance for loan losses, deferred income taxes, valuation of intangible
assets, fair value measurements, valuation of stock options and the valuation of real estate
acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans. In connection with the
determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of foreclosed assets held for
sale, management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and
amounts due from banks. Cash equivalents have an original maturity of three months or less and may
exceed federally insured limits. Federal Reserve Board regulations require maintenance of certain
minimum reserve balances on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank. The average amount of such
balances was $9.0 million in 2008 and $15.1 million in 2007.
Securities
Securities are classified into one of three categories: held to maturity (HTM), available
for sale (AFS) or trading. Securities are categorized as held to maturity when there is positive
intent and ability to hold those securities to maturity. Securities that are held to maturity are
stated at cost and adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, which are
recognized as adjustments to interest income.
Securities categorized as available for sale are generally held for investment purposes (to
maturity), although unanticipated future events may result in the sale of some securities.
Available for sale securities are recorded at estimated fair value, with the net unrealized gain or
loss included in comprehensive income (loss), net of the related tax effect. Realized gains or
losses on dispositions are based on the net proceeds and the adjusted carrying amount of securities
sold, using the specific identification method. We had no trading securities at December 31, 2008
and 2007.
Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method
over the term of the security. Declines in the fair value of held to maturity and available for
sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected in
earnings as realized losses. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management
considers: (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost,
(2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability
to retain our investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated
recovery in fair value.
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock
Our investment in Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock is carried at par value ($100 per
share), which reasonably approximates its fair value. As a member of the FHLB system, we are
required to maintain a minimum level of investment in FHLB stock based on specific percentages of
our outstanding FHLB advances.
Bank Owned Life Insurance (BOLI)
The carrying amount of BOLI approximates its fair value, net of any surrender charges. Fair
value of BOLI is equivalent to the cash surrender value.
F-55
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Loans Held for Resale
Mortgage loans originated and designated as held for resale are carried at the lower of cost
or estimated fair value, as determined by quoted market prices, in aggregate. Net unrealized losses
are recognized in a valuation allowance by charges to income. Gains or losses on the sale of such
loans are based on the specific identification method.
Loans Held in Portfolio and Related Income
Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until
maturity or payoff are reported at their outstanding principal, adjusted for unearned discounts,
net of unamortized nonrefundable fees and related direct loan origination costs. Interest income is
accrued as earned.
Net deferred fees and costs are generally amortized into interest income over the life of the
loan as an adjustment to the loan yield using the interest method. Expenses deferred (principally
personnel expense) and recognized in the yield adjustment result in a reduction in noninterest
expense.
Nonrefundable fees related to lending activities other than direct loan origination or
purchase are recognized as credit related fees and included in noninterest income during the period
the related service is provided. These include standby letter of credit and loan commitment fees.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is established to absorb probable future loan losses through a
provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when
management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if
any, are credited to the allowance.
The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon
managements periodic review of the collectibility of loans in light of historical experience, the
nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers ability
to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This
evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant
revision as more information becomes available.
The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific
component relates to loans that are classified as impaired, for which an allowance is established
when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired
loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers nonclassified
loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. An unallocated
component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect managements estimate of probable
losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in
the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimated specific and general losses in
the portfolio.
F-56
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Reserve for Unfunded Commitments
A reserve for unfunded commitments is maintained at a level that, in the opinion of
management, is adequate to absorb probable losses associated with commitments to lend funds under
existing agreements such as letters or lines of credit. Management determines the adequacy of the
reserve for unfunded commitments based upon reviews of individual credit facilities, current
economic conditions, the risk characteristics of the various categories of commitments and other
relevant factors. The reserve is based on estimates, and ultimate losses may vary from the current
estimates. These estimates are evaluated on a regular basis and, as adjustments become necessary,
they are reported in earnings in the periods in which they become known. Draws on unfunded
commitments that are considered uncollectible at the time funds are advanced are charged to the
allowance. Provisions for unfunded commitment losses, and recoveries on loans previously charged
off, are added to the reserve for unfunded commitments, which is included in the Other Liabilities
section of the consolidated balance sheets.
Nonaccrual Loans
Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when, in the opinion of management, the collection of
additional interest is doubtful or when the loan becomes 90 or more days past due. When a loan is
placed on nonaccrual status, all interest previously accrued, but not collected, is reversed and
charged against interest income. Income on nonaccrual loans is then recognized only to the extent
cash is received and the future collection of principal is probable. Accruals are resumed only when
the loan is brought current, and when, in the opinion of management, the borrower has demonstrated
the ability to resume payments of principal and interest. Interest income on restructured loans is
recognized pursuant to the terms of the new loan agreement. Interest income on other impaired loans
is monitored based upon the terms of the underlying loan agreement. However, the recorded net
investment in impaired loans, including accrued interest, is limited to the present value of the
expected cash flows of the impaired loan or the observable fair market value of the loan or the
fair market value of the loans collateral.
Impaired Loans
A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable
that we will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due
according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in
determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting
scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment
delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the
significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into
consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length
of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrowers prior payment record and the amount of the
shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan
basis for commercial and construction loans by either the present value of the expected future cash
flows discounted at the loans effective interest rate, the loans obtainable market price or the
fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.
Large groups of smaller balance, homogeneous loans or leases are collectively evaluated for
impairment. Accordingly, we do not separately identify individual consumer loans or leases for
impairment disclosures, unless such loans are the subject of a restructuring agreement.
Premises and Equipment
Premises, leasehold improvements and equipment are shown at cost and depreciated using the
straight-line method. Depreciation expense is computed over the following estimated useful lives:
|
|
|
Premises
|
|
7 to 40 years
|
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
|
|
3 to 7 years
|
F-57
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets include goodwill which represents the excess of the purchase price over the
fair value of tangible and specifically identifiable intangible net assets acquired in business
combinations. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually. Other
intangible assets are amortized, and included in other noninterest expense, over their estimated
useful lives. Additional information on intangible assets is included in Note 7.
Other Real Estate Owned
Other real estate owned consists principally of properties acquired through foreclosure and is
stated at the lower of cost or estimated market value less selling costs. Losses arising from the
acquisition of property, in full or partial satisfaction of loans, are charged to the allowance for
loan losses.
Subsequent to the transfer to foreclosed assets held for sale, these assets continue to be
recorded at the lower of cost or fair value (less estimated costs to sell), based on periodic
evaluations. Generally, legal and professional fees associated with foreclosures are expensed as
incurred. Costs incurred to improve property prior to sale are capitalized; however, in no event
are recorded costs allowed to exceed fair value. Subsequent gains, losses, or expenses recognized
on the sale of these properties are included in noninterest income or expense. The amounts that
will ultimately be recovered from foreclosed assets may differ substantially from the carrying
value of the assets because of future market factors beyond managements control. Additional
information on other real estate owned is included in Note 5.
Transfer of Financial Assets
Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has
been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when: (1) the assets
have been isolated; (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from
taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets; and (3) we do not
maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them
before their maturity.
Segment Reporting
Our operations are solely in the financial services industry and include providing our
customers traditional banking and other financial services. We operate primarily within western
Washington and northwest Oregon. We make operating decisions and assess performance based on an
ongoing review of our consolidated financial results. We are considered a single operating segment
for financial reporting purposes.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
We accept deposits and grant credit primarily within western Washington and northwest Oregon.
Historically, our focus has been on real estate construction lending, but we are in the process of
diversifying our loan portfolio. Due to the downturn in the economy and the negative impact on the
local housing market, we are rebalancing our loan portfolio to include more commercial and
industrial business and consumer loans.
Advertising Costs
Generally, advertising costs are expenses as incurred.
F-58
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Income Tax
We report income and expenses using the liability method of accounting and file a consolidated
tax return. Deferred taxes are determined using the asset-liability method and are reflected at
currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets or
liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted,
deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes. Deferred
taxes result from temporary differences in recognition of certain income and expense amounts
between our financial statements and our tax returns. The principal items giving rise to these
differences include depreciation expense, investment income and the allowance for loan losses.
Stock-Based Compensation
Prior to January 1, 2006, we accounted for our stock plans in accordance with the recognition
and measurement provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock
Issued to Employees (APB 25), and related interpretations, as permitted by FASB Statement No.
123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS 123). No stock-based compensation expense was
recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income prior to January 1, 2006, as all options granted
under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on
the date of grant. Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of
SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment (Revised 2004) using the modified-prospective-transition method.
Under the transition method, compensation cost recognized subsequent to January 1, 2006, includes:
(a) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of
January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the original
provisions of SFAS 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent
to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions
of SFAS 123R.
Prior to adoption of SFAS 123R, we presented all tax benefits of deductions resulting from the
exercise of stock options as operating cash flows in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
SFAS 123R requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in
excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) to be classified
as financing cash flows.
Earnings (Loss) per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share amounts are computed based on the weighted average number of
shares outstanding during the period after giving retroactive effect to stock dividends and stock
splits. Diluted earnings (loss) per share are computed by determining the number of additional
shares that are deemed outstanding due to stock options and stock awards under the treasury stock
method.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be
included in net income (loss). Certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains
and losses on available for sale securities, are reported as a separate component of the equity
section of the balance sheet, and such items, along with net income (loss), are components of
comprehensive income (loss).
F-59
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) (continued)
The components of comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effects are as follows (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period on
securities available for sale
|
|
$
|
(12,926
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2,944
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,668
|
|
Reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income,
net of tax (tax benefit of $651, $328 and $9, respectively)
|
|
|
1,209
|
|
|
|
609
|
|
|
|
16
|
|
Tax effect
|
|
|
4,736
|
|
|
|
1,027
|
|
|
|
(933
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale
|
|
$
|
(6,981
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,308
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,751
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), included in shareholders
equity, are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available for sale securities
|
|
$
|
(3,573
|
)
|
|
$
|
7,493
|
|
|
$
|
9,500
|
|
Tax effect
|
|
|
1,459
|
|
|
|
(2,626
|
)
|
|
|
(3,325
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income(loss), net of tax
|
|
$
|
(2,114
|
)
|
|
$
|
4,867
|
|
|
$
|
6,175
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement No. 157,
Fair Value Measurements
(SFAS 157). This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework
for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement
establishes a fair value hierarchy for the assumptions used to measure fair value and clarifies
assumptions about risk and the effect of a restriction on the sale or use of an asset. The
standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. In February 2008, the
FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 157-2,
Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157
.
This FSP delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial
liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis for
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We
elected a partial deferral of SFAS 157 under the provisions of FSP 157-2 related to the measurement
of fair value used when evaluating goodwill, other intangible assets and other long-lived assets
for impairment. We are currently evaluating the impact of FSP 157-2 on our financial statements.
The impact of partially adopting SFAS 157 effective January 1, 2008, was not material to our
financial statements. Please refer to Note 20 for disclosures related to the adoption of SFAS 157.
In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS No. 157-3,
Determining the Fair Value of a Financial
Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active
. The FSP clarifies the application of SFAS No.
157,
Fair Value Measurements
, when the market for a financial asset is not active. The FSP was
effective upon issuance, including reporting for prior periods for which financial statements have
not been issued. The adoption of the FSP did not have a material impact on our consolidated
financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159,
The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities
(SFAS 159). The standard permits, but does not require, us to
measure financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses
on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. As we did not
elect to use the fair value option for any of our financial instruments under the provisions of
SFAS 159, our adoption of this statement effective January 1, 2008, did not have a material impact
on our financial statements.
F-60
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements (continued)
In September 2006, the EITF reached a final consensus on Issue No. 06-4 (EITF 06-4),
Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Endorsement Split-Dollar
Life Insurance Arrangements
. EITF 06-4 requires employers to recognize a liability for future
benefits provided through endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements that extend into
postretirement periods in accordance with SFAS No. 106,
Employers Accounting for Postretirement
Benefits Other Than Pensions
or APB No. 12,
Omnibus Opinion 1967
. We adopted the provisions of
EITF 06-4 as of January 1, 2008, as a change in accounting principle through a cumulative-effect
adjustment to retained earnings in the statement of financial position in the amount of $413
thousand, net of tax.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 141 (revised),
Business Combinations
(SFAS
141R). SFAS 141R establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and
measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any
noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. SFAS 141R also establishes
disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effects of the
business combination. This statement applies prospectively to business combinations for which the
acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009, and is not expected to have a material impact on
our consolidated financial statements.
In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement No. 161,
Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment of FASB Statement No.
133
(SFAS 161). SFAS 161 amends SFAS 133,
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities
(SFAS 133), to amend and expand the disclosure requirements of SFAS 133 to provide
greater transparency about: (i) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (ii) how
derivative instruments and related hedge items are accounted for under SFAS 133 and its related
interpretations, and (iii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entitys
financial position, results of operations and cash flows. To meet those objectives, SFAS 161
requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives,
quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments and
disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. SFAS 161 is
effective on January 1, 2009, and is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated
financial statements as we currently do not have any derivative instruments.
In May 2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 162,
The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles
(SFAS 162). This Statement identifies the sources of accounting principles and the
framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of
nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles (GAAP) in the United States. Any effect of applying the provisions of this Statement
shall be reported as a change in accounting principle in accordance with FASB Statement No. 154,
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections
(SFAS 154). An entity shall follow the disclosure
requirements of that Statement, and additionally, disclose the accounting principles that were used
before and after the application of the provisions of this Statement and the reason why applying
this Statement resulted in a change in accounting principle. SFAS 162 is not expected to have a
material impact on our consolidated financial statements as our financial statements are already
presented in conformity with GAAP.
F-61
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 2: Strategic Plan
Our 2008 financial results reflect continued pressure from an uncertain economy and the
negative impact on the local housing market. The ratio of nonperforming assets has increased from
0.53% of total assets at December 31, 2007, to 10.87% at December 31, 2008. Because of this
continued pressure, the provision for loan losses increased from $11.4 million in 2007, to $120.0
million in 2008.
During the fourth quarter 2008, we recorded a non-cash charge of $77.1 million related to the
impairment of goodwill. This write down resulted from goodwill impairment testing that was
performed at the end of the fourth quarter due to the quarterly decline in the stock price and the
resulting difference between the market capitalization and the book value of the Corporation. The
results of step 1 of the goodwill impairment testing demonstrated that the estimated fair value of
the Corporation, or reporting unit, was less than the carrying value. Step 2 of the impairment
test indicated no implied fair value of goodwill resulting in full impairment. This impairment
charge had no effect on our cash balances or liquidity. In addition, because goodwill is not
included in the calculation of regulatory capitol, the Corporations and Banks regulatory ratios
were not affected by this non-cash expense.
The Board of Directors, in responding to these challenging and unprecedented times, has taken
a number of important steps to strengthen the Corporation.
Change in Management
On December 8, 2008, we announced that Robert J. Dickson, founder, long-time Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) and current Chairman of the Board of Directors would retire from the Board of
Directors on December 31, 2008. Mr. Dickson was the President and CEO of Frontier Bank since its
founding in 1978 until 2003, and President and CEO of Frontier Financial Corporation from 1983
until 2003.
Director Patrick M. Fahey replaced Mr. Dickson as Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Frontier Financial Corporation and Frontier Bank. Mr. Fahey joined the Board in 2006 after
retiring as Chairman of Regional Banking at Wells Fargo Bank. Prior to that, Mr. Fahey was
Founder, President and CEO of Pacific Northwest Bank for 16 years.
Additionally, we also announced two important changes to the executive management team. Mr.
Fahey was named CEO of Frontier Financial Corporation and Director Michael J. Clementz was named
President of Frontier Financial Corporation and CEO of Frontier Bank. Mr. Fahey brings significant
experience to his role as CEO and will be charged with implementing a revised business plan focused
on growing a business banking franchise, rebalancing the loan portfolio and cultivating business
banking deposits.
John J. Dickson assumed the position of President of Frontier Bank, charged primarily with the
ongoing operation of Frontiers core business. Mr. Dickson will continue in his role as a Director
of Frontier Financial Corporation and Frontier Bank.
Having previously served as President and CEO of Frontier Financial Corporation from 2003
until 2006, Mr. Clementz will assist Mr. Fahey and Mr. Dickson in the ongoing operations of the
business and the implementation of the new business banking operations. Mr. Clementz will continue
to serve as a Director of Frontier Financial Corporation and Frontier Bank.
F-62
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 2: Strategic Plan (continued)
Diversifying the Loan Portfolio
Historically, a main focus has been on real estate construction and land development lending.
However, with few exceptions, we are suspended the origination of new relationships for new real
estate construction, land development and lot loans. As current loans in these categories are
renewed, the customers total relationship is being analyzed and we may require additional
collateral or alternative financing.
In addition, due to the downturn in the economy and the negative impact on the local housing
market, we are rebalancing our loan portfolio to include more commercial and industrial business
and consumer loans. We formed a Business Banking team, consisting of 38 experienced commercial
bankers, who are existing employees of the Bank, to focus on generating loans and deposits to small
to medium-sized businesses. Our goal is to rebalance the loan portfolio over the next three years
with the use of the Business Banking team and the lack of originations of any new real estate
construction, land development and completed lot loans.
Asset Quality
During the third quarter of 2008, we expanded our special assets group from 5 to 30
individuals, all from within the company, to focus on reducing nonperforming assets. This group is
split into two teams. One teams focus is on identifying emerging problem loans with the other
team handling legal issues, liquidations and the ultimate sale of foreclosed assets. This structure
has enhanced our ability to manage our portfolio of troubled loans.
We have implemented several strategies to reduce our troubled loans. We are encouraging our
builders and developers to present all offers to us for consideration. Many of our builders have
rented completed homes or sold them on a lease to own basis. These loans are typically amortized
over 30 years with a two to three year maturity. In addition, we have established an internal loan
program for financing home purchases for credit worthy buyers who may not be able to obtain a
traditional mortgage. Due to the volatility of the real estate market future recoveries on these
loans are uncertain at this time.
In the event that our nonperforming assets continue to increase, this could have an adverse
effect on the Bank, causing total capital to drop below levels that may result in regulatory
actions or constraints.
Capital Preservation
To preserve capital, the third quarter 2008 quarterly cash dividend was reduced to $0.06 per
share, down from $0.18 in the previous quarter. Additionally, in December of 2008, the Board of
Directors voted to suspend the payment of the quarterly cash dividend, beginning in the first
quarter 2009. We are also taking steps to strengthen our capital position. We have sold assets
and reduced expenses and we are looking at adding capital through a private equity investment. We
have engaged an investment banking firm to help facilitate this process. A Form S-3, Shelf
Registration Statement, was filed on November 14, 2008, in anticipation of this action. We have
applied for TARP funds; however, our application has neither been approved nor denied. Our capital
ratios continue to be above the established minimum regulatory capital levels.
While we are taking action to preserve and/or grow capital, there is no assurance that the
preservation efforts will be successful or whether we will be successful in raising capital through
private investment under acceptable terms, or at all. In the event capital levels continue to
decline, this could have an adverse effect on the Bank causing the capital to drop below levels
that may cause regulatory actions or constraints.
F-63
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 2: Strategic Plan (continued)
Expense Reduction Measures
As part of our strategy to reduce noninterest expense, there were no performance bonuses paid
or discretionary profit sharing contributions made to the Employee Benefit Plan for the year ended
December 31, 2008. The Board of Directors of Frontier Bank also elected to forego their director
meeting fees indefinitely beginning in the fourth quarter 2008. Effective January 1, 2009,
executive management took a reduction in their base salaries, and as a group, total executive
compensation for 2009 will be reduced by approximately 40% from 2008 total compensation.
Deposit Growth
Deposit growth continues to be a strong focus for the Corporation. We are anticipating
further deposit growth in 2009, from the Business Banking team as discussed above. In addition,
management has introduced a new employee incentive program based on deposit growth.
Our liquidity position continues to be strong. At December 31, 2008, we had $169.8 million in
cash and federal funds sold. In addition, we have $93.7 million in our security portfolio that
could be used to support liquidity.
In the event that our efforts to retain a strong liquidity position are not successful, this
could have an adverse effect on the Bank causing regulatory actions or constraints.
Possible Regulatory Constraints
The Bank is subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking
agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory actions by
regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Corporations financial
statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective
action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the
Banks assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory
accounting practices. The Banks capital amounts and classifications are also subject to
qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
In the event our regulators deem us to be less than well-capitalized, they have the ability to
place constraints on our operating practices. Those constraints may include, but are not limited
to, regulatory approval to accept brokered deposits, restrictions on capital distributions,
expansion, asset growth, management changes, rates paid on deposits and other items.
Note 3: Business Combinations
On November 30, 2007, we acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Bank of Salem. The
results of Bank of Salems operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements
since the date of acquisition. Bank of Salem was an Oregon chartered commercial bank headquartered
in Salem, Oregon that provided commercial real estate and business lending products and related
services through 3 locations in Portland, Salem and Tigard, Oregon. The merger with Bank of Salem
allows us to expand our commercial banking franchise into the state of Oregon and into the Salem
and Portland metropolitan areas in particular. This is consistent with our strategy to expand into
major business communities along the Washington and Oregon Interstate 5 corridor.
Bank of Salem shareholders received 0.99 shares of Frontier common stock for each share of
Bank of Salem common stock. The value of the 3,230,886 common shares (including fractional shares)
issued was determined in accordance with the Merger Agreement at $19.07 per share. The aggregate
purchase price was $61.8 million, which included $195 thousand of direct merger related costs.
F-64
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 3: Business Combinations (continued)
This acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141,
Business Combinations
(SFAS 141).
Accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed
based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition, with the difference between the
purchase price and the fair value of the net assets acquired recorded as goodwill.
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and
liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
Total value of common stock exchanged
|
|
$
|
61,613
|
|
Direct merger related expenses
|
|
|
195
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total purchase price
|
|
|
61,808
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allocation of purchase price:
|
|
|
|
|
Bank of Salem shareowners equity
|
|
|
26,981
|
|
Adjustments to reflect assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
Loans
|
|
|
(4,162
|
)
|
Buildings and land
|
|
|
1,347
|
|
Certificates of deposit
|
|
|
(570
|
)
|
Core deposit intangible asset
|
|
|
373
|
|
Deferred tax asset
|
|
|
1,054
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of net assets acquired
|
|
|
25,023
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
$
|
36,785
|
|
|
|
|
|
The acquired core deposit intangible asset has an estimated useful life of approximately 7.1
years. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes.
The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Bank of Salem, at the date of
acquisition, are presented below (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 30, 2007
|
|
Cash and due from banks
|
|
$
|
1,234
|
|
Securities available for sale
|
|
|
8,581
|
|
Loans, net of allowance for loan loss of $2,983
|
|
|
192,671
|
|
Premises and equipment, net
|
|
|
3,341
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
36,785
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
4,466
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
247,078
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deposits
|
|
|
170,042
|
|
FHLB advances
|
|
|
13,590
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
1,638
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
185,270
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets acquired
|
|
$
|
61,808
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-65
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 3: Business Combinations (continued)
The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information presents the
results of operations had the acquisition taken place on January 1, 2007 and 2006, respectively (in
thousands). Any cost savings realized as a result of the merger are not reflected in the proforma
condensed consolidated statements of income. The proforma results have been prepared for
comparative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have been
obtained had the acquisition actually occurred on January 1, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Net interest income
|
|
$
|
196,022
|
|
|
$
|
173,665
|
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
12,662
|
|
|
|
8,152
|
|
Noninterest income
|
|
|
13,659
|
|
|
|
15,988
|
|
Noninterest expense
|
|
|
83,616
|
|
|
|
70,896
|
|
Income before income tax
|
|
|
113,403
|
|
|
|
110,605
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
74,846
|
|
|
$
|
72,783
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share
|
|
$
|
1.65
|
|
|
$
|
1.51
|
|
Diluted earnings per share
|
|
$
|
1.64
|
|
|
$
|
1.49
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares issued and outstanding
|
|
|
45,265,723
|
|
|
|
48,240,321
|
|
Weighted average diluted common shares issued and outstanding
|
|
|
45,601,066
|
|
|
|
48,715,692
|
|
F-66
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 4: Securities
The following table presents the amortized cost, unrealized gains, unrealized losses and fair
value of available for sale and held to maturity securities as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 (in
thousands). For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, there were no securities classified as
trading.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Losses (less
|
|
|
Losses (12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortized
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
than 12
|
|
|
months or
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
2008
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
Gains
|
|
|
months)
|
|
|
more)
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
AFS Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equities
|
|
$
|
6,107
|
|
|
$
|
61
|
|
|
$
|
(4,057
|
)
|
|
$
|
(181
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,930
|
|
U.S. Treasuries
|
|
|
6,304
|
|
|
|
153
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,457
|
|
U.S. Agencies
|
|
|
51,594
|
|
|
|
461
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,055
|
|
Corporate securities
|
|
|
4,528
|
|
|
|
153
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(242
|
)
|
|
|
4,439
|
|
Mortgage-backed securities
|
|
|
22,791
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,791
|
|
Municipal securities
|
|
|
2,855
|
|
|
|
81
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
2,934
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
94,179
|
|
|
|
909
|
|
|
|
(4,057
|
)
|
|
|
(425
|
)
|
|
|
90,606
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HTM Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate securities
|
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
|
229
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,753
|
|
Municipal securities
|
|
|
1,561
|
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,587
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,085
|
|
|
|
255
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,340
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
97,264
|
|
|
$
|
1,164
|
|
|
$
|
(4,057
|
)
|
|
$
|
(425
|
)
|
|
$
|
93,946
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
Losses (less
|
|
|
Losses (12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortized
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
than 12
|
|
|
months or
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
2007
|
|
Cost
|
|
|
Gains
|
|
|
months)
|
|
|
more)
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
AFS Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equities
|
|
$
|
27,606
|
|
|
$
|
9,255
|
|
|
$
|
(922
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,364
|
)
|
|
$
|
34,575
|
|
U.S. Treasuries
|
|
|
6,223
|
|
|
|
88
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,311
|
|
U.S. Agencies
|
|
|
71,385
|
|
|
|
782
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
72,167
|
|
Corporate securities
|
|
|
15,537
|
|
|
|
87
|
|
|
|
(320
|
)
|
|
|
(124
|
)
|
|
|
15,180
|
|
Mortgage-backed securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Municipal securities
|
|
|
3,134
|
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
|
3,145
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
123,885
|
|
|
|
10,226
|
|
|
|
(1,242
|
)
|
|
|
(1,491
|
)
|
|
|
131,378
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HTM Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate securities
|
|
|
1,525
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,524
|
|
Municipal securities
|
|
|
2,218
|
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,242
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,743
|
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,766
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
127,628
|
|
|
$
|
10,253
|
|
|
$
|
(1,246
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,491
|
)
|
|
$
|
135,144
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-67
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 4: Securities (continued)
The following table shows gross unrealized losses and fair value of securities with unrealized
losses that are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, aggregated by category and length
of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December
31, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less Than 12 Months
|
|
|
12 Months or More
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
2008
|
|
Losses
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Losses
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Losses
|
|
|
Value
|
|
AFS Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equities
|
|
$
|
(4,057
|
)
|
|
$
|
923
|
|
|
$
|
(181
|
)
|
|
$
|
425
|
|
|
$
|
(4,238
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,348
|
|
U.S. Treasuries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Agencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(242
|
)
|
|
|
1,769
|
|
|
|
(242
|
)
|
|
|
1,769
|
|
Mortgage-backed securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Municipal securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(4,057
|
)
|
|
$
|
923
|
|
|
$
|
(425
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,217
|
|
|
$
|
(4,482
|
)
|
|
$
|
3,140
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less Than 12 Months
|
|
|
12 Months or More
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
Unrealized
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
2007
|
|
Losses
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Losses
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Losses
|
|
|
Value
|
|
AFS Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equities
|
|
$
|
(922
|
)
|
|
$
|
7,190
|
|
|
$
|
(1,364
|
)
|
|
$
|
3,561
|
|
|
$
|
(2,286
|
)
|
|
$
|
10,751
|
|
U.S. Treasuries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Agencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate securities
|
|
|
(320
|
)
|
|
|
5,722
|
|
|
|
(124
|
)
|
|
|
5,867
|
|
|
|
(444
|
)
|
|
|
11,589
|
|
Mortgage-backed securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Municipal securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,242
|
)
|
|
|
12,912
|
|
|
|
(1,491
|
)
|
|
|
9,450
|
|
|
|
(2,733
|
)
|
|
|
22,362
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HTM Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate securities
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
1,524
|
|
Municipal securities
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
|
1,016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
|
1,016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
|
2,540
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
|
2,540
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
(1,246
|
)
|
|
$
|
15,452
|
|
|
$
|
(1,491
|
)
|
|
$
|
9,450
|
|
|
$
|
(2,737
|
)
|
|
$
|
24,902
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management has the ability and intent to hold securities classified as held to maturity until
they mature, at which time we expect to receive full value for the securities. Furthermore,
management also has the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as available for sale
for a period of time sufficient for a recovery of cost.
Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on an annual
basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. Consideration
is given to: (1) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2)
the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer and (3) our intent and ability to
retain a security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair
value. Declines in the fair value of available for sale and held to maturity securities below
their cost that are deemed to be other-than- temporary are reflected in earnings as realized
losses. For the year ended December 31, 2008, we recognized other-than-temporary impairment losses
of $6.4 million (pre-tax),
related to our holdings in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred stock and a Lehman Brothers
bond and preferred stock.
F-68
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 4: Securities (continued)
Certain securities shown above currently have fair values less than amortized cost, and
therefore, contain unrealized losses. We have evaluated these securities and have determined that
the decline in value is temporary. There are six securities with unrealized losses at December 31,
2008.
Contractual maturities of securities as of December 31, 2008, are shown below (in thousands).
Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to
call or prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available for sale
|
|
|
Held to maturity
|
|
Maturity
|
|
Amortized Cost
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
Amortized Cost
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
0 - 1 years
|
|
$
|
11,223
|
|
|
$
|
11,291
|
|
|
$
|
574
|
|
|
$
|
579
|
|
1 - 5 years
|
|
|
48,940
|
|
|
|
49,163
|
|
|
|
987
|
|
|
|
1,008
|
|
5 - 10 years
|
|
|
1,625
|
|
|
|
1,731
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over 10 years
|
|
|
32,391
|
|
|
|
28,421
|
|
|
|
1,524
|
|
|
|
1,753
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
94,179
|
|
|
$
|
90,606
|
|
|
$
|
3,085
|
|
|
$
|
3,340
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from the sale of available for sale securities totaled $45.6 million for year ended
December 31, 2008, and $48.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Realized gains on sale
of securities totaled $4.6 million in 2008, and realized losses totaled $937 thousand in 2007 and
$25 thousand in 2006.
The following table shows securities, which were pledged to secure borrowings, public
deposits, repurchase agreements and other items, as permitted or required by law, at December 31,
2008 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortized Cost
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
To the Federal Home Loan Bank to secure borrowings
|
|
$
|
502
|
|
|
$
|
517
|
|
To state government to secure public deposits
|
|
|
25,213
|
|
|
|
25,303
|
|
To Federal Reserve to secure repurchase agreements
|
|
|
26,069
|
|
|
|
26,319
|
|
To Federal Reserve to secure customer tax payments
|
|
|
4,000
|
|
|
|
4,080
|
|
Other securities pledged
|
|
|
7,004
|
|
|
|
7,178
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total pledged securities
|
|
$
|
62,788
|
|
|
$
|
63,397
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities with an amortized cost of $81.7 million and fair values of $82.6 million were
pledged at December 31, 2007.
Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses
The major classifications of loans, excluding loans held for resale, at December 31 are as
follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Commercial and industrial
|
|
$
|
458,263
|
|
|
$
|
403,511
|
|
Real Estate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
1,048,431
|
|
|
|
1,007,152
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
952,619
|
|
|
|
1,068,196
|
|
Land development
|
|
|
581,683
|
|
|
|
540,419
|
|
Completed lots
|
|
|
250,405
|
|
|
|
250,738
|
|
Residential 1-4 family
|
|
|
425,874
|
|
|
|
283,470
|
|
Installment and other loans
|
|
|
65,490
|
|
|
|
67,460
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,782,765
|
|
|
|
3,620,946
|
|
Unearned fee income
|
|
|
(10,710
|
)
|
|
|
(15,051
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total loans
|
|
$
|
3,772,055
|
|
|
$
|
3,605,895
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-69
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses (continued)
Contractual maturities of loans, excluding loans held for resale and net of deferred fees, as
of December 31, 2008, are shown below (in thousands). Expected maturities may differ from
contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to prepay loans with or without
prepayment penalties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Within 1 Year
|
|
|
1-5 Years
|
|
|
After 5 Years
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Commercial and industrial
|
|
$
|
272,955
|
|
|
$
|
154,565
|
|
|
$
|
29,695
|
|
|
$
|
457,215
|
|
Real Estate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
124,502
|
|
|
|
630,986
|
|
|
|
289,345
|
|
|
|
1,044,833
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
861,079
|
|
|
|
84,970
|
|
|
|
3,860
|
|
|
|
949,909
|
|
Land development
|
|
|
544,019
|
|
|
|
36,434
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
580,453
|
|
Completed lots
|
|
|
207,124
|
|
|
|
40,819
|
|
|
|
1,742
|
|
|
|
249,685
|
|
Residential 1-4 family
|
|
|
164,406
|
|
|
|
203,399
|
|
|
|
56,687
|
|
|
|
424,492
|
|
Installment and other loans
|
|
|
15,883
|
|
|
|
15,384
|
|
|
|
34,201
|
|
|
|
65,468
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total loans
|
|
$
|
2,189,968
|
|
|
$
|
1,166,557
|
|
|
$
|
415,530
|
|
|
$
|
3,772,055
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1-5 Years
|
|
|
After 5 Years
|
|
Fixed rates
|
|
$
|
818,792
|
|
|
$
|
79,270
|
|
Variable rates
|
|
|
347,765
|
|
|
|
336,260
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,166,557
|
|
|
$
|
415,530
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2008, loans totaling $942.3 million were pledged to secure borrowings.
Allowance for Loan Losses
Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31 are summarized below
(in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Beginning balance
|
|
$
|
57,658
|
|
|
$
|
44,195
|
|
|
$
|
37,075
|
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
120,000
|
|
|
|
11,400
|
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
Charge-offs
|
|
|
(63,526
|
)
|
|
|
(1,906
|
)
|
|
|
(3,294
|
)
|
Recoveries
|
|
|
506
|
|
|
|
986
|
|
|
|
413
|
|
Merger
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,983
|
|
|
|
2,501
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance before portion identified for undisbursed loans
|
|
|
114,638
|
|
|
|
57,658
|
|
|
|
44,195
|
|
Portion of reserve identified for undisbursed loans
and reclassified as a liability
|
|
|
(2,082
|
)
|
|
|
(3,663
|
)
|
|
|
(3,546
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at end of period
|
|
$
|
112,556
|
|
|
$
|
53,995
|
|
|
$
|
40,649
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The allowance for loan losses totaled $112.6 million, or 2.98%, of total loans outstanding at
December 31, 2008. This compares to the allowance for loan losses of $54.0 million, or 1.49%, of
total loans outstanding at December 31, 2007, and $40.6 million, or 1.40%, at December 31, 2006.
The increase in the allowance for loan loss for 2008, as compared to 2007 and 2006, is primarily
attributable to the downturn in the economy and the negative impact on the local housing market,
which significantly affected our real estate construction, land development and completed lot
portfolios.
F-70
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses (continued)
Nonperforming Assets
Loans delinquent 90 days or more or other nonaccruing, restructured and other real estate
owned (OREO), on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued at December 31 are as
follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Commercial and industrial
|
|
$
|
12,908
|
|
|
$
|
159
|
|
|
$
|
574
|
|
Real estate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
10,937
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
181,905
|
|
|
|
19,842
|
|
|
|
47
|
|
Land development
|
|
|
177,139
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,143
|
|
Completed lots
|
|
|
34,005
|
|
|
|
804
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residential 1-4 family
|
|
|
17,686
|
|
|
|
93
|
|
|
|
889
|
|
Installment and other
|
|
|
645
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total nonaccruing loans
|
|
|
435,225
|
|
|
|
20,908
|
|
|
|
8,653
|
|
Other real estate owned
|
|
|
10,803
|
|
|
|
367
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total nonperforming assets
|
|
$
|
446,028
|
|
|
$
|
21,275
|
|
|
$
|
8,653
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructured loans
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total loans at end of period (1)
|
|
$
|
3,778,733
|
|
|
$
|
3,612,122
|
|
|
$
|
2,908,000
|
|
Total assets at end of period
|
|
$
|
4,104,445
|
|
|
$
|
3,995,689
|
|
|
$
|
3,238,464
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total nonperforming loans to total loans
|
|
|
11.52
|
%
|
|
|
0.58
|
%
|
|
|
0.30
|
%
|
Total nonperforming assets to total assets
|
|
|
10.87
|
%
|
|
|
0.53
|
%
|
|
|
0.27
|
%
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
Includes loans held for resale.
|
Nonaccrual Loans
At December 31, 2008, nonaccruing loans totaled $435.2 million, compared to $20.9 million at
December 31, 2007, and $8.7 million at December 31, 2006. Average balances of these loans were
$468.5 million, $15.4 million and $8.7 million, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and
2006, respectively. The allowance for loan losses related to these loans was approximately $12.9
million in 2008, $1.6 million in 2007 and $914 thousand in 2006.
For the years ended December 31, there are certain amounts of interest collected on nonaccrual
loans that are included in income and amounts that have not been accrued, which are indicated in
the following table (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Additional interest income which would
have been recorded during the period
under original loan terms
|
|
$
|
18,915
|
|
|
$
|
757
|
|
|
$
|
761
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest collected and included in net
income for the period
|
|
$
|
21,004
|
|
|
$
|
1,131
|
|
|
$
|
344
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments for additional funds related
to loans above
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
F-71
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 5: Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses (continued)
Other Real Estate Owned
The following table presents the activity related to OREO (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Beginning balance
|
|
$
|
367
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to OREO
|
|
|
12,992
|
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
|
367
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Capitalized improvements
|
|
|
623
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valuation adjustments
|
|
|
(68
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disposition of OREO
|
|
|
(3,111
|
)
|
|
|
(13
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending balance
|
|
$
|
10,803
|
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
$
|
367
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2008, OREO totaled $10.8 million and consisted of 64 properties in Washington
(53) and Oregon (11), with balances ranging from $76 thousand to $478 thousand. At December 31,
2007, we had one OREO property totaling $367 thousand.
Note 6: Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment at December 31 are comprised of the following (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Premises
|
|
$
|
44,440
|
|
|
$
|
31,032
|
|
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
|
|
|
25,676
|
|
|
|
21,180
|
|
Land
|
|
|
15,593
|
|
|
|
15,597
|
|
Construction in process
|
|
|
1,155
|
|
|
|
11,403
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
86,864
|
|
|
|
79,212
|
|
Accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(35,362
|
)
|
|
|
(31,919
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premises and equipment, net
|
|
$
|
51,502
|
|
|
$
|
47,293
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, depreciation expense on premises and
equipment totaled $3.8 million, $2.7 million and $2.9 million, respectively.
Note 7: Intangible Assets
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31 are as follows
(in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Beginning balance
|
|
$
|
77,073
|
|
|
$
|
40,288
|
|
Goodwill acquired during the year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,785
|
|
Impairment losses
|
|
|
(77,073
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending balance
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
77,073
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During the fourth quarter of 2008, we recorded a non-cash charge of $77.1 million related to
the impairment of goodwill. This write down resulted from goodwill impairment testing that was
performed at the end of the fourth quarter due to the quarterly decline in the stock price and the
resulting difference between the market capitalization and book value of the Corporation. The
results of the goodwill impairment testing demonstrated that the estimated fair value of the
Corporation, or reporting unit, was less than the book value, resulting in full
impairment. This impairment charge had no effect on our cash balances or liquidity. In
addition, because goodwill is not included in the calculation of regulatory capital, the
Corporations and Banks regulatory ratios were not affected by this non-cash expense.
F-72
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 7: Intangible Assets (continued)
The gross carrying amount, accumulated amortization and net carrying amount of amortized
intangible assets for the years ended December 31 are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Carrying
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
Net Carrying
|
|
2008
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Amortization
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
Core deposit intangible
|
|
$
|
1,054
|
|
|
$
|
(434
|
)
|
|
$
|
620
|
|
Other
|
|
|
489
|
|
|
|
(315
|
)
|
|
|
174
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total amortized intangible assets
|
|
$
|
1,543
|
|
|
$
|
(749
|
)
|
|
$
|
794
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross Carrying
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
Net Carrying
|
|
2007
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Amortization
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
Core deposit intangible
|
|
$
|
1,054
|
|
|
$
|
(256
|
)
|
|
$
|
798
|
|
Other
|
|
|
489
|
|
|
|
(210
|
)
|
|
|
279
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total amortized intangible assets
|
|
$
|
1,543
|
|
|
$
|
(466
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,077
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intangible amortization expense of $283 thousand, $235 thousand and $231 thousand was included
in other noninterest expense for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Note 8: Interest Bearing Deposits
The major classifications of interest bearing deposits at December 31 are as follows (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Money market, sweep and NOW accounts
|
|
$
|
325,554
|
|
|
$
|
745,780
|
|
Savings
|
|
|
365,114
|
|
|
|
254,722
|
|
Time deposits, $100,000 and over
|
|
|
1,430,685
|
|
|
|
832,373
|
|
Other time deposits
|
|
|
758,361
|
|
|
|
719,835
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total interest bearing deposits
|
|
$
|
2,879,714
|
|
|
$
|
2,552,710
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2008, the scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
$
|
1,882,705
|
|
2010
|
|
|
211,022
|
|
2011
|
|
|
31,951
|
|
2012
|
|
|
41,469
|
|
2013
|
|
|
19,664
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
2,235
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,189,046
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 9: Credit Arrangements
We are a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Seattle. As a member, we have a
committed line of credit up to approximately 15% of total Bank assets, or $617.2 million, at
December 31, 2008.
At December 31, 2008, committed lines of credit agreements totaling approximately $12.0
million were available to us from an unaffiliated bank. There were no outstanding balances related
to this line of credit at December 31, 2008. Such lines generally provide for interest at the
lending banks federal funds rate or other money market rates. Subsequent to December 31, 2008, we
were notified that this unsecured credit agreement has been suspended.
F-73
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 10: Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
Contractual maturities of FHLB advances as of December 31, 2008 are shown below (in
thousands). Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because FHLB has the right
to call without penalties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Interest Rates
|
|
Year Ending December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
$
|
68,146
|
|
|
|
2.44% - 4.49
|
%
|
2010
|
|
|
65,786
|
|
|
|
3.03% - 4.93
|
%
|
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
100,485
|
|
|
|
3.87% - 4.97
|
%
|
2013
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
3.04
|
%
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
95,000
|
|
|
|
3.71% - 4.66
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
429,417
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advances from FHLB are collateralized by qualifying first mortgage loans, qualifying
commercial real estate and government agency securities, as required by the agreement with FHLB.
The maximum and average outstanding balances and average interest rates on advances from FHLB
were as follows for the year ended December 31 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Maximum outstanding at any month end
|
|
$
|
429,417
|
|
|
$
|
341,704
|
|
Average outstanding
|
|
|
340,350
|
|
|
|
294,169
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average interest rates
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual
|
|
|
4.09
|
%
|
|
|
4.15
|
%
|
End of year
|
|
|
3.91
|
%
|
|
|
4.43
|
%
|
Note 11: Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase
We have sold certain securities of the U.S. Government and its agencies and other approved
investments under agreements to repurchase on a short-term basis. The securities underlying the
agreements were held by a safekeeping agent and had an amortized cost of $26.1 million and fair
values of $26.3 million as of December 31, 2008 (see Note 4). Securities sold under agreements to
repurchase are reflected at the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction. We may
be required to provide additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying securities.
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase were $14.8 million at December 31, 2008, and
$34.6 million at December 31, 2007. The average daily balance of outstanding agreements during the
period was $28.8 million in 2008 and $11.5 million in 2007, with maximum outstanding agreements at
any month end of $40.1 million and $34.6 million, respectively.
F-74
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 12: Junior Subordinated Debentures
On February 1, 2006, we acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of NorthStar Financial
Corporation. As part of the transaction, we acquired two statutory business trusts which had been
formed in December of 2004. NorthStar Financial Corporation Statutory Trust I (Trust I) and
NorthStar Financial Corporation Statutory Trust II (Trust II), collectively the Trusts, were
formed for the exclusive purposes of issuing and selling capital securities and utilizing the
proceeds to acquire junior subordinated debt.
The Trusts raised $5.2 million in cash through the issuance of $5.0 million of trust preferred
securities and $156 thousand of common stock. The trust preferred securities are owned by third
parties and the common stock is owned by the Corporation. The proceeds from the sale of the trust
preferred securities and the common stock were invested by the Trusts in $5.2 million of junior
subordinated debentures issued by NorthStar Financial Corporation and assumed by us in the
acquisition. On the December 31, 2008, balance sheet, the $5.2 million of junior subordinated
debentures is reflected as a liability and the $156 thousand of common stock of the Trusts is
included in other assets. There were $5.0 million in trust preferred securities outstanding at
December 31, 2008.
The Trusts accrue interest and make cash distributions on the trust preferred securities
periodically at rates specified in the trust agreement. The interest rate on Trust I trust
preferred securities is fixed at 6.0%. The interest rate on Trust II trust preferred securities is
the Three-Month Libor rate plus 2%, and is adjusted quarterly. As of December 31, 2008, the
interest rate on Trust II trust preferred securities was 4.15%. We pay interest on the junior
subordinated debentures to the Trusts equal to the rate at which the Trusts accrue and pay interest
on their trust preferred securities. Interest expense incurred on the junior subordinated
debentures totaled $288 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2008.
The junior subordinated debentures mature in February 2035. The Trusts trust preferred
securities are subject to mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, upon repayment of the
debentures. In the event of certain changes or amendments to regulatory requirements or federal
tax rules, the Trusts trust preferred securities are redeemable by us in whole before February 23,
2010, at 100% of the liquidation amount. Upon approval of the Federal Reserve, we may redeem the
Trusts trust preferred securities in whole or in part on or after February 23, 2010, at 100% of
the liquidation amount. We fully and unconditionally guarantee the Trusts trust preferred
securities. As of December 31, 2008, $5.0 million of the Trusts preferred securities qualify as
Tier I capital under the guidelines of the Federal Reserve.
F-75
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 13: Income Taxes
The components of the provision for income tax for the years ended December 31, are as follows
(in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Current
|
|
$
|
11,796
|
|
|
$
|
43,066
|
|
|
$
|
37,090
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
(20,431
|
)
|
|
|
(5,480
|
)
|
|
|
(1,721
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Provision (benefit) for income tax
|
|
$
|
(8,635
|
)
|
|
$
|
37,586
|
|
|
$
|
35,369
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table shows the nature and components of the net deferred tax assets,
established at an estimated tax rate of 35%, at December 31 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allowance for possible loan losses, in excess of tax reserves
|
|
$
|
40,260
|
|
|
$
|
20,159
|
|
Intangible assets
|
|
|
900
|
|
|
|
1,468
|
|
Unrealized loss on available for sale securities
|
|
|
1,459
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other deferred tax assets
|
|
|
2,097
|
|
|
|
892
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax assets
|
|
|
44,716
|
|
|
|
22,519
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FHLB stock dividends
|
|
|
(2,589
|
)
|
|
|
(2,574
|
)
|
Deferred loan fees
|
|
|
(2,239
|
)
|
|
|
(1,964
|
)
|
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,626
|
)
|
Other deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
(1,892
|
)
|
|
|
(1,875
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
(6,720
|
)
|
|
|
(9,039
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax assets
|
|
$
|
37,996
|
|
|
$
|
13,480
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We believe, based upon available information, that all deferred assets will be realized in the
normal course of operations. Accordingly, these assets have not been reduced by a valuation
allowance.
F-76
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 13: Income Taxes (continued)
A reconciliation of the effective income tax rate with the federal statutory tax rate for the
years ended December 31 is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Rate
|
|
Income tax provision (benefit) at statutory rate
|
|
$
|
(34,627
|
)
|
|
|
(35
|
%)
|
|
$
|
39,034
|
|
|
|
35
|
%
|
|
$
|
36,498
|
|
|
|
35
|
%
|
Effect of nontaxable interest income
|
|
|
(1,123
|
)
|
|
|
(1
|
%)
|
|
|
(1,085
|
)
|
|
|
(1
|
%)
|
|
|
(1,129
|
)
|
|
|
(1
|
%)
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
27,131
|
|
|
|
27
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
(16
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(363
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax provision (benefit) at effective rate
|
|
$
|
(8,635
|
)
|
|
|
(9
|
%)
|
|
$
|
37,586
|
|
|
|
34
|
%
|
|
$
|
35,369
|
|
|
|
34
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes, on January 1, 2007 (FIN 48). This Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and
measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position
taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This Interpretation also provides guidance on
derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure
and transition. We had no unrecognized tax benefits which would require an adjustment to the
January 1, 2007, beginning balance of retained earnings. We had no unrecognized tax benefits at
January 1, 2007, December 31, 2007 or December 31, 2008.
We recognize interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax
expense. During the years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, we recognized no interest or
penalties.
We file federal and various state and local income tax returns. With few exceptions, we are
no longer subject to U.S. federal or state/local income tax examinations by tax authorities for
years before 2006.
F-77
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 14: Shareholders Equity and Regulatory Matters
We are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal and state
banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and
possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a material
effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework
for prompt corrective action, we must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative
measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory
accounting practices. The capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative
judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. The minimum
ratios and the actual capital ratios for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 are set forth in
the table below (in thousands).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To Be Well Capitalized
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Under Prompt Corrective
|
|
|
For Capital Adequacy
|
|
|
|
Actual
|
|
|
Action Provisions
|
|
|
Purposes
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Ratio
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Ratio
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Ratio
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Capital (to risk weighted assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
$
|
402,612
|
|
|
|
10.91
|
%
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
295,126
|
|
|
|
8.00
|
%
|
Frontier Bank
|
|
|
390,260
|
|
|
|
10.55
|
%
|
|
|
370,006
|
|
|
|
10.00
|
%
|
|
|
296,005
|
|
|
|
8.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tier I Capital (to risk weighted assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
|
355,653
|
|
|
|
9.64
|
%
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
147,563
|
|
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
Frontier Bank
|
|
|
343,165
|
|
|
|
9.27
|
%
|
|
|
222,003
|
|
|
|
6.00
|
%
|
|
|
148,002
|
|
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tier I Capital (to average assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
|
355,653
|
|
|
|
8.62
|
%
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
164,981
|
|
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
Frontier Bank
|
|
|
343,165
|
|
|
|
8.53
|
%
|
|
|
201,146
|
|
|
|
5.00
|
%
|
|
|
160,917
|
|
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Capital (to risk weighted assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
$
|
429,227
|
|
|
|
11.38
|
%
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
301,664
|
|
|
|
8.00
|
%
|
Frontier Bank
|
|
|
397,844
|
|
|
|
10.62
|
%
|
|
|
374,529
|
|
|
|
10.00
|
%
|
|
|
299,623
|
|
|
|
8.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tier I Capital (to risk weighted assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
|
381,962
|
|
|
|
10.13
|
%
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
150,833
|
|
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
Frontier Bank
|
|
|
350,935
|
|
|
|
9.37
|
%
|
|
|
224,718
|
|
|
|
6.00
|
%
|
|
|
149,812
|
|
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tier I Capital (to average assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
|
|
|
381,962
|
|
|
|
10.55
|
%
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
144,841
|
|
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
Frontier Bank
|
|
|
350,935
|
|
|
|
9.74
|
%
|
|
|
180,136
|
|
|
|
5.00
|
%
|
|
|
144,109
|
|
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
F-78
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 14: Shareholders Equity and Regulatory Matters (continued)
During the third quarter of 2008, the Board of Directors reduced the quarterly cash dividend
to $0.06 per share from $0.18 per share, the rate paid in the second quarter of 2008, in an effort
to preserve capital. For the year ended December 31, 2008, we paid cash dividends totaling $22.4
million, compared to $29.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. In an effort to further
preserve capital, the Board of Directors voted to suspend the quarterly cash dividend, beginning
with the first quarter of 2009.
Under federal regulations, the Bank is limited, unless previously approved, as to the amount
it may loan the holding company and other affiliates to 10% of its capital stock (approximately
$10.0 million at December 31, 2008, and $8.6 million at December 31, 2007).
Note 15: Share-Based Compensation Plans
Stock Incentive Plan
In 2006, Shareholders approved a Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan) to promote the best
interest of the Corporation, our subsidiaries and our shareholders, by providing an incentive to
those key employees who contribute to our success. The Plan allows for incentive stock options,
stock grants and stock appreciation rights to be awarded. The maximum number of shares that may be
issued under the Plan is 5,250,000 common shares. At December 31, 2008, 4,378,358 common shares
were available for grant. Shares issued and outstanding are adjusted to reflect common stock
dividends, splits, recapitalization or reorganization. The Board of Directors make available
sufficient shares for each award granted. Options are granted at fair market value, generally vest
over three years and expire ten years from the date of grant. Dividends are paid on stock grants
but not on incentive stock options. Certain options provide for accelerated vesting if there is a
change in control.
F-79
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 15: Share-Based Compensation Plans (continued)
We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of each option on the
date of grant. The expected term of the options is developed by considering the historical share
option exercise experience, historical share retention practices of employees and assumptions about
their propensity for early exercise in the future. Expected volatility is estimated using daily
historical volatility. We believe that historical volatility is currently the best estimate of
expected volatility. The dividend yield is the annualized yield on our common stock on the date of
grant. The risk free interest rate is the yield on the grant date of U.S. Treasury zero coupon
issues with a maturity comparable to the expected term of the option. The assumptions used in the
Black-Scholes pricing model and the weighted average grant date fair value of options granted for
the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
1.53
|
%
|
|
|
3.41
|
%
|
|
|
4.60
|
%
|
Expected dividends
|
|
|
3.63
|
%
|
|
|
2.45
|
%
|
|
|
1.68
|
%
|
Expected volatility
|
|
|
50.72
|
%
|
|
|
36.50
|
%
|
|
|
35.61
|
%
|
Expected term (in years)
|
|
|
6.1
|
|
|
|
5.7
|
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
Weighted average grant date fair value
|
|
$
|
1.05
|
|
|
$
|
5.79
|
|
|
$
|
8.06
|
|
A summary of option activity under the Plan, as of December 31, 2008, and changes during the
year then ended are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Aggregate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Intrinsic
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
Contractual
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Term
|
|
|
(Thousands)
|
|
Outstanding, January 1, 2008
|
|
|
1,331,490
|
|
|
$
|
18.24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
150,750
|
|
|
|
3.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(31,125
|
)
|
|
|
12.55
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forfeited/Expired
|
|
|
(76,381
|
)
|
|
|
18.50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding, December 31, 2008
|
|
|
1,374,734
|
|
|
$
|
16.69
|
|
|
|
6.3
|
|
|
$
|
198
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable at December 31, 2008
|
|
|
1,009,946
|
|
|
$
|
16.93
|
|
|
|
5.3
|
|
|
$
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A summary of the status of the nonvested stock awards, as of December 31, 2008, and changes
during the year then ended, are presented below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant-Date
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
Nonvested at January 1, 2008
|
|
|
231,799
|
|
|
$
|
22.64
|
|
Awarded
|
|
|
183,150
|
|
|
|
6.11
|
|
Released
|
|
|
(128,753
|
)
|
|
|
21.93
|
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
(16,434
|
)
|
|
|
22.67
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonvested at December 31, 2008
|
|
|
269,762
|
|
|
$
|
11.74
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2008, there was $4.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost
related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Plan. That cost is
expected to be recognized
over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years. The total compensation cost that has been
charged against income for the Plan was $3.4 million in 2008, $2.6 million in 2007 and $1.2 million
in 2006. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for share-based
compensation arrangements was $1.2 million in 2008, $904 thousand in 2007 and $430 thousand in
2006.
F-80
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 15: Share-Based Compensation Plans (continued)
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007
and 2006, was $160 thousand, $1.6 million and $4.8 million, respectively. Cash received from
option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2008,
2007 and 2006 was $391 thousand, $1.9 million and $4.2 million, respectively. The actual tax
benefit realized for the tax deductions from option exercises of the share-based payment
arrangements totaled $ 49 thousand, $237 thousand and $1.2 million, respectively, for the years
ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
1999 Employee Stock Award Plan
In 1999, we adopted the 1999 Employee Stock Award Plan to recognize, motivate and reward
eligible employees for longstanding performance with us and our subsidiaries. Employees eligible
to receive stock awards under this Plan must have been employees for at least 20 years, or some
other tenure as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The maximum number of
shares that may be issued is 45,000 and is adjusted to reflect future common share dividends,
splits, recapitalization or reorganization. The stock awards vest immediately when granted. In
2008, there were 1,470 shares with a fair value of $25 thousand awarded and vested to employees.
In 2007 and 2006, there were 564 and 813 shares with fair values of $15 thousand and $17 thousand,
respectively, awarded and vested under this Plan. At December 31, 2008, there have been 9,256
shares issued under this Plan, with 35,744 shares remaining. The Plan is effective for ten years
from adoption.
Note 16: Employee Benefit Plan
We have a profit sharing and salary deferral plan that covers eligible employees.
Contributions to the plan were $1.5 million in 2008, $4.7 million in 2007, and $4.3 million in
2006. Contributions to the profit sharing plan are discretionary, with a minimum of 6% of employee
compensation. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Board of Directors elected not to make a
contribution to the profit sharing plan as a result of the 2008 reported net loss. Employer
contributions are funded during the period in which it is committed by the Board of Directors.
Note 17: Earnings (Loss) per Share
The numerators and denominators of basic and fully diluted earnings (loss) per share are as
follows (in thousands, except for number of shares and per share amounts):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(89,737
|
)
|
|
$
|
73,938
|
|
|
$
|
68,910
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares used in the calculation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
|
46,991,625
|
|
|
|
45,265,723
|
|
|
|
45,009,526
|
|
Effect of dilutive stock options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
335,343
|
|
|
|
475,461
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted shares
|
|
|
46,991,625
|
|
|
|
45,601,066
|
|
|
|
45,484,987
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
(1.91
|
)
|
|
$
|
1.63
|
|
|
$
|
1.53
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
|
|
$
|
(1.91
|
)
|
|
$
|
1.62
|
|
|
$
|
1.52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-81
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 18: Related Party Transactions
Loans to directors, executive officers and their affiliates are subject to regulatory
limitations. Such loans had aggregate balances and activity during 2008, 2007 and 2006, as follows
(in thousands), and were within regulatory limitations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Balance at beginning of year
|
|
$
|
52,649
|
|
|
$
|
85,277
|
|
|
$
|
72,700
|
|
New loans or advances
|
|
|
6,471
|
|
|
|
10,089
|
|
|
|
23,342
|
|
Repayments
|
|
|
(2,132
|
)
|
|
|
(42,717
|
)
|
|
|
(10,765
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at end of year
|
|
$
|
56,988
|
|
|
$
|
52,649
|
|
|
$
|
85,277
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total deposits beneficially owned by related parties were $3.2 million, $4.2 million and $6.4
million at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Note 19: Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
We lease various branch offices under agreements, which expire between 2009 and 2034. The
agreements contain various renewal options and generally require us to maintain the properties.
The total future minimum lease commitments through 2013, and thereafter, are as follows (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
Year ending December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
$
|
1,900
|
|
2010
|
|
|
1,633
|
|
2011
|
|
|
1,346
|
|
2012
|
|
|
886
|
|
2013
|
|
|
845
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
1,064
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
7,674
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rental expense charged to operations was $2.1 million in 2008, $2.3 million in 2007 and $1.9
million in 2006.
The Bank is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course
of business to meet financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments include
commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and financial guarantees. These instruments
involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest-rate risk in excess of the amount
recognized in the balance sheet. The contract amount of these instruments reflects the extent of
our involvement in particular classes of financial instruments.
Our exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the
instrument for commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and financial guarantees
written is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. We use the same credit
policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as we do for on-balance-sheet
instruments.
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no
violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration
dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments
are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily
represent future cash requirements. Our experience has been that approximately 49 percent of loan
commitments are drawn upon by customers. While approximately 100 percent of commercial letters of
credit are utilized, a significant portion of such utilization is on an immediate
payment basis. We evaluate each customers creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The
amount of collateral obtained, if it is deemed necessary upon extension of credit, is based on
managements credit evaluation of the borrower. Collateral held varies but may include accounts
receivable, inventory, property, plant, and equipment and income-producing commercial properties.
F-82
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 19: Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (continued)
Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees written are conditional commitments issued
by us to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily
issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, bond financing and similar
transactions. We underwrite our standby letters of credit using our policies and procedures
applicable to loans in general. Standby letters of credit are made on an unsecured and secured
basis. We have not been required to perform on any financial guarantees during the past two years.
We have not incurred any material losses on our commitments in 2008, 2007 or 2006.
A summary of the notional amount of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk at
December 31, 2008, is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
Commitments to extend credit
|
|
$
|
484,407
|
|
Credit card arrangements
|
|
|
44,537
|
|
Standby and commercial letters of credit
|
|
|
18,133
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
547,077
|
|
|
|
|
|
We are a defendant in certain claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of
business. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the ultimate
disposition of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition or results of operations.
Note 20: Fair Value Measurements
As discussed in Note 1, SFAS 157 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be
received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most
advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market
participants on the measurement date. SFAS 157 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which
requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable
inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to
measure fair value:
Level 1
: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active exchange
markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.
Level 2
: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices
for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active and other inputs
that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3
: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a companys own assumptions about the
assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used to measure and report fair
value of financial assets and liabilities on a recurring or nonrecurring basis:
Securities
Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value is
determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1),
through the use of alternative approaches, such as matrix or model pricing, when market quotes are
not readily available (Level 2) or by using a discounted cash flow model (Level 3).
F-83
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 20: Fair Value Measurements (continued)
Loans Held for Resale
Mortgage loans originated and designated as held for resale are carried at the lower of cost
or estimated fair value, as determined by quoted market prices, where applicable, or the prices for
other mortgage loans with similar characteristics, in aggregate, and are measured on a nonrecurring
basis (Level 2). At December 31, 2008, loans held for resale were carried at cost.
Impaired Loans
From time to time, and on a nonrecurring basis, fair value adjustments to collateral dependent
loans are recorded to reflect partial write-downs based on the current appraised value of the
collateral or internally developed models which contain managements assumptions.
Other Real Estate Owned
Other real estate owned (OREO) consists principally of properties acquired through
foreclosure and are carried at the lower of cost or estimated market value less selling costs. Any
write-downs based on the assets fair value at the date of acquisition are charged to the allowance
for loan losses. After foreclosure, management periodically performs valuations such that the real
estate is carried at the lower of its new cost basis or fair value, net of estimated costs to sell.
The following table presents the balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring
basis at December 31, 2008 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value at December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Available for sale securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equities
|
|
$
|
1,327
|
|
|
$
|
603
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,930
|
|
U.S. Treasuries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,457
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,457
|
|
U.S. Agencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,055
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
52,055
|
|
Corporate securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,939
|
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
|
|
4,439
|
|
Mortgage-backed securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,791
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,791
|
|
Municipal securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,934
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,934
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,327
|
|
|
$
|
87,779
|
|
|
$
|
1,500
|
|
|
$
|
90,606
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table presents the fair value adjustments using significant unobservable inputs
(Level 3) for the year ended December 31, 2008 (in thousand):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurements Using
|
|
|
|
Significant Unobservable Inputs
|
|
|
|
(Level 3)
|
|
Beginning balance
|
|
$
|
|
|
Total gains or losses recognized
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases
|
|
|
|
|
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending balance
|
|
$
|
1,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2008, we valued investments in a single issuer trust preferred security at par
value. As a result of unprecedented disruptions of certain financial markets, we determined that
there were insufficient transactions or other market indicators to accurately determine the fair
value of this security. This determination is considered a Level 3 input.
F-84
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 20: Fair Value Measurements (continued)
The following table presents the balance of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring
basis at December 31, 2008, and the total losses resulting from these fair value adjustments for
the year ended December 31, 2008 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ended
|
|
|
|
Fair Value at December 31, 2008
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Total Losses
|
|
Impaired loans (1)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
268,193
|
|
|
$
|
268,193
|
|
|
$
|
60,828
|
|
OREO (2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,803
|
|
|
|
10,803
|
|
|
|
3,880
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
278,996
|
|
|
$
|
278,996
|
|
|
$
|
64,708
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
The loss represents charge offs or impairments on collateral dependent loans for fair value
adjustments based on the fair value of the collateral.
|
|
(2)
|
|
The loss represents charge offs or impairments on other real estate owned for fair value
adjustments based on the fair value of the real estate.
|
There were no material liabilities carried at fair value, measured on a recurring or
nonrecurring basis, at December 31, 2008.
Note 21: Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in
accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial
Instruments. We determined the estimated fair value amounts using available market information and
appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is necessary to interpret
market data in the development of the estimates of fair value. The use of different market
assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value
amounts. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class
of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value.
Cash Equivalents and Federal Funds Sold
For these short-term instruments, the carrying
amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
Securities
Securities fair values are based on quoted market prices or dealer quotes, if
available. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market
prices for similar securities.
Loans Held for Resale
For loans held for resale, carrying value approximates fair value.
Loans
The fair value of loans generally is estimated by discounting the future cash flows
using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit
ratings and for the same remaining maturities. For certain homogeneous categories of loans, such as
Small Business Administration guaranteed loans, fair value is estimated using the quoted market
prices for securities backed by similar loans, adjusted for differences in loan characteristics.
Bank Owned Life Insurance
The fair value of Bank owned life insurance policies are based on
cash surrender value of the insurance contract.
Deposits and Federal Funds Purchased
The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts,
certain money market deposits, and federal funds purchased, is the amount payable on demand at the
reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated by
discounting the future cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar
remaining maturities.
F-85
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 21: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)
FHLB Advances and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase
Fair value is determined by
discounting future cash flows using rates currently available to the Bank for debt with similar
terms and remaining maturities.
Junior Subordinated Debentures
The fair value of junior subordinated debentures is estimated
using a discounted cash flow model.
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
Commitments to extend credit and letters of credit
represent the principal categories of off-balance sheet financial instruments (see Note 19). The
fair value of these commitments is not material.
The estimated fair values at December 31 are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and due from banks
|
|
$
|
52,022
|
|
|
$
|
52,022
|
|
|
$
|
99,102
|
|
|
$
|
99,102
|
|
Federal funds sold
|
|
|
117,740
|
|
|
|
117,740
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Available for sale
|
|
|
90,606
|
|
|
|
90,606
|
|
|
|
131,378
|
|
|
|
131,378
|
|
Held to maturity
|
|
|
3,085
|
|
|
|
3,340
|
|
|
|
3,743
|
|
|
|
3,766
|
|
Loans held for resale
|
|
|
6,678
|
|
|
|
6,678
|
|
|
|
6,227
|
|
|
|
6,227
|
|
Loans, net
|
|
|
3,666,177
|
|
|
|
3,714,492
|
|
|
|
3,558,127
|
|
|
|
3,639,120
|
|
Bank owned life insurance
|
|
|
24,321
|
|
|
|
24,321
|
|
|
|
23,734
|
|
|
|
23,734
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noninterest bearing deposits
|
|
|
395,451
|
|
|
|
395,451
|
|
|
|
390,526
|
|
|
|
390,526
|
|
Interest bearing deposits
|
|
|
2,879,714
|
|
|
|
2,909,730
|
|
|
|
2,552,710
|
|
|
|
2,574,268
|
|
Federal funds purchased and
securities sold under
agreements to repurchase
|
|
|
21,616
|
|
|
|
21,616
|
|
|
|
258,145
|
|
|
|
258,145
|
|
FHLB Advances
|
|
|
429,417
|
|
|
|
444,441
|
|
|
|
298,636
|
|
|
|
298,105
|
|
Junior subordinated debentures
|
|
|
5,156
|
|
|
|
1,676
|
|
|
|
5,156
|
|
|
|
4,976
|
|
F-86
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 22: Parent Company (Only) Financial Information
Condensed balance sheets for Frontier Financial Corporation (only) at December 31 are as
follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
5,702
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Investment in subsidiaries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank
|
|
|
346,336
|
|
|
|
350,717
|
|
Nonbank
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,539
|
|
Available for sale securities, at fair value
|
|
|
2,847
|
|
|
|
32,315
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
2,343
|
|
|
|
73,754
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
357,228
|
|
|
$
|
473,325
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
$
|
5,185
|
|
|
$
|
13,713
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock
|
|
|
256,137
|
|
|
|
252,292
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
98,020
|
|
|
|
202,453
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
|
|
|
(2,114
|
)
|
|
|
4,867
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
|
352,043
|
|
|
|
459,612
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders equity
|
|
$
|
357,228
|
|
|
$
|
473,325
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-87
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 22: Parent Company (Only) Financial Information (continued)
Condensed statements of income for Frontier Financial Corporation (only) for the years ended
December 31 are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends from Bank
|
|
$
|
9,471
|
|
|
$
|
70,769
|
|
|
$
|
23,846
|
|
Dividends from FFP
|
|
|
414
|
|
|
|
800
|
|
|
|
1,100
|
|
Other dividends
|
|
|
332
|
|
|
|
819
|
|
|
|
526
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
174
|
|
|
|
177
|
|
|
|
186
|
|
Provision for loss on impairment of securities
|
|
|
(460
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of securities
|
|
|
4,575
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total income
|
|
|
14,506
|
|
|
|
72,586
|
|
|
|
25,690
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Personnel
|
|
|
3,399
|
|
|
|
2,523
|
|
|
|
677
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
238
|
|
|
|
260
|
|
|
|
267
|
|
Goodwill impairment
|
|
|
77,073
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
1,881
|
|
|
|
2,457
|
|
|
|
1,934
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
82,591
|
|
|
|
5,240
|
|
|
|
2,878
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before equity in undistributed income
of subsidiaries and benefit equivalent to income tax
|
|
|
(68,085
|
)
|
|
|
67,346
|
|
|
|
22,812
|
|
Income tax benefit
|
|
|
342
|
|
|
|
1,566
|
|
|
|
800
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries
|
|
|
(67,743
|
)
|
|
|
68,912
|
|
|
|
23,612
|
|
Equity in undistributed income (loss) of subsidiaries
|
|
|
(21,994
|
)
|
|
|
5,026
|
|
|
|
45,298
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income(loss)
|
|
$
|
(89,737
|
)
|
|
$
|
73,938
|
|
|
$
|
68,910
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-88
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 22: Parent Company (Only) Financial Information (continued)
Condensed statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(89,737
|
)
|
|
$
|
73,938
|
|
|
$
|
68,910
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
provided by operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity in undistributed (income) loss of subsidiaries
|
|
|
21,994
|
|
|
|
(5,026
|
)
|
|
|
(45,298
|
)
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
238
|
|
|
|
260
|
|
|
|
267
|
|
Provision for loss on impairment of securities
|
|
|
460
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of available for sale securities
|
|
|
(4,575
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock option expense
|
|
|
2,707
|
|
|
|
1,691
|
|
|
|
73
|
|
Stock award plan compensation
|
|
|
700
|
|
|
|
892
|
|
|
|
1,156
|
|
Excess tax benefits associated with stock-based
compensation
|
|
|
(49
|
)
|
|
|
(237
|
)
|
|
|
(1,205
|
)
|
Goodwill impairment
|
|
|
77,073
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other operating activities
|
|
|
229
|
|
|
|
(1,940
|
)
|
|
|
(743
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows provided by operating activities
|
|
|
9,040
|
|
|
|
69,578
|
|
|
|
23,160
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of available for sale securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,496
|
)
|
Proceeds from sale of available for sale securities
|
|
|
20,941
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from maturity of available for sale securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
460
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other investment activities
|
|
|
(2,214
|
)
|
|
|
(139
|
)
|
|
|
(390
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows provided by (used in)
investing activities
|
|
|
18,727
|
|
|
|
321
|
|
|
|
(5,886
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options exercised
|
|
|
391
|
|
|
|
1,861
|
|
|
|
4,218
|
|
Cash dividends paid to shareholders
|
|
|
(22,433
|
)
|
|
|
(29,045
|
)
|
|
|
(22,358
|
)
|
Repurchase of common stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(44,384
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Excess tax benefits associated with stock-based
compensation
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
237
|
|
|
|
1,205
|
|
Other financing activities
|
|
|
(72
|
)
|
|
|
75
|
|
|
|
712
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows used in financing activities
|
|
$
|
(22,065
|
)
|
|
$
|
(71,256
|
)
|
|
$
|
(16,223
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in cash
|
|
$
|
5,702
|
|
|
$
|
(1,357
|
)
|
|
$
|
1,051
|
|
Cash at beginning of year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,357
|
|
|
|
306
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash at end of year
|
|
$
|
5,702
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,357
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-89
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Note 23: Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 Quarter Ended
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
December 31
|
|
|
September 30
|
|
|
June 30
|
|
|
March 31
|
|
Interest income
|
|
$
|
60,392
|
|
|
$
|
68,821
|
|
|
$
|
72,342
|
|
|
$
|
77,500
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
26,537
|
|
|
|
28,095
|
|
|
|
27,451
|
|
|
|
30,102
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest income
|
|
|
33,855
|
|
|
|
40,726
|
|
|
|
44,891
|
|
|
|
47,398
|
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
44,400
|
|
|
|
42,100
|
|
|
|
24,500
|
|
|
|
9,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest income (loss) after provision
for loan losses
|
|
|
(10,545
|
)
|
|
|
(1,374
|
)
|
|
|
20,391
|
|
|
|
38,398
|
|
Non interest income
|
|
|
7,502
|
|
|
|
(3,173
|
)
|
|
|
4,198
|
|
|
|
6,303
|
|
Non interest expense
|
|
|
94,937
|
|
|
|
22,057
|
|
|
|
21,533
|
|
|
|
21,545
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income tax
|
|
|
(97,980
|
)
|
|
|
(26,604
|
)
|
|
|
3,056
|
|
|
|
23,156
|
|
Provision (benefit) for income tax
|
|
|
(8,464
|
)
|
|
|
(8,808
|
)
|
|
|
982
|
|
|
|
7,655
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$
|
(89,516
|
)
|
|
$
|
(17,796
|
)
|
|
$
|
2,074
|
|
|
$
|
15,501
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings (losses) per share
|
|
$
|
(1.90
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.38
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.33
|
|
Diluted earnings (losses) per share
|
|
$
|
(1.90
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.38
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.04
|
|
|
$
|
0.33
|
|
Weighted average basic shares outstanding
|
|
|
47,038,400
|
|
|
|
47,010,944
|
|
|
|
47,006,729
|
|
|
|
46,985,320
|
|
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
|
|
|
47,038,400
|
|
|
|
47,010,944
|
|
|
|
47,069,136
|
|
|
|
47,098,645
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 Quarter Ended
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
December 31
|
|
|
September 30
|
|
|
June 30
|
|
|
March 31
|
|
Interest income
|
|
$
|
79,404
|
|
|
$
|
77,748
|
|
|
$
|
73,997
|
|
|
$
|
68,523
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
29,883
|
|
|
|
29,566
|
|
|
|
27,788
|
|
|
|
25,804
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest income
|
|
|
49,521
|
|
|
|
48,182
|
|
|
|
46,209
|
|
|
|
42,719
|
|
Provision for loan losses
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
2,100
|
|
|
|
1,850
|
|
|
|
1,450
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest income after provision
for loan losses
|
|
|
43,521
|
|
|
|
46,082
|
|
|
|
44,359
|
|
|
|
41,269
|
|
Non interest income
|
|
|
3,802
|
|
|
|
3,538
|
|
|
|
2,562
|
|
|
|
3,407
|
|
Non interest expense
|
|
|
20,226
|
|
|
|
19,137
|
|
|
|
19,506
|
|
|
|
18,147
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income tax
|
|
|
27,097
|
|
|
|
30,483
|
|
|
|
27,415
|
|
|
|
26,529
|
|
Provision for income tax
|
|
|
9,080
|
|
|
|
10,256
|
|
|
|
9,244
|
|
|
|
9,006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
18,017
|
|
|
$
|
20,227
|
|
|
$
|
18,171
|
|
|
$
|
17,523
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share
|
|
$
|
0.40
|
|
|
$
|
0.46
|
|
|
$
|
0.41
|
|
|
$
|
0.39
|
|
Diluted earnings per share
|
|
$
|
0.40
|
|
|
$
|
0.46
|
|
|
$
|
0.40
|
|
|
$
|
0.38
|
|
Weighted average basic shares outstanding
|
|
|
44,645,895
|
|
|
|
44,033,951
|
|
|
|
44,635,972
|
|
|
|
45,176,326
|
|
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
|
|
|
44,871,141
|
|
|
|
44,332,276
|
|
|
|
44,991,139
|
|
|
|
45,624,490
|
|
F-90
ANNEX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
by and between
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
and
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Dated as of July 30, 2009
Table of Contents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
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DEFINITIONS
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1
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ARTICLE 1 TRANSACTIONS AND TERMS OF MERGER
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13
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1.1 Merger
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13
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1.2 Time and Place of Closing
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13
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1.3 Effective Time
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13
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1.4 Assumption of Liabilities
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14
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1.5 Restructure of Transaction
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14
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ARTICLE 2 TERMS OF MERGER
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14
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2.1 Charter
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14
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2.2 Bylaws
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14
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2.3 Directors and Officers
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15
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ARTICLE 3 MANNER OF CONVERTING SHARES
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16
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3.1 Conversion of Shares
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16
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3.2 Anti-Dilution Provisions
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16
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3.3 Dissenters Rights
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16
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3.4 Fractional Shares
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16
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3.5 Stock Options and other Stock-Based Awards
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17
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ARTICLE 4 EXCHANGE OF SHARES
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17
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4.1 Exchange Procedures
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17
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4.2 Rights of Former FFC Stockholders
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18
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ARTICLE 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FFC
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19
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5.1 Organization, Standing, and Power
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19
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5.2 Authority of FFC; No Breach By the Agreement
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19
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5.3 Capital Stock
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20
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5.4 FFC Subsidiaries
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21
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5.5 Exchange Act Filings; Securities Offerings; Financial Statements
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22
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5.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities
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23
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5.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events
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23
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5.8 Tax Matters
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24
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5.9 Allowance for Possible Loan Losses; Loan and Investment Portfolio, etc.
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26
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5.10 Assets
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27
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5.11 Intellectual Property
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28
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5.12 Environmental Matters
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28
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5.13 Compliance with Laws
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30
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A-i
Table of Contents
(continued)
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Page
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5.14 Labor Relations
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31
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5.15 Employee Benefit Plans
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32
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5.16 Material Contracts
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36
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5.17 Properties and Leases
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37
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5.18 Privacy of Customer Information
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38
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5.19 Legal Proceedings
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38
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5.20 Reports
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38
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5.21 Books and Records
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39
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5.22 Loans to Executive Officers, Directors and Principal Shareholders
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39
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5.23 Independence of Directors
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39
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5.24 Fiduciary Activities
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39
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5.25 Tax and Regulatory Matters; Consents
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40
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5.26 State Takeover Laws
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40
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5.27 Stockholders Support Agreements
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40
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5.28 Brokers and Finders; Opinion of Financial Advisor
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40
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5.29 No Participation In TARP
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40
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5.30 Board Recommendation
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40
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5.31 Statements True and Correct
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41
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5.32 Approvals
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41
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ARTICLE 6 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SPAH
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42
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6.1 Organization, Standing, and Power
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42
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6.2 Authority; No Breach By the Agreement
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42
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6.3 Capital Stock
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43
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6.4 SPAH Subsidiaries
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43
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6.5 Exchange Act Filings; Securities Offerings; Financial Statements
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44
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6.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities
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45
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6.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events
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45
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6.8 Tax Matters
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46
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6.9 Assets
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48
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6.10 Intellectual Property
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49
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6.11 Environmental Matters
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49
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6.12 Compliance with Laws
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49
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6.13 Labor Relations
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50
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6.14 Employee Benefit Plans
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51
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6.15 Material Contracts
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51
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6.16 Properties and Leases
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51
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6.17 Legal Proceedings
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52
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6.18 Reports
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52
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6.19 Books and Records
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52
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6.20 Loans to Executive Officers and Directors
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52
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6.21 Independence of Directors
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52
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A-ii
Table of Contents
(continued)
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Page
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6.22 Tax and Regulatory Matters; Consents
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53
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6.23 Brokers and Finders
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53
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6.24 Board Recommendation
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53
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6.25 Statements True and Correct
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53
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6.26 SPAH Trust Fund
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54
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6.27 Prior Business Operations
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54
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ARTICLE 7 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CONSUMMATION
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55
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7.1 Affirmative Covenants of FFC
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55
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7.2 Negative Covenants of the Parties
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55
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7.3 Affirmative Covenants of SPAH
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58
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7.4 Adverse Changes in Condition
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58
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7.5 Reports
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58
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7.6 Claims Against Trust Account
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59
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ARTICLE 8 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
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59
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8.1 Registration Statement; Joint Proxy Statement
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59
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8.2 Stockholder and Warrantholder Approvals
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61
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8.3 Other Offers, etc.
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61
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8.4 Consents of Regulatory Authorities
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62
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8.5 Agreement as to Efforts to Consummate
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63
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8.6 Investigation and Confidentiality
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63
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8.7 Press Releases
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64
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8.8 Charter Provisions
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64
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8.9 Employee Benefits and Contracts
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64
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8.10 Indemnification
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66
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ARTICLE 9 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE
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67
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9.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party
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67
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9.2 Conditions to Obligations of SPAH
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68
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9.3 Conditions to Obligations of FFC
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70
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ARTICLE 10 TERMINATION
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71
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10.1 Termination
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71
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10.2 Effect of Termination
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74
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10.3 Non-Survival of Representations and Covenants
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74
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A-iii
Table of Contents
(continued)
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Page
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ARTICLE 11 MISCELLANEOUS
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74
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11.1 Expenses
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74
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11.2 Brokers, Finders and Financial Advisors
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75
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11.3 Entire Agreement
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75
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11.4 Amendments
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76
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11.5 Waivers
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76
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11.6 Assignment
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76
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11.7 Notices
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77
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11.8 Governing Law
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78
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11.9 Counterparts
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78
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11.10 Captions; Articles and Sections
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79
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11.11 Interpretations
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79
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11.12 Enforcement of Agreement
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79
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11.13 Severability
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79
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11.14 No Third Party Beneficiaries
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80
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LIST OF APPENDICES AND EXHIBITS
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Exhibit
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Description
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A
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Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation
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B
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Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation
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C
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Form of Support Agreement
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D
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Form of Lock-up Agreement
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E
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Form of Warrant Amendment Agreement
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A-iv
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
(this
Agreement
), dated as of July 30, 2009, is by
and between
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
, a Delaware corporation (
SPAH
) and
Frontier
Financial Corporation
, a Washington corporation (
FFC
).
RECITALS
WHEREAS
, the Boards of Directors of FFC and SPAH have determined that it is in the best
interests of their respective companies and their stockholders to consummate the strategic business
combination transaction provided for in this Agreement in which FFC will, on the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, merge with and into, SPAH (the
Merger
),
with SPAH as the Surviving Corporation in the Merger;
WHEREAS
, the Parties intend the Merger to be treated as a reorganization under Section 368(a)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the
Code
), and intend for this Agreement to
constitute a plan of reorganization within the meaning of the Code; and
WHEREAS
, the Parties desire to make certain representations, warranties and agreements in
connection with the Merger and also to prescribe certain conditions to the Merger.
NOW, THEREFORE
, in consideration of the above and the mutual warranties, representations,
covenants, and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration and the
receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound,
agree as follows:
DEFINITIONS
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, the capitalized terms set forth below shall have the
following meanings:
Acquisition Proposal
means any inquiry, offer, or proposal (whether communicated to the
applicable Party or publicly announced to a Partys stockholders) by any Person (except, in the
case of a proposal to FFC, other than a proposal from SPAH or any of its Affiliates) for an
Acquisition Transaction involving a Party or any of its present or future consolidated
Subsidiaries, or any combination of such Subsidiaries, the assets of which constitute 5% or more of
the consolidated assets of the Party as reflected on such Partys consolidated statement of
condition prepared in accordance with GAAP.
A-1
Acquisition Transaction
means any transaction or series of related transactions (other than
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) involving: (i) any acquisition or purchase from a
Party by any Person or Group (except, in the case of a proposal to FFC, a proposal from SPAH or any
of its Affiliates) of 25% or more in interest of the total outstanding voting securities (or
options, warrants, or Rights, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, such securities)
of such Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated
would result in any Person or Group (except, in the case of a proposal to FFC, other than SPAH or
any of its Affiliates) beneficially owning 25% or more in interest of the total outstanding voting
securities (or options, warrants, or Rights, or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for, such securities) of a Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any merger,
consolidation, share exchange, business combination reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation,
dissolution or similar transaction involving a Party pursuant to which the stockholders of such
Party immediately preceding such transaction hold less than 90% of the equity interests in the
surviving or resulting entity (which includes the parent corporation of any constituent corporation
to any such transaction) of such transaction; (ii) any sale or lease (other than in the ordinary
course of business), or exchange, transfer, license (other than in the ordinary course of
business), acquisition or disposition of 5% or more of the assets of a Party; or (iii) any
liquidation or dissolution of FFC or SPAH, other than as provided for in the SPAH Trust Agreement;
provided that, for purposes of Section 11.1(b), Acquisition Transaction will include any
acquisition, by tender or exchange offer, merger, consolidation or other business combination or
otherwise, directly or indirectly, of any Person by a Party.
Affiliate
of a Person means: (i) any other Person directly, or indirectly through one or
more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person; (ii) any
officer, director, partner, employer, or direct or indirect beneficial owner of any 10% or greater
equity or voting interest of such Person; or (iii) any other Person for which a Person described in
clause (ii) acts in any such capacity. For purposes of this definition, a Person shall be deemed
to have control of another Person if it has the direct or indirect ability or power to direct or
cause the direction of management policies of such other Person or otherwise direct the affairs of
such other Person, whether through ownership of more than 50% of the voting securities of such
other Person, by Contract or otherwise.
Articles of Merger
means the Articles of Merger to be filed with the Secretary of State of
the State of Washington.
Assets
of a Person means all of the assets (including securities), properties, businesses
and rights of such Person of every kind, nature, character and description, whether real, personal
or mixed, tangible or intangible, accrued or contingent, or otherwise relating to or utilized in
such Persons business, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, whether or not carried on the
books and records of such Person, and whether or not owned in the name of such Person or any
Affiliate of such Person and wherever located.
Bank
means Frontier Bank, a Washington state bank and a wholly owned Subsidiary of FFC.
Bank Secrecy Act
means The Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, as amended.
Business Day
means any date that is not a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banks located
in New York City are authorized or required to be closed.
Certificate of Merger
means the certificate of merger to be filed with the Delaware
Secretary of State.
Closing Date
means the date on which the Closing occurs.
Commission
or
SEC
means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
A-2
Consent
means any consent, approval, authorization, clearance, exemption, waiver, or similar
affirmation by any Person pursuant to any Contract, Law, Order, or Permit.
Contract
means any written or oral agreement, arrangement, authorization, commitment,
contract, indenture, instrument, lease, license, obligation, plan, practice, restriction,
understanding, or undertaking of any kind or character, or other document to which any Person is a
Party or that is binding on any Person or its capital stock, Assets or business.
Default
means (i) any breach or violation of, default under, contravention of, or conflict
with, any Contract, Law, Order, or Permit, (ii) any occurrence of any event that with the passage
of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a breach or violation of, default under,
contravention of, or conflict with, any Contract, Law, Order, or Permit, or (iii) any occurrence of
any event that with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice would give rise to a
right of any Person to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, terminate or revoke,
suspend, cancel, or modify or change the current terms of, or renegotiate, or to accelerate the
maturity or performance of, or to increase or impose any Liability under, any Contract, Law, Order,
or Permit.
DGCL
means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
Employee Benefit Plan
means each pension, retirement, profit-sharing, deferred compensation,
stock option, employee stock ownership, share purchase, severance pay, vacation, bonus, retention,
change in control or other incentive plan, medical, vision, dental or other health plan, or program
or other arrangement, any life insurance plan, flexible spending account, cafeteria plan, vacation,
holiday, disability, death or any other employee benefit plan or fringe benefit plan, including any
employee benefit plan, as that term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA and any other plan, fund,
policy, program, practice, custom understanding or arrangement providing compensation or other
benefits, whether or not such Employee Benefit Plan is or is intended to be (i) covered or
qualified under the Code, ERISA or any other applicable Law, (ii) written or oral, (iii) funded or
unfunded, (iv) actual or contingent or (v) arrived at through collective bargaining or otherwise.
Environmental Laws
shall mean all Laws relating to pollution or protection of human health
or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface
strata) and which are administered, interpreted or enforced by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency and state and local Governmental Authorities with jurisdiction over, and
including common law in respect of, pollution or protection of the environment, including: (i) the
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601, et seq.
(
CERCLA
); (ii) the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901, et seq. (RCRA); (iii) the Emergency Planning and Community
Right to Know Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 11001, et seq.); (iv) the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 7401, et
seq.); (v) the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §§ 1251, et seq.); (vi) the Toxic Substances Control Act
(15 U.S.C. §§ 2601, et seq.); (vii) any state, county, municipal or local statues, laws or
ordinances similar or analogous to the federal statutes listed in parts (i) (vi) of this
subparagraph; (viii) any amendments to the statues, laws or ordinances listed in parts (i) (vi)
of this subparagraph, regardless of whether in existence on the date hereof, (ix) any rules,
regulations, guidelines, directives, orders or the like adopted pursuant to or
implementing the statutes, laws, ordinances and amendments listed in parts (i) (vii) of this
subparagraph; and (x) any other law, statute, ordinance, amendment, rule, regulation, guideline,
directive, order or the like in effect now or in the future relating to environmental, health or
safety matters and other Laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases, or threatened releases
of any Hazardous Material, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use,
treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or handling of any Hazardous Material.
A-3
ERISA
means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
ERISA Affiliate
means any entity if it would have ever been considered a single employer
with the FFC under ERISA Section 4001(b) or part of the same controlled group as the FFC for
purposes of ERISA Section 303(k)(6)(C) or Code Sections 414(b) or (c) or a Member of an affiliated
service group for purposes of Code Section 414(m).
Exchange Act
means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Act Documents
means all forms, proxy statements, registration statements, reports,
schedules, and other documents, including all certifications and statements required by the
Exchange Act or Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with respect to any report that is an
Exchange Act Document, filed, or required to be filed, by a Party or any of its Subsidiaries with
any Regulatory Authority pursuant to the Securities Laws.
Exhibits
means the Exhibits so marked, copies of which are attached to this Agreement. Such
Exhibits are hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof, and may be referred to
in this Agreement and any other related instrument or document without being attached hereto or
thereto.
FDIC
shall mean the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Federal Reserve
shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
FFC Common Stock
means the common stock, no par value, of FFC.
FFC Entities
means, collectively, FFC and all FFC Subsidiaries.
FFC Financial Statements
means (i) the consolidated balance sheets (including related notes
and schedules, if any) of FFC as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 and as of June 30, 2009 and the
related statements of earnings, changes in stockholders equity, and cash flows (including related
notes and schedules, if any) for each of the three years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008,
and for the six months ended June 30, 2009, and (ii) the consolidated balance sheets of FFC
(including related notes and schedules, if any) and related statements of operations, changes in
stockholders equity, and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if any) with respect
to periods ended subsequent to June 30, 2009.
A-4
FFC Material Adverse Effect
means an event, change or occurrence which, individually or
together with any other event, change or occurrence, has a material adverse effect
on (i) the financial position, property, business, assets or results of operations of FFC and
its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability of FFC to perform its obligations under
this Agreement or to consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement; provided that FFC Material Adverse Effect shall not be deemed to include the effects
of (A) changes in banking and other Laws of general applicability or interpretations thereof by
Governmental Authorities, (B) changes in GAAP or regulatory accounting principles generally
applicable to banks and their holding companies, (C) actions and omissions of FFC (or any of its
Subsidiaries) taken with the prior written consent of SPAH in contemplation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, (D) changes in economic conditions affecting financial institutions generally,
including changes in market interest rates or the projected future interest rate environment;
provided, however, that this exception shall not be given effect to the extent that such change has
a disproportionate effect on FFC, (E) any modifications or changes to valuation policies and
practices in connection with the Merger or restructuring charges taken in connection with the
Merger, in each case in accordance with GAAP, or (F) direct effects of compliance with this
Agreement on the operating performance of FFC, including expenses incurred by FFC in consummating
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
FFC Real Property
means all Owned Real Property and all Leased Real Property.
FFC Stock Plans
means the Frontier Financial Corporation 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, Amended
and Restated Frontier Financial Corporation Incentive Stock Option Plan, Frontier Financial
Corporation 1999 Employee Stock Award Plan, Frontier Financial Corporation 2001 Stock Award Plan,
Interbancorp, Inc. 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, Interbancorp, Inc. 1996 Stock
Option Plan, NorthStar Bank 2001 Employee Stock Option Plan, NorthStar Bank 1994 Employee Stock
Option Plan and NorthStar Director Nonqualified Stock Option Plan and Liberty Bay Financial
Corporation Incentive Stock Option Plan II.
FFC Stockholder Approval
means the approval of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, including the Merger, by the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares
of FFC Common Stock entitled to vote on the Merger in accordance with applicable Law.
FFC Subsidiaries
means the Subsidiaries, if any, of FFC, as of the date of this Agreement.
GAAP
shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently
applied during the periods involved.
Governmental Authority
shall mean any federal, state, local, foreign, or other court, board,
body, commission, agency, authority or instrumentality, arbitral authority, self-regulatory
authority, mediator, tribunal, including Regulatory Authorities and Taxing Authorities.
Group
shall mean two or more Persons acting in concert for the purpose of acquiring, holding
or disposing of securities of an issuer.
A-5
Hazardous Material
shall mean any chemical, substance, waste, material, pollutant, or
contaminant defined as or deemed hazardous or toxic or otherwise regulated under any Environmental
Law, including RCRA hazardous wastes, CERCLA hazardous substances, and
HSRA regulated substances, pesticides and other agricultural chemicals, oil and petroleum
products or byproducts and any constituents thereof, urea formaldehyde insulation, lead in paint or
drinking water, mold, asbestos, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): (i) any hazardous substance,
hazardous material, hazardous waste, regulated substance, or toxic substance (as those terms are
defined by any applicable Environmental Laws) and (ii) any chemicals, pollutants, contaminants,
petroleum, petroleum products, or oil (and specifically shall include asbestos requiring abatement,
removal, or encapsulation pursuant to the requirements of Environmental Law), provided,
notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the words
Hazardous Material shall not mean or include any such Hazardous Material used, generated,
manufactured, stored, disposed of or otherwise handled in normal quantities in the ordinary course
of business in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, or such that may be naturally
occurring in any ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata.
Intellectual Property
means copyrights, patents, trademarks, service marks, service names,
trade names, domain names, together with all goodwill associated therewith, registrations and
applications therefore, technology rights and licenses, computer software (including any source or
object codes therefore or documentation relating thereto), trade secrets, franchises, know-how,
inventions, and other intellectual property rights.
Joint Proxy Statement
means the prospectus/joint proxy statement included as part of the
Registration Statement.
Keefe Bruyette
means Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
Knowledge
as used with respect to a Person (including references to such Person being aware
of a particular matter) means those facts that are known or should reasonably have been known after
due inquiry by the chairman, president, or chief financial officer, or any senior or executive vice
president of such Person.
Law
means any code, law (including common law), ordinance, regulation, reporting or
licensing requirement, rule, statute, regulation or order applicable to a Person or its Assets,
Liabilities or business, including those promulgated, interpreted or enforced by any Regulatory
Authority.
Liability
means any direct or indirect, primary or secondary, liability, indebtedness,
obligation, penalty, cost or expense (including costs of investigation, collection and defense),
claim, deficiency, guaranty or endorsement of or by any Person (other than endorsements of notes,
bills, checks, and drafts presented for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business)
of any type, whether accrued, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, matured or
unmatured, or otherwise.
Lien
means any conditional sale agreement, default of title, easement, encroachment,
encumbrance, hypothecation, infringement, lien, mortgage, pledge, reservation, restriction,
security interest, title retention or other security arrangement, or any adverse right or interest,
charge, or claim of any nature whatsoever of, on, or with respect to any property or any property
interest, other than (i) liens for current property Taxes not yet due and payable, and (ii) for any
depository institution, pledges to secure public deposits and other liens incurred in the
ordinary course of the banking business.
A-6
Litigation
means any action, arbitration, cause of action, lawsuit, claim, complaint,
criminal prosecution, governmental or other examination or investigation, audit (other than regular
audits of financial statements by outside auditors), compliance review, inspection, hearing,
administrative or other proceeding relating to or affecting a Party, its business, its Assets or
Liabilities (including Contracts related to Assets or Liabilities), or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, but shall not include regular, periodic examinations of depository
institutions and their Affiliates by Regulatory Authorities.
Losses
means any and all demands, claims, actions or causes of action, assessments, losses,
diminution in value, damages (including special and consequential damages), liabilities, costs, and
expenses, including interest, penalties, cost of investigation and defense, and reasonable
attorneys and other professional fees and expenses.
Material
or
material
for purposes of this Agreement shall be determined in light of the
facts and circumstances of the matter in question;
provided that
any specific monetary amount
stated in this Agreement shall determine materiality in that instance.
NASDAQ
means The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
NYSE Amex
means NYSE Amex LLC.
Operating Property
means any property other than OREO that is owned, leased, or operated by
the Party in question or by any of its Subsidiaries or in which such Party or Subsidiary holds a
security interest or other interest (including an interest in a fiduciary capacity), and used by
such Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their business or held by such
Party or Subsidiary for future use in their business.
OREO
means all real estate that is owned by any FFC Entity, including any real estate
acquired by foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu thereof, that is not occupied and used by such FFC
Entity in the ordinary course of business or held by an FFC Entity for future use.
Order
means any administrative decision or award, decree, injunction, judgment, order,
quasi-judicial decision or award, directive, ruling, or writ of any Governmental Authority.
Participation Facility
means any facility or property in which the Party in question or any
of its Subsidiaries participates in the management and, where required by the context, means the
owner or operator of such facility or property, but only with respect to such facility or property.
Party
means SPAH or FFC and
Parties
means both of such Persons.
Permit
means any Governmental Authority approval, authorization, certificate, easement,
filing, franchise, license, notice, permit, or right to which any Person is a Party or that is or
may be binding upon or inure to the benefit of any Person or its securities, Assets, or business.
A-7
Person
means a natural person or any legal, commercial or Governmental Authority, such as,
but not limited to, a corporation, general partnership, joint venture, limited partnership, limited
liability company, limited liability partnership, trust, business association, group acting in
concert, or any person acting in a representative capacity.
Privacy Requirements
means: (i) Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization
Act of 1999, as amended (the
GLB Act
); (ii) Federal regulations implementing such act and
codified at 12 C.F.R. Part 332; (iii) the Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for
Safeguarding Customer Information set forth in 12 C.F.R. Part 364; and (iv) any other applicable
Requirements of Law relating to the privacy and security of Customer Information.
Prospectus
means the final prospectus of SPAH, dated as of October 10, 2007.
Registration Statement
means a registration statement, together with any and all amendments
and supplements thereto, on Form S-4 filed with the SEC under the Securities Act, and complying
with applicable state securities Laws and including a prospectus/joint proxy statement satisfying
all requirements of applicable state securities Laws and the Securities Act.
Regulation O
means the regulation set forth at 12 C.F.R. Part 215.
Regulatory Authorities
means, collectively, the Commission, the NYSE Amex, the State of
Washington Department of Financial Institutions, the NASDAQ, the Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, the FDIC, the Department of Justice, the Federal Reserve, the Federal Trade Commission
and all other federal, state, county, local or other Governmental Authorities having jurisdiction
over a Party or its Subsidiaries.
Representative
means any investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant,
consultant, or other representative or agent of a Person.
Requirements of Law
means, with respect to any Person, any certificate or articles of
incorporation, as applicable, bylaws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person,
and any law, ordinance, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, decree, injunction, permit,
issuance or other determination, finding, guidance or recommendation of any Governmental Authority
or final and binding determination of any arbitrator applicable to or binding upon such Person or
to which such Person is subject, whether federal, state, county or local (including, if applicable,
usury laws, the federal Truth-In-Lending Act, the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the
federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, the GLB Act, and rules
and regulations of the Federal Reserve, each as amended from time to time).
Rights
shall mean all arrangements, calls, commitments, Contracts, options, rights to
subscribe to, scrip, warrants, or other binding obligations of any character whatsoever by which a
Person is or may be bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or other securities,
securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of the capital stock or other
securities of a Person.
Sandler ONeill
means Sandler ONeill + Partners, L.P.
A-8
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
Securities Act
means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
Securities Laws
means the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, each as amended, and the rules and regulations of any Regulatory Authority promulgated
thereunder.
SPAH Certificate of Incorporation
means the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, as amended
and restated on October 11, 2007.
SPAH Common Stock
means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of SPAH.
SPAH Entities
means, collectively, SPAH and all SPAH Subsidiaries, if any.
SPAH Financial Statements
means (i) the balance sheets (including related notes and
schedules, if any) of SPAH as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 and as of June 30, 2009 and the related
statements of earnings, changes in stockholders equity, and cash flows (including related notes
and schedules, if any) for each of the two years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, and for the six
months ended June 30, 2009, and (ii) the balance sheets of SPAH (including related notes and
schedules, if any) and related statements of operations, changes in stockholders equity, and cash
flows (including related notes and schedules, if any) with respect to periods ended subsequent to
June 30, 2009.
SPAH IPO Common Stock
means the 43,289,600 shares of SPAH Common Stock issued in connection
with the SPAH initial public offering on October 16, 2007 and the exercise of the over-allotment
option.
SPAH Material Adverse Effect
means an event, change or occurrence which, individually or
together with any other event, change or occurrence, has a material adverse effect on (i) the
financial position, property, business, assets or results of operations of SPAH and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability of SPAH to perform its obligations under this
Agreement or to consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
provided that
SPAH Material Adverse Effect shall not be deemed to include the effects of (A)
changes in banking and other Laws of general applicability or interpretations thereof by
Governmental Authorities, (B) changes in GAAP or regulatory accounting principles generally
applicable to banks and their holding companies, (C) actions and omissions of SPAH (or any of its
Subsidiaries) taken with the prior written consent of FFC in contemplation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, (D) changes in economic conditions affecting financial institutions generally,
including changes in market interest rates or the projected future interest rate environment;
provided, however, that this exception shall not be given effect to the extent that such change has
a disproportionate effect on SPAH (E) any modifications or changes to valuation policies and
practices in connection with the Merger or restructuring charges taken in connection with the
Merger, in each case in accordance with GAAP, or (F) direct effects of
compliance with this Agreement on the operating performance of SPAH, including expenses
incurred by SPAH in consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
A-9
SPAH Stockholder
means a Person who owns SPAH Common Stock.
SPAH Stockholder Approval
means (a) the approval of this Agreement, on substantially the
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated hereby,
including the Merger by (i) the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of SPAH Common
Stock entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, at the Stockholders Meeting and
(ii) a majority of the SPAH IPO Common Stock cast at the Stockholders Meeting, in person or by
proxy, with holders owning no more than 10% of the shares of the SPAH IPO Common Stock (minus one
share) voting against the Agreement and the Merger and thereafter exercising their Conversion
Rights and (b) the approval of the amendments to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation set forth in
Exhibit A by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of SPAH Common Stock entitled to
vote, present in person or represented by proxy, at the Stockholders Meeting.
SPAH Subsidiaries
means the Subsidiaries of SPAH, which shall include any corporation, bank,
savings association, limited liability company, limited partnership, limited liability partnership
or other organization acquired as a Subsidiary of SPAH in the future and held as a Subsidiary by
SPAH at the Effective Time.
SPAH Trust Agreement
means the Investment Management Trust Agreement by and between SPAH and
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, dated as of October 15, 2007.
SPAH Warrants
means warrants issued by SPAH, each entitling the holder thereof to purchase
one share of SPAH Common Stock on the terms and conditions set forth in the Amended and Restated
Warrant Agreement dated as of October 4, 2007 between SPAH and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust
Company, as the same may be amended from time to time.
SPAH Warrantholder
means a Person who owns SPAH Warrants.
SPAH Warrantholder Approval
means the approval of the Warrant Amendment Agreement,
insubstantially the form attached hereto, by (i) the holders of a majority of the SPAH Warrants
entitled to vote on the Warrant Amendment Agreement at the Stockholders Meeting and (ii) a majority
of the outstanding SPAH Warrants issued in, or subsequent to, SPAHs initial public offering.
Stockholders Meetings
means the FFC stockholders meeting, the SPAH stockholders meeting and
the SPAH Warrantholders meeting, including any adjournment or adjournments thereof, each held in
connection with the approval of this Agreement, the Warrant Amendment Agreement, as applicable, and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
Subsidiaries
means all those corporations, banks, associations, or other entities of which
the entity in question either (i) owns or controls 50% or more of the outstanding equity securities
either directly or through an unbroken chain of entities as to each of which 50% or more of the
outstanding equity securities is owned directly or indirectly by its parent (provided, there shall
not be included any such entity the equity securities of which are owned or controlled
in a fiduciary capacity), (ii) in the case of partnerships, serves as a general partner, (iii)
in the case of a limited liability company, serves as a managing member, or (iv) otherwise has the
ability to elect a majority of the directors, trustees or managing members thereof.
A-10
Superior Proposal
means any unsolicited, bona fide written Acquisition Proposal (on its most
recently amended or modified terms, if amended or modified) (i) involving the acquisition of at
least a majority of the outstanding equity interest in, or all or substantially all of the assets
and liabilities of a Party and (ii) on terms that the Board of Directors of such Party determines,
in good faith, based upon consultations with its outside legal counsel and its financial advisors,
(a) are more favorable to such Partys stockholders, from a financial point of view, than this
Agreement and the Merger, taken as a whole, and (b) is reasonably likely to be consummated on the
terms so proposed, in each case with respect to sub clauses (a) and (b), taking into account, among
other things, all legal, tax, financial, regulatory, timing and other aspects of, and conditions
to, the Superior Proposal and the Person or group making the Superior Proposal (including any
financing required by such Person or group).
Surviving Corporation
means SPAH as the surviving corporation resulting from the Merger with
an amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation as provided in Section 2.1 hereof.
Tax
or
Taxes
means (i) any and all taxes, charges, fees, levies, imposts, duties, or
assessments, including income, gross receipts, excise, employment, sales, use, transfer, recording
license, payroll, franchise, severance, documentary, stamp, occupation, windfall profits,
environmental, federal highway use, commercial rent, customs duties, capital stock, paid-up
capital, profits, withholding, Social Security, single business and unemployment, disability, real
property, personal property, registration, ad valorem, value added, alternative or add-on minimum,
estimated, or other taxes, fees, assessments or charges of any kind whatsoever, imposed or required
to be withheld by any Governmental Authority (domestic or foreign), including any interest,
penalties, and additions imposed thereon or with respect thereto, and (ii) any transferee,
successor, joint and several, contractual or other liability (including liability pursuant to
Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law) in
respect to any item described in clause (i).
Tax Return
means any report, return, information return, or other information required to be
supplied to a Governmental Authority in connection with Taxes, including any return of an
affiliated or combined or unitary group that includes a Party or its Subsidiaries.
Taxing Authority
means the Internal Revenue Service and any other Governmental Authority
responsible for the administration of any Tax.
USA Patriot Act
means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools
Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, as amended.
Warrant Amendment Agreement
means the form of Warrant Amendment Agreement attached hereto as
Exhibit E
.
WBCA
means the Washington Business Corporation Act, Title 23B of the Revised Code of
Washington, as amended.
A-11
(b) The terms set forth below shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the referenced
sections:
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Term
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Section
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Agreement
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Introduction
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Allowance
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5.9 (a)
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BHCA
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5.1
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Code
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Recitals
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CERCLA
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Definitions, Environmental Laws
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Claims
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7.6
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Closing
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1.2
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Conversion Rights
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3.1 (a)
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Customer Information
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5.17 (a)
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Dissenting Shares
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3.3
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DOL
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5.15 (b)
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Effective Time
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1.3
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Exchange Agent
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4.1 (a)
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Exchange Ratio
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3.1(b)
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Excluded Shares
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3.1 (b)
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Expenses
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11.1(a)
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FFC
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Introduction
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FFC Benefits Plan
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5.15 (a)
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FFC Benefits Plans
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5.15 (a)
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FFC Contracts
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5.16 (a)
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FFC ERISA Plan
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5.15 (a)
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FFC Exchange Act Reports
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5.5 (a)
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FFC Restricted Share
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3.5(a)
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FFC Stock Award
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3.5(a)
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FFC Stock Option
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3.5 (a)
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FFC Tax Opinion
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9.3 (e)
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GLB Act
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Definitions, Privacy Requirements
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Indemnified Party
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8.10 (a)
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IRS
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5.2 (c)
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Lease Agreement
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5.17(c)
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Leased Real Property
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5.17(b)
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Lock-up Agreement
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8.9(f)
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Maximum Amount
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8.10 (b)
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Merger
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Recitals
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Merger Consideration
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3.1 (b)
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Other Plan
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5.15 (a)
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Owned Real Property
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5.17(a)
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RCRA
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Definitions, Environmental Laws
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Support Agreement
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5.27
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SPAH
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Introduction
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SPAH Contract
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6.11 (a)
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SPAH Certificate of Amendment
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9(a)(i)(2)
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SPAH Exchange Act Reports
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6.5 (a)
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SPAH Tax Opinion
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9.2 (g)
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Termination Fee
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11.1 (b)
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Takeover Laws
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5.24
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Trust Fund
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6.19
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WARN Act
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5.14 (c)
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A-12
(c) Any singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the plural, and any plural
term the singular. Whenever the words include, includes or including are used in this
Agreement, they shall be deemed followed by the words without limitation, and such terms shall
not be limited by enumeration or example.
ARTICLE 1
TRANSACTIONS AND TERMS OF MERGER
1.1 Merger.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time, FFC shall be
merged with and into SPAH pursuant to Section 252 of the DGCL and Section 23B.11.070 of the WBCA,
with the effects set forth in the DGCL and the WBCA, and SPAH shall be the Surviving Corporation
resulting from the Merger and shall continue to be governed by the Laws of the State of Delaware
and the Bank shall become a wholly-owned subsidiary of SPAH. The Merger shall be consummated
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, which has been approved and adopted by the respective
Boards of Directors of SPAH and FFC.
1.2 Time and Place of Closing.
The closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the
Closing
) will take place at
9:00 A.M. Eastern Time on the date that the Effective Time occurs, or at such other time as the
Parties, acting through their authorized officers, may mutually agree. The Closing shall be held
at such location as may be mutually agreed upon by the Parties and may be effected by electronic or
other transmission of signature pages, as mutually agreed upon.
1.3 Effective Time.
The Merger and other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall become effective on the
date and time stated in the Certificate of Merger reflecting the Merger to be filed and become
effective with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as provided in Section 252 of the
DGCL (the
Certificate of Merger
) and the Articles of Merger reflecting the Merger to be
filed and become effective with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington, as provided in
Sections 23B.11.050 and 23B.11.070 of the WBCA (the
Effective Time
). Subject to the
terms and conditions hereof, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing by the authorized
officers of each Party, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
Effective Time to occur on or before October 10, 2009 and as soon as possible after the last of the
following dates to occur: (i) the effective date (including expiration of any applicable waiting
period) of the last required Consent of any Regulatory Authority having authority over and
approving or exempting the Merger, and (ii) the date on which the last of the stockholders of
SPAH and FFC approve this Agreement to the extent such approval is required by applicable Law,
and/or the FFC Articles of Incorporation and the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation.
A-13
1.4 Assumption of Liabilities.
Effective as of the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall become and be liable for
all debts, liabilities, obligations and contracts of SPAH as well as those of FFC, whether the same
shall be matured or unmatured; whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise; and whether or
not reflected or reserved against in the balance sheets, other financial statements, books of
account or records of SPAH or FFC.
1.5 Restructure of Transaction.
SPAH shall have the right to revise the structure of the Merger contemplated by this
Agreement; provided, however, that no such revision to the structure of the Merger (i) shall result
in any changes in the amount or type of the consideration which the holders of shares of FFC Common
Stock or FFC Rights are entitled to receive under this Agreement, or (ii) shall impose any less
favorable terms or conditions on the Bank or FFC; provided further, however, no such revision shall
be effective without the prior written consent of FFC. SPAH may request such consent by giving
written notice to FFC in the manner provided in Section 11.7, which notice shall be in the form of
a proposed amendment to this Agreement or in the form of a proposed Amended and Restated Agreement
and Plan of Merger, and the addition of such other exhibits hereto as are reasonably necessary or
appropriate to effect such change.
ARTICLE 2
TERMS OF MERGER
2.1 Charter.
The SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, which shall be further amended and restated in
substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as
Exhibit A
and approved by the
shareholders of SPAH as contemplated by Section 8.2(a) hereof, shall be the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, from and after the Effective Time, until otherwise duly
amended or repealed.
2.2 Bylaws.
The Bylaws of SPAH, substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as E
xhibit B
,
shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, from and after the Effective Time, until
otherwise duly amended or repealed.
A-14
2.3 Directors and Officers.
(a) On or prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of SPAH shall cause the number
of directors that will comprise the full board of directors of SPAH at the Effective Time to be
fixed at five (5), which board shall consist of two (2) directors designated by SPAH from its
current board of directors, both of whom shall be independent under the
rules of the national securities exchange on which the SPAH Common Stock is then listed and
under the Exchange Act), two (2) directors designated by FFC from its current board of directors,
which will consist of Patrick Fahey and one (1) other director who shall be independent under the
rules of the national securities exchange on which the SPAH Common Stock is then listed and under
the Exchange Act; and one (1) director who will be Warren Lichtenstein, or a designee of
Warren Lichtenstein, which such director shall serve as the chairman of the Surviving Corporations
Board of Directors, all of whom shall serve as the directors of the Surviving Corporation from and
after the Effective Time in accordance with the Surviving Corporations Bylaws, until the earlier
of their resignation or removal or otherwise ceasing to be a director. No other individuals shall
be designated to serve on the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation at the Effective
Time.
(b) On or prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of SPAH will take all actions
necessary to cause the officers of FFC as of the date of this Agreement to be elected or appointed
as the officers of the Surviving Corporation as of the Effective Time, all of whom shall serve as
the officers of the Surviving Corporation from and after the Effective Time in accordance with the
Surviving Corporations Bylaws, until the earlier of their resignation or removal or otherwise
ceasing to be an officer.
(c) On or prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of FFC will take all such
actions necessary to (i) cause the number of directors that will comprise the full board of
directors of the Bank at the Effective Time to be fixed at either seven (7) or five (5); provided
that if the number of directors that will comprise the full board of directors of the Bank is fixed
at seven (7), such board shall consist of John McNamara as Chairman, Patrick Fahey, three (3)
directors designated by SPAH and two (2) other directors designated by FFC; however, if the number
of directors that will comprise the full board of directors of the Bank is fixed at five (5), such
board shall consist of John McNamara as Chairman, Patrick Fahey, two (2) directors designated by
SPAH and one (1) other director designated by FFC; all of whom shall serve as the directors of the
Bank from and after the Effective Time in accordance with the Banks Bylaws, until the earlier of
their resignation or removal or otherwise ceasing to be a director and (ii) cause the officers of
the Bank as of the date of this Agreement to continue to serve as the officers of the Bank from and
after the Effective Time in accordance with the Banks Bylaws, until the earlier of their
resignation or removal or otherwise ceasing to be an officer.
(d) The headquarters of the Surviving Corporation will be located in Everett, Washington.
A-15
ARTICLE 3
MANNER OF CONVERTING SHARES
3.1 Conversion of Shares.
Subject to the provisions of this Article 3, at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger
and without any action on the part of SPAH, FFC or the stockholders of either of the foregoing, the
shares of the constituent corporations shall be converted as follows:
(a) Each share of SPAH Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time, other than those shares as to which conversion rights provided for in Section C of Article
Sixth of the SPAH Certification of Incorporation (
Conversion Rights
) have been exercised
shall remain issued and outstanding from and after the Effective Time and be unaffected solely as a
result of the Merger.
(b) Each share of FFC Common Stock (excluding shares held by SPAH or any FFC Entity
(
Excluded Shares
), in each case other than in a fiduciary capacity or as a result of debt
previously contracted) issued and outstanding at the Effective Time shall cease to be outstanding
and shall be converted into and exchanged for the right to receive 0.0530 shares of newly issued
SPAH Common Stock and 0.0530 newly issued SPAH Warrants having the same terms and conditions as the
publicly traded SPAH Warrants immediately prior to the Effective Time after giving effect to the
Warrant Amendment Agreement (the
Merger Consideration
). The 0.0530 multiple used in this
Section 3.1(b) is referred to in this Agreement as the
Exchange Ratio
.
3.2 Anti-Dilution Provisions.
In the event SPAH changes the number of shares of SPAH Common Stock issued and outstanding
prior to the Effective Time as a result of a stock split, stock dividend, or similar
recapitalization with respect to such stock (specifically excluding the effect of the exercise of
the Conversion Rights) and the record date therefor (in the case of a stock dividend) or the
effective date thereof (in the case of a stock split or similar recapitalization for which a record
date is not established) shall be prior to the Effective Time, the Exchange Ratio shall be
proportionately adjusted.
3.3 Dissenters Rights.
Any holder of shares of FFC Common Stock who perfects such holders dissenters rights in
accordance with and as contemplated by Chapter 23B.13 of the WBCA shall be entitled to receive
from the Surviving Corporation, in lieu of the Merger Consideration, the value of such shares as to
which dissenters rights have been perfected in cash as determined pursuant to such provision of
Law; provided, that no such payment shall be made to any dissenting stockholder unless and until
such dissenting stockholder has complied with all applicable provisions of such Law, and
surrendered to FFC the certificate or certificates representing the shares for which payment is
being made (the
Dissenting Shares
). In the event that after the Effective Time a
dissenting stockholder of FFC fails to perfect, or effectively withdraws or loses, such dissenters
rights, SPAH or the Surviving Corporation shall issue and deliver the consideration to which such
holder of shares of FFC Common Stock is entitled under this Article 3 (without interest) upon
surrender by such holder of the certificate or certificates representing such shares of FFC Common
Stock held by such holder.
3.4 Fractional Shares.
No fraction of a share of SPAH Common Stock or fraction of a SPAH Warrant will be issued by
virtue of the Merger. Instead, each holder of FFC Common Stock that would otherwise be entitled to
a fraction of a share of SPAH Common Stock or a fraction of a SPAH
Warrant shall be permitted to aggregate all fractional shares of SPAH Common Stock and all
fractional SPAH Warrants that otherwise would be received by such holder and any resulting
fractional shares or fractional SPAH Warrants shall be rounded to the nearest whole share or
nearest whole SPAH Warrant.
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3.5 Stock Options and other Stock-Based Awards.
(a) As of the Effective Time, all outstanding options to purchase shares of FFC Common Stock
granted under the FFC Stock Plans (each, a
FFC Stock Option
), whether or not then vested,
all outstanding shares of FFC Common Stock subject to vesting or other lapse restrictions pursuant
to any of the FFC Stock Plans (each, a
FFC Restricted Share
), all outstanding rights of
any kind, contingent or accrued, to receive shares of FFC Common Stock or benefits measured by the
value of a number of shares of FFC Common Stock, and all awards of any kind consisting of shares of
FFC Common Stock, granted under the FFC Stock Plans (other than FFC Stock Options and FFC
Restricted Shares) (each, a
FFC Stock Award
) and all rights under any provision of the
FFC Stock Plans and any other plan, program or arrangement providing for the issuance or grant of
any other interest in respect of the capital stock of FFC shall be canceled, shall no longer be
outstanding and shall automatically cease to exist, and each holder of a FFC Stock Option, a FFC
Restricted Share or a FFC Stock Award shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto. FFC
shall take all such actions as are necessary to ensure that, as of and after the Effective Time, no
Person shall have any right under the FFC Stock Plans or any other plan, program, agreement or
arrangement with respect to securities of FFC, the Surviving Corporation or any subsidiary thereof.
(b) At or before the Effective Time, FFC shall cause to be effected any necessary amendments
to the FFC Stock Plans and any other resolutions, letters, consents, notices or other documents or
instruments, in such form reasonably acceptable to SPAH, as may be required under the FFC Stock
Plans or any FFC Stock Options, FFC Restricted Shares or FFC Stock Awards to give effect to the
foregoing provisions of this Section 3.5.
ARTICLE 4
EXCHANGE OF SHARES
4.1 Exchange Procedures.
(a) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, SPAH shall cause the exchange
agent selected by SPAH, which shall be an independent transfer agent or trust company (the
Exchange Agent
) to mail to the former stockholders of FFC appropriate transmittal
materials (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the
certificates or other instruments theretofore representing shares of FFC Common Stock shall pass,
only upon proper delivery of such certificates to the Exchange Agent). The certificate or
certificates of FFC Common Stock so surrendered shall be duly endorsed as the Exchange Agent may
reasonably require. In the event of a transfer of ownership of shares of FFC Common Stock
represented by certificates that are not registered in the transfer records of FFC, the Merger
Consideration payable for such shares as provided in Section 3.1 may be issued to a transferee if
the certificates representing such shares are delivered to the Exchange Agent, accompanied by all
documents required to evidence such transfer and by evidence reasonably
satisfactory to the Exchange Agent that such transfer is proper and that any applicable stock
transfer Taxes have been paid. In the event any certificate representing FFC Common Stock
certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact
by the person claiming such certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and the posting by such
person of a bond in such amount as SPAH may reasonably direct, or an indemnification agreement
reasonably acceptable to SPAH, as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with
respect to such certificate, the Exchange Agent shall issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or
destroyed certificate the Merger Consideration as provided for in Section 3.1. The Exchange Agent
may establish such other reasonable and customary rules and procedures in connection with its
duties as it may deem appropriate. SPAH shall pay all charges and expenses, including those of the
Exchange Agent in connection with the distribution of the Merger Consideration as provided in
Section 3.1.
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(b) After the Effective Time, each holder of shares of FFC Common Stock (other than Excluded
Shares and Dissenting Shares) issued and outstanding at the Effective Time shall surrender the
Certificate or Certificates representing such shares to the Exchange Agent and shall promptly upon
surrender thereof receive in exchange therefore the consideration provided in Section 3.1, without
interest, pursuant to this Section 4.1. SPAH shall not be obligated to deliver the consideration
to which any former holder of FFC Common Stock is entitled as a result of the Merger until such
holder surrenders such holders Certificate or Certificates for exchange as provided in this
Section 4.1. Any other provision of this Agreement notwithstanding, neither SPAH, nor any FFC
Entity, nor the Exchange Agent shall be liable to any holder of FFC Common Stock or to any holder
of FFC Rights for any amounts paid or properly delivered in good faith to a public official
pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law.
(c) Each of SPAH and the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the
consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of shares of FFC Common
Stock such amounts, if any, as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of
such payment under the Code or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law or by any Taxing
Authority or Governmental Authority. To the extent that any amounts are so withheld by SPAH, the
Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent, as the case may be, such withheld amounts shall be
treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of the shares of FFC
Common Stock or FFC Rights, as applicable in respect of which such deduction and withholding was
made by SPAH, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent, as the case may be.
(d) Adoption of this Agreement by the stockholders of FFC shall constitute ratification of the
appointment of the Exchange Agent.
4.2 Rights of Former FFC Stockholders.
At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of FFC shall be closed as to holders of FFC
Common Stock and no transfer of FFC Common Stock by any holder of such shares shall thereafter be
made or recognized. Until surrendered for exchange in accordance with the provisions of Section
4.1, each Certificate theretofore representing shares of FFC Common Stock (other than certificates
representing Excluded Shares and Dissenting Shares), shall from and after
the Effective Time represent for all purposes only the right to receive the Merger
Consideration, without interest, as provided in Article 3.
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ARTICLE 5
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FFC
FFC represents and warrants to SPAH, except as set forth on the Schedules hereto, with respect
to each such Section below as follows:
5.1 Organization, Standing, and Power.
FFC is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of
the State of Washington and is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956 (the
BHCA
) and, except as disclosed in Schedule 5.13(d), in good
standing with the Federal Reserve. The Bank is a state chartered bank, duly organized and validly
existing under the laws of the State of Washington and possesses all necessary branch approvals
issued by the Regulatory Authorities to engage in the commercial banking business at the offices in
which such business is conducted. Each of FFC and the Bank has the corporate power and authority
to carry on its business as now conducted and to own, lease and operate its Assets. Each of FFC
and the Bank is duly qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign corporation in good
standing in the states of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where the character of its
Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified or licensed, except
for such jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FFC Material Adverse Effect. The minute books and
other organizational documents for each of FFC and the Bank have been made available to SPAH for
its review and, except as disclosed in Schedule 5.1, are true and complete in all material respects
as in effect as of the date of this Agreement and accurately reflect in all material respects all
amendments thereto and all proceedings of the respective Board of Directors (including any
committees of the Board of Directors) and stockholders thereof.
5.2 Authority of FFC; No Breach By the Agreement.
(a) FFC has the corporate power and authority necessary to execute, deliver and perform its
obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein,
including the Merger, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action in
respect thereof on the part of FFC, subject to the approval of this Agreement and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby, by the holders of a two-thirds of the outstanding shares
of FFC Common Stock entitled to be voted at the FFC Stockholders Meeting (except in all cases as
such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
receivership, conservatorship, moratorium, or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors
rights generally and except that the availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance
or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding may be
brought), which is the only FFC stockholder vote required for approval of this Agreement and
consummation of the Merger. Subject to such requisite stockholder approval, this Agreement
represents a legal, valid, and binding obligation of FFC, enforceable against FFC in accordance
with its terms.
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(b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by FFC, nor the consummation by FFC
of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by FFC with any of the provisions hereof,
will (i) conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of FFCs Articles of Incorporation or
Bylaws or the charter, certificate of incorporation or articles of association or incorporation, as
the case may be, or bylaws of any FFC Subsidiary or any resolution adopted by the Board of
Directors or the stockholders of any FFC Entity, or (ii) except as disclosed in Schedule 5.2,
constitute or result in a Default under, or require any Consent pursuant to, or result in the
creation of any Lien on any Asset of any FFC Entity under, any FFC Contract or Permit of any FFC
Entity or, (iii) subject to receipt of the requisite Consents referred to in Section 8.4,
constitute or result in a material Default under, or require any Consent pursuant to, any Law or
Order applicable to any FFC Entity or any of their respective material Assets.
(c) Other than in connection or compliance with the provisions of the Securities Laws and
applicable state corporate and securities Laws and the rules of the NASDAQ, and other than Consents
required from Regulatory Authorities, other than notices to or filings with the Internal Revenue
Service (
IRS
), and other than Consents, filings, or notifications which, if not obtained
or made, are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FFC Material
Adverse Effect, no notice to, filing with, or Consent of, any Governmental Authority is necessary
for the consummation by FFC of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated in this
Agreement.
5.3 Capital Stock.
(a) The authorized capital stock of FFC consists of 100,000,000 shares of FFC Common Stock and
10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of which 47,131,853 shares of FFC Common Stock are issued and
outstanding as of the date of this Agreement and no shares of preferred stock are issued and
outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, and, assuming that all of the issued and outstanding
FFC Rights had been exercised, not more than 47,131,853 shares would be issued and outstanding at
the Effective Time. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of FFC are duly and
validly issued and outstanding and are fully paid and nonassessable under the WBCA. None of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of FFC have been issued in violation of any preemptive rights
of the current or past stockholders of FFC.
(b) Except for the 5,688,665 shares of FFC Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to
outstanding FFC Rights, each as disclosed in Schedule 5.3, there are no shares of capital stock or
other equity securities of FFC reserved for issuance and no outstanding Rights relating to the
capital stock of FFC.
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(c) Except as specifically set forth in this Section 5.3, there are no shares of FFC capital
stock or other equity securities of FFC outstanding and there are no outstanding Rights with
respect to any FFC securities or any right or privilege (whether pre-emptive or contractual)
capable of becoming a Contract or Right for the purchase, subscription, exchange or issuance of any
securities of FFC.
5.4 FFC Subsidiaries.
Schedule 5.4 lists each of the FFC Subsidiaries that is a corporation (identifying its
jurisdiction of incorporation, each jurisdiction in which it is qualified or licensed to transact
business, and the number of shares owned and percentage ownership interest represented by such
share ownership) and each of the FFC Subsidiaries that is a general or limited partnership, limited
liability company, or other non-corporate entity (identifying the form of organization and the Law
under which such entity is organized, each jurisdiction in which it is qualified and/or licensed to
transact business, and the amount and nature of the ownership interest therein). Except as
disclosed in Schedule 5.4, FFC owns, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock (or other equity interests) of each FFC Subsidiary. No capital stock (or
other equity interest) of any FFC Subsidiary is or may become required to be issued (other than to
another FFC Entity) by reason of any Rights, and there are no Contracts by which any FFC Subsidiary
is bound to issue (other than to another FFC Entity) additional shares of its capital stock (or
other equity interests) or Rights or by which any FFC Entity is or may be bound to transfer any
shares of the capital stock (or other equity interests) of any FFC Subsidiary (other than to
another FFC Entity). There are no Contracts relating to the rights of any FFC Entity to vote or to
dispose of any shares of the capital stock (or other equity interests) of any FFC Subsidiary. All
of the shares of capital stock (or other equity interests) of each FFC Subsidiary held by a FFC
Entity are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned directly or indirectly by such FFC Entity
free and clear of any Lien. Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.4, each FFC Subsidiary is a national
bank, state chartered bank, corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership or limited
liability partnership, and each such FFC Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing, and in
good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or organized, and has
the corporate or entity power and authority necessary for it to own, lease, and operate its Assets
and to carry on its business as now conducted. Each FFC Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed
to transact business as a foreign entity in good standing in the United States or the states of the
United States and foreign jurisdictions where the character of its Assets or the nature or conduct
of its business requires it to be so qualified or licensed, except for such jurisdictions in which
the failure to be so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to have individually or in the
aggregate, a FFC Material Adverse Effect. The Bank is an insured institution as defined in the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act and applicable regulations thereunder, and the deposits held by the
Bank are insured by the FDICs Deposit Insurance Fund. The minute books and other organizational
documents for each FFC Subsidiary have been made available to SPAH for its review, and, except as
disclosed in Schedule 5.4, are true and complete in all material respects as in effect as of the
date of this Agreement and accurately reflect in all material respects all amendments thereto and
all proceedings of the Board of Directors and stockholders thereof.
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5.5 Exchange Act Filings; Securities Offerings; Financial Statements.
Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.5:
(a) FFC has timely filed and made available to SPAH all Exchange Act Documents required to be
filed by FFC since January 1, 2006, (together with all such Exchange Act Documents filed, whether
or not required to be filed, the
FFC Exchange Act Reports
). The FFC Exchange Act Reports
(i) at the time filed, complied in all material respects with the
applicable requirements of the Securities Laws and other applicable Laws and (ii) did not, at
the time they were filed (or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this
Agreement, then on the date of such amended or subsequent filing or, in the case of registration
statements, at the effective date thereof) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact required to be stated in such FFC Exchange Act Reports or necessary in
order to make the statements in such FFC Exchange Act Reports, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. Each offering or sale of securities by FFC (i) was either
registered under the Securities Act or made pursuant to a valid exemption from registration, (ii)
complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Laws and other
applicable Laws, and (iii) was made pursuant to offering documents which did not, at the time of
the offering (or, in the case of registration statements, at the effective date thereof) contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated in
the offering documents or necessary in order to make the statements in such documents not
misleading. FFC has delivered or made available to SPAH all comment letters received since January
1, 2006, by FFC from the staffs of the SEC and the Washington State Department of Financial
Institutions and all responses to such comment letters by or on behalf of FFC with respect to all
filings under the Securities Laws and the Securities Act of Washington. FFCs principal executive
officer and principal financial officer (and FFCs former principal executive officers and
principal financial officers, as applicable) have made the certifications required by Sections 302
and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act thereunder with
respect to FFCs Exchange Act Documents to the extent such rules or regulations applied at the time
of the filing. For purposes of the preceding sentence, principal executive officer and
principal financial officer shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act. Such certifications contain no qualifications or exceptions to the matters certified therein
and have not been modified or withdrawn; and neither FFC nor any of its officers has received
notice from any Regulatory Authority questioning or challenging the accuracy, completeness,
content, form or manner of filing or submission of such certifications. No FFC Subsidiary is
required to file any Exchange Act Documents.
(b) Each of the FFC Financial Statements (including, in each case, any related notes) that are
contained in the FFC Exchange Act Reports, including any FFC Exchange Act Reports filed after the
date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, complied, or will comply, as to form in all
material respects with the applicable published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect
thereto, was prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods
involved (except as may be indicated in the notes to such financial statements or, in the case of
unaudited interim statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the Exchange Act), and fairly presented
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of FFC and its Subsidiaries as at the
respective dates and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods
indicated, including the fair values of the assets and liabilities shown therein, except that the
unaudited interim financial statements were or are subject to normal and recurring year-end
adjustments which were not or are not expected to be material in amount or effect, and were
certified to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
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(c) Each of FFCs independent public accountants, which have expressed their opinion with
respect to the financial statements of FFC and its Subsidiaries whether or not included in FFCs
Exchange Act Reports (including the related notes), is and have been throughout the periods covered
by such financial statements, independent registered public
accounting firms with respect to FFC within the meaning of the Securities Laws and is
registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. With respect to FFC, FFCs
independent public accountants are not and have not been in violation of auditor independence
requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection
therewith. None of the non-audit services performed by FFCs independent public accountants for
FFC and its Subsidiaries were prohibited services under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and all such
services were pre-approved in advance by FFCs audit committee in accordance with the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
(d) FFC maintains disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b)
under the Exchange Act; such controls and procedures are effective to ensure that all material
information concerning FFC and its Subsidiaries is made known on a timely basis to the principal
executive officer and the principal financial officer. FFC has delivered to SPAH copies of, all
written descriptions of, and all policies, manuals and other documents promulgating such disclosure
controls and procedures. FFC and its directors and executive officers have complied at all times
with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, including the filing requirements thereunder to the extent
applicable.
5.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.
No FFC Entity has any Liabilities required under GAAP to be set forth on a consolidated
balance sheet or in the notes thereto that are not set forth therein and are reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a FFC Material Adverse Effect, except Liabilities which are
(i) accrued or reserved against in the consolidated balance sheets of FFC as of December 31, 2008
and June 30, 2009, included in the FFC Financial Statements delivered or made available prior to
the date of this Agreement or reflected in the notes thereto, (ii) incurred or paid in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practices, or (iii) incurred in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Schedule 5.6 lists and FFC has attached and delivered
to SPAH copies of the documentation creating or governing, all securitization transactions and
off-balance sheet arrangements (as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K of the
Exchange Act), if any, effected by FFC or its Subsidiaries. Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.6,
no FFC Entity is directly or indirectly liable, by guarantee, indemnity, or otherwise, upon or with
respect to, or obligated, by discount or repurchase agreement or in any other way, to provide funds
in respect to, or obligated to guarantee or assume any Liability of any Person for any amount.
Except (x) as reflected in FFCs balance sheet at June 30, 2009 or liabilities described in any
notes thereto (or liabilities for which neither accrual nor footnote disclosure is required
pursuant to GAAP or any applicable Regulatory Authority) or (y) for liabilities incurred in the
ordinary course of business since June 30, 2009 consistent with past practice or in connection with
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, neither FFC nor any of its Subsidiaries has
any Material Liabilities or obligations of any nature.
5.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.
(a) Since June 30, 2009, except as disclosed in the FFC Financial Statements delivered or made
available prior to the date of this Agreement or as disclosed in Schedule 5.7(a), (i) there have
been no events, changes, or occurrences which have had, or are reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a FFC Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) none of
the FFC Entities has taken any action, or failed to take any action, prior to the date of this
Agreement, which action or failure, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would represent or
result in a material breach or violation of any of the covenants and agreements of FFC provided in
this Agreement.
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(b) Since June 30, 2009, none of the FFC Entities have issued, transferred, sold, encumbered
or pledged the FFC Common Stock, membership interests, shares of or other securities (including
securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or options or rights to acquire, shares of FFC
Common Stock or other securities) of any FFC Entity.
(c) Since June 30, 2009, except as disclosed in Schedule 5.7(c), none of the FFC Entities have
entered into or amended any (i) employment agreements or any other type of employment arrangements,
(ii) severance or change of control agreements or arrangements, or (iii) deferred compensation
agreements or arrangements.
5.8 Tax Matters.
Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.8:
(a) All FFC Entities have timely filed with the appropriate Taxing Authorities, all Tax
Returns (or extensions for the filings thereof) in all jurisdictions in which Tax Returns are
required to be filed, and such Tax Returns are correct and complete in all respects. All Taxes of
the FFC Entities (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been fully and timely paid. There
are no Liens for any Taxes (other than a Lien for current real property or ad valorem Taxes not yet
due and payable) on any of the Assets of any of the FFC Entities. No claim has ever been made by a
Taxing Authority in a jurisdiction where any FFC Entity does not file a Tax Return that such FFC
Entity may be subject to Taxes by that jurisdiction.
(b) None of the FFC Entities has received any notice of assessment or proposed assessment in
connection with any Taxes, and there are no threatened or pending disputes, claims, audits or
examinations regarding any Taxes of any FFC Entity or the Assets of any FFC Entity. No FFC Entity
has Knowledge that any Taxing Authority is reasonably likely to assess any additional Taxes for any
period for which Tax Returns have been filed. No issue has been raised by a Taxing Authority in
any prior examination of any FFC Entity which, by application of the same or similar principles,
could be expected to result in a proposed deficiency for any subsequent taxable period. None of
the FFC Entities has waived any statute of limitations in respect of any Taxes or agreed to a Tax
assessment or deficiency.
(c) Each FFC Entity has complied with all applicable Laws, rules and regulations relating to
the withholding of Taxes and the payment thereof to appropriate authorities, including Taxes
required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee or
independent contractor, and Taxes required to be withheld and paid pursuant to Sections 1441 and
1442 of the Code or similar provisions under foreign Law.
(d) The unpaid Taxes of each FFC Entity (i) did not, as of the most recent fiscal month end,
exceed the reserve for Tax Liability (other than any reserve for deferred Taxes established to
reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) set forth on the face of
the most recent balance sheet (other than in any notes thereto) for such FFC Entity and (ii)
do not exceed that reserve as adjusted for the passage of time through the Closing Date in
accordance with past custom and practice of the FFC Entities in filing their Tax Returns.
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(e) Except as described in Schedule 5.8(e), none of the FFC Entities is a party to any Tax
allocation or sharing agreement and no FFC Entity has been a member of an affiliated group filing a
consolidated federal income Tax Return or has any Tax Liability of any Person under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1502-6 or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law, or as a
transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise.
(f) During the five-year period ending on the date hereof, none of the FFC Entities was a
distributing corporation or a controlled corporation as defined in, and in a transaction
intended to be governed by Section 355 of the Code.
(g) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.8(g), none of the FFC Entities has made any payments, is
obligated to make any payments, or is a party to any contract that could obligate it to make any
payments that could be disallowed as a deduction under Section 280G or 162(m) of the Code, or which
would be subject to withholding under Section 4999 of the Code. FFC has not been a United States
real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code. None
of the FFC Entities has been, nor any of the FFC Entities or SPAH will be, required to include any
adjustment in taxable income for any Tax period (or portion thereof) pursuant to Section 481 of the
Code or any comparable provision under state or foreign Tax Laws as a result of transactions or
events occurring prior to the Closing. None of the FFC Entities nor SPAH will be required to
include in its gross income for a taxable period after the Closing Date any income or gain
attributable to the FFC Entities as a result of any cash or property received, or an account
receivable that arose, in a taxable period prior to the Closing Date and that was not recognized
prior to the Closing Date, as a result of the installment method, the completed contract method,
Section 263A of the Code or for any other reason. Any net operating losses of the FFC Entities
disclosed in Schedule 5.8(g) are not subject to any limitation on their use under the provisions of
Sections 382 or 269 of the Code or any other provisions of the Code or the Treasury Regulations
dealing with the utilization of net operating losses other than any such limitations as may arise
as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(h) Each of the FFC Entities is in compliance with, and its records contain all information
and documents (including properly completed IRS Forms W-9) necessary to comply with, all applicable
information reporting and Tax withholding requirements under federal, state, and local Tax Laws,
and such records identify with specificity all accounts subject to backup withholding under Section
3406 of the Code.
(i) No FFC Entity is subject to any private letter ruling of the IRS or comparable rulings of
any Taxing Authority.
(j) No property owned by any FFC Entity is (i) property required to be treated as being owned
by another Person pursuant to the provisions of Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1954, as amended and in effect immediately prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986,
(ii) tax-exempt use property within the meaning of Section 168(h)(1) of
the Code, (iii) tax-exempt bond financed property within the meaning of Section 168(g) of
the Code, (iv) limited use property within the meaning of Rev. Proc. 76-30, (v) subject to
Section 168(g)(1)(A) of the Code, or (vi) subject to any provision of state, local or foreign Law
comparable to any of the provisions listed above.
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(k) No FFC Entity has any corporate acquisition indebtedness within the meaning of Section
279 of the Code.
(l) No FFC Entity has participated in any reportable transaction, as defined in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(1), or a transaction substantially similar to a reportable
transaction.
(m) No FFC Entity nor any other Person on its behalf has (i) filed a consent pursuant to
Section 341(f) of the Code (as in effect prior to the repeal under the Jobs and Growth Tax
Reconciliation Act of 2003) or agreed to have Section 341(f)(2) of the Code (as in effect prior to
the repeal under the Jobs and Growth Tax Reconciliation Act of 2003) apply to any disposition of a
subsection (f) asset (as such term is defined in Section 341(f)(4) of the Code) owned by any FFC
Entities, (ii) executed or entered into a closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code or
any similar provision of Law with respect to the FFC Entities, or (iii) granted to any Person any
power of attorney that is currently in force with respect to any Tax matter.
(n) No FFC Entity (i) has engaged in any intercompany transactions in respect of which gain
was and continues to be deferred pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-13 or any
analogous or similar provision of Law; (ii) has any excess loss accounts in respect to the stock
of any Subsidiary pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-19, or any analogous or similar
provision of Law; or (iii) has a dual consolidated loss, within the meaning of Treasury
Regulations Section 1.1503-2.
(o) No FFC Entity has, or ever had, a permanent establishment in any country other than the
United States, or has engaged in a trade or business in any country other than the United States
that subjected it to tax in such country.
For purposes of this Section 5.8, any reference to FFC or any FFC Entity shall be deemed to
include any Person which merged with or was liquidated into or otherwise combined with FFC or a FFC
Entity.
5.9 Allowance for Possible Loan Losses; Loan and Investment Portfolio, etc.
(a) FFCs allowance for loan losses (the
Allowance
) shown on the balance sheets of
FFC included in the most recent FFC Financial Statements dated prior to the date of this Agreement
was, and the Allowance shown on the balance sheets of FFC included in the FFC Financial Statements
as of dates subsequent to the execution of this Agreement will be, as of the dates thereof,
adequate (within the meaning of GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements or guidelines) to
provide for all known or reasonably anticipated losses relating to or inherent in the loan
portfolios (including accrued interest receivables, letters of credit, and commitments to make
loans or extend credit) by the FFC Entities as of the dates thereof. To FFCs Knowledge,
FFC Financial Statements fairly present the fair market values of all loans, leases,
securities, tangible and intangible assets and liabilities, and any impairments thereof.
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(b) As of the date hereof, all loans, discounts and financing leases (in which any FFC Entity
is lessor) reflected on the FFC Financial Statements were, and with respect to the consolidated
balance sheets delivered as of the dates subsequent to the execution of this Agreement will be as
of the dates thereof, (i) at the time and under the circumstances in which made, made for good,
valuable and adequate consideration in the ordinary course of business and are the legal and
binding obligations of the obligors thereof, (ii) evidenced by genuine notes, agreements or other
evidences of indebtedness and (iii) to the extent secured, have been secured, to the Knowledge of
FFC, by valid liens and security interests which have been perfected. Accurate lists of all loans,
discounts and financing leases as of June 30, 2009 and on a monthly basis thereafter, and of the
investment portfolios of each FFC Entity as of such date, have been and will be delivered to SPAH.
Except as specifically set forth in Schedule 5.9(b), neither FFC nor the Bank is a Party to any
written or oral loan agreement, note or borrowing arrangement, including any loan guaranty, that
was, as of the most recent month-end (i) delinquent by more than 30 days in the payment of
principal or interest, (ii) to the Knowledge of FFC, otherwise in material default for more than 30
days, (iii) placed on nonaccrual status, or classified as substandard, doubtful, loss, other
assets especially mentioned or any comparable classification by FFC or by any applicable
Regulatory Authority, (iv) an obligation of any director, executive officer principal shareholder
(as such terms are defined in Regulation O) of any FFC Entity who is subject to Regulation O, or
any person, corporation or enterprise controlling, controlled by or under common control with any
of the foregoing, or (v) in violation of any Law.
5.10 Assets.
(a) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.10, or as disclosed or reserved against in the FFC
Financial Statements delivered or made available prior to the date of this Agreement, the FFC
Entities have good and (to the extent owned) marketable title, free and clear of all Liens, to all
of their respective Assets. All tangible properties used in the businesses of the FFC Entities are
in good condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and are usable in the ordinary course of
business consistent with FFCs past practices.
(b) All Assets which are material to FFCs business on a consolidated basis, held under leases
or subleases by any of the FFC Entities, are held under valid Contracts enforceable in accordance
with their respective terms, and each such Contract is in full force and effect.
(c) The FFC Entities currently maintain insurance, including bankers blanket bonds, with
insurers of recognized financial responsibility, similar in amounts, scope, and coverage to that
maintained by other peer organizations. Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.10(c), none of the FFC
Entities have received written notice from any insurance carrier, or have any reason to believe
that (i) any policy of insurance will be canceled or that coverage thereunder will be reduced or
eliminated, (ii) premium costs with respect to such policies of insurance will be substantially
increased, or (iii) similar coverage will be denied or limited or not extended or renewed with
respect to any FFC Entity, any act or occurrence, or that any Asset,
officer, director, employee or agent of any FFC Entity will not be covered by such insurance
or bond. There are presently no claims for amounts exceeding $125,000 individually or in the
aggregate pending under such policies of insurance or bonds, and no notices of claims in excess of
such amounts have been given by any FFC Entity under such policies. FFC has made no claims, and
except as disclosed in Schedule 5.10(c), no claims are contemplated to be made, under its
directors and officers errors and omissions or other insurance or bankers blanket bond.
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(d) The Assets of the FFC Entities include all Assets required by FFC Entities to operate the
business of the FFC Entities as presently conducted.
5.11 Intellectual Property.
Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.11, each FFC Entity owns or has a license to use all of the
Intellectual Property used by such FFC Entity in the course of its business, including sufficient
rights in each copy possessed by each FFC Entity. Each FFC Entity is the owner of or has a
license, with the right to sublicense, to any Intellectual Property sold or licensed to a third
party by such FFC Entity in connection with such FFC Entitys business operations, and such FFC
Entity has the right to convey by sale or license any Intellectual Property so conveyed. No FFC
Entity is in Default under any of its Intellectual Property licenses. No proceedings have been
instituted, or are pending or to the Knowledge of FFC threatened, which challenge the rights of any
FFC Entity with respect to Intellectual Property used, sold or licensed by such FFC Entity in the
course of its business, nor has any person claimed or alleged any rights to such Intellectual
Property. To FFCs Knowledge, the conduct of the business of the FFC Entities does not infringe
any Intellectual Property of any other person. No FFC Entity is obligated to pay any recurring
royalties to any Person with respect to any such Intellectual Property. FFC has no Contracts with
any of its directors, officers, or employees which require such officer, director or employee to
assign any interest in any Intellectual Property to a FFC Entity and to keep confidential any trade
secrets, proprietary data, customer information, or other business information of a FFC Entity, and
to FFCs Knowledge, no such officer, director or employee is party to any Contract with any Person
other than a FFC Entity which requires such officer, director or employee to assign any interest in
any Intellectual Property to any Person other than a FFC Entity or to keep confidential any trade
secrets, proprietary data, customer information, or other business information of any Person other
than a FFC Entity. No officer, director or employee of any FFC Entity is party to any
confidentiality, nonsolicitation, noncompetition or other Contract which restricts or prohibits
such officer, director or employee from engaging in activities competitive with any Person,
including any FFC Entity.
5.12 Environmental Matters.
(a) FFC has delivered, or caused to be delivered to SPAH, true and complete copies of, all
environmental site assessments, test results, analytical data, boring logs, permits for storm
water, wetlands fill, or other environmental permits for construction of any building, parking lot
or other improvement, and other environmental reports and studies in the possession of any FFC
Entity relating to the Participation Facilities, Operating Properties, OREOs, or any other FFC Real
Property of any FFC Entity. To FFCs Knowledge, there are no material violations of Environmental
Laws on properties that secure loans made by any FFC Entity.
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(b) To FFCs Knowledge, the Participation Facilities, Operating Properties, OREOs and other
FFC Real Property of any FFC Entity is, and have been, in compliance with all Environmental Laws,
except for violations which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
FFC Material Adverse Effect.
(c) There is no Litigation pending, or to FFCs Knowledge, no environmental enforcement
action, investigation, or litigation threatened before any Governmental Authority or other forum in
which any FFC Entity or any of their Operating Properties, Participation Facilities, OREOs, or any
other FFC Real Property, has been or, with respect to threatened Litigation, may be named as a
defendant (i) for alleged noncompliance (including by any predecessor) with or Liability under any
Environmental Law or (ii) relating to the release, discharge, spillage, or disposal into the
environment of any Hazardous Material, whether or not occurring at, on, under, adjacent to, or
affecting (or potentially affecting) a site currently or formerly owned, leased, or operated by any
FFC Entity or any of their Operating Properties, Participation Facilities, OREOs, or any other FFC
Real Property, nor is there any reasonable basis for any litigation as described in this Section
5.12(c), except as such is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FFC
Material Adverse Effect.
(d) During the period of (i) any FFC Entitys ownership, lease or operation of any current FFC
Real Property, (ii) any FFC Entitys participation in the management of any Participation Facility,
or (iii) any FFC Entitys holding of a security interest in any Participation Facility or any other
FFC Real Property, there have been no releases, discharges, spillages, or disposals of Hazardous
Material in, on, under, or to FFCs Knowledge adjacent to or affecting (or potentially affecting),
such properties. Prior to the period of (i) any FFC Entitys ownership, lease or operation of any
of any current FFC Real Property, (ii) any FFC Entitys participation in the management of any
Participation Facility, or (iii) any FFC Entitys holding of a security interest in any
Participation Facility or any other FFC Real Property, to FFCs Knowledge, there were no releases,
discharges, spillages, or disposals of Hazardous Material in, on, under, or affecting any such
property, Participation Facility, Operating Property, OREO or FFC Real Property. During and, to
FFCs Knowledge prior to, the period of (i) FFC Entitys ownership, lease or operation of any
current FFC Real Property, (ii) any FFC Entitys participation in the management of any
Participation Facility, or (iii) any FFC Entitys holding of a security interest in any
Participation Facility or any other FFC Real Property, there have been no violations of any
Environmental Laws at such property or facility, including unauthorized alterations of wetlands.
(e) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.12(e), no FFC Real Property (a) is listed or proposed
for listing on the National Priorities List pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act, 42. U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., or any similar inventory of sites
maintained by any state or locality, or (b) contains any underground storage tanks.
(f) To FFCs Knowledge, no conditions exist at any FFC Real Property that require, or that
with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both will reasonably likely require, in any
material respect, any remedial or corrective action, removal, monitoring or closure pursuant to any
Environmental Law.
A-29
5.13 Compliance with Laws.
(a) FFC is a bank holding company duly registered and in good standing as such with the
Federal Reserve, except as disclosed in Schedule 5.13(d). The Bank is chartered by the State of
Washington and is validly existing, and its deposits are insured by the FDIC.
(b) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.13(d), each of the FFC Entities has in effect all
Permits and has made all filings, applications, and registrations with Governmental Authorities
that are required for it to own, lease, or operate its assets and to carry on its business as now
conducted, and there has occurred no Default under any such Permit applicable to their respective
businesses or employees conducting their respective businesses.
(c) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.13(d), none of the FFC Entities is in Default under any
Laws or Orders (not including Environmental Laws) applicable to its business or employees
conducting its business.
(d) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.13(d), since January 1, 2004, none of the FFC Entities
has received any notification or communication from any Governmental Authority (i) asserting that
FFC or any of its Subsidiaries is in Default under any of the Permits, Laws or Orders (not
including Environmental Laws) which such Governmental Authority enforces, (ii) threatening to
revoke any Permits (not including those relating to environmental matters set forth in Section 5.12
of this Agreement), or (iii) requiring FFC or any of its Subsidiaries (x) to enter into or consent
to the issuance of a cease and desist order, formal agreement, directive, commitment, or memorandum
of understanding (not including those relating to environmental matters set forth in Section 5.12
of this Agreement), or (y) to adopt any resolution of its Board of Directors or similar undertaking
which restricts materially the conduct of its business or in any manner relates to its employment
decisions, its employment or safety policies or practices (not including those relating to
environmental matters set forth in Section 5.12 of this Agreement).
(e) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.13(d), (i) each FFC Entity has conducted its operations
in all material respects in compliance with all Requirements of Law; and (ii) there are no (A)
unresolved violations, criticisms, or exceptions by any Governmental Authority with respect to any
report or statement relating to any examinations or inspections of FFC or any of its Subsidiaries
(not including those relating to environmental matters set forth in Section 5.12 of this Agreement)
or (B) notices or correspondence received by FFC and FFC does not reasonably expect to receive any
notices or correspondence with respect to formal or informal inquiries by, or disagreements or
disputes with, any Governmental Authority (not including those relating to environmental matters
set forth in Section 5.12 of this Agreement) with respect to FFCs or any of FFCs Subsidiaries
business, operations, policies or procedures since January 1, 2006. Except as disclosed in
Schedule 5.13(d), there are not any pending or, to FFCs Knowledge, threatened investigations or
reviews of FFC or any of its Subsidiaries on behalf of any Governmental Authority, nor has any
Governmental Authority indicated an intention to conduct any investigations or reviews of FFC or
any of its Subsidiaries.
A-30
(f) None of the FFC Entities nor any of its directors, officers, employees or Representatives
acting on its behalf has offered, paid, or agreed to pay any Person, including any
Governmental Authority, directly or indirectly, anything of value for the purpose of, or with
the intent of obtaining or retaining any business in violation of applicable Laws, including (i)
using any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful
expense relating to political activity, (ii) making any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any
foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds, (iii) violating any
provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or (iv) making any bribe,
rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.
(g) Each FFC Entity has complied with all Requirements of Law under the Bank Secrecy Act and
the USA Patriot Act and applicable regulations promulgated thereunder, and each FFC Entity has
timely filed all reports of suspicious activity, including those required under 12 C.F.R. Part 353.
(h) The Bank has complied and will comply with all Requirements of Law governing and
regulating the closing of branch offices of the Bank.
5.14 Labor Relations.
(a) No FFC Entity is the subject of any Litigation asserting that it or any other FFC Entity
has committed an unfair labor practice (within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act of
1935, as amended, or comparable state Law) or other violation of state or federal labor Law or
seeking to compel it or any other FFC Entity to bargain with any labor organization or other
employee representative as to wages or conditions of employment, nor is any FFC Entity Party to any
collective bargaining agreement or subject to any bargaining order, injunction or other Order
relating to FFCs relationship or dealings with its employees, any labor organization or any other
employee representative. There is no strike, slowdown, lockout or other job action or labor
dispute involving any FFC Entity pending or threatened and there have been no such actions or
disputes in the past five years. To FFCs Knowledge, there has not been any attempt by any FFC
Entity employees or any labor organization or other employee representative to organize or certify
a collective bargaining unit or to engage in any other union organization activity with respect to
the workforce of any FFC Entity. Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.14, employment of each employee
and the engagement of each independent contractor of each FFC Entity is terminable at will by the
relevant FFC Entity without (i) any penalty, liability or severance obligation incurred by any FFC
Entity, (ii) and in all cases without prior consent by any Governmental Authority. No FFC Entity
will owe any amounts to any of its employees or independent contractors as of the Closing Date,
including any amounts incurred for any wages, bonuses, vacation pay, sick leave, contract notice
periods, change of control payments or severance obligations, except as disclosed in Schedule 5.14.
The term FFC Benefit Plan shall include any and all of the FFC Stock Plans and any and all
grants, options, rights and other matters associated therewith.
(b) To FFCs Knowledge, all of the employees employed in the United States are either United
States citizens or are legally entitled to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform
and Control Act of 1986, as amended, other United States immigration Laws and the Laws related to
the employment of non-United States citizens applicable in the state in which the employees are
employed.
A-31
(c) No FFC Entity has effectuated (i) a plant closing (as defined in the Worker Adjustment
and Retraining Notification Act (the
WARN Act
)) affecting any site of employment or one
or more facilities or operating units within any site of employment or facility of any FFC Entity;
or (ii) a mass layoff (as defined in the WARN Act) affecting any site of employment or facility
of any FFC Entity; and no FFC Entity has been affected by any transaction or engaged in layoffs or
employment terminations sufficient in number to trigger application of any similar state or local
Law. None of any FFC Entitys employees has suffered an employment loss (as defined in the WARN
Act) since six months prior to the Closing Date.
5.15 Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) FFC has listed in Schedule 5.15(a)(i), and has delivered or made available to SPAH prior
to the execution of this Agreement copies of, (i) each Employee Benefit Plan currently adopted,
maintained by, sponsored in whole or in part by, or contributed or required to be contributed to by
any FFC Entity or ERISA Affiliate thereof for the benefit of employees, former employees, retirees,
dependents, spouses, directors, independent contractors, or other beneficiaries or under which
employees, retirees, former employees, dependents, spouses, directors, independent contractors, or
other beneficiaries are eligible to participate (each, a
FFC Benefit Plan
, and
collectively, the
FFC Benefit Plans
) and (ii) has listed in Schedule 5.15(a)(ii), each
Employee Benefit Plan that is not identified in (i) above (e.g., former Employee Benefit Plans) in
respect of which any FFC Entity or ERISA Affiliate thereof has or reasonably could have any
obligation or Liability (each, an
Other Plan
). Any of the FFC Benefit Plans which is an
employee pension benefit plan, as that term is defined in ERISA Section 3(2), is referred to
herein as a FFC ERISA Plan. No FFC ERISA Plan or Other Plan is a defined benefit plan (as
defined in Code Section 414(j)), or is subject to Code Section 412 (and for plan years commencing
after December 31, 2007, Code Sections 430 and 436) or Title IV of ERISA.
(b) FFC has delivered or made available to SPAH prior to the execution of this Agreement (i)
all trust agreements or other funding arrangements for all Employee Benefit Plans, (ii) all
determination letters, rulings, opinion letters, information letters or advisory opinions issued by
the IRS, the United States Department of Labor (
DOL
) during this calendar year or any of
the preceding three calendar years, (iii) any filing or documentation (whether or not filed with
the IRS) where corrective action was taken in connection with the IRS EPCRS program set forth in
Revenue Procedure 2008-50 (or its predecessor or successor rulings), (iv) annual reports or
returns, audited or unaudited financial statements, actuarial reports and valuations prepared for
any Employee Benefit Plan for the current plan year and the three preceding plan years, and (v) the
most recent summary plan descriptions and any material modifications thereto.
(c) Each FFC Benefit Plan is in compliance with the terms of such FFC Benefit Plan, in
compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code, in compliance with the applicable
requirements of ERISA, and in compliance with any other applicable Laws including, with respect to
any group health plans, the HIPAA privacy and security rules. Each FFC ERISA Plan which is
intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination
letter or opinion from the IRS that is as current as possible under applicable IRS procedures and
that is still in effect and applies to the applicable FFC ERISA Plan as amended and as administered
or, within the time permitted under Code Section 401(b), has timely applied
for a favorable determination letter, which when issued, will be as current as possible under
applicable IRS procedures and which, when issued, will apply retroactively to the FFC ERISA Plan as
amended and as administered. FFC is not aware of any circumstances likely to result in revocation
of any such favorable determination letter, which has been issued by the IRS, and FFC is not aware
of any circumstances likely to result in a failure to issue any such favorable determination letter
for which it has applied. FFC has not received any communication (written or unwritten) from any
Governmental Authority questioning or challenging the compliance of any FFC Benefit Plan with
applicable Laws. No FFC Benefit Plan is currently being audited by any Governmental Authority for
compliance with applicable Laws or has been audited with a determination by any Governmental
Authority that the Employee Benefit Plan failed to comply with applicable Laws. Neither FFC nor
any ERISA Affiliate has entered into a transaction described in ERISA Sections 4069 or 4212(c).
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(d) To FFCs Knowledge, there has been no oral or written representation or communication with
respect to any aspect of any FFC Benefit Plan made to any employee of any FFC Entity which is not
in accordance with the written or otherwise preexisting terms and provisions of such plans.
Neither FFC nor any administrator or fiduciary of any FFC Benefit Plan (or any agent of any of the
foregoing) has engaged in any transaction, or acted or failed to act in any manner, which could
subject SPAH or any FFC Entity to any direct or indirect Liability (by indemnity or otherwise) for
breach of any fiduciary, co-fiduciary or other duty under ERISA. There are no unresolved claims or
disputes under the terms of, or in connection with, any FFC Benefit Plan other than claims for
benefits which are payable in the ordinary course of business and no action, proceeding,
prosecution, inquiry, hearing or investigation has been commenced with respect to any FFC Benefit
Plan.
(e) All FFC Benefit Plan documents and annual reports or returns, audited or unaudited
financial statements, actuarial valuations, summary annual reports, and summary plan descriptions
issued with respect to the FFC Benefit Plans are correct and complete in all material respects,
have been timely filed with the IRS or the DOL (to the extent required by Law), and distributed to
participants of any or all of the FFC Benefit Plans (as required by Law), and there have been no
changes in the information set forth therein.
(f) To FFCs Knowledge, no party in interest (as defined in ERISA Section 3(14)) or
disqualified person (as defined in Code Section 4975(e)(2)) of any FFC Benefit Plan has engaged
in any nonexempt prohibited transaction (described in Code Section 4975(c) or ERISA Section 406).
(g) No FFC Entity has, or ever has had, any Liability related to, a pension plan or any other
plan that is or was subject to Code Section 412 (and for plan years commencing after December 31,
2007, Code Sections 430 and 436) or ERISA Section 302 or Title IV of ERISA. There is no Lien nor
is there expected to be a Lien under Code Section 430(k) or ERISA Section 303(k) or Tax under Code
Section 4971 applicable to any FFC Entity or any FFC Entitys Assets. All premiums required to be
paid under ERISA Section 4006, if any, have been timely paid by FFC and by each of its ERISA
Affiliates. For plan years beginning after December 31, 2007, any Employee Benefit Plan subject to
Code Section 412 has complied with Code Sections 430 and 436.
A-33
(h) No Liability under Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurred by any FFC
Entity or any ERISA Affiliate thereof and no event has occurred that could reasonably result in
Liability under Title IV of ERISA being incurred by any FFC Entity or any ERISA Affiliate thereof
with respect to any ongoing, frozen, terminated or other single-employer plan. There has been no
reportable event, within the meaning of ERISA Section 4043, for which the 30-day reporting
requirement has not been waived by any ongoing, frozen, terminated or other single employer plan of
any FFC Entity or of any ERISA Affiliate thereof.
(i) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.15(i), no FFC Entity has any Liability for retiree or
similar health, life or death benefits under any of the FFC Benefit Plans, or other plan or
arrangement, except to the extent required under Part 6 of Title I of ERISA or Code Section 4980B
and there are no restrictions on the rights of such FFC Entity to amend or terminate any such
retiree health or benefit plan without incurring any Liability thereunder. No Tax under Code
Sections 4980B or 5000 has been incurred with respect to any FFC Benefit Plan, or other plan or
arrangement, and no circumstance exists which could give rise to such Taxes.
(j) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.15(j), neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i) result in any
payment (including severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, or otherwise) becoming
due to any director, officer or employee of any FFC Entity from any FFC Entity under any FFC
Benefit Plan or otherwise, (ii) increase any benefits otherwise payable under any FFC Benefit Plan,
or (iii) result in any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such benefit, or any
benefit under any life insurance owned by any FFC Entity or the rights of any FFC Entity in, to or
under any insurance on the life of any current or former officer, director or employee of any FFC
Entity, or change any rights or obligations of any FFC Entity with respect to such insurance.
(k) The actuarial present values of all accrued deferred compensation entitlements (including
entitlements under any executive compensation, supplemental retirement, or employment agreement) of
employees and former employees of any FFC Entity and their respective beneficiaries, other than
entitlements accrued pursuant to funded retirement plans, whether or not subject to the provisions
of Code Section 412 or ERISA Section 302, have been fully reflected on the FFC Financial Statements
to the extent required by and in accordance with GAAP.
(l) All individuals who render services to any FFC Entity and who are eligible to participate
in a FFC Benefit Plan pursuant to the terms of such FFC Benefit Plan are in fact eligible to and
authorized to participate in such FFC Benefit Plan in accordance with the terms of such FFC Benefit
Plan, the Code, ERISA and other applicable Laws.
(m) Neither FFC nor any ERISA Affiliate thereof has had an obligation to contribute (as
defined in ERISA Section 4212) to, or other obligations or Liability in connection with, a
multiemployer plan (as defined in ERISA Sections 4001(a)(3) or 3(37)(A)).
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(n) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.15(n), there are no payments or changes in terms due to
any insured person as a result of this Agreement, the Merger or the transactions contemplated
herein, under any bank-owned, corporate-owned split dollar life insurance, other
life insurance, or similar arrangement or Contract, and the Surviving Corporation shall, upon
and after the Effective Time, succeed to and have all the rights in, to and under such life
insurance Contracts as FFC presently holds. Each FFC Entity will, upon the execution and delivery
of this Agreement, and will continue to have, notwithstanding this Agreement or the consummation of
the transaction contemplated hereby, all ownership rights and interest in all corporate or
bank-owned life insurance.
(o) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.15(o), no FFC Benefit Plan holds any employer security
(within the meaning of ERISA Section 407(d)(1)) or employer real property (within the meaning of
ERISA Section 407(d)(2)); and no commitment has been made that would require any FFC Benefit Plan
to hold any such employer security or employer real property.
(p) All contributions and premiums required by applicable Law or the terms of an applicable
FFC Benefit Plan to be paid prior to Closing have been or will be timely made or paid in full prior
to the Closing.
(q) There has been no act or omission which has given rise to or may give rise to material
fines, penalties, taxes or related charges under Sections 502(c), 502(i), 502(l), 502(m) or 4071 of
ERISA or Chapters 43, 47 or 68 of the Code for which any of the FFC Entities or any ERISA Affiliate
thereof may be liable.
(r) No action has been or reasonably ought to be taken to correct any defects with respect to
any FFC Benefit Plan under any IRS correction procedure or any United States Department of Labor
fiduciary correction procedure.
(s) No payment permitted, contemplated or required by any FFC Benefit Plan would in the
aggregate constitute excess parachute payments as defined in Section 280G of the Code (without
regard to subsection (b)(4) thereof).
(t) Each FFC Benefit Plan which constitutes a group health plan (as defined in ERISA Section
607(1) or Code Section 4980B(g)(2)) has been operated in material compliance with applicable Law.
(u) There has been no act or omission that would impair or otherwise limit the right or
ability of FFC or the Bank, as may be applicable, to unilaterally amend, from time to time, or
terminate, any FFC Benefit Plan in those instances where such may be unilaterally amended or
terminated.
(v) Each FFC Benefit Plan which is subject to Code Section 409A has been operated and
administered in compliance with and otherwise complies with such section. No tax, interest or
penalty has been assessed or incurred pursuant to Code Section 409A in relation to any FFC Benefit
Plan. No stock option, stock appreciation right, stock grant, or other equity-related rights,
grants or options associated with any FFC Entity, including the FFC Stock Plans and all grants,
options, rights or other matters associated with the FFC Stock Plans, is subject to or required to
comply with any provision of Code Section 409A. Any FFC Benefit Plan and any other requirement to
which FFC or any ERISA Affiliate is a party, which is subject to or required to comply with any
provision of Code Section 409A is listed in Schedule 5.15(v).
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5.16 Material Contracts.
(a) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.16(a), or otherwise reflected in the FFC Financial
Statements, none of the FFC Entities, nor any of their respective Assets, businesses, or
operations, is a party to, or is bound or affected by, or receives benefits under, (i) any
employment, severance, termination, consulting, or retirement Contract providing for aggregate
payments to any Person in any calendar year in excess of $200,000, (ii) any Contract relating to
the borrowing of money by any FFC Entity or the guarantee by any FFC Entity of any such obligation
(other than Contracts evidencing the creation of deposit liabilities, purchases of federal funds,
advances from the Federal Reserve Bank or Federal Home Loan Bank, entry into repurchase agreements
fully secured by U.S. government securities or U.S. government agency securities, advances of
depository institution Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of FFCs business and trade
payables and Contracts relating to borrowings or guarantees made in the ordinary course of FFCs
business), (iii) any Contract which prohibits or restricts any FFC Entity or any personnel of a FFC
Entity from engaging in any business activities in any geographic area, line of business or
otherwise in competition with any other Person, (iv) any Contract involving Intellectual Property
(other than Contracts entered into in the ordinary course with customers or shrink-wrap software
licenses), (v) any Contract relating to the provision of data processing, network communication, or
other technical services to or by any FFC Entity, (vi) any Contract relating to the purchase or
sale of any goods or services (other than Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business
and involving payments under any individual Contract or series of contracts not in excess of
$
200,000), (vii) any exchange-traded or over-the-counter swap, forward, future, option, cap, floor,
or collar financial Contract, or any other interest rate or foreign currency protection Contract or
any Contract that is a combination thereof not included on its balance sheet, (viii) any Contract
relating to the purchase, sale or lease of real property by or from any FFC Entity and (ix) any
other Contract or amendment thereto that would be required to be filed as an exhibit to a FFC
Exchange Act Report filed by FFC with the SEC prior to the date of this Agreement that has not been
filed as an exhibit to a FFC Exchange Act Report (Contracts referred to in clauses (i) through (ix)
of this Section 5.16(a), together with all Contracts referred to in Sections 5.11 and 5.15(a), the
FFC Contracts
). A true, correct and complete copy of each FFC Contract has been filed as
an exhibit to an Exchange Act Document, furnished or made available to SPAH as of the date hereof.
(b) With respect to each FFC Contract and except as disclosed in Schedule 5.16(b): (i) the
Contract is in full force and effect; (ii) no FFC Entity is in Default thereunder; (iii) no FFC
Entity has repudiated or waived any material provision of any such Contract; (iv) no other Party to
any such Contract is, to FFCs Knowledge, in Default in any respect or has repudiated or waived
each material provision thereunder; (v) no consent is required by a Contract for the execution,
delivery, or performance of this Agreement, the consummation of the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated hereby; and (vi) no consent of any party to such Contract is required in
connection with an assignment thereof to SPAH by operation of law or otherwise. All of the
indebtedness of any FFC Entity for money borrowed is prepayable at any time by such FFC Entity
without penalty, premium or charge, except as specified in Schedule 5.16(b).
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5.17 Properties and Leases.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.17(a)(i) and except for any lien for current taxes not
yet delinquent, FFC and each FFC Subsidiary have good marketable fee simple (with respect to real
property) title free and clear of any material Liens, claims, charges, options, covenants,
encumbrances or restrictions to all the real and personal property reflected in FFCs consolidated
balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 included in FFCs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period
then ended, and all real and personal property acquired since such date, except such real and
personal property as has been disposed of in the ordinary course of business. Schedule 5.17(a)(ii)
sets forth a true, correct and complete list of, and describes briefly, all real property and
interests in real property, including improvements thereon and easements appurtenant thereto owned
in fee by any FFC Entity (the
Owned Real Property
), with such properties categorized as
Participation Facilities, Operating Properties or OREO.
(b) All leases of real property pursuant to which such real property is leased by or from any
FFC Entity (the
Leased Real Property
) and all leases of personal property and all other
leases material to any FFC Entity, are valid and effective in accordance with their respective
terms, and there is not, under any such lease, any material existing default by any party thereto
or any event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a material default.
Substantially all FFCs and each FFC Subsidiarys owned and leased buildings and equipment have
been well maintained and are in good and serviceable condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted,
for their current use.
(c) Schedule 5.17(c) sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all existing leases,
subleases, licenses or other occupancy agreements or contracts (collectively Lease Agreements) to
which any FFC Entity is a party or by which any FFC Entity is bound, and all amendments,
modifications, extensions and supplements thereto, regardless of whether the terms thereof have
commenced; and such schedule sets forth, with respect to each lease, (i) the name of the parties
thereto, (ii) the space demised, (iii) the monthly fixed rent and the date through which it has
been paid, (iv) the unapplied amount of the security deposit (if any), (v) the expiration date,
and (vi) any arrears of rents or other payments and the amount thereof. A true, correct and
complete copy of each Lease Agreement has been furnished or made available to SPAH as of the date
hereof.
(d) The current use and operation of all FFC Real Property does not violate in any material
respect any restrictions, covenants, agreements or Law (including applicable zoning restrictions
and ordinances, variances thereto, or conditional use permits of the jurisdictions on which the FFC
Real Property is located, health and fire codes and ordinances, and subdivision regulations
affecting any of such property) affecting such FFC Real Property and no FFC Entity is in default of
the payment of any common area maintenance or similar payments or reimbursements.
(e) There are no condemnation or eminent domain proceedings affecting any FFC Real Property.
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5.18 Privacy of Customer Information.
(a) Each FFC Entity is the sole owner of all (i) nonpublic personal information as such term
is defined in the Privacy Requirements, and (ii) any personally identifiable information or records
in any form (oral, written, graphic, electronic, machine-readable, or otherwise) (
Customer
Information
) relating to customers, former customers and prospective customers.
(b) Each of the FFC Entities has at all times implemented and maintained reasonable technical,
physical and organizational security measures as are appropriate in the circumstances to protect
Customer Information against unauthorized or unlawful processing, access, input, disclosure, use,
recording, copying, alteration, removal, deletion, accidental loss, corruption, destruction or
damage, including:
(i) firewalls, intrusion detection systems, locking file cabinets, and other appropriate
physical and electronic security mechanism, including current revisions of all software releases
and all software patches;
(ii) utilization of industry-standard or better network access control restrictions and
methods of terminating unauthorized network access, including identification to the extent possible
of the identify of the Person making such unauthorized access; and
(iii) not making changes that would increase the risk of unauthorized access to FFCs network.
5.19 Legal Proceedings.
Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.19 and Schedule 5.13(d), there is no Litigation instituted
or pending, or, to the Knowledge of FFC, threatened (or unasserted but considered probable of
assertion) against any FFC Entity, or against any director, officer, employee or agent of any FFC
Entity in their capacities as such or with respect to any service to or on behalf of any Employee
Benefit Plan or any other Person at the request of the FFC Entity or Employee Benefit Plan of any
FFC Entity, or against any Asset, interest, or right of any of them, nor are there any Orders or
judgments outstanding against any FFC Entity, except as disclosed in Schedule 5.13(d). Except as
disclosed in Schedule 5.19, no claim for indemnity has been made or, to FFCs Knowledge, threatened
by any director, officer, employee, independent contractor or agent to any FFC Entity and to FFCs
Knowledge, no basis for any such claim exists.
5.20 Reports.
Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.20, since January 1, 2006, in addition to the FFC Exchange
Act Reports, each FFC Entity has timely filed all other reports and statements, together with any
amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that it was required to file with Governmental
Authorities. As of their respective dates, each of such reports and documents, including the
financial statements, exhibits, and schedules thereto, complied in all material respects with all
applicable Laws. As of their respective date, each such report, statement and document did not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
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5.21 Books and Records.
FFC and each FFC Entity maintains accurate books and records reflecting its Assets and
Liabilities and maintains proper and adequate internal accounting controls which provide assurance
that (a) transactions are executed with managements authorization; (b) transactions are recorded
as necessary to permit preparation of the consolidated financial statements of FFC and to maintain
accountability for FFCs consolidated Assets; (c) access to FFCs Assets is permitted only in
accordance with managements authorization; (d) the reporting of FFCs Assets is compared with
existing Assets at regular intervals; and (e) accounts, notes and other receivables and inventory
are recorded accurately, and proper and adequate procedures are implemented to effect the
collection thereof on a current and timely basis.
5.22 Loans to Executive Officers, Directors and Principal Shareholders.
Neither FFC nor the Bank has extended or maintained credit, arranged for the extension of
credit, or renewed an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to or for any director,
executive officer or principal shareholder (as such terms are defined in Regulation O) of FFC,
except as permitted by and in conformance with Federal Reserve Regulation O. Schedule 5.22 lists
or otherwise identifies any loan or extension of credit maintained by FFC to which the second
sentence of Section 13(k)(1) of the Exchange Act applies.
5.23 Independence of Directors.
FFCs directors listed on Schedule 5.23, who may be serving on the Board of Directors of the
Surviving Corporation after the Closing Date and who are designated as independent on Schedule
5.23, will be independent directors of the Surviving Corporation as such term is defined in the
rules of the national securities exchange on which the SPAH Common Stock is then listed and in Rule
10A-3 of the Exchange Act.
5.24 Fiduciary Activities.
FFC and each FFC Subsidiary has properly administered in all respects material and which could
reasonably be expected to be material, to the financial condition of FFC and the FFC Subsidiaries
taken as a whole all accounts for which it acts as a fiduciary, including accounts for which it
serves as a trustee, agent, custodian, personal representative, guardian, conservator or investment
advisor, in accordance with the terms of the governing documents and applicable state and federal
law and regulation and common law. Neither FFC, any FFC Subsidiary, nor any director, officer or
employee of FFC or any FFC Subsidiary has committed any breach of trust with respect to any such
fiduciary account which is material to, or could reasonably be expected to be material to, the
financial condition of FFC and the FFC Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and the accountings for each
such fiduciary account are true and correct in all material respects and accurately reflect the
assets of such fiduciary account.
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5.25 Tax and Regulatory Matters; Consents.
None of the FFC Entities or any Affiliate thereof has taken or agreed to take any action or
has any Knowledge of any fact or circumstance that is reasonably likely to (i) prevent the Merger
from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, or (ii)
materially impede or delay receipt of any required Consents or result in the imposition of a
condition or restriction of the type referred to in the last sentence of Section 9.1(b) and 9.1(c).
5.26 State Takeover Laws.
Each FFC Entity has taken all necessary action to exempt the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement from, or if necessary to challenge the validity or applicability of, any applicable
moratorium, fair price, business combination, control share, or other anti-takeover Laws
(collectively,
Takeover Laws
).
5.27 Stockholders Support Agreements.
Each of the directors and executive officers of FFC and the Bank, and each stockholder
beneficially owning 5% or more of FFCs outstanding equity securities (other than Barclays Global
Investors, State Street Bank and Trust Company and other institutional investors) has executed and
delivered to SPAH a support agreement in the form of
Exhibit C
attached hereto (each a
Support Agreement).
5.28 Brokers and Finders; Opinion of Financial Advisor.
Except for Sandler ONeill and Keefe Bruyette, neither FFC nor its Subsidiaries, or any of
their respective officers, directors, employees or Representatives, has employed any broker, finder
or investment banker or incurred any Liability for any financial advisory fees, investment bankers
fees, brokerage fees, commissions, or finders or other fees in connection with this Agreement or
the transactions contemplated hereby and such total fees payable to Sandler ONeill and Keefe
Bruyette in connection with the Merger will not exceed $10,820,000. FFC has received the written
opinion of Keefe Bruyette, dated as of the date of this Agreement, to the effect that the Merger
Consideration is fair from a financial point of view, a signed copy of which has been delivered to
SPAH.
5.29 No Participation In TARP.
No FFC Entity participates or has a pending application to participate in the U.S. Treasury
Departments Troubled Asset Relief Program, including the Capital Purchase Program.
5.30 Board Recommendation.
The Board of Directors of FFC, at a meeting duly called and held, has by unanimous vote of the
directors present who constituted all of the directors then in office (i) determined that this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, the Support Agreements,
the Lock-up Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, taken together, are in
the best interests of the FFCs stockholders and (ii) resolved, subject to the terms of this
Agreement, to recommend that the holders of the shares of FFC Common Stock
approve this Agreement, the Merger and the related transactions and to call and hold a special
meeting of FFCs stockholders to consider this Agreement, the Merger and the related transactions.
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5.31 Statements True and Correct.
(a) No statement, certificate, instrument or other writing furnished or to be furnished by any
FFC Entity or any Affiliate thereof to SPAH pursuant to this Agreement or any other document,
agreement or instrument referred to herein contains or will contain any untrue statement of
material fact or will omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(b) None of the information supplied or to be supplied by any FFC Entity or any Affiliate
thereof for inclusion in the Registration Statement to be filed by SPAH with the SEC will, when the
Registration Statement becomes effective, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact,
or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
(c) None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the FFC Entity or any Affiliate
thereof for inclusion in the Joint Proxy Statement, and any amendments or supplements thereto, to
be mailed to each Partys stockholders in connection with the Stockholders Meetings will (i) when
first mailed to the stockholders of each Party, be false or misleading with respect to any material
fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or, (ii) at the time of the Stockholders
Meetings, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material
fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading with respect to the solicitation of any proxy for the
Stockholders Meetings. No other documents to be filed by any FFC Entity or any Affiliate thereof
with the SEC or any other Regulatory Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby, will, at the respective time such documents are filed, be false or misleading with respect
to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(d) All documents that any FFC Entity or any Affiliate thereof is responsible for filing with
any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby will comply as
to form in all material respects with the provisions of applicable Law.
5.32 Approvals.
As of the date of this Agreement, except as disclosed in Schedule 5.13(d), no FFC Entity has
any Knowledge of any reason why all Consents from any Regulatory Authority or Governmental
Authority required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(including the Merger) should not be obtained on a timely basis or conditioned or restricted in a
manner (including requirements relating to the raising of additional capital or the disposition of
Assets) which in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors of FFC or the Bank would so
materially adversely affect the economic or business benefits of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement that, had such condition or requirement been known to SPAH,
SPAH would not, in its reasonable judgment, have entered into this Agreement.
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ARTICLE 6
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SPAH
SPAH hereby represents and warrants to FFC as follows:
6.1 Organization, Standing, and Power.
SPAH is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of
the State of Delaware, and has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now
conducted and to own, lease and operate its Assets. SPAH is duly qualified or licensed to transact
business as a foreign corporation in good standing in the states of the United States and foreign
jurisdictions where the character of its Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires
it to be so qualified or licensed, except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to be so
qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a SPAH
Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 6.1, the minute books and other
organizational documents for SPAH have been made available to FFC for its review and are true and
complete in all material respects as in effect as of the date of this Agreement and accurately
reflect in all material respects all amendments thereto and all proceedings of the SPAH Board of
Directors (including any committees of the Board of Directors) and stockholders thereof.
6.2 Authority; No Breach By the Agreement.
(a) SPAH has the corporate power and authority necessary to execute, deliver and perform its
obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated herein, including the Merger, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary
corporate action in respect thereof on the part of SPAH, subject to the SPAH Stockholder Approval
and the SPAH Warrantholder Approval. Subject to any necessary approvals referred to in Article 8,
this Agreement represents a legal, valid, and binding obligation of SPAH, enforceable against SPAH
in accordance with its terms (except in all cases as such enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, conservatorship, moratorium, or
similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally and except that the
availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the
discretion of the court before which any proceeding may be brought).
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 6.2, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by SPAH, nor the consummation by SPAH of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by
SPAH with any of the provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result in a breach of any
provision of SPAHs Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or (ii) constitute or result in a
Default under, or require any Consent pursuant to, or result in the creation of any Lien on any
Asset of SPAH under, any SPAH Contract or Permit of SPAH, or, (iii) subject to receipt of the
requisite Consents referred to in Section 9.1(b), constitute or result
in a material Default under, or require any Consent pursuant to, any Law or Order applicable
to SPAH or any of its material Assets.
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(c) Other than in connection or compliance with the provisions of the Securities Laws,
applicable state corporate and securities Laws and the rules of NYSE Amex and other than Consents
required from Regulatory Authorities, and other than notices to or filings with the IRS and other
than Consents, filings, or notifications which, if not obtained or made, are not reasonably likely
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a SPAH Material Adverse Effect, no notice to, filing
with, or Consent of, any Governmental Authority is necessary for the consummation by SPAH of the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated in this Agreement.
6.3 Capital Stock.
(a) The authorized capital stock of SPAH consists of (i) 200,000,000 shares of SPAH Common
Stock, of which 54,112,000 shares are issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement
(which includes 12,986,879 shares subject to Conversion Rights), and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of SPAH
preferred stock, none of which are issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement. All of
the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of SPAH are, and all of the shares of SPAH
Common Stock to be issued in exchange for shares of FFC Common Stock upon consummation of the
Merger, when issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be, duly and validly
issued and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable under the DGCL. None of the outstanding
shares of capital stock of SPAH have been, and none of the shares of SPAH Common Stock to be issued
in exchange for shares of FFC Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger will be issued in
violation of any preemptive rights of the current or past stockholders of SPAH.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 6.3(b), and except for 61,112,000 shares of SPAH Common
Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to the SPAH Warrants and the shares reserved for issuance in
connection with transactions contemplated by this Agreement, there are no shares of capital stock
or other equity securities of SPAH reserved for issuance and no outstanding Rights relating to the
capital stock of SPAH.
(c) Except as set forth in Sections 6.3(a) or (b), there are no shares of capital stock or
other equity securities of SPAH outstanding and no outstanding SPAH Rights relating to the capital
stock of SPAH.
6.4 SPAH Subsidiaries.
SPAH has no Subsidiaries.
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6.5 Exchange Act Filings; Securities Offerings; Financial Statements.
(a) SPAH has timely filed and made available to FFC all Exchange Act Documents required to be
filed by SPAH since inception (together with all such Exchange Act Documents filed, whether or not
required to be filed, the
SPAH Exchange Act Reports
). The SPAH Exchange Act Reports (i)
at the time filed, complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the
Securities Laws and other applicable Laws and (ii) did not, at the
time they were filed (or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this
Agreement, then on the date of such amended or subsequent filing or, in the case of registration
statements, at the effective date thereof) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact required to be stated in such SPAH Exchange Act Reports or necessary in
order to make the statements in such SPAH Exchange Act Reports, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. Each offering or sale of securities by SPAH (i) was either
registered under the Securities Act or made pursuant to a valid exemption from registration, (ii)
complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Laws and other
applicable Laws, and (iii) was made pursuant to offering documents which did not, at the time of
the offering (or, in the case of registration statements, at the effective date thereof) contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated in
the offering documents or necessary in order to make the statements in such documents not
misleading. SPAH has delivered or made available to FFC all comment letters received since October
10, 2007 by SPAH from the staff of the SEC and all responses to such comment letters by or on
behalf of SPAH with respect to all filings under the Securities Laws. SPAHs principal executive
officer and principal financial officer (and SPAHs former principal executive officers and
principal financial officers, as applicable) have made the certifications required by Sections 302
and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act thereunder with
respect to SPAHs Exchange Act Documents to the extent such rules or regulations applied at the
time of the filing. For purposes of the preceding sentence, principal executive officer and
principal financial officer shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act. Such certifications contain no qualifications or exceptions to the matters certified therein
and have not been modified or withdrawn; and neither SPAH nor any of its officers has received
notice from any Regulatory Authority questioning or challenging the accuracy, completeness,
content, form or manner of filing or submission of such certifications.
(b) Each of the SPAH Financial Statements (including, in each case, any related notes)
contained in the SPAH Exchange Act Reports, including any SPAH Exchange Act Reports filed after the
date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, complied, or will comply, as to form in all
material respects with the applicable published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect
thereto, was prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods
involved (except as may be indicated in the notes to such financial statements or, in the case of
unaudited interim statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the Exchange Act), and fairly presented
in all material respects the financial position of SPAH as at the respective dates and the results
of operations and cash flows for the periods indicated, including the fair values of the assets and
liabilities shown therein, except that the unaudited interim financial statements were or are
subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments which were not or are not expected to be
material in amount or effect, and were certified to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
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(c) Each of SPAHs independent public accountants, which have expressed their opinion with
respect to the financial statements of SPAH included in SPAHs Exchange Act Reports (including the
related notes), is and have been throughout the periods covered by such SPAH Financial Statements,
registered public accounting firms with respect to SPAH within the meaning of the Securities Laws
and is registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. With respect to SPAH, SPAHs
independent public accountants are not and have not
been in violation of auditor independence requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules
and regulations promulgated in connection therewith. None of the non-audit services performed by
SPAHs independent public accountants for SPAH were prohibited services under the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act and all such services were pre-approved in advance by SPAHs audit committee in accordance with
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
(d) SPAH maintains disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b)
under the Exchange Act; such controls and procedures are effective to ensure that all material
information concerning SPAH is made known on a timely basis to the principal executive officer and
the principal financial officer. SPAH has delivered to FFC copies of, all written descriptions of,
and all policies, manuals and other documents promulgating such disclosure controls and procedures.
SPAH and its directors and executive officers have complied at all times with Section 16(a) of the
Exchange Act, including the filing requirements thereunder to the extent applicable.
6.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.
SPAH has no Liabilities required under GAAP to be set forth on a balance sheet or in the notes
thereto that are not set forth therein and are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a SPAH Material Adverse Effect, except Liabilities which are (i) accrued or reserved
against in the balance sheet of SPAH as of June 30, 2009, included in the SPAH Financial Statements
delivered or made available prior to the date of this Agreement or reflected in the notes thereto,
(ii) incurred or paid in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, or (iii)
incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. SPAH has never
entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements and has never established any special
purpose entities. SPAH is not directly or indirectly liable, by guarantee, indemnity, or
otherwise, upon or with respect to, or obligated, by discount or repurchase agreement or in any
other way, to provide funds in respect to, or obligated to guarantee or assume any Liability of any
Person for any amount. Except (x) as reflected in SPAHs balance sheet at June 30, 2009 or
liabilities described in any notes thereto (or liabilities for which neither accrual nor footnote
disclosure is required pursuant to GAAP or any applicable Regulatory Authority) or (y) for
liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business since June 30, 2009 consistent with past
practice or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, SPAH has no
Material Liabilities or obligations of any nature.
6.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.
(a) Since June 30, 2009, except as disclosed in the SPAH Financial Statements delivered or
made available prior to the date of this Agreement, (i) there have been no events, changes, or
occurrences which have had, or are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
SPAH Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) SPAH has not taken any action, or failed to take any action,
prior to the date of this Agreement, which action or failure, if taken after the date of this
Agreement, would represent or result in a material breach or violation of any of the covenants and
agreements of SPAH provided in this Agreement.
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(b) Since June 30, 2009, SPAH has not issued, transferred, sold, encumbered or pledged the
SPAH Common Stock, shares of or other securities (including securities
convertible into or exchangeable for, or options or rights to acquire, shares of SPAH Common
Stock or other securities) of SPAH.
(c) Since June 30, 2009, SPAH has not entered into or amended any (i) employment agreements or
any other type of employment arrangements, (ii) severance or change of control agreements or
arrangements, or (iii) deferred compensation agreements or arrangements.
6.8 Tax Matters.
(a) Except as disclosed in Schedule 6.8, SPAH has timely filed with the appropriate Taxing
Authorities, all Tax Returns (or extensions for the filing thereof) in all jurisdictions in which
Tax Returns are required to be filed, and such Tax Returns are correct and complete in all respects
and all Taxes of SPAH (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been fully and timely paid.
There are no Liens for any Taxes (other than a Lien for current real property or ad valorem Taxes
not yet due and payable) on any of the Assets of SPAH. No claim has ever been made by a Taxing
Authority in a jurisdiction where SPAH does not file a Tax Return that SPAH may be subject to Taxes
by that jurisdiction.
(b) SPAH has not received any notice of assessment or proposed assessment in connection with
any Taxes, and there are no threatened or pending disputes, claims, audits or examinations
regarding any Taxes of SPAH or the assets of SPAH. SPAH has no Knowledge that any Taxing Authority
is reasonably likely to assess any additional Taxes for any period for which Tax Returns have been
filed. No issue has been raised by a Taxing Authority in any prior examination of SPAH which, by
application of the same or similar principles, could be expected to result in a proposed deficiency
for any subsequent taxable period. SPAH has not waived any statute of limitations in respect of
any Taxes or agreed to a Tax assessment or deficiency.
(c) SPAH has complied with all applicable Laws, rules and regulations relating to the
withholding of Taxes and the payment thereof to appropriate authorities, including Taxes required
to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee or
independent contractor, and Taxes required to be withheld and paid pursuant to Sections 1441 and
1442 of the Code or similar provisions under foreign Law.
(d) The unpaid Taxes of SPAH (i) did not, as of the most recent fiscal month end, exceed the
reserve for Tax Liability (other than any reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing
differences between book and Tax income) set forth on the face of the most recent balance sheet
(other than in any notes thereto) for SPAH and (ii) do not exceed that reserve as adjusted for the
passage of time through the Closing Date in accordance with past custom and practice of SPAH in
filing its Tax Returns.
(e) SPAH is not a party to any Tax allocation or sharing agreement.
(f) At no time since SPAHs inception has SPAH been was a distributing corporation or a
controlled corporation as defined in, and in a transaction intended to be governed by Section 355
of the Code.
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(g) SPAH has not made any payments, is not obligated to make any payments, or is not a party
to any contract that could obligate it to make any payments that could be disallowed as a deduction
under Section 280G or 162(m) of the Code, or which would be subject to withholding under Section
4999 of the Code. SPAH has not been a United States real property holding corporation within the
meaning of Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code. SPAH is not and will not be required to include
any adjustment in taxable income for any Tax period (or portion thereof) pursuant to Section 481 of
the Code or any comparable provision under state or foreign Tax Laws as a result of transactions or
events occurring prior to the Closing. Neither SPAH nor any FFC Entity will be required to include
in its gross income for a taxable period after the Closing Date any income or gain attributable to
SPAH as a result of any cash or property received, or an account receivable that arose, in a
taxable period prior to the Closing Date and that was not recognized prior to the Closing Date, as
a result of the installment method, the completed contract method, Section 263A of the Code or for
any other reason. Any net operating losses of SPAH disclosed in Schedule 6.8(g) are not subject to
any limitation on their use under the provisions of Sections 382 or 269 of the Code or any other
provisions of the Code or the Treasury Regulations dealing with the utilization of net operating
losses other than any such limitations as may arise as a result of the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(h) SPAH is in compliance with, and its records contain all information and documents
(including properly completed IRS Forms W-9) necessary to comply with, all applicable information
reporting and Tax withholding requirements under federal, state, and local Tax Laws, and such
records identify with specificity all accounts subject to backup withholding under Section 3406 of
the Code.
(i) SPAH is not subject to any private letter ruling of the IRS or comparable rulings of any
Taxing Authority.
(j) No property owned by SPAH is (i) property required to be treated as being owned by another
Person pursuant to the provisions of Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as
amended and in effect immediately prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, (ii)
tax-exempt use property within the meaning of Section 168(h)(1) of the Code, (iii) tax-exempt
bond financed property within the meaning of Section 168(g) of the Code, (iv) limited use
property within the meaning of Rev. Proc. 76-30, (v) subject to Section 168(g)(1)(A) of the
Code, or (vi) subject to any provision of state, local or foreign Law comparable to any of the
provisions listed above.
(k) SPAH does not have any corporate acquisition indebtedness within the meaning of Section
279 of the Code.
(l) SPAH has not participated in any reportable transaction, as defined in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.6011-4(b)(1), or a transaction substantially similar to a reportable transaction.
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(m) Neither SPAH nor any other Person on its behalf has (i) filed a consent pursuant to
Section 341(f) of the Code (as in effect prior to the repeal under the Jobs and Growth Tax
Reconciliation Act of 2003) or agreed to have Section 341(f)(2) of the Code (as in effect
prior to the repeal under the Jobs and Growth Tax Reconciliation Act of 2003) apply to any
disposition of a subsection (f) asset (as such term is defined in Section 341(f)(4) of the Code)
owned by SPAH, (ii) executed or entered into a closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the
Code or any similar provision of Law with respect to SPAH, or (iii) granted to any Person any power
of attorney that is currently in force with respect to any Tax matter.
(n) SPAH has not (i) has engaged in any intercompany transactions in respect of which gain
was and continues to be deferred pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-13 or any
analogous or similar provision of Law; or (ii) has a dual consolidated loss, within the meaning
of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1503-2.
(o) SPAH has no, or ever had, a permanent establishment in any country other than the United
States, or has engaged in a trade or business in any country other than the United States that
subjected it to tax in such country.
For purposes of this Section 6.8, any reference to SPAH shall be deemed to include any Person
which merged with or was liquidated into or otherwise combined with SPAH.
6.9 Assets.
(a) Except as disclosed or reserved against in the SPAH Financial Statements delivered or made
available prior to the date of this Agreement, SPAH has good and (to the extent owned) marketable
title, free and clear of all Liens, to all its Assets. All tangible properties used in the
businesses of SPAH are in good condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and are usable in the
ordinary course of business consistent with SPAHs past practices.
(b) All Assets which are material to SPAHs business on a consolidated basis, held under
leases or subleases, are held under valid Contracts enforceable in accordance with their respective
terms, and each such Contract is in full force and effect.
(c) SPAH currently maintains insurance, with insurers of recognized financial responsibility,
similar in amounts, scope, and coverage to that maintained by peer special purpose acquisition
companies that have not consummated an acquisition. SPAH has not received written notice from any
insurance carrier, or have any reason to believe that (i) any policy of insurance will be canceled
or that coverage thereunder will be reduced or eliminated, (ii) premium costs with respect to such
policies of insurance will be substantially increased, or (iii) similar coverage will be denied or
limited or not extended or renewed with respect to SPAH, any act or occurrence, or that any Asset,
officer, director, employee or agent of SPAH will not be covered by such insurance or bond. There
are presently no claims for amounts exceeding $125,000 individually or in the aggregate pending
under such policies of insurance or bonds, and no notices of claims in excess of such amounts have
been given by SPAH under such policies. SPAH has made no claims, and no claims are contemplated to
be made, under its directors and officers errors and omissions or other insurance or bankers
blanket bond.
(d) The Assets of SPAH include all Assets required by SPAH to operate the business of SPAH as
presently conducted.
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6.10 Intellectual Property.
SPAH owns or has a license to use all of the Intellectual Property used by SPAH in the course
of its business, including sufficient rights in each copy possessed by SPAH. SPAH is the owner of
or has a license, with the right to sublicense, to any Intellectual Property sold or licensed to a
third party by SPAH in connection with such SPAHs business operations, and SPAH has the right to
convey by sale or license any Intellectual Property so conveyed. SPAH is not in Default under any
of its Intellectual Property licenses. No proceedings have been instituted, or are pending or to
the Knowledge of SPAH threatened, which challenge the rights of SPAH with respect to Intellectual
Property used, sold or licensed by SPAH in the course of its business, nor has any person claimed
or alleged any rights to such Intellectual Property. To SPAHs Knowledge, the conduct of the
business of SPAH does not infringe any Intellectual Property of any other person. SPAH is not
obligated to pay any recurring royalties to any Person with respect to any such Intellectual
Property. SPAH has no Contracts with any of its directors, officers, or employees which require
such officer, director or employee to assign any interest in any Intellectual Property to SPAH and
to keep confidential any trade secrets, proprietary data, customer information, or other business
information of SPAH, and to SPAHs Knowledge, no such officer, director or employee is party to
any Contract with any Person other than SPAH which requires such officer, director or employee to
assign any interest in any Intellectual Property to any Person other than SPAH or to keep
confidential any trade secrets, proprietary data, customer information, or other business
information of any Person other than SPAH. No officer, director or employee of SPAH is party to
any confidentiality, nonsolicitation, noncompetition or other Contract which restricts or prohibits
such officer, director or employee from engaging in activities competitive with any Person,
including SPAH.
6.11 Environmental Matters.
(a) To SPAHs Knowledge, there are no material violations of any Environmental Laws for which
it would be liable that relate to the location of SPAHs executive offices at 590 Madison Avenue,
32nd Floor, New York. SPAH does not, and has not since its inception, owned or leased any other
real property.
6.12 Compliance with Laws.
(a) SPAH, upon approval by the Federal Reserve and upon consummation of the Merger, will be a
bank holding company duly registered with the Federal Reserve.
(b) SPAH has in effect all Permits and has made all filings, applications, and registrations
with Governmental Authorities that are required for it to own, lease, or operate its assets and to
carry on its business as now conducted, and there has occurred no Default under any such Permit
applicable to its business.
(c) SPAH is not in Default under any Laws or Orders applicable to its business or employees
conducting its business.
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(d) SPAH has not received any notification or communication from any Governmental Authority
(i) asserting that SPAH is in Default under any of the Permits, Laws or Orders which such
Governmental Authority enforces, (ii) threatening to revoke any Permits, or
(iii) requiring SPAH (x) to enter into or consent to the issuance of a cease and desist order,
formal agreement, directive, commitment, or memorandum of understanding, or (y) to adopt any
resolution of its Board of Directors or similar undertaking which restricts materially the conduct
of its business or in any manner relates to its employment decisions, its employment or safety
policies or practices.
(e) There (i) is no unresolved violation, criticism, or exception by any Governmental
Authority with respect to any report or statement relating to any examinations or inspections of
SPAH; (ii) are no notices or correspondence received by SPAH and SPAH does not reasonably expect to
receive any notices or correspondence with respect to formal or informal inquiries by, or
disagreements or disputes with, any Governmental Authority with respect to SPAHs current business,
operations, policies or procedures; and (iii) is not any pending or, to SPAHs Knowledge,
threatened investigation or review of SPAH on behalf of any Governmental Authority, nor has any
Governmental Authority indicated an intention to conduct any, investigation or review of SPAH.
(f) None of SPAH or any of its directors, officers, employees or Representatives acting on its
behalf has offered, paid, or agreed to pay any Person, including any Governmental Authority,
directly or indirectly, anything of value for the purpose of, or with the intent of obtaining or
retaining any business in violation of applicable Laws, including (i) using any corporate funds for
any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political
activity, (ii) making any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government
official or employee from corporate funds, (iii) violating any provision of the Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or (iv) making any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment,
kickback or other unlawful payment.
6.13 Labor Relations.
SPAH currently has four officers. These individuals are not SPAH employees and are not
obligated to devote any specific number of hours to SPAH business and devote only as much time as
they deem necessary for SPAH business. SPAH does not expect to have any full-time employees prior
to the consummation of the Merger.
(a) SPAH is not the subject of any Litigation asserting that has committed an unfair labor
practice (within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, as amended, or comparable
state Law) or other violation of state or federal labor Law or seeking to compel it to bargain with
any labor organization or other employee representative as to wages or conditions of employment.
(b) SPAHs employment of each employee, if any, and engagement of each independent contractor,
if any, is terminable at will by SPAH without (i) any penalty, liability or severance obligation
incurred by SPAH, (ii) and in all cases without prior consent by any Governmental Authority. SPAH
will not owe any amounts to any of its employees, if any, or independent contractors, if any, as of
the Closing Date, including any amounts incurred for any wages, bonuses, vacation pay, sick leave,
contract notice periods, change of control payments or severance obligations.
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6.14 Employee Benefit Plans.
SPAH has no Employee Benefit Plans.
6.15 Material Contracts.
(a) Except as disclosed in Schedule 6.15, or otherwise reflected in the SPAH Financial
Statements, none of SPAH, nor any of its respective Assets, businesses, or operations, is a party
to, or is bound or affected by, or receives benefits under, (i) any employment, severance,
termination, consulting, or retirement Contract providing for aggregate payments to any Person in
any calendar year in excess of $200,000, (ii) any Contract relating to the borrowing of money by
SPAH or the guarantee by SPAH of any such obligation (other than trade payables and Contracts
relating to borrowings or guarantees made in the ordinary course of SPAHs business), (iii) any
Contract which prohibits or restricts SPAH or any personnel of SPAH from engaging in any business
activities in any geographic area, line of business or otherwise in competition with any other
Person, (iv) any Contract involving Intellectual Property (other than Contracts entered into in the
ordinary course with customers or shrink-wrap software licenses), (v) any Contract relating to
the provision of data processing, network communication, or other technical services to or by SPAH,
(vi) any Contract relating to the purchase or sale of any goods or services (other than Contracts
entered into in the ordinary course of business and involving payments under any individual
Contract or series of contracts not in excess of $200,000), (vii) any exchange-traded or
over-the-counter swap, forward, future, option, cap, floor, or collar financial Contract, or any
other interest rate or foreign currency protection Contract or any Contract that is a combination
thereof not included on its balance sheet, (viii) any Contract relating to the purchase, sale or
lease of real property by or from SPAH and (ix) any other Contract or amendment thereto that would
be required to be filed as an exhibit to a SPAH Exchange Act Report filed by SPAH with the SEC
prior to the date of this Agreement that has not been filed as an exhibit to a SPAH Exchange Act
Report (Contracts referred to in clauses (i) through (ix) of this Section 6.15(a), together the
SPAH Contracts
). A true, correct and complete copy of each SPAH Contract has been filed
as an exhibit to an Exchange Act Document, furnished or made available to FFC as of the date
hereof.
(b) With respect to each SPAH Contract and except as disclosed in Schedule 6.15(b): (i) the
Contract is in full force and effect; (ii) SPAH is not in Default thereunder; (iii) SPAH has not
repudiated or waived any material provision of any such Contract; (iv) no other party to any such
Contract is, to SPAHs Knowledge, in Default in any respect or has repudiated or waived each
material provision thereunder; and (v) no consent is required by a Contract for the execution,
delivery, or performance of this Agreement, the consummation of the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated hereby. All of the indebtedness of SPAH for money borrowed is prepayable
at any time by SPAH without penalty, premium or charge.
6.16 Properties and Leases
Except for any lien for current taxes not yet delinquent, SPAH has good marketable title free
and clear of any material Liens, claims, charges, options, covenants, encumbrances or restrictions
to all personal property reflected in SPAHs consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008
included in SPAHs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period then ended,
and all personal property acquired since such date, except such personal property as has been
disposed of in the ordinary course of business.
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6.17 Legal Proceedings.
There is no Litigation instituted or pending, or, to the Knowledge of SPAH, threatened (or
unasserted but considered probable of assertion) against SPAH, or against any director, officer,
employee or agent of SPAH in their capacities as such, or against any Asset, interest, or right of
any of them, nor are there any Orders or judgments outstanding against SPAH. No claim for
indemnity has been made or, to SPAHs Knowledge, threatened by any director, officer, employee,
independent contractor or agent to SPAH and to SPAHs Knowledge, no basis for any such claim
exists.
6.18 Reports.
Since inception, in addition to the SPAH Exchange Act Reports, SPAH has timely filed all other
reports and statements, together with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that
it was required to file with Governmental Authorities. As of their respective dates, each of such
reports and documents, including the financial statements, exhibits, and schedules thereto,
complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws. As of their respective date, each such
report, statement and document did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
6.19 Books and Records.
SPAH maintains accurate books and records reflecting its Assets and Liabilities and maintains
proper and adequate internal accounting controls which provide assurance that (a) transactions are
executed with managements authorization; (b) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of the consolidated financial statements of SPAH and to maintain accountability for
SPAHs consolidated Assets; (c) access to SPAHs Assets is permitted only in accordance with
managements authorization; (d) the reporting of SPAHs Assets is compared with existing Assets at
regular intervals; and (e) accounts, notes and other receivables and inventory are recorded
accurately, and proper and adequate procedures are implemented to effect the collection thereof on
a current and timely basis.
6.20 Loans to Executive Officers and Directors.
SPAH has not extended or maintained credit, arranged for the extension of credit, or renewed
an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to any director or executive officer of SPAH
in violation of Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
6.21 Independence of Directors.
SPAHs directors listed on Schedule 6.21, who will be serving on the Board of Directors of the
Surviving Corporation after the Closing Date and who are designated as independent on Schedule
6.20, will be independent directors of the Surviving Corporation as such term is
defined in the rules of the national securities exchange on which the SPAH Common Stock is
then listed and in Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act.
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6.22 Tax and Regulatory Matters; Consents.
Neither SPAH nor any Affiliate thereof has taken or agreed to take any action or has any
Knowledge of any fact or circumstance that is reasonably likely to (i) prevent the Merger from
qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, or (ii) materially
impede or delay receipt of any required Consents or result in the imposition of a condition or
restriction of the type referred to in the last sentence of Section 9.1(b) and 9.1(c).
6.23 Brokers and Finders.
Neither SPAH nor any of its officers, directors, employees or Representatives, has employed
any broker, finder or investment banker or incurred any Liability for any financial advisory fees,
investment bankers fees, brokerage fees, commissions, or finders or other fees in connection with
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
6.24 Board Recommendation.
The Board of Directors of SPAH, at a meeting duly called and held, has by unanimous vote of
the directors present who constituted all of the directors then in office (i) determined that this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, the Warrant Amendment
Agreement, the amendments to SPAHs Certificate of Incorporation and the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby, taken together, are in the best interests of SPAHs stockholders and
warrantholders and (ii) resolved, subject to the terms of this Agreement, to recommend that (1) the
holders of the shares of SPAH Common Stock approve the amendments to SPAHs Certificate of
Incorporation set forth in
Exhibit A
, this Agreement, the Merger and the related
transactions and to call and hold a special meeting of SPAHs stockholders to consider and vote on
the amendments to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, this Agreement, the Merger and the related
transactions and (2) the holders of SPAH Warrants approve the Warrant Amendment Agreement and to
call and hold a special meeting of SPAHs warrantholders to consider the Warrant Amendment
Agreement.
6.25 Statements True and Correct.
(a) No statement, certificate, instrument or other writing furnished or to be furnished by
SPAH or any Affiliate thereof to FFC pursuant to this Agreement or any other document, agreement or
instrument referred to herein contains or will contain any untrue statement of material fact or
will omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(b) None of the information supplied or to be supplied by SPAH or any Affiliate thereof for
inclusion in the Registration Statement to be filed by SPAH with the SEC will, when the
Registration Statement becomes effective, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact,
or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
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(c) None of the information supplied or to be supplied by SPAH or any Affiliate thereof for
inclusion in the Joint Proxy Statement, and any amendments or supplements thereto, to be mailed to
each Partys stockholders in connection with the Stockholders Meetings, will (i) when first mailed
to the stockholders of each Party, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or
omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or, (ii) at the time of the Stockholders
Meetings, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material
fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading with respect to the solicitation of any proxy for the
Stockholders Meetings. No other documents to be filed by SPAH or any Affiliate thereof with the
SEC or any other Regulatory Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby,
will, at the respective time such documents are filed, be false or misleading with respect to any
material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(d) All documents that SPAH or any Affiliate is responsible for filing with any Governmental
Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby will comply as to form in all
material respects with the provisions of applicable Law.
6.26 SPAH Trust Fund.
Provided the conditions to the obligation to consummate the Merger and the related
transactions contemplated hereby in Articles 8 and 9 are satisfied or waived as provided in this
Agreement, the SPAH Trust Agreement provides that the trust monies shall be released to and
available for use by the Surviving Corporation effective as of the Effective Time. As of the date
hereof, SPAH has no Knowledge of any claim, circumstance or event that is reasonably likely to
restrict or otherwise impair the release of such monies other than: (i) claims of SPAHs
underwriters with respect to its initial public offering for deferred compensation; (ii) claims for
accounting fees related to the Merger and preparation of the Proxy Statement for the SPAH
Stockholders Meeting to be undertaken in connection with the Merger; (iii) claims of SPAH
Stockholders who vote against the Merger and properly effect conversion of their shares to a
portion of the monies held in the trust account (the
Trust Fund
) established pursuant to
the SPAH Trust Agreement; and (iv) claims for advisory and related fees by mergers and acquisition
advisors currently retained by SPAH or who may be retained by SPAH prior to SPAHs Stockholders
Meeting.
6.27 Prior Business Operations.
SPAH has limited its activities to those activities contemplated in the Prospectus.
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ARTICLE 7
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CONSUMMATION
7.1 Affirmative Covenants of FFC.
From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of
this Agreement, unless the prior written consent of SPAH shall have been obtained, and except as
otherwise expressly contemplated herein, FFC shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to,
(i) operate its business only in the usual, regular and ordinary course, (ii) use commercially
reasonable efforts to preserve intact its business organization and Assets and maintain its rights
and franchises, (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its representations and
warranties to be correct at all times, (iv) use commercially reasonable efforts to provide all
information requested by SPAH related to loans or other transactions made by FFC with a value equal
to or exceeding $1,000,000, (v) consult with SPAH prior to entering into or making any loans or
other transactions with a value equal to or exceeding $1,000,000, and (vi) take no action which
would (A) adversely affect the ability of any Party to obtain any Consents required for the
transactions contemplated hereby without imposition of a condition or restriction of the type
referred to in the last sentences of Sections 9.1(b) or 9.1(c), or (B) materially adversely affect
the ability of any Party to perform its covenants and agreements under this Agreement. Failure by
SPAH to object to any action set forth in clauses (iv) and (v) of this Section 7.1 within 48-hours
of SPAH receiving prior written notice of such action, shall be deemed as consent by SPAH to such
action.
7.2 Negative Covenants of the Parties.
From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of
this Agreement, unless the prior written consent of the other Party shall have been obtained, and
except as otherwise expressly contemplated herein, each Party covenants and agrees that it will not
do or agree or commit to do, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do or agree or commit to do, any
of the following:
(a) amend the Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Incorporation, Articles of
Association, Bylaws or other governing instruments of SPAH or any FFC Entity, as applicable,
provided nothing in this Section 7.2(a) shall prohibit either Party from amending its Certificate
of Incorporation as contemplated by this Agreement;
(b) (i) modify the Banks lending policy (in the case of FFC), incur any additional debt
obligation or other obligation for borrowed money in excess of an aggregate of $1,000,000 except in
the ordinary course of the business of SPAH or such FFC Entity, as applicable, consistent with past
practices and that are prepayable without penalty, charge or other payment (which exception shall
include, for FFC Entities that are depository institutions, creation of deposit liabilities,
purchases of federal funds, advances from the Federal Reserve Bank or Federal Home Loan Bank, and
entry into repurchase agreements fully secured by U.S. government securities or U.S. government
agency securities), or (ii) impose, or suffer the imposition, on any Asset of SPAH or such FFC
Entity, as applicable, of any Lien or permit any such Lien to exist (other than in connection with
public deposits, repurchase agreements, bankers acceptances, treasury tax and loan accounts
established in the ordinary course of
business of any FFC Entity that is a depository institution, the satisfaction of legal
requirements in the exercise of trust powers, and Liens in effect as of the date hereof that are
set forth in Schedule 7.2);
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(c) repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire or exchange (other than exchanges in the ordinary
course under Employee Benefit Plans), directly or indirectly, any shares, or any securities
convertible into any shares, of the capital stock of SPAH or any FFC Entity, or declare or pay any
dividend or make any other distribution in respect of either Partys capital stock;
(d) except for this Agreement and the exercise of FFC Rights that have been granted prior to
the date hereof and which shall vest prior to the Effective Time in accordance with their terms,
issue, sell, pledge, encumber, authorize the issuance of, enter into any Contract to issue, sell,
pledge, encumber, or authorize the issuance of, or otherwise permit to become outstanding, any
additional shares of SPAH Common Stock, FFC Common Stock, any other capital stock of any FFC
Entity, or any Rights;
(e) adjust, split, combine or reclassify any capital stock of SPAH or any FFC Entity or issue
or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of or in substitution for shares of
SPAH Common Stock or FFC Common Stock, or sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise dispose of or
otherwise (i) in the case of FFC, any shares of capital stock of any FFC Subsidiary or (ii) any
Asset other than in the ordinary course of business for reasonable and adequate consideration;
(f) except for purchases of U.S. Treasury securities or U.S. Government agency securities,
which in either case have maturities of two years or less, purchase any securities or make any
material investment except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, either
by purchase of stock or securities, contributions to capital, Asset transfers, or purchase of any
Assets, in any Person other than in the case of FFC, a wholly owned FFC Subsidiary, or otherwise
acquire direct or indirect control over any Person, other than in connection with foreclosures of
loans in the ordinary course of business;
(g) (i) grant any bonus or increase in compensation or benefits to the employees, officers or
directors of SPAH or any FFC Entity, as applicable, except in the case of officers and employees
for normal individual increases in compensation in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice and for any bonuses earned pursuant to any incentive plan duly adopted and approved
and existing on the date hereof; (ii) commit or agree to pay any severance or termination pay, or
any stay or other bonus to any FFC director, officer or employee; (iii) enter into or amend any
severance agreements with officers, employees, directors, independent contractors or agents of SPAH
or any FFC Entity, as applicable; (iv) change any fees or other compensation or other benefits to
directors of any FFC Entity; or (v) waive any stock repurchase rights, accelerate, amend or change
the period of exercisability of any Rights or restricted stock, or reprice Rights granted under the
FFC Stock Plans or authorize cash payments in exchange for any Rights; or accelerate or vest or
commit or agree to accelerate or vest any amounts, benefits or rights payable by SPAH or any FFC
Entity, except as permitted under the terms of the agreement evidencing such right;
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(h) enter into or amend any employment Contract between SPAH or any FFC Entity and any Person
(unless such amendment is required by Law) that SPAH or the FFC Entity does not have the
unconditional right to terminate without Liability (other than Liability for services already
rendered), at any time on or after the Effective Time;
(i) enter into any severance or change of control agreements or arrangements, or deferred
compensation agreements or arrangements between SPAH or any FFC Entity and any Person;
(j) adopt any new employee benefit plan of SPAH or any FFC Entity, as applicable, or terminate
or withdraw from, or make any material change in or to, any existing employee benefit plans,
welfare plans, insurance, stock or other plans of SPAH or any FFC Entity, as applicable other than
any such change that is required by Law or that, in the written opinion of counsel, is necessary or
advisable to maintain the tax qualified status of any such plan, or make any distributions from
such employee benefit or welfare plans, except as required by Law, the terms of such plans or
consistent with past practice;
(k) make any change in any Tax or accounting methods or systems of internal accounting
controls, except, without the review and consent of the other Party, as may be appropriate and
necessary to conform to changes in Tax Laws, regulatory accounting requirements or GAAP or file any
amended Tax Return, enter into any closing agreement, settle any Tax claim or assessment relating
to SPAH or any FFC Entity, as applicable, surrender any right to claim a refund of Taxes, consent
to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any Tax claim or assessment
relating to SPAH or any FFC Entity, or take any other similar action relating to the filing of any
Tax Return or the payment of any Tax;
(l) commence any Litigation other than in accordance with past practice (including collection
and foreclosure by FFC on defaulted loans) or settle any Litigation involving any Liability of SPAH
or any FFC Entity in excess of $500,000 individually or $1,000,000 in the aggregate, as applicable
for money damages or restrictions upon the operations of SPAH or such FFC Entity;
(m) enter into, modify, amend or terminate any material Contract (including any loan Contract
with respect to any extension of credit with an unpaid balance exceeding $1,000,000) or waive,
release, compromise or assign any material rights or claims with respect to any material Contract,
or in the case of FFC, make any adverse changes in the mix, rates, terms or maturities of its
deposits and other Liabilities;
(n) take any action or fail to take any action that at the time of such action or inaction is
reasonably likely to prevent, or would be reasonably likely to materially interfere with, the
consummation of this Merger.
Failure by SPAH to object to any action set forth in Sections 7.2(b) (i), 7.2(l) and 7.2(m)
within 48-hours of SPAH receiving prior written notice of such action, shall be deemed as consent
by SPAH to such action.
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7.3 Affirmative Covenants of SPAH.
From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of
this Agreement, unless the prior written consent of FFC shall have been obtained, and except as
otherwise expressly contemplated herein, SPAH shall; (i) operate its business only in the usual,
regular and ordinary course; (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact its
business organization and Assets and maintain its rights and franchises; (iii) use commercially
reasonable efforts to cause its representations and warranties to be correct at all times; (iv) use
commercially reasonable efforts to provide all information requested by FFC related to loans or
other transactions made by SPAH with a value equal to or exceeding $1,000,000, (v) consult with FFC
prior to entering into or making any loans or other transactions with a value equal to or exceeding
$1,000,000; and (iv) take no action which would (A) adversely affect the ability of any Party to
obtain any Consents required for the transactions contemplated hereby without imposition of a
condition or restriction of the type referred to in the last sentences of Sections 9.1(b) and
9.1(c) or, or (B) materially adversely affect the ability of any Party to perform its covenants and
agreements under this Agreement. Failure by FFC to object to any action set forth in clauses (iv)
and (v) of this Section 7.3 within 48-hours of FFC receiving prior written notice of such action,
shall be deemed as consent by FFC to such action.
7.4 Adverse Changes in Condition.
Each Party agrees to give written notice promptly to the other Party upon becoming aware of
the occurrence or impending occurrence of any event or circumstance relating to it or any of its
Subsidiaries which (i) has had or is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
FFC Material Adverse Effect or a SPAH Material Adverse Effect, as applicable, (ii) would cause or
constitute a material breach of any of its representations, warranties, or covenants contained
herein, or (iii) would be reasonably likely to prevent or materially interfere with the
consummation of the Merger, and to use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent or promptly to
remedy the same.
7.5 Reports.
Each of SPAH, FFC and FFCs Subsidiaries shall file all reports required to be filed by it
with Regulatory Authorities between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time and shall
deliver to the other Party copies of all such reports promptly after the same are filed. Each of
the SPAH Financial Statements and the FFC Financial Statements prepared after the date of this
Agreement, whether or not contained in any such reports filed under the Exchange Act or with any
other Regulatory Authority, will fairly present in all material respects the financial position of
the entity filing such statements as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of
operations, changes in stockholders equity, and cash flows for the periods then ended in
accordance with GAAP (subject in the case of interim financial statements to normal recurring
year-end adjustments that are not material). As of their respective dates, such reports filed
under the Exchange Act or with any other Regulatory Authority will comply in all material respects
with the Securities Laws and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Any
financial statements contained in any other reports to another Regulatory Authority shall be
prepared in accordance with the Laws applicable to such reports.
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7.6 Claims Against Trust Account.
FFC understands that, except for a portion of the interest earned on the amounts held in the
Trust Fund, SPAH may disburse monies from the Trust Fund only: (a) to its public stockholders who
exercise their conversion rights or in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of SPAH, (b) to
SPAH (less SPAHs deferred underwriting compensation only) after SPAH consummates a business
combination (as described in the Prospectus) or (c) as consideration to the sellers of a target
business with which SPAH completes a business combination.
FFC agrees that, notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, FFC does not
now have, and shall not at any time prior to the Effective Time have, any claim to, or make any
claim against, the Trust Fund, regardless of whether such claim arises as a result of, in
connection with or relating in any way to, the business relationship between FFC on the one hand,
and SPAH on the other hand, this Agreement, or any other agreement or any other matter, and
regardless of whether such claim arises based on contract, tort, equity or any other theory of
legal liability (any and all such claims are collectively referred to in this Section 7.6 as the
Claims
). Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, FFC hereby
irrevocably waives any Claim it may have, now or in the future (in each case, however, prior to the
consummation of a business combination), and will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund for any
reason whatsoever in respect thereof. In the event that FFC commences any action or proceeding
based upon, in connection with, relating to or arising out of any matter relating to SPAH, which
proceeding seeks, in whole or in part, relief against the Trust Fund or the public stockholders of
SPAH, whether in the form of money damages or injunctive relief, SPAH shall be entitled to recover
from FFC the associated legal fees and costs in connection with any such action, in the event SPAH
prevails in such action or proceeding.
ARTICLE 8
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
8.1 Registration Statement; Joint Proxy Statement.
(a) Each of SPAH and FFC agrees to cooperate in the preparation of a Registration Statement on
Form S-4 to be filed by SPAH with the SEC and any other filings to be made by either Party,
including filings of Current Reports on Form 8-K, with the SEC or any other Regulatory Authority,
in connection with the issuance of SPAH Common Stock in the Merger and the consummation of the
Merger. Each of SPAH and FFC agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
Registration Statement to be filed within ten (10) Business Days of the date of this Agreement and
to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as reasonably practicable after
filing thereof. Each of SPAH and FFC shall furnish to each other all information concerning them
that they may reasonably require in connection with the Registration Statement. FFC acknowledges
and agrees that SPAH shall have primary responsibility for the preparation and filing of the
Registration Statement, that SPAH shall be entitled to include in the Registration Statement any
and all information and disclosure SPAH
deems to be reasonably necessary and FFC will not restrict SPAH from filing any amendments to
the Registration Statement.
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(b) SPAH also agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all necessary state
securities law or Blue Sky permits and approvals required to carry out the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. FFC agrees to furnish SPAH all information concerning FFC, the
Bank, and their respective officers, directors, and stockholders as may be reasonably requested in
connection with the foregoing. As a result of the registration of the SPAH Common Stock pursuant
to the Registration Statement, such stock shall be freely tradable by the stockholders of FFC
except to the extent that the transfer of any shares of SPAH Common Stock received by stockholders
of FFC is subject to the provisions of Rule 145 under the Securities Act or restricted under Tax
rules. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the executive officers and directors of FFC, the
stockholders beneficially owning 5% or more of FFCs outstanding equity securities (other than
Barclays Global Investors, State Street Bank and Trust Company and other institutional investors)
and the executive officers and directors of the Bank will be prohibited from selling or
transferring shares received pursuant to the Merger for a period of one (1) year from the date such
shares are issued, unless such directors or officers cease to be directors or officers of the
Surviving Corporation upon consummation of the Merger.
(c) Each of SPAH and FFC agrees, as to itself and its Subsidiaries, that (i) none of the
information supplied or to be supplied by it for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
Registration Statement will, at the time the Registration Statement and each amendment or
supplement thereto, if any, becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (ii) none of the information supplied
by it or any of its respective Subsidiaries for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the
Joint Proxy Statement will at the date of the mailing to its stockholders or at the time of the
meeting of its stockholders and warrantholders held for the purpose of obtaining the SPAH
Stockholder Approval, the SPAH Warrantholder Approval, or the FFC Stockholder Approval, as
applicable, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading.
Each of SPAH and FFC further agrees that if it shall become aware prior to the Effective Date of
any information that would cause any of the statements in the Registration Statement or Joint Proxy
Statement to be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or to omit to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements therein not false or misleading, to promptly inform
the other Party thereof and to take the necessary steps to correct the Joint Proxy Statement.
(d) In the case of SPAH, SPAH will advise FFC, promptly after SPAH receives notice thereof, of
the time when the Registration Statement has become effective or any supplement or amendment has
been filed, or of the issuance of any stop order or the suspension of the qualification of the SPAH
Common Stock for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threat of any
proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the SEC for the amendment or supplement of
the Registration Statement or for additional information.
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8.2 Stockholder and Warrantholder Approvals.
(a) SPAH shall call a stockholders and warrantholders meeting, to be held as soon as
reasonably practicable after the Joint Proxy Statement is cleared by the SEC, for the purpose of
voting upon adoption of this Agreement, the amendments to SPAHs Certificate of Incorporation set
forth in
Exhibit A
hereto, the Warrant Amendment Agreement and such other related matters
as it deems appropriate. FFC shall call a stockholders meeting, to be held as soon as reasonably
practicable after the Joint Proxy Statement is cleared by the SEC, for the purpose of voting upon
the adoption of this Agreement and such other related matters as it deems appropriate. The Parties
shall coordinate and cooperate with respect to the timing of such meetings and shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to hold such meetings on the same day.
(b) In connection with the Stockholders Meetings, (i) SPAH and FFC shall mail the Joint Proxy
Statement to their respective stockholders, (ii) the Boards of Directors of SPAH and FFC shall
recommend to their respective stockholders and warrantholders, as applicable, the approval of the
matters submitted for approval and (iii) the Boards of Directors and officers of SPAH and FFC shall
use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such stockholder and warrantholder approval;
provided
that
each of SPAH and FFC may withdraw, modify, or change in an adverse manner to the other Party
its recommendations of the Board of Directors of such Party if, after having consulted with and
based upon the advice of counsel, such Party determines in good faith that the failure to so
withdraw, modify or change its recommendation could constitute a breach of the fiduciary duties of
such Partys Board of Directors under applicable Law.
8.3 Other Offers, etc.
(a) Neither SPAH nor any FFC Entity shall, nor shall either Party authorize or permit any of
their respective Affiliates or Representatives to, directly or indirectly (i) solicit, initiate,
encourage or induce the making, submission or announcement of any Acquisition Proposal, (ii)
participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any Person or Group (as
such term is defined in Section 13(d) under the Exchange Act) any nonpublic information with
respect to, or take any other action to facilitate any inquiries or the making of any proposal that
constitutes or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal, (iii) subject to
Section 8.3(c), approve, endorse or recommend any Acquisition Proposal, or (iv) enter into any
definitive agreement contemplating or otherwise relating to any Acquisition Transaction;
provided,
however
, that this Section 8.3 shall not prohibit either Party from furnishing nonpublic
information regarding itself and in the case of FFC, any FFC Entity, to or entering into a
confidentiality agreement or discussions or negotiations with, any Person or Group in response to a
bona fide unsolicited written Acquisition Proposal submitted by such Person or Group (and not
withdrawn) if (A) neither SPAH nor any FFC Entity or their respective Representatives or
Affiliates, as applicable, shall have violated any of the restrictions set forth in this Section
8.3, (B) the Board of Directors of SPAH or FFC, as the case may be, in its good faith judgment
(based on, among other things, the advice of their respective independent financial advisors,
including for FFC, Sandler ONeill, or such other independent financial advisor as the FFC Board
may select), that such Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal, (C) the Board of
Directors of SPAH or FFC, as the case may be, concludes in good faith, after consultation with and
receipt of a written opinion from its outside legal counsel, that the failure
to take such action would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties, as such duties would
exist in the absence of this Section 8.3, to the stockholders of SPAH or FFC, as the case may be,
under applicable Law, (D) (1) at least five Business Days prior to furnishing any such nonpublic
information to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, such Person or Group, the Party
gives the other Party written notice of the identity of such Person or Group and of such Partys
intention to furnish nonpublic information to, or enter into discussions or negotiations with, such
Person or Group, and (2) such Party receives from such Person or Group an executed confidentiality
agreement containing terms no less favorable to the disclosing Party than the confidentiality terms
of this Agreement, and (E) contemporaneously with furnishing any such nonpublic information to such
Person or Group, such Party furnishes such nonpublic information to the other Party (to the extent
such nonpublic information has not been previously furnished by such Party). In addition to the
foregoing, such Party shall provide the other Party with at least five Business Days prior written
notice of a meeting of its Board of Directors at which meeting such Board of Directors is
reasonably expected to resolve to recommend a Superior Proposal of SPAH or FFC, as the case may be,
to its stockholders and together with such notice a copy of the most recently proposed
documentation relating to such Superior Proposal;
provided, further
, that such Party hereby agrees
promptly to provide to the other Party any revised documentation and any definitive agreement
relating to such Superior Proposal.
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(b) In addition to the obligations set forth in this Section 8.3, as promptly as practicable,
after any of the directors or executive officers of SPAH or FFC, as the case may be, become aware
thereof, the applicable Party shall advise the other Party of (x) any request received by it for
nonpublic information which such Party reasonably believes could lead to an Acquisition Proposal or
(y) any Acquisition Proposal, the material terms and conditions of such request or Acquisition
Proposal, and the identity of the Person or Group making any such request or Acquisition Proposal.
Each Party shall keep the other Party informed promptly of material amendments or modifications to
any such request or Acquisition Proposal.
(c) SPAH and each FFC Entity shall, and shall cause their respective directors, officers,
employees and Representatives to immediately cease any and all existing activities, discussions or
negotiations with any Persons conducted heretofore with respect to any Acquisition Proposal and
will use and cause to be used commercially reasonable efforts to enforce any confidentiality or
similar or related agreement relating to any Acquisition Proposal.
(d) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent a Party or its Board of Directors from
complying with Rule 14d-9 and Rule 14e-2 under the Exchange Act with respect to an Acquisition
Proposal;
provided that
, such Rules will in no way eliminate or modify the effect that any action
pursuant to such Rules would otherwise have under this Agreement.
8.4 Consents of Regulatory Authorities.
The Parties hereto shall cooperate with each other and use commercially reasonable efforts to
promptly prepare and file all necessary documentation and applications, to effect all applications,
notices, petitions and filings, and to obtain as promptly as practicable all Consents of all
Regulatory Authorities and other Persons which are necessary or advisable to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the Merger), including those set forth on
Schedule 8.4. Each of SPAH and FFC agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to
cause the necessary documentation and applications to be filed with the Regulatory Authorities
within ten (10) Business Days of the date of this Agreement. The Parties agree that they will
consult with each other with respect to the obtaining of all Consents of all Regulatory Authorities
and other Persons necessary or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and each Party will keep the other apprised of the status of matters relating to
contemplation of the transactions contemplated herein. Each Party also shall promptly advise the
other upon receiving any communication from any Regulatory Authority or other Person whose Consent
is required for consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement which causes such
Party to believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that any requisite Consent will not be
obtained or that the receipt of any such Consent will be materially delayed.
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8.5 Agreement as to Efforts to Consummate.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Party agrees to use, and to cause
its Subsidiaries to use, commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all
actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper, or advisable under
applicable Laws to consummate and make effective, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date
of this Agreement, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including using commercially
reasonable efforts to lift or rescind any Order adversely affecting its ability to consummate the
transactions contemplated herein and to cause to be satisfied the conditions referred to in Article
9;
provided that
, nothing herein shall preclude either Party from exercising its rights under this
Agreement.
8.6 Investigation and Confidentiality.
(a) Prior to the Effective Time, each Party shall keep the other Party advised of all material
developments relevant to its business and the consummation of the Merger and shall permit the other
Party to make or cause to be made such investigation of its business and properties (including that
of its Subsidiaries) and of their respective financial and legal conditions as the other Party
reasonably requests;
provided that
such investigation shall be reasonably related to the
transactions contemplated hereby and shall not interfere unnecessarily with normal operations. No
investigation by a Party shall affect the ability of such Party to rely on the representations and
warranties of the other Party. Between the date hereof and the Effective Time, FFC shall permit
SPAHs senior officers and independent public accountants to meet with the respective senior
officers of FFC, including officers responsible for the FFC Financial Statements, the internal
controls of FFC and the disclosure controls and procedures of FFC and FFCs independent public
accountants to discuss such matters as SPAH may deem reasonably necessary or appropriate for SPAH
to satisfy its obligations under Sections 302, 404 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. FFC shall
permit Representatives of SPAH to attend meetings of FFCs Board of Directors or any committee
thereof as an observer, except that the Chief Executive Officer of SPAH may not attend, unless
otherwise permitted by FFC, any portion of such meeting during which this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby are discussed or where litigation involving FFC is being discussed
and counsel for FFC has advised FFC that the presence of SPAH representatives may jeopardize the
attorney/client privilege.
(b) In addition to each Partys obligations pursuant to Section 8.6(a), each Party shall, and
shall cause its advisors and agents to, maintain the confidentiality of all confidential
information furnished to it by the other Party concerning its and its Subsidiaries businesses,
operations, and financial positions and shall not use such information for any purpose except in
furtherance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated
prior to the Effective Time, each Party shall promptly return or certify the destruction of all
documents and copies thereof, and all work papers containing confidential information received from
the other Party.
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(c) Each Party agrees to give the other Party notice as soon as practicable after any
determination by it of any fact or occurrence relating to the other Party which it has discovered
through the course of its investigation and which represents, or is reasonably likely to represent,
either a material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the other Party
or which has had or is reasonably likely to have a FFC Material Adverse Effect or a SPAH Material
Adverse Effect, as applicable.
8.7 Press Releases.
(a) Prior to the Effective Time, SPAH and FFC shall consult with each other as to the form and
substance of any press release, communication with their respective stockholders, or other public
disclosure materially related to this Agreement or any other transaction contemplated hereby;
provided that
nothing in this Section 8.7 shall be deemed to prohibit any Party from making any
disclosure which its counsel deems necessary or advisable in order to satisfy such Partys
disclosure obligations imposed by Law.
(b) In conjunction with, or as soon as practicable following, the execution of this Agreement,
the Parties shall jointly prepare and issue a joint press release announcing the Merger and date of
the execution of this Agreement. Any such announcement shall be made following the closing of
trading on the NYSE Amex and the NASDAQ.
8.8 Charter Provisions.
Each FFC Entity shall take all necessary action to ensure that the entering into of this
Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby do not
and will not result in the grant of any rights to any Person under the Articles of Incorporation,
Bylaws or other governing instruments of any FFC Entity or restrict or impair the ability of SPAH
to vote, or otherwise to exercise the rights of a stockholder with respect to, shares of any FFC
Entity that may be directly or indirectly acquired or controlled by them.
8.9 Employee Benefits and Contracts.
(a) Following the Effective Time, SPAH shall provide generally to officers and employees of
the FFC Entities employee benefits under employee benefit and welfare plans (other than stock
option or other plans involving the potential issuance of SPAH Common Stock) on terms and
conditions which when taken as a whole are comparable to or better than those then provided by the
FFC Entities to their similarly situated officers and employees. Following the Effective Time,
SPAH shall adopt such stock option or other equity plans for officers and employees of the FFC
Entities as the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation deems
appropriate. For purposes of participation and vesting under any employee benefit plans of
the Surviving Corporation, whether new or existing, the service of the employees of the FFC
Entities prior to the Effective Time shall be treated as service with a SPAH Entity participating
in such employee benefit plans.
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(b) No provision of this Agreement constitutes or shall give rise to, or shall be deemed to
constitute or give rise to, an employment agreement or employment-related right or entitlement, an
employee benefit or employee benefit-related plan, program or other arrangement, a provision of any
such plan, program or other arrangement, or an amendment of any such plan, program or other
arrangement.
(c) Nothing in this Section 8.9 or any other provision of this Agreement shall prevent or
limit or shall be interpreted as preventing or limiting the Surviving Corporation, from and after
the Effective Time, from amending, modifying or terminating any Employee Benefit Plan or any other
contracts, arrangements, commitments or plans of the Surviving Corporation, SPAH or any FFC Entity;
or shall limit the Right of the Surviving Corporation to terminate the employment of any employee
at any time.
(d) Simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, each director and executive officer
of FFC and the Bank and each FFC stockholder owning 5% or more of FFC Common Stock (other than
Barclays Global Investors, State Street Bank and Trust Company and other institutional investors),
shall execute and deliver to SPAH a Support Agreement in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit
C
.
(e) FFC shall cause each of the directors and executive officers of FFC and the Bank, each FFC
stockholder beneficially owning 5% (other than Barclays Global Investors, State Street Bank and
Trust Company and other institutional investors) or more of FFCs outstanding equity securities and
each other Person whom FFC reasonably believes may be deemed an affiliate of FFC for purposes of
Rule 145 under the Securities Act to deliver to SPAH not later than 30 days prior to the Effective
Time, a written agreement, in substantially the form of
Exhibit D
(a
Lock-up
Agreement
), providing that such Person will not sell, pledge, transfer, or otherwise dispose
of the shares of FFC Common Stock held by such Person except as contemplated by such agreement or
by this Agreement and will not sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of the shares of SPAH
Common Stock to be received by such Person upon consummation of the Merger except in compliance
with applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder (and SPAH
shall be entitled to place restrictive legends upon certificates for shares of SPAH Common Stock
issued to affiliates of FFC pursuant to this Agreement to enforce the provisions of this Section
8.9). SPAH shall not be required to maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under
the Securities Act of the purposes of resale of SPAH Common Stock by such affiliates.
(f) The Surviving Corporation will, as of and after the Effective Time, assume and honor all
FFC severance and change of control agreements that any FFC Entity had in effect with its officers
and directors on July 24, 2009, and which are set forth in Schedule 8.9(f).
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8.10 Indemnification.
(a) For a period of six years after the Effective Time, SPAH shall, and shall cause the
Surviving Corporation to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the present and former directors,
officers, employees and agents of the FFC Entities (each, an
Indemnified Party
) against
all Liabilities arising out of actions or omissions arising out of the Indemnified Partys service
or services as directors, officers, employees or agents of FFC and each of its Subsidiaries at or
prior to the Effective Time (including the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) to the
fullest extent permitted under the WBCA, the Securities Laws and FDIC Regulations Part 359
promulgated thereunder and by FFCs Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as in effect on the date
hereof, including provisions relating to advances of expenses incurred in the defense of any
Litigation and whether or not SPAH is insured against any such matter. Without limiting the
foregoing, in any case in which approval by the Surviving Corporation is required to effectuate any
indemnification, the Surviving Corporation shall direct, at the election of the Indemnified Party,
that the determination of any such approval shall be made by independent counsel mutually agreed
upon between SPAH and the Indemnified Party.
(b) SPAH shall, or shall cause the Surviving Corporation to, use commercially reasonable
efforts (and FFC shall cooperate prior to the Effective Time in these efforts) to maintain in
effect for a period of six years after the Effective Time FFCs existing directors and officers
liability insurance policy (provided that SPAH or the Surviving Corporation may substitute therefor
(i) policies of substantially the same coverage and amounts containing terms and conditions which
are substantially no less advantageous or (ii) with the consent of FFC given prior to the Effective
Time, any other policy) with respect to claims arising from facts or events which occurred prior to
the Effective Time and covering persons who are currently covered by such insurance;
provided that
none of FFC, SPAH nor the Surviving Corporation shall be obligated to make aggregate premium
payments longer than six years in respect of such policy (or coverage replacing such policy) and
which exceed, for the portion related to FFCs directors and officers, 400% of the annual premium
payments on FFCs current policy in effect as of the date of this Agreement (the
Maximum
Amount
). If the amount of the premiums necessary to maintain or procure such insurance
coverage exceeds the Maximum Amount, SPAH or the Surviving Corporation shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to maintain the most advantageous policies of directors and officers liability
insurance obtainable for a premium equal to the Maximum Amount, but shall not be obligated to
maintain any insurance coverage to the extent the cost of such coverage exceeds the Maximum Amount.
(c) Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under paragraph (a) of this Section
8.10, upon learning of any such Liability or Litigation, shall promptly notify SPAH thereof in
writing. In the event of any such Litigation (whether arising before or after the Effective Time),
(i) SPAH or the Surviving Corporation shall have the right to assume the defense thereof and
neither SPAH nor the Surviving Corporation shall be liable to such Indemnified Parties for any
legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified
Parties in connection with the defense thereof, except that if SPAH or the Surviving Corporation
elects not to assume such defense or counsel for the Indemnified Parties advises that there are
substantive issues which raise conflicts of interest between SPAH or the Surviving Corporation and
the Indemnified Parties, the Indemnified Parties may retain counsel satisfactory to them, and SPAH
or the Surviving Corporation shall pay all reasonable
fees and expenses of such counsel for the Indemnified Parties promptly as statements therefore
are received;
provided that
SPAH and the Surviving Corporation shall be obligated pursuant to this
paragraph (c) to pay for only one firm of counsel for all Indemnified Parties in any jurisdiction;
(ii) the Indemnified Parties will cooperate in good faith in the defense of any such Litigation;
and (iii) neither SPAH nor the Surviving Corporation shall be liable for any settlement effected
without its prior written consent and which does not provide for a complete and irrevocable release
of all SPAHs Entities and their respective directors, officers and controlling persons, employees,
agents and Representatives; and
provided, further
, that neither SPAH nor the Surviving Corporation
shall have any obligation hereunder to any Indemnified Party when and if a court of competent
jurisdiction shall determine, and such determination shall have become final, that the
indemnification of such Indemnified Party in the manner contemplated hereby is prohibited by
applicable Law.
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(d) If SPAH or the Surviving Corporation or any successors or assigns shall consolidate with
or merge into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving Person of such
consolidation or merger or shall transfer all or substantially all of its assets to any Person,
then and in each case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of SPAH or
the Surviving Corporation shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section 8.10.
(e) The provisions of this Section 8.10 are intended to be for the benefit of and shall be
enforceable by, each Indemnified Party and their respective heirs and legal and personal
representatives.
ARTICLE 9
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE
9.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party.
The respective obligations of each Party to perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger
and the other transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions, unless waived by both Parties pursuant to Section 11.5:
(a)
Stockholder and Warrantholder Approvals
. The FFC Stockholder Approval, SPAH
Stockholder Approval and the SPAH Warrantholder Approval shall have been received in accordance
with applicable Law.
(b)
Regulatory Approvals
. All Consents of, filings and registrations with, and
notifications to, all Regulatory Authorities required for consummation of transactions contemplated
by this Agreement (including the Merger) shall have been obtained or made and shall be in full
force and effect and all waiting periods required by Law shall have expired, including those set
forth on Schedule 8.4. No Consent obtained from any Regulatory Authority which is necessary to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby shall be conditioned or restricted in any manner
(including any conditions or requirements imposed on Bank and any requirements relating to the
raising of additional capital or the disposition of Assets imposed on any FFC Entity).
(c)
Consents and Approvals
. Each Party shall have obtained any and all Consents
required for consummation of the Merger (other than those referred to in Section
9.1(b)) or for the preventing of any Default under any Contract or Permit of such Party which,
if not obtained or made, is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FFC
Material Adverse Effect or a SPAH Material Adverse Effect, as applicable. No Consent so obtained
which is necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby shall be conditioned or
restricted in a manner which in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors of SPAH (in the
case of a Consent obtained by FFC) or in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors of FFC
(in the case of a Consent obtained by SPAH) would so materially adversely affect the economic or
business benefits of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that, had such condition or
requirement been known, SPAH or FFC, as applicable, would not, in its reasonable judgment, have
entered into this Agreement.
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(d)
No Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality
. Except as disclosed on Schedule
5.13(d), no Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued,
promulgated, enforced or entered any Law or Order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) or
taken any other action which prohibits, restricts or makes illegal consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(e)
Exchange Listing
. The shares of Surviving Corporation common stock, and the
warrants to purchase shares of Surviving Corporation common stock, issuable pursuant to the Merger
shall have been approved for listing on NYSE Amex or the NASDAQ, subject to official notice of
issuance.
(f)
Registration Statement
. The Registration Statement shall have become effective
under the Securities Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or
threatened by the SEC.
9.2 Conditions to Obligations of SPAH.
The obligations of SPAH to perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions,
unless waived by SPAH pursuant to Section 11.5(a):
(a)
Representations and Warranties
. For purposes of this Section 9.2(a), the accuracy
of the representations and warranties of FFC set forth in this Agreement shall be assessed as of
the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time with the same effect as though all such
representations and warranties had been made on and as of the Effective Time (provided that
representations and warranties which are confined to a specified date shall speak only as of such
date). There shall not exist inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of FFC set forth
in this Agreement such that the aggregate effect of such inaccuracies has, or is reasonably likely
to have, a FFC Material Adverse Effect;
provided that
for purposes of this sentence only, those
representations and warranties which are qualified by references to material or Material Adverse
Effect or to the Knowledge of any Person shall be deemed not to include such qualifications.
(b)
Performance of Agreements and Covenants
. Each and all of the agreements and
covenants of FFC to be performed and complied with pursuant to this
Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby prior to the Effective Time shall have
been duly performed and complied with in all material respects.
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(c)
Certificates
. FFC shall have delivered to SPAH (i) a certificate, dated as of the
Effective Time and signed on its behalf by its chief executive officer and its chief financial
officer, to the effect that the conditions set forth in Section 9.1 as they relate to FFC and in
Sections 9.2(a), 9.2(b) and 9.2(i) have been satisfied, and (ii) certified copies of resolutions
duly adopted by FFCs Board of Directors and stockholders evidencing the taking of all corporate
action necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, all in such reasonable detail as SPAH and its
counsel shall reasonably request.
(d)
Support Agreements and Lock-up Agreements
. Each director and executive officer of
FFC and the Bank and each stockholder beneficially owning 5% or more of FFCs outstanding equity
securities (other than Barclays Global Investors, State Street Bank and Trust Company and other
institutional investors), shall have executed and delivered to SPAH a Support Agreement in the form
attached hereto as
Exhibit C.
Each of the directors and executive officers of FFC and the
Bank, each FFC stockholder beneficially owning 5% or more of FFCs outstanding equity securities
(other than Barclays Global Investors, State Street Bank and Trust Company and other institutional
investors) and each other Person whom FFC reasonably believes may be deemed an affiliate of FFC
for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act shall have executed and delivered to SPAH Lock-up
Agreements in the forms attached hereto as
Exhibit D
.
(e)
Warrant Amendment Agreement
. SPAH shall have received from Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust Company a duly executed Warrant Amendment Agreement in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit E
.
(f)
Tax Matters
. SPAH shall have received a written opinion of counsel from Proskauer
Rose LLP, in a form reasonably satisfactory to SPAH dated as of the Effective Time (
SPAH Tax
Opinion
) to the effect that the Merger will constitute a reorganization with the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code and related matters. In rendering such opinion, Proskauer Rose LLP will
be entitled to receive and rely upon customary certificates and representations of officers of SPAH
and FFC.
(g)
Conversion Rights
. Less than 10% of the holders of the outstanding shares of SPAH
IPO Common Stock shall have voted against the Merger and exercised their Conversion Rights.
(h)
Board of Directors and Management
. Since the date of this Agreement, there shall
have been no material changes in the members of the Board of Directors of FFC and the management of
FFC.
(i)
No Material Adverse Change
. During the period from the execution of this Agreement
to the Effective Date, there shall have occurred or be threatened no event related to or involving
FFC and/or its Subsidiaries which is reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate to have an
FFC Material Adverse Effect.
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(j)
Modification of Order
. Each of (i) that certain Cease and Desist Order, dated
March 20, 2009, and the related inquiry by the FDIC and the State of Washington, as such matters
are more fully described in the Quarterly Report of FFC on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
on March 31, 2009 and (ii) that certain Written Agreement between FFC and the Federal Reserve dated
July 2, 2009, and (iii) that certain Memorandum of Understanding between the Board of Directors of
FFC and the Regional Director of the FDIC executed by Frontier on August 20, 2008, shall have been
modified in a manner reasonably acceptable to SPAH, including by the elimination of certain
provisions and consequences related thereto.
(k)
Dissenters Rights
. Holders of no more than 10% of the outstanding shares of FFC
Common Stock entitled to vote on the Merger shall have exercised their dissenters rights.
(l)
Consents
. The consents and approvals of third parties set forth on Schedule
5.17(b) hereto shall have been duly obtained, made or given and shall be in full force and effect,
without the imposition upon SPAH of any condition, restriction or required undertaking.
9.3 Conditions to Obligations of FFC.
The obligations of FFC to perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions,
unless waived by FFC pursuant to Section 11.5(b):
(a)
Representations and Warranties
. For purposes of this Section 9.3(a), the accuracy
of the representations and warranties of SPAH set forth in this Agreement shall be assessed as of
the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time with the same effect as though all such
representations and warranties had been made on and as of the Effective Time (provided that
representations and warranties which are confined to a specified date shall speak only as of such
date). There shall not exist inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of SPAH set forth
in this Agreement such that the aggregate effect of such inaccuracies has, or is reasonably likely
to have, a SPAH Material Adverse Effect;
provided that
, for purposes of this sentence only, those
representations and warranties which are qualified by references to material or Material Adverse
Effect or to the Knowledge of any Person shall be deemed not to include such qualifications.
(b)
Performance of Agreements and Covenants
. Each and all of the agreements and
covenants of SPAH to be performed and complied with pursuant to this Agreement and the other
agreements contemplated hereby prior to the Effective Time shall have been duly performed and
complied with in all material respects.
(c)
Certificates
. SPAH shall have delivered to FFC (i) a certificate, dated as of the
Effective Time and signed on its behalf by its chief executive officer and its chief financial
officer, to the effect that the conditions set forth in Section 9.1 as they relate to SPAH and in
Sections 9.3(a), 9.3(b) and 9.3(f) have been satisfied, and (ii) certified copies of resolutions
duly adopted by SPAHs Board of Directors evidencing the taking of all corporate action necessary
to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby, all in such reasonable detail as FFC and its counsel
shall request.
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(d)
Tax Matters
. FFC shall have received a written opinion of counsel from Keller
Rohrback L.L.P., in a form reasonably satisfactory to FFC dated as of the Effective Time (
FFC
Tax Opinion
) to the effect that the Merger will constitute a reorganization with the meaning
of Section 368(a) of the Code and related matters. In rendering such opinion, Keller Rohrback
L.L.P. will be entitled to receive and rely upon customary certificates and representations of
officers of SPAH and FFC.
(e)
Fairness Opinion
. FFC shall have received a written opinion of Keefe Bruyette,
dated as the date of this Agreement, and confirmed in writing as of the date of the FFC
Stockholders Meeting, to the effect that the Merger Consideration is fair, from the financial point
of view, to the holders of FFC Common Stock.
(f)
No Material Adverse Change
. During the period from the execution of this Agreement
to the Effective Date, there shall have occurred or be threatened no event related to or involving
SPAH, which is reasonably likely, individually or in the aggregate to have SPAH Material Adverse
Effect.
(g)
Stock Forfeiture
. SP Acq LLC shall have forfeited 8,987,883 shares of SPAH Common
Stock held by them and the members of the Board of Directors of SPAH shall have forfeited an
aggregate of 465,529 shares of SPAH Common Stock held by them.
(h)
Distribution of the SPAH Trust Fund
. SPAH shall have taken all necessary action
in accordance with the SPAH Trust Agreement to allow the distribution of all of the assets in the
Trust Fund to the Surviving Corporation as of the Effective Time.
ARTICLE 10
TERMINATION
10.1 Termination.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and notwithstanding the approval of
this Agreement by the stockholders of FFC or SPAH, this Agreement may be terminated and the Merger
abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time:
(a) By mutual written agreement of SPAH and FFC; or
(b) By either Party (provided, that the terminating Party is not then in material breach of
any representation, warranty, covenant, or other agreement contained in this Agreement) in the
event of a material breach by the other Party of any representation or warranty, covenant or
agreement contained in this Agreement which cannot be or has not been cured within 5 days after the
giving of written notice by the non-breaching Party to the breaching Party of such breach; or
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(c) By either Party in the event (i) any Consent of any Regulatory Authority required for
consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby shall
have been denied by final nonappealable action of such authority or if any action taken by
such authority is not appealed within the time limit for appeal, (ii) any Law or Order permanently
restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Merger shall have become
final and nonappealable, (iii) the stockholders of SPAH or FFC fail to vote their approval of the
matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby at SPAHs Stockholders
Meeting or FFCs Stockholders Meeting, respectively, where such matters were presented to such
stockholders for approval and voted upon, or (iv) if applicable, holders of 10% or more in interest
of the holders of SPAH IPO Common Stock vote against the Merger and exercise their Conversion
Rights; or
(d) By SPAH in the event that (i) (w) the Board of Directors of FFC, shall have failed to
reaffirm its approval, upon SPAHs request for such reaffirmation, of the Merger and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (to the exclusion of any other Acquisition Proposal) or
shall have resolved not to reaffirm the Merger, or (x) the Board of Directors of FFC shall have
failed to include in the Joint Proxy Statement its recommendation, without modification or
qualification, that the FFC stockholders give the FFC Stockholder Approval or shall have withdrawn,
qualified or modified, or proposed publicly to withdraw, qualify or modify, in a manner adverse to
SPAH, the recommendation of such Board of Directors to the FFC stockholders that they give the FFC
Stockholder Approval, or (y) the Board of Directors of FFC shall have affirmed, recommended or
authorized entering into any Acquisition Transaction other than the Merger or, within ten Business
Days after commencement of any tender or exchange offer for any shares of FFC Common Stock, the
Board of Directors of FFC shall have failed to recommend against acceptance of such tender or
exchange offer by its stockholders or shall have taken no position with respect to the acceptance
of such tender or exchange offer by its stockholders, or (z) the Board of Directors of FFC
negotiates or authorizes the conduct of negotiations (and five Business Days have elapsed without
such negotiations being discontinued) with a third party (it being understood and agreed that
negotiate shall not be deemed to include the provision of information to, or the request and
receipt of information from, any Person that submits an Acquisition Proposal or discussions
regarding such information for the sole purpose of ascertaining the terms of such Acquisition
Proposal and determining whether the Board of Directors will in fact engage in, or authorize,
negotiations) regarding an Acquisition Proposal other than the Merger, or (ii) (provided that SPAH
is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or other agreement
contained in this Agreement), prior to obtaining the SPAH Stockholder Approval at the SPAH
Stockholders Meeting, the Board of Directors of SPAH has (x) withdrawn or modified or changed its
recommendation or approval of this Agreement in a manner adverse to FFC in order to approve and
permit SPAH to accept a Superior Proposal and (y) determined, after consultation with, and the
receipt of advice from outside legal counsel to SPAH, that the failure to take such action as set
forth in the preceding clause (x) would be likely to result in a breach of the Board of Directors
fiduciary duties under applicable Law;
provided, however
, that at least five Business Days prior to
such termination, SPAH shall deliver notice of such termination and shall, and shall cause its
Representatives to, negotiate with FFC in good faith (to the extent FFC desires to negotiate) to
make such adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and the Board of Directors of
SPAH shall take into account any changes to the financial and other terms of this Agreement
proposed by FFC in response to any such written notice by SPAH or otherwise, so that the
Acquisition Proposal ceases to constitute a Superior Proposal (it being understood and agreed that
any amendment to the financial terms or other term of such Superior Proposal shall require a new
written notice by SPAH and a new five-Business Day period); or
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(e) By FFC in the event that (i) (w) the Board of Directors of SPAH, shall have failed to
reaffirm its approval, upon FFCs request for such reaffirmation, of the Merger and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (to the exclusion of any other Acquisition Proposal) or
shall have resolved not to reaffirm the Merger, or (x) the Board of Directors of SPAH shall have
failed to include in the Joint Proxy Statement its recommendation, without modification or
qualification, that SPAH stockholders give the SPAH Stockholder Approval or shall have withdrawn,
qualified or modified, or proposed publicly to withdraw, qualify or modify, in a manner adverse to
FFC, the recommendation of such Board of Directors to the SPAH stockholders that they give the SPAH
Stockholder Approval, or (y) the Board of Directors of SPAH shall have affirmed, recommended or
authorized entering into any Acquisition Transaction other than the Merger or, within ten Business
Days after commencement of any tender or exchange offer for any shares of SPAH Common Stock, the
Board of Directors of SPAH shall have failed to recommend against acceptance of such tender or
exchange offer by its stockholders or shall have taken no position with respect to the acceptance
of such tender or exchange offer by its stockholders, or (z) the Board of Directors of SPAH
negotiates or authorizes the conduct of negotiations (and five Business Days have elapsed without
such negotiations being discontinued) with a third party (it being understood and agreed that
negotiate shall not be deemed to include the provision of information to, or the request and
receipt of information from, any Person that submits an Acquisition Proposal or discussions
regarding such information for the sole purpose of ascertaining the terms of such Acquisition
Proposal and determining whether the Board of Directors will in fact engage in, or authorize,
negotiations) regarding an Acquisition Proposal other than the Merger, or (ii) (provided that FFC
is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or other agreement
contained in this Agreement), if prior to obtaining the FFC Stockholder Approval at the FFC
Stockholders Meeting, the Board of Directors of FFC has (x) withdrawn or modified or changed its
recommendation or approval of this Agreement in a manner adverse to SPAH in order to approve and
permit FFC to accept a Superior Proposal and (y) determined, after consultation with, and the
receipt of advice from outside legal counsel to FFC, that the failure to take such action as set
forth in the preceding clause (x) would be likely to result in a breach of the Board of Directors
fiduciary duties under applicable Law;
provided, however
, that at least five Business Days prior to
such termination, FFC shall deliver notice of such termination and shall, and shall cause its
Representatives to, negotiate with SPAH in good faith (to the extent SPAH desires to negotiate) to
make such adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and the Board of Directors of
FFC shall take into account any changes to the financial and other terms of this Agreement proposed
by SPAH in response to any such written notice by FFC or otherwise, so that the Acquisition
Proposal ceases to constitute a Superior Proposal (it being understood and agreed that any
amendment to the financial terms or other term of such Superior Proposal shall require a new
written notice by FFC and a new five-Business Day period); or
(f) By either Party in the event that the Merger shall not have been consummated by December
31, 2009, if the failure to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby on or before such date
is not caused by any breach of this Agreement by the Party electing to terminate pursuant to this
Section 10.1.
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10.2 Effect of Termination.
In the event of the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.1, this
Agreement shall become void and have no effect, except that (i) the provisions of this Section 10.2
and Sections 7.6, 8.6(b), 11.1, 11.2, 11.8 and 11.14 shall survive any such termination, and (ii)
except as provided in Sections 7.6, 11.1 and 11.2, neither Party shall have any liability to the
other upon termination of this Agreement.
10.3 Non-Survival of Representations and Covenants.
Except for Article 2, Article 3, Article 4, Sections 8.6(b), 8.9, 8.10, Article 11 and this
Section 10.3, the respective representations, warranties, obligations, covenants, and agreements of
the Parties shall not survive the Effective Time.
ARTICLE 11
MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Expenses.
(a) Except as otherwise set forth in Section 8.11 and this Section 11.1, all Expenses
incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid
by the Party incurring such expenses, whether or not the Merger or any other related transaction is
consummated. As used in this Agreement,
Expenses
shall include all out-of-pocket
expenses (including all fees and expenses of counsel, accountants, investment bankers, financing
sources, experts and consultants to a Party hereto and its affiliates) incurred by a Party or on
its behalf in connection with or related to the authorization, preparation, negotiation, execution
or performance of this Agreement, the preparation, printing, filing or mailing of the Registration
Statement and Joint Proxy Statement (as applicable), the solicitation of stockholder approvals and
all other matters related to the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
hereby.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if:
(i) SPAH terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(b) due to a breach by FFC, either
Party terminates pursuant to Section 10.1(c)(iii) or (iv) due to the failure to obtain the FFC
Stockholder Approval or either Party terminates pursuant to Section 10.1(f) and, in the case of a
termination under Section 10.1(c)(iii) or (iv) or Section 10.1(f), (x) there has been publicly
announced and not withdrawn another Acquisition Proposal relating to FFC or (y) FFC has failed to
perform and comply in all material respects with any of its obligations, agreements or covenants
required by this Agreement, and within 12 months of such termination FFC shall either (A)
consummate an Acquisition Transaction or (B) enter into a definitive agreement with respect to an
Acquisition Transaction, whether or not such Acquisition Transaction is subsequently consummated
(but changing, in the case of (A) and (B), the references to 5% and 90% amounts in the definition
of Acquisition Transaction to 50% and 80%, respectively); or
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(ii) SPAH terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(d)(i);
then, FFC shall pay to SPAH, an amount equal to $2,500,000 (the
Termination Fee
).
Each Party hereby waives any right to set-off or counterclaim against such amount. If the
Termination Fee shall be payable pursuant to subsection (b)(i) of this Section 11.1 in connection
with a termination pursuant to Section 10.1(c)(iii) or 10.1(f), the Termination Fee shall be paid
in same-day funds at or prior to the earlier of the date of consummation of such Acquisition
Transaction or the date of execution of a definitive agreement with respect to such Acquisition
Transaction. If the Termination Fee shall be payable pursuant to subsection (b)(ii) of this
Section 11.1, the Termination Fee shall be paid in same-day funds upon the earlier of (i) the
execution of a definitive agreement with respect to such Acquisition Transaction or (ii) two
Business Days from the date of termination of this Agreement. If the Termination Fee shall be
payable pursuant to subsection (b)(i) of this Section 11.1 in connection with a termination
pursuant to Section 10.1(b), the Termination Fee shall be paid in same-day funds at or prior to the
termination of this Agreement.
(c) The Parties acknowledge that the agreements contained in Section 11.1(b) are an integral
part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and that without these agreements, they
would not enter into this Agreement; accordingly, if a Party fails to pay promptly any fee payable
by it pursuant to this Section 11.1, then such Party shall pay to the other Party, its costs and
expenses (including attorneys fees) in connection with collecting such fee, together with interest
on the amount of the fee at the then current prime rate (as reported in
The Wall Street Journal
or
such other authoritative source to be agreed upon by the Parties). The Parties further acknowledge
that the agreements contained in Sections 11.1(a) and 11.1(b) are not subject to the requirement
that the FFC Stockholder Approval be obtained and that these provisions shall be effective without
regard to whether the FFC Stockholder Approval is obtained.
(d) Nothing contained in this Section 11.1 shall constitute or shall be deemed to constitute
liquidated damages for the willful breach by FFC of the terms of this Agreement or otherwise limit
the rights of SPAH.
11.2 Brokers, Finders and Financial Advisors.
Except for Sandler ONeill and Keefe Bruyette, as to FFC, each of the Parties represents and
warrants that neither it nor any of its officers, directors, employees, or Affiliates has employed
any broker or finder or incurred any Liability for any financial advisory fees, investment bankers
fees, brokerage fees, commissions, or finders fees in connection with this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby. FFC has provided SPAH with a copy of the engagement letters for
Sandler ONeill and Keefe Bruyette, and such advisors expected fees for their services and FFC
shall pay all amounts due thereunder at Closing and prior to the Effective Time.
11.3 Entire Agreement.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement (including the documents and
instruments referred to herein) constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect
to the transactions contemplated hereunder and supersedes all prior arrangements or understandings
with respect thereto, written or oral. Nothing in this Agreement expressed or
implied, is intended to confer upon any Person, other than the Parties or their respective
successors, any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement,
other than as provided in Sections 8.9(a) and 8.10.
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11.4 Amendments.
This Agreement may be amended by a subsequent writing signed by each of the Parties upon the
approval of each of the Parties, whether before or after stockholder approval of this Agreement has
been obtained;
provided that
after any such approval by the holders of FFC Common Stock, there
shall be made no amendment that reduces or modifies in any respect the consideration to be received
by holders of FFC Common Stock.
11.5 Waivers.
(a) Prior to or at the Effective Time, SPAH, acting through its Board of Directors, chief
executive officer or other authorized officer, shall have the right to waive any Default in the
performance of any term of this Agreement by FFC, to waive or extend the time for the compliance or
fulfillment by FFC of any and all of its obligations under this Agreement, and to waive any or all
of the conditions precedent to the obligations of SPAH under this Agreement, except any condition
which, if not satisfied, would result in the violation of any Law. No such waiver shall be
effective unless in writing signed by a duly authorized officer of SPAH.
(b) Prior to or at the Effective Time, FFC, acting through its Board of Directors, chief
executive officer or other authorized officer, shall have the right to waive any Default in the
performance of any term of this Agreement by SPAH, to waive or extend the time for the compliance
or fulfillment by SPAH of any and all of its obligations under this Agreement, and to waive any or
all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of FFC under this Agreement, except any
condition which, if not satisfied, would result in the violation of any Law. No such waiver shall
be effective unless in writing signed by a duly authorized officer of FFC.
(c) The failure of any Party at any time or times to require performance of any provision
hereof shall in no manner affect the right of such Party at a later time to enforce the same or any
other provision of this Agreement. No waiver of any condition or of the breach of any term
contained in this Agreement in one or more instances shall be deemed to be or construed as a
further or continuing waiver of such condition or breach or a waiver of any other condition or of
the breach of any other term of this Agreement.
11.6 Assignment.
Except as expressly contemplated hereby, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any Party hereto (whether by operation of
Law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other Party. Subject to the preceding
sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Parties and their respective successors and assigns.
A-76
11.7 Notices.
All notices or other communications which are required or permitted hereunder shall be in
writing and sufficient if delivered by hand, by facsimile transmission, by registered or certified
mail, postage pre-paid, or by courier or overnight carrier, to the persons at the addresses set
forth below (or at such other address as may be provided hereunder), and shall be deemed to have
been delivered as of the date so delivered or refused:
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SPAH:
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SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
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590 Madison Ave. 32
nd
Floor
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New York, New York 10022
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Telephone: 212-520-2300
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Facsimile: 212-520-2301
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Attention: Sanford Antignas
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Copy to Counsel:
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Olshan Grundman Frome Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP
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Park Avenue Tower
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65 East 55
th
Street
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New York, NY 10022
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Telephone: (212) 451-2300
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Facsimile: (212) 451-2222
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Attention: Steve Wolosky
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and
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Sidley Austin LLP
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1501 K Street, N.W.
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Washington, DC 20005
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Telephone: (202) 736-8267
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Facsimile: (202) 736-8711
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Attention: William Eckland
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FFC:
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FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
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332 S.W. Everett Mall Way
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P.O. Box 2215
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Everett, WA 98203
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Telephone: (425) 514-0700
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Facsimile: (425) 514-0718
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Attention: Patrick Fahey
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Copy to Counsel:
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Keller Rohrback L.L.P.
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1201 Third Avenue, Suite 3200
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Seattle, WA 98101-3052
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Telephone: (206) 623-1900
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Facsimile: (206) 623-3384
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Attention: Glen P. Garrison
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and
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Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
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150 East 42nd Street
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New York, NY 10017-1201
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Telephone: (212) 370-1300
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Facsimile: (212) 370-7889
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Attention: Douglas Ellenoff
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A-77
11.8 Governing Law.
Governing Law
. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed and enforced in
accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the conflict of laws
principles thereof;
provided
that the laws of the State of Washington apply solely with
respect to the merger of a corporation organized under the Laws of such jurisdiction. Any suit,
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined
exclusively in any Delaware state or federal court. The Parties hereto hereby (A) submit to the
exclusive jurisdiction of any Delaware state or federal court for the purpose of any suit, action
or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought by any Party hereto, and
(B) irrevocably waive, and agree not to assert by way of motion, defense, or otherwise, in any such
suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the
above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any
such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of such suit,
action or proceeding is improper, or that this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby
may not be enforced in or by any of the above-named courts;
provided
,
however
, that
such consent to jurisdiction is solely for the purpose referred to in this Section 11.8 and shall
not be deemed to be a general submission to the jurisdiction of such court or in the State of
Delaware other than for such purposes.
Waiver of Jury Trial.
Each Party hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest
extent permitted by Law, all rights to trial by jury in any suit action, proceeding or counterclaim
(whether based upon contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or
any of the transactions contemplated hereby.
11.9 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to
be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
A-78
11.10 Captions; Articles and Sections.
The captions contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and are not part of
this Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to particular Articles or Sections
shall mean and refer to the referenced Articles and Sections of this Agreement.
11.11 Interpretations.
Each of the Parties acknowledges that such Party has reviewed, and has had an opportunity to
have its attorneys review, this Agreement and agrees that any rule of construction to the effect
that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the drafting Party, or any similar rule operating
against the drafter of an agreement, shall not be applicable to the construction or interpretation
of this Agreement, and any controversy over construction of this Agreement shall be decided without
regard to events of authorship. The Parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement has been
reviewed, negotiated, and accepted by all Parties and their attorneys and shall be construed and
interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as fairly to accomplish the
purposes and intentions of all Parties hereto.
11.12 Enforcement of Agreement.
The Parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the
provisions of this Agreement was not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was
otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction
or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and
provisions hereof in any court of the United States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in
addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.
11.13 Severability.
Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction
shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability
without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or
affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any
other jurisdiction. If any provision of this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the
provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.
A-79
11.14 No Third Party Beneficiaries.
(a) Other than as set forth in Section 8.10, no officer, employee or other Person (other than
the corporate Parties to this Agreement) shall be or shall be deemed a third party or other
beneficiary of this Agreement, or shall have any right or other entitlement in connection with any
provision of this Agreement or seek any remedy, or right or entitlement in connection with this
Agreement. No provision of this Agreement constitutes or shall give rise to, or shall be deemed to
constitute or give rise to, an employee benefit or employee benefit-related plan, program or other
arrangement, a provision of any such plan, program or other arrangement, or an amendment of any
such plan, program or other arrangement.
(b) If and to the extent any FFC Benefit Plan is sponsored by FFC, subject to SPAHs
obligations pursuant to Section 8.9(a), SPAH may, by written direction issued prior to Closing,
require FFC to take all necessary or appropriate action to terminate each such FFC Benefit Plan or
cause the Bank to become the sole sponsor of each such FFC Benefit Plan prior to Closing. The
intent of the preceding sentence is to permit SPAH to avoid becoming a sponsor of any and all FFC
Benefit Plans as a result of the Merger.
(c) Without limiting the foregoing, the provisions of Section 8.9 hereof are for the sole
benefit of the Parties to this Agreement and nothing herein, expressed or implied, is intended, or
shall be construed, to confer upon or give to any Person (including for the avoidance of doubt, any
employee), other than the Parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, any
legal or equitable or other rights or remedies (with respect to the matters provided for in Section
8.9) under or by reason of any provision of this Agreement.
A-80
IN WITNESS WHEREOF
, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf
by its duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
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SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC
.
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By:
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/s/ Jack L. Howard
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Name:
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Jack L. Howard
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Title:
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Chief Operating Officer and Secretary
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FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
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By:
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/s/ Patrick M. Fahey
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Name:
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Patrick M. Fahey
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Title:
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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A-81
ANNEX A
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
This Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger (this
Amendment
) is dated as of
August 11, 2009, by and between
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
, a Delaware corporation
(
SPAH
) and
Frontier Financial Corporation
, a Washington corporation (
FFC
). All
capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the
Merger Agreement (as defined below).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS
, SPAH and FFC are party to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of July
30, 2009 (as such agreement may be amended, and supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time the
Merger Agreement
); and
WHEREAS
, SPAH and FFC desire to amend certain provisions of the Merger Agreement pursuant to
Section 11.4 of the Merger Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE
, in consideration of the promises made herein, and of other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be
bound hereby, the parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1.
Amendments to Merger Agreement
. The Merger Agreement is hereby amended as
follows:
(a)
Section 2.3(a)
of the Merger Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Section
in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
(a) On or prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of
SPAH shall cause the number of directors that will comprise the full board
of directors of SPAH at the Effective Time to be fixed at five (5), which
board shall consist of Warren Lichtenstein, or a designee of Warren
Lichtenstein, which such director shall serve as the chairman of the
Surviving Corporations Board of Directors, and four (4) other directors
from FFCs current board of directors, which shall consist of Patrick
Fahey and three (3) other directors who shall be independent under the
rules of the national securities exchange on which the SPAH Common Stock
is then listed and under the Exchange Act, all of whom shall serve as the
directors of the Surviving Corporation from and after the Effective Time
in accordance with the Surviving Corporations Bylaws, until the earlier
of their resignation or removal or otherwise ceasing to be a director. No
other individuals shall be designated to serve on the Board of Directors
of the Surviving Corporation at the Effective Time.
(b)
Section 2.3(c)
of the Merger Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such Section
in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
A-82
(c) On or prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of FFC
shall take all such actions necessary to (i) cause the number of directors
that will comprise the full board of directors of the Bank at the
Effective Time to be fixed at five (5), which board shall consist of John
McNamara as Chairman, Patrick Fahey, and three (3) other directors from
FFCs current board of directors, all of whom shall serve as the directors
of the Bank from and after the Effective Time in accordance with the
Banks Bylaws, until the earlier of their resignation or removal or
otherwise ceasing to be a director, and (ii) cause the officers of the
Bank as of the date of this Agreement to continue to serve as the officers
of the Bank from and after the Effective Time in accordance with the
Banks Bylaws, until the earlier of their resignation or removal or
otherwise ceasing to be an officer.
Section 2.
Governing Law
. This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any applicable
principles of conflict of laws that would cause the Laws of another state to otherwise govern this
Amendment.
Section 3.
No Other Amendments
. Except as set forth herein, the terms and provisions
of the Merger Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. On or after the date of this
Amendment, each reference in the Merger Agreement to this Agreement, hereunder, hereof,
herein or words of like import referring to the Merger Agreement shall mean and be a reference to
the Merger Agreement as amended by this Amendment, and this Amendment shall be deemed to be a part
of the Merger Agreement.
Section 4.
Counterparts
. This Amendment may be executed and delivered (including by
facsimile transmission) in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in
separate counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but all of
which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
A-83
IN WITNESS WHEREOF
, this Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized
officers of the parties hereto as of the date first written above.
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SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC
.
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By:
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/s/ Jack L. Howard
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Name:
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Jack L. Howard
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Title:
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Chief Operating Officer and Secretary
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FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
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By:
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/s/ Patrick M. Fahey
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Name:
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Patrick M. Fahey
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Title:
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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[Signature Page to Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger]
A-84
ANNEX B
FORM OF
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
PURSUANT TO SECTION 242
OF THE
DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC., a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware
(the Corporation) hereby certifies as follows:
1. The name of the Corporation is SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
2. The Corporations Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware on February 14, 2007 and amended and restated on October 11, 2007.
3. This Amendment was duly approved by the Board of Directors and stockholders of the
Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware (DGCL).
4. The definition of Initial Business Combination in Article SIXTH is hereby deleted in its
entirety and replaced with the following:
An Initial Business Combination shall mean the acquisition by the Corporation, through a
merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar
business combination or transaction or transactions, of one or more businesses or assets (the
Target Business or Target Businesses), resulting in ownership by the Corporation of more than
50% of the voting equity interests of the Target Business or Businesses and control by the
Corporation of the majority of any governing body of the Target Business or Businesses. Any
acquisition of multiple Target Businesses shall occur simultaneously.
5. The definition of Fair market value in Article SIXTH is hereby deleted in its entirety.
B-1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed by
its Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer as of this
_____
day of [ ], 2009.
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By:
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Name:
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Warren G. Lichtenstein
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Title:
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Chairman of the Board,
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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B-2
ANNEX C
FORM OF
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC., a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware
(the Corporation), hereby certifies as follows:
1. The name under which the Corporation was originally incorporated is SP Acquisition
Holdings, Inc.
2. The Corporations original Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 14, 2007 and the Corporations Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware on October 11, 2007.
3. This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted by the
directors and stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of
Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the DGCL).
4. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended
and restated to read in full as follows:
FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Frontier Financial Corporation.
SECOND: The address, including street, number, city and county, of the registered office of
the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 615 South DuPont Highway, Dover, Delaware 19901, County
of Kent; and the name of the registered agent of the Corporation in the State of Delaware at such
address is National Corporate Research, Ltd.
THIRD: The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
FOURTH: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which
corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware (the DGCL).
FIFTH: The Corporation is authorized to issue the following classes, series and number of
shares of stock
:
A.
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Authorized Capital
. The Corporation is authorized to issue a total of 401,000,000 shares,
consisting of three classes of stock, designated Voting Common Stock, Non-Voting Common
Stock and Preferred Stock. The total number of shares of Voting Common Stock the
Corporation is authorized to issue is 200,000,000, with a par value of $0.001 per share. The
total number of shares of Non-Voting Common Stock the Corporation is authorized to issue is
200,000,000, with a par value of $0.001 per share. The total number of shares of Preferred
Stock the Corporation is authorized to issue is 1,000,000, with a par value of $0.001 per
share.
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C-1
B.
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Preferred Stock
. The Board of Directors may from time to time issue shares of Preferred
Stock in one or more series and without stockholder approval. The Board of Directors may fix
for each series it is authorized to issue such voting rights, full or limited, and such
designations, powers, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights
and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as shall be stated and expressed
in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of
such series (a Preferred Stock Designation) and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The number
of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the
number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a
single class, without a separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or any series
thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required to take such action pursuant to any
Preferred Stock Designation.
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C.
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Rights of the Voting Common Stock and Non-Voting Common Stock
. Except as set forth in
paragraphs D, F and G below, the Voting Common Stock and the Non-Voting Common Stock shall
have the same rights and preferences and shall be treated as one class of Common Stock.
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D.
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Voting Rights
. Except as provided herein or required by law or as otherwise provided in any
Preferred Stock Designation, voting rights shall be vested exclusively in the Voting Common
Stock, which shall vote together as a class on all matters submitted to a vote of
stockholders, and shall have one vote per share, but which shall not have any cumulative
voting rights in the election of directors. The Non-Voting Common Stock and the Preferred
Stock shall have no voting rights.
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E.
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Conversion of Non-Voting Common Stock
. Any holder of Non-Voting Common Stock may convert any
number of shares of Non-Voting Common Stock into an equal number of shares of Voting Common
Stock, but only if such conversion is in connection with (i) a transfer that is part of an
underwritten public offering of voting common stock, (ii) a transfer that is part of a private
placement of Voting Common Stock in which no one party acquires the rights to purchase in
excess of 2% of the Voting Common Stock then outstanding, (iii) a transfer of Voting Common
Stock not requiring registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance on
Rule 144 thereunder in which no one party acquires in excess of 2% of the Voting Common Stock
then outstanding, (iv) a transaction approved by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (the Federal Reserve), or (vi) a transfer to a person that would control more than
50% of the voting securities of the Company as defined by the Federal Reserve without giving
effect to such transfer. The Voting Common Stock issued to the converting holder pursuant to
this paragraph shall, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free
and clear of all taxes, liens, charges and encumbrances with respect to the issuance thereof.
Each conversion of Non-Voting Common Stock into shares of Voting Common Stock shall be
effected by the surrender of the certificate or certificates representing the shares to be
converted at the principal office of the Corporation, or agency designated by the Corporation,
during normal business hours. The shares of Non-Voting Common Stock which are so converted
shall not be re-issued.
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C-2
F.
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Conversion of Voting Common Stock
. Each holder of Voting Common Stock shall be entitled at
any time to convert any or all of the shares of such holders Voting Common Stock into an
equal number of shares of Non-Voting Common Stock. The Non-Voting Common Stock issued to the
converting holder pursuant to this paragraph shall, upon issuance, be validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all taxes, liens, charges and encumbrances with
respect to the issuance thereof. Each conversion of Voting Common Stock into shares of
Non-Voting Common Stock shall be effected by the surrender of the certificate or certificates
representing the shares to be converted at the principal office of the Corporation, or agency
designated by the Corporation, during normal business hours.
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G.
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Reservation of Stock Issuable Upon Conversion.
The Corporation shall at all times reserve
and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Voting Common Stock and
Non-Voting Common Stock, such number of shares of Voting Common Stock and Non-Voting Common
Stock as would be sufficient to permit the conversion of all the then outstanding shares of
Non-Voting Common Stock into Voting Common Stock or shares of Voting Common Stock into
Non-Voting Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this Article FIFTH. The
Corporation shall take such action as may be necessary to increase the authorized but unissued
number of shares of Voting Common Stock and Non-Voting Common Stock if at any time the number
of authorized but unissued shares of Voting Common Stock and Non-Voting Common Stock shall not
be sufficient for the foregoing purpose.
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SIXTH: The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business and for the
conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for further definition, limitation and regulation of
the powers of the Corporation and of its directors and stockholders:
A.
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The number of directors of the Corporation shall be such as from time to time shall be fixed
and determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. Election of directors need not be by
ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.
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B.
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The Board of Directors shall have powers without the assent or vote of the stockholders to
make, alter, amend, change, add to or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation; to fix and vary
the amount to be reserved for any proper purpose; to authorize and cause to be executed
mortgages and liens upon all or any part of the property of the Corporation; to determine the
use and disposition of any surplus or net profits; and to fix the times for the declaration
and payment of dividends.
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C.
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The Board of Directors in its discretion may submit any contract or act for approval or
ratification at any annual meeting of the stockholders or at any meeting of the stockholders
called for the purpose of considering any such act or contract, and any contract or act that
shall be approved or be ratified by the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the
Corporation which is represented in person or by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote at
such meeting (provided that a lawful quorum of stockholders be there represented in person or
by proxy) shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation and upon all the stockholders as
though it had been approved or ratified by every stockholder of the Corporation, whether or
not the contract or act would otherwise be open to legal attack because of directors interest, or for any other reason.
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C-3
D.
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In addition to the powers and authorities granted hereby or by statute expressly conferred
upon them, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts
and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation; subject, nevertheless, to the
provisions of the statutes of Delaware, of this Certificate of Incorporation, and to the
Bylaws; provided, however, that no Bylaws so made shall invalidate any prior act of the
directors which would have been valid if such By-law had not been made.
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E.
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The term of office of directors shall expire at each annual meeting of stockholders, and in
all cases as to each director when such directors successor shall be elected and shall
qualify or upon such directors earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity.
Except as the DGCL may otherwise require, in the interim between annual meetings of
stockholders or special meetings of stockholders called for the election of directors or the
removal of one or more directors and the filling of any vacancy in that connection, newly
created directorships and any vacancies in the Board of Directors, including unfilled
vacancies resulting from the removal of directors, may be filled only by the vote of a
majority of the remaining directors then in office, although less than a quorum (as defined in
the Corporations Bylaws), or by the sole remaining director. All directors shall hold office
until the expiration of their respective terms of office and until their successors shall have
been elected and qualified. A director elected to fill a vacancy resulting from the death,
resignation or removal of a director shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the
director whose death, resignation or removal shall have created such vacancy and until his
successor shall have been elected and qualified.
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F.
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Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may only be called by a
majority of the entire Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
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G.
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Any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, or any
action that may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may only be
taken at a meeting, and may not be taken by written consent, provided, however, that any
action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of Non-Voting Common Stock, voting
separately as a class, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a
vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed
by the holders of all the outstanding shares of the Non-Voting Common Stock and shall be
delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in Delaware, its principal
place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in
which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the
Corporations registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder
who signs the consent, and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action
referred to therein unless, within 60 days of the earliest dated consent delivered in the
manner required by this section and the DGCL to the Corporation, written consents signed by a
sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the Corporation by delivery to
its registered office in Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of
the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded.
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C-4
SEVENTH: The following paragraphs shall apply with respect to liability and indemnification
of officers and directors:
A.
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A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability (i) for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its
stockholders, (ii) for any act or omission not in good faith or which involves intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the DGCL is
amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability
of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or
limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or modification
of this paragraph A shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the
Corporation with respect to events occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.
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B.
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The Corporation, to the full extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, as amended from
time to time, shall indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant thereto. Expenses
(including attorneys fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil,
criminal, administrative, or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which such officer
or director may be entitled to indemnification hereunder shall be paid by the Corporation in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall
ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as
authorized hereby.
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EIGHTH: Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between the Corporation and its
creditors or any class of them and/or between the Corporation and its stockholders or any class of
them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a
summary way of the Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of
any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under Section 291 of the DGCL or on the
application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for the
Corporation under Section 279 of the DGCL order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors,
and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, to be
summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three
fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of
stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to
any reorganization of the Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said
compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which
the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or
on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of the Corporation, as the case may be, and also
on the Corporation.
C-5
NINTH: The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision
contained in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the manner now or
hereafter prescribed by law, and all rights and powers conferred herein on stockholders, directors
and officers are subject to this reserved power.
TENTH: The Corporation hereby elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL.
C-6
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to be signed by its Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer as
of this [ ] day of [ ], 2009.
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By:
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Name:
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Warren G. Lichtenstein
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Title:
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Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer
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C-7
ANNEX D
SUPPLEMENT AND AMENDMENT TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
WARRANT AGREEMENT
This Supplement and Amendment to Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement (this
Amendment
), is entered into as of , 2009 by and between SP
Acquisition Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
Company
), and Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation, as Warrant Agent (the
Warrant Agent
).
WHEREAS, the Company and Warrant Agent are parties to that certain Amended and Restated
Warrant Agreement dated as of October 4, 2007 (the
Warrant Agreement
); and
WHEREAS, in connection with the business combination between the Company and Frontier
Financial Corporation, a Washington corporation (
FFC
) pursuant to the Agreement and Plan
of Merger dated as of July 30, 2009 (the
FFC Business Combination
), the Company
has agreed to issue to FFCs existing stockholders an aggregate of up to 2,500,000 shares of Common
Stock (as defined in the Warrant Agreement) and up to 2,500,000 warrants to purchase Common Stock,
each warrant being entitled to purchase one share of Common Stock (the
FFC Warrants
); and
WHEREAS, in connection with the FFC Business Combination, the parties desire to supplement the
Warrant Agreement to provide for the terms and conditions of the FFC Warrants and amend the Warrant
Agreement for all Warrants to, among other things, (i) increase the Exercise Price (as defined in
the Warrant Agreement), (iii) extend and modify the Warrant Exercise Period (as defined in the
Warrant Agreement), (iv) provide that if an effective registration statement is not in place on the
date the Warrants are set to expire, the Warrants will remain outstanding until 90 days after an
effective registration statement is filed and if an effective registration statement has not been
filed within 90 days after the expiration date, the Warrants will become exercisable for cash
consideration, (v) provide for a mandatory downward adjustment of the Exercise Price to reflect any
cash dividends paid on the Common Stock and (vi) allow an affiliate of Steel Partners II, L.P. to
make the Co-Investment (as defined in the Warrant Agreement), all upon the terms and conditions
herein provided; and
WHEREAS, the holders of at least a majority of the presently outstanding Warrants have
consented to the amendments to the Warrant Agreement provided herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.
Definitions
. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Warrant Agreement.
D-1
2.
FFC Warrants
. The FFC Warrants shall be governed by the Warrant Agreement
and shall have the same terms and conditions as the Public Warrants. All references in the
Warrant Agreement to Warrants shall be deemed to include the FFC Warrants.
3.
Amendment to Warrant Agreement
.
(a) Section 6(a) of the Warrant Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its
entirety as follows:
(a) Exercise Price and Exercise Period.
The initial exercise price per share that Warrant Shares shall be purchasable upon the
exercise of Warrants (the Exercise Price) shall be $11.50 per share, and each Warrant
shall be initially exercisable to purchase one share of Common Stock.
Subject to the terms of this Agreement (including without limitation Section 6(d)
below), each Warrant holder shall have the right, which may be exercised commencing at the
opening of business on the first day of the applicable Warrant Exercise Period set forth
below and until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the last day of such Warrant Exercise
Period, to receive from the Company the number of fully paid and nonassessable Warrant
Shares which the holder may at the time be entitled to receive on exercise of such Warrants
and payment of the Exercise Price then in effect for such Warrant Shares. No adjustments as
to dividends will be made upon exercise of the Warrants.
The Warrant Exercise Period shall commence (subject to Section 6(d) below), (A) for
all Warrants other than the Initial Founders Warrants on the later of: (i) the date that is
12 months from the closing of the Initial Public Offering or (ii) the date on which the
Company completes its Initial Business Combination, and (B) for the Initial Founders
Warrants on the date that is 12 months from the date on which the Company completes its
Initial Business Combination, and shall end on the earlier of: (i) the date that is seven
years from the date on which the Company completes its Initial Business Combination or (ii)
the Business Day preceding the date on which such Warrants are redeemed pursuant to Section
6(b) below or expire pursuant to Section 6(e) below.
The Closing Price of the Common Stock on any date of determination means;
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(i)
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the closing sale price for the regular trading session (without
considering after hours or other trading outside regular trading session hours)
of the Common Stock (regular way) on the NYSE Amex LLC on that date (or, if no
closing price is reported, the last reported sale price during that regular
trading session),
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(ii)
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if the Common Stock is not listed for trading on the NYSE Amex
LLC on that date, as reported in the composite transactions for the principal
United States securities exchange on which the Common Stock is so listed,
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D-2
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(iii)
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if the Common Stock is not so reported, the last quoted bid
price for the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market as reported by the
OTC Bulletin Board, the National Quotation Bureau or similar organization, or
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(iv)
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if the Common Stock is not so quoted, the average of the
mid-point of the last bid and ask prices for the Common Stock from at least
three nationally recognized investment-banking firms that the Company selects
for this purpose.
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Each Warrant not exercised prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the last day of
the Warrant Exercise Period shall become void and all rights thereunder and all rights in
respect thereof under this Agreement shall cease as of such time.
(b) Section 6(d) of the Warrant Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its
entirety as follows:
"(d) Registration Requirement. Notwithstanding anything else in this Section 6, no
Warrants (including any Private Warrants) may be exercised unless at the time of exercise
(i) a registration statement covering the Warrant Shares to be issued upon exercise (other
than Warrant Shares to be issued upon exercise of any Private Warrant) is effective under
the Act and (ii) a prospectus thereunder relating to the Warrant Shares (other than Warrant
Shares to be issued upon exercise of any Private Warrant) is current. The Company shall use
its best efforts to have a registration statement in effect covering Warrant Shares issuable
upon exercise of the Warrants (other than Warrant Shares to be issued upon exercise of any
Private Warrant) from the date the Warrants become exercisable and to maintain a current
prospectus relating to those Warrant Shares until the Warrants expire or are redeemed. In
the event there is not in place an effective registration statement covering the Warrant
Shares at the end of the Warrant Exercise Period, the Warrants will remain outstanding and
not expire until 90 days after an effective registration statement covering the Warrant
Shares is filed. If, within 90 days following the end of the Warrant Exercise Period the
Company does not file an effective registration statement covering the Warrant Shares, the
Warrants will become exerciseable for cash consideration equal to the excess of the Market
Value over the Exercise Price multiplied by the number of Warrants exercised until such time
as an effective registration statement covering the Warrant Shares is filed. For the
purposes of the foregoing, Market Value shall equal the Volume Weighted Average Common
Stock price as quoted by Bloomberg for the 10 trading days prior to the end of the Warrant
Exercise Period.
(c) Section 6(f) of the Warrant Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its
entirety as follows:
D-3
"(f) Forfeiture of Initial Founders Warrants. In the event that Steel Partners II,
L.P. or its affiliate (or the Founding Stockholder) fails to purchase an aggregate of 3,000,000 Units at a price of $10.00 per Unit ($30.0 million in the aggregate) in a
private placement that will occur immediately prior to the consummation of the Initial
Business Combination (the Co-Investment) pursuant to the terms of a Co-Investment
Agreement to be entered into among the Company and Steel Partners II, L.P. or its affiliate,
all of the Initial Founders Warrants will become immediately forfeited to the Company by
their holders; provided that if the Founding Stockholder purchases the Co-Investment Units,
the Founders Warrants will not be subject to forfeiture.
(d) Section 11(c) of the Warrant Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its
entirety as follows:
"(c) Adjustment for Other Distributions.
(1) If the Company distributes to all holders of its Common Stock any of its assets
(excluding cash) or debt securities or any rights, options or warrants to purchase debt
securities, assets or other securities of the Company (other than Common Stock), the number
of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of each Warrant shall be adjusted in
accordance with the formula:
where:
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=
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the adjusted number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of each Warrant.
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N
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=
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the current number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of each Warrant.
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M
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=
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the Closing Price per share of Common Stock on the Business
Day immediately preceding the ex-dividend date for such distribution.
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F
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=
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the fair market value on the ex-dividend date for such
distribution of the assets (excluding cash), securities, rights or warrants
distributable to one share of Common Stock after taking into account, in the
case of any rights, options or warrants, the consideration required to be paid
upon exercise thereof. The Board of Directors shall reasonably determine the
fair market value in good faith.
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The adjustment shall be made successively whenever any such distribution is made and
shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of
stockholders entitled to receive such distribution.
D-4
This subsection (c)(1) does not apply to any cash dividends or rights, options or
warrants referred to in subsection (b) of this Section 11. If any adjustment is made
pursuant to this subsection (c)(1) as a result of the issuance of rights, options or
warrants and at the end of the period during which any such rights, options or warrants are
exercisable, not all such rights, options or warrants shall have been exercised, the Warrant
shall be immediately readjusted as if F in the above formula was the fair market value on
the ex-dividend date for such distribution of the indebtedness or assets actually
distributed upon exercise of such rights, options or warrants divided by the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding on the ex-dividend date for such distribution.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this subsection (c)(1), if M-F in
the above formula is less than $1.00, the Company may elect to, and if M-F or is a
negative number, the Company shall, in lieu of the adjustment otherwise required by this
subsection (c)(1), distribute to the holders of the Warrants, upon exercise thereof, the
evidences of indebtedness, assets, rights, options or warrants (or the proceeds thereof)
which would have been distributed to such holders had such Warrants been exercised
immediately prior to the record date for such distribution.
(2) If the Company pays any cash dividend on the outstanding shares of Common Stock,
then, on the effective date of such cash dividend the Exercise Price shall be decreased in
an amount equal to such cash dividend.
(e) Section 11(d) of the Warrant Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its
entirety as follows:
"(d) Adjustment for Common Stock Issue.
If the Company issues shares of Common Stock for a consideration per share less than
the Closing Price per share on the date the Company fixes the offering price of such
additional shares, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of each
Warrant shall be adjusted in accordance with the formula:
where:
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N
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=
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the adjusted number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of each Warrant.
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N
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=
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the current number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of each Warrant.
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O
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=
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the number of shares outstanding immediately prior to the
issuance of such additional shares.
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D-5
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P
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=
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the aggregate consideration received for the issuance of such
additional shares.
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M
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the Closing Price per share on the date of issuance of such
additional shares.
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A
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the number of shares outstanding immediately after the
issuance of such additional shares.
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The adjustment shall be made successively whenever any such issuance is made, and shall
become effective immediately after such issuance.
This subsection (d) does not apply to:
(1) any of the transactions described in subsections (b) and (c) of this Section 11;
(2) the exercise of Warrants, or the conversion or exchange of other securities
convertible or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the issuance of Common Stock upon the
exercise of rights or warrants issued to the holders of Common Stock;
(3) Common Stock (and options exercisable therefor) issued to the Companys employees,
officers, directors, consultants or advisors (whether or not still in such capacity on the
date of exercise) under bona fide employee benefit plans or stock option plans adopted by
the Board of Directors of the Company and approved by the holders of Common Stock when
required by law, if such Common Stock would otherwise be covered by this subsection (d);
(4) Common Stock issued in a bona fide public offering for cash;
(5) Common Stock issued in a bona fide private placement to non-affiliates of the
Company, including without limitation the issuance of equity as consideration or partial
consideration for acquisitions from persons that are not affiliates of the Company; or
(6) Common Stock issued in connection with the Initial Business Combination.
(f) Section 11(e) of the Warrant Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its
entirety as follows:
"(e) Adjustment for Convertible Securities Issue.
If the Company issues any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock
(other than securities issued in transactions described in subsections (b) and (c) of this
Section 11) for a consideration per share of Common Stock initially deliverable upon
conversion or exchange of such securities less than the Closing Price per share on the date
of issuance of such securities, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise
of each Warrant shall be adjusted in accordance with this formula:
D-6
where:
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N
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=
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the adjusted number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of each Warrant.
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N
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=
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the current number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise of each Warrant.
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O
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=
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the number of shares outstanding immediately prior to the
issuance of such securities.
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P
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=
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the aggregate consideration received for the issuance of such
securities.
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M
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the Closing Price per share on the date of issuance of such
securities.
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D
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the maximum number of shares deliverable upon conversion or
in exchange for such securities at the initial conversion or exchange rate.
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The adjustment shall be made successively whenever any such issuance is made, and shall
become effective immediately after such issuance.
If all of the Common Stock deliverable upon conversion or exchange of such securities
have not been issued when such securities are no longer outstanding, then the number of
shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of each Warrant shall promptly be readjusted
to what it would have been had the adjustment upon the issuance of such securities been made
on the basis of the actual number of shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion or
exchange of such securities.
This subsection (e) does not apply to:
(1) convertible securities issued in a bona fide public offering for cash;
(2) convertible securities issued in a bona fide private placement to non-affiliates of
the Company, including the issuance of convertible securities as consideration or partial
consideration for acquisitions from persons that are not affiliates of the Company; or
(3) convertible securities issued in connection with the Initial Business Combination.
4.
Exercisability of Certain Warrants into Non-Voting Common Stock
. In addition to
the foregoing amendments, each Warrant holder at its sole discretion, shall determine whether the
Warrants held by such holder are exercisable into voting or non-voting Common Stock of the Company.
D-7
5.
References
. All references in the Warrant Agreement (and in the other agreements,
documents and instruments entered into in connection therewith) to this Agreement or the Warrant
Agreement shall be deemed for all purposes to refer to the Warrant Agreement, as amended by this
Amendment.
6.
Remaining Provisions of Warrant Agreement
. Except as expressly provided herein,
the provisions of the Warrant Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with
their terms and shall be unaffected by this Amendment.
7.
Counterparts
. This Amendment may be executed in counterparts, each of which when
executed shall be deemed an original and both of which when executed shall be deemed one and the
same instrument.
8.
Headings
. The headings to this Amendment are for convenience of reference only and
shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
9.
Governing Law
. This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.
10.
Effective Time
. This Amendment shall be effective immediately prior to the
consummation of the FFC Business Combination.
D-8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by the authorized
officers of each of the undersigned as of the date first above written.
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SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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D-9
ANNEX E
July 29, 2009
The Board of Directors
Frontier Financial Corporation
332 SW Everett Mall Way
Everett, WA 98204
Members of the Board:
You have requested our opinion as investment bankers as to the fairness, from a financial
point of view, to the stockholders of Frontier Financial Corporation (Frontier) of the Exchange
Ratio (as defined below) in the proposed merger (the Merger) of Frontier with, and into SP
Acquisition Holdings, Inc., pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 30,
2009, between Frontier and SPAH (the Agreement). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, each
outstanding share of common stock, no par value per share, of Frontier (other than shares to be
excluded or cancelled pursuant to the Agreement) (the Common Shares) will be converted into
0.053 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share and 0.053 newly issued warrants of SPAH
having the same terms and conditions as the publicly traded SPAH Warrants (as defined in the
Agreement) immediately prior to the Merger after giving effect to the Warrant Amendment Agreement
(as defined in the Agreement)(the Exchange Ratio). The terms and conditions of the Merger are
set forth in more detail in the Agreement.
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., was retained solely to render a fairness opinion and did not
act as financial advisor to Frontier in connection with Merger. As part of our investment banking
business, we are continually engaged in the valuation of bank and bank holding company securities
in connection with acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and
unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for various other purposes. As specialists
in the securities of banking companies, we have experience in, and knowledge of, the valuation of
the banking enterprises. In the ordinary course of our business as a broker-dealer, we may, from
time to time purchase securities from, and sell securities to, Frontier and SPAH, and as a market
maker in securities, we may from time to time have a long or short position in, and buy or sell,
debt or equity securities of Frontier and SPAH for our own account and for the accounts of our
customers. To the extent we have any such position as of the date of this opinion it has been
disclosed to Frontier. We have acted exclusively for the Board of Directors of Frontier in
rendering this fairness opinion and will receive a fee from Frontier for our services.
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
101 California Street
Suite 3700
San Francisco, CA 94111
Corporate Finance 877.520.8569
Equity 800.345.3053
Fixed Income 877.778.5330
E-1
Frontier Financial Corporation
July 30, 2009
Page 2 of 3
In connection with this opinion, we have reviewed, analyzed and relied upon material bearing
upon the financial and operating condition of Frontier and SPAH and the Merger, including among
other things, the following: (i) the Agreement; (ii) the Annual Report to Stockholders and Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the three years ended December 31, 2008 of Frontier and the Annual Report
to Stockholders and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period from February 14, 2007 through
December 31, 2007 and the year ended December 31, 2008 of SPAH; (iii) certain interim reports to
stockholders and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q of Frontier and SPAH and certain other
communications from Frontier and SPAH to their respective stockholders; and (iv) other financial
information concerning the businesses and operations of Frontier and SPAH furnished to us by
Frontier and SPAH for purposes of our analysis. We have also held discussions with senior
management of Frontier and SPAH regarding the past and current business operations, regulatory
relations, financial condition and future prospects of their respective companies, including their
liquidity and capital positions and funding sources, and such other matters as we have deemed
relevant to our inquiry. In addition, we have compared certain financial and stock market
information for Frontier and SPAH with similar information for certain other companies the
securities of which are publicly traded, reviewed the financial terms of certain recent business
combinations in the banking industry and performed such other studies and analyses as we considered
appropriate.
In conducting our review and arriving at our opinion, we have relied upon the accuracy and
completeness of all of the financial and other information provided to us or publicly available and
we have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of any such information or assumed
any responsibility for such verification or accuracy. We have relied upon the management of
Frontier and SPAH as to the reasonableness and achievability of the financial and operating
forecasts and projections (and the assumptions and bases therefore) provided to us, and we have
assumed that such forecasts and projections reflect the best currently available estimates and
judgments of such managements and that such forecasts and projections will be realized in the
amounts and in the time periods currently estimated by such managements. We are not experts in the
independent verification of the adequacy of allowances for loan and lease losses and we have
assumed, with your consent that the aggregate allowances for loan and lease losses for Frontier and
the combined entity are adequate to cover such losses. In rendering our opinion, we have not made
or obtained any evaluations or appraisals of the property or assets of Frontier or SPAH, nor have
we examined any individual credit files.
We have assumed that, in all respects material to our analyses, the following: (i) the Merger
will be completed substantially in accordance with the terms set forth in the Agreement; (ii) the
representations and warranties of each party in the Agreement and in all related documents and
instruments referred to in the Agreement are true and correct; (iii) each party to the Agreement
and all related documents will perform all of the covenants and agreements required to be performed
by such party under such documents; (iv) all conditions to the completion of the Merger will be
satisfied without any waivers or modifications; and (v) in the course of obtaining the necessary
regulatory, contractual, or other consents or approvals for the Merger, no restrictions, including
any divestiture requirements, termination or other payments or amendments or modifications, will be
imposed or agreed to that will have a material adverse effect on the future results of operations
or financial condition of the combined entity or the contemplated benefits of the Merger, including
the cost savings, regulatory capital, liquidity, revenue enhancements and related expenses expected
to result from the Merger.
E - 2
Frontier Financial Corporation
July 30, 2009
Page 3 of 3
We have considered such financial and other factors as we have deemed appropriate under the
circumstances, including, among others, the following: (i) the historical and current financial
position
and results of operations of Frontier and SPAH; (ii) the assets and liabilities of Frontier
and SPAH; and (iii) the nature and terms of certain other merger transactions involving banks and
bank holding companies. We have also taken into account our assessment of general economic, market
and financial conditions and our experience in other transactions, as well as our experience in
securities valuation and knowledge of the banking industry generally. Our opinion is necessarily
based upon conditions as they exist and can be evaluated on the date hereof and the information
made available to us through the date hereof. Our opinion does not address the underlying business
decision of Frontier to engage in the Merger, the likelihood or the ability of Frontier or SPAH to
obtain the necessary regulatory, contractual or other consents or approvals of the Merger or the
relative merits of the Merger as compared to any strategic alternatives that may be available to
Frontier.
We are not expressing any opinion about the fairness of the amount or nature of the
compensation to any of the Frontiers officers, directors or employees, or any class of such
persons, relative to the compensation to the public shareholders of Frontier.
This opinion has been reviewed and approved by our Fairness Opinion Committee in conformity
with our policies and procedures established under the requirements of Rule 2290 of the Financial
Institutions Regulatory Authority.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the
Exchange Ratio in the Merger is fair, from a financial point of view, to holders of the Frontier
Common Shares.
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Very truly yours,
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Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
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E - 3
ANNEX F
DISSENTERS RIGHTS UNDER THE WASHINGTON BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT
Chapter 13 of the Washington Business Corporation Act
RCW 23B.13.010 Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) Corporation means the issuer of the shares held by a dissenter before the corporate
action, or the surviving or acquiring corporation by merger or share exchange of that issuer.
(2) Dissenter means a shareholder who is entitled to dissent from corporate action under RCW
23B.13.020 and who exercises that right when and in the manner required by RCW 23B.13.200 through
23B.13.280.
(3) Fair value, with respect to a dissenters shares, means the value of the shares
immediately before the effective date of the corporate action to which the dissenter objects,
excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the corporate action unless exclusion
would be inequitable.
(4) Interest means interest from the effective date of the corporate action until the date
of payment, at the average rate currently paid by the corporation on its principal bank loans or,
if none, at a rate that is fair and equitable under all the circumstances.
(5) Record shareholder means the person in whose name shares are registered in the records
of a corporation or the beneficial owner of shares to the extent of the rights granted by a nominee
certificate on file with a corporation.
(6) Beneficial shareholder means the person who is a beneficial owner of shares held in a
voting trust or by a nominee as the record shareholder.
(7) Shareholder means the record shareholder or the beneficial shareholder.
RCW 23B.13.020 Right to dissent.
(1) A shareholder is entitled to dissent from, and obtain payment of the fair value of the
shareholders shares in the event of, any of the following corporate actions:
(a) A plan of merger, which has become effective, to which the corporation is a party
(i) if shareholder approval was required for the merger by RCW 23B.11.030, 23B.11.080, or
the articles of incorporation and the shareholder was entitled to vote on the merger, or
(ii) if the corporation was a subsidiary that has been merged with its parent under RCW
23B.11.040;
(b) A plan of share exchange, which has become effective, to which the corporation is a
party as the corporation whose shares have been acquired, if the shareholder was entitled to
vote on the plan;
(c) A sale or exchange, which has become effective, of all, or substantially all, of
the property of the corporation other than in the usual and regular course of business, if
the shareholder was entitled to vote on the sale or exchange, including a sale in
dissolution, but not including a sale pursuant to court order or a sale for cash pursuant to
a plan by which all or substantially all of the net proceeds of the sale will be distributed
to the shareholders within one year after the date of sale;
(d) An amendment of the articles of incorporation that materially reduces the number of
shares owned by the shareholder to a fraction of a share if the fractional share so created
is to be acquired for cash under RCW 23B.06.040; or
F-1
(e) Any corporate action approved pursuant to a shareholder vote to the extent the
articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors provides that
voting or nonvoting shareholders are entitled to dissent and obtain payment for their
shares.
(2) A shareholder entitled to dissent and obtain payment for the shareholders shares under
this chapter may not challenge the corporate action creating the shareholders entitlement unless
the action fails to comply with the procedural requirements imposed by this title, RCW 25.10.900
through 25.10.955, the articles of incorporation, or the bylaws, or is fraudulent with respect to
the shareholder or the corporation.
(3) The right of a dissenting shareholder to obtain payment of the fair value of the
shareholders shares shall terminate upon the occurrence of any one of the following events:
(a) The proposed corporate action is abandoned or rescinded;
(b) A court having jurisdiction permanently enjoins or sets aside the corporate action;
or
(c) The shareholders demand for payment is withdrawn with the written consent of the
corporation.
RCW 23B.13.030 Dissent by nominees and beneficial owners.
(1) A record shareholder may assert dissenters rights as to fewer than all the shares
registered in the shareholders name only if the shareholder dissents with respect to all shares
beneficially owned by any one person and delivers to the corporation a notice of the name and
address of each person on whose behalf the shareholder asserts dissenters rights. The rights of a
partial dissenter under this subsection are determined as if the shares as to which the dissenter
dissents and the dissenters other shares were registered in the names of different shareholders.
(2) A beneficial shareholder may assert dissenters rights as to shares held on the beneficial
shareholders behalf only if:
(a) The beneficial shareholder submits to the corporation the record shareholders
written consent to the dissent not later than the time the beneficial shareholder asserts
dissenters rights, which consent shall be set forth either (i) in a record or (ii) if the
corporation has designated an address, location, or system to which the consent may be
electronically transmitted and the consent is electronically transmitted to the designated
address, location, or system, in an electronically transmitted record; and
(b) The beneficial shareholder does so with respect to all shares of which such
shareholder is the beneficial shareholder or over which such shareholder has power to direct
the vote.
RCW 23B.13.200 Notice of dissenters rights.
(1) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters rights under RCW 23B.13.020 is submitted
for approval by a vote at a shareholders meeting, the meeting notice must state that shareholders
are or may be entitled to assert dissenters rights under this chapter and be accompanied by a copy
of this chapter.
(2) If corporate action creating dissenters rights under RCW 23B.13.020 is submitted for
approval without a vote of shareholders in accordance with RCW 23B.07.040, the shareholder consent
described in RCW 23B.07.040(1)(b) and the notice described in RCW 23B.07.040(3)(a) must include a
statement that shareholders are or may be entitled to assert dissenters rights under this chapter
and be accompanied by a copy of this chapter.
RCW 23B.13.210 Notice of intent to demand payment.
(1) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters rights under RCW 23B.13.020 is submitted
to a vote at a shareholders meeting, a shareholder who wishes to assert dissenters rights must
(a) deliver to the corporation before the vote is taken notice of the shareholders intent to
demand payment for the shareholders shares if the proposed corporate action is effected, and (b) not vote such shares in favor of
the proposed corporate action.
F-2
(2) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters rights under RCW 23B.13.020 is submitted
for approval without a vote of shareholders in accordance with RCW 23B.07.040, a shareholder who
wishes to assert dissenters rights must not execute the consent or otherwise vote such shares in
favor of the proposed corporate action.
(3) A shareholder who does not satisfy the requirements of subsection (1) or (2) of this
section is not entitled to payment for the shareholders shares under this chapter.
RCW 23B.13.220 Dissenters rightsNotice.
(1) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters rights under RCW 23B.13.020 is approved
at a shareholders meeting, the corporation shall within ten days after the effective date of the
corporate action deliver to all shareholders who satisfied the requirements of RCW 23B.13.210(1) a
notice in compliance with subsection (3) of this section.
(2) If proposed corporate action creating dissenters rights under RCW 23B.13.020 is approved
without a vote of shareholders in accordance with RCW 23B.07.040, the notice delivered pursuant to
RCW 23B.07.040(3)(b) to shareholders who satisfied the requirements of RCW 23B.13.210(2) shall
comply with subsection (3) of this section.
(3) Any notice under subsection (1) or (2) of this section must:
(a) State where the payment demand must be sent and where and when certificates for
certificated shares must be deposited;
(b) Inform holders of uncertificated shares to what extent transfer of the shares will
be restricted after the payment demand is received;
(c) Supply a form for demanding payment that includes the date of the first
announcement to news media or to shareholders of the terms of the proposed corporate action
and requires that the person asserting dissenters rights certify whether or not the person
acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before that date;
(d) Set a date by which the corporation must receive the payment demand, which date may
not be fewer than thirty nor more than sixty days after the date the notice in subsection
(1) or (2) of this section is delivered; and
(e) Be accompanied by a copy of this chapter.
RCW 23B.13.230 Duty to demand payment.
(1) A shareholder sent a notice described in RCW 23B.13.220 must demand payment, certify
whether the shareholder acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before the date required to be
set forth in the notice pursuant to RCW 23B.13.220(2)(c), and deposit the shareholders
certificates, all in accordance with the terms of the notice.
(2) The shareholder who demands payment and deposits the shareholders share certificates
under subsection (1) of this section retains all other rights of a shareholder until the proposed
corporate action is effected.
(3) A shareholder who does not demand payment or deposit the shareholders share certificates
where required, each by the date set in the notice, is not entitled to payment for the
shareholders shares under this chapter.
F-3
RCW 23B.13.240 Share restrictions.
(1) The corporation may restrict the transfer of uncertificated shares from the date the
demand for payment is received under RCW 23B.13.230 until the proposed corporate action is effected
or the restriction is released under RCW 23B.13.260.
(2) The person for whom dissenters rights are asserted as to uncertificated shares retains
all other rights of a shareholder until the effective date of the proposed corporate action.
RCW 23B.13.250 Payment.
(1) Except as provided in RCW 23B.13.270, within thirty days of the later of the effective
date of the proposed corporate action, or the date the payment demand is received, the corporation
shall pay each dissenter who complied with RCW 23B.13.230 the amount the corporation estimates to
be the fair value of the shareholders shares, plus accrued interest.
(2) The payment must be accompanied by:
(a) The corporations balance sheet as of the end of a fiscal year ending not more than
sixteen months before the date of payment, an income statement for that year, a statement of
changes in shareholders equity for that year, and the latest available interim financial
statements, if any;
(b) An explanation of how the corporation estimated the fair value of the shares;
(c) An explanation of how the interest was calculated;
(d) A statement of the dissenters right to demand payment under RCW 23B.13.280; and
(e) A copy of this chapter.
RCW 23B.13.260 Failure to take action.
(1) If the corporation does not effect the proposed corporate action within sixty days after
the date set for demanding payment and depositing share certificates, the corporation shall return
the deposited certificates and release any transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares.
(2) If after returning deposited certificates and releasing transfer restrictions, the
corporation wishes to effect the proposed corporate action, it must send a new dissenters notice
under RCW 23B.13.220 and repeat the payment demand procedure.
RCW 23B.13.270 After-acquired shares.
(1) A corporation may elect to withhold payment required by RCW 23B.13.250 from a dissenter
unless the dissenter was the beneficial owner of the shares before the date set forth in the
dissenters notice as the date of the first announcement to news media or to shareholders of the
terms of the proposed corporate action.
(2) To the extent the corporation elects to withhold payment under subsection (1) of this
section, after the effective date of the proposed corporate action, it shall estimate the fair
value of the shares, plus accrued interest, and shall pay this amount to each dissenter who agrees
to accept it in full satisfaction of the dissenters demand. The corporation shall send with its
offer an explanation of how it estimated the fair value of the shares, an explanation of how the
interest was calculated, and a statement of the dissenters right to demand payment under RCW
23B.13.280.
F-4
RCW 23B.13.280 Procedure if shareholder dissatisfied with payment or offer.
(1) A dissenter may deliver a notice to the corporation informing the corporation of the
dissenters own estimate of the fair value of the dissenters shares and amount of interest due,
and demand payment of the dissenters estimate, less any payment under RCW 23B.13.250, or reject
the corporations offer under RCW 23B.13.270 and demand payment of the dissenters estimate of the
fair value of the dissenters shares and interest due, if:
(a) The dissenter believes that the amount paid under RCW 23B.13.250 or offered under
RCW 23B.13.270 is less than the fair value of the dissenters shares or that the interest
due is incorrectly calculated;
(b) The corporation fails to make payment under RCW 23B.13.250 within sixty days after
the date set for demanding payment; or
(c) The corporation does not effect the proposed corporate action and does not return
the deposited certificates or release the transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated
shares within sixty days after the date set for demanding payment.
(2) A dissenter waives the right to demand payment under this section unless the dissenter
notifies the corporation of the dissenters demand in writing under subsection (1) of this section
within thirty days after the corporation made or offered payment for the dissenters shares.
RCW 23B.13.300 Court action.
(1) If a demand for payment under RCW 23B.13.280 remains unsettled, the corporation shall
commence a proceeding within sixty days after receiving the payment demand and petition the court
to determine the fair value of the shares and accrued interest. If the corporation does not
commence the proceeding within the sixty-day period, it shall pay each dissenter whose demand
remains unsettled the amount demanded.
(2) The corporation shall commence the proceeding in the superior court of the county where a
corporations principal office, or, if none in this state, its registered office, is located. If
the corporation is a foreign corporation without a registered office in this state, it shall
commence the proceeding in the county in this state where the registered office of the domestic
corporation merged with or whose shares were acquired by the foreign corporation was located.
(3) The corporation shall make all dissenters, whether or not residents of this state, whose
demands remain unsettled, parties to the proceeding as in an action against their shares and all
parties must be served with a copy of the petition. Nonresidents may be served by registered or
certified mail or by publication as provided by law.
(4) The corporation may join as a party to the proceeding any shareholder who claims to be a
dissenter but who has not, in the opinion of the corporation, complied with the provisions of this
chapter. If the court determines that such shareholder has not complied with the provisions of this
chapter, the shareholder shall be dismissed as a party.
(5) The jurisdiction of the court in which the proceeding is commenced under subsection (2) of
this section is plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint one or more persons as appraisers to
receive evidence and recommend decision on the question of fair value. The appraisers have the
powers described in the order appointing them, or in any amendment to it. The dissenters are
entitled to the same discovery rights as parties in other civil proceedings.
(6) Each dissenter made a party to the proceeding is entitled to judgment (a) for the amount,
if any, by which the court finds the fair value of the dissenters shares, plus interest, exceeds
the amount paid by the corporation, or (b) for the fair value, plus accrued interest, of the dissenters
after-acquired shares for which the corporation elected to withhold payment under RCW 23B.13.270.
F-5
RCW 23B.13.310 Court costs and counsel fees.
(1) The court in a proceeding commenced under RCW 23B.13.300 shall determine all costs of the
proceeding, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of appraisers appointed by the
court. The court shall assess the costs against the corporation, except that the court may assess
the costs against all or some of the dissenters, in amounts the court finds equitable, to the
extent the court finds the dissenters acted arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith in
demanding payment under RCW 23B.13.280.
(2) The court may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts for the respective
parties, in amounts the court finds equitable:
(a) Against the corporation and in favor of any or all dissenters if the court finds
the corporation did not substantially comply with the requirements of RCW 23B.13.200 through
23B.13.280; or
(b) Against either the corporation or a dissenter, in favor of any other party, if the
court finds that the party against whom the fees and expenses are assessed acted
arbitrarily, vexatiously, or not in good faith with respect to the rights provided by
chapter 23B.13 RCW.
(3) If the court finds that the services of counsel for any dissenter were of substantial
benefit to other dissenters similarly situated, and that the fees for those services should not be
assessed against the corporation, the court may award to these counsel reasonable fees to be paid
out of the amounts awarded the dissenters who were benefited.
F-6
ANNEX G
August 10, 2009
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
590 Madison Avenue
32nd Floor
New York, New York 10022
Re:
Enforceability of Certificate of Incorporation Provisions
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Delaware counsel to SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the Corporation), in connection with a proposed amendment, in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit A (the Amendment), to the Corporations Certificate of Incorporation,
as initially filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the
Secretary of State) on February 14, 2007, as amended and restated by the Corporations Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State on October 11, 2007,
which Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation we assume constitutes the entire
certificate of incorporation of the Corporation as currently in effect (the Certificate of
Incorporation). In this connection, you have requested our opinion as to the enforceability under
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the General Corporation Law) of that
certain provision in Article SIXTH (Article SIXTH) of the Certificate of Incorporation which
purports to prohibit certain amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation intended to be effected
by the Amendment without the unanimous consent of the holders of all of the Corporations
outstanding shares of common stock. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein are used as
defined in the Certificate of Incorporation.
For purposes of this letter, our review of documents has been limited to the review of
originals or copies furnished to us of the following documents, all of which have been supplied to
us by the Corporation or obtained from publicly available records:
(a) The Certificate of Incorporation;
(b) The By Laws of the Corporation (the By Laws), which By Laws we assume constitute the
entire bylaws of the Corporation as currently in effect;
(c) The Amendment;
G-1
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
August 10, 2009
Page 2 of 10
(d) The Proxy Statement of the Corporation (the Proxy Statement) proposed to be
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on or about the date hereof; and
(e) A certificate of good standing for the Corporation obtained from the Secretary of State,
dated August 5, 2009 (the Good Standing Certificate).
With respect to the foregoing documents, we have assumed: (i) the genuineness of all
signatures, and the incumbency, authority, legal right and power and legal capacity under all
applicable laws and regulations, of each of the officers and other persons and entities signing or
whose signatures appear upon each of said documents as or on behalf of the parties thereto; (ii)
the conformity to authentic originals of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed,
photostatic, electronic or other copies; and (iii) that the foregoing documents, in the forms
submitted to us for our review, have not been and will not be altered or amended in any respect
material to our opinion as expressed herein. For purposes of rendering our opinion as expressed
herein, we have not reviewed any document other than the documents referenced in paragraphs (a)
through (e) above and certain written statements of governmental authorities and others referenced
in this paragraph. In particular, we have not reviewed and express no opinion as to any other
document that is referred to in, incorporated by reference into, or attached (as an exhibit,
schedule, or otherwise) to any of the documents reviewed by us. The opinions in this letter relate
only to the documents specified in such opinions, and not to any exhibit, schedule, or other
attachment to, or any other document referred to in or incorporated by reference into, any of such
documents. We have assumed that there exists no provision in any document that we have not
reviewed that bears upon or is inconsistent with or contrary to the opinions in this letter. We
have conducted no independent factual investigation of our own, and have relied solely upon the
documents reviewed by us, the statements and information set forth in such documents, certain
statements of governmental authorities and others (including, without limitation, the Good Standing
Certificate), and the additional matters recited or assumed in this letter, all of which we assume
to be true, complete, and accurate in all material respects.
BACKGROUND
The Corporation was formed for the purpose of entering into an Initial Business Combination.
The definition of Initial Business Acquisition, as set forth in Article SIXTH, is as follows:
An Initial Business Combination shall mean the acquisition by the Corporation,
through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase,
reorganization or other similar business combination or transaction or transactions,
of one or more businesses or assets (the Target Business or Target Businesses)
having, individually or collectively, a fair market value equal to at least 80% of
sum of the balance in the Trust Account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts
and commissions of $16,000,000 or $18,400,000 if the underwriters over-allotment
option is exercised in full) plus the proceeds of the
co-investment of $30,000,000 by Steel Partners II, L.P. (or its designee) at the
time of such acquisition and resulting in ownership by the Corporation of at least
51% of the voting equity interests of the Target Business or Businesses and control
by the Corporation of the majority of any governing body of the Target Business or
Businesses. Any acquisition of multiple Target Businesses shall occur
simultaneously.
G-2
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
August 10, 2009
Page 3 of 10
The Corporation is proposing to merge with Frontier Financial Corporation, a Washington
corporation (Frontier). The Proxy Statement states, and we have assumed as true for purposes of
this opinion, that because the fair market value of Frontier is less than 80% of the balance of the
Trust Account, the proposed merger with Frontier does not meet the requirements of an Initial
Business Combination as presently defined. Accordingly, the Corporation is proposing to amend the
Certificate of Incorporation in the manner set forth in the Amendment to,
inter alia
, revise the
definition of Initial Business Combination so as to eliminate the requirement that the fair
market value of the target business equal at least 80% of the balance in the Trust Account and to
delete the definition of Fair market value.
Article SIXTH provides,
inter alia
, that [p]aragraphs (A) through (J) below shall apply
during the period commencing upon the consummation of the Corporations [IPO] and terminating upon
consummation of any Initial Business Combination, and may not be amended during the [period from
the consummation of the IPO up to and including the earlier to occur of (i) an Initial Business
Combination or (ii) October 10, 2009] without the unanimous consent of the holders of all of the
Corporations outstanding shares of Common Stock. Thus, Article SIXTH purports to divest the
Corporations Board of Directors, the Corporation and its stockholders of the power to amend
paragraphs (A) through (J) of such Article prior to the consummation of an Initial Business
Combination, except pursuant to the affirmative vote of not less than
all
of the
Corporations outstanding shares of common stock.
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We note that the prohibition on amendment set forth in
Article SIXTH applies, on its face, only to an amendment of paragraphs (A)
through (J) of such Article. The definitions Initial Business Combination and
Fair market value are set forth in the introductory paragraphs of such
Article, and not within paragraphs (A) through (J) thereof. As such, it may be
argued that Article SIXTH does not prohibit the amendment of the definition of
Initial Business Combination or the deletion of the definition Fair market
value as proposed to be effected by the Amendment. We have assumed for
purposes of this opinion letter, however, that the effect of the amendment
prohibition language of Article SIXTH, if enforceable, would be to prohibit the
amendment of such Article as proposed to be effected by the Amendment.
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SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
August 10, 2009
Page 4 of 10
DISCUSSION
Section 242(a) of the General Corporation Law provides, in pertinent part, that
[a]fter a corporation has received payment for any of its capital stock, it may amend its
certificate of incorporation, from time to time, in any and as many respects as may be
desired, so long as its certificate of incorporation as amended would contain only such
provisions as it would be lawful and proper to insert in an original certificate of
incorporation filed at the time of the filing of the amendment ... In particular, and
without limitation upon such general power of amendment, a corporation may amend its
certificate of incorporation, from time to time, so as ... (2) To change, substitute,
enlarge or diminish the nature of its business or its corporate powers and purposes ... or
(6) To change the period of its duration.
8
Del. C.
§ 242(a). In addition, Section 242(b) of the General Corporation Law provides
that
[e]very amendment [to the Certificate of Incorporation] ...
shall
be made and
effected in the following manner: (1) if the corporation has capital stock, its board of
directors
shall
adopt a resolution setting forth the amendment proposed, declaring
its advisability, and either calling a special meeting of the stockholders entitled to vote
in respect thereof for consideration of such amendment or directing that the amendment
proposed be considered at the next annual meeting of the stockholders... If a majority of
the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon, and a majority of the outstanding stock of
each class entitled to vote thereon as a class has been voted in favor of the amendment, a
certificate setting forth the amendment and certifying that such amendment has been duly
adopted in accordance with this section
shall
be executed, acknowledged and filed
and
shall
become effective in accordance with § 103 of this title.
8
Del. C.
§ 242(b) (emphasis added). Thus, Section 242(a) grants Delaware corporations
broad statutory power to amend their certificates of incorporation to the extent permitted under
Delaware law, including to the extent contemplated by the Amendment, subject to compliance with the
amendatory procedures set forth in Section 242(b). Implicit in the language of Section 242 is that
the power to amend the certificate of incorporation is a fundamental power of Delaware corporations
vested in directors and stockholders of a corporation. Indeed, the mandatory language in Section
242(b) supports the proposition that the corporations broad power to amend the certificate of
incorporation cannot be eliminated. Section 242(b) mandates that, absent a provision permitting the
board to abandon a proposed amendment, a certificate setting forth the amendment ...
shall
be executed, acknowledged and filed and
shall
become effective upon obtaining the
requisite board and stockholder approvals. 8
Del. C.
§ 242(b)(1) (emphasis added).
G-4
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
August 10, 2009
Page 5 of 10
We note that Section 102(b)(4) of the General Corporation Law expressly permits a Delaware
corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation provisions that modify the voting rights
of directors and stockholders set forth in other provisions of the GCL. Specifically, Section
102(b)(4) provides that a certificate of incorporation may contain:
Provisions requiring for any corporate action, the vote of a
larger portion
of the stock or any class or series thereof,
or of any other securities having voting power... (emphasis added)
8
Del.
C. § 1 02(b)( 4). While Section 102(b)(4) expressly permits charter provisions requiring the
vote of the holders of a greater portion of the stock or any class or series thereof than is
otherwise required by Section 242 of the General Corporation Law, nothing in Section 102(b)(4)
purports to authorize a provision in a certificate of incorporation requiring the vote of
all
of the outstanding stock or any class or series thereof.
2
Although we are not aware of any Delaware case law directly addressing the enforceability of a
charter provision requiring the unanimous consent of the holders of all of a corporations
outstanding shares of common stock for the amendment of a charter, the Court of Chancery in
Sellers
v. Joseph Bancroft
&
Sons Co.,
2 A.2d 108, 112-13 (Del. Ch. 1938), in upholding a charter provision
requiring a supermajority vote to change the designations, preferences, and rights of preferred
stock, suggested that a separate charter provision requiring a 100% vote to reduce the dividend
rate and liquidation value of the preferred stock, might be invalid, observing with suspicion that
such a provision would make a charter provision practically irrepealable.
Id.
at 114.
Similarly, the Court of Chancery in
Chesapeake Corp. v. Shore
, 771 A.2d 293 (Del. Ch. 2000)
recognized that as a practical matter it was impossible to obtain even a 88% vote in a publicly
traded company due to voter turnout issues, stating that [t]he required ... majorities are more
commonly associated with sham elections in dictatorships than contested elections in genuine
republics. While I recognize that the board wanted a focused consensus of disinterested
stockholders to decide key issues, they set the required majority at an unattainably high level.
Id. at 342. Further, after considering the testimony of expert witnesses as to what level of voter
turnout could be expected for the publicly held company, the Court found that the board has been
unable to demonstrate that [an 88% vote] can be achieved. Id at 343.
Section 102(b)(1) provides that a certificate of incorporation may contain:
Any provision for the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the
corporation, and any provision creating, defining, limiting and regulating the powers of the
corporation, the directors, and the stockholders, or any class of the stockholders . . . ;
if such provisions are not contrary to the laws of [the State of Delaware]
.
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2
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New Websters Concise Dictionary of the English
Language 566 (2003) defines portion as [ a] part of a whole. Accordingly no
matter how much greater the portion, it will, by definition, always be less
than 100%.
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G-5
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
August 10, 2009
Page 6 of 10
8
Del. C.
§ 102(b)(1) (emphasis added). Thus, the ability to curtail the powers of the
corporation, the directors and the stockholders through the certificate of incorporation is not
without limitation. Any provision in the certificate of incorporation that is contrary to Delaware
law is invalid.
See
Lions Gate Entmt Corp. v. Image Entmt Inc.
, 2006 WL 1668051,
at *7 (Del. Ch. June 5, 2006) (footnote omitted) (noting that a charter provision purport[ing] to
give the Image board the power to amend the charter unilaterally without a shareholder vote after
the corporation had received payment for its stock contravenes Delaware law [
i.e.
, Section
242 of the General Corporation Law] and is invalid.). In
Sterling v. Mayflower Hotel
Corp.
, 93 A.2d 107, 118 (Del. 1952), the Court found that a charter provision is contrary to
the laws of [Delaware] if it transgresses a statutory enactment or a public policy settled by the
common law or implicit in the General Corporation Law itself. The Court in
Loews Theatres,
Inc. v. Commercial Credit Co.
, 243 A.2d 78, 81 (Del. Ch. 1968), adopted this view, noting that
a charter provision which seeks to waive a statutory right or requirement is unenforceable.
That the statutory power to amend the certificate of incorporation is a fundamental power of
Delaware corporations is supported by Delaware case law. Delaware courts have repeatedly held that
a reservation of the right to amend the certificate of incorporation is a part of any certificate
of incorporation, whether or not such reservation is expressly included therein.
3
See
,
e.g.
,
Maddock v. Vorclone Corp.
, 147 A. 255 (Del. Ch. 1929);
Coyne
v. Park & Tilford Distillers Corp.
, 154 A.2d 893 (Del. 1959);
Weinberg v. Baltimore Brick
Co.
, 114 A.2d 812, 814 (Del. 1955);
Morris v. American Public Utilities Co.
, 122 A.
696, 701 (Del. Ch. 1923).
See also
Drexler, Black & Sparks,
Delaware Corporation Law
and Practice
, § 32.02 (2005) (No case has ever questioned the fundamental right of
corporations to amend their certificates of incorporation in accordance with statutory procedures.
From the earliest decisions, it has been held that every corporate charter implicitly contains as a
constituent part thereof every pertinent provision of the corporation law, including the provisions
authorizing charter amendments.); 1 R. Franklin Balotti & Jesse A. Finkelstein,
The Delaware
Law of Corporations & Business Organizations
§ 8.1 (2007 Supp.) (The power of a corporation to
amend its certificate of incorporation was granted by the original General Corporation Law and has
continued to this day.) (footnotes omitted); 1 Rodman Ward, Jr., Edward P. Welch, Andrew J.
Turezyn,
Folk on the Delaware General Corporation Law
§ 242.2.2, GCL-VIII-13 (2007-1 Supp.)
(A corporation may ... do anything that section 242 authorizes because the grant of amendment
power contained in section 242 and its predecessors is itself a part of the charter.) (citing
Goldman v. Postal Tel., Inc.,
52 F.Supp. 763, 769 (D.Del. 1943);
Davis v. Louisville
Gas & Electric Co.
, 142 A. 654, 656-58 (Del. Ch. 1928);
Morris
, 122 A. at 701;
Peters v. United States Mortgage Co.,
114 A. 598, 600 (Del. Ch. 1921));
Peters
, 114
A. at 600 (There is impliedly written into every corporate charter in this state, as a constituent
part thereof, every pertinent provision of our Constitution and statutes. The corporation in this
case was created under the General Corporation Law ... That law clearly reserves to this
corporation the right to amend its certificate in the manner proposed.).
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3
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This principle is also codified in Section 394 of the
General Corporation Law.
See
8
Del.C.
§ 394.
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G-6
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
August 10, 2009
Page 7 of 10
In
Davis v. Louisville Gas & Electric Co.,
142 A. 654 (Del. Ch. 1928), the Court of
Chancery interpreted this reserved right to amend the certificate of incorporation broadly and
observed that the legislature, by granting broad powers to the stockholders to amend the
certificate of incorporation, recognized the unwisdom of casting in an unchanging mould the
corporate powers which it conferred touching these questions so as to leave them fixed for all
time.
Id.
at 657. Indeed, the Court queried, [m]ay it not be assumed that the Legislature
foresaw that the interests of the corporations created by it might, as experience supplied the
material for judgment, be best subserved by an alteration of their intracorporate and in a sense
private powers,
i.e.
, alteration of the terms of the certificate of incorporation?
Id.
The Court further confirmed the important public policy underlying the reservation of
the right to amend the certificate of incorporation stating,
The very fact that the [General Corporation Law]...deals in great detail with innumerable
aspects of the [certificate of incorporation] in what upon a glance would be regarded as
relating to its private as distinguished from its public character, has some force to
suggest that the state, by dealing with such subjects in the statute rather than by leaving
them to be arranged by the corporate membership, has impliedly impressed upon such matters
the quality of public interest and concern.
Id
.
While we have found no definitive case law addressing the enforceability or validity under
Delaware law of a certificate of incorporation provision of a publicly held corporation that
requires a 100% vote for the amendment of a provision of such corporations charter, in our view,
such a provision would be invalid because such a provision would, as a practical matter,
effectively prohibit any such amendments. Indeed, in confirming the fundamental importance of a
corporations power to amend the certificate of incorporation, Delaware courts have suggested, in
dicta
, that a provision prohibiting the amendment of a charter provision might be unenforceable.
See
,
e.g., Jones Apparel Group, Inc. v. Maxwell Shoe Co.,
883 A.2d 837 (Del. Ch.
2004) (The Court suggested that the statutory power to recommend to stockholders amendments to the
certificate of incorporation is a core duty of directors and noted that a certificate of
incorporation provision purporting to eliminate a core duty of the directors would likely
contravene Delaware public policy.);
Triplex Shoe Co. v. Rice & Hutchins, Inc.
, 152 A. 342,
347, 351 (Del. 1930) (Despite the absence of common stockholders who held the sole power to vote
on amendments to the certificate of incorporation, the Court assumed that an amendment to the
certificate of incorporation nonetheless had been validly approved by the preferred stockholders
noting that, by the very necessity of the case, the holders of preferred stock had the power to
vote where no common stock had been validly issued because otherwise the corporation would be
unable to function.).
G-7
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
August 10, 2009
Page 8 of 10
More recently, the Court in
Jones Apparel
suggested that the right of directors to
recommend to stockholders amendments to the certificate of incorporation is a core right of
fundamental importance under the General Corporation Law. In
Jones Apparel,
the Delaware
Court of Chancery examined whether a certificate of incorporation provision eliminating the
power of a board of directors to fix record dates was permitted under Section 102(b)(1) of the
General Corporation Law. While the Court upheld the validity of the record date provision, it was
quick to point out that not all provisions in a certificate of incorporation purporting to
eliminate director rights would be enforceable.
Id.
at 848. Rather, the Court suggested
that certain statutory rights involving core director duties may not be modified or eliminated
through the certificate of incorporation. The
Jones Apparel
Court observed:
[Sections] 242(b)(1) and 251 do not contain the magic words [unless otherwise provided in
the certificate of incorporation] and they deal respectively with the fundamental subjects
of certificate amendments and mergers. Can a certificate provision divest a board of its
statutory power to approve a merger? Or to approve a certificate amendment? Without
answering those questions, I think it fair to say that those questions inarguably involve
far more serious intrusions on core director duties than does [the record date provision at
issue]. I also think that the use by our judiciary of a more context- and statute-specific
approach to police horribles is preferable to a sweeping rule that denudes § 102(b)(1) of
its utility and thereby greatly restricts the room for private ordering under the DGCL.
Id.
at 852. While the Court in
Jones Apparel
recognized that certain provisions for
the regulation of the internal affairs of the corporation may be made subject to modification or
elimination through the private ordering system of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws, it
suggested that other powers vested in directors such as the power to amend the certificate of
incorporation are so fundamental to the proper functioning of the corporation that they cannot
be so modified or eliminated.
Id.
As set forth above, the statutory language of Section 242 and Delaware case law confirm that
the statutory power to amend the certificate of incorporation is a fundamental power of Delaware
corporations as a matter of Delaware public policy. Moreover, Delaware case law also suggests that
the fundamental power to amend the certificate of incorporation is a core right of the directors of
a Delaware corporation. The provisions in Article SIXTH purport to eliminate the fundamental power
of the Corporation (and the core right of the Corporations directors) to amend certain
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation by requiring a vote which, although theoretically
possible, is as a practical matter unattainable. As a result, such provisions are contrary to the
laws of the State of Delaware and, therefore, are invalid.
Given our conclusion that Article SIXTH may be amended as provided in the Amendment subject to
compliance with the amendatory procedures set forth in Section 242(b) of the General Corporation
Law, you have asked our opinion as to the vote required for approval of the Amendment. Section
242(b) of the General Corporation Law provides the default voting requirements for an amendment to
certificate of incorporation. Under Section 242(b)(1), the Board of Directors of the
G-8
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
August 10, 2009
Page 9 of 10
Corporation
(the Board) would be required to adopt a resolution
setting forth the amendment proposed (i.e., the Amendment) and declaring its advisability prior to
submitting the Amendment to the stockholders entitled to vote on amendments to the Certificate of
Incorporation. The Board may adopt such resolution by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or, alternatively, by unanimous
written consent of all directors.
See
8
Del.C.
§§ 141(b), 141(f). After the
Amendment has been duly approved by the Board, it must then be submitted to the stockholders of the
Corporation for a vote thereon. The affirmative vote (or written consent) of a majority of the
outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon would be required for approval of the Amendment.
See
8
Del.C.
§§ 242(b)(1), 228(a). The default voting requirements set forth above
may be increased to require a greater vote of the directors or stockholders by a valid provision in
the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws (in the case of the Board).
See
8
Del.C.
§§ 102(b)(4), 141(b), 216, 242(b)(4). However, there is no provision in the
Certificate of Incorporation or By Laws purporting to impose a different or greater vote of the
directors or stockholders for the approval of an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation
other than the provisions of Article SIXTH discussed above which are invalid. Accordingly, in our
view, the statutory default voting requirements would apply to the approval of the Amendment by the
directors and stockholders of the Corporation.
Moreover, in our view, a Delaware court would not reform the provisions of Article SIXTH to
provide for a voting requirement not intended by the drafters.
See
Lions Gate
, 2006
WL 1668051 at *8 (holding that reformation of a certificate of incorporation is unavailable where
the proponent fails to demonstrate that all present and past shareholders intended the reformed
provision to be included within the certificate) (citing
Waggoner v. Laster
, 581 A.2d
1127,1135 (Del. 1990)).
CONCLUSION
While the matter has not been settled as a matter of Delaware law and, accordingly, is not
entirely free from doubt, based upon the foregoing and upon an examination of such questions of law
of the State of Delaware as we have considered necessary or appropriate, and subject to the
assumptions, qualifications, limitations, and exceptions set forth herein, it is our opinion that
the Amendment, if duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation and duly approved by
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation in
accordance with the General Corporation Law, would be valid under the General Corporation Law.
The foregoing opinion is limited to the General Corporation Law and we express no opinion on
any other laws or the laws of any other state or jurisdiction, including, without limitation,
federal laws regulating securities or any other federal laws, or the rules and regulations of stock
exchanges or of any other regulatory body.
G-9
SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
August 10, 2009
Page 10 of 10
We express no opinion regarding any rights, claims, or remedies that might or might not
be available to stockholders in connection with the Corporations public disclosures relating
to the dissolution and liquidation of the Corporation in the event an Initial Business Combination
has not been consummated within a specified time after the consummation of the IPO. We also express
no opinion as to the enforceability, validity, or effectiveness of any of the provisions of the
Corporations Certificate of Incorporation, except to the extent expressly set forth in our opinion
above with respect to the provisions of Article SIXTH to the extent that such provisions purport to
prohibit the amendment of paragraphs (A) through (J) of such Article without the unanimous consent
of the holders of all of the Corporations outstanding shares of common stock. We have assumed that
the Corporation will remain in good standing in the State of Delaware and will remain current on
any franchise taxes or other fees owing to the State of Delaware until such time as the Amendment
is filed with the Secretary of State.
The opinion expressed herein is rendered as of the date hereof and is based on our
understandings and assumptions as to present facts as stated herein, and on the application of
Delaware law as the same exists on the date hereof. The opinion expressed here is not a guaranty as
to what any particular court would actually hold, but a reasoned opinion as to the decision a
Delaware court would reach if the issues were properly presented to it and such court followed
existing precedent as to legal and equitable principles applicable to the issues discussed herein.
We assume no obligation to update or supplement this opinion letter after the date hereof with
respect to any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention or to reflect any
changes in the facts or law that may hereafter occur or take effect.
This opinion is rendered solely for your benefit in connection with the matters set forth
herein and, without our prior written consent, may not be furnished or quoted to, or relied upon
by, any other person or entity for any purpose, except that it may be furnished or quoted to the
SEC in connection with the matters addressed herein and you may refer to it in the Proxy Statement,
and we consent to your doing so, and it may be furnished or quoted to Olshan Grundman Frome
Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP, the Corporations outside counsel, and relied upon by Olshan Grundman
Frome Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP in connection with any correspondence or communications with the
SEC.
Very truly yours,
MML
G-10
Exhibit A
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
PURSUANT TO SECTION 242 OF THE
DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC., a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the
Corporation) hereby certifies as follows:
1. The name of the Corporation is SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.
2. The Corporations Certificate of Incorporation was filed in the office of the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware on February 14, 207 and amended and restated on October 11, 2007.
3. This Amendment was duly approved by the Board of Directors and stockholders of the
Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware (DGCL).
4. The definition of Initial Business Combination in Article SIXTH is hereby deleted in its
entirety and replaced with the following:
An Initial Business Combination shall mean the acquisition by the Corporation, through a
merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar
business combination or transaction or transactions, of one or more businesses or assets (the
Target Business or Target Businesses), resulting in ownership by the Corporation of more than
50% of the voting equity interests of the Target Business or Businesses and control by the
Corporation of the majority of any governing body of the Target Business or Businesses. Any
acquisition of multiple Target Businesses shall occur simultaneously.
5. The definition of Fair market value in Article SIXTH is hereby deleted in its entirety.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed by
its Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer as of this
_____
day of [___], 2009.
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By:
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Name:
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Warren G. Lichtenstein
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Title:
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Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer
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ANNEX H
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON [ ], 2009
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
P R O X Y
The undersigned stockholder of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (SPAH)
having read the notice of special meeting of stockholders and the definitive joint proxy
statement/prospectus, receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, revoking all prior proxies, hereby
appoints Warren G. Lichtenstein and Jack L. Howard, or either of them, with the full power and
authority to act as proxy of the undersigned and with full power of substitution, to vote all
shares of common stock which the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the special meeting of
stockholders of SPAH to be held at [_______] at [ ]:[ ] [ ].m, local time, on [ _____ ], 2009, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, on the matters set forth in
this proxy and described in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus, and in their
discretion with respect to such other matters as may be properly brought before the meeting or any
adjournments or postponements thereof.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE ENCLOSED. THIS PROXY CARD WILL BE
VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2 AND 3.
THIS PROXY WILL REVOKE ALL PRIOR PROXIES SIGNED BY YOU.
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE
H-1
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR
BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE
þ
.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES FOR
DIRECTOR AND FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2 AND 3.
1.
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To adopt an amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of SPAH (the
SPAH Certificate of Amendment) to amend the definition of Initial Business Combination to
eliminate the requirement that the fair market value of the target business equal at least 80%
of the balance of SPAHs trust account (excluding underwriting discounts and commissions) plus
the proceeds of the co-investment, to be effective immediately prior to the consummation of
the merger.
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¨
FOR
¨
AGAINST
¨
ABSTAIN
2.
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To adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 30, 2009, by and between SPAH and
Frontier Financial Corporation, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 10, 2009. THIS PROPOSAL WILL ONLY BE PRESENTED IF PROPOSAL 1 IS
APPROVED.
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¨
FOR
¨
AGAINST
¨
ABSTAIN
Only if you voted AGAINST Proposal No. 2 and you hold shares of SPAH common stock issued in,
or subsequent to, its initial public offering, you may exercise your conversion rights and demand
that SPAH convert your shares of common stock into a pro rata portion of the SPAH initial public
offering trust account by marking the Exercise Conversion Rights box below. If you exercise your
conversion rights, then you will be exchanging your shares of SPAH common stock for cash and you
will no longer own those shares. You will only be entitled to receive cash for those shares if the
merger is completed and you continue to hold these shares through the effective time thereof, and
you tender your stock certificate in accordance with the delivery requirements discussed in the
definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus under the heading The Special Meeting of SPAH
StockholdersConversion Rights of SPAH Stockholders.
I HEREBY EXERCISE MY CONVERSION RIGHTS
¨
3.
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To adopt an amendment to the SPAH Certificate of Amendment to (i) change SPAHs corporate
name to Frontier Financial Corporation, (ii) permit SPAHs continued existence after October
10, 2009, and (iii) create a new class of common stock of SPAH (Non-Voting Common Stock) to
have economic rights but no voting rights, in each case to be effective upon consummation of
the merger. THIS PROPOSAL WILL ONLY BE PRESENTED IF PROPOSALS 1 AND 2 ARE APPROVED.
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¨
FOR
¨
AGAINST
¨
ABSTAIN
4.
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To elect Warren G. Lichtenstein and, if the merger is consummated, Patrick M. Fahey, [
_____
],
[
_____
] and [
_____
] for election as directors to the Board of Directors of SPAH. THE ELECTION OF
PATRICK M. FAHEY, [
_____
], [
_____
] AND [
_____
] WILL ONLY BE PRESENTED IF PROPOSALS 1 AND 2 ARE
APPROVED.
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¨
FOR ALL
¨
WITHHOLD FOR ALL
¨
FOR ALL EXCEPT*
NOMINEES
Warren G. Lichtenstein
Patrick M. Fahey
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
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*
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T
o withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark FOR ALL
EXCEPT and fill in the space next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as
shown here:
þ
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H-2
IN THEIR DISCRETION THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED AND EMPOWERED TO VOTE UPON OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY
PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND ALL CONTINUATIONS, ADJOURNMENTS OR
POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF.
To change the address on your account, please check the box and indicate your new address in the
address space provided below
¨
Stockholders Signature
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Signature of Stockholder
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Date:
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Signature of Stockholder
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Date:
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Note:
Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this proxy. When shares are held jointly,
each holder should sign. When signing as an executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian,
please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by
duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If the signer is a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by authorized person.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY!
H-3
ANNEX I
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
SPECIAL MEETING OF WARRANTHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON [
], 2009
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
P R O X Y
The undersigned warrantholder of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(SPAH) having read the notice of special meeting of warrantholders and the definitive joint proxy
statement/prospectus, receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, revoking all prior proxies, hereby
appoints Warren G. Lichtenstein and Jack L. Howard, or either of them, with the full power and
authority to act as proxy of the undersigned and with full power of substitution, to vote all
warrants to purchase shares of common stock of SPAH, which the undersigned may be entitled to vote
at the special meeting of warrantholders, to be held at [
] at [ ]:[ ] [ ].m, local time,
on [
], 2009, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, on the
matters set forth in this proxy and described in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus,
and in their discretion with respect to such other matters as may be properly brought before the
meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE ENCLOSED. THIS PROXY CARD WILL BE
VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED WARRANTHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT. THIS PROXY WILL REVOKE ALL PRIOR PROXIES SIGNED
BY YOU.
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE
I-1
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR
BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE
þ
.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
1.
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To adopt an amendment to the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement, dated as of October 4,
2007, by and between SPAH and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company to become effective
upon consummation of the merger, to:
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increase the exercise price of the warrants from $7.50 per share to $11.50 per share of
SPAH common stock;
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amend the warrant exercise period to (A) eliminate the requirement that the initial
founders warrants owned by the SPAH insiders become exercisable only after the
consummation of an initial business combination if and when the last sales price of SPAH
common stock exceeds $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day
period beginning 90 days after such business combination and (B) extend the expiration date
of the warrants to the earlier of (x) seven years from the consummation of the merger or
(y) the date fixed for redemption of the warrants set forth in the warrant agreement;
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provide for the mandatory downward adjustment of the exercise price for each warrant to
reflect any cash dividends paid with respect to the outstanding common stock of SPAH;
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provide that, in the event an effective registration statement is not in place on the
date the warrants are set to expire, the warrants will remain outstanding until 90 days
after an effective registration statement is filed, provided, that if SPAH has not filed an
effective registration statement within 90 days after the expiration date, the warrants
shall become exercisable for cash consideration;
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provide that no adjustment in the number of shares issuable upon exercise of each
warrant will be made as a result of the issuance of SPAH shares and warrants to the
shareholders of Frontier upon consummation of the merger agreement; and
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provide that each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, in its sole
discretion, either one share of voting common
stock or one share of non-voting common stock.
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FOR
o
AGAINST
o
ABSTAIN
IN THEIR DISCRETION THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED AND EMPOWERED TO VOTE UPON OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY
PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE SPECIAL MEETING OF WARRANTHOLDERS AND ALL CONTINUATIONS, ADJOURNMENTS OR
POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF.
To change the address on your account, please check the box and indicate your new address in the
address space provided below
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Warrantholders Signature
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Signature of Warrantholder
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Date:
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Signature of Warrantholder
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Date:
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Note:
Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this proxy. When shares are held jointly,
each holder should sign. When signing as an executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian,
please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by
duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If the signer is a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by authorized person.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY!
I-2
ANNEX J
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON [
], 2009
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION
P R O X Y
The undersigned shareholder of Frontier Financial Corporation, a Washington corporation
(Frontier) having read the notice of special meeting of shareholders and the definitive joint
proxy statement/prospectus, receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, revoking all prior proxies,
hereby appoints Patrick M. Fahey and Carol E. Wheeler, or either of them, with the full power and
authority to act as proxy of the undersigned and with full power of substitution, to vote all
shares of common stock which the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the special meeting of
shareholders of Frontier to be held at [
] at [ ]:[ ] [ ].m, local time,
on [
], 2009, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof, on the matters set forth in
this proxy and described in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus, and in their
discretion with respect to such other matters as may be properly brought before the meeting or any
adjournments or postponements thereof.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE ENCLOSED. THIS PROXY CARD WILL BE
VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE MERGER AGREEMENT. THIS PROXY WILL REVOKE ALL PRIOR PROXIES SIGNED BY
YOU.
CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE
J-1
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR
BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE
þ
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE MERGER AGREEMENT
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To adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 30, 2009, by and between SP
Acquisition Holdings, Inc. and Frontier Financial Corporation, as amended by Amendment No. 1
to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 10, 2009.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
IN THEIR DISCRETION THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED AND EMPOWERED TO VOTE UPON OTHER MATTERS THAT MAY
PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS AND ALL CONTINUATIONS, ADJOURNMENTS OR
POSTPONEMENTS THEREOF.
To change the address on your account, please check the box and indicate your new address in the
address space provided below
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Shareholders Signature
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Signature of Shareholder
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Date:
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Signature of Shareholder
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Date:
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Note:
Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this proxy. When shares are held jointly,
each holder should sign. When signing as an executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian,
please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by
duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If the signer is a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by authorized person.
Electronic Delivery of Future Proxy Materials
We strongly encourage you to elect to receive future proxy materials electronically in order to
conserve natural resources and to help us reduce printing costs and postage fees. With electronic
delivery, you will be notified via e-mail as soon as the proxy materials are available on the
Internet and you can submit your votes online. To sign up for electronic delivery:
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go to our website at www.frontierbank.com;
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2.
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click on the box, Electronic Proxy; and
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follow the directions provided to complete your enrollment.
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Once you enroll for electronic delivery, you will receive proxy materials electronically as long as
your account remains active or until you cancel your enrollment.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY!
J-2
PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
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Item 20.
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Indemnification of Directors and Officers
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As permitted by Section 102 of the DGCL, SPAH has adopted provisions in the SPAH Certificate
of Incorporation that limit or eliminate the personal liability of SPAHs directors for a breach of
their fiduciary duty of care as a director. The duty of care generally requires that, when acting
on behalf of the corporation, directors exercise an informed business judgment based on all
material information reasonably available to them. Consequently, a director will not be personally
liable to SPAH or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
except for liability:
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for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to SPAH or its stockholders;
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for any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or
a knowing violation of law;
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under Section 174 of the DGCL; or
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for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
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The SPAH Certificate of Incorporation also authorizes SPAH to indemnify its officers,
directors and other agents to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.
As permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation provides that:
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SPAH may indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the
DGCL; and
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SPAH may advance expenses to its directors and officers in defending any civil,
criminal, administrative, or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which such
officer or director may be entitled to indemnification, upon receipt of an undertaking
by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately
be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by SPAH.
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In addition, SPAH has entered into agreements with its directors to provide contractual
indemnification in addition to the indemnification provided in the SPAH Certificate of
Incorporation. SPAH believes that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract
qualified directors. These indemnity agreements generally require SPAH, among other things, to
indemnify its officers and directors against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status
or service as directors or officers, subject to certain exceptions and limitations. These indemnity
agreements also require SPAH to advance any expenses incurred by the directors or officers as a
result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. In addition, SPAH has
purchased a policy of directors and officers liability insurance that insures SPAHs directors
and officers against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment in some circumstances
and insures SPAH against its obligations to indemnify the directors and officers.
II-1
(a) Exhibits
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Exhibit
Number
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Description of Exhibit
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2.1
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Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 30, 2009, by and between Frontier
Financial Corporation and SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (included as Annex A to
this joint proxy statement/prospectus included in this registration statement)
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2.2
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Amendment
No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
August 10, 2009, by and between Frontier Financial Corporation
and SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (included as Annex A to this
joint proxy statement/prospectus included in this registration
statement)
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3.1
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Form of Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (included as Annex B to this joint
proxy statement/prospectus included in this registration statement)
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3.2
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Form of Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of SP Acquisition
Holdings, Inc. (included as Annex C to this joint proxy statement/prospectus
included in this registration statement)
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3.3
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By Laws of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (1)
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4.1
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Specimen Unit Certificate (3)
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4.2
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Specimen Common Stock Certificate (3)
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4.3
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Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement by and between SP Acquisition Holdings,
Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (6)
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4.4
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Form of Warrant Certificate (1)
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4.5
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Form
of Supplement and Amendment to Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement between SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. and
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (included as Annex D to this joint
proxy statement/prospectus included in this registration statement)
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5.1
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Opinion of Olshan Grundman Frome Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP*
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8.1
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Tax Opinion of Proskauer Rose LLP
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8.2
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Tax Opinion of Keller Rohrback L.L.P.
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10.1
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Form of Letter Agreement by and among SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc., SP Acq LLC
and Steel Partners II, L.P. (5)
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10.2
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Form of Letter Agreement by and among SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. and each of
the directors and executive officers of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (6)
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10.3
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Initial Founders Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 22, 2007, by
and between SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. and SP Acq LLC (1)
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10.4
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Founders Units Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2007, by and among SP
Acquisition Holdings, Inc., SP Acq LLC and Steel Partners II, L.P. (4)
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10.5
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Form of Co-Investment Unit Purchase Agreement between SP Acquisition Holdings,
Inc., SP Acq LLC and Steel Partners II, L.P. (1)
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10.6
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Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and between SP Acquisition Holdings,
Inc., SP Acq LLC, Steel Partners II, L.P. and each of Anthony Bergamo, Ronald
LaBow, Howard M. Lorber, Leonard Toboroff and S. Nicholas Walker (4)
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10.7
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Form of Indemnity Agreement by and between SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. and each
of its directors and executive officers (4)
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10.8
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Form of Investment Management Trust Agreement by and between SP Acquisition
Holdings, Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (7)
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10.9
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Form of Right of First Review Agreement by and among SP Acquisition Holdings,
Inc., Warren Lichtenstein and Steel Partners, L.L.C. (4)
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10.10
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Form of Agreement between SP Acq LLC, SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. and each of
Anthony Bergamo, Ronald LaBow, Howard M. Lorber, Leonard Toboroff and S. Nicholas
Walker (2)
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10.11
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Escrow Agreement by and between SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc., SP Acq LLC and
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (4)
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II-2
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Exhibit
Number
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Description of Exhibit
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10.12
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Adjustment Agreement by and among SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc., SP Acq LLC, Steel
Partners II, L.P. and each of Anthony Bergamo, Ronald LaBow, Howard M. Lorber,
Leonard Toboroff and S. Nicholas Walker (5)
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23.1
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Consent of Olshan Grundman Frome Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)*
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23.2
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Consent of Proskauer Rose LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1)
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23.3
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Consent of Keller Rohrback L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 8.2)
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23.4
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Consent of J.H. Cohn LLP
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23.5
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Consent of Moss Adams LLP
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23.6
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Consent of Morris James LLP (included in Exhibit 99.2)
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23.7
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Consent of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
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24.1
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Power of Attorney (contained on signature page)
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99.1
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Fairness Opinion of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (included as Annex E to this
joint proxy statement/prospectus included in this registration statement)
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99.2
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Opinion of Morris James LLP (included as Annex G to this joint proxy
statement/prospectus included in this registration statement)
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99.3
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Consent
of Patrick M. Fahey
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*
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To be filed by amendment.
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(1)
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Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit filed with SP Acquisition Holdings,
Inc.s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-142696) with the SEC on May 8, 2007.
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(2)
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Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit filed with Amendment No. 1 to SP
Acquisition Holdings, Inc.s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-142696) filed
with the SEC on June 28, 2007.
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(3)
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Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit filed with Amendment No. 2 to SP
Acquisition Holdings, Inc.s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-142696) filed
with the SEC on August 10, 2007.
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(4)
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Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit filed with Amendment No. 3 to SP
Acquisition Holdings, Inc.s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-142696) filed
with the SEC on September 14, 2007.
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(5)
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Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit filed with Amendment No. 4 to SP
Acquisition Holdings, Inc.s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-142696) filed
with the SEC on September 28, 2007.
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(6)
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Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit filed with Amendment No. 5 to SP
Acquisition Holdings, Inc.s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-142696) filed
with the SEC on October 5, 2007.
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(7)
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Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 23, 2007.
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II-3
SPAH hereby undertakes:
(a)(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration statement:
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To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933;
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ii.
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To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from
the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the
aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in
the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee
table in the effective registration statement;
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iii.
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To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution
not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement.
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(a)(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(a)(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(a)(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any
purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement
relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than
prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the
registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that
no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration
statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the
registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a
purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any
statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the
registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
(a)(6) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities
Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: The registrant
undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the registrant pursuant to this registration
statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if
the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following
communications, the registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or
sell such securities to such purchaser:
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i.
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Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the registrant relating to the
offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
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ii.
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Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf
of the registrant or used or referred to by the registrant;
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iii.
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The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering
containing material information about the registrant or its securities provided by or
on behalf of the registrant; and
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iv.
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Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the registrant
to the purchaser.
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II-4
(g)(1) The registrant hereby undertakes as follows: that prior to any public reoffering of
the securities registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this
registration statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the
meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the
information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons
who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the
applicable form.
(g)(2) The registrant undertakes that every prospectus: (1) that is filed pursuant to the
immediately preceding paragraph, or (2) that purports to meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3)
of the Act and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be
filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until such
amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for information that is incorporated
by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this Form, within one
business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail
or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to
the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.
The registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all
information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not
the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.
II-5
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it
has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York,
State of New York, on the 10th day of August, 2009.
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SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
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By:
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/s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
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Name:
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Warren G. Lichtenstein
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Title:
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Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints Warren G. Lichtenstein and Jack L. Howard as true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead,
in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement (including
post-effective amendments, or any abbreviated registration statement and any amendments thereto
filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) and otherwise), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission granting unto
said attorney-in-fact and agent the full power and authority to do and perform each and every act
and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the foregoing, as to all intents and
purposes as either of them might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
said attorney-in-fact and agent, or their substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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By:
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/s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
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Chairman, President and Chief Executive
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August 10, 2009
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Warren G. Lichtenstein
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Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
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By:
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/s/ Jack L. Howard
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Chief Operating Officer and Secretary
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August 10, 2009
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Jack L. Howard
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(Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
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By:
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/s/
Anthony Bergamo
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Director
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August 10, 2009
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Anthony Bergamo
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By:
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/s/ Ronald LaBow
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Director
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August 10, 2009
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Ronald LaBow
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By:
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/s/ Howard M. Lorber
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Director
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August 10, 2009
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Howard M. Lorber
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By:
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/s/ Leonard Toboroff
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Director
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August 10, 2009
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Leonard Toboroff
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By:
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/s/ S. Nicholas Walker
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Director
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August 10, 2009
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S. Nicholas Walker
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II-6
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit
Number
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Description of Exhibit
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2.1
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Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 30, 2009, by and between Frontier
Financial Corporation and SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (included as Annex A to
this joint proxy statement/prospectus included in this registration statement)
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2.2
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Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
August 10, 2009, by and between Frontier Financial Corporation and SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (included as Annex A to
this joint proxy statement/prospectus included in this registration statement)
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3.1
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Form of Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (included as Annex B to this joint
proxy statement/prospectus included in this registration statement)
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3.2
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Form of Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of SP Acquisition
Holdings, Inc. (included as Annex C to this joint proxy statement/prospectus
included in this registration statement)
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3.3
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By Laws of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (1)
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4.1
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Specimen Unit Certificate (3)
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4.2
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Specimen Common Stock Certificate (3)
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4.3
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Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement by and between SP Acquisition Holdings,
Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (6)
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4.4
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Form of Warrant Certificate (1)
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4.5
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Form
of Supplement and Amendment to Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement between SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. and
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (included as Annex D to this joint
proxy statement/prospectus included in this registration statement)
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5.1
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Opinion of Olshan Grundman Frome Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP*
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8.1
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Tax Opinion of Proskauer Rose LLP
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8.2
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Tax Opinion of Keller Rohrback L.L.P.
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10.1
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Form of Letter Agreement by and among SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc., SP Acq LLC
and Steel Partners II, L.P. (5)
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10.2
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Form of Letter Agreement by and among SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. and each of
the directors and executive officers of SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. (6)
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10.3
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Initial Founders Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 22, 2007, by
and between SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. and SP Acq LLC (1)
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10.4
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Founders Units Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2007, by and among SP
Acquisition Holdings, Inc., SP Acq LLC and Steel Partners II, L.P. (4)
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10.5
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Form of Co-Investment Unit Purchase Agreement between SP Acquisition Holdings,
Inc., SP Acq LLC and Steel Partners II, L.P. (1)
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10.6
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Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and between SP Acquisition Holdings,
Inc., SP Acq LLC, Steel Partners II, L.P. and each of Anthony Bergamo, Ronald
LaBow, Howard M. Lorber, Leonard Toboroff and S. Nicholas Walker (4)
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10.7
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Form of Indemnity Agreement by and between SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. and each
of its directors and executive officers (4)
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10.8
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Form of Investment Management Trust Agreement by and between SP Acquisition
Holdings, Inc. and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (7)
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10.9
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Form of Right of First Review Agreement by and among SP Acquisition Holdings,
Inc., Warren Lichtenstein and Steel Partners, L.L.C. (4)
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II-7
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Exhibit
Number
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Description of Exhibit
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10.10
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Form of Agreement between SP Acq LLC, SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. and each of
Anthony Bergamo, Ronald LaBow, Howard M. Lorber, Leonard Toboroff and S. Nicholas
Walker (2)
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10.11
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Escrow Agreement by and between SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc., SP Acq LLC and
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (4)
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10.12
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Adjustment Agreement by and among SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc., SP Acq LLC, Steel
Partners II, L.P. and each of Anthony Bergamo, Ronald LaBow, Howard M. Lorber,
Leonard Toboroff and S. Nicholas Walker (5)
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23.1
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Consent of Olshan Grundman Frome Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
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23.2
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Consent of Proskauer Rose LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1)
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23.3
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Consent of Keller Rohrback L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 8.2)
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23.4
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Consent of J.H. Cohn LLP
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23.5
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Consent of Moss Adams LLP
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23.6
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Consent
of Morris James LLP (included in Exhibit 99.2)
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23.7
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Consent of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.
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24.1
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Power of Attorney (contained on signature page)
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99.1
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Fairness Opinion of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. (included as Annex E to this
joint proxy statement/prospectus included in this registration statement)
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99.2
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Opinion of Morris James LLP (included as Annex G to this joint proxy
statement/prospectus included in this registration statement)
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99.3
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Consent of Patrick M. Fahey
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*
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To be filed by amendment.
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(1)
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Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit filed with SP Acquisition Holdings,
Inc.s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-142696) with the SEC on May 8, 2007.
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(2)
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Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit filed with Amendment No. 1 to SP
Acquisition Holdings, Inc.s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-142696) filed
with the SEC on June 28, 2007.
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(3)
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Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit filed with Amendment No. 2 to SP
Acquisition Holdings, Inc.s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-142696) filed
with the SEC on August 10, 2007.
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(4)
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Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit filed with Amendment No. 3 to SP
Acquisition Holdings, Inc.s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-142696) filed
with the SEC on September 14, 2007.
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(5)
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Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit filed with Amendment No. 4 to SP
Acquisition Holdings, Inc.s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-142696) filed
with the SEC on September 28, 2007.
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(6)
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Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit filed with Amendment No. 5 to SP
Acquisition Holdings, Inc.s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-142696) filed
with the SEC on October 5, 2007.
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(7)
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Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc.s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 23, 2007.
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II-8
ML Str Ret Indl 15 (AMEX:DSP)
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ML Str Ret Indl 15 (AMEX:DSP)
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